Hey everyone, so I’m kind of having a crisis of faith. I’m getting a little tired of writing, reading and researching all the nightmare-inducing and vile acts being done in the horse world. The horse world is supposed to be my happy place and, in addition to the atrocious images now floating around in my head, I’ve had to repeatedly cancel on my own horse. It’s not fair to him – he’s used to having 110% of my attention, and it’s not fair to me, I’ve enjoyed giving him 110% of my attention. For so many reasons, ones that I really don’t want to go into in a public forum, that horse is my sanity and instead of making the most of our limited time together I’m busy writing about idiots on craigslist. If I can’t figure out a way to use this blog and its wonderful readership to help the horses then it’s no longer going to be a priority for me.
I’ve really enjoyed writing Snarky Rider and am loathe to give up on it, but I really feel I need to concentrate on me and my own happiness – because ain’t no one else going to 
Right now, I’m going to continue to feature Rosemary Farms for September, and I’ve spoken with LEARN and they’ve agreed to be October’s featured rescue. We have Jenna’s ornaments on sale, and a portion of the proceeds from which will be donated to the monthly rescues. I’ve emailed the contacts I already have in the Rescue Network Database to talk about options and how we can work together to proactively help the horses.
I’m open to suggestions on all fronts. If anyone wants to become a regular contributor and help keep the snark alive, I’d welcome the help! Ideas on how to use the blog to help horses (like the filly featured last week) – please email me at snarkyriderblog@gmail.com.
20 Comments
Good for you taking care of yourself and your sanity!
*hugs*
You need to take care of yourself and your horse first!
But I would be sad to see the blog go. I don’t get to ride as much as I used to and can’t get my own horse yet, so I loved connecting with other horse people here!
I have often wondered how anyone finds the time, to not only keep posting, but to also research for future good articles. While it can be depressing at times ( Northstar and TWH soring ) I somehow feel the need for my daily dose of snark. If I wanted sunshine and rainbows, there are plenty of other sites for that. Snarky/Fugly have a rep. for calling people out on the crazy stuff they do – and I think we all, not only have laughed at others expense, but also learned alot. I for one, will never load a troublesome horse with a plastic baseball bat ( not that I EVER would ) because it might show up on utube and then picked up and ripped apart on Snarky/Fugly. You did a good job and I commend you on your decision to give more time and attention to your horse(s). If we all did, the world would be a better place.
Spots, your post makes want to hug you!
I totally understand where you’re coming from. Seeing so much bad stuff can affect anyone like that. I have a few suggestions: 1) Find some other volunteer writers and come up with a schedule of who writes when. 2) Instead of posting everyday, pick a day to post vile stuff, good stuff, rescue features, etc. That way, you can stay sane.
That’s all I’ve got at the moment; I’ll keep thinking on it.
I think this is what kills all good equestrian snark sites- our lives are too busy in the first place! I am sure we all know what it is like- horses demand a huge time investment, and just when you think you have it all under control, your horse has an abscessed hoof and a lower leg that resembles a stovepipe… I am pretty sure no one here will be mad at you if you back down to a less strenuous schedule or include more writers.
hmmmm wait- are you still the writer of the Fugly Blog, too? (I can’t keep up)
Wahhhh all my favorite horse blogs are leaving me. Oh well. Not that I blame you. I’m not sure how I could find the time to do it either.
lol yes I am. And I’m going to keep writing Fugly since I have Charm’s help there and well, it’s paid. I needs the money for the pony! lol
I’ve seen some of your stuff on HORSE NATION. Why don’t you team up with them, and do a weekly column, rather than daily? I’d bet HN could use another writer.
You should do what is best for you and your horse. If that means stepping back and taking a break from the blog, then so be it. I must say though, that I have loved reading this blog ever since I found it a few months ago. You’ve done a wonderful job with it.
Take a break – ride your horse! Get your horsey zen back then decide what to do .
All the best to you and your pony………… ~ KD
Well this is a very personal decision an i think you should do what is best for you and your horse. But I will tell you one thing: this blog has helped bring to light a lot of stupidity and abuse that might have remained unknown to the public otherwise. ure, you can’t help every single horse, or even most horses, but the Internet is a powerful tool that has the power to bring people’s together.
It’s people like you that helped the general public become aware of what was happening to the BL horses. It’s thanks to you that the public has spoken for harsher laws against animals abusers. So don’t ever feel like your work on this blog was not enough.
It’s also thanks to you that we’ve shared some amusing moments, shared some ideas on horse training and even learn new things. It’s also think to you that a lot of people got to know the fine work of some really amazing rescues.
So, if you decide to leave, know that you made a difference and that you will be missed.
And if you decide to stay, bring on the insanity!
I quit watching tv news a decade back because of exactly the same fatigue. Snarky will be missed but put me in the totally understand category.
OTOH, have you thought about more guest snarkers?
aww im gonna miss this blog ):
did you get the pictures of my friend riding her foal?
I congratulate you on a wonderful and informative blog, and I can understand the reasons for reducing the time spent on it. It would not be good if the blog took up too much of your horsey time, and if you are not enjoying writing it it could quickly become repetitive and stale.
Without this blog, I would not have even known what soring was, and I would still have been confused by those horrible photos of TWHs I saw all years ago in a book of horse breeds.
Sounds like you have secondary traumatization. Totally understandable because you have had the courage to face ( and snark about) the reality of the mistreatment of so many horses. Self care is vitally important, as is your caring for your own horse. Although I will miss the blog I applaud and thank you.
Good for you. I understand totally. Life is too short. We all have to decide how we
are going to spend our valuable free time, of which there is so little. We just can’t do everything. We have to say no sometimes.
My goodness, I would miss you immensly! (and I’ve never even commented on this blog before, I just faithfully read it) You have to do what is best for yourself, as you said no one is going to put you first so you have to do it for yourself!
I cannot imagine the time and dedication it takes to write a blog like this, but you’ve accomplished a lot through Snarky and your efforts do not go unnoticed by all of us!
You rock my world and I will miss you if you go, but I could totally understand (with 2 time consuming equines of my own and a 50 hour/week job on top).
You will be greatly missed Snarky-this blog has cracked me up so many times, and given me so much information. No one will fault you for taking a break-enjoy your pony time!!
Take a break! Let me know if you’d like a guest post here and there. I can probs do something, I’ve been thinking about it for Fugly but I just haven’t had the time to sit down and channel all my rant into the keyboard (in a semi readable way that wouldn’t have everyone scratching there head at wtf I’m writing!).