Sound paddock ornaments

S

skewby

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 October 2006
Messages
1,940
Visit site
I thought I posted this earlier, but clearly not. Another thread made me think, about horses who are perfectly sound and well looked after, but for whatever reason (owner's) is unridden.

Are these horses missing out? Yes I know far better than a vast number of alternatives, granted. But is it just that I've had two horses in my life and both have needed a job, they've needed to WORK.

Isn't it slightly unfair?? Am I going to get slated for this?

Oh and by sound I suppose I mean, physical. As regards horses who are "nutters" and unridden, I am including them.
 
I have two miniatures. One my 4yr old stallion is used for showing and breeding. The other is a gelding who is effectivley a paddock ornament!! He goes out for the occassional walk but thats it. I see he "use" is to keep my stallion company and he does it well! :)

I dont ride my horses as they are only 29" and 32.5" but i dont believe either are missing out on anything :)
 
I don't think so, I know what you mean though. When I retired my mare to become a paddock ornament (through injury) I was concerned she would not like it, she has always been a worker and needed a job like you describe, she would carry on hunting with a crock leg right now and very happily if I let her. But she is happy being a paddock ornament and I don't think it makes a difference whether she is injured or not. Horses being horses and not being worked are generally quite happy in my experience, they dont really NEED to be worked, and they certainly aren't sat in the field dreaming of the fact they could be the next badminton winner if only their owners would get off their fat bums and start working them more!
 
Some horses are perfectly happy being paddock ornaments. Many owners don't get horses to ride, drive, compete etc, they get them to simply be around them and look after horses because they love them so much! xx
 
A neighbour of mine has a pony and an ex racehorse. Both were given to them. The neighbour is not "horsey", but wanted the animals for their child, who was late teens when given them. The child had a base knowledge of horses, but is wheelchair bound.
However, the equines do give the now adult child a considerable amount of pleasure, and no matter how unsuitable we all think an ex racehorse is, the horse seems to know it is only effectively a "pet" and never seems to misbehave.
What I do find sad is that the equines are not allowed to live a "normal" horse life- when they are turned out, it is separately so can not itch, play or graze together. Alot of the time, they are not even turned out, as the people seem to believe that this may make them harder to handle for their child....
I personally also believe most horses need to work, and also use their brains, but sometimes a home such as my neighbours is maybe better than being abused,or not looked after.Even if it is not how we as individuals would choose to do things. And, it is sometimes hard to look at theirs hanging their heads, appearing bored, over the stable door, while mine groom one another, play and can exercise outside.
 
skewby said:
I thought I posted this earlier, but clearly not. Another thread made me think, about horses who are perfectly sound and well looked after, but for whatever reason (owner's) is unridden.

Are these horses missing out?
Click to expand...

LOL, no they are lucky. The only problem is by not giving them a career and a record the owner hasn't given them much value or taught them a job so if they did sell, the horses would have a bit of an iffy future - no one wants to pay any money for a 15 year old that's not been sat on for years.
 
I have four, the two older neddies, one mare, one gelding, get very bolshy and naffed off if they don't get used. Thought it was an attention thing, but just getting them in and grooming, massaging and spending time generally is ok, but doesn't seem to 'do it' for them like work does. The other mare, couldn't care less and would rather people came to admire and feed her polo's, as long as she didn't have to break a sweat. OR she'll do whatever you ask with a big smile and enthusiasm. This take it or leave it attitude makes me giggle, but can be frustrating when trying to work out what she wants lol!!!

And the shetland spends all day following me, trying to help with everything and any attention is good as far as he is concerned. But he LOVES being driven and you can see it every step he bounces along the road!!!!!!

The anglo arab I grew up with was not by any means a stress head, but would go into a decline if not feeling useful, so he worked until his death, aged 32.

