Do You Ride Horses?

[gam]

@circean;I'm so happy for both of you, he loves you to death and of course you love him right back c: Your position and jumps yesterday were fantastic! I'm so glad our feisty little arab is back c:

Well, I rode yesterday with Circean...We go there and helped feed and turn out and stuff, then after Twilight go shod we all tacked up. Circean obviously rode Twilight, another girl who was riding with us rode Ringo and I rode Taz. Lucky me. lol. I like Taz as a pony, but riding him can be...tiring. lol. It started out well enough but I had to tap him to get him going. The warm up jumps were great, but on the course we kind of ran out of gas. lol so I had to smack him right before the jump he liked to spook at, which sucked, because when I did, I had my crop in my left hand, so that made my right hand useless [since both of my reins were in that hand] and my left leg pressure wasn't enough to keep him from running out :c You just need constant aid to put him in he center, if you don't give him constant pressure he'll run out. Anyways my trainer kept telling me to smack him when i didn't need to...When you smack him he kind of bumps his butt up a little and just gets angrier and angrier. So really, when you smack him, he gets pissed then slows down on purpose. lol. kind of defeats the use of a crop. We do soooo much better without a crop, or only having to use the crop not at all or only once or twice. I hate having to smack him every 2 seconds, but my trainer gets mad if I don't, so yeah. I can normally get him moving off my leg but I guess I was just trying to please my trainer. Other than that, it was good. He ran out once,then refused, but I made him walk over it anyway. Some distances were a little awkward but for the most part it was great!

We did our chores, turning out, bringing in, cleaning up, etc, even though it was 100 degrees. We managed what we could though and then we got to ride Heidi and Emmit! Yay! So we rode them up to the outdoor, Emmit spooked at some kids doing slip n slide but I figured it as a good experience. I told the kids to stop for a second but they either didn't hear or didn't care. lol so we went on up and we got to ride them completely alone! Sarah had stuff to do so we were alone, it was awesome. Emmit was okay at the trot, a little lazy all over, but when he saw the gate he nearly started to canter out, lol. but we did okay. The left lead canter was great. The right lead...well these babies have troubles with their right lead. It took us about 5 times to get it, and when we did, Emmit didn't like it. lol. but I made him do maybe half a lap then let him walk, at least he got it right. It was super hot. So then we trotted over the crossrail a few times. The first few times he just stopped and walked over it which is oka. One time he ran into the standard and knocked it down, so I had to get off and fix it. I just let him go and he followed me around as I put all the poles back up, lol. <3 so I got back on and we did it again both ways. Then his little issue came out...running into the fence. You have to constantly steer him or he'll run you into the fence. It happened a few times but he got over it enough that we could canter the jump one time going left. It was great, he stumbled a bit after but I let him be done on a good note, it was just SO hot.


Circean and Heidi on the other hand, did AMAZING. Heidi has got some serious skill, lol. She picks up her right lead nicely, and canters crossrails beautifully. Normally she just kind of flails herself over it, but SHE TUCKED HER KNEES AND SQUARED UP LIKE SHE WAS A HUNTER CHAMP OR SOMETHING. lol it was gorgeous to watch, her and circean get along soooo well. <3

[stirrupirons]

@Namikaze: Yepp, Thinker is a Thoroughbred c: Although I like to think he's got warmblood in him because he looks like one and moves like one xD Not to mention he's 17.2hh.. lol. He's really the perfect horse to me. He can be very timid and nervous, but he needs to be around someone who's confident and assertive or else he becomes a nervous wreck. I'm assertive and strong around him however and he likes that, so he calms right down around me. It's gotten to the point where when I started riding him and wasn't super comfortable around him (mainly intimidated by him) he would pace his stall when I tacked him up. Now, he falls asleep xD He's very kind though to strangers despite being a little tense around them. If he feels uncomfortable, instead of throwing a hissy fit, he just turns his head and walks away from them. So he is a little shy, but he's very comfortable and calm with me c: He always leans his head against my side or something and I'll hold his head and he loves it xD
And oh gosh ponies xD The smaller the crazier. That picture is adorable!!!
Speaking of Thinker, here's my favorite senior picture, with my faced blacked out of course. Look at his neck muscles *swoon* and of course he stuck his tongue out.. there's my horse for ya

