you can add me or not...just wanted to say a few things *not* on such a big community's post.
1.) Sometimes having a mental breakdown after riding isn't necessarily because of the stress from riding, although it certainly could be in your case if you find the team stressful and unsupportive. But horses are *really* good at bringing out our emotions in us, mirroring them back to us, and expressing themselves whatever they sense we're hiding. Part of that 'magic' is because they're prey animals and so they're very attuned to our smallest nuances of body language, right down to knowing when our breathing or heart rate changes. And part of it is because they're horses, and they seem to have some sort of ability to touch us emotionally and no one's ever been able to explain why...
When my life is stressful sometimes I find out by walking into the barn and bursting into tears when I see my horse; I know I can't hide anything from him! So just know that your emotional breakdowns could just be where your emotions tend to come out and not *necessarily* a sign that riding itself is stressful (although certainly it could be).
Also just wanted to mention that your post talked a lot about what your parents decided, and not as much about what you decided. Its hard when you're in college to make your own decisions because it some ways you're stuck... but given how important horses are to you, and the propensity in general for non-horsey parents to totally not understand that, it may be worth *really* letting them know just how much you want George at college with you (if that's still what you want). And just how much its upset you to have him leased out in another state far away.
And, one last thought...certainly it was nice of your parents to pay for George as long as they did...but I would assume if you're at Mount Holyoke, that they really want you to be at college...and being at that rigorous a school, I would think being a student is still your job, and having *your* horse there might go a long ways towards stress regulation y'know? Of course, I also know what Mt. Holyoke's tuition rates are like...and can see where its the tuition or the horse. :/
It does get easier, less frustrating in some ways, once you're done with school and making your own money...
Thanks so much for taking the time to put some thought into my questions! I really appreciate it. You've been very helpful. =) I think I'm going to take a break for a while until I feel more ready to get back into it. I definitely will, but for right now, the timing and situation is just bad for me. I'm just really close with my parents and they make a lot of financial decisions, which as you know has a lot to do with horses! Trust me, my parents really wish I could have George here, but the board is upwards of $700 a month, and collectively we just can't afford that AND lessons AND vet/farrier/emergency money, etc. Anyway, thanks again for your help...I think I'll be fine just leaving it alone for a few more months or so, maybe a year.
you can add me or not...just wanted to say a few things *not* on such a big community's post.
1.) Sometimes having a mental breakdown after riding isn't necessarily because of the stress from riding, although it certainly could be in your case if you find the team stressful and unsupportive. But horses are *really* good at bringing out our emotions in us, mirroring them back to us, and expressing themselves whatever they sense we're hiding. Part of that 'magic' is because they're prey animals and so they're very attuned to our smallest nuances of body language, right down to knowing when our breathing or heart rate changes. And part of it is because they're horses, and they seem to have some sort of ability to touch us emotionally and no one's ever been able to explain why...
When my life is stressful sometimes I find out by walking into the barn and bursting into tears when I see my horse; I know I can't hide anything from him! So just know that your emotional breakdowns could just be where your emotions tend to come out and not *necessarily* a sign that riding itself is stressful (although certainly it could be).
Also just wanted to mention that your post talked a lot about what your parents decided, and not as much about what you decided. Its hard when you're in college to make your own decisions because it some ways you're stuck... but given how important horses are to you, and the propensity in general for non-horsey parents to totally not understand that, it may be worth *really* letting them know just how much you want George at college with you (if that's still what you want). And just how much its upset you to have him leased out in another state far away.
And, one last thought...certainly it was nice of your parents to pay for George as long as they did...but I would assume if you're at Mount Holyoke, that they really want you to be at college...and being at that rigorous a school, I would think being a student is still your job, and having *your* horse there might go a long ways towards stress regulation y'know? Of course, I also know what Mt. Holyoke's tuition rates are like...and can see where its the tuition or the horse. :/
It does get easier, less frustrating in some ways, once you're done with school and making your own money...
/insanely long comment
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