Thanks for bumping this up again. I know that we re- riders often can’t ride until the weekend, so we have nothing to say M-F and this thread gets lost during the week.
I get another lesson with the teenagers tomorrow, it should be fun!
I’m glad to hear
Dublin is better
I posted once before about this and only got 2 replies. But given the longevity of this thread, I’m going to pitch it again. What about a rerider’s forum? A home of our own.
Reriders are a legitimate part of the market in all disciplines. We are not necessarily disabled, (although we’ve got enough aches and pains), but we do have issues that affect older riders that may be unique to us.
What is your opinion?
[QUOTE=Starda01;6013701]
I posted once before about this and only got 2 replies. But given the longevity of this thread, I’m going to pitch it again. What about a rerider’s forum? A home of our own.
Reriders are a legitimate part of the market in all disciplines. We are not necessarily disabled, (although we’ve got enough aches and pains), but we do have issues that affect older riders that may be unique to us.
What is your opinion?[/QUOTE]
I’m not sure. If we had our own forum, I would use it, but I’m not sure there’s enough demand for it.
[QUOTE=Starda01;6013701]
I posted once before about this and only got 2 replies. But given the longevity of this thread, I’m going to pitch it again. What about a rerider’s forum? A home of our own.
Reriders are a legitimate part of the market in all disciplines. We are not necessarily disabled, (although we’ve got enough aches and pains), but we do have issues that affect older riders that may be unique to us.
What is your opinion?[/QUOTE]
Not so sure about you’re saying we’re not necessarily disabled - on a morning like this - where nothing is where I put it down, and I can’t spell or think straight, I know I am disabled upstairs! 
(OK, but I do have an excuse - 4 hrs in the dentist’s chair yesterday - for a procedure that will cost almost as much as my new saddle did in Sept…:eek:)
Off to the barn, may not ride as I’m afraid it will wriggle the temporary stuff out of my head. Hoping I remember to bring the carrots, but the dog still has to go out first - so could be iffy…
Can I just say how much I love my new barn? I was so worried about finding a new place when we moved, and as much as I loved my old one, I think I may like this one better - shhhhhh! It’s just so much more peaceful!
My instructor was nice enough to let me ride tomorrow since I couldn’t make my practice ride last night - looking fwd to it, especially since I had to cancel last week’s lesson. I’m hoping to do a lot of position work tomorrow - the best thing about riding a schoolie, I think, is the ability to work on just me when I need to! 
Good, Bad and Ugly
Welcome to “sunny” Florida. Yesterday and today - cloudy, cold, damp and windy. That’s the bad - I did not venture to ride yesterday.
The Ugly: Once again, Finn lost his brain as I was about to mount. This time, I almost landed ass over teakettle on the ground - but managed to keep my feet. I think we get some kind of record for distance backing with me yelling “are you done?” a lot. Sigh. Come back to mount - he stands like a stone. Maybe I should back him up and yell every time…
The Good: After the TB idiocy he was actually decent in our ride - it was short, I was freezing. But, I had a break through - I have always had issues with a swinging leg - usually the left. However, for some reason, today, when I asked for the trot, I just squeezed and verbally asked and he trotted and my leg stayed still!!! Have I admitted before that I am the Queen of Do Too Much??
My trainer has “invited” us show chickens (me and a friend) to participate in a schooling show at another barn next week. So, we will be doing w/t and w/t over poles. There is also a favorite gait class - we have decided to ride that one as a group - at the start, someone will carry a tree out and place it in the center of the ring. Then, we, all of us, will walk in and congregate around the tree - our favorite gait is the halt!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
I don’t know that the Chronicle would be ready to expand to a re-riders forum, but all we need to do is to keep bumping this up by visiting often.
I had a terrific riding weekend! It was a little colder than I’d have liked on Saturday because of the wind, but with enough layers, it was reasonably comfortable. Today was colder, only about 30 when we mounted up, but without the wind it felt better.
On both days I rode with the junior riders at my barn, and I always have a terrific time with them. They’re great kids, and I learn to ride more feely when I’m with them. We did our crazy figure 8 (sort of) jumping course on Saturday, with lots of twists and turns. It’s a blast! When I tried to diagram it here, it didn’t work out, but I can email it to anyone who’s interested.
