Why do we give average riding club horses a day off?

[Skib]

I havent read the whole thread but it is religious. Animals have the Sabbath off work .

 

[ponynutz]

Same reason I give myself a day off when doing workouts - my body needs it.
If I had a horse that needed consistent regular exercise I'd lunge or put them in the walker on the day off as it's less strenuous without someone on their back.

 

[Abacus]

At risk of repeating myself until I become deranged, they are not carrying weight on their back when they are in the field. They are using different muscles. The point of a rest day is particularly to rest the muscles that carry the rider. 9st is still a hell of a lot on muscles that did not evolve to carry weight. Try carry a heavy backpack for a week in a row and see how your shoulders feel at the end.

Horses cannot verbally communicate to us if they're feeling sore, and many riders simply don't care/don't notice when they do try communicate it, so why not err on the side of caution?


Why do any harm at all? Does it really ruin a rider's life so much if they ride only 6 times a week? Is in hand work so boring?

Quite aggressive. Actually I do give my horses a day off and more each week.

At risk of repeating myself until I become deranged, they are not carrying weight on their back when they are in the field. They are using different muscles. The point of a rest day is particularly to rest the muscles that carry the rider. 9st is still a hell of a lot on muscles that did not evolve to carry weight. Try carry a heavy backpack for a week in a row and see how your shoulders feel at the end.

Horses cannot verbally communicate to us if they're feeling sore, and many riders simply don't care/don't notice when they do try communicate it, so why not err on the side of caution?


Why do any harm at all? Does it really ruin a rider's life so much if they ride only 6 times a week? Is in hand work so boring?

actually, my horse carrying me is the equivalent of me carrying less than one stone in weight, and better distributed. I think I could do that for an hour a day.

But no need to be deranged. If it drives you mad, step away. This is just a mild debate.

 

[Peglo]

I havent read the whole thread but it is religious. Animals have the Sabbath off work .

mine almost always gets a Friday off. When I get home from work on a Friday I open a cider to have when cooking tea. That’s my time.

I personally would always give 2-3 days off ridden work a week. Just my preference for my current horse.

 

[Deltofe2493]

Exercise creates micro-tears in muscles; it's how muscles grow bigger. So they need some time completely off to recover. You can ride or exercise twice on other days if needed. There's also some research around that supports 2 consecutive days off for ulcer-prone horses.

I jumped on this thread to comment the exact same thing. I now give my horse 2 consecutive days off as severely ulcer prone, and it also helps me with my riding because I can also get sour so it allows me to have a break.

 

[Follysmum]

Exercise creates micro-tears in muscles; it's how muscles grow bigger. So they need some time completely off to recover. You can ride or exercise twice on other days if needed. There's also some research around that supports 2 consecutive days off for ulcer-prone horses.

My vet always tells people that rest is just as important as getting them fit

 

[Polos Mum]

Thanks all - real mixed opinions.

Having watched the flying around the new autumn turnout field at mach 10 for 20 mins earlier - he definitely does more 'work' tuned out doing zoomies with the others than on on my walk hacks for 40 mins

 

[sakura]

A horse isn’t a machine. It has joints and muscles and a brain - all of those things need resting - imo. I don’t know any other sport where the athlete doesn’t get a day off to rest. Why should a horse be any different regardless of it’s “job” or level?

But I’ve also never been obsessive about riding and I have never wanted to ride constantly.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

At risk of repeating myself until I become deranged, they are not carrying weight on their back when they are in the field. They are using different muscles. The point of a rest day is particularly to rest the muscles that carry the rider. 9st is still a hell of a lot on muscles that did not evolve to carry weight. Try carry a heavy backpack for a week in a row and see how your shoulders feel at the end.

Horses cannot verbally communicate to us if they're feeling sore, and many riders simply don't care/don't notice when they do try communicate it, so why not err on the side of caution?


Why do any harm at all? Does it really ruin a rider's life so much if they ride only 6 times a week? Is in hand work so boring?

You may as well not ride at all if you take that attitude. So it’s ok to school your horse to the point it has micro-tears and is sore but not ride it the next day on a lovely relaxing hack to stretch it out?

 

[Gloi]

Horses having a day off came from when they were working eight+ hour days in harness delivering goods.

 

[SibeliusMB]

You may as well not ride at all if you take that attitude. So it’s ok to school your horse to the point it has micro-tears and is sore but not ride it the next day on a lovely relaxing hack to stretch it out?

