Do You Ride Horses?

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@Thames: Hey there, welcome to our tread! I'm so happy to have you as a part of our group (: It would be great if you could start riding again, and I surely hope you can. I'm sorry about the financial sitaution. Maybe you can find a barn that would let you work to pay off lessons?

@Amy Fleming: Aww I'm so sorry to hear that it won't be a week before you can see Peanut >.< I totally understand how you feel. Over winter break, I couldn't ride for a week either and also over the summer I was out of the saddle for two weeks! It was so hard. But just hang in there, because when you get back you will appreciate Peanut and riding even more <3

@Chunky: I'm so sorry to hear about your fall! You should just ease yourself back into riding. I would suggest maybe just watching some lessons first, and then just walking around on your horse. Just walk and let yourself relax and let your horse relax. You could also try some lunge line lessons too, so you won't have to worry about controlling your horse.

@Horselover: D'aww he's adorable! You're so lucky to be working with such a cute little guy.

@inspiration: Maybe try talking to your trainer and tell her how you feel about your riding. Let her know about your goals, and how you want to continue improving in your riding and that you feel like your not getting much of anywhere. Or if that doesn't work, or there aren't any horses capable of taking you further, maybe it's time to start looking at new barns? As hard as it is to leave a current barn that is your home and you love, sometimes it has to do be done. I remember when I left the barn I had been riding at since I began riding (I rode there for 5 years), it was super tough but I knew that I wasn't getting very far and I basically "maxed out" from their riding level system. I couldn't do anything competitive and I wanted to do bigger things. Well, I still try to keep in touch with them and they are so proud to see where I have gone. Even though it was hard, I knew it was for the better (: So those are some things so keep in mind. Good luck, and I hope you can figure something out.

@Harley: Oh my gosh, why? I am so sorry to hear that! That is awful <3 I really hope that you can get back into it soon ):

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Last night I ordered another padded leather bracelet! This time it's for Shadwell :3 It's the black one with turquiose padding. It should be arriving by next Friday (:

Also, I am going out to the barn for my lesson tomorrow! We will be inside because it's freezing and snowing, but it's fine with me :3 I am excited to just get back to riding and seeing Shadwell. It's so tough for me because I have to wait 6 days between my riding lessons. I do get to have two lesson in a row though: on Saturday and Sunday, but I have trouble getting through the school week without riding ;-: I don't have school Monday or Tuesday for teacher work days, so my parents said that they would drop me off at the barn for a whole day one of those days! I'm so happy! I get to spend a whole day at the barn hacking various horses and ponies ;D

Harley was blind in one eye and got sold. I luved her.
And I had to quit for the winter because the barn is a while away and it snowed a whole lot here.

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@Chunky I would most definitely ease yourself into it. Take it by time.Once I was on this horse who bucked me over a jump, and it took a lot to get me on a horse, but I will never regret that decision!Also, sometimes falling off a horse is good, it gives you a different look at everything the horse does- for me it helped me understand the horse better, and make me a better rider!

@Horselover He is adorable. I made the face of a box of kittens there

[~stories untold.]

Hey, I have noticed as I ride my 2-point(halfseat) is far earlier than it should be at a trot. I can count my strides a calculate take off time at a canter, but not at a trot! Advice anyone?

[ubiquitous]

Turns out I'm not going to my lesson. Bad weather again. :c

[classi]

I had a fantastic hack! I focused on a lot of sitting trot. He was a teensy bit fresh today but I got him at a nice collected trot and sat it pretty well. Framing and getting him on the bit is coming easier and easier, too, even though I can't get him to frame with a really light touch. I constantly reminded myself to bend my elbows and lift up my hands, which surprisingly helps me sit gaits better. I'm getting better at it but it isn't automatic yet.
Cantering was great. He was a little fresh because he wasn't ridden yesterday, but not to the point where he was tearing around the ring. We had some fantastic sitting canter and half-seat. Sometimes I tend to rush a tiny bit when we canter around the entire ring at the sitting canter, so I'll start really focusing on that from now on. I've gone around the ring sitting before fine, but I don't mind having things to fix. Then, I switched directions and let him walk on a loose rain... it was 80 today so between gaits I gave him plenty of time to catch his breath and chill. At this time, the sun was setting... and that was the time where Riley is always spooky. Lately I've been riding him in complete darkness so he's not spooky, but it just so happened that he got pretty nervous. He started getting really strong and when we were cantering, he kept trying to take off. He kept on spooking and getting all nervous so I stopped and ended it at that. Other than that, he was really, really good. Gah, I love him so much! <3 He was sweating a lot when I got off, poor guy. D: I walked him around for a little and by the time I was done cleaning my stuff, doing his hooves, etc. he wasn't sweaty or hot anymore.

And, on a random note his 11th birthday is tomorrow! And my mom is going to come to my lesson and film it, so I might post some pictures/videos! I haven't posted any in such a long time, and I think I've improved.

@ Monchele; Awww, thank you so much! *Hug* You are really too kind!!!!!
Thinker's really cute! I think that you could probably bend your elbows a bit more - see how they're pretty straight? Other than that, you look really good! And that really is a very nice extended trot. Good job!

@ Blue; Have fun at your hack! Ooh, cones sound fun! Make sure to tell us all how it goes.

@ Horselover; OHMYGOSH. I am dying of cuteness over here. SQUEEEE!

@ Thames; Oh, welcome to the thread. :3

@ Drafthorsleover; Welcome back! Aww, too bad about the ice... personally, I would kill for ice, though! It was 80 today. xD

@ Chunky; D: Is there any way you could possibly ride a calmer, steadier horse while you regain your confidence?

