sonjafoers
Well-Known Member
I planned to give one of my horses a few weeks off as I thought she was a bit under the weather but after a week she seems bored stiff so I'm not sure what to do!
She is a very forward going girl who is normally ridden 4 or 5 times a week. She hunted fortnightly all season and has done a handful of hunter trials in the last 2 months. 2 weeks ago she finished a hunter trial full of running on the Sunday, I gave her the Monday off and when I rode on the Tuesday & Wednesday she was very lethargic. I then rode again on the Friday & she was much closer to normal but not quite as forward going so I took her to a Hunter Trial on the Sunday as it was the last one of the season. She came out feeling fine but I entered a smaller class than usual just in case she was a bit tired, and completely out of character we had a refusal. I don't think I've had a refusal xc in the last 3 years so coupled with the lethargy I decided to give her a few weeks off.
She has now had a full week off, by day 5 she was following me around the field when I went to get my other horse for riding and then yesterday she winnied to me when I went in the field which she has never done before! I got the other one in closely watched by her & when I got to my stable block I looked back & she was stood at the gate asking to come in so I left her in with a haynet whilst I nipped the other out.
Apart from getting her in for breakfast & a groom, and checking her over in the field twice a day (with treats!) I haven't really touched her as I thought the time just being a horse would do her good. However I think she has other ideas and is fed up with being abandoned!
For the record I took her temp when she seemed lethargic & it was fine, she is sound and I don't for one minute think there's anything wrong with her - I just thought she's appreciate a rest.
I'm tempted to start riding her again tomorrow as I think that's what she's asking for but what would you do?
She is a very forward going girl who is normally ridden 4 or 5 times a week. She hunted fortnightly all season and has done a handful of hunter trials in the last 2 months. 2 weeks ago she finished a hunter trial full of running on the Sunday, I gave her the Monday off and when I rode on the Tuesday & Wednesday she was very lethargic. I then rode again on the Friday & she was much closer to normal but not quite as forward going so I took her to a Hunter Trial on the Sunday as it was the last one of the season. She came out feeling fine but I entered a smaller class than usual just in case she was a bit tired, and completely out of character we had a refusal. I don't think I've had a refusal xc in the last 3 years so coupled with the lethargy I decided to give her a few weeks off.
She has now had a full week off, by day 5 she was following me around the field when I went to get my other horse for riding and then yesterday she winnied to me when I went in the field which she has never done before! I got the other one in closely watched by her & when I got to my stable block I looked back & she was stood at the gate asking to come in so I left her in with a haynet whilst I nipped the other out.
Apart from getting her in for breakfast & a groom, and checking her over in the field twice a day (with treats!) I haven't really touched her as I thought the time just being a horse would do her good. However I think she has other ideas and is fed up with being abandoned!
For the record I took her temp when she seemed lethargic & it was fine, she is sound and I don't for one minute think there's anything wrong with her - I just thought she's appreciate a rest.
I'm tempted to start riding her again tomorrow as I think that's what she's asking for but what would you do?