Today the footing had mostly frozen, so we couldn’t use our jump course. After doing our flat work, we set up a single low (18") oxer at the end of hte ring, at “A”. Simple enough, right? Jump the jump,
And on the correct lead, canter 1/4 of the way around, halt, except that for some reason, this one little jump, where no jump had gone before, was SCARY! Every.single.horse. ran out or refused…except my great little pony! She never even blinked, which allowed be to finally ride a little more boldly, to look where I was going and to finally make some progress.
I love my pony!
I think a re-rider forum would be cool, but agree that I’m not sure it would get enough traffic to justify it to the powers that be. I wonder who we ask about it?
Glad to hear of everyone’s positive developments (Dewey’s break through, Dublin’s snot clearing up, etc.).
Tajar and I are still struggling. The last 6 weeks or so we just have been on a downward spiral (I think I posted back when this began about us having trouble connecting that weekend). We had a horrible lesson Saturday, but we had a 50/50 leasson today, overcoming some issues that have been making me take up too much on my reins, which then makes him act up more. Still having issues with him drifting inward on me (how did we get to this point, where we can’t make it once around the arena without a battle to stay on the rail?), but I’m trying to focus on taking baby steps to get us back on track. I need to be riding more with my seat and leg, and using my hands less, and it’s been very hard for me.
I am not going to be able to go to the barn again until the first week of January thanks to work and personal/holiday travel. Other than when I broke my collar bone, I’ve never even come close to not riding Tajar for 26 days! And even when I had the boken collar bone, I went to the barn to visit him and do ground work. It’s making me a little bummed about the holidays actually - I will miss him, and I am anxious to keep working on fixing our recent issues.
But maybe the break will be good for us. I can chill out some about our struggles, and his trainer will put some focused work into him while I am gone, without having me in the mix. We can have a fresh start in 2012.
[QUOTE=jaslyn1701;6015903]
The Ugly: Once again, Finn lost his brain as I was about to mount. This time, I almost landed ass over teakettle on the ground - but managed to keep my feet. I think we get some kind of record for distance backing with me yelling “are you done?” a lot. Sigh. Come back to mount - he stands like a stone. Maybe I should back him up and yell every time…
![/QUOTE]
At the track,when TB;s refuse to mount properly in the shedrow, we take them into the stall. Get someone to head him, while you stand on a bucket, or have someone give you a leg up. When hes quiet in your hands, then lead out of the stall… repeat a few times before trying in the shedrow. 
As far as a new forum ---- you have your own thread, a good one too… just keep it going. It has a lot of information for someone to reference back, for tips, hints and marking progress — horse related and otherwise.
Im not a re-rider, as I never stopped… just readusted my entire life to accomdate the horses & now train horses for the re-rider market. My daughters, who train also, are quite sympathetic with potential buyers and their stresses over a new horse — and its the small things that count. Standing for care, standing to mount…,being trustorthy. The re-riders make up the bigger percentage of the horse industy, in all disciplines --The average age of trainers at my track are over 50~ many still gallop their own.
At our ages /me included (said gently)…our goals are different and its the small moments of accomplishments that count – and the precious time we get to spend with our horses.
Just keep bumping this thread—
Since I’m laid up and can’t ride, I will be the official “bumper” - at least for the next 5 weeks!
My friend rode my boy on Sat and he was awesome, especially considering he hasn’t been worked in about 2 weeks and it was one of those days that could EASILY be a “wheeeeee! Its cold! Lets run!” kind of day. He was perfect. The only thing he did was canter off from a walk. Then we realized that the barn owners son was playing in the trees in a camo jacket. Duh. My horse WILL be desensitized to kids by the end of this!!
He was also throwing his head a bit but I think that had to do with his nose - I had read that its a sign that they have a sinus issue, so makes sense.
His snot is getting better day by day. I’m hoping this is a good sign and not the calm before it comes back.
She also rode in my new saddle. Its an older County pro-fit, plain flap. I scored it for $250 and its never been used. Needs some serious breaking in. She said it fit nicely but she’s a dressage rider and a novice one at that so I can’t really take her word for much.
RolyPoly - glad you found a place you like! Its really hard to find a good fit with barns! Hope it continues to be!
Jaslyn - good luck at the show! I cant wait until summer to show.
