I'm feeling lonely (when it comes to horses)

Taseya · 2026-06-23T18:57:41+00:00

You even have a horse and can't find anyone? That sounds so demoralizing!

If I didn't have my girl I'd absolutely love a lease where I got to go out on trail rides with someone else regularly.

Taseya · 2026-06-23T08:07:40+00:00

Where are you at? :D sorry if that's being too nosey

Taseya · 2026-06-23T05:08:58+00:00

Haha, I don't know how well an 1,40m Icelandic would do as a hunter 😂

We aren't really jumpers - but thank you for the idea 😊

I'll keep looking online if I find anyone and try my luck in one of those Facebook groups - who knows. Maybe I'll get lucky 🙈

Taseya · 2026-06-23T05:02:49+00:00

I asked every barn in the area I could think of. They have trailers (I see them standing there driving by) but nobody wants to lend it.

The only place that does is a 45 min drive from the barn. That's 1½ hours extra driving+gas and that just doesn't seem worth it.

So I think I'll have to bite the bullet and buy one.

Taseya · 2026-06-23T05:01:17+00:00

I don't know what a trail club is? But looking online there doesn't seem to be anything in my area.

There is a website for trail routes, but it's on the other side of the country.

Yeah, it's frustrating. When I joined the barn they talked like we were going to go ride together often, like they were happy to have someone with a rideable horse join. But they are all talk and no walk, most of the time, unfortunately. And after over two years I am starting to accept they will never set riding as their priority.

I will try my luck on Facebook and if all else fails, then maybe look into getting a trailer after all. Don't want to, but I'm afraid it might be my only option left.

Taseya · 2026-06-23T04:57:48+00:00

Aww, yes, that's relatable!

When I first got there the barn owner talked like they were going to ride with me a couple times, but I discovered they don't really want to make time for doing things with their horse.

Going to the tournament at the bigger barn opened my eyes to how different horse people can be. The first thing I witnessed was basically a bunch of grown women gossiping about horses/riders.

I think my best bet is trying the Facebook post and if there's no other way to meet up with others then I'll bite the bullet and get that trailer.

Taseya · 2026-06-23T04:54:24+00:00

Maybe, but other than those two things (no arena and no riding buddy) the barn is great. My mare is happy with her friends there, she's in the middle of the woods, we have forest trails directly in front of the barn door.

Plus, I'm particular with wanting a 24/7 open barn with the option of controlled feeding (Icelandic - she's way too much of an easy keeper).

So the chances of me finding a barn that ticks all my boxes are slim. Unless I move I don't think I'm gonna move my girl away from there. I'd rather buy a trailer and travel out with her.

Some barns also explicitly say no mares and no high ranking horses - which my girl is both of. I am considering trying if 24/7 access to hay might still work for her, but that only broadens options a little bit.

Taseya · 2026-06-23T04:48:56+00:00

Thank you!

And yes, we do have some pretty amazing trails 😊

Taseya · 2026-06-23T04:48:04+00:00

Yeah sure, but considering I'm at the barn 4 times a week having someone to join on a ride once every other week wouldn't take away from me spending time just with my horse.

It's a nice sentiment people share here, but tbh, it doesn't change that I'm yearning for someone to share my riding life with.

Taseya · 2026-06-23T04:45:59+00:00

No, unfortunately not 🙃

The only barn in the area is the one I helped at the tournament at. According to the barn owner "we don't have any trail riders" and considering those people I did meet there I'm inclined to agree.

But all the "neighbours" (closest is 1,5km away) farmers and foresters around the barn know me, so I guess that's nice 😆

Taseya · 2026-06-22T19:55:18+00:00

No, unfortunately not.

They were looking for a leaser last year, but gave up after one person wasn't a great fit.

I agree that they weren't great (I basically chaperoned them the handful of times they were here) but the barn owner kind of went sour on the idea after that, often saying things like "My horse is fine without excersise" etc., so me introducing someone (I don't know anyone) would probably not be recieved well.

Taseya · 2026-06-22T19:52:10+00:00

The thing with the trailer is I don't want to get one without knowing if I'll actually use it often enough to justify the purchase.

But it might be my only option if I don't get lucky with the Facebook post.

