Do You Ride Horses? V.4

[tenturo]

Haven't posted on here in a while - oops. Been crazy busy with the previous semester of school ending and getting ready for the Holidays, but I'm spending time out with them this week (would have rode yesterday but it was muddy and rainy) but today I'm hoping to work with them today (mostly Sassy i'd say, I prefer to work Gus less during winter). Anywho, today is my last full day out here (going to be with other family for New Years) so I'll let you know how it all goes! I'll try and get pictures or a video while we're working today.

[wibeke]

Hi everyone! I haven't been on here in forever. I'm so glad this thread is still going, it's been fun checking up on everyone's horses and seeing all the new people, too!

I haven't been riding much because I've been busy with school. There's a few barns around my college that look nice, but I'm both broke and car-less so they're out of reach right now. My trainer also moved to a new barn last summer that is slightly farther away, so its been hard to get to the barn even when I'm home. I'm finally doing a lesson tomorrow, though. I hope I still remember how to ride, haha.
And I'm hopefully going to see Sully later this week. I really miss that moron.

The only bad news I have is that Major was put to sleep earlier this year. He was into his thirties and he was in pretty rough shape last time I saw him so it wasn't a surprise, but I miss him. He was such an amazing old horse and I just wish I had met him when he was younger so we could have had more time together.
We also lost Manny, the pony I learned to ride on, around the same time. He was even older than Major and he had always been on the skinny side even when he was healthy. Him and Major both went downhill pretty fast and started colicing a lot so the barn owner had to put them down. I'm glad they had such long lives but it's always sad when age catches up to them.

[buckskin.]

@Hime
The way this is set up is that all the horses live in the 'home paddock' and come into the yards for trail rides, as they live at a trail riding center, I also work here and this is how I have started leasing Saidee in a way. I can put her in a smaller yard but due to the heat it is easier to leave her in her paddock with the access to the river. I have ridden her 4 times (2 hours at a time) for the past two days on trails, up and down the mountains, across the rivers and stuff. Her owner got me to canter her up one hill on each trail ride I take out, she is still really forward and wants to run. Apparently she is really easy to get weight off but that's if she is ridden every day, which I can't do everyday because I'm taking it slow with my ankle. I will put a picture below of her condition to show you what I mean.

[lilac sky]

@Everyone who replied to me in the last question: Thanks

What are peoples thoughts on leasing vs. actually buying a horse?

Thanks.

[Albino_]

I feel so bad for my standardbred gelding xD. I Just ordered on Amazon lime green tack.. Woops...

Anyways... Misty did like snow..




My poor poor miniature horse xD

"Mommy. Why do this to me" she says haha.


This was fresh snow and none hardened over. It was still falling when I took her out yesterday

[the dreamer.]

might try ski joring with one of my appaloosas, pic is from the summer. I am not sure if I should use him though because he is quite a bit smaller than my other two. I feel like he would be the best on to use attitude-wise so I guess we will see.

[Anaphea]

@Everyone who replied to me in the last question: Thanks

What are peoples thoughts on leasing vs. actually buying a horse?

Thanks.

Well, there are lots of different types of leasing. Sometimes you only get to ride, other times you get to care - you might only have to pay for the riding or you may have to pay for bills. It all depends on what the owner decides.
Pros:
- You get to ride a horse that is not your own.
- You may get extra bonuses.
- In a majority of cases, you'll only have to pay for the actual cost of riding the horse.
- Some options give you the chance to keep the horse at the owner's stable.
- Great for getting experience.

Cons:
- You may have to pay bills (ie. vet or farrier) and for damage costs, depending.
- You won't get the "full" experience of owning a horse.
- It's difficult giving the horse back.

Remember: it all depends on the owner and where you live.

Then there's actually buying a horse. There is lots you need to think about.
Pros:
- The horse is actually yours.
- You can do whatever you want with the horse (within reason)
- You can get lots of experience.

Cons:
- Lots of money will be spent (I don't feel like I need to get out the price list again. This post is long enough as it is!)
- You need to be incredibly responsible.
- Lots of time spent looking after and riding the horse.
- Stabling arrangements.
- Travelling arrangements.
- Finding the right horse (very time consuming but necessary).

Personally, I would go for leasing. But it depends on yourself. If you are able enough (both financially able and experienced enough) then you may want to look into buying a horse, if you're 110% sure that you're ready. But if you want some more experience to see if you're ready, then leasing may be a better option. It's all down to you and how capable you think you are.

[ryukrem]

@Everyone who replied to me in the last question: Thanks

What are peoples thoughts on leasing vs. actually buying a horse?

Thanks.

Anaphea pretty much summed it up, but here's my opinion:

Leasing is a really good deal, honestly. You have a part own of a horse, but don't have the full responsibility and full bills of owning a horse. If you in a financially unstable situation, leasing would be the best bet. It makes it easier to find the horse for you as well, depending on what kind of contract you have with the lease. If you aren't clicking with the horse, you can most likely end the lease fairly easily and try and find another horse that better suits you.
I've leased Alice for a year now and it was the best decision I have ever made. Her owner is a sweetheart and allows me to do any shows, clinics, or lessons I desire. She's also very busy with her work, she's a nurse, so I often ride more than the three times a week that's in my contract.

With that being said, I wish I owned her, but I wouldn't have the ability to own a horse right now. And I doubt her owner will ever sell her. However, I'm very lucky with the situation I am in and both her owner and I have plans for me to be leasing for as long as I possibly can c:

It honestly depends on your situation and what you want to experience and what you can afford. One day I will be owning my own horse, as that is the best way to go in my opinion, but until then I am very happy leasing Alice for as long as possible.

-----

Speaking of which, yesterday was the first of January, which means I celebrated one year with Alice. I worked at the barn, then at the end of the evening I free lunged Alice with one of the instructors (she used to lease Alice too before I did). Alice NEVER bucks or anything under saddle, but man she was ripping around and throwing bucks. xD It was the cutest thing and she was feeling good. She has such a beautiful floaty trot when loose so I hope we can get that under saddle some day haha.

I created a video of us for our one year and posted it on Youtube. I'd appreciate it if you'd give it a look because I worked hard on it and the meaning is so much. I love Alice so much and she is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Also, please don't critique my equitation right now. I am working on gathering some pictures so I can make a post about my equitation and discuss with you guys about how I can fix things. But for now just enjoy the cuteness because I'm not happy with my equitation in 90% of it xD

Happy New Year, everyone and may the best things happen to you in 2017!

[Albino_]

so I found a video on my YouTube page I forgot about. Its of my miniature horse and me sharing an apple xD.

boop I have not yet uploaded any videos on Ace, my standardbred gelding yet. Once I get him closer to me i will get videos of me riding him! It will be Western though. I miss the Sumner days xD I like Sumner better then winter. Haha

Question for y'all;
Do you like winter or Sumner better? Which one does your horse like better do you think?

[Horses247]

hi, I was wondeing when you work off a half lease, would you still need to pay any bills? I did lease a pony, but that was a long time ago.