Share with me your giving horses experiences

webble

webble

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 August 2012
Messages
5,749
Location
Border of Cheshire/Wirral/ N Wales
Visit site
New loan horse is proving to be quite the project and if I'm honest I don't know that my hearts in it. I haven't really enjoyed horses for about 18 months and I can't face the thought of horse shopping or starting over with another.

Has anyone else called it quits and it been the right thing? So much of my life has revolved around horses for so long and my friends are through horses so not sure how that would work. Throw some positive horse free thoughts at me please
 
I am so happy being horseless.
I do now have shares in racehorses but even a 10% is cheaper than a real horse for a year. And I do t have to muck them out.
I collect dogs as well.
There’s a whole world out there, beyond the stable yard. And you can also go back to it if you really miss it . (But make sure you have a winter without them first).
 
I absolutely love having given up horses and haven't had a moments regret!

I gave up due to finances, and also wanting to start a family within a few years, and knew I absolutely couldn't afford both. I was sick and tired of all the horse costs, it felt like each time I thought I'd had a month where they hadn't been too bad, I'd find i needed to order prascend, or bedding or something else.

I'd also got to the point where I no longer enjoyed riding, as I was sick of the chores (exacerbated as yard expectation was to muck in with overall chores too). By the time i got to riding i couldn't be bothered after doing the chores

I just hated everything to do with horses and still not keen on many aspects of that world

Another reason I gave up was due to cost of living being announced as going up, I was already struggling with the costs, so the thought of it getting worse I couldn't face it, plus i wanted to be able to contribute more to the house costs now they'd be going up. Given up has meant I could contribute equally to some house related expenses that have come up since, before OH would have needed to cover more of the costs

It had got to the point where I'd dreaded having to go to the yard. Now I don't have any of that. I can make spontaneous decisions at the weekend. I'm not stressing about finding money for yet another horse related thing

I always thought I'd never give up horses, however at some point I was no longer that horse mad little girl i used to be. Priorities change and horses were no longer number one priority or even a high priority to have in my life

There is more to life than horses, they are not the be all and end all.
 
I gave them up when I started my 'proper' job, while I got my first house and when I established my relationship with the man who later became my husband.

Once everything was settled, I got another.

I was then injured and gave up for 5 years (serious injury).

My husband and mother said I wasn't the same without one, and I've had one ever since,

If you give up because it's right for you to do so right now, then do it. Nothing to stop you getting another if life is different down the line and you decide to get another.
 
I gave up due to moving, and not wanting that financial and time commitment any longer. The first six months were hard, I missed the life and horses very, very much.

Now I wouldn't go back to it if you paid me. My horse has been replaced by a dog and I can ride whenever I want should I choose.
 
I had 4 years pretty empty of equines in part because I also put on a lot of weight despite doing other stuff. I do now share with an owner who has 2 and I don't think going down 7 days both ends would be good for me, I've done every night this week as owner is on hol and even that's felt like more than I'd like, it just starts to feel like chasing around a bit too much then I get angsty. I was very lucky to always live on site previously which probably helped. I couldn't afford to keep my own here anyway but I am happier with a yard and yard people in my life, loneliness was sometimes a bit of a problem without it.
 
I can’t share as I’ve never ‘given up’ but I do sometimes wonder whether I really want to but another after my boy is no longer here or whether I would just be happy riding and playing with the two of my friends that I look after and ride…
 
I've pretty much given up. I check over the ancient retired one, but he lives out so I just check him over when I walk the dogs.

I do borrow a pony for the odd hack through summer but that's about it. I maybe ride 5 times a year.

I love it. I have more money, more time to spend with my dogs, no nagging feeling of guilt when I can't be bothered to ride.

I just find keeping them fit sooooo boring! I loved doing the odd fun ride or boxing to the beach or low level riding club bits, but the slog of having to ride some five times a week to keep them fit enough to do those things just felt like constant pressure.
 
