Anyone else discoverd they don't really mind not riding?

[DizzyDoughnut]

I've had a long break from riding due to having a herd of elderly ponies for years and not being able to afford to add another rideable one to my little herd.

I bought a youngster a year ago who should be lightly broken in this summer and at the end of last year I got a steady cob.
The cob arrived underweight and with pretty much zero muscle. I've ridden him a few times since I've had him but he doesn't particularly enjoy it, he tolerates it and does what is asked. He is actually quite unsure about things when you're on him but he's not one for big reactions, his default reaction is to freeze or slow down.
For this reason I haven't ridden him for a while, it's no fun to me to make my horse unhappy just so I can ride him. Instead we've been going out on inhand walks to build both his confidence out and about and his muscles. He loves going out like this and I've taken myself completely by surprise and discovered that I'm in fact not that bothered about riding him and actually prefer exploring with him on foot.
I've gone back to the beginning with groundwork and if at some point he is happy and willing for me to get on I probably will but if that never happens my plan is just to continue doing whatever we both enjoy in hand.
Other people either seem to think I should just ride him, whether he likes it or not or that I'm not riding because I'm scared to which has led to people offering to ride him for me and getting a bit sniffy about it when I say no, because I'm apparently wasting him and he needs to be ridden etc. I sure they think I've lost my mind. But I've discovered that what I enjoy is just being with my ponies and seeing them happy.

At the moment if the horse was genuinely happy and willing to be ridden I would probably ride but I would probably still spend more time doing stuff from the ground than riding.

It's made me consider if so much of what we ask of them is fair, I used to work as a groom on NH racing yards and now I can't bring myself to even watch racing along with a lot of other disciplines both professional and amateur, everywhere I look I see unhappy horses and horses in pain, obviously there are plenty of happy horses out there doing their job but there are also so many that are not and I just can't unsee it.
I don't even know what the point of my rambling on is or if there even is a point.

 

[Griffin]

My mare is lovely to ride but due to lots of reasons (work, home, she has been lame, I have been lame), I haven't ridden her very much since Christmas. If I am totally honest, I don't miss it. I know that when I feel like riding, I can hop on and we can go for a quiet hack. Likewise, I know she is really enjoying spending her time in the field in the day and in her stable overnight. I think if everyone is happy with the arrangement, it's fine.

 

[maisie06]

I will never ride again. In my teens and 20's I loved riding, hacking all over the place, shows, etc but now I can't bear to watch some sports- especuially dressage, the horses look tense and stressed. I think if I lived in the US or Canada where I could potter around trial riding I might have continued riding but the UK isn't a very good place for horses, I stopped hacking because of dangerous roads and out of control dogs, and I hate riding in a school...I am also too heavy to ride these days.

Horses don't NEED to be ridden so if you enjoy groundwork, carry on and tell people to mind their own business.!

 

[JBM]

I love riding and I love just looking after the horses but don’t miss riding really when I don’t have the time prefer spending time with them in the field

 

[Esmae]

I stopped last year. Still have 2 of my own and look after 3 others and still enjoy doing that. I'm not really missing riding. Odd times I think it would be a good day for a ride but rarely now.

 

[Jenko109]

I have a 17yo schoolmaster out in the field who hasnt been ridden in months and possibly I wont ever ride him again.

He has gone a bit feral and is absolutely in his element just dossing about in the field all day with his friends.

 

[ycbm]

I'm not missing riding since having to give up in January but I'm struggling to work out how much of that is because I don't have the horse I really want to be riding. If i don't start missing it, I won't keep another, it's too expensive in livery for them just to be a pet.

I'm struggling like you to work out how much is fair to do with them, when they hide pain so well and are so stoic.
.

 

[dreamcometrue]

I haven’t ridden my own horse for a year (injured). I really miss that because it’s so easy and lovely but I have got used to it. I’d be back on like a shot if I could. I get offered rides but I’m not really that keen because it just isn’t the same is it?

