Do you enjoy riding your horse?

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SpringArising

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And why/why not?

I thought this would make for an interesting thread as it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately.

For those who have horses you don't like riding - what's stopping you selling up and getting something else?
 
I was just thinking about this after reading the Micklem thread and trying to decide whether to sell mine and forget bringing my horse back into work, very long story but he was gifted to me and I rode him for the best part of 2 years but he was never going to be a horse that would do a job for me, he does not enjoy flatwork and is not a pleasurable hack, having turned him away we are both more than happy so he will stay in a long "retirement" selling or loaning is not an option as I promised him he would stay with me for life, if my circumstances change he will be pts.
 
There is almost nothing in this world I love more, maybe bedtime cuddles with my kids. It really doesn't matter if we're on our own or with others, hacking, schooling, competing I just wear the biggest, dumbest grin. If you don't enjoy it that much why would you spend hundreds of pounds every month?
 
Sadly I lost Jay Man last year, but I felt privileged every time I even sat on him. Six years of worshipping him.

Getting on him felt like coming home.

I loved that I am no natural athlete, but when I was on him I combined with him and could explore balance, power, speed, agility. He gave me wings.

I loved our adventures out and about. I loved that a tractor could come at us and I felt bullet proof. I loved boxing up and going off on adventures, taking a picnic. I loved rhythmic cantering through the woods.

I loved that he was sensitive so I learned to control my own stress and breathing.

It was like a shared secret, language in nuance and unspoken words.

10646825_10202642810455435_7854566362853959494_n.jpg
 
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be positive said:
I was just thinking about this after reading the Micklem thread and trying to decide whether to sell mine and forget bringing my horse back into work, very long story but he was gifted to me and I rode him for the best part of 2 years but he was never going to be a horse that would do a job for me, he does not enjoy flatwork and is not a pleasurable hack, having turned him away we are both more than happy so he will stay in a long "retirement" selling or loaning is not an option as I promised him he would stay with me for life, if my circumstances change he will be pts.
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How old is he BP?

This sounds similar to my situation - he wasn't gifted to me but I bought him as a 'strong and nervous pocket rocket who thrives on consistency, not suitable for novices and needs a one to one environment'.

It's an utter chore to ride him as his hand needs holding every step of the way and you can't be off guard for a moment. I feel I have an obligation to this horse as he would likely be passed from pillar to post, but at the same time, he feels like a very expensive job and not an enjoyable hobby.
 
I dont think i would keep a horse i didnt enjoy riding. I wouldnt enjoy riding a tripper or a stumbler, a short striding pony or a non responsive one. I like a nice up in front horse that carries you forward and enjoys his work. If my horse wasnt like this i wouldnt keep it, might be my nightmare but itd probably be someones dream.
 
I have 2, one I absolutely love riding, she is sharp and sensitive and just wants to go forward at every opportunity and I love that, she wants to please you and tries her heart out. The other is spectacular to look at and I should really love riding her but I don't mostly, she takes a lot of motivating and while a more novice rider would love her as she is just completely bombproof and you can literally hack anywhere I often feel quite bored riding her and knowing it will take me 10-15 minutes to get her forward enough to enjoy I find it sometimes a bit of a chore rather than something I love. I think if I didn't have the other horse I mentioned first I may enjoy her more but tbh I will likely sell the second one this year (I tried last year but it was a lot of aggro I could do without at the time!).
 
Yes I love riding my horses I would not have them if I did not .
I physically struggle to ride H which is sad because he’s such a sweet boy and would do well in the draught dressage classes but he’s just a tad to wide for my hip replacement but I like riding him .
 
Almost always ;)

Millie I loved every ride, from day one. Every single ride.

Kira - was so difficult in the beginning, I had to steel myself to keep getting on day after day, because I knew I was her last chance so if I didn't sort her out, it would be a one way trip to the kennels. Now, I enjoy her almost as much as Millie - she is talented in the school and will plod out in company on a hack quite happily. It's just a bit harder work because she is ruled by her hormones more than M was so she needs convincing about some things. But she's opened a few doors that I wasn't expecting - I am hoping to get a bit of use of my tails this year and that is just great fun.

