What advice would you give to your younger self?

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

This is general advice but applies in the horse world too: Spend more time listening to people and making human connections.

Very few of us will become famous or make it to the tippy top of whatever endeavor we are in. Thus, what will matter in the end is whether people will say we were kind, generous, and a good person to know. Be the person at the barn who brings donuts to Saturday morning lessons, who offers to help a barn-mate with walking a lame horse, who’s there to cheer others on at the horse show rail.

I’ve never been the best at this… it’s only in my middle years that I started to realize that it’s really the main thing.

[endlessclimb]

This was going to be mine. “Stay off the crazy ones, you aren’t a damn hero.”

Those horses had a lot to teach me, the painful way. But while I know that I can probably ride out a problem, now a days I get off and resolve it from the ground. No one else will pay my bills, I’ve got to stay as “sound” as I can.

[LCDR]

There is no “permanent record” about you that trainers and barn owners have access to. As you learn more and more about riding and about horsemanship don’t hesitate to change either one when you sense that the time is right for you.

And, from the moment you receive your first paycheck, automatically put ten percent of it immediately into savings. After you have saved a minimum of six months pay, and this will take a while if your job situations keep improving, or if true emergency related expenses occur, then begin to invest future10 percent increments for long term returns.

And if you are diligent about this and live within your means, one day you can start looking for your own farm. I actually received this financial advice and followed it.

[Bonnie2]

These are the good old days. It is too easy to get caught up in working to reach the next step, the next goal, that you don’t fully enjoy the moment you are in.

[ParadoxFarm]

I’ll keep mine short. My advice to my younger self:

• Don’t jump merely because everyone else thinks you should. If you don’t love it, don’t do it.

• Start dressage as a younger person!

• Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

• A free horse is not a free horse.

• Keep tabs on your sold horses.

• You really don’t need 50 saddle pads. (Same for breeches.)

[Arelle]

I’m going to quote you here, and slightly disagree…

• Every horse has something to teach you. You are never “too good” for any ride. Stay humble enough to listen to the lessons that your rides will teach you. It may be that you’re on a more educated horse who teaches you things. It may be a green or less experienced horse that you learn how to teach or bring a horse along on. Or it may be a middle aged, some stiffness, some miles, some creaky bones that has physical limitations that you have to learn how to ride gracefully to accommodate, support, and help them into a better place. Fancy private horse, been there done that schoolmaster, or common schoolie - they all have lessons to teach us. Don’t be too proud to learn them.

I have seen too many people with under-educated trainers be put in positions on horses that were not appropriate for them. My lesson would be that it is more than okay to advocate for yourself.

As an example, I’m a been there, done that rider. Once a week, I ride in a lesson program as a precursor to participating in IEA with an old trainer of mine (she’s the IEA coach, but has retired from owning her own facility). Because of my experience, I’m often put on the horses that are green or have other issues. Last week, I stopped in the middle of my lesson with a horse that I don’t particularly enjoy and said no - I’m no longer comfortable putting myself in this position and got off.

Most of us do this for fun. And, as riders and as individuals, we need to “push” ourselves in order to grow. But there is a difference (that you learn with experience) between a situation that pushes growth and a situation that negatively impacts your confidence. A horse that stops if you don’t set up to the jump correctly can teach you, a horse that’s a dirty stopper for no reason can cripple your confidence.

Some horses suck. Some horses shouldn’t be in lesson programs. It’s not a reflection of the horse, but it happens. My advice would be to never compromise your confidence over a horse. If it feels dangerous, if you’re scared… it’s more than okay to say no. And if your instructor doesn’t like that, fire them and find someone new. Because at the end of the day, we do this because we love horses and it should be fun.

[RedHorses]

I would tell myself “become an equine veterinarian.” Because 1) I didn’t know that you could specialize, and 2) when I was quite young I decided that being a vet wasn’t for me. because I didn’t think I could cut into a living animal, even to save it’s life.

Yes, this is very specifically me to young me.

[AllSport]

This is a great thread.

Mine is a bit opposite of some of these. I still don’t have my own horse and have had the opportunity to ride everything I can get my hands on. Instead, I’d like to tell myself to be way more confident in my riding skills and knowledge at an earlier age. It hasn’t been until maybe the last 5 yrs that it has dawned on me that just because someone owns a horse (and maybe has their whole life), it doesn’t mean they know more or are a better. The things I’ve seen!! --I probably would have learned this lesson earlier but I used to ride at “off” hours so was almost always by myself at the barn.

Second, don’t get married and buy a house. Use that money for a horse. Third, do as grandma told me and go to vet school.

[fledermaus]

Put your halter broke filly with the best trainer you can find and take lessons there, for at least a year. You’re doing your good horse no favors to start her on your own.

Also? Wear sunscreen.

[Alterwho]

@fledermaus

Wear sunscreen.

As a fair-skinned red head, this X10. I’m paying for it now

[trakehners]

@Alterwho

@fledermaus

Wear sunscreen.

As a fair-skinned red head, this X10. I’m paying for it now

As someone who is also fair-skinned (albeit a fake ginger, lol) but allergic to most sunscreens, I’d add: UPF clothing and a UPF neck buff that can come up around the lower part of your face are not just fashion trends and are worth embracing much sooner than your mid-twenties.

[Alterwho]

@trakehners

@Alterwho

@fledermaus

Wear sunscreen.

As a fair-skinned red head, this X10. I’m paying for it now

As someone who is also fair-skinned (albeit a fake ginger, lol) but allergic to most sunscreens, I’d add: UPF clothing and a UPF neck buff that can come up around the lower part of your face are not just fashion trends and are worth embracing much sooner than your mid-twenties.

Yes to all this. Add gloves and a wide brim hat to the mix and this is what I now look like every time I go outside in the sun

[fledermaus]

I can only tolerate mineral based sunscreen, which does make me look kinda goth, but that doesn’t bother me any more.

[Alterwho]

I have super sensitive skin and can only use mineral sunscreens. This one is actually pretty good and doesn’t seem to give me that white pasty look. I actually use instead of foundation because it evens out my skin tone

Hydrating Mineral Tinted Sunscreen for Face SPF 30 | CeraVe