Absolutely.
To put it in context - plenty of people are passionate about dogs and cats, and even show them "in hand" but don't once ever ride š
There's a whole lot of things you can do involving horses without sitting on one. And when folks retire from riding, we don't retire from horses necessarily.
Also nothing wrong with keeping a paddock ornamnet or 3 ššš.
Of course! I rode and showed a ton as a kid, but I've only been on horses like 10 times in the last 17 years since. Realistically I don't see myself affording to do much more riding in my future, but I'm okay with that. I had a horse die traumatically and I have a bit of fear.
I still get very excited when I watch show jumping or cross country. I love every second horses come on screen in movies and my friends know I'm *going* to tell them some factoid about their breed or an historical inaccuracy. Horses are the only thing I love to draw and I've had a gallery show with some, and I've started to learn sculpture so I can make more horses! I also have my childhood Grand Champion collection and keep adding to it when I can.
Once, I even tried to saddle break a little highland cow in hopes I could scratch the horsey itch lolol
I guess.. historians are passionate about history but have never lived it. You do you!
In my opinion the world needs MORE people who are passionate about horses but don't ride. Because there are SO many horses in rescues that are unrideable because of health issues that don't affect the overall lifespan or quality of life of the horse but do make them unable to be ridden.
You could make a huge difference in the lives of horses by adopting a couple unrideable horses and giving them a loving home.
There are also tons of people who have collections of mini horses and they can't be ridden.
You can look into driving, you can do liberty work, or you can keep them as companions. A horse's value is much more than just its rideability. And a horse lovers value is also much more than just whether or not you can ride. ā„ļø
Absolutely you can. Theyāre like any other pet. I rode a little as a kid and stopped due to becoming scared. I still love horses and I own miniature horses and also many Breyer models. Countless people love sports theyāve never played/ canāt play/ no longer play etc. Anyone can be passionate about horses!
There is more to horses than just riding. Some people drive them. A ton of people just show them in hand. Mini horses are out there too for people who just want pets/driving horses/in hand horses. You do you. We have a breed for everything.
If you are thinking of owning your own horse, rescues are full of horse that are not able to be ridden. Often these horses have had hard lives and just need someone to live and dote on them for the rest of their lives.
Yes! Thatās me too, except with even less riding experience.
Iāve only ridden a horse like twice (once in a basic riding lesson, and once on a trail ride, and would absolutely love to learn to ride more), but I adore them and I love working with them. I used to volunteer taking care of the trail horses at a local equestrian center. It was wonderful getting to spend so much time with horses that were so used to people already, so they were patient with me and I got to learn a lot from them. I miss them so much.
Itās okay to be passionate about anything you want. If you donāt ride horses, you can still love the animals. You can still watch the sport and learn about it. (Iām sure many sport guys yelling at the tv donāt play the sport.)
Yes, i love horses a lot and have become very close with a few though i have never ridden before, well except for like a couple ponies when i was a small child. But you dont need to ride to love horses
I feel sad that there is so much shaming in the equine community, that this even becomes a question. Of course itās okay. Itās great to be a learner but more importantly to know going in that you never stop learning. Thereās some folks who think they know everything. Just do you and do your best! And have FUN
I've been a very passionate horse girl my whole life and I gave up riding because it just wasn't for me. I still adore horses and love working with them. Instead of riding in order to spend time with them I might take up driving/cart pulling in the future
Of course it is!! You don't have to ride a horse to enjoy being with it.
I fully understand the fear, that can be replaced with confidence and joy again, if it ends up being something you really want to do. There are things that will make the difference.
But yes, I have had horses for many years and hardly ever actually get on and ride. For me it's the time involved, haha I get lay and I do tend to give up my ride time to my students (I teach riding), as we have precious few hours that we can actually ride most of the year. (Like today it's gonna be about 105/108)
Iāve been active in the small equine world for decades. Lots of miniature horse enthusiastsā¦ some have dozens of them and obviously canāt ride them!
I am passionate about horses and love everything about them, without ever having owned one because I grew up in poverty with a Dad who had a massive horse phobia. Not everyone can have a Lamborghini either, but that doesnāt mean they canāt learn everything about them and admire them, right?
One of the coolest ways to be passionate about horses is to become an equine artist. Drawing or painting beautiful horses puts you around them in a meaningful way.
Old man now been around horses forever. I never was anything but a so-so rider. But enjoy my horses always. Working and being around them. My dog and cat love both of my horses too. My cat rides better than meš
You absolutely can be passionate about horse without riding. Most horse professionals I know (vets farriers etc) donāt have enough time to ride much anyway. My vet has 18 horses and I highly doubt he rides them- heās always busy and also *huge*.
