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Posts: 1432
  
Location: Never in one place long | For years now, I have been wanting to travel the world and do some long term mission trips etc. Horses have always been what's prevented me from doing this and I have to say lately... the horses have not been making me happy.. I feel like I'm just burnt out and sick of throwing my money away to have them... I also have been on a terrible streak of being in the cracks at shows, vet bills, vehicles breaking constantly with very expensive repairs etc and I've gotten pretty bitter about it... I've been praying for a long time about knowing the right choice to make and wondering if this is God's sign to me that he'd like me to move in a different direction. I find myself frustrated at shows more often than not and upset that I'm spending so much money on it.
Has anyone ever taken a hiatus from barrel racing or horses in general? I'm scared to make the move because horses really define me but feel like if I'm going actually take the leap, I need to go all the way... sell the horses, truck trailer etc and see if I miss it and go pursue my non-horsey dreams. I just want to be confident it's a good choice to make. I have decided the money I would get I am going to invest or put in a CD so it's always there if I want to get back into horses in a few years. What makes me really sad is I have a very well bred horse that I know if I sell her i"ll probably never get another bred like her again, I wanted to get a baby out of her first but I just don't have the time.....I am also married so my husband and I would have to spend an extended period of time away from each other. He wants me to be happy and said to go for it but I know it too, will be hard.
Any words of advice would be appreciated! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| DLV - 2014-05-21 9:09 AM
For years now, I have been wanting to travel the world and do some long term mission trips etc. Horses have always been what's prevented me from doing this and I have to say lately... the horses have not been making me happy.. I feel like I'm just burnt out and sick of throwing my money away to have them... I also have been on a terrible streak of being in the cracks at shows, vet bills, vehicles breaking constantly with very expensive repairs etc and I've gotten pretty bitter about it... I've been praying for a long time about knowing the right choice to make and wondering if this is God's sign to me that he'd like me to move in a different direction. I find myself frustrated at shows more often than not and upset that I'm spending so much money on it.
Has anyone ever taken a hiatus from barrel racing or horses in general? I'm scared to make the move because horses really define me but feel like if I'm going actually take the leap, I need to go all the way... sell the horses, truck trailer etc and see if I miss it and go pursue my non-horsey dreams. I just want to be confident it's a good choice to make. I have decided the money I would get I am going to invest or put in a CD so it's always there if I want to get back into horses in a few years. What makes me really sad is I have a very well bred horse that I know if I sell her i"ll probably never get another bred like her again, I wanted to get a baby out of her first but I just don't have the time.....I am also married so my husband and I would have to spend an extended period of time away from each other. He wants me to be happy and said to go for it but I know it too, will be hard.
Any words of advice would be appreciated!
First and foremost - Pray. Ask for guidance and He will show you.
Yes, you can take a break and come back to it when you miss the love of it all but if you are truly unhappy, perhaps take a break from showing first? Just take a few trail rides and non competition things to set your mind straight and remember why you fell in love with horses in the first place. Everyone hits bumps, it may just be a bigger bump for you right now.
Good Luck and I'll keep you in my prayers too. |
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 MEOW!
Posts: 4477
Location: High heels in the air... | I would do one or two mission trips before making a big change...if money is an issue, do a local habitat for humanity...there are also volunteer vacations that let you serve and take a tax donation for helping...
as far as selling it all, take your time...see how you feel each step of the journey...good luck... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| I completely understand this! After I graduated high school I sold all my horses to pursue a worship leading degree at a christian school! It was extremely difficult at the time, but I knew God had a better plan for me. After a few years I did get a horse and continue to ride but God has always reminded me that his plan is above all. Although I love horses and love to barrel race it hasn't been the Lord's plan for my life as of lately. His ways are above our ways. He understands more than we will ever begin to understand.
I encourage you to follow and pursue God at whatever the expense. When you are in the Lord's will, you will find a greater joy! Continue to pray, seek, and love the Lord. He will show you. As for your well-bred horse. If God can move mountains, he can bring another horse of that caliber into your life at the right time. If you pray and feel called to keep the horse, could you board it or lease it while you are gone? You may struggle from time to time if you give up your horses, but satan wants to make you feel like you have made/are making a big mistake! So not true-stay focused on God's plan for you. I encourage you to write down and journal all the confirmation the Lord has given you. That way if you begin to doubt or feel down-you can look back and be reminded.
I know you are married, which I am married now also! I feel this is the more important element of going on a long term mission trip. I would find it very difficult to be apart from my husband and continue a strong marriage. But that is just me! Spend some time praying about it together and discussing all options before making a big decision. Some short term trips together (if possible) would be a great idea too!
