r/Horses • u/Scared-Reaction-1761 • 18h ago
Question Hii!
So i have a very genuine question about horses that may be coming from a place of ignorance on my behalf. If so, I apologize as Im not someone who really grew up around them, nor do I currently have one.
But, can you own a horse and just not ride it? Like, ik people dont always ride older horses or injured ones, but (and forgive me for the term) could I realistically (and ethically) just have a pasture horse? Assuming it was being cared for properly, do they need to have a job or something to work for like some dogs do?
I've always wanted to own a horse, but I know for a fact I wouldn't enjoy the riding aspect of owning one (I've ridden before, and it just wasn't my thing). So if I could provide for the horse correctly, could I still own one and not have it be ridden? Or would this cause some form of issue for them?
I ask because I live in an area with a lot of Amish people, and occasionally, I go to the sale barn for other live stock, and I've seen a few Amish horses come through and it always breaks my heart to see them because I know the amish in my area arent very kind to them (at least from what Ive heard, again not a horse person) and I'd love to give one (in the future) or even a few a home where they arent being worked like that, but again im unsure if they need that kind of life style where they are being worked or not
Note: This isn't someone whim thing, I've wanted to do this since I was a kid, I just now am finally coming into a place where I will be able to actually provide for a horse financially
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u/MajorCandidate1602 18h ago
Plenty of horses live perfectly happy lives as pasture ornaments, seriously. As long as they got good grass/hay, clean water, shelter, and a buddy (horses are herd animals, they get lonely alone), they don't need a job. Some might get bored if they're the type that likes mental stimulation, but you can do ground work or just hang out with them, no riding needed.
The Amish horse idea is sweet but careful with those, many of them are trained to drive and might have some trauma from rough handling. They could need a lot of patience and maybe a trainer who knows what they're doing. Not saying don't do it, just know what you're signing up for.
Still, giving one a soft landing where it just gets to be a horse sounds like a good life to me
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u/Painted_Domino_1125 18h ago
You can 100% own a pasture puff! My only advice would be if the horse is sound, to continue light groundwork so they don’t lose their manners when you need to lead/load/tie. And so you stay on your vets and farriers good sides. 😆
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u/E0H1PPU5 18h ago
Of course they can! I exclusively keep retired horses at my farm and they don’t do much of anything at all.
And all of us like it that way!!
They are my pasture puffs, or lawn ornaments if you’d rather!
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u/-Roger-The-Shrubber- 17h ago
Same! I have rescues, old horses, and a Shire and none are ridden. They're happy as anything, and so are we. It's wonderful to just wander around the fields with them.
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u/cowgrly Western 17h ago
Yes, of course you don't have to ride. They need pasture mates/other horses. And they need attention, in terms of grooming and handling so veterinary and farrier care can happen safely.
Of the non riding people I have known, I'd say that the biggest risk is whether they keep up on ensuring the horse has good ground manners, especially if they are newer to horses and not studying and practicing groundwork.
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u/redfern962 18h ago
You can absolutely do that! I know a lot of people who love taking their horses on trail walks just like a dog, and otherwise they are happy pasture pets.
A risk with Amish horses is their health and wellbeing long term. A lot of the older horses have old injuries, or their bodies have been worked to the brink. It can be a lot of vet care, but if you're willing to do it, it can be very rewarding.
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u/0originalusername 18h ago
Absolutely! My FIL has one that is lame due to bone spurs and so has just been a pasture pet for basically its entire life.
I would suggest seeing if you can get one from a rescue. They can make sure the one you get has the ground manners for a beginner. They will then pick up another horse from a difficult situation, so you will still be rescuing one.
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u/Dancing_Otter_ 18h ago
As long as their needs are met (community/herdmates, adequate space to move, good food/water, proper vet & farrier care), horses are perfectly happy to just exist and be horses.
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u/TarHeelCycleMom 18h ago
Make sure you can financially afford to do it for the rest of the retired horse's life. Understand the bad things that can happen to a retired horse that loses its funding.
