Can we have an adult re-rider support group?

[Opus1]

spacytracy: I definitely think you made the right decision. Here’s hoping you find your perfect horse this year.

Just in the past year of riding again, I’ve noticed quite a few people riding/owning horses that gave them more grief than joy. Personally, I don’t care how much I like or love the horse, or if he has the potential to be a Grand Prix jumper – if I can’t enjoy him/ride him/handle him, he needs to be gone. But that’s just me.

CVPeg: I typically try not to ride when it’s below 40 degrees. So, I salute you. It sounds like it was miserable out there.

[spacytracy]

I am coming to the same conclusion, Opus. Thankfully I have a trainer with the same philosophy, so I don’t get much guilt on that end. If its not fun, its not worth doing. Especially given how much it costs. I think at this point I’m willing to work on small issues/habits, I’m not willing to work on major training.

CV - today was so windy, I can’t imagine riding. I just brought the horses in and the mini had mudcicles on him. I didn’t see them but heard this clanking noise, once we got inside the barn I saw them. It was NOT a great day - I think it makes it worse because its been unseasonably warm here this time of year, and so when it is “normal” cold, it seems that much colder.

Dewey - glad you had a nice ride with your daughter. I remember coming home from college was so exciting and fun and familiar.

[Hinderella]

Yes, I think I hate wind more than any other weather element!! Today was day 2 for me of riding in the indoor for the first time in two years. The ride was not as succesful as yesterday. I did manage a couple of good lines, and stayed with the pony when she seriously over jumped one fence. But I also ended up in the dirt twice :(. Pony actually refused a coupke of fences, and she NEVER does that. I was pretty discouraged, because I’m sure it’s my fault. But my New Year’s resolution, a little early, is to not dwell on my failures, but to look ahead and hopefully improve.
And, I’m going to start riding with a neck strap. I don’t release as well, or as long as I should, so I’m going with the neck strap for a while.

[allintexas]

[QUOTE=Opus1;6034138]
Random question: Do any of you don makeup for shows? Just curious. I know I didn’t back in college at IHSA shows, but then again, we had some girls who did. But now I can’t remember if it was for the hunter portion, or if it was done just for the Western Pleasure classes and they happened to have it on during the hunter shows …

(Sorry. I was in the Hunter Princess thread and it was something I’d been wondering about. Just because I loathe makeup, but I’m also frightfully pale with blonde hair …)[/QUOTE]

Well, I wear makeup once or twice a week when i remember, just powder foundation and lipstick normally (my contacts don’t tolerate much eye makeup) unless I’m going out in the evening. And I wear it maybe half the time when I show. Not so much in the summer - sweat plus makeup = gross imo

[jaslyn1701]

Ahhhh - the contented sound from a woman who is, allegedly, on vacation and finally got to ride her horse today.

[spacytracy]

YAY! Good for you jaslyn, hope the ride was good (I’m guessing from the contented “Ahhhh” that it was!!)

[iechris]

Finally got a lesson today, with a friend I used to lesson with. I said she and her horse and essentially the thinner, older version of me and my lease horse. So, a good mix for a lesson as we have the same issues and make the same mistakes!

Worked down some lines of poles again, horsie was a bit sore after the farrier the other day, he finally grew out enough hoof that most of the cracks from this summer were able to be cut off, but the farrier warned he might be a bit off for a day or two. Wasn’t bad, but the cooler weather is bringing out the TB.

Trainer loved the hat I knit her and she got me cashmere socks, which is perfect as what I had asked my family for for Christmas was wool socks.

The forcast for the next week looks very promising, so I’m crossing my fingers that holds and I’ll get in some good rides.

[jaslyn1701]

Spacy - you are so right - it was a good ride. We even went over the tiniest of x rails. I figured out why horsie was charging it a bit and cantering away - duh I “told” him to. Once I let off the leg a bit, he trotted to and trotted away.

LOl - I figured out why my horse did so well at the in hand obstacle class a couple of weeks ago. At the end of most rides, I dismount as far way from the gate as I can get. Then I touch him on the shoulder and walk away - he follows. We have gone over poles, over tiny jumps around standards. I call it our dorse time.

Have my first lesson in a long time tomorrow - am excited!

[Riding_is_fundamental]

Want to share with people who will understand my joy!