Stay encouraged. He has a great plan for you!
Edited by Blueridgedreaming 2014-05-21 9:26 AM
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Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
| I think you have answered your own question. Being a missionary is truly a calling. I think you will find satisfaction beyond measure. |
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Expert
Posts: 1343
Location: East Texas | I believe you have answered you own question as well, but I would question being separated from my husband for long periods of time. God intends for your relationship with Him to be first, but your husband comes second and everything else after that. We tend to think of "missions" as being to far-off places. If you look around, there are missions in your own back yard. I believe if you follow what you already know God is calling you to do, He will direct your paths on where you should go and reward you for that obedience down the road with other wonderful horses when the time comes.
Blessings!! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 337
Location: Texas | Is it possible that the world of barrel racing could be your mission field? Just something to think about. |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Blueridgedreaming - 2014-05-21 9:20 AM
I completely understand this! After I graduated high school I sold all my horses to pursue a worship leading degree at a christian school! It was extremely difficult at the time, but I knew God had a better plan for me. After a few years I did get a horse and continue to ride but God has always reminded me that his plan is above all. Although I love horses and love to barrel race it hasn't been the Lord's plan for my life as of lately. His ways are above our ways. He understands more than we will ever begin to understand.
I encourage you to follow and pursue God at whatever the expense. When you are in the Lord's will, you will find a greater joy! Continue to pray, seek, and love the Lord. He will show you. As for your well-bred horse. If God can move mountains, he can bring another horse of that caliber into your life at the right time. If you pray and feel called to keep the horse, could you board it or lease it while you are gone? You may struggle from time to time if you give up your horses, but satan wants to make you feel like you have made/are making a big mistake! So not true-stay focused on God's plan for you. I encourage you to write down and journal all the confirmation the Lord has given you. That way if you begin to doubt or feel down-you can look back and be reminded.
I know you are married, which I am married now also! I feel this is the more important element of going on a long term mission trip. I would find it very difficult to be apart from my husband and continue a strong marriage. But that is just me! Spend some time praying about it together and discussing all options before making a big decision. Some short term trips together (if possible) would be a great idea too!
Stay encouraged. He has a great plan for you!
I agree and these are wise words! For years I have been very involved in my Church, with kids and even elderly people with hosice, volunteered at my local animal shelter etc but I feel like God is calling me to move further and away from what's "normal" for me to be closer to him. My husband and I are used to being apart for extended periods of time due to his military job so I think I will survive. I just hope it truly IS God leading me and not myself. I've prayed a very long time about it. |
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Pig-Bear Dog Lover
| Could you keep one horse and down grade to a smaller trailer? So its there "just incase?" Or if you have a friend that'll take the horse for a while and use her? |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 443
Location: Southern IL somewhere between KY and MO | I sold out everything back in 03 because of a man BIG BIG mistake..... The past year I have slowly gotten my horse truck and trailer...and a wonderful husband that supports me. ( If he didn't then he would be alone on the weekends LOL). My horses are my safe peaceful place where i go to relaxe and unwind. Good luck in which ever path you choose. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| If you're not having fun anymore then I think its best to take a break. If you continue to force it and your heart wants to be elsewhere then it will remain that way until is settled one way or another.
As another poster recommended, maybe try and stop competing and see if you can find that love again. Sometimes that stress and competitive nature sucks the fun out of it. I started to feel the way you are describing but I stopped going to the big barrel races and just started going to smaller shows and local jackpots. Without spending the big bucks, it eased the pressure. Combining that with the right horse, I am having the time of my life again.
I would be worried about leaving my husband for lengthy periods of time but if hes supportive and truly wants your happiness, i think you'll be alright. I would try and define why you want to travel and what your niche is behind that. Make sure thats the route you should take. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I've been without horses for about 3 years now. I was burnt out and frustrated....trying too hard. I moved to the city to get more work experience after college. It was either keep working in fast food and keep my horses, or get some good job experience for my resume. It's been tough being without my boy, but it has taught me to be thankful for the way I grew up and I know horses are what I need to be happy. I may not have them now, but I will. I want to be able to afford them so I'm sacrificing now. If your truck/trailer are paid off, you might as well keep them for now while you test the waters. Good luck!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Thanks everyone for the AWESOME advice and many points you brought up that I might not have thought about. All your experiences make sense to me and I'm glad I'm not the only one who has gone through this. I think the competitivness is whats making it not fun but also the huge cost. I'm going to look into traveling/mission work and do some more thinking on selling out completly or partially. |
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