Who else is giving up riding for winter?

[Sukistokes2]

December is my down time when if it's really cold , icy or horrid I just say no and go indoors and watch Horse and Country. I've only got my old boy to ride now and he has ROA and arthritis and Kev is now retired, so this year, I doubt I will do much. Now if I was still doing dressage I would feel more motivated and then I ride at least once at the weekend and pay for the horse to be exercised in the week. However, until a new dressage steed ( a fat , hairy cob) enters my life I'm having a bit of a break. I think I have horses still, there were two clay like mud sculptures in the field earlier that he think was them and Kev's round bale is gone , so could be ......

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

when you give them time off in winter do you not find they turn into beasts when you saddle up again. I worry if i go 5 days without riding that he is going to turn into a pent up beast and forget how to do anything plus bomb about trying to kill me .... he has never done this but this is what i imagine :'D and i make myself feel so guilty about not riding

... he is fed hay and fast fiber so not a high energy diet.

Most horses can be left for weeks without riding, if they have daily turnout. You certainly don't need to feel guilty about not riding, the horse won't care!