Horses are two different hobbies.

[Fjord]

This winter I must admit I'd love the luxury of full livery and a floodlit arena. Ponies are happy with 24 hour turn out though!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Whilst I get p’d off about not being able to ride my ringing horse, now I’ve jacked in much of my horsey work I’m loving just doing my horses. I have two little ponies and one retired (maybe not!) and one ridden horse.
Only this evening out sweeping the yard on a Sunday pm in the pitch dark I thought I weirdly love this
I couldn’t be without them to do but I could not ride, although I’d miss it.

 

[pistolpete]

Hacking brings me such joy when it goes well. Nearly three hours out today in the sunshine. Bliss!

 

[mle22]

We have two horses, one retired very young as he was just impossible. Beautifully bred to event, but he just downed tools everytime he went anywhere. Napped, planted, ran backwards at the least pressure, clattering through anything behind him, even other horses. Walk of shame when he wouldn’t leave the line up in a class. He was once stuck for an hour in the middle of a warm up because he just wouldn’t move. Scared of a change of colour on the ground, refused to go down laneways. We spent lots of time and lots of money trying to find out what was wrong with him and finally came to the conclusion it was just him! He was so heartbreaking in terms of the effort put in to just fail every time. We gave up and bought a fun mare who has the most can do attitude. She’s not bred to event but has exceeded our every expectation. We still have the other horse as I couldn’t in all conscience sell him to anyone and he’d probably end up being abused by someone who thought they could make him go. I really resent looking after him, though he gets everything he needs. He of course is the one who goes through fences and he hates being touched or groomed. There is no pleasure in owning him, I actively dislike him, yet I’m soft and can’t bring myself to pts. He’s very good looking and that’s all you could say in his favour. Just needed that little rant before I go to fix the electric fence he’s just gone through!

 

[pistolpete]

Thank you @mle22 for your honesty and sharing. I so hear you and feel your pain!

 

[j1ffy]

I’m definitely into riding more than the care side - I adore my horses and always make sure they want for nothing but wouldn’t choose to trade in riding for pampering and ground work. I wish I could bring myself to care more about grooming and turning out to a high standard but somehow I always find something better to do

 

[Landcruiser]

I have four to look after (2 x PSSM TBs, 1 x EMS/PSSM/asthmatic Dartmoor, 1 x Sh*tland) and nothing that I can ride faster than walk. I like pottering around outside doing stuff but I also want to ride properly. I am currently saving up for #5 but don't tell my husband... If I buy another big bay, he might not even notice...!

I'm in a similar position with 4 at home and only able to do gentle walk hacks a couple of times a week. It's such a slog, but thankfully all of mine are nice people and easy enough to do. I do miss proper riding though and can't wait to get my youngster backed.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I love looking after my horses, both are perfectly sound and they are the reason I get up in the morning. I own up to being a fair weather rider, I hate getting wet, hailed on or being blown into the next county and now I’m fully retired I could ride more but my biggest problem is being injured which happens more as you age. Every time I get going I manage to break something else and I’m at the stage where I’ve decided they are merely pets and I’m content with that.

 

[wiglet]

When my OH and I both had a horse each we rode every day whatever the weather - we also loved the care side of things, life revolved around the horses.

Fast forward to now and I have the one horse. His mare was pts years ago and he didn’t want another. He still loves looking after my mare though. She’s a veteran now and has health issues so it’s just gentle hacking.

I won’t replace her. There’s no nice livery yards near me - every yard seems to contain a yard bit@h, a yard psycho or a yard snitch My current yard has all three Fortunately, I’m a middle age menopausal woman and they seem to know not to mess with me I’ll be sad to not have horses in my life anymore but, I’ve had my fill - it’s just not the same anymore

 

[94lunagem]

I’ll never have another ridden horse now. From my early teens I enjoyed 20 odd years of being out most weekends training and competing, but losing the last of my competition horses, my horse of a lifetime who was with me throughout while others came and went, was just too painful to do again. I’m lucky to have my own land at home and have been able to give each of my “big” horses the retirement they deserved until the end. And now have a couple of companion ponies. It’s very much my way of life in terms of daily routine and being outdoors, and there is always something to do maintenance wise be it fencing, trees or watercourses etc. I still go out to competitions helping friends but don’t miss or need the social side of riding and competing myself. Being around the ponies in my own space is enough for me these days.

