Going to miss my horse :(?

Question

I'm going away for 6 weeks leaving on Saturday. I have a 4 year old gelding, had him a few months now, leaving him at my yard living our full time. My friend will check him over every so often but is too busy to do much for me.

Unfortunately, while I am away he will most likely not be exercised at all, or hardly anyway. I don't really want to go for 6 weeks but it isn't my choice.!

When I come back how can I make him fit again gradually? (And I'll miss him :( lol feel like a baby here! )

Will he think I abandoned him or somthing, or am I just craaaaazy?!

Answer 1

i would definately do a join up whne you get back to regain his trust and maybe you should try putting an ad in a paper and interview ppl interssted in working your horse. I would also do some ground work. Since 6 week is a long time he may be a little confused but just work with him everyday doing join ups and lunging and stuff. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I would start out lunging slowly, then just gradually start riding again and build him back up to where you were. He probably won't lose a whole lot while you're gone. We went on vacation last summer for over a month and it took me know time at all to get my guy back into shape. Yeah, I know how you feel about leaving. I've been away at college for six weeks now and still won't be able to get my TB out here with me for another month or so. I miss him so much but at least I know my sister's taking good care of him and she sends me pics and video all the time.

Answer 3

He'll be so happy when you get home! Just start out slowly with him and work from there.

Answer 4

AWW, I REMEMBER LEAVING MY DOG AT KENNELS, IT'S JUST THE SAME FEELING WHEN LEAVING YOUR HORSES. BUT I PAID AN EXTRA £3 A WEEK TO GET MY HORSES EXERSIZED WEEKLY.

BUT NO YOUR JUST CRAZY! JUST KIDDING, HE WONT THINK THAT, HE WILL APPREICEATE YOU WHEN YOU COME HOME!

Answer 5

Yahoo answers - it's addicting....

Now I don't feel so bad.

I'm 41, no kids, just 6 horses.  I use the excuse of not trusting more horses with anybody all the time so I don't have to leave them.  they're the closest thing to kids I'll ever have.

I love them dearly and although a trip to Ireland or something would be nice, you'd have to pry my cold, dead fingers off the barn door to get me to go........

6 weeks may be a little long for him to not be exercised, but he won't lose THAT much while you are away.  When you get back, start slowly with him again, he'll tell you what he's forgotten or what he needs tuning up on.  A horse of 4 years old will not forget what you've taught him.  He may forget a little that you're the one that gives the instructions and you might have to remind him what you're trying to tell him.

Just start slowly - don't take him out and make him work as hard as you would the day before you leave.  He'll be eager to see you and huave fun with you again when you get back.

enjoy your vacation (or whatever)

Answer 6

I hope that someone will pay attention to him at some point! Is he stalled?  

As for reconditioning - start back to work slow - walking and light trotting and just gradually increase it over a couple weeks.

Try to have some fun and dont worry about him - im sure he'll miss you too, but he'll be fine!

Answer 7

I don't think he should get TOO out of shape while you're gone...if he has a big enough pasture, he'll still get to run and be a little active. When you get back, I'd start lunging him every other day or so and gradually increase the amount of work he gets. He probably won't think you're abandoning him--he may even enjoy the time off. He should have other horses to keep him company, or he may get lonely. Horses are herd animals and I think they should always have another horse to be with. Just work him a bit today and tomorrow and he should be all right.