anyone felt the same....

[helenpleasance]

I used to have ponies up until 20, then boyfriends and family meant that it all took a back seat. Took up riding again 2 years ago (now 41). Went weekly to the riding school, then met my sons best friends mother, clicked and I started riding with her on her arab pony. I was so fired up that I wanted a pony of my own. My sons enjoy riding so it would be a family pony. Started saving, looking at land to graze it and looked at all the internet ads for ponies to get a feel of what is around. It won't be until the end of the year, till I've saved enough for a decent pony. I was really excited, got my husband around the idea, then all of a sudden, I feel nervous. What if I am not a good enough rider. What if I get a pony with problems. What if I cant look after him properly (have done a bsha course). What if he throws me or my sons off. What if I get injured. What if the pony gets injured. What i was once excited about, is becoming an idea fraught with dangers. Has anyone else been in the same situation and what did you do about it, and what do you feel now?
Sorry for the long post

[jenmac_85]

About a week before we bought Tyler ( vetting booked, cheques written and ready to be handed over, ordered some equipment) I took cold feet and couldnt sleep at night worrying. Everything and anything, horse care, riding ability, finances, would I get bored of it, what happens if he became ill etc.

However, I wrote everything down and looked at it on paper. Felt alot better and realised that although all sorts of things could go wrong, if I continued to think like that I would never get anywhere. Anytime I got nervous, I wrote down why I should get Tyler and re-read the list.

I dont regret getting Tyler and he has been the best thing that has happened to me. Wouldnt give him up for a minute and my fears have proved un founded. Sure there are days I worry, but by taking each day as it comes I find it easier to handle.

A bit of nerves is good as it shows you do care about how you approach your pony/horse.

[helenpleasance]

It nice to know I am not alone. Thank you.

[tina1958]

Oh poor you. Sounds like you've got yourself over excited. Why not take a back seat for a while, you say you don't intend to get one straight away so you have got time to get used to the idea. Horses are a big responsibility but the way I look at it is you can always find them another good home if it gets to much. Its not like having kids which you can't send back:eek:

Remember horses are so rewarding and great fun just take one step at a time and I'm sure you will get there.

I have had my horses for 7 years now and its been the best thing I ever did. It has turned my life around and I have had so many wonderful times and made great friends. I has affected all aspects of mine and my families lives
in a way that I just never imagined it would.

[jenmac_85]

You are definately not alone. I guarantee that most people will have been nervous or showed some sign of being unsure about purchasing/loaning/sharing a horse/pony.

The great thing is, when you finally achieve that goal , everything comes together and you realise that all that worryin has paid off

Jen
x

[tina1958]

PS I think jenmac85's advice about writing a list would be really useful. Write down the 'costs' in one column and the 'benefits' in the other.:)

[jane & william]

Yep snap, only I just had a week to panic about it !

Never ever thought I would have my own (all be it hes on loan, but Ive had him4 years and have another 5 to go )


Pony I use to ride went lame, she was an old lady and the owner was told to retire her, so i thought that was it no more riding, but I still enjoyed being around the ponies every day.

Then my friend dragged me along to try a pony out for loan, he was so cute, and green, and just wanted attention and love. Well she said if I could afford to keep him, I could have him at heres !

I was shocked, I said yes straight away, then didnt sleep for the next 7 days before his arrival, working it out in my mind if I was doing the right thing, as in money and my time, did I have enough of each, and what I did have did I want to spend on a pony ?!?

Then on his arrival I spent the next 6 months worrying about what id taken on...............and to be honest the worry never stops.

BUT hes my live, my sole mate, and my dream come true!



Jane & William

[cwb]

OMG - that is exactly where I am now. Restarted riding last August. Would love to get my own horse - I keep on finding suitable ones in ads and ring up to find they are sold! Keep looking for stables - can't get in on the local one for a year or so, think I will leave it, see another ad, ring up, sold, but today I am going to see and try one!!! Mustn't get too excited - I know I should try a few before I decide, but if I like the first one I will worry it will be sold if I leave it too long looking at others! Think I have found a stable not too far away to use until the local one comes free - now I am worried whether I have the skill to look after it and whether I am a good enough rider not to "spoil" it!!

A huge roller coaster of emotion and thought :confused:

[sancho]

Ooh good luck CWB!

I have owned horses for 4 years now but having said yes to buying our first led to many a sleepless night I can tell you!

