SOO nervous so hopeful!

[Bilbo12]

Tomorrow (well actually today it's 1 am where I live) is the day that determines wether or not im getting a horse of my very own :eek:
U see my dad got layed off a couple weeks ago and then found a really hot prospect and he passed pt 1 of the interview and if he passes pt2 today I'l be able to get a horse later on this yr! Because then my dad can afford it so im soooo nervous! Ive been wanting a horse 4ever I LOVE them sooo mutch :heartbeat :heartbeat Gosh i really hope he gets it!

[Spudnik]

Hey! Any news?

[Bilbo12]

God news and bad news!
Good news: He passed the 2nd interview!
Bad new: Turns out there is a 3rd one!!!
(I felt like screaming when I found out I had to wait LONGER)
I going to die of curiosity if ther's a 4th interview!

[flowerpage]

That's great.....just keep in mind that your dad needs your support whether he gets the job or not, and probably not the pressure. make sure he knows you love him no matter what. Horses are very expensive and time consuming. You may get one eventually, just be there for your dad. Good luck.

[Bilbo12]

He's not even sure when the 3rd interview is.
He THINKS he'll know by tomorrow morning if he got the job or not. :heartbeat

[Bilbo12]

YES!!! He got the job!!!

[Spudnik]

Congratulations :D

[Bilbo12]

Thanks(:!
It'll be a couple months, money going to be real tight for the rest of january but the rest of the tear we'll be fine.
Plus we have to look around find the good deals on tack.
I really dont like bits I was considering something like this(:
http://www.countrysupply.com/products/sku-WCB56.html

[Bilbo12]

Any western tack reccomendatons?

[minihorses4ver]

o thats great! I have no clue if I will get a horse anytime soon, but I still have the horses i train :p

Um i dont ride western but I dont know if I would trust country supply. there stuff looks way to good to be true. Look at the prices- you get what you pay for right?

[minihorses4ver]

how long have you ridden?

[Bilbo12]

Okay updates are severely needed!

Alright my dads new job did NOT go very well so to make a long story short we moved to Oklahoma and and he thinks he might have a job but he has to wait a couple days until he knows for sure :)
Also I'm not to sure if Im gonna be able to get a horse this year or not :( But there is hope you see, were staying with some of our family right now but my dad says the goal this year is "a job a house and a horse" I told him I dont want him to be to concerned about me getting a horse but he says that my dreams are his dream ( : (I think I have the best dad in the world!)

[Bilbo12]

how long have you ridden?

Um Im not sure how to answer that question LOL
Ive ridden at friends houses a couple times and gone trail riding and my dad knows quite alot about riding plus where I last went trailrding the lady gave me some tips plus Ive learned alot from TV, books and the computer. :D

[rubysoho]

well, instead of jumping in and getting a horse, why not just look into a good lesson barn with horses you can ride. It is really good to start out riding different horses because it will help you adapt to other horses in the future. Plus, every horse has different quirks and different aids work better on different horses so you'll have a lot more "tools in your toolbox" to work with.

[minihorses4ver]

Um Im not sure how to answer that question LOL
Ive ridden at friends houses a couple times and gone trail riding and my dad knows quite alot about riding plus where I last went trailrding the lady gave me some tips plus Ive learned alot from TV, books and the computer. :D


okay, yeah you should go and take actual riding lessons if you can because that will tell you if you really ready to own a horse. The first time I had a lesson I was like, you have to do aaaaallllll that?? And helping out at the barn to will help (ie muckking out stalls, feeding, watering, grooming etc) Going to a barn will defenitly tell you alot about having a horse of your own. I still dont have one, but with the barn i am at, i will be ready because i have learned everything there is to owning a horse (taking care of minor wounds, being able to tell the certain signs of certain illnesses etc. also all the basics too!) Good Luck!

[Angelcrab]

Any western tack reccomendatons?

