The nagging feeling that riding horses is just odd

Somewhat Off The Way said:
Will those of you who are determined that horses shouldn't have to work be willing to take on and care for all of our horses if we have to give them up because they can't be ridden anymore?
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Yep. Had my retired 2 until they were pts of old age and have 2 looking pretty in the field. Got to spend my money on something

ETA Or do you mean other peoples horses they no longer want because they can’t ride?
I love horses but no I wouldn’t take on other peoples horses because they only love riding
 
AppyLover1996 said:
I'm possibly going to stand out like a sore thumb - but yeah I would - in a heartbeat without any regard for the fact that they can't be ridden any more.

Horses don't ask to be ridden, they allow us the honour - if they decide they don't want to be ridden any more then that isn't their problem.
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And you have the land, time, money and resources to do that whilst ensuring their welfare is of the highest standard?
 
Miss_Millie said:
Well there are a lot of us on here who unknowingly bought broken horses and had our riding dreams shattered in one way or another. It puts things into perspective when you realise that they're still just as important to you when they can't be ridden anymore.
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Please see my post clarifying that I was talking about a fictional scenario and not regarding my actual horses.
 
Somewhat Off The Way said:
Will those of you who are determined that horses shouldn't have to work be willing to take on and care for all of our horses if we have to give them up because they can't be ridden anymore? I'd definitely get cheaper companion animals if I couldn't ride anymore.
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No, why should anyone else take your burden because you put yourself first? Do what any other decent person does and retire the horse because it owes you nothing or give it a dignified ending at home. You never “have” to give a horse up because it can’t be ridden - you’re choosing to because you don’t want to pay for something that gives you no pleasure. And don’t get me wrong, I’ve had multiple horses put down when they’re broken, but I’d never expect someone else to do the hard thing for me.
 
Skib said:
I hack a mare who likes to go out. If you take her in the school, her eye is turned to the tracks outside the entrance gate.

It is not borrowing him. It is working him. Michael Peace at a demo one said that people had to earn their keep and horses had to do the same.
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Yeah, my horse does that too because hacking is generally more interesting, easier, and "fun" than schooling. Many horses would choose being ridden out of the school if they have to be ridden.

Re Michael Peace, what a bizarre view to hold. That's just a weird, narrow, basic, and maybe primitive view on things. To me, anyway.
 
IrishMilo said:
No, why should anyone else take your burden because you put yourself first? Do what any other decent person does and retire the horse because it owes you nothing or give it a dignified ending at home. You never “have” to give a horse up because it can’t be ridden - you’re choosing to because you don’t want to pay for something that gives you no pleasure. And don’t get me wrong, I’ve had multiple horses put down when they’re broken, but I’d never expect someone else to do the hard thing for me.
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FOR THE LAST TIME MY HORSES ARE WITH ME FOR LIFE. IVE NEVER SOLD OR PASSED ON A HORSE.
 
canteron said:
I really get where you are coming from.
When I hack my horse - especially at this time of year - I let her munch tasty things from the hedgerow from time to time. Some people are horrified by this, but I’m just trying to give her a reason to enjoy hacking and it does make her keener to go out!
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I used to be very much a “You don’t let them eat on a hack, that’s work” type rider. And to be fair, you have to know the horse you’re on. If it’s going to take the P then I still don’t as I think strong boundaries are kinder. But Rocky gets a free pass because he’s super mannerly and I know when I say enough is enough he’ll respect that! I also think that it’s a bit like children and sweets - if they’re constantly deprived or something becomes the Forbidden thing that they always think about it’s a cycle. Little and often? Not so desperate!
 
My ponies all actively like being ridden, as in they will come to the gate and wait pointedly at riding (not feeding) time, they will sulk if they don’t get their turn and I have had one or two attempt to invite themselves on hacks through the fence! My one who has sharers starts standing at the gate just waiting for hours if they are away and have not come on schedule. She misses ‘her’ kids.

In general the kids’ ponies will attempt to figure out how to get their bridles on themselves if their child is taking too long - it’s very funny to watch. Equally, they know which tack is theirs and how it should feel so tend to assist there also, nuzzling the right pad or raising a head to eyeball me and call me over if the kid has put something on wrong. They are encouraged to express themselves and as a result we know if something isn’t right. That makes riding comfortable for them and fun. Equally, we let them choose what they like to do as a ‘job’. If one doesn’t like to jump beyond odd logs, we don’t. If one doesn’t like schooling, we do the minimum for their health only. If one wants to be a tiny tot’s lead rein pony, they get to choose that life. So everyone gets to do things they like and they are able to tell us if anything is uncomfortable. At that point, riding is entertainment for everyone.

That said, all are relatively young and healthy, so any who hang back at catching time are carefully investigated to find out why. My son’s pony had a ‘not catching’ moment last month. All checks done, issue narrowed down to saddle. Changed saddle, the next day she was happy again. She’s funny though - if he doesn’t ride her first she gets the hump and behaves like a slighted teenager. Don’t we know how important she is? Likewise one of the others has what we think are melanomas near the girth. Vet said wait and see. She has become a little more sensitive at catching time even though I triple check nothing is pressing on them so I have booked them to be removed. She isn’t herself. She normally loves her girl and her adventures and is eager to come in.

