Faye, I decided to post to the forum at large. It’s on the Off Course section. I’m sure most folks will think I’m crazy and overly cautious. But weird things do happen!
Looks like the New Vocations TB (and possibly the TIP Championship show) this year will be held in Aiken. I’m debating. I would love to go, but it is further than Lexington. Hmm.
@AllTheCarrots woohoo!! Congrats!! To both you and the horse–sounds like it was a beautiful moment for both 
@SuzieQNutter I always thought lunging was done without reins, but that just wasn’t the case at previous barn. Here though, definitely without and it’s helping me getting better!
@Faye Hi!!! We’ve come a long way since our skiing/boarding times, what, a decade ago now?!
@ParadoxFarm ooh. When do you have to decide re: the New Vocations TB? And also (sorry I should crosspost there but I did read your other post), some of those indemnification clauses are insane. I see it a lot more with venue agreements. Kind of not surprising in this context, considering the opportunities for accidents/injuries, but of course, disappointing.
Well everyone nothing new to report. I am still loving new barn. I have loved all three of the trainers I’ve lessoned with so far. Two of them I think will be my regular instructors. One is very, very encouraging but also has some great exercises that have helped me strengthened my leg. In that lesson, I posted for the first time hands-free! (not touching the saddle with either hand). The other instructor I also love. She is the type who will be like, “ok do this.” Me: “Well…I’m not sure if I can…” Her: “Do it.” Me: “Yes, ma’am” and guess what, I can do it! I love how much she pushed me, but not in an overwhelming or scary way. I got to do some no stirrup sitting trot work with her (both this and the hands free posting were on longe) and I really enjoyed it!
But can I just tell you about the horses?! One is this kind of lazy but super sweet gelding, and he and I get along pretty well. He tests me and challenges me to be clear with my aids and directions, but is also forgiving. I love him, and I guess the barn owner was surprised, haha. He is a sweetie but his laziness doesn’t make him the easiest ride. Now, the mare that I rode…she was tough. It was my first lesson with the new trainer AND @Faye came to watch for a bit (first time seeing me ride) and mare would NOT listen. Or move. Eventually, she and I came to an understanding and she was absolutely lovely to ride after but I was kind of embarrassed in the beginning, lol! And we have a large gentle giant who is so handsome and kind and makes it easy for you! Love him (though his height admittedly makes me nervous)
I think it’s cool how ALL horses have something to teach us. Some lessons are easier learned than others. The more variety of horses you ride, the better rider you will become and the better equipped you will be when you encounter a similar situation on another horse if you’ve already experience it on one. Good for you.
Well the The Jockey Club TIP show, which usually runs alongside the New Vocation show, is going to be a stand alone show this year. No more details than that. I’m hoping that they have decided to keep that part of the show in KY this year! Fingers are crossed.
Hi Ser, don’t be shy. Jump on in. We don’t bite.
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Gonna hop in here. I ride at a dressage barn and would like to do open shows and the like, one day. I have never “jumped” anything except for ground poles when I was a kid…but down the road learning how to hop over something here and there would be fun, and good for my own developing equitation.
It’s probably been 10-15 years since I was last on a horse, occasional public trail string plodding notwithstanding. I’m 31. I took lessons as a kid at a few different H/J barns, but nothing super consistent since I was experiencing severe asthmatic reactions to the hay/horsiness. I grew out of this, yay, but by then we couldn’t afford it. I had horsey friends and volunteered at a therapeutic riding program to get my fix.
In high school and starting college, my mom – having grown up on a working ranch and afflicted with horse crazy as I am – purchased a little red Arab mare. We took in another horse, a neglected Arab gelding, shortly after. Life circumstances interfered with my own will to ride, including the eventual diagnosis of an autoimmune disease that was eating the nerves in my muscles and left me partially paralyzed for years. Most happily, I’ve responded well to immune system-altering medication.
I’m now finishing grad school, with a fun PT job on the side. I live at home to save money and help out on the farmette. We have three wonderful horses (the two I mentioned earlier, plus a charming 13 year-old Arab gelding who is currently fighting an eye issue I’ve posted about in Horse Care). (I ADORE Arabs but we didn’t exactly set out to own three of them, they sorta fell into our laps!)
Following a jerking of my knee and little serious forethought, I recently bailed the world’s sweetest mule from an auction, but my farrier is gonna buy her from me as she and I are not quite the right fit. 
