What is your horse to you? - come on, I need your input

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moneypit1

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Went on fun ride yesterday on borrowed horse as my beauty has a tendon strain. I don't know, I sometimes despair with people. We (unfortunately) ended up going along with a group of 4 of which 2 were on horses backed only days before and they were so proud to tell us that. The poor tb's were strapped down in standing martingales and the riders were obviously the hunting fraternity (sorry don't mean to offend and generalise but you know what i mean). They pushed the poor babies to the limit and they were wild eyed and knackered. They obviously had no muscle but being tb's just got on with it. One guy wore spurs and kicked the poor thing calling it a coward because it wouldn't climb a bank!
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When we got back, I noticed him leading the poor sweating animal in full tack, lead rope attached to the bit ring onto the lorry. I asked him why he didn't wash down, rug and make comfortable. His argument was that it was a "working animal" and would do fine. The saddle was keeping the kidneys warm. God help me, I know we are all different and i respect that, BUT, the poor beast tried so hard for him and there was very little encouragement from him. Trouble is most of the local hunts people agreed with him. I guess we all do things differently. Just made me sad really. x
 
yeah, me too. Just felt a bit outcasted yesterday. Not one person backed me up. I really do not want to criticise the "hunting crowd" as i know there are a lot of caring owners BUT my god, why is it that I see the worst cases of mis handling amongst them (in my opinion). I know this post will create a lot of heated cirticism but I have to speak the truth as I see it. I would even say that I would hunt (possibly) but I feel sure my horses welfare would be paramount rather than having a jolly good day! x
 
i wish i'd been there, i'd have backed you up all the way. poor horses, how disgusting. all we can hope is that these horrible uncaring people get their come-uppance one fine day...
just because the horse is a "working" animal doesn't mean it doesn't deserve the best care.
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good for you for saying something.
 
Can't say I would treat any 'working animal' like that, horse or not.
The least you can do after they have really tried for you is to make sure they are cooled off etc afterwards
 
thank you kerilli, the thing is, the "hunting" crowd are very powerful where i live and it is almost unheard of for anyone to question them or their methods. I stand alone. I do not fear that but it does make life a bit more "colourflul". However, I am mid 40's and if I cannot be a bit loud and outspoken now then when can I! xxxxxxxxxxxx
 
absolutely. You "back em and sell em on". What gets me is that the horses are usually the type that could be something special, so trusting and unspoilt, until............
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If he was pushing it that hard after it had just been backed, I don't think he was at all concerned about its working life. I mean he could just get another one couldn't he?

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Yes, you are probably right
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Seems so daft as I spend all my time minimising the risk of my horse injuring herself or getting ill, that not doing something as simple as cooling off properly seems ridiculous.
 
Not my way of doing things either
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Some people seem to see horses as a commodity, something that is a means to an end, whatever their interest, that comes first and the horse a poor second
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FWIW, I would have backed you up too.
 
My horses are working animals, but they still get a degree of care on par to my own
ie if they are hot they get cooled down, if they are thirsty they get water and if they are tired, they get rest and care.
These people must have been sick in the head.
 
I doub't the locals near me would think that. Thanks anyway, isn' it amazing, if only. Lets be honest, how many times have you been out and wished you could say something? Trouble is, they are on such a different wavelength that it would of been a waste of time. As such is "human nature". sad but true x
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The annoying thing about it is that their horses will probably stay sound and have nothing wrong with them ever and the rest of us that actually look after our horses are normally besieged by problems and lameness,

sods law I think it's called...
 
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My horses are working animals, but they still get a degree of care on par to my own
ie if they are hot they get cooled down, if they are thirsty they get water and if they are tired, they get rest and care.
These people must have been sick in the head.

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totaly agree fwf

yes horses are working animals, but they got feelings too.
 
Took the words out of my mouth seahorse. It amazes me how people who just dont care, get away with it. Saying that I think some people are that oblivious they wouldnt notice if there horse was lame etc so maybe thats why they get away with it??
 
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The annoying thing about it is that their horses will probably stay sound and have nothing wrong with them ever and the rest of us that actually look after our horses are normally besieged by problems and lameness,

sods law I think it's called...

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I don't think it would be a matter of the horses staying sound more like they wouldn't notice.

Even the fun rides which can be quite long these days should have a vet there to check like they do in the endurance rides. You have to cool your horse down and go through the vet before you can load your horse to leave.
 
I know horses are not humans but I always try to treat G considerately and think how he might feel, is he hot, cold, tired, thirsty etc. They work for us and put up with our whims, the least we can do is respect them. Good for you for speaking out.
 
That's pretty sad. I wouldn't want to hang out with those folk.
What is even more troubling is what is likely to happen to those horses the minute they start to disobey or something goes wrong with them. People like that should ride a motorbike (ie a machine) instead. Sadly, I think this kind of thing happens all too often.
 
Aw, that's really sad. Nothing sadder than nice youngsters being given a hard time for no good reason. I knew a guy once who used to start his horses very young and his reasoning was 'survival of the fittest'... Talking to him did no good, however a hefty vet bill for navicular did the trick.. Such a waste though
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My horse is in medium work so yes she is a working animal. However her reward after work is to have quality time and a wash over which she loves. I ALWAYS attend to her needs before mine. I take off my hat and spurs and then it's all her until she is turned out. It makes me sad to see horses treated like this.
 
My horse to me is like my first child. She is my beauty.

If I saw horses being treated like that I'd strap a cavesson round their head and crack the whip! People like that have no idea.
 
I'll be perfectly honest I don't know an awful lot about horses but if I'm not sure about something I wil ask for advice. My pony is my "baby", he keeps me sane and I love him dearly. He gets very hot as he has a very thick coat so he is clipped in the winter and gets a wash down after every ride in the summer if he is sweaty. I make sure he doesn't get too fat, his feet and teeth are done regularly etc. I would be mortified if I thought I wasn't looking after him properly!!!
 
How very very sad
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Poor horses.
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What are my horses to me?? Well, yes, they DO have a job to do, but they are my friends and my family too as far as I'm concerned - They mean more to me than anything.
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H x
 
My horse, (might sound a bit sad) is a friend, my baby (baby babies not my thing!) and also a sort of pet (not to the extent of a cat or dog perhaps) but he is considered part of the family. He has to earn his keep mind by getting ridden and enjoyed but I think even if he somehow couldn't be ridden, I'd keep him....
 
They were from a local fox hunting group. I am not saying they are all like this honestly, but sometimes I think the real "old school" will NEVER take new ideas onboard. One of their horses had cut its leg and they laughed and said "thats ok its a long way from the heart so he'll live" and they carried on
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