The nagging feeling that riding horses is just odd

[marmalade76]

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!!

I had one in particular that loved being ridden even though he had health issues, it's like it boosted his ego, he seemed to look at our other ponies smugly, " see, I'm number 1!" He loved attention and being ridden meant attention. I've had a few attention junkies and one that was a dreadful show off, if more people/new people were around, the more he would show off. I swear he had a sense of humour too, he was an arab.I had an ex polo pony that took to flatwork/schooling, he loved it, it was his thing. He had made it clear he didn't want to play polo anymore, apparently he'd played high goal then started dumping whoever was riding him and would then leg it so he was sold age 7 to me. He was obviously comfortable enough to let whoever was in charge know that he wasn't happy with his work and school work he seemed to love, better than being yanked around on the polo field.

Another, a cob I loaned, had been in a riding school for a bit, he'd make it clear if he didn't like doing something and would get rid of you if you dared use a stick on him, even just a tickle. Yet big group hacks he loved and if you took him on a fun ride or something he'd be smug for days afterwards, again, it was like it did something for his ego.

I'm another who will allow them to snack on a ride as long as they don't take the pee, if we're going to ask them to do these jobs, there must be something in it for them. I like my horses to be happy and comfortable enough to give an opinion, I want them to interact with me and other people around them and whilst I expect good manners, I don't want under the thumb robots either.

 

[GrassChop]

Thankfully I’m a long term poster because I'm fully aware of how goading this post sounds! But as I become more aware of the psychology of horses, their pain cues, and just the general sentiment that making animals do things for our pleasure is wrong, I can’t shake this feeling.

I’ve been struggling with the motivation to ride for about a year, and I feel like part of it is that maybe it just doesn’t sit right with me anymore.

Maybe it’s because the horse I have now is very sensitive and I feel like we’re genuinely in tune with each other. Or just that the world is waking up to all of the micro ways in which we mistreat animals.

Don’t get me wrong, when I’m riding, I love it, but I’m losing my love for watching competition, taking part in them or just generally anything where I think “Why would I make my horse do this when he has nothing to gain from it? He doesn’t owe me this!”.

I suppose I’d just like to know if anyone else has gradually changed their priorities with horses, or even stopped riding altogether because of a feeling of malaise?

These days I get so much more pleasure from just pampering Rocky than anything else! I have a competition at the end of the month which I’m kind of using as a One Last Time sort of thing…

I get this too.
Like you, I love it when I'm riding and still want to do it but, and this is probably going to sound really stupid, I love my mare so much, she is my entire world and I always have this guilt there for making her come out of the field just to carry me around and do stuff.

I never make her do anything, we have a mutual relationship where we both just keep each other safe and have fun. I don't make her do more than a walk unless she's chosen to and she still loves a good gallop so I'm happy to go with that too, I just brake when necessary riding should be enjoyable for us both, I wouldn't do it if I had to make her do everything and she was clearly miserable. She walks forwards on her own accord and is forward going in general, I'd feel way too guilty if I had to kick constantly just to keep her in walk! We don't school, only hack. I'd like to think she does enjoy it and wouldn't want to be sat in her field every day being bored but who knows! We go about twice a week so it's hardly a huge effort.

As much as I want us to stay active, I do often use the time that other people would spend riding just leading her round the verges to stuff her face or grooming. It sounds really sad and soppy but it's the truth of it. I want my horse to be happy and not used. To do stuff together rather than just for myself.

Actually, it just made me remember an advert I saw the other day for a 17yo horse. It said "17 years old but plenty of life left" I mean, what?! It's not a bloody car to run into the ground until it's had it!

 

[Somewhat Off The Way]

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?

Thank you. Yes, I meant that if riding was outlawed or I couldn't ride then I wouldn't have chosen to keep horses for companionship, I'd have chosen cheaper pets! And I suspect the same is true of many others too, if they're honest about it. Again, the horses I have currently will always stay with me (unless something terrible happens that means I can't look after them properly. Then it would be PTS or gift to a charity or friend as appropriate).

