Horse Ownership, the struggle is real.

horses are a way of life.

Ever since I was young I’ve loved horses and dreamed of owning a horse of my own. When I finally got a horse of my own I was thrilled! I was able to show him and ride him whenever I wanted (or could get a ride to the barn). I took him to shows, was responsible for his care for the most part and I enjoyed the joys of horse ownership for quite some time. Then one day I discovered that my horse was lame. The beginning of learning how the world of horse ownership works. Although my pony eventually got better he was never back to normal but still was able to have a useable life and even have a job.

My first horse, Eddy.

The worst part of horse ownership is figuring out what to do when your horse is no longer able to do what you want to do. The question is whether or not you should retire with your horse, or if you get a new one. I decided to let my very special pony move on without me and teach other little ones the joys of horses, but I will never forget him or not wish for a moment that I could have kept him forever.

My horse Callie and I at our last horse show.

Fast forward about 7 years. I’ve had a horse in between but my current horse I bought as a show horse and she’s ended up being much more than that. Not only did I regain my confidence on her but she became my second once in a life time horse. She is my very best friend but she is also without a doubt probably not going to show again (there’s a slight chance, but it’s really slight).

Nothing can take away our cuddles.

She’s finally back to regular turnout and I can ride her minimally, but she’s not jumping anymore or going to shows. I went through phases where I was mad that she was no longer the show horse I bought to move up to the bigger adult hunter classes on but now just a really fancy trail buddy. It sucks, but for a variety of reasons, it also doesn’t.

I started law school this fall and knew I wouldn’t be showing any time in the near future, so actually if she was going to become a pretty little ornament this was the best time for her to decide to do it. With a busy schedule the time I had to come out and ride all I wanted or needed to do was what she was capable of doing. We went on trail rides with barn buddies and hacked out in the front fields alone and she was good as gold. A perfect little stress reliever.

Callie and I this fall, coming back from a peaceful solo trail ride.

In the age of the internet where I can see all of my friends and people I don’t know who I follow on the internet successfully showing and doing things with their horses that I can’t, it can seem like you are pressured to keep going, buy your next show horse and put the one you have out to pasture and forget about them. For a while I wished I could do that, but I know better. This is best, this is what was meant to be. I’ll keep my best friend as long as I can and we will do what makes us happy and what we are capable of doing. I can’t pay board on two horses, and I don’t need to. My precious moo cow as I call her is all I need. Hopefully one day I’ll show again, but until then I’m happy bopping around on my favorite big ‘ol gimpy pony.