New Here!

[CBurkott]

Hi All!

I am new here. I am a middle aged woman, mom, who let life pass me by. I began riding as a teen through pony club. Joined the military, got out of the military. Married back into the military. Through the years, I’ve leased horses, I had a stint in VA working at a foxhunting barn exercising the boarder’s horses since they only had time to hunt on the weekends. I’ve tried to keep my riding up to date through the years.

About five years ago, I found out I have a genetic disorder. I have joint dislocations and subluxations. Fatigue, migraines, etc. For a while, the doctors suspected lupus, MS. I was in a wheelchair for a bit when I couldn’t walk, but between PT and OT, I’ve been back on my feet with a cane.

My husband is set to retire next year and we finally bought our forever home! We’ve settled in beautiful Camden, SC. And I am on the search for my very own horse!!! My girlfriend and I trail ride through hunt country. She has a nice horse that I ride, but it’s a gaited horse which is just not my style of riding. And her mount is nearing the end of her days. So I will board my new horse with her.

Anyways, look forward to being here!

CC

[prudence]

You sound amazing. Have fun in your horse hunt - lucky you!

[CBurkott]

I’m so excited! But cautious at the same time! This is so new to me! I’ve dreamed about this day since I was a little girl! I stayed up late cleaning my tack (we are driving to see a paint today!). Where in NorCal are you? We were stationed at Beale AFB from 13-15! Near Yuba City!

[prudence]

I’m near Auburn. Spenceville is near Beale and is where several endurance rides are held. Did you ever go to the Camp Far West Ride or the Gold Rush Shuffle? Lots of trails there I am hoping to hit later this year!

hope the paint is a good ride. My boy is a Medicine Hat Tobiano.

[2DogsFarm]

I haven’t done much trail-riding lately.
Unless driving my mini on trails counts

I just wanted to say Keeping the Dream worked for me too.
Got my first VeryOwn horse at age 39 - after a lifetime of lessons & shareboards.
Then moved to my 5ac farmette 14yrs ago after 15yrs of boarding.

My current herd consists of TW(formerly-gaited, now Dressage)H, Hackney Pony (largely decorative) & the Driving mini.

BTW:
if your DH expresses any interest, my husband started riding at 56yo & was showing Hunters & Eventing with me at 70.
I’m just sayin’… :rolleyes:

[CBurkott]

@prudence

I’m near Auburn. Spenceville is near Beale and is where several endurance rides are held. Did you ever go to the Camp Far West Ride or the Gold Rush Shuffle? Lots of trails there I am hoping to hit later this year!

hope the paint is a good ride. My boy is a Medicine Hat Tobiano.

I was working with a trainer when we were at Beale, but I never got to trail ride. That was at the height of my medical problems, I was mostly just taking 20 minute lessons of walk and a little bit of trot! Thank God I am much stronger now!!! Since we got here to South Carolina last summer, I have a fantastic medical team. Funny, I was seen at UCSF and Stanford (where my genetic disorder was ultimately found) - and I have had so many specialists…but I have had the best care and help by my little family doctor in Sumter. Ha ha ha. I never expected that!

I’ll take it!

I’m mulling the paint…he was quite a nice fellow!

[CBurkott]

@2DogsFarm

BTW:
if your DH expresses any interest, my husband started riding at 56yo & was showing Hunters & Eventing with me at 70.
I’m just sayin’… :rolleyes:

THIS IS awesome!!!

I told my husband this while we were driving! He has gone on a few trail rides with me…one on our honeymoon and another when he returned from Iraq one deployment. We stayed at a B&B in Pennsylvania that offered it.

My next bucket list (I skydived on 5/5 for the first time) item is to actually go on a hunt. I’ve exercised them, but never been on a hunt myself. I want to work my fitness up to one! There is the Camden Hunt here…they have “try it” days. I’m hoping to get myself ready in a season or two! It would be awesome if my husband would join in on the fun!!!

[myamego]

Welcome! I hope you find the horse of your dreams, there is nothing better than a great trail horse enjoy your horse shopping!

[BeckyS]

I’ll suggest a Standardbred. Good chance the horse will gait along with your friend’s horse, but still have a great w/t/c.

Plus you can start driving and drag hubby along that way!

[CBurkott]

Yes. The more I mull over the paint and as nice as he is as a five year old, 1) a little on the small side for my preference and 2) not a ton of experience under saddle or even with a bit.

I dont mind putting the work in. The height is a different story.

Heres to another day! I’ve been chatting with a girl who has a gorgeous 8 yo OTtB - dressage, jumper and cross country all under him. She’s even willing to ship him down (she’s 3 hours away) on a two week trial.

