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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
   
Location: Arkansas | vjls - 2015-08-10 7:18 AM
unfornautely i had to stop due to an accident but i would like to think that at 64 i would be trailriding in the river with friends enjoy my horses frankly
i hate the barrel races of today boring  but i will never truly know but i wish oh i wish i could rideÂ
I think it's great you still add your wisdom and memories to some of the threads on here; keep em coming!! |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | DLV - 2015-08-10 11:25 AM
I'm struggling with this same issue so you are not alone! I"m glad someone feels the same way I do. I've been involved in horses since I was 11 and am 30 now. Life has just gotten so busy, work, now college classes towards a masters, 5 dogs, travel, family, friends and meetings, volunteer work. It's overwhelming. Not to mention, since we bought a house 5 years ago, I'd almost rather stick money into it and my retirement. I feel guilty spending money racing or on horses. I went from 7 to 3 and now to one horse and am debating if I shouldn't just sell him. I haven't been placing as competitively as I'd like and I'm an all or nothing person too.
I would have said get out for a while and see if you miss it but after a 10 yr vacation from it you definitely have!!! Did you miss it when you were out for 10 yrs? When you ride do you like it more than anything else? I guess depending on those answers, it should give you a clue as to the right choice. I still don't know what I should do. I almost think buying rescue horses and working with them when I have time would be a low stress way to go instead of competitive riding and all the cost that goes into it. Plus it gives me great satisfaction to train a horse to be useful and wanted instead of going to slaughter or doing nothing. That to me is an amazing accomplishment. I guess I feel like I've hit a plateau with racing and am not getting better.
I love that you have a desire to help those horses that others might not take notice of and that you're the reason those horses have a future. |
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boon
Posts: 1
| I was trying to guess your age when I read this but your story mirrors parts of mine. I had always been involved with horses and barrel racing but then a time came when I had to make a decision to devote myself to my business.
Didn't compete for nearly 13 years - and there was still something there. I prayed about it a lot and decided if I didn't do it again, I'd be too old. So I bought a horse and trained him, then bought another and trained her. He was a horse I'll always love but died of a rare DNA malady. She's the once in a lifetime horse that made a now-60 year old woman be able to sit at a desk all day and still go out and win a rodeo.
My point is don't give up your dreams; they still can come true - whatever age you are. And please don't leave God out of it. That way the decision you make will be the right one for you.
Hope this helps:-) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| I could have written this! Four babies, college, now a career in law enforcement, building a house, etc etc. My mare has torn hamstrings which now just makes her walk WIERD and run reeeeaaaaallllly ssslllllooooowwww. And my hub is only supportive intermittently. But I kept going because even if I could barely wake up the next morning for work after the race the night before where she ran her heart out to not even hit 4D money with a technically perfect run, and my hub is all cranky because i wasn't there for the evening, I still love it. So I retired my old girl and traded my dream prospect for a finished, easy horse who is easily 2/3D. Only you can answer this. But you definitely aren't alone!!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 623
Location: /ARKANSAS | Got a girlfriend whose horse had KS, took him to maybe Weatherford Tx for surgery and is doing fine. It wasn't a horribly expensive surgery
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Location: midwest mama | Anyone else? |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
| I just turned 53 and have been hauling hard for 25 years. I started counting the weekends till I had a weekend off and it hit me lol maybe I need to shift my goals. I love riding young horses and starting them and I love lessons for the people that really want to learn. Im selling my open horse, keeping a yearling and a mare that I'm starting back for now. Pretty much downsizing and just going when the mood hits me lol |
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Veteran
Posts: 102
| I'm 61 yrs. old and I haven't hauled hardly any in the last ten years,but some things in life seem to have kept holding me back,however I refuse to let anything stop my passion I have for riding horses and this gift God has given me since birth.My motto"Ain't going down till' the sun comes up."  |
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Veteran
Posts: 102
| I'm 61 yrs. old and I haven't hauled hardly any in the last ten years,but some things in life seem to have kept holding me back,however I refuse to let anything stop my passion I have for riding horses and this gift God has given me since birth.My motto"Ain't going down till' the sun comes up." |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | Maybe I'm off base on this - but to me it sounds like you only want to race if you can run at 1-D level and if not you don't find it fun? I can relate...I have shown various events since I was 5 and have devoted my life to horses. But in my 20's reality set in about needing a stable financial future, home, career, finish school. I never quit owning a horse, but I did quit competing for about 6 years and had a child in that time. Fast forward I slowly got back into it with a 2 year old and we have had nothing but setbacks and injuries over the past 5 years and I started feeling like I was never going to get back to the level I rode at when I was a youth. Felt like a has been and that maybe this was all some stupid hobby for me to relive "the glory days". I finally bit the bullet and bought a very nice but green horse just this year. Took her to a fun show and I truly had fun for the first time in many, many years...and I do very much believe she will hit 1-D with some seasoning under her. It really helps that my SO and son are behind me on this and are routing me on. They see my passion and don't want me to give up just because things have been a mess for the past 11 or so years.
