Objective views on my situation please

[Ruth_Cymru]

I shall try to keep this as short as possible for sanity's sake.

I lost my horse to illness and old age in January, and at the end of Febuary took on the day to day care and riding of my stepmother's horse, with no costs coming to me. Brief view of horse: TBxCob mare 15hh, 20 years old.

Since having her she has been lame more times than she has been rideable, with problems ranging from knocks to her legs to pulls in her front legs, none of which have been major issues, but has left her unrideable. She also has several sarcoids which at some point will need treatment- which in turn will equal no riding.

she is a lovely mare and I would love to get a few years riding out of her, however I worry that she won't be able to do the amount of work that I will want to do, I think she will be fine for a couple of light hacks, but I'm not sure about her doing much else.

I should also say that I have been out of regular riding for 5 years due to uni and my horse retiring and then being ill, so please don't think me impatient.

Ideally I would love to own an arab, and I know I will, but the question is, do I carry on with my stepmother's mare for the time being, and if so, how long do I give it? Or do I start to look for my arab?

I know that first of all I need to discuss everything with my stepmother, but I would appreciate outsiders' views on my situation.

Bacon sandwich if you got this far

 

[brighteyes]

<font color="blue"> and at the end of Febuary took on the day to day care and riding of my stepmother's horse, </font>

Do you mind clarifying why?

 

[BBH]

It clearly seems this mare is not what you want riding wise but another thought is that at 20 with a history of problems is it not right that this old girl is retired. She has probably given someone years of service and is feeling ready to have a quiet life. Just a thought.

 

[Ruth_Cymru]

brighteyes- the plan was to get back into regular riding with Ellie, and to give me time to get over the loss of my horse before looking to buy another. Also my stepmother has limited time to ride, so I would be helping her out. And with my stepmother paying for Ellie's upkeep I could put more savings away for my next horse.

LHS- my stepmother has owned Ellie from a 4 yr old and has been pretty much sound through out it all. However for the last couple of years my stepmother has only been riding 1-2 times a week if that, and I think Ellie will be fine to carry on doing that, but I do worry that increasing her riding more than that is too much for her.

I think I'm answering my own questions here, I just want to make sure I'm not being short sighted.

 

[scrumpygus]

Hi there - i dont know if this helps but i have had a horse for 14 years that due to an injury when she was 4 couldnt be ridden - for quite a few years i used to ride other peoples and never bought another as i was scared about the cost and time involved in having 2 but then about 3 years ago a lovely horse at my yard came up for sale and without thinking about it i bought him and it was the very best thing i have ever done - i have had so much fun in the last 3 years with this horse i wonder why i didnt do it sooner. Life is too short and as long as the other horse is well cared for why shouldnt you have the horse u want? The amount of time/money/effort invested in this hobby it isnt too much to ask you get something in return and if you feel an arab will make u happy then go and buy one.

 

[spaniel]

Ok, stepmothers mare isnt going to give you what you want however she does give you breathing space.

I would start looking for your own horse now but take the time to be absolutely the right one for you. Keep your stepmothers horse ticking over with the amount of work she can cope with day by day, that way even if it takes you a few months to find the right horse for you, you will have kept your hand in so to speak and eased yourself through the summer without being totally horseless.

 

[Ruth_Cymru]

sandg1 and Spaniel, thank you, you've both pretty much said what my horsey friends have been saying. I just really wanted this to work as she is a lovely mare and I get on really well with my stepmother, it seemed the perfect situation.

Thank you to all of you for taking the time to reply and helping me clear my head

 

[OWLIE185]

I would have a calm and quiet chat with your stepmother about the situation and tell her that it is unfair to expect her horse to do the amount of riding and excercise that you wish to do and that you want to start looking for a horse for yourself.

As regards an Arab I would suggest that you make contact with the local Endurance Group - there is a good one in Mid-Wales as they may be able to help you to find a good arab locally.

 

[Ruth_Cymru]

Thank you, I shall look up the endurance group. I have a few contacts as far as finding an arab is concerned, and will take my time to get the right horse for me.
My stepmother and I get on very well, so I know she will understand my point of view, I'm just dissapointed that it didn't work out better.

 

[MrsMozart]

Ditto-ing the others (and yourself I think

). Time for girly to chill, and for you to look for your own

.

Happy hunting

.

 

[Tickles]

You could also consider loaning or sharing something to ride - I'm lucky enough to have just started sharing a lovely 3/4 Arab. That would give you a little longer to get over your old horse if you need it and get more settled into career etc, etc with fewer commitments. (Guessing you could be quite young if uni was within the last 5 yrs!)

 

[Ruth_Cymru]

Your comment on me being young made me think, and I've just had a look at my maths and I've actually been out of regular riding for 6 and a half years! Not that I consider myself old, but 26 isn't exactly young. (I'm sure some of you will disagree

)

I wouldn't consider loaning, as I loaned the last horse I had (which I ended up owning in the end, looooong story)And I hated that although I did everything for that horse and loved him to bits, I had no say on what happened to him. But I'm glad to hear that you have found a lovely share Arab

Thanks again all for your replies, I really appreciate it