I guess it depends on the horse, which is fine, so long as the owner can listen to it!!!!!
 
i have one i suppose. sec d i've had since a yearling, she's now 7. was broken to ride, proving to be very difficult, very nappy, and to top it all has horrendus sweet itch plus other allergys. had professionals/NH over the years etc etc and nothing worked ridden wise, vet thought sweet itch didnt help as was very uncomfortable so decision taking to retire her to the field instead of having her pts. infact, its worked okay as since she's been turned away, sweet itch is a little better, prob as she hasn't been stabled at all since, lives out 24/7 and stress of fighting being ridden has been removed. whether this can work as a permemant arrangement i dont know, but its been 12 months now and she's pretty happy.
 
Stinkbomb said:
I have two miniatures. One my 4yr old stallion is used for showing and breeding. The other is a gelding who is effectivley a paddock ornament!! He goes out for the occassional walk but thats it. I see he "use" is to keep my stallion company and he does it well! :)

I dont ride my horses as they are only 29" and 32.5" but i dont believe either are missing out on anything :)
Click to expand...
Yes actually good point, I do not necessarily only mean ridden horses. That horse has a job. :)
 
Flame_ said:
LOL, no they are lucky. The only problem is by not giving them a career and a record the owner hasn't given them much value or taught them a job so if they did sell, the horses would have a bit of an iffy future - no one wants to pay any money for a 15 year old that's not been sat on for years.
Click to expand...
Yes that is v true and another bugbear of mine!!
 
I think it very much depends on the horse. Many horses, provided they have company and are fed and comfortable, are more than happy to hang out with their pals just being a horse. Other horses seem to need the routine and stimulation of regular work, particularly if they have been used to this.
I have one who is a field ornament and seems happy. My other two, though, I think would be bored if they had no work to do as they love to go out and about and are always interested in whatever is going on and looking for attention.
Just like us, they're all different.
 
i have a retired mare (through injury but she was paddock sound for a good long while). she was worked pretty much before retiring and yet is happy as larry to doss around the field. likes some attention but fine without.

i looked after an old guy who was retired through default when his owner became ill. we thought he would hate it as always busy! took to retirement like a duck to water!lurved it!!

i also know someone who through ill health has done very little with her 4 big young horses. I'm sure there are locals who would love to get their hands on them and 'do something' with them, but they don't seem to mind their life. they live happily as a herd and don't seem aware that they should be out doing HT and dressage every weekend! just joking! but they are just being hosses and seem happy doing it. they give her an immense amount of pleasure and who's to say they should be with someone else and worked.

depends on the horse i guess. we all get horses for different reasons. as long as horses healthy and happy...
 
How totally daft...lmao:eek::D

Why on earth would a horse care if its ridden or worked or has a job?:confused:

Do dogs have to work? other pets?

I understand that a horse that has worked all his life may take time to adjust to not working, if thats all its known, but I can't believe that a horse can't adjust to a life of doing what it is designed to do...graze.

I think if you provide a stimulating environment for the horse , then that should be all it needs. .....IMO:cool:
 
I have had a pony, Cosmo, for about 17 or 18 years. He was bought for me when he was a baby but he didn't really grow at all and I grew out of him fast. He is about 12.1hh or so and others small enough to ride him weren't brave enough as he was quite fast and could be naughty (never nasty though). We did sell him once but they just shod him and locked him in a stable (he had always lived out 24/7) and he was miserable and they decided they didn't want him so we had him back! Twice he has been out on loan and he people just didn't bother doing anything with him so he came back to us. He has never ever seemed unhappy. :)

My retired hacking horse, Inca, settled beautifully into retirement and it never bothered her. We also now have a beautiful shettie called Cookie (courtesy of a lovely HHO member!) who has never been broken in and is very happy with this!

I'm sure that some horses that are used to regular work do find it hard to adjust but I think that nearly all could settle to live at grass (with some exceptions).
 
I think horses tend to be comfortable when they have a routine, whether they are in work or not.

My TB is worked every day at the same time, and if he has more than a couple of days off, he becomes difficult and plays up in the field. He always comes in from the field with an injury on the days he has done no work.

My other ancient horse, who has been retired for 6 years looks forward to his routine of getting his dinners and breakfasts and coming in at night and going out in the day.

I know plenty of horses that are not ridden, but they are happy. I think horses are happy with what they are familiar with.
 
