Viewpoint: Does your horse need a vacation?

Viewpoint: nIs your horse already on holiday?

This question is far from new, but nowadays it acquires not only a practical, but also a “philosophical” connotation. Horse owners are beginning to view horse leave as a realization of its “legal right” to rest. Perceiving work as something that is associated with fatigue, routine, boredom, use, they transfer their own emotions to animals, thus humanizing them. By providing holidays for his horse, the owner hopes to fulfill his duty as an employer. But here lies the error.

The main thing for us, as for the owners, is not to give the horse the same rights as a man, but to create conditions of life that best meet its needs.

A horse is not a person, and she does not need a vacation in the human sense of the word. The horse needs social contacts, relationships, interactions, freedom of movement – all that we can provide it on an ongoing basis. Deprivation of her work is not included in this list.

I encourage you to think about what you call “work” and what you call “holiday” (or holidays).

In general, work is viewed as something associated with stress, and vacation as a pleasant pastime. So, when does work start and when does vacation start? Work on the ground or under the horse is connected with the load, and therefore unpleasant? Don’t you strive to ensure that the moments spent with the horse Did you both enjoy? Don’t you think that the horse’s need for communication can be realized during training? Can’t a horse love learning or playing sports?

Many perceive work as something that requires concentration and physical effort. This is true. But the same thing happens to the horse during games …

Don’t give your horses time off, but meet their needs daily. When it’s time to work, pay attention to her well-being. Make sure your relationship is always beneficial for the horse, both emotionally and physically.

If you think your horse needs a vacation, ask yourself what it is that is making life difficult for your horse and make adjustments accordingly.

Anna Anta (a source).

Transfer Anastasia Krugovoi (Anastasia’s Facebook page).