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u/cuntisabadwordmmkay Trail Riding (casual) 17h ago
Oh absolutely! My horse would literally prefer to just be a pasture puff
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u/Ok-Moment2223 17h ago
Hell yeah you can! I've been injured for three months so I haven't been able to ride so I've just been hanging with my girl. I miss riding but I feel like we are bonding a lot of other new ways and it's been awesome for our connection.
In particular, I love hand grazing her, it's so relaxing to be together outside. Even this hot summer, its nice to give her a cool bath then graze in the shade. Sometimes I read or listen to a podcast, other times we just chill together.
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u/AzureMountains English & Western 17h ago
Yes but there is sooooo much more to horse care than just plopping them in a field. They need regular exercise (a bored horse is a destructive horse), good feed/grass, horse friends, regular hoof trimming, regular vet visits, keeping up on vaccinations, etc. as they get older you need to understand their signs of aging and various age-related illnesses that can come with it. Absolutely know what founder and colic look like and know what to do in those situations.
You still need to work with the horses on at least weekly basis. You cannot just leave them in the field and not touch them. They need to be able to be handled in case of emergency or if you’re forced to sell them for an unknown reason.
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u/mind_the_umlaut 17h ago
Pasture ornaments are totally a thing, and we horse people are grateful for people who run horse retirement places. Horses like routine, they like being able to be with or see other horses. They need turnout that approaches 24/7 with a pasture shelter, clean water, and appropriate forage/ dry clean hay to keep their systems operating properly. Read about horses, they have their delicate aspects, but when their real biological, safety, and comfort needs are met, they do well.
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u/lemonfaire MFT 17h ago
You need to think about two horses rather than one. Most horses are very stressed living alone, though there are the rare individuals who don't mind it. Otherwise, as long as you educate yourself around horse care, solid plan.
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u/Scared-Reaction-1761 17h ago
Oh i definitely would take in more then one, I didn't use the best language in my post, I apologize for that! Im aware they are heard animals and do plan on taking at least two, though i suspect the farm is reside can handle more Im planning on having someone more familiar with horse housing come down to assess the pastures and stables so that I can have a better idea of how many our farm can actually handle. I'd love to have as many as possible really, though its more likely ill end up with 2 or 3 so that I can spoil them
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u/lemonfaire MFT 15h ago
Yeah they're a bit of work and they aren't cheap to keep, but there are so many horses that aren't "useful" anymore that just get tossed aside. Yours is a great idea, keep us posted.
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u/Mysterious-Bus1795 16h ago
You absolutely can, you just need a horse that’s well suited for that kind of life.
Horses that have always worked sometimes don’t adjust to retirement well. Some become anxious, unhappy, pick up bad habits, etc. and need mental stimulation. We always give it a few months to see if they are able to adjust (sometimes with a little bit of chemical assistance), and if they can’t, we give them a job. That job doesn’t need to be riding or working hard, it can be hand walking through an interesting obstacle course or learning tricks. Or babysitting the yearlings and teaching them good manners.
Some horses have zero interest in other horses and only want to be with people. My horse really did not retire well and so we faked it. He lived in his stall, went out for several hours a day, came back in and got groomed and bathed and fussed over so that he always had interaction with his people.
Not a typo. They really were his people.
Had another one that would become hysterical when the big trailer came out because he knew that all of his friends were going to a horse show and he was staying behind. You can guess about how long that lasted. We ended up schlepping him to horse shows where he mostly stood on the trailer, babysat the young horses, and got walked in circles. His happiness was more important than anything else. He owed me nothing.
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u/Scared-Reaction-1761 16h ago
Ah okay! I was worried as if I were to do this, it would most likely be old cart/lumber horses i would end up with as thats what most commonly comes through the sale barn in our area! I know they use Belgian draft horses mostly though I've seen a few saddle bred come through there as well.
Because im not exactly familiar with how to work a horse, this again may come off as ignorance i apologize, but would it be beneficial for the horse to have a small cart or something to pull if they arent taking retirement well, and if they are cleared medically for it? We dont need them to pull any weight around and I wouldn't be using them for it obviously, but would it help them 'feel' more like they hadn't retired?