Finally feeling physically strong enough and with the financial ability to do so, I began riding lessons again in January ‘21. I CANNOT describe the elation. I take 2-3 lessons a week, and began by splitting my time between two different barns. Starting tomorrow, I’m focusing solely with one instructor whom I absolutely love. She jam-packs the braincells to bursting with knowledge every 50-min ride and I always dismount with a wash of warm joy and friggin’ excited about the little piece of progress I managed to make that day. I’m still learning the rising trot 
on a big curly gelding who happens to be a wonderful gentleman.
Two weeks ago, I couldn’t trot without loosing my stirrups. Now I can mostly stand in two-point around the ring at a trot (for me, it has been easier feeling the rhythm going from “standing” to bum touching saddle, than the other way around) while directing him enough to stay on the wall. Last lesson, I had a glimmer of a breakthrough feeling the forward-back motion of the hips (rather than trying to go “up/down”). Can’t wait for tomorrow morning. We spend a ton of time focusing on the seat, the length of my legs, walking without stirrups, feeling the movement of his ribcage, back, and gait, posture. 
I’m in no rush. My goal is to become a proficient rider, and that is a long-haul.
Eventually, I hope to be riding our 13 year-old guy in lessons with this instructor, once he is going well under saddle again after a two year break and I am more secure. He’s a Very Good Boy, but can be a little sensitive.
Glad you jumped in, @ratchet! I’m glad to hear how much you’re loving your lessons; your joy at being in the tack really comes through.
I love hearing the different paths people have taken — a good reminder that we’re all doing our own thing at our own pace.
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What a wonderful first post Ratchet. I did read every word and felt all your emotions with you. I will respond later. I have to go to work.
ratchet, welcome!! Glad you posted and introduced yourself. As you can see, this is a long-time on-going thread. Some of us have been here for quite a few years. Sounds like you found a perfect place for lessons with a good instructor that works for you. Excellent. I look forward to hearing more about your journey.
Well, it’s finally thawing out here after seven days below freezing. Remember, I’m in the south, so this is rare! I still have the horses in since it’s a bit icy out still in places. Hopefully tomorrow I can get them out some. It’s now going to turn from ice to a mud pit. Ah, the love of winter/spring. We did get out yesterday afternoon and lunged all of the boys. Even Chico got an easy BIG circle chance to stretch his legs. He’s such a good boy. I may go out and ride later today.
I am so excited. I get to start riding again March 1! My knee surgeon gave me clearance. He did say to be very careful mounting and dismounting. That said, I am a bit nervous about climbing back in the saddle. I’ve only ridden Bennie twice, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I may hop on this weekend, a couple of days early. We shall see. Good to see you all again.
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Woohoo! Great news. Be careful, though! I can’t recall, has anyone else been riding Bennie in the meantime? If not, you may wish to have someone else ride first, or at least a few lunge sessions to be sure he’s ready!
Yes, he was ridden part time for most of my time off. This past month he was in full training to get him ready for me. First (and probably last) time I’ve ever done that. First time I get on will probably be at the end of one of my trainer’s rides. I’m nervous!
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Mrs Fitz Make sure you have a really high mounting block. Have others make him stand at the mounting block for at least a minute before moving off.
For dismounting it would be great if you can take him to where you can place him next to high ground. Depending on which knee you might be able to slowly dismount with the left foot in the stirrup. This is not normally done because if the horse is too tall, it is easy to fall over backwards and hit your head.
If too tall take both feet out of the stirrups. Slowly swing your leg over and bring then together and slowly come down the shoulder. Have others do this on him first to make sure it doesn’t bother him.
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Sounds like you have a good plan in place. Excellent.
@MrsFitzDarcy_amp_Feliks SUPER excited for you!! Wishing you a safe and fun time back in the saddle!
@ratchet Welcome to the club of cloud 9 after riding!! Don’t underestimate those deep muscle memory you had as a kid, even though it may not have been consistent! Time in saddle is really the best thing you can invest in! I think riding with different trainers are good as long as they are not giving contradicting information. I am not into riding at different barns because I personally need to “belong” to a barn, I’m glad you are able to focus with one trainer!
@ParadoxFarm Chico is always the best boy! This year the snow is crazy. I read that about 70% of the country was covered in snow! I’m in the lucky part that wasn’t!
Really bitter sweet as it is coming to the last lesson at my barn. The trainers here taught me so much. I use to ride like a turtle, and was never able to bend at the hips over fence, and my release could really use some help. They worked so hard on helping me with these issues without yelling. I hope i can find another barn i love in Portland!
Also my lease horse, took me awhile to bond with him, and really a few months to get him from over jumping anything and stops at everything to jump 95% of things i point him at. Love him so much and will miss him.
Hugs, Faye…change can be stressful. I think you will find a great spot to ride, and you can pick BITSA’s brain for help! The re-rider network is great. 
When is the actual move?
