How many AH'ers have horses and why?

[FallingToFly]

How many Litsters have horses? And why?


I was just wondering how many other people on Lit have horses, and for the ones who do, what discipline they practice. I took a fall today, along with my horse, so I guess I have horses on the brain tonight.

I was trained for three-day eventing, although now I teach riding lessons and have an Egyptian Arabian in training for dressage. I miss the jumping, both stadium and cross country, but my horse simply isn't built for it, his ankles are too delicate to withstand the strain. I used to swear that if I ever left the stable I used to work at, I'd never deal with another gaited horse in my life, but guess what? I now work out of a Paso Fino breeding barn. We currently have two Paso studs, and a Mrgan, and the boarders have a smorgsabord of breeds, meaning I deal with everything from tiny minis to draft horses on a daily basis.

My sister is strictly a pleasure rider, although she rides English. My brother rides Western, although he can, when he chooses, but on a beautiful show with a dressage saddle.

My current stable? The afore mentioned Egyptian Arabian, who I orginally planned to sell and then fell in love with. Now my kids ride him. An Appaloosa/Tennesee Walker cross who was my event horse before injury retired her, a Paso Fino/Welsh cross with the worst trot ever, who belongs to my sister. And a gorgeous Paso Fino gelding I got for free as a rescue, who I gave to my brother for Christmas and is being retrained.

 

[MzDeviancy]

Odd, I just took a sail off a horse last Saturday. It was lovely - landed on my neck then sort of splatted down. I still can't rotate fully at the trunk.

I'm only riding right now because my mother's a bit of a horse eccentric (one of those ladies who can't seem to keep from owning a horse, even if she can't ride). Getting this obese horse in shape, then selling her off.

Used to ride English though, but I was always a mediocre rider because I'm just a very tense person, and horses don't respond well to that. But yeah, did the whole pony club, PPG, 3-day eventing crap before. I always liked cross-country and jumping, but dressage is sort of coma-inducing unless it's at the really high levels where they get super fancy.

 

[FallingToFly]

Odd, I just took a sail off a horse last Saturday. It was lovely - landed on my neck then sort of splatted down. I still can't rotate fully at the trunk.

I'm only riding right now because my mother's a bit of a horse eccentric (one of those ladies who can't seem to keep from owning a horse, even if she can't ride). Getting this obese horse in shape, then selling her off.

Used to ride English though, but I was always a mediocre rider because I'm just a very tense person, and horses don't respond well to that. But yeah, did the whole pony club, PPG, 3-day eventing crap before. I always liked cross-country and jumping, but dressage is sort of coma-inducing unless it's at the really high levels where they get super fancy.

I love the foundation dressage gives, and I get creative, even in the lower levels where Luke is working now... we have several set workout tests, and because I like to ride with music, I tailored them to certain songs. Luke's favorite is Kenny Chesney's "I Go Back," because he loves doing pirouettes and walk-canter transistions. I prefer the one we have set to Dave Matthews' "American Baby."

I know how you feel about the falls. Luke and I took a spill today, it wasn't really either of our fault, he was acting up a bit because I wouldn't let him gallop after a horse that had run off with his rider, and I was distracted by him, an not paying enough attention to our surroundings. Some idiot can hauling ass around the corner on a four wheeler, and he spooked and took a fall, throwing me off over his shoulder. He's a little sore in the shoulder, and I have some lovely bruises, but nothing a few days won't heal.

I hope you're feeling better after your fall, and wish your mom luck with thinning down the heavyweight.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I used to have 3 quarter horses when I was a teenager. My dad died and they were sold, along with all the other farm stuff. I never had any formal riding training - always wanted to learn to ride English and someday I will... just bareback and trail riding in the woods around our family's land. There is nothing I love more.

 

[FallingToFly]

I used to have 3 quarter horses when I was a teenager. My dad died and they were sold, along with all the other farm stuff. I never had any formal riding training - always wanted to learn to ride English and someday I will... just bareback and trail riding in the woods around our family's land. There is nothing I love more.

If you ever end up in the N. Florida area, let me know, I'll take you out riding. I have too many that i'm supposed to be riding and not enough ass or time to get around the circuit. It's a miracle that I got to ride Luke today.

 

[cloudy]

I didn't vote, but because I compete every once in awhile, but otherwise just pleasure ride.

We have four horses at the moment....I have two geldings: a quarterhorse and a paint, and my husband has two: a paint mare, and an OLD racking horse/walking horse gelding.

My quarterhorse gelding is extremely quick, and I compete in barrels for money every once in awhile....he'll also work cows. There's a neighbor that raises herefords worth thousands of dollars and has a sale just once a year. He won't work his cows with anything but horses, so when the sale comes around, he gets those of us that have horses able to work to help out - tremendous fun!

I started competing in barrels at the amateur level back in high school. Now, it's strictly for money.....but usually the pots aren't that big, just depends on how many enter. It's still a rush, though.

 

[entitled]

i used to compete in both English and western. Does that count?

Now it's been something like almost 7 years since i've been on horseback... Something i would love to change.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

I like horses, but don't have any or the means to keep them.

 

[Belegon]

My riding ability is basically that I can stay on and keep up as long as no one decides to race...I like to ride, but I learned because I had friends that enjoyed it. I thought it looked like a cool thing to do and I wanted to hang out with my friends.

I like it but I've never owned or even come close to owning a horse. I'd like to become a better rider and I can definitely see myself buying a horse if I was ever in a living situation where we could bond.

 

[FallingToFly]

Wow...

Yeah, we need to figure out some sort of get together for the horsey people. Now that I actually have access to a truck that can haul a trailer, I have this insane urge to take my horses on vacations with me.

 

[ElizabethWest]

I have always loved horses, but never had the means or location (simultaneously) to keep one. I took english seat classes in college. Lots of fun but a little intimidating since I barely reach 5'0 on a good day.

 

[TxRad]

Where's Shang when ya really need him/her..........

I used to have horse's..... My wife and daughter both loved to ride...... me, I could take it or leave it.... spent to much time as a kid on a working cattle ranch.... riding = work in that case.....

Now I like my horses by the 6 and 8 pack... especially when they are in the 400+ range.....

 

[MzDeviancy]

Interesting thing, when I went to the hospital to get checked out and make sure I wasn't gonna end up paralyzed in the morning, the doctor told me that he always sees men coming in for motorcycle spills, and women for falls off horses.