That makes sense! I phrased it badly - I think meant exactly what you said, finding myself a summer lease as an alternative 
1 Like
Oh agree!! I’d go for “greenish” - around 4 and it would be in a program with a trainer, and I’d be totally happy to bust back down to trotting and then cantering poles and x rails for a couple of years. Conditioning and flatwork are good for me!
1 Like
Well hello fellow skier and horse lover =) Ironically the only place I enjoy cold weather is on the mountain, and I struggle to ride in the winter.
Is there room for you to squeak in even one ride on say a Tuesday night in the winter? Could your husband agree to take the kids that day, or could you hire a local college kid to play kid chauffer and homeworker helper one night a week?
Depending on where your kiddo is competing, I think its totally reasonable to give a horse mid Dec to Mid Jan off every year, for everyone’s sanity - more if they are your steady eddy. Then you could start bringing the horse back once a week in Feb and twice a week in March etc. Quick and easy rides are ok if they are positive experiences for all.
I too am looking at impulse buying new skis. Sigh.
2 Likes
Yay skis! I went skinny skis this year because I’d our terrible season in the PNW, it was way more ice / firm than usual. Fischer RC One Lite - has for sure helped me work on carving and keep up with my racer 
There is, in fact I struggled all winter and was able to consistently do 2x / week. If I could even just have a horse mostly turned out for maybe end of December - January, I could do once a week February and supplement with trainer rides for sure. Was talking to a couple of trainers this weekend, and in fact they said they do what posters here were mentioning, month to month leases and there is almost always a demand for someone to ride year round (there is a good indoor down there)
I feel a lot better batting around all these ideas! And am agreeing for a lease myself next spring - you guys are right, I’m getting ahead of myself. I may make myself the one going for the shorter term lease first just to see what I’m doing or what I want to do.
1 Like
I didn’t read your whole thread, so apologies if others have said some of the same. I’m in the northeast and I give my horses time off in the winter depending on how the weather goes. Typically the weather naturally creates a ramp down/ramp up in workload as it gets crappier in the late fall and then nicer in early spring. Overall I haven’t had huge set backs in my riding as a result, but I am a very committed rider and I tough it out for as much of the winter season as possible - riding in my outdoor as long as it’s not horribly frozen and covered in snow.
Some others have commented on your other posts, and reading a bit of those it sounds like you’re longing for something different from the high pressure hunter barn life. I get it, I’ve done that and have moved on from it as well. Maybe try to work with the eventing trainer that you mesh well with to find a hybrid solution that suits your needs? Could this look like a safe horse for you to lease and learn on with their guidance? Possibly one to own? It could be young or old, but I think size, personality and temperament will go a long way for you. Something you can have fun with and trust.
2 Likes
Lots of great advice already! I don’t know your specific situation, but I can share my experience. I grew up in Eastern Montana and NO one sits on a horse pretty much December to March unless they absolutely MUST. Which one must occasionally when the cows get out or need to be shipped or something. I digress. I showed Quarter Horses (all around including reining and jumping, I usually had 2-3 horses going at one time). We raised or bought all my horses very young (unstarted, most QH get started at 2yo). My horses had winters off every year. They got turned out in 1-3 section pastures (a section is a square mile) and it was glorious. I wish I could still do this! They were heartier, more sure footed, better brained than anything I’ve sat on since. Part of that may be that I’ve only had TBs and warmbloods since, but part of it is also that I live on 10 acres now so the turnout situation just isn’t as great.
Were I in your shoes, I’d seriously shop for a QH that is going under saddle. Maybe one that isn’t super competitive in the QH world, but would do great at lower level dressage, h/j or eventing. My last QH went to the AQHYA World Championships in reining and his sunset career was foxhunting. He also went around a few cross country courses and did some local h/j shows. He wasn’t going to win much or anything, but man was he fun to ride and he was nearly always SAFE (I started him as a 2yo and owned him until he died at 29yo the only time I came off him was when he spooked on a trail ride when he was 21). I’ve known lots and lots of QHs like this. And, IME, the QH brain does better with cold starts than many other breeds (I know there are exceptions on both sides).
3 Likes
