Any mums out there that miss riding?

[kiza]

Hi all......Just wondering if there are any mums out there that have a history with horses but dont get the time now the kids have come along?
Sadly I am horseless since 2002 (When my old gelding was laid to rest due to age). I really miss riding and hope to get another one some day but just to busy with the kids to be able to give the attention a horse needs at the moment.
Is there anyone in the same boat? Love to chat.:D

[PyscoFalcon]

Well I'm not a mum but had to give horses up due to injury. Not sat on a horse for over a year now and it sucks. I miss them loads but having trouble just walking around now, nevermind ride. :bawling:

[kiza]

Sorry to hear that you have an injury, hope the walking improves for you. It really does suck that riding isnt possible. I started riding at 4 and have never been without a horse, I guess once its 'your in your blood' so to speak it stays. Even just watching one of the kids horse movies sets the urge to ride off again :-)
Good luck with the walking

[PyscoFalcon]

Thanx. I started riding when I was 7 (parents couldn't afford it before then but I'd sat on a few donkeys etc)

Anyway I'm 21 now and wish I could just go for a gallop on the beach. Walking etc is looking good as have a load of nerve block injections comming up so they might help.

[kiza]

Gallop along the beach, yeh I'd go for that.
Hey, hope those nerve block injections help. Maybe in the future you may be able to get back on a horse. Hope so. :-)
I started riding at 4 I sat on them and lead around before that. My parents thought I would 'pass the faize'. I guess I didnt.
Never had any well schooled ponies/horses, sorted them out with determination and listening to instructors. Got work when I was old enough to help keep them. Did all my competing and stuff then the kids came along and I had my gelding in semi-retirement (rode inbetween kids) but finally age caught up with him and he is gone (to soon for me though).
What sort of horse did you have?

[PyscoFalcon]

Thanx.
My parents thought I would "grow out of it" too but didn't.

Well they were never really my own (as in didn't buy them) as couldn't afford the inital cost and vet bills but had many on loan and helped out at yards and looked after peoples when they went on holliday.

1 TB I loved was a Mare called Quinta. The owners were too heavy handed with her (I was 12 then) and could hardly get her going how they wanted. For helping round the yard they let me sit on Quinta and the cob Rosie. Well as soon as I was in the saddle Quinta relaxed and became alert.

It soon became clear to the owner that I could do what she couldn't. For 3 months I carefully schooled Quinta and taught her what the aids her owner gave ment. (Couldn't school the owner as I was "just a kid")
Anyway owner took Quinta to a show and did well, I was kicked off the yard as "done my job" but sadly 2 months down the line poor Quinta was back the way she was with a hard, broken mouth. Since then I've been very carefull with who I help.

The best loan horse I had was Whisky a flea-bittern grey Arab x Welsh gelding. I had him on loan when he was 42 until 45. Sadly he was put down at 47. I only went on quite s with him but sometimes he showed the owners that he was still fresh by bolting and once deposited me in a ditch continued to jump a clear round of jumps in a field next to the stallions paddock.

Whisky taught me most I know about riding and falling and as I looked after the Shire mare, 2 shire x geldings and Pip the TB Stallion all I had to pay for was to feed him (bulk feed) and worm etc which came together at £5 per week which was what I got for pocket money. I was very upset when Whisky died when I was at racing collage.

Anyway I'm blabbing now.

[kiza]

not to good about Quinta. I guess there are just people that care about themselves not the animal. Pitty.

Sounds like Whisky was a nice animal. Yes it is very sad when they die.

My last one was awesome, such a big heart. When I got him he new hardly anything...didnt even know what hardfeed was. People told me that I should have brought a better one, but even though he looked rough there was just something about him and I knew he was the right one. I'd worked and saved real hard and he was the one I wanted. I schooled him up and because we were a team we took each other to champion. I looked after him and he looked after me. Even to the point that if one of the other grazers in the paddock came up to me he would put himself between us and keep them away.
He was a TB x 1/4 horse. Have never been found another one like him. Had him for 14 years but his time came to pass on, I can tell you, it was a terrible day that one.
Even just seeing apples i had put away for him set me off.
When the kids came along others said to sell him and stuff, but why, he was getting on, he had been my best friend, I classed him as family. I kept him. The kids had fun with him, climbing underneath him and brushing and stuff and he enjoyed it all. Get rid of him....na not a chance. I had been offered a good price for him when he was in the peck of his showing but it wasnt to hard to turn that down.....rather have him than the money.

anyway, I am rambling on a bit......

[PyscoFalcon]

Aww he really does sound like he was a darling. The ones you really try with and are gently with are the most rewarding one's.

