why stand up when horse pees?

[Nezzy]

[QUOTE=Beasmom;3493161]
I don’t understand why a rider would NOT get up off a horse’s back while it’s in the “urinating” position. It’s awkward enough for the horse WITHOUT weight on its back. It “may not bother him”, but I’ll wager most horses appreciate the weight shift forward while they’re doing their thing.

It’s such a small gesture in the interest of the animal’s comfort. Nezzy, why don’t you try it once or twice and see for yourself?[/QUOTE]

Actually i used to do it. but it has been proven to be a MYTH. Unnecessary. i love my horse, and his comfort is always important to me. He is obviously not having a problem with my staying in place or he’d stop peeing on the trail.

[riverbell93]

I wonder if schoolhorses, depending on how their owners instruct students, become accustomed to having people stand for them, because I don’t often see them try to pee unless the rider gets up. The schoolie I ride most often laid down with me a while ago because it was hot and he was itchy and I was not paying attention (bastard :lol:) and it came back to bite him because the initial movements for lying down and peeing are similar enough that for a while afterward I responded to his efforts to ‘park out’ with some asperity, thinking he was going for a roll again. Poor horse;)

[ThreeFigs]

Well, Nezz, I’m glad I’m not your horse. I believe getting up off the horse’s back to urinate for its comfort is NOT a myth. The laws of physics and equine structure lead me to believe, logically, that shifting weight forward over the front legs is the right thing to do.

So you may sit down on your horse, but I’ll choose to stand when he urinates.

[Nezzy]

Well, Studies say otherwise. I’m glad you’re not my horse, too.

[Beverley]

@Nezzy;3494962

Well, Studies say otherwise. I’m glad you’re not my horse, too.

There are good studies, and bad studies. Because something appeared in Equus (or any other publication for that matter) would not automatically make it authoritative or sound science. If you trust a magazine article more than decades of experience by knowledgeable horsemen…well, okay, whatever.

You say your horse ‘is obviously not having a problem’ because he is still peeing on the trail with you sitting down in the saddle. Are you qualified to determine the difference? Do you know how to read a horse’s body language?

Sorry, but it sounds to me more like rationalization on your part than a genuine effort to understand what might truly be preferable for your horse.

[SuperSTB]

[QUOTE=see u at x;3493434]
Well, it certainly is much more entertaining and interesting than the Pissing Contest going on with our Presidential Election this year. ;)[/QUOTE]

Okay- changing it to

The Official COTH Pissing Contest of 2008

with following said bumper sticker:

O.C.P.C. '08
What’s your position?

[see_u_at_x]

[QUOTE=SuperSTB;3495338]
Okay- changing it to

The Official COTH Pissing Contest of 2008

with following said bumper sticker:

O.C.P.C. '08
What’s your position?[/QUOTE]

Oh, I LOVE IT!!! :yes: :lol: Where can I get one?!?

[Nezzy]

[QUOTE=Beverley;3495103]
There are good studies, and bad studies. Because something appeared in Equus (or any other publication for that matter) would not automatically make it authoritative or sound science. If you trust a magazine article more than decades of experience by knowledgeable horsemen…well, okay, whatever.

You say your horse ‘is obviously not having a problem’ because he is still peeing on the trail with you sitting down in the saddle. Are you qualified to determine the difference? Do you know how to read a horse’s body language?

Sorry, but it sounds to me more like rationalization on your part than a genuine effort to understand what might truly be preferable for your horse.[/QUOTE]

and it sounds like you are grasping. You have nothing to prove me wrong.

And good grief, if i AM wrong, do you really think it’s a Huge problem? As i said before, IF the horse was UNcomfortable, then he would probably not continue to do the thing that makes him uncomfortable. Just like when certain horses only pee in their stalls because they learned that they don’t like urine splashing on their legs.

[Sithly]

[QUOTE=SuperSTB;3495338]
Okay- changing it to

The Official COTH Pissing Contest of 2008

with following said bumper sticker:

O.C.P.C. '08
What’s your position?[/QUOTE]

Hah! Love it. I want that on a t-shirt.

[Jumpin_Horses]

gramps (an OLD-timer) told me to lean forward if they pee (like in a 2pt position) because it takes pressure off their kidneys

made sense to me at the time… and it still makes sense to me today.

[Beverley]

@Nezzy;3495438

and it sounds like you are grasping. You have nothing to prove me wrong.

And good grief, if i AM wrong, do you really think it’s a Huge problem? As i said before, IF the horse was UNcomfortable, then he would probably not continue to do the thing that makes him uncomfortable. Just like when certain horses only pee in their stalls because they learned that they don’t like urine splashing on their legs.

Grasping? Not hardly. Just making an observation. Though I do sometimes grasp the mane to steady myself when the horse is peeing:).

My position remains- up out of the saddle to help ensure the horse’s comfort. Yours seems to be- nah, I read somewhere that’s an old wives tale and (based on the quote above) so what if it makes the horse uncomfortable.

I want that t-shirt too!

[Keepthepeace]

I asked my Vet about this and he said that the kidneys have nothing to do with it since they are not located behind the saddle area and are so tiny that they do not need to be relieved of any pressure whatsoever when a horse pees. The only reason to stand up is if your horse stretches out so far that his back needs help in rebalancing when he steps back under himself. Other than that he should be fine! Standing up is a courtesy that a rider shows their animal when peeing, the kidney thing is an old wives tale apparently!:winkgrin:

[Nezzy]

[QUOTE=Beverley;3495562]
Grasping? Not hardly. Just making an observation. Though I do sometimes grasp the mane to steady myself when the horse is peeing:).

