Healthy Horses doing nothing??

Hels_Bells said:
I do think they become a status symbol, like a smart car for some people. I used to share a wonderful horse whose very well off teenage owner only saw it once a week and kept it on full livery, he was eventually and very sadly put down due to an accident and the owner went out very soon after and bought another.

Also, someone near me keeps 30 horses, rides 2 of them and breeds a couple of foals out of a couple of mares each year and that's it. The rest of them just fester in herds in fields.
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What's wrong with "festering" in a herd in a field? Sounds an ideal life for a horse to me.
 
What aggrivates me is the fact their are people sturggling to keep their horses as money is tight for everyone right now, well with the odd exception, and thier are people that are desperate for a horse yet a vast majority of the horse community have their own horse yet can't be bothered with it, the people on my yard that don't ride seem to spend at most an hour at the yard and not do things all that well, then leave their horses for someone else to bring in (as we have the rule that if when you get your horse in thier is only one other out you bring both in) or just pay some one else to do it, not like full livery as its a completely DIY yard but their is a 'job service' available
 
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stroppy said:
What aggrivates me is the fact their are people sturggling to keep their horses as money is tight for everyone right now, well with the odd exception, and thier are people that are desperate for a horse yet a vast majority of the horse community have their own horse yet can't be bothered with it, the people on my yard that don't ride seem to spend at most an hour at the yard and not do things all that well, then leave their horses for someone else to bring in (as we have the rule that if when you get your horse in thier is only one other out you bring both in) or just pay some one else to do it, not like full livery as its a completely DIY yard but their is a 'job service' available
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I kind of get what your saying .....My horse hasn't been worked for the past 5 months, I like to spend time with her and not ride or do anything that paricularly interesting but doesn't mean I don't struggle to pay for her and don't appreciate her . :)
 
stroppy said:
both of mine came from competion homes and had been shown reg as foals so have never just 'lived out'
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My now 4 year old has been shown as a foal, as a yearling, 2 year and 3 year old at all the big busy county shows, funny enough she doesn't seem depressed without her "job" .

But then again it just goes to show you not all horses are the same ;) .
 
stroppy said:
What aggrivates me is the fact their are people sturggling to keep their horses as money is tight for everyone right now, well with the odd exception, and thier are people that are desperate for a horse yet a vast majority of the horse community have their own horse yet can't be bothered with it, the people on my yard that don't ride seem to spend at most an hour at the yard and not do things all that well, then leave their horses for someone else to bring in
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jesus i would hate to be on a livery yard with you. what business of yours is it what other people do with their horses?! As long as the horses are cared for, it's nobodies business but the owners. As one of the horse owners you seem to despise, sometimes i CAN only spend an hour at the yard, and its not because i'm rich and can't be bothered, its because i have a sick mum, and my own company thats i'm trying to keep going in a recession and some days i have only an hour to pop out and see him. I have literally no money and scrimp to keep my horse, but i don't begrudge anyone wealthier than me their luck, and i don't judge them for their choices.
 
paddi22 said:
jesus i would hate to be on a livery yard with you. what business of yours is it what other people do with their horses?! As long as the horses are cared for, it's nobodies business but the owners. As one of the horse owners you seem to despise, sometimes i CAN only spend an hour at the yard, and its not because i'm rich and can't be bothered, its because i have a sick mum, and my own company thats i'm trying to keep going in a recession and some days i have only an hour to pop out and see him. I have literally no money and scrimp to keep my horse, but i don't begrudge anyone wealthier than me their luck, and i don't judge them for their choices.
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Here here!!

Unless they are uncared for then its nobody's business what you do with your horses,

I have my daughters NF pony who we have had for 9 years, he isn't ridden although very healthy, but he plays a very important role in being a lovely companion to my pony, he is part of the family, and I don't think he gives a damn if he's not ridden!!!
 
Cazza525 said:
I'm sure horses don't stand in a field thinking....'I wish I was at a show/event today'

As long as they are seen to, who is anyone to judge?

:)
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This made me laugh!

I bet the're thinking " For gods sake leave me alone and let me be a horse" :)


I don't understand this work fester? does that mean just because they are out 24/7 they are going mouldy?
 
stroppy said:
Luckyoldme its people with your attitude that often have something to hide and therefore i disreguard your view entirely.
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There are six other horses where mine lives. all are kept in different styles and some do nothing at all. Their owners are all nice people with far more knowledge than me. Rest assured my horse is safe with me. I do think its a huge leap from being told basicly its none of your business to make a statement like that.
 
paddi22 said:
jesus i would hate to be on a livery yard with you. what business of yours is it what other people do with their horses?! As long as the horses are cared for, it's nobodies business but the owners. As one of the horse owners you seem to despise, sometimes i CAN only spend an hour at the yard, and its not because i'm rich and can't be bothered, its because i have a sick mum, and my own company thats i'm trying to keep going in a recession and some days i have only an hour to pop out and see him. I have literally no money and scrimp to keep my horse, but i don't begrudge anyone wealthier than me their luck, and i don't judge them for their choices.
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Hi paddy couldnt have said better myself. Got my own business too and its tough. I scrimp to pay for my boy and get to spend the crack of dawn with him.... and also been there with my dad been very ill recently.We unfortunately lost my dad but the hour with my horse in the morning has got me through the worst. Im the same as you i dont begrudge anyone who has the time and money to spend all day riding ........ its just amazing to think that while some folk are doing that they are criticising other folk who arent able to. I would also think that there are horses in this current climate who have a lot more to worry about than wether or not they are going to be ridden today.
 
