11/04/2026
Assumptions;
"Horses are born knowing how to be ridden"
-No, this is a skill that a horse needs to learn, especially how to balance and carry the weight of a rider and how to respond to cues and how also give cues, as part of the shared communication with a rider.
"Horses needs jobs"
-No, horses have evolved to MOVE and to connect to herd families for safety and enjoyment of life. Horses removed from these natural elements do benefit from doing 'something', and leaving a horse alone in a small boring space is not kind, so in those cases, a 'job' is beneficial. (We put 'job' in quotes because that typically includes renumeration and the option to quit; horses are unpaid and generally do not have an option) Most horse could care less if they are never ridden, if they have a herd family and interesting place to live.
"Horses like their jobs"
-Sometimes! If a horse has been raised and developed bonds with humans, and shared 'language' with humans, going out and riding or driving can be enjoyable, interesting, and use their physicality. For the horses at Rosemary Farm, we want them to be first 'sound', then 'trained', and of course, 'willing'.
"Horse loves stalls." "Horses hate stalls"
-Yes to both. We find that our seniors appreciate the rest and dedicated grain to help them keep up their strength, as long as herd mates are nearby. However, some horses, especially former 'professional work horses' that were raced or driven, consider the stall a trap and have tremendous anxiety towards them. Most of the Rosemary Farm horses are free to roam as they choose, 24/7, with ample food, shelter and water always. Only the seniors or special needs are stalled for a portion of each day.
"Horses hide pain".
-YES, horses have evolved to hide any pain or weakness, because that would make them more susceptible to predators. so sometimes we need to be detectives to determine IF there is a problem and what that problem is. We often use heart rate or breathing rate to help us know if the horse is masking pain.
-"Horses all need blankets in winter, it's cruel to leave them outside without a coat! They all must be in a barn!"
-Not quite.... this depends upon the weather and the horse and the other resources they have to use. Horses need wind breaks, and access to hay and water; these three things are essential. Hay and movement helps them stay warm and healthy. Horses grow amazing fur and many never need a coat. We do blanket seniors or horses that have shown difficulty in staying warm in winter, and when it's below 0 degrees, we may have 50 horses in blankets! But that means we have 50 that are NOT blanketed, too. Leaving a horse without any shelter or food or water would be cruel, but leaving them with all this and friends is often just great. Horses loves snow!
-DONKEYS and mules do not grow the same fur as horses and require blankets or better, enclosed shelter. They are 'desert' animals and so at Rosemary Farm, the mule herd stays inside the Medical Wing at night in winter, to stay warm. Dottie especially gets very cold and wears a liner underneath her winter coat to remain comfortable. Many will now even wear blankets, another skill they must be trained to do.
These are just a few of the questions we regularly get on tours, and thought it would be fun to share. We are working hard today continuing to prepare for winter, with an unusually mild autumn to help us get a lot done. But in between will check back, if you have other horse questions feel free to ask!
photo of Dottie copyright ImagEquine , isn't she cute!
