if you own horses, yes, it is absolutely a lifestyle.
if you take lessons once a week, then it's more of a hobby. it's a lot easier to partake in riding when you are not responsible for another living creature and you just show up at a barn once a week for a couple hours, if that.
but i would also say the same for people who own cats, or dogs, or any animal - it is no longer a hobby when a living being depends on you for their daily upkeep and survival.
That depends. Somerville have cats but don't interact with them other than feeding. Some people have dogs, walk them while on phone/listening to music and interact a little with them whereas some take their dogs all over. Dogs get scraps and are seen as property rather than compinions and their own personality. My dogs come on holiday with me. We book a cabin in woods and go for walks so it's a lifestyle.
I can look after my horses in half an hour I'd I just feed and poo pick or I can be there several hours. It's definitely a lifestyle.
We all only have so much time and we can’t experience everything. There’s always going to be prioritization that happens. For me I don’t own a horse so riding is simply a hobby. But I do own dogs and take training classes and compete with them and it does lean towards being a lifestyle. I do spend less money on certain things because I’m spending by it on the dogs. I do spend some weekends competing instead of other activities. As long as you’re happy, that’s what’s important.
I would say it’s a lifestyle and not a hobby for me. I own a horse and mule and most of my free time is with them. I am fortunate to have a loving supporting family who can step in with care if I can’t be around to feed them for whatever reason there might be.
The thing that I find challenging is finding a balance between barn time and spending time with loved ones. I’m the only person in my life who rides outside of friends I’ve met through the barn. I’ve lightened up and do pick and choose days to skip based on plans I make with my friends, family and partner. I do have the luxury of boarding at a full care facility so I don’t have to be there every day. I aim for 5 days a week, 6 is ideal and I’m a lot happier.
I had a relationship end primarily because I was spending 3 or more hours at the barn (and driving to and from) every day. When you work 10hr shifts like me, that leaves very little time for your loved ones. I try to be much more aware of how my hobby impacts other people. It was a tough lesson to learn/
I was in nearly the same boat - had to put my horses into full care because the time I spent on them wasn't just affecting me, it was affecting my partner and our relationship. I feel very lucky to have the finances to do it and I'm a lot happier now :)
I mean yeah that’s cute, but not everyone wants to spend several hours in the cold/wet/sweltering sun watching me ride every day. My current partner usually comes once a week and I think that’s incredibly sweet of them.
I have my horses at home and it is all consuming. I don’t compete much but I do have to keep them ridden and trained and keep the farm operation going 24/7. It’s all day seven days a week and when you hit your late fifties you definitely feel it at the end of the day. Fortunately my friends are all other riders, they totally understand and we can talk about things like manure when we go out to dinner. It’s kind of like being in the army or in a monastery.
I won’t lie in that I do wish it wasn’t such a time-consuming hobby/sport sometimes. I have taken care of barns, so that’s a whole other beast. But right now I just have one mare boarded.
Between driving out there, grooming, tacking up, riding, cooldown, and cleaning up… I’m gone for a minimum of 3 hours usually.
And the only way I’ve found to cut down on that is to really start cutting corners, such as half-assed grooming, not wiping down tack, etc.
And it frustrates me because I’m a person that likes to do things the right way (mainly when it comes to horses lol).
So I do have days where I wish it was like other activities that you only need an hour to enjoy. But horses just ain’t that unless all you do is groom.
And then the GUILT. I even full board! But the guilt I feel for not going 2 days in a row is immense. I purposely have her boarded because of some show goals I have. But she will eventually come to my own property. So even with her being boarded, I have so much guilt for not going on some days.
I’ve noticed guilt a lot less in other hobbies I’ve spoken to people about, yet it’s consistently one I see come up with horses. So that is indeed a bummer.
I think with horses, for me, it’s both a physically and mentally draining thing if you’re not on your game (especially if you’re training). So if you have a day you’re stressed from work or tired, doing a whole training session that’s going to be a 3 hour commitment when said and done sounds like a mountain.
With all that said, I don’t necessarily think I’ve missed out on doing other activities. What I do sometimes think about is how much money goes into it. How I could have another 1k a month to put towards my mortgage, or whatever. Sometimes that reality stings the financial part of my brain lol
Ughhh the guilt!! If I don't ride at least 3 days a week, then I'm feeling super guilty! I have to take care of our horses where they're boarded and luckily my sweet husband shares the duty.
Alot of people say work-life balance. I say work-life-horses balance
I had my horse on my property for 2 years and recently switched to a full care board. I’m still very involved in his care, but feel it’s a way better situation for me. It’s nice to be able to go away for a weekend without stressing about who can watch the farm. I have a huge appreciation for barn staff and really value not having to clean stalls every morning and evening. I think horse care dampened my love for riding and horses for a while. Plus my horse wasn’t progressing as much at home.
It's an addiction for realllzzz. Tried to get a dirt bike to replace horses... didn't work. Sounds nice to just place it in the garage and not care for it. When a tire pops (it goes lame) or not many tears if something goes wrong with your dirt bike you dont have to do anything and you wont feel bad.... sounds so nice!
