How Much Is Too Much

Hi All!

I just came across an old thread about how long each of you ride your horses in a week, and I wanted to post to see if maybe I'm doing something that could be harmful to my horses. I have only been riding for about a year and a half. I did not grow up around horses, but have always wanted to. I bought my first one in Sept. Of 2010 and a new chapter of my life has begun.

When the question was asked, how many hours do you ride in a week, I was disheartened to see the replies because it has made me feel I may be doing something wrong. I only work part time (20 hours a week split up into 4 days). On one day, I only have to work 2 hours and it is very early in the morning, so as far as riding goes, that is basically a whole riding day. On Sunday's I only work half the day. What that means is, on my days off, or short work days, I ride. So for 4 days out of the week, I can be on my horse anywhere from 6-13 hours and on my half days, it's more like 3-5. Is that too much riding? We ride QHs and I am not talking about hard riding. We just trail ride mostly on the road because of all the rain we've had lately plus the "No Trespassing" signs posted everywhere! My horses are all shod.

Thanks for any and all advice.

Nope, I think you're riding your horses like we should all be riding ours! If I had a schedule like yours, that's probably exactly what I'd be doing.

I don't know that that is too much. How is their weight? How do they seem to act? Do they seem sore to you? If you are not running them constantly or up huge mountains, I don't see where you are doing any damage. Do you stop occasionally? Do they get to graze and get water?

I'm 150 lbs. They don't seem sore. I do let them graze when we stop to take a lunch or dinner break. I do let them get a drink if we can find water sources. No running and, like I said, these past few trips not even any loping. :(

Thanks for the input!

I'm sure the horses are fine but if I was on a horse for 13 hours I would have to be surgically removed.

I want to know where you are riding? Trails? Flat pasture? Indoor arena?

I find when I ride my horse more than 30 minutes in the indoor pen he gets bored and bored is sloppy at command execution. After a few go rounds, he is stopping in protest of the same direction and circle.

I find if I ride him in the pasture for more than 3 passes (picture 30 acre rectangle. Down, across, back, across, I get bored. I don't like to trot him in the pasture - the ground is VERY uneven and pocked with hardened horse hoof holes and rodent holes. Tall grass. A trip waiting to happen.

Now - hilly / rugged trails. Yes. We have been out for a few hours on the trails, but we need to trailer to them. So, that has a limit to how often.

I guess I am really curious where you can ride for so long and what you do. Curious and JEALOUS

lol...well, the rides are mostly just on the road since the fields are so mushy right now. Just walking and VERY LITTLE trotting 'cause I don't feel comfortable trotting on pavement!

I think what your doing and you schedule is amazing, good to keep the horses in shape and good for a newer rider, with all that time you putting in the saddle it wont be long you will be as good as any at riding As long as they are solid built and well fed you have nothing to worry about. I normally ride 6 to 8 hours at a time on the weekend!

It was my first time riding after dark and the longest ride I've had. It was AMAZING!! I am SO ADDICTED!!!!!!!