taking a break from horses... anybody done this?

[Bustalot]

Having my pony go lame.... again!!! I am really loosing interest in it all. He has had several issues in the past. I have owned him for 6 years and can probably say only half of them were spent riding. The other half box rest or lame pony. As others may know from previous posts there is so much i want to have a go at such as more jumping and XC etc. But it always seems to end up taking a back seat. I was just thinking that we were good to go and starting to get pony into more work, but no. Once again it comes to a halt. I think i am just expecting to much of what he is now capeable (sp!) of.

I am seriously considering taking a break from it all, loaning my horse out as a companion or light hack to hopefully live out his days, although i would still want to be involved with him. Or maybe better to get a sharer? Take a break for 6 months or a year then maybe think about getting another horse to do what i want to do, although i may actually enjoy my time without a horse (and extra money!) and not get another!

Has anybody taken a break from horses? How did it work out for you? I just feel like i am letting my pony down, almost giving up on him. He has had so many issues in the past i just want him to be happy and have all the love and attention he deserves that i can not currently give

 

[Tinseltoes]

I took a long break from horses from 89 till 2005.I now have my own horse again and I found it quite easy to adjust,just took awhile.I know it can be different & harder for others at times.

 

[Leggymare]

Hi, it was a long time ago but i took a break from horses for about 4 1/2 years, it was strange at first - no early mornings late nights out in all weathers (although at first i loved not being in the rain coming home smelling so fragrant!) then i realised i missed it more than anything! but it was good in that time i had a bit of "me time", holidays, learnt to drive and got a car, hair and nails done going out and not having to get up with a hangover to make sure my horse was ok! but i wanted it back!! So i saved up and got myself a new friend it worked out quite well for me (at the time - lost him to Lami but now i am still involved with horses i couldnt be without!! but i do have a friend who stopped with horses about the same time as me and is quite happy married and babies and isnt bothered about them at all.

You could get a sharer over summer (if it arrives!) and see how it goes for a few months free up a bit of time for you for a while and see where you want to go from there? you never know you might miss it madly like myself and be back in it full throttle in no time!!
hope what ever you do works out for you xx

 

[LaurenM]

I know how you feel. I'm recovering from a broken back, having to sell one if mine due lack of finances, my mares lame, can't ride for 4 more months anyway and Ive been sorting them today with a hangover! Yesterday I just felt like i'd had enough and even had a little cry in the stable

They're my babies though and I'm trying to sell my gelding to a riding school so I can still see him. He's had a history of napping so don't want the guilt if someone rode him the wrong way - unlike the woman that sold him to me, I have a conscious..

 

[Beatrice5]

I had a break of nearly 6 years when I had my children.

Took my time to find my chap the right home which was only 3 miles away and a lovely family who shared my views on management etc and promised to keep him for life which was very important for me and him. Their son rode him like a dream and it was a very easy decision. We became really close and still are firm friend even though we have now moved 100 miles away.

I did miss it hugely and yearned to touch and smell a horse. I would go to visit friends with horses and ask if I could go and stroke their horse and give it a good sniff and a squeeze!

Then bought a real easy common little coblet and she was perfect. Gave me back my Joie de Vie (sp) and now I am in horsey heaven with 3 of the b***ers