How much does a horse need to be happy

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poiuytrewq

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Time wise and attention wise?

Im worried about my retired horse right now as I have so little time to spend on him. I could I guess bring him in for a grooming session in the day but he's out 8-5 and I don't like to cut into his field time then its dark and I have no lighting.
Is it ok that I only apply to his basic needs? ie- he gets breakfast, rug changes and turned out. My spare daylight time is then spent mucking out and doing the chores and riding my second horse as and when (not often enough) Is this enough life for him? I worry eternally about this horse and keeping him doing nothing for ever.
I guess a horse is ok with little human contact? How much attention do your retired horses get?
 
As long as he has ad lib forage, be it grass or hay,company, access to shelter and of course water he will need little else.
The wild ponies here seem ok with no human interaction!
A daily check is sensible and I am sure he would appreciate a groom and human attention every so often,but if you meet his basic needs as mentioned above he will be a happy horse......................mine would much rather live like this,but I like to ride him regularly which he finds very inconvenient!
 
Makes me feel a little better! I try and hose his legs once a week or so to have a good check. In the summer he will be able to get more attention. (He likes helping poo pick!). Just find it weird he used to be my only horse and I guess I'm feeling guilty!
 
Our yard has many retirees who we only see in this time of year for feeds. The oldees have company, a nice quiet field and are checked daily. They're all content and happy - and apart from one naughty little chap haven't gone feral yet.
 
since having a 2nd horse, (almost 2 years now!), both being ridden i still feel guilty over how much time i spend with one or the other and all i seem to do is the basics for them...muck out, feed, rugs etc and ride both with no time for a proper groom etc.....

so although they both 'see' me neither get 'attention' until the weekend...and seem to enjoy it more :) !
 
This is what mine needs:

Something to scratch on eg fence post, grooming with another horse, or grooming with curry comb.
Opportunity to roll, preferably daily.
Constant food and water and a chance to eat it without being hassled by other horses.
To be warm and dry.
Exercise, either turnout or riding daily.
Riding at least once a week, preferably hacking with an opportunity to canter.
Company for at least some of the day eg in field, or grill between stables.
Medication for his problems.
Daily visit and titbit or feed from a human.

Anything less than this and he's not happy.
 
My older fella would be immensely pleased if he never had to interact with a human again!!

Younger fella would probably die of boredom and heartache if he didn't have a good fuss and a job.

Horses for courses :)
 
Our retired cob lady is quite happy with daily turnout, extra feed (she doesn't hold her weight with just forage these days, as she did as a younger horse) company she can rely on, a rug if the weather is inclement and a good brush down when she has got herself unspeakably filthy :D
 
Company, room to move, sufficient food and water.....Horses live 'in the moment' and require safety, comfort and play.......they don't actually require humans!!!!
 
I feel the same! Since I retired my horse and he's gone to live out he gets less attention.

I see him every day at least once and he is checked over again by my friend but I haven't brushed him in a month! I feed him, check his rugs/legs etc and give him a pat and a polo and that's it.

I must say he's the happiest I've ever seen him, fat, hairy and muddy! He used to be immaculate and mane and tail always pulled and trimmed etc. He much prefers the feral look :)
 
You are giving him human contact twice a day by bringing him in and turning him out, don't beat yourself up about it. You sound in exactly the same position as me, my old boy is happy as Larry, but my youngster gets more daylight hour time as he needs riding. I'm sure yours are both happy with the situation as are mine :-)
 
I'm at that difficult stage where I'm deciding whether to retire my mare or not. She is turned out a lot, and stays out at night when the weather isn't too bad (she was out last night and I'm now listening to the wind howling outside and hoping she's warm enough!). I also look after my sister's gelding, who I ride, so this does cut into the amount of time I spend with my lovely girl. I try to set aside a few days a week where she gets a proper fuss, whether it's a good groom, or just sitting in her stable for 15 minutes talking to her and giving her a cuddle. My sister is home from uni atm so I have more time for my mare and it's made me realize how much I miss spending time with her. I spent a good 45 mins with her the other day just fussing over her, grooming her and sitting in her stable with my friend having a natter. Pony was very happy to have us there, and even had a sneaky slurp from my cup of tea. So when my sister goes back to uni I'm going to make sure my girlie gets at least one day a week where she has a proper fuss, but more if I can. Maybe you could try doing this? I certainly feel happier for spending more time with her :)
 
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