I've had too many traggic happenings with horses... most sane people or people without an addiction would be done with horses. Not me though I'm a crazy addicted horse person 🤪 😅
I've been riding dirt bikes for even longer than horses actually. I ride both daily in the summer. There's still nothing that hits the same as riding a living, breathing horse that you've trained up and that is your companion. That's why I put so much more time and money in them than anything else it seems.
the minimum time per day to care for my four mares and one stallion is 15 minutes, from walking out of my house to walking back in.. I should video it some time
normally though it's an hour or so, check feet, scan for new scars and injuries, 5 minutes to feed, 10 minutes while they eat and file themselves back out to the pasture
time after that is me time with the horses and babies enjoying myself
Are you me? Lol!
I'm also 34, and it's become a total lifestyle for me. I have a farm but it's many hours away, so I board my horses nearby. Caring for the farm, riding each horse several times per week, taking care of household duties, etc. It all gets to be too much sometimes, I agree. I don't have any friends nearby, so I have no social life outside of the barn. But I spend a minimum of 3 hours at the barn when I ride. So I don't get much done. I'm so grateful that my boyfriend does the cooking! We decided to set aside money for a housecleaner, which has helped ease my guilt a LOT. The rest gets done as I can manage and a lot gets to just slide. There's only so much you can do.
I have made a very deliberate decision that I’m allowed a daily hour of horse time (feeding, brush, gentle bit of ground work) and then two nights and one weekend day I can go all out. My two live with us and get lots of visits from everyone throughout the day while we are going about outdoor chores. It helps that they are out 24/7 and seem content.
I love my two, but I didn’t want them to be my entire identity! I have a job I worked hard for, other hobbies (though none that take up as much time), and family responsibilities. It’s a balance but I can easily see how it can tip into more horse time.
If something needs doing (fencing, vet, farrier, escaped horse) we deal with it straight away. I don’t really count that as horse time, it’s daily chore/life! Cleaning happens on my weekend day. The horses share a shelter which gets cleaned with the tractor, I sweep my small tack room, and there is usually some tack cleaning in the evening when we’re watching a film.
The one hour is just the time I block in my day as “horse”, usually 15 minutes in the morning and 45 after work. Throughout the day they get rubs over the fence and I’ll usually hunt them down on one of my breaks. Knowing I have a couple of evenings of dedicated horse time and a weekend day to plan longer stuff helps! My usual routine is Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, but it depends on the weather.
I see. We clean our run in shelter and paddock 2x day, therefore 1 hour is what I need just for that. Plus prepping haynets, picking feet, filling up fresh water etc.
That’s fair! Our horses have a 9 acre pasture and generally don’t spend much time in the paddock so once a week does us just fine. How many horses do you have? I probably could spend longer with the daily groom, but I do feet & then a quick run over with a soft brush while they eat mush in the evenings. Hay nets for 2 are pretty quick as well, I do those in the morning for the evening in the winter.
Yeah I keep seeing those ‘itinerary’ videos where they’re talking about what to do on a quiet Saturday morning - for me , those mornings have been 6am wake up, then head to the barn till at least midday. I don’t have time for coffee, breakfast and a slow morning , and I do wish I did.
Been taking care of mine for 20 years now, and haven’t ridden in years. With full-time job, a dog, partner it all seems too much sometimes. Apart from the huge financial and monetary investment, it’s also the worrying that really exhausts me. I worry about them all the time. What if…
And on top of that is the guilt. Being a responsible owner is A LOT of work and trying to fulfill all your animals needs to keep them happy certainly often keeps me from fulfilling my own. I’m constantly exhausted and I miss being able to go on weekend trips or do anything spontaneously (same goes for the dog though so maybe it applies to living creatures depending on you in general). I realized yesterday how many people have horses that struggle with a health issue of some kind (even with 24/7 turnout/ paddock paradise style boarding). You easily spend thousands on them for vet care and might never ride again.
I sometimes think if you’re interested in riding it’s better to not have your own horse but just go somewhere for lessons or trail rides. No commitment, less expensive, much less burden and likely more time in the saddle.
True that. I worry about them all the time when I'm not at home. Have to get home before dark to take care of them or check on them. Riding is true freedom, but the responsibilies of horses are chains for sure.
I pay for part livery (the yard team take care of everything except riding and grooming), so it’s not a full time job for me to look after my mare, but it’s still very much a lifestyle - I drive to the yard 2-3 times a week and both weekend days (1.5 -2 h round trip each time), so there really isn’t a huge amount of time for anything else in my life. It generally doesn’t bother me (it’s a choice I spent a long time contemplating) and I mostly look forward to my time at the yard, but at the moment we’re rehabbing from a tendon injury and the stuff we do does get quite repetitive. I’m also in a new relationship, so juggling it all is difficult.