Knowing how readily a lot of people give up their oldies, I think a significant proportion of owners and businesses would give up their horses if they couldn't ride them anymore. So there would suddenly be a lot of previously loved and cared for horses on the market, as companions only.

Also worth noting that welfare charities frequently recieve large numbers of non-ridden horses, far more than ridden horses.

 

[Time for Tea]

I think horses can become bored stuck in fields with nothing to do. Apart perhaps from the lucky few turned out on large acreage with varied terrain. I think they enjoy learning and enjoy going out and doing things. I say this from observation of my own. I also think they like being bored, and doing zilch, for a while. They want time off. But then they seem happy to do stuff with their human again. I’m presupposing here that they have been considerately trained and treated, with no pressure to perform at activities they don’t enjoy. They are such generous, giving creatures it can be hard to work out what they want to do and like doing.
If they were wild though, their lives would be much more demanding, so boredom is not surprising.

 

[marmalade76]

I think horses can become bored stuck in fields with nothing to do. Apart perhaps from the lucky few turned out on large acreage with varied terrain. I think they enjoy learning and enjoy going out and doing things. I say this from observation of my own. I also think they like being bored, and doing zilch, for a while. They want time off. But then they seem happy to do stuff with their human again. I’m presupposing here that they have been considerately trained and treated, with no pressure to perform at activities they don’t enjoy. They are such generous, giving creatures it can be hard to work out what they want to do and like doing.
If they were wild though, their lives would be much more demanding, so boredom is not surprising.

When my children were small I used to keep my ponies on a small farm next door to the Prescott Hill Climb, the had paddocks in the summer (with lots of trees & bushes) but in the winter they roamed several interconnecting hilly fields with lots of trees, hedges, bushes, spring fed streams, little sheltered dips where the could hide in out of the wind - pony paradise. They would still come tearing (downhill) to the gate whenever we turned up. They stopped the galloping down the hills when they got to 17 (funnily enough they were the same age), this was how I knew age was starting to catch up with them.

 

[Fransurrey]

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.

What an odd thing to say on a thread where more than a few respondents have said they simply enjoy being around horses! I've had two ponies that I took on knowing they were companions only and have paid the same in livery as my ridden horse. At one point after his PSSM1 diagnosis I thought the ridden horse was going to become a companion to the companion (!), but there is more to horses than riding. All mine have enjoyed a walk in the woods, a good massage and groom, all of which I enjoy as much, if not more than, riding!

 

[Somewhat Off The Way]

What an odd thing to say on a thread where more than a few respondents have said they simply enjoy being around horses! I've had two ponies that I took on knowing they were companions only and have paid the same in livery as my ridden horse. At one point after his PSSM1 diagnosis I thought the ridden horse was going to become a companion to the companion (!), but there is more to horses than riding. All mine have enjoyed a walk in the woods, a good massage and groom, all of which I enjoy as much, if not more than, riding!

Good for you

 

[Somewhat Off The Way]

I suspect this is why threads are constantly being closed on this forum. I have worded one post badly and I'm being painted as some kind of ruthless horse (ab)user which couldn't be further from the truth. You know nothing about me!

 

[GrassChop]

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.

I mean, you did say that bit so makes sense why people have responded the way they have.

For all currently ridden horses? Are you the king?

So your question was based theoretically about taking on all horses in the world that can't be ridden... Who would be able to take on all horses in the world that could be ridden though, let alone if they couldn't? Question doesn't quite make sense sorry SOTW

In general, no I wouldn't be able to own and care for every unridden horse in the world BUT I would still have horses as companions as I enjoy spending time with them.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

You have word for word written how I've been feeling. Exactly.

I've gone from eventing nut to questioning whether I even agree with the notion of horse riding. I struggle to care about it even when talking to friends and our riding/horses as im just not sure what the 'point' of it is. Surely horses have the right to just exist, not exist for our enjoyment. I'm casually riding at a riding school in the hope to improve my riding if I ever get another horse but I'm so unsure on how I feel about it all.

But yes feel Exactly the same.

