Do you think it's fair to retire a totally sound, well behaved riding horse?

3

3BayGeldings

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 February 2009
Messages
3,122
Location
North East England
Visit site
Following on from my other thread, I'm thinking about living my riding horse out for now as I have lost all interest in riding.

I've been on the end of some disbelieving looks at my yard about this, they just tell me to get over it and ride or sell him to someone who will make use of him.

But I won't ever sell him as he's had a tough life and I'd dread where he could end up. Yes I could full loan him but again, you hear a million horror stories and I do not begrudge paying for grass livery for him - he would live out in a massive estate in a herd of 12. He lived out last winter perfectly fine so I've no worries about him being happy.

But people still tell me that no, he's a good riding horse and therefore should be ridden.

What do you think? Does it annoy you when sound horses aren't ridden? I should point out my lad is a very good hack and well behaved in all scenarios, he's not a problem horse by any means which is partially why people are seeing it as a total waste.
 
It's not a waste. Horses dont care if they are ridden. They care about eating and feeling safe. If you don't want to ride him, don't. He will not be "wasted". Anyone who says so is being ridiculous. Just enjoy spoiling him and let him be a horse. xx
 
Do you honestly think he prefers working to eating?

IMO v. Few horses need work, there are some that relish it and get naughty without it but most would be perfectly happy not working.

I'm at a yard where about 60% of the horses aren't ridden or rarely and the majority of them are relatively young and perfectly sound. And they're all really happy!

He's your horse, you pay for him....so do what you want with him. :)
 
^ As Ahrena has said.

There are a few horses who do seem to relish work. I've had one, but they are very much in the minority and you've said yours isn't one.

Anyone worth keeping in your life won't judge you on this and certainly wouldn't push the matter...
 
The horse won't mind, they're generally happy if they are fed and looked after.

If I never rode my boy again, he'd be delighted! As it is, he only gets ridden at weekends when its not raining / windy..
 
I would go as far as to say all horses would be quite happy retired. If in a nice field, not on any high energy food, with lots of friends and shelter, they will adapt - they are an animal first before they are a pet/competition animal. I'm sure your horse will thank you for it! :)
 
Dear Santa......

Could you please tell my mummy that as long as i am in a field with food and water and shelter and friends and that my feet and teeth get looked after, and I get checked every day I WOULD love to go on holiday till mum gets her head round what she wants to do.... and i bet as soon as she knows she does not have to ride me anymore she will want too !

And can you tell her I dont want to go to the olmpics or anything daft like that and i do get fed up going round in circles all the time, walking trotting and stuff - I KNOW how to do all that......
 
He's your horse, stuff what anyone else thinks, he's not theirs.

As long as he's space, good pasture, friends and regular visits he'll be like a pig in clover, many horses would wish to change places with him.
 
Bruce is sound as a pound and a gem to ride and he's retired now :)

he's worked hard and done us all proud in SJ and in dressage and he's loving his easy life.

he still comes in to be loved and groomed and is rugged up more than he maybe needs, but he's happy and healthy and deserves every little bit of pampering.

sounds like your boy would be the same, dont let people talk you down :)
 
Well that must be another thing I'm the devil for then as my 22yr old is sound and able to be ridden but he's pretty much just living out just now as I have no time nor inclination really for regular riding, he's as happy as a pig in poop albiet he was a little under the weather recently.

He could be out on loan doing a job but he's happy and costing me next to nowt to keep so he can have the winter off and ill see how I'm feeling in the spring :)
 
I think your horse would be delighted to retire to the field with lots of horsey buddies! Don't listen to anyone else - it's not a waste. There's plenty of ridden horses out there, it's not as if the whole equestrian world is going to collapse if someone decides not to ride their horse anymore! (:
 
My old girlie is more or less retired now, she doesn't enjoy schooling anymore so we just go for a walk or potter about once a week. She is thrilled with this!!! She loves being out with her friends, she gets groomed, fed and checked by me and I think she's the happiest she's been in years : ) Horses don't care if they are ridden, as long as you make sure you are still caring for him then he'll be more than happy to have a break!
 
