Riding in field

[GG80]

Hi All,

What are your opinions on riding your horse in their field? I have always thought that I shouldn't as I see it as their down time, and the place where they can just relax and be a horse. However, we have a lot of building works going on round our way at the moment, resulting in a lot of heavy machinery going up and down the country roads where we hack. I am still regaining confidence after a nasty fall and I do worry at the moment about spooking so I thought a solution for riding during the week would be to ride in the field and then hack out at the weekends when it is quiet. The field is a little uneven as well (not a good idea?), would this be a good solution or is it best to leave the field so she knows when she is there it is to chill out and do what she wants, or do horses not worry about such things?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Michen]

I wouldn't worry TBH. Also I quite like riding over uneven ground I think it's great for teaching them balance!

 

[SpringArising]

I wouldn't worry TBH. Also I quite like riding over uneven ground I think it's great for teaching them balance!

This.

 

[BSL]

I have been told this, but to be honest, I don't ask that much of mine, and if I chose to ride in their field I expect them to behave under saddle the same as if in any other field. They should be better as they are in familiar surroundings. I do bring the others in though. I wouldn't ride in the field with other loose horses. In the end you have to do what makes you feel safe.

 

[paddi22]

how uneven is it? if it was very rutted or potholey i'd be wary. But if its just slopped and very level ground I'd work away

 

[Sophire]

I think it will be fine. When I was younger before we had a school at the yard the only place we had to ride was on the flat ground at the top of their field! Never did them any harm!

 

[GG80]

Thanks for the replies all, she is in a large field by herself so no worries re other horses being about. Maybe I will give it a go
Paddi22 - it is quite uneven, not potholey but it is lumpy I suppose would be the best term, in places..

 

[Antw23uk]

I always ride in my fields, where else other than on hacks am I going to school? .. By the way why is she on her own? That would worry me a lot more than a potter around the field a few times a week!

 

[MDB]

I have just recently just been riding one of my horses in the field to get her ready for hacking alone without her field companion. Had no trouble at all but I did have to put the other horse away so she was not in the same area that I was riding.

 

[GG80]

Ant - she is on her own in the field, our field does however back onto a friends field with three horses on which she can interact with over the small hedge, and also a livery yard opposite our track entrance so she isn't isolated.

 

[SEL]

I have just recently just been riding one of my horses in the field to get her ready for hacking alone without her field companion. Had no trouble at all but I did have to put the other horse away so she was not in the same area that I was riding.

I also have to put my other one away. The non-ridden one starts yelling and then we have a meltdown. Considering how henpecked he is I thought he would enjoy the peace and quiet - but apparently 10 mins apart is too much.

 

[MDB]

I also have to put my other one away. The non-ridden one starts yelling and then we have a meltdown. Considering how henpecked he is I thought he would enjoy the peace and quiet - but apparently 10 mins apart is too much.

haha. yeah I learned the hard way 2 years ago with my gelding that I don't have any more. One of the other horses cane over, they had a spat, went from stand still to gallop in 0.1 secs. Lost my stirrups, horse got to end of field at full pelt, slid to a stop and spun at the same time and I went out the side door. The scary thing was that whilst I was curled in a ball on the ground the spat between the horses continued all around me. I though I eas going to get seriously hurt. Will never make that mistake again.

 

[Beth206]

I only have the field to ride mine in too apart from hacking. I do pop the other horses in their stable when I ride - if she can see them she will try and nap to the gate. I think you can be a lot more creative with your schooling in a field as you have a lot more space

 

[eggs]

It has never occurred to me not to ride them in the field - obviously as long as there aren't any horses turned out in it as the same time. Never had an issue with it.

As far as what pace you should be riding at I would think that if you were on that ground out on a hack then whatever pace you would be happy with would be OK.

 

[Antw23uk]

Ant - she is on her own in the field, our field does however back onto a friends field with three horses on which she can interact with over the small hedge, and also a livery yard opposite our track entrance so she isn't isolated.

Good stuff

I say crack on. I have three paddocks (used as two) so whatever one is being rested for grazing is the one I ride in. I have trot and canter poles, couple of little jumps, its great

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I like it. He's kept at an rs so the field used isn't his field but it makes such a refreshing change from the school they didn't offer it last year and I got quite bored as it's a nicer place to school especially if it's hot. Obviously have to take the ground into consideration as if it's just rained will be too slippery. We also hack.
He's still being ridden so it's not like he's having downtime right then he gets it most of the week so can do some work for half an hour!
He seems more forward in the field than the school less deep going for him as he's 20 now.
Also wouldn't be riding in there with loose horses in it which often there are.

 

[Durhamchance]

We don't have an arena, so we ride in the field too. The loose horse/s are always bought in or put in a fenced off area. We have lettered cones to mark out a school and that's where I practice dressage. It never occurred to me not to either!

 

[Bubblewrap]

I use the area of the field that not being grazed, the other horses tend to come over to watch over the fence but soon get bored and wander off again. Never had a problem, we have done it for years!