Can we have an adult re-rider support group?

[CVPeg]

Hi, All -

Thanks for the good wishes for my sister - further news is, if you have to have it, I guess she has the “best” kind - she’ll know more this week as she begins to make arrangements near her. She’s going to look into going to Johns Hopkins. I feel kind of bad bringing this news up here and being a downer, but it had just happened to me.

Wow - lots of news.

Bumknees - that’s awful about the tax sale! Hope there is some way you can eventually get some kind of decision in your favor - small claims? Even though it will probably be like trying to get blood from a stone - you could perhaps have a judgment against them, and at least have that in place in the event they are ever solvent again. Sorry about the med insurance as well. I currently pay my own, and is it ever painful.

Stolenvirtue - how exciting that you’re going to have the whole gang there! And won’t have the commute!

Hazel - Yea pulley rein! Isn’t fickle weather fun? :eek:

Pony4me - hope all goes well in NYC!

Tarheel - you are so right about what we gain from our moments with our steeds. Why I don’t care if others don’t “get it”. That feeling is just so worth it. Had considered, and would love to do the NYC event this weekend - was going to do Hunter’s Rest, but that hasn’t worked out - looking forward to hearing how it all goes. Should be interesting also considering the recent NY Times’ racing “expose”. :sigh:

So have just decided to keep to the training schedule for now anyway, which doesn’t allow for much room to travel - but in making progress is definitely worthwhile. B does not like getting a day off - and he is certainly behaving better with the routine.

[Pancakes]

Hey everyone… I rode yesterday and the past 2 days. It’s not been bad per say but it sucks not having that core strength and the left side of my body to use. I think I might be ready to jump again next week. Dash is sore on the left too, so we cut short our ride. We worked on her right side too much the past 2 days so I think that’s why her left side is stiff now. It’s okay, I can’t do much either. I enjoyed my ride on her regardless. Just spending time with her has been what I wanted.

The pain has kind of plateaued. I hate being confined to laying or sitting in one position comfortably. More than that, I hate not being able to be active otherwise. I can’t go to Yoga, lift weights, run, or anything that involves heavy breathing and stretching. I’m gaining weight because I’m less active. I feel broken and ugly and gross. It’s made me kind of depressed That and personal stuff…sigh. Feelings of lonliness, not feeling good enough. Ok, enough whining and my own pity party.

I know others have a lot they’re dealing with too, so my thoughts are with you guys. I don’t know what to do about your housing situation, Bumknees. I have no clue, but it seems to me you must have some legal recourse.
Also, I think it’s really obnoxious the BM is trying to force a vet/dentist onto you not of your choosing. As long as you have one and you’re taking good care of your horse, then who cares who it is?

Stolenvirtue, congrats on having your youngster closer to you

CVPeg, my thoughts are with your sister and your family.

Hazel, I’m glad you got to use the pulley rein successfully! I’m not glad you had to, but it’s good you knew what to do to prevent things from getting bad. Just goes to show you that even the most quiet and made of horses are STILL horses.

Jaslyn – getting out into a grass field to run in sounds great! Refreshing for both horse and rider! Sounds wonderful

[Dewey]

Bumknees, what a load on your shoulders! I am so sorry to hear about your losing your insurance and possibly your house! :no: I’ll be thinking of you…keep us posted!

YAY for the pulley rein, Hazel! So glad it bailed you out!! Yeah, we all know theoretically that any horse can act up, but it’s hard to remember. A couple of years ago I was leading my daughter’s little horse who is the most placid thing…suddenly the wind knocked over a whole set of rakes leaning against the side of the barn. The little guy just flipped out and flattened me…I was black and blue for a month!

[stolen_virtue]

The rakes remind me of the time my old guy (when I just bought him) was tied to the rail while I was grooming him and suddenly the entire Sunday times came blowing down the hill above us. He was going to be OK after the first couple of sections came down the hill but then the rest started being blown in the wind down the hill right at him and he tore his halter and ran into his paddock !I got the metal clip from the lead rope stuck in my hand and had to have it taken out at the ER. I was so angry that someone left the entire newspaper out at a barn.

Bumknees-I keep waiting for the insurance reforms to take hold. Falling between the cracks for insurance can wreak havoc on anyone’s life. I also think you should investigate your rights in regards to your house. I think at a minimum you should have 60 or 90 days notice. I would look into this at legal aid offices.

[HazelG]

So I went on a hack with my son today. It was awesome. Short, but awesome First one of the season.

