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Veteran
Posts: 103
| I've had horses forever and have barrel raced about that long.
I have 2 nice ones now but am having a hard time getting motivated.
Bottom line is I am totally burned out with racing, taking care of horses, taking care of my place/property, etc. - all the responsibility.
Thinking about selling everything, taking a break and starting over later (if I decide to.)
Has anyone else done this? How did you decide to do so? How did it go? |
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Location: my piece of paradise | Yep... lasted about 6 months. Then I was bored and had to start all over again! From experience don't sell the stuff. Just take a break, its easier and more cost effective. lol |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
   
Location: Kansas | yeah I have, I haven't barrel raced in like 4 years. It's nice. I do not have my finished mare any longer, only babies right now. I couldn't go without horses completely |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | Do what you feel is right for you. Horses are a lot of work and expense. There comes a time when the fun just isn't there anymore.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Yes and it was almost 10 years...I went to college, got married, bought house...horses just didn't fit. I was also burnt out. I was showing horses for my dad and it had started to strain our relationship...I just couldn't do it anymore, so I walked away. When I got back into it, it was on my own terms and I enjoy it much more now. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 599
| In 2006, I sent my 3 horses to a friend for consignment and sold all of my tack and trailer. When I quit, I was a confident rider and would step on to ANY horse.
I was horse-free until spring 2015. It took about a year and a half of going through a handful of horses and a significant injury from a bucking spree before I finally found a horse I love and trust.
Now I have 3 again (only 2 are riding age). I have what I consider my “school master” and then I have a younger horse with a great mind - a babysitter for me as well. I’m a timid rider and have been holding my horses back in every run until very recently.
It’s now becoming more fun than work.
I took the break to raise my kids. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1515
Location: Illinois | Nothing wrong with wanting a break. I get burnt out all the time, but it's from where I'm at in the sport. I get a lot of flack for this but I went from a 1/2D horse to a 3/4D horse and the feeling just isn't the same. I've still done pretty well, managing to get about $7,000 and a couple saddles on the slower horse, but I can tell the speed difference and the adrenaline rush of those 14-18 seconds just isn't the same. I keep staying in the same place because he's my heart horse and I've been making do with what I have, but I do have to take breaks sometimes. I board so I'm lucky enough if I don't want to go out for a week I don't have to. I don't run from November-April and don't ride at all so I tend to get my reset button hit. Lately though I have gotten to where I feel like I would be ok without horses in my life. So I know how you feel. I've had to really force myself to do things with my 4 year old & she's my ticket back into the 1/2D I think. I've had a few friends who have gotten out for awhile and they all regretted selling a few key pieces of equipment. I'd never part with my saddle and a couple headstalls I looked everywhere to find. I've only found 3 of these headstalls in the 20 years I've had horses. If you've got a saddle you really love or other equipment I'd suggest keeping it through your break, but that's just me |
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | I feel your pain…. I have 5 horses, 3 of them are pasture ornaments due to age or injuries. My gelding is getting up in age now and had had a hugely swollen hock the last couple of weeks. I have a young horse, prettiest horse you will ever find, but it looks like she does not enjoy running barrels. She basically does not enjoy doing anything fast….
I have never in my life sold a horse as they are family to me and I’m just very soft hearted when it comes to that. Not that I could sell the three crippled ones anyway. It is so frustrating…. It costs so much money, time and energy and just when you think you are getting somewhere something else goes wrong.
I might just take a break from racing and ride whenever I feel like it. Remove the pressure…..
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | BrightEyes - 2018-06-28 1:32 AM
I've had horses forever and have barrel raced about that long.
I have 2 nice ones now but am having a hard time getting motivated.
Bottom line is I am totally burned out with racing, taking care of horses, taking care of my place/property, etc. - all the responsibility.
Thinking about selling everything, taking a break and starting over later (if I decide to.)
Has anyone else done this? How did you decide to do so? How did it go?
I did it last year. I had not been able to compete much for a couple of years and I was so beat down and burnt out. I had a gelding I sunk thousands of dollars into trying to make him sound and one day at the vet I just said, "Stop. I am done and I am going home." I sold him to my aunt and he is a wonderful husband horse now. I sold my paid for truck and trailer, all of my saddles and tack. 6 months later I bought another truck, a smaller trailer, and another horse. I couldn't do it. I am still struggling with finding a horse and soundness issues on the prospect I bought today but I would not go back to having nothing to do with horses for the world. I wish I never would have sold my things. |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | I haven't been to a barrel race since September and have ridden my horse maybe twice since then. I just don't have the drive to do it right now. No specific reason, just don't feel like it. Not gonna lie, there have been lots of times where I've thought about how nice it would be to not have the responsibilities of taking care of them, but I know I'd regret it if I got rid of everything. Everything is paid for, so there's no way I could afford to replace everything. Besides, there are times where I'll feel like trail riding so it's nice having everything for the occasional ride, lol. My horses are fortunately super low maintenance, so they really don't cost a ton of money to take care of.
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Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | Gunner11 - 2018-06-28 9:42 AM I haven't been to a barrel race since September and have ridden my horse maybe twice since then. I just don't have the drive to do it right now. No specific reason, just don't feel like it. Not gonna lie, there have been lots of times where I've thought about how nice it would be to not have the responsibilities of taking care of them, but I know I'd regret it if I got rid of everything. Everything is paid for, so there's no way I could afford to replace everything. Besides, there are times where I'll feel like trail riding so it's nice having everything for the occasional ride, lol. My horses are fortunately super low maintenance, so they really don't cost a ton of money to take care of.