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I've been given up with horse ownership for over a year and have ridden once in that time, a sunset hack in Cyprus.

Very occasionally I get the "I'd quite like to go for a gallop" but it's not often enough to get back into it. I wouldn't want to ride at an every day rs, I wouldn't want to share due to the commitment. I don't miss horse ownership at all.

I've had that time in my life and at present don't want it back. I was horse made from 4 years old, until I was about 25, gave up at 31.

I don't miss the costs, time commitment or yard politics. When I had my own, I'd spent more time doing all the chores including clearing up other people's horses s**t when poo picking so by the time it got to riding I couldn't be bothered. The costs were absolutely ridiculous and the reason I gave up. I don't miss the stress of having to finance all the horse costs each month especially given the cost of living increase, and couldn't justify regular hacking or lessons as they aren't cheap.

If I do ride again it'll probably be very ad hoc and would need to be special setting eg a beach ride/ school master lesson. I wouldn't want to just do a standard lesson on a standard rs horse as I preferred hacking when I had him and choosing the pace to go at - we used to go for a lot of blasts and being in a group with people who didn't want to would be incredibly frustrating, hence why I don't want to spend money on it.

 

[canteron]

It’s the time of year that I wonder if I should give up but I have a glorious youngster, I really enjoy as a character, and the thing that keeps me going atm is to give her an education so I have a good chance of getting her the best home, should one day I discover I just don’t want to do it anymore.

 

[Red-1]

I don't miss competing as much as I thought I would, but then, I don't really have one that is keen to compete right now, so that may be it.

When I got Rigs, he wasn't really rideable. I mostly led him round the village and 'worked him' at walk, with celery to encourage him to be a little more forward. I had no wish to force him to go, besides, he was recovering from Lami when OI bought him and, looking back, I think it was a full year before he was truly comfortable.

But then, a day like today happens. I just did a post on his thread about it...

And today, riding was glorious. Not because of me but because of him.

Rigsby has been great. First, he dropped a load of coat. Then, he has been begging to be ridden. I tie him up daily to give some attention and he has been really disappointed when he hasn't been ridden.
View attachment 111578

I have been riding once a week or so, just round the village, but he has been asking for more. A few weeks back I took him in the school and he loved it. I'm talking proud, tossing mane, forward and enthusiastic. Today, I had popped BH over some fences in my arena, and I decided that Rigs too could have a play.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7222637204118588678

Then, a friend rode by so we walked off together.

Finally, Rigs had his first bath of the season. Just a light one, don't want all his grease stripped.

View attachment 111579

Rigs is just wonderful. He champions the idea that older and sick horses can find a suitable home, with care. Plus, he is so worth spending time on. I know we don't know how long we will have together, but then, I am the one who bought a new, expensive and young horse, which dropped dead half an hour after arrival, so he didn't have much to do to beat that one!

I officially retire tomorrow, so maybe Rigs can step it up and do more. He is as sound as any horse now, not on any medication, not a hard keeper. He now travels beautifully too. It is nearly time for him to go back to the care home for a pat visit!

I have been riding him out once a week and goodness only knows, he isn't relly fit enough to jump. However, he saw the fences go out for BH and was all but tacking himself up to have a play. We just did the X pole twice and he was squeaking, tossing his mane, so proud.

I did also work BH, but that was work, because it was schooling he needs but I would say he would have preferred to be loafing than working! So, needed doing to fulfil my plans, but not as fun as it was for my agenda, not his.

 

[Peglo]

i don’t miss riding that much at times when I can’t/don’t have anything to ride although the odd times I think it would be good. But when I am riding I love it. Helps to have a wee horse who enjoys it and just feels right. But riding is definitely bonus to being an owner rather than a priority to me.