Here's another favorite! My face was looking down at him and smiling, but I had to black it out :(

[Kickin' up dirt]

I've got a rodeo August 3rd. I'm really excited, though its two shows in one because the last one got rained out. So I'll be running Arena race, Clover leaf barrels, and Texas barrels twice. Also, my friend doesn't barrel race anymore so I have a better chance of placing higher. The club owner allows her in the younger age group, I'm guessing so she can win, and she's a lot better than some of us because she's 6 years old. Anyway, it's not fair to the ones who aren't as experienced as she is, and her horse.

[sforzando.]

hello everyone.
I'm having some troubles with my confidence. any tips?

Confidence for what? Showing or just riding overall?
I would have no advice for showing, honestly. I've never really showed.
But for riding overall, I have been having this same problem. I think they best way to build it up for that is to start from square one again, or start from where you feel comfortable. I panic a bit when I transition into a trot because my mare looks and feels like she's gonna bolt on me or start rearing or do something I can't control while riding her, so what I've been doing is just walking her around for about an hour or so and get familiar with it again. When we first got her, I knew I could keep her under control, in which I actually did, but my mom got on and started to break the habit of her trotting and completely ruined it [ and that really ticked me off ], but after falling, I don't feel like if she does something to me I'm not familiar with that I can't control it, the same way it was when my pony bolted. I really don't like walking, but it's the only way I can keep both myself and the horse under control.

[classi]

I am so proud of one of my friends at the barn. She's the instructor's daughter. :3 She and her pony are going to PONY FINALS this week! She's one of the people who honestly worked her ass off to get this far. She raised and trained her pony- they bought her pony for $500 at an auction as a foal and she trained that pony and has done so, so well. She's only 11 but she's an amazing rider, she has so much talent and drive for her sport. She really loves her pony and has worked so so so so hard on her. They're in the green mediums and I'm so exited for her!
She has worked wonders with her little grade pony and I just wanted to tell you all (if you read this xD) how proud I am of her. Her pony isn't the fanciest in the world but that girl's skill is just amazing and she can make that pony do well like no one else could. She's better than a lot of the riders in pony finals, even in the green classes. Her pony is in no way a push button, at all, ever.

[kathwren]

I'm back lol. Cx
Any tips on choosing a helmet?
I'm not looking for a fancy expensive one, but my troxel helmet doesn't fit me right.
It's too loose on the sides and I can't adjust that D:
It's medium, but small was way too small.
Should I ask the tack store? ;v;
My parents are probably going to get me a new helmet for my birthday.
But I need something to ride in that's safe and well fitting.

[Circean]

@Namikaze~Sin~ Oh my goodness, he is amazing! Thank you so much c: He has such a beautiful coat that shines no matter what, and somehow, he has these BEAUTIFUL and perfetly clean two front socks, that somehow never, ever get dirty. Perhaps hes just a clean horse in general and doesn't like dirtying himself up, but I never ever see him dull and dusty. Maybe a little bit of dirt, but nothing I can't just easily brush off! Hes a black (obviously lol) arabian who is i think either 14.1hh or 14.2hh so hes like a large pony, small horse kinda size. And my goodness is he wild and crazy, and I love it, every bit! He looks funny when he jumps, but I don't have a problem with it, considering I don't even like showing considering I'm put under a lot of pressure, and I get nasty and competitive so I figure don't even do it haha. Maybe once a year or every two years c:

I am just beyond happy that he is back c: and it is literally a miracle that I even got to see him again. c: sorry for rambling cx

@gam~ Yesterday was literally PERFECt!! Too bad we didn't get to train rodie how to pull the mini cart though :c but I guess we ran outta time, and I had to be somewhere but anyways, I think you and Emmit are doing AWESOME <3 considering he is lazy, too! I mean, you teaching him not to run into the gait is really good for him! We don't want little kids like Bella getting tooken advantage of (Sarah said Emmit was doing it to her lul) I'm sure Heidi would do the same, but I don't really think Sarah would put anybody small on her anytime soon, considering I almost have a hard time controling her myself! hehe! But she REALLY LOVES jumping! And her distances just seem to come to natural <3 She's Juney bear's baby for sure! c':