Your take on stangs's post is a bit dramatic. There is a massive gap between people providing their horses with adequate rest and down time and "well maybe we just shouldn't ride at all."

I don't recall anyone saying horses should be ridden until they're in pain. But if you do ANY kind of fitness work with the intent of building fitness/muscle, then you are creating micro tears in the muscle fibers. It's the reparing of those micro tears that builds the muscle back up stronger. This happens during rest/sleep cycles. That's why vets/physios/doctors/athletic trainers all state that rest is just as important as the exercise.

A 40 minute hack probably doesn't seem like much to most and that's fine. I personally don't consider that a day off and I'd rather err on the side of caution and give my horse those 2-3 days off completely every week because I think the mental/physical pros outweigh the cons. My guy lives out so he's able to move around 24/7. I also have other pursuits in life and this downtime provides me some balance too.

Somewhat off topic but because it's been brought up: I am sure you can dig up dozens of threads in this forum about "naughty" or "cheeky" behavior that could be traced to horses that are sour on the work, fried mentally, or sore because they're not getting the rest they really need. That's what stangs was referring to about horses not being able to communicate...they are trying to tell us their mental/physical needs are not being met, but it's easier for humans to chalk it up to the horse wanting to ruin their day...sure.

The OP and anyone else on this thread are going to do what they feel is best regardless of what anecdotes or evidence is presented in this thread. That said...if the horse is romping around in the field so much on his own and a 40 minute hack isn't considered taxing by comparison, I'd question the actual value of that seventh day hack in the first place from a weight control perspective.

 

[stangs]

You may as well not ride at all if you take that attitude. So it’s ok to school your horse to the point it has micro-tears and is sore but not ride it the next day on a lovely relaxing hack to stretch it out?

Is a hack really going to stretch out the back muscles that are still carrying lots of weight? Those muscles can't really relax with the weight of a saddle and rider (and shouldn't, for the sake of protecting the spine).

Again, why ride it? Why not take it on a lovely relaxing in-hand hack to properly stretch it out instead?

 

[humblepie]

One or two days off a week. Had started doing the two days in a row re ulcers but depends a little on competition schedule as well. Always has day off after competition or lesson. Lives out at night at present swopping to day out shortly depending on weather. Can turn out all year round. For me it’s mental as well as physical down time. Older horse so does mainly hacking outside of competing or occasional lesson but like to give him his ‘me’ time.

 

[humblepie]

As an aside years ago was amazed that a yard horses day off was 24 hours in the stable so essentially best part of 48 hours standing in from the time they were ridden on the Saturday until ridden Monday. Those were the full liveries. Mine went out everyday in the field.

 

[IrishMilo]

2 rest days a week is also what’s being encouraged for human athletes

But that's for athletes. Not your every day RC horse doing an hour of easy work here and there. Performance horses is a different matter.

 

[TealH0rse]

I feel others have explained the science enough above, but I just wanted to put it into perspective for you:

Go to the gym every day of the week and see how tired your body feels. What you may deem as light exercise for them (a hack) is still carrying weight. Go on a walk and carry a heavy backpack the same % of your body weight as you are to your horse and you will feel the difference. Not that you have said this, but a hack is not a 'day off' proper work simply because they're only walking.

A day off is beneficial to you and your horse, mentally and physically.

If weight is an issue, I'd suggest a muzzle or reduction in field size.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Is a hack really going to stretch out the back muscles that are still carrying lots of weight? Those muscles can't really relax with the weight of a saddle and rider (and shouldn't, for the sake of protecting the spine).

Again, why ride it? Why not take it on a lovely relaxing in-hand hack to properly stretch it out instead?

Your take on stangs's post is a bit dramatic. There is a massive gap between people providing their horses with adequate rest and down time and "well maybe we just shouldn't ride at all."

I don't recall anyone saying horses should be ridden until they're in pain. But if you do ANY kind of fitness work with the intent of building fitness/muscle, then you are creating micro tears in the muscle fibers. It's the reparing of those micro tears that builds the muscle back up stronger. This happens during rest/sleep cycles. That's why vets/physios/doctors/athletic trainers all state that rest is just as important as the exercise.

