Don't understand people who don't spend time with their horses?!

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I don't spend as much time with Bob as I should but I have a 9 year old and a 3 month old to take care of. Some days it is literally put Bob out, muck out go home, back in the evening, bring him, quick groom & check over and home again. It's just how things are at the moment. I don't want to sell him & I've offered him for part loan but no-one wants part loan.

So I guess that makes me guilty as well????!!!!

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Don't worry - I think you are doing plenty - at lot more than those lazy people who have no excuse and just drive past their horse in the field - you obviously care, and as soon as you have more time you will be back in the saddle again.
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If that is the case why then does my horse come trotting or even cantering down to meet me when I turn up at the field?(and I am not laden with food either).
<font color="blue">So do mine if I go up during the day, and I don't ride any of my three...so it can't be that they want ridden! </font>
Horses have been domesticated for many centuries, many prefer to do a job.
<font color="blue"> Evidence? </font>
We have all heard this <font color="blue"> I've also heard of Yetis but that doesn't make them real
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and most horsey people know of cases where horses become depressed (lose condition, become listless) when they are retired out to pasture? <font color="blue"> Perhaps this is due to old age rather than lack of work...? </font>
Some even have to be PTS.
<font color="blue"> I think you'll find that any sample of horses will have a 100% mortality rate eventually, whether ridden or retired
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I think you have a rather shallow perspective, of what a horse requires to be healthy,(mind as well as body).
<font color="blue">On the contrary, if you knew anything about equine anatomy, you'd know horses have not evolved to carry weight over their spines i.e. be ridden. Doing so can cause physiological problems. </font>
One thing in particular being the need to travel great distances foraging for food and being part of a herd. That is what horses do in the wild amongst other things we have taken away from them by domestication.
<font color="blue">Turn out should meet this need, at least as well as going in ever-decreasing circles in a school - or to quote my horse 'Once you've walked one circle, what's the point in walking another one?' </font>
Being ridden out on hacks with their herd leader (the rider) fulfils one of those needs.
<font color="blue">If only all riders were the 'herd leader' PMSL! </font>
My horse truly enjoys his long hacks, surveying the countryside and find new grasslands to savour. He stops and looks interestedly across the Firth when we get up high in the hills, for some quite long moments, and I can't but feel that he derives some pleasure from the view.
<font color="blue">Fair enough...if your horse is happy. </font>
I am firmly of the opinion that all the higher orders of intelligence need a purpose in life. If you take away their freedom, (by domestication) you need to give them a different meaning. (Apparently circus animals are happier learning tricks than just sitting in their cages waiting for the next meal and to die).
<font color="blue"> Firstly I don't think anyone would claim horses to be one of the 'higher orders of intelligence' in fact, they aren't particularly good at problem solving etc, compared to primates, dolphins etc. And equating an unridden horse to a circus animal is a little obtuse. </font>
I have never been able to fathom out people who own horses but spend no time to cultivate interactions with them.
<font color="blue"> You're obviously not one of the 'higher orders' either then
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I think they just must just like to have them so as to tell people they have a horse, primarily for status reasons.
<font color="blue"> Oh, that's so funny! </font>
They miss so much of the amazing bond that can exist between two totally different species, that grow to have a mutual dependency on each other, a bond that can be life changing for a human being.
<font color="blue">Just curious, do you do Parelli, by any chance
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Why do you think people grieve so much when they lose their beloved horse? - it is because of just that.
<font color="blue">No, no, it's because of the loss of the 'status symbol' of course. And it's well known that people who don't ride their horses don't give a sh1t when they die. </font>
FathingwoodFox you have soooo lost the plot!!!
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<font color="blue"> I think not - you're being a bit unkind, here. Which is why I've been evil in return.
Happy riding!
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I think this might be getting a bit out of hand.....

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Maybe I can recommend a good peaceful forum for you - perhaps crochet related, or perhaps bowling?
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Must admit that I am on Shilasdairs side here....... I for one am not dependant on my horse for anything..... he does depend on me that is true, but also my choice for owning him...

I cannot imagine a horse pining away just because he is not ridden, if all other factors such as food and company are catered for.