 

[Squeak]

Quin is super handsome and only little but gives nothing back.

Yes totally agree. The highland has always been tricky.

When I had any in work I never worried about keeping horses fit just rode according to their capability. Sometimes a half hour walk was all they could do and that was fine. Not having one to ride of my own has really made me think about whether to have another. Can’t afford it while the highland is still around anyway.

Reading your posts - I know nothing about your situation but I do think retirement is sometimes over done these days. I'm not sure that's the right way of phrasing it but if a horse is giving no pleasure then it is a very very expensive pet. It's one thing if we can still enjoy the horse when it's retired but if it's difficult to handle or has difficult needs then retirement isn't always the right answer. A horse has no concept of the future. 20 years ago I don't remember retirement even really being a thing.

 

[Fransurrey]

Having one oldie and one with PSSM1 my riding is very hit and miss and often at walk only. A canter is a big deal, these days. As a result, I do find it more of a chore than I should in winter, but being out in fresh air is good for me and my field layout means that I can 'disappear' down the bottom and just stare into the woods if I want to. I swing between wanting another ridden horse and just focusing on the PSSM1 (younger) horse when oldie goes. Suspect rising costs will play a massive part in that, as for me it's quadrupled since I started horse ownership 24 years ago (had to move onto livery when landowner died). I do enjoy taking mine for walks, though.

 

[expanding_horizon]

Think I am lucky as I am passionately obsessive over both hobbies . Improving my horse's lifestyle and environment, groundwork, and riding. Riding is a huge part for me, but with the right horse it is no more than 50%. But I hear you, with the wrong horse, I had one that was sadly never quite right physically or mentally, if you dont have the bond and connection, and they are tricky to ride or cant be ridden, it can just be an expensive slog.

 

[Tarragon]

I would have said that I was a rider first and foremost, though my definition of riding is long hacks, but I have really only just got my current pony going having spent the last two years doing all the groundwork and and backing, and I surprised myself how much joy I got out of the process, even though the number of hours in the saddle was absolutely minimal.
I also more than happy with the routine that goes with caring for two ponies (the other is retired) as I need that blast of fresh air and exercise outdoors every day. It keeps me fit and sane.

 

[pistolpete]

Interestingly a friend asked if I could feed and turn her horse out on Friday. I said yes without hesitating as he’s such a lovely character. I can’t ride him but I don’t mind! He’s just a nice person!

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Reading your posts - I know nothing about your situation but I do think retirement is sometimes over done these days. I'm not sure that's the right way of phrasing it but if a horse is giving no pleasure then it is a very very expensive pet. It's one thing if we can still enjoy the horse when it's retired but if it's difficult to handle or has difficult needs then retirement isn't always the right answer. A horse has no concept of the future. 20 years ago I don't remember retirement even really being a thing.

I wanted to put this but didn't dare! If he's giving you no pleasure, and doesnt sound the nicest of characters, I'd PTS the Highland.

 

[pistolpete]

I have a moral dilemma. He didn’t ask to be purchased by me he certainly didn’t mean to get injured. So I feel he’s had a bad run of luck. Killing him would not be ethical as long as I can afford to keep him. I don’t get any pleasure from owning him but I do keep him on the cheap. That gives me more moral issues!

 

[Squeak]

I have a moral dilemma. He didn’t ask to be purchased by me he certainly didn’t mean to get injured. So I feel he’s had a bad run of luck. Killing him would not be ethical as long as I can afford to keep him. I don’t get any pleasure from owning him but I do keep him on the cheap. That gives me more moral issues!

He could have easily injured himself in another home or had something else happen. He also could have been sound and absolutely miserable in another home. It doesn't sound like he's been unlucky to have you as an owner, quite the opposite!

