Frances28
Well-Known Member
I have a 16 yr old TB mare. Due to work committments during the week I only exercise her twice a week - Saturday & Sunday.
Is this rubbish? honestly.....
Is this rubbish? honestly.....
Is 2 days per week enough?
- Thread starter Frances28
- Start date
sachak
Well-Known Member
it depends what you want of your horse, if your wanting to compete then yes your right it is bad. have you not thought of getting a sharer
Nickijem
Well-Known Member
I suppose it depends what you do with her! If you go eventing on those two days or do endurance riding then it probably is a bit rubbish!
If she is turned out most of the time and she is in light work then absolutely not rubbish!
I really resent people trying to tell me I should ride more - I have my own horse and I can ride him when I like. If I only ride once or twice a week then that's fine as my horse only does light work and he is out 24 hours a day.
That said, at the moment I am riding about 4 times a week at the mo!
If she is turned out most of the time and she is in light work then absolutely not rubbish!
I really resent people trying to tell me I should ride more - I have my own horse and I can ride him when I like. If I only ride once or twice a week then that's fine as my horse only does light work and he is out 24 hours a day.
That said, at the moment I am riding about 4 times a week at the mo!
hadfos
Well-Known Member
Absolutely not,as long as you dont overdo due to her age etc!!I know loads of people that only work their horses at weekends,as long as you are sensible and dont overdo it you will both be fine!!
We all have work commitments and you can only do what you can do!!Just enjoy the 2days you spend riding your neddy
We all have work commitments and you can only do what you can do!!Just enjoy the 2days you spend riding your neddy
Horseyscot
Well-Known Member
Do what suits you and her, if you are both happy and it suits your lifestyle its fine. As long as you just ride according to your mares fitness. Due to having small kids some weeks I ride 1/2 times other weeks 5 times. I love my horse but he's not the only thing going on in my life!
Frances28
Well-Known Member
NICKI68 - yes you are right I should stop worrying about it all. She does an hour's hack on Saturday and little shows or an hour schooling session. She is out by night in by day chilling out.
I supposed that's ok. I do worry sometimes as some of the 'others' on the yard are there over an hour before me and lunge hack and do all sorts. I feel guilty that I just turn up and turn out!
Sod it - she's happy and that's the main thing!
I supposed that's ok. I do worry sometimes as some of the 'others' on the yard are there over an hour before me and lunge hack and do all sorts. I feel guilty that I just turn up and turn out!
Sod it - she's happy and that's the main thing!
Coffee_Bean
Well-Known Member
Depends what you do with her. If you just work her quite gently, then I'm sure she's fine, but if you pound her for hours at the weekend then its not really fair on her, as she won't be fit enough.
quirky
Well-Known Member
For me and my horse it wouldn't be enough, he likes his work and becomes crabby if he has more than 2 days off in a row.
In answer to your question, I would say it depends what you do with her at weekends. If you're doing hard work, then no, it's not fair. It'd be like you sitting on the sofa all week and then doing a 2 mile jog on a saturday and sunday. If she's just doing a light hack, then I guess she'd be able to cope with that.
In answer to your question, I would say it depends what you do with her at weekends. If you're doing hard work, then no, it's not fair. It'd be like you sitting on the sofa all week and then doing a 2 mile jog on a saturday and sunday. If she's just doing a light hack, then I guess she'd be able to cope with that.
Frances28
Well-Known Member
Phew you have all just put my mind at rest!
Grumpy Herbert
Well-Known Member
As the others have said, it depends on what you do with her. If she's just a "happy hacker" then 2 days a week is probably ok if she's turned out too. I'm in a similar situation at the moment and my gelding seems happy enough just pottering out a few times a week - but we don't compete, he is just a hack.
If you intend to do much more with her, then I think she would need more exercise to be able to cope from a fitness point of view. My sharer took my mare to a pleasure ride and overdid it - the mare wasn't fit enough and has had to have some time off to recover. You always pay the price if you do too much with an unfit horse, IMO!!!
If you intend to do much more with her, then I think she would need more exercise to be able to cope from a fitness point of view. My sharer took my mare to a pleasure ride and overdid it - the mare wasn't fit enough and has had to have some time off to recover. You always pay the price if you do too much with an unfit horse, IMO!!!
Sags_Deer
Well-Known Member
Your horse is entitled to take life slower anyway, you do what you like when you like, like others say if you wanted to do longer hacks or shows etc then yes horse would need to be fitter. Its nice to hear someone enjoys there horse.
charlie80
Active Member
Hey Frances28
I think what you are doing is fine, I also tack up and turn out, and my horse it a happy chap! I hack my lad out he lives out at night too.
But do have other things going on in my life, I also like running, what with training and with work committments I cant be there to ride all the time! Sometimes I can be there to ride 4 times a week others maybe just twice a week at weekends like yourself. I wouldnt feel guilty about not doing as much as the 'other' people at the yard, the way I see it is Im not Superwoman!cant do everything! I Agree with Sags_Deer nice to hear someone who enjoys their horse.
x
I think what you are doing is fine, I also tack up and turn out, and my horse it a happy chap! I hack my lad out he lives out at night too.
But do have other things going on in my life, I also like running, what with training and with work committments I cant be there to ride all the time! Sometimes I can be there to ride 4 times a week others maybe just twice a week at weekends like yourself. I wouldnt feel guilty about not doing as much as the 'other' people at the yard, the way I see it is Im not Superwoman!cant do everything! I Agree with Sags_Deer nice to hear someone who enjoys their horse.
x
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
[ QUOTE ]
I have a 16 yr old TB mare. Due to work committments during the week I only exercise her twice a week - Saturday & Sunday.
Is this rubbish? honestly.....
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, it's not really enough...honestly...you need to try to work her a couple more days a week, to be fair to her.
Could you not find someone to take her for a hack or two?
S
I have a 16 yr old TB mare. Due to work committments during the week I only exercise her twice a week - Saturday & Sunday.
Is this rubbish? honestly.....
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, it's not really enough...honestly...you need to try to work her a couple more days a week, to be fair to her.
Could you not find someone to take her for a hack or two?
S
HenryandPeta
Well-Known Member
Ah it's plenty so long as you're not expecting her to be a dressage star or leap round a xc course at a moments notice! My boy lives out 24/7 - I ride him twice a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes not a for a few weeks due to work committments. He maintains good weight and condition, he has no muscle wastage and above all else, he is a happy horse! He also manages to school when I feel like it, or pop some fences, or go for a good gallop...
Do what suits you and your horse.
Do what suits you and your horse.
Sooty
Well-Known Member
Those of us that keep our horses at home, with no manege, have no option other than riding at weekends only during the winter. A lot depends on what you want from your horse, and how much time you spend with her during the week, how much turnout she has etc. Toffee has been off work the whole of June through illness, and she has never been happier! It depends on the horse, but I am sure there are worse things for a horse to suffer.