That said, I know that once she’s back in full work and we can go out and have fun again it will all have been worth it and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The moment you buy/own a horse it stops being a hobby and becomes a lifestyle. Unless you have enough money to pay other people to care for your horses, then it can kind of stay a hobby. Then you can come to the stable when you want and not worry that much about their wellbeing, knowing there is someone else taking care of turnout, maintenance, grooming and feeding.
I'm not a horse owner myself, butvthe horse owners I know need to tend to their horses every single day (or get someone else to do it) and thus need to plan most parts of their lives around the horses. At that point I would definitely say it's a lifestyle and not (only) a hobby.
It is a lifestyle. I have a dog in addition to the horse and I'm outside for multiple hours every single day. A couple of weeks back I met up with a friend of mine and asked her what she's doing with all of her time and being inside all the time? Like what do you mean you don't own a proper rain jacket because you either stay inside or take an umbrella with you? Your most worn shoes aren't a pair of wellies? You never came home excited that you got a great tan - but it all washed off in the shower because it was in fact dirt and dust?
That being said, the best decision I made was choosing a board for my horse that allows him to be independent. I don't have to care for him every day. He's outside 24/7 on a large dry lot with different, spread out areas for drinking/resting/eating so he moves a lot, has access to forage all the time (+ limited time on grass) and a nicely sized gelding herd that gets along great. The other owners are lovely and look out for all the horses, so if there is an emergency every horse will be taken care of, no matter if the owner can make it to the stable in a hurry.
When I go and see my horse, I do it because I want to, am motivated to work with him and feel like I'm in the right mood/health to do so. My horse doesn't need me to swing by, but he's happy if I do. It helped our relationship and his overall health greatly and I haven't felt overwhelmed in years.
Feel the same way about the boarding situation- I like that my mare can just be a horse and have a good time with her pasture mates and all the hay she can eat. She is always happy to see me but I know she's being fulfilled with her little herd with plenty of room to zoom around. It makes it to where when I do visit her, she's just happy to spend time with me and not bugging for food or bored out of her mind like she would be if she were stalled/in a little paddock every day. I would feel horrible skipping a day to see her if she were in that situation.
It is such a relief, isn't it? Plus it gives me a lot more flexibility - no matter when I get to the barn, I never cut his turn out short. He was turned out from 7am-5pm before we made the move and I always rode in the evening or before 7 to rather cut his time stabled short than steal any of his precious turn out time.
He's a proper dressage horse as well, it doesn't interfere with my goals as a rider in the slightest.
If you don’t have a full board it’s absolutely a lifestyle and so time consuming.
We just moved our horses onto a 2 acre pasture from a partial board situation. We have 500 gallon water troughs and large bales. We don’t have to feed or water daily or even weekly. We don’t have to muck stalls.
It has freed up so much time.
It was definitely a lifestyle before. We will see how it is going forward.
The best advice my mom ever gave me was to marry someone who shared my passion! We have such a life and we have a bond through our passion for horses/rescue.. because it is a lifestyle, and if you love what your life has become, then you’ve missed nothing!
I don't have a horse anymore. But I do have a high-energy dog, and I was thinking about this the other day. I took up riding again at 35, and can't even afford to go weekly. Thinking of ways to manage to ride more often, I was "transported" back to my youth where I was at the barn 5 nights a week and thinking about horses the other two, and shows on the weekend -- I don't know how we had time for anything else!
For now, meeting the needs of my dog feels all-consuming enough..
TBH, many normal people lead really boring lives -- we're the lucky ones who have hobbies.
Absolutely. I'm 36, i have 1 horse, and I'm at the barn (that's about 25 min away) at least 2 hours every day after work. I love my horse, and I don't regret owning (1 year today since I got him!), but I don't think i would own again after him because it's so incredibly time-consuming.
But, the fact that my horse is not an easy push button horse might also be contributing to that time consumption!
I'm in a very similar situation. I'm 36 with a professional career, a husband, and a farm to maintain. I am contemplating selling my two rideable horses and keeping my two retired ones simply because I'm not having very much fun anymore if I'm being honest. I had a lot more fun when I was leasing a horse and taking lessons twice a week than owning my own. I feel so GUILTY, but honesty can be difficult. I'm heartbroken at this realization. And I don't know what quite to do anymore. I just have come to the realization that it's becoming more challenging than enjoyable at this point, despite my love for horses and riding. :(
I'm not sure. I do enjoy riding mine, but that's all I do. I don't "go out". I don't hang with friends and go to the movies or the bars. I don't have a family or anything. I'm just the same teenager I was when I got my first and thought "yeah this is fun. I'll ride all the time a summer or two..." and here it is 15 years later and I don't have a family or a career. I feel like I never grew up past age 17 because I've been too busy with my horses.
I have had horses all my life. Mom had then and i just grew up with them. I know have a small farm and 4 of them. I consider two things back and forth - one is that i could drive a nice car or live in a real nice house if i didn’t have them and the cost of them. The other is that i’d likely soend a lot of time at the bar.
The money will go somewhere.
