HELP! I don't want to leave my horse behind!?

Question

Okay, so I live in the North East England. I have had a couple of job opportunities come up; one down south and one in Scotland. The thing is, I can't take my horse with me. I don't know what to do because the jobs offered are fantastic, but there's no option for my to take Stevie (my horse). He is currently on rest due to a hoof problem which meant he had to have his shoes off. The thing is though - should I just retire him, and keep paying his livery because he can live out most of the year and my mum can look after him (she loans my other TB so is at the yard daily anyway). I don't know whether or not to retire him (he was in relatively light work anyway; ridden a few times a week) or loan him out. If he went on loan he would stay at my current yard so the girls there could keep an eye on him. Am I being selfish by considering leaving him behind?

Answer 1

No, you are not being selfish.  You would be selfish if you moved him about and made him do things not in his best interest.

Retiring him might be a good idea, especially as your mum and other people he knows will be there with him every day.  If he would be completely on his own all the time I might suggest putting him up for adoption.

Loaning him out is a nice idea, although if he has hoof problems it would be best to keep it light and only to experienced riders.

Answer 2

You definitley are not!! If you have been around him for a long time you have a connection that is like no other! Horses can be your closest companions at times but, you do want to do what is best for you and Stevie, even if that means having to leave him behind. But this doesn't make you selfish. Its one of the hardest decisions you have to make.  

Answer 3

Well, I think that, like you I would have mixed feelings. I wouldn't want to leave my horse behind but then again I might really need this job. What I would do is think about what would be best for you and Stevie. If you do take the job and you had someone that you trust look after him than maybe you can come and visit him every once in awhile. If you did loan him out to someone he would at least get the chance to be ridden and be excercised. I'm sorry that you have to make a decision like this. I hope that you find something that you can do :)

Answer 4

Sometimes we need to move on a little, and if the job is good and you really feel you want to take it then that's what you should do.  You have to earn a living and you might as well do something you enjoy.  Your horse will be fine, if hes staying at the yard and someone wishes to be around horses and take care of him that can only be good, and if your mum and the girls on the yard can keep an eye on things then you get the best of both worlds, you still have your horse and its being taken care of, and if you can manage the DIY livery costs then there shouldn't be a problem, as long as you make sure the person who loans knows of your horses limits.  There are some people who only want to be around horses and do all the work involved and a little lite riding is all they want, find someone like that if you can, all will work out i'm sure.

Answer 5

yes you are its a great thing to love a pet but if it can give more love to other little children then whats more important give him to a riding school where he will be loved and cherished by other people who let children ride them and you know it makes sense

Answer 6

No, your not being selfish... just think this job could give you the money you need to make him really confortable and keep him... and maybe eventually be able to move him closer to you. Id lease him out, just as long as he stays where he is so your mom could keep an eye on him an make sure he isnt being worked to hard. Im sure he would probably still like to be loved by another while your gone.

Best of luck with your new oppertunities!! :)

and i hope you dont feel guilty for whatever decision you decide to make.  

Answer 7

What would be best for him?  Would he get better care while being loaned out?  Maybe get more interaction that way than if he was retired and stabled?

You're doing the right thing by seeing to it he's taken care of since you have to move on with your life.  It seems a bit selfish on the surface, leaving him behind, but at the same time, your future's ahead of you and you're not abandoning him completely.  When you go home for visits, you'll be able to see him.  What you're doing is no worse than someone moving out and leaving his or her dog with the household because the new place doesn't allow dogs, and the dog knows the family.  You're doing what's best for both of you.

Answer 8

I would look again for jobs in the North East or consider long commutes if your close to your horse. You have to be kind of selfish and think which is the most important a potentially better job or Stevie.  

Answer 9

Congratulations on your job offers. This must be an exciting time for you. I find it strange that you say you CAN'T take your horse with you. Surely there are stables in Scotland and/or down south. Is there are reason that you can't just put him in a new stable near your new location as soon as you get settled? It seems like it would be possible.  

Answer 10

I think if you want something to work out, you can make it happen. So sit down and write out the details of what you would need to do in order to accept one of the good jobs AND bring your horse with you. If he is not physically suited to travel at the present moment, then write out a plan that incorporates that so you can bring him up later.

I am a nutcase and tend to think of animals as family members, so could never imagine leaving one behind. I would not even consider taking a job that required me to move if I could not bring my horses, but that is just me.

That being said I am convinced nothing is impossible and so you should find a way to bring him along. Start by looking into boarding stables in the area you're moving to. Figure out how much you would have to budget to board him, or see if you can rent a place where you could keep a horse. I live in the western US so England is a completely different world. Where I live renting a place with horse facilities would be a piece of cake, maybe in Scotland its prohibitively expensive.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 11

You not being selfish, you might give a chance to have other girls have a horse they can ride and be happy. the way it sounds your horse will be happy and content, without you there.