Owning a horse but not riding.

[cblover]

Humour me.....

I've got a lovely Clyde x sec d who's 10 this year. I've owned her twice, once when she was 4-6, then sold locally and bought back as a 9 year old....last year. I knew when I sold her the first time I'd made a mistake and having the chance to buy her back felt right. I'd just lost Sox to grass sickness when I was offered Lulu back again.

I'm not riding her though and having done so much over the years with other horses, I'm going through some very varied emotion. I beat myself up all the time that I should be doing more but I haven't a lot of energy (auto immune conditions x 5) which does restrict me a bit. She's treat like a queen, wants for nothing and is up to date with everything. I enjoy the social side on my very small yard and the others either have old horses or are very laid back about riding. But honestly, I drive myself mad. Plus I feel I'm too heavy for her anyway at the moment, but I'm not sure I want to ride her anyway....that's weird in itself.

I just want some peace and to feel its ok to own her without the pressure of having to doing anything other than love and care for her. Her coming full circle back to me, is just lovely and she will definitely be my last horse but in my head, I struggle to justify having her and not being out all the time riding and taking part in riding club activities.

Any similar experiences? Thanks.

 

[jessykai]

I’m fairly certain she doesn’t care that she’s not ridden. If you gave her the choice she’d probably rather stay grazing than working! So long as you can manage her weight without being ridden then there is 100% no harm in it!

I have a 6 year old highland that I have had from 13 months old. I don’t really ride, my health doesn’t allow it but I can occasionally sit on for 2 minutes.
Other people can ride her if they want to. But she will never be sold, and I don’t feel bad that she’s essentially just a very much loved lawnmower

 

[HashRouge]

It really is okay not to ride her, but you know that
She is happy, healthy and well-cared for and there is absolutely no reason you have to ride her. I have two retired ponies, although one of them technically belongs to my sister. When I first took him on, he was technically capable of being a light hack (he has all sorts of health issues) but I didn't really want to ride him. He's very hard to catch, breaks very easily, and is extremely pair-bonded with my other horse (who is another Lulu). So I just told everyone he was retired. I enjoy my two expensive lawnmowers, and get a lot of enjoyment out of just looking after them.

 

[Burnttoast]

I've ridden other people's horses for most of my life and only got my own when I was forty. He was a project and had a number of issues but imagine my surprise when I was really happy when I stopped trying to fix him so he could be a ridden horse and just enjoyed having him around. Yes they're expensive pets and keeping him slim is tricky, but I love seeing him just being a horse, particularly when it had been clear that one or two of his previous homes had screwed him up from a handling point of view.

 

[Arzada]

I just want some peace and to feel its ok to own her without the pressure of having to doing anything other than love and care for her.

It doesn't get much better for a horse than one who has a secure present and future with an owner who truly cares for her. If a horse could choose ...

 

[cblover]

Thanks, I do appreciate your understanding. I backed her as a 4 years old and rode her a few times. She's been logging and hacking with the guy I sold her to but since I've got her back she's just been sat on a few times by friends and their children. She's no plod either, quite opiniated in fact.

 

[BeansNsausages]

What a lucky horse.

 

[Carrottom]

I don't put pressure on myself to rode, I'm sure my horse is happy either way, but sometimes when I make the effort to ride I'm so happy afterwards and glad that I have done it. Luckily I don't have physical issues though.

 

[meleeka]

I have a useful but not used horse as well. I bought her to do her a favour really (note to self: do not get attached to next doors horses!) but she’s too big and too spooky for me so she’s just a pampered pet. I’m pretty sure she’s happy with her lot and she’s had a hard life so has earned her retirement.

You pay the bills, so if you are happy and your horse is happy then there’s nothing to feel bad about.

 

[pistolpete]

Lucky Lulu! Enjoy her company and don’t worry.

 

[easteregg]

I have one that I don't ride at all as he's always been very tense and anxious when ridden which isn't pleasant for either of us. He seems calmer and happier staying in the field with his mates and, having stopped stressing and trying to fix us, I feel that I can just enjoy spending time with him now. I still do groundwork to keep him busy and that suits both of us very well. Maybe one day I'll sit on him again but it's not a priority for me.

 

[babymare]

I bought my girl but had to retire her so young. But I was ok with that. Igroomed her and just spent time with her. For me riding wasn’t my greatest love. Being on the floor was where I flourish with the horses.

 

[cblover]

Good to know there’s plenty of us out there. I’ll try to enjoy the journey with her and stop stressing. Not easy when you’re me! ?

 

[spotty_pony]

I used to be like this - my boy is older now though and I’ve taken the pressure off myself. He really doesn’t mind if he gets ridden 3-4 times per week or has a week off as long as he gets looked after and is out in the field. My usual is probably 2 times per week for riding him these days. I do a bit more to get him fit if we are going hunting but I do it in a different way to what I used to to look after his joints - less is more in some cases and I am sure your horse is happy either way.

