This horse owning is horrible!!!

I

ILikeThemHairy

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So... I am now the proud owner of my first horse as a grown up (recently changed username if its confusing you!!) and this owning stuff is a weird business.

Is he too hot?
Is he too cold?
Im sure he looks thinner today?
He's not being very polite. Maybe its too much food?
He's never had a rug on, leave it off.
Its freezing, put one on!
Maybe thats why he looks thinner, cause all his food is being used to keep him warm.
Maybe putting one on will make him sweat up, he will definitely drop weight if he is stressed.
I wonder if hes making friends?
I hope he doesnt get picked on.
I hope he isnt picking on the others.
What if he doesnt like me?
What if he is so naughty the first time I ride him in his new surroundings I petrify my already slightly-wimpy self and never want to ride him again?
What if he turns into a plod and is no use for anything?
What if I ruin him?


Please tell me that everybody else goes through this??!! I am driving myself slightly insane...
 
It's asteep old learning curve eh? You will be fine, cos you care how he feels. Three quarters of the battle. Takes time to build a bond and trust. Don't be afraid to ask advice. Relax and enjoy! Winter is about survival though!
 
Have no idea who you were before . . . but I could have written this post in my first few days/weeks of horse ownership :). Pleased to say that I haven't killed my boy off yet . . . and he actually seems to be thriving under my care (frantically touches wood). You and your horse will be fine. Go with the flow . . . love him . . . take judicious advice and you'll be fine.

P
 
Just imagine what the horse is thinking:

Who IS this person?
OK, she fed me. Can't be all bad.
No more food coming? Hmmm. Not sure the service here is up to scratch.
Who's this thug next door? I'll teach him a thing or two.
Just saw the size of his back paws. Maybe not.
Stop feeling my ears. I have plenty of hair, I'm fine thanks.
Stop hovering by that rug. I said I'm fine.
Any more of that food going?
Nice cuddle and neck scratch, thanks. I won't chuck you off... yet.
Is it time for breakfast?
 
Im the same and had horses over 4 years..
i get parniod that cause hes not english he might feel the cold more or if he runs out of hay in the night hes going go get hungry:o.. People laugh at the size of his haynet ;) X
 
I'm much the same. My current horse is one that I have on loan, and I think that makes it worse! I'm constantly wondering if he's ok, and if anything comes up - even the tiniest little scratch - I panic! Anyone else's horse though, I seem to know exactly what to do. Just mine I get all freaky about! Lol :rolleyes:
 
Abacus said:
Just imagine what the horse is thinking:

Who IS this person?
OK, she fed me. Can't be all bad.
No more food coming? Hmmm. Not sure the service here is up to scratch.
Who's this thug next door? I'll teach him a thing or two.
Just saw the size of his back paws. Maybe not.
Stop feeling my ears. I have plenty of hair, I'm fine thanks.
Stop hovering by that rug. I said I'm fine.
Any more of that food going?
Nice cuddle and neck scratch, thanks. I won't chuck you off... yet.
Is it time for breakfast?
Click to expand...

:) I like this!
 
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!

I totally went through this! Was awful and actually made me feel ill! However, after a few months it wore off and im much more relaxed!

Its all about getting used to your horse, his reactions etc. You will be fine :):):)
 
I'm still like this 4 years down the line :p haven't killed any horses off yet though and totally relaxed when it comes to making descions for other peoples horses :rolleyes:
 
Abacus said:
Just imagine what the horse is thinking:

Who IS this person?
OK, she fed me. Can't be all bad.
No more food coming? Hmmm. Not sure the service here is up to scratch.
Who's this thug next door? I'll teach him a thing or two.
Just saw the size of his back paws. Maybe not.
Stop feeling my ears. I have plenty of hair, I'm fine thanks.
Stop hovering by that rug. I said I'm fine.
Any more of that food going?
Nice cuddle and neck scratch, thanks. I won't chuck you off... yet.
Is it time for breakfast?
Click to expand...

you have a REALLY polite horse!

One of mine would be:

Is it dinner time yet?
Oooh itchy, I'll just push that fence over. Can't believe you put me in a field with HAY.
Is it dinner time yet?
Ach, another itch, I'll just slice my leg open.
Is it dinner time yet?
Move out the way I haven't eaten all day and my stomach thinks my throat's been cut.
Is it dinner time yet?
I'll just escape and help myself to the feed room if no-one's going to prvide something edible.
Is it dinner time yet?
Yes? Let me at it quick before the invisible monster eats it
I SAID stay away! Do not look at my dinner, I am starving!

Well, that was naff. I hate you.


Is it dinner time yet?
 
I have never had as many sleepless nights as I have since we bought our gorgeous boy for my daughter. He is worth every one though. I think it is a bit of a shock to realise that you are solely responsible for their welfare. We are probably a bit OTT sometimes but sooner that than ignore something. Even after 3 years if the phone rings at the time the yard groom would normally be giving him breakfast or putting him out my heart skips a beat in case it is her and there is a problem with him. :o
 
Abacus said:
Just imagine what the horse is thinking:

Who IS this person?
OK, she fed me. Can't be all bad.
No more food coming? Hmmm. Not sure the service here is up to scratch.
Who's this thug next door? I'll teach him a thing or two.
Just saw the size of his back paws. Maybe not.
Stop feeling my ears. I have plenty of hair, I'm fine thanks.
Stop hovering by that rug. I said I'm fine.
Any more of that food going?
Nice cuddle and neck scratch, thanks. I won't chuck you off... yet.
Is it time for breakfast?
Click to expand...

Hahaha this absolutely tickled me!! I laughed out loud... But totally another thing I've worried about!

