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| I need someone who understands to sympathize with me, lol. So, long story short, due to some family medical issues on top of having to board until we can get out of our current house, i've been "forced" (it's just what has to happen right now) to send back the mare i was running 1D on, and very possibly sell my trailer. I'm in my late 20's and this is the first time in my life that i've been horseless with no immediete plans for another one. I had a pretty jam up year with the mare i was riding and i'm so thankful i've been blessed with the horses i've had. I also know it could be so much worse.
I know that this is what's best for my husband and I to be able to pay off some bills and work toward a place/land where i won't have to board. And, it will only be 3 years probably at the most for all of it....but horses are my life. It's what i'm meant to do. i've gone from having horses AND working at a large animal vet, to working in a human hospital with no horses...and it's killing my heart (and patience, and my filter, lol). My head knows it's the grown-up thing to do and i will only be better off in the technically-not-so-distant future, but every day i struggle with wanting to just walk out and go to the first vet clinic that would take me. I know the benefits where i am are so much better and i work NO weekends. It's just.....hard. Hubby is a non-horse guy but he's always supported me and he feels bad about it too. Heck, he's even thought about selling his really nice Martin guitar. If i was really selfish and whined about it, i could probably get the mare back in a couple months, but, i would have to keep the trailer and be paying board again.
Sorry to ramble but it's hard at Christmas with everyone getting new horse stuff and talking about the new years barrel races and i'm just throwing a pity-party.
Also, if you know who i am, i'd appreciate keeping this post to yourself. I don't have any family/friends that truly understand like my horse family does and i'd appreciate it not going anywhere but this post. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
 
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Oh I am so sorry, I wish that there was something we could do for you, many hugs  |
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| Thanks. Now, i didn't mean it to sound like we are destitute. Just having to do what needs to be done so we can be where we want to be. I just have to remind myself (multiple times a day) that this will enable my horse future to be better than if i was constantly scraping by, jackpot to jackpot. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Staying Focused - 2013-12-26 2:20 PM Thanks. Now, i didn't mean it to sound like we are destitute. Just having to do what needs to be done so we can be where we want to be. I just have to remind myself (multiple times a day) that this will enable my horse future to be better than if i was constantly scraping by, jackpot to jackpot.
Sounds like you did the right thing, good things come to those that wait |
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 BHW's Lance Armstrong 
Posts: 11134
Location: Somewhere between S@%&# stirrer and Saint | For months I would wake up thinking that i forgot to feed the horses. |
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| I know the feeling. growing up we always had land and my horses were always at my back door. Since i got married, we have lived in a neighborhood (8.5 years, which in itself is enough to drive me insane) and i've had to board all this time. Granted, the people i boarded with gave me a very good price. I just had to buckle down and say...think of what i would save if i DID give up feed/vet/farrier/board and entry fees for just alittle while...holy crap! Is it worth it? right now i don't feel it but i know it will be.
It's just, if someone asks me whats wrong, and i were to tell them i had to give up horses, they wouldn't get it. to them it's like you just took a toy away from a child....and we all know it's so much more. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Staying Focused - 2013-12-26 2:04 PM I need someone who understands to sympathize with me, lol. So, long story short, due to some family medical issues on top of having to board until we can get out of our current house, i've been "forced" (it's just what has to happen right now) to send back the mare i was running 1D on, and very possibly sell my trailer. I'm in my late 20's and this is the first time in my life that i've been horseless with no immediete plans for another one. I had a pretty jam up year with the mare i was riding and i'm so thankful i've been blessed with the horses i've had. I also know it could be so much worse.
I know that this is what's best for my husband and I to be able to pay off some bills and work toward a place/land where i won't have to board. And, it will only be 3 years probably at the most for all of it....but horses are my life. It's what i'm meant to do. i've gone from having horses AND working at a large animal vet, to working in a human hospital with no horses...and it's killing my heart (and patience, and my filter, lol). My head knows it's the grown-up thing to do and i will only be better off in the technically-not-so-distant future, but every day i struggle with wanting to just walk out and go to the first vet clinic that would take me. I know the benefits where i am are so much better and i work NO weekends. It's just.....hard. Hubby is a non-horse guy but he's always supported me and he feels bad about it too. Heck, he's even thought about selling his really nice Martin guitar. If i was really selfish and whined about it, i could probably get the mare back in a couple months, but, i would have to keep the trailer and be paying board again.
