Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM
Horse Wonderings
Horse Wondering #1
I think New Mexico, or Corrales, specifically, has the highest number of people who walk their horses. I don't mean riding them - I mean, the people are out for a walk and they have a horse on a rope and it walks behind them or alongside them. I see other people riding and holding the reins of a riderless horse being walked. My husband was lucky enough to see a stampede in Corrales - the horses broke out and they were galloping down the canal road lickety split - enjoying the wind through their manes. I grew up on the East Coast on a farm where our landlord had a stable of horses. They were either ridden or left to eat in the large field - we didn't walk them. In fact, we had to chase them around the field to get the bridles on them in order to ride them - a large handful or oats made it easier. Horse Wondering #2
Also horses sleep or rest on the ground in Corrales. They tuck their legs under them and then lay down on their side. The first time I saw this, I thought the horse was dead. All the other horses were standing up except for this one sleeping on the ground. I waited for it to get up. But, I guess it's tiring to stand and stare all day and I bet the dust helps with the flies. Horse Wondering #3
I also noticed that horses are kept in small corrals - isn't there some sort of acreage you should have per horse? The corrals are dusty - no grass whatsoever (next to houses with green lawns - go figure?). I keep thinking of our horses in Pennsylvania grazing daily on a green grass field and I feel sorry for these New Mexico horses. Horse Story#1
I see one horse everyday on my out of Corrales on Loma Larga. It's reddish and white (spotted, maybe a roan?). This horse shares his small pen with a goat and a donkey - I never see the horse ridden or out of the pen. There's a lean to for some minor shade and a feeding bucket is in the middle of the pen. The horse just kinda stands around staring - well, now it has a mask over its eyes for the flies I guess - so I don't know what it is looking at. It seems a little sad - I want to go up and ask if I can take it for a walk - just to let it get away from the goat once and awhile. The donkey might be an interesting companion - but a goat? I wanted to stop and give the horse a carrot, but I don't like to do that unless I can talk to the owner - people probably frown on letting strangers feed their horses. Horse Story#2
On several occasions on a corral located on Loma Larga, I've seen a man leading a horse with a woman riding on it. She's riding bareback and it looks like her husband helped her up and she is enjoying a walk around the corral. Maybe she can't ride anymore herself, so he helps her enjoy their horse. It is quite touching and you can see them talking and laughing as he leads the horse around and around. The woman has a large smile on her face everytime I've seen her as I go blasting (well, as blasting as 30 miles an hour can be) by. Our Corrales police are VERY serious about the speed limit - good for them.
I think New Mexico, or Corrales, specifically, has the highest number of people who walk their horses. I don't mean riding them - I mean, the people are out for a walk and they have a horse on a rope and it walks behind them or alongside them. I see other people riding and holding the reins of a riderless horse being walked. My husband was lucky enough to see a stampede in Corrales - the horses broke out and they were galloping down the canal road lickety split - enjoying the wind through their manes. I grew up on the East Coast on a farm where our landlord had a stable of horses. They were either ridden or left to eat in the large field - we didn't walk them. In fact, we had to chase them around the field to get the bridles on them in order to ride them - a large handful or oats made it easier. Horse Wondering #2
Also horses sleep or rest on the ground in Corrales. They tuck their legs under them and then lay down on their side. The first time I saw this, I thought the horse was dead. All the other horses were standing up except for this one sleeping on the ground. I waited for it to get up. But, I guess it's tiring to stand and stare all day and I bet the dust helps with the flies. Horse Wondering #3
I also noticed that horses are kept in small corrals - isn't there some sort of acreage you should have per horse? The corrals are dusty - no grass whatsoever (next to houses with green lawns - go figure?). I keep thinking of our horses in Pennsylvania grazing daily on a green grass field and I feel sorry for these New Mexico horses. Horse Story#1
I see one horse everyday on my out of Corrales on Loma Larga. It's reddish and white (spotted, maybe a roan?). This horse shares his small pen with a goat and a donkey - I never see the horse ridden or out of the pen. There's a lean to for some minor shade and a feeding bucket is in the middle of the pen. The horse just kinda stands around staring - well, now it has a mask over its eyes for the flies I guess - so I don't know what it is looking at. It seems a little sad - I want to go up and ask if I can take it for a walk - just to let it get away from the goat once and awhile. The donkey might be an interesting companion - but a goat? I wanted to stop and give the horse a carrot, but I don't like to do that unless I can talk to the owner - people probably frown on letting strangers feed their horses. Horse Story#2
On several occasions on a corral located on Loma Larga, I've seen a man leading a horse with a woman riding on it. She's riding bareback and it looks like her husband helped her up and she is enjoying a walk around the corral. Maybe she can't ride anymore herself, so he helps her enjoy their horse. It is quite touching and you can see them talking and laughing as he leads the horse around and around. The woman has a large smile on her face everytime I've seen her as I go blasting (well, as blasting as 30 miles an hour can be) by. Our Corrales police are VERY serious about the speed limit - good for them.
5 Comments
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Comment by Iberostar on November 3, 2008 at 7:54am -
thanks so much! I understand now how walking a horse could get him/her used to the bustle and the noise - I never really thought of that. And you are right about the sleeping horse - now that I think about it - not all of them are sleeping at any one time!