A 40 minute hack probably doesn't seem like much to most and that's fine. I personally don't consider that a day off and I'd rather err on the side of caution and give my horse those 2-3 days off completely every week because I think the mental/physical pros outweigh the cons. My guy lives out so he's able to move around 24/7. I also have other pursuits in life and this downtime provides me some balance too.

Somewhat off topic but because it's been brought up: I am sure you can dig up dozens of threads in this forum about "naughty" or "cheeky" behavior that could be traced to horses that are sour on the work, fried mentally, or sore because they're not getting the rest they really need. That's what stangs was referring to about horses not being able to communicate...they are trying to tell us their mental/physical needs are not being met, but it's easier for humans to chalk it up to the horse wanting to ruin their day...sure.

The OP and anyone else on this thread are going to do what they feel is best regardless of what anecdotes or evidence is presented in this thread. That said...if the horse is romping around in the field so much on his own and a 40 minute hack isn't considered taxing by comparison, I'd question the actual value of that seventh day hack in the first place from a weight control perspective.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Your take on stangs's post is a bit dramatic. There is a massive gap between people providing their horses with adequate rest and down time and "well maybe we just shouldn't ride at all."

I don't recall anyone saying horses should be ridden until they're in pain. But if you do ANY kind of fitness work with the intent of building fitness/muscle, then you are creating micro tears in the muscle fibers. It's the reparing of those micro tears that builds the muscle back up stronger. This happens during rest/sleep cycles. That's why vets/physios/doctors/athletic trainers all state that rest is just as important as the exercise.

A 40 minute hack probably doesn't seem like much to most and that's fine. I personally don't consider that a day off and I'd rather err on the side of caution and give my horse those 2-3 days off completely every week because I think the mental/physical pros outweigh the cons. My guy lives out so he's able to move around 24/7. I also have other pursuits in life and this downtime provides me some balance too.

Somewhat off topic but because it's been brought up: I am sure you can dig up dozens of threads in this forum about "naughty" or "cheeky" behavior that could be traced to horses that are sour on the work, fried mentally, or sore because they're not getting the rest they really need. That's what stangs was referring to about horses not being able to communicate...they are trying to tell us their mental/physical needs are not being met, but it's easier for humans to chalk it up to the horse wanting to ruin their day...sure.

The OP and anyone else on this thread are going to do what they feel is best regardless of what anecdotes or evidence is presented in this thread. That said...if the horse is romping around in the field so much on his own and a 40 minute hack isn't considered taxing by comparison, I'd question the actual value of that seventh day hack in the first place from a weight control perspective.

Mucked up quote on last post.

I guess I have a different definition of dramatic ?. I’m not the one having a go at people for riding their horse the day after a schooling session and insinuating they’re being unkind to their horse.

For the record I don’t ride 7 days a week I don’t have time. More likely 5 sometimes 6 if it just happens that way mostly hacking but this week he’s having two consecutive days off because of other commitments ?. My horses are fully DIY and live out 6 months of the year (if that’s relevant) but now going to be limited by new yard rules sadly. I generally have one lesson a week on a Wednesday and a clinic or competition at the weekend but not every weekend. My horses are happy and sound even my 26yr old whom I’ve had for 17yrs. They don’t currently exhibit any behaviours to show that they might be uncomfortable in any way.

 

[SibeliusMB]

Mucked up quote on last post.

I guess I have a different definition of dramatic ?. I’m not the one having a go at people for riding their horse the day after a schooling session and insinuating they’re being unkind to their horse.

No one here has equated riding 7 days/week to cruelty or abuse. If that's what people want to do or feel their horse needs based on that particular horse's living situation, that's their decision and no one else's. You were the one who made the leap from someone recommending not riding 7 days a week to allow rest and recovery to people might "as well not ride at all." Yes, I do consider that leap dramatic.

It's not even the "gentle hack after a schooling session" that's the issue. I often do an easy hack after a concentrated schooling the day prior, but as part of my existing regimen that also includes days off with no work at all. The actual question was why people give RC level horses days off at all and whether the OP could ride every day to keep weight off. I feel the reasoning for offering horses days off has been well supported in this thread; people are perfectly welcome to ignore it.

 

[sakura]

But that's for athletes. Not your every day RC horse doing an hour of easy work here and there. Performance horses is a different matter.

The horses workload/level doesn’t matter. Performance horses are muscularly stronger than your “every day RC horse” so can cope with its workload accordingly, just as the “every day RC horse” can cope with its. Both their bodies and minds are used to what they are routinely asked to do and both deserve days off.

