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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
    
Location: Dearing, GA | I am having a really hard time accepting that this is the right thing to do. How many of you have taken a hiatus from horses/barrel racing? I have one gelding, six years old, who could be something great if I put the time into him. But I'm working six, sometimes seven days a week to be able to afford all of his basic necessities, and still struggle between paychecks. Plus, by the time I get to the barn to feed, I'm exhausted and don't have the energy to "train." The barn is 35 minutes from everywhere, and I'm looking at going back to school in August.
But I LOVE my horse. He's really been a saving grace. I'm having a hard time cutting the emotional ties. And I'm afraid that by not having a horse, I'll lose a huge piece of my identity.
And rereading this, I sound like I've already made my decision. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | I think you've made your decision.  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 550
| Can you find a cheaper place to keep him? Maybe a cheaper feed or hay source? Just so you could work a little less.
Your horse isn't going to sit around in his old age thinking coulda-shoulda-woulda. He doesn't know he is high caliber at a little jackpot, so don't let that make your decision. |
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Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | quikchik - 2014-03-25 9:41 PM Can you find a cheaper place to keep him? Maybe a cheaper feed or hay source? Just so you could work a little less. Your horse isn't going to sit around in his old age thinking coulda-shoulda-woulda. He doesn't know he is high caliber at a little jackpot, so don't let that make your decision.
The only place closer that is more affordable to keep him is not necessarily the safest place- pastures bog down with mud when it rains (horses have gotten stuck, and older one has passed from getting stuck in the mud), and there are about 75 horses on 175 acres. Its a little bit of a mad house and I'd spend more in vet bills! I recently switched to a cheaper feed, but good hay is hard to come by and I spend a lot on hay. Plus I'm self board, so I feed 5 days a week (a girlfriend feeds the other two). Thats a lot of gas for my 15 miles to the gallon truck.
This horse needs someone who can ride daily/every other day. With time, and patience. I am running short on those things, and most importantly I'm running short on funds. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| Not sure how you feel about it but could you lease or half lease? I did this with my good mare and it really saved me from having to get rid of both my horses when I was unemployed. I also "leased" them to the rodeo queens for a weekend or different events. Not sure how it would help financially (around here a half lease is generally $150 a month) but you might get out of the feeding and such for 3 more days a week. It can be a bigger pain in the butt, but it might be an option.
(I agree that you will lose part of your identity...one of my friends sold her mare for this very reason, and while she does come to ride with me sometimes...it's not the same for her and I can tell that she is sad.) |
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Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | RodeoCowgirl4u - 2014-03-25 10:01 PM Not sure how you feel about it but could you lease or half lease? I did this with my good mare and it really saved me from having to get rid of both my horses when I was unemployed. I also "leased" them to the rodeo queens for a weekend or different events. Not sure how it would help financially (around here a half lease is generally $150 a month) but you might get out of the feeding and such for 3 more days a week. It can be a bigger pain in the butt, but it might be an option. (I agree that you will lose part of your identity...one of my friends sold her mare for this very reason, and while she does come to ride with me sometimes...it's not the same for her and I can tell that she is sad.)
I thought about this... but this is not a get on and go horse. This is a horse that can trot the pattern and while he isn't spooky, he's not dead broke either. He needs someone to work him. Who would lease a project like that? |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I sold everything except my retired lifer in 2008 because I got overwhelmed with health problems and life in general. I miss those mares, but it was a good decision. It took a ton of pressure off everyone and helped us out financially. I kept my tack and horse trailer because it was all paid for and so when I was ready to buy another horse, I was all set to go. Hugs to you--you'll always be a barrel racer even if you're horseless...we are our own breed of people. LOL |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| someone who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to have a horse...college students, single mothers, etc. Just because they are not your typical "looking for a horse for a Sunday stroll" type person doesn't mean there is no one that would be up to it. There are those that just want to "work with" a horse.  |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas | Sometimes you just have to let it go… There will be other times in your life when you can actually enjoy having a horse again. I've sold out plenty of times in my life, lol. It's the smart thing to do sometimes.
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Here is what I would do:
Your struggling, sometimes we all do. Why keep him if he doesn't get the attention he should? No fault your own, your trying to make ends meet to afford your bills/horse. You can always sell him, set some of that money back into your savings account...pay off some bills to make it easier on yourself. Then put a little bit from each paycheck into your savings account for a "cushion" to buy another horse when you feel you are ready. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | hoofs_in_motion - 2014-03-26 8:45 AM Here is what I would do:
Your struggling, sometimes we all do. Why keep him if he doesn't get the attention he should? No fault your own, your trying to make ends meet to afford your bills/horse. You can always sell him, set some of that money back into your savings account...pay off some bills to make it easier on yourself. Then put a little bit from each paycheck into your savings account for a "cushion" to buy another horse when you feel you are ready.