Ask yourself, after the 10 year break, when you were hitting those 1D times, did you truly love and enjoy it? Did you love it for the wins? Or did you love it for the thrill and fun? Or did you love it for both? If you can figure out what it is the drives you to enjoy this then I think the answer will be pretty clear for you. And if barrels isn't the thing anymore, find a new passion (with or without horses) so that you can still do something for yourself. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Two weeks ago when my mom passed away I was seriously considering throwing my lollipop in the dirt, taking my big mare to a friends place and kicking her out and leasing out the other two to any suckers willing to deal with their Diva BS and health issues (my gelding is a rock star, you can make a heck of a go in the cutting pen on Saturday then take him to a gymkhana and whoop some booty on Sunday and on Monday your 85 year old dad can take him to gather cows but he is a Diva princess and then CC has all the potential in the world but there are the kidney and bladder issues). I've been telling myself for 10+ years not to stress, that one day I'd be free to go pursue my dreams with these horses. Didnt' dawn on me until July 30th that when that time came in meant my mom was gone for good...suddenly makes you not so happy that "one day" has arrived. The only thing that has made me not pull the plug is that for those 10+ years my mom was the reason I put my feet on the floor in the morning and my horses where the reason I could. You dont' turn your back on that. And my mom didnt' raise a quitter. Eventually me and the Diva Ba$tard and my Walking Miracle CC will be back in the pen, just need to get my heart wrapped around the new normal. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I have been struggling lately too (I am 48).....been having lots of pattern frustrations on a horse I have owned for a year now. He is a push style I am used to free runner.....and now I am having saddle fit issues with him too. I don't even want to go to a barrel race at the moment. Have pretty much lost all my confidence. Decided to just enjoy my horse for now and do fun things with out the pressure to perform everything correctly.
Edited by fulltiltfilly 2015-08-14 5:48 PM
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | run n rate - 2015-08-14 12:22 PM
Two weeks ago when my mom passed away I was seriously considering throwing my lollipop in the dirt, taking my big mare to a friends place and kicking her out and leasing out the other two to any suckers willing to deal with their Diva BS and health issues (my gelding is a rock star, you can make a heck of a go in the cutting pen on Saturday then take him to a gymkhana and whoop some booty on Sunday and on Monday your 85 year old dad can take him to gather cows but he is a Diva princess and then CC has all the potential in the world but there are the kidney and bladder issues). I've been telling myself for 10+ years not to stress, that one day I'd be free to go pursue my dreams with these horses. Didnt' dawn on me until July 30th that when that time came in meant my mom was gone for good...suddenly makes you not so happy that "one day" has arrived. The only thing that has made me not pull the plug is that for those 10+ years my mom was the reason I put my feet on the floor in the morning and my horses where the reason I could. You dont' turn your back on that. And my mom didnt' raise a quitter. Eventually me and the Diva Ba$tard and my Walking Miracle CC will be back in the pen, just need to get my heart wrapped around the new normal.