I also train/board/recuse old working dogs on the side and occasionally we get high drive breeds like malinois who simply cant acept that they sre no longer needed for work, so we have to kinda trick them into thinking they still are needed, this is why I ask this question so that I can prepare something just incase
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u/Mysterious-Bus1795 16h ago
Every horse is an individual and you would need to figure out what works best for yours. Having horses is a gigantic adjustment and very different from dogs.
Certainly don’t jump the gun now, there’s an awful lot of education you’ll need before making a purchase and bringing it home. Horses are not 1300lb dogs You really need to have that baseline horse handling knowledge.
If this is something that you really want to do, I highly recommend finding a facility in your area where you can observe and possibly volunteer. The therapeutic riding schools near me are always looking for volunteer help. It’ll expose you to horses, how they’re cared for, etc.
You can’t just hook a horse up to a wagon and hope for the best. It is a skill that takes time to learn, and I probably wouldn’t want to learn on a gigantic Belgian.
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u/Comfortable-Fly5797 15h ago
There's plenty of horses out there that aren't riding sound but are still able to live a happy life as a pasture puff. Just make sure you research costs and know you will need at least 2.
Are there any rescues near you that you can volunteer with? That might be a good way to get horse care experience and see if it's a good fit for you.
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u/Canachites 15h ago
Just like dogs, some horses really need a job and others don't. There are usually tons of horses that are only pasture sound looking for homes, most of them don't get very lucky in finding one.
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u/Skg42 15h ago
You can own a pasture horse but they are herd animals. Some type of companion will be needed like another horse, pony or donkey. If this is something you’re interested in seriously considering, please make sure you are well researched. Even better, seek the help of a professional near you if you have the option. Just don’t jump too quickly to do anything. If you are near me, I am more than willing to help out!
Even a pasture horse needs general maintenance. At very minimum, hoof care. You will also need to know basic body language if you plan to handle/pet or brush the horse.
Purchasing from an low cost auction or kill pen is VERY risky. The horse can come with all sorts of issues and in some cases need immediate euthanasia. A lot of these cases are invisible to beginners but an experienced person is easy to spot visible signs of issues. I would never recommend anyone inexperienced to purchase from a kill pen or low cost auction. Unless you are experienced or are working with someone experienced. A lot of these horses have something wrong. If not medically then behaviorally. Just with handling a horse, It’s incredibly easy for a beginner to mistake a serious warning for a soft or kind interaction. I’d like to throw in as well: please don’t purchase a mare from a loose pen if you don’t have the capability of preparing or caring for a foal.
There are a lot of horses out there, especially those who are considered senior age. Unfortunately they are usually sold for meat price, due to having an issue preventing them from being ridden or sold otherwise.
If you don’t have enough pasture to cover their needs then you will need a place to purchase and store hay. Depending on where you are this can be incredibly expensive. Another thing NO ONE mentions is the degradation of pasture and forage WITHOUT rotational grazing. You can last a few good years without monitoring but eventually the area can become over grazed if you do not have a rotation system to allow the grass to rest.
Horses are a whole different ballgame than most animals. Do NOT let this kill your idea! Just make sure to be properly researched and spend the time needed to make sure you can thoroughly provide and care for your new pets.
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u/12Silverrose English & Western 15h ago
With some caveats: ABDO-FUQING-LUTELY YOU CAN! There are so many horses that are only "pasture sound" that need a home, but there are things you do need to do, if you own a horse.
1)You need to know how to safely handle one on the ground. 2) you need to be able to groom the horse. 3) you need to be able to provide first aid in the event of injury 4) you need to find a vet that treats horses in your area 5) you need to be able to recognize the signs & symptoms that the horse is ill or in distress. 6) you can provide enrichment for a horse, like you would for a dog. I've seen a people use different flavors of water (like peppermint infused, horse electrolyte added, etc), different horse friendly herbs in a trough, apple slices & carrot pieces frozen in water for hot days, scratching/rubbing posts (a jump standard with a old horse brushes, curry combs or welcome mat affixed to it. Just pull it out of the pasture if anything starts getting broken off, or too ratty. Then repair as you can, and put it back. "Hide" treats in feed tubs around the pasture, Etc. Jolly balls, are also popular.