Salty - about 50/50 at the moment. I know she will turn out well, it's just at the moment we get stuck in the kevin stage now and then. But she is starting to feel like a proper horse rather than a gangly baby and I reckon this time next year we'll be well away. Most days I get off feeling like she did well and I enjoyed it.

Because I have to make my horses rather than choosing nice ones, I am used to this feeling of just putting my reservations to one side and keeping going,I love what they turn into with a bit of effort so a few days grinding along doesn't matter in the long run.
 
SpringArising said:
How old is he BP?

This sounds similar to my situation - he wasn't gifted to me but I bought him as a 'strong and nervous pocket rocket who thrives on consistency, not suitable for novices and needs a one to one environment'.

It's an utter chore to ride him as his hand needs holding every step of the way and you can't be off guard for a moment. I feel I have an obligation to this horse as he would likely be passed from pillar to post, but at the same time, he feels like a very expensive job and not an enjoyable hobby.
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He is only 14 so rather young to be doing nothing but is very happy living out 24/7 with a friend or two, I have my own land so he costs very little to keep, wouldn't have taken on something so big, 16.2, if I had to pay for livery as I knew he was unlikely to be something I could enjoy long term but he would struggle to find a home that would put up with his quirks.

Some horses get to you more than others and even though I have sold many over the years a few "special" cases remain or would be pts rather than moved on, my 27 year old was a project bought to sell on 20 years ago but although he was not in the least bit tricky the right person never came along so he became mine.
 
Red-1 said:
Sadly I lost Jay Man last year, but I felt privileged every time I even sat on him. Six years of worshipping him.

Getting on him felt like coming home.

I loved that I am no natural athlete, but when I was on him I combined with him and could explore balance, power, speed, agility. He gave me wings.

I loved our adventures out and about. I loved that a tractor could come at us and I felt bullet proof. I loved boxing up and going off on adventures, taking a picnic. I loved rhythmic cantering through the woods.

I loved that he was sensitive so I learned to control my own stress and breathing.

It was like a shared secret, language in nuance and unspoken words.

10646825_10202642810455435_7854566362853959494_n.jpg
Click to expand...

What a beautiful post. x

I absolutely love riding Amber and Max. Max is a dude - so easy to ride and with so much ability. He is my fun confidence giver. Amber is just awesome in every way!

19665598_1446915372055206_3420896547777516768_n.jpg


20638270_1483291465084263_2536000265969186464_n.jpg
 
Red-1 said:
Sadly I lost Jay Man last year, but I felt privileged every time I even sat on him. Six years of worshipping him.

Getting on him felt like coming home.

I loved that I am no natural athlete, but when I was on him I combined with him and could explore balance, power, speed, agility. He gave me wings.

I loved our adventures out and about. I loved that a tractor could come at us and I felt bullet proof. I loved boxing up and going off on adventures, taking a picnic. I loved rhythmic cantering through the woods.

I loved that he was sensitive so I learned to control my own stress and breathing.

It was like a shared secret, language in nuance and unspoken words.

10646825_10202642810455435_7854566362853959494_n.jpg
Click to expand...

How wonderful! this has brought a tear to my eye.
 
What a really lovely post Red.

I’ve had my first lesson last week after a 2.5 year break having a baby. It was bloody marvellous and I’ve been looking forward to tomorrow’s one all week. I’m still struggling with post baby unfitness and an extra half a stone and generally pretty crap riding on my part (I’ve sat on him half a dozen tones in the past year) but feeling we ‘got it’ and we’re going really well with some help from our wonderful instructor was the best feeling ever. For the first time in ages I felt ‘me’ again, not just x’s mum.
 
Not particularly. Someday I love him I could hack for hours.. some days I think about selling him but know I never could! I would love something fast and sparky that wanted to go... my boy is lucky if he can muster the energy to give a medium trot! We have recently started driving and I enjoy that better; it reminds me about how versatile he is :)

I don't sell him because I've fallen in love with his personality. I probably should... but I couldn't.
 
SpringArising said:
How old is he BP?

This sounds similar to my situation - he wasn't gifted to me but I bought him as a 'strong and nervous pocket rocket who thrives on consistency, not suitable for novices and needs a one to one environment'.

