Riding in the early morning

[Gorgeous George]

Ok another dumb question from me

, is it ok to ride a horse really early in the morning (i.e 5.30am) before they have their breakfast? I was just concerned that they might be a bit sleepy and it would be dangerous to suddenly work them. It would only be for about 30mins and a pretty light schooling session.

 

[AmyMay]

I quite often ride at that time of day if the weather is especially hot - and then feed afterwards.

 

[Sparklet]

I often ride early - its great during the hot summer months because the air is much cooler and if going on a hack the traffic is better.

The only problem with riding pre-breakfast is that if you usually feed the horse it will expect its food when you arrive and mine dont always give me the best work if her mind is on the breakfast she didnt get.

To overcome this I give her a handful of breakfast and thankfully she is so thick she doesnt realise the amount is much smaller....the added bonus is that she gets an 'extra' breakfast after she has been worked.

 

[amandaco2]

i used to ride shantih out at 5/6am everyday and she went into the field after.
as long as they arent relly hot and getting lots of hard feed it will be fine.

 

[Gorgeous George]

Excellent! I don't know about them not having their brekkie the bigger problem could be the fact that I haven't had my brekkie!

 

[Laafet]

We used to ride out racehorses in Australia at 4 in the morning so exercising at 5.30 isn't a problem probably best time of day at the mo. I love early morning hacks it get me invigorated for the rest of the day, rather than slobbing in bed until work time.

 

[MagicMelon]

Good god, how can you people be up at THAT time?! I can't face even getting on a horse til at least midday! (unless its a competition day obviously)

 

[Gorgeous George]

Unfortunately the shifts I work means I have no choice some days, so I was there at 5.30am I gave him a handful of hi-fi as someone suggested to placate him and then rode. It was an absolutely lovely morning and he seemed fine with it

 

[digger2]

ditto feeding sparklet, mine would get tiny bit then work, and get second breakfast, must be a bonus for them!