Do horses care if they are ridden or not?

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LankyDoodle

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I have 2 horses. One is on box rest (sort of) and the other is out 24/7. Because we keep them on our own rented land, it has been difficult to take one out without the other, leaving box rested horse going mad in his stable. We have done it, but just not as regularly as we used to.

I'm now pregnant and George is getting ridden by my husband when he has time (trying to also finish the building work on our house before the baby arrives, so limited on time). I want to ride George, but I am 18 weeks pregnant and am finding I'm too scare to do it. I've never, touch wood, fallen from him out hacking, and have only fallen a handful of times in the school (last time was a couple of years ago now), but there are other dangers on the road (from traffic and other people), and there's always that first time. I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to me while pregnant.

I feel like a failure for not riding him, and although my husband does ride him most weekends, he's really just whiling away his days in the field at the moment. He is 19. He comes in to be groomed and is treated like a king, but it's this not being ridden lark.

Because of his quirks, it's difficult to find someone I would trust to ride him for me, and sharers don't seem to be plentiful round here.

I am just hoping I'm not ruining him. Do you think he cares?
 
I know some horses that get antsy if not ridden, but also know many horses who are more than happy just being a horse, and sometimes going for the odd hack. You're not ruining him, and congratulations!
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I think it depends on the horse. Mine certainly wouldn't.

I think the only thing when they're a bit older, is they can go downhill quicker if not kept moving (if you know what I mean)???

Don't beat yourself up about it though, you can only do what you can do.
 
Don't feel bad about not wanting to ride, when you get pregnant your priorities change - and quite rightly. I am sure your horse won't care about only being ridden at weekends. In the winter i can only ride at weekends because I work full time. My horse does not care, she might be a bit keen on Saturday morning, but nothing bonkers. Good luck with the baby.
 
Don't worry, riding in the winter isn't the bees knees! George won't mind not being ridden, just continue to pamper him and he will still think he is the king!!
Mine are turned out away now, cos family commitments come first and there is never enough hours in the day to do everything!!
Congratulations on the pregnancy - enjoy that too, and look after yourself! x
 
Don't beat yourself up over it LD.

There are many horse owners who don't ride because they're too bone idle, I think every yard must have one
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. You're not riding for a damn good reason .... look after yourself and Baby and George will be fine in the meantime.

My previous horse needed the mental stimulation of being ridden everyday, my current one couldn't give two hoots if she's ridden or not.
If George isn't coping with it, then that will be the time to re-assess
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Thanks, guys.
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You've made me feel a bit better.

Quirky - I was feeling like one of those bone idle horse owners actually! I know the ones you mean.
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George is quite a contented looking chap. I think it's just my own guilt more than anything. He's not looking sad and abandoned, put it that way!

Thank you again. xx
 
I don't think if he is in retirement mode, he will mind at all. His mind will be filled with what he is currently doing, I guess. I have often pondered this myself and I'm pretty sure my mare enjoys being ridden and would prefer to be ridden occasionally on a hack, if given the choice. If she hasn't been ridden for a few days, if you tack her up she will almost put her own bridle on and then stand at the stable door, ready to come out. And she has a favourite ride, and will "suggest" going further on it, rather than heading for home. But only generally once she's got going. But then thats probably because she's a mare, and nosy, and likes to keep an eye on the local scenery and various comins and goings. I think they just like attention now and then so I wouldn't worry as it sounds as if your boy is still getting plenty.
 
I don't think he'll mind too much, although obviously it would be better if he wasn't out alone. Is the box-rest stable actually in the field?

To keep him moving you could always lunge (assuming you have a place to do so, just a bit and keep moving around so not too little circles) or take him out/around the field long-lining. That way he still gets exercise and interaction and you are much safer :-)
 
Thanks HH.

Tickles - the reason he is out 24/7 is because we have had to put him in a paddock with a stable next to it so that both horses can still see each other and groom each other over the wall. They have stables next door to each other, but these are away from any field and so it is not practical to bring George in and away from Lanky, so we have put Lanky in stable next to paddock and George is in the paddock. Lanky is being gradually turned out now and will be out fully from early December. George isn't a horse that shows any distress at being left alone, and we have this arrangement because the other horse does. Saying that, I would rather have two or more horses out together whether they are OK being alone or not.

As for lungng in the field - at this time of year that's a no-no because of the state of the ground. He is getting ridden at least once a week and because he is out 24/7 he is never in a position where he is standing still involuntarily, for long periods. I guess I miss that one-to-one with him, and those nice long hacks husband and I would go on when both horses could be ridden.
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I stopped riding my girl when I was pregnant with my second son and then put her in foal. I have never seen a horse take to retirement so quickly. There is going to be quite an argument if I try to bring her back into work after foalie!
 
My mare is retired. I think if I showed her a saddle now she would pack up and leave home! If I produce a headcollar she finds reasons to make a hasty departure towards the field.
 
QR- I think it depends on the horse. My horse thrives on work in a way. He had a few months off and there was a noticable difference when i started working him, almost like he started to sparkle again.

A pony i used to have couldn't have cared less if i rode or not.
 
Do they fcuk, working horses is all for our pleasure and benefit not theirs. They just put up with us.
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Some horses have a mischievous or pushy nature, which is kept in check with lots of work, but ultimately the horse doesn't mind being mischievous or pushy, so it still comes down to it all being for our benefit.
 
I dont really think horses (or other animals) have the conceptual ability to 'care' in the way your question poses, and in the way we might consider a person to 'care' about something. I think that when people say their horses are happier in work, this could be attributed to a more settled routine or satisfaction of physical energy which would make the horse appear less 'bored'.
 
my 6 year old mare cares - she cares not to be ridden by choice and she trys to "hide" in the stable when i come along with her tack.....only one problem....she is 16.1 and hasnt really mastered hiding!!
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I think it depends on the horse Lankydoodle. Your boy sound happy enough
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My girl gets cranky, cantankerous and generally a pain in the butt. I think she has a strong work ethic
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[ QUOTE ]
Do they fcuk, working horses is all for our pleasure and benefit not theirs. They just put up with us.
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Some horses have a mischievous or pushy nature, which is kept in check with lots of work, but ultimately the horse doesn't mind being mischievous or pushy, so it still comes down to it all being for our benefit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree with above
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My boy gets ridden as and when. He lives out and I have limited facilities so if the weather is pants or I can't be bothered (ooo, shock, bone idle owner
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) he doesn't get ridden and in our country that can be alot of the year. I sometimes don't ride for months but still jump on and hack out with no problems.

An awful lot of horses and ponies never get worked for various reasons.

I think its important, if a horse is not ridden, that it, at the very least, has plenty of turnout and at best lives out if possible.

I think far too many people make their horses into a chore instead of enjoying them for what they are
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