And I understand what you mean by not wanting to smack Tazzy taz! Heidi does the same, although she trows big nasty bucks haha! And Twilight ges the same, but it's either a one legged kick (normally only when I kick him at the canter to go faster, or whip him a little) or he just bucks lol. So I try and steer clear of the crop as well, because a.) I hate using it on horses cause I don't want them to end up hating me lol b.) Im never really in the mood to get bucks off lol. But you do great with Taz when hes being pokey, you can get him right into gear and thats a good thing to be good at... hehe! I think the main thing I have trouble with Twi is just making him stand still, or getting him to canter (lately anyways, he never was like that before) but maybe he was just tired or something or just too hot to break into a canter really soon. He'll probably go back into his hold self, cause I rememebr you and Cooper and me and Twilight would be able to go from the walk to the canter easily when he hacked em around and stuff! So I know Twi has it in him! <3 I can't wait to go up this sunday! Maybe we can go up early again at 9:30! We should as Sarah! I should probably text you about this haha.

[Hime]

Lazy mood...

@Sin: Heta used to do the same thing in her late pregnancy as Breeze when I scratched her on that area. XD

@Auxi: Going to tack store and asking for help to find one that fits sounds like the best choice. Helmets from different brans tend to be little different shaped/sized even if they say to be the same size, sometimes they vary even inisde a brand. My usual method in testing helmets is put it on, shake and nod my head and then jump. If it stays put and doesn't block my vision then it's okay, as long as it's not squashing my brains out. XD I can't recommend any brands really, as I've only had two helmets ever.
My current one is something called Horka and looks like this, and technically I consider it my first real helmet.

[Namikaze~Sin]

I am so proud of one of my friends at the barn. She's the instructor's daughter. :3 She and her pony are going to PONY FINALS this week! She's one of the people who honestly worked her ass off to get this far. She raised and trained her pony- they bought her pony for $500 at an auction as a foal and she trained that pony and has done so, so well. She's only 11 but she's an amazing rider, she has so much talent and drive for her sport. She really loves her pony and has worked so so so so hard on her. They're in the green mediums and I'm so exited for her!
She has worked wonders with her little grade pony and I just wanted to tell you all (if you read this xD) how proud I am of her. Her pony isn't the fanciest in the world but that girl's skill is just amazing and she can make that pony do well like no one else could. She's better than a lot of the riders in pony finals, even in the green classes. Her pony is in no way a push button, at all, ever.

Aww that's really sweet and good to hear c: big cheers for the cheap ponies! ^_^ Its good to hear that she's taken such a normal pony and made it amazing! N bought Fred a few years ago and he was in a really bad state, beaten up and just generally in a bad way, apparently couldn't be ridden in a bit because he'd rear! But N put a bit him and he didn't like him and she just worked him through it and got him used to it, (bearing in mind she was only 17, not quite 11 but still young) and now, although he has his funny moments, he's a really lovely pony! You couldn't tell he was abused or anything. He was only £600 I think, purebred New Forest from a really well known sire and you can trace his bloodlines. Checkers cost £300 and he's one of the sweetest ponies I've ever met, he loves affection and is just calm at everything, despite only just turning two! And Frankie, he's a sweetheart. His hormones are kicking in and making him a little more boisterous but he's so cute! I walked into their field and he came over to me which really surprised me! He was only £50. Which is about $75. And he's a pure bred Welsh Section D.
A lot of people think that because a pony or horse doesn't cost a lot, that it's worthless. When in reality with someone to work hard with them and good riding, then they can be just as amazing as any expensive horse :3
Sorry for the ramble x3

Just a note I did read everyone elses replies but I can't remember what I wanted to say so I'll probably add later x3

[.Scarlet.]

@Auxi- Hime is right. Asking your local tack store will help. I ride in an ovation helmet. I had used one for lessons at the second barn I rode at and I loved it so much I had to get one! It has the turn knob in the back to adjust it and the small fit my head just right but that's just for me and my thin head xD