FreddiesGal
Well-Known Member
Personally I don't think any horse would prefer having a bit in it's mouth, a saddle on it's back and carting around a human on it's back rather than chilling all day in the field eating.
Field Ornaments what do you think :)
- Thread starter tessybear
- Start date
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
What holly hocks said. Horses aren't born thinking gosh I can't wait to be ridden.
I think those that are bothered about what other people do/don't do with their horses (who are well cared for in other respects) always smacks of green eyed monster to me!
I think those that are bothered about what other people do/don't do with their horses (who are well cared for in other respects) always smacks of green eyed monster to me!
Spring Feather
Well-Known Member
I don't care what people do with their horses, or don't do, as the case might be. I'm just NOT interested. If the horse is looked after and has all it needs to survive happily then I couldn't care less whether the owner rides it or not. What business is it of mine what they do with them? Absolutely none but then I'm not the "judgemental type"
dressageforever
Active Member
I bought two foals a few years ago, one was dressage lines to make 16.3hh the other was TBxWB to make 16.2hh.
The to make 16.3 is now 18hh and the to make 16.2 (like her full siblings) stopped at 15.2hh, and is too small for me to ride. I had her backed and ridden on a bit aged 4 but then I did nothing with her since - they are now 7, they are stabled at night, rugs changed, wormed, farrier, fed, groomed etc all the same if ridden or not! - Is she wasted? Perhaps, but she is MY horse, who I am attached to and she aint going anywhere. I would say she has far better care than many ridden horses and I bet a lot of top competition horses that are stabled 24/7 would love her life.
Unless the horses welfare is at stake then I would just mind my own business.
The to make 16.3 is now 18hh and the to make 16.2 (like her full siblings) stopped at 15.2hh, and is too small for me to ride. I had her backed and ridden on a bit aged 4 but then I did nothing with her since - they are now 7, they are stabled at night, rugs changed, wormed, farrier, fed, groomed etc all the same if ridden or not! - Is she wasted? Perhaps, but she is MY horse, who I am attached to and she aint going anywhere. I would say she has far better care than many ridden horses and I bet a lot of top competition horses that are stabled 24/7 would love her life.
Unless the horses welfare is at stake then I would just mind my own business.
Montyforever
Well-Known Member
I've got 2 field ornaments!
The first has had a pretty hard life obviously been trotted then a broodmare year after year. She just does not want to work, she understands exactly what you want but she refuses to do it. She's lunged every now and again and longreined when shes not being too spooky but she just stops and grumps the whole way through! There's nothing physically wrong with her either.
The other is 12hh and far too highly strung and sharp to be a kids pony and because she's quite fine isn't a weight carrier so can't be ridden.
But she loves to work, she gets lunged and walked out inhand and I want to longrein her eventually too but she's still quite sharp so guarenteed to get the lines in a tangle at the mo!
The first has had a pretty hard life obviously been trotted then a broodmare year after year. She just does not want to work, she understands exactly what you want but she refuses to do it. She's lunged every now and again and longreined when shes not being too spooky but she just stops and grumps the whole way through! There's nothing physically wrong with her either.
The other is 12hh and far too highly strung and sharp to be a kids pony and because she's quite fine isn't a weight carrier so can't be ridden.
But she loves to work, she gets lunged and walked out inhand and I want to longrein her eventually too but she's still quite sharp so guarenteed to get the lines in a tangle at the mo!
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
I think everyone has their own opinions as to wasted horses.
I once felt my horse was wasted with me as I wasn't confident in flying round flat out on him. I rehomed to a competition home and he was no good for that due to a previous injury all he could actually cope with was light hacking so in fact he wasn't wasted at all- he was in his perfect home in a way!
im currently looking at retiring him completely due to another problem. I always thought id not keep him happy just out in the field but he's currently munching happily and couldn't give a damn that he's not worked.
I think we maybe look too much into things?
I once felt my horse was wasted with me as I wasn't confident in flying round flat out on him. I rehomed to a competition home and he was no good for that due to a previous injury all he could actually cope with was light hacking so in fact he wasn't wasted at all- he was in his perfect home in a way!
im currently looking at retiring him completely due to another problem. I always thought id not keep him happy just out in the field but he's currently munching happily and couldn't give a damn that he's not worked.
I think we maybe look too much into things?
tessybear
Well-Known Member
Definatly some vary interesting experiences and opinions here. Swaying me some what to my opinion 
I simply said he wants to work not meaning all horses (mine would love to sit in the field all day being a lump 
) but when others on the yard go out he is left alone in the field and works hiself up trotting the fence whinying. It just seems sad to me watching him wind hiself up and being left un groomed for months because she is so scared of handling him at times.
