Do you stand in your stirrups when your horse wees?

[FionaM12]

We were always told to, back in the 1970s. I think it was supposed to take pressure off or something.

Three decades later, I'm riding again, and when I stood up for my mount to urinate comfortably, there was laughter and I was told no-one bothers any more as it actually makes no difference to the horse.

What does everyone here think?

 

[only_me]

Yep, always stand off their backs when they pee.

In fact, when I'm at the PC with the little ones I teach them all to stand up in stirrups when their horse pees, they all think it is very funny but they all do it

 

[Piaffe63]

Yeh, I always do it and I'm not really sure why, but I think its to take the weight off so your horse can urinate properly?

 

[ABC]

I do

 

[MrVelvet]

Iv never had to as Iv always had mares and they have manners haha! but now Iv got a gelding and he wees whenever he can! but yes i do stand ... not for poos thoough?

 

[AFlapjack]

Yep I always do

 

[FionaM12]

When my friends and I were about 14 years old, we were all out on horses and my friend Jane's mount stopped for a pee halfway over a road, in front of a double-decker bus and stopping traffic in both directions.

He was an huge horse, and she was a tiny girl far too small for him. She stood high in her stirrups as he passed the most enormous waterfall, with his back hooves tip-toeing, for what seemed an age. The visual image was superb.

The bus load of passengers the drivers of the other cars and all her friends were all helpless with laughter. A very funny memory.

 

[HollyB66]

Always, as does everyone else on my yard.

 

[mulledwhine]

I always do, I can't believe that you were laughed at

 

[FionaM12]

I always do, I can't believe that you were laughed at

I don't mind being laughed at. After all those years I missed, my riding's so bad it's best to be able to laugh at yourself!

 

[showqa]

My horse has literally never peed whilst I've been on him.

 

[FionaM12]

My horse has literally never peed whilst I've been on him.

What a gent. But if he did, would you stand?

 

[monkeybum13]

I don't understand why some people would laugh at you? Seems stupid to me.

 

[FionaM12]

I don't understand why some people would laugh at you? Seems stupid to me.

I think the people I was riding with hadn't seen anyone do that before.

I honestly didn't mind the laughter. I was just curious to see if it really wasn't something that's done any more. But from the replies here, it seems it's still the "done thing" by most riders.

 

[indiat]

I agree with everyone else, I stand up in my stirrups and all the instructors on our yard tell people to do so when their horse pees. So its definelty not out of fashion!

 

[team barney]

I always stand when my horses need to relieve themselves, which is usually at the at the most inopportune moment

 

[HollyB66]

I always stand when my horses need to relieve themselves, which is usually at the at the most inopportune moment

Most inopportune moment for me was when my mare decided to pee as we were waiting for a gap in the traffic to cross the A26. I was relieved that no-one decided to toot at us Not that she would have batted an eyelid.

 

[mulledwhine]

I was told to stand, as it takes the weight off their kidneys, so I is more comfortable to wee. Our pony won't let it flow until you stand up

 

[idx]

When my friends and I were about 14 years old, we were all out on horses and my friend Jane's mount stopped for a pee halfway over a road, in front of a double-decker bus and stopping traffic in both directions.

He was an huge horse, and she was a tiny girl far too small for him. She stood high in her stirrups as he passed the most enormous waterfall, with his back hooves tip-toeing, for what seemed an age. The visual image was superb.

The bus load of passengers the drivers of the other cars and all her friends were all helpless with laughter. A very funny memory.

Magic what a picture! Horses they do bring you down to earth!

 

[georgiegirl]

I remember as a kid a pony I was on did a massive wee at the final halt at x in a dressage test - I could have died!

OP - yes i always stand - never heard of people not doing?

 

[Mrs B]

Put it this way:

Would you like someone sitting on your kidneys when you're trying to pee?

(My old mare, years ago, would choose to pee out hunting after 20 minutes of waiting, just when everyone else was moving off )

 

[risky business]

I stand when amey wee's I always have.. Iv never known why I had to do it lol I was just always told to.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

yes i stand when Chico takes a pee!

I was taught to over a decade and a half ago when i was learning at the riding school. Just force of habit now.

 

[Charlie.x]

I do, ever since i did pony club a few years ago when we were taught we had to x

 

[Mince Pie]

I do, my ponies always have an inane sense of when is the perfect time not to pee - like in the start box just as the starter has got to 10.... luckily she found it funny and waited for me! The other time was my cob who decided to pee in a dressage test when I had to halt for 10 seconds in front of the judges box, unfortunately we made eye contact and both burst out laughing! I did get a great 'immobility' comment though

 

[Tnavas]

Definately as generally they spread themselves to pee and often stand with back feet on tip toes.

Never stop for a poo though - if they can hoon around the paddock with poo flying then they can do that when I'm riding.

 

[FionaM12]

Definately as generally they spread themselves to pee and often stand with back feet on tip toes.

Never stop for a poo though - if they can hoon around the paddock with poo flying then they can do that when I'm riding.

I usually do let my mare stop to poo. I suppose if we were competing or in a rush it would be different, and I'm in no hurry and it seems only manners.

 

[dunkley]

Definitely - takes the weight off the kidneys. As to inopportune moments, Lee Pearson's Gus had the most enormous wee during the medal presentation at the Olympics - think it was Athens!

 

[OneInAMillion]

i always have done

 

[FionaM12]

Definitely - takes the weight off the kidneys. As to inopportune moments, Lee Pearson's Gus had the most enormous wee during the medal presentation at the Olympics - think it was Athens!

Some horses hey? You give them a medal and they just take the piss.