There are only 24 hours in a day, seven days in the week and 365 days in a year, so we can’t – as much as we like to think we can – do it all.
Here are six things most equestrians have probably sacrificed at some point for their horses’ benefit…
1. Relationships
It can be hard for a significant other to come to terms with the fact that – no matter how hard they try – they will never, ever be the number one in a horse owner’s life. They might come a close second (unless you have numerous horses, or a dog) but unfortunately for them, that top slot is already filled. While you try to share the love as much as you can, relationships can become increasingly strained due to this four-legged presence. The final straw was probably when you forgot your partner’s birthday but remembered your horse’s…
2. Holidays
Your friends have stopped asking you on group holidays as they know that you’ll either not be able to afford it due to farrier costs, vets bills and show entries, or will definitely prioritise a weekend of competing over a weekend with them. Your summer holidays are competitions and/or camps and if you do ever want a day off, you’ll head to Badminton or Burghley to spectate – you wouldn’t have it any other way. Spa breaks aren’t really your thing…
3. Working out
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Do you really need a gym membership or sports club to stay in shape? Daily yard tasks such as mucking out and lugging water buckets means you’re certainly not lacking in strength. You get your endorphin hits after an incredible lesson and your cardiovascular health only gets better as you run up and down the field trying to catch your horse.
4. Money
With horses, any money we earn usually goes in one hand and out the other. Saving is pretty much impossible. While “normal” people might splurge on a nice bag or new car once their finances are looking healthy, we would rather treat our horses…
5. Sleep
Health professionals recommend humans get between seven and nine hours sleep per night. If you’re a horse owner then you’re likely to be surviving on much less. Early mornings to get a quick ride in before work, late nights spent doing jobs on the yard and late night/early morning road trips to far flung showgrounds at the weekend. What is this sleep you speak of?
6. Careers
Not everyone lives to work and many horse owners have jobs to fund their equestrian dreams. While some careers are built in the office, many riders put the hours in so they can live out their passions once they get to the yard.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
