How I'm treating my horse - a Disgrace?

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Starbucks

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Having some family drama ATM and I've been really hurt about what my dad has said about me/my horse.

He has had the summer off and is very slowly getting fit. I've had him out cubbing once but we didn't really do anything, steady afternoon.

He's still out at night (in for a few hours in the day) and not clipped, he's a bit on a fat side.

My dad says it's discusting what I'm doing with him. :( But he's not actually going hunting ATM and I'm trying my best!! Getting him in and clipped isn't going to make him any thinner/fitter?? He will come in the next week or so but I don't understand why I'm doing anything wrong?
 
What is your dad actually complaining about? The fact your horse is still out and unclipped? Or the fact you took him out cubbing when he wasnt completely fit/clipped??
I take it he knows about horses? It doesnt sound like you are doing anything to warrant that sort of attitude! :(
 
An overweight, not yet fit, unclipped horse taken cubbing? Have you explained that you walked/ trotted slowly when you were out, and you were only out a couple of hours, and the horse didnt sweat excessively, because he may be getting the wrong end of the stick.
 
Fii said:
What is your dad actually complaining about? The fact your horse is still out and unclipped? Or the fact you took him out cubbing when he wasnt completely fit/clipped??
I take it he knows about horses? It doesnt sound like you are doing anything to warrant that sort of attitude! :(
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I'm not sure!! Yes he does know about horses. I think a) because he is out and unclipped and b) because his fitness isn't progressing fast enough for hunting.. but obviously I won't hunt him until he is!

We popped a couple of little jumps and cantered across a field when we went cubbing but much less than we would do on a ride, he's not hunting fit but has been in work for 2 months.

he doesn't like being clipped and gets colicy when in (cribber) so I think he's best left as long as possible.

Thanks guys.
 
Starbucks, I really can't remember if it was you, but was it you who had a colt you wanted to keep entire for a while on your dads land and your brothers girlfriend was stirring about it. If it was I appreciate your in a tricky situation at home, if it wasn't, scratch that!

Personally, I would clip out, double rug and leave out if you have the grazing. He will be warm and toasty and more relaxed. Either way I appreciate that its hard when people pass judgement, but if you have to live with them, try to make the peace and have a full and frank discussion. There may be things you can do to appease your dad, in order to get away with taking things at your speed. At the end of the day it is your horse and your responsibility but you know what parents are like, they always think they know better having been on this earth for longer than us! :D x
 
Not me, I have no colts or baby horses, Just my 13 yo hunter!

I think it is mainly steming from problems between my mum and dad, and it's spilling over to me for some reason. Of course he will be fit and clipped before he does anything proper. He is a NIGHTMARE to clip though hence the leaving as long as possible!

I'm going to put him on full/riden livery to reduce family tension I hope!! Sure there will be something wrong with that too. :-(
 
tough love warning!!!!!

I think you should be managing your horse based on what suits you and the horse
not on what MIGHT appease your Dad

as you say, I suspect everything you do will be condemned as 'wrong'

so do the RIGHT thing

then at least you'll be looking after two thirds of the equation properly

not attempting to please one third, almost definitely unsuccessfully
 
Queenbee said:
Starbucks, I really can't remember if it was you, but was it you who had a colt you wanted to keep entire for a while on your dads land and your brothers girlfriend was stirring about it. If it was I appreciate your in a tricky situation at home, if it wasn't, scratch that!

Personally, I would clip out, double rug and leave out if you have the grazing. He will be warm and toasty and more relaxed. Either way I appreciate that its hard when people pass judgement, but if you have to live with them, try to make the peace and have a full and frank discussion. There may be things you can do to appease your dad, in order to get away with taking things at your speed. At the end of the day it is your horse and your responsibility but you know what parents are like, they always think they know better having been on this earth for longer than us! :D x
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I'm confused by this. Why clip out, double rug and leave out? Surely it's no better/different than merely leaving full coated and leaving out in this instance?!:confused: OP doesn't mention how much work the horse is in currently. If it's in heavy work, fair enough (though to say to double rug without knowing much about the horse is probably a bit excessive). I have yet to meet a horse which actually *needs* double rugging at this time of year.
 
Moomin1 said:
I'm confused by this. Why clip out, double rug and leave out? Surely it's no better/different than merely leaving full coated and leaving out in this instance?!:confused: OP doesn't mention how much work the horse is in currently. If it's in heavy work, fair enough (though to say to double rug without knowing much about the horse is probably a bit excessive). I have yet to meet a horse which actually *needs* double rugging at this time of year.
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The OP is trying to get her horse hunting fit which would mean clipping. I think Queenbee was suggesting not bringing the horse in at all this winter. I dont think she meant double rugging just yet. It sounds like a good idea as he gets colic when kept in.
 
If your horse is at your parents home your Dad does have a right to comment .
If theres trouble at home tread carefully ,what you do is likely to be wrong whatever you do !
Take the best course to ease tension not an easy time for you just try to take a deep breath and step away as much as you can.
Good luck it's never worth fighting about horses.
 
I always had the impression that you came from an experienced hunting family, and that combined that your dad has seen your horse and can gauge how fit he is more than us on a forum, I would say perhaps he has a point..?
 
Starbucks said:
I'm not sure!! Yes he does know about horses. I think a) because he is out and unclipped and b) because his fitness isn't progressing fast enough for hunting.. but obviously I won't hunt him until he is!

he doesn't like being clipped and gets colicy when in (cribber) so I think he's best left as long as possible.

Thanks guys.
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I really dont see what this has to do with your father?! What business is it of his? There's absolutely nothing wrong with leaving him out unclipped, does he think thats cruel? If so, he's a nutter! If anything that's the BEST way because you've already said he hates being clipped (and doesnt need it anyway from the sounds of it) and he clearly would prefer to be out. I think you should tell your dad to back off...
 
MagicMelon said:
I really dont see what this has to do with your father?! What business is it of his? There's absolutely nothing wrong with leaving him out unclipped, does he think thats cruel? If so, he's a nutter! If anything that's the BEST way because you've already said he hates being clipped (and doesnt need it anyway from the sounds of it) and he clearly would prefer to be out. I think you should tell your dad to back off...
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If OP keeps her horse on her fathers property he has every right to comment on its condition and the way it is being kept.
 
MagicMelon said:
Right, well he's still talking rubbish. OP, can you not move your horse?
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It does not matter he has the right to give option on how OP keeps her horse on his property.
Personally I can't bare seeing fat horses at the hounds and if I had a daughter I would hesitate to tell her that.
 
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