Can we have an adult re-rider support group?

[Pancakes]

Pics will have to come tomorrow – I ordered an iphone case with belt holster.

Dash was great today. We did about 20 minutes of walk-trot circle work to get her soft and supple both ways. Lots of figure 8s, serpentines, and work to get her collected. The downward transitions still need some work. My core is getting so much stronger! It was HOT here today! Nearly 89 in the sun! I can’t wait until tomorrow when my new helmet comes. It has vents!

Then we went out for a trail ride around the grounds. She REALLY enjoyed the change of scenery – her ears were up almost the whole time, and she was looking around (not in a silly way) at all the horses in the paddocks and out being ridden. There are Standardbreds who work out on the track in the morning, and she took a good hard look at them, kind of thinking “what the heck is behind those horses!?” Then when we were out by the track, she got a little nervous. “What are we doing here?” She looked at the horses go by, stopped, and belted out a big ol’ whinny!! Then we had a great long relaxed walk back to the barn, and she got a nice bath. I figured it was a good treat for her to get out and not just think we want to work her all the time.

Anyone else feel so intoxicated by just going to the barn? I think I’m in love again. It’s all I think about! I actually cry on my way to and from the barn sometimes, I’m so happy. (big mushy confession)

[jaslyn1701]

“Anyone else feel so intoxicated by just going to the barn? I think I’m in love again. It’s all I think about! I actually cry on my way to and from the barn sometimes, I’m so happy. (big mushy confession)”

Don’t worry about the mushy Pancakes - I feel the same way. More and more my “day job” is just an ends to a means and Fridays can’t come soon enough. Next week is Thanksgiving - know that that means for me - 4 days at the barn - in a row!!!

[shelliblue]

Me too!! :yes:

I feel like a horse crazy kid!!!
:winkgrin::winkgrin:

[OneGrayPony]

I feel like a horse crazy kid!!!

Me too mee tooo!

Welcome RolyPolyPony! I am decidedly not doing the grand prix at the moment and feel tremendously accomplished some days when I just stay on the right side of the horse.

It DOES come back, and you’ll find that with regular riding (I’m riding 5-6 days a week now most weeks) it really will start to surprise you how much it happens. Of course, that’s all related to how long the “unriding” period was and where you were when you stopped riding to begin with.

Of course, I am also finding that all those bad habits I had and worked so hard to extinguish? Oh yea, those are coming back too laughing It must be muscle memory…just a lonnnnngggg muscle memory. Wish I remembered more things, like my grocery list!

Yesterday the pony and I went for a road hack on a road that we’ve never been on before. We wanted to go further, but had to turn around due to actually having to go to work :-/ I’m sliding riding in the morning after the kids go off to the bus stop and before my noon meeting. If I didn’t do that, I’d already be stuck in the indoor because it’s dark now at 5:30pm. Gah.

We did do work in the indoor the day before, and he’s FINALLY bending. This is certifiably a very big deal since he tended to go around the arena braced and stiff like I was riding a 2x4. I’ve been doing the bit switching thing because of his history and had tried him in a waterford D because everything else seemed to be pissing him off - he was actually soft in it and bendy. Weird! I think it’s the flexibility of it that he likes, he can’t lean on it and brace, and now we can actually do some of the serpentines and circles that will help him gain more softness and flexibility. Now I need to figure out what about it he likes (he gets quiet in the mouth instead of grinding the bit, even on a loose rein) and see if I can replicate that in something a step down, as I’d like to save the waterford for the hunt field (assuming we ever get there). Maybe a leather bit? I think a plain rubber bit might be too fat for his mouth…

Barn move is scheduled for mid-december. I’m nervous about it, hoping I’m making the right decision. I don’t like decisions like that at all. But I am looking forward to a heated tack room. And a bathroom at the barn. And footing that doesn’t make us sink into the corners. I’m also worried that I’ll be an oddball there. Most of the girls that ride there are college girls with parents who support their showing habit. There are two “adults” that board there, and I’m hopeful that I actually run into them.