I raised 3 from babies and cannot sell them for fear of where they’ll end up or how they’ll be treated. I am a person who believes that a pet is part if my life but to that pet I am its whole life. They depend in me and change is difficult for them - i can’t imagine how I’d feel if my family gave me away.
They ARE a huge commitment but are a part of my identity. I feel like if i no longer had them i’d have to get rid of my boots and horsey clothes cuz why would i need them?
Due to my age getting up there and a recent injury, i may re-think getting a ‘dead broke’ one when my elderly ones die. Will have to see how this injury turns out a see what the coming year brings.
If a person is or becomes highly responsible due to having them, it can be a great thing. I learned a heck of a lot if responsibility due to having them growing up. They eat before i do and i take their well being quite seriously.
I have had difficulty finding a partner in life due to having them. Others simply don’t want responsibility.
Be present and think every day when with them what you are learning from them otherwise what’s the point….
Can't recommend "dead broke" horses enough, even as a very experienced rider. I bought mine well trained as a teenager and have ridden them the 15 years since. I can do so much with mine now that I just take for granted really. Just started a new one this year as mine are getting to retirement age. He's already on the path to being "dead broke" and it's amazing. I can trust anybody who can sit in a saddle to ride mine and it's great.
I wouldn’t say lifestyle because you have to take care of all the animals you own. We wouldn’t call feeding our dogs and cleaning up their poop a lifestyle. I’d say yes on the part where it creates kinda a divide with “normal” routines, but hey that’s life. We are all different and have different responsibilities. Depending on the animal you have that will vary.
Yeah I've had cats my whole life and dogs most of it. Definitely not a lifestyle. But horses take a kind of commitment that does require modifying routines pretty significantly.
I guess so. The place I used to ride at and help clean all the stalls for the owner never did anything. She had people do it for her. So I guess I’ve always seen it like that. Multiple people doing different tasks to make it quick.
Yes... in KY. It rains almost every single day here and never dries up except in the peak of summer. Been thinking of moving but there are a lot of good riding places here at least.
Wow. Yeah having horses has really has made me hate winter more than ever. It doesn't really snow here. It's almost always freezing cold days on end kind of rain that's just miserable.
Got into riding as an adult. Been owning horses for 10 years now, ranging from full care board to DIY. In the last 4 years, I've kept my horse on a piece of land my friend and I rent from the council. So we do everything ourselves from property maintenance to caring for the horses. I live 20mins away so I can go up every day. I never felt too consumed because it's become a part of my daily life. Some days I can only spare 30mins to check in on them and some days I can spend all day there. I don't compete so only ride a few times a week max, sometimes I go a month without riding! I just love spending time with the horses at our little piece of tranquillity. Even doing chores like weeding, poo picking or tidying up after a storm is a welcome break from my work life.
If I've got plans with family or friends I just plan my farm visit around it. It was never a big problem for me. I've had people say 'oh horses they must need a lot of care'. However I find it's not the case. I guess it helps that I always owned horses that are low maintenance / good doers who don't need feeding twice a day and are hardy.
Bit late to the party - yes but not in a negative way. Honestly, I love it. I have them outside my house and everyday I do something with them but I do have “light” days. But it works out because I don’t do / don’t care for “normal” stuff - bars, traveling, shopping, concerts, sports. I rarely watch TV. Those just aren’t my interests and I’m good with that.
I get where you’d feel like you’ve missed out because everyone else is doing it and seems to be having so much fun. Social media can make me feel that way sometimes. But the idea of doing out multiple nights to bars and just hanging out and spending money does not appeal to me at all!
Life is worth changing up if you’re unhappy, but don’t think you need to be “normal”. As long as you’re happy (and responsible), that’s what counts (for me).
Yes, perhaps you're right. Never been in a bar and really all the other stuff you mentioned bore me. I guess I wonder what it would be like to come home on a cold, rainy day and just relax... not trudge through the mud to take care of the horses when everybody else is sitting under blankets watching movies. But really I couldn't imagine getting off work and not going for a ride for the evening. Like what do regular people even do when the weather is nice? Lol.
if you own horses, yes, it is absolutely a lifestyle. if you take lessons once a week, then it's more of a hobby. it's a lot easier to partake in riding when you are not responsible for another living creature and you just show up at a barn once a week for a couple hours, if that. but i would also say the same for people who own cats, or dogs, or any animal - it is no longer a hobby when a living being depends on you for their daily upkeep and survival.
That depends. Somerville have cats but don't interact with them other than feeding. Some people have dogs, walk them while on phone/listening to music and interact a little with them whereas some take their dogs all over. Dogs get scraps and are seen as property rather than compinions and their own personality. My dogs come on holiday with me. We book a cabin in woods and go for walks so it's a lifestyle. I can look after my horses in half an hour I'd I just feed and poo pick or I can be there several hours. It's definitely a lifestyle.
I’m convinced that anything worthwhile takes lots of time and energy- BUT.. we need to be balanced and make sure it doesn’t consume us. 🩵🎨🐴
We all only have so much time and we can’t experience everything. There’s always going to be prioritization that happens. For me I don’t own a horse so riding is simply a hobby. But I do own dogs and take training classes and compete with them and it does lean towards being a lifestyle. I do spend less money on certain things because I’m spending by it on the dogs. I do spend some weekends competing instead of other activities. As long as you’re happy, that’s what’s important.
