Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
I love those pictures .
I love those pictures .
Auslander
Well-Known Member
Me too! He was so happy to be out.
He looked very out of place - great big dressage horse, in amongst all the local showjumping crowd!
palo1
Well-Known Member
This!! Our feral ponies have many different challenges through the year; sometimes they have to deal with snow or have to actively look for water (we know they have a number of sources of that but they can change a bit). They have to deal with the weather/finding shelter every day as well as balance grazing in the 'best' areas with resting in the least vulnerable places. They have to cope with strange horses, people, dogs, sheep and shepherding activities as well as many other things that may well be 'stressful' (motorbikes and mountain bikes for example) They move around all day, take an active interest (sometimes too active lol...) in everything that goes on on the hill and have hundreds of acres to roam with a huge variety of things to eat. They squabble, they make up and back in the day when my FIL was breeding they had the addition of foals to the herd; which they were all very involved with. Their lives are incredibly rich, varied, challenging and occasionally difficult. They have very few health issues and generally, when we have brought one in to start them, have a brilliantly healthy attitude; if somewhat 'switched on' and wary to begin with. The thought of a horse I care about having 'just' a field with a few mates, even with the best care, seems somehow much less than I would want so I work hard to make sure our domestic horses are trained to enable them to be comfortable with a wide range of experiences and stimuli so that their lives are 'more' enriched in as many ways as I can make them.
stangs
Well-Known Member
Horses, like any domestic animal or any animal kept in captivity, need enrichment. Going out competing can be that enrichment. It's not the only form of enrichment out there, and it won't be enriching for all horses, but it can be enrichment to horses of a particular character.
Having said that, I think there are far more owners who believe their horse needs to compete than there are horses who share that sentiment.
Having said that, I think there are far more owners who believe their horse needs to compete than there are horses who share that sentiment.
palo1
Well-Known Member
I think there are lots of different ways of getting 'out' (competing covers everything from a yard based UA walk/trot test/intro in hand Trek to the Olympics; it's a pretty general term lol!! I think 'outings' if they are handled well and suitably trained for, are probably pretty enriching for horses in relation to the general conditions of a UK livery yard.
Peglo
Well-Known Member
i agree about enrichment. My little mare is quite happy to go out to ‘events’ (I say that loosely for what we go to) with friends there. She’s also happy to mooch in the field with friends. She does hack by herself but she lights up if we meet up with horses or see friends as we ride past. Her enrichment is other horses more than what we’re doing. I think if I traveled her by herself to a solo lesson she would not be happy and I’m fairly sure she would be miserable without turnout with other horses.
I am speaking solely about my mare and know fine from previous pony that other horses are not the kind of enrichment all horses need.
maya2008
Well-Known Member
Mine like to be worked - staying in a field all day vs hacking round the forest and fields - obvious choice really. Little Welsh filly jumps out to come too if we leave her behind. I’m encouraging her gently to realise she can have a day off when others are being worked, but it’s a work in progress! The ones who like jumping also enjoy going to an arena to play with the jumps. If they only hacked they would be happy though, they just like to get out of the field and do something different. Makes sense really - in the wild they would travel large distances, so being stuck in a field all day isn’t very natural. Mooching around the countryside fulfils that need to travel and explore the area.
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
It is. My horse is fairly chilled. I think going out to lots of places means he’s even more chilled. (Maybe too chilled at dressage). He’s happy in his lorry / away from home Etc.
We do some away hacking / low level endurance / trec / horse agility / dressage / clinics Etc etc.
I think if horse travels well and has a varied workload a fair amount of outings for a fit horse does no harm. And makes a well rounded calm horse.
