is it wrong to own horses and not ride them?

Question

I HAVE HAD HORSES NOW FOR 3 YRS. MY DAUGHTHER WAS INTO HORSES WHEN I BOUGHT THEM NOW SHES INTO OTHER THINGS. NOW I HAVE 4 HORSES AND 1 ON THE WAY. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED HORSES NO MATTER IF I RODE THEM OR NOT. I LOVE TO WORK WITH THEM IN THE ROUND PIN,GROOM AND JUST SEE THAT THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS. I LOVE THEM TOO MUSH TO SELL THEM. I HAVE 1 TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE,1 PAINT REG. QUARTER HORSE , 1 PALIMONO MARE WHICH IS PREGNANT - SHES REGISTERD TOO. AND I ALSO HAVE ONE SADDLE HORSE THAT I RESUE FROM A BAD OWNER-WHICH I HAVE SEEMED TO BRING BACK TO LIFE AFTER HIS OTHER OWNERS ALMOST STARVED HIM TO DEATH. I HAVE PLENTY OF PASTURE AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE. I ALSO GIVE THEM THEIR SHOTS AND HAVE THEM ON A GOOD WORMING PROGRAM. HORSE SEEM TO BE MY ONLY HOBBIE.

Answer 1

My daughter would have traded places with yours in a heartbeat. She is 21 and still horse crazy and can't wait for the day that she can own one. When she was in middle school and taking lessons, we leased a horse through the stable she trained at. These horses were in the same predicament as yours. Owners did not want to sell them but they needed to be ridden. It appears that yours are not boarded so maybe there are some little girls near you that are horse crazy and you can give them lessons. If you are anywhere near Dallas TX I'll send my daughter out there to exercise them. She learned all the tricks at the stables including all the shots and de-worming. Good luck! If they are your dream, do NOT sell them. It will work out. You didn't say how old your daughter was. If she is a teenager and a true horse lover, she'll get back into them and be very thankful you kept them.

Answer 2

I don't believe it is wrong, some people may argue that it is a waste of money, but if it is something that you enjoy, I see no problem with it. Depending on the age of your horses, some of them may be better off not riding. However, if you ever get the urge to one day ride, you may want to ask a local trainer or instructor to come and help you and watch. Good luck with your foal! Make sure that you research and read up on how to care and maintain a healthy mare and foal. This process is very important in how the foal turns out. Since you already have plenty of pasture space and the want for more horses, it sounds like you are an ideal "fostor" or "adoptive" horse parent. This means that some of the Horse Rescue Organizations in your area may have horses that they have rescued that may need temporary or permanent homes. I'm sure they would love to have your help! Look into it!

Answer 3

I have horses and I know how you love them.It's just the question, Why Can't You Ride?You should if *they've* forgotten horse training 101 then just put the saddle on them and work them in the round pen a little everyday each.The baby is the one more hours are needed so remember to start riding about 2 1/2 but training for saddle bridle 2.Halter days after bearth and leading after it's friendly.Good luck with the foal!

Answer 4

Horses were not put on this earth just for riding. They were given four legs, you were given two. At some point in history, someone figured out that if they rode a horse, they could go a bit faster. They are animals, not riding toys, so grooming and exercising and feeding them well is just fine. They are like any other pet.

Answer 5

Horses existed as a species for quite some time without someone riding them.

If they have plenty of pasture to roam in they will be fine. It's when a horse has nothing to do, as when he's locked up in a stall with no riding and no turn out and no companions that he gets bored.

Horses are social animals and they will socialize with each other and it sounds like you have a small herd and plenty of room for them to interact with each other and keep occupied and exercise. Your setup almost sounds like horse heaven.

Answer 6

Just work with them in the round pen and give them exersice. The horse wasn't just used for riding ya'll should know. Or get neighbors or people that love horses to volenteer to ride them is that's an option. I'm sure theres some horselover somewhere out their!

Answer 7

There are horses at my barn that arent riden, but their owners some out everyday and work with them on the ground. Its sounds to me, as long as the horses are getting enough excercise, then they sould be fine. It is when they are just standing, and eating 24/7, that problems could pop up. It would be a bonus if you could ride them, but if they arent ridden, thats fine too

Answer 8

I heard an Olympic Medalist in show jumping respond to a question about abusing horses this way " The abuse starts as soon as the rider puts his or her foot in the stirrup". It got a good laugh, but he did make a good point. While horses don't complain much, they probably prefer not to be ridden. If your horses are happy and your happy,that's all that matters.

Answer 9

It is legal for a owner to act as his own jockey, but he or she must be liscensed as both an Owner and a Jockey. I believe there are a couple who do it at small tracks....Thisledown seems to come to mind. They usually have the horses listed as being owned by a Farm, that they in turn own..... J.J McCafferty was an Owner, trainer and Jockey. So it is possible, but does not happen very often.

Answer 10

i think that as long as you spend time with your horses and love them then you absolutely have the right to keep them as pets even if you're not riding them. 3 years ago i was in a quading accident and broke my pelvis, knee, and arm, i always said had i been chasing our cows on horse back it never would have happened and have'nt been able to ride since. but i kept my horses all six of them, they are all broke to ride for ranch work, two are my show horses, two are my horses that i've had since i was 13, and two belong to each of my sons age 4 and 10 (they still ride). no one rides MY horses now but i spend time each and everyday with them and i could'nt get rid of them just because i can no longer ride. they are my babies! i have had people tell me that it is a waste, especially with the show horses,shown in reining and won money at ropings, not to ride them and have someone take them back to the ring but my girls are happy healthy and will always be with me.