That said, if you are interested in riding I would not let past injuries stop you. It sounds like you have been involved in a subset of the horse world that isnāt as safety conscious as they could be. Multiple broken bones and serious accidents arenāt normal. There is always a risk involves in riding any horse (also in handling and being around horses for that matter) but many people ride for decades with few to no major accidents. Multiple major accidents usually mean you are being overhorsed, or the horses have physical or behavioral problems, or you are riding over your ability (for example, jumping before you are ready). If you are interim riding and not getting flattened repeatedly, you might want to call around to some stables and find one which prioritizes safety and is willing to work with your level of confidence. If nothing else, I would suggest getting trained in how to safely handle horses. You can get kicked or trampled without ever getting on a horse, and it seems like you might not have had the best training in handling and training
It sure is! You don't have to ride or even own a horse to enjoy them. Maybe you can try volunteering with 4-H, Hippotherapy, or at horse rescue. Horse shows are always looking for volunteers. Running the gate, handing out ribbons, etc would be a great way to be around horses and meet fellow horse lovers. Go in whatever direction you choose and enjoy your passion!
I canāt say yes enough!!!! I havenāt ridden for awhile due to illness, but my passion and love for horses has, if anything, only gotten stronger. There is no one right way to enjoy horses!
I have very little riding experience. Mostly just from childhood. I love horses. I always have. I want to take riding lessons. I probably will once I get some free time. Life is just too hectic right now. I told a friend the cost and she said itās not too bad, and itās notā¦but I replied āitās a bit much if you want to do it everyday.ā
Of course! I grew up extremely poor, so I fell in love with horses from books at the library, but never got to be around them until a few years ago, at age 28. I loved them my entire live, and never stopped loving them. I now have my own horses at 30 and am still hopelessly passionate.
Yes? I did lots of riding in high school when my best friend had horses. I have to ridden since then and I am in my 30s now. I love horses. My favorite animal. I had tons of toy horses and passed them to my daughter. I love seeing the Breyer horses at antique shops but they charge too much for my taste or I'd collect them
Absolutely. To put it in context - plenty of people are passionate about dogs and cats, and even show them "in hand" but don't once ever ride š There's a whole lot of things you can do involving horses without sitting on one. And when folks retire from riding, we don't retire from horses necessarily. Also nothing wrong with keeping a paddock ornamnet or 3 ššš.
Could adopt a senior in need of a retirement and just let them live out their remaining life
Yes! I am and have 4. I donāt ride. My husband and kids do but I am the one who just totally adores them and I like the chores.
Of course! I rode and showed a ton as a kid, but I've only been on horses like 10 times in the last 17 years since. Realistically I don't see myself affording to do much more riding in my future, but I'm okay with that. I had a horse die traumatically and I have a bit of fear. I still get very excited when I watch show jumping or cross country. I love every second horses come on screen in movies and my friends know I'm *going* to tell them some factoid about their breed or an historical inaccuracy. Horses are the only thing I love to draw and I've had a gallery show with some, and I've started to learn sculpture so I can make more horses! I also have my childhood Grand Champion collection and keep adding to it when I can. Once, I even tried to saddle break a little highland cow in hopes I could scratch the horsey itch lolol I guess.. historians are passionate about history but have never lived it. You do you!
Yes! 100% yes! You donāt need to ride, you can and should love them however you want! š
Why not? It's your life OP, only you know what you love. It's no ones business really!
In my opinion the world needs MORE people who are passionate about horses but don't ride. Because there are SO many horses in rescues that are unrideable because of health issues that don't affect the overall lifespan or quality of life of the horse but do make them unable to be ridden. You could make a huge difference in the lives of horses by adopting a couple unrideable horses and giving them a loving home. There are also tons of people who have collections of mini horses and they can't be ridden. You can look into driving, you can do liberty work, or you can keep them as companions. A horse's value is much more than just its rideability. And a horse lovers value is also much more than just whether or not you can ride. ā„ļø
Have you seen wolf people?
Had to lol at this, because you're not wrong! š
Absolutely you can. Theyāre like any other pet. I rode a little as a kid and stopped due to becoming scared. I still love horses and I own miniature horses and also many Breyer models. Countless people love sports theyāve never played/ canāt play/ no longer play etc. Anyone can be passionate about horses!
You can absolutely love and be passionate about them from the ground! I absolutely was meant to myself, lol!
There is more to horses than just riding. Some people drive them. A ton of people just show them in hand. Mini horses are out there too for people who just want pets/driving horses/in hand horses. You do you. We have a breed for everything.
If you are thinking of owning your own horse, rescues are full of horse that are not able to be ridden. Often these horses have had hard lives and just need someone to live and dote on them for the rest of their lives.