Though I think my horse would be equally happy in field.
throwawayaccount
Well-Known Member
I think a horse needs to have mileage on it so to say, particularly if you end up selling it down the line; it’s good to have various experience under its belt.
that said, the need to go out depends on the horses attitude/status. I’ve had a horse who loved to go out and genuinely thrived from doing so, but it wasn’t something I could continually afford.
like most things balance is best- for example, schooling- why not try to do it on a hack etc rather than monotonous going around a ménage.
digressed slightly I know but its an interesting thread
that said, the need to go out depends on the horses attitude/status. I’ve had a horse who loved to go out and genuinely thrived from doing so, but it wasn’t something I could continually afford.
like most things balance is best- for example, schooling- why not try to do it on a hack etc rather than monotonous going around a ménage.
digressed slightly I know but its an interesting thread
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
My horse would I think quite like to eat, sleep, play with his friends and be fed carrots and have his itchy places scratched. All work is optional, though he’s always good to be caught.
I think one thing with horses and competing is some riders get tense / anxious / different / uptight etc about competitions or very competitive which can’t be much fun for horses.
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
They are all individuals with their own characters and it is up to us to provide what they enjoy, thrive on and what they are physically and mentally capable of, is my thought.
Looking at my motley crew, the old lad was a competition horse who loved his job. He was very tricky when I had to retire him but he did adapt eventually. The small hunter is a lazy bint who exists to eat and sleeps. Lots of presence when taken out and aways gives a good ride, but won't bother if she never left the yard again. She isn't a great traveller either and a bit of an internal worrier.
The nervous anxious Ted rather surprisingly, enjoys going out and always tries so hard to please. He is a nicer horse to have around if he is busy and has a lot of human interaction. The maxi cob would happily go out everyday, loves travelling and will gallop up any open ramp regardless of whose truck it is.
They are all so different just like people are.
Looking at my motley crew, the old lad was a competition horse who loved his job. He was very tricky when I had to retire him but he did adapt eventually. The small hunter is a lazy bint who exists to eat and sleeps. Lots of presence when taken out and aways gives a good ride, but won't bother if she never left the yard again. She isn't a great traveller either and a bit of an internal worrier.
The nervous anxious Ted rather surprisingly, enjoys going out and always tries so hard to please. He is a nicer horse to have around if he is busy and has a lot of human interaction. The maxi cob would happily go out everyday, loves travelling and will gallop up any open ramp regardless of whose truck it is.
They are all so different just like people are.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
Mine couldn't care less they are happy just being in the field.
sakura
Well-Known Member
But the question isn’t “do horses enjoy work/going to events?” it’s do they need to? Keeping horses in small, sterile paddocks often alone is an unnatural living environment for them, and no doubt those horses benefit hugely from working and socialising when at events. But that doesn’t change my opinion that horses, when kept correctly, don’t need to go out and compete.
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
My horse lives out - with an equicentral type system for grazing. They are shut in less space over night. I tend to feed him, turn everyone out in max space. Do chores. Go and catch him having maybe given him 15-20 minutes on fresh grass. We tend to be out in lorry twice a week, and do lots of ridden work and ground work. I would say with a varied terrain, lots of space, a herd of 5, lots of shelters etc. etc he has enough enrichment. But I can always catch him and he will sometimes walk up to me. So he must get something from the interaction (aside from the high fibre treat cube in my pocket)
Toby_Zaphod
Well-Known Member
Those who don't believe horses need to go out are partially right but are also very wrong.
I have 2 horses who were trained over the years to do most disciplines very well. Whilst they were being trained their ears were pricked and they had a sparkle in their eyes. They both show jumped to around Newcomers & Foxhunter, They both competed at dressage to a reasonable standard as well. They both loved cross country as well.
