My life and time dominated by horses

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Daisy2

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Maybe its hormonal but I am feeling tired, exhausted, aching, and slightly bored of the same routine. Trekking across field to horses up and down hill, back ache from lifting and bending, dealing with horses ailments and the never ending diet (good doers) picking poo endlessly, endless fiddling with electric tape and not being able to go anywhere for long because gotta get back for the horses etc etc etc. I love them and they are my life but I do feel that perhaps I should also be seeing friends and socialising more. The rain has not helped. I have a family and full time demanding job.......don't know how I do it sometimes. Just wanted to share..am I alone in feeling this way?
 
I think the horrid weather is getting people down. Stuggling with mud, wet rugs and horses, no grass and getting soaked all the time is getting me down too. Lets hope the weather gets better soon!
 
Of course you're not the only one, horses are extremely time consuming and tying. It helps that I'm not really fussed about going anywhere or socialising, but yes, that is the nature of horses unfortunately! :)

It may just be the rain and time of year, give it time, and if you continue to feel like this you will know you need a change.

Why don't you try going full livery is funds allow, or ask friend to do them for a day so you can go out, and you can return the favour sometime or something?

Chin up, we have them for a reason :)
 
I've felt like jacking it all in at times especially when you add into the mix a lame horse but I'm lucky that I've supportive friends at the yard so I'm through the other end now. Problem is this time of year should be a payback for the hard slog of winter but it's not worked out like that yet has it. Are you at a yard?
 
I am sure there are many many people on here that feel like you have just written their biography, me included, except I do get some help.
Right now we should be enjoying sunny days and putting the winter behind us. No it's Mud, Rain, Mud, Rain.
Hopefully for you it will pass on the next sunny day but if not all I can think of to suggest is maybe see if there is anyone who can lend a hand, I get a few offers just because they want to 'be around horses'.
 
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I could have written that Daisy 2.

In fact my 2 ridding horses have gone away, one on loan and one to schooling livery, partly because it was getting me down (still have 3 equines at home).

I am determined now that when they come back I will get help - even just a morning a week makes it a whole lot more fun.

I have also had a good long look at my routine. It is absolutely necessary to keep everywhere poo picked? Can the winter fields just be left and harrowed?

And when the sun comes out (which it will) it will hopefully be a huge amount more fun?

Next year I am definitely not going to ride between Jan and March and not going to poo pick and will put a hay hutch in the field so they can survive the odd day without having to haul hay down to the field. With the money (hopefully) saved I will then send 2 horses on schooling livery for April - Just so I get into the fun of riding horses again and be inspired by the people around me!!!
 
Having just had my 4 year old put to sleep, I would say make the most of every day you have with them, I miss it so much.
 
I'm feeling the same but with my 8yr old out of action for the summer with his pollen allergy the thought of a summer with no riding is unbearable & I'm off to view another next week! Glutton for punishment .......lol
 
You've also written my biography. If you can, try to get some help. I gave a friend free livery in return for for mucking out duties etc and it's made the world of difference (I now don't have permanent back ache!) I now try to set everything up for the winter early and plan ahead so I'm not messing with fencing in the hail and snow! Keep you're chin up. A few nice rides with the sun beating down on your back and you'll remember why you have them!
 
KVH hugs to you hunny.

OP - you need a day or two off. If you can imagine life without the neds at all, then sell up. If the thought of no neds fills you with sadness, then you need to reassess what you do and where changes can be made.

I love having my neds in at night. Life does not allow for it, so they live out 24/7 which is better for them.

I got suck of everything being mud coloured, so I bought cheap, nice coloured trousers and jackets. Now I can have clean ones on every day. The washing machine deals with the mud overnight (I run the wm once a week on a hot wash, but with nothing in - helps to keep it happy).

I trade off checking friends' horses and them checking mine. Or I pay someone I trust to do it.

As of next winter, unless the weather gives otherwise, mine are all off Jan-March. They can eat and mooch.

We moved to a yard with no poo picking.

During the week now we have a horse free day. Important when there's non-horsey people in the family. At the most they'll be checked by us (if not us then someone else).

When we had a wee yard with just our neds, big hay bales were delivered direct into the field. Water was in a number of the biggest tub trugs dotted down the side of the field (so much easier to fill up!).

When we rode, if in the school, only the relevant parts were groomed. Ridden horses were kept rugged.

Kept saddle soap and a sponge to hand, so tack got at least a wipe over.

Wet turnout rugs left on when horses in. Dried nicely that way.
 
