tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post567182492208305508..comments2024-01-27T06:46:56.744-06:00Comments on Paradigm Farms Horse Retirement: Do They Want a Job?Melissa-ParadigmFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14274830693649851658noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-14342280463218557072009-08-22T07:05:08.116-05:002009-08-22T07:05:08.116-05:00p.s. Please keep writing about your rides. I enj...p.s. Please keep writing about your rides. I enjoy reading about your work u/s.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-86504963855322200202009-08-22T06:35:35.988-05:002009-08-22T06:35:35.988-05:00As already posted, the horse's personality and...As already posted, the horse's personality and his environment determine the "job". Living on your farm seems ideal for a gentle job in retirement, with enough room to do their normal horse thing.<br /><br />I am providing a retirement home for my old tb, on more limited pasture space, and am always trying to find the right job to keep him happiest. For the past 2 years I groom, tack, and ride gently for 10 mins, then hand-graze him; i.e., everything we did when he was working except the work! This summer I've been trying to keep him happy without the rides due to time restraints, with mixed results. My husband just commented this morning that M "needs a job".<br /><br />I also know that WE are his herd, along with his mini-horse companion.stilllearningnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-57342055794360898332009-08-21T23:01:35.815-05:002009-08-21T23:01:35.815-05:00I agree with you 100 percent; however, in my lifet...I agree with you 100 percent; however, in my lifetime, I have known of one horse that just HATED being put to pasture. Long story, but my friend's new partner insisted that horses needed to be 'free', etc etc, so they turned the horse out. The horse was just miserable and so the horse went back to the barns and her life as a show hunter, where she excells and seems healthy and happy. That is the only horse that I know of that was not ready to retire. We refer to her as the hot house flower...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-60724715079219821022009-08-21T19:12:34.084-05:002009-08-21T19:12:34.084-05:00My horses have always been pasture boarded & I...My horses have always been pasture boarded & I've never felt they were bummed about a lack of work when I was too busy to ride! My TB might just be weird, but now that I'm in grad school & only come to visit him for treats & grooming, he's actually happier to see me than when I ride regularly; although he'd never be mistaken for a workaholic anyway! I'm a little irritated that my TB (who I've owned for SEVERAL years now)has never shown the slightest inclination to even approach me when I go to catch him, but my husband's new-ish horse will come trotting up to him whickering & neighing at him! But in the barn my TB is the lovebug to me & the QH, not so much. Horses are funny!Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-22367532704695583692009-08-21T11:21:02.935-05:002009-08-21T11:21:02.935-05:00I totally agree that show horses come to rely on p...I totally agree that show horses come to rely on people, and shows, and work for stimulation rather than on a herd. I think it might also have something to do with the fact that a lot of show horses do not go out in a herd, even during their limited turnout. Instead of bonding with a herd of horses, the horse bonds with its human. At least that's how it seems to me with my horse.<br /><br />I currently have a horse that has been on stall rest for two months (with at least one more month to go - ugh!). He only leaves his stall for me to hand walk him twice a day. Since the stall rest started, he gets very excited (winnying, pacing, etc.) when I arrive. While it is flattering to think that he "loves" me, I'm pretty sure it's the anticipated hand walk he is carrying on about!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-90842586760286237042009-08-21T09:08:30.479-05:002009-08-21T09:08:30.479-05:00My 4yo doesn't seem to give a hoot that he'...My 4yo doesn't seem to give a hoot that he's not been ridden in about 3 months. We moved into a new house with 6 acres and neither of us have been on our boys since. We've just not had time with trying to get everything squared away from the move. <br /><br />My boy still comes up to me, but he's a nosy type that's always got to be into something. They seem perfectly content to just graze away though.Candy'sGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10714758020336093821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-36812297789449222132009-08-21T06:02:12.092-05:002009-08-21T06:02:12.092-05:00I think horses need to be horses - and eat grass i...I think horses need to be horses - and eat grass in a herd. They're usually happy to do a job when we ask, because we ask. A cooped up horse needs stimulation and exercise, and working - jumping or whatever - is a way to do that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-38499111171019344152009-08-21T02:13:20.873-05:002009-08-21T02:13:20.873-05:00I agree with you 110%. The less turnout a horse ha...I agree with you 110%. The less turnout a horse has the more need there is for a "job". I think horses adapt to the show ring/frequent riding out of need to keep themselves stimulated. A herd of horses have plenty going on throughout the day to keep their minds occupied. . .a stalled horse with minimal turnout needs it's people to pick up the slack ;)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04210327520793064458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-64712007449411894062009-08-20T22:50:40.141-05:002009-08-20T22:50:40.141-05:00Faune was very clear with me that his job was no l...Faune was very clear with me that his job was no longer what he wanted. All I needed to do was listen. I know my horse is safe and happy. He is finally living life as a horse - which is something that I was never able to provide here in Boston. I miss him so much and it's been hard going through all this stuff in my life without him here, but I don't regret my decision a single day.<br /><br />I am planning a trip for September and I'll be in touch as to when to see if it works for you all.<br /><br />Thank you for all you do for my horse - and all our horses.<br /><br />Miss you all!<br />GillieGillian Fnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-36058508490582889572009-08-20T22:06:40.294-05:002009-08-20T22:06:40.294-05:00I agree with your "herd" theory. Any ani...I agree with your "herd" theory. Any animal, human or horse, needs a purpose, and that doesn't necessarily mean a <i>job</i> job. Just something to do. Having a role in the herd is very much a purpose. It is quite natural - mustangs don't jump up and down and say "oh, look those people are coming to round us up and <i>finally</i> give us a job!" Their job <i>is</i> being the alpha or the omega or the lead mare or whatever.<br /><br />Same with people. Being the mom is a "job", being the kid and obeying your parents (hopefully heehee) is a "job". It gives you something to do. It gives you a purpose.<br /><br />Now sitting in a stall all day without the stimulation and purpose of being around other horses is different. That's why I pasture-board my mare (besides the fact it's much cheaper) because it's just <i>better</i> for the horse, I think.<br /><br />Good thoughts.Dressagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04849960430806754249noreply@blogger.com