No I DONT BUT THERE IS A VERY NICE RIDDING STABLES WHERE YOU COULD TAKE YOUR HORSE AND BE INSTRUCTED ON WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. I DO KNOW OF A PLaCE THAT YOU CAN GET ALL YOUR RIDDING SUPLISE ITS AT EITHER AT BIG R, OR MURDOCKS. THENAME OF THE STABLES IS DOUBLE EAGLE RIDDING STABLES IT IS KIND OF SPENDY THOUGH ITS 85$ A MONTH FOR TWO HOURSE OF RIDDING THE HORSE EACH WEEK I RIDE ON THURSDAYS BUT YOU COULDENT DO IT BECAUSE ITS ENGLISH AND JUMPING GOT TO GO BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spudnik]

Arg... please don't type in all caps like that >.<

It takes me longer to read, for some reason.

[kiwicactus]

I have horseback riding lessons every Thursday. I ride at stoneoaks riding stables (http://www.stoneoaks.net/). We ride for one hour every week for $80.00 a month. In the winter, we ride in the indoor arena and in the summer, we ride outside! Always fun! My favorite horse is Little Jack if anyone descides to look at the site.

[Bilbo12]

Well my dad got a new job in Oklahoma (aka horse country!)
He says he THINKS he'll be making enough to get me a horse IT will most likely be a few months though.
He says when I get back from my grandmas house he'll take me trail riding! I do think I would like to take atleast 3 or 4 lessons before I get a horse (: I found this place in the phone book it looks soooo cool! www.drycreekranch.net
I think thats the right adress

[Bilbo12]

I would LOVE to take private lessons there!!!

[Spudnik]

Good luck!!! :)

[Bilbo12]

Thanks Spudnik (:

[PAWZnHOOVES]

get a bit, ESPECIALLY since you're a new rider...you need all the control you can get. and also, when you get a saddle, make sure to have a breastplate! just curious, but why don't you want a bit?

[Bilbo12]

They look sooo uncomfortable especially the western ones!

But my dad says we need to use whatever the horse is used to so if its used to a bit I guess thats what Ill use.

Ive ridden with a amore(sp?) before and its really wasnt so difficult for me, maybe it was just the good natured horse I was riding.

[Bilbo12]

Spudnik your avatar is funny!

[Spudnik]

:laughing:

Cheers ;)

[Bilbo12]

:laughing: :laughing:

LOL :D

[crazy4ratz027]

no bit? i would think a bit would very much be needed...if you were getting a stubborn horse, then you would certainly need a bit..you have to take full control of your horse or the horse is going to take full control over you...<< words from my brilliant horse trainer :D but i'd wait a while until your dad is sure this is the job and you can afford it because you dont want it to crash while you own this horse...because giving away a horse is heart breaking...but i hope all works out well!

[Bilbo12]

Oh dont worry this is the job.

Hes making more money now than he probably ever has plus he gets commission.

[RabbitMage]

Just my 2 cents..control shouldn't come from the bit. It's a tool used to give signals, and on a well trained horse, it's not hard to get them to accept the same signals from a bosal, amore, or halter. A beginner shouldn't be on a horse that requires a 'harsh' bit for control, for both the sake of horse and rider.

[crazy4ratz027]

ive never ridden a horse without a bit..i guess it also depends on what you are doing with the horse, right?

[crazy4ratz027]

ok ive done some searching around and i read that using a no bit bridle is used well for just exercising, pole working, endurance, re-schooling strong horses, youngstock, children and young riders, and beginners..but if you were doing more i would recommend using a bit

[RabbitMage]

Some horses are simply trained with a bit, and nothing else. There's nothing wrong with that. My only issue is when people use increasingly harsh bits to get a response from a horse. That's not the right way to go about things.

The issue with a harsh bit and a beginner especially is that beginners often use their hands for balance, and end up pulling on the reins. Harsh bit+pulling=sore mouth, which makes for an unhappy, unwilling horse. A horse who may resort to dangerous tactics such as bucking, bolting, or rearing to escape the pain it's rider is unintentionally putting it in.

I've known people who jump, do dressage, and work cattle all without the aide of a bit. Unless you're showing and the rule state otherwise, you don't 'need' a bit for anything.

[crazy4ratz027]

i was just thinking that this case bilbo might but old enough (how old are you bilbo?) and advanced enough to use a bit to do more experienced and fun stuff with her horse..oh and believe me...im against harsh bits too..i use a snaffle bit on my horse which i think is a great bit because its not too harsh..and my trainer is very strict on not pulling on their mouth..hey bilbo, are you thinking of entering your horse in anything?

