Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Try and find him a new rider?
It does sound like you would like him to have an occasional rider especially as he is in such fine fettle and a great hacker.
Any friends of friends of friends you could ask?
I kind of abstratcly like the idea, but we (Mr Red especially) are fiercely protective of our privacy and he is kept at home.
No horse stands looking wistfully over their door thinking how if only they'd got a more committed owner (with unlimited funds) they could be aiming for badders or Paris 2024, they don't wonder to themselves what music they could use in the kür or anything of the sort. The idea of wasted potential is a human one. Imo its a societal construct and the root of a lot of human unhappiness. Horses know nothing of what they could be doing, they only know that they're (hopefully) comfortable and content. And if they are comfortable and content they're not wasted.
Maybe you'll find a rider for him, maybe you'd rather not and either is fine, he's happy either way
I think you are correct. I think a lot of the guilt is actually because I know how lucky I am that he is fit, well, healthy, up for it, mannerly, fun etc and yet... he does nothing! I guess it seems like a waste.
I don't think he is bothered at all. He has a fuss every day. Now has field turnout as well as dry lot, and a stable. He can pester Baby Horse when he wants. His haylage is split into 5 portions, so always more food about to be delivered.