Do any of your horses ENJOY being ridden?!

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EquestrianFairy

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I dont think my girlie does
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Although im sure im too senstive about it, when i tack her up she stands there looking so unhappy.. im sure shes almost dozing! Then she'll walk out the stable or walk with me while i move to get on verrrryyyyy slowly (like its a big effort)

When im on, shes alright, she can be nappy and lazy so i have to work on making her walk with a forward motion and not horizontal as she'd like.

She feels like she lacks energy but shes ridden 5 times a week, lots of nice long hacks, schooled 30 mins a day during this time (shes only young) we do different things, some little log jumpings, some trail riding up hills etc.
Ride out alone, with company (this doesnt change her attitude either way)

Saddle is recently fitted, new comfortable english leather tack, teeth/back done 3 months ago. No foot pain (ie, no digital pulses, warm feet etc)

Am i being too sensitive?
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My boy has days like this. He used to be like a lot when he was in his first year being ridden, as he's very laid back, until recently, after his second season hunting, where he seems to have gained some confidence. He also had a couple of months off serious work when I was in hospital, the break has done him good as he's now much mor enthusiastic about showjumping. Maybe try doing something a little scarier, such as a show, or pleasure ride (one coming up from the Black Cock pub
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) to get her going a bit and help her gain confidence?
Or maybe she needs a new girth
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Sounds like she's a bit sour.

Magnus loves being ridden. He works very hard as a driving horse 6 days a week and he's ridden every now and then, mainly as a lead for the babies but occasionally on his own. He strides out (somethinghe never does under harness!) and loves it, he's ridden in an open bridle, with a western contact (or lack of it) and no saddle, mainly because we don't have one to fit him and he hates them anyway! He produces the softest roundest paces i've ever seen, espically for a 3/4 shire horse!
 
How young is she?
Whats her feed?
Does she have time in the field with company when not being worked.
Long hacks, hills and schooling 5 times a week may be a lot if is she is still immature and growing
Our lads are keen to get going, be it schooling or mooching about or hacking, and love going out in the lorry to shows or on holiday.
They are not whizzy types but are happy to be doing things.
 
LOl- PM'd you muffino...

Shes 6yo, fed bailys low cal/splash of cod liver oil and apples!
shes turned out 24/7 unless its very hot- although she is muzzled as she has gained some weight which i cannot shift so i do bring her in to have a muzzle break and guzzle some hay.

Baileys suggested added some oats to give her some instant energy but as yet i havent.

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oh god, she hates me then!

Shes very green and i only ask things of her when schooling- out hacking her pace picks up but not to the extent where i need to hold her back (which would be a nice change!!)
 
My mare is like that when being tacked up..she literally shuts her eyes and pretends shes asleep, but as soon as we are out the gate she is happy as larry
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My horse loves being ridden ,when i go into her stable with the bridle she walks towards me and pushes her head into the bridle.. very cute to watch .

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*
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makes me feel even worse*
 
My horse is a miserable git most of the time, he's a nightmare to tack up too. But as soon as I get on him he's the happiest horse ever! Quite bizarre really.

I used to ride a Highland pony that really disliked being ridden mainly because it took him away from his favourite pastime of eating!
I wouldn't feel too bad about it tho, she can do what she likes for the other 23 hours in a day
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my 15 year old cob hates being ridden, he tries to bite anyone in range when putting his saddle on...infact even when his saddle comes in to view! lol & he stamps his feet doing the girth up.

hes very lazy 2 ride and gives naughty little bucks if u tap him with the whip while going into canter... although he loves being driven! his pace changes and he actually has his ears forward! he does make me laugh!!
 
My mare is often half asleep when I tack her up and slowly walks out the barn and stands at the mounting block for me to get one but when im on she doesnt want to stand still for me to adjust stirrups or girth at all. But after warming up her lazyness depends on the day or if i've ridden her the day before, that sort of thing.
 
no horse will ask to be tacked up and ridden. It's not natural after all, and really, we are doing it for us rather than them. But some do not mind, and those who really dote on their owners will probably wake up when the owners arrive with the tack - but they are probably looking for treats/a scratch rather than the saddle.

Mine is not bothered about it, as she is very good to tack up, but like every other horse out there, she would rather spend her time in the field.
 
Actually, I just brought in and tacked up a newly broken 4 yo this evening. She saw the headcollar and walked towards me and put her nose in it.

Tacked her up, and her owner (my friend) got on her and took her in the school for 20 minutes. That little pony really enjoyed her schooling session and for the first time managed a lap on each rein in canter on the correct leg first time.

Not bad at all for a pony who was broken in April, turned away and re-started last Friday. Bless her, she was absolutely worn out after all that effort!
 
