By: Leslie Moore
Attention Horse Owners and Horse Lovers:
Four questions to answer about balancing your life with your horse so the time spent is fully enjoyed.
1. Have you created balance in your life with your partner, family and friends? Have you created the time necessarily to fully enjoy your horse without feeling guilty that you are supposed to be doing something else? Or does your time spent with your horse become an issue with them?
2. Are you healthy? Is your fitness level suitable for the activities you do with your horse? Does you horse think you’re a burden because you may be carrying a few extra pounds?
3. Have you prepared for the financial responsibility of being a horse owner?
4. Are you happy and fulfilled as a person and you feel good about yourself and where you are?
You’re right there were more than 4 questions since I asked questions and added more questions but that seems to be how it is sometimes, one thing leads to another, just like finding balance in your life.
These are just some of the important issues that face people who own horses. Daily, I deal with people that have had to look at their answers to the above questions.
They found that their partner was always mad because of the time away. The family got tired of their schedules always being juggled because there was a horse activity going on. Your son’s game was forgotten because you went on a spur of the moment trail ride and having so much fun you forgot about the game. (Hmm…To me this sounds like a guilty moment coming on. Either you’re feeling guilty for messing up or the son told you how you let him down, or both.)
These issues can be easily avoided with planning.
How are your answers for the question about your health and wellness? I regularly help people become aware of how their weight and fitness levels affect their pleasure with their horse. Horses offer us so much in our own wellbeing with our interaction that my belief is we should do what we can to not be a burden to them. By keeping our weight at reasonable levels and be being fit enough that we don’t tire easily so we are thoroughly enjoying the time we are playing with our horse.
We haven’t even gotten to the financial responsibility of being a horse owner and how that impacts us. I am sure you are already aware of some of the costs. You are either boarding your horse elsewhere or buying horse feed. You have had to purchase equipment, which could include halters, bridles, a saddle and blankets. Have you had the farrier and veterinarian come out to see you yet?
You can now understand how planning is so important, especially when it involves money.
I want you to have piece of mind and not have added stress because your finances are a headache because of your horse friend.
