A fear of missed calls — and other things that a horse owner on holiday experiences
Some parents can’t wait for a few days holiday from the children (or their partner...) or a well-earned rest from the office politics, however leaving our horses can bring on countless worries and the not-so-impossible what-ifs. Military operations have been easier to organise…
1. Who is going to look after your four-legged child?
If you are at a livery yard then hopefully your horse won’t be thrown too out of their routine with your absence. You leave a big bag of carrots and hope your friend will send you regular photograph updates of your horse’s goings on while you’re gone (you can never have enough photos of your horse eating…)
2. But if you keep your horses at home this may take a little more organising
Your adoring non-horsey partner claims they are up to the job. How hard can it be they ask? You leave step-by-step instructions on how your mare likes her feed and plead with her not to put your partner through the mill too much when you’re gone. You also advise how many times she goes to the loo through the night and what to expect in her stable in the morning. And to phone if something isn’t normal. You advise she likes to be out by 7am and in by 6pm, putting her out of her routine makes her grumpy.
3. Relaxing breaks can be instantly ruined by a text message
“Has that mark on their leg always been there?” can render instant raised blood pressure and nausea.
4. But missed calls are even worse
Why have they phoned twice? You demand an immediate photograph with your horse holding today’s newspaper — only hard evidence will put your mind at rest.
Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:
Padded breeches — and other essential kit for surviving a riding holiday
Backside, hot walkers and more American horsey jargon that leaves us baffled
5. ‘Normal’ folk find packing for a holiday the most stressful part of going away, but for us horsey folk that’s the easy part
The trouble is your horse’s wardrobe while you’re gone. You leave a rain sheet; you leave the middle-weight as the weather is still unpredictable at this time of year you know… and of course you leave a spare.
6. Finding the horsey ‘off’ switch is easier said than done
You’re away on business and find yourself showing colleagues photographs of your horse… Or worse, you’re lying on the beach with your partner trying to enjoy your first holiday in three years and all you can ask is, “Do you think they’re OK? Maybe I should ring and check in? I wonder what they are up to?” Your partner makes a mental note to make the next holiday a UK trip — where you can bring your horse along.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.