Hinderella - can I ask you a personal question about riding with the younger kids? Are you very far apart in age from them? The reason I ask is, I sometimes ride with college kids. And I don’t really like doing it. Why? Because I think I’m too close in age to them, but they have SO many more riding opportunities (and time!) that it just gets to me. They don’t get that in a few years they are going to be ME, with little time and therefore less ability. I think I’m partway jealous, partway just annoyed by them. If they were teenagers or younger, I wouldn’t care. But I am so annoyed by them sometimes!!
Tarjheel - I think a break is a good idea - your boy will get some pro time, and you’ll have time to reflect!
As for having our own forum, the more I think about it, the less I think we need an actual forum. A forum would be a place for many different threads on related topics. So far, at least, our discussions are all on the topics related to returning to riding.
TarhellJD, a long break can be frustrating, but it can also be beneficial for both you and your horse. You can return to riding with a fresh outlook. Living in New England, without an indoor, I often have at least one period of 20-30 days when we can’t ride. Your horse may be a little full of themselves on your first day back, but they seem to enjoy the break.
SpcayTracy, no problem, it’s not personal. The kids I ride with range in age from 10-17. I’m much older :), certainly old enough to be their mother. At first, I was embarassed that they’re better riders than I. But over the years, quite a few kids have gone through the riding program, from bare beginners to decent riders, to surpassing me, and I’ve gotten used to it. As you say, they have more time to ride. Many of them are there every day after school, and all day in the summer. And young kids really do have some advantages when learning, their minds and their bodies both seem to respond better than mine does. But I’ve enjoyed becoming friends with them, and I’ve benefited from their pure joy in riding. Most of all, what I try to learn from them is the ability to put a bad ride behind me. They have a bad ride, come back the next day and laugh about it, with the assumption that today will be a better day. I’m trying to do that. I can see that it would be harder to ride without young adults.
The funny thing is, that in a lesson, I think the kids sometimes forget I’m an adult
Random thoughts:
– Whoever put a Tractor Farm Supply right beside Hobby Lobby here in town should be shot. It’s a lesbian nightmare. Almost $100 later, I have some nice stocking stuffers for my Secret Santa and trainer, as well as some fetching new wrapping paper and accessories.
– I think a whole forum for reriders would be overkill. I think we go to each other more for support than anything else. Sure, there’s some advice and questions, but I don’t know if there would be enough for a separate forum.
– No riding today or next week. Today I’m recovering from a 70+ hour work week, and a cold I picked up this weekend. I think I’m OK with missing riding this time. There’s just so much going on with Christmas and work. Besides, I’m taking the time to psych myself up for going back to cantering again. The last time I cantered, it was on a 15’3 QH mare, and it was more of a lope. A slow lope, if you can imagine that. In August. Now, it’ll be on a 17h OTTB that I’ve never cantered. I think maybe if I can get him into a canter about 20 minutes into the lesson, I’ll be fine. It’s when it’s the end of the lesson and I’m tired, and my legs are fatigued that I start feeling not-so-secure. We’ll see. (Sorry for the rambling. If I say it ‘out loud’ I’m more likely to do it.)
Brightsky - thanks for the suggestion, but Finn is 11 - will be 12 in March and has not raced since he was 4. He knows what to do at the mounting block - I can’t figure out if he is testing me or just being a dork. I suspect its an attention issue - he is far more concerned about where all the other horses are and not paying attention to where I am and what we are supposed to be doing. I normally mount with him facing away from the ring and toward the fence - will try it the other way.
Opus -the only thing that would be worse is to have a tack shop with a really nice consignment section in with TS and Hobby Lobby - that would be death!
Spacytracy - hope you are doing well. As to the question you asked Hinderella - as the oldest rider in my barn, I have no choice but to ride with the younger set. And yes, I am jealous of their ability, flexibility and laugh it off mind set. But they are wonderfully supportive and treat me as an equal and applaud my successes (small though they might be).
What are everyone’s goals for the coming spring and the coming year? Here in cold, dark New England, I don’t have as many opportunities to ride as I would like, but I have more time to think about it. I’ll start, here are my goals, in no particular order:
Canter a small course with confidence. This was my goal last year, too, and while I did manage to canter a small course (18"-2’, 5-6 jumps) a couple of times, I wouldn’t say that I did it with confidence.
Go over a small jump or two without stirrups. I know that someday I will lose a stirrup or two over a jump, I want to be ready for it.