Yes, i really think that Merlin does enjoy being ridden..... he never complains or pulls faces when being groomed or tacked up, he willingly creeps closer to the mounting block so I can get on easily.... and then off we go, ears pricked for the whole ride. The only time they really flop is when another horse is in front..... he does switch off a bit then, but in a relaxed way, not a bored way
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So I think he likes it..... even more so in company.... so long as he is in front!!!
 
One of my horses loves being ridden, he swallows the bit instantly, and at the end even when he's sweating he's still forward going and raring to go....on the other hand, my other horse is so lazy and walks so slowly down to the school, and really fast towards the gate, he'd like to be done even before we start!
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My mare is like that when being tacked up..she literally shuts her eyes and pretends shes asleep, but as soon as we are out the gate she is happy as larry

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LOL! T does exactly the same thing! Glad it's just not mine - those coloured cobs are clever beggers!
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I have one who hated being ridden but also hated being left out if he wasnt ridden!!! He was not in pain but a bit of a joker!

I have one who loved going out on hacks and just being busy. When he refused to be caught I knew he was in pain and called it a day with riding. When a horse, who has always galloped up to you, starts galloping away I think you have to listen to the message being given!

I had a mare who enjoyed it too when she wasnt in season. She loved doing things.

I think some do and some dont, and some just accept it.
 
The thing I love most about my horse Jack is that he appears to enjoy being ridden and loves his job. He opens his mouth when I pick up the bridle even though now he is hacked in an English hackamore on the lightest of contact. I have spent a year getting him fit and back into work, taking it really slowly and carefully and he is a 12 y.o heavy cob.

Maybe your horse is lacking in strength and stamina if she is only young, and if she is the late maturing type (ie a big boned horse) perhaps you are working her too hard, -seems to me like you are doing quite a lot per week.
When our ID/TB were 3.5 - 4. years old they only did 20 min sessions three times a week and mostly that was hacking round the block or little canters round the field or ten mins in the sandschool and ten mins in field and a little walk up the road. They got worn out very fast at that age.
Need to keep it fun and not stressy or too serious too. Obviously they need to learn good ridden manners, but I find some people are far too intense and goal orientated with young horses and push them awfully hard.
If you want a sound, keen friend that will last you years, as your riding partner, try easing off a bit.
Its not a machine!!!
IMO they need to be built up very slowly when young so as not to cause physical and mental stress.
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Yes, my boy loves it. He particularly enjoys schooling and you can almost hear his brain ticking away as he works. He's forward going in the school and out on a hack and seems to 'perk up' when given a job to do.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The thing I love most about my horse Jack is that he appears to enjoy being ridden and loves his job. He opens his mouth when I pick up the bridle even though now he is hacked in an English hackamore on the lightest of contact. I have spent a year getting him fit and back into work, taking it really slowly and carefully and he is a 12 y.o heavy cob.

Maybe your horse is lacking in strength and stamina if she is only young, and if she is the late maturing type (ie a big boned horse) perhaps you are working her too hard, -seems to me like you are doing quite a lot per week.
When our ID/TB were 3.5 - 4. years old they only did 20 min sessions three times a week and mostly that was hacking round the block or little canters round the field or ten mins in the sandschool and ten mins in field and a little walk up the road. They got worn out very fast at that age.
Need to keep it fun and not stressy or too serious too. Obviously they need to learn good ridden manners, but I find some people are far too intense and goal orientated with young horses and push them awfully hard.
If you want a sound, keen friend that will last you years, as your riding partner, try easing off a bit.
Its not a machine!!!
IMO they need to be built up very slowly when young so as not to cause physical and mental stress.
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Shes only little, a 14.2hh sec D- although i wouldnt say at 6yo she could be compared to a 4yo's work to be honest.
I dont want a machine and i have no goals other than having fun and doing some shows- shes worked 5 days a week for not more than 2 hours a day and personally i dont think thats classed as 'hard work' compared to 6yo in competition worlds.
Im only light myself so shes not carrying a big rider, nor do i ask much of her (apart from our 30 mins schooling).

Perhaps she just hates me
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the 5 yo isnt bothered.although she loves to go out if there is any food involved-even if its just gazing dreamily at a lush grass verge!plus im sure she realises she gets a slightly bigger feed on work days
older mare-loves her hacking.really loves it.gets bored very quickly schooling though.
bey is only 2 but gets very jealous when i go past her box without popping the saddle on-she looks round at it like 'yeah i DO look good in this' although not sure what she will make of being ridden lol.
 
I used to look after a dear little shetland mare who loved being ridden, if she was out in the field and she saw you walking to the yard with a saddle and bridle she would come galloping up the the gate neighing.
She was also the only horse I've ever met that would nap away from home because she wanted to have a longer hack!

What a shame she was only a shetland, imagine a big horse with that attitude to work!
 
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