@ Inspiration; Aww, I'm sorry. Canceled lessons are always really disappointing. D:

[Dolphinlover~]

@HorseLover: I will be looking forward to those pictures and videos ;D I can't wait to hear about it too.

@Bluebird: Yeah, I am very lucky to be at a barn where they have tons of horses and ponies that need to be ridden. I know your day will come, but it just takes time. You will definitely get there because you are very patient and aren't rushing things (: Trust me, in the long run, waiting is really beneficial. It has taken me 6 years to get where I am today, but was it worth it? Yes. Could I have done it faster? Probably, but now that I look back on it, I am glad that I didn't rush things. I really had time to get confident and master concepts before getting to become th rider I am today ;D
You really should! I love mine so much! I liek the padded ones more...apparently they are more comfortable too ;D

Have a great hack! Haha I get to ride in the indoor tomorrow too because it's snowing here too, funny xD Yeah it is hard when the ring is crowded. Plus, our indoor is super tiny so tiny indoor + lots of people = hard to ride in lol. I went from a huge indoor at my old barn to a super tiny one at my new barn, a big change but learning to ride in a small space pays off a lot. It makes riding in a big space sooo much easier.

@monchele: Yes, I have the havana/blue one for Mulligan and I love it. The colors go really nicely together. Aww that is soo swee thtat you have an angel wing bracelet for Ceasar! That's so precious :3
I'm so sorry that your lessno was canceled! Luckily, none of my lessons had to be canceled in a while *knock on wood* but it is so hard to deal with when they are ): I hope you can get out to ride soon!

I would be happy to crit your picture too. What stands out to me is your arms, they are a bit too far up Thinker's neck, which is making your elbows look really straight. Work on trying to bring your hands closer to you and keeping a bit more bend in your elbows. I really like how you are looking up and ahead though, and your body position is pretty good! If you want to get a bit picky, your body angle could be slightly more forward. Just a tiny bit for posting trot. And yes, your heels could be down more, but hey we could all work on our heels couldn't we? (: I think you guys look really really good though. You look very good on him, and that's a lovely extended trot ;D

@Harley: Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear that! If you need anything, just to talk or rant please feel free to shoot me a PM. I totally understand how hard it is to go through a horse leaving and getting sold. Mulligan was tore from me in November, and he's moving really far away with his owner in April/May ): I had a really tough time going through that, and it's really helpful to talk about it. So if you ever need anything, let me know <3
Ugh, I can totally relate. My barn is now a bit over an hour away so it's really far. I am so grateful to get out there two times a week. It's a struggle, and I am so envious of the people that live within 30 minutes of their barns!

@inspiration: Aww I'm so sorry to hear about your canceled lesson ):

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I am so excited for my lesson tomorrow! I will hopefully be able to get some pictures, but I'm running out storage for video so I'm going to have to find a way to save them somewhere first so then I can delete them and add more. I can't wait to see my buddy again. Shadwell is so sweet, I don't think I told you guys, but he recognizes me already (: When I walk to get him in his paddock, he can hear me coming and looks up at me with his ears pricked forwards. It reminds me of Mully </3 Oh how I miss him so dearly. I am hoping to stop by and visit him this weekend, but I'm not sure.

Also, I have a topic for you guys...What do you wear to ride in the winter time? Any tips on helping us stay warm?

What I wear in the winter is as follows:
-black TuffRider fleece lined breeches
-leggings underneith (for really cold days)
-thickish socks
-a cami
-a long sleeve shirt
-a sweatshirt
-and then on top of that a black riding sport fleece
-oh and my joules vest
-SSG Rancher gloves
I usually add and subtract layers depending on the temperature. I go out the barn wearing a lot though, and then I take off layers as I start to ride and warm up xD Oh, and if your hands or toes get cold, I would suggest buying some hand/feet warmers. The disposable ones are pretty cheap, and work fairly well. I have packs of them xD

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@Dolphin:
You are one of the sweetest Chicken smoothie people I've ever met. And oh my gosh.. I'm so sad for you. It's really harsh when a horse you dearly love leaves, but I hope you can see him anytime. I have no clue where Harley is, and I love her so truly, after it's been so long. She was sweet, patient, gentle, and she listens well, but she's not exactly a first time riding horse. I've never seen or heard of her biting, kicking, throwing someone off on purpose, rearing, or bucking. And now I really love white[light grey] horses more then ever. And even now, after I dunno how many years, I still cry to myself sometimes. I think I'm going to go find a picture of her so I can show you.. And thanks for letting me spill all that out.

[opal.]

@Anyone
Do any of your horses come running to you when you go to get them, or nicker when you walk by? JJ does, it's so sweet <3

The clinic went really well! I'm too worn out and lazy to type about it right now. We got picture though, and there was 300 people watching! It was crazy!

[stirrupirons]

@Dolphin & Harley: I know how you guys feel My horse Ceasar died in May unexpectedly and I don't think I'll ever get over it. Losing a horse is the worst thing in the world.

@Rain & Dolphin: Thanks for the crit my elbows and arms are terrible, lol. That's the main thing I need to work on c:

@Opal: When Thinker's in a good mood, he nickers at me c: And when I call him he walks up to me and starts rubbing his nose all over me xD

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Edit: I realized my youtube account had my full name on it.. soooo... yeah xD

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Harley's Picture[Lady Kane is the bay one]

loveumydearHarley.jpg (62.93 KiB) Viewed 10 times

Yeah I did call it Love You My Dear Harley.