Riding. Does it matter if you DON'T?

[SinfulFox]

Lately I haven't been riding my loan mare. With the weather and working long hours I dont think Ive ridden in about three months.
I still go down turn out bring in every morning and night. But riding is not on my agenda.
My family and people at my yard have been saying Im wasting her. Is it a waste not to ride her? Surely that is my choice????
ARGH

 

[lexiedhb]

Entirely yout choice, but if you dont ride then surely that just makes them a really expensive pet?

 

[Blizzard]

As long as she is happy and isnt the type of horse that needs work, then I dont think you are doing anything wrong.

 

[Boxers]

Its up to you at the end of the day what you do with your horse. If she is fed, watered, warm and gets plenty of turn out, then I don't see a problem.

 

[SinfulFox]

Im cash rich time poor so money is no object really. Thank goodness/..

 

[AmyMay]

Entirely your choice - but there's always the weekends........

 

[SSM]

What is your loan agreement? I would be frustrated as the owner if promises to ride/compete/bring on were not being met. Otherwise the horse is not going to be bothered in the least if it is not being ridden, just remember to bring back to fitness sensibly.

 

[arwenplusone]

[ QUOTE ]
What is your loan agreement? I would be frustrated as the owner if promises to ride/compete/bring on were not being met. Otherwise the horse is not going to be bothered in the least if it is not being ridden, just remember to bring back to fitness sensibly.

[/ QUOTE ]

agree with this - If owner wants the horse loaned to be kept fit/in work then it does matter. However if owner just wants money/time and ponio is happy then what does it matter!

Sometimes it is just nice to be around the little monsters

 

[SinfulFox]

Loan agreement? I dont have one, the lady is a friend of my family in her 60's now who cant look after her any longer. So I look after her as my own and pay for everything for her. The lady visits every three months or so.
I keep her as if she was my own so that means if I dont want to ride - no-one tells me otherwise. Except perhaps my judgemental friends and family.

 

[Tia]

No. I haven't ridden for a couple of weeks as the weather has been bad, or I have been too busy to ride. My horses don't care whether they are ridden every day or not ridden for weeks on end.

 

[StarFell]

Its completely up to you. The mare won't mind not being ridden, she'll probably enjoy the time off!

 

[blossom01]

no, it's your choice.
we all lead busy lives and sometimes riding has to get put to the bottom of the list.

maybe you will have time when the clocks change and the evenings are lighter.

 

[pottamus]

I am sure your horse is not in the least bit bothered whether she is ridden or not! I would not worry as it is up to you at the end of the day.
I always try to keep my boy ticking over even if it is just at the weekends during the winter. But that is because he would be a very expensive pet not to enjoy through riding him and he needs the exercise to keep his weight down and system moving so he does not get fat and at risk of laminitis. That said, there are times when I find it difficult to motivate myself as he can be a difficult so and so at times!!!

 

[SinfulFox]

That's what I was thinking, but everyone is pressuring me - and I just dont know what to say to them - especially my friends, without being downright rude and telling them to F OFF!

 

[chickeninabun]

I have a little mare that my 3 yo daughter hacks up the lane and back a couple of times a week, I just do all the chores and enjoy faffing about with her. I often wonder how everyone else even finds the time to ride let alone do all the chores. My life is one whirling-dervish!
Like most above said - ponio won't really care whether it's ridden or not, so surely a few months off never harmed anyone (not that I'd know what "time-off" felt like!!

).

 

[Luce1504]

I personally would be extremely upset if someone said to me that I was wasting my 2 horses or that they weren't happy due to the fact they are not being ridden.

My 2 have been ridden once since Xmas, by choice I would love to ride more but can't at the moment. They are both turned out from approx 8am-5pm come rain, hail or shine, they are fed, watered, rugged, their feet trimmed every 8 weeks and the vet is called if ever required. They come into a lovely clean and warm stable each night and are absolutely loved to bits and I think they are two very happy and contented horses, who are a pleasure to own.

I am lucky in the respect that we have our own land and stables and as my grandparents are farmers we can get haylage etc very cheaply so I can afford to keep my 2 girls as pets until the summer when I will be able to start riding again.

 

[kombikids]

dont worry about it - people make you feel so guilty - i read a post on here once written by someone who was talking about wasting horses and they said its not as tho the horse thinks - hmmm i wish i was doing some BSJA showjumping right now is it!!! the people are just jealous, horses give us enjoyment in many ways regardless of whether you sit on their back or not - i have a house full of toddlers and just spending 5 minutes with my gee gee puts a smile on my face always.

 

[_OC_]

I have not ridden my boy since....Can't remember,last person to ride him was Easterpiebald on here.....and this is due to work,weather and a bad case of confidence in me,sadly!

I hate it when my OH,work colleges and friends go on at me! It has taken me months just to clip his legs out...managed that one last week,Yes I know I should ride,but that is my business......the only other person that has the right to moan at me would be my OH.....due to the fact that he pays towards him!

 

[madmav]

Polo ponies generally work all summer and are then roughed off and go on "holiday" out in a field for months on end. doesn' appear to do them any harm.

 

[Daisy11]

think of this its not all about riding

 

[charlyan]

Try not to let it get to you. I have taken a lot of stick over the past year by people not even close to me- that he'll turn into a complete fruitloop, and that it'll end up a total disaster as he'll just be stuck in a field and forgotten, and what a waste, etc, etc. I've learned to ignore it now. As long as your horse is cared for and happy, it's none of their business.

I haven't ridden since before christmas due to losing both front shoes over xmas and delays getting reshod, he was then promptly kicked by his field mate and the weather has been rubbish. I don't have schooling facilities other than the field when its dry-ish and hacking along the roads near me so weekdays are out at the moment too.

My lad hasn't been worked particularly hard since I got him but as others have said- he doesn't really care- (producing his tack in the field results in a 500mile an hour nonchalant walk in the opposite direction).

He's fed. watered, feet picked out and rugs checked and changed 2x daily, has company and shelter and I think is living the life of Riley. So long as he has a routine that is followed daily in terms of his care, he's a happy chappy. He's out 24-7 with full access to his stable, so he has plenty of fresh air and exercise as he's very playful. I also loose school, play with him and lunge so it'll be easier for him when we do start doing a bit more.

 

[christi]

i think its fine to not ride if it is due to weather.. work.. time etc.. but if the reason for not riding is due to fear of the horse then its a different matter ie and help should be sought
i say this as i know of people in this postion

 

[hellsdarkrose]

It's your choice but you might as well have a really nice retired horse to look after rather than using a horse that you don't ride

 

[chestnut cob]

Totally up to you. I haven't been riding mine much as I'm working really long hours and am too shattered! Plus she can be very difficult so when I'm stressed I just end up arguing with her, so no point riding.

I personally don't believe the stuff about wasting a horse- it doesn't sit in the field wishing it was going round Badminton!

 

[Donkeymad]

If the horse is happy and you are happy, what difference does it make. Don't let anyone else worry you, if you don't ride, it really is not the end of the world.