charley

The horse I want to get used to be ridden everyday when she was younger. Her owner for the past five years has never ridden her. Do you think she will be uncomfortable being ridden again? Do horses miss that they are not being ridden or do they just go with the flow of life?

SaddleSore

They are incredibly intelligent animals so yes I am sure that they know the difference. Whether they miss it or not depends on what their none riding life is like. If they are simply stuffed into a corner of the pasture and forgotten about, they will be very unhappy. But if they have ample human interaction, and plenty of time to run around and hence get the exercise that once came from being ridden, in open pasture, I think they would be fine.

sheena

I think horses are versatile animals. They can do without being ridden for long periods and then get reacquainted. It's like riding a bike, they never forget. It may take time to relearn a few things but ut shouldn't be an issue.

mimi31

No, I don't think they miss it at all. I think for a horse being ridden is more like work for them. They would much rather be out in the pasture eating and resting and in general being lazy.

hossingaround

Why would you purchase a riding horse and then not ride it? That's rather pointless, I should think. I think many horses would miss it if that's what they were used to. It's one of the most interactive things a horse and human can do. Horses that really like people would probably miss that.

Rider

We cannot say for sure because we really don't know what is in their minds. They could be used to be ridden but I don't think that they would miss it. Just like sheena said, they won't forget the things when they are ridden in the past, they just have to be retaught a little.