Anywho, welcome to anyone else I’ve missed! Being a rerider has ups and downs just like learning to ride to begin with but man, I’m just grateful to be back on a horse!!!

[Dewey]

[QUOTE=jaslyn1701;5965876]
“Anyone else feel so intoxicated by just going to the barn? I think I’m in love again. It’s all I think about! I actually cry on my way to and from the barn sometimes, I’m so happy. (big mushy confession)”

Don’t worry about the mushy Pancakes - I feel the same way. More and more my “day job” is just an ends to a means and Fridays can’t come soon enough. Next week is Thanksgiving - know that that means for me - 4 days at the barn - in a row!!![/QUOTE]

I feel that way, too. Riding and just bieng around the horses is essential for my mental health! I think about the mare I ride all the time and feel sooooo good on the way to see her. If we’ve had a good ride (as we did yesterday), I’m on a high for hours!

[CVPeg]

[QUOTE=Pancakes;5965565]
Anyone else feel so intoxicated by just going to the barn? I think I’m in love again. It’s all I think about! I actually cry on my way to and from the barn sometimes, I’m so happy. (big mushy confession)[/QUOTE]
:):yes::yes:

Can’t always shake what’s on my mind until I get there. But then it all disappears.

Except right now I have a dirty blanket in the back of the car, so it does “take me away” even when not at the barn. :lol:

[elizabuggy]

[QUOTE=shelliblue;5965980]
Me too!! :yes:

I feel like a horse crazy kid!!!
:winkgrin::winkgrin:[/QUOTE]

Feel the exact same way!!! I daydream about riding when I put my kiddos to sleep at night. I daydream that some rich lady gives me her beautiful, amazing horse because she knows how much I LOVE riding. I daydream that I own my own barn.

It is hard to believe that it took me 17 years to jump back in, but maybe it is healthier otherwise I might be bankrupt by now!! I feel like a drug addict waiting to get my next fix. The ONLY solution is to own my own horse, quit my job, and win the lottery!

[jaslyn1701]

elizabuggy - make sure you win the lotto before you quit your job!!

[stolen_virtue]

So I rode my baby today he was great. I actually had a lesson with my trainer it was so nice to finally have her tell me"This is how I get him in a canter".

He was great, it was cold, windy with leaves and bushes blowing everywhere. He looked alot, and my trainer and I joked about his bucking capacity-not a buck I could ever hope to sit. He is really just a good boy to be trusted for sure.

It was great to hear that I can put him on the bit and ask for more of him. So great to ride him. We went through what she was working on and what I needed to focus on with him. He is really learning so much. It made me trust him more. I think I am falling in love…

My older guy was a complete butt today.

[OneGrayPony]

Ups and downs of being a rerider…sigh

So when I returned from the fabulous COTH hunt, my lovely DH said to me…“what size saddle do you think I would take?” and my little ears perked up as I did not think he was at all interested in riding…and then he asked me “do you bond with a horse quickly or is it like something that grows”. So, I asked him if he wanted me to teach him to ride (of course, basically I said “so, maybe you can hop up on the pony the next time you go out with me” because the idea of taking a lesson from your wife doesn’t always work) and he obliged.

My pony was up that night, because the temps had dropped and there were other horses in the arena (usually no one is around when we ride) he kept getting a little light in the front end and sort of flipping his head, but settled in and worked well. Then he gave the DH a wonderful longe lesson and walked around the arena like a good boy. Both of them were wonderful!

So…that was the very good ride.