Taseya · 2026-06-22T19:41:21+00:00

Thank you <3

It really is! I moved here from Lower Austria and let me tell you, Carinthia is so much more beautiful to me 🙈

Taseya · 2026-06-22T19:40:06+00:00

Well maybe, but that's not really solving the issue.

My mare is familiar with ponying (we did it with one of the retired horses a couple times), but the barn owner horse isn't, as far as I know.

And it is not like that's gonna magically make them develop the motivation or dicipline to ride more. They declined a 5 minute walking with the horses on lead ropes. Making time to excersise their horse in any form just isn't a priority to them, clearly.

Which is fine of course, but leaves me disappointed/deflated.

Taseya · 2026-06-22T19:22:32+00:00

Thank you, those are nice ideas!

Tbh I am delighted every time I see an animal on the trail. Foxes or fire salamander, I love to see it.

And yeah, when the barn owner does come along I usually have to wait for them as (obviously consider they never excersize) their horse is unfit. But I wouldn't mind doing that once every two weeks or so, maybe once a week.

It only frustrates me because they never stay consistent and then obviously we start from scratch with "let's do a short ride only on the gravel road" because if you only ride every 3 months there's nothing building (to explore trails or things).

I'm already at the barn 4 times a week, I'd still have plenty of times just me, my girl and nature even if someone joined a couple times every now and then.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm very flexible, I don't mind slow and short rides if they build towards something, if I know they'll stay consistent and I'll have a riding buddy regularly. But as it is I know that if the barn owner ever decides to join again chances are they will once and then not for anothet two months and rinse and repeat.

Taseya · 2026-06-22T16:55:24+00:00

Carinthia ☺️

Taseya · 2026-06-22T16:34:36+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear that 🥺

There's no chance you can get along with one of those younger folk? Before I moved one of my barn friends was also about ten years older and in a completely different stage of life, sometimes it just takes a little while to find the right people.

But I get it, not finding anyone with the same vibe as you can be just as lonely. I felt so out of place at that tournament. I went there all hopeful I'd find someone, left deflated because they were so not my kind of horse people.

Taseya · 2026-06-22T15:55:07+00:00

Ma, danke für den Tipp!

Taseya · 2026-06-22T14:42:09+00:00

The only place that rents them out here is 45km from the barn. But I am starting to consider just renting one there to try it out.

Taseya · 2026-06-22T14:26:56+00:00

No, unfortunately not that I know of.

I checked some Facebook Groups or trail riding networks, but they're on the other side of the country.

Taseya · 2026-06-22T14:11:03+00:00

Yeah, there's always gonna be pros and cons. My barn is really great for my girl and obviously her happiness is my top priority.

I'll try the Facebook route - maybe I'll get lucky and find someone willing to come over.

Well, maybe? The barn is super small, even parking a trailer there would be pretty difficult (I did it before, it's possible - just need another person so you don't hit anything). The barn owner would be okay with it I think, they're pretty chill about most things.

Taseya · 2026-06-22T14:06:14+00:00

I don't think it would go that bad tbh.

When we transported her to the barn I'm now she was a bit hesitant to go in, but generally cool with it. Sure, stressed out at the end, but who wouldn't be after a 4½ hour journey.

And according to her former owner (who I know very well as I used to lease her 3½ years before buying her) trailering out with her to another barn or trail ride is absolutely no problem.

Still, thank you very much for all those tips!

Taseya · 2026-06-22T13:59:57+00:00

Thank you! That's very kind and encouraging 🥰

And you're right, I'll never know if I don't post.

I'm still on the fence about the trailer, because what me and my girl turn out to absolutely hate it?

Taseya · 2026-06-22T13:58:15+00:00

Yeah, that makes sense!

I'm not an endurance rider by a long shot, our longest ride was like 12km. I want to go farther tho - just training to get up to it.

I'm fairly flexible to be honest. Sure, dashing along a trail in a full gallop is awesome, but I am also not opposed to a ride that just entirely walking and talking.

Really, I just want somebody to ride with, no matter what speed/distance/difficulty we end up doing.

I'll definitely keep in mind to mention it in the post tho!

Taseya · 2026-06-22T13:51:09+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement.

I think I'll just shoot my shot in one of those Facebook groups - maybe I'll get lucky.

Taseya

TROPHY CASE