Sorry to ramble but it's hard at Christmas with everyone getting new horse stuff and talking about the new years barrel races and i'm just throwing a pity-party.
Also, if you know who i am, i'd appreciate keeping this post to yourself. I don't have any family/friends that truly understand like my horse family does and i'd appreciate it not going anywhere but this post.
I feel you. While I never had to get rid of a horse, I had periods where I had to give up riding and taking lessons due to money and have away from horses I loved. I get straight-up depressed when I can't ride. I can't even explain it. I would get moody, short tempered, apathetic, and I was bored so I'd eat. It was just in May that I FINALLY got my own horse. Of couse, she has been lame since I brought her home, and isn't really any better. Luckily I've made some connections with people who need their horses ridden. Including mine and my sister's, I'm working with 6 horses this year (not all at once though).
I figure everything happens for a reason, even these sucky things. So I'm sure it will all work out eventually, even if it's painful now. Hopefully you can work something out and maybe someone will need a horse ridden. |
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| I, too, had to give up horses for a couple of years, but was able to get back into it. It's hard, but when we are grown up, sometimes we have to put other things ahead of ourselves. Perhaps you could work something out to groom horses at the stable or maybe a lease to ride a horse occasionally (if it wouldn't make things worse).
Good luck and keep moving forward. Feel good that you are doing the right thing at this time in your life. |
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Veteran
Posts: 161
Location: Right Where I'm Meant To Be :) | I had to do the same thing when I was about your age. You realize (and your hubby will too) that it truly is in your blood. That being said, we were able to build the little farm we wanted and I got back into it. The best part of it all is now my husband got a horse (and we got our son one) and we do it as a Family and we All enjoy it. It will make you appreciate them, your tack, your equipment etc so much more It will not be easy! But keep the faith and stay on track. It will be worth it :) |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I know what you mean and how you feel! I had a rough summer of rodeoing 3 years ago...so when my boyfriend got offered a job in San Diego, I went with him. There was nothing for me in this small town, I needed job experience that I wasn't going to get here. We WANT to get moved back, but it's hard to think about moving when you've got a steady job. Also, it's so expensive to live in SD, much less BOARD horses here. Plus I still share the truck and trailer with my parents....it's tough!
I don't get terribly horse-sick, but it's very hard to say goodbye when I DO visit. But it also makes me realize that THIS is what I love to do. This is the lifestyle I prefer. Just working it out with my boyfriend and his job will be the problem. But the BF ifs working on buying a horse....so we're developing some incentive to get moved back. Hang in there! I never thought I would be separated but here I am! |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Douglas J Gordon - 2013-12-26 2:36 PM For months I would wake up thinking that i forgot to feed the horses.
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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | I am so sorry this is happening to you. I have been there twice in my life. Just remember this is going to be so hard but sometimes we just have to do what we have to do. It sounds like you and your mare were doing good. After my last "break" from horses I came back to get my stud horse which was one of the nicest horses I have ever had. Hopefully when the time is right and you get back you will have a super horse waiting for you to move ahead in your life and be so happy again. |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | I lived in Europe for around 7 years. Where we lived no horses existed so I didn't even get to put my hands on a horse for YEARS! Look at it this way, you can volunteer at a local horse farm to just ride or groom for free. I am sure somebody would love for you to! Now that you are still young it it the best time to pay off bills and establish a career for yourself! If you don't like your job maybe you can get a grant to go back to school that way you will have a job you actually want! Anyway it will get better just give it some time! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 911
Location: Durango CO | To the OP, I am feeling your pain! I sold my horse in November after losing my job and I said to myself in May when I had the funds I wld get another horse but that is still a long ways away for me! I did go 3 years without barrel racing before I got the horse I sold recently and my poor little heart is aching! Cyber hugs to you |
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