 

[Dexter]

.

If weight is an issue, I'd suggest a muzzle or reduction in field size.

Is this a serious comment? You would rather muzzle and restrict movement than work your horse?

I am more than happy to work mine twice a day every single day. I dont always manage it, but I try to. For something with type 1 pssm the more work the better, and that also applies to good doers. If more people worked there horses properly there would be less fat horses suffering metabolic problems

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Mine generally have a Monday off, mainly due to my commitments, then a light hack Tuesday, then whatever I've decided the next days.
However, I will often ride through a bank hol weekend as doing 'things' so we might go right through without a day off then but riding load adjusted.
B is better if in regular occupation, 2 or more days off and she can be a nuisance to her field chum.

Usually I plan Dec and Jan off unless a pleasant day for a loaf hack out, but last winter had decent riding weather so we just trundled through.

 

[Gloi]

I am sure there are more leisure horses suffering from conditions caused by lack of exercise than too much.

 

[AandK]

I've always given my ridden horses at least one day off a week, and always 2 days off in a row after an ODE. I currently ride 4-5 days a week, I don't see the need for any more than that, as well as liking him to have a couple of days off to just be a horse.
ETA, if I had to consider weight management, I would probably consider 6-7 days work to avoid weight related issues, but would do at least 2 in hand sessions.

 

[SOS]

I consider my horse to be in light to moderate work but he does get days off. In the summer this is because I simply don’t have time to ride him everyday, in the winter it’s to give him a chance to have a full days turnout (more time to eat!) and unwind physically and mentally.

A typical week for us in the winter may be:
Monday off
Tuesday hack 5-10 miles, aim to trot all straight and uphill, canter all grass
Wednesday another hack or hunt
Thursday either a trip to the gallops, a hack with emphasis on canter work (go up and down a bridle path a few times to get the miles in) or a day off if hunted
Friday probably off
Saturday hack as Tuesday
Sunday hunt

When I worked with hunters we would ride and lead the day after hunting and take them for a good walk out. But they didn’t get turned out. I’d struggle to keep weight on mine if I didn’t give him days off a week in the winter.

 

[IrishMilo]

The horses workload/level doesn’t matter. Performance horses are muscularly stronger than your “every day RC horse” so can cope with its workload accordingly, just as the “every day RC horse” can cope with its. Both their bodies and minds are used to what they are routinely asked to do and both deserve days off.

Well it does in relation to what I was replying to. The OP of my quote said 'Athletes are encouraged to have two days off a week'. Joe Blogg's horse doing 3 hacks a week and a schooling session isn't really an athlete... more in line to any one of us who probably walks dogs every day, and does yard chores/poo picking every day. It keeps us fit, mentally engaged and if you're doing things right, in shape.

I'm not opposed to giving horses days off... my own only gets ridden 3 or 4 times a week, but we shouldn't be under any illusions that any horse who isn't performing at peak level does too much. Why do you think there are so many obese horses in the UK?

 

[gunnergundog]

Assuming the horse has been properly conditioned in the first place then adding a seventh day of 45 mins walk hacking will make no difference whatsoever. The work cited by the OP will not cause micro tears unless the horse is worked beyond that for which it has been fittened/conditioned.

 

[TealH0rse]

Is this a serious comment? You would rather muzzle and restrict movement than work your horse?

I am more than happy to work mine twice a day every single day. I dont always manage it, but I try to. For something with type 1 pssm the more work the better, and that also applies to good doers. If more people worked there horses properly there would be less fat horses suffering metabolic problems

It is a serious comment. Muzzles can be used effectively for weight and lami issues. If used appropriately, they do not cause any issues. Rotating fields helps to manage the amount of intake and doesn’t have to restrict movement whatsoever. Lush grass can cause far more issues than weight gain. Measures such as this are ideal for horses on 24/7 turnout and I’d rather a smaller field than long periods of stabling.

I prefer to take preventative measures relating to feed intake than overwork horses and cause potential injuries.

 

[Goldenstar]

At some point you have to do housework .

 

[sakura]

Why do you think there are so many obese horses in the UK?

A multitude of reasons, mostly over feeding and poor management. I doubt many cases of equine obesity are from horses having a day off consistent work, which is what I was responding to.