Showing my age here but ...

AShetlandBitMeOnce said:
I am the same, I like my brain to switch off when I am riding so I can just enjoy being with my horse - and to do that I need background noise, which sounds incredibly counterintuitive I realise, so I often have music or a podcast on. I also have to put a podcast on to be able to read my book which blows anyones mind who sees me doing it, ditto to sleep. I will also put headphones in with very loud DnB music on if I need to focus on something at work
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I totally relate to what you and I’m dun said. Complex ADHD here. Through loads of therapy and finally getting diagnosed as an adult, I’ve realized I tend to favor the quirky/difficult horses because it keeps my brain busy. Lord knows if my brain isn’t engaged at all times the hamster takes the wheel on a road trip.

Edited to add to the topic, I won’t use my phone while riding. While I miss many great photo opportunities, I’m not going to risk injury for a photo op. Plus I’m crotchety and HATE the idea that just because I have a cell phone I should be reachable at all times. I really miss the days of answering machines with tapes.
 
Denali said:
I totally relate to what you and I’m dun said. Complex ADHD here. Through loads of therapy and finally getting diagnosed as an adult, I’ve realized I tend to favor the quirky/difficult horses because it keeps my brain busy. Lord knows if my brain isn’t engaged at all times the hamster takes the wheel on a road trip.

Edited to add to the topic, I won’t use my phone while riding. While I miss many great photo opportunities, I’m not going to risk injury for a photo op. Plus I’m crotchety and HATE the idea that just because I have a cell phone I should be reachable at all times. I really miss the days of answering machines with tapes.
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oh god, I dont use my phone to make or receive calls 😂 😂 If it rings I stare at it in horror till it stops.
 
Tarragon said:
There is a young person who always rides past my house with one hand on the reins on a well turned out horse, and her other hand holding her phone with either her thumb furiously typing away or holding a conversation.
In one sense I admire her dexterity, I admire the saint of the horse and I am amazed she can ride without gloves as I wear gloves all year round.
On the other hand, I feel that she is missing all the things I love when I am out riding; quality time with my pony and enjoying seeing the world from horseback.
I also ride past dog walkers, head down and looking at their phone, or runners with headphones in, neither of which are seemingly aware I am close by.
It is the way of the world now, I feel, sadly.
A rather pointless post, and I do appreciate that I am doing a classic generation gap thing. I do own a smart phone and an iPad, so I am not a complete luddite, but there is a time and a place for them, and riding isn't one!
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I think you’re looking at it from the perspective of the optional activity being the phone use, and that the phone use is detracting from the primary experience of riding.

For me, the option wouldn’t be to not take the phone calls, it would be to not ride the horse.

The fact that there are calls I can do whilst I ride or walk means that my mandatory activity (work) is greatly enhanced by the exercise.

Instead of sitting behind a desk for 12-14 hours a day, I am able to spend some of that time exercising and being outside which is far healthier.
 
I think there's a time and a place for phone calls on a horse and roadwork isn't that place. What someone does on a safe bridleway is up to them I feel
 
teapot said:
I think there's a time and a place for phone calls on a horse and roadwork isn't that place. What someone does on a safe bridleway is up to them I feel
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I agree re road and safety - two hands definitely. I was more commenting on the aspect of it seeming sad to some people to be doing other things when riding.

Re phone calls - I am making a concerted effort to bring them back. Not everything needs to be a video meeting. I far prefer a quick call or a text.
 
I can't stand where children are out for a meal and are given phones or screens. Why can't they do some colouring/play with a quiet toy/read?

I'm determined not to allow any children screens, however whether I'll change my mind when it happens I don't know! It's worrying how well some know phones and what to do

I'd be fascinated to see if there was a link between SEND and the level of phone/screen use.
 
LadyGascoyne said:
I think you’re looking at it from the perspective of the optional activity being the phone use, and that the phone use is detracting from the primary experience of riding.

For me, the option wouldn’t be to not take the phone calls, it would be to not ride the horse.

The fact that there are calls I can do whilst I ride or walk means that my mandatory activity (work) is greatly enhanced by the exercise.

Instead of sitting behind a desk for 12-14 hours a day, I am able to spend some of that time exercising and being outside which is far healthier.
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Agree.

If I can fit in an extra walk in the day I will, even if I might have to check a few emails when safe to do so. Better than not fitting in the walk and sitting in the office.
 
I learnt the hard way last year.

I was hand grazing my young mare, who wasn’t able to go out due to fields being closed (I have since moved). Anyway, I was looking at my phone whilst doing this. Something spooked her, she had pent up energy, exploded and booted me in the thigh out of pure exuberance. I didn’t react quickly enough to get out of the way. I was very lucky she didn’t break my leg, but it put me on on the floor and completely knocked me for six.

No more mindlessly scrolling the phone whilst in ‘control’ 🙄 of the pony.
 
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