Any MNers with horses out there?

[Longlegs1972]

and how do you cope?

I'm getting really down cos I never get the time to spend with mine....

I was supposed to be having an early night but I've just sat and read the article. Now I definitely must see the film!

It is with a very heavy heart that I have decided to sell my horse.

Since I last posted on here we've been having lessons and she's been schooled on further and is coming on in leaps and bounds (quite literally!) but I've reached a point where I've run out of time to do what she needs.

She did her first dressage test at the weekend and considering it was her first outing of any kind, she was amazing. She took it all in her stride and behaved like an old pro.

She is a lovely girl who deserves to be out there doing stuff but sadly my current demands mean that I just don't have the time to get out with her much beyond being a happy hacker a couple of days a week.

I wondered if anyone on here might know of someone looking for a smashing horse to do a bit of everything from hacking to eventing. She's go the abillity if you've got the time!

Libby

Oh what a shame for you , she really is beautiful. Even if I knew someone searching for a horse I think Yorkshire is too far away from Brighton! I'm sure she'll be snapped up though.

Thanks Pixel. I'd love her to go somewhere within a reasonable distance so I'd be able to keep in touch and follow her progress.

It's so hard. I know that she has to go but it feels very disloyal. I can hardly look her in the eye.

Hello oldmadcatwoman!! Was wondering where you'd got to! Your horse is beautiful! Wish I could buy her.
Do you really have to sell her? Just because she's got a natural ability to do a sport doesn't mean she has the desire to want to do loads of it. She might be perfectly happy living the life she has with you. Its only humans that have goals in life. Could you not get someone to part loan her so you can still ride her as often as you do now? There must be loads of people who would love the opportunity to ride a horse like yours but not the funds to buy one?? And maybe they could do competitions with her?

Hi everyone, hope you don't mind me joining you!

I have two, horse and a pony which I keep at home. Both in their twenties and retired now, the horse through arthritis (sp?) and the pony recently diagnosed with Cushings .

I am looking for something to buy, quiet fancy a Haflinger or Connemara type round about 14.2/15hh. I am Warwickshire based so on the lookout.

Madoldcatlady, your horse looks lovely but unfortunately bigger than I am looking for. Agree with what manuka says, do you really need to let her go just because you feel she should be doing more than you can offer? If you're happy just hacking out I bet she is too.

Or do you feel over-horsed? Sorry, I haven't read the rest of this thread all through yet so not sure what your circumstances are.

Thanks for your replies.

She definately has to go Manuka.

I've considered the loan/share option but have been advised against it by the lady who broke her and is schooling her for me at the moment. She seems to think that she is too good a horse to be passed on in this way. It may work if I knew someone personally that would share her but all my horsey mates already have what they want.

I'm really struggling to do the most baisic things with her on a daily baisis. She gets fed and mucked out every day but that is the bare minimum very often.

She really benefits from regular riding (i.e. 4 or 5 times a week) and I'm in no position to do that and won't be for a good 12 months at least.

I don't feel over horsed Raffaella just undertimed.

Seeing how much she enjoyed the competion at the weekend and how well she performed just convinced me that she deserves more than a spin round the village every blue moon.

I also considered turning her away for a year but even then she would need feeding/mucking out etc and it's just adding pressure in other areas of my life whilst trying to do justice to her.

Ahh right, totally understand now. Not an easy decision is it. If only there were more hours in the day.

I know that I've been doing my horse search a bit half heartedly. Waiting for the perfect horse to come and knock on my door!

I really do want another one, but part of me thinks about the extra mucking out, turn out, feeding, etc., and now the days are even shorter and colder and wetter..... When will I find the time to ride?

Might wait until Spring!

Hi Madoldcatlady, - sorry to hear about your decision - she is so beautiful I'm sure it can't have been an easy decision.
I'll keep my ears open in case any of my clients are looking, but she is a fair way off for most of them.

The focus round here is more about Shetlands! My daughter is going to be competing in the Shetland Grand National next year and is very excited about it. It's going to mean a lot of travelling etc even if she doesn't qualify for Olympia but it will be worth the experience for her I'm sure.

thanks Bamzooki

How exciting re the shettie national. That always looks so much fun!

God Madold thats really sad! You said things will be different in 12months well how about loaning her out for 12months that way you will have a chance to change your mind later if you find that life has more time???
I can't imagine how heartbreaking it must be to have to sell a horse especially one you've had since she was a baby.

