Why do people do this???

[cauda equina]

Why do horsey people do this - judge others all the time?? It doesn’t matter at all whether the horse is ridden or not as long as it has turnout, company and is looked after. That’s all it cares about.

My late mare had the most fabulous work ethic ever, tried so hard, had a great working relationship with me, adored to jump (especially Xc!), but her eyes shone a heck of a lot more at the prospect of going into a new field of grass with her buddies.

I read the question as being asked out of curiosity, rather than judgement

Owning a horse is expensive in terms of time and commitment and money and often heartache, so I too don't get why you'd buy a horse if you weren't going to make serious efforts to ride it.
There are plenty of other, less demanding pets one could have
The old retired unridden horses are another thing entirely; I loved having my oldie around

 

[Honey08]

But it’s up to them! I’ve had a few liveries over the years pointing fingers at others that didn’t ride. It tires me listening to it.

 

[Arzada]

My family has five that we don’t really ride. Why can’t they be pets too? Most dogs and cats don’t have a job either, I don’t really see the difference? Maybe people have them simply to enjoy having them rather than having them to do a job.

When my much loved Cochins, Softie and Beauty, retired from laying eggs a family member told me they should be put down because they were now useless. They became quiet when I asked why they didn't PTS their even more useless dog. As it happens the same nasty little yappy dog that 'wouldn't hurt them' went chasing dear old Softie and Beauty around the garden. That caper didn't last long either.

I don't see the difference either but it probably comes from way back when when people couldn't afford to have 'useless' animals around, if they could even afford them in the first place. Nowadays some of us see this very differently and are in a position/make sacrifices in order to stand by our animals.

 

[Horseysheepy]

I agree with other posters, sometimes things don't quite work out. Horse gets left unridden, the motivation to get up on board and riding slowly fades away as does the confidence. Horse gets unfit and doesn't really give a monkey really as long as he/she has company and food.

However, horses can go physically wrong, and I've had a few now.
They are such fragile souls really, a luxury in our lives, I always feel so humbled to be able to ride them and being able to enjoy riding them while they are sound in their bodies, there's no feeling quite like it.

I personally would want to embrace that as long as I could, and keep them ridden - life is just too short.

Not sure if the above made sense really.

 

[Jambarissa]

I might win the yard with the most pasture ornaments, 50 horses, only 2 are ridden several times a week, another 3 on a summer weekend.

Of the ornaments a few were bought as pets - mini shetlands, meat man sec As and some bought as companions for already retired horses. Most were bought to ride but owners list their confidence and hope to get it back one day.

Life does get in the way, I had a baby and nothing went as planned and I ended up off horses for 10 years but would never sell mine.

Does it matter? Generally not if you have tons of turnout. But some of the competition types don't always cope and develop stable vices, and some could really do with exercise for their health.

 

[SEL]

I've been on a variety of yards over the years and I'd say there's plenty of reasons - loss of confidence, enjoying being around them more than riding, enjoying the social side of livery more than riding, horse not particularly sound, horse old, horse bought for child who has lost interest but mum likes coming to the yard, owner not sound etc etc.

I've got a friend whose cob put her in an air ambulance 12 years ago and she hasn't been on him since. Her other two were retired and she didn't have room for 4 so pets they are / were. After all this time she says she loves being around horses but her hips won't let her ride again.

 

[Burnttoast]

The reasons are manifold I'd assume. People are a bit lazy, want a horse because they like the idea of it, don't like the work. Or they're a bit scared but don't want to say. Or they suspect there's something wrong but don't know what to do about it.

My unridden pony is a failed rehab (mental and physical, it turned out) - I was already starting to lose interest in riding (or at least riding other people's horses) when I bought him (I thought he might pep me up again but didn't), and after a year or so I wondered why I was bothering to unpeel all his onion layers. I probably could have carried on but neither of us was really into it. So we bought a field and he and his mate live the life of riley on it which makes me very happy. He's got a home for life after 8 places in his first 10 years, is in a stable pair, and can be the feral NF he was born as again (within reason!). I wish I had room and the health for some more like him, actually.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I have to admit, even after pointing out I have a non ridden horse that I do wonder the very same sometimes, circumstances depending.
I work on a livery yard a bit. It’s full livery only and a few don’t do much if anything.
Ones owner works abroad and I admire her ethics paying for her very elderly horse to be looked after to a good standard whilst she’s unable to do so. I think that’s lovely, the horse is a bit sensitive. I’m not sure it would like to live out so has carried on her normal old routine, just unridden.
The others, no I don’t really understand. They are younger, able to work supposed to work but don’t. I understand all the reasons given above, however I wouldn’t have a horse like that on full livery. Just so expensive when there are some really good full retirement/grass livery type places round

 

[cauda equina]

