How much time should I spend with my horse?
I just bought my first horse, and she is being broke right now to ride and has already been ridden and is great with ground manners. I am a full time worker and was wondering how some of you fit time for your horse if you work an 8-5, and if it’s bad if you only see your horse 2-3 times a week? Like many full time white collar workers I get the weekends off, and would be close to my horse so I may only be able to spend 1 or 2 horse twice a week during my work week, but all day on the 2 days I have off. Any suggestions? I just want my horse to feel loved and not hate me or forget her training because I’m not seeing her every single day. All suggestions and advice are greatly appreciated! Thanks.
When I had a horse, I was in Jr High and High School. When I wasn’t in classes, doing chores, or homework, I spent every minute with… or on my horse. She wasn’t just an animal to me… she was like a pet.. a favorite friend. Even when I was busy with chores (I lived on a working farm) she followed me aroud like a puppy, nibbling in pockets or muzzling for treats.
The more time you can spend with your horse, the better ‘friend’ he/she will be to you. Also, if you spend time with the horse without riding, the more likely they’ll be to respond to you. In other words, if EVERY time it sees you, it means a saddle clamped on their back, they might come to resent it.
Sometime my horse and I would waller in the sand together! Or bath time she would come beside me to shake like a dog. She was big baby!
(Sobs) I miss that old nag….
I wake up at six in the morning to see my horse. I would research this if you have never had a horse. It is bad if you see your horse only 2-3 times a week. She will never know who her owner is if you don’t see her everyday. Try waking up earlier and go play with your horse. If you give her commands and teach her tricks and play with her everyday, you’ll be not only her owner, but her friend.
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When I had a horse, I was in Jr High and High School. When I wasn’t in classes, doing chores, or homework, I spent every minute with… or on my horse. She wasn’t just an animal to me… she was like a pet.. a favorite friend. Even when I was busy with chores (I lived on a working farm) she followed me aroud like a puppy, nibbling in pockets or muzzling for treats.
The more time you can spend with your horse, the better ‘friend’ he/she will be to you. Also, if you spend time with the horse without riding, the more likely they’ll be to respond to you. In other words, if EVERY time it sees you, it means a saddle clamped on their back, they might come to resent it.
Sometime my horse and I would waller in the sand together! Or bath time she would come beside me to shake like a dog. She was big baby!
(Sobs) I miss that old nag….
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There’s nothing wrong with only being able to see your horse a few times a week… as long as she’s getting enough exercise and care in one way or another that’s all that really matters.
When I had my horses I was only able to see them a few times a week at the most because I lived half and hour away from them and was busy with school and work. They didn’t suffer any emotional damage because I didn’t spend enough time with them. Of course, they barn owner also gave them plenty of attention and treated them as if they were her own.
Plus they spent the every day in the pasture, not being cooped up in a stall.
It does make training more difficult though… the more often you’re able to spend time with your horse, the better their training with go. Especially with a greener horse. Are you training her yourself? if so, you might want to consider sending her to a professional trainer since you’re not able to spend as much time with her as you’d like. That may make things easier on both your and your horse.
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If your horse is just now being broke,if you don’t ride her atleast once a day for a while she can revert to not being broke as no one is giving her that discipline.
You need to feed her in the morning so you should allot atleast 30 minutes for that and you need to feed her in the evening at which time you should ride her for a bit.
I would recommend riding her on a regular basis esp, during the summer months.
In riding her you are helping her discipline and allowing her to get use to her and you will be learning how to handle her and by summer the two of you will be doing famously.
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If possible, daily. Even if it just means a half hour to brush or even pet them. Ride them as often as you possibly can, escpecially in the first year or so. Idealy, they say you should ride them every day, but I think twice a week is fine. I have a three year old filly that is being broke. I got on her for the first time, the other day, since last fall. She did great. But I would recommend spending as much time with her as possible. It sounds like what you can spend with her will be enough.
Good luck!!
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When I was still working, I took care of my horse at 5:00am and then went to work. I took care for my horse at lunchtime and after work on my way home. I did that five days a week and then was up there all day Saturday and Sunday. I’ve had horses for 43 years and have always made them top priority, regardless of working fulltime or if I am sick, doesn’t matter. I treat my horses as I treat myself. Your first horse will never get to know you well if you don’t spend lots of time with her. You have to build a relationship with them. Two or three times a week does not a owner make!
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On your days off is good & as long as it still light 2 days a wk after work
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I just got a new horse as well, although we have someone that feeds all of the horses at our barn full time, I come out anyway in the morning before work (6am, have to be at work by 7am,) and then after work (4:30pm)… I make sure my horse knows that I am the one feeding him, that usually helps with the bond and respect issues. I would just do whatever it takes to spend the most time w/ your new horse, that bond is very important when it comes to training and respect!
even if you’re not longeing or riding, take your horse out on the lead rope and just spend some time w/ him, walk him, let him eat, whatever, just so he gets to know you, even if it’s only 15 minutes a day! any time is good!
also, now that it’s daylight savings, you have more time in the afternoons to stay with her! you don’t necessarly have to be there in the AM but try to spend those last daylight hours with her!
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well it sounds like your horse is boarded somewhere else and i know how hard it is to find time in your schedule to see her. if they are being trained at least she has some human contact. i own a boarding ranch and you should visit you horse about 4 times a week expecially if it is being trained and is new. that way she will bond to you. try to set horse time and work time at an equal balance.
good luck
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hey! i just helped my friend Brittney with this question she had. And now her and her horse are closer than ever!
(cant talk right now.. need to ride 10 horses!)
my e-mail is:
love.malachai@yahoo.ca
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own 10 horses– 7 Thoroughbreds, 2 Paints, 1 Quarter Horse.
and 1 dog