would you rather show your horse or trail ride him?

Question

well i love showing and would never just up and stop showing what my racking horse iis about but i love being out and being able to run and just be my self on the horse!!!!id would make time for both

Answer 1

i love both, but i would prefer showing. i like the tranquility of trail rides, but i also just love showing. it gives me such high spirits!

Answer 2

No, it is not bad that you do not show - definitely you are calmer, have more money to go on your horse due to the lack of entrance fees, transport, special tack and clothes which some people seem to go in for (all a lot of one-upmanship if you ask me - they seem to think that it is all about the best and most expensive clothes etc, the way they do their make up etc that wins classes which is utter rubbish!). Some people like to show, some people do not. You do not happen to be one of those that does, but that does not make you any less of a person or rider. If your horse is happy and healthy and you are happy and healthy, that is all that really matters. Why do people do it? Some do it to show off - and then lose their rags when something goes wrong, usually blaming the horse when 99% of the time it is the rider who gives mixed messages. Some do it because they like to challenge themselves and get more experience under their horse's belt so to speak - which is no bad thing. Others think it is all about the winning and prestige - which rather takes the fun out of it.

Answer 3

I'd like to think that I maintain an equal balance of the two. My horse and I love showing - so I don't think I could ever give it up, but like others have said, it is fun to just go out for a hack and not work or worry about anything.

I think I have this attitude because showing is always about the fun for me - if we end up in the ribbons, excellent, but if we don't, oh well. It's fun to go and show off what your horse can do - I don't look at it as being someone I'm not, because I am a horseback rider, and I show horses. It's who I am. :-)

My trainer actually makes it a point to try and arrainge a trail ride or two in the winter, when show season has slowed down.

So, to answer your question - I'm like you, I like to do both, in an equal balance.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Trail Riding definitely. Just having the horse for pleasure, not pressure.

There is way too much expense and seriousness in showing horses from what I have seen in some breeds. As much fun as it can be, it just isn't very pleasurable seeming from backstage.

I love doing "fun shows". Just being able to dress as you want, and just have some competitive fun rather than "push to be the best".

I'll keep the horses for trails, and the rabbits for show...rabbit shows are waaay more relaxing and social than going for the serious win.

Answer 5

I don't have a horse but I would love to someday. I would much rather trail ride. Out in the open spaces you don't have to prove anything to anyone, or pretend to be anyone else. In addition, showing can be expensive, stressful, and time consuming.

So, if I had a horse I doubt I would ever show.

Answer 6

Omg I am totally in the same position! I love showing, but i also love riding bare back. It is so relaxing. And if we had nice trails I would defiantly be the first one out there. But we don't .... so I ride my horse bareback.
Honestly if I didn't ride my horse bareback my legs would be weaker than ever.
Take the opportunity that you have and use it wisely. Because I would love to go trail riding.

Answer 7

Trail/Pasture riding is a great therapy for show horses because it gives them a chance to relax and clear their mind. Doing both is the best, especially if you enjoy both!

I show cutting horses and during the summer we make sure we ride them outside in the pasture just for fun just to give them a little mental break :)

Answer 8

I would sell my show horse and get a working trained percheron to drive and ride. It's like riding a couch. So easy. I would also use the horse for logging in the woods, cutting hay, giving sleigh rides and teaching children about working horses. In my opinion, all animals have to earn their keep. We don't have time for pretty animals that eat hay and require special feeds and needs. Percherons can also be used as show horses, but they were born to work and love every moment.

Answer 9

Trail ride.

Answer 10

I would trail ride him, but if you love showing him, so do what you love. But, I use to show cows and sheep, and I cried everytime I had to show the animal.