Horses sometimes need an easy ride
WHILE I feel sorry for Maureen Kelly whose horse she was galloping died (letters), her view that horses become irritable and bored if they are not fully exercised is flawed.
I’ve had the pleasure of owning two horses, one thoroughbred and the other a welsh cob cross. Both were regularly ridden but not on a daily basis.
I was lucky to have my stables in the field they were turned out in, so when coming back from a ride they could either wander into their stables or chill in the field. Both my horses never showed any problems with bad behaviour. They did their own thing.
If they wanted to chase each other and run around the field, they did. If they wanted to rest, they sat together or mutually groomed each other. They did what all horses naturally do in the wild.
Horses have an in-built ‘fight or flight’ action if they feel threatened and can run like the clappers, but only if they need to. What they do not like is to be confined to a stable for long hours with no stimulation.
Race horses are a totally different animal. From a very young age they are taught only two gaits – walk and gallop. They have strict training to build up their speed and as a consequence, most race horses have enlarged hearts.
It upsets me that these most noble animals are pushed too far and when they don’t achieve they are got rid of.
Those lucky enough to be put into homes or sanctuaries specialising in the rehabilitation of race horses are then re-trained to be “proper horses”, for want of a better description. Whilst it is quite thrilling to go for a good old gallop, don’t overdo it. If you are getting tired, then perhaps your horse is too. Helen Brawn, Bridge of Cally, Perthshire