For horse owners--is it bad to ride your horse almost every time you take him out of the pasture?

Question

My q.h. gelding is boarded at a barn, because I live in town. So I only get to go out there three or four times a week, less during the school year. I don't work him terribly hard--we practice barrels and stuff, but not for long. I just don't want him to associate being caught with doing work every single time he comes out of the pasture. Any thoughts on this idea? Advice from experienced horsepeople only, please.

Answer 1

IT depends on how you approach it.

Consider this - to horses, any forced movement is work.  Just as if you were in school, how many hours can you stand of focused homework?  and can you stand doing like Algebra for hours?

Apply this to your horse - if you are asking him to go, go, go quite physically every time you ride, he probably will begin to get burnt out and think you = work.  If you ride hard for only a short while, then ride in a relaxed manner out on the trails, that's not so much work for him.

I think you should do a couple things:

1.  Successful barrel racers don't run a pattern every day and definitely not every time they ride.  A few things happen - the horse begins to think he knows the pattern, so outthinks you in competition then you have to correct it - you want him responding to you, not trying to guess what he's supposed to do.  Also, they get burnt out going through that pattern over and over.  Most top-notch barrel racers school their horses around one barrel and rarely run the pattern until they are in full control of their horse's feet at any point around the barrel - different arenas with different sizes and different footing with require you to run a barrel differently - so you really need to plan at the arena you'll run in, where the feet need to go and put them there, not having him think "we always do it this way" - a deeper sandier arena might be run differently than a shallow one with clay underneath.  A larger arena might allow a differnet run around a barrel than a smaller one with the fence closer to the barrels.  Not sure if you already know this or not.

Can chasers at high levels might take their horse through the pattern once a week for a tune up.  They might walk and trot around certain barrels from different angles - but once the horse is controlled properly and they're ready to compete, they focus more on the horse's condition and mindset.  Riding trails and long-trotting a lot - starting with a barrel lesson, then trail riding then ending with a barrel lesson.

I think by also just getting on and riding you may be missing some bonding time as well with your horse.  I read a very good book one time by Buck Brannaman where a woman was in your same spot - wondering about riding all the time.  she began to ride about half the time she went to the barn.  Other times she and the horse went for a walk together both on the ground.  Another she'd go out with a book or a journal and just watch her horse interacting with other horses and think about his social status and watch him and learn things about his horsenality.  Others she might just take him out to graze a nice patch of grass he can't reach while in pasture or stall.  This brought much bonding between them and when it was time to work and perform, he was MUCH happier and willing.

3 or 4 times a week is still plenty to spend a time or two not riding but bonding with him.

Maybe something good would be to buy a book such as Ride Smart by Craig Cameron or Chris Cox's ride the journey by Western Horseman books.  These books discuss some natural horsemanship techniques geared to build solid relationships with the horses - and they're fun and it's interesting to see the changes and understand how their minds work.

Good luck - don't give up barrel racing, it's a great sport, just think about life as if you were a horse - make yourself think like him rather than him being expected to think like you.  You CAN think like him - he CAN'T think like you.

Answer 2

All horses are different in a way. Some horses love their job, therefore they love to be worked. My horse for example, will come trotting towards me when he spots me approaching the field.

But i also come down 6 or 7 days a week. I ride 5-6 days a week (depending on him) and if i dont ride then i groom, play and give him treats. Sometimes when i am going out for dinner or something, i will stop by the barn just to say hi and give him a snack.

Socializing is pretty much just as important, and it helps you bond with your horse so much more!

In many cases, owners dont spend too much time with their horse, so, of course, they dont bond very well, and it is kind of like a low class friendship. But when the horse gets injured, the owner really wakes up and spends so much time with the horse and they become so much more bonded with one another, like bestfrieds.

Answer 3

The best and simplest thing to do is give him a treat when he lets you catch him and when your finished riding give him another.

I have all my horses out in a field and now all i have to do is call them and they come troting to the fence. they think of their treats they will get. not the fact they are  going to be ridden.

Its a simple cure...  

Answer 4

Don't ride him always just give him attention sometimes and maybe just walk him. If he starts to look like he is slacking on his training start working him more.

