It all gets better

Are you old enough to get a part-time job? Maybe you could earn enough to take lessons or even do a partial lease. I used to clean and fill water buckets, do stalls, clean cobwebs, etc. to earn saddle time also, maybe you could do that too. I'm not sure how feasible that is with your mom's schedule, but something to think about, there are still ways to be around horses without owning.

Maybe it isn't the right time to own a horse but maybe you could ask your friends if you could ride their horses sometimes or exercise them when they're a way?

Coruscant Farm said:
Are you old enough to get a part-time job? Maybe you could earn enough to take lessons or even do a partial lease. I used to clean and fill water buckets, do stalls, clean cobwebs, etc. to earn saddle time also, maybe you could do that too. I'm not sure how feasible that is with your mom's schedule, but something to think about, there are still ways to be around horses without owning.

<div align="left">I did have a job working around horses for a bit, but unfortunately I was still in school so it got pretty stressful after a while (I had to wake up at 6 during school days and 5 during work days, and usually I got home pretty late from work so homework over the weekend was a bust). Plus, my parents went through a rough spot and after that I was having a hard time mentally. The people who owned the farm moved away not too long ago as well, so I stopped working for them. So, while I am old enough to do side jobs such as that, working anywhere close by is basically impossible at this point because all the neighbors that own horses have moved away, and I've not gotten my driver's license yet (I took the class later than most kids my age).

Tanglewood Eventers said:
Maybe it isn't the right time to own a horse but maybe you could ask your friends if you could ride their horses sometimes or exercise them when they're a way?

I would, but my friends that do have horses own farms and are very rarely available to go riding, and they don't very often go on trips. Not only that, but they all live a considerable distance from where I live, so getting out there is kind of hard when my mum has to sleep all day and my dad has to home-school my youngest sibling. But, you're right, I neither have the money nor the proper equipment to own a horse at the moment. I'm sure I'll figure something out soon, though...

Hearts N' Hooves said:

Kirralee anglo arabs said:
It all gets better

I stopped riding for 6 years ish and only started again a few months ago.

That's a long time! What was is like getting back in the saddle after so long?

I'm worried I will forget everything if I go for only two years without riding. Lord knows I've probably already forgotten how to properly saddle a horse, but then again my memory sucks. I miss the horses, though. There was this one horse that I used to ride, pretty sure she's gone blind in one eye, though. She was basically my first best friend before I started becoming more social.

She sounds cute

Heart... I got my first horse when I was 12/13 and I had her for about 15 years...I have had other horses throughout my life and I have had several horse related jobs. Mucking, groom, trainer, instructor...My last horse I gave away about 10 years ago and that was the last time I rode. I still had contact with horses over the next 10 years (farmsitting) but no handling other than feeding. Then about 6 months ago my friend who lives at the other end of the farm that I farmsit, gets a horse (actually 2) and she has to have surgery on her hand and she offers to pay me to come and exercise her new horse (I am like really cool with groundwork). I am at the farm meeting the horse and I go ahead and lunge her and she did great (I did too!) then the owner asks.. are you going to ride her?... I have not been on a horse for 10 years (and alot of pounds later)..I telll her.. I don't have a helmet.... she says .. I have a helmet (perfect fit),,, I was really concerned that because the mare was smaller and I was heavier and (haven't been on a horse for 10 years) that she (the horse) might say... OOOH you are too heavy.. no thanks.. and buck me off (this is my thoughts in my head). They gave me a leg up and wow... it was like I never missed a beat. The horse was amazing and smart and talented and didn't kill me! I asked her to do things that after years of trying (my horse couldn't do). I actually have been riding her regularly at least once a week (weather permitting) and I have access to ride the other mare as well. I have now been riding again for about 6 months and it is so good for the soul. I had yearned... my heart hurt... it was empty because riding had always been a huge part of my life and when I had to give my mare away it was for a good reason.. but it still left a void. So all those 10 years I wished and wished I could find a free lease or some sort of exercising trade and when I wasn't looking... it found me. So I understand your NEED to ride... and I understand your concern of being away from it for too long... but if it is in your blood... you are going to be fine... and you will ride again (the wait is worth it). Good luck and never give up hope. Ps.. I turn 49 this year... so lots of experience.