Many good feelings and wishes being sent your way. You have folks rooting for you and "your herd" all over the place!! (I bet your mom is looking down at you saying "you better keep those horses legged up and in the road.") |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Thanks Chandlers Mom:) I owe it to my momma who clear up till she had the stroke would load up with me or go out in the heat or the cold to watch me ride as well as these horses that gave me something more important than myself, a reason to get up every morning when life was really really hard, and to people like you that have prayed, rooted, prompted me to ask better questions and search better answers thru CC's kidney and bladder journey, one that is on going and hopefully will be for years to come. Like everything else in this world, it's only truly over if we quit. As long as we keep plugging at it, even if we have to give ourselves a "time out" to regroup it leaves us the possibility that our dream is attainable. #UNSTOPPABLE |
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Expert
Posts: 1956
Location: Ky | OldSchoolCowgirl - 2015-08-10 1:15 AM I barrel raced and rodeoed for years, and then took an over 10 year vacation from it. Family, work, life, etc. took priority, so I gave in and didn't hardly even ride for a very long time. Several years ago I decided to start back again. I started slow with a younger horse, and worked my way up to running in the 1D. Competed for two years, and then my horse I was going on got hurt, and they are saying he will be off at least a year, IF he ever comes back good enough to be a barrel horse again. I have no back up horse - he is my one and only. I really don't want to start another young one, so I have started looking around for an older been there, done that horse that I can go compete on and have some fun. I have found several that I thought might work for me, but they aren't cheap and now I am kind of getting cold feet and wondering if I even really want to start racing again. My time is limited and I have a lot of responsibilities with family/work, but I need to do something for me. Also, I'm feeling a little guilty for spending a lot for a horse. In my head and heart I want to, but then reality sets in. I really don't want to only do something half way - it's not my nature. I'm usually all in, or all out. Also, since I came back and started running again I have had severe performance anxiety. Stressed when I was running, and now stressed that I am not. Argh. My question is this - how do you decide whether to keep racing or quit, throw in the towel and be a spectator/fan only? Sometimes I feel like I have a split personality. I'm really struggling with this, so any advice from people who have been in this same situation would be appreciated.
For me the time to quit was when the fun didn't outweigh the work. I'm a competitor so I couldn't just ride for divisions either. If I fell into a division I would take the money but I never pulled out of the driveway with a plan to hit a division.
But you just know when it's time. I was still winning a lot when I knew it was time. I told everyone that Easy was my last horse. No one beleived me as I had been competing since childhood. I just knew knew that it wasn't like it used to be. I enjoyed riding him so I kept goling until I had to retire him and then we stopped.
I still miss the competition and when we go visit shows to catch up with friends I really miss it and want to be out there. But I know what it takes to be where I want to be if I was competing and I don't miss all that work at all.
We go visit less and less now. We went to the World Championship Flag Race in Tn last month and that's the only show e have been to this year.
The Ky State fair Quarter Horse show is going on this week and the finals are tonight. This is the first time in over 40 years that I haven't been there
You will know when it's time to stop. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | run n rate - 2015-08-15 11:39 AM
Thanks Chandlers Mom:) I owe it to my momma who clear up till she had the stroke would load up with me or go out in the heat or the cold to watch me ride as well as these horses that gave me something more important than myself, a reason to get up every morning when life was really really hard, and to people like you that have prayed, rooted, prompted me to ask better questions and search better answers thru CC's kidney and bladder journey, one that is on going and hopefully will be for years to come. Like everything else in this world, it's only truly over if we quit. As long as we keep plugging at it, even if we have to give ourselves a "time out" to regroup it leaves us the possibility that our dream is attainable. #UNSTOPPABLE
I agree totally---maybe take time to recharge and reboot, but don't quit. Not while you still get ANY enjoyment out of it. I think you true racers/competitors would miss doing it more than you will get out of not doing it, if that makes sense!!
