Are people riding?

[AnShanDan]

I’m sorry if it hit a nerve, but I absolutely stand by it. In my opinion people focus far too much on ridden work with horses when solid ground work training should be the foundation for everything else. Ask Richard Maxwell!

It didn't hit a nerve with me personally, I am a Pony Club DC, I see many people who don't approach working with their horses and ponies the way I would, however, I don't patronise them (well, I hope I don't), it doesn't help.

I'm over and out from this discussion. All the best to everyone in the weeks and months to come, whatever they decide to do with their horses.

 

[Upthecreek]

I’m out too. I have very personal reasons for feeling so strongly about some of the choices people are making at the moment, but I appreciate that others feel they have equally strong reasons to justify their choices. Stay safe everyone and let’s look forward to better days ahead.

 

[MagicMelon]

I'm continuing to ride but only in a very relaxed way in my field - Im not hacking, just because I feel thats more risky. Im just mainly walking about in the field doing walking exercises / poles etc. so very slow and basic! Im not cantering about as she isn't the most balance and whilst she is very safe, my field is rutted after winter so Id hate for her to trip on something. I think unless there was a specific ban by the government then its up to the individual as to what they wish to do. Nobody should shun anyone else. Everyone is taking what they want from this lockdown anyway - they said "essential" travel, we only go out in the car to the food shop, but Ive seen loads of people parked up at the forests for walks - thats hardly essential is it, driving to a place to then go for a walk?

 

[Winters100]

Can I politely suggest that your continuing to preach the same message again and again is becoming more likely to put people into oppositional defiance and make them carry on riding when they were on the verge of stopping?

.

Much as hearing their feeble and selfish excuses makes me much less understanding of their decisions. So many horses that are so badly trained for that they cannot be handled if not ridden? Pathetic.

 

[milliepops]

it's that "you catch more flies with honey" thing isn't it.

 

[Winters100]

No, can't see how it would be we were typing at the same time, it was aimed mostly at Winters comment about how bad everyone's mental health must be for them to have to ride.

Simply because numerous people have stated that they HAVE to ride because of their mental health. I find this insulting to the tiny minority who DO suffer greatly with mental health problems. No doubt there are 1 or 2 here, but there simply cannot be the huge number of cases as those who here claim that this is necessary for them. Being sad / frustrated / angry that you cannot ride is absolutely NOT the same as it is for someone with a genuine mental health problem.

 

[Upthecreek]

I'm continuing to ride but only in a very relaxed way in my field - Im not hacking, just because I feel thats more risky. Im just mainly walking about in the field doing walking exercises / poles etc. so very slow and basic! Im not cantering about as she isn't the most balance and whilst she is very safe, my field is rutted after winter so Id hate for her to trip on something. I think unless there was a specific ban by the government then its up to the individual as to what they wish to do. Nobody should shun anyone else. Everyone is taking what they want from this lockdown anyway - they said "essential" travel, we only go out in the car to the food shop, but Ive seen loads of people parked up at the forests for walks - thats hardly essential is it, driving to a place to then go for a walk?

FYI

 

[Dyllymoo]

Simply because numerous people have stated that they HAVE to ride because of their mental health. I find this insulting to the tiny minority who DO suffer greatly with mental health problems. No doubt there are 1 or 2 here, but there simply cannot be the huge number of cases as those who here claim that this is necessary for them. Being sad / frustrated / angry that you cannot ride is absolutely NOT the same as it is for someone with a genuine mental health problem.

Outrageous honestly. Just because you don't deem someone to have a "genuine mental health problem" does not mean they don't. How DARE you state that "... there simply cannot be the huge number of cases as those who here claim that this is necessary for them". You don't know people's personal issues....

 

[milliepops]

^ or who is reading and not posting.

 

[Wheels]

Erm... 1 in 4 people in the world will suffer from mental health problems during their lifetime.

Who are you to say who does, who doesnt, who is just managing to stave off depression etc.

Calling people pathetic, really nice of you

And do you know what, it is absolutely none of your business whether people ride or not, wise up!

 

[Tihamandturkey]

Nasty nasty comments from Winters100 ?

 

[ester]

Simply because numerous people have stated that they HAVE to ride because of their mental health. I find this insulting to the tiny minority who DO suffer greatly with mental health problems. No doubt there are 1 or 2 here, but there simply cannot be the huge number of cases as those who here claim that this is necessary for them. Being sad / frustrated / angry that you cannot ride is absolutely NOT the same as it is for someone with a genuine mental health problem.

You have no idea whether it is 1 or 2 or 10. Don't be so invalidating of other people. It is never ok to do that.

 

[Goldenstar]

Outrageous honestly. Just because you don't deem someone to have a "genuine mental health problem" does not mean they don't. How DARE you state that "... there simply cannot be the huge number of cases as those who here claim that this is necessary for them". You don't know people's personal issues....

However my father has severe mental health problems and I can’t see him , it’s likely he will never recognise me again .
I don’t class riding because for instance it makes you less anxious the same category as what my father is risking by me not seeing him .

 

[Dyllymoo]

However my father has severe mental health problems and I can’t see him , it’s likely he will never recognise me again .
I don’t class riding because for instance it makes you less anxious the same category as my father is risking by me not seeing him .

There are different types of mental illness, but for someone to put a blanket statement invalidating people is not ok.

 

[ycbm]

Winters, please stick to telling people in Poland where you live how to behave.

And fyi, I am on the waiting list for mental health therapy which I now won't get because the resources have been redeployed. Barring my horses and watching tv of an evening, my entire way of life has been removed overnight, and you want to guilt trip me into giving up what sometimes feels like the only thing that stops me jumping off a tall building.

