The Guilt

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Claireabella1982

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Hi, so I own a 19 year old horse (who I’ve had 18 years) and a 7 year old rescue pony (that my son used to ride but is longer interested) I don’t ride anymore, I’m not sure if it’s a confidence thing or because I’m not interested anymore (can’t really decide at the moment) so I’m considering retiring my lad and just having him as a field ornament as I would never get rid of him. But does anyone ever feel guilty for not doing anything with their horses?? I feel like I’m neglecting them both because they are not in work anymore, I obviously see to them twice a day to feed and give them hay etc but that’s all I do and it’s making me feel bad. Does anyone else feel the same??
 
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It’s a better life than many horses have. I did feel bad when I retired mine about 3/4 years ago but he’s happy enough and has settled well. Being ridden isn’t natural (I mean I ride, I’m not being barefoot turmericky about it :D )
I just mean it’s not necessary for a horses happiness to be ridden
 
The horse isn’t sat in the field thinking , ‘I wish I was an international eventer’ its thinking ‘which bit of grass should I eat next’ do you feel any guilt when you see animals in the wild? Well your animals have it better and have someone to feed them when they are hungry and tend to them when they are ill or injured .. guilt is a pointless emotion and totally unwarranted in the situation you describe. If it were then we should feel guilt about having dogs ,cats ,guinea pigs etc none of which usually have a ‘job’ and are just there for our pleasure.
 
poiuytrewq said:
It’s a better life than many horses have. I did feel bad when I retired mine about 3/4 years ago but he’s happy enough and has settled well. Being ridden isn’t natural (I mean I ride, I’m not being barefoot turmericky about it :D )
I just mean it’s not necessary for a horses happiness to be ridden
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barefoot turmericky - love it!
 
blitznbobs said:
The horse isn’t sat in the field thinking , ‘I wish I was an international eventer’ its thinking ‘which bit of grass should I eat next’ do you feel any guilt when you see animals in the wild? Well your animals have it better and have someone to feed them when they are hungry and tend to them when they are ill or injured .. guilt is a pointless emotion and totally unwarranted in the situation you describe. If it were then we should feel guilt about having dogs ,cats ,guinea pigs etc none of which usually have a ‘job’ and are just there for our pleasure.
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^^ this

I have 2 retired girls who have a big field with lots of interesting stuff to snuffle around in. There are other horses in view, plus houses, a rugby club (millie seems to be a fan!) and ginormous hedges to be raided. They are very happy nosing around being neighbourhood watchers and getting up to mischief. They are happy to see human visitors as that usually means treats, but I have absolutely no doubt that they are quite happy just being horses the rest of the time. BOth have led busy lives with lots of shows etc before but they adapted to this life overnight.
 
A horse doesn't stand in a field and think "I wish i was going jumping today" they just want food, water, company and shelter. If you can provide them 3 things then they will be happy enough.
 
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I do think that some retired horses and ponies who are kept in a single square and featureless field and just checked on daily and with minimum intervention, for say regular feet and annual vet checks, do not have the best of lives, even if they have enough grass etc and their basic needs are met. This is totally different from retirees who are either live out in a gang in an area that provides variety or those who are kept in their original routine of being brought in daily, groomed etc, but just not ridden. This does depend upon each individual horse though.
 
Tarragon said:
I do think that some retired horses and ponies who are kept in a single square and featureless field and just checked on daily and with minimum intervention, for say regular feet and annual vet checks, do not have the best of lives, even if they have enough grass etc and their basic needs are met. .
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this was also my view and the reason I moved my retired horse off the yard where my ridden ones are. I don't see her as often (she is checked daily by OH though on the days I can't get there). The ridden ones are happy enough in their boring squares but it would have been awful for a horse that wasn't in work.
 
I very rarely ride, like maybe 5 times in a year tops!
Do I feel guilty, nope not at all. Because I see my horse every day, he is in a lush field where he can just enjoy the peace and the sunshine, he gets groomed and taken for in hand walks, he is happy.
Some horses may be happier with something to do, but I bet the majority are more than happy to stand in a field all day stuffing their faces with grass.
 
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mine was in a small field as when in livery you take what you can get. she was out 24/7 in summer and treated exactly the same ,fed,groomed etc just not ridden and in at night in the winter and groomed am and pm....she was happy and if her cushings had been controllable i would still have her....most horses are happy as long as they have company, plenty of room to graze. shelter and extra food if necessary.....no need to feel guilty
 
My mini shetlands do sod all. they have a great life. When there is a storm they can be found under the apple tree! They are cuddled and handled but are basically cute pets, and seem very happy
 
It does depend on the horse though. Mine is perfectly happy mooching around when turned out during the day and then coming in for the night for hay and feed and I ride her maybe once or twice a week if I have the time and she was also fine when she has had to be on box rest. However, my daughter's mare gets totally bored when not being ridden and becomes very pushy and naughty. She was off most of the summer due to injury and follow on illness and only got the all clear to be ridden again about 3 weeks ago. After initial box rest she was then turned out as normal but was a total pain and is only getting back to normal now she is back being ridden.
 
My retired one was a complete nuisance on the yard when not in regular work, she was often getting up to mischief and generally being naughty. Since I let her down completely and she's now out 24/7 she is a different horse, really laid back (though still looking for mischief now and then ;) ) I think that halfway house stage can be a bit tricky for those with busy minds.
 
Claireabella1982 said:
Hi, so I own a 19 year old horse (who I’ve had 18 years) and a 7 year old rescue pony (that my son used to ride but is longer interested) I don’t ride anymore, I’m not sure if it’s a confidence thing or because I’m not interested anymore (can’t really decide at the moment) so I’m considering retiring my lad and just having him as a field ornament as I would never get rid of him. But does anyone ever feel guilty for not doing anything with their horses?? I feel like I’m neglecting them both because they are not in work anymore, I obviously see to them twice a day to feed and give them hay etc but that’s all I do and it’s making me feel bad. Does anyone else feel the same??
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Mine would love to chill out 24/7 with his retired friends. He's not exactly overburdened with work as it is 😉

I regard my horses to be my pets almost in the same way as domestic animals. I say almost because I do require the sound one to do a bit of work. I think that's how it is with more and more owners nowadays. I'm happy if they're happy.

I wouldn't think about things like a horse's potential. In a way, I think animals are lucky that they don't think like we do. They live in the present, whereas we often overthink and second guess ourselves.
 
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