BoolavogueDC said:
You are definitely not the only one! I made my mind up after this horse, I will never have another.
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That's what I thought at the end of last winter, then horrid, horrid traumatic time. My horse had to be put down - I'd had him 17 years... absolute nightmare. Cracked and got another last August and haven't looked back - I've made sure I enjoyed this last winter, riding in all weathers..... horses are out now and it's a trek across a muddy field to see him... what fun!
 
Huge thanks for your replies you have all helped me with your own stories
Perhaps we should start a thread on tips to save your back and emotional well being.

Definately will try to find ways to make it easier. Fussing and being over attentive is one I must curb.


In reply to Victoria1980x, I rent a 13 acre field and share it with sheep from local farmer.

Feels good to share.:)
 
I am fed up too! Just had a baby, horse is on loan, all should be well and boom - horse comes down with lami due to people on the yard going against my instructions for restricted grazing while I was laid up after the birth. Bloody weather and bloody people! Now horses are in at night again anyway so having to fork out for more hay, bedding, lami-related stuff etc, all with a 6 week old baby who doesn't yet know the difference between night and day! Never mind eating into my savings ...

I am now asking myself if it's actually worth the hassle, toil, endless back-biting on the yard, money, effort, time, stress, endless cleaning. Would be nice to forget horses for a few years and enjoy my baby son.

Actually, looking back, I often get 'spring time blues' coming out of winter... But they have passed by now due to light nights and good weather!!! hmmmm :/
 
Everyone feels like that at times. It's this blimin weather. I'm fed up of always looking a mess and spending all my money on horses instead of lovely things for me :D.
But then a nice day comes along or a nice ride (even in the rain!) and suddenly it's all OK again.
I think it's important to be able to have a day or two off every now and again. My mum and I keep our horses at the same yard and she will look after mine while I take a day off and vice versa.
Having just the one helps as well :).
 
personally wouldn't change it for the world :D was horseless last year and it was horrible - don't really have a social life as my boyfriend's a farmer, and people that don't have horses - well, they are just dull ;) so why would you want to socialise with them? :D
 
Great thread! I had a similar whinge on here the other week. I think it's just seemed like a long winter when the spring hasbeen so poor. I'm having faith that once summer has arrived all will be rosy and I can crack on with my ned again : )
 
I see my boys once a year for the summer as they're in an entirely different continent. I would LOVE to muck out and groom and ride but I have to make do with riding schools here in Hong Kong. You're soooo lucky having your horses close to you. I spend nearly every day planning what I'm going to do, buying things for them online, writing wiki pages about them and talking about them with anyone who'll listen.:(
 
Just been thinking today, stay at existing yard, move yard, sell pony, meat man, should I toss a coin, kin sick of it all myself....said for years I won't have another.
 
Story off my life. If I'm not at work which is horsey related I'm doing my 5 horses. No social life and no treats for myself. And yes a day out means time watching to get back for the horses BUT it's my life and I love it. Sold up years ago and was bored and unhappy but had money!! Now I'm skint again but happy.
 
Daisy2 said:
Definately will try to find ways to make it easier. Fussing and being over attentive is one I must curb.


QUOTE]

This is the hard one to deal with! :eek:

We want to do our best for our neds, but sometimes we just need to do the basics and leave some time for us (happier us should equal happier horses anyway :D).
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just read your post! cant beleive im not the only one, Im 54 riding 4 horses a day up to my knees in mud rugs and poo and keep horses at home so cant get away from it. i fuss all the time clock watch when im out and constantly fuss with electric tape, bring them in when its cold and wet and generally spend my life running round for them. it must be the long winter as ive never felt this tired or ever got depressed doing them before as they normally cheer me up sorry to rant on but just couldnt get over your post. Poor you i sympathise totally but it will get better lighter evenings coming and drier weather insane cackle thats what i keep telling myself as i put on my straight jacket and relaise that horses are fed and watered but i have no milk or bread and am starving!
 
definately the weather, cold wet and miserable. Rugs on, Rugs off, waterproofs on waterproofs off etc etc etc!!!! this weather cant last, can it!:( what a horrible thought:(:(:(:(:(. Chin up everyone, just think it will soon be Christmas:eek:
 
It is the weather getting me down! Slipping about in mud makes all the work so much more difficult and depressing. I totally understand what you mean though, having horses is a life choice, your world is dominated by them once you have them..... Hopefully the weather will improve and give us all some nice days to enjoy our horses!!
 
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