 

[dottylottie]

when i didn’t have a horse, i did really miss riding and being around them, even though i was looking after a friends a few days a week and riding her. but even with lily being lame, i find i still spend hours at the yard doing god knows what, and i’m not fussed about riding now - it’s frustrating just wanting my pony to be right (roll on tuesday!), and annoying that i can’t really do anything with her, but more than missing riding i’m annoyed i’ve not been able to use the flag i got at a steve young demo to do any groundwork or anything

i’m riding my friends again, but it’s more of a favour to her than because i miss riding as much as i’m enjoying riding her

 

[eahotson]

It’s the time of year that I wonder if I should give up but I have a glorious youngster, I really enjoy as a character, and the thing that keeps me going atm is to give her an education so I have a good chance of getting her the best home, should one day I discover I just don’t want to do it anymore.

I am in the same situation.

 

[Vermeer]

I bought a saddle back in January, and so far I've ridden in it 4 times...

Enjoy your horse however you find best. It's not all about riding. They can bring us happiness in so many ways

but even with lily being lame, i find i still spend hours at the yard doing god knows what

This is me!

 

[Landcruiser]

I thought I didn't. Oldies are retired/almost retired, and youngster won't be backed for a while. I thought groundwork and judging and helping at TREC would be enough. Apparently not - I just part loaned a connie x that was in need of a rider. Having barely ridden in the last year or more, I was worried about losing my riding fitness. At 60 (hem hem) I'm not ready to hang up my jods yet.

 

[smolmaus]

I didn't do much at all with my pony at all for the first 6 months I had her except play around with groundwork and got similar reactions. Started backing her then didn't ride her more than once a week for another 4 months. When I did get on with it she was easy peasy, most of the buttons were already installed via voice, she knew me, I knew her, we were both comfortable with eachother already. I still haven't pushed her to canter under saddle, the arena is a bit deep and a bit small and I don't want to make it harder than it needs to be. Again, I'm getting the same "what are you doing" reactions from some but who cares. I'm happy, pony is happy, we will get to it when we get to it.

She has had a period of time off ridden work for a stifle issue recently and we have been doing all our physio exercises at liberty and having a lovely time!

 

[Spotherisk]

I’ve found that I don’t mind it at all, except I’d love to still be riding Harley. He is 31 and happily retired though, so my boots are hung up (probably).

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

Since I lost my arab 3 years ago the light seems to have gone out of my riding life. I owned him for 18 years, we were so absolutely in tune with each other to the point where any horse I've ridden since doesn't hold any real joy for me. I know I can't expect to find that magic again, it was once in a lifetime. I've got an elderly but full of beans and great fun section D Welsh mare that I haven't ridden for over a year, I groom her, get the tack out and realise my riding mojo has disappeared and the saddle goes back on the rack. I do genuinly miss riding, it doesn't help that I've got my own little yard here at home so there's nobody to pep talk me back into it, and nobody to ride with.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

It’s the time of year that I wonder if I should give up but I have a glorious youngster, I really enjoy as a character, and the thing that keeps me going atm is to give her an education so I have a good chance of getting her the best home, should one day I discover I just don’t want to do it anymore.

I don't ever feel like I want to give up having them, I love having them. I'm also loving teaching my youngster about the world, he's so nosy and friendly he loves doing anything with you as long as you. He's also not shy about telling you when he's not happy about something, we went for a groundwork lesson once and the trainer really annoyed him. They were a fan of rope shaking and just increasing the shaking to the point of the rope hitting him in the face till by accident he did what they wanted. They were trying to get him to back up, he is very good at backing if you just point and say back he instantly goes back he just had no idea what he was meant to be doing. We never went back there. If you ask fairly he will try his heart for you. If you just keep upping the pressure and try and bully him into doing something he will tell you exactly where you can go. With him you never have to guess if he's happy about anything because he clearly makes his feelings known.

I don't miss competing as much as I thought I would, but then, I don't really have one that is keen to compete right now, so that may be it.