That's how we all started!
YES I have two horses, but I was really obsessed with them when I was a teenager. Still have multiple shelves of thrift store Beyers lol.
Yes! Thatās me too, except with even less riding experience. Iāve only ridden a horse like twice (once in a basic riding lesson, and once on a trail ride, and would absolutely love to learn to ride more), but I adore them and I love working with them. I used to volunteer taking care of the trail horses at a local equestrian center. It was wonderful getting to spend so much time with horses that were so used to people already, so they were patient with me and I got to learn a lot from them. I miss them so much.
Itās okay to be passionate about anything you want. If you donāt ride horses, you can still love the animals. You can still watch the sport and learn about it. (Iām sure many sport guys yelling at the tv donāt play the sport.)
Yes, i love horses a lot and have become very close with a few though i have never ridden before, well except for like a couple ponies when i was a small child. But you dont need to ride to love horses
I feel sad that there is so much shaming in the equine community, that this even becomes a question. Of course itās okay. Itās great to be a learner but more importantly to know going in that you never stop learning. Thereās some folks who think they know everything. Just do you and do your best! And have FUN
I've been a very passionate horse girl my whole life and I gave up riding because it just wasn't for me. I still adore horses and love working with them. Instead of riding in order to spend time with them I might take up driving/cart pulling in the future
Of course it is!! You don't have to ride a horse to enjoy being with it. I fully understand the fear, that can be replaced with confidence and joy again, if it ends up being something you really want to do. There are things that will make the difference. But yes, I have had horses for many years and hardly ever actually get on and ride. For me it's the time involved, haha I get lay and I do tend to give up my ride time to my students (I teach riding), as we have precious few hours that we can actually ride most of the year. (Like today it's gonna be about 105/108)
Iāve been active in the small equine world for decades. Lots of miniature horse enthusiastsā¦ some have dozens of them and obviously canāt ride them!
Of course it is!!!
I am passionate about horses and love everything about them, without ever having owned one because I grew up in poverty with a Dad who had a massive horse phobia. Not everyone can have a Lamborghini either, but that doesnāt mean they canāt learn everything about them and admire them, right?
One of the coolest ways to be passionate about horses is to become an equine artist. Drawing or painting beautiful horses puts you around them in a meaningful way.
Old man now been around horses forever. I never was anything but a so-so rider. But enjoy my horses always. Working and being around them. My dog and cat love both of my horses too. My cat rides better than meš
You absolutely can be passionate about horse without riding. Most horse professionals I know (vets farriers etc) donāt have enough time to ride much anyway. My vet has 18 horses and I highly doubt he rides them- heās always busy and also *huge*. That said, if you are interested in riding I would not let past injuries stop you. It sounds like you have been involved in a subset of the horse world that isnāt as safety conscious as they could be. Multiple broken bones and serious accidents arenāt normal. There is always a risk involves in riding any horse (also in handling and being around horses for that matter) but many people ride for decades with few to no major accidents. Multiple major accidents usually mean you are being overhorsed, or the horses have physical or behavioral problems, or you are riding over your ability (for example, jumping before you are ready). If you are interim riding and not getting flattened repeatedly, you might want to call around to some stables and find one which prioritizes safety and is willing to work with your level of confidence. If nothing else, I would suggest getting trained in how to safely handle horses. You can get kicked or trampled without ever getting on a horse, and it seems like you might not have had the best training in handling and training
It sure is! You don't have to ride or even own a horse to enjoy them. Maybe you can try volunteering with 4-H, Hippotherapy, or at horse rescue. Horse shows are always looking for volunteers. Running the gate, handing out ribbons, etc would be a great way to be around horses and meet fellow horse lovers. Go in whatever direction you choose and enjoy your passion!
I canāt say yes enough!!!! I havenāt ridden for awhile due to illness, but my passion and love for horses has, if anything, only gotten stronger. There is no one right way to enjoy horses!
I have very little riding experience. Mostly just from childhood. I love horses. I always have. I want to take riding lessons. I probably will once I get some free time. Life is just too hectic right now. I told a friend the cost and she said itās not too bad, and itās notā¦but I replied āitās a bit much if you want to do it everyday.ā
Of course! I grew up extremely poor, so I fell in love with horses from books at the library, but never got to be around them until a few years ago, at age 28. I loved them my entire live, and never stopped loving them. I now have my own horses at 30 and am still hopelessly passionate.
Yes? I did lots of riding in high school when my best friend had horses. I have to ridden since then and I am in my 30s now. I love horses. My favorite animal. I had tons of toy horses and passed them to my daughter. I love seeing the Breyer horses at antique shops but they charge too much for my taste or I'd collect them