No horse again

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FairyLights

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I've lurked for an age on various horse forums , I used to own horses in the past, had 5 at one time, youngstock and riding horses,have competed and hunted, but, due to life,deaths and injuries dont have any horses at the moment. I have toyed with the idea of getting a youngster, but ,to be honest, i just dont think I can face it all anymore. It used to be riding school and horse books and getting out there and doing. Now I have read so much I've become disillusioned. A lot of the stuff is useful and informative,like the thread about the insureres not paying up BEVA guide lines about horses PTS and similat useful threads. I coould go on, in the past my vet would come for a lame horse and advise one thing or another,now its x-rays and nerve blocks and alsorts. Its increadably expensive so you have to beinsured,but then the horse has to travel miles sometimes to hospital,go through procedures and them be PTS when it would IMO have been kinder to end its days in the yard at home. The vets seem unwilling to diagnose anymore incase they get it wrong. Its all a nightmare.
Then theres so much otherstuff, new ideas,some good some bad. Infact theonly thing I can relate to is the travelling home after hunting thread about leaving the saddle on and letting the ponies roll in the field.What we used to do! and it worked and was all ok, when I was a teenager nothing much seemed to go wrong,now its all expensive disaster after disaster. I really cannot face horse hunting at the moment, its all so black and hopeless.
Thanks for reading.
 
Sounds like maybe you've got a bit 'stale' - do remember that all the fun stuff that's just for the joy of having horses normally goes unreported on forums and websites - its just not considered newsworthy.

I think the thing is we understand more about lameness etc now, and I've a feeling that horses with navicular/sore backs etc were either unnoticed or stuck on bute and carried on, whereas we know better than that these days.

I think if you got involved in horses again with the right people you'd see it for the ups and downs it always was :)
 
Don't feel so bleak :)

I am 37. I had my own horses from about 7 or 8, spent every spare minute out of school at my local stables. I went on to train as a Riding Instructor and worked with horses for a good few years. I had 14 years or so away from horses, while I had my babies (apart from the odd spot of freelancing) and got my current horse 2 years ago after a huge break.

Things have changed, some worse but 95% for the better! Even though I did all that training and had all that experience I ave learnt so much more second time round and am continuing to learn all the time. My horse has taught me loads and I feel a much better horseperson/owner this time round.

Yes things are more expensive now but the love/joy you get from having a horse makes it all worth it.

Maybe it would be worth looking for a part share for now, or offer to help out at local yards and see how you feel.

Good Luck though and chin up, the positives far outweigh the negatives :)
 
without tempting fate in any way as I have had my share of equine dramas and my old girl is coming home with lots of old age related conditions... BUT in 5 years of owning my self important Irish boy, the only time he has seen the vet (apart from his normal flu and tet) was when the idiot ate a wasp and passed out with the resulting shock.

So, you only see on the board when things go terribly wrong for people but the vast majority enjoy their horses with very little drama - if this sort of board had exisited 20 years ago then I am sure we would have all had our eyes opened then!
 
Sorry Lucy, I know it isn't meant to be funny but your post just made me LOL. I can imagine my horse doing that.

As said I think you only really hear the bad things on here. I have had my horse for 8 years with few problems.
 
Just carry on with what works for you! No need to change with the times or be 'approved'.....

If it works, have happy horses and enjoy it...then to hell with everything else!

:)
 
Binky01 said:
Just carry on with what works for you! No need to change with the times or be 'approved'.....

If it works, have happy horses and enjoy it...then to hell with everything else!

:)
Click to expand...

Couldnt agree more, I've had horses for rather a long time and things have changed so much. Some of the new thinking I adopt, some I dont. With the exception of my current predicament with my sick horse, most of the time my horses survive and look happy and enjoying life without needing to see the physio, chiro or saddle fitter every 5 minutes. They dont have a zillion supplements (well they dont have any actually). I think we can all get too obsessed with 'being the perfect owner'
 
Dear Horsesforever1,

I totally empathise with you... I am horseless after having my own for many years, had excellent relationships with my "boys". Loved them to bits. Life changed and now I don't own any, could do... but don't. I miss horses incredibally. Find it very hard not to have one or two... For me, it's not about the rosettes but its all about the horses personality and bonding with them, getting to know them, getting the better of them (using my brain, not whip) when they're stubborn, loving them and looking after them... I know, though, when the time is right for me, I will find another equine pal.

I watch some equine pals of mine, rushing around... worrying about finances.... not being able to ride out due to the poor weather.. when I think back to when I was a teenager, the weather seemed much better.... Yes, it was more basic a few years ago, but I feel people were happier with a simpler life. Also I don't understand why people are breeding so many unwanted ponies/horses? Yes, to make money (of course). Why are dealers bringing poorly horses sick with diseases to the UK? There is so much going wrong that I feel better to be removed from it all... For the time being at least..

Just to say I completely understand.... and ... the "itch" won't go away I'm afraid! sorry! xx
 
Just remember that all forums are mainly used by people with a problem to discuss/resolve! If we all came on everyday and posted a 'had a normal day with no dramas' post, it would put the 'problem' posts in the shade!!
 
Got to agree with last post . people dont usually come on here and post.....went to check horses....all ok.....no illness....beautifully behaved....etc . Also there are many people who own and ride for pleasure so we dont worry if horse isnt fit or schooling perfectly or the lorry breaks down etc. the joy of just spending time with my boys and the occasional hack if the mood takes me is enough so I dont worry. Obviously we are all this for different reasons but dont let others experiences put you off
 
I am horseless at the moment :(

I have had ponies since about 12 years old (now 21) but since having my son last year I had to sell my lovely pony due to time & money commitments.

I really want to get another pony.. but must get other commitments sorted first (plus I have an un-supportive other half :( .
 
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