It's an utter chore to ride him as his hand needs holding every step of the way and you can't be off guard for a moment. I feel I have an obligation to this horse as he would likely be passed from pillar to post, but at the same time, he feels like a very expensive job and not an enjoyable hobby.
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IMO this sort of attitude, which is fairly common not just this poster, the attitude of 'i dont enjoy owning my horse but have to keep him because no one else would be as good at riding/looking after/ handle him as well as me' a tad big headed. Of course there would be others just as good. Its a matter of advertising honestly in the correct places. As I said earlier, one persons nightmare is anothers dream.
 
I dont think I would like riding mine actually. Hes very, very short coupled, very, very powerful with not a lot of horse in front of you. I've never so much as sat on him but I know exactly what it would feel like, sitting on the edge of a precipice while something tries to shove you off!

However I do absolutely love driving him. I trust him completely and him me. My back is so painful but doesnt bother me much when I sit down, so driving is relatively pain free which is a novelty in itself! And he finds the work so easy, I cant describe how amazing it is to go out and have him settle in a nice easy trot and off we go for miles at a time. I can only walk about 50ms on a bad day, so to do that is like a miracle to me still after all this time.

I make mistakes all the time and he covers for me. I can bring him into an obstacle wrong and he will correct the line. I can ask him to go flat out straight towards a fixed object and he will. I usually just think left or trot and he does it for me. I still havent quite worked out how, I assume hes just really tuned into me and I am unconsciously cueing him somehow.

Its weird because when you drive you are physically removed from the horse, but I find you actually feel much closer to them.

I love this photo. Theres lots of things I am doing wrong, but I love the way we mirror each other exactly. It sums our relationship up completely and is the reason I think he is so special. To have a horse have that sort of relationship with you is amazing.

26907708_10155436916378667_6051520598547276759_n.jpg
 
stormox said:
IMO this sort of attitude, which is fairly common not just this poster, the attitude of 'i dont enjoy owning my horse but have to keep him because no one else would be as good at riding/looking after/ handle him as well as me' a tad big headed. Of course there would be others just as good. Its a matter of advertising honestly in the correct places. As I said earlier, one persons nightmare is anothers dream.
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I agree up to a point but mine went through a horrific time was lucky to come out the other side and I would not run the risk of him ending up in the wrong hands, he is sound but probably won't stand up to serious work, is unhappy/ nappy hacking alone, very sharp even in company and is really a pro's ride but would not interest a pro because of his physical issues, it is sometimes right to keep control of the vulnerable ones.
 
be positive said:
I agree up to a point but mine went through a horrific time was lucky to come out the other side and I would not run the risk of him ending up in the wrong hands, he is sound but probably won't stand up to serious work, is unhappy/ nappy hacking alone, very sharp even in company and is really a pro's ride but would not interest a pro because of his physical issues, it is sometimes right to keep control of the vulnerable ones.
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agreed, I was gifted the one I ended up feeling like I had no option but to keep - gifted because the owner didn't want her to be passed from pillar to post and she knew I'd do the right thing by the horse. At the time I didn't feel I could mover her on because I felt I should safeguard her future, being as she was extremely cute but really fairly dangerous.
She would def be a very niche market now - not many people want a 14hh welsh pony for advanced dressage with rather average scores, that wouldn't look after a child and doesn't like jumping etc. Anyway, whether it's big headed or not I don't care, I *want* to keep mine now :p
 
milliepops said:
agreed, I was gifted the one I ended up feeling like I had no option but to keep - gifted because the owner didn't want her to be passed from pillar to post and she knew I'd do the right thing by the horse. At the time I didn't feel I could mover her on because I felt I should safeguard her future, being as she was extremely cute but really fairly dangerous.
She would def be a very niche market now - not many people want a 14hh welsh pony for advanced dressage with rather average scores, that wouldn't look after a child and doesn't like jumping etc. Anyway, whether it's big headed or not I don't care, I *want* to keep mine now :p
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At least she is doing a job for younow and how she has come on is such a credit to you, mine does not "get" flatwork other than something to get you from one jump to the next but he will not stay sound if he does jump properly, catch 22, the market is not there for some if they cannot do a job, yours may get lucky if you sold her but if it went wrong it could be serious, it has nothing to do with being big headed it is being honest, realistic and using experience to make the right decision.

Horses don't care if they are being wasted or missing out on their potential as long as they have as natural a life as possible most are more than content.
 
