Can we have an adult re-rider support group?

[wntrwhte]

[QUOTE=Opus1;6148337]

===

So, I’ve been riding in these irons:
http://intecperformancegear.com/Intec-Suregrip-Stirrups-Brand--CPath-16-pid-31005a.html

for the past year. And I’ve noticed in every single lesson, I’d lose my stirrups constantly. They’re HEAVY. And they’re a size 5, which always seemed a little big to me. The wide track doesn’t suit my feet well. Anyway, I decided to get some new irons, just to see.

So, I bought these from Dover:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/composite-stirrups/p/X1-0775/

Since they were cheap and lightweight. I rode in them last week and they were FABULOUS. I can’t say I like the black, but I didn’t lose my stirrups at all in the lesson, and they felt so much better than the other ones. And they only set me back $25. Which was awesome.

A quick question for y’all: Is the standard adult size a 5? Because when I went to look for size 5 irons on Dover and SmartPak, all they had were 4 3/4. Like on ALL the irons. Not just the ones I wanted. Just curious. My trainer also thought 5 was the norm, but maybe not?[/QUOTE]

It depends a little on the size of your foot. I have ridden in 4 1/4 irons my whole life, but I have tiny size 6 feet. I have never seen 5 as the standard size. That would be far too big of an iron for my foot. I would say that I see 4 1/2 or 4 3/4 and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a size 5 except maybe on a men’s saddle many years ago.

ETA: I ride in plain stirrups with the comfort pads that wrap around and zip tie on, or a pair of royal riders with the flex.

I tried a pair of sprenger 4s and I wanted to fall off as soon as I got on. Too unstable for me.

I’m still debating what to do. I know I can find a horse in my price range and I have money to spend. If I boarded the horse an hour away, that barn has a lot of lesson kids etc who would be looking for half leases. If I board him close by, board is $150/mo cheaper, but there’s no lesson horses at that barn so it’s pretty much only people who already own or lease their own.

I did a LOT of number crunching last night and I could just barely make it work if I bought an easy keeper who doesn’t require shoes. I’ve been hankering after a Norwegian fjord since I was a kid (I’m a sucker for ponies with mohawks) and don’t really have a desire to do anything except maybe get around very slowly at a beginner novice event. If I could find a decent one and a kid to ride it a few days a week for half expenses, it would be very doable.

But I’m afraid to buy something that might tap me out financially if I can’t find someone to share with, and if work picks up the horse will just sit, eating up all my disposable income while I’m away on business trips. When work is in high season, I am away M-F traveling.

I know on paper it works, but I’m very concerned it will cost me more than I think and I’ll be screwed.

I miss being a financially irresponsible teenager spending someone else’s money

[iechris]

ST- sorry to hear your are in the hospital and hope you heal up fast!

Dewey- good luck on the PPE

I had another great lesson on Wednesday. Almost ready to try a bit of canter without stirrups (thinking round pen for this). Jumped quite a bit including back to doing verticals, so VERY happy about that. I’ve been working pretty hard and it seems to be paying off. Now to just get to the gym and get the eating under control.

[Dewey]

wntrwhte, can you find a horse to half-lease instead of buy?

[wntrwhte]

[QUOTE=Dewey;6149553]
wntrwhte, can you find a horse to half-lease instead of buy?[/QUOTE]

I’ve been trying to find something, but so far the only things I’ve found to half lease are green broke OTTBs (I don’t feel comfortable with that at my current level of fitness or experience) or 17hh horses that I could ride, but I don’t think that I would enjoy riding something that can barely feel me up there.

It seems that at least in this area, those people who still have horses want to ride them, and those who used to have a need to share have sold them and gotten out of horses. I don’t live in a high income area, a lot of barns have closed in the past years since I’ve been out of riding.

I’m still looking, but haven’t found anything yet-- found a couple full leases, but that doesn’t alleviate the financial pressure.

[PaintedHunter]

ST- hope you are on the mend! Feel better.

So I may have found JJ’s issue. And it’s completely my fault. Ifeellikeabadmom-hissaddlehas apparentlybeenplacedinaverywrongspotforhisconformation.Likeatleast8inchestoofarforward*:-/.OnanyotherhorsetherightspotforhissaddleandgirthwouldlookWAYtoofarback.Soyeah,it’sbeenimpedinghisshoulderandhurting.Whichhasmadehimtrytoovercompensatewithhisbackend,throwinghishipsout- explains his up and down circus horse canter he does sometimes.Shestretchedhismusclesintotherightplace,showedmehowtodoacertainbuttmassage,andtoldmetouseaheatingpadonhim.Whenwedidthemassage,hestretchedhislegsout,sighedbigandthenlethisentirespottedpinkmanhoodhangstraightdownbecausehewasrelaxed.*Lol.

Anyway,Iamhopefulthatthisisgoingtofixhim.Shesaiditmighttakeabitoftimeforhimtorealizehedoesn’tneedtotenseupanywhereanymore,andhislittlepeabrainneedstoreset.Butshethinkshisattitudewilldramaticallyimprovenowthathe’snothurty.

