Well, this is it.

[Fools Motto]

The start of the end.
I've been riding, owning and loaning all my life. I'm still young!! (under 40 - just). I've collelcted, inherited and accumulated a huge amount of 'stuff' over this time.
I still own my mare, and was gifted her field buddy nearly 2 years ago. They will be with me for a time yet, but I know they are to be my last. I can't afford to 'do' my own horses anymore. I just rent a field, for pure cost reasons. I gave up competing several years ago, (we had a blast, and I achieved my lifetime goal of affiliating). I don't have any goals or wishes to fulfil anymore. I sold my trailer. I'm 'just' a happy hacker now. I do enjoy it, just don't have passion in abundance anymore.
I've worked with horses since I left school, got relevant qualifications and worked hard. My last horsey job finished last month. At the end they treated me so bad, I've lost my confidence, my beliefs and my sole. So, I'm giving up.
I've quit working with horses. My new job started last week. I don't like it, I don't know anything other than horses. I feel so 'fish out of water', I don't know what my mind is doing. (Company fixing technology equipment).
On the side, I'm selling most of my horsey possessions on ebay. I'm doing a few things most days. I had hoped my daughter would take it on, but reality hits, we can't afford it, and she hasn't shown the desire I once had. (like the love of a new leadrope at christmas!!)
So, I'm sitting here, with 8 packages to send off, of my old bits from my old ponies, remembering what once was. I hope they will serve the purpose with their new horses, but feeling so sad watching it all just 'go'!

Anyone else done this? How have you coped?

 

[Leo Walker]

I've given up horses and I've given up horsey jobs but never together. There is no shame in taking a break or stopping completely. You may well find once you settle into your new job you end up earning more and at that point horse owning will become fun again. Every time I give up I swear its forever. It hasnt been so far, horses are more addictive than crack and I always get sucked back in, and I'm always glad it happened

 

[Deltaflyer]

I thought I'd given up forever when my 25 yo pony who I'd had since she was 2 had to be PTS and someone asked if they could have my gelding on loan and I almost bit her hand off. I'd started finding it all too much of a chore, wasn't enjoying competing any more, all my passion seemed to have drained away. I welcomed the chance to be horseless. I stashed all my riding cloths and vast collection of saddle cloths and odd bits of tack in the loft and wasn't even interested in watching equestrian stuff on TV. I put my energies in to redecorating the house. Once that was done I became a lazy fat blob LOL

After a few years I donated my riding clothes to charity and my saddle cloths to the local RS.

6 years had passed and suddenly I fancied riding again. Lost a bunch of weight I'd put on so I wouldn't squish the poor unsuspecting horse and started just once a week at the local RS which I thought would satisfy me.. how wrong was I. Within six months aged 53 I bought myself a lovely, very green 6 yo ISH and am just as passionate about riding, competing and just looking after Sam as I was when I bought my first ever pony.

Maybe sometimes one just needs a break. I adore Sam, have a nice little 3.5t lorry so I can go out whenever I want, and once we've moved house would really like to get a nice little youngster to bring on.

I think it's in the blood and sometimes just goes dormant for a while LOL

 

[southerncomfort]

I've thought about it....several times.

My daughter who rides with me and shares the care of our ponies with me will be off to Uni next year and I did seriously think about giving up then as how much fun will it be on my own?

However, the bloomin' things are in my blood and I know in my heart of hearts that no matter how hard it gets doing them on my own in the midst of Winter, I couldn't give them up if I tried.

I do really feel for you. xx

 

[Clodagh]

I have given up, and still feel ashamed. I can no longer afford the time or money to go hunting, which was my whole reason for having horses. I never liked it as much after the ban either. I quite like hacking, but don't altogether see the point in doing it for no reason. I have to ride on my own and my horse is bad in traffic. One thing has led to another and I now haven't ridden for nearly 3 years. I still, for a few more weeks, have my horse and two retired RS ponies in with him. The ponies will stay for the winter and their owner will provide food and hay, so I will still have a pony to pat but at no cost or worry to me.
I also, at more or less the same time, stopped working at the livery yard and went to Tesco instead. That I don't regret, less smelly, less sciatica and less carpal tunnel problems.
Occasionally I get a yearning to ride, but it always wears off before I do anything.
I recommend you get a new hobby, I now have gun dogs and pick up with them. I love it, I love working them and training them and spending time with them. Take your little spaniel bitch gun dog training...get a new reason for going on.

 

[Rowreach]

I think it's in the blood and sometimes just goes dormant for a while LOL

I've given up after a lifetime of horses and 30 years in the industry (along with other things from time to time to make the horses pay). I'm moving from a farm with loads of stables, arena, walker etc to a house in a village with a garden. By the time I move I'll be down to one retired pony who is going to a friend as a companion. I have to say that while making the decision to stop was difficult and took a bit of time, the relief since I made it is enormous.

Sometimes you need a break, a change, and a let up from the expense that horses bring with them.

 

[Cortez]

I've given up horses completely 3 times (so far), and been happy without for several years each time, but then something just starts niggling away and I've ended up back with horses. I have a feeling that the "next" horses will be the last as time will catch up with me and I won't be physically able to do all the ancillary work (I'm nearly 60). All desire to compete left me some time ago (nothing left to prove), and I won't have a young horse again. The contents of my tack room are rather frightening.....

 

[Wagtail]

I have given up horses twice during my life. I started aged 8 at a riding school. I would help out for free rides and then became their groom after doing my A levels. After a year of working 6 days a week for next to no money and being treated like ****, I decided I would go to uni after all (to the relief of my parents). I then gave up horses until my first job. I took on a share, and then a full loan, then started reschooling ex-race horses for people. My friend is a racehorse owner and would give me the nod if any good ones were coming up for a change in career. Then I gave up again and had my two children. Loaned a couple more horses and then bought a couple of my own and started up the reschooling business again. I opened a livery yard 11 years ago and now care for up to eight horses by myself. I haven't had a break since. I do find though now that I have lost any interest in competing and don't have so much passion for riding as I did. I am currently breaking in my youngster and I know she has fantastic potential, so maybe I might get that spark back, who knows? But I still enjoy everything else about horses and couldn't imagine life not being around them.

 

[Orangehorse]

I gave up horses for 10 years while my children were young. I didn't miss the work involved, but I did miss the riding and was able to do a bit of hunter exercising and did a bit of Pony Club with my daughter, but she was never that keen - it was definitely Mum who was the enthusiast. When they were all at school I couldn't wait to get another horse, although with hindsight she was "mis bought." However after that one I bought my present horse. Now I am over 60 I am finding the physical work harder, and I certainly haven't the urge to compete, or even do things around the yard. I somethings think that I really wouldn't miss the horses, as there are lots and lots of other things to do, and there is always that necessity to get back home in time for the horses, or if you want to be late or go away the first thing is to arrange horse care.

When you are young it is impossible to imagine that you might not want to keep riding, but life does intervene.

Horses take up such a huge amount of time (and money, frankly) so if it ever becomes too hard in whatever way, then there is no shame in saying "enough" and stepping back. You might want to do it again sometime, or maybe not, just be easy on yourself and enjoy the extra time, all those things you thought you might like to do sometime - do them.

 

[Equi]

Every time I give up horses I end up doubling my herd. It's like plucking a hair from my chin. If I was you I would look for another job, one you do enjoy. I know care is not for everyone but it's not soooo different from a horse job lol