I know it's a very hard subject and many people would have many different views. I have a retired old boy at the moment and my current horse I will also retire when the time comes but they're both lovely horses and have given me many years of pleasure and I get pleasure out of their company and having them around, the old boy slots in with the other horses and is also a companion for them. From what you've said on this post, I'll be brave and admit I probably would have the horse pts. There is also an argument that you don't have to suffer for a horse that it sounds like you've done more than fair by.

I'm not usually one to be outspoken or say something that could even remotely be controversial but you do sound like you're suffering to give a horse a retirement and you don't need to. I don't actually think there are many who would judge you for pts. To really risk going down a wormhole... I'd argue how much a horse actually gets out of being retired and that it's potentially just an anthropomorphisation on our part.

 

[Boulty]

It’s such a difficult one. I seem to have a knack for finding slightly sick notey horses.

The Irish bog pony and the orange idiot I would have kept in retirement (& found a way to have a second one to ride somehow) but both fell to pieces when no longer able to be in work and we’re not able to be kept field sound even on bute. I don’t think it’s fair to keep horse going if they can’t have a canter about with their mates without being crippled so opted to PTS in both cases instead. The bog pony was a throughly nice person & rarely any bother. The orange one was rather more high maintenance but made just enough small gestures of appreciation to make being his slave / being allowed to bask in his glorious presence tolerable.

The fuzzball is an ungrateful swine whose lifetimes ambition is to just be a retired pet (but then he gets bored & destructive if not in work!) Knowing my luck when he does break himself badly enough to get his wish I’ll have another 20 years of him & his need to live on a track system that I deffo can’t afford to keep 2 on!

 

[pistolpete]

@Boulty you do make me laugh. I’m sorry your highland isn’t as nice as some I hear of. Not as awful as mine at least!

 

[Boulty]

He’s just a thug with a bit of a “why should I?!” attitude who makes it very clear he’s fine without me thanks very much!

He’s easier than the orange one in a lot of ways but he’s not got that same level of “try” / willingness to go forwards / brain to work things out for himself a bit / take responsibility for his own balance and so he’s not as fun to work with. He’s also a lot less likely to nearly kill me by leaping sideways to avoid some unseen monster!

 

[toppedoff]

Don't have a horse but I would love one. There's never been a moment where I've turned round and said "I just want to ride" I do want me own pony. Not sure what or type but owning a horse is a goal of mine I really want to get that goal

 

[marmalade76]

Yep. It’s not quite what I imagined way back when it all started! I was lucky with my first horse. He was a delight and I’d have happily been his slave for years. I think being honest it’s the fact that this highland is such a grouch!

It makes a massive difference if they're a nice person and act like they appreciate you.

 

[Caol Ila]

@Boulty you do make me laugh. I’m sorry your highland isn’t as nice as some I hear of. Not as awful as mine at least!

He’s just a thug with a bit of a “why should I?!” attitude who makes it very clear he’s fine without me thanks very much!

He’s easier than the orange one in a lot of ways but he’s not got that same level of “try” / willingness to go forwards / brain to work things out for himself a bit / take responsibility for his own balance and so he’s not as fun to work with. He’s also a lot less likely to nearly kill me by leaping sideways to avoid some unseen monster!

Re: Highlands. I'm not riding Fin as much this winter because (a) he doesn't hack alone and Hermosa does, and with limited daylight and a flexible work schedule, I'm often on my own at the yard during hours one can hack. (b) He wants as much turnout as possible. We are allowed to keep them out until 1800, and I often get as close to that as I can, depending on what the other owners in the field are doing. This obviously precludes hacking due to aforesaid daylight issues. Hermosa is on the yard's bring-in package, so the staff catch her between 2 and 3pm. (c) He's better than he used to be in the school, but man, it's still hard bloody work. I'm just really struggling to get anything resembling throughness and elasticity out of him. There's only so many days both of us want to do that. (d) I used to be a Dressage Queen but totally lost my psych. I don't want to ride either horse in the school more than once or twice a week.

It's the first time I've had a horse I could ride, and I'm just not riding it that much due a combination of my laziness/his quirks/winter.