I have to admit, even after pointing out I have a non ridden horse that I do wonder the very same sometimes, circumstances depending.
I work on a livery yard a bit. It’s full livery only and a few don’t do much if anything.
Ones owner works abroad and I admire her ethics paying for her very elderly horse to be looked after to a good standard whilst she’s unable to do so. I think that’s lovely, the horse is a bit sensitive. I’m not sure it would like to live out so has carried on her normal old routine, just unridden.
The others, no I don’t really understand. They are younger, able to work supposed to work but don’t. I understand all the reasons given above, however I wouldn’t have a horse like that on full livery. Just so expensive when there are some really good full retirement/grass livery type places round

The people who have unridden horses on full livery - if they're not doing them and not riding them, do they ever see them?

 

[poiuytrewq]

The people who have unridden horses on full livery - if they're not doing them and not riding them, do they ever see them?

Rarely. I don’t get that

 

[maya2008]

I don't know, in regards to the OP, but I've seen this a lot of livery yards ever since I got my first horse. We have 9, all are in work except for the 2 year olds.

 

[exracehorse]

I have four. Lost one two months ago. One is retired. Three in work. I ride one of them everyday. And if I don’t ride, I feel guilty. Can hear my mother’s voice in my ear. And I work super hard in a job I hate to pay for them. If I didn’t ride them, then I would sell. I still love riding. As I couldn’t justify getting up early every morning. Constantly checking my weather phone app. Driving to yard twice a day. Going down when seriously poorly. The yard chores. The worry. The expense. The commitment. Smashing ice up in troughs in the winter. Lugging water containers from home when pipes are frozen. Even juggling Christmas Day around them. And over the years it’s hard. I’ve done DIY for 18 years. But I have friends who rarely ride. Once a month on a summers day if that. I personally don’t understand it. But the horses are loved and happy. So each to their own. The horses don’t care I guess. As I said in earlier post .. it’s the yard I pass every day where it’s full livery and I never see anyone on a hack. Just the grooms turning out etc and to me that’s odd. It’s like having a dog and putting it into kennels. And occasionally taking it for a walk. They are never there. And it’s super expensive starts at 800 a month. Plus shoes. Insurance. So, I do understand where OP is coming from. The above are just my personal thoughts. At the end of the day as long as the non ridden are turned out everyday and cared for, then I really don’t care. But I also know of another professional dressage yard where they are in practically 24/7. Sometimes in the sand turnout. Just waiting for the owner to arrive. Who rarely does.

 

[toppedoff]

No one will ever look at someone's dog and say they're wasted because that dog isn't in the police force ect.

My friend has a horse, he's an 8 or 9yo. Only goes out for the occasional hack. She just loves the concept of owning a horse

 

[Bellaboo18]

I guess the majority of horses are purchased to ride but hey life gets in the way or they break or the rider breaks etc etc.
I can't see anything wrong with having a horse as a pet as long as its needs are met. People often use the cost as a reason but that's upto the person paying the bill, maybe the cost is easily met.
The other reason is time but if that's what they choose to do with their time so be it.
I wonder why riders find it so strange to have a non ridden horse. To me horses break so easily, it's handy if you like just having them around!

 

[greasedweasel]

Are you on my yard, you could definitely be describing me these days!

So pony number one I got a bit squashy on, he's had nearly 18 months off, I've dieted and in the last two months I've hacked him out a few times a week. If I'm 100% honest he isn't my favourite pony to ride, being slightly backwards. He is however a dude on the ground but would easily be the sort to get passed from home to home so he stays. I bought him not long after Mark died and cantered him around the countryside for a year, if he does nothing else he owes me nothing for being the pony I needed at that time.

So eight weeks ago I bought a bigger version, forgetting my work is insane during the summer, then my mum died. The saintly horse was horrified by the change of home and I started to get nervy because you know, he was breathing a bit funnily. Life will settle, I will get him going, he amuses us greatly. On paper I certainly look like someone who bought a second horse while not having time to ride the first and it is sort of true but I can afford them both and after the mega horror of finding at least one of the horses I bred (and probably two) have been RSPCA cases I don't care if all they do is stand in the field and get fed snacks and given snout boops.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I have four. Lost one two months ago. One is retired. Three in work. I ride one of them everyday. And if I don’t ride, I feel guilty. Can hear my mother’s voice in my ear. And I work super hard in a job I hate to pay for them. If I didn’t ride them, then I would sell. I still love riding. As I couldn’t justify getting up early every morning. Constantly checking my weather phone app. Driving to yard twice a day. Going down when seriously poorly. The yard chores. The worry. The expense. The commitment. Smashing ice up in troughs in the winter. Lugging water containers from home when pipes are frozen. Even juggling Christmas Day around them. And over the years it’s hard. I’ve done DIY for 18 years. But I have friends who rarely ride. Once a month on a summers day if that. I personally don’t understand it. But the horses are loved and happy. So each to their own. The horses don’t care I guess. As I said in earlier post .. it’s the yard I pass every day where it’s full livery and I never see anyone on a hack. Just the grooms turning out etc and to me that’s odd. It’s like having a dog and putting it into kennels. And occasionally taking it for a walk. They are never there. And it’s super expensive starts at 800 a month. Plus shoes. Insurance. So, I do understand where OP is coming from. The above are just my personal thoughts. At the end of the day as long as the non ridden are turned out everyday and cared for, then I really don’t care. But I also know of another professional dressage yard where they are in practically 24/7. Sometimes in the sand turnout. Just waiting for the owner to arrive. Who rarely does.