We've had trailers but eventually we changed over to a lorry. On a day we were going out they'd be groomed, as they were every day & they just stood there, calm as you like. The tack was loaded on the lorry And all would be calm until we put their travel boots on. They got so excited & were pretty frisky when taken to the lorry. They would bound up the ramp, turn sideways & they'd be tied there & the partitions would be closed. They'd both have a hay net & we'd start our journey, we had a camera on them & they always travelled well. When we went to a particular show ground & we turned down the road the ground was on they would both call & shuffle about. They knew where they were going & were excited. We'd pull on the carpark drop the ramp & get them tacked up. They off loadwed well & their ears were pricked all the time we were there. They warmed up well, enjoying it & then into the ring for the class. Daughter rode them & you could see that both horse & rider enjoyed them selves. Hardly a show went by without them bringing back rosettes. With the affiliated jumping they regularly won prize money which covered the diesel used & sometimes more. After the classes they did, they were loaded up & were taken home. This would happen when they went to do dressage & cross country.
I agree that some horses don't want to go to shows, or indeed their owners don't want to go. All I can say is our horses really enjoyed it. They are both now in their 'senior years' so we don't go out much now. Lorry takes them to do different hacks now. It also does trips to the vets if needed. Although they don't really compete now, when we've put some jumps up in the arena and the horses come in their ears prick up & their eyes sparkle when they see their toys are out. They still love o jump & they love ground work.
I have 2 horses who were trained over the years to do most disciplines very well. Whilst they were being trained their ears were pricked and they had a sparkle in their eyes. They both show jumped to around Newcomers & Foxhunter, They both competed at dressage to a reasonable standard as well. They both loved cross country as well.
We've had trailers but eventually we changed over to a lorry. On a day we were going out they'd be groomed, as they were every day & they just stood there, calm as you like. The tack was loaded on the lorry And all would be calm until we put their travel boots on. They got so excited & were pretty frisky when taken to the lorry. They would bound up the ramp, turn sideways & they'd be tied there & the partitions would be closed. They'd both have a hay net & we'd start our journey, we had a camera on them & they always travelled well. When we went to a particular show ground & we turned down the road the ground was on they would both call & shuffle about. They knew where they were going & were excited. We'd pull on the carpark drop the ramp & get them tacked up. They off loadwed well & their ears were pricked all the time we were there. They warmed up well, enjoying it & then into the ring for the class. Daughter rode them & you could see that both horse & rider enjoyed them selves. Hardly a show went by without them bringing back rosettes. With the affiliated jumping they regularly won prize money which covered the diesel used & sometimes more. After the classes they did, they were loaded up & were taken home. This would happen when they went to do dressage & cross country.
I agree that some horses don't want to go to shows, or indeed their owners don't want to go. All I can say is our horses really enjoyed it. They are both now in their 'senior years' so we don't go out much now. Lorry takes them to do different hacks now. It also does trips to the vets if needed. Although they don't really compete now, when we've put some jumps up in the arena and the horses come in their ears prick up & their eyes sparkle when they see their toys are out. They still love o jump & they love ground work.
Annagain
Well-Known Member
Monty definitely seemed to enjoy being out and about and Wiggy does too. They both were/are pretty laid back chaps but go up a notch somewhere with a bit of atmosphere. Archie was the total opposite. At home, he's supremely confident, will stay in or out alone and not give a stuff and when in work he'd hack out for hours alone, meeting others along the way and leaving them again with no problems at all. However, the second I boxed him up even just to hack somewhere different he became the clingiest, nappiest horse going. We'd struggle to get even 10m away from his companions. He eventually settled to manage lessons on his own but leaving a busy warm up to go into an arena (no matter the discipline) was really stressful and once, on an XC course (with a friend of mine, not me) he just turned and cantered back to the trailer - not especially fast but he wasn't stopping either!
So no, they don't NEED to go out but, just like humans, some enjoy it more than others.
So no, they don't NEED to go out but, just like humans, some enjoy it more than others.
Burnttoast
Well-Known Member
I think part of the trouble is what behaviours/body language do we correctly interpret as showing enjoyment? If a generally laid-back horse is more energised and alert on an outing does that mean they're having fun or that in a new location they are paying more attention to their surroundings in case of danger and are more adrenalised? Some (well-trained or generally calm/bold in character) may be just a bit more forward and carrying themselves, which feels great to the rider, but that doesn't necessarily mean they would chose to experience that (which is what you might expect if they liked the outings).