Other than a few little piles of snow that haven’t melted yet, we are finally into springtime weather. Yay! I rode yesterday since it was about 65º out. Today is the same, and sunny, so I’ll head out to ride and work on my February virtual trail competition. My DN will be coming by to help me plan new trails on the farm and help film my obstacles. She’s helpful like that. 
Thank you, everyone.
@Faye. change is hard and weird, but it sounds like you will be carrying a boatload of fond memories which can never be taken away from you.
I got to ride in the big jumping arena today, and managed a rising trot all the way around the perimeter both directions, although it is harder counter-clockwise for me. My lesson pony has begun testing me by transitioning into a bigger, almost passage-y Goofy Trot (which my instructor says is me receiving a vote of confidence from him, as he tends to keep that funniness to himself with the super beginners and small kids). It used to unsettle me, but now it gives me great practice tightening my upper thighs enough to slow him into the normal trot. Which, I can barely do without bringing my heel up and inadvertently also asking him for speed 
or coming to a complete stop. He is a saint. But, now I don’t feel “fear” or whatever that emotion was the first time he launched into Goofiness…although when it happens, I feel a tad out of control and usually end up verbally asking him to ‘ho’ after some unsuccessful upper thigh squeezery. I lost my stirrup once while trotting and was able to find it again without stopping, which was probably complete luck but I will also take it as a win!
What happened there. Did we have a troll? That would be the first time in our endearing thread.
Oooh what a win Ratchet. I an so jealous you get to ride a passagey trot. I have ridden piaffe and passage on other horses but not for a decade or so now.
You can come back from paralysis to riding. I lost the use of my right arm at 24 yo. A 45 minute lecture from a doctor. He was from India I believe, that I would never ever ride again and I should not be trying to. I should be staying at home and having babies.
Yeah right. I am not maternal. I have always known that I would not have children and that lecture did not sway me… and I am back in the saddle again.
I had been to Chiropractors, physiotherapists, acupuncture and Doctors. You name it.
I was told to use it or lose it by one chiropractor and I did not realise how much I was protecting it. It was still not right but being with horses I was stronger than most people.
Then decades later a chiropractor I went to for lower back pain after carrying a concrete cat garden ornament I won at an auction. He was filling in for the local.
I walked up to him from about 12 feet away. He had nothing but the file about my lower back. He said, All you bl####y horse riders. You have fallen on your head, you have hurt your arm.
…and he fixed me in 2 sessions! And my lower back pain. But alas he was only filling in and the last time I asked where he was for something he was somewhere in the middle of Australia. That was decades ago now and he was a lot older than me do he is probably not working any more - the story of my life.
Except with my now instructor he is actually younger than me by around a year.
What you describe is how I feel after having a lesson with him and I have been going go him for about 20 years. Doesn’t time fly? He is so knowledgable and knows what I can do and he trusts my opinions on his horses as well.
Sooooo not like his partner who really is lovely but probably a bit jealous. She has never competed or properly owned a horse. She is only instructing because of being with him. She is lovely but can not see what he and I can see. It is the same with hubby. Both taught by the best but there is something lacking we can not teach. He says it is because they have not had a lifetime with horses like we have.
Sure 17 years experience for both of them with can I say the best of the best instruction with me teaching hubby and him teaching her, and the loveliest of trained horses, but 17 years is not a lifetime and they are still only beginners!
Hubby rides better than most now, but he has only ever ridden trained horses. Retraining a horse is a whole other ball game. Hopefully we have Dodge and Sim for several more years. We will address that when something happens to one of them and I will completely understand if he does not one to go that route. He is over a decade older than me.
But I digress back to him trusting me and her not. They put me on Sapohire as she won’t go forward. I say immediately to her she isms footsie. She just says she has never worn shoes and doesn’t need them.
I don’t argue.
I mention it to him later not on the horse. He says he will put shoes on her. Suddenly she is going forward again. Tgat level of trust I can not tell you how much that makes me live him.
I can feel even more than that now. It us amazing what I can feel in the saddle.
This is long enough I have 2 weeks to tell you all about riding Stars again but I had better go and ride him. Then off to work. Then lunch with a friend and that usually means I don’t get home until dark I am so looking forward to it.
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Oh and @Faye, it is so bittersweet you leaving your barn. You have come such a long way there. I know you will be safe in Bitsa’s hands.
So, hey everyone! OP HERE!!! hahaha!!!
I just logged into my old email address and saw that I still get the notifications every time someone posts on this! Figured I would pop on and say heyyyy
I cannot believe that this has reached 22k replies…CRAZY!!! I’m so glad this has continued to be a popular thread.
Carry on, hope everyone is well.
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