Anyone else doing really badly with the fitness thing? Remember we were going to say our goals for the week and report on Sundays? I’m really sucking at it big time. How to find the time and the motivation??? First show is in 6 weeks and I still can’t zip up my breeches

[Dewey]

Glad to hear you had a good mother-son ride, Hazel! As for the exercise, I was thinking about that today. I’ve had mixed success. Last week, for example, I exercised on the three days I planned to; this week I only made it once!

I did move my hand weights into the kitchen, so I could at least do a few exercises while waiting for something to boil!

[Opus1]

[QUOTE=bumknees;6216498]

Opus how did the lease go? Did you or didnt you?[/QUOTE]

Drumroll please …

I didn’t. But it was a mutual agreement. I went out to ride today with Trainer No. 2 and afterwards, we had a nice discussion. She’s sold her TB, leased out her big Dutch WB and is now left with the Irish Sport horse/Oldenburg cross I’d been thinking about leasing … and she wants to keep him because she forgot how nice he was. (And her hubby doesn’t mind after all, as it was the Dutch guy he didn’t like.)

From her side, she knows I want more of a hunter/eq horse and her guy isn’t. Despite him being bred for that purpose. He will do trails and XCountry, first-flight foxhunting, etc. But he’s no good for huntery stuff.

From my side, he’s been competed up to fourth level dressage and could go PSG with the right rider. But dressage is not my ultimate goal and I’d feel like I was completely wasting him doing Intro A-B-C. While I’m slowly getting the feel of dressage, and it’s cool in its own way, I know I don’t want to pursue it the way a true dressage rider would. I think it’s very beneficial, and it’s something I can see doing here and there. But my heart’s in equitation and getting good at that both on the flat and over fences, when the time comes.

Plus, the big project/possible promotion at work has been pushed back to the start of 3Q. And after the past few weeks, I’m not so sure I want to take it. Unless there’s a big payraise involved. Then there’s always the chance they’ll force it on me, regardless, then screw me by giving me a very modest (insulting) raise. (Yeah, I don’t work for the best company.) Which would mean I’d then be looking for a new job.

So … There you have it. It worked out for the best. I’m not terribly disappointed. I mean, I am a little, because he’s SUCH a nice horse, but this will give me some time to see how the job works out. As well as continue to save for my horsey pursuits, be it a lease or a purchase. Or a pair of 3-strap custom brown Dehner field boots that I’ve been drooling over for the past 14 months.

@HazelG;6217695

Anyone else doing really badly with the fitness thing?

Since I’m done with my hell month at work, I’ll be calling around gyms and personal trainers this week. I have two trainers to ride, may as well have a trainer to get me off my butt.

Simply because if I don’t have to answer to someone, I won’t do it. I’ve played this game too many times before. I won’t have a trainer with me every time I work out, but I’m sure they’ll give me workouts to do on my own in between sessions. Ideally, I’d like to have a trainer with me 2x or 3x a week. Then once I’m up and working out and have it as part of my schedule, I may drop the trainer, or at least drop the sessions to 1x a week.

[QUOTE=HazelG;6215973]
So once again fellow reriders, thanks for saving me, and thanks all for being there![/QUOTE]

@CVPeg;6216773

Hazel - Yea pulley rein! Isn’t fickle weather fun? :eek:

Y’all are weirding me out about the bolting thing. :eek:

Of course, knowing me, I’d be able to withstand a spook/bolt combo but chicken out when it came to cantering. I honestly don’t think I’m scared of getting hurt so much as making an ass out of myself. But that’s about to change.

[Dewey]

[QUOTE=Opus1;6217855]
As well as continue to save for my horsey pursuits, be it a lease or a purchase. Or a pair of 3-strap custom brown Dehner field boots that I’ve been drooling over for the past 14 months. :D[/QUOTE]

Hahaha…I have been drooling over those, too, for some time. Please get them, so I can enjoy vicariously through you.

I’m sorry the lease didn’t work out, Opus. :no:
It sounds as though it’s for the best, though.

[PaintedHunter]

Hazel- so glad for that pulley rein discussion! Sorry for the bolt, though- hope you were able to enjoy the ride afterwards at least.

Bumknees- so sorry about all the troubles! I certainly hope things look up for you soon.

Pancakes- hope you continue to mend! And I totally get the depression thing.

opus, I’m sorry it dind’t work out…i hope that you find the perfect partner soon.

