Competing - Is it a Good Thing?

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dieseldog

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I only have a horse to compete on. I really enjoy it, even the feeling totally sick for 90% of the time, the fustration at not doing it right, the depression when it always seem to go wrong. It all gets cancelled out by the times it does all go right and you feel on top of the world. And I am shockingly quite competitive, I love feeling cocky and full of confidence after a few good runs. But is this a good thing? Do you think that horse feel the same way? It seems they can get bored of it as well.

So do you think that competion is a good thing for the horse world or is it doing more harm than good? If horses had been left alone and not bred to jump etc they could all live out without rugs, not be shod, not be bigger than 14hh

Do you think it is alright for kids to be subjected to losing at an early age - they want to ban competitive sport in schools
 
the only reason i have ever had a horse/pony is to compete on, even my first pony. i would get so bored without competition, which gives me something to aim for with my horses. and i think i do get over competitive, but i think its a good thing to know how it feels to loose at a young age- makes you a stronger person and all that
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Glad to hear it's not just me who feels sick 90% of the time... I enjoy competing afterwards when I'm safely in the lorry on my way home, still in one piece. Going to comps always feels like going to the dentist.

I too would get bored without competing. I need my adrenaline fix.
 
I do better at work when I'm out competing at the weekends, especially when I'm doing well and despite being shattered on most Mondays. It makes you feel good about yourself as well as feeling fitter - so for riders I think it's a great thing.
I am very keen for the kids to learn to win and to learn to lose.
As for the horses, whilst they clearly enjoy going to parties - I make a big deal about them always having a positive experienbce, so ensure they don't do too much, aren't overfaced, have lots of rewards & rest etc. Generally mine really enjoy themselves, but I know plenty who would probably give it up for life.
 
These days I don't need competition. I can see it's attraction and potentially it can teach you a lot of skills that can help you in other areas of life.
My horse does seem to enjoy going out, he always gets straight on the lorry/trailer and looks to enjoy the sights at competitions. He also needs work to keep him occupied. Having said that, I only take him out a handful of times a year. It's good to show him off and put into practice the work we do at home.
 
I really enjoy it! I like all the preparation, even the early mornings. It's even better when it goes well. I hope my horses enjoy it - they box well and don't scrub their plaits out so I presume they do!
 
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Glad to hear it's not just me who feels sick 90% of the time... I enjoy competing afterwards when I'm safely in the lorry on my way home, still in one piece. Going to comps always feels like going to the dentist.

I too would get bored without competing. I need my adrenaline fix.

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Me too. I moved my horses to a field with no facilities only hacking....... only then did I discover just how much I dislike JUST hacking and how much i do enjoy schooling and competing. I am now going back to the yard and having the schooling competeing option again
 
I am sitting on the product of hundreds of years of competitiveness. My horse is a TB with a dash of hanovarian. He has been bred through hundreds of years of selective breeding and the product is the Yak!
Competition drives me to improve, push myself and the horse to see what we are capable of. Horses tell you very quickly if they have reached their limits. But somebody once said to me no horse knows if its the best in the world they are just happy doing it. Primmores Pride does not know he has entered the record books. He just enjoys it.
 
Are you sitting on him now? Did not know you had wireless or is he in the bedroom?!

Mine loves competing, I love competing. I think half the problems people have with horses is they buy something bred to compete, don't work it hard enough or keep its brain occupied then have issues. Mine was sold to me as does not load - now trots up the ramp as every time he goes in the lorry it is a competition at the other end.
 
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Are you sitting on him now? Did not know you had wireless or is he in the bedroom?!

Yes, she's had him stuffed by the taxidermist....and is using him as an office stool....he'll be very good at halt now.
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I think its great for kids to learn about losing (and winning) from a young age. Competitive sports are good for them! I hate the fact that schools are trying to shield kids from being upset about losing, its pathetic!

I love competing and am very competitive. I believe my horses enjoy it too, or else I wouldn't do it with them. I think competition is fine for horses, as long as they are happy doing the chosen disipline and not pushed beyond their limits.
 
Competing obviously gives something to aim for and is good for the horse and sport / economy as a whole but I could be quite happy working away at home with my horse and 'competing against myself' so to speak as getting something right when schooling and knowing your horse is enjoying herself is worth just as much to me as winning a big class !
 
I love competing too and miss it terribly now when I rarely do. However, I think I enjoy the whole process the most - the training, bringing youngsters on, seeing them develop and get better and better - and then a competition to top it all. It's like a mind game but with an adrenaline bonus.
If I get nervous it is always before the show, when I enter the arena/course I am usually fine and feel on top of the world
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I don't think horses like competing in itself but I believe many enjoy the partnership with the rider.
 
The competion thing the preparation the adrenalin the highs and lows keeps me going, I've not riden for 9 days due to lameness and not sure when i can compete again its doing my head in! ask OH!! And ask grumpy in the stable he's not happy unless in work
 
Oh absolutely, without a doubt, competition is a very healthy, and totally natural thing; for every living being in the Animal Kingdom, including humans.

I'm a fairly non-competitive person but I never know if that is because when I did compete, I generally won. Nowadays I rarely compete against other people - but I suppose I still have competitions with myself, if you know what I mean.

I believe that this is so engrained in the Animal Kingdom, that not only is it silly to not allow competitiveness, it is also very damaging to our kind. Winning is just as important as losing - and it's something we should not try to alter, particularly by stupid laws.
 
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