stroppy said:
What aggrivates me is the fact their are people sturggling to keep their horses as money is tight for everyone right now, well with the odd exception, and thier are people that are desperate for a horse yet a vast majority of the horse community have their own horse yet can't be bothered with it, the people on my yard that don't ride seem to spend at most an hour at the yard and not do things all that well, then leave their horses for someone else to bring in (as we have the rule that if when you get your horse in thier is only one other out you bring both in) or just pay some one else to do it, not like full livery as its a completely DIY yard but their is a 'job service' available
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Stamping your feet shouting it's not fair never did anyone any good ;)
I would love another horse,but that would mean money going on keep instead of lessons,son wants a pony too so looks like my lesson budget will be slashed- oh well,shite happens.
Being bitter only hurts you....


A horse needs food,turnout,other horses for company and since they are domestic animals,someone to check them over.
Work is nice for some of them,but not essential.
 
stroppy said:
Luckyoldme its people with your attitude that often have something to hide and therefore i disreguard your view entirely.
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OP Are you a troll or just very very young and immature? Can't believe your attitude! People are struggling just to get up to the yard to see to their horses just now and you come away with c**p like this. Words fail me - I'm off for some benelyn.
 
I own a cob, who I ride 5-6 days a week in the spring/summer. Currently, I haven't rode him in weeks and I doubt I will for a while.

I go up every day and feed him ect. and I just spend time with him, grooming and just being with him.

Tont lives out, has food, hay, fresh water, rugs, everything he needs and is perfectly happy.

I think it is important to have some time to just be a horse, and he is the sweetest pony to be around :)
 
I have 4 horses they live out 24/7 365 days of the year as a herd. By getting to know them all in the field in their natural state i have got to know them all so much better than when my 1st was stabled and ridden every day. I ride now and again weather depending and health depending.
My horses are healthy and happy, i never leave my field in a bad mood and i have never known my horses to be so relaxed and content.
I've chosen to get my own place and have limited riding (especially this weather!) due to ensuring my horses can live naturally and be horses. I'd much rather not ride and be able to see my horse do his own thing with his mates than have him stabled and ride everyday.
 
Sophie_Bailey said:
I have 4 horses they live out 24/7 365 days of the year as a herd. By getting to know them all in the field in their natural state i have got to know them all so much better than when my 1st was stabled and ridden every day. I ride now and again weather depending and health depending.
My horses are healthy and happy, i never leave my field in a bad mood and i have never known my horses to be so relaxed and content.
I've chosen to get my own place and have limited riding (especially this weather!) due to ensuring my horses can live naturally and be horses. I'd much rather not ride and be able to see my horse do his own thing with his mates than have him stabled and ride everyday.
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:D Same Here:D except they are stabled at night.I did have 4 but now have 2 and some sheep. I love every minute I am at the field. Its not compulsary to ride. The joy and peace I get from them is worth every penny they cost,and more. I even love the sheep.
 
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stroppy said:
I have noticed that at my new yard and the yard i was at before that most people don't ride, obviously in this weather i can totaly understand it is often not possible, however when the weather is acomodating why if you have a healthy well behaved horse why just leave him/her in the field and not ride?? its not as though horse's are cheap and i don't understand why some people pay a small fortune on there horses yet dont ride???
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They do it so that those who do ride their horses - and apparently have nothing better to do with the rest of their time than poke their noses into others' business - can have something to feel all smug and self-righteous about.

Sorry to sound a bit harsh, but these endless "why oh why don't the people at my yard ride their horses?" posts remind me of the type of person who is constantly twitching their net curtains and commenting on what their neighbours are up to - "Ooooh - Mrs Bloggs at number 11 seems to be getting up rather late in the morning these days - that's the third time I've seen her in her dressing-gown at 9.30 - probably out partying again last night - can't say I approve..."

As umpteen people on here have already said, as long as the horses are healthy and well cared-for, it is none of your business whether their owners choose to ride them or not, or how often they visit them, or indeed anything else about their lives or personal choices.
 
stroppy said:
IMHO a horse being kept as a pet is a waste of a horse.
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Most horses are pets! How many horses work for their human's living these days? :confused: Horses are hobbies not work these days so are actually pets like it or not. Dogs that go to shows or do training, learn tricks etc. are still pets. Guide dogs etc. could be considered to be working dogs but all dogs like horses need exercise, they don't have to 'work' to get it or to be 'fullfilled'! These are human aspirations not animal ones! :D
I feel the same as Sophie_Bailey. Getting to really know my lot as horses is my greatest pleasure and I'm lucky too in being able to have them at home.
 
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