I think it would do him no harm to have shoes off and be turned away. It Is not like he is really old and would then take alot to bring back into ridden work.
He will probably really appreciate a break - I certainly would say it would do no harm. And no of course you are not mad - all pretty sensible and well thought through actually. fwiw I know several of my hubby's competing clients give their horses the winter off, so that tehy don't have to worry about all the weather issues etc and it gives the feet a good break if they are usually shod too :)
 
Last edited:
Maesfen said:
He's your horse, stuff what anyone else thinks, he's not theirs.

As long as he's space, good pasture, friends and regular visits he'll be like a pig in clover, many horses would wish to change places with him.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^^^^

I have been to give some carrots and treats to my two who are living out at the moment and to say they don't look happy would be wrong.
One is retired due to arthritis, and looks more sound being out 24/7.
The other is a youngster waiting to be broken in.
Do either of them care they are not being ridden do they hell as like.
Every time I see them they have their head's down munching and if I take any carrots to them or their previous fieldmates to see them they come cantering and trotting over in excitement.
I wish more people would take this view and let horses, just be a horse instead of thinking that everyone of them has a job to do until the day they die.
Good luck OP and ignore what others say, it is your horse and he will be happy as larry, you see :) x
 
Maesfen said:
He's your horse, stuff what anyone else thinks, he's not theirs.

As long as he's space, good pasture, friends and regular visits he'll be like a pig in clover, many horses would wish to change places with him.
Click to expand...

Agree with Maesfen on all counts
 
Well done you for taking responsibility for your horse and his wellbeing. Better that knowing he's safe and got a good life than selling on and always wondering if he's OK.

Sounds like an idyllic life for a horse (my ponies are asking if they can have his 'job' please;))
 
I would say the majority of happy hacks I know are basically fully retired (well, ridden once a month around the block for 20 min counts as fully retired ;))and not one of them seems to be unhappy about it. :D
 
Last edited:
The horse won't mind at all.

But it does seem a shame. If he is such a good riding horse.

But your horse you decision.

Maybe ride a rider/shares to keep in in a little ridden work?
Would ensure he us ticking over if you ever feel like getting back on.
 
I retired my cob hes had leg problems and twentyone he hated it he loves going to show with my other one just to mooch around take him in the field he will show you hes not ready to retire but hes allways been a lazy ride but does not want to retire thats for sure. His face lightsup when he sees his tack and cant get the bit in fast enough. Maybe thats just him but i think horses like to see more than their field and stable imo no matter how much food is in either. Or maybe thats just him I had an old vet say to me use it or lose it so i will keep working him until he says no
 
He will be happy about that and you can do what you want. I would say the only negative about it is if your circumstances change and you can no longer afford him then finding him a home may be harder than it would if he had been kept in work. You might find yourself having to pts a healthy rideable horse. If you can do that or are confident of always being able to support him financially and give him the time he needs then he will be perfectly happy.
 
I agree with puss' point about them being happier if they can get out and about seeing the wider world. My oldie is retired and confined to the field as the vet says not to take her out. She does not seem to mind but I have one that really would mind.
 
If your horse is happy to live out in a field and not be ridden then why not! It doesn't have anything to do with other people. I think at the moment there's more horses than homes for them anyway so it's not like you are depriving someone else of having a riding horse because there is a shortage.
 
Hes your horse, you do what you wish. My working life has been mental in the last few months and my horse is living just the life you describe. He gets hacked about 1-2 times a week, if he is lucky, sometimes several weeks go by without him being ridden. He is sound and is a great hack, which he adores, when we go out hacking.

Dont feel guilty, just accept it for what it is. You dont feel like riding, so what. I feel like that a hell of a lot, but I love owning my horse, who is well cared for, loved and fed correctly. Ignore any comments, he is yours.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top