I’m losing my love for this sport, for horses, and for riding. I’ve had such a bad experience with my own horses and the community.

The first horse I got has cost more than he’s worth in vet bills and they’re still ongoing, we don’t know what’s wrong with him and it seems like every time we solve something, a new problem arises.

The second horse I got has been an absolute pain. I don’t get along with her at all and she keeps escaping paddocks, breaking fences, being a bit of a pig under saddle, teaching my first horse bad habits, so on and so on. I don’t like her but I can’t get rid of her due to circumstances that I’m in.

I absolutely hate this community, online and in person. I thought I’d found a good barn but so much of their abuse has become apparent to me recently and I have nowhere else to go. They don’t treat their horses well and they gossip so much about everyone. The online community is just as bad, if not worse. Everyone thinks they’re better than you and it’s their way or the highway. If you don’t know everything there is to know about horses you’re too uneducated and shouldn’t have them. Everything little thing is a pain response, everyone (but them) is a shit rider, and if you don’t have millions of dollars to spend on your horse at any moment you’re an irresponsible owner. I’ve had so many experiences where no matter how much you reword something or repeat your point people online just will not listen. Everyone will yap on about things even when they have no idea what they’re talking about.

I got into this sport because I’m autistic and horses are my special interest and they made me so happy but ever since getting involved with horses I’ve gotten so depressed and anxious. I wish people weren’t so mean, gossipy, and judgemental. Everyone always thinks the worst of each other and it’s tearing the community apart. I just wish I could love horses as much as I did 5 years ago.

Sorry for the yapfest, just needed to get this off my chest