For the last two winters, I've made him suck it up and come out of the field early so we could hack. But he doesn't have to do that anymore, so we don't.

I dunno...I said to my friend today, maybe I'm thinking about it the wrong way. It's not 'not riding him enough.' I bought him to do a specific job. Be my full time ridden horse until Hermosa was old enough to be in full time work. He did that for two years, and it would have been a bit of a shock for him because it was kind of going from 0-60. His previous owner never had him in full work and he was feral before that! Now, he doesn't need to do that (knock one wood), he can have a wee break, I can think about what he wants, like maximum time that the yard allows out with his mates.

Bring on daylight until 6.

 

[SEL]

Ha! I spent 3 years hoping the Appy would be sound and having my hopes dashed. But I loved having her and her buddy my old Ardennes around - wouldn't have been without them. In fact if big M could have lived to 100 I wouldn't have regretted a single hour or penny spent on him. Still missed dreadfully.

It is nice being able to ride though and that's one of the reasons I was so annoyed with the hunt last weekend. I could really do without my one actual riding horse being injured

 

[j1ffy]

I have a moral dilemma. He didn’t ask to be purchased by me he certainly didn’t mean to get injured. So I feel he’s had a bad run of luck. Killing him would not be ethical as long as I can afford to keep him. I don’t get any pleasure from owning him but I do keep him on the cheap. That gives me more moral issues!

It's a very long time since I studied ethics but can say with confidence that they are not absolute. You may feel that putting him to sleep wouldn't align with your own ethical code, and that's absolutely fine, but equally don't feel tied to caring for a horse that doesn't bring you some pleasure or meaning if you're trying to follow someone else's (or a forum / SM group!) perceived ethical code. I don't know you well but I do feel sad seeing your posts here and on FB, it feels like you are trudging through life a bit currently and Q isn't helping you move forward.

A close friend of mine put her retired, but happily field sound mare to sleep a couple of years ago when livery costs went up (friend could have afforded it but it was a big hike). Like you, she hadn't had a long and happy riding relationship with the horse and underlying issues arose that forced early retirement. The mare had a few happy years in the field and a very peaceful end to her life with a bucket of carrots. I feel it was the right decision and supported my friend through the whole ordeal, but she was extremely careful who she told about it as some people would have had a very different perspective.

Do what you feel is right, but please look after yourself!

 

[pistolpete]

Thank you @j1ffy I really appreciate your thoughts. You did know me when I had my previous horse who was cosmically different to this one. I appreciate your kind works very much.
My share boy P is bringing the joy back. He makes me feel like me again. A confident brave rider who loves a good gallop! I’d missed it so much and he’s my sanity right now. Having to move away from him will be hard but hoping another good share will come up in the future. Quin doesn’t tax me much but he is a bit of a drain.

 

[ycbm]

Yep. It’s not quite what I imagined way back when it all started! I was lucky with my first horse. He was a delight and I’d have happily been his slave for years. I think being honest it’s the fact that this highland is such a grouch!

PP, trying to say this as carefully as I can but my own experience is that horses that are grouchy are very often in pain, and from what you've said before he has a permanent stifle injury. You don't owe him a long retirement and it's possible maybe that it wouldn't be in his best interests anyway. I'm sorry if that is upsetting to read.
.

 

[pistolpete]

It’s fine @ycbm I totally agree and am always looking for signs of pain. I alternate magnet therapy physio and occasional bute and also boswelia and devils claw. Try not to have him on any one thing all the time so i can tell if it helps. I am aware them at pain causes behavioural changes. I have had the vet assure me he’s field sound but he hasn’t had a review for a while.

 

[j1ffy]

It’s fine @ycbm I totally agree and am always looking for signs of pain. I alternate magnet therapy physio and occasional bute and also boswelia and devils claw. Try not to have him on any one thing all the time so i can tell if it helps. I am aware them at pain causes behavioural changes. I have had the vet assure me he’s field sound but he hasn’t had a review for a while.

I mean this in the kindest (and yet most literal!) way possible - you are too good to him. I'm not sure I'd invest so much in pain management for a retired horse that isn't bothered about my existence