Vacation without a horse - How do you manage to leave your horse at home?
Hand on heart: Do you think about your horse while on vacation? Is everything OK? What if something happens at this time of all times? Somehow we are all a bit strange when it comes to our horses and would always like to do everything ourselves. Does the blanket fit properly? Are the hay nets stuffed correctly and by God: are they installed at the right height?
But don't panic: you are not alone! We have put together the ultimate holiday tips for a holiday without a horse.
Good, early planning takes away the initial stress. First, get an overview of whether there are any specific appointments for your horse while you are away. Is the blacksmith due in time? Is there a planned vaccination? Are teeth made? Some of these appointments are difficult to reschedule. If someone has to be present at the farrier or vaccination, this should be planned and the farrier or veterinarian should also have information about it. Major procedures, such as teething or other sedation treatments, may be scheduled before or after the vacation so that you can be there in case of possible complications.
The schedule has been clarified, now you ask the stable friends who can take care of the treasure and when. It would be quite possible that other people are on vacation at this time and unfortunately don't have time to worry about it.
Whether it has to be an Excel spreadsheet or a calendar remains to be seen, but a group chat definitely makes sense if there are several vacation replacements. And you actually want to enjoy your vacation a bit and not tell person A that person B can't today and then organize person C as a replacement. Yes, group chats are a bit annoying if you leave the tone on, but at least the holiday aunts or uncles can communicate directly with each other. And the chat can be resolved again after your return.
Depending on how well your horse is treated, someone may also need to take care of daily feeding and/or the administration of additional feed or medication. A neat weekly plan sent as a picture in the group chat or on the box or in the locker leaves no questions unanswered. Before you leave, be sure to check whether there is enough food, etc. in stock!
Here, too, the amount of work depends heavily on the type of husbandry and stable management. If you are responsible for the paddock yourself, or if you put it out on your own on weekends or public holidays, it is best to create a small plan for this too.
Will a rider take over the horse while you are away? Does a friend ride or do you just want to do a little lungeing or go for a walk? Or does your horse just go to the meadow for a while? These points should also be clarified beforehand so that there are no misunderstandings.
Depending on where your trip takes you, it may well be that you won't be able to be reached for a few days, or that you consciously don't always have your cell phone to hand. However, if something is wrong with your sweetheart at exactly this time, everyone who cares must know exactly who to contact and what can be decided without you in an emergency.
The following things are important for this:
A horse means a lot of responsibility, we are all aware of that. We give these away for the duration of the holiday and hand our treasure into the trusting hands of our “surrogate aunts or uncles”. Without our dear stable colleagues, friends and family, we often wouldn't be able to travel far away with a clear conscience. This makes it all the more important to say thank you and perhaps take on the next holiday replacement for the others. A souvenir from vacation or a horsey little thing puts a smile on faces and is a kind gesture of appreciation.
The suitcases are packed and everything is prepared. Your horse got a little extra bite and was given another big hug... Now it's time to go on his well-deserved vacation.
Have fun and enjoy of course! :-)
But don't panic: you are not alone! We have put together the ultimate holiday tips for a holiday without a horse.
Good planning is the be-all and end-all for a relaxed absence
Are there any appointments coming up?
Good, early planning takes away the initial stress. First, get an overview of whether there are any specific appointments for your horse while you are away. Is the blacksmith due in time? Is there a planned vaccination? Are teeth made? Some of these appointments are difficult to reschedule. If someone has to be present at the farrier or vaccination, this should be planned and the farrier or veterinarian should also have information about it. Major procedures, such as teething or other sedation treatments, may be scheduled before or after the vacation so that you can be there in case of possible complications.
Which friends or stablemates have time?
The schedule has been clarified, now you ask the stable friends who can take care of the treasure and when. It would be quite possible that other people are on vacation at this time and unfortunately don't have time to worry about it.
Planning tools
Whether it has to be an Excel spreadsheet or a calendar remains to be seen, but a group chat definitely makes sense if there are several vacation replacements. And you actually want to enjoy your vacation a bit and not tell person A that person B can't today and then organize person C as a replacement. Yes, group chats are a bit annoying if you leave the tone on, but at least the holiday aunts or uncles can communicate directly with each other. And the chat can be resolved again after your return.
Food, medication, pasture, training and other entertainment
Feeding plan
Depending on how well your horse is treated, someone may also need to take care of daily feeding and/or the administration of additional feed or medication. A neat weekly plan sent as a picture in the group chat or on the box or in the locker leaves no questions unanswered. Before you leave, be sure to check whether there is enough food, etc. in stock!
Pasture plan
Here, too, the amount of work depends heavily on the type of husbandry and stable management. If you are responsible for the paddock yourself, or if you put it out on your own on weekends or public holidays, it is best to create a small plan for this too.
Training and fun
Will a rider take over the horse while you are away? Does a friend ride or do you just want to do a little lungeing or go for a walk? Or does your horse just go to the meadow for a while? These points should also be clarified beforehand so that there are no misunderstandings.
Important information
Depending on where your trip takes you, it may well be that you won't be able to be reached for a few days, or that you consciously don't always have your cell phone to hand. However, if something is wrong with your sweetheart at exactly this time, everyone who cares must know exactly who to contact and what can be decided without you in an emergency.
The following things are important for this:
- The equine passport must be accessible
- Store emergency telephone numbers (stable operator, veterinarian, animal clinic, blacksmith)
- Include information about surgical insurance in your passport
- If necessary, leave the trailer key in an agreed location
- Designate an emergency contact who can and is allowed to make decisions
- If necessary, enter your hotel details/stay details
say thank you
A horse means a lot of responsibility, we are all aware of that. We give these away for the duration of the holiday and hand our treasure into the trusting hands of our “surrogate aunts or uncles”. Without our dear stable colleagues, friends and family, we often wouldn't be able to travel far away with a clear conscience. This makes it all the more important to say thank you and perhaps take on the next holiday replacement for the others. A souvenir from vacation or a horsey little thing puts a smile on faces and is a kind gesture of appreciation.
Arrivederci!
The suitcases are packed and everything is prepared. Your horse got a little extra bite and was given another big hug... Now it's time to go on his well-deserved vacation.
What needs to be taken into account?
Have fun and enjoy of course! :-)