The following day, I went out for a hack with two other horses. He was up and fresh, and I could feel that before I got on, but because of the circumstances I was late in tacking up, and didn’t want to work him ahead of going on the hack. In retrospect, this was probably a mistake. He walked out fine, slowly, like he normally does, and we tried a little trot across the top of the field. This was certifiably a mistake. The front end got lighter and lighter and pretty soon he was leaping through the air like a circus horse with me saying “WTH buddy, we trot like this ALL the time” but of course, we don’t generally do it with everyone, so this caused him to lose his little mind. After regaining the walk, he was a bit tense, but did manage to walk the rest of the way back.

sigh

The good news is, he’s feeling much better and has put on weight since the colic and ulcers. The bad news is, he’s feeling much better and has put on some weight since the colic and ulcers. And his circus horse impression caused me to wrench my back and aggravate old injuries.

argh

When we came back to the barn I worked the snot out of him in the arena and of COURSE he was FINE in there. No one else was in there, so he was his calm and lazy self.

So, looks like he needs to ride in company a good bit again. He used to be used to it, but because of our barn situation there were never any other horses there, so he got “un-used” to it. I do not like the light in the front end baloney and even though he had a martingale on, it’s always been adjusted incredibly loosely as insurance. Always looking for lemonade, the hopping on the hind legs thing DOES work his hind end though. :no:

If I’d have been the rider I used to be, I’d have just kept trying to trot until he settled. Unfortunately, I’m the rider I am now. That frustrates me greatly. Gah.

He’s a good horse, he really is, and I’m sure we’ll get through this…

[myguyom]

Adult Rider

Hi everyone,

I’ve been away from the CotH forums for a long while…so I’ve only just stumbled upon this thread.

I rode for years on my steady eddy, and loved him to bits…I was and still am a somewhat cautious/timid rider. Like all of you, family, work and other stuff just got in the way of my riding. I have been riding steady now with a great coach who teaches only about 10 or so students, and approximately half of them are adults.

My current mount (16 year old Hano/TB mare)and I have had a tumultuous relationship to be sure…we’ve had our differences, which resulted in three surgeries for me (major left AC/shoulder issues) and a set back in my confidence.

Well, this past summer we have worked incredibly hard, and finally our hard work is paying off! In our last three shows of the season, we came together and pulled off some winning rounds…with our last show being the best ever…and resulting in my first ever Champion Tricolour!

We even dared to do the handy hunter class at a local Fall Fair (how scary are those with all the rides, tractor pulls and heavy horse hitches!!) we mnaged a very respectable 4th place finish.

I know I’ll never end up showing at a major rated show, but it feels really good to have come as far as I have…I give all of the credit to my coach, who is incredibly patient and understanding.

[jaslyn1701]

Welcome Myguyom!

May I crave everyone’s indulgence while I rant, rave, kick my heels and cry like a baby over the time change!!!

I am now relegated to being able to ride only on the weekends. Due to one thing and another, I did not get to ride yesterday.

I tack up Finn and mount up - he was so very good! And we proceed to ride - tracking right at the trot - nice, smooth -we are in sync. Ahhh

Tracking left - aliens have invaded and taken over my body. I cannot balance, I cannot keep my leg still - much less in the right place. I two point - temporary fix. Then I notice that Mr. Pissy Pants has arrived and is now seriously leaning on the bit. Ok - that I can deal with - here, have some reins. Ooops - guess I better hold myself up says he.

Then I get the watch me crank my head to the inside trick. Ok - fine - you want to turn in - how tight can you go?

By this time I am somewhat totally discomboblulated and he does the hey, look how fast I can trot thing that I just love (not!). Rather than pull, I try talking to him - hey, easy buddy, whoooooooooa - I can see his ears flick - he is listening but ignoring.

So, what the h____ - we go over a little teeny tiny x rail - we jumped a bigger cavaletti last week and he was wonderful. Not today - we rush - we jump big, we try to run away.

I knew I should have ridden yesterday - you see, there is a pattern here - day one sucks, day two is good.

I feel like I should get a big box of crayons and just color horses.

