I had a coworker who is horsey laugh at me and say I was ridiculous for dumping a few thousand into vet bills for a horse I can’t and will never be able to ride.
Two weeks ago her Chihuahua ate a sock. She had 2000 dollars in surgery to remove said sock from said tiny dog’s intestinal tract.
What sort of things do other people say that confuse you?
I have an old, barren TB broodmare who I can’t ride, either. While I’m usually pretty realistic with vet care, I’ve also dumped thousands of dollars into her. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle at this point; I’m not going to skimp on her medical needs and risk her health now that I’ve spent so much.
Folks aren’t shy to tell me their opinion on the situation. I’m crazy, I should let her be someone else’s problem, they would never put up with her, etc. Yet often those are the same people running their mouths about how the racing industry is horrible, overproducing horses just so they can exploit them, then dump them. Here I am giving my old broodmare the life of Riley in retirement and they are judging me from every angle. I’m cruel for breeding her; I’m a sucker and an idiot for keeping her. Which one is it?
Mine’s not even a broodmare, he’s a useless gelding. But he’s cute and he’s mine, and I like him, and I think that’s all that should really count tbh.
Several people where I board have asked me if I’m selling horse #1 because I recently bought a new horse. I thought that was a weird question. #1 is 20, quirky, sweet as hell and we are bonded for life. He’s not going anywhere!
ah well, you can’t please the townspeople. i think it’s wonderful the three of you are such good stewards for your horses.
some of the more ridiculous things said about my horse have come from actual horse people, though once i was asked if my gelding was a mule by someone who was not a novice…
what takes the cake was a few weeks ago, i put in a time off request to be present for my geriatric’s euthanasia as it was happening during work hours. boss saw the time off request and said, verbatim “so, let me get this straight… you’re going home to kill your horse?”
ridiculous, among other things.
Well, the ‘other people’ are certain family members. They misinterpret my dedication to, and my love of my horses as too time consuming, too exhausting, too socially limiting…and, and, and.
Since ‘taking care of horses’ is NOT something THEY would ever want to do, they assign their feelings to me. And while doing so, I always get the comment from them, “Why don’t you just ‘get rid of’ your horses; sell them or give them away?”
Right. When you sell, get rid of, give away your children, I’ll do the same with my horses!
These same people tend to have time consuming hobbies themselves, I noticed. Then I get ‘well you can just skip it for one day!’
Actually, he needs medicine on his feet EVERY day. If I took away your meds for ‘just one day’ you probably wouldn’t feel very good, would you?
I had a well-meaning family member during his recent crisis suggest I could sleep in and just give him bute later in the day. I asked if they’d like to go several hours without adequate pain control because the person responsible for giving it to them was asleep.
“Where’s your mustang?” as I unload said mustang off the trailer at a trail ride. Apparently he looks too much like a well bred QH/Morgan/TB (depending on who was asking) to be a mustang.
Maybe a little levity? 
The rock guy brought a load of screenings today and was curious about the horses, so we walked into the barn. The horses were all waiting for breakfast and nickered–loudly!–when they saw us. The guy looked at me in horror and asked why they did that–he was truly afraid and concerned about the noise. Told him they were just telling me to chop chop with the buckets, starving horses here, come on lady! And he relaxed and pet a few. Was such a sweet moment and a nice way to start the day. :yes:
But still very funny how non horsey people can be really unsettled by the stuff that’s just the norm! :lol:
SO thinks it’s amazing that horses can communicate their displeasure with how behind schedule their servants are. I think it’s funny and cute too.
“Oh wow he’s really grown a lot, hasn’t he?”
You mean the 16 year old? Sweet baby Jesus I hope not.
This is was someone who sadly owns horses, and apparently mistook my solid dark bay OTTB for someone’s wall-eyed, mostly white, very splashy chestnut paint filly. Totally understandable, they’re practically twins.
My mare screams at me regardless of when I show up, but my gelding will just poop in his water bucket if he thinks breakfast is late.
My gelding screams if I come to the barn and pay any attention to a horse that’s not him at all before I greet him. As long as I’ve said ‘Hi’ it’s good though.
My current favorite:
I work at a drs office. One of our drs asked me if I compete with my horse. I told him no, and explained how mine is older and only sound for casual riding. So he asked why I don’t just “set him free in the wild”. Um, cause he would die? Also, what wild? We’re in a Chicago suburb, where does he propose I set him free at?
Then he he told me I should sell him and buy a younger one. I told him I’ve owned the horse almost 17 years and he will never be sold.
The co-worker that kept asking me why I didn’t “race” my horse. And because I didn’t said horse was useless.
The woman that - the day after I had to put my horse down - insisted on asking me for detailed descriptions of the euthanasia process and what happened to their bodies. And then was upset when - after trying to politely blow her off - I finally told her to go away because she was an insensitive boob.
The guy that was absolutely perplexed by why I would spend money on my cat’s medical bills. This same guy owns a boat that apparently is a tub of holes that he has poured thousands upon thousands into and has not had a single enjoyable day in the thing.
“Your horse is old. Why don’t you just get rid of it?” Okay, sure - and make sure you tell your children to get rid of you when you are old.
arrgghhhh…
PLEASE tell me it was a mustang or something equally unraceable.
No, the first time was with my elderly Morgan mare and the second was my elderly TB.
I’ve been asked several times if the minis were my horses’ babies. :lol:
Or am I blindfolding my horses because they’re being punished (i.e. flymasks)!
But the best was the horse person who asked me when my short, halter-bred 17-y-o APHA mare was due to foal. I was a little offended, but a few weeks later one of the barn workers offered to lead her out to the pasture for me. As she was walking away from me (which I almost never get to see), I kinda got it!!! Time for a diet, Rosie!
An elderly relative of a barn-mate was visiting and saw me taking up my 17.2h WB dressage horse and asked if I was going to race him in the Kentucky Derby. Well, no - he is the wrong type of horse and too old. I could not convince him that this horse was not fast enough to race in the Derby!
And my husband, after I was excited about having cantered my newly backed horse “both directions” he quipped “wow! I didn’t know they could go forwards and backwards”
I still get asked all the time “do you still ride?” and “aren’t you done with horses yet?” Um, yeah, not going to happen ever. It’s not like I’m 16 or something either. I don’t think a 30+ year “hobby” is going to go away
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