Thanks for all the comments guys keep em' coming
I simply said he wants to work not meaning all horses (mine would love to sit in the field all day being a lump ) but when others on the yard go out he is left alone in the field and works hiself up trotting the fence whinying. It just seems sad to me watching him wind hiself up and being left un groomed for months because she is so scared of handling him at times. Thanks for all the comments guys keep em' coming
LaurenBay
Well-Known Member
Definatly some vary interesting experiences and opinions here. Swaying me some what to my opinion
Thanks for all the comments guys keep em' coming
Sounds like he is wanting in with his friends. Not doing it because he wants to be ridden.
I don't see an issue with it as long as the Horses needs are met.
RutlandH2O
Well-Known Member
Definatly some vary interesting experiences and opinions here. Swaying me some what to my opinion
Thanks for all the comments guys keep em' coming
Think about it: the horse "works himself up trotting the fence whinying." Why? Not because he's missing out on "work." It's because his field mates are leaving him behind. Horses are social animals and form relationships within the herd. He'd work himself up if the other horses were brought into their stables for grooming, feeding, etc. His behaviour has nothing to do with work.
Being left ungroomed is not a crime. But, the fact that the owner is fearful of handling the horse is something that should be addressed. Grooming is a way of bonding with a horse. Is there no one on the yard who could give the owner some advice? Could she employ a professional to evaluate the situation? Would she be open to some form of help?
Spring Feather
Well-Known Member
It just seems sad to me watching him wind hiself up and being left un groomed for months because she is so scared of handling him at times.
Emotive comments don't sway me one iota I'm afraid. It's totally irrelevant whether the owner is scared of the horse or not. And as to him being groomed, if he's been turned away I wouldn't expect him to be groomed regularly. I'm sorry, you may not be, but you are starting to sound like a meddling (and judgemental) person
Trinity Fox
Well-Known Member
I really do not care what people do with their horses however I do agree with Flame, it is all very well doing nothing with them especially if they are a problem as long as you can keep them forever.
If a horse is not used has a dubious background or just never been broken, or unused because of it;s behaviour and then the owner has to sell it is not going to be a good outcome for the horse in most case so you are not really doing it any favours in the long run.
If a horse is not used has a dubious background or just never been broken, or unused because of it;s behaviour and then the owner has to sell it is not going to be a good outcome for the horse in most case so you are not really doing it any favours in the long run.
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
Even if the horse were in full work, there's no guarantee he would be ridden at the same time as his field mates anyway. And I think its a bit hypocritical to object to the horse in question being left behind whilst his field companions are ridden given your own horses situation op.
cbmcts
Well-Known Member
I have one of these - I've owned him since he was a weanling and he's 17 now.
He's physically perfect, never been lame and only seen a vet twice in his life not including jabs. Once for gelding and once during a search for a brain cell!
His problem is that he is extremely nervous and prone to spectacular over reactions, usually going up and over if he's put under any stress. I backed him as a 4 year old and I'll be frank, he absolutely terrified me. The side effect of this is that my nerves made him nervous and that's where the problems lie. 10 years ago I gave up on the idea of me riding him, things were only getting worse and seriously thought about rehoming him but the combination of his temperament and flashy welsh looks and movement really attracted the wrong people - either the 'fluffy types' who thought that love conquered all or those that thought that a good beating would sort him! Sadly, he's not so talented that good, experienced riders would work through the many quirks. Spindles Farm also came to light about that time and I knew he was a prime candidate for that kind of set up.
The sad thing is that with a capable, confident rider he is fine (think teenager) but since he can also be very difficult on the ground too there is no way that I could let a minor and more to the point their less horsey friends loose with him without a lot of supervision. He did have 2 loans but both of these had massively overstated their experience despite the fact that I was very open about his issues and both times I was given back a nervous wreck of a horse. In fairness I don't think that either loaner deliberately lied, they just thought they knew a lot more than they did! If either of these loans had worked out they could have had him for life btw - I just wasn't prepared to sell and lose control of his future.
He is now at retirement livery and that's where he will stay either until he dies (I'm certain he will live to 40+, just to spite me
) or I god forbid, cannot afford to keep him - in which case he will be PTS. I wish I could keep him closer to home as I hugely miss the day to day contact but the only grass livery (did I mention that he doesn't stable?) in this area changed hands after 13 years there and due to a huge increase in numbers became an absolute liability...so I looked elsewhere for somewhere that was suitable for him.
Sorry about the novel but there are worse things that can happen to a horse than be 'wasted' in a field OP.
He's physically perfect, never been lame and only seen a vet twice in his life not including jabs. Once for gelding and once during a search for a brain cell!