Have a great day!!’

[myamego]

I am so happy for you! I used to be all for geldings but a mare stole my heart too…Keep us updated on your progress with her! :winkgrin:

[Horsecare101]

Congratulations on your beautiful mare and welcome to CoTH! This is so exciting! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!

[CBurkott]

So, I have her shipping arranged, new bridle (last horse I had bridle for was a warmblood and she has a cob face - ha ha ha), pretty much all the first aid supplies I can think of, smart pak on order of supplements, farrier called, vet called, now I’m just tossing up which place in town I will board her at.

Here is the story!!!

The woman I ride with offered to board my new horse. She is putting her horse down as I mentioned - great offer, right? Well, once I mentioned I was looking at a TB you would have thought I was inviting Satan over himself! Hee hee. She is a timid rider and it is her property. But, since I have hopes to be strong and well enough to eventually do what I want, I let her know that as nice an offer it is I had to make my own decision.

Yes, she was biased again thoroughbreds and warmbloods. Who knew? LOLOLOL.

So, I have a couple places I’m looking at. Jo will be on full pasture board. I have a great stable right up the road from me, she just doesn’t have a lot of room. So that’s the only downside. Hunt country is closest, but they fill up slots FAST and don’t have a lot of schooling areas. It’s ok. That’s the great part of where I live - it is SO horse centric, There are a lot of options nearby.

My journey continues!

She’s going to be here on Sunday…I have to get moving! The gal I purchased her from is bringing her down. She’s a physical therapist. It really was kismet that we met!

[Sparrowette]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Mare ownership! She is lovely! The exact sort of plain brown wrapper that I was looking for, but instead, I found a flashy pinto ASB. Well, we love who we love! Right? You will be even happier you have a gal, when you look up all those “How to clean his sheath” threads that are around… :yes:

Tell us more about the lovely Jo! How long has she been off track? What are her bloodlines, and how long did she race? How did you find her? Was it love at first ride?

Inquiring minds…

[CBurkott]

Oh I love pintos! I know geldings much better than mares! I’ve cared for equal amounts of both I think through the years.

[CBurkott]

I had such a long reply! I’m not sure why it only posted this first paragraph. Wahhhhh. I’ll type again tomorrow! Good night all!

[CBurkott]

@Sparrowette

Tell us more about the lovely Jo! How long has she been off track? What are her bloodlines, and how long did she race? How did you find her? Was it love at first ride?

Inquiring minds…

Sorry it’s taken me a bit! First it was the mysterious disappearing post, then I’ve been busy finding my new barn! I swear it was harder than finding my boys’ first preschools! Ha ha ha!

Jo had 58 starts and 10 wins. She earned about $133,000 in prize money. The biggest name in her lines is Seattle Slew. She was pulled off the track about a year ago by After the Races. A sweet girl got her from them (she’s a physical therapist and her mom is a riding instructor up in NC) to be her hunter/jumper prospect. She showed her a few times but realized Jo didn’t have the heart for jumping in shows. She is more eager to jump in natural environments.

So, last Sunday, I was actually scheduled to go see a Hanoverian about an hour away from me. I’ve been searching from a group of for sale horses on FB. The horse was ok, and suitable it seemed, but didn’t pull at me. But I was going to go. He fit right into my budget. Saturday morning Jo popped up on the OTTB for second careers page.I was the first to inquire about her. So Libby and I began chatting.

I thought about her all day. She’s green, but not forward. She’s sensitive, but willing. So that night as my husband and I laid in bed, I said, I don’t know babe, this horse is almost four hours away as opposed to one, not at all what I’m looking for, but I just feel like I have to go see her. Ha ha ha.

So, Sunday first thing, I switched plans all around. And up to NC we went. Yes, love at first ride…there were kids riding around on four wheelers. She never batted an eye. We rode in a big enclosed area - she’s very responsive to voice. She has very lovely strides. Oh, I’m so excited! As we walked back to untack, we encountered a good sized puddle. I decided to see if she would cross it. She wouldn’t. But, she didn’t act stupid about it, like some other horses I’ve seen and ridden. No hard blowing. Just stopped. So, since she was not my horse, I walked her over to the narrow end of the puddle and made her cross there. She did willingly. After untacking we did go back and had her cross the puddle. She’s willing to learn.

Sweet and affectionate. She’ll be here tomorrow!!! So, I’ve been busy the last couple days with the vet, farrier, feed store, and barn appointments. Then once I selected a barn, my son helped me go move my things in. LOL I feel ready for tomorrow. Oh, it’s going to be hard waiting all day!