I completely agree with this... As much as it will suck, I would sell him and be able to financially breathe for a moment. I would start putting money back for a new horse once you think you are ready to. Your education will probably lead to a better job (hours and pay wise) and there will still be horses around when you're ready to come back. A good horse eats just as much as a bad one.
Just try to keep working with horses if at all possible. Hopefully you have friends that will let you ride or help out just so you can keep that part of your identity. I quit riding about 7 1/2 years ago and it's been an uphill battle to get back into it. I do feel like I lost a big part of my identity because I quit cold turkey... turned the horses out and never looked back until about three months ago when I decided I was just unhappy/bored with my life and want something to work for and look forward to. I never sold anything (but the horses are pretty much worthless now... so I should have) so I still have my trailer and tack so it's not such a burden. Just stay as close as you can to the horse industry and you'll be back at again in no time. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Have you thought about working with a horse rescue. I did this when I was horseless for a time. I felt like I was contributing and still got my horsie time in. You don't have to go every day, and they usually appreciate any help you can give. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I think if I was in a situation where horses were putting this much strain on my life I would worry about the possibility of starting to resent them. And I would never ever want that. Selling out doesn't mean you never get to see horses again until you can afford to buy another one either.
Think of all the money you spend on them now, board, feed, hay, farrier, etc. you could easily take up lessons somewhere a couple days a week or as you had time. You could take the time to maybe learn a new discipline, or learn from someone you really admire in your own discipline, either way it will keep you riding and make you a better barrel racer when you can come back to it.
Or another option, there are several ladies in my district who are older and enjoy having some help keeping all of their horses rode. There's a way to make it work and not run yourself into the ground.
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 Expert
Posts: 1236
Location: NE Oklahoma | I know exactly how you feel- I'm going through the same thing right now. I'm selling out for now. We have been working to make ends meet and I haven't been able to go to any barrel races for quite awhile. Decided it wasn't fair for my horse to be sitting when he's better off running barrels and going to someone who will be able to give him more attention. I'm planning on paying off some bills and adding to the savings account with the money from selling him and someday being able to get another horse to run again.
It may be hard to think about doing, but it will be worth taking some stress off you until you are in a better position to have them. Do you have any friends that you can ride their horses while you don't have one of your own? |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | You know, sometimes you just need to simplify. If you have to sell and send your horse to someone who can give him some more time, that doesn't make you a terrible person. Maybe consider a "buy back" option in a year or something when you can make personal changes in your money dept.
Why put yourself under the gun every pay check to have a horse if you can't enjoy him the way you would like to? That doesn't sound like and enjoyable life to me. 
Edited by Crowned Image 2014-03-26 10:15 AM
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 Member
Posts: 33
Location: Florida | Reading your post is as if I wrote it myself. I feel the same way. It stinks. Spending time with my horse and/or riding is my only release and I too feel that I would lose 1/2 of the person I am if I did not have a horse, even if it is for the better in the long run. I went from 2 horses and one being a hard keeper and colicky to 1 easy keeper and while the decision was tough, the stress is gone and I never look back at the decision. If you ask most people who have had horses their whole life, they've bought & sold many many many horses through the years for all sorts of different reasons. Just consider it a break and when you get back on track you will be stronger and ready to rock and roll without the worries & stress. Just as another person posted, in the mean time when you do have the free time you could offer volunteer help at a horse rescue or riding club so you can get your horse fix. =) |
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 Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | grinandbareit - 2014-03-26 8:40 AM Sometimes you just have to let it go… There will be other times in your life when you can actually enjoy having a horse again. I've sold out plenty of times in my life, lol. It's the smart thing to do sometimes.
I agree with grinandbareit. Get out for now. Keep what you have paid for saddle, etc. You won't just disappear without a horse. It sounds like you are under a lot of pressure at the moment. I think you will be surprised at how much better you feel when the pressure is gone. You will be able to find another horse when the time is right. |
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Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | Thank you everyone for your responses. I feel like this is the right thing for me to do. Like one of you said, a degree will hopefully lead to better hours and pay which will open the door in the future. The way I see it is even if I did have the time, I wouldn't have the money to haul anywhere. My horse deserves a job. |
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I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | Just Let Me Run - 2014-03-26 1:12 PM
Thank you everyone for your responses. I feel like this is the right thing for me to do. Like one of you said, a degree will hopefully lead to better hours and pay which will open the door in the future. The way I see it is even if I did have the time, I wouldn't have the money to haul anywhere. My horse deserves a job.
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 Thread Killer
Posts: 7545
| I am on a much needed "hiatus" of sorts too right now. One thing that helps me keep peace of mind is that horses will always be there. :) When I am financially and mentally prepared to get back into it, there will be lots of horses out there to choose from. BHW provides a great outlet, at least for me. Being able to follow various BBs on their horsey adventures is fun too. Another thing I love doing is just going to local shows and watching. |
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