(What a mom you were blessed with RNR. . . )
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2015-08-17 12:06 AM
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Location: midwest mama | Anyone else? |
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Mrs. Troy
Location: western Nebraska | I too am in the 2nd half of the century. I have always been competive and years ago went to the big show. Five years ago I had a bad wreck at Mandan,nd on July 2 at the pro rodeo. 9 broken ribs, collarbone, foot, punctured lung. I didn't have any insurance so I sold both of my good horses. I just played around training some when I started riding again. Then two years ago I got bucked off. Three broken ribs, collarbone, shoulder blade, and my foot again. This summer I am finally feeling good again. In the last couple of years I have gathered up a little herd of rehab horses that needed me as much as I needed them. I also had a chance to get back one of my horses I had sold five years ago. It has been an up and down roller coaster with my horses but this summer some of them are starting to come around and they are working great. I am placing in the 1 d on some of them and I am not asking them for their lives- just letting it come to them. Now I am the old lady on the nice horses that people are wanting to buy! Haha. I am enjoying every run- good or bad because I know what it has taken to get them to this point. I am not going to quit anytime soon because I don't know how to do anything else. I have no hobbies- I spend all my money on my horses. I just go to the local things because I don't feel competive enough to drive very far. But I did surprise everyone- myself included when my fat little Mojo,horse won 3rd in the 1d at the bonus race finals in Lincoln this summer. That was a fun ride. So anyway it isn't time to quit until you absolutely just can't make yourself go ride one more time |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | doglady - 2015-08-18 9:05 PM
 I too am in the 2nd half of the century.  I have always been competive and years ago went to the big show.   Five years ago I had a bad wreck at Mandan,nd on July 2 at the pro rodeo.   9 broken ribs, collarbone, foot, punctured lung.  I didn't have any insurance so I sold both of my good horses.  I just played around training some when I started riding again.  Then two years ago I got bucked off. Three broken ribs, collarbone, shoulder blade, and my foot again.   This summer I am finally feeling good again.  In the last couple of years I have gathered up a little herd of rehab horses that needed me as much as I needed them.  I also had a chance to get back one of my horses I had sold five years ago.  It has been an up and down roller coaster with my horses but this summer some of them are starting to come around and they are working great.  I am placing in the 1 d on some of them and I am not asking them for their lives- just letting it come to them.   Now I am the old lady on the nice horses that people are wanting to buy!  Haha. I am enjoying every run- good or bad because I know what it has taken to get them to this point.   I am not going to quit anytime soon because I don't know how to do anything else. I have no hobbies- I spend all my money on my horses.  I just go to the local things because I don't feel competive enough to drive very far.  But I did surprise everyone- myself included when my fat little Mojo,horse won 3rd in the 1d at the bonus race finals in Lincoln this summer.  That was a fun ride.   So anyway it isn't time to quit until you absolutely just can't make yourself go ride one more timeÂ
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Location: midwest mama | doglady - 2015-08-18 9:05 PM
 I too am in the 2nd half of the century.  I have always been competive and years ago went to the big show.   Five years ago I had a bad wreck at Mandan,nd on July 2 at the pro rodeo.   9 broken ribs, collarbone, foot, punctured lung.  I didn't have any insurance so I sold both of my good horses.  I just played around training some when I started riding again.  Then two years ago I got bucked off. Three broken ribs, collarbone, shoulder blade, and my foot again.   This summer I am finally feeling good again.  In the last couple of years I have gathered up a little herd of rehab horses that needed me as much as I needed them.  I also had a chance to get back one of my horses I had sold five years ago.  It has been an up and down roller coaster with my horses but this summer some of them are starting to come around and they are working great.  I am placing in the 1 d on some of them and I am not asking them for their lives- just letting it come to them.   Now I am the old lady on the nice horses that people are wanting to buy!  Haha. I am enjoying every run- good or bad because I know what it has taken to get them to this point.   I am not going to quit anytime soon because I don't know how to do anything else. I have no hobbies- I spend all my money on my horses.  I just go to the local things because I don't feel competive enough to drive very far.  But I did surprise everyone- myself included when my fat little Mojo,horse won 3rd in the 1d at the bonus race finals in Lincoln this summer.  That was a fun ride.   So anyway it isn't time to quit until you absolutely just can't make yourself go ride one more timeÂ
Thanks doglady -
You have really given me some things to think about. Thanks for sharing.
THIS makes sense to me:
"So anyway it isn't time to quit until you absolutely just can't make yourself go ride one more time."
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