His problem is that he is extremely nervous and prone to spectacular over reactions, usually going up and over if he's put under any stress. I backed him as a 4 year old and I'll be frank, he absolutely terrified me. The side effect of this is that my nerves made him nervous and that's where the problems lie. 10 years ago I gave up on the idea of me riding him, things were only getting worse and seriously thought about rehoming him but the combination of his temperament and flashy welsh looks and movement really attracted the wrong people - either the 'fluffy types' who thought that love conquered all or those that thought that a good beating would sort him! Sadly, he's not so talented that good, experienced riders would work through the many quirks. Spindles Farm also came to light about that time and I knew he was a prime candidate for that kind of set up.
The sad thing is that with a capable, confident rider he is fine (think teenager
) but since he can also be very difficult on the ground too there is no way that I could let a minor and more to the point their less horsey friends loose with him without a lot of supervision. He did have 2 loans but both of these had massively overstated their experience despite the fact that I was very open about his issues and both times I was given back a nervous wreck of a horse. In fairness I don't think that either loaner deliberately lied, they just thought they knew a lot more than they did! If either of these loans had worked out they could have had him for life btw - I just wasn't prepared to sell and lose control of his future.He is now at retirement livery and that's where he will stay either until he dies (I'm certain he will live to 40+, just to spite me
) or I god forbid, cannot afford to keep him - in which case he will be PTS. I wish I could keep him closer to home as I hugely miss the day to day contact but the only grass livery (did I mention that he doesn't stable?) in this area changed hands after 13 years there and due to a huge increase in numbers became an absolute liability...so I looked elsewhere for somewhere that was suitable for him.Sorry about the novel
but there are worse things that can happen to a horse than be 'wasted' in a field OP.
metalmare
Well-Known Member
There are lots of homeless horses - it's not like there is a market shortage.
If the horse is well looked after, it's up to the owner what they do with them.
If the horse is well looked after, it's up to the owner what they do with them.
racingdemon
Well-Known Member
i think there is a level of obligation from any owner/breeder to make sure that their horses have sufficient manners to enable them to do 'something' else should circumstances change.
Being a field ornament doesn't automatically make a horse bad mannered, and bad manners aren't an excuse to become a field ornament, if someone wants to have a horse, look after it & provide for it, then so be it, happy owner..... happy horse.....I used to have a dog, she was a good sheep dog (before i got her)..... did i have sheep, no..... did she miss being a sheep dog.... not really, she lived in the house, had a lovely warm bed, went for walks, got fed, happy dog.
i've got three horses you could call 'field ornaments' IMO they are far from it, one is a broodmare..... bonefide job there, one is a 2yo & one is a 4yo, the 4yo has been backed, ridden away & is roughed off for the winter to grow into himself more, likewise the 2yo is growing into herself, they have lovely manners, come in now & then for feet etc, are happy & healthy, and look like over grown mud covered monsters!
OP..... perhaps the title should have been 'horse with limited manners/spacial awareness....what do you think??
Being a field ornament doesn't automatically make a horse bad mannered, and bad manners aren't an excuse to become a field ornament, if someone wants to have a horse, look after it & provide for it, then so be it, happy owner..... happy horse.....I used to have a dog, she was a good sheep dog (before i got her)..... did i have sheep, no..... did she miss being a sheep dog.... not really, she lived in the house, had a lovely warm bed, went for walks, got fed, happy dog.
i've got three horses you could call 'field ornaments' IMO they are far from it, one is a broodmare..... bonefide job there, one is a 2yo & one is a 4yo, the 4yo has been backed, ridden away & is roughed off for the winter to grow into himself more, likewise the 2yo is growing into herself, they have lovely manners, come in now & then for feet etc, are happy & healthy, and look like over grown mud covered monsters!
OP..... perhaps the title should have been 'horse with limited manners/spacial awareness....what do you think??
Crugeran Celt
Well-Known Member
tessybear
Well-Known Member
Yes I suppose it wasn't titled correctly littlegs my horse has company she is in a field with a 13hh pony and will be for the rest of her life now took on board your previous comments and took him off a friend in exchange for keeping him here free
littlegs my horse has company she is in a field with a 13hh pony and will be for the rest of her life now took on board your previous comments and took him off a friend in exchange for keeping him here free 
StormyMoments
Well-Known Member
i have two very expensive field ornaments
Taz- 11 year old ISH really good breeding has jumped up to 1.50m at home with me but has done very little for the past year and a bit as he went on holiday... and that holiday extended... by a year Taz could well have been (at one point not now) a top showjumper but tbh he doesnt know what hes missing and he is well looked after he has a 2 acre field and 2 field buddies, hes rugged, groomed daily and hacked out once a week to keep his mind ticking over and hes stabled at night now he is happy and i love him just as he is ridden or not... i am in no way "frightened" of this horse. i have owned him for 9 years and no one else would want him anyway if for any reason i could no longer own him he would be pts as no one would want him anyway...
