You are not everyone. I know a few of these women.
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You would be surprised, I recently took on a boarder who wanted lots of turn out with lots of grass for her retired warmblood. It is a perfect situation for both of us. The board she pays covers my expenses for all three horses and I have lots of grass, three fields well fenced add up to 20 acres of grass.
She comes once a week to groom and check on him and wants to help out. They do come in at night in the winter and her horse has adjusted very well. Though 17.2 he is well mannered and Ok for me to handle. He had settled in immediately and all three got along right away.
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While I respect other people’s experience and opinions on the matter, I personally have never found adding a boarder to result in any decrease in work, stress level, or amount of responsibility. It would be a risky move at best. I think that few people are reliable enough, have the knowledge base, or have a work schedule that allows time for successfully helping to care for horses on another property. Such situations can often result in conflict and annoyance that would make caring for a bratty pony seem like a walk in the park.
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That’s kind of what I was thinking. I really don’t want the added stress of dealing with another person/horse, I have my own way of dealing and don’t want to be flexible. If it was a friend with a horse that I knew, that would be different. I have my set up to be as simple as I possibly can make it, and I want to keep it that way. Plus insurance for someone else and their horse.
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Alright, update, I actually finally rode my tb mare!! she was awesome! Just hacking around my property and down the road a little ! I felt safe on her, and I think we will do this more often. And making progress with pony! Feeling better about everything!
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Wonderful update!
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That sounds like a delightful ride! And hopefully the pony will decide to enjoy a good life as a kind citizen. 
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So tonight, Ms Mare decided forward was not a button she had, instead bucking was a good one. I was too lax, just kind of puttering, and she launched me. Glad the ground is still soft, just my pride got bruised. But now I’m leery about trying to ride her again. Argh, fricking horses!!! I was just starting to feel good and happy about them again.
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Hope so. Friend of mine who got spooked off two weeks ago thought she was lucky, but finally gave in and went for X-rays today, because things went from “gee, that wasn’t so bad” all the way downhill.
Statistically, the numbers are on your side. Fingers crossed.
Wait, though. You are admitting that you weren’t riding well – “puttering”, on a green, not-much-ridden mare.
Maybe give this another try with your A game?
Part of your decision may be how much intensity you want to put into your efforts. If you want to putter, you may need a seasoned horse, who also wants to putter, without losing his/her mind. Just a thought.
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Oh, totally! She isn’t really green, but i totally wasn’t paying enough attention. You are right! I just thought she was so good last time, so dumb ass thinking she would be fine tonight!
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If it makes you feel better, I fell off for the first time in 8 years last week for the same reason 
. Trusted the 5yo with a long rein hack - he spooked and did a 180 at mach jesus and dumped me 
. I’m very bruised and waiting for a new helmet to come in before getting back on, but I also got the message - A game on for the youngster. Maybe there’s something in the air!
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Sorry you had a fall. Sounds like a bit of a fluke (hopefully). Maybe a few minutes on the longe before the next time you get on just as insurance? Sometimes a mare leading a plush lifestyle needs a brief moment on the longe to recall her working girl manners.
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Exactly. After a weekend away, I was ready to be home.
We take vacations as we can afford them and hire a farmsitter well in advance. Just in case, we make sure our tickets are refundable in case the farmsitter can’t make it.
I get to know the farmsitter and “try them out” with a trip within easy driving distance in case things go wrong. After that, we travel as we want with a trusted person to watch our farm. We keep the animal population low because the more you have, the more expensive it is and the harder it is to get help.
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This is harsh. I just have to say it. Horses live a long time, and keeping ones you can’t ride, year after year at home is a lot of work and has monthly costs. A non horsey husband has to be considered too. Life is full of compromises and even if she is just tired, that is her life and right. She is asking for advice, so maybe a little grace?
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You might some relief from having someone come in and help out. I feed 3 horses for an older owner about ten min from my house. They’re out 24/7 so no lifting or stalls. She pays me $30 each time and it gives her two mornings with a break. I do all of the daily work pick feet, water trough etc. the bonus is that when she wants to go on vacation her horses and myself are already familiar with each other. I’ve also been able to jump in and help out in an emergency.
The funny thing is I’ve also found something similar at my house really helpful. Lifting heavy things cleaning out stalls/my goat barn is hard on me physically. I’m paying a kid to come clean everything out every other week. It’s really made a huge difference. I have more time and I’m less physically tired so I can spend quality time with my animals.
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