And they cost a lot less if they are not actively running!!! |
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Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | GoMistyGo - 2018-06-28 9:45 AM
Gunner11 - 2018-06-28 9:42 AM I haven't been to a barrel race since September and have ridden my horse maybe twice since then. I just don't have the drive to do it right now. No specific reason, just don't feel like it. Not gonna lie, there have been lots of times where I've thought about how nice it would be to not have the responsibilities of taking care of them, but I know I'd regret it if I got rid of everything. Everything is paid for, so there's no way I could afford to replace everything. Besides, there are times where I'll feel like trail riding so it's nice having everything for the occasional ride, lol. My horses are fortunately super low maintenance, so they really don't cost a ton of money to take care of.
And they cost a lot less if they are not actively running!!!
Ha ha, right?? I've been lucky to just do the basic maintenance on mine  |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I have stoped barrel racing, life just got in the way of that for awhile and now that I can start again I just dont have the want to any more, but I will never sell my horses are tack, my horses are a part of who I am, I have had horses most my life and I just cant see my life without them. I enjoy taking care of them and when I want I just saddle up and go putt around the barrels are go ride in the pastures. Heck I never know I may just one day get the bug again and go to a few local races, but no way on selling my buddies..  |
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 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | Our situation is a little different---we started a small breeding program years ago with one mare. Now it has grown to where we drop 10-15 babies a year and we love it, BUT---it has gotten to where it owns us. We have trouble getting away to even go to shows till after all the foals hit the ground and mares are bred back. I gotta say---we have considered quitting in the past then one of our babies jumps up and does well somewhere and it makes it all seem worth it. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| I sold all the horses, didn't sell the truck, trailer (TRIED but couldn't) or tack, a year later, have a horse again. I wouldn't sell all the "stuff" it's TOO expensive to replace unless you are SURE. |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12704
| Mighty Broke - 2018-06-28 11:28 AM Our situation is a little different---we started a small breeding program years ago with one mare. Now it has grown to where we drop 10-15 babies a year and we love it, BUT---it has gotten to where it owns us. We have trouble getting away to even go to shows till after all the foals hit the ground and mares are bred back. I gotta say---we have considered quitting in the past then one of our babies jumps up and does well somewhere and it makes it all seem worth it.
I SOOOO understand this! I was just thinking yesterday that my new DTF is nice, but I could turn her around for what I got her for easily, sell all but the two I can't, and maybe feel free(ish) again. I left home for 24 hours and my almost well sick baby came up with poo butt again!! Ugh! And then I see a video of my stallions son Jax getting it on a pattern and I just can't quite quit. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | I've been down to one horse for over a year after having many horses for over 20 years. I'm just tired of spending so much money to run, giving up weekends etc and I got very involved with saving rescue dogs and I just don't have the time. Plus I'm trying to save up to travel the world which I've started doing and feel more fulfillment with that.
We still have land and a horse facility so 5 years ago I started boarding horses. my boarders often pay me to ride them. So I'm saving a lot of money and making money plus I still get to be around horses, a win win!
IMO: take the break! horses are way too expensive to have if you're not totally loving it. You can ALWAYS buy another horse. Go try some new things you never did before, that's what I'm doing, saving dogs, developing speaking skills by joining toastmasters and Rotary, giving more back to my community and learning new languages. There is so much out there besides just horses I've discovered lately. :) |
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 Veteran
Posts: 206
Location: Downsouth | I did!! I'm 49 and have been very few days of my life that I didn't own a horse, or two. I haven't barrel raced in a few years, due to time and lack of motivation. BUT, I still fed 2x a day, cleaned stall, changed water, turned fans on/off, winter blanket on/off, paid vet bills, paid farrier, struggled to find enough hay for the winter, paid insurance on truck and trailer, bought tack off fb from time to time, rode once or twice a week, or month, couldn't go fishing for the weekend because I had to feed, couldn't go on vacation because they were my responsibility and I hated to shove it off on someone else, cranked truck once or twice a month to keep it alive, and I'm sure I'm leaving a few things off. Last September I sold it all. and I mean all of it. I may have a hoof pick or two, a few brushes and a halter left in the barn. My barn is sitting in the corner of my back yard so I see it every single day. I figured it would be depressing but its not. This winter we will park the boat and the jet ski in it so it will still serve a purpose. I had been thinking about it for several years. It had turned into a job that didn't give much back. I came home form work one day, got out of the car and listened to all the critters that were ready to eat. Barn cat meowing, patio cat meowing, inside cat sitting in breakfast room window, meowing, horse walking fence row and talking every step and I knew husband was hungry too. I walked in and told him that I was selling it all. I think he choked on his tea and then he laughed and said "yea right" . Within 3 weeks, it was all gone. I have zero urge to ride. My only regret is that I didn't do it a few years ago. I will never own another one. I had thought about it enough that I knew without a doubt I was making the right decision. It's been so nice not having to worry about a horse during this heatwave.
I have real money in my savings and a sporty new car that gets 33 mpg. Life is good. |
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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3977
Location: Dearing, GA | I've been out of it for just over a year now. I took a job in a not very horse friendly part of the country, sold EVERYTHING- truck, saddle, horse, all of it. Now I'm living closer to the country and am starting to itch for it again. But I'd really like to lose some weight, regain some core strength, and be able to financially be comfortable before I buy again. Its hard to be patient now, but until I moved back to Georgia, I enjoyed my time without horses. I found out if I liked any other hobbies, saved a little money. |
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Regular
Posts: 93
| I think I'm kind of at this point, but like others have said I don't think I could live without horses totally. I've got a 2yo at the trainer right now and have my finished mare listed for sale and heading out on trial this weekend. I think that will be my true test on whether I can live without her or not. If she sells, I'll work with my colt or buy an older trail horse to ride around or ranch sort on until I get the drive to run barrels again. |
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