 

[Lurfy]

Enjoy your horse as you wish. You look after her well and enjoy her company and life on the yard. She is in fact doing a job, she is generating joy for her owner .

 

[w1bbler]

I'm coming to the conclusion that there are more horse owners that don't ride than ones that do. It's fine if you are happy not riding & the horse is looked after, not just dumped in a field & rarely checked.

 

[Peglo]

When my TB got to 21 she was fighting me when I wanted to ride and I just made the decision to retire. She was sound and I could’ve investigated why but neither of us was having fun so I decided to stop riding her. For 4 years I had my 2 retirees and I just loved having horses. I didn’t ride much, a friends horse now and again but I really just enjoyed my 2.

Don’t feel guilty for not riding. Enjoy your lovely girl. And if you do think she would like a toodle about a couple of times a week you can always find a nice person to hack her for you. But I’m sure she doesn’t mind a life of luxury ?

 

[AutumnDays]

I haven't commented on this forum for a while, but had to sign back in to do so on here, because it hit such a note with me. I lost my heart horse last August, and have have my 2 year-old mare for 6 months. People are constantly telling me how it'll be so much better for me when she's backed and being ridden, because it won't be so boring for me, but ... I don't think I am ever going to ride her. We have such fun together on the ground, we walk miles together, and investigate anything she's not sure of, we do trick training, or we just chill out together and enjoy some affection. The bond I've managed to build with her, from this untrusting, semi feral thing I couldn't touch more than essential, to having her come to call and have utter faith in me is mind blowing. And I love it. She's the youngest, but best mannered horse on the yard, she's the most frequently "worked" (as in, we are always up to something or out and about!), And she's mine. We are both happy, and it works for us. It is hard to overcome societal expectations with regards to riding, and there are days when I wobble and think I'll be doing her a disservice, but realistically, she doesn't know what riding is, and sees our time together as fun, and we are both active... We are just side by side, instead of her carrying me. Hope you find the same peace with wherever your decisions take you xx

 

[Trouper]

I haven't commented on this forum for a while, but had to sign back in to do so on here, because it hit such a note with me. I lost my heart horse last August, and have have my 2 year-old mare for 6 months. People are constantly telling me how it'll be so much better for me when she's backed and being ridden, because it won't be so boring for me, but ... I don't think I am ever going to ride her. We have such fun together on the ground, we walk miles together, and investigate anything she's not sure of, we do trick training, or we just chill out together and enjoy some affection. The bond I've managed to build with her, from this untrusting, semi feral thing I couldn't touch more than essential, to having her come to call and have utter faith in me is mind blowing. And I love it. She's the youngest, but best mannered horse on the yard, she's the most frequently "worked" (as in, we are always up to something or out and about!), And she's mine. We are both happy, and it works for us. It is hard to overcome societal expectations with regards to riding, and there are days when I wobble and think I'll be doing her a disservice, but realistically, she doesn't know what riding is, and sees our time together as fun, and we are both active... We are just side by side, instead of her carrying me. Hope you find the same peace with wherever your decisions take you xx

What an absolutely lovely story CC. She sounds as if she is having the most perfect life!!

Honestly @cblover what percentage of a horses's day is spent being ridden? Most of us spent our time doing other things with them when you consider how much care they take so the net difference between your ridden friends and you is probably negligible. Enjoy your horse in any way you want - if she is not a horse who needs to work she probably thinks she has arrived in heaven (though not yet)

 

[eahotson]

What a lucky horse.

Seconded

 

[eahotson]

Enjoy your horse as you wish. You look after her well and enjoy her company and life on the yard. She is in fact doing a job, she is generating joy for her owner .

That's a lovely way of looking at it.

 

[eahotson]

I haven't commented on this forum for a while, but had to sign back in to do so on here, because it hit such a note with me. I lost my heart horse last August, and have have my 2 year-old mare for 6 months. People are constantly telling me how it'll be so much better for me when she's backed and being ridden, because it won't be so boring for me, but ... I don't think I am ever going to ride her. We have such fun together on the ground, we walk miles together, and investigate anything she's not sure of, we do trick training, or we just chill out together and enjoy some affection. The bond I've managed to build with her, from this untrusting, semi feral thing I couldn't touch more than essential, to having her come to call and have utter faith in me is mind blowing. And I love it. She's the youngest, but best mannered horse on the yard, she's the most frequently "worked" (as in, we are always up to something or out and about!), And she's mine. We are both happy, and it works for us. It is hard to overcome societal expectations with regards to riding, and there are days when I wobble and think I'll be doing her a disservice, but realistically, she doesn't know what riding is, and sees our time together as fun, and we are both active... We are just side by side, instead of her carrying me. Hope you find the same peace with wherever your decisions take you xx

Lovely.

