Fun Stuff!

[toohorsemad]

I am currently looking for my first horse and the search as many ups and downs (mostly downs :rolleyes: ) Anyway I was thinking, I like schooling, it can be boring but like you are improving your riding and the horse by doing so I don't really have a problem with it! The problem is what kind of things can I do that will be fun for the horse? There are no woods where I live, I supose I could drive to one but I don't know if your aloud to ride there! Any other ideas on what would be fun time riding? I dont want my horse to get bored and dread me riding him! :( Also how many times a week should you school a horse on a 6 day working week?

[lazyobie29kr]

As you know, horses get sick of being in arenas and running in circles all day, the movie Seabiscuit is a prime example of that :D I’m not sure what kind/how much land you have, but I too face the same problem with living on a farm that is completely flat and woods-less. When I first got my horse, I introduced him to many different kinds of obstacles such as opening and closing a swinging gate without getting off, going over bridges, through water, opening up a mail box, walking by running machinery: basically bomb-proofing him and getting him desensitized to things he has never seen before. It takes time and he may not be too fond of these things at first, but it will keep your ride a little more interesting while getting him used to different things. Just make sure you don’t over do it, frustrated horses are not happy horses! And of course, ride him around what land you have, change gaits and do what you would normally do in an arena, just not in circles all of the time. Sometimes all it takes is a little change in scenery and direction ;) And for your second question, I have no idea, so you'll just have to wait until someone else does!

Have fun and good luck!!

[toohorsemad]

Most of the land is in crop at the mo but the front field (at least 15 times bigger than a arena) is harvested! You know the spikes left in the ground after havesting corn? The question that know one knows in my family is can you ride on the spikes? I think you can but I just want to make sure!!!! :D Plus I forgot we have a stream at the far end of the farm, I might ride in that aswell! Thanks for the advice lazyobie29kr!

[Tiber]

If you do end up riding on the stubble make sure you don't fall on it. :o

I did that once years ago and it really itches!

[toohorsemad]

:D I don't mind just once its ok for a horse to gallop on!

[lazyobie29kr]

Just stay between the rows and ya should be fine, if your horse steps on the stubs, they shouldn't hurt him a bit. I ride in harvested corn fields with my horse all the time, so no worries! Empty fields are the best to run on! Have fun!!!

[ponylover88]

:D I don't mind just once its ok for a horse to gallop on!

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[toohorsemad]

I wasn't really planning on actually galloping on it but thanks for telling me that! I have found a horse by the way he's a real sweet heart too! We are just waiting for his vetting! He's a connie! purebred but 15.3hh! He is 6 and is a lovely bay! His name is victor! We were doing schooling in a open field with a dog looking at him hungrily and big machines in the field and he was perfect! My instuctor says he's lovely but he's a it laminitis and sweet itch (mild!) prone! So I have to be careful!

[ponylover88]

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[toohorsemad]

The owner are giving use the rug, well its more of a fly sheet I think but it has a separate neck piece! But do fly sheets work just aswell?