Really interesting one OP. Is public opinion changing our views? Why does it feel less ok now when in fact we know more about welfare and can give them a better life than say 30 years ago? I’m with you on this. I have horses and I was mad keen on competing but I don’t so much now because I can’t always justify it. Take this heatwave for instance. No one has to compete or even ride in this heat but they will. People do it for their own selfish reasons.

I used to love watching NH racing but I can barely watch it now because of all the falls. I’ve never liked flat racing. There’s no ethical reason why 2 year olds should race.

Social licence is turning away from equine sport. I don’t like that numpties who know nothing about horses are often leading the debate. Animals in Circuses lost the social licence and look what happened to them? If I watch high level dressage it feels like circus tricks sometimes though with less harmony.

I agree that horses shouldn’t be in the Olympic pentathlon but then why should they be in the Olympics at all?

It annoys me when riders say their win was so good for the horse or the horse deserved it. I’m sure the horse doesn’t give two hoots.

If competition isn’t necessary then riding horses probably isn’t either.

I never expected to feel like this. Maybe I’m getting old.


It’s the thin end of the wedge.

 

[Somewhat Off The Way]

I mean, you did say that bit so makes sense why people have responded the way they have.

But I literally posted a clarification a minute later when I realised I'd worded it badly, but that post is being ignored. And I'm actually feeling really upset about it

 

[smolmaus]

I suspect this is why threads are constantly being closed on this forum. I have worded one post badly and I'm being painted as some kind of ruthless horse (ab)user which couldn't be further from the truth. You know nothing about me!

Nobody did this. People just said they would still keep their horses and it made you feel bad.

 

[GrassChop]

But I literally posted a clarification a minute later when I realised I'd worded it badly, but that post is being ignored. And I'm actually feeling really upset about it

I saw your clarification but I expect a lot of people replied before they saw that bit, I was actually going to reply to it before reading on but I didn't so I would have been one of them if I hadn't got to the end first! Please don't be upset by it. I personally thought nothing of it and after your clarification, assumed that had you not had horses at all, you wouldn't actively choose to own one just for a companion is what you meant. Not that you'd get rid of them if they were of no use. X

 

[Somewhat Off The Way]

Nobody did this. People just said they would still keep their horses and it made you feel bad.

Leave me alone. Thanks.

 

[Somewhat Off The Way]

I saw your clarification but I expect a lot of people replied before they saw that bit, I was actually going to reply to it before reading on but I didn't so I would have been one of them if I hadn't got to the end first! Please don't be upset by it. I personally thought nothing of it and after your clarification, assumed that had you not had horses at all, you wouldn't actively choose to own one just for a companion is what you meant. Not that you'd get rid of them if they were of no use. X

Thank you, I'm glad someone understands x

 

[FieldOrnaments]

When my children were small I used to keep my ponies on a small farm next door to the Prescott Hill Climb, the had paddocks in the summer (with lots of trees & bushes) but in the winter they roamed several interconnecting hilly fields with lots of trees, hedges, bushes, spring fed streams, little sheltered dips where the could hide in out of the wind - pony paradise. They would still come tearing (downhill) to the gate whenever we turned up. They stopped the galloping down the hills when they got to 17 (funnily enough they were the same age), this was how I knew age was starting to catch up with them.

Did you have three, two little ones grey and cremello and a bigger bay?

 

[smolmaus]

Really interesting post OP. It’s something I have been thinking about too. Is it public perception that is changing our views?
I used to love NH racing but fi

I’m with you on this. It’s an interesting one. I have horses and I was mad keen on competing but I don’t so much now because I can’t always justify it. Take this heatwave for instance. No one has to compete or even ride in this heat but they will. People do it for their own selfish reasons.

I used to love watching NH racing but I can barely watch it now because of all the falls. I’ve never liked flat racing. There’s no ethical reason why 2 year olds should race.

Social licence is turning away from equine sport. I don’t like that numpties who know nothing about horses are often leading the debate. Animals in Circuses lost the social licence and look what happened to them? If I watch high level dressage it feels like circus tricks sometimes though with less harmony.