I wonder if your post has an assumption that £800 is a lot of money to *everyone*.

 

[IrishMilo]

the best thing ever is seeing a horse that is semi or fit well muscled ridden nicely having time and interaction with its owner and progressing, love to see a horse with shiny eyes of anticipation around the time it gets ridden normally

This sounds somewhat like wishful thinking. I don't think any horse sees a saddle and thinks YIPPEE!

 

[Bellaboo18]

This sounds somewhat like wishful thinking. I don't think any horse sees a saddle and thinks YIPPEE!

Far more likely when they see a field of bright green grass!

 

[ApolloStorm]

Normally I don’t care what other people do or don’t do with their own horses, but there’s a couple on my yard I wish the owners would do something with, one is a 4yo TB who gets nothing done with him and is sinfully bored looking at the way he harasses all the horses to play, ripping rugs and anything else you turn the horse out with on! Owner has admitted she’s a bit scared of him - I’d be sending him away to a pro for a bit. And the other is the fattest cob I have ever seen it’s got to be 700-800kg at 15.2hh, I’d be amazed if they could even get a saddle on at this point! But the rest I don’t care what they do so long as the horse is happy enough and the owner is happy enough then whatever they enjoy doing is up to them.
Personally I wouldn’t have a horse if I couldn’t ride, though current one I would keep to the end of his retirement if he suddenly became unrideable.
But he will be kept useful as long as it’s fair on him (he is only 9 so should have a few years yet!) and if something were to happen to me I’d sooner loan him for his ridden life as he’s a bit of a tricky customer at times.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Millikins, Lexi123 and Cauda Equina - yep, my thoughts exactly. I have no problem with retired horses, injured, unsound or unbacked, but when people are buying and loaning riding horses that are then dumped in the field, I have to ask why? And yes, if someone had a dog that was shut in the garden and never taken for a walk, I'm afraid I would not be convinced that the dog was having a good life. I get that people like the social aspect of horse owning, and it is a great hobby, but the horse should come into the equation - grooming, hoof care, all the things that bond you to the animal. Leaning on the gate and making sure it still has four legs doesn't quite fit my idea of horse ownership. And not to mention the bored horses ripping rugs off, ripping tails out, rough play etc.. Reading the posts on the thread, it would seem that this is more common than actually buying a horse to ride! Who knew?

 

[equinerebel]

My dudes, horses don’t exist just to be ridden by humans.

 

[stangs]

Millikins, Lexi123 and Cauda Equina - yep, my thoughts exactly. I have no problem with retired horses, injured, unsound or unbacked, but when people are buying and loaning riding horses that are then dumped in the field, I have to ask why? And yes, if someone had a dog that was shut in the garden and never taken for a walk, I'm afraid I would not be convinced that the dog was having a good life. I get that people like the social aspect of horse owning, and it is a great hobby, but the horse should come into the equation - grooming, hoof care, all the things that bond you to the animal. Leaning on the gate and making sure it still has four legs doesn't quite fit my idea of horse ownership. And not to mention the bored horses ripping rugs off, ripping tails out, rough play etc.. Reading the posts on the thread, it would seem that this is more common than actually buying a horse to ride! Who knew?

If the horse is living out with a herd, it doesn't need to bond with you. "Bonding" is an entirely selfish affair on the part of people, and I certainly can't say I think "hoof care" when I think "bonding activity". As long as the horse is healthy and happy, it doesn't need human interaction beyond the necessities. And, sure, some horses may need more stimulation, and enrichment is never a bad idea, but horses evolved to eat and spend time with one another, not entertain people. (I don't see rough play as a sign of boredom either. It's play - by definition, it's horses having a good time.)

And this thread is a grossly biased sample, so you can't make many conclusions from it.

 

[maya2008]

This sounds somewhat like wishful thinking. I don't think any horse sees a saddle and thinks YIPPEE!