Like Red-1, I worshipped my old boy. He was pure pleasure, delight and joy to ride for 9 years and I think the only miserable ride I had on him was when I came down with stomach flu about 15 miles from home - that was a long and horrible experience.

I don't always really enjoy riding my clydesdale - he isn't the most comfortable horse, can be backwards and is getting a bit older now. I keep him because riding is a very small part of what I enjoy with him; he's a delight to show in hand, take for walks, and just be around. He makes me smile every time I see him and I brought him for showing rather than riding so I don't mind that he's a wimpy hack who never really learnt to canter under saddle.

They're too expensive to not enjoy!
 
I love riding mine, but probably enjoy grooming him as much. He’s incredibly special, any time spent in his company is a tonic.
 
Everyone has moments where they're tempted to make the devils into burgers, but the other 99% of the time? God yes - why on earth would you keep them, and all the work and money it entails, if you didn't enjoy it. I love the stupid, childish, happiness of buzzing around doing silly things and hacking out, and I enjoy the rewards of a well schooled, sensitive animal, doing the job you've trained it for.
 
be positive said:
I agree up to a point but mine went through a horrific time was lucky to come out the other side and I would not run the risk of him ending up in the wrong hands, he is sound but probably won't stand up to serious work, is unhappy/ nappy hacking alone, very sharp even in company and is really a pro's ride but would not interest a pro because of his physical issues, it is sometimes right to keep control of the vulnerable ones.
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I agree on the vulnerable ones. My mare isn't healthy enough to sell on because of her PSSM & i made a commitment that she would stay with me. On a good day I enjoy her but they seem few and far between recently. Having popped on something else this week I realised quite how hard work she is. Another attempt to turn her into a safe hack needed, but even then I'm not sure how confident I would be loaning / sharing her because someone would need to be very sensitive to how she's feeling. Plus I want something that can jump!!
 
Oh yes; if I don't like riding them I either sell them (if they are mine), or charge people. I am happily beyond the stage of having to ride horses I don't like.
 
I love riding my pony. He has been an absolute dream since the day I tried him and has given me 6 years of joy. It's going to take a hell of a lot to find another one as good as him. I always get off with a smile even when things don't go 100%, he just tries so hard. I ride at riding schools when at uni and it really flags up what I like and don't like-went to a new place a few days ago ad rode a lovely mare with great paces and smiled the whole time even when it was hard work, whereas sometimes at other places I just really haven't clicked at all with the horse. Horses are too expensive and heart-breaking to not ride something you enjoy-whether you enjoy the journey, or the finished product (with some horses it takes a while to get there but you should enjoy the training to some extent IMO)
 
I stopped because I wasn't enjoying it. He'd been lame with hock arthritis, had loads of treatment including ethanol fusion and the vet said he was fine and to crack on but he didn't look or feel happy to me. He was fine for hacking in walk (he's not allowed to trot on the road) and enjoyed this and walked out well with a smile on his face but it all got a bit boring and soul destroying not being able to do anything else and I felt it wasn't enough. There was a lot going on with my husband's terminally ill father and then the bereavement, work was and still is horrendous and then I got road raged by a horrible cyclist so haven't ridden since September 6th. Now I've put on several stone in weight so am too heavy and feel like my life is over because all I do is work and muck out. He and my retired oldie are on full livery but I still go down every night to muck out again, do a late hay up and make sure they're ok. I couldn't sell either of them, no one would want them and they love each other and I love them. They want for nothing but I couldn't afford another even if I was slim enough to ride again. I can't do DIY livery because my job is too full on and time consuming and I have to do on call. Now I'd give anything to be able to go for a walk around the block at the weekend but I can't.
 
This one, not as much as the last one... however she is presenting me with different challenges I am learning from - I am a sucker for punishment :D
 
To hack yes, every time - he's my best mate and partner in crime. Summer hacking on him is what makes everything else in life worthwhile, and his internal sat nav is invaluable as I get us lost a lot. Schooling not so much, though more and more these days. He's amazing to school when everything is right with him and once warmed up, but there is very little more heartbreaking and soul destroying than riding a horse who is trying to do what you ask but just can't.

He's also the absolute rolls Royce of horses to gallop and xc on. I've galloped on an awful lot of horses, but none quite like him - guaranteed to make you feel like you're in a movie :D
 
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