Defining the Relationship
Snookum-ukums, where do you see this going?
Let's be realistic. What's the plan with your pony? Is it a five-year investment with a return, is it until you move up beyond the Kin's abilities, or is it forever?
I don't own Isabel - making long-term planning a bit sketchy and quite out of my power.
By way of background: I began leasing Isabel in Oct 2012 when her owner left the country for six months and wanted a leaser. I wasn't looking (and had never leased before), but the terms made it a good trial opportunity.
the early days
Things went well and we continued the lease indefinitely when the owner returned to the US. For the next year we shared the horse (our very different schedules made this nbd), then last summer the owner became too busy to ride. But just as her world calmed down, she sustained a gruesome foot injury that has kept her from the saddle ever since.
So I've had essentially a de facto full lease for almost a year now.
The owner is hoping to start riding again in mid-April, and my grand plans and schemes can't interfere with her pony time. Hopefully it will prove just as easy as our previous time spent sharing the horse.
Ok, so back to the topic at hand: defining the relationship.
The short answer is that I really don't know.
And frankly - if Isabel's owner asked me tomorrow if I wanted to buy the horse, I wouldn't readily have an answer...
If Isabel and I can continue along as we are, there might be really exciting things in store for us. I am hopeful that we can explore those opportunities as they come.
"c'mon let's go do fun stuff!" - isabel
But I'm leery of the commitment in owning. I could probably swing it financially - but it would be a balancing act. So I would want a horse that can fulfill my riding goals. Tho I also get very attached - so if my horse couldn't keep up anymore... well I would want to be able to do right by that horse, while still having something else I could ride...
So the long answer boils down to the same thing: I really don't know. Fortunately there's no pressure to answer these questions yet haha.
example: fun stuff
Leasing is definitely a great way to get horse owning experience without all the financial and emotional ups and downs! There's no problem with not being sure you want to leap into horse ownership, or being sure that your lease horse is right for you long term. Kudos for keeping things in perspective! :)
ReplyDeletethanks - sometimes i think i'm crazy or just over-thinking it all... but mostly i just want to enjoy the situation exactly as it is day to day without worry about things out of my control haha.
Deleteownership WILL happen one day - i'm about 95% sure of that - but i'm not in any hurry for things to change from what they currently are :)
Leasing is a great way to dabble in ownership without any of the strings! It is tricky trying to balance the owner's wants and needs with your own, but I'm sure you will figure it all out. :)
ReplyDeleteI've also found that the people who are most afraid of owning an animal make the best owners (when the time is right!). You care enough to worry and fret. Everything happens when it's supposed to happen!
thanks! i wouldn't necessarily say i'm 'afraid' of owning a horse for the's horse's sake, since i've been a paid manager at various barns for over 10 years - that part doesn't worry me! it has more to do with what happens if the horse no longer does what i want to do
DeleteI think you've got the right mindset and outlook; no matter what happens later, I'm sure the time spent so far has made you into a better rider and gives Izzy a bright future for whoever will love on her next!
ReplyDeleteI gave leasing a try but the arrangement was extremely one-sided (and not in my favor or the horse's...). I tried to find another lease for couple months afterwards but when nothing turned up, Quest happened and the rest is history haha Things have a funny way of working out.
yea i've heard of (and seen) quite a few less-happy lease situations. we're very fortunate in our situation that the lease is so mutually beneficial! it certainly helps that isabel has more energy and stamina than we're ever likely to wear out haha
DeleteThat's definitely the right attitude! Enjoy it while you can and only when you are forced to make a decision do you need to think about it.
ReplyDeleteOwning a horse is a ton of money and responsibility. Definitely not a decision to be taken lightly!
yep i agree completely!! and pretty much my entire training budget would have to go to board... and i'd rather not give up the lessons if i can!
Deletei'm right with you on that one. i don't think horse ownership is really worth it for everyone and if it's working out the way it is for you now, then that's good. i ride ariel for majority of my lessons but i don't own (or even lease) and i'm perfectly okay because i get to enjoy her without needing to be responsible for her and worrying about her health or otherwise b/c she's got great owners!
ReplyDeletei end up being mostly responsible for isabel due to her owner's injury related absence. so i make the on-the-spot decisions about her diet and care (and obvi communicate everything with the owner)...
Deleteso i kinda already get that whole aspect of ownership ... but without the hefty price tag :)
I totally understand your mindset and thoughts! I can fully appreciate having fun with a horse but not wanting to own them forever, and wanting to wait to see how things go. I think that is totally, totally reasonable. Sounds like Izzy has taught you a lot in the last almost-three-years. And you are doing wonderful things with and for Izzy while she's in your care, so you're good for her too! But if there's a better equine partner out there for you, that's ok too. :D
ReplyDeletewe've certainly come a long way together since i started riding her haha - and i don't think it's finished yet :) but yes, i'm still all about the 'wait and see'
DeleteYou have a great way of looking at it. It seems like things tend to work out the way they should and going with the flow is certainly just fine :)
ReplyDeletethanks! it's so easy to stress about the 'what ifs' so i really try to avoid that lol. going with the flow sounds much better :)
DeleteA lease, especially a flexible one, is a fantastic way to enjoy riding without the accountability for issues, like soundness, that may arise! I hope the arrangement continues to work out well for you once the owner is riding a bit too. She's lovely!
ReplyDeletei agree completely! while there are things i would do differently if i were the owner... honestly i couldn't really ask to have it any better!
DeleteThere's nothing wrong with not knowing the answer. :D
ReplyDeletethanks! sometimes i worry about it... but really, sometimes ignorance is also bliss :)
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