Horse-riding. A hobby or lifestyle?

I was hoping you all would be able to help settle a discussion (I wont say argument) between myself and the other half, Mark.

Here's a bit of background information, just to help set the scene.

Mark is a music teacher by day and plays snooker when he can, as a 'hobby'. He is also in one of his towns snooker teams; which he takes rather seriously by having as many lessons as money will allow.

As we were doing the Christmas rounds to ensure we visited all of the family a rather interesting topic came up in conversation. We began to discuss our hobbies and what we enjoyed doing. Mark mentioned that my horse-riding enthusiasm wasn't a hobby but more of a lifestyle because of how time consuming my horses are and how they are always on my mind. He then said, that unlike his snooker, horse-riding was a 24/7 commitment which made it a lifestyle not a hobby whereas he played snooker to get away and relax.

Of course, I beg to differ. Yes, I come home at night and bore Mark with my endless stories about how "Ceaser schooled fantastic today" or "Ceaser was naughty today, he got out of his stable and did this and that". BUT, I don't see mucking out, poo-picking, making endless haynets up, nor running around and seeing to my horses ever-growing needs a chore.

I wasn't born into a horsey family, I didn't have everything handed to me on a plate. My mum can barely go near them without jumping back a few feet when one sniffs her and my Dad only decided to take up horse-riding so we could have a hobby to do together when him and mum split up. What I want to ask is, how is something a lifestyle when you became involved by starting it as a hobby?

I, like Mark, pay for lessons to improve my riding like he pays to improve his snooker techniques. However mine is to improve my position or jumping techniques, not how to pot a certain coloured ball in to a certain hole! (I thought snooker was all about luck until I met Mark!)

When he mentioned my hobby being a lifestyle I was little put out to say the least. No second thought goes into what I do each day for my horses and when I go for a ride I see it as a way to relax. Even when I am training for a competition.

Mark said that he goes to the snooker centre for a few hours on certain nights to escape and have a bit of "him" time. He meets up with friends that he is on the team with to practise and socialise. He comes home disappointed when his team don't win and gets excited when he finds out he has won the snooker league trophy and gets to collect it at the presentation evening. Although, isn't that exactly what we do when we go competing?

I admit, my horses require a lot of my time and yes I trawl the internet constantly looking for the latest bridle or saddle I can save up for. My horses are always on my mind, but only because I care. Although, on the contrary, I believe Marks snooker takes up a lot of his time. He will often spend a good few hours a week practising and discussing with team mates what they are up to next.

I'm quite intrigued to find out what my followers think horse-riding is. Is it a hobby or a lifestyle? Let me know what you think by commenting below or by tweeting me @FurryMane

Don't worry, you wont cause any arguments despite what you say - I think the both of us are quite enjoying debating about how time consuming our hobby is and isn't and one that could go on for quite some time!

(After reading this, Mark is worried what people may think about him - He's lovely really. He teaches primary school kids; he's got to be!)


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6 comments:

  1. I think horse riding is a life style . You dont care for your horse and ride him because its your hobby , you do all of them because your horse is apart of your life and your life style .
    Thanks
    Libby xxx

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  2. Riding is a hobby.
    Owning horses is a lifestyle.

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  3. If your life revolves around the horses then lifestyle, more of a hobby when your life isn't owned by the horses. However much you love being with them.

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  4. I agree with Maddi. I think the riding part is a hobby, but caring for, loving,and being concerned for your horse's well-being is a lifestyle. I bought my horse when he was injured, knowing full well that there was a possibility I might never be able to ride him and that he was going to require a lot of work. I've never seen caring for him as simply a hobby.

    I think it also depends on your situation too. For people who are more into the competitive side of riding and make it a priority at all times, it could probably be considered a lifestyle.

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  5. I agree with Maddi in that if you go to a riding school once a week or month and ride for an hour or two then riding is just a hobby. It you own horses then its an all consuming lifestyle where at times riding is at the bottom of your list.
    Janette

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  6. I don't see why it can't be both!
    If you only have the odd lesson then yes, its a hobby. However, once you own a horse and your time is being consumed by them, it becomes a lifestyle. No one is saying that it can't still be a hobby too though, as we wouldn't do it if we didn't enjoy it!
    To me, its like being a mum; as much as we enjoy the time with our babies, they are a huge responsibility and take up so much of our time. AS we would refer to ourselves as mummy, we would refer to ourselves as a horsey person, or horse owner. After all, they are our babies!
    I would say that it is a life style, but one which has developed from a hobby, and which we can still enjoy :)

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