I was way too hung over to do much riding yesterday (oh my gosh, the older I get, the less it takes to get to that point! Darn weddings…). but, JJ was much improved from the other day. He did not tail-swish or try to buck at all, but I think i need to re-establish dominance with him. We had a 20-minute fight at the mounting block, but I finally won. And then he kept trying to jig, so I was making it an “I WILL WIN” day. he moved an inch that I didn’t ask him to, or wrong gait, and it was halt, back, halt and get bored before we move. he got so pissed of about it that I had to get off halfway through and just let him free lunge around the ring for a few, and he bucked and farted like a champ. Got back on, and I finally was able to get a nice, loose, extended trot with his head down, a few nice head-down walks, and called it a day.

But a confession: after all his buckiness, I am scared fo cantering him again. I know I need to do it, and our next ride will be the right time to do it after his hocks were injected, but I just need to make myself do it. Tips? he can get quite fast, and with all the bucking before (which was pain-related) I am worried that he’s still going to be bucky, and I am not the strongest rider.

[HazelG]

Opus sounds like you made the right decision. Things work out the way they do for a reason I think.

Stolen Virtue I know that wasn’t supposed to be funny but I did get a chuckle over the poor pony scared to bits by the newspaper. It’s sort of a funny visual if you weren’t there.

Bumknees sorry for the stress. Deep breath, keep putting one foot in front of the other. We’re here to listen and support.

Dewey I’m putting my hand weights in the kitchen as soon as I get home!!! If I only knew what to do with them haha

PH, here’s my two cents. My trainer always suggests never getting in a fight with them, they always win based on the size and weight issue. You need to get them on your side, says she. They are all a bit goofy at this time of year I find. Do you have a lunge line? My daughter was totally terrified of her new pony this winter, it is a perfectly behaved well schooled 12.2 small white pony (looks like a fluffy marshmallow), but I think was bored to bits going around the indoor trying to teach my daughter to keep her legs and hands still. My daughter showed A circuit short stirrup all last summer and wasn’t afraid of a thing, kept wanting to jump higher, oxers etc. (she called them “oscars”, too cute) I was getting really frustrated, so by the middle of the winter I lunged the pony EVERY SINGLE TIME she rode it. I just helped her tack up, brought it into the indoor, and lunged both ways for 5 minutes. It gave the pony a chance to buck and be a pony, get a bit tired, and then it would be an angel for my daugher, who wasn’t scared because she knew mum had lunged her first. Truthfully I don’t think I needed to, because the pony was actually fine, and so was my daughter, but it was a whole mind game for both of them, and it only took 10 minutes. What if you lunged him first, gave him a chance to get his sillies out, and then rode him? Just a thought…

So trying to find field boots for my son, who had aged out of ladies field boots and now wears mens size 11, slim. These do not exist in Canada, except for customs, which I don’t want to pay for since he will only wear them for one season and grow out of them. Smartpak and Dover have them but he can’t try them on, and Smartpak doesn’t ship to Canada. Do you think it would be okay for him to show in his paddock boots and half chaps? They are brand new, black leather, and he is only doing the schooling jumpers. What do you think?

Freezing here again today, trying to convince myself to put on the woolies and brave the cold after work. Maybe I’ll just do weights in the kitchen instead… sigh

[Dewey]

Hazel, I stumbled into the kitchen at 5 am today, put on the water for coffee, and saw the hand weights sitting on the counter. I idly picked them up and did a few arm lifts while waiting for the water to boil. It was better than nothing. I felt so encouraged that I brought my jump rope into the kitchen and put it next the weights. Do you think my rowing machine will fit on the counter, too? :lol::lol:

[HazelG]

That’s a great idea Dewey! Maybe I should put the treadmill in the kitchen and I can run at the same time that I’m getting everything ready for everybody. I can put it right between the dishwasher, sink and fridge and just keep on running. It feels like that’s what I’m doing most days anyway ha ha. (don’t know how to add the little laughing faces or I would have done that instead).

[Dewey]

That’s hilarious! I can just picture you on the treadmill while making sandwiches, signing permission forms, getting clothes out of the dryer, etc.

Just click on the emoticon you want. They are on the right of your reply box, aren’t they?
:):D:lol::winkgrin:;):eek::yes::no::(confused::mad:

[iechris]

Bumknees- that is terrible about the house and then having all the other stuff on top- sending positive vibes your way.

Opus- sounds to me like you made the right decision on the lease.

I finally had a lesson today! Still having major allergy issues but the asthma is past (I’m thinking it might be the pear tress that cause it). Did a bit of a warm-up without stirrups and then we worked a lot cantering over poles. I really had my eye today so we focused on that. I know I am more confident going to a single jump than in a combination and my trainer hit the nail on the head that I trust my eye but I’m not sure about my pace. We worked on changing pace with some unrelated distances, just over poles and it was really a GREAT lesson. Something else to practice.