When I got Rigs, he wasn't really rideable. I mostly led him round the village and 'worked him' at walk, with celery to encourage him to be a little more forward. I had no wish to force him to go, besides, he was recovering from Lami when OI bought him and, looking back, I think it was a full year before he was truly comfortable.

But then, a day like today happens. I just did a post on his thread about it...

And today, riding was glorious. Not because of me but because of him.


I have been riding him out once a week and goodness only knows, he isn't relly fit enough to jump. However, he saw the fences go out for BH and was all but tacking himself up to have a play. We just did the X pole twice and he was squeaking, tossing his mane, so proud.

I did also work BH, but that was work, because it was schooling he needs but I would say he would have preferred to be loafing than working! So, needed doing to fulfil my plans, but not as fun as it was for my agenda, not his.

I love reading about Rigsby, he's amazing and so lucky to have found his way to you! If my cob was as happy to be ridden as Rigsby I'm sure I'd probably be riding him. At the moment I'm just letting him build up his muscle and we'll try again maybe by just hopping on for part of our in hand walks and see how it goes.
The other day it was really warm and sunny and I thought it would be lovely to ride on the beach so we got the trailer out went for an in hand walk on the beach instead and it was lovely, loads of dog walkers stopped to chat and compliment him, it was far more sociable than when I've been riding him.

My old retired pony has come out of retirement because when I've been working with the others he's come and joined in by himself so he's now learning liberty work, today we've been doing polework at liberty, I only do it when he asks to join in and he's free to stop any time but he seems to be loving it and physically it's doing him good, he's looking the best he has in a years.

 

[TPO]

I'm struggling like you to work out how much is fair to do with them, when they hide pain so well and are so stoic.

This.

Until Friday I would have confidentially said that all my horse's needs were met and that I went above and beyond for him.

Long story short it was decided to get a vet rather than usual EDT to do teeth. New horse needs sedated and had an extraction. The vet sedated to treat and in doing so found something fairly major that has been missed for years.

At best my horse has been fairly uncomfortable and at worst in a lot of pain FOR YEARS. He's never given any indication of this. The vet said that horses are very stoic with dental and orthopedic pain but complete wimps with digestive issues.

I've had his teeth done every 6/9/12mths in alignment with EDT advice. I would have confidentially said I was a conscientious owner until, well, now

So despite trying to do the best, using qualified and experienced people I've still managed to fail my poor horse

As an aside his dental issues are a result of the malnutrition he suffered as a youngster. I got him as a 2yr old skeleton. Again, I thought I'd done everything right by him to counter that but alas a very poor start has a lifelong impact.

So yeah, when I actively look for issues and a lifetime of pain has gone unnoticed what else have I missed? On top of that I do see horses that are noticeably in pain out and about so how much pain are they really in.

Ugg

More and more I teeter on the edge of the rabbit hole but I feel like I'm staring into the abyss now.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

I didn't do much at all with my pony at all for the first 6 months I had her except play around with groundwork and got similar reactions. Started backing her then didn't ride her more than once a week for another 4 months. When I did get on with it she was easy peasy, most of the buttons were already installed via voice, she knew me, I knew her, we were both comfortable with eachother already. I still haven't pushed her to canter under saddle, the arena is a bit deep and a bit small and I don't want to make it harder than it needs to be. Again, I'm getting the same "what are you doing" reactions from some but who cares. I'm happy, pony is happy, we will get to it when we get to it.

She has had a period of time off ridden work for a stifle issue recently and we have been doing all our physio exercises at liberty and having a lovely time!

I'm sure the other people on my yard think I'm insane but I just don't care, as long as the horse is happy and I'm happy and we're not harming anyone I can't see why it's a problem.

I'm hoping that by spending time on the groundwork, when we do get to the point of trying riding again he will be more confident both in himself and in me and will be happy to do it but I will always listen to him if he says no and we'll just continue with what he does enjoy.