Canter bareback.
Improve my 2-point riding.
Get my pony to the point where she will head out on a trail regularly, so we can have a RELAXED ride. I want to head out with that nice, long, low-headed walk.
If I can afford it, spend an entire WEEK training in VA with Hunter’s Rest.
Take 4-6 dressage lessons over the winter.
So what are your goals?
Hinderella: That’s a darn good question. I have a general idea, but I’ll have to give it some additional thought. Because this time, I think I need to set mini-monthly goals. I did broad/overall goals last year and didn’t really meet many of them. I was trying to be laid back about it, but I lost my focus after summer.
[QUOTE=jaslyn1701;6018827]
Opus -the only thing that would be worse is to have a tack shop with a really nice consignment section in with TS and Hobby Lobby - that would be death![/QUOTE]
Praise the good lord – the nearest tack store to me is a good 30-minute drive from the barn. And in the opposite direction of my house. I only go when I absolutely need something right then.
But we’re getting an Agri-Supply (TS on steroids) in mid-January. Which is on my way home from work. :sigh:
Tarheel: I think a break is ALWAYS beneficial. Its nice to take a step back, and then reapproach with a fresh perspective. Especially if you can ride other horses during that time.
I took an unplanned six week break due to my girls mystery lameness (which as appeared to resolve itself, thank god!) and let me tell you, since starting back quasi seriously last week she has been FABULOUS. Like consistently fabulous, which hasn’t happened…ever. I usually have good rides here or there, but of my four lessons last week, we didn’t have one bad one. I know I’m probably jinxing myself saying this and she might be a holy terror tonight, but it was just so nice.
I also jumped her the highest I have ever jumped anything! We have a grid set up in the arena of 4 fences, all one strides and the last two fences were set around 3’3"-3’5". Of course, I could only manage this in a grid because if I had to approach that height as a single I think I would crap myself. But it was awesome. Horse actually had to jump the thing, and I just held on tight and prayed, lol.
My main goals for the new year is continue with improving her rideability (this involves a lot of subgoals, lol), and successfully navigate a full 3’ course. Also, get my butt to a couple of shows!
Green mare was fabulous again today! :D:D:D
Goals for this coming year include
*giving mare confidence enough to jump a 2’3" hunter course (that’s pre-green at our little local circuit)
*teaching her lead changes
Thanks everyone, for the support about my 4 week break. The more I think about it, the more I think this unintentional “leave of absence” will be good for both of us. Unfortunately KateKat, I won’t have a chance to ride during those weeks (too much work and travel). But I may take your advice, and when I do come back in early January, ride a “been there, done that” school master owned by my trainer for a couple of weeks, and really focus on fixing some of my issues before I get back on Tajar.
On the topics of goals – that’s what makes this recent backslide so weird! I actually did reach some of my 2011 goals and we were doing well. Then we had this reversal. So I guess some of my 2012 goals will now be the same as the 2011 goals, since I need to get back to that place.
One goal I missed in 2011 that I plan to work to attain in 2012 is the same as Hinderella – canter a small course (18" to 2’) with confidence. I admit, our “over fences” work this year consisted of trotting crossrails and small verticals, and log jumps in the pasture. It’s time to canter those jumps and end next show season being able to canter a small course.
Also like Hinderella - I’d like to be able to canter bareback – but that may be over reaching.
I want to do the XC portion of the Ameoba level of the local schooling event. I did the CT there last year, wussing out on the XC component. Next year I want to do all three phases.
I guess that’s about it!
Tarheel JD, I think you missed something on your list of goals…foxhunting? Are you still up for it? When you come home from Hunter’s Rest, I promise you will have more skills and more confidence.
[QUOTE=Hinderella;6021863]
Tarheel JD, I think you missed something on your list of goals…foxhunting? Are you still up for it? When you come home from Hunter’s Rest, I promise you will have more skills and more confidence.[/QUOTE]
You’re right – I should have added that! I need to get in contact with Hunter’s Rest and get some additional info (necessary skill level, cost, etc.).
I’m a little concerned about getting away though. I’m taking time off to go to the Olympics in London (we have eventing [stadium jumping and medal ceremony] and dressage tickets), and doing some other travel for weddings and what not, so I may be out of money and days off from the office by the fall hunt!
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