I am afraid if my horse thinks he is going to be taken out on a nice long foraging mission or hack as I like to call it, he can sometimes be less than eager to be caught..... and may even run away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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So I must just have to accept that either I am not the herd leader (I earn more than he does) or he hates me
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we have one that stands in the field most days and is glanced at once then left. He's happy, he has a shiny coat, a sparkle in his eye, and he knows who feeds him. THAT's that main thing a horse thinks about... who feeds him, not who rides him.

Sometimes I just don't have time to go and play parelli or teach him to jump through hoops. He knows all we need him to know so no pont in schooling, and I'm sure he'd rather hack out twice a week then be left to do as he pleases out in the field than be dragged in daily, groomed then oofed back out again.

There are thousands of horses that have no-one who cares about them enough to even meet their primary needs so why on earth slate someone because they only go to the yard to feed and turn out? At least they're looking after it...
 
Only just logged backed on. I really wasn't talking about horses "needing" to be ridden or human contact or anything of the sort. I wasn't even talking about people who for one reason or another have periods of their life where they don't have much time for their horse. I lead a busy life too.... and could never part with my horse. There are times where I don't get to spend much time with him, but that doesn't mean that I didn't want to... I'm not putting this very well, but I know some people who I've known for years, who really don't spend much time with their horse, and my original question was really I wondered what they really got out of it...? They only seem to do the chores, not the fun stuff.... I wasn't judging it saying they were awful people at all. Their horses seem perfectly content, and people have every right to do whatever they want with their own horses.

Some peoples respoonses have been interesting thought. Thank you.
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I still stick to my point of view I'm afraid. The pony which I am speaking about is underfed, kept in a stable all the time and sometimes denied water. Other horses, sometimes two horses, are put into its stable for days on end and its owner doesn't seem to care. I have lost count of the times I fed and watered the poor thing because no-one else was going to. I also cut mats out of its coat because it was obviously in pain with great lumps of solidified hair and poo rubbing between its back legs. It was sometimes covered in cuts where it had been beaten up by the old boss mare if she'd been put in with it.

I didn't explain all this before. Maybe I should have done. Anyway, I firmly believe that this poor, nice-natured (despite everything which has happened to it) pony deserves a chance to lead a happier life with a new owner or be PTS if its owner is going to neglect it to this degree.
 
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Don't do bowling but thanks for the offer - this topic has obviously hit a nerve and we all seem to be beating each other up for either spending too much time or not enough time with our horses.

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It hasn't hit a nerve for me...did no one tell you - I'm nerveless?
I'm not beating anyone up - ride if you want, groom if you want, spend hours playing with them if you have the time and the inclination.
Just don't judge other people who are different from you, and who have different ambitions and desires....as long as the horse is fed, watered, sheltered, has freedom i.e. turnout, and their social needs met (plus vet, farrier etc) - who cares what others do?!
Forums - perhaps stamp collecting?
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How wonderful that you have that great bond with your horse and have the time to spend with them.
The thing is, you assume all horses are the same.
I have three horses out in the field.
Number one likes spending some time with me, he enjoys being ridden but we must not over do anything. Hacking, Schooling, anything. He gets bored easily.

Number two horse - Would move in to my house and live with me if she could.

Number three horse - Would like to be fed everyday and groomed every now and then. Most days she would just like to be left alone to spend time with her mates. She doesn't need humans.

So there you have three completely different horses with completely different needs and I do the best I can by all of them. (I just won't let number two horse move in with me)!

The other thing is, sometimes life happens and when that happens it gets very difficult to fit everything in. Sometimes, when life happens, I just get to throw buckets of feed at them and have to go again. That's life!

I don't know anyone stupid enough to own a horse purely for a status symbol. If I wanted a status symbol I would go for something that everyone would see, Car/expensive jewellery etc?? My status symbols mean that I live and look like a tramp.
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Is it just me?

I know people who literally come up feed their horse and go.... Or even just stop to see if their alive! I don't get it? Why spend all that time and money to do nothing than the bare essentials? I kinda get in the winter it can get tiring, but day after day of mucking out, bringing your horse and leaving? Hardly riding? Never grooming? What's the point of having a horse?