Who IS this person?
Where are my friends?
Why does she keep fussing over me?
What the hell are those smelly herby things she keeps trying to feed me? They are ruining my cubes?
Yes I know where the water trough is. You dont need to drag me to it.
Yes I know the mud in the gateway is 2 foot deep. Why the hell do you think I refuse to walk in it so I can watch you lose your wellies?
Can I go home now?

I am so glad im not the only one worried about it all. He looks pretty happy, and I think that he will have a better life (well, certainly a more spoilt one with more attention!) but its really different to how he used to be. I hope he isnt sad. Someone please tell me that food is not the way to buy his love?? He always seems to happy after those sugar filled molasses treats... :/ ok I am turning into a crazy over-protective mother now. Does anyone have any cotton wool? Im sure I could just wrap him up in a giant horse-sized roll and he would be fine :D
 
ponypilotmum said:
you have a REALLY polite horse!

One of mine would be:

Is it dinner time yet?
Oooh itchy, I'll just push that fence over. Can't believe you put me in a field with HAY.
Is it dinner time yet?
Ach, another itch, I'll just slice my leg open.
Is it dinner time yet?
Move out the way I haven't eaten all day and my stomach thinks my throat's been cut.
Is it dinner time yet?
I'll just escape and help myself to the feed room if no-one's going to prvide something edible.
Is it dinner time yet?
Yes? Let me at it quick before the invisible monster eats it
I SAID stay away! Do not look at my dinner, I am starving!

Well, that was naff. I hate you.


Is it dinner time yet?
Click to expand...

Hahaha I have fantastic visions of a Thelwell like pony, with ears back, a permanently ripped rug and exasperated humans running stressed behind him with gaffer tape and bandages!
 
Still to come.....
Did his head bob? Is he lame?
Does that fetlock look puffier than the others?
Is that a bit of heat on that leg?
He was sound going to bed last night, he's lame this morning, should I call the vet or wait to see if he will get better himself?
Is the grass too rich and will make him lammy?

There is always something.
 
ponypilotmum said:
you have a REALLY polite horse!

One of mine would be:

Is it dinner time yet?
Oooh itchy, I'll just push that fence over. Can't believe you put me in a field with HAY.
Is it dinner time yet?
Ach, another itch, I'll just slice my leg open.
Is it dinner time yet?
Move out the way I haven't eaten all day and my stomach thinks my throat's been cut.
Is it dinner time yet?
I'll just escape and help myself to the feed room if no-one's going to prvide something edible.
Is it dinner time yet?
Yes? Let me at it quick before the invisible monster eats it
I SAID stay away! Do not look at my dinner, I am starving!

Well, that was naff. I hate you.


Is it dinner time yet?
Click to expand...

Loving both of these !!!
 
ILikeThemHairy said:
So... I am now the proud owner of my first horse as a grown up (recently changed username if its confusing you!!) and this owning stuff is a weird business.

Is he too hot?
Is he too cold?
Im sure he looks thinner today?
He's not being very polite. Maybe its too much food?
He's never had a rug on, leave it off.
Its freezing, put one on!
Maybe thats why he looks thinner, cause all his food is being used to keep him warm.
Maybe putting one on will make him sweat up, he will definitely drop weight if he is stressed.
I wonder if hes making friends?
I hope he doesnt get picked on.
I hope he isnt picking on the others.
What if he doesnt like me?
What if he is so naughty the first time I ride him in his new surroundings I petrify my already slightly-wimpy self and never want to ride him again?
What if he turns into a plod and is no use for anything?
What if I ruin him?


Please tell me that everybody else goes through this??!! I am driving myself slightly insane...
Click to expand...

(((((HUGS)))))) welcome to being a horse mum!

Yes we've all been there - my sister and I snuck out of the house one very stormy night to check on my new horse. She was fine - we got very wet but enjoyed sitting under the trees :eek: watching the thunder storm travel around the valley.

Later realised that at 10 years old she would probebly have experienced many thunderstorms.

You will get over the stress and become areal pro by the end of winter. :D
 
congrats on new horse, just enjoy him. you will get used to him and what he likes and he will get used to you, its a learning curve. as long as he has food water and shelter, and a cuddle and a kiss, hes not doing too bad. have fun and all will come in time. :)
 
Aw thanks for the hugs tnavas... I can see me sneaking out all the blooming time.. I need to be braver! Going to attempt to ride him tomorrow (first time I've ridden him in 3 years -I used to ride him a lot, he's now 15), the first time he's been ridden in about 2 months and the first time in his new home... Wish me luck!!!
 
That's so right, all he NEEDS is food water and shelter, the rest is a bonus. I need to stop worrying and start enjoying a bit more! Glad to know its normal and even more glad to know it gets better!!
 
Really good luck tomorrow! I know just how you feel. Am coming back to riding after about 5 year break and have bought an enormous youngster...duh....what was I thinking? :rolleyes: but can't help who we love can we?

So....fingers crossed for you for...no rain...no wind....no frozen ground....did I leave anything out?:) most of all....just enjoy!
 
Over 30 years ago my parents bought my big sis and I our first horse, I can remember very very clearly the feeling of utter shock the first time I rode him out. It was the first time in my life I had ridden without another person with me :eek: We were lucky as our parents took a lot of resposibility and the horse was the perfect first horse, still provoked a fair bit of anxiety. It does get better, but the adiction never does :D
 
Oh god yep all normal, well as normal as can be ha ha

I find myself doing this all the time, as I worry with everything to do with my animals.
I'm sat here now thinking ' gawd I hope she's warm enough' knowing that she will be but thats the way I am.
 
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