[stolen_virtue]

jaslyn-my trainer yelled at me when I used a crop to get my horse in a canter! Who knew that I was just giving the wrong cue all this time—stupid me once again. He flew off in a canter and then some…can I share your box of crayons ? (my trainer never yells at people…)

[Hinderella]

Welcome, myguyom, and congratulations on returning to riding and on earning that lovely ribbon!

OGP, sorry you had such an interesting ride :(. I thought of you today when my pony only hinted at being a little too interesting in the open. Unlike you, though, I didn’t stick it out. I WISH I could quit being such a chicken. I’m just so afraid of my horse taking off…either with me or without me. I try to tell myself that THIS horse has never doen that, but that doesn’t always work for me. Today’s ride had a lot of distractions: flying pheasant, bird dogs, four wheelers, hikers, gunfire and galloping horse in a field. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the pony was a little snorty!

And Jaslyn, I do find that going to the barn and just being with the horses is special experience. You can feel the pressures of everyday life just melt away, and fade into the simplicity of mucking, grooming, and riding.

[Opus1]

@myguyom;5970968

Well, this past summer we have worked incredibly hard, and finally our hard work is paying off! In our last three shows of the season, we came together and pulled off some winning rounds…with our last show being the best ever…and resulting in my first ever Champion Tricolour!

Welcome, and CONGRATS on getting champion! I’m trying to build up my confidence as well and look forward to the day where I feel as solid in the saddle as I did 10 years ago.

====

In other news … Well, more of a rambly vent than news.

I’m such a tool. I’ve spent the past couple of hours looking at horses for sale. Which in and of itself isn’t bad, but I went from searching for geldings 10 and under, at least 16h, great temperament, sound, hopefully shown on flat and over fences in some capacity, yada yada, preferably something that’s not a TB, or at least not a full-blooded TB. (I like them, but I’m kinda sick of 'em. And I like a little more mass under me.)

(This is not an ad and I’m in NO position to actually buy something for quite some time.)

So, I know what I want and what I think I’d be comfortable with.

Then – and here comes the tool moment – I got an idea. And then I did a search for palominos that were at least 15’3h, pref. 16h. Lots and lots of QHs, which I knew I’d get, which is cool, because the few I’ve rode have been nice. And they tend to be on the cheaper side in many cases. And I found myself looking at all sorts – from western pleasure horses to do everything ranch horses. And I lowered my height by a hand to 15’3h.

I found some really neat horses for under $5K, many for under $4K, several that had English miles on them.

So, now I really kind of want a palomino. :rolleyes: And I feel SO guilty about it. I don’t want to be one of those people, but every time I see a palomino in my normal search, my heart jumps through my chest. And I wonder how I’m going to bring this up to my trainer. ‘So, how do you feel about QHs?’

[/7-year-old]

[Opus1]

[QUOTE=jaslyn1701;5971314]
I feel like I should get a big box of crayons and just color horses.[/QUOTE]

They have some awesome, old-school Lisa Frank coloring books at Dollar General. And don’t ask me how I know this.

[OneGrayPony]

Welcome myguyom! Congratulations on the ribbon and the return!

jaslyn, I totally understand about the ride and the not riding often enough thing. I find that my horse and I improve only when we’re riding 6 days a week. I’m not athletic enough to retain anything even backing down to 3 days a week. I think that may be one of the joys of getting older…all of the combobulation is hard to get back and it leaves just as quickly.

Hinderella, have no fear, the only reason I stuck it out was because hitting the ground was much less appealing. My body said to me “oh, remember when you hit the ground last? yeah? well I didn’t like that very much so you are going to stay on this horse if it kills you.” I also have an irrational fear of a bolt (the trail is across the road and after a bridge) so I DO understand that. Not that my horse has ever actually OFFERED a bolt and not like I don’t know what to do if he WOULD offer a bolt, but the thought is just completely unappealing and in my brain very very scary. So I just try not to think about it (with varied levels of success depending on the day).

