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Six Things That Drive Horse Owners Nuts
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Life is full of little frustrations and for most of us, our horses are our escape from a demanding life. Unfortunately, owning and riding a horse can come with frustrations of their own. Here’s a look at the top six frustrations that we face as horse owners.
1. Finding the Right Professionals
Farriers, veterinarians, even farmers who supply our hay are pros that can make horse ownership easier. It’s sometimes hard to find people that you like to work with and that you can rely on. Once you do, you hang on tight.
2. Not Nailing Those Riding Skills
There is nothing more frustrating than your brain knowing what you need to do while you’re sitting up there on your horse and your body not doing what it’s told. Ever had a lesson where you end up in tears because there was something you just couldn’t put together? I’m not proud of it, but I certainly have. Patience and practice are the only remedies. But that can be hard to remember sometimes.
3. Minor Sickness and Lameness Problems
There is nothing worse than a lameness that comes and goes. Or a lameness that seems to go on forever. Going out to find your horse covered in rain rot is disappointing. And, even something like a loose shoe can ruin your riding plans. But it’s all part of the game, as is sorting these problems out.
4. The Wrong Horse
Skill levels change, interests change, or your heart might have lead your head when you purchased your horse and you over or under-horsed yourself. You probably love your horse and feel guilty when you think of selling it. You have a few choices - you could work with what you’ve got, improve or change your riding or sell your horse. There’s no shame is selling a horse, as long as you take every effort to find it the right home. Your wrong horse could be someone else’s right horse.
5. Budget Restrictions
Horses cost money. Many of us don’t have a huge disposable income. It can be frustrating when you have plans and ambitions for you and your horse, but can’t scrape together the cash to see them through. Even if you get a free horse, there are lots of basic expenses such as feed, farrier, and lots of necessary extras when it comes to equipment, competing or traveling.
6. Not Enough Time
School, jobs, family obligations, and other hobbies are things you probably do happily most of the time, but any one or all of these things can cut into the time you want to spend with your horse. Sometimes all you have time for are the basics of horse care - feeding, watering and cleaning up because you are just in a busy phase. Sometimes, though, we put things off and say we don’t have enough time because there is something we are avoiding. Maybe we’re sick of mucking stalls, but don’t want to admit it. Or, you’ve fallen off and are a bit apprehensive of riding much again. If life has gotten in your way, you’ll probably find yourself back at the barn or in the saddle once your workload lightens. If you’re playing mind games with yourself, you might have to work on that. There’s always a way to make time to do the things we really want to do. |
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