I agree that horses shouldn’t be in the Olympic pentathlon but then why should they be in the Olympics at all?

It annoys me when riders say their win was so good for the horse or the horse deserved it. I’m sure the horse doesn’t give two hoots.

If competition isn’t necessary then riding horses probably isn’t either.

I never expected to feel like this. Maybe I’m getting old.


It’s the thin end of the wedge.

People still work their dogs when they don't need to Agility, scent work, sleds, all sorts. You can probably still have ridden horses without the high level competition that people use to make a lot of money, which is where the problems seem to start. Not saying amateur sport is without stain, it certainly isn't, but attaching a lot of money to a thing makes the ethics feel like a hindrance to success rather than a basic necessity.

 

[webble]

Agree, having had a few horses break, seen horses locally with issues and followed stories on here I decided not to get another. If we discovered horses as a new species now we wouldnt think 'ooo look at that lets stick metal in its mouth, on its feet and sit on it'

 

[suestowford]

Really interesting post OP. It’s something I have been thinking about too. Is it public perception that is changing our views?
I used to love NH racing but fi

I’m with you on this. It’s an interesting one. I have horses and I was mad keen on competing but I don’t so much now because I can’t always justify it. Take this heatwave for instance. No one has to compete or even ride in this heat but they will. People do it for their own selfish reasons.

I used to love watching NH racing but I can barely watch it now because of all the falls. I’ve never liked flat racing. There’s no ethical reason why 2 year olds should race.

Social licence is turning away from equine sport. I don’t like that numpties who know nothing about horses are often leading the debate. Animals in Circuses lost the social licence and look what happened to them? If I watch high level dressage it feels like circus tricks sometimes though with less harmony.

I agree that horses shouldn’t be in the Olympic pentathlon but then why should they be in the Olympics at all?

It annoys me when riders say their win was so good for the horse or the horse deserved it. I’m sure the horse doesn’t give two hoots.

If competition isn’t necessary then riding horses probably isn’t either.

I never expected to feel like this. Maybe I’m getting old.


It’s the thin end of the wedge.

I feel much the same about horse sport these days.
I didn't always, I used to go racing quite a lot, and there I saw Desert Orchid race. Now there was a horse who did give a hoot about his work. He really played up to the crowd. I also saw him doing an appearance at a show, after he'd retired, and he still had that fire in him. I saw a lot of horses race but never have I seen another like him. You know when the commentator at the Pony Club games says, the louder you cheer the faster they'll go? That was how Desert Orchid was.
In the eventing world I'd say Murphy Himself was another who loved what he did. Exceptional horses.
For what it's worth, I've kept all mine through retirement. I have two retired ones here right now, neither of them belong to me but they have a home here even though it means I can't afford to keep a riding horse atm.

 

[dorsetladette]

Until recently I haven't ridden regularly for a long time. I've had old retired horses, a mentally broken one and youngsters. I've thoroughly enjoyed the 'having horses' without any pressure to achieve anything part of horse ownership. Watching the babies learn about the world and working out there likes and dislikes, letting them experience new things at their own pace and in their own time.

Previously to the person I am now I grew up with parents who ran a pretty successful stud, livery yard, and breaking and schooling yard. competition (mainly showing) was the shop window of the business and results spoke volumes. We were on the circuit showing most of the year with little down time. But the horses did get down time and we had a string of ponies going to different shows at different times (you can't put them all on the lorry). I believed at the time that the horses enjoyed the atmosphere and most did 'light up' in the ring. It was a lifestyle I truly enjoyed and would change it for the world. I was driven and had a passion for every little detail.

Now I am getting the babies going under saddle I really don't have the drive I did previously. It's only become apparent since I started to use the help of a freelancer to back Reggie. She really wants to achieve something in every session, but I'm just happy for Reggie to enjoy the time we work with him and have a nice experience. He is and that's great - but if we're still only hacking in walk and trot by the end of summer that is fine with me.

My priorities are very different now. I don't think I would push the boys to achieve the way I did 'back in the day' if either of the babies stop enjoying the education that becoming a ridden horse entails we'll look to change the direction we take.

