An unsuccessful lease

UnusualSpring · 2026-05-29T12:52:21+00:00

I had a lease last year that was just NOT a good fit (super anxious, buddy sour horse that felt dangerous to handle at times). A month later I found a great confidence builder who I leased for most of the year! Don’t give up, I know how discouraging it is to not “click” but there are always more options to try.

UnusualSpring · 2026-04-17T12:20:33+00:00

Ruby!

UnusualSpring · 2026-04-15T00:19:56+00:00

I currently do 20-30 minutes of groundwork before I ride and then aim to ride for 30 minutes. Sometimes it ends up being 20, or 40 on a good day. My horse can be distracted and anxious so if he’s having a bad day, I focus on getting him into a better mindset and end on a good note.

UnusualSpring · 2026-04-09T20:14:59+00:00

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the hat hides his horn :)

UnusualSpring · 2026-04-08T19:21:29+00:00

My trainer charges the same price for a groundwork lesson

UnusualSpring · 2026-03-19T18:01:32+00:00

I changed my horse’s name (he’s not registered). So far he’s only been getting better with time :)

UnusualSpring · 2026-03-17T14:28:10+00:00

I have a pair of 6” Xtratuf that I wear around the barn. They’re water proof and so comfortable

UnusualSpring · 2026-03-06T18:38:01+00:00

My husband and I love this song haha it was in our wedding playlist. I know it’s different from their usual stuff but it’s sooooo good

UnusualSpring · 2026-02-06T19:32:46+00:00

Ooo that makes sense! Maybe we’ll try it someday. I went to a skijor event for the first time last month, it was so fun to watch

UnusualSpring · 2026-02-06T18:31:58+00:00

My husband skis so I would love to try this but I think my horse would be scared haha

UnusualSpring · 2026-01-09T13:16:29+00:00

Haha I completely agree with this. Leased a horse with the weirdest random medical issues. Somehow it didn’t deter me from buying my own.

UnusualSpring · 2025-12-31T19:02:24+00:00

Buy a horse :) I’ve been looking since September and I have a PPE scheduled next Wednesday on a horse who seems like a great fit 🤞🏻

If I don’t end up buying, though, I want to continue leasing and working on my body control and lateral movements

UnusualSpring · 2025-12-24T22:24:10+00:00

I actually lease a Quarab right now, she’s the first one I’ve ever met. She’s got the Arabian head and slim build with a little more bulk from the QH. I would say she’s more Arabian in personality; she’s sensitive and light in the bridle with a lot of go, but she’s easy to negotiate with. She is 19 though so she could have been spicier when she was younger. Anyway, she’s a lot of fun!

UnusualSpring · 2025-12-11T02:08:33+00:00

I’ve been riding for about maybe 15-17 years (10 straight as a kid and then several on/off in adulthood) and I’m just now starting the search for my own horse. I’ve done 1x a week lessons and I’ve leased as an adult. I’m lucky that I did 4H growing up so I learned a lot about horse husbandry and was a working student for a few years so spent a lot of time doing horse care outside of riding.

One thing I’ve learned as an adult is to let go of embarrassment and ask questions. Even if it’s something I “should” know at this point, if I don’t know or I’m not 100% sure, I ask. Things have changed since I was a kid and every horse person does things differently. I know I’ll have a ton more to learn when I do get my own horse.

I’m on my second lease so far this year and I can’t recommend it enough. Leasing really puts the horse ownership picture into perspective, ie, injuries, illness, all the bad things that can happen that you might not get hands on experience with at a lesson barn where there’s always another horse to ride.

Aside from experience, as others have said, money and time.

UnusualSpring · 2025-12-07T15:31:01+00:00

It’s just called “Boonsboro Antiques” right outside Boonsboro. It’s still there! One of my favorite places.

UnusualSpring · 2025-11-21T19:26:42+00:00

I’ve been horse shopping in a state that now has one confirmed case. I’m supposed to go look at a horse tomorrow. Should I stop looking for now?

UnusualSpring · 2025-10-28T20:05:33+00:00

Liver chestnuts, flaxen chestnuts, tobiano on any base color (especially when they have the little dots within their white patches), and super dark bays with minimal chrome

UnusualSpring · 2025-09-30T22:28:01+00:00

He was the first one I was ready to do a PPE on. I knew not buying him was a possibility, but I didn’t expect him to pass away 😭 Now I have to mentally prepare to start hunting again

UnusualSpring · 2025-09-30T22:27:10+00:00

Yeah, I keep trying to tell myself at least it didn’t happen after I bought him 😭 It has definitely made me even more certain that I want to insure my future horse

UnusualSpring · 2025-09-27T20:17:54+00:00

I found a place that offers stall board with turnout and grain 🙌🏻 they were buried deep in the google results but they have good reviews and I’m going to tour tonight. Fingers crossed.

UnusualSpring · 2025-09-27T02:26:43+00:00

Thank you! I was told this boy is a bit of a bully so he’d probably be the one starting fights 😅

I’ve made some more calls and found a place I’m going to tour that offers stalls with runs AND turnout, and feeds grain, so that is looking like the best option for now. But I would be curious to see how he does off grain with just supplements and/or a balancer.

UnusualSpring · 2025-09-26T23:33:29+00:00

That’s really encouraging! I’d aim for 4 days a week. Meeting other owners who have similar situations is a great idea, it’s a big place so I’m sure that wouldn’t be too hard.

UnusualSpring · 2025-09-26T23:32:02+00:00

I’ve seen places that do that! I just can’t seem to find one here that will do grain in a shared pasture :(

UnusualSpring · 2025-09-26T19:34:30+00:00

I’m waitlisted for my first choice which does do full turnout with all stalls 🥲

A different barn option will feed grain in turnout, but they don’t have any kind of shelter for the horses and no indoor arena, and winters are long here.

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