A WWYD?

[Britestar]

You haven't ridden for 3 weeks.
You have a large (too big for you) very spooky horse.
Its blowing a hoolie, 30mph winds. Gusting stronger.
Its the first day you can ride.

Do you:
A. Say leave it another day, its too windy and he'll be an idiot.
B. Ride, but in the confines of a outdoor school.
C. Go for a hack.

 

[Equine_Dream]

Lunge first, then get on in the school.

 

[pansymouse]

A. If you have to ask you don't want to ride, no shame in leaving for another day, it's supposed to be fun.

 

[Bernster]

Is there a prize ?

I’d maybe have a crack at lunging. If not, it would be A for me but I’m a wuss! Set yourself up to succeed, if that means more turnout, walker, lunging, ground work, whatever works for you and horse to be confident and have a good experience.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Well I would do C. But what I would do is irrelevant.

If you don't want to ride today, then don't.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I wouldn't lunge first as it winds my horse up even more, but I would probably do B - and if he felt like a coiled spring leave it for another day or do walk work, and if he felt fine then crack on.

 

[laura_nash]

I wouldn't ride a too big for me, very spooky horse whatever the weather so not sure what I would do will help you much ?. Maybe 20 years ago..

 

[Maryann]

Wait for a calm day and do the least exciting thing as if you did it yesterday but with slightly shorter reins.

 

[cauda equina]

A
After 3 weeks off a bit longer won't make any difference

 

[Roxylola]

A sensible person would do a or b i think, I bet you did c ?
With something decent to hack i likely would too, I often find they can be more looky in an arena than out and about cracking on

 

[Scotsbadboy]

I would see this as an opportunity to do some ground work in the school using the winds to flap anything and everything around him to desensitise him a bit more

That or A.

 

[skint1]

Well, I do have a horse that is too large for me but not spooky, but is also currently not in work for a few reasons (me, her, money) I would add D- do some groundwork in the school!

 

[Britestar]

Very tongue in cheek - and Roxylola of course you are right, I did C! lol

Few spook spins at a tree trunk (been there a year, but hey), a snort and run past a bag caught on a fence, and a big trot the last bit because there was a tractor and trailer behind us!

He hates the school so that was never an option, lol.

 

[dogatemysalad]

For me, if the question was; 1) the weather is blowing a gale and I feel guilty for not riding for so long, so I ought to do this, the answer would be no.
Or 2) The weather is blowing a gale, but I've really missed riding, I'm feeling positive that I can stay safe today in either the school or out hacking, then the answer would be yes.

If my mindset is positive, tempered with a realistic judgement of my ability and knowledge of the horse, then I'm good to go, but some days it's wise to leave the tack in the cupboard.

 

[cauda equina]

Good answer dams

I think it really comes down to - Do I want to?
If the answer is no, for whatever reason, then I don't

 

[skint1]

Very tongue in cheek - and Roxylola of course you are right, I did C! lol

Few spook spins at a tree trunk (been there a year, but hey), a snort and run past a bag caught on a fence, and a big trot the last bit because there was a tractor and trailer behind us!

He hates the school so that was never an option, lol.

Good going! Sounds like you had fun!

 

[Roxylola]

Very tongue in cheek - and Roxylola of course you are right, I did C! lol

Few spook spins at a tree trunk (been there a year, but hey), a snort and run past a bag caught on a fence, and a big trot the last bit because there was a tractor and trailer behind us!

He hates the school so that was never an option, lol.

We hacked in the same sort of weather this morning - supercob is in work though but also hates our arena. I've never ever known him ask to go home. Honestly I could happily walk past the end of the lane and if I didn't turn him up it to go home we'd just carry on. Today we got to a turning we go down sometimes and he sort of angled for it as if to say please can we go down here and we can be home in a few minutes. To be fair it was absolutely torrential rain for the entire time

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Very tongue in cheek - and Roxylola of course you are right, I did C! lol

Few spook spins at a tree trunk (been there a year, but hey), a snort and run past a bag caught on a fence, and a big trot the last bit because there was a tractor and trailer behind us!

He hates the school so that was never an option, lol.

Excellent, that's what I'd have done. Planned a short hack but extended it depending on manners.

 

[atropa]

I'm planning a B tonight, with the added fun that my horses have been on boxrest for 17 days before today.