A friend once said to me that you wont begin to learn about horse care and management until you have one and she was right!

OP - you've taken the time to do a course already which is brilliant!

You'll be just fine, plus you have the NR peeps to help you!:D

[horse_crazy]

yes, you are most deffently not alone. I am buying my first horse in september, as thats when I will have saved enough for a deassent horse, and the same thoughts are running through my mind to. all though their more the finance side of things. Cause no one will sponser me I have to do it all myself.

[WooHoo2]

I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine. As for injuries etc, I always think that I'm more at risk getting in my car and driving everyday.

It's natural to worry ~ and good that you're being so thoughful ~ but really, all the positives FAR outweigh the negatives! Go for it, and enjoy!

The only thing I can advise is to take someone who knows you and is a VERY experienced horseperson with you when looking at ponies. Saves a lot of time and expense in the long run.

Keep us up to date in Pony Hunt!

[helenpleasance]

Thank you very much for all your support, I feel tonnes better now. Now I am excited again. Ohhh patience is a virtue I will have lots of practice with these coming months.

Here is pic of me on my friends arab. She is 14.2 and I am 5ft 3in and 9st. I think she is the right height for me.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj242/blythebeck/Image010.jpg

[domane]

Hello Helen, my timescale is pretty much like yours. Rode weekly age 5 to 18 then bought my first pony. Sold him at 21 for love. 21 years later after a marriage, 3 children, a divorce and a re-marriage, I booked a half hour lesson and the floodgates of memories were reopened with a crash! A few short weeks later I had a share horse and then, just 4 months after that half hour lesson, I bought my gorgeous irish cob mare. That was two and a half years ago And we haven't looked back since. I now also own a rising 2yo coblet as well.... :)

I didn't actually get the nerves until I had paid the money for Cherry and she was mine..... but they didn't last long.

[colettybetty]

What if I am not a good enough rider. What if I get a pony with problems. What if I cant look after him properly (have done a bsha course). What if he throws me or my sons off. What if I get injured. What if the pony gets injured.


What if you fall in love with your pony at first sight, become soul mates, enjoy summer evening rides across meadows with the sun setting on the horizon, your family enjoy riding and messing about in the fresh air with the pony who proves to be loyal and honest ?

Actually, think we all felt as you do, its scary taking on a new responsibility especially one that has so many hopes and expectations. 7 years ago, I was a returning rider like you, bought a horse and life changed forever. Don't think I have ever been so happy.
Friends pony is gorgeous BTW.

[Great Auntie]

I am so pleased to have read this Post, I have just decided to buy a Horse for the first time & so has my sister in law (MarieB on NR) I feel excited & scared at the same time. So glad to know a lot of other people felt/feel the same. I'm sure it will all work out right.

[field_slave]

Hello, new here....but, of course you are going to feel nervous about deciding to have a horse for the first time after a break. However, with my first horse (after a break from horses for 15 years) it was a case of children wanting the horse and mother really objecting!!!! Anyway, another 15 years later we have six! best thing I ever did and they have all given us (kids, and OH included) so much pleasure it was the best thing I ever did. You'll have good and bad days, but don't worry, use common sense and everything will be fine. Good Luck, and enjoy!!! Welcome to the horse owners club!!!

[colettybetty]

Anyway, another 15 years later we have six!

Hello and welcome, your user name is quite appropriate then !

[field_slave]

Yes! Very appropriate:D

[Merlbloss]

I know exactly how you feel! Came back to riding after 15 year break, quite nervous but wanting to recapture fun I had when younger. Bought totally the wrong horse but that was due to me thinking I was better than I actually was. Had serious doubts about the commitment needed for horse ownership, cost etc. but after the initial upheaval and adjusting my life around him, I gained more in confidence. I sold first horse and got a lovely Irish cob who gave me back all the experience I needed to move on. Now have a rising 4 Dales boy, 10 month Dales filly and share a Welsh D filly with my chum. Wouldn't change the way I feel now but wish, in retrospect, that I'd got the cob first!

[Skippys Mum]

I spent the whole night before I picked up Skippy crying and working myself into a frenzy (as he was to replace a much loved horse who had died). I felt guilty that I was replacing Harry and scared that he wouldnt be as good and all the other worries.

Skippy turned out to be my "once in a lifetime" best ever friend and we had over 14 years together till he died last november (in my arms).

