AutumnDays
Well-Known Member
Long and reassurance seeking, sorry!
Background info for context:
I have issues with my spine, but had been ok'd for light hacking (my hooning and hedgehopping days are over!)
I have 3 field ornaments. None are ridable. They have been ridden in their lifetimes, by me or before being gifted/pity purchased/purchased with intention by me. 6yo was intentionally purchased as a yearling to be next ridden horse, I backed her at 5 and we were riding out well for a few weeks, then she had a field accident that leaves her unsound when she has weight to carry. 15yo was the pity purchase, as he'd had an early start to a hard working life, and he broke down but was sound as a field companion. After much physio and weight loss to address some of his acquired health issues, we tried a little hack or two before he let me know he really didn't want to be ridden again. The 18yo was gifted to me, was a showjumper in his previous life, hadn't seen much of the outside world beyond the showring. Was told he'd be a light hack. Very sharp and spooky to the point of neurotic. Potential sight issues may be exacerbating this. Fine in the field with his gang, fine with me on the ground, like riding a landmine out and about, and he has no sense of self preservation, will spin and bolt, rear, back up at speed into anything etc, not enjoyable for either of us. Despite lots of ground work, perseverance and R+, and him getting to the point where he'd sweat up, shake and fidget at being tacked up, I knocked it on the head as it was obviously not for him.
The are happy in their little gang, they are free to be horses, they live out, they have an equicentral/track hybrid system to limit grass stuffing, and encourage movement, with poles to step over, hedges to browse and things to nosy at (the church renovations are a source of over hedge fascination!). I spend time with them either just chilling with them or grooming whoever wants it, walking around the field with them free to follow or not.. but other than that, I don't "do" anything with them. And I feel guilty about it. I stopped in hand walking out due to the volume of traffic on the roads over the summer, going forward into winter it'll be a struggle with work, life and encroaching darkness to get out. I don't lunge, because the ground is uneven, and none of us like it as a thing to do! We might have a bit of and "at liberty" play, but that's about it for "work" in the field.
I guess the reason I'm seeking that this is an ok life for them is because some people have got into my head that they are being wasted, I should bute the unsound ones up and ride regardless, and just push on with more force with the behavioural one. I don't want to, I know it's not right, but the phrase "your horses have no kind of life" is repeating on a loop in my head thanks to these people (who I've now disengaged from, but still). They want for nothing, they have farrier every 6weeks, teeth, vaccs and full MOT yearly, plus whatever else they need. They are interacted with daily, they have no vices, the five freedoms... So why am I being pathetic?! Should I be doing more "work" with them?
Background info for context:
I have issues with my spine, but had been ok'd for light hacking (my hooning and hedgehopping days are over!)
I have 3 field ornaments. None are ridable. They have been ridden in their lifetimes, by me or before being gifted/pity purchased/purchased with intention by me. 6yo was intentionally purchased as a yearling to be next ridden horse, I backed her at 5 and we were riding out well for a few weeks, then she had a field accident that leaves her unsound when she has weight to carry. 15yo was the pity purchase, as he'd had an early start to a hard working life, and he broke down but was sound as a field companion. After much physio and weight loss to address some of his acquired health issues, we tried a little hack or two before he let me know he really didn't want to be ridden again. The 18yo was gifted to me, was a showjumper in his previous life, hadn't seen much of the outside world beyond the showring. Was told he'd be a light hack. Very sharp and spooky to the point of neurotic. Potential sight issues may be exacerbating this. Fine in the field with his gang, fine with me on the ground, like riding a landmine out and about, and he has no sense of self preservation, will spin and bolt, rear, back up at speed into anything etc, not enjoyable for either of us. Despite lots of ground work, perseverance and R+, and him getting to the point where he'd sweat up, shake and fidget at being tacked up, I knocked it on the head as it was obviously not for him.
The are happy in their little gang, they are free to be horses, they live out, they have an equicentral/track hybrid system to limit grass stuffing, and encourage movement, with poles to step over, hedges to browse and things to nosy at (the church renovations are a source of over hedge fascination!). I spend time with them either just chilling with them or grooming whoever wants it, walking around the field with them free to follow or not.. but other than that, I don't "do" anything with them. And I feel guilty about it. I stopped in hand walking out due to the volume of traffic on the roads over the summer, going forward into winter it'll be a struggle with work, life and encroaching darkness to get out. I don't lunge, because the ground is uneven, and none of us like it as a thing to do! We might have a bit of and "at liberty" play, but that's about it for "work" in the field.
I guess the reason I'm seeking that this is an ok life for them is because some people have got into my head that they are being wasted, I should bute the unsound ones up and ride regardless, and just push on with more force with the behavioural one. I don't want to, I know it's not right, but the phrase "your horses have no kind of life" is repeating on a loop in my head thanks to these people (who I've now disengaged from, but still). They want for nothing, they have farrier every 6weeks, teeth, vaccs and full MOT yearly, plus whatever else they need. They are interacted with daily, they have no vices, the five freedoms... So why am I being pathetic?! Should I be doing more "work" with them?
, and as much as I don't begrudge the gang I have, I don't need another!
your horses are not wasted!! They’re having a lovely time and are lucky to have someone like you caring for them regardless of if they can do a “job”! Shame on whoever put these ideas into your head.
She's happy enough although I struggle with her weight and no doubt that will be the end of her at some point. You only have to look at her face if you walk near her with a saddle to know clearly she doesn't want to be ridden.