KitKat9248
New User
This is my first ever post! Pretty scary and sorry if I have done anything wrong. I’ve been a serial lurker on the forum for many years now and wanted to start by saying thank you to you all, I hope you all know how much reading your advice, comments and general chit chat help, even a lurker!
My first post is a bit of a sad one really and I’m not sure what I’m hoping to get from publishing, but I do think just writing things down sometimes can help, so here goes. I would suggest having a G&T ready for anyone who makes it to the end of my ramble.
Since the beginning of the year I’ve been slowly falling out of love with horses, I’ve had two Shetlands (I know I’m officially odd) for several years and I took in a 16hh palomino to join them who was left with a friend as a livery debt, last year. After years of sharing owning my own had been a life-long dream and I had every intention of bringing him on to be my happy hack, but it just hasn’t happened. He’s been a joy to have around and is sweet and caring, but I haven’t done anything with him other than a small amount of ground work. I keep saying I haven’t got the time, which I am tight on, but I also don’t seem to have the motivation to find the time or send him away to achieve this.
To begin with I told myself that I was just feeling the normal winter blues, (despite this year not being too bad) but it’s a feeling which has continued through the spring and has seemingly magnified. I’m coming to the realisation that it might be time to take a break.
I’m working full time in quite a full on role, have a partner who works away a lot and two dogs to keep me busy. I’m also at a stage in my life (29) where I want to be spending time with my friends before they all start to settle down and that becomes harder. Having the money which currently goes on the horses would also be welcome, and could go towards things which currently feel so out of reach, like our wedding or purchasing land. I used to spend hours upon hours at the yard, but I find myself now just going to do what is needed and having a little cuddle, they are still very much loved and cared for, but I don’t seem to be filling all my time with them if that makes any sense at all.
They are an expensive and consuming hobby to no longer be getting the same enjoyment from and these thoughts have brought me to the realisation that it might be time to call it a day. I say to myself I can always go back, when friends get busy with their families and we have achieved a few of our other goals. I currently ride at a wonderful RS so I know I would still be able to get a horsey fix, without the commitment and worry.
The decision is feeling harder as one of the Shetlands has a couple of physical problems, which whilst manageable I wouldn’t want to pass this over so I would be looking to have him PTS, which I know might cause a few different reactions, but I believe is the only way to guarantee his future. And my Palomino I’m really conflicted on what to do, I would be selling him from the field, as I have done no ridden work with him and prior to that I have no knowledge of him having done anything! I guess I’m just worried about selling him this way, I want him to have a good home. In my head I am thinking to advertise him this way and if I don’t find the right home perhaps I should consider the more difficult decision.
I’ve been agonising over this since the beginning of the year, but I feel I am finally coming to terms with it, I’ve been determined to not rush into any decision, which I think after six months of considering I haven’t. It’s a really difficult decision but I think I’ve now decided.
This is even longer than I thought it would be, so if you have made it to the end, thank you and make that G&T a double! Sorry for the long post and for pouring my heart out. I know that no one can say whether you’re doing the right thing or not, but putting this all down has helped.
xoxo
My first post is a bit of a sad one really and I’m not sure what I’m hoping to get from publishing, but I do think just writing things down sometimes can help, so here goes. I would suggest having a G&T ready for anyone who makes it to the end of my ramble.
Since the beginning of the year I’ve been slowly falling out of love with horses, I’ve had two Shetlands (I know I’m officially odd) for several years and I took in a 16hh palomino to join them who was left with a friend as a livery debt, last year. After years of sharing owning my own had been a life-long dream and I had every intention of bringing him on to be my happy hack, but it just hasn’t happened. He’s been a joy to have around and is sweet and caring, but I haven’t done anything with him other than a small amount of ground work. I keep saying I haven’t got the time, which I am tight on, but I also don’t seem to have the motivation to find the time or send him away to achieve this.
To begin with I told myself that I was just feeling the normal winter blues, (despite this year not being too bad) but it’s a feeling which has continued through the spring and has seemingly magnified. I’m coming to the realisation that it might be time to take a break.
I’m working full time in quite a full on role, have a partner who works away a lot and two dogs to keep me busy. I’m also at a stage in my life (29) where I want to be spending time with my friends before they all start to settle down and that becomes harder. Having the money which currently goes on the horses would also be welcome, and could go towards things which currently feel so out of reach, like our wedding or purchasing land. I used to spend hours upon hours at the yard, but I find myself now just going to do what is needed and having a little cuddle, they are still very much loved and cared for, but I don’t seem to be filling all my time with them if that makes any sense at all.
They are an expensive and consuming hobby to no longer be getting the same enjoyment from and these thoughts have brought me to the realisation that it might be time to call it a day. I say to myself I can always go back, when friends get busy with their families and we have achieved a few of our other goals. I currently ride at a wonderful RS so I know I would still be able to get a horsey fix, without the commitment and worry.
The decision is feeling harder as one of the Shetlands has a couple of physical problems, which whilst manageable I wouldn’t want to pass this over so I would be looking to have him PTS, which I know might cause a few different reactions, but I believe is the only way to guarantee his future. And my Palomino I’m really conflicted on what to do, I would be selling him from the field, as I have done no ridden work with him and prior to that I have no knowledge of him having done anything! I guess I’m just worried about selling him this way, I want him to have a good home. In my head I am thinking to advertise him this way and if I don’t find the right home perhaps I should consider the more difficult decision.
I’ve been agonising over this since the beginning of the year, but I feel I am finally coming to terms with it, I’ve been determined to not rush into any decision, which I think after six months of considering I haven’t. It’s a really difficult decision but I think I’ve now decided.
This is even longer than I thought it would be, so if you have made it to the end, thank you and make that G&T a double! Sorry for the long post and for pouring my heart out. I know that no one can say whether you’re doing the right thing or not, but putting this all down has helped.
xoxo