How you are feeling is totally normal but once your horse arrives you will be fine!!!! Good luck with your horse hunting and my only advice would be to buy something you are happy and confident with just now, not something you think you will be better with a year down the line!
xxx

[rusk]

You will be absolutely fine I am sure! It is only natural to worry about taking on such a big responsibility like a horse. I love my horses and they are a huge part of my life!. I can't say they are my life or my hubby might be a bit miffed, but it's close!!:)
If you have had horses before or ridden before you are half way there. Try to remember it is FUN!! that's the whole point so don't spoil it by worrying. Your family will be there to help you too so lots of support.
GOOD LUCK!

[KateWooten]

Snap -I'm on the same timescale too - bought my first pony a couple of years ago after nearly 20 year break (no children, though).

I didn't get the screaming cold feet until she arrived - I'd been too busy building barns and fences and stuff. Then she arrived and all hell broke loose and I couldn't sleep either etc etc.

What happens if you fall off ... is .... you either get back on, or you call the neighbours real quick in tears saying ... 'ummm, Cindy, I need you. NOW' and then spend some time in ER having it all stitched back up again. It's not the end of hte world, I'm sure you've had to bandaid boy's knees before, it won't be the first time, or the last.

All your fears are fine and justified - you just take it all day by day and ask for help just as soon as you're out of your depth. Surround yourself with one or two people you trust and you'll be fine.

[simons-mum]

I did a lot of reading first and this really helped my confidence in that I was doing the right thing/wasnt going to kill my pony etc. Actually I think this is actually a good attitude as you will probably end up giving the pony a great home as opposed to some-one who is a bit lax-a-daisy and just assumes what they are doing is right. I'd like to reccomend a book that I have that is really helpful, contains a lot of information and is laid out so it very easy to understand with photographs and pictures of everything. It has a huge section on poisionus plants and another on common health problems and how to recognise them and even the very basics of bedding/mucking out etc. I found it brilliant. It is called Complete Horsecare Manual and is a hardback written by Colin Vogel. I can't remember how much it cost but it was the best investment I made

[RRA]

I too have been riding since I was about 10 (now 37), gave up late teens and eventually got back into it again. Now looking for my first own horse it is very daunting - I was lucky to be 'given' a friends 'spare' horse to ride and look after during autumn & winter which I think is the best time for getting used to what is involved - DIY grass livery - so early, dark, cold wet mornings and evenings but loved every bit of it even when she developed an abcess and I couldn't ride her for a while it felt great when she eventually got better and I had helped her - it was a real learning curve, something I wish I had learnt more about from the riding schools I have used. After riding 20+ years I hadn't even had to tack up a horse!! It is an exciting prospect having my own and bonding with it, making it a part of the family and my every day routine - but it is a big comittment and I have the same worries as you too, but like anything I guess if you have the right attitude to it and have people around you who you can ask for help/advice when needed you will be fine. That's what I'm telling myself anyway!!!!!!:) To be honest the looking and buying is enough of a minefield - I think perhaps the relief of finding the right one will help kick the worries out and the excitement back in:p

[robbitybob]

I have been wanting to buy my first horse and have had nothing but sleepless nights over it. I also nearly bought two completely unsuitable horses just because I wanted to own one so badly that my judgement was clouded by rose coloured glasses.
Then had the best thing happen, we are now leasing a lovely 14.2 crossbred from my sons riding teacher so are able to get to know everything we need to and by the spring (southern hemishphere) will have a much better idea of what we are doing and what we are really looking for.
Its been a week so very early days but the security of knowing there is an expert on hand if we get lost is making it a wonderful, so far stress free experience.
So if you could maybe co-share or lease at first to feel more comfortable then that could be a great option for you.
Another option is to take a good horsey friend with you and promise not to buy unless they agree that it would be a good match, a voice of reason. :)

[misslibertine]

I, like you returned to riding after a break, did a horse care course etc and my daughter is learning to ride.
I just got my first pony 2 days ago after a year of putting it off. I thought the same things as you, what if I get injured, it gets ill etc. I decided that yes these things might happen but they might not either and if I carried on thinking like that I would never get one.
I dont regret getting Teddy and although he is a bit small for me to ride (my daughter will ride him, see my other thread in adults who ride ponies) he has fufilled all my dreams and I adore going to see him, muck out, feeding etc and building a relationship with him.
I plan to do showing with him in the summer and am so excited about our future togetherI think you should put your fears aside and go with your dreams as you only live once, good luck!