Horses during spring can present many challenges for owners. Here we take a look at eight tongue-in-cheek behaviours that you may well be able to relate to.
As spring approaches, out goes the fluffy monster stood in the stable munching on hay, in comes the gladiator of the horse world…yes we’re talking about your horse.
The quieter winter month’s may have fooled you into thinking your horse has turned over a new leaf, let us warn you though as things may be about to (if they haven’t already) start to change.
Here are 8 situations horse owners typically notice each spring – where thankfully by the time summer roles around, things see to have settled down.
- Turnout turns into survival of the fittest, what may have been a 15 minute drag to the field could now turn into a 5 second gallop from stable to gate
- Prepare for further battle on return to the field to get the blighters back in
- Leisurely hacks may turn into manic outings where unnecessary leg action is standard, movements including half pass and other delightful tiptoeing of the hooves are spontaneously preformed throughout the usual hacking route
- Schooling sessions are much shorter as walk, trot, canter and other movements are complete in almost 3 minutes, you on the other hand only managed one foot in the stirrup
- Prepare to cough. splutter, sneeze and itch your way through the next two weeks as your horse decides to shed all his winter coat in record-breaking time
- Unexplained spooking including breaking of headcollars, ropes and several fingers as your horse’s stealth like behaviour commences, all whilst being tied up to the usual ring, in the usual place, surrounded by …. the usual things!
- Cause of unnecessary concern upon entering the field as your horse is nowhere to be seen, (owner gasps) no he’s not been stolen, best check that spare field, after all the grass is always greener on the other side and energy levels are at an all time high making that fence easier and much more appealing to jump over
- Upon reaching the field, your heart drops as you see your horse flat out and start to panic incase they’ve actually passed away…
If you’ve any other fun spring situations, or funny stories you’d like to share with our readers, please drop us an email on contact@everythinghorseuk.co.uk.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.