Horsie dear had been moved to a different field with some 2 year olds and one of the school horse mares. He has decided he is in love with the mare, so back to his old field! Also got to see the new foal, who is now owned by one of my friends. He is so cute and super sweet and interested in humans already.

Off to dog shows for the weekend so I won’t be able to ride again until next Wednesday.

[bumknees]

Really need you guys today…Its been a hellaous day one of our dogs died this morning. It was expected but yet is was hard. We did not think she would make it through the winter but she manged to somehow. My dog has been going nuts gong through the house whinning howeling, and whimpering looking for her all day. Have an idea how loud a border collie can be when they are upset when the love of their life is nowhere to be found?
If you ask anyone who knows me irl I do not cry it just doesnt happen but I have been doing just that all day… I hear a song and I cry,I see a story on the news i cry( I live in ne Ohio and they have been showing something abut the chardon shoooting 1mth thing)… I am just not a person who cries it is quite draining… I dont like this crying thing… I hope it stops soon.
It has just been a very long day.
To keep this horse related toby’s rider did wonderful on him the other day. she an he are really starting to click. she is really starting to get the wp out of her riding and learng that yes she can have contact and not go over the the plane( or is it plaine?) of the withers like they do in wp. Her posting trot is almost natural it is scary it took me more than 2 attempts before I got them correct…

[stolen_virtue]

Bumknees, so sorry about the loss of your dog, and I know how hard it is on the other dog. I lost my kitty in Jan she was 23 and our parrot last month at 29. It was so sad and yet to be expected. I still really miss those two incredibly annoying animals. I still wake up to my kitty’s cries only she is not here.

It does get better, but really it is hard…hugs

[Opus1]

Bumknees, I’m so sorry! Our lab is now in her teens and I’m dreading the day her time comes. And yes, crying sucks. But it’s good for you to get it out.

[QUOTE=Dewey;6218229]
Hahaha…I have been drooling over those, too, for some time. Please get them, so I can enjoy vicariously through you.[/QUOTE]

We’ll see. I was dying to get them last year, but then talked myself out of it, since I’d need to drive a couple hours just to get measured for them. But this year, I think I might just do it. Since they’re adjustable, I can wear them with jeans or breeches … gain weight or lose weight, and still wear them around. So, they’re practical! That’s my reasoning!

@HazelG;6218833

Do you think it would be okay for him to show in his paddock boots and half chaps? They are brand new, black leather, and he is only doing the schooling jumpers. What do you think?

I don’t think it would be a problem. Plus, while at the show, you could scout out the male competitors and see where they get their boots at.

You could also try looking up manufacturer websites and trying to locate Canadian distributors that way. I know Ariat, Mountain Horse, Treadstone all have men’s boots. Ovation too for that matter. In fact, I’ll probably be ordering some men’s Treadstones so I can get a bigger calf size without having to go up in foot size. (Plus, I have woefully wide feet.)

===

Well, the lease didn’t work out, but I still get to ride the Irish guy in my lessons! So, I’ll be riding him again tomorrow. He’s good for me. He makes me pay attention and actually ride and not just sit.

[Dewey]

Bumknees, I am SO sorry about the loss of your beloved dog. Mine is 12 and is getting gray and arthritic, so I am just trying to enjoy and value each precious day I have with him.

I always give this to people who have lost a dog…a dear friend gave me a copy when I lost my sweet Jolly back in 1997. Read it and let those tears flow.

Where To Bury A Dog

There are various places within which a dog may be buried. We are thinking now of a setter, whose coat was flame in the sunshine, and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This setter is buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave. Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good dog. Beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or gnawed at a flavorous bone, or lifted head to challenge some strange intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. Yet it is a small matter, and it touches sentiment more than anything else.

For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that dog sleeps at long and at last. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where most exhilarating cattle graze. It is all one to the dog, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing lost – if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a dog. One place that is best of all.

If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you must already have, he will come to you when you call – come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel they should not growl at him, nor resent his coming, for he is yours and he belongs there.

People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper pitched too fine for mere audition, people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them then, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing.

The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.

by Ben Hur Lampman

[HazelG]

Bumknees I am sorry for your loss. Crying is normal and necessary. Accept it, and it will eventually stop.

[jaslyn1701]

Bumknees, to cry is good - let it flow. I know how you feel, having had to put a dog down last fall.

Dewey - I love it and it is so true.

I finally got to ride after work. By myself. And I actually cantered my horse. Several times. Small circles, yes, balance not the greatest (pulling TB did not help), but I did it and I did not die!