Can we have an adult re-rider support group?

[spacytracy]

I’m so sorry Bumknees. Never easy. Its just not.

Sorry I’ve been a bit MIA. Been really busy at work, and have started riding the horse that I mentioned before. He is a very good boy but built really wide so its like riding a draft. I have to lengthen my stirrups just so I can get my legs around him. He’s honestly a bit painful but hopefully I’ll get used to it. I have only W/T him, I’m waiting until I’m stronger to canter him as I’ve been told he can get a little freight train about it. So I want to make sure I have enough strength to stay in control!

[CVPeg]

Oh, Bumknees - so sorry to hear about your dog, and his best 4 legged friend’s reaction. Lovely poem, Dewey - I also forwarded this on to my sister who just lost her 14 year old terrier.

I drove to another town yesterday to observe a trainer that will be coming to the barn to work with B, and another horse, belonging to the barn owner. Learned a few beginning ground techniques - some that I’ve also picked up elsewhere.

B gets really irritated at the whip when he’s being longed - kicking out at it and stomping in annoyance. So I tried “desensitizing” him today by running the whip gently all over him. Well, he was mesmerized! So much so, that when I stopped, he wouldn’t move. Like a guy in a barber chair getting a scalp massage! :lol:

Then, of course, when I asked him to start work, he was like, “no, I don’t think so, I like what you did with it before!” I thought - great, serves me right! He did, however, eventually catch on and got back to business. So you see, even with all the naughty, bucking behavior, he is just so funny, and so engaging always, that I have to keep on trying! I am really enjoying this ground work, and can see that it is changing things quite a bit - especially the OTTB mindset of “run, run, run”! Very interesting to learn new stuff.

[HazelG]

CVPeg that sounds really positive! Keep us updated.

Pancakes how are you feeling?

Spacytracy how are you healing?

[spacytracy]

I’m doing ok! Sometimes I have some stretchy pain sometimes but I think thats probably normal. At this point I don’t think there’s much risk of a hernia, but I’m still being careful about lifting.

Nicest thing today. The owner of the horse I mentioned sent me a smartpak gift certificate! I think she was just grateful that someone was taking extra care and attention to her boy while she was away. It was totally unnecessary but completely appreciated. And I’ve been eyeing a bridle on there so this helps me justify it!

[Opus1]

Man. I click on one little link for brown Dehners being on sale on eBay. And that sends me to looking at black Treadstone Gran Torino field boots, since I don’t have any proper tall boots, just paddocks. Then I remember I have a bonus from my hell month coming up … And there’s a tack store nearby that sells Treadstone products …

And I swear on all that is holy, I had a plan for that bonus, but I can’t remember what exactly. I think it had something to do with my possible lease that went south, but I’m not 100% sure.

So, new boots for me then!

Dangit, CoTH. Between you and the Dover and Smartpak catalogs, it’s a wonder I even have enough money left over to buy lunch sometimes.

[dreaminOTTB]

Wow, I’m away for a few days and I miss a TON.

Bumknees, I’m so sorry for your loss. Grieve however you need to. Vent or cry, it’s all normal.

CVPeg - great story! Mine also gets a little finicky about the dressage whip, but when I’ve worked on desensitizing him to it, he does not get that relaxed! More like, oh well, I’ll put up with it!

It’s been beyond insane at work and between that and making time at the barn, I haven’t been able to make time for much else. I can’t wait for the weekend. It cannot get here soon enough.

[Piatt_Farms]

First Horse Show on Sunday for this re-rider!!

First- I swear when I rode as a teen, getting into riding shape did not hurt nearly as bad as it does now that I’m mid 30’s.

I lucked into having a fantastic TB gelding that is kind, willing and tries REALLY hard to figure out what I’m asking him to do (at times I am still focusing on not falling off or dropping reins- cues are a far second :lol:). My 4yr old is showing again this year so mommy is going to show with her this weekend…my first since starting to ride again. YIPPEE!!!
She did lead line last year and this year has developed enough control of her little pony that she is going to move on to walk/trot poles where she do it all by herself. sniff

I am doing walk/trot poles as well for the 20+ division but I think we will just walk the course rather than trot. I keep telling myself it’s because it’s what I want my DD to do her first time out as well too, but in reality I am still a bit nervous about trotting in front of people on him. My diagonal stinks, I think I’m off more than I’m on it. Practice makes perfect though, right?? :winkgrin:

The good news is, he is VERY experienced and I have no doubt he will be a total gentleman the whole time. Plus he get’s to get a mini workout when my friend rides him in the 2’9" class.

Wish me luck!! I’m so excited about this!!

Katherine

[Dewey]

Good luck, Katherine! Lest us know how it goes!

[Dewey]

I have been so thrilled with Sky lately. She is learning her lead changes, and has been getting the right-to-left when I ask for the past few days–dare I hope that she has it down? :yes:

The left-to-right she doesn’t yet do “on cue,” though she does it by herself sometimes.

Her jumping is quieter and less of a “big deal.” The test will be when we ask her to jump some new things.

[HazelG]

Opus have fun boot shopping! I am doing the same thing this weekend, going to get some DeNiros for myself and my son. Absolutely sick to death of boots that hurt me, expensive fancy boots or not!!

Katherine good luck to you and your daughter this weekend. Let us know how it goes. Just have fun and enjoy the day. (I love watching my kids show just as much as I love showing myself, maybe even more).