My daughter is now on horses and we have 2 outgrown ponies. One is a field ornament, 20 years old 100% sound, fit and well, however she did BSJA from 5 - 19 and was getting quite sour by the end of her career, I think she'd just had enough and can't say I blame her! She is a nightmare to hack and very sour in the stable. We retired her last year and chucked her out in the field with a broodmare and an unbroken filly - she is happier than I have ever known her!

On the other hand our 15 year old 13.2 pony would be thoroughly unhappy with this lifestyle. We didn't want to sell him so we found a lovely ponyless young girl who now rides him and will compete him - she's taking him to her first show next weekend!

So very much depends on the individual horse/pony.
 
I have 2, a 17hh KWPN and a 13.2 NF.... because I can't sell them in the current market and advertising for 'cheap' prices brought only totally unsuitable potential homes out of the woodwork! Both sound, big chap jumps 135 classes BUT he is 13 and not of interest to most people. Pony has a blemished fetlock and despite being a nice safe little chap that puts people off. So no, I don't think it is unfair on them, what would be wore would be opportunist pseudo dealers who want to grab a bargain, dump in a field and make a quick buck when they can.

I don't ride the big chap because he is a bit too much for me to hack and the little one is too small!!

No doubt people will have other opinions but one needs to consider that reasons for sound horses being kept as unridden 'pets' may be quite varied.
 
My shetties job is keeping my daughter's pony company when my mare is away competing/at stud. He is very good at it! He has never been broken/ridden, he has been a companian all his life (he came from a farmer after his daughter's horse died).

Having said that, he is a couthy wee chap and I thought would enjoy a bit if fun, so I recently bought a cart and harnass and am trying to break him to drive - just for the laugh really. He is loving the attention!
 
I think the majority of horses are happy to be out grazing with their friends and wouldn't miss being ridden at all! I did have one horse that I thought really needed to work and wouldn't cope with retirement but actually, when he became injured and had to be retired, he adapted to his new life quite happily.

Horses can have plenty enough stimulation in their own field if they have enough room and company and as prey animals I suspect they naturally feel more secure and therefore 'happier' in the same environment all the time. Remember they are horses and think quite differently from us!
 
Of course horses are fine not being ridden and to think otherwise is silly!

The thing is though, if your horse has ad a certain lifestyle for x amount of years, some just will not take to being out in the field. That's not because they do not enjoy it, it's because it's a sudden change to their environment and that's what they cannot handle, the stress of it. This is when people say they miss their work.. No that's us humanising it. All they are doing is not taking to the change of lifestyle, as this is what they know.

When you break in a horse you don't drag it out the field and suddenly it's in full work it's done a little at a time, same with retirement for a horsr that's done loads. Let it adjust that's the key.

xx
 
My lad has only ever been used for hacking...so no 'job' as such but it is still a good lesson and education and he enjoys his hacking 'job' getting out and about and seeing challenges etc. I have just started to bring him back into work following 8 months off due to laminitis and I found that even though he was having increased care and attention whilst poorly he quickly turns a bit feral if not ridden on a daily basis and in that 'work' routine.
He is a welsh D so naturally a cheeky sod but left with no exercise, he becomes bolshy to handle, nippy and generally looses his manners. He is always a so and so...but this is greatly reduced when he is back in work again.
I guess it depends on the horse and my lad is more than happy to do nothing and would adapt over night to being a field ornament...but it would do him no good in the long run and he becomes bored and naughty if not given something to 'think about'.
 
I have a 100% sound, 7yo paddock ornament. She has made it very clear she doesn't want to be ridden - to the point of being dangerous. Although I re-broke her myself post racing (and I break and school ex racehorses and problem horses for a living, before anyone tries the "have you sent her to an expert" line.) she was easy to break but has a quirk. If she doesn't want to work she will rear, lie down, flip upside down, absolutely anything to avoid work. Even without a rider on she has been seen to bang her head against the arena wall when being worked in hand!
I have spared no expense in getting everything checked, investigated, scans, therapies, etc ...... to the point that the vets shrugged their shoulders and said "look,maybe she just really, really doesnt want to work". She's also been starved and abused in the past so I'm in no hurry to disrupt the trust she has built up in me just for the sake of sitting on her. She is only young so if she chooses to work in the future, she could do - many years yet.

