Originally Posted by
Tybee
Fellow horse lover here. I can so relate, even though I have never competed, just enjoyed my horses and had them both at barn and at home.
I'm struggling with some similar issues, and bought this house so that we could have horses at home, only to find it is poorly suited, due to lack of pasturage. We really want a little farm set up for horses and look everyday online. But we are older than you, 65 and 66, and way more arthritic than last time I had a horse, before we moved from SC. I don't know. I am thinking of changing to something gaited if we do get horses again, but it is the care I worry I can't physically keep up with. So that argues to go back to a barn. And having horses at home is an enduring dream. Even though when we have done it, it has tired us to the house in a way that is not good, and we are getting older, and what if one of us gets surgery--you get the picture.
But it is so hard to find a barn you love. It sounds to me like you are at a show barn, or in your case, a Show Barn extraordinaire. Honestly, my happiest horse memories are riding with other people, like when we tried to start a drill team--never laughed so hard in my life, had so much fun. Or just riding with someone else and talking. When my horses were home, all I seemed to do were horse chores, you know. Not as much fun.
Is there a barn where you could chill for a while, and have other people with similar interests? Or, if you stay at the barn you are at, just chill to being a part of things but not competing for a year and see how it feels. Or, if you bring the horse home, can you do something to stay in the field, like working with 4-H kids--I know that is probably not exciting and you may not be interested, but you could pass on your knowledge and help youngsters find the joy you found? I also remember you had an Appaloosa--can you get involved in breed organizations? I am looking to get involved in a trail riding club--there is one here in Maine that meets for dinners, gets together to clean trails--that is about my speed right now.
Like my dream right now is get involved with Marsh Tacky preservation. But we live in Maine, not South Carolina anymore, unfortunately.
I don't know, I just know I am so sorry for the loss of your heart horse--it would be good if you could enjoy riding again and enjoy your beloved horse again and take some of the pressure off.