Different journey

The view between Zoe's ears is about to change. I find that I'm at a "crossroads" in my life and a change is coming up for both of my horses, Zoe and Skippy.

My financial needs are starting to increase and it is becoming difficult to maintain the cost of 2 horses and keep up with the things that are coming up. Our basic needs have always been able to be maintained on what my husband and I make but now we have some house and health issues that need to be met and we need the money to do them.  No pressing needs but looking at the future the money will not be there if we continue to own these horses.

My husband is also going to retire in a little less than 2 years and he is 10 years older than I am. If I continue to own these 2 horses and I continue to work until I retire, my husband will be close to 80 years old. Eighty will be too old to start to enjoy a retirement. He has stepped back for the last 15 years and given me the go ahead to pursue my enjoyment of horses. It is now my turn to step back and allow him to retire and enjoy his retirement.

We also want to move when he retires. I now am able to work off a portion of my board but if I continue to own these horses and move, I doubt I will be able to afford to board them and I will not be able to afford to buy a house with horse property. We think we will be moving to the area around Portland, Oregon. Part of my family will be moving there this spring. We will be visiting them often and if we like it we will move there. My husband has been to Oregon and likes it. If we don't like it, we will still be moving...just don't know where yet. Family moving to Oregon just gives us some direction.

So as I continue to own these horses my life will be unbalanced and the longer I own them the more unbalanced my life will become.

I have enjoyed my horses. There are times that they try my patience but looking back at the whole experience it has been good. The years I have spent riding have not been wasted years. The lessons learned while owning horses are things that will follow me my whole life. And I cherish the things I've learned about myself, others and horses.

I would rather try to find them homes now, while things are upbeat and bright, than wait until they become a burden. This is something that must happen, it is the right thing to do, however it is not an easy thing to do. And that part of the story will remain private.

Generally speaking, I am not a person that looks back on the past and dwells on what "was" and laments that it can't remain the same. I usually try to find the good in every situation and I look forward to the future-and this remains true in this situation. Yes, it is difficult to say goodbye to these horses but I'm also looking forward to what the future holds. When I move maybe I'll ride again, probably not owning horses but I'm sure that I'll find a way to ride.

I've spoken to the owner of my barn because this decision affects how her business runs. I help manage the barn, it is a co-op situation. My role in the co-op will be changing. I've said that I will stay on until she recovers from her knee surgery in March/April or until my horses are gone. I would like to continue to do something around the barn in exchange for the opportunity to grab a horse and ride out with my friends or ride in the arena. She was agreeable to that idea.

Now I find myself trying to sell 2 horses. I've enlisted the help of my trainer, I've spread the word to many people and to the people I work with. I haven't advertised in print yet. Thanksgiving is coming up so now might not be the best time but I will start soon. I also put my back out (again) so I can't really do much physically until December. So now my blog will be interspersed with the journey of selling 2 horses. So if anyone knows someone looking for 2 good trail horses let me know.  Thanks.