Answer 5

if you have a riding arena besides the field bring him in there and play games with him. Hold a carrot in your hand and have him chase you or bring him indoors throw a bunch of carrots on the ground and have him look for them, that is always so cute. Or, go out to the field and spend some time with him. Bring brushes, carrots, and spend time just talking to him and taking care of him.  

Answer 6

It really depends on the horse.  As long as you horse enjoys the time out, it doesn't really matter what you're doing.  It's never a bad idea to just stop by and spend some time with him.  Maybe take him out of the pasture for a good grooming and some treats.  Unless you start seeing evasion behavior, I wouldn't worry about it too much.  

Horses don't necessarily think riding is work.  If they're not pushed too hard to forced to do things they hate, they see it as socializing time.  My favorite riding mare has claimed me as her favorite human.  She'll stop whatever she's doing to come find me if she even catches a whiff of me.  I only use a halter because I'm supposed to.  I've never done any kind of specialized training with her but she'll follow me anywhere.  Even into the house if I'm not looking!

Answer 7

Is your horse boarded in a barn with no liberty or does he have access to pasture or paddock during the day?

If he is stall kept, he will look forward to your visit as it means he gets out of his stall, even for a short time.  You can avoid his anticipating only work by throwing in a trail mosey once or twice a week.  You can work on lateral moves and half halts, which will improve your control around barrels. It is also fun to just mosey down a path to look for ghosts. Just dont ride the trails by yourself until you know how your horse is going to react.

Good riding>

Answer 8

I personally do like to go out and say hi to my horse, bring him in and groom him or feed him, etc. once and a while because it's something nice that I can do for my horse.  I feel like if you just go catch your horse to ride him, it's more of your horse doing something nice for you.  Going to just say high to your horse definitely helps ward off trouble being caught.  However, if your horse doesn't have a problem being caught, you don't have make time to go out and catch him for other things.  I just thinks it's nice to spend some time on the ground with your horse.  Try to make an effort to go out and see him more often if possible.  

Answer 9

For some horses it is....They associate you coming , to having to work..... 2 days out of the week you should go catch him and take him out for a leisurely ride, giving him treats, and just loving on him, it'll make him think that your coming isn't just for work/training it could be for a fun time with you!

Answer 10

I would say Yes. Every visit to the Stable, will make him think, it's exercise time.

Perhaps you could just go there, and give him a nice grooming, and some treats. Take off for a couple of hours than return, and go for a nice ride!

Make riding time fun for him and you!

Answer 11

It's fine, I do the exact same thing with my horse- I can only ride three or four times a week and I ride every time I go up there- It can be hard to make it to the barn that often, and if you are going up anyways you might as well ride!

Just make the rides enjoyable- you sound like you are doing fine, nice short rides. Give him a bath every once in a while instead of a ride or just pet him and give him some treats. If you aren't making the rides something he doesn't like, then it's fine. Unless he seems to be harder to catch or isn't willing to work then you will be fine. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 12

I thinks its not good to ride or work your horse every time you pull him or her out of the pasture,because then every time he or she sees you they  just think its work time.And every time you go out to catch your horse  he or she will begin to not want to be caught because all you do is work them when you catch him or her.My advice,pull your horse out every once in a while and just groom or give him or her treats.Show your horse that its not only there for it to work thier also there to be our best friends and love and care for eachother.It will help not working your horse every time you pull him or her up .Hope this answers your question.  

Answer 13

What I do is feed them a little feed every time I tack them up. I let them eat while I am putting on their saddle. This way, even though they have to work, they know they are always going to be fed. This always works for me. I don't really think treats will always work, because they may still refuse to come in. My horses know if I come with a lead rope, that it is snack time. Some will even put their head in the halter to speed things up. The only time this doesn't work is when they know I worming them.

Answer 14

If you can, and if you have the time, go up to him in the field and give him attention, like giving treats/cuddles etc.

Also catch him in the field, bring him in from time to time to groom and give him treats/feed/scratches etc. and then turn him back out.

If he does start to associate worktime with being caught, then you could be setting yourself up for a horse that is hard to catch.

Answer 15

That's ok, I do the same thing, after your done riding though, give him some oats (not right after the workout) and give him a good long brushing and just love him inside out. It also depends alot on the personality of the horse too, both of my horses are athletic, so they really like work to relive the energy.