How many horse owners actually ride or work your animals?

[Jstpssng]

I'm just curious. Around here my VERY unscientific observation is that most people are keeping older sway back animals, out to pasture because they're too old to ride. :thumbsup:
Not really that surprising, considering that the average horse will live twice as long as "Man's best Friend"

 

[MacLawn]

Neighbor just moved in across road from me, 3 horses, out everyday building on the barn, etc. but I've never seen them using horses for anything!

 

[newbury]

But they are great for changing feed into fertilizer!

 

[jerrybob]

In 1890....they say there were 25 million horses in our country. Today.....the number is a little over 4 million. I think most horses today are pets.....not engines like they once were. :horse::horse:

 

[MacLawn]

I've wondered about that, jerrybob. I mean, other than just riding around ye place, if ye have enough land, and a few remaining cowboys using them to keep cyows together, wha' use is a horse? Well, racing,like we just had, but like me neighbors, I just don't get it I reckon. Now, I like the crits, just know nothing about them obviously. I'm in big horse country in Georgia, races pulling those two wheeled thingamajigs, fox hunting, etc., but all the local horses I see are doing nothing but standing in their pastures eating all day.

 

[Fred Barbour]

Horses are a wonderful animal and I am always amazed at what they are capable of doing. A well trained horse is a joy and a great companion. I ride with my friends in the mountains and go places where ATV's can never dream of going. Going out overnight with your horse is relaxing and a great way to get some healthy recreation. It is hard work but great fun.

I agree that there are many horses standing around and it is a shame. Horses need to be worked to be happy and ultimately safe to ride and be around. My horses are nearing retirement and when they are too old for regular riding they will be pensioned off at my place, 4 feedings a day and pasture time to exercise.

Fred

 

[jerrybob]

Horses are a wonderful animal and I am always amazed at what they are capable of doing. A well trained horse is a joy and a great companion. I ride with my friends in the mountains and go places where ATV's can never dream of going. Going out overnight with your horse is relaxing and a great way to get some healthy recreation. It is hard work but great fun.

I agree that there are many horses standing around and it is a shame. Horses need to be worked to be happy and ultimately safe to ride and be around. My horses are nearing retirement and when they are too old for regular riding they will be pensioned off at my place, 4 feedings a day and pasture time to exercise.

Fred

I agree with you Fred.....I feel the same way about the wife......when she gets older.....4 feedings a day and out in the pasture she goes!!!!:laughing:

 

[WM75Guy]

They are expensive pets. Depending on what discipline you ride your horse may not be ridden every day or for very long. My wife rides dressage. Her 19 y/o Holsteiner mare is her current mount and gets ridden 3-4 times a week for 1 to 1 1/2 hours at a time. We have three horses as they are herd animals and do not like being alone. Our 29 y/o gelding Danish Warmblood schoolmaster that competed at Prix St. George is now retired to the pasture where he gets the same care as the others. We have a 10 y/o gelding Quarter horse that we bought for the grandkids that is a companion horse for the 29 y/o when we take the mare off property for lessons or competition. He does not like being alone and paces up and down the fence without a buddy nearby.

As to why you see so many swaybacks out to pasture there are several reasons. Some are retired, some are excess animals and some are pets. There is a need for a process to dispose of old or sick animals rather than letting them starve to death. But thanks to Wayne Pacelle & HSUS and PETA there are not any operating slaughter houses for horses in the United States. So the options for an old horse is hopefully retire to the pasture where they have adequate feed and water, put them out and let them starve to death or have them put down. You can donate them to a riding program or to a rescue organization but since the slaughter houses closed down they are overflowing with animals. You can send them to the sale barn where most likely they will end up crammed in a trailer headed to a slaughter house in Mexico.

 

[JRobyn]

Our two are totally pasture ornaments. Were both ridden a bit when younger, but now haven't been ridden in years and I consider it too dangerous to try after all this time. Maybe if we worked with them on a very regular basis to get them reacquainted with human contact and their training it might be less dangerous. I've had a hip replaced, and can just visualize the chaos that would likely occur if I came off a horse in any uncontrolled way!

My BIL across the hollow had a few Belgians that he sometimes used to power his antique sorghum mill. But they were really mostly pasture ornaments too.

- Jay

 

[Fred Barbour]

Repowel;

I agree, horses are very expensive. I wish people would completely review what it takes to properly care for a horse before making a purchase. My wife also rides Dressage and has a 20 year old Dutch Warmblood. The mare gets worked 4 times a week and thus far is in excellent condition. I wish I looked as good as the horse!!

I ended up with a pony from people who did not understand all the work involved (they were boarding at our place). He has been here 12 years now and every time I walk by him he gives me a chuckle. I am sure he is laughing at me or, thanking me for keeping him all these years.

We have 5 of our own and we board 5 thus enabling us to keep ours for relatively little expense. I must say taking care of 10 horses keeps us busy. We pick the paddocks every day 365 days a year. When I'm out there in the winter using a spade to bust of the frozen horse pies I think of how nice it would be to have no animals. Travelling down South for the winter months is appealing! I then think of what I would do without the nags, probably sitting on my fat rear end watching TV!

In any event, the horses are at an age where in another 10 years I should be horse free and at an age myself where watching TV will be my only option! Oh well, it is still a great way to spend your retirement and I do enjoy caring for the horses.

Fred