My TB struggled hugely with retirement at first. She missed the entertainment, the individual attention, going out to patrol ‘her’ range as it were. I had to get some youngsters for her to bring up to provide the entertainment in the field instead!

Young ones who grow up here do so desperate to join in - my 2 year olds are already bothering me about coming with, and once they realise aged 3 that a rider = being off lead, most are wildly enthusiastic. I will never forget one little unbacked pony - half way round a hack being ponied she downed tools and had a small pony tantrum about being led. So I popped my son on and he rode her home. She was beyond delighted. Walked and trotted with the ride like she had done it all her life!!
 
Dear aliens,

Hello, welcome to earth! Do help yourself to a cup of tea -- oh, you don't need liquid. Ok. Oh, and don't mind the dog. You see: it's called a pet.


1000088993.jpg
These creatures don't speak our language and we don't need them for anything like trees need mycorrhizal fungi. We just like to keep creatures in our homes.
And then some people decide to keep special different creatures so they can sit on them and move about on them in special ways. They aren't needed for us to move about anymore,because we have built things that can move us long distances now. But some of us like to use them for this anyway, just for fun.
There's other creatures about that we don't use for anything at all though. (Don't get bitten and don't pspsps any lions.)
Anyway, please enjoy your stay on planet earth and sorry about the state of the place, we'd have tidied up if we knew you were coming

Sincerely
The human race
 
Oh, and by the way, I have a couple of non-ridden field companions. Their job is to be company for the other horses. They also have a home with me for life. I've also endured the pain of having to PTS much loved companions. I had to take time off work I was so devastated when I lost one to colic. So don't try to paint me as a heartless, irresponsible cow just because I have a different opinion.
 
smolmaus said:
People are just answering your hypothetical. If you don't want people to respond to a post as if you meant it, then don't post it if you don't mean it!
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Somewhat Off The Way said:
Just to clarify, I'd give up my horses in that fictional scenario. All my horses have a home with me for life, whether they can be ridden in the future or not for whatever reason. Because they've done their best for me so I'll do my best for them.
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seriously festive equine said:
I think some horses are born to ride. they obviously love it. You can tell when a competition horse loves its job, and its happy to do it. Depends on the horse i think.
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Sorry to pick on your post sfe, but I just can't buy in to the notion of a horse loving competing.

Where you see a horse loving it's job, I see a horse that KNOWS its job, has been trained to do that job, and is often pretty wired due to the competition atmosphere.

It's the same with showing. Anyone who says 'he's loves the show ring....he really lights up'. Sorry, but this is bowlarks! The horse is hot and het up, and responding to the show atmosphere and being asked to trot round with other horses. What you're seeing is a horse having a low level stress response. The idea of any horse loving being in a show ring is just daft.

That said, I don't think competing is wrong per se. But modern competition seems to have placed even more stress on the horse, you only have to look at top level dressage horses that constantly look as though they are on the verge of a breakdown.

With my own pony, I resolved to do things he enjoyed, so we hack and dabble in TREC (although I have concerns about top level TREC comps too, and wouldn't put any horse through it to be honest). We also have lessons, which he doesn't love, I admit, but they are a necessary evil to keep us both working in a healthy way.

The hard truth is that if I didn't ride him, he wouldn't be able to have any grass turnout, or live any kind of natural life at all. So i ride him, but make sure it's fun for him too.
 
Somewhat Off The Way said:
Will those of you who are determined that horses shouldn't have to work be willing to take on and care for all of our horses if we have to give them up because they can't be ridden anymore? I'd definitely get cheaper companion animals if I couldn't ride anymore.
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Is this like, if riding got outlawed or you physically were unable to ride anymore and you were horse shopping you'd look at smaller/cheaper sorts than if shopping for a riding animal?
 
IrishMilo said:
I used to be very much a “You don’t let them eat on a hack, that’s work” type rider. And to be fair, you have to know the horse you’re on. If it’s going to take the P then I still don’t as I think strong boundaries are kinder. But Rocky gets a free pass because he’s super mannerly and I know when I say enough is enough he’ll respect that! I also think that it’s a bit like children and sweets - if they’re constantly deprived or something becomes the Forbidden thing that they always think about it’s a cycle. Little and often? Not so desperate!
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I was reading about how long a horse can go without eating before stomach acid splash can become a problem, and it was surprisingly short, so a hack 'n snack seems an ideal solution! But I try to encourage a walk and eat, snatch 'n go scenario, rather than stopping constantly, which is annoying. At this time of year it's not a problem with stuff practically in their face on overgrown bridleways :)
 
I had a horse once who was rather neglected before he came to me. His attitude to me was really different to any of the others who have come from a normal background. He liked me, he liked doing things with me, and if that included carrying me along for the ride then that's what he did. I'd never have kept up with him on foot!
Once (due to a misunderstanding) I found myself hanging down his side. I'd have hit the ground if not for this very special horse. He stopped, and sidled over to a tree. I pushed off from the tree trunk and got back in the saddle. He didn't have to do that, and I don't think many horses would tbh. But I was his person, the one who'd unfailingly brought him food for months, after his years of starvation before he was mine, so he didn't want to lose me if he could help it. He was a very clever horse.
 