Ifeelterriblethatit’sbeenMEcausingthis*

[PaintedHunter]

Whoa what happened with my last post and the stars??

[shelliblue]

PH- Don’t beat yourself up about it! At least know you know the source and can move forward!

I have a lesson today, I hope the pony cooperates and want to come in from the field… she like to run from me… great fun!

[CVPeg]

Hi, Guys.

Well, I haven’t been on lately - got bucked off in the ring a few weeks back, and didn’t want to whine about it. Was riding the next day, and fine within a week. Then again been riding B 6 out of 7 days, and it has been pretty uneventful. Still bratty shenanigans, but not too terrible. Even have been getting back to some trotting - a move ahead once again without any untoward goofiness. Some nice weather allowed me to take him out on a short walk outside 2 days ago, but the breezes were picking up so kept it short. Didn’t want to jinx all the good stuff so far, so didn’t write about it.

Then yesterday, took him back out - it wasn’t so warm, too cold, or too windy that should have caused any misbehavior. So I took him a little farther down the road. I was totally calm, and not unsure of myself - he did a couple of little whines, and a little jig, and I just kept my head on straight, and didn’t expect him to make much out of it, when wham, he really laid out several nasty bucks in a row, and this time I ended up on the road - still a dirt road, but definitely harder than the indoor. I am very lucky I am in one piece. He tore down the road, they came out on the 4 wheeler and found me walking back. He is fine - didn’t hurt himself as he tore back to the barn full speed.

I have given up a lot to try to give this horse a new career, spent the $$ on a custom saddle, significant check ups with the vet, but I have enjoyed the return to full time riding with horse ownership after 20 years. This has been happening over the past 6 months. But I am really hurting from yesterday and really lucky. He has been gone over with a fine tooth comb - his bucking behavior is NOT a physical thing, we’ve ruled out lamesnesses or a couple other conditions as a cause. I have just given him almost a complete series of Gastrogard so it’s not an ulcer. It is just in his head - over-the-top ex competitive racehorse behavior , and sad to say, I don’t see much improvement on the horizon. He wasn’t that bad for the first few months when I started working with him, but once he got in great condition, and when we figured he had a little arthritis that was easily addressed, he is no longer a riding horse.

I’ve been in touch with a common sense H/J horseman rider/trainer - well respected with significant Thoroughbred background. Hoping he can come by this week for a visit. Current barn trainers are ok, but they are dressage, and although they discuss their experience with Thoroughbreds and horse care, my situation really doesn’t fit their little enclave of Thoroughbred experiences. They have good advice for many situations, but this one is over their heads, and I know enough, to realize it. I have only had Thoroughbreds - but none like this one.

I absolutely hate giving up on a Thoroughbred, on this ex racehorse that I owned a piece of. He is a load of fun on the ground - beautiful and personable, and smart. I think he might make an amazing jumper, but he has physical limitations that will prevent that - I was looking forward to just having him as a hack horse. Hah!

So I am quite bummed, let alone a hurting turkey this weekend. My ex-boyfriend is around this weekend - we have remained friends, but once he’s gone tomorrow night, I know I’m going to be really down. And no, I don’t want to get another horse. It really has been too much out of my budget, but I did it for this horse that I love, that I didn’t want to see anything happen to. I think he will, after all, become a pasture pony somewhere. Will know for sure once the H/J trainer I’ve asked to visit can make it. In the meantime, no riding much this week. Damn.

[pony4me]

Thanks goodness PH’s posts are back to normal. For a moment I thought she’d been hacked by a texting 14 year old. Was waiting for the eye roll smiley between the *s.

Sorry you got dumped, Peg. TBs can be a handful. I know I am very, very careful whenever the barn puts me on one of theirs. At my age, there are some horses that just aren’t fun anymore.

Had a pretty good lesson today on one of the barn’s older TB’s. He jumps pretty hard, so I had to be careful about my back. Once we established a very good forward pace he was better. Still I’m going to be taking a couple of Advils right after I finish this post.

Hoping to hear that ST is out of the hospital, and doing better. Colic is no fun.

Stay safe everyone.

[PaintedHunter]

No clue what happened in that one post! Well we rode today and he didn’t buck until well into the ride. And I really put my big girl pants on and made him work through it when he started the bucking. We did better than we have in ages! I have hope we can work through this. He loves his new masages too

[iechris]

Peg- sounds very scary and I bet you are sore. Glad to hear you are only bruised. One of my friends finally had to place her TB that never got over bucking suddenly out of nowhere. They tried everything, with a TB friendly trainer, and nothing helped.

I’ll admit to being a bit of a chicken when it comes to riding out on the trails by myself, I’ve decided that it is a warm weather only activity for me.

PH- the important thing is you cared enough to spend the time and money to find out what is wrong with your horse and are now willing to spend the time and money to make it right. That makes you a good mom!

Had a fantastic ride today. Horsie and I could have been in a video called “how to select a horse for your client”. He was in the perfect place with enough go to really do some good work and not enough forward to make me start pulling on the reins and picking him down to nothing.

My big news is TWO laps around the arena trotting without stirrups! I’m simply amazed at how I seem to be able almost twice as much as the previous ride every time I do no stirrups work. There is no zeal like that of the newly converted!

