|
|
Post by lisandsaf on Sept 3, 2009 16:06:32 GMT 1
Hi All, Does anyone else have problems with their horses when they go away,, not in the maintenance side of things but in the horses mental state upon your return? I have noticed before that when i've been away from saf for a few days she gets all uppity with me when i return, at first I thought it was my imagination but having been away last week she really does seem to be cross with me for leaving her. We seem to have to re-establish all our boundaries again as she gets very aloof!!  and when ridden she becomes all silly and spooky ,, Does anybody have any tips so that this doesnt happen in the future,, admittedly she isnt often left but a few days break here and there is welcome on my part. No body else really handles her apart from me and nobody rides her except for hubby on the odd plod out.. Lisa and Saf |
|
|
|
Post by liz on Sept 3, 2009 17:02:54 GMT 1
Yes, Lisa! I didn't have holidays as such - being a single person with a mortgage, car and horse they were out of the question!!! However, I used to stay with my sister, friends or my parents and sometimes had to spend time away due to work commitments. I had friends/fellow liveriy owners caring for my horse and repaid them in kind when they were away. I can safely say that I had to reassure nearly all my horses on my return! Now, I don't know if it was the horse who needed that assurance or me! Probably the latter! It didn't take long and we were back on track. I only had one who was fiercely independent and he was my horse of a lifetime. He was a rig (whether or not that made a difference, I've no idea!) and we built a fantastic relationship once I found a suitable place to keep him. I had him for many years and we had years and years of fun together. This was on the other forum so here it is again because I know you all love to see photos - my horse of a lifetime! As you see, an anglo-arab called Honeydew and not a cob! I had half bred horses for most of my life  He was around 23 years old when this pic was taken and was at the start of a 25 mile XC ride with lots of jumping - he completed in fine style and did his last long XC ride at 27!  |
|
|
|
Post by lisandsaf on Sept 3, 2009 19:55:42 GMT 1
Wow Liz.. thats encouragement for every one with older horses,,well done you and him,, he's lovely,,,
I think you could be rite about returning to them,, may be its us who need the reassurance that everything is ok,, we are as complicated as the next critter,,, but as you say a couple of days together and things return to normal,, Thankgoodness
Lisa and saf
|
|
|
|
Post by avril on Sept 3, 2009 21:14:24 GMT 1
Without wanting to distort the focus of this post, Liz has included the interesting subject of the older horse. We've been assessing horses in Continental Europe where the tedium of autoroutes was lessened by lengthy discussions on the value and importance of older horses. The benefits are many and these saints can have a profoundly positive effect on people's riding.
I feel quite strongly about this and may well add another index especially to encourage a bit of a debate.
|
|
valda
New Member
Posts: 23
|
Post by valda on Sept 4, 2009 9:08:49 GMT 1
Hi all, Lisa - my mare was the same! She'd get quite grumpy and it wasn't unheard of for her to flatten her ears at me a few times when I first got back  . I did find that Nev used to need reassurance when he was younger but as we're growing old disgracefully I actually don't think he cares whether I'm there or not  He misses being worked without doubt and practically puts his saddle and bridle on himself when I return! Our first ride out is always great fun as he almost goes round checking that everything is still where it should be! The only problem I have is he is a cunning beastie and while I'm away he generally flutters his eyelashes at everyone and does the whole "oh, poor abandoned me" routine which generally leads to being fed treats and getting away with murder when being handled. On my return, my once impeccably mannered cob has generally become a 700kg tank who thinks it is his equine right to: a) push me around looking for treats b) lose all respect for my personal space and just walk through me as if I'm not there (closely linked to the first point!) c) ... the most infuriating of all..... keep dropping his head to eat grass when being led to and from the field.... grrrrrr! It used to take a good 2 or 3 days to restore some order to our routine, fortunately he tends to remember his manners a lot more quickly now but that doesn't mean he won't still try and get away with it! I guess that's geldings for you! You've gotta love them for it! |
|
|
|
Post by lisandsaf on Sept 4, 2009 12:29:08 GMT 1
OOh Valda,,
that is saf to a tee,, ears flat back and pushing and shoving me all over the place,, well she tries to,, even when manners are restored her mood dosnt sweeten for a good week or so,, arnt they funni,,
good job we love them so..
Lisa and Saf
|
|
angie
New Member
Posts: 35
|
Post by angie on Sept 4, 2009 18:12:48 GMT 1
Hi Lisa n Saf
Yep, my Ella is just the same too. Although she does get ridden and groomed by a friend once or twice, she still becomes a bit bolshy with me. They certainly are very wilful creatures when it comes to showing dis-pleasure at being "abandoned" by their mums!
Angie n Ella x
|
|
and when ridden she becomes all silly and spooky ,, 
He was around 23 years old when this pic was taken and was at the start of a 25 mile XC ride with lots of jumping - he completed in fine style and did his last long XC ride at 27!
.
He misses being worked without doubt and practically puts his saddle and bridle on himself when I return! Our first ride out is always great fun as he almost goes round checking that everything is still where it should be!