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
Like the horses that 'love jumping', when they might just be desperate to get it over with
SussexbytheXmasTree
Well-Known Member
My old boy used to attempt to load himself on any available transport. He seemed to really enjoy a day where he was the centre of attention especially veteran showing.
My relationship and confidence with my current horse has developed massively since I got my own transport and I do a variety of things at a Riding Club level especially training. I hack a lot for up to 10 miles also and until recently he was out in good sized paddocks with my oldie so he’s not suffering at home but still benefits from doing other mentally stimulating. At the moment due to the loss of my oldie he’s out on his own but next to other horses. He’s generally better behaved the more variety I give him.
I don’t think going out training or competing is necessary particularly but I’d also say that most livery yard turn-out isn’t exactly the plains of North America where horses can travel 30k a day and a lot of horses never hack more than round the block so I’m not convinced that field life / hacking life alone totally fulfils a horses mental or physical needs. But it is all a compromise. Wild horses also die of thirst and malnutrition, they break legs and die during giving birth or in forest fires. They may endure terrible hardship and their relationship with good humans has benefits too.
My relationship and confidence with my current horse has developed massively since I got my own transport and I do a variety of things at a Riding Club level especially training. I hack a lot for up to 10 miles also and until recently he was out in good sized paddocks with my oldie so he’s not suffering at home but still benefits from doing other mentally stimulating. At the moment due to the loss of my oldie he’s out on his own but next to other horses. He’s generally better behaved the more variety I give him.
I don’t think going out training or competing is necessary particularly but I’d also say that most livery yard turn-out isn’t exactly the plains of North America where horses can travel 30k a day and a lot of horses never hack more than round the block so I’m not convinced that field life / hacking life alone totally fulfils a horses mental or physical needs. But it is all a compromise. Wild horses also die of thirst and malnutrition, they break legs and die during giving birth or in forest fires. They may endure terrible hardship and their relationship with good humans has benefits too.
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
I think the thing that horses need most that they do not often get is a good stable herd of other horses of various ages in an area large enough for them to build good relationships with each other.
It is so hard on livery yards where turnout is in ones and twos or if there is a larger group there will be changes in the herd causing fights or horses losing contact with their best friends due to yard moves or policy changes.
For some horses they have never had the chance to develop good social skills. If the only time they are near others is at a competition or over an electric fence, that can't be good for their mental health.
It is so hard on livery yards where turnout is in ones and twos or if there is a larger group there will be changes in the herd causing fights or horses losing contact with their best friends due to yard moves or policy changes.
For some horses they have never had the chance to develop good social skills. If the only time they are near others is at a competition or over an electric fence, that can't be good for their mental health.
Tarragon
Well-Known Member
It looks like the general consensus is that horses NEED mental stimulation among their other basic needs, and this could be from their interactions with their environment and other horses, like the moor-bred Exmoor ponies, or track-based systems, and it could be from the interaction with us, whether that is competing, hacking, working, in-hand etc. etc. and any combination.
In both cases, horses will have personal preferences as to what makes them happy.
In both cases, horses will have personal preferences as to what makes them happy.
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
Agree herd turnout is so good for horses. I am not sure competitions are a place horses get socialization with other horses.
I think I more view it the other way, outings are for building my partnership with my horse, for us learning, growing, testing what we know, and getting feedback on our training at home. I dont think my horse needs them to feel satisfied.
But I do want to know that my horse isnt suffering from the outings and competitions and they arent impacting him negatively, or signs of this e.g. he isnt reluctant to load / sweating on lorry / losing weight or tucking up after outings / showing signs of stress on outings (e.g. stress poos / anxious eyes / calling / sweating / not eating and drinking etc) / dramatically different behaviour etc.. I want to know that the outings and competitions we do regularly are within his comfort zone and dont come at a cost to my horse. (Appreciate green horses may need to build a comfort zone).