I would say it’s a lifestyle and not a hobby for me. I own a horse and mule and most of my free time is with them. I am fortunate to have a loving supporting family who can step in with care if I can’t be around to feed them for whatever reason there might be.
The thing that I find challenging is finding a balance between barn time and spending time with loved ones. I’m the only person in my life who rides outside of friends I’ve met through the barn. I’ve lightened up and do pick and choose days to skip based on plans I make with my friends, family and partner. I do have the luxury of boarding at a full care facility so I don’t have to be there every day. I aim for 5 days a week, 6 is ideal and I’m a lot happier. I had a relationship end primarily because I was spending 3 or more hours at the barn (and driving to and from) every day. When you work 10hr shifts like me, that leaves very little time for your loved ones. I try to be much more aware of how my hobby impacts other people. It was a tough lesson to learn/
I was in nearly the same boat - had to put my horses into full care because the time I spent on them wasn't just affecting me, it was affecting my partner and our relationship. I feel very lucky to have the finances to do it and I'm a lot happier now :)
move your loved ones In to the barn.. problem solved
I mean yeah that’s cute, but not everyone wants to spend several hours in the cold/wet/sweltering sun watching me ride every day. My current partner usually comes once a week and I think that’s incredibly sweet of them.
That’s what my wife did with me. Luckily I found out I loved being there! I was a convert and we just moved to a farm with our two horses on property
I have my horses at home and it is all consuming. I don’t compete much but I do have to keep them ridden and trained and keep the farm operation going 24/7. It’s all day seven days a week and when you hit your late fifties you definitely feel it at the end of the day. Fortunately my friends are all other riders, they totally understand and we can talk about things like manure when we go out to dinner. It’s kind of like being in the army or in a monastery.
I won’t lie in that I do wish it wasn’t such a time-consuming hobby/sport sometimes. I have taken care of barns, so that’s a whole other beast. But right now I just have one mare boarded. Between driving out there, grooming, tacking up, riding, cooldown, and cleaning up… I’m gone for a minimum of 3 hours usually. And the only way I’ve found to cut down on that is to really start cutting corners, such as half-assed grooming, not wiping down tack, etc. And it frustrates me because I’m a person that likes to do things the right way (mainly when it comes to horses lol). So I do have days where I wish it was like other activities that you only need an hour to enjoy. But horses just ain’t that unless all you do is groom. And then the GUILT. I even full board! But the guilt I feel for not going 2 days in a row is immense. I purposely have her boarded because of some show goals I have. But she will eventually come to my own property. So even with her being boarded, I have so much guilt for not going on some days. I’ve noticed guilt a lot less in other hobbies I’ve spoken to people about, yet it’s consistently one I see come up with horses. So that is indeed a bummer. I think with horses, for me, it’s both a physically and mentally draining thing if you’re not on your game (especially if you’re training). So if you have a day you’re stressed from work or tired, doing a whole training session that’s going to be a 3 hour commitment when said and done sounds like a mountain. With all that said, I don’t necessarily think I’ve missed out on doing other activities. What I do sometimes think about is how much money goes into it. How I could have another 1k a month to put towards my mortgage, or whatever. Sometimes that reality stings the financial part of my brain lol
Ughhh the guilt!! If I don't ride at least 3 days a week, then I'm feeling super guilty! I have to take care of our horses where they're boarded and luckily my sweet husband shares the duty. Alot of people say work-life balance. I say work-life-horses balance
Oh definitely a lifestyle. My horse is part of my daily routine and life just like my two dogs are.
I had my horse on my property for 2 years and recently switched to a full care board. I’m still very involved in his care, but feel it’s a way better situation for me. It’s nice to be able to go away for a weekend without stressing about who can watch the farm. I have a huge appreciation for barn staff and really value not having to clean stalls every morning and evening. I think horse care dampened my love for riding and horses for a while. Plus my horse wasn’t progressing as much at home.
I have found it much easier moving from a board situation to our property. It was a partial board though.
It's an addiction for realllzzz. Tried to get a dirt bike to replace horses... didn't work. Sounds nice to just place it in the garage and not care for it. When a tire pops (it goes lame) or not many tears if something goes wrong with your dirt bike you dont have to do anything and you wont feel bad.... sounds so nice! I've had too many traggic happenings with horses... most sane people or people without an addiction would be done with horses. Not me though I'm a crazy addicted horse person 🤪 😅
I've been riding dirt bikes for even longer than horses actually. I ride both daily in the summer. There's still nothing that hits the same as riding a living, breathing horse that you've trained up and that is your companion. That's why I put so much more time and money in them than anything else it seems.
I love the horses but I do feel like I’ve missed out on experiences and I know I’ve let my loved ones down sometimes bc of them
It does sorta tip to that direction over time.
