[sabrina]

After my GP told me I would need a major operation I decided it was time to sell some of my Shetlands. Turned out that once I had been to the hospital ( took 16 wks for the appointment to be seen ) My GP was wrong and other treatment to start with ruled out the need for major operation much to my relief. By this time I had sold 4 ponies and although they have all gone to good working homes I keep asking myself did I do the right thing. My black stallion went to a friend in Ireland, chestnut stallion to make up a driving team of 6, all chestnut Shetlands. Ridden gelding has now a young rider who loves him to bits and the skewbald being broken to be a  ridden show pony. I still have ponies here but how I miss the boys. Letting go is very hard but if I had needed the operation then there would have been 8wks when I would have been out of action and it would have all been too much for my OH to look after. Even then I would not have been fit enough to do what is needed every day. I suppose there comes a time in all out lives when we have to face the fact that we are not able to do so much. I feel sad but do know I did the best for my boys and their new owners are being very kind and keeping in touch.

[SallyintNorth]

It sounds as though you found wonderful homes for all the ponies you sold  , and of course you did the right thing, making sure your OH would be able to cope if you had have needed that op.

It's great that you don't need the op, and of course you miss your babies, but they have lovely homes and are very happy.  So now enjoy being at home and being with all your other babies! 

[shygirl]

that's so sad but it sounds like they all have good home.
I was mis-diagnosed once by my GP and was told I was going deaf at 28 but actually it was a deferred problem with my teeth. I did learn sign language though  before I found out my ears were fine.
think of this a new beginning and if you decide to restock you have the chance to get a new bloodline.

[Bionic]

So glad that you didn't need your op after all but your boys sound as if they have all found wonderful homes so don't be sad its onwards and upwards for them. 

[Buttermilk]

It sounds like the ponies have all found wonderful homes and it gives you more time to play with the ponies that you have left.

[ellied]

A year ago I was using a walking stick, in constant pain and having to push and tip round bales in a field with mud and slurry that was over my wellies.  GPs were adamant it was my arthritis and incurable.  Some days I could have had the 12 Highlands pts and walked away with a small bag.  Last November I finally had referral for biomechanical assessment and am so grateful to the physio highland breeder friend that told me what I had to push for.  Took 5 mins to diagnose, 9 months on I was walking unaided with minimal painkillers, better posture and over 80% improvement.  The rest probably is permanent but that's OK!

I now have 5 adults and 2 foals here and 2 mares on ridden loan including one I wouldn't have parted with ever.  If I could sell or find a good breeding home for the stallion I'd be soon down to 3 OAP ponies and honestly I am looking at how to have a complete free year for 2015 when I turn 50 and want to go away more than one weekend a year.  I can't believe how my position has changed realising how vulnerable I am and how stressful life can be.  It would shock some folk that knew me when I bought, bred, rehabbed and rescued animals and ran 20 ponies on 2 sites with a demanding day job, 2 evenings work self employed and most weekends on courses or teaching them!

But anyway, be glad of good health, of good homes and freedom to choose to keep going and expand numbers again if you want.  And have my sympathies for misdiagnosis and all it puts you through pointlessly.

[sabrina]

I was very worried about the time I would need to be out of action. At least that is not going to happen. I do find these days that jobs are getting harder reason being joint and back problems so maybe its a blessing that I have less to look after. My OH always says that one day we can have a one bedroom flat but not in my time I hope.