Dewey, way to go. I’m sure you’re thrilled with how Sky is progressing. funny, my horse is also much better at right to left changes than the other way around. I’m finally getting enough of my own balance to help him balance to do the change. Seems to me its almost time for you to post some update brag photos!!

Bumknees, how are you doing? Been thinking of you.

Working a lot this weekend so not too much riding on the horizon for me. Weather forecast is the pits too, calling for snow!! Hope everyone has a good weekend, looking forward to show updates etc.

[Pancakes]

Dewey, auto-changes (and even sorta auto) are awesome! You must be so pleased

Katherine, good luck for you and DD in the show! Getting back into it is important, even if it’s a starter class. I hope you and your horse do great!

Spacytracy, what are you going to buy with the smartpak gift certificate? That’s such a lovely gift

Bumknees…I’m so sorry for your loss! How devastating. My thoughts are with you. I know the pain must still be very fresh.

Jaslyn, congrats on the cantering Small steps! You must be so pleased!

I’m feeling better than last week but I still have pain in my ribs and left buttcheek/hip, and now I have sacral pain from compensating for the left side. I’m really dependent on NSAIDs still, and I take my vicodin every night. But overall the breathing is much improved and I can even laugh again without pain! I went back to the doctor today. She said I probably will take another 8 weeks to heal, and another 12 weeks to fully recover. sigh
She said “no contact sports” and no running, yoga, or any other activity. Soo…is riding a “contact sport?”

Anyway, I’m going to be showing again this weekend. I don’t know what divisions yet. I have a lesson this afternoon and we’ll see how Dash is and how I feel. My mom doesn’t want me to jump. I think I can do the low division (2’) if Dash is cooperating. We’re getting frustrated because she’s getting confused about what she’s allowed to do with the kids and with us (me and my trainer). She needs consistency. I feel like she’s great with me most of the time. Most importantly…I feel safe with her. She takes care of me. So, we’ll see…

[Pancakes]

So our lesson was great! Dash was SO good for me and very responsive. We jumped around (only like 18" or so) a mini course and we got it, including lead changes, by the end! I’m very happy with how I rode and how she was. If she can do that on Sunday, then we’ll be thrilled

A bit of sad news though…my trainer has decided to sell Dash. She just needs a consistent rider or she becomes confused, then acts up. While she’s BOMBPROOF and super safe for little kids, she will take advantage of them and do things like get crooked, etc. She isn’t being mean; she just gets bored with trotting around in circles all the time and is looking for more. So, she needs a new home… I’m really sad to see her go but I understand that for her own happiness and well-being, she needs to be someone’s horse, not a lesson horse. She’d make a great kid’s horse for someone looking to move up from ponies. She’ll take care of anyone. In the meantime I plan to keep doing lessons of course. sigh

[jaslyn1701]

Pancakes, I am so sorry your trainer decided to sell Dash. But, kudos to you for understanding why.

I cantered again last night! This time a bigger circle and I was able to relax a lot more and actually sit. I have a lesson on Sunday, so will be able to see what the issues are with me and with Finn.

[Dewey]

Awwwww, gee, Pancakes…I am so sorry Dash will be sold. I know you love her and have gotten along with her so well. That’s really a shame.

Hope your show with her this weekend provides you with lots of wonderful memories! Good luck!

[HazelG]

Good for you Jaslyn! So proud! Glad it went well.

Pancakes can you buy her?

[jaslyn1701]

No riding today due to rain, so I either went insane or got a steal of deal.

Stopped by the tack store on the way home from the barn to get 1 thing, 1. As I wander around, I run across a consignment Stubben all purpose saddle 17" (my size dammit) - for the incredible sum of $295.00. I don’t need another saddle, I love my Crosby, but I love Stubben’s too, just can’t afford them.

So, I drag the store owner/enabler over to ask, what’s the deal on this? Well, since this saddle does not have all the bells and whistles that new ones do (adjustable this, removable that) there is no real market for them.

So, then I go so far as to size the tree, if it’s a wide, I am home safe, if it’s a medium, I begin to suspect that I am doomed.

It’s a medium.

So we put it on the stand for people trying saddles and I sit on it. My leg falls perfectly. Sigh. For that kind of money, I can’t go home without it.

So, now I have a new saddle!! Can’t wait to rid in it tomorrow!!! Luckily, if it doesn’t fit Finn, I can take it back.

[Dewey]

Congrats on the new saddle, jaslyn! Such a deal! Is it a Siegfried or a Roxane?

[jaslyn1701]

Not sure, all the lettering on the flap is worn off except the S’s…

[Dewey]

Does it have suede padded flaps? Big knee and thigh rolls?

[Pancakes]

Thanks Jaslyn, Hazel, Dewey… I’m surely bummed. But I understand too.

I talked to my trainer. She said that Dash isn’t out the door soon, as we want her to go to a good home first and foremost. But when she does go, we can use the new guy (you all remember him? Paisley) as our lease horse. And I can ride her super awesome jumper a few times too in lessons to get more experience over fences. So, I think it’ll be ok anyway. But it’s going to be hard to say goodbye anyway…

I’ll let you all know how our show goes tomorrow!

Congrats on the Saddle, Jaslyn! Stubbens are really nice…so comfy and so soft! That’s a steal of a deal no matter if you can use it or not. Well done!