Just over two years ago, I achieved a lifelong dream – I bought my very own pony. But the truth is, it very nearly didn’t happen. In fact, I have the EquiTeam community to thank for giving me the courage to make it a reality. Without them, I’d probably still be daydreaming rather than mucking out!
Like a lot of people, I was a typical horse-mad child but my family weren’t the least bit horsey, but the bug bit hard when my Dad took me to meet his colleague’s pony and I had my first ride and that was it – I was hooked.
I could talk for hours about my riding school adventures. My first was a family farm where you learned rising trot out on a hack from the other children shouting “up, down” until you got the hang of it. Turning out at the end of the day was, let’s just say unique. You’d open the field gate – which was conveniently right off the yard – and then walk around opening random stable doors in no particular order and the ponies would gallop across the yard into the paddock. It was quick, efficient, but probably not a method I’d recommend!
Eventually I moved to a more traditional riding school, where I spent many happy years and even had a loan horse, until university took over. Then came a long horse-free gap – partly down to time and money, and partly because the riding school sadly closed.
Life is too short
It wasn’t until after Covid, like many people, I had a bit of a “life’s too short” moment. I wanted horses back in my life. Having moved in with my partner, I found a new local riding school, booked a few lessons which I loved and then heard about their loan scheme. This was when I was matched with Maggie. A 14.2hh, 15-year-old cob, as chunky as she was sassy. In my eyes, she was perfect. She had her quirks – she planted herself firmly if she didn’t fancy doing something, which made hacking alone a no-go, and she wasn’t exactly keen to canter in the school. But she’d pop a jump, and she made me smile.
Our early days weren’t always easy, but over time I saw her improve. We struck gold when I met another loaner who loved to hack, and suddenly Maggie was much happier out and about once a week in good company. Then one day, the riding school owner pulled me aside. She’d noticed how much Maggie was enjoying her hacks with me, and that she wasn’t enjoying riding school life and asked ‘Would I be interested in buying her?’ I almost laughed. Me? Own a horse? Surely that was for the rich and elite types – not little old me. But by then, I was an avid listener of the EquiTeam podcast, and here were people who sounded normal. People who weren’t millionaires, just horse lovers making it work.
Fulfilling a life lng dream
I was torn. Owning a horse would fulfil a lifelong dream – but it was also a massive commitment. How would I afford it? Fit it into my life? Could I really take on the responsibility for years to come? The sensible voice in my head was listing a thousand reasons not to do it… but then there was the voice saying, “You’ve always wanted a pony.”
So, I took a baby step. I joined EquiTeam as a member. I thought I’d just quietly learn a bit more about horse care, and maybe get a reality check. Membership gave me access to their huge library of educational videos – but the real gold was the closed Facebook group.
Feeling like a total fraud, I introduced myself. I didn’t even own a horse, yet here I was joining a horsey community. I half expected to be told to come back when I had one. Instead, I got the warmest welcome. In fact, I think I even got a mention on the podcast as possibly their first horseless member (there have been more since!).
The advice poured in – practical budgeting tips, time management strategies, and a big dose of enthusiasm. People shared how they’d made it work, even when it had seemed impossible at first. The support was incredible.
After weeks of thinking, spread sheeting, and talking things over with my boyfriend and family, the answer became clear. If I really wanted this, I could find a way.
And so I did… I can’t wait to share part two with you next time.
Samantha x