You have to consider that being stuck in the same field with the same friends day after day lacks variety/stimulation, especially if that field isn’t particularly large (postage stamp livery yard style in particular). If you have a saddle that fits, the horse is healthy and the rider considerate (and a reasonable weight), they can indeed enjoy the variety that riding brings.

When I get feral ponies to start, I fix the catching worries by starting to take them out on walks, then led from another horse, then ridden. They don’t get fed for coming in - they just come in, get tacked up and taken out - but very soon they are keen as anything to come.

In the wild, horses would roam over vast areas each day, travelling many many miles. Keeping them confined as we do, isn’t natural. It shouldn’t be a surprise that allowing them to move, to explore and to fulfil that need, is something they appreciate. My 2 year olds are beyond desperate to come hacking, but I won’t have time to start leading them out until the winter. Until then, they can keep trying to squeeze through the gate to the tacking up area…

 

[JBM]

I have a total of 4 and only 1 is riding at the moment and at 22 it’s only hacking as that’s what she enjoys
I love just having them around, seeing them everyday and doting on them
Just got physio for all of them
Although I wouldn’t be paying livery for any of them

 

[Burnttoast]

Leaning on the gate and making sure it still has four legs doesn't quite fit my idea of horse ownership.

That's me now because of my health. Our boys were low maintenance before - I fed the oldie, hayed where necessary, worm tested, groomed now and then when they were shedding and trimmed feet, but now I sometimes don't even see them for days on end (my non-horsey brother and livery with no time see them daily). And I pay for the trimmer, grrr. It turns out they don't care and it makes no visible difference to them. They find their track, with hedges, yard etc, interesting enough, it seems. They aren't even that interested in next door's horses who are just the other side of the hedge.

 

[littleshetland]

I posted something similar on here some years ago and got 'shot down in flames' for criticising horse owners choices ie.owning a horse/horses and just leaving them as field ornaments .
I still don't think it's in the animals best interests to leave a healthy, young horse contained within an acre or two with no job. In my experience, they get bored and potentially destructive.
One person I knew had 2 young, healthy TB X's who after months of inactivity took to destroying all the post and rail around their field, and attacked my elderly little terrier dog - no, he wasn't chasing them, I had to take him to the vet. I think the owner was just plain scared of them. I get that people enjoy the social aspect of horse ownership and enjoy doing the jobs that come with looking after them, but in some cases, I'm not too sure if it's in the animals best interests. For those of us that do ride or give our horses some sort of employment, surely its fairly obvious that they are quite capable of feeling the joy of exercise, a change of scenery and just learning new things, but 'each to their own' I guess...

 

[horsimous]

I used to get tutted at for not riding my mare. I could see she was lame and not 100% happy and was surprised they couldn’t too. When I explained she was lame, I was told I should ride her anyway! I did ignore this advice.

 

[Burnttoast]

You have to consider that being stuck in the same field with the same friends day after day lacks variety/stimulation, especially if that field isn’t particularly large (postage stamp livery yard style in particular). If you have a saddle that fits, the horse is healthy and the rider considerate (and a reasonable weight), they can indeed enjoy the variety that riding brings.

When I get feral ponies to start, I fix the catching worries by starting to take them out on walks, then led from another horse, then ridden. They don’t get fed for coming in - they just come in, get tacked up and taken out - but very soon they are keen as anything to come.

In the wild, horses would roam over vast areas each day, travelling many many miles. Keeping them confined as we do, isn’t natural. It shouldn’t be a surprise that allowing them to move, to explore and to fulfil that need, is something they appreciate. My 2 year olds are beyond desperate to come hacking, but I won’t have time to start leading them out until the winter. Until then, they can keep trying to squeeze through the gate to the tacking up area…

I'm not sure that all that movement is a need per se. Sure, they are adapted to be able to do it and I think it is much better that they have the option to move about at will but the movement is only in the service of achieving gut fill, which is their primary need, and if they can do that in the confines of a field they generally seem happy. It is possible to make land more 'interesting' (I have a track round mine, hedges for browsing, a sand pit for rolling etc and hedges separating the winter fields in the middle so there's no clear line of sight across the fields and they have to move if they want to check things out) but as long as they have conspecifics, opportunities to find shade, shelter, food and water and a dry place they generally seem content and all these things can be achieved in a limited space.

I do agree though that the average electric-fenced livery field without even a shelter is a horror to be avoided if possible.

 

[catembi]

I have four. Three have a muscle disease making them pretty much unrideable and one is a Shetland I ride the least wonky in the arena for 20 minutes a day and we just mooch. I ride the second least wonky now and then to see how he is. I honestly 1,000% buy them to ride, but the Universe has other ideas. Now that I’ve got them, I feel strongly that I chose them so it’s my responsibility to look after them.

 

[blitznbobs]

Why do people have dogs and not do agolity, fly ball, obedience etc