Rio - 8 year old PRE stallion with super breeding and a huge amount of potential... currently chilling out hacking once a week, groomed daily and fussed over, stabled at night and an acre field to himself with horses in the next field im letting him chill out for the winter this will be the first time he has had a holiday in 6 years as he was broken in at 2 and tbh i think he deserves it also gives him time to chill out im not scared of him and if i couldnt afford him i wouldnt have bought him!!
so in the short i dont really know what the problem is... with the amount of horses without homes these days, a few horses sitting in a field being cared for is better than being dumped on a charity.. if it bothers you that much ask the owner if you can ride it so it can be a showjumper or a top dressage horse... luckily horses dont know what they are missing and tbh i dont think they would care if they did
Taz- 11 year old ISH really good breeding has jumped up to 1.50m at home with me but has done very little for the past year and a bit as he went on holiday... and that holiday extended... by a year
Taz could well have been (at one point not now) a top showjumper but tbh he doesnt know what hes missing and he is well looked after he has a 2 acre field and 2 field buddies, hes rugged, groomed daily and hacked out once a week to keep his mind ticking over and hes stabled at night now he is happy and i love him just as he is ridden or not... i am in no way "frightened" of this horse. i have owned him for 9 years and no one else would want him anyway if for any reason i could no longer own him he would be pts as no one would want him anyway... Rio - 8 year old PRE stallion with super breeding and a huge amount of potential... currently chilling out hacking once a week, groomed daily and fussed over, stabled at night and an acre field to himself with horses in the next field
im letting him chill out for the winter this will be the first time he has had a holiday in 6 years as he was broken in at 2 and tbh i think he deserves it also gives him time to chill out im not scared of him and if i couldnt afford him i wouldnt have bought him!!so in the short i dont really know what the problem is... with the amount of horses without homes these days, a few horses sitting in a field being cared for is better than being dumped on a charity.. if it bothers you that much ask the owner if you can ride it so it can be a showjumper or a top dressage horse... luckily horses dont know what they are missing and tbh i dont think they would care if they did
tessybear
Well-Known Member
They sound lovely stormy got a soft spot for ISH
got a soft spot for ISH
StormyMoments
Well-Known Member
hes the ginger one in my signature you can have him nahh i couldnt get rid of him now hes far too quirky to even bother! couldnt even find a sharer for the beast i do wish he was in work but im not really as interested in riding as i used to be i just love spending time with them... although i will start reschooling rio in spring and possibly bring taz back into work if we have a school as we dont have one at the moment so it makes everything difficult
you can have him nahh i couldnt get rid of him now hes far too quirky to even bother! couldnt even find a sharer for the beast i do wish he was in work but im not really as interested in riding as i used to be i just love spending time with them... although i will start reschooling rio in spring and possibly bring taz back into work if we have a school as we dont have one at the moment so it makes everything difficult tessybear
Well-Known Member
In my phone so can't see :-( shall look tomorrow but he sounds a gem haha ! I know what you mean we are only hacking out at the moment our school which doubles as a quarter of the paddock would be better suited to a swimming pool ;-)
I know what you mean we are only hacking out at the moment our school which doubles as a quarter of the paddock would be better suited to a swimming pool ;-)
StormyMoments
Well-Known Member
our fields and hacking are a bit like that too! with the amount of rain!! tons of flooding everywhere! nightmare!!
tessybear
Well-Known Member
Debating sticking arm bands on her oh I know ! I envy people with nice fields and schools at this time of the year !
oh I know ! I envy people with nice fields and schools at this time of the year !
StormyMoments
Well-Known Member
nahhh i just envy people wh are currently enjoying the summer we should have summer all year round! its not like we have a good summer anyway?
we should have summer all year round! its not like we have a good summer anyway? tessybear
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a plan tell the evil weather that please
criso
Coming over here & taking your jobs since 1900
And also to be able to be manageable on the ground should they need vaccinations, feet trimmed, worming etc. It sounds like the horse is question is starting to test boundaries, scaring his owner and could get worse. Ridden or not that is not doing the horse any favours.
In response to getting stressed when the others come in, it may be that a situation where his routine is so different to everyone else's is not working for him.
I am just in the processing of retiring mine (injury) I will have one ridden one who will have a routine in at night and out in the day with other in work and the retired will go out in a different field with another retired and youngsters. Yes at the moment he's waiting to come in with the others and doesn't want to be left out but that's because it's what he is used to. With food and friends and lots of shelter in the field I'm sure he'll be perfectly happy.