I never thought of a goat as a companion - show how little I know about goats!! I guess I won't feel sad when I pass the trio anymore - I just wish the horse could get some exercise instead of standing around all the time. It pays to ask questions! thanks!
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Comment by IrishRider on November 3, 2008 at 8:44am -
Wondering #1: I sometimes walk my horse along the ditchbank when I don't feel like riding but I still want to bond and spend time with her. I think it's important to change their scenery to avoid them from getting barn sour and cranky. Those horses on the East coast that you mentioned were so hard to catch...well they were probably pretty bored and it gave them something amusing to do when people would chase them around. Plus, lack of respect and training (ground manners) probably contributed to that as well.
Wondering #2: In order for a horse to get REM sleep they have to lay down. They can nap standing but in order to get real, recuperative sleep they have to lay down. Emily was right when she said that at least one horse will tend to stand up in a group when the others are sleeping. They are prey animals so they are always on the look out.
Wondering #3: Unfortunately it's impossible to keep all horses on huge acreage. Plus, the people that have the expensive show horses, like at my barn, don't want their horses to scamper around on 10 acres of god-knows-what to get themselves in trouble. At our barn we use turn outs to make sure our horses get out of their stalls for most of the day. Our barn owner has a lot of land down south and has a bunch of designated turn out areas. The horses get rotated throughout the day. One shift goes out in the mornings until early afternoon and the other shift goes out early afternoon to dinner time. And they always go with a buddy that we know they get along with so they have someone to play with and "talk" to. So they are out of their stalls most of the day and in them when they need to sleep, etc. What's sad is there are a lot of barns that do not provide this service and I think it is crucial for the horses health and sanity, especially since we can't be out in the middle of nowhere for them to just roam freely.
Horse Story #1: I agree with Emily, since horses are herd animals, it's in their best interest to have pals around. They are very social creatures. Sometimes it can be less expensive and labor intensive for someone to have a horse and a goat (or donkey) than two horses. The barn I used to board in had four goats and some turkeys that would just roam the property. It was not odd to come in and find a turkey passed out next to my horse in her stall. Something else...that horse might have some health or soundness issues that prevent him from being ridden or walked around. He could also just be old and retired and is now a pasture pal.
Horse story #2: It's also possible that she is just trying to get the feel of bareback, since it is completely different than riding with a saddle. Could be a therapy program too. Whatever the reason it sounds like a cute sight to watch.
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Comment by Iberostar on November 3, 2008 at 10:44am
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The horses I knew, Major, Whimsey, Billy and Lincoln were very spoiled - you were right on about that. They were ridden, but not very often. I didn't ride much, but after school, I would go out with apples or oats. I'd sit and talk with them or brush their coats and talk. The people who owned them were very very rich and had a 400-acre farm. I think the horses were for their kids to learn riding, but then were pretty much ignored. They were fed and shod - a vet came regularly, but they were just in the field (about 8 acres) everyday in good weather and in winter, they were moved to the lower pasture that had a barn.
thanks for info on horses - i learned a lot i did not know.
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Comment by IrishRider on November 3, 2008 at 11:27am
- Poor guys. I got my horse from a similar situation. The lady's daughter rode her and showed her but then decided she wanted to do 3-day eventing, and because my horse wasn't very good at dressage she was ignored and sat in a pasture getting fat for months. I ride hunters with her and she is the best horse ever...and spoiled (but in a good way). :) I find it said when people buy horses and then just forget about them.They are such great creatures.
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Horse wandering #1: People walk their horses for a variety of reasons. It's a great way to get a young or spooky horse used to the activity around him without putting the rider's life in danger.That's especially true on New Mexico's very busy irrigation ditches. I walked my young horse (now four) around the ditches in the South Valley for three years. Now I ride her. She can handle the dogs, the four-wheelers, the bikes, the kids, the strollers. Another reason: Veterinarians often prescribe hand-walking for horses recovering from leg injuries. It's horse rehab.
Horse wandering #2: Horses sometimes sleep lying down. Usually the "herd" stands guard over sleeping companions. Sometimes you'll see a whole bunch of horses lying down in the sun, and one standing up. Or vice a versa. Perfectly normal.
Horse wandering #3: Yes, you're right. Horses need acreage. It's a cruel fact of urban horsekeeping. I believe in New Mexico an acre per horse is about adequate, if we've had some rain. SOme places mandate that, but not here. As long as they're getting enough hay, they should be okay.
Horse story #1: Horses and goats make great pals. Often goats are used as surrogate mothers for orphan horses. Seabiscuit had a goat friend, and it's not uncommon to find race horses with goat friends in their stalls to keep them calm. That horse is much better off with a goat than alone. The owners of the red and white horse have his best interest at heart if he has both a goat and a donkey pal. I'd feel worse for a lone horse.
Horse story #2: Good for her. Maybe she can't ride on her own anymore, or maybe she's getting over some fear issues. Maybe she has back problems (the undulating motion of the horse walk is very good for those with lower back pain). Maybe she's disabled. Whatever it is, I'm happy for them too!