Hope everyone else has a great weekend and gets some riding in.

[morganmerle]

CV, you are a good horse mama. a lot of people would have given up and dumped him by now. Don’t beat yourself up.

I didn’t ride last weekend because it was freezing, but this weekend, despite the rain, I rode. Thank goodness for covered arenas!

I’ve had a low grade headache for three days, and my husband is being a jerk… sigh. I needed a good ride to clear my head. Thankfully Dodge was on his best behavior. I think he knew I was off. He’s a good egg. We just walked around still bareback working on basics. I can’t help but think… how did I ride as a kid? Better yet, how did I not kill myself as a kid? Have I really forgotten all I learned or am I overthinking everything? I swear it will fall into place if I can just get out of my own way.

[QUOTE=Opus1;6142429]
And I know this might sound hokey, but … I kind of want to be a barn rat again. I don’t plan to live at the barn, but just go out more, even if it’s just to groom him and clean tack.[/QUOTE]
:lol: I want to be a barn rat! And today would be the perfect day for me. There is something therapeutic about grooming horses while listening to the rain fall. Almost as good as just sitting quietly while they munch on hay. :yes:

[spacytracy]

Peg Im sorry you are at crossroads. I too went thru that with Dublin. Slmetimes you have to make the right decison for YOU. Life is too short to comstamtly worry about getting hirt. I feel a complete sense of relief now that he is gone. I want to jist enjoy the ride!

Im still in the hospital, shoil get out tomprrow. Sorry for the terrible spelling.

[wntrwhte]

[QUOTE=spacytracy;6150523]
Peg Im sorry you are at crossroads. I too went thru that with Dublin. Slmetimes you have to make the right decison for YOU. Life is too short to comstamtly worry about getting hirt. I feel a complete sense of relief now that he is gone. I want to jist enjoy the ride!

Im still in the hospital, shoil get out tomprrow. Sorry for the terrible spelling.[/QUOTE]

Feel better, SpacyTracy…I had surgery 2 weeks ago tomorrow and I am just getting back to normal. I overdid it right after surgery and paid for it afterward.

[Dewey]

PH, at least you know what was wrong! Don’t worry, your horse won’t hold it against you.

[Dewey]

CVPeg, what a bummer. I am so sorry things have not worked out. I hope the person you have lined up to come and assess the horse has some good advice for you, but please don’t take any more risks.

[Dewey]

I have the PPE lined up for next Saturday. The first big check (of many, I’m sure) I will write for this mare.:eek:

He’s going to do the basic stuff; in addition, the B/O recommended I have x-rays done of her front feet. Her feet are the one thing I’m kind of worried about.

I haven’t had a chance to talk to the B/O much about the weird condition the owner wants to insert into the sales contract. I have a feeling, though, that what we will end up with is something a bit less than he has asked for.

I showed the mare on Sat.–the show was at our barn, so it was very convenient. We did a little 18-inch schooling division. She was a good girl, a little spooky, and her turns were wide, but she jumped everything. I also rode her in the adult eq on the flat–Lee Cone is here for a clinic, and he judged the class. He asked for several things I hadn’t done with her before, including a lengthening of stride, halt to canter, and canter into the lineup. Mare was very good, though! We placed third out of seven, so I was pleased.

[HazelG]

Way to go Dewey!! Sooooo proud of you. Hope you had fun at the show and many more for you ahead.

Spacy how are you feeling? Are you out of the hospital yet? Do you have some help for when you get home? Its too bad we are all so far apart that we can’t help each other out in person!

CVPeg sorry to hear of the fall. Hopefully the trainer you have lined up can help. Let us know what they say.

PH I’m so glad you figured it out!! Don’t feel bad about not knowing and don’t feel guilty (totally useless emotion). Your horse doesn’t blame you and beating yourself up for something you didn’t know is also useless. Looks like good times ahead

Well I just got back from vacation. I got to spend a day at WEF in Wellington. Wow what a place. I did get to watch a bit of the hunter spectacular but my daughter wasn’t feeling well and threw up so we had to leave early. At least I got to be there and got a baseball cap to prove it!! I tried on a pair of beautiful horsey diamond earrings. They were $975!!! A whole different snack bracket than I live in but fun to look at them in my humble little ears for a few minutes! Back to the real world…

[HazelG]

Oh and I liked all the stars in PH’s post! I thought you did it on purpose!

[wntrwhte]

Well, I made the call to the barn that’s an hour away to inquire about lessons. I decided it was better for me and I’d find a way to live with the drive.

In other news, I took a trip to the SmartPak store today and decided to treat myself, so I bought new field boots, even though I’ll probably be riding dressage from here on out. I also got my heart set on a Samshield helmet, but couldn’t justify the purchase price ($500+tax) when I’m riding a few days a week right now. There was also a 10 week wait.

So I didn’t order it, but I really wanted it. By a series of rather odd events, I’ve become separated from my helmet by about a 70 mile/1.5hr drive. I’ll need to go drive back and get it, but I was so tempted to just buy the new one I really wanted