 

[Ratface]

I frequently feel guilty for not riding my 29 year old. He's fit, shiny, perfect weight, leaps about the fields with his mates,who are also retired.
They're all in excellent fettle and want for nothing. Hot and cold running staff 20 hours a day, constantly guarded by very efficient systems when staff are not personally present.
I've ridden since I was two years old. I'm now >78. I can still ride quite well, but I think my previously iron nerve is becoming a bit rusty round the edges.
I don't mind getting on friends' thuggy mannerless cobs and doing a bit of finessing, so why don't I want to ride my own sharp, naughty creature? I've had him for years, and have never (yet!) come off, even whilst doing all sorts of potentially dangerous things.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Humour me.....

I've got a lovely Clyde x sec d who's 10 this year. I've owned her twice, once when she was 4-6, then sold locally and bought back as a 9 year old....last year. I knew when I sold her the first time I'd made a mistake and having the chance to buy her back felt right. I'd just lost Sox to grass sickness when I was offered Lulu back again.

I'm not riding her though and having done so much over the years with other horses, I'm going through some very varied emotion. I beat myself up all the time that I should be doing more but I haven't a lot of energy (auto immune conditions x 5) which does restrict me a bit. She's treat like a queen, wants for nothing and is up to date with everything. I enjoy the social side on my very small yard and the others either have old horses or are very laid back about riding. But honestly, I drive myself mad. Plus I feel I'm too heavy for her anyway at the moment, but I'm not sure I want to ride her anyway....that's weird in itself.

I just want some peace and to feel its ok to own her without the pressure of having to doing anything other than love and care for her. Her coming full circle back to me, is just lovely and she will definitely be my last horse but in my head, I struggle to justify having her and not being out all the time riding and taking part in riding club activities.

Any similar experiences? Thanks.

My neighbour has two non ridden, one horse and one pony. They have not been ridden in say 10 years. No harm owning and not ridding, no harm at all, don't feel bad.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Owning but not riding wouldn't be for me by choice at the moment but if you are both happy not riding, then that is all that matters

My only possible concern would be if the horse had some condition that was improved by being in work - a good doer for example - but there's no reason why it needs to be ridden work.

Hope you have lots of fun enjoying each other's company however you want.

 

[Leandy]

Of course it is fine. I wouldn't do it myself other than retired ones, to me horses have a job and aren't just pets but you are perfectly entitled to keep your own horse as you wish provided it is healthy and its needs are met properly.

 

[sakura]

I semi retired my perfectly healthy horse at 15 cos I simply don't want to ride much, if ever. She is absolutely fine and thriving!

 

[cblover]

CobletC - that was just lovely. I wish you all the best. Realistically, I use all my energy looking after her. She wants for nothing and every need is taken care of. That gives me great satisfaction and she looks a picture.

You’re reassurance is much appreciated.

 

[smolmaus]

One of the women who works at the sanctuary has 5 unridden cobs at home. Even the 100% sound ones aren't backed. They bring her so much happiness and I'm sure dont give a rats behind that they don't have a job. She just gets to enjoy them! No stress about what they should and shouldn't be doing!

I get some misplaced sympathy that Sadie isn't backed yet (nobody's fault but mine) and I can't ride or get out and "do stuff" but I honestly do not care. If I didnt want ridden work as an option to help her keep the grass belly down I'd be in even less of a rush. She's just a lovely little friend to be around. I've ridden a lot and gone without riding a lot over the years but I've never had my own pony before and I do wish people would maybe understand that she herself is the special bit for me, not being on her back!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Humour me.....

I've got a lovely Clyde x sec d who's 10 this year. I've owned her twice, once when she was 4-6, then sold locally and bought back as a 9 year old....last year. I knew when I sold her the first time I'd made a mistake and having the chance to buy her back felt right. I'd just lost Sox to grass sickness when I was offered Lulu back again.

I'm not riding her though and having done so much over the years with other horses, I'm going through some very varied emotion. I beat myself up all the time that I should be doing more but I haven't a lot of energy (auto immune conditions x 5) which does restrict me a bit. She's treat like a queen, wants for nothing and is up to date with everything. I enjoy the social side on my very small yard and the others either have old horses or are very laid back about riding. But honestly, I drive myself mad. Plus I feel I'm too heavy for her anyway at the moment, but I'm not sure I want to ride her anyway....that's weird in itself.

I just want some peace and to feel its ok to own her without the pressure of having to doing anything other than love and care for her. Her coming full circle back to me, is just lovely and she will definitely be my last horse but in my head, I struggle to justify having her and not being out all the time riding and taking part in riding club activities.

Any similar experiences? Thanks.

She is yours to do with as you please, so long as all her needs are met. I'm sure she doesn't care whether you ride her or not.