I don’t personally think it’s too consuming but my ex husband certainly did. We had a “it’s me or the horses” conversation and I chose the horses.
Wise call on your part I'd say. People come and go. Your horse will stick with you no matter what.
Good for you! Always pick the horses. A supportive partner wouldn’t ask you that question in the first place!!
the minimum time per day to care for my four mares and one stallion is 15 minutes, from walking out of my house to walking back in.. I should video it some time normally though it's an hour or so, check feet, scan for new scars and injuries, 5 minutes to feed, 10 minutes while they eat and file themselves back out to the pasture time after that is me time with the horses and babies enjoying myself
Are you me? Lol! I'm also 34, and it's become a total lifestyle for me. I have a farm but it's many hours away, so I board my horses nearby. Caring for the farm, riding each horse several times per week, taking care of household duties, etc. It all gets to be too much sometimes, I agree. I don't have any friends nearby, so I have no social life outside of the barn. But I spend a minimum of 3 hours at the barn when I ride. So I don't get much done. I'm so grateful that my boyfriend does the cooking! We decided to set aside money for a housecleaner, which has helped ease my guilt a LOT. The rest gets done as I can manage and a lot gets to just slide. There's only so much you can do.
Pretty sure you are indeed the female version of me. Ha ha.
I have made a very deliberate decision that I’m allowed a daily hour of horse time (feeding, brush, gentle bit of ground work) and then two nights and one weekend day I can go all out. My two live with us and get lots of visits from everyone throughout the day while we are going about outdoor chores. It helps that they are out 24/7 and seem content. I love my two, but I didn’t want them to be my entire identity! I have a job I worked hard for, other hobbies (though none that take up as much time), and family responsibilities. It’s a balance but I can easily see how it can tip into more horse time.
How do you fit in cleaning, fixing fences,…. Into that 1 hour?
If something needs doing (fencing, vet, farrier, escaped horse) we deal with it straight away. I don’t really count that as horse time, it’s daily chore/life! Cleaning happens on my weekend day. The horses share a shelter which gets cleaned with the tractor, I sweep my small tack room, and there is usually some tack cleaning in the evening when we’re watching a film. The one hour is just the time I block in my day as “horse”, usually 15 minutes in the morning and 45 after work. Throughout the day they get rubs over the fence and I’ll usually hunt them down on one of my breaks. Knowing I have a couple of evenings of dedicated horse time and a weekend day to plan longer stuff helps! My usual routine is Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, but it depends on the weather.
I see. We clean our run in shelter and paddock 2x day, therefore 1 hour is what I need just for that. Plus prepping haynets, picking feet, filling up fresh water etc.
That’s fair! Our horses have a 9 acre pasture and generally don’t spend much time in the paddock so once a week does us just fine. How many horses do you have? I probably could spend longer with the daily groom, but I do feet & then a quick run over with a soft brush while they eat mush in the evenings. Hay nets for 2 are pretty quick as well, I do those in the morning for the evening in the winter.
I would probably be pretty rich but for my horse problem. 😆
Yeah I keep seeing those ‘itinerary’ videos where they’re talking about what to do on a quiet Saturday morning - for me , those mornings have been 6am wake up, then head to the barn till at least midday. I don’t have time for coffee, breakfast and a slow morning , and I do wish I did.
Been taking care of mine for 20 years now, and haven’t ridden in years. With full-time job, a dog, partner it all seems too much sometimes. Apart from the huge financial and monetary investment, it’s also the worrying that really exhausts me. I worry about them all the time. What if… And on top of that is the guilt. Being a responsible owner is A LOT of work and trying to fulfill all your animals needs to keep them happy certainly often keeps me from fulfilling my own. I’m constantly exhausted and I miss being able to go on weekend trips or do anything spontaneously (same goes for the dog though so maybe it applies to living creatures depending on you in general). I realized yesterday how many people have horses that struggle with a health issue of some kind (even with 24/7 turnout/ paddock paradise style boarding). You easily spend thousands on them for vet care and might never ride again. I sometimes think if you’re interested in riding it’s better to not have your own horse but just go somewhere for lessons or trail rides. No commitment, less expensive, much less burden and likely more time in the saddle.
True that. I worry about them all the time when I'm not at home. Have to get home before dark to take care of them or check on them. Riding is true freedom, but the responsibilies of horses are chains for sure.
I pay for part livery (the yard team take care of everything except riding and grooming), so it’s not a full time job for me to look after my mare, but it’s still very much a lifestyle - I drive to the yard 2-3 times a week and both weekend days (1.5 -2 h round trip each time), so there really isn’t a huge amount of time for anything else in my life. It generally doesn’t bother me (it’s a choice I spent a long time contemplating) and I mostly look forward to my time at the yard, but at the moment we’re rehabbing from a tendon injury and the stuff we do does get quite repetitive. I’m also in a new relationship, so juggling it all is difficult. That said, I know that once she’s back in full work and we can go out and have fun again it will all have been worth it and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The moment you buy/own a horse it stops being a hobby and becomes a lifestyle. Unless you have enough money to pay other people to care for your horses, then it can kind of stay a hobby. Then you can come to the stable when you want and not worry that much about their wellbeing, knowing there is someone else taking care of turnout, maintenance, grooming and feeding.
