Loan pony, should I give back?

[QuestPip]

I have had my loan pony for 6 years (she came from a rescue sanctuary.)

I started a new job in sept working 40hrs a week and barely have any time now. Shes on full livery most of the time and my daughter helps out couple times week. I go fri, sat,sundays and have barely any interest to ride anymore. My 10yr old rides her every other weekend but its beginning to feel like a chore and not enjoyable because I have so many other tings to do, housework, food shopping etc.

Plus its so expensive and being on my own I am trying to use my money wisely.

I am so torn with what to do. It would break my heart to send her back but I know she would get a new family quickly but its still very sad.

A middle option would be to get a sharer. They contribute towards the cost and keep her fit. That way your dd still gets to ride and you have time to decide. This is the worst possible time of year to be a horse owner. You may miss her when you and your dd have time off together and the sun is shining.

Second the idea of looking into a sharer. It's a tough one because on the one hand I'm not a 'horses are for life' person, in the right circumstances I think it can absolutely be the best option to sell or find a new home, but on the other I have some experience with rescue horses and I do feel they're at much greater risk than normal of ending up passed around or falling into bad hands... What would the situation be if you did decide to give her back, would she have to go back into the sanctuary and be assessed and re-homed from there or could she go direct from your yard? Could you have any input into new home, would you be confident the rescue will identify somewhere suitable for her (just conscious a free loan or very cheap loan of a reliable child's ridden pony is very rare and precious thing, could easily attract the wrong type, not just a stereotypical baddy but maybe a novice y family with no idea of the true work and upkeep a pony involves).

Personally I think everything does look and feel worse this time of year, if you can I'd give it until the spring and see how you feel, riding in the warmer lighter evenings should be more fun and less of a chore. A 3 day a week sharer would be a big financial help too and take more of the burden off you.

I am a ‘horse is for life ‘ person but I’d send her back , you loan her you don’t own her so ultimately it was always a possibility that she would have to go back .

How into it is your daughter?
That for me would be the decider. If she is really keen then I'd perhaps try to look for a sharer and even think about moving to a diy yard where the sharer was responsible through the week and you did the weekends (that would save on costs)

If your daughter isn't keen then I'd probably return to the rescue.

It's just so much money and time if you both don't have much drive for it isn't it? Especially at this time of year 🙈

How are you managing your time?
I work full time 42.5 hours a week and i have three horses on DIY, and dogs. i go before and after work and it's tight but i get everything done and ride (not all three are ridden, two are too young)

We had multiple ponies when i was a child and my parents worked full time, again, we made it work. if your heart is in it, you'll make it work. if not, send back.

Sorry I didnt reply.
Have been trying to stay positive! Im still feeling pretty much the same though.
Having a few health issues with her now, she goes lame in menage but we dont go in there much but my 10yr old rides once a weekend but been told now to only hack and avoid menage for at least a yr.
I had her back done yesterday and she suggested possible EMS and to get blood tests as pony has been very sensitive recently. So vets bills....
I do have a friend helping me out a few times in the week as I cant get there but not allowed a 'proper' loaner as thats in the agreement.