My position remains- up out of the saddle to help ensure the horse’s comfort. Yours seems to be- nah, I read somewhere that’s an old wives tale and (based on the quote above) so what if it makes the horse uncomfortable.

I want that t-shirt too![/QUOTE]

Just b/c i don’t believe what you do, does not mean i disregard my horses comfort. IMO, it might be more uncomfortable to have a rider try to steady themselves while standing up. all i do is sit quietly.

[Bravestrom]

You stand up because if you don’t everyone yells at you “Get off his back”.

Just kidding.

I think they are more comfortable if you get up.

My gelding and mare would never pee while riding, but both of my younger son’s ponies always pee - every ride - its a standing (no pun intended) joke with us.

Yesterday he rode his ppg pony and she was in heat - she peed 23 times during the practice.

the rest of our horses won’t pee while riding and my gelding even hates to poop when being ridden.

He usually pees first thing in the morning - after eating - likes to go outside to his spot and pees. One time he had to get shod in the morning and he didn’t pee in his stall - we couldn’t figure out why he was so anxious while being shod - soon as he went outside - he peed.

What I hate is in the summer when we bring them into the stalls just to feed - the minute they are in they all pee in their stalls - then we put them back out and have a dirty stall - what a pain.

[ThreeFigs]

Thanks to Beverly for her THOUGHTFUL remarks. And to Keepthepeace for this: " Standing up is a courtesy a rider sows their animal when peeing…"

“Try” to steady themselves, Nezz? I have no trouble steadying myself in a two point position. Good riders have no problem maintaining a position in two-point. You must, however, and therefore opt to sit.

Well bless your heart.

[goeslikestink]

[QUOTE=Nezzy;3495653]
Just b/c i don’t believe what you do, does not mean i disregard my horses comfort. IMO, it might be more uncomfortable to have a rider try to steady themselves while standing up. all i do is sit quietly.[/QUOTE]

nezzy-- how much does your horse do for you? yet you cant seem to do a simple gesture to help him feel more comfy----- its called respecting the horses needs
as no doubt he does when you ride him here there and everyehere------- he respects you so return the favour-- such a small gesture of thanks mate for being a good horse

[Frog]

Jeez guys leave Nezzy alone. Of course the whole “kidneys” thing isn’t true. And if a horse can jump with a person on his back, I’m guessing he can pee. I doubt Nezzy’s horse is disgusted that he isn’t shown the common courtesy of two-point. I’m not sure the horse really needs that much help peeing. I don’t think it hurts to stand but the horse needs help balancing himself? As if he’s going to fall over peeing? I just don’t think it’s a big deal. It seems alot of you have this ingrained from training, and many of you thought it had something to do with kidneys. So a lot of us are wrong here. But this much is true- a horse can pee with a rider on if he wants, and he can do it whether the rider is standing or sitting.

[Jumpin_Horses]

[QUOTE=Keepthepeace;3495603]
I asked my Vet about this and he said that the kidneys have nothing to do with it since they are not located behind the saddle area and are so tiny that they do not need to be relieved of any pressure whatsoever when a horse pees. The only reason to stand up is if your horse stretches out so far that his back needs help in rebalancing when he steps back under himself. Other than that he should be fine! Standing up is a courtesy that a rider shows their animal when peeing, the kidney thing is an old wives tale apparently!:winkgrin:[/QUOTE]

Oh, thanks for checking.

You stand up because if you don’t everyone yells at you “Get off his back”.

:lol: aint that the truth

as far as being able to “balance” in 2pt while my horse pees… my gosh… I can go over a series of jumps in that position. and was forced (by coaches) to hold that position for long periods of trotting over poles, etc… but, I would have trouble balancing for 15 seconds while my horse pees? :lol: NOT… most people (who actually ride) have no problems doing that.

besides my mare is a dramatic pee’er… I think pee’ing is one of her favorite things… she spreads WAY out and 1/2 closes her eyes and just moans-and-growns… she SO cute! while Im up there (close to her neck) its a great time for me to baby her. I think she enjoys the affection, so she get more and more dramatic every time… like… “im peeing now, come luv on me!” :lol:

[Nezzy]

[QUOTE=Beasmom;3496330]
Thanks to Beverly for her THOUGHTFUL remarks. And to Keepthepeace for this: " Standing up is a courtesy a rider sows their animal when peeing…"

“Try” to steady themselves, Nezz? I have no trouble steadying myself in a two point position. Good riders have no problem maintaining a position in two-point. You must, however, and therefore opt to sit.

Well bless your heart.[/QUOTE]

Nope, i actually ride the 2-point quite often. i’m fine. Bless you, too.

[Nezzy]

[QUOTE=goeslikestink;3496435]
nezzy-- how much does your horse do for you? yet you cant seem to do a simple gesture to help him feel more comfy----- its called respecting the horses needs
as no doubt he does when you ride him here there and everyehere------- he respects you so return the favour-- such a small gesture of thanks mate for being a good horse[/QUOTE]

THERE IS NO PROOF THAT HE IS COMFORTABLE WHEN ONE STANDS. How many times do you need to hear it? HE SEEMS PERFECTLY COMFORTABLE WHEN I AM SEATED QUIETLY.