Tonight when I went to the field my little gang all came up to me and all promptly fell asleep so I spent half an hour sitting on a bucket while they snoozed around me and I loved every second of it, that's what makes having them worth it for me.

I'm coming to realise that it's not that I think we shouldn't ride but that making them do things that cause them to be uncomfortable either physically or mentally just so we can ride them or do whatever with them is not something I want to do. I can't find any enjoyment in making my horse uncomfortable or unhappy. If my lovely boy was happy be ridden then I would ride him but it just isn't the most important thing to me.

 

[tda]

The thing is DizzyDoughtnut, when you feel ready to ride again , I'm sure your horse will tell you as he will also have gained so much confidence in this time.

 

[ihatework]

I haven’t ridden consistently for over 3 years now and I don’t miss it at all. I have no desire to ride at the frequency I used to ever again.

Don’t get me wrong, I like dabbling here and there but I’m picky about what I ride and when.

 

[smolmaus]

I'm coming to realise that it's not that I think we shouldn't ride but that making them do things that cause them to be uncomfortable either physically or mentally just so we can ride them or do whatever with them is not something I want to do. I can't find any enjoyment in making my horse uncomfortable or unhappy. If my lovely boy was happy be ridden then I would ride him but it just isn't the most important thing to me.

Yeah, like sometimes learning new things is uncomfortable for them but if it leads to a better quality of life overall and having more skills I think thats different. I use a lot of R+ so even the uncomfortable parts at least come with snacks! If something was consistently hard or upsetting for them I would have trouble persisting too.

 

[Red-1]

I love reading about Rigsby, he's amazing and so lucky to have found his way to you! If my cob was as happy to be ridden as Rigsby I'm sure I'd probably be riding him. At the moment I'm just letting him build up his muscle and we'll try again maybe by just hopping on for part of our in hand walks and see how it goes.
The other day it was really warm and sunny and I thought it would be lovely to ride on the beach so we got the trailer out went for an in hand walk on the beach instead and it was lovely, loads of dog walkers stopped to chat and compliment him, it was far more sociable than when I've been riding him.

My old retired pony has come out of retirement because when I've been working with the others he's come and joined in by himself so he's now learning liberty work, today we've been doing polework at liberty, I only do it when he asks to join in and he's free to stop any time but he seems to be loving it and physically it's doing him good, he's looking the best he has in a years.

Rigs did months mainly walking in hand. Then I used celery to help him see a point to schooling. I think it was easier to just do that because I bought him more as a companion as anything. There were no ambitions for him. He is, like your other one, pretty much a horse of leisure. That is what makes it so special when they want to come to work.

 

[Ceriann]

I’ve spent most of the last three years walking my horse in hand. We’ve been everywhere and people in our village are used to seeing the big dog! Anytime I have an issue with my mare, we start work with in hand and increased carrot stretches. We’ve done loads of ground work, she backs up like Usain Bolt next to me for a carrot stick and she’s better behaved than my dogs on walks. It tells me how she’s feeling, I don’t ride unless she’s walking out freely and comfortably. It also means I ride very little and if I’m honest I’m probably less stressed when I’m not!

 

[Cortez]

I have slightly urprised myself by not missing riding in the slightest after retiring 3 years ago from a lifetime of professional riding and training. My last horse went almost exactly 1 year ago (after his own 2 year retirement to the paddock) and whilst I was sad to lose him I am revelling in not having to be responsible for anything other than my dogs. Those morning lie-ins are glorious.

 

[SO1]

How much I enjoy riding depends on the horse. I enjoyed my hack at the riding school today as I was on a horse that behaved really well.

 

[Bob notacob]

I dont mind not riding every day now . After over half a century of daily riding ,I am prepared to take the odd day off . What I cannot do is not see Bob daily. I miss him and think he misses me too (Editors note from Bob "In your dreams Mike!!!!" I scalded my foot badly a month ago and had to make a shoe out of Duct tape and cardboard just so I could still go and see him.