Anyone got perfectly healthy field ornaments

Penny Less

Penny Less

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10 March 2009
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Have been seriously considering giving up riding now due to a) being a coward b)having a total spookaholic c) a and b combining to make me very wary of injury now due to advanced age of rider!

Horse is only 15 though. I dont want to sell him as I feel he is so insecure that he would take it badly being moved on again, also not 100% sound but can be ridden. He would quite like to spend his life in a field but is he too young to retire? I need to keep him because I would be bored rigid without a horse cant face going through finding a safe *confidence giver* which this one was supposed to be. I actually dont think I will miss riding as did have a year off when my old lad retired.

Suppose I need to justify spending livery money on him when hes not earning it !!
 
If you enjoy looking after him but don't want to get into the saddle again then why not think about getting a rider for him a couple of times a week just to keep him ticking over..Someone who wouldn't mind him being abit quirky.It would be a shame to sell him if you enjoy being with him.
 
yup - me.

perfectly healthy ID/TB spends 90% of her time being a field ornament.

very difficult ride, prefers reverse rather than walk forward, totally unpredicable and quite possibly not 100% mentally right ;)

Lovely fun horse from the ground - not so lovely in the saddle.

Owned her from 9mnths old and she's now 11, wouldn't part with her for the world.

Does make it easier and more justifiable that she is kept at home though so only costs me feed and farrier (and occassionally vet!!).
 
I was on a yard with a lovely pony who had been outgrown years ago and after a few loan homes retired. Her owners (former child rider and her hubby) loved taking pony out for walks in hand, grooming and I think occasional showing. Enjoy!
 
My shetland is an ornament and he is only 11. I did break him and very occasionally - as in once or twice a year my Niece might ride him bareback. He is not bothered, why should he be, he is well cared for. My new horse is having a very easy time of it, due to her being a nappy so and so, but I am hoping to get over this hurdle, and start to ride her properly.

If you get enjoyment from looking after him, why not try to find a grass livery for the summer to keep your costs down ?
 
You're not alone! I have three!

When I was home in Scotland I rode two of them every day. Now I am living in France and have lost all incentive :( Sometimes I ride every day then I don't ride for weeks. Its getting too hot in my region now and the mouche plates are out in full force, my horses go completely feral when they land on them. So thats it, I can't be a##ed :p


(Mouche Plate is a disgusting looking crab like fly that goes under a horses tail and bites them around their bum hole. My horses hate them :()
 
yes! only occasionally ridden 18 yo IDxTB. Did lots with him in younger days but hes a bit unpredictable hacking solo (not scared just bolshy) and that's all I can do here with him (used to be at yard with others and manege, now have them at home so dont have either). He still hacks out when OH is around and can summon the enthusiasm to come out with us. Because he isnt 100% a steady ride I am wary of getting another rider, also at 18 not that many would be keen to bother I imagine.

I got an unbroken Haflinger for company for him and backed her with YO and within about 6 months I felt more comfy on her out hacking, she's also less far to fall off!

Sometimes I feel a bit guilty but if they are well cared for and have plenty of good quality turnout with nice grass and things to look at, and seem happy ie not the stressy type, then I doubt that they will be really deprived.

I think your reasons sound fine for why you would consider retiring him, much better than passing him from pillar to post. After all, people spend loads of money and time on their dogs (incl me!) and they dont perform much useful service other than looking lovingly at you. If you are OK with spending the livery money (and theres generally ways of reducing costs like taking shoes off, not needing new tack every 5 mins etc), then go for it and just see how it goes!
 
Nothing at all wrong with it if you are happy and so is the horse. You may wish to look into getting a sharer or just do something different with him that doesn't involve riding. My field ornament loves clicker training. She can't be ridden due to injury but sometimes gets bored and loves a session of CT in the arena.
 
When a friend was questioning her instructor about her then young just backed mare, the instructor asked her what her plans were for the mare. My friend replied 'I was going to have her as just a hack but having been told by many people she was too good for that and should be eventing I think I should sell her so she can reach her potential'. To which the instructor said 'the horse doesn't know it's potential..to her she's just a horse and would be happy as larry in her field with her mates eating. If you love her and want her for life then you keep her and if hacking out is all she does then that's a wonderful life for any horse to have.'

When I hear people sprouting about how much their horses 'should' be doing I think about what she said. If your horse is happy being a field ornament (and I know for a fact my 10 year old would LOVE to be!!) then why not? If you get pleasure from just having him around and can afford to keep him as a pet then absolutely why not!? I know damn well if I ever gave up riding so would my horse because I won't sell him to anyone!
 
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