Too many different activities

[handbagsandhay]

So I had been posting on here a few weeks back for various things and nowhave a good plan of where I am going horsey wise. I have been riding for 25 years but got a bit out of practice. Anyhoo I now have a friends horse to exercise a couple of times a week - flatwork only - and can really suit myself with regards anything else - grooming, mucking out etc as time permits (he is on DIY livery and his owner is there everyday, though short on time to ride as much as she'd like - hence me riding - she does everything else but when I am there and have the time I am happy to help/do what needs done and she is very happy about that - Got a good deal there) I also ride with a friend who has 4 horses, we hack out. I was looking to get back into jumping as it used to be a passion of mine and have booked a couple of jumping lessons at a riding school who has a focus on jumping. However I was also recommended another smaller school and have booked lessons there - general riding with a focus on seat, posture etc and some stable management (looking to brush up so I can do my BHS exams) I am also actively trying to find some western riding/training. So I was quite happy in my little horse obsessed bubble until someone passed a comment that I am doing too many different things and should "focus on one area" and tbh it has kind of knocked the wind out my sails. I have always been horse mad but due to various circumstances haven't owned once since I was a teen. i also love learning new things and am a "get in about it" type of person hence the immersing myself in all the opportunities available to me. Surely this isn't wrong to do?

 

[Denbob]

I'm of the opinion there is no such thing as too many horsey activities! If you've got a lot going on it may be tiring physically but there's absolutely no harm in getting out and doing lots of different things - if I could I would be doing absolutely the same thing. More power to you!

I think it becomes different if you really want to specialise, but that shouldn't stop you doing different things, simply means you increase the one you want to improve in the most.

 

[milliepops]

I don't think there's a right or wrong way tbh. If you're happy then I wouldn't change anything on the back of one comment.

Perhaps they meant it as you'd progress faster if you concentrated on fewer things, but that would be for you to decide whether you are happy to do a bit of everything or speed along with one aspect and then add the others later.

 

[handbagsandhay]

Yes the comment was around not focussing on one thing to progress but I don't want to specialise or compete in a specific field or anything like that. I am just mad on horses and like to try everything. I am a "hobby/fun/leisure" rider as opposed to a competition rider so being able to do all this without actually being tied to my own horse (still not possible due to balancing various jobs and moving house etc) is ideal for me. I feel very lucky

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Yes the comment was around not focussing on one thing to progress but I don't want to specialise or compete in a specific field or anything like that. I am just mad on horses and like to try everything. I am a "hobby/fun/leisure" rider as opposed to a competition rider so being able to do all this without actually being tied to my own horse (still not possible due to balancing various jobs and moving house etc) is ideal for me. I feel very lucky

does it it make you happy?
Is it detrimental to the horse?
Can you afford it? (time and money)?

if the answers are yes, no (I expect the horse is well happy tbh), yes then proceed and enjoy. christ, I have given up all notion of flat work in an arena and decided this year I will shoot arrows from horseback. its epic. Life is short, horses are here one minute, gone the next-make the most of them.

 

[handbagsandhay]

Yes. Different horses for different activities - all seem happy and Yes (though happy to sacrifice elsewhere to sway this answer lol)

 

[Tarragon]

Ignore them I say

 

[Alibear]

Crack on and enjoy

 

[JFTDWS]

Oh screw that, life's too short - do what you want to do. If you're agonising about not being ready to jump round Badminton yet, sure, you'd be better off focussing on those skills exclusively, but if you're just looking for fun horsey experiences, why limit yourself. You might find you really love western, archery, or some other niche sport and want to specialise in that - but you'd never know that if you didn't try it out first!

 

[Merrymoles]

Yep, I'm another crack on! It's amazing how the skills you learn in one discipline can be translated to another, even with a bit of modification, and having fun is what it's all about!

 

[blitznbobs]

Meh... after 20 years of focusing on pure dressage I’m enjoying rediscovering other horsey activities with my new Goliath of a horse... he’s green as grass but seems happy to have a go at anything so far ... there are some horses that don’t like schooling , there are some that don’t like (are dangerous) hacking there are some that don’t like jumping ... and then there are the majority that thrive on variety... I guess people are the same... do what makes you happy. If you told me your goal was to be the next Charlotte dujardin or Mark Todd then focus is your friend but if your goal is to have fun and a laugh with you friends (horsey or otherwise) then variety is the spice of life.