I know what you're saying Manuka but as I said, the lady who has her to sell for me and has known her since she broke her for me 2 years ago is adamant that she should not be loaned.

She feels that it would be detremental to her nice, steady, careful progress to date to risk the possibility of her not being cared for and ridden well.

Also you hear of some horror stores about loans.

If I knew someone personally that was interested then it would be an option but as I don't it's a no goer really.

At risk of sticking my nose in here MadOCL - surely it should be up to you what you do with your horse, not this other lady? Are you sure that she doesn't have some other agenda?
It would seem to me that with a loan, you could retain some kind of control over your horse's destiny and if she wasn't being looked after in the way you wanted, then she could come home. If she is sold then you would have no input at all.

Just my thoughts that's all. And FWIW I have seen many successful loan arrangements.

the loan person could keep her where she is so you can keep an eye on her???
I think ultimately with such a huge decision you have to listen to your heart and gut feelings. They will know what the right thing to do is. I really feel for you. It must be such a sressful thing to have to think about.

The place where she currently is is 30 miles away from home and costs £120 a week to keep her there so I doubt any loanee would be interseted in that. I gave up her stable when she went away to sell 2 weeks ago and it alreadt filled.

That's the thing Manuka. My heart says that for the benefit of my family she has to go.

She has been a very selfish hobby for me and me alone. All anyone else has got out of her is less time with mummy/wifey and a lot less money in the bank!

What a huge bummer! It is such a full on hobby isn't it and not so good if the rest of the family aren't involved.
I know a few horse people if you'd like me to ask around for a good home I can do? I'm in Leeds so not far from you.

Please do Manuka.

I've had only one phone call following her being advertised. Disappointing really but the people who came out said that her photo's didn't do justice to her at all so I'll have to take some more on Wednesday when I get over to visit. I suppose the time of year is the worst to sell horses.

A young girl (15) came to see her yesterday and was very taken with her but she wasn't quite right for her. She was quite a nervous rider and although Libby is not a difficult ride by any means she does need a positive rider due to her age.

She's going jumping on Thursday night at some local competition so that'll be fun for her. Shame I won't be able to get over to watch but it's all good experience and getting her noticed.

Bumpety bump!
How's it going?
Madoldcatlady, any more interest in your ad? How did Libby do at her jumping competition?
Manuka, how's the back holding up? Mine is much better and though I haven't risked my bike or ds's trampoline (suspected culprit for injury!) I have ridden out quietly a few times with no ill effects.
Bamzooki, that's great about shetland grand national, it's one of my favourite events at Olympia and makes me all choked up as they are so sweet. Our sort-of-on-loan shetland is so gorgeous my mum and I reckon we would have her in the house if we could!
Had a nice ride today in this unexpected glorious weather. Dpony is coming on well considering he only gets ridden about once a week at the mo what with the weather and everything. Our instructor gave him his first canter under saddle today (I'm still feeling a bit nervous ) and he bucked a few times but then I rode him out and we took him along the main road and he was fab with all the lorries etc. He was especially good considering the exciting weekend he'd had when a big tree came down in the wind. Actually we had to saw some branches off it to get him out this morning!

Hello all. She's going to her new home on Saturday!

A lovely family. Daughter of 15 coming off ponies and wanting to do all RC activities and ODE' eventually.

The girl is a superb rider, quiet but effective IYKWIM.

They will be having weekly flat work lessons at a local riding club and jumping lessons with the lady who is selling her for me. She'll be living about 15 minutes away from me and they'e said we can visit whenever we want.

They're a proper horsey family with their own land and mum will hack her out during the week.

I couldn't be happier with the family. I know they will love her as much as I do.

I'm going to say goodbye on Friday morning. Dreading it really but at least I'll be seeing her again.

Oh and she was fab at the jumping Pixel. Went clear no probs! Took it all in her stride. Little love.

That was quick! How wonderful to know that you've found the perfect home for her and so close too. I told you she'd be snapped up

Great news Madoldcatlady. That must be a very big weight off your mind.

Right I'm still looking for my next one. Anybody hears of a good mum/daughter happy hack around 14.2/15hh please let me know.

Excellent news Madold - sounds like a good solution all round.

Hello ladies. I am just about to buy my first horse and would appreciate any advice on where best to buy stable rugs, head collars etc. on-line. I'm as green as they come! Many thanks in advance.