I think if we weren't allowed to ride horses there would be an awful lot less horses in the world and a lot of carnage if it was a quick change. How many would buy a 17hh whopping Warmblood just to keep as a pet? I know some maybe would, but the majority wouldn't. It's too expensive. Miniatures maybe but they're not really my thing lol.
 
I’m a riding school rider currently (when I’m in the UK) riding a Welsh D mare who is a bit special in a Welsh D way and is cared for as well as the rs possibly can. We used to do low level dressage but I’ve given that up in favour of making every lesson as pleasurable as I can for her. Thankfully I have a brilliant freelance instructor who absolutely agrees that it’s all about the mare. She really, really enjoys her lateral work, bareback and no noseband thank you, and knows after our twice weekly lessons she’ll get her pamper groom and massage sessions which she adores. What I’m trying to say is that it is a privilege to even be with a horse and I try to make our time together as enjoyable as possible for her. I also fund a weekly massage by an onsite equine masseur, she loves that too.
 
I get where you are coming from with this @IrishMilo and sometimes I have the same thoughts. I don’t compete, I hack for miles just me and my pony. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.

My pony has EMS so if I didn’t ride her she would have come down with chronic laminitis years ago and been pts. Having regular exercise means she can lead a fairly normal life with herd turn out with a muzzle and soaked hay in the stable.
 
I am so conflicted reading this. I guess I’ve thought it too but justify riding as I live it so much. It literally is my favourite thing in the whole world! I’m fortunate that I still have a horse to pamper and fuss of my own but being brutally honest I don’t get much out of that. He doesn’t miss out either as he’s pretty self sufficient. Do the horses I ride enjoy it? I genuinely don’t know. I do everything in my power to treat them ethically and kindly. The bottom line is they’re not meant to carry people but we’ve bred them specifically for this job for so long I honestly don’t think we’d justify breeding them if riding them was no longer allowed. Good topic. Thanks IM.
 
tbh if we eliminate blatant abuse, discomfort and horses who are unfit for what they are being asked to do; I don't think the average horse minds being ridden.
I can carry my children around on my back for several hours on a long walk, would I be more comfortable without them? sure. Do I mind carrying them about? Not really. If I did it every day I could become quite good at it. It doesn't do me any real harm.

Most people's horses get a good deal- care and attention and all their needs met in exchange for a few hours work a day (or in most cases less)
Do they enjoy their job? I think they are largely indifferent to it
However I'm indifferent to my job but I need it to maintain my lifestyle, which is also true for most horses.

Sure we can go down a rabbit hole discussing if its fair to them or not, maybe its not 'fair'
But lots of things aren't 'fair'
unfairness does not = unkindness
unfairness does not = wrong
unfairness = lack of equality

But if we are wanting equality, I'd love full room and board for 2 hours work a day too please 😂
 
I have one that I do believe genuinely enjoys to work. He has a very 'switched on' brain and when he's had time off he visibly lights up at the prospect of working again. I'm a realist and this doesn't mean he can't wait to get in the school and do some leg yielding! But take him on a hack and he strides out the gate excited to see the world. He also loves to jump, I spent a lot of time worrying that his 'excitement' was actually anxiety but he genuinely does just seem to love it. You can point him at a fence and he takes over for you, ears forward, chooses the stride and never says no - I wouldn't say he knows his job as such, as if you ask him to do anything he DOESN'T want to do, he will happily deliver a hard 'no thank you'. I don't jump my horses to death as I want to save their joints and wear & tear on them, so if I don't jump him for a few weeks he seems visibly a bit glum, let him pop a few jumps and he is a happier horse in his work for the next few days. Of course, he would be equally happy if he was turned out on 30 acres in a herd, but I think with the restrictions many of us have placed on us with how we can keep our horses (fairly monotonous fenced paddocks with 1 or 2 companions), then work can give them the mental stimulation they need to stay happy, along with the physical benefits.
 
I like to think my horse has a pretty good deal - 4/5 hours of 'work' a week for board, lodging, food and forage, regular physio, dentistry and pedicures! I ride for exercise - his and mine and vary it with hacking and schooling. Neither of us enjoys competing (I get stressed - he gets over excited). My lad also makes it very clear when he doesn't like something and if I can, I do try to listen to him (unless its for his benefit - eg he has to be sedated for the dentist for everyone's safety). I enjoy just looking at him (he is particularly attractive imho!) so if/when he can no longer be ridden I will just be glad he gets to retire (not everyone - horse OR human gets that)!
 
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