What to do?

Z

zeuscleoharmony

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 May 2009
Messages
778
Location
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Visit site
I love and adore Archie. I bought him over 3 1/2 years ago. with every intention of keeping him forever. Since my accident in February I have had all sorts of thoughts and that is why I have started riding him, albeit periodically, to ensure my nerve is still intact and to try to get back my old feelings I had before.

Whilst riding the other day, even though I absolutely adore and love him (I think you all know by now that so won't mention it any more) I just didn't feel 'right' riding him. I just didn't seem to be buzzing and enjoying it like I did before.

He is a fabulous, wonderful, kind horse who is an absolute pleasure but in the event I find I don't want to ride he is going to be just so wasted. He's only 7. He deserves to be ridden, to see different things, which up until my accident was happening. I myself would love him to be my pet but that wouldn't be fair on him, I dont think. He wants for nothing but in my opinion he needs to get out and about and enjoy the breathtaking scenery we have in abundance around us.

I am now thinking should I find a brilliant loan home? But worry about things not working out. I tried a loaner where he is and she was a complete let down, she lied to me about her experience but then again my judgement was poor and so the loan came to an abrupt end. Try to find a brilliant loan home with a view to buy, but then I have gone back on what I said in giving him a forever home and to be honest don't think I could actually sell him?

Can I just add, I have recently started a new job also in our local hospital. This has been a complete career change for me and to be honest it is full of highs and lows at the moment and I now have the flu, I think I low after all thats been happening to me.

Its just that I want to do whats right for my boy, not for me but for him.

I give him love, look after him and care for him but I don't think that is enough - he needs to be ridden and enjoyed and shown and experience new things - something which, at the moment, I just don't seem able to cope with.
 
Just don't forget, horses dont have aspirations. They won't be thinking "Hm, I'd rather be jumping to be honest.."

Try to go with your gut feeling/ instincts. Don't forget that time's a healer either
smile.gif


Sorry, not very good advice but It's what I go by and it seems to serve me okay 99% of the time x
 
How sad, how big is Archie. My friend has just had to have a horse put down he was a wobberler. She is heart broken, may be you would be happy selling Archie to someone like her, she would love him to death
 
he will not understand that he could be out doing more with someone else, he knows he is loved and it sounds like he wants for nothing, if you really want him to do something then I would find a loan to stay at present yard, and just be very careful, but I wouldn't worry too much, sounds like he has all he needs right where he is.
 
No horse stands thinking "I wish someone would come and take me away from my food and my mates, and make me do some work for a couple of hours".
wink.gif


You don't need to sell him for his sake but it would be perfectly reasonable to sell him for yours if you aren't enjoying him.
 
To me, it sounds like you should go down the part loan/share route. I can tell you love him to bits and a part loan means you could still spend time with him, and still ride him, but without the pressure of thinking you have to ride him, as the loaner would be.
There are good loaners out there, have faith!
 
I think you should do whats best for you, which will then be best for Archie too.

I think it might be too soon after your accident to be feeling 100% about ridng again. I had a nasty accident too and had loads of strange feelings about riding and keeping my horses etc. I'm only just beginning to feel my old riding self 14 months since I came off. So maybe leave it awhile before making any big decisions??

Sounds like Archie has a wonderful home with you, and for any horse that has to be the most important thing
smile.gif
 
I think he would be pretty damned happy to not have to work, and im sure he doesn't notice the scenery like we do. But if you want him to stay in work and have a job then why not find a nice sharer? There's so many people out there who can't afford their own and want a horse to love and ride a couple of times a week. It would keep him fit and active, give someone a horse to love and i know in the past the owners of my share horses have loved watching them being schooled etc from the ground. If you didn't ask for money you would be swamped with replies. you might have to put up with a few numpties turning up at first but i'm sure there would be someone out there who's perfect for you and him.

But like i say as long as you are happy, i'm sure he will be. A horses ideal life is to spend 24/7 in the field with their mates, and maybe to come in for cuddles and in hand walks
smile.gif
 
I think Paddy would like a home with you
grin.gif
Lots of love and attention with light work. As others have said, horses don't have aspirations so I'm sure Archie is perfectly happy being pampered. You sound as if you are having a bad time of it at the moment re new job and the flu so perhaps this is making you feel a bit low about the Archie situation.

A reliable sharer may be a good idea - NFED is a good place to advertise and normally attracts the right sort of person. Other than that don't worry about him getting bored in the field and concentrate on getting that collarbone fully right and get out there hacking again
smile.gif


Sarah x
 
Maybe you need to explore what has changed, for you? An accident can really make you re-evaluate a situation, but then again so can the stress of a new job and with flu on top ... not a good time to rush into decisions.

Why don't you think its enough? Because it's not what you had originally expected to do with him? He sounds well loved and happy enough to stay in the field decimating the grass population until you can take some time to decide what to do. If you don't feel "right" riding him just now, get someone to exercise him for you. You might find that a sharer who wants to take him out and show him the world in the way that you do not feel able to at the moment might be just what you need to either grab your interest again or decide it's something to let go of.

Buying a 3 1/2 yr old horse and thinking it could be forever is a huge commitment - "forever" is only as long as it lasts, things change.
 
Oh, thanks guys for all your support and advice. Am sitting here feeling dreadful - not full blown flu but its horrible whatever it is.

I am going to look into getting someone to ride my boy, someone who will appreciate and love him and give me a bit of space to fully recover from my accident.

xxx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top