angel7
Well-Known Member
Sorry this is long folks.
I honestly can't decide if I should get back into horses again after 2 years since last one PTS.
My heart still loves and misses horses dearly but my head says I'm being silly even considering it!! When I was younger I had a succession of good ponies with no problems.
I'm fat now however and the last 4 big horses I've bought have been nothing but heartache and disasters ie
First mare was very nappy and turned out to have bilateral ringbone (no wonder!)- I had to rehome her as a companion. She was sold to me as a quiet RC cob aged 12, actually in her twenties although her teeth didn't show this.
The next was the perfect horse, I had him 2 years and broke him myself at 4. Just a few weeks after being backed he contracted Grass sickness and died horribly within 12 hours of onset.
Then I bought a cracking nice colt foal, highland cross arab, only had him a week when he contracted tetanus following a kick in the field (mare obviously wasnt vaccinated and vet was due to jag him the following week)
My last mare was a real poppet but went lame within weeks of buying and breaking her myself. Turned out to have an inoperable bone cyst and I had to have her PTS 6 months later.
I've lost thousands of pounds between buying them, vets bills and even disposal costs as none of the insurances paid out due to various reasons.
My health has also not been very good lately and I'm only 10 weeks post op from an emergency microdiscectomy on my back. My consultant says no riding for another 6 weeks, and I must never lift heavy objects again, although he didn't say I could never have a horse.
I have come across a lovely 2 yo coloured cob gelding at a realistic price, he seems a really nice person and I'm a bit smitten.
My heart says life is too short and I should enjoy what I can when I can. I could start him lightly next year when I'm well and then turn away. he can stay out another 6 weeks and then be in on rubber matting to reduce mucking out.
My head says don't be absurd - if my back goes or anything else theres no one to look after him atall (I'm single and have no friends, sad I know). Mucking out and watering in winter would be extremely difficult for me now, and the nearest yard is DIY only. And I would like to be able to ride sooner rather than 2 years. I would also be tied to him everyday (obviously) and unable to nip away for a weeks holiday when I want (again no one to look after and cant afford full livery elsewhere.)
When I type it like this it seems a silly pipe dream to buy him- what am I going to realistically be able to do with him? And yet the want to have him is as strong as ever!!
I'm terrified of buying him and being unable to cope. The market is so bad at the moment its not even easy to sell them on if difficulties arise. But then I could be worrying over nothing, he might be a doddle and he could also really help keep me fit and well and busy (I'm a bit depressed with little to do).
Well done if you got this far....
I honestly can't decide if I should get back into horses again after 2 years since last one PTS.
My heart still loves and misses horses dearly but my head says I'm being silly even considering it!! When I was younger I had a succession of good ponies with no problems.
I'm fat now however and the last 4 big horses I've bought have been nothing but heartache and disasters ie
First mare was very nappy and turned out to have bilateral ringbone (no wonder!)- I had to rehome her as a companion. She was sold to me as a quiet RC cob aged 12, actually in her twenties although her teeth didn't show this.
The next was the perfect horse, I had him 2 years and broke him myself at 4. Just a few weeks after being backed he contracted Grass sickness and died horribly within 12 hours of onset.
Then I bought a cracking nice colt foal, highland cross arab, only had him a week when he contracted tetanus following a kick in the field (mare obviously wasnt vaccinated and vet was due to jag him the following week)
My last mare was a real poppet but went lame within weeks of buying and breaking her myself. Turned out to have an inoperable bone cyst and I had to have her PTS 6 months later.
I've lost thousands of pounds between buying them, vets bills and even disposal costs as none of the insurances paid out due to various reasons.
My health has also not been very good lately and I'm only 10 weeks post op from an emergency microdiscectomy on my back. My consultant says no riding for another 6 weeks, and I must never lift heavy objects again, although he didn't say I could never have a horse.
I have come across a lovely 2 yo coloured cob gelding at a realistic price, he seems a really nice person and I'm a bit smitten.
My heart says life is too short and I should enjoy what I can when I can. I could start him lightly next year when I'm well and then turn away. he can stay out another 6 weeks and then be in on rubber matting to reduce mucking out.
My head says don't be absurd - if my back goes or anything else theres no one to look after him atall (I'm single and have no friends, sad I know). Mucking out and watering in winter would be extremely difficult for me now, and the nearest yard is DIY only. And I would like to be able to ride sooner rather than 2 years. I would also be tied to him everyday (obviously) and unable to nip away for a weeks holiday when I want (again no one to look after and cant afford full livery elsewhere.)
When I type it like this it seems a silly pipe dream to buy him- what am I going to realistically be able to do with him? And yet the want to have him is as strong as ever!!
I'm terrified of buying him and being unable to cope. The market is so bad at the moment its not even easy to sell them on if difficulties arise. But then I could be worrying over nothing, he might be a doddle and he could also really help keep me fit and well and busy (I'm a bit depressed with little to do).
Well done if you got this far....
) and the seller didn't think I was genuine but I was getting it sorted the next week. I wouldn't say a 2 year old is the way to go unless you can turn away pay for backing and schooling in next 2-3 years etc.