[Bilbo12]

Im really not suposed to tell any1 how old I am.

And know Im really not looking to show or anything just a buddy to have fun with and ride.

[crazy4ratz027]

o i understand..i'll just assume you are old enough to handle the horses bit..right?

[Bilbo12]

I really dont know if I could handle using a harsh bit but I have used a normal bit several times.

From everything Ive heard I about those harsh bits I would probably be to perinoid(sp?) to use 1! LOL At first I was afraid to kick a horse a little to make it go faster so I was like barely touching it with my heels!

[Bilbo12]

LOL I was looking at 1 my messge before my previous 1 and I realized I put k-n-o-w instead of n-o! Oops!

I have to warn every1 Ive been sick for like a few days and Im practically starving cuz I havent been able to eat anything for like days.

[crazy4ratz027]

LOL! you're a perfectionist, huh? you just had to correct that! lol! i know what you mean about being afraid to kick the horse to make it go faster! i used to keep my feet really far away because crazy old jack would go faster if i had my feet close so my trainer made me ride without stirrups for a longlong time..i hated it and it scared me to death cantering without stirrups! but now im used to it and its no problem...your horse will test you to see how far you go, if its not doing what you want, you have to make sure he/she does because if you dont fix it after 3 seconds, they develop a bad habit.. if theyre not going after you give them a soft squeeze, squeeze a little harder...if theyre still not going, dont be afraid to give him/her a kick to make him/her go so your horse doesnt know he/she will get away with things and turn into a pain in the butt...maybe work with a trainer someplace to help you with your horse..owning a horse is a llooottt of work

[nattu]

Where will you be keeping your horse, on a stable yard or at home? The reason I ask is because at a yard there are always people about to help you if you are unsure, it's definately the best place to keep your horse until you become more experienced.
With training you can teach your horse to respond to the lightest touch on the reins or with your legs, and horses like that are so much nicer to ride!
By the way, bitless bridles may seem more humane but they are actually quite severe, they work by putting pressure on the most sensitive areas on a horse's head. Not really a good idea for beginners, because they have not developed their natural balance and tend to use the reins to hang on to.
Good luck!

[Bilbo12]

crazyforratz027, yes Im kind of a perfectionist with my spelling but dont let me fool you (; in person (mainly when Im not concentrating) I talk like a country hick so Im only a perfectionist about somethings. :)

nattu, I will most likely be keeping it at home my dad might have a plan for me to get a horse in september!

[crazy4ratz027]

ooo september, great! its really important you spend these last couple of months studying as much as you can about horses...im so happy for you!

[kiwicactus]

No I DONT BUT THERE IS A VERY NICE RIDDING STABLES WHERE YOU COULD TAKE YOUR HORSE AND BE INSTRUCTED ON WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. I DO KNOW OF A PLaCE THAT YOU CAN GET ALL YOUR RIDDING SUPLISE ITS AT EITHER AT BIG R, OR MURDOCKS. THENAME OF THE STABLES IS DOUBLE EAGLE RIDDING STABLES IT IS KIND OF SPENDY THOUGH ITS 85$ A MONTH FOR TWO HOURSE OF RIDDING THE HORSE EACH WEEK I RIDE ON THURSDAYS BUT YOU COULDENT DO IT BECAUSE ITS ENGLISH AND JUMPING GOT TO GO BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 hours of riding a lesson? That's to much work for a horse if it's english and jumping. After 1 hour L.J is tired, I can't imagine 2 hours.

[PNHhorsefreak09]

PLEASE listen to this!!! DO NOT ride with a bit! all your gut insticnts are right it is uncomfortable and there ARE other nicer ways to gain "control". Please serioulsly concider getting into natural horsemanship. I strongly reccomend Pat Parelli. He shows you a method that is completely natural and you gain the strongest bonds with your horse, you start off teaching your horse on the ground-different things like to respect your space, move away from pressue(very helpful when you start riding) and way more. Then you start riding in a rope halter, Yes thats right just a rope halter and lead. You wont need to struggle for control because of what the horse has learned on the ground, then you move up to a natural amore(a form of natural BITLESS bridle) All Pats methods are based around a relationship with your horse and thinking like a horse would. Once you reach that level with your horse there is no better feeling in the world. AND since your just starting you wont need to spend all the money on trainers and meaningless "control" tack. you can just start with the program. Pat and linda(his wife) glallop on their horses bareback and bridleless in COMPLETE control and unity with their horse and you can too. PLEASE check out www.Parelli.com
Pat Parelli did not invent natural hosemanship(he will even tell you that) he just teaches it. People have been using it for years and gotten along fine.
I urge you to check it out and if you need more info please contact me at
melkel09@hotmail.com
good luck with your horse