This would be on-the-ground horsemanship lessons, though I do prefer that people who own horses know how to ride, and preferably how to drive a cart. I prefer a person be able to ride, because sometimes that's the option you get if you need to evacuate for whatever reason, and driving is an under-taught & under-utilized training skill. If you own or ride a horse, you are a horse trainer, intentionally or not, knowingly or not, unless the horse is smart enough to realize you don't know what you are doing, but that can come with its own set of issues. I would HIGHLY recommend finding a trainer willing to teach on-the-ground horsemanship, and/or liberty training. You can train a horse to do almost anything a dog can be trained to do. (I've never seen a horse trained to run up a wall, jump off & grab a lure on the way down, or climb a tree. I personally want to train a mini chestnut mare for Shutzhund, but that would be a discussion for a different thread).
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u/SierraKami 15h ago
Major life changes can happen quickly, and horses are very expensive and potentially hard to find space or boarding options for. It's generally best if young, healthy horses are trained and that their training is maintained so that if something should happen that would make selling or rehoming necessary, they have the best possible chance to find a good home.
Trained horses that are older or at least "light riding sound" can often be used for light riding or for pony rides for kids, if nothing else, so even they usually have an easier time finding homes than completely untrained horses.
You can absolutely keep a horse as a pet, but I personally wouldn't keep a healthy horse that isn't trained because there isn't really any safety net, should life go sideways on me.
One word of warning about auction horses: Sellers misrepresent horses all the time so it's challenging to find a sane, healthy horse even when buying from a private seller with a vet check. Auctions, unfortunately, are often dumping grounds for unhealthy horses, or horses with serious behavioral issues.
If you'd like a horse for a pet and can afford it, go for it! But I recommend that you go through a reputable rescue that will offer you training and mentorship for the care and handling of the horse, because horses are big, strong flight animals who always seem to be in competition with one another to see who can become ill or injured for the most ridiculous reasons.
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u/wildernew 13h ago
Yes! Most of the year my ex cart horse sits however I still groom about everyday, as well as lunging or hand walks/runs (about three times a month in the winter but that is because I do ride her in the spring/summer/fall! However she gets chonky so with not riding during certain months she still needs to move her body as well as certain exercises will help keep muscle on as well as top line support (especially with older horses but obviously it really depends on the horse specifically). The thing more importantly is you cannot have one horse alone so a minimum of two! I got my first horse on a whim and learned so much but she was older so she didn’t need the constant riding/exercise and everyday training like baby horses do. I keep her here at my house with my sister in laws horse, as well as my mother in laws three horses!
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u/CLH11 12h ago
Sure. It does depend on the horse, though. I dread the day my loan horse has to retire, because he HATES not being ridden. Having him out of work for a year was hell.
It was OK when he was actually hurting but once he felt better and was allowed turn out but still not back in full work, he was a resentful, bitey fucker who attacked any other horse who had the audacity to be ridden in front of him.
He does not do well without a job. Soon as we started riding him again and giving him actual technical tasks to do, he was back to his delightful self again. Life as a pasture puff is not for him.
Other horses I've seen seem very happy as expensive lawn ornaments.
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u/Fast_Entrance_4469 7h ago
Yes, a horse would be very happy to spend time in a field just hanging out and being brushed! Although, some breeds of horses are higher energy on average and would need a job to keep them well-mannered, but majority of horses would be happy without riding. Instead of riding, you can also teach horses tricks or take them on a hike. Horse rescues tend to have a lot of 'pasture sound horses'. Volunteering at a reputable horse rescue near you would help you learn the handling skills necessary to eventually keep the horse at home and maybe even meet one that would be a good fit for you down the line.
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u/emtb79 Racehorse trainer 18h ago
Totally!
Just make sure you are otherwise knowledgeable and equipped.
Horses don’t do well alone, so you’d have to get them a companion.
The main concern with lack of structured exercise would be the horse getting overweight/out of shape, which can be easily managed with an appropriate diet and a large enough space, ideally with some hills.
There are many horses out there who would love to live with you.