How many of you give your horse(s) a holiday?

[Sal_E]

Just wondering really. Not talking about horses in hard work (racers, 'proper' eventers etc), but just average horses.

Assuming it hasn't had an enforced break during the year...

 

[I_A_P]

im giving my mare all of decmeber off

thin its good for them to have chillout time, but then not too long so they r suprised when u get back on!!

 

[kerrylou123]

I put other for both, as my horses have the majority of winter off, with exception to any days i have off work, and weekends if weather isnt too bad. I dont have a school, therefore find it difficult to ride in the fields as they get very muddy, and wouldnt dare hack of a night time in the dark!

 

[I_A_P]

yer im same as u kerry, im wishing for a school!!

i only ride at weekends if the weather isnt horrendous!

 

[RunToEarth]

My mare has winter off now as she isn't hunting, and willow also has winter off, because I don't have time for him

But Oshka doesn't get too longer time off, neither do the others I ride, perhaps 2weeks out of a season or something...

 

[TGM]

I put no - there are normally enough things that go wrong to give them an enforced rest without having to give them an additional holiday!

 

[jess_asterix]

mine never stop work completely they may have 4/5 days off every couple of months but i try not to give them too much time off when not needed as i may go on holiday which means a week off so it all adds up in the end.

But they do have a break from competing every so often, usually at the end of the outdoor season.

 

[S_N]

B will get at least a months holiday once she's been weaned! She's been working hard now for *counts on fingers* 19 months. From conception to weaning, so she will have a holiday, then I will start playing with ground work with her, whilst I decide whether to breed from her again or loan her for a year *sobs*

 

[Super_Kat]

Mine will usually have july /august off because it's always too damn hot to do anything!

 

[RachelB]

Mine always schedule their own holidays (illness/ injury) so I never bother! I need all the time I can get to get some riding in between vet time!

 

[Chex]

I used to give him a few months off over winter, but since his arthritis has got worse, he's too be worked regularly, so not much time off!

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

As he competes a lot (and is now just starting affiliated) i tend to plan to give 2weeks off september time and bring back in october, then 2weeks over christmas i just hack with no schooling or competitions to give his brain a mental rest before getting him fit for eventing season.

 

[pottamus]

No I keep my boy ticking over all year, even if I only get to hack him out 3 times a week in winter if the weather is bad. What a mean mother!
But he has the occasional week off if I am on holiday or we have snow etc...but he gets a bit bored and likes to go out and about to be honest. Mentally he is happier going out for a hack on a regular basis.

 

[bellgave]

I give my horses an annual break, and also a few mini ones during the year too!!!
Harder to do so with the babies, but the big boys all get some down time. Infact any older show horses I have had tend to get roughed off after HOYS and dont come back into work untill late January.