To keep or not keep?

Question
Hello,
 Well I've had a difficult two years with a horse that I am leasing... and the difficulty isn't just with her.  I'm just struggling I suppose.  She is not trained, and she's my first horse, and I have never trained a horse.  I just had someone close to me work with her, and she told me straight that she needs a LOT of help.  From someone who really really knows what they are doing.  I don't have money to put into her (I don't have a job) and my parents don't want to put lots of money into a horse that isn't ours.  My questions is, what are your thoughts on what I should do?  Should I just give her back to her owner?  Should I keep her, and if so how long?  I know that her owner won't sell, and is only looking to lease out.  I just feel so helpless. I don't know enough to do much with her, yet I have no money to have someone else train her.

Answer
Leases generally are because the person wants a horse they can enjoy and ride, for trails and just general riding.  Or are for people that want a horse they can compete on some, and win, plus get the experience of riding a nice horse, that they normally would not be able to afford.

You are the first person I think I have ever come across that has been leasing an untrained horse.  To me, the benefits of this are all on the owner's side, as I can not see one thing you are getting out of this, especially if you are buying the feed, paying the farrier, and the vet bills?

To try and work with an untrained horse, you need to know what you are doing, and what you are wanting to accomplish too.  When you don't know what you are doing, nor how to accomplish the things that need to be taught, you are flying blind, as I am sure you know.

I would get out of this, give the horse back, and if you are wanting a horse to learn from, that you can enjoy, look around, as there may be people near you with nice, gentle, trained horses that would love to have someone come groom and ride.  And you may really be lucky, and not have to buy feed, or pay farrier too.  And it could even work into a job down the road possibly.

There is also no reason for someone who is leasing a horse to have to pay to train the horse too.  That is solely the owner's responsibility.

Depending on your age, and your location, there are many horses right now that are needing homes, that are ridable and safe.

But if your parent's don't want to spend much money, having a horse of your own would be tough until you can get a job to pay for it.

Search for someone that you can maybe do barn work for, that is good with horses, that you can learn from at the same time you can earn some money.  That way, you will learn the things that you need to know, and will have a chance to put them into practice.