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One horse kinda girl!

8K views 58 replies 37 participants last post by  kissmybarrelbutt 
#1 ·
I always hear people saying how they have four horses and they are the only one that rides them? Or someone posts "GOT A NEW HORSE" a month after they posted about their OTHER horse don't get me wrong I understand you love horses.......but I have had the same little 21 year old American paint for about 5 years now and she acts like she's 4 lol I wouldn't trade her for the world! I am constantly training her and teaching her new things to make her the best she can be I don't understand why I would get two other horses and abuse my mares training?
WHY IS ONE JUST NOT ENOUGH?? :-|
 
#33 ·
It's not 'abusing their training' if that's how you see it, then that's pathetic. No offense. I used to think the same thing and them I got another horse(2 now). And if you really devote yourself then you can teach them the same manuevers at the same time. My dad has his horse, Boston, & I have mine, Charm. We ride together! My dad is on business right now and I take care of both. I fit them in. How do you think these professional horse ranches make a living? Training one horse at a time?!! If thats the case, then you're nuts. They make time.
 
#34 ·
i have 3 boys and love them all, they are all for different things. my QH is my trail horse, and cow horse. my 5 year old paint is going to be my gamer, and my 3 year old paint is my "moms" but i ride and work him for my back up gamer, and my moms trail horse. i have 3 because i love them and i have them at home. so i need more then one.
 
#35 ·
I think everyone has to look at their own situation - time, funds, dedication, type of riding, etc - and decide for themselves what is best for their situation. Some people can't manage any horses at all or may feel fulfilled or at their limit with just one while others can successfully handle a dozen. As long as the horses are cared for and their needs met - its really not anyone else's business how many they have.

I have two horses that are mine. One I've had since he was a yearling but he came down with EPM when he was four. While he is recovered I don't like to push him too much so I have my younger horse that will be used for more strenuous rides. Oh the abuse my first horse has to endure!
 
#36 ·
Well, I just want to add that I think it really differs depending on everyone's situation. I board, so no way can I afford 2 horses (let alone 1 sometimes, ha!) but if I had my own property I would most definitely have several. I don't think it is detrimental to a horse's training if you have more than one. However, it all depends on who has the horses.

The only point I can take out of this is that I have known some people that are just never happy and shuffle horses around all the time. But that is way different than someone who owns a farm and knows how to manage their horses properly.
 
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#37 · (Edited)
I have 3 to myself, I try to get my mom to ride. . . .
my paint horse lives with my trainer, she rides him a couple times a week and then gives us lessons together once or twice a week.
Then I have an appy mare that lives at my house, for trails and maybe some jumping. She is also broke broke for my mom to ride (if I can get her to) and guests, then I recently got a little arabian mare because my appy got really loney and my vet said she really just needed a herd mate. So I found my next project so we both were happy.
Although my appy now gets less riding time she is a lot happier not living out there alone, plus like said before its great to ride different horses especially when they are super different!
<3
but I respect anyones right to own how many they want if they are taken care of
:)
 
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#38 ·
Love everything posted here! Besides what the OP said. I don't believe in any way is it "abuse" of another horse's training if you have and spend time with another horse that you own. I love having more than one, they both have such different personalities and different abilities I wouldn't trade either one for anything!

I'd LOVE to hear more from the OP, who has yet to make another reply on this thread? Are you trying to get peoples chaps in a bunch? :?
 
#39 ·
I am not saying having more than one horse is a bad thing at all! I really wanted to know how people worked with multiple horses at one time. And I am not saying you can't love more than one geeze people! lol I have my horse and I am working with another at the time on a weekly basis with another horse thrown in the mix occasionally and I just find it difficult juggling them around sometimes sooooo I just wanted to see how people incorporated multiple horses at one time.
 
#44 ·
well then now that we have a question i will ignore that op post ;p

as an individual i find it impossible to work with more than one horse at at time, so i rotate lol

there is no designated days of who gets worked when. i work them based off of what my goals are and what improvements they need and which ones are more important at that time. its just prioritizing what you think is more important.

dont worry the concept of prioritizing will be something you will have to deal with everyday for the rest of your life so its a good thing to practice now :)
 
#40 ·
I don't understand why I would get two other horses and abuse my mares training?

WHY IS ONE JUST NOT ENOUGH?? :-|
This is from your original post. Certainly doesn't seem like you're ASKING anything; you're making a judgment call based on your own prejudices. :?

You also haven't explained what you mean by 'abuse my mare's training'.
 
#41 ·
When I said "abuse my mares training" I was saying how sometimes it is hard to work with multiple horses at a time from experience and some get more work and training time than others.
 