I sometimes regret getting my lot. I bought the youngest a few weeks after losing my heart horse, I think now it was a rebound thing. She never made height and had a field accident before she was 5, so is now a none ridden pasture potato. I bought the bay boy as a non ridden (he's had a tough ridden life that broke him) as a companion for her when we moved up to our own place from livery, and then I had the gift horse just before Christmas. He's the oldest, and is a ridden, but he is a hot ride, having not seen anything other than field, school and show ring. I am questioning my sanity getting back into riding after a long break onto him, but hey ho. I couldn't get rid of them, but I don't think I'll be getting others when they are gone, even living out at our own place, the time and money they take is sometimes more than I have available. Plus the whole riding/leading with the state of todays roads and the entitlement of others is leaving a very sour taste in my mouth
 
Didn’t give up, but had mine pts several years ago. I really miss the social aspect but I haven’t made the effort to keep up with yard mates. I don’t miss being tied to turn out/catch in routine and having to dash off to do so or get up at the crack (had 2 on different yards at one point). I also don’t miss the cost! Not sure I’ll ever ride again. I might consider a lesson in the summer.
 
I think it depends why you ride - if a large part is the buzz, physical achievement, focus and social aspect, they can be replaced.
If it’s more the fabulous bond and special moments, then it’s more difficult. I do sometimes feel like giving up, but then will have a ride where the whole world feels tranquil as I sit on my horse looking over a beautiful view, or there is a quiet welcoming nicker when I check them last thing and I know I’m doomed to carry on to the bitter end.
 
It just depends. You can give it up, and see how it goes. If you want to return to horses later, then you can. If not, then don't.

I've had periods of being without horses throughout my life, and I haven't hated it. In fact, I found it rather relaxing and freeing in many ways.

Almost all of my friends/friendships aren't through horses. I have several other hobbies, and I've never been "in love" or "horse crazy." Maybe a bit as a kid, but I didn't have much else going on then! So for me I have a life outside of horses, which I think is a good thing for a variety of reasons.

I've been debating walking away for awhile now, but I have so much stuff and the thought of selling the horse and getting rid of all of my things is just overwhelming at times. I was just chatting with someone the other day about how this hobby just isn't relaxing for me. It has its small moments, but I'm kind of feeling that it's all a bit stupid. The thing is, it's fine to feel that way or feel like you want to walk away. Don't let anyone tell you that it's wrong or guilt you into sticking it out if your heart isn't in it. If you're curious about a horseless life, then try it out.

Life is too short to do things that your hearts not into (I should take my own advice there!). You might close this door, whether it's forever or for now, and in turn, many others might open leading to more fulfillment. It can absolutely be the right thing to walk away, and again, if it's not, turn around and walk back 😉
 
I have given up for years and months. Gave up on early 20s as lived in London and had enough of horses. Then fell back into it as had quit my other sport due to injury and my old PC horse was still about. I have had a few months here and there with no horses and quite enjoy it.
I went mad 2 years ago and ended up with 4 which is too many so been slowly whittling them down to get to 1. I am quite goal driven so that keeps me going but have decided my 3yo homebred will probably be my last. It’s time to see the world and spend less on horses.
 
I gave up for 6 years due to moving countries and the costs involved. I got another shortly after moving back. No regrets either way, it was nice to experience life the way everyone else lived it (without horses). But I guess it’s just not for me long term 😂
 
Gave up for over 20 years (living in London and having kids). I did other things and didn't really miss it at the time. Then one I'd had out on loan came back to retire and I slowly got back into it. I do still ride, but riding is secondary to me. My main driver is being able to own the type of horses I enjoy and keep them in as horse friendly way as possible. It does mean I don't do much else outside work (horses take most of my time and money) but I'm happy with that.
 
I gave up when livery yard went up for sale, and I had been there since year dot , ages ago. I couldn’t see me settling somewhere else. One horse retired to a friend to babysit younger ones, one was sold to a new home. Is still there with teenagers having fun on her. My big lad was gifted to my god daughter, she still has him. And the competition horse I was bringing on went to his rider.
I don’t miss them,
I now have dogs, and am a licensed breeder of spaniels 🤭🤭
 
I'm working towards it...
Sadly a month ago I had B fuzzy pts, 2 weekends ago sold my horsebox and also a large amount of hay, plus some bales of bedding.
Been clearing my yard out which is taking ages... have at least managed to throw into the rubbish pile the really knackered stuff, old meds and broken kit.
Head scratching on a load more useful stuff and tat as I really cannot be bothered in people picking it over.
Now advertising my saddles. The yard will go, but at present am not focused on that just yet.

Am still waking up before the alarm would have gone off....

OP, I'll let you know in a few months time!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top