01/26/2024
Love your horse, not what they can do.
My horse had to retire this year.
It was unexpected and it changed everything.
But for him, nothing changed.
He still goes out in the field, still gets a nice big fluffy bed, cosy rugs and a carrot every night. He still gets remedial shoes, gets his teeth done and regularly sees a physio.
Nothing changed for him, because he’s not a machine and the level of care he gets is not dependant on what he can do. I loved riding him, but that was a privilege, not a right and certainly not a way for him to “earn” good care.
He’s not a car that can be scrapped or sold on because he can’t do what I want to do anymore.
When you take the reins of a horse, you make a commitment.
A commitment to ensure their happiness and welfare always come first; whether they are jumping big tracks, competing at Grand Prix level, hacking or grazing in a field. Level of competition or ability should not dictate the level of care.
Horses are fragile. They break. They get injured. Soemtimes they have to retire. It doesn’t mean they are any less worthy of your care, attention or money.
Stop giving away, “loaning” or selling your broken down horses because they can’t do what you want them to do and if that means you have to change your plans or put them on pause, then so be it.
Love your horse, not what they can do.
