Ok, need some guts folks

WishfulThinker

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I am a total woose when it comes to dealing with people............so can I have some courages vibes please!

I want my horse to have a week off as he has been ridden a lot lately in the past 3 months, and done a lot of jumping etc so I feel he needs/deverves it, but I have a sharer now, and so of course that means that she is basically being told not to use him. He was meant to have a day off on Monday with maybe being lunged if he was fizzy, so she tried it and he was a complete arse so she just rode him (apparently my other mate said just to ride him!) but he was meant to have a day off from anyone being on his back - he has been ridden every day for the past 3 weeks!!!

Anyway, He is getting a bit bored looking and not really happyso wanted to let him chill, so I told her I thought he was a bit iffy in his back and that I wanted him to have a week off, so she said that she will see what our instructor said. He has told me to put my foot down if I want him to have a week off, but I don't want to piss her off - yes I know its MY horse - as I need the financial contribution, but I really want my horse to have a break.

I just feel bad for my horse, and bad for her - like I am taking toys away from a kid!!!

ARGH!!

Sorry for that random post but its just been bugging me! I am considering taking both saddles away so he cannot be ridden
 
if she is a caring sharer she should understand that his welfare comes well before her pleasure - maybe tell her she can have an 'extra' ride in a couple of weeks when he is rested. x
 
As said, if it is a real issue tell her not to contribute for 1 week but that you feel he is working so hard at the moment and feel that he needs some chill time before he gets bitter and resents being exercised. He will come back a happier chap and it is only 1 week!
 
If your sharer likes your horse, she'll understand...and might enjoy doing something different with him...if you want him doing stuff like walking in hand...or take him swimming or the like.
S
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As he is YOUR horse, you call the shots. If you want to him to have a weeks rest, then you should just tell your sharer that he is having a weeks rest, end of. There is no point in skirting an issue, otherwise, every time you want to make a decision about something to do with your horse, you'll never make it without going round the houses!

It's always best in the long run, NOT to beat around the bush
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The thing is about having a horse - and indeed sharing one - it's not just about the riding, it's about the caring for them as well - which includes understanding when they need a little time off. I'm sure she'll understand.
 
Well I wanted to try some Pessoa work on him and do some general ground work.....he needs to be kept occupied, but I just want him to have a week of no one on his back. I used to do it regularly and he always came back fresher and ready for fun. I will just tell her that. I have him 4 of the days he will be off anyway, and unfortunately she will have him the 1st day back - I say unfortunately as it can be like riding an articulated lorry with a jet engine, dodgy brakes and suspect steering!!
 
I share and would understand the need for a horse to have a week off. However I pay VERY little for my share if I was paying alot, I dont think I would be overly keen to pay for a week when i wasnt allowed to ride........ unless it was a total 50/50 share, but that never happens as someone always owns the horse!

Maybe you could do a rota aswell so you know he'll have a day or two off every couple of weeks?
 
how old is he?
just tell her the truth... he needs a week off to let him freshen up mentally. he's YOUR horse, you call the shots. simple. he's also your responsibility to protect from someone who sounds as if she puts riding above the horse's and your needs, tbh.
 
Hes only 11. We do have a rota, and we each get a 3 day week, then a 4 day week and if u have the 4 days 1 off them is meant to be a day off - I figured that was a fair way to do it. It is a 50/50 share, she can use him for whatever she wants, provided he is fit and able to do it. Only thing she doesn't have responsibility for is vets fee/issues/decisions, shoeing decisions and feed although if she has info etc she feels will help I will listen but basically the buck stops with me, I clip, sort out other things, deal with tack issues, she just does riding, feeding and grooming on her days.

She would only be losing 3 days of riding as she is on holiday so I am doing the weekend + Friday and tomorrow.
 
Yeah but 3 days to her is a whole week. I would explain it to her and just say he needs a week off, as you still pay for vets etc its not totally 50/50... so you have the right to call the shots. I wouldnt mind if my share horses owner said they wanted him to have a week off at all.... but thats me.
The worst she can do is say shes not paying for that week, but for your peace of mind and the mental state of your ponio I'd just go ahead and tell her its happening!
 
[ QUOTE ]
The thing is about having a horse - and indeed sharing one - it's not just about the riding, it's about the caring for them as well - which includes understanding when they need a little time off. I'm sure she'll understand.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hear, Hear!!

Agree as well with coming straight to the point - no room for misunderstandings then. I know it's hard, especially when you need the financial help (I'm in that position too), but if you think he needs the time off then it's your call.

Just a thought: if he doesn't need to be ridden every day, then could you and your sharer not have three days each and give him a day off every week?
 
If she gives 2 hoots about him then she wont mind, but if she has ridden him solid for the past 3 WEEKS then i would say she's a bit inconsiderate of the horse anyway!!! just tell her that he needs a break.
I took my horse to a clear round XC on saturday and he only went round once but he had 3 days off!!!

sophie xxx
 
Unless the horse has an injury I see no reason to give him time off. Infact it sound as if your horse needs riding each day anyway.

If you want him to have time off then just don't ask her to pay for that week or the week he comes back in to work to calm him down again.
 
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