Sometimes, the right thing to do really sucks

**champagnium** · 06-11-2008, 11:46 AM

I know that it's for the best financially, but why is it the right thing is usually the hardest?

I've given up my lease on the horse I've been riding the last four years. I am so very sad about it. The lease was $200 a month, plus about a 25 minute drive each way. Now I can just pay $30 to go ride her on a Friday evening if I want to, but someone else will be leasing her and it is subject to her availability, like if there's a show the next day I can't ride, or if the new person wants to ride the Friday night I can't.

I will put the $200 that was being spent on her towards our cc until that's finished. Then after that I'll put $100 into the house fund and $100 into my own savings for when we have a house and I want to have a horse at home.

It's not like I was showing or anything, it's just something I truly love, and I'm REALLY attached to Jodie. There's NOTHING that alittle barn time couldn't fix for me, no matter what was going in. I had harboured hope last year when she had a foal that I could buy the foal down the road, but the owner of the barn (who owns Jodie too) has decided to keep her for her boyfriend as she's going to finish big. She can't have anymore foals, so there goes that idea.

I think in the back of my mind I always thought someday she'd end up mine. I feel so safe on her, she's totally predictable and after the terrbile falls (and back injuries) I've had, safety is important too. But most of all, I just loved her...she's beautiful. My DH doesn't get it at all, he's like, there's lots of other horses out there, you'll get another one later. He really really doesn't get it.

I know it's the best decision, and that it'll give me a chance to get set for down the road faster, I'm just sad I had to do it.

**luv-my-lexi** · 06-11-2008, 11:50 AM

Oh,

to you. That would be hard cause she is just like your "pet" you are having to give up. At least you will still be able to go ride or see her. Good luck with all that savings though and who knows maybe one day you could end up buying her???

**PrairieRose** · 06-11-2008, 12:05 PM

Yeah I agree....my youngest dd said it the other day (she's 25, an RN) "this being an adult really isn't all it's cracked up to be, is it?"....

I know it's not easy.....but you can still see 'your' horse and if you want to own her, you can....you just gotta open your mind to the possibilities and being responsible makes good things happen in all areas of your life.

**Dancing Lotus** · 06-11-2008, 12:40 PM

I didn't know you could lease a horse. Hummm.. I guess I don't really live in horse country.

I'm sorry but at least you will still be able to visit and ride on occasion.

**Starlight9803** · 06-11-2008, 01:25 PM

I'm sorry you had to give up the lease. It will surely help financially, but I know it must be a sad time for you. :hug:

**MysticEagle** · 06-11-2008, 01:56 PM

I'm sorry you had to give up your lease. I know you will miss the regular rides but hopefully she will be available most times when you are.

Maybe you will be able to purchase her when you get the money saved up.

**nerdbynature** · 06-11-2008, 03:19 PM

I used to take horseback riding lessons back in middle school ( along time ago!) and I feel your pain. I rode the same horse nearly every single time- her name was Sunshine and she was the most beautiful, gentle horse in the world. It was like when I had a problem I could talk to her and she understood what I was saying. Well the woman who owned her ended up selling her and I am not sure why she did this as the horse had been with her forever. After she was sold I quit riding lessons because I couldn't see myself matching up with any of the others as well as I did Sunshine! It is good that you still see her once a week but I understand your pain.

**champagnium** · 06-11-2008, 09:46 PM

Thank you all. Unfortunatly, the owner has said that if I wanted to buy her, she wouldn't let her go for less than $10,000. Which is very frustrating, as I know she only paid $2500 for her. She's very money oriented tho, and is always looking for ways to make a buck off people. I should have left that barn a long time ago. Especially when I found out she was ripping me off on the vet bill and adding onto the shoeing bill. There have always been a lot of things that went on there I didn't agree with, but I stayed becasue I love Jodie, and thought as long as I was paying I was guaranteeing she was being well cared for. *sigh* Anyway, feeling a bit better now, and thanks for the wishes.

**FrugalMomof3** · 06-11-2008, 09:56 PM

to you! I know how it is to give up a passion and something you love so dearly but just a thought, since you love her so much maybe just riding her on Fridays is good, I am sure she knows you love her and she loves you, just think she will miss you as well so, seeing her even just when she's available will be like a reunion each and everytime.

**dpence** · 06-11-2008, 10:16 PM

I have always wanted my own horse.Two years ago we built a house on some acreage and last October we bought our eleven year old daughter her own horse.I will be getting my own horse within the next couple of years.I am currently 43 years old and I figure whats a couple more years when I've waited this long.

I believe that if you really want a horse of your own, it will happen,but you may have to be a little patient.Life has a way of doing things on its own time frame

**momof2joys** · 06-11-2008, 10:52 PM

I feel so bad for you. But maybe there is a farm or ranch nearby that has horses and would be willing to let you help out. I know it's not Jodie, but you could still get to be with horses and you could still get your "fix" in. Plus if the people were ripping you off, I wouldn't give them the business anyway. I really do understand that there will be no other horse that can replace Jodie, but there is a chance that you could find one that is just as good. Good luck with everything!!!

**Drgnfly423** · 06-12-2008, 12:43 AM

I'm sorry to hear that you have to give up riding, and that involves giving up Jodie. That is such a sad situation. Being an adult sucks sometimes.

**Gems** · 06-12-2008, 03:53 AM

I'm sorry you hd to make that decision. I know how hard it can be to give up something you truly love doing. They do say, though, that everything happens for a reason. Try to move on and maybe find somehting you can enjoy doing with your family instead. That should take your mind of things.

I feel for you.

**BetterLateThanNever** · 06-12-2008, 07:56 AM

I had a horse had to make the decision to put her down after she collicked (sp?) a second time. It was hard to do what was best, end her suffering and let her go. It's been two years and I still miss her.

How old is Jodie? Nevery did enter the horse market but I think that $10,000 is pretty steep even in this economy and definitely if she's over 15 years. Sounds like the woman who owns her is pretty much a jerk but would she let you work around the barn to pay the monthly fee?

Good news is that horses are a very small world and you probably could keep tabs on her by making friends with other barn owners. WE found out information on my horse's past and my mother's horse's past by talking to other horse oweners. Maybe in the future you can buy Jodi?!

**Greebo** · 06-12-2008, 08:20 AM

I had no idea that horses cost THAT much - wow, $200/mo to lease, and after 4 years, the owner wants that much more. Kind of a fool owner, seriously, since she's already made $9,600 from you on the horse already.

Still - while I know its a hard choice, look at it like this - when you are debt free, how long will it take you to save up enough to pay cash for a horse?

Hang in there - you're doing the smart thing!