She is never going to go anywhere, she has a home for life here without a doubt - she has been through so much more in her short life than any horse should ever have to face, I owe it to her.


I don't think horses NEED to be ridden, they have no expectation (at least mine are far too lazy to think "gosh, I wish I was eventing this weekend instead of eating grass in the sunshine!) ... I think some people view un ridden horses as a waste - perhaps its jealousy - but if the horse is healthy and wants for nothing, why force a change?
 
Moggie said:
I have a 100% sound, 7yo paddock ornament. She has made it very clear she doesn't want to be ridden - to the point of being dangerous. Although I re-broke her myself post racing (and I break and school ex racehorses and problem horses for a living, before anyone tries the "have you sent her to an expert" line.) she was easy to break but has a quirk. If she doesn't want to work she will rear, lie down, flip upside down, absolutely anything to avoid work. Even without a rider on she has been seen to bang her head against the arena wall when being worked in hand!
I have spared no expense in getting everything checked, investigated, scans, therapies, etc ...... to the point that the vets shrugged their shoulders and said "look,maybe she just really, really doesnt want to work". She's also been starved and abused in the past so I'm in no hurry to disrupt the trust she has built up in me just for the sake of sitting on her. She is only young so if she chooses to work in the future, she could do - many years yet.

She is never going to go anywhere, she has a home for life here without a doubt - she has been through so much more in her short life than any horse should ever have to face, I owe it to her.


I don't think horses NEED to be ridden, they have no expectation (at least mine are far too lazy to think "gosh, I wish I was eventing this weekend instead of eating grass in the sunshine!) ... I think some people view un ridden horses as a waste - perhaps its jealousy - but if the horse is healthy and wants for nothing, why force a change?
Click to expand...

You Mare sounds like a lucky lady! Goodluck with her but i doubt you will need it.x
 
_HP_ said:
How totally daft...lmao:eek::D

Why on earth would a horse care if its ridden or worked or has a job?:confused:

Do dogs have to work? other pets?

I understand that a horse that has worked all his life may take time to adjust to not working, if thats all its known, but I can't believe that a horse can't adjust to a life of doing what it is designed to do...graze.

I think if you provide a stimulating environment for the horse , then that should be all it needs. .....IMO:cool:
Click to expand...

Ditto this. I can think of nothing better than loungeing in a field all day have care lavished on me with very little expected in return!
 
This is her "before and after" - I can excuse her brain being a bit scrambled having been to this state....

n199709314_38714748_7283.jpg


n199709314_40233179_4438.jpg


I don't mind looking a at a lawnmower when they are that beautiful. She is equally tricky on the floor and you don't ever go in a stable with her, but in the field she is a loving confident sweet mare that will come up to you seeking affection.

(Interesting I now have a huge problem with her weight, she never has hard food just hay and grass and is perpetually verging on obese - maybe altered metabolism? But thats another thread in itself!)
 
skewby said:
But that's my point. The same field, day in day out, is not a stimulating environment, surely?
Click to expand...

Well you make it stimulating...just as you would for a hamster in a cage, or your dog or any other pet.
 
I think my horse would be well pleased if she retired and didn't have to do anything!! So long as she got fed and groomed lol, remember horses don't know their potential!
 
_HP_ said:
Well you make it stimulating...just as you would for a hamster in a cage, or your dog or any other pet.
Click to expand...

Ditto, Mine live out in a large herd, I would never keep a horse as a paddock ornament/lawnmower on its own or in indivudual turnout.

You still interact with them, its not like they are abandoned with no contact!
 
Last edited:
Think it depends on the horse and the circumstances, my old mare once retired was more than happy not doing any work, I have 2 now and the gelding gets narky if not ridden - I don't think it's work related, more a jealousy thing. He likes the attention and if I'm working on my mare more than him it shows.

Now if I only had him and didn't ride he would probably be okay with it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top