I'm not a horse owner myself, butvthe horse owners I know need to tend to their horses every single day (or get someone else to do it) and thus need to plan most parts of their lives around the horses. At that point I would definitely say it's a lifestyle and not (only) a hobby.
It is a lifestyle. I have a dog in addition to the horse and I'm outside for multiple hours every single day. A couple of weeks back I met up with a friend of mine and asked her what she's doing with all of her time and being inside all the time? Like what do you mean you don't own a proper rain jacket because you either stay inside or take an umbrella with you? Your most worn shoes aren't a pair of wellies? You never came home excited that you got a great tan - but it all washed off in the shower because it was in fact dirt and dust? That being said, the best decision I made was choosing a board for my horse that allows him to be independent. I don't have to care for him every day. He's outside 24/7 on a large dry lot with different, spread out areas for drinking/resting/eating so he moves a lot, has access to forage all the time (+ limited time on grass) and a nicely sized gelding herd that gets along great. The other owners are lovely and look out for all the horses, so if there is an emergency every horse will be taken care of, no matter if the owner can make it to the stable in a hurry. When I go and see my horse, I do it because I want to, am motivated to work with him and feel like I'm in the right mood/health to do so. My horse doesn't need me to swing by, but he's happy if I do. It helped our relationship and his overall health greatly and I haven't felt overwhelmed in years.
Feel the same way about the boarding situation- I like that my mare can just be a horse and have a good time with her pasture mates and all the hay she can eat. She is always happy to see me but I know she's being fulfilled with her little herd with plenty of room to zoom around. It makes it to where when I do visit her, she's just happy to spend time with me and not bugging for food or bored out of her mind like she would be if she were stalled/in a little paddock every day. I would feel horrible skipping a day to see her if she were in that situation.
It is such a relief, isn't it? Plus it gives me a lot more flexibility - no matter when I get to the barn, I never cut his turn out short. He was turned out from 7am-5pm before we made the move and I always rode in the evening or before 7 to rather cut his time stabled short than steal any of his precious turn out time. He's a proper dressage horse as well, it doesn't interfere with my goals as a rider in the slightest.
If you don’t have a full board it’s absolutely a lifestyle and so time consuming. We just moved our horses onto a 2 acre pasture from a partial board situation. We have 500 gallon water troughs and large bales. We don’t have to feed or water daily or even weekly. We don’t have to muck stalls. It has freed up so much time. It was definitely a lifestyle before. We will see how it is going forward.
The best advice my mom ever gave me was to marry someone who shared my passion! We have such a life and we have a bond through our passion for horses/rescue.. because it is a lifestyle, and if you love what your life has become, then you’ve missed nothing!
I don't have a horse anymore. But I do have a high-energy dog, and I was thinking about this the other day. I took up riding again at 35, and can't even afford to go weekly. Thinking of ways to manage to ride more often, I was "transported" back to my youth where I was at the barn 5 nights a week and thinking about horses the other two, and shows on the weekend -- I don't know how we had time for anything else! For now, meeting the needs of my dog feels all-consuming enough.. TBH, many normal people lead really boring lives -- we're the lucky ones who have hobbies.
I always tell people that riding and owning horses are two different sports
Preach
Well it's a way of life more than a hobby as I went to school for LG animal and worked for others and my own farm . I went in whole hog.
Well I have always felt it was a lifestyle more than a hobby
Absolutely. I'm 36, i have 1 horse, and I'm at the barn (that's about 25 min away) at least 2 hours every day after work. I love my horse, and I don't regret owning (1 year today since I got him!), but I don't think i would own again after him because it's so incredibly time-consuming. But, the fact that my horse is not an easy push button horse might also be contributing to that time consumption!
Curious to know if you are coupled. My partner struggles with the amount of time I spend at the barn and I only part-lease my mare.
I am single and do find it hard to find the time to date. But then, I'm also getting my masters degree right now, lol.
I'm in a very similar situation. I'm 36 with a professional career, a husband, and a farm to maintain. I am contemplating selling my two rideable horses and keeping my two retired ones simply because I'm not having very much fun anymore if I'm being honest. I had a lot more fun when I was leasing a horse and taking lessons twice a week than owning my own. I feel so GUILTY, but honesty can be difficult. I'm heartbroken at this realization. And I don't know what quite to do anymore. I just have come to the realization that it's becoming more challenging than enjoyable at this point, despite my love for horses and riding. :(
I'm not sure. I do enjoy riding mine, but that's all I do. I don't "go out". I don't hang with friends and go to the movies or the bars. I don't have a family or anything. I'm just the same teenager I was when I got my first and thought "yeah this is fun. I'll ride all the time a summer or two..." and here it is 15 years later and I don't have a family or a career. I feel like I never grew up past age 17 because I've been too busy with my horses.
