Dolphin
Well-Known Member
I really hope the responses to this post will be that I am talking complete and utter rubbish, but we will see.
My mare has just injured her tendon for the second time. She did it 6 weeks ago and is now sound and in no pain. Between myself and my vet we have decided to give her 5 months off but she is still in the same routine as when she was in work i.e. turned out every day and stabled at night. I am still "doing" her every day and spending time with her grooming her but I am concerned because at times she seems really down in herself.
Some mornings when I turn her out she walks to the field with her head virtually on the floor and just seems less interested in things. I am sure the fact that she is not being ridden has something to do with it - if she is not in any pain, how can she understand why she is not being ridden. All the time that I used to spend riding her, I am now not spending with her. I am also sure that she used to enjoy her work, be it in the school or hacking out etc.
On the other hand, I know how ridiculous it is to credit horses with human thought process/emotions.
What do you all think? Can a horse can get "down" through this type of change in routine? Or I am just talking nonsense?
My mare has just injured her tendon for the second time. She did it 6 weeks ago and is now sound and in no pain. Between myself and my vet we have decided to give her 5 months off but she is still in the same routine as when she was in work i.e. turned out every day and stabled at night. I am still "doing" her every day and spending time with her grooming her but I am concerned because at times she seems really down in herself.
Some mornings when I turn her out she walks to the field with her head virtually on the floor and just seems less interested in things. I am sure the fact that she is not being ridden has something to do with it - if she is not in any pain, how can she understand why she is not being ridden. All the time that I used to spend riding her, I am now not spending with her. I am also sure that she used to enjoy her work, be it in the school or hacking out etc.
On the other hand, I know how ridiculous it is to credit horses with human thought process/emotions.
What do you all think? Can a horse can get "down" through this type of change in routine? Or I am just talking nonsense?