Then the weather is fantastic like today, yet people still still not there?

Please someone enlighten me!

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I do this - but to be fair she is lame.....

When we had a yard we never could understand why people paid extra to keep their horse at our yard as we had an indoor/outdoor school and then never rode them. At least the school was always free
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I agree, we all have days where we all have to do the basics and go.
I was referring to the people who never do anything but just that, like the OP.

And yes, I have known a number of people who have horses purely as status symbols, sad though it may be.

With reference to Shilasdairs comment about the "higher orders" of animals I mean it purely in a Biologist context. Meaning those animals that belong to the Order mammalia and others close to that (the marsupials). (an ability to reason is not the only criteria for measuring intelligence, other things like sensitivity, ie ability to experience grief, emotions is)

And finally whilst I do not practice Parelli, I am familiar with the principles and certainly, the guy makes some valid points, and has had huge success and a lot of people can confirm that.
Farthingwoodfox make some incredibly simplistic sweeping statements on this forum which I personally find quite offensive and inane, and I think it is appropriate to attempt to counter them.
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OMG! I don't know if I dare say anything about what I do with my horses!!!

I think it is up to people to do what they want for their horse as long as it is being looked after. Everyones circumstances are very different and I don't think anybody has the right to question that.

I have a 2 year old daughter and sometimes have no time to hop out and feed etc. I drive past them several times a day but don't always have time to stop in.

All my horses are happy and healthy and I try and spend a few hours 2/3 times a week down there but its not always possible but it doesn't mean I don't give a toss about them!

On top of this not everyone has the pleasure of just having to take care of their horses and poo picking. We have our own yard and it can take hours and hours to repair fences, build new fences, spray weeds, muck spread, build shelters, make improvements, repair stables, pick up hay in, build schooling areas, etc etc etc!! After you have done this there is not much time left to play with horses! - Oh and worming, etc

Plus this year we've had a ragwort infection like nothing on earth - hours of digging out and disposing of!!!

There IS more to caring for horses than JUST riding them and playing with them - those people that do not take the responsibility of maintaining horses seriously should buy a My Little Pony, I think they come with brushes! LOL

Oh, for the record my TB follows me round like a lost puppy aswell, with or without treats, he just likes to get a hug now and then - insecure breeding and all!

. . . . any views?
 
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....... I for one am not dependant on my horse for anything.....

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Not even when you ride him down the road, and the way he reacts as that lorry passes you at 40 mph?

Your life can depend on your horses behaviour at times.
If he trust you to keep him safe, then you will be able to trust him to behave in a safe way. Therefore you can become mutually inter- dependant.
Have you never heard of people saying their horse got them out of trouble, perhaps out hunting or something similar.
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Meaning those animals that belong to the Order mammalia and others close to that (the marsupials). (an ability to reason is not the only criteria for measuring intelligence, other things like sensitivity, ie ability to experience grief, emotions is)
<font color="blue"> Are you telling me that horses have been proven to experience grief, emotions etc? Reference? </font>
And finally whilst I do not practice Parelli, I am familiar with the principles and certainly, the guy makes some valid points, and has had huge success and a lot of people can confirm that.
<font color="blue"> Now, how did I know thatyou'd be a Parelli follower?
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Farthingwoodfox make some incredibly simplistic sweeping statements on this forum which I personally find quite offensive and inane, and I think it is appropriate to attempt to counter them.
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<font color="blue"> Debate is always good...apart from when people have the temerity to disagree with me, obviously. Then it's just not on.
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ETA Crumbs in keyboard - can't be ar$ed to correct posts so feel free...
 
QR as I lost the will to live...

I don't understand the people who DO spend hours and hours with their horses
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Do they not have a life
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Whilst it is fine and dandy to be there to ride, muck out/poo pick and ensure horse has all it requires, what else IS there to do
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I know people who spend over an hour grooming per DAY - I mean, HELLO.....why? I have tried to do a big grooming sesh and after 10mins max I cannot find anything else to do LOL!