[PNHhorsefreak09]

oops i meant move up to a natural H-A-C-K-A-M-O-R-E not amore! for some reason it keeps deleting ""

[crazy4ratz027]

ive talked to my horse trainer and she says that any horse thats trained to use a bit can use the amore...without a bit, you wont have a nice bend like a bit would because the bitless bridle puts pressure on the face, not the mouth..oh and also, when you said "please consider getting into a natural horsemanship" riding horses is not natural...if you want a real natural relationship with your horse, never touch it, never ride it, and let it live in 1000 acres...thats natural..<--thats annother thing my trainer talked to me about

[crazy4ratz027]

thats strange....i meant h-a-c-k-a-m-o-r-e too...why did it change it?

[PNHhorsefreak09]

ur right, riding horses is not natual for a horse, although people have been doing it for thousands of years. People even used horses in the bible, also the arabian has been ridden in the desert for hundreds even thousands of years. Having a relationship on the ground is the very most important thing in natural horsemanship and maybe you should do some research on it before you almost critisise it. And by the way, you can get the nice bend with the h-a-c-k-a-m-o-r-e (dont kno why we have to write it like that) because you have to learn to bend to a stop at the canter. It just all has to do with how you teach the horse to yeild to the pressure on its face. (all done on the ground at first)

[Bilbo12]

Okay I havent been on for a week!

Alright I might not be able to get a horse in september but Im moving to a new house and the neighbors/landlords have 11 kids and 2 welsh ponies and a quarter horse! Wich Ive already got to ride 1 of the ponies and the quarter! ( I cantered 4 the 1st time!)
Plus if I got horse Im sure they would let me keep mine with theirs!

[crazy4ratz027]

o thats too bad...but its good i guess @ the same time! well keep us updated!

[Bilbo12]

Its mostly good (: I wasnt to dissapointed about not getting a horse in september Ive learned not to get overly excited about anything until it happens.

[Ratty Lover]

good luck!!

[crazy4ratz027]

its a great advantage for you to have neighbors that have horses..do you think you could ask them for lessons maybe?

[Bilbo12]

I havent thought of that but Im sure there oldest daughter (who is the sweetest nicest girl youve ever met) would be willing to help me out (: she can do anything it seems she jumps in western saddle! LOL But she prefers riding bareback (:

Anyways got to go (:

[PNHhorsefreak09]

Yea i know a couple people myself who jump in a western saddle. Its fun to watch! I think if you could get lessons from her that would be wonderful! good luck for everything!

[Bilbo12]

Im soo excited! I went to my new school today and the kids are real nice!

[Bilbo12]

It looks fun but it dont look easy! LOL :hypnotize

[flutegeek104]

I've been riding for ever...not really, but 6 years. I think it'd be a really good idea to take lessons before you get a horse. And it sounds like you have really nice neighbors. I ride without a bit all the time. Jumping without a bit=total fun. But, it gives beginners a sense of 'control'. But, a bit shouldn't give you control. Use should be using other natural aides such as clicking your tounge, tapping with your heals, and what not. Even for horses bucking, you can still have control perfectly well of a horse without a bit. Just bring his head up :). Hope you can get a horse and hope you take some lessons and learn bunches :).

[Bilbo12]

I've been riding for ever...not really, but 6 years. I think it'd be a really good idea to take lessons before you get a horse. And it sounds like you have really nice neighbors. I ride without a bit all the time. Jumping without a bit=total fun. But, it gives beginners a sense of 'control'. But, a bit shouldn't give you control. Use should be using other natural aides such as clicking your tounge, tapping with your heals, and what not. Even for horses bucking, you can still have control perfectly well of a horse without a bit. Just bring his head up :). Hope you can get a horse and hope you take some lessons and learn bunches :).

Thanks :)