I do spend a lot of time walking the ponies out in hand as I enjoy their company more than anything. They bookend my day and help me deal with an incredibly stressful job.

And then we have Benjamin Brown - he so wants to please and be around people but his miss trust runs so deep that I'm happy if all he every does is come over for a scratch and a chat in the field of his own accord. No pressure there at all.

 

[marmalade76]

Did you have three, two little ones grey and cremello and a bigger bay?

The one in my avatar, a grey Sec B, then later on a Black Sec D, a bay NF and a bay TB.

 

[marmalade76]

I feel much the same about horse sport these days.
I didn't always, I used to go racing quite a lot, and there I saw Desert Orchid race. Now there was a horse who did give a hoot about his work. He really played up to the crowd. I also saw him doing an appearance at a show, after he'd retired, and he still had that fire in him. I saw a lot of horses race but never have I seen another like him. You know when the commentator at the Pony Club games says, the louder you cheer the faster they'll go? That was how Desert Orchid was.
In the eventing world I'd say Murphy Himself was another who loved what he did. Exceptional horses.
For what it's worth, I've kept all mine through retirement. I have two retired ones here right now, neither of them belong to me but they have a home here even though it means I can't afford to keep a riding horse atm.

Dessie wasn't the only one, Red Rum and Arkle also loved the crowds.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Dessie wasn't the only one, Red Rum and Arkle also loved the crowds.

I know. I loved Rummy.
some horses rise to the occasion but if they’d never even raced or seen a crowd, I’m not sure it would have made a huge difference to them.

It’s like when people say they are giving their horses some time to ‘ just be a horse’ I know it’s just an expression but shouldn’t we let our horses be horses all the time. If they are not being horses, what are they the rest of the time?

 

[FieldOrnaments]

The one in my avatar, a grey Sec B, then later on a Black Sec D, a bay NF and a bay TB.

I saw them!!! I always thought they were LOVELY

 

[suestowford]

Dessie wasn't the only one, Red Rum and Arkle also loved the crowds.

I never saw either of those race, so I didn't include them. But they were indeed exceptional.

 

[Gloi]

I tend to just pootle about on mine these days. Injuries (mine not his) limit what we do. It feels rather like taking the dog out for a walk.

 

[marmalade76]

I saw them!!! I always thought they were LOVELY

The first two were utter legends, both myself & my children talk about them often and still and miss them terribly. You know how they say your lost loved ones will be waiting for you when you die? Well those two will be waiting for me, they were like that together and like that with me. The black one was PTS only a week or two ago aged 28 and still in the same home I sold him to. The TB I was told was PTS a few years ago, I don't know why and the little NF mare is the only one still about, she never belonged to me, she belonged to a friend and we kept them together and did a two way share so both her granddaughters had a pony to ride at the same time, my friend still has her.

The place has just sold, no doubt someone will ruin it.

 

[marmalade76]

I never saw either of those race, so I didn't include them. But they were indeed exceptional.

I never saw them either, just going by old TV recordings & interviews with connections.

 

[SEL]

I think when you get one that does enjoy doing stuff you really realise that many just tolerate it. I was happy for my little cob to be a companion post injury but she lit up when I decided to pop on her in rehab for a walk up the road - she'd be bored stiff in the field.

My youngest cob brings himself to the gate when he wants to be ridden. He wears his heart on his sleeve and his disappointment when it's a dressage competition is obvious - fun rides though and he's off the lorry with a grin.

The older ones though happily settled into pet status. I think the Appy might have enjoyed the stimulation of getting out & about if she hadn't been so broken. She was definitely one that tolerated ridden work rather than enjoyed it

 

[marmalade76]

I know. I loved Rummy.
some horses rise to the occasion but if they’d never even raced or seen a crowd, I’m not sure it would have made a huge difference to them.

It’s like when people say they are giving their horses some time to ‘ just be a horse’ I know it’s just an expression but shouldn’t we let our horses be horses all the time. If they are not being horses, what are they the rest of the time?

I used to have an arab who would have loved it, he loved showing off in front of people.