#42 ·
I have 2, and have had at least 2 for the past 5 years. Plus have ridden training other peoples horses for most summers. Its easy, right now im riding my 5 year old and 3 others weekly. My colt is only a yearling. You adjust yourself to each horse and its needs. And i dont think my two feel neglected at all for not being messed with while im riding the others. Actually when ive been between horses and only had 1 to ride i didnt like it much, right now my gelding is my only ridable horse so i cant wait until my yearling grows up. Why I'm going to start riding our old 21 year old on trails. Im bored.
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#46 ·
I have three horses, and it can be hard to juggle them around, especially as a full time college studen looking for a job, lol.

It's just a commitment. Besides, it's relaxing after a long day, lol.
 
#49 ·
So, you board your horse? I am not at all against boarding, but I do find it odd that you are someone who is not even providing direct 24/7 care for your ONE horse and are questioning the ability of others to meet the needs of multiple horses.[/QUOT

I feed & water My horse and clean out her stall and all the works! basically all I needed was the space to keep her at.
 
#50 ·
I have three. I love them all! My oldest is 20 and I have owned him for 16 years. He is semi retired but could easily hack every day so I guess I don't NEED another! But I LIKE havig them all!

Number 2 is a 5 year old who I broke myself when he was 3. Got him because I love babies and I love brwaking and training. Kept him because he is AMAZING and I love competing him (which my old horse cannot do). So I definitely do not NEED number 3!

Number 3 is a racehorse (I would say ex but she is just out of training so not even really ex yet!). Two reasons to have her - always wanted to retrain a racehorse and also she was due to be sent abroad and her owner didnt want her to go but needed to be practical (you cant keep every racehorse on a racing yard). So gave her to me at big cut price because they knew she would get a lovely home!

I may not always be able to keep three but I cant imagine who would go....... and they are great pals as well!
 
#53 ·
I love riding multiple horses! I have two riding horses now and an almost 2 yr old. I would love to have 3 riding horses. Heck, if I were rich I would have more. :lol:

I also love to ride friend's horses if they offer. It's a blast to ride different horses.

But at some point there is diminishing return, at least in a single rider household. Over a certain number a single person is probably not giving each horse as much attention as it could have. However, as others have stated, as long as they have food, water, shelter and health care, most horses don't complain if they get vacation time!

My reason for having more than one is that I try to ride every day in the summer, and I feel like if I have just one I am putting a lot of work on one horse. If I have two I can alternate and they will each be doing a reasonable amount of work that way, without getting overworked.
 
#54 ·
I have two and I love them both fiercely. They both make my heart smile. My mare is sweet, kind, and quirky. I've had her for nearly 12 years and I can't imagine being without her. My gelding is funny, personable, outgoing and so so so smart, he is the most fun horse I've ever met, I've had him his entire almost 9 years. Neither has suffered abuse because I was with the other :) Add to that mix I have two other mares that I ride regularly, along with a gelding I ride on occasion. AND, I spend some of my barn time keeping friends' horses' manes and tails looking good because they like how I do them.

You just budget your time wisely, that's all! Heck, the other day, I rode 3 and still had time to clean out a friend's locker when I discovered a mouse had moved in, bleh! But I took the time to hang up bridle hooks, clean her bridles and helmet, organize her halters and such and sweep and cobweb. It was very satisfying getting a happy call from her when she discovered how clean and nice it was!

I board mine, but it's nearby to home and it's a great place to hangout at all day. Nothing else I can really think of that I'd rather be doing. Had my mom laughing the other day, I was feeling stressed with her and my dad going out of town and their cat is on ear meds right now and he HATES me ever since we've adopted him, for whatever reason. I was stressed about making sure I can catch him without getting scratched up, and my mom thought I was sad I was not going with them on a trip and she said "when you have vacation time next, we should plan a trip" and I said "that would be fun, but I like to spend my summer vacation time riding" :)
 
#57 ·
Forgot to add. Just because I have lots of horses doesn't mean I will just turn around a sell one. My mare has more problem than more other horse in 3 years! My trainer, grandma,sister, best friend all said sell her. She'll never be the horse you want and she way to problematic. That lil mare is still sitting in my barn on her way to a pretty dang good barrel career.
 
#58 ·
There are 15 at the ranch i ride at my personal boy and my friends boy included all get used and each one teaches us something new. A few are projects that all of us chip in to work with all are versatile in english/western/endurance and do kids camps (minus or old stud man). Horses are like potatoe chips you can't have just one and riding/working with multiple teaches you something new and makes YOU more versatile so you can hop on any horse and adapt.
 
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