How dare you question the mental health of people you don't know, never mind those who have declared that they have issues. We have a forum member who was thrown out of her psychiatric ward weeks early because it was requisitioned for the virus. She is riding to stay sane. If she's reading this thread, your astonishingly crass remarks could send her, or anyone else, over the edge.

.

 

[Goldenstar]

There are different types of mental illness, but for someone to put a blanket statement invalidating people is not ok.

I agree but just because someone has mental health problems does not mean they can opt out for the collective responsibility we have at this time to avoid ending up in hospital and we all know that riding is always a risk sport the most saint like horse can stumble and off you come .

 

[Dyllymoo]

I agree but just because someone has mental health problems does not mean they can opt out for the collective responsibility we have at this time to avoid ending up in hospital and we all know that riding is always a risk sport the most saint like horse can stumble and off you come .

I haven't stated whether I think people are right/ wrong for wanting to ride because they want to/ have mental health needs etc. I was directly responding to what Winters posted about mental health, not necessarily in the context of riding but the blanket statement made.

 

[Goldenstar]

Winters, please stick to telling people in Poland where you live how to behave.

And fyi, I am on the waiting list for mental health therapy which I now won't get because the resources have been redeployed. Barring my horses and watching tv of an evening, my entire way of life has been removed overnight, and you want to guilt trip me into giving up what sometimes feels like the only thing that stops me jumping off a tall building.

How dare you question the mental health of people you don't know, never mind those who have declared that they have issues. We have a forum member who was thrown out of her psychiatric ward weeks early because it was requisitioned for the virus. She is riding to stay sane. If she's reading this thread, your astonishingly crass remarks could send her, or anyone else, over the edge.

.

Riding is a choice ,in my view a wrong one atm who ever you are what ever is wrong with you

 

[ycbm]

Riding is a choice ,in my view a wrong one atm who ever you are what ever is wrong with you

Do you people think we haven't heard you?

Use your energy lobbying Boris to ban it.

Christ almighty it's legal, let it rest.


.

 

[Wheels]

Riding is a choice ,in my view a wrong one atm who ever you are what ever is wrong with you

It is your personal view... your personal opinion

Not fact. Not my view. Thanks and goodbye to this thread and at least one person from up the page going into the sin bin that is user ignore lol

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Stop bickering, for goodness sake!

People on here are losing friends, colleagues and family, there is absolutely no need to score points.

Some are stuck in small houses and flats with NO outside access apart from the once daily exercise, some of you here are much more fortunate, just think about it before you protagonists keep locking horns!

Post #157 repeated.......

 

[PapaverFollis]

I think it's so so important to remember how shit this is going to be for everyone's mental health. Those of us that still can are very very fortunate to be able to get to see our horses at all at this time. Or ever at all actually.

There's plenty out there whose mental and physical health would be vastly improved by just patting a horse every day but they'll never know that because they will never be privileged enough to try.

Stop fighting. Take a breath. We're all stressed and worried and lashing out.

I just brushed the big girl and got covered in white hair while being snoofled for treats by the little monkey pony... it was wonderful. It was enough for me to feel better today.

 

[ester]

Even getting photos helps , even if my mum struggles to take any without giving him a mahoosive head! Grazing photo today almost has him proportional

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I have anxiety over not riding (YOLO, so it while I can, my horse needs it, etc.) but I also have anxiety over riding (obvious reasons discussed on here). The battles of the anxieties!

I am trying to minimize risk. Today it was windy, more people are out, and my horse can be fresh, but not dangerous. My friend hacked on her horse, I walked my horse in hand. We maintained a distance, but could still talk and relax. She made her choice, I made mine.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I ventured off the premises earlier this afternoon, for the first time since the lockdown, for a tootle round the local lanes. One of the first things we met was a mum with baby, pushchair and a large red parasol .

I took no chances and put my normally trusty bike firmly into shoulder in, kept my leg on and we went past with barely a shy .
The world, his wife, his kids, his grandparents and his dogs were out as well, never seen so much non motorised traffic.

 

[ester]

mine spooked when someone used their horn yesterday!

It was definitely quieter around here than it was on monday for people out.
But my old 80+ neighbours were sat out the front (sunnier), 3m apart, with a glass of wine each when I got back.

 

[doodle]

I never started this thread with the intention of people arguing. I will ask that it’s closed.

 

[Iris1995]

 

[Winters100]

Winters, please stick to telling people in Poland where you live how to behave.

And fyi, I am on the waiting list for mental health therapy which I now won't get because the resources have been redeployed. Barring my horses and watching tv of an evening, my entire way of life has been removed overnight, and you want to guilt trip me into giving up what sometimes feels like the only thing that stops me jumping off a tall building.

How dare you question the mental health of people you don't know, never mind those who have declared that they have issues. We have a forum member who was thrown out of her psychiatric ward weeks early because it was requisitioned for the virus. She is riding to stay sane. If she's reading this thread, your astonishingly crass remarks could send her, or anyone else, over the edge.

.

Firstly I do not think you have read what I actually wrote. I understand how some people suffer greatly with mental health issues, which is why they should not be used as an excuse by others who do not have these medical conditions. Given that so very many of those continuing to ride refer to mental health it is obvious that not all are genuine - and this is insensitive and insulting to those who really do suffer. Plus if large numbers continue to ride it will probably be banned, so much better if those who can cope do not ride, and then those with genuine problems may just be permitted to continue.

Secondly when I no longer have family and staff in the UK, and am no longer subject to taxation there, I will consider it none of my business. Until then I am just as entitled to my opinion as anyone else here.

 

[ester]

It is not in anyway obvious that these people are not genuine.
Please stop.