Opus, you know, I used to be “not picky” about my horses when I chose them. You know, the old “a good horse for you is a good horse for you regardless of the color”. And I followed that adage for a very long time. But now, I’ve decided that I very very like my dark and blood bays. Would I reject a horse that was gray or pink and blue polkadots if we got along fabulously and clicked? No. But I sure as heck take a second glance at dark and blood bays (particularly when the only white is on their foreheads…it’s striking!) I think we’re allowed to when we get older.

[Hinderella]

Well, Opus, I would have to say that for the re-rider group, temperament is the primary consideration, but once you’ve found that, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting a Palomino if that’s what you really want. For many of us in this group, we’ll have only one horse, and will keep it for many years, so why not get what you really want?

As for quarter horses, there are a lot of great ones out there. What do you hope to do with your horse?

I can only say that before I got Mahindra, I was looking for a draft cross gelding, bay 16+ hands. What I have is a chestnut mare, 14.1 hands, of completely unknown breeding…and I love her! And she was very inexpensive.

[quietann]

[QUOTE=Opus1;5971447]
…

So, now I really kind of want a palomino. :rolleyes: And I feel SO guilty about it. I don’t want to be one of those people, but every time I see a palomino in my normal search, my heart jumps through my chest. And I wonder how I’m going to bring this up to my trainer. ‘So, how do you feel about QHs?’

[/7-year-old][/QUOTE]

Aw… I will introduce myself later, but there are plenty of nice Palominos out there… not a lot in the traditional TB/WB mode, but if you’re OK with an “off” breed, yes, QHs are good and so are Morgans, palomino pintos, etc.

(I am the proud owner of a palomino Morgan mare; we don’t do H/J as neither of us are allowed to jump, but other than that are probably typical for this thread… 47 year old re-rider (5 years in, preceded by 25 years off) on a good but ever so slightly inappropriate horse, serious, and yes I have that cautious nature I did not have so much of when I was a teen!)

[Opus1]

Thanks, y’all! I feel much less stupid about wanting a palomino. Of course, I still blame Barbie for this preference of mine, but … :lol:

[QUOTE=OneGrayPony;5971494]
But I sure as heck take a second glance at dark and blood bays (particularly when the only white is on their foreheads…it’s striking!) I think we’re allowed to when we get older.[/QUOTE]

I’m glad to hear. If a bold appaloosa that was everything I wanted in a horse came along, I would definitely take him. But since my needs seem pretty basic - and will be for a long while - adding in something like a specific color shouldn’t hurt me too much. Hopefully.

[QUOTE=Hinderella;5971570]For many of us in this group, we’ll have only one horse, and will keep it for many years, so why not get what you really want?

As for quarter horses, there are a lot of great ones out there. What do you hope to do with your horse?[/QUOTE]

Agreed on the temperament. I want something that’s calm and not spooky, but also something that’s not completely dead.

I really like equitation and will hopefully be doing local shows, maybe some C or even B shows. I could see me doing some Intro dressage classes locally … Jumping will eventually be added into the mix, but I can’t see me doing anything more than 2’ for while. Although having a horse that can do up to 2’6 would be nice. And the occasional trail ride. Maybe even do some hilltopping one day.

So, nothing too fancy, really. Now, one day, I would love to do an A show, but by the time I’m ready for it, there’s a good chance I’ll be on to my next horse by then.

@quietann;5971705

Aw… I will introduce myself later, but there are plenty of nice Palominos out there… not a lot in the traditional TB/WB mode, but if you’re OK with an “off” breed, yes, QHs are good and so are Morgans, palomino pintos, etc.

Funny enough,there’s a gorgeous 17h palomino mare that’s 1/2 saddlebred, 1/2 percheron(!) and is as cute as can be. I also saw some Morgans and Arabian/QH crosses, etc. I’m definitely not a breed snob. I find the mutts to be quite endearing. And welcome! Glad you decided to pop in!