I was a kid that rode anything, and now am an adult with irrational fear issues (sound familiar to anyone?). I’ve been riding again for several years, and recently got a large pony - yes for me- to have fun with - because everyone needs a pony. Anyway…

Today, I hopped on my pony bareback, in the backfield, halter and two lead ropes only, just like a kid and rode her around the field. Even did a little trot! It was a blast!!!

For anyone else out there having irrational fear issues- I recommend getting a pony

[mayfair]

[QUOTE=Riding is fundamental;6051118]

For anyone else out there having irrational fear issues- I recommend getting a pony :-)[/QUOTE]

Congrats on your bareback ride!!! I’m not a hunter/jumper but am a rerider with irrational fear issues- and I got a large pony as well (14.1h) . Ponies are awesome! I haven’t ridden him bareback yet but hope to next year.

[TarheelJD]

[QUOTE=Riding is fundamental;6051118]
I was a kid that rode anything, and now am an adult with irrational fear issues (sound familiar to anyone?).[/QUOTE]

Oh yes, this sounds very familiar. My resolution for 2012 – get out of my own way, and ride like I know I can when I am not in “apprehensive” mode.

Only another 8 days until my schedule goes back to normal and I can go back to the barn!

[Riding_is_fundamental]

[QUOTE=TarheelJD;6051148]
get out of my own way![/QUOTE]

Love that!

[spacytracy]

Yes, ponies are the ultimate confidence builder. I have one. He’s 14h, and the greatest. When I got the TB, I “gave” him to the 4 year old. Now that the TB is gone, he’s “mine” again until I am in better riding shape. I love him. He’s the same regardless. He’s a stubborn mule who won’t move but he’s safe as can be. And, its closer to the ground.

[jaslyn1701]

Tarheel - I may just have to steal that as my goal for 2012 as well.

Probably my biggest issue - when I have something else to think about - all goes pretty well. The second I start to think about what I am doing - the proverbial hand basket shows up.

PS - Congrats on your ride Riding is Fundamental!

[pony4me]

Totally agree that ponies are the best! My Long Stirrup year back when I was 45 was on a great leased large pony. The kid had lost interest right after he won zone awards. Lucky me! After that, I bought my heart pony, and I still have him. He taught me a lot, paving the way for bigger and better things with the TB.

TB has not torn down his stall yet, but he has munched through an Uncle Jimmy’s Hanging Ball in less than a week while on stall rest. Note to self…must contact SmartPak to see if I can get a quantity discount.

Photo of current pony, with a friend riding
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=1131608659742&set=t.610712950&type=3&theater

Photo of TB, with me riding
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=1391971090317&set=t.610712950&type=3&theater

[spacytracy]

Can’t see pics Such a tease!!

Here’s my pony, with me on him
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534991126855&set=a.534990977155.2042138.52401605&type=3&theater

And with the DD on him this summer
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.560088416685.2048726.52401605&type=1#!/photo.php?fbid=560088641235&set=a.560088416685.2048726.52401605&type=3&theater

[Hinderella]

Ponies Rock!!! And the fear issues are not entirely irrational, when one has a mortgage to pay, and one’s reflexes are not quite what they once were.

I love my pony, but even when they’re " large" and built like a horse, they still have those pony brains, which can be so evil sometimes!

Riding bareback is a great way to build your connection with the horse (or pony) and build your confidence. I did a lot of it last year when we had so much snow that all we could do was walk back & forth along a small track. It’s also nice to sit on a furry warm pony when it’s cold outside.

[pony4me]

[QUOTE=spacytracy;6051703]
Can’t see pics Such a tease!!

Here’s my pony, with me on him
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534991126855&set=a.534990977155.2042138.52401605&type=3&theater

And with the DD on him this summer
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.560088416685.2048726.52401605&type=1#!/photo.php?fbid=560088641235&set=a.560088416685.2048726.52401605&type=3&theater[/QUOTE]

Sorry! Photos should be set to public. If anyone can/can’t see them, please let me know and I’ll recheck my settings.

ST, your ponies are so cute! I can see your photos just fine. Thanks!

[pony4me]

Try this link please. Thanks!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.425436657950.208710.610712950&type=1&l=7033fbc21e

[HoosierHorseNut]

Hi All! I’m a rerider of 7 years. I’ve owned my mare for 6 years. lately instead of hunter/jumper stuff, we’ve been doing reining. we’ve been having a blast! anyway, wanted to say hi!