I will happily sit at the yard and chat and drink coffee for a couple of hours, but no horses are involved, that is after we have sorted them!
 
well bully for you that you have the time - thank your lucky stars...one day reality will hit hard, i am fed up of people bitching and griping about the way other people do their horses
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, ATM i am soooooooooooooo fecked off words can't begin to comprehend, the horses are fed poo-picked and that's it, believe me i would love to go for a hack, but having a relative in a [****] pit hospital and having to run other people around here there and everywhere has put well paid to that...so think before you moan in future and keep your beak out of other people's business
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as long as the horse isn't suffering and their bills are paid, i fail to see what is has to do with you?????
 
Shilasdair
have you never seen a foal newly separated from its mother?, have you never seen or heard of a horse pinning after it has lost its close companion?, are you not familiar with separation anxiety?, or nervous habits like cribbing, windsucking and box walking? - seriously you must be trying kidding us all!!! I don't think you really need a reference for such obvious observable facts.

And what precisely is wrong with Parelli and other such training methods, of which there are many similar variations?
It works for some horses and people, ( actually not me)

I am interested that you seem so anti them -why?
 
Oh GOD!!! I mentioned the P word.

I promise to agree with all you say, now and forever, just please PLEASE lets' not have a debate about *whispers* parelli
 
There is currently some evidence that a lot of the stereotypical behaviours may actually be inherited behaviours, also I have never seen any reference to them being caused by grief, my understanding is that they are caused by anxiety at being unable to interact with other horses.
 
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Shilasdair
have you never seen a foal newly separated from its mother?, have you never seen or heard of a horse pinning after it has lost its close companion?, are you not familiar with separation anxiety?, or nervous habits like cribbing, windsucking and box walking? - seriously you must be trying kidding us all!!! I don't think you really need a reference for such obvious observable facts.
<font color="blue">Katenjack, I have never seen a horse 'pinning', sadly, I am sure it is uphauling to behold. I have always been led to believe by these lying equine science types that cribbing, windsucking and box walking were not 'nervous habits' but in fact 'stereotypies'. Their cause has been investigated in some depth (ongoing, I do believe) complete with those pesky references which allow us to assess the validity of any such claims. I have also (clearly erroneously) been led to believe that 'observable facts' are, well, not always fact. My OH wore yellow underpants at the last eclipse - I observed him...and vile though they were, I don't think they made the sun hide. The key word there is 'anecdotal', maybe? </font>
And what precisely is wrong with Parelli and other such training methods, of which there are many similar variations?
It works for some horses and people, ( actually not me)
<font color="blue">As long as Parelli doesn't work for you - I say go for it?! Is this not one of those observable facts that you mentioned above? </font>
I am interested that you seem so anti them -why?

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<font color="blue"> I do have good reasons to be anti much of the NH...but my reasons are too lengthy to go into here...
Wings off flies.
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Oh GOD!!! I mentioned the P word.

I promise to agree with all you say, now and forever, just please PLEASE lets' not have a debate about *whispers* parelli

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Don't worry, Charlie - I ducked!
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I understand your point of view, I have an illness (lupus) where my immune system attacks my muscle, it is not always possible for me to ride my Dutch Sports horse. On those ocassions I lunge, walk out in hand for some nice grass (makes a change from field), groom or drive my kids Welsh A.

I have a full time business importing equestrian products from UK to Norway, 2 kids one 2 1/2 the other 8yrs, and a very big house to run, however I make time to go to my stables... thats why I have my horses to relax with them, take a coffee with them when I have a spare 5 mins in the office. I am lucky though I have a office, stable and grazing at home.

We are all different, but I totally understand where you are coming from on this one.
 
Currently, my horse is out for 3 weeks with one feed a day being chucked at him. I am not even in the same country.. Funnily he doesn't seem to mind.
Over the summer he may well get hours spend on him.
A horse does not 'want' to be ridden. It wants its needs, ie food, water, company, shelter and freedom to be met. Am in agreement with Shils here

Weezy-ten mins would be basic grooming for me, traditional grooms used to spend an hour grooming (think it included strapping) and I could easily spend an hour grooming..as I suspect could most people, although I have to say 30-45mins would be the max I would generally spend, and thats only in the summer when I do have time.
 
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