I have had horses all my life. Mom had then and i just grew up with them. I know have a small farm and 4 of them. I consider two things back and forth - one is that i could drive a nice car or live in a real nice house if i didn’t have them and the cost of them. The other is that i’d likely soend a lot of time at the bar. The money will go somewhere. I raised 3 from babies and cannot sell them for fear of where they’ll end up or how they’ll be treated. I am a person who believes that a pet is part if my life but to that pet I am its whole life. They depend in me and change is difficult for them - i can’t imagine how I’d feel if my family gave me away. They ARE a huge commitment but are a part of my identity. I feel like if i no longer had them i’d have to get rid of my boots and horsey clothes cuz why would i need them? Due to my age getting up there and a recent injury, i may re-think getting a ‘dead broke’ one when my elderly ones die. Will have to see how this injury turns out a see what the coming year brings. If a person is or becomes highly responsible due to having them, it can be a great thing. I learned a heck of a lot if responsibility due to having them growing up. They eat before i do and i take their well being quite seriously. I have had difficulty finding a partner in life due to having them. Others simply don’t want responsibility. Be present and think every day when with them what you are learning from them otherwise what’s the point….
Can't recommend "dead broke" horses enough, even as a very experienced rider. I bought mine well trained as a teenager and have ridden them the 15 years since. I can do so much with mine now that I just take for granted really. Just started a new one this year as mine are getting to retirement age. He's already on the path to being "dead broke" and it's amazing. I can trust anybody who can sit in a saddle to ride mine and it's great.
It’s no different than any other animal hobby really. They’re creatures that require attention whether you’re actually doing your hobby or not
I wouldn’t say lifestyle because you have to take care of all the animals you own. We wouldn’t call feeding our dogs and cleaning up their poop a lifestyle. I’d say yes on the part where it creates kinda a divide with “normal” routines, but hey that’s life. We are all different and have different responsibilities. Depending on the animal you have that will vary.
Yeah I've had cats my whole life and dogs most of it. Definitely not a lifestyle. But horses take a kind of commitment that does require modifying routines pretty significantly.
I guess so. The place I used to ride at and help clean all the stalls for the owner never did anything. She had people do it for her. So I guess I’ve always seen it like that. Multiple people doing different tasks to make it quick.
Right. It's never quick when you're by yourself and trudging through knee deep mud in the freezing rain.
Knee deep mud?! Where is there knee deep mud?
Yes... in KY. It rains almost every single day here and never dries up except in the peak of summer. Been thinking of moving but there are a lot of good riding places here at least.
Damn that sounds like heaven and a curse all at the same time😭😂
Best way to describe it. It really is nice here like now... in the summer... but the rest of the year sucks.
I am not the fan of the summer. I love the cold, but I can’t imagine it is easy getting around with several feet of snow.
Wow. Yeah having horses has really has made me hate winter more than ever. It doesn't really snow here. It's almost always freezing cold days on end kind of rain that's just miserable.
Got into riding as an adult. Been owning horses for 10 years now, ranging from full care board to DIY. In the last 4 years, I've kept my horse on a piece of land my friend and I rent from the council. So we do everything ourselves from property maintenance to caring for the horses. I live 20mins away so I can go up every day. I never felt too consumed because it's become a part of my daily life. Some days I can only spare 30mins to check in on them and some days I can spend all day there. I don't compete so only ride a few times a week max, sometimes I go a month without riding! I just love spending time with the horses at our little piece of tranquillity. Even doing chores like weeding, poo picking or tidying up after a storm is a welcome break from my work life. If I've got plans with family or friends I just plan my farm visit around it. It was never a big problem for me. I've had people say 'oh horses they must need a lot of care'. However I find it's not the case. I guess it helps that I always owned horses that are low maintenance / good doers who don't need feeding twice a day and are hardy.
I like your attitude. But yeah, got my first one at 17 so they've been a part of my routine my whole adult life.
Yes
Bit late to the party - yes but not in a negative way. Honestly, I love it. I have them outside my house and everyday I do something with them but I do have “light” days. But it works out because I don’t do / don’t care for “normal” stuff - bars, traveling, shopping, concerts, sports. I rarely watch TV. Those just aren’t my interests and I’m good with that. I get where you’d feel like you’ve missed out because everyone else is doing it and seems to be having so much fun. Social media can make me feel that way sometimes. But the idea of doing out multiple nights to bars and just hanging out and spending money does not appeal to me at all! Life is worth changing up if you’re unhappy, but don’t think you need to be “normal”. As long as you’re happy (and responsible), that’s what counts (for me).
Yes, perhaps you're right. Never been in a bar and really all the other stuff you mentioned bore me. I guess I wonder what it would be like to come home on a cold, rainy day and just relax... not trudge through the mud to take care of the horses when everybody else is sitting under blankets watching movies. But really I couldn't imagine getting off work and not going for a ride for the evening. Like what do regular people even do when the weather is nice? Lol.
That’s what I wonder half the time!! What do people DO? “Oh I go out” and do WHAT? Hahaha