When I can get a horse again I'll rescue one. I don't really mind if I can't ride much on it as long as it get's a happy, healthy life.

[kiza]

I agree, with you there, rewarding they are.
I also think that because I never had a well schooled horse and had to do it myself that my riding was better as well. My cousin did have well schooled ones and there was one time her horse wasnt able to be riden so she had a riding lesson on mine. She thought he was an easy ride and would be a breeze to ride but after working real hard on him for 1 hour she was so sore. Guess her riding wasnt as good as what people thought. :-) She never had a lesson or a ride on him again.
he wasnt a horrible ride, just needed to work not just sit there.
As much as I miss riding I would even just settle being around them and grooming, anything. One day and hopefully that one day will come for you as well.

[PyscoFalcon]

That's so true. You get these people that have always had posh well schooled horses since they were kids and won everything on them.

They look down there noses at you thinking there better than you. Well this 1 lass at a riding school/livery yard was like that and we was trying to load a horse up and it reared etc.
Well she came along all snobby "your not fit to look after any horse" snatches rope out of my hand.

Hehe 10 mins later and she's dragged thru 5 fields and been trampled. I think the more horses you ride and the more demading they are then the better rider you become.

Let's hope it's not too long before were both around horses again. :D

[kiza]

I think a lot of the so called upper class riders have a lot to learn about horses and riding. Unfortunately its not what you know that gets you to the top it seems to be who you know and how much money you have got.
I remember being at a show one time and this woman breed show ponies and got girls to show them for her. This nice kid was riding really well for her age and she got reserve champion. The kid was absolutely rapped, her face just had this beaming smile ay. When she got out the ring the owner ripped the ribbon off the pony, threw it on the ground and stomped on it. All because she hadnt won champion she had come reserve. The poor kid was shattered. People around just had their mouths wide open.
I guess second just wasnt good enough for her. 'Her show ponies come first not second'.
Its great to win but if you cant have fun in doing it then whats the point in it. Let the kids have fun I say. Then they may grow up as good sportsmen/women and may not become snobby and looking down at others as if they are better.
Do the kids that get everything appreciate it? Doubt it. I think that its best not to throw all your money into the best of the the best, how you suppose to learn from something that is like a robbot.
I rode one of my cousins and there was no challenge, no nothing. I didnt learn anything and I didnt feel like I had worked at all in making the animal do things. At least with a horse that you school yourself you can see results and have the satisfaction that you did it. (unless your a beginner then a schoolmaster is a good thing to gain confidence on and stuff)
The so called ugly unwanteds are the best I reckon. See past the outside and look at the real animal. Looks can be diseaving.
Anyway, could go on and on so I'll stop there....

[PyscoFalcon]

It's a big shame there's a lot of sore loosers out there.
I actually like working from the bottom and struggling to get the best out of my animals. I got 4th place in exhibiter of the year for my hamsters last year and I was so proud I got that! (I expected to lose and learn how to improve the animal as I was up against top internatinol exhibter and breeders)

In fact most were upset I'm quitting due to health and it's too upsetting the animals don't live long. The Winner didn't care much for the trophies etc she won, just that she was better than everybody else.
Anyway back to horses.

The best pony I rode was ewe necked and pigeon toed and hardly anyone wanted to ride him (he was used for the disabled as no - one wanted him) but he was the best bending game and chase-me-charlie pony ever. Yes he stumbled loads but that made you more aware of what he was doing and how to sit to it and collect him back up.

[Arabianhorses]

I hope you can start riding again soon, PyscoFalcon. Nothing like getting back in the saddle again! hehehehe :)

[PyscoFalcon]

Thanx.
1 week and 1 day to go for the injections!

[Arabianhorses]

Good luck!

[PyscoFalcon]

Thanx! I need it (absaloutly petrified)

[maora]

I started riding when I was 13....mucked out the barn for a lesson every weekend...gave pony rides, trail rides etc...it was great fun and hard work.....but we did get a lesson out of it and that was worth it in the end.....I had to keep my grades up in school or I was not allowed at the barn on the weekend. Never owned my own horse...but I was good enough that others asked me to ride/show theirs.....then I grew up and got married!! Had kids (2) and played full time MOM!! I started my daughter at riding camp when she was 6...she loved it....at 13 I bought a horse that we could both ride....we still have him...my son was never really interested in riding although I think he would be a wonderful rider...maybe one day he will try!! It is never too late to buy a horse and just jump right back on....We do hunter/jumper and just some fun schooling shows now....(I like the fun schooling shows the best!!) We entered the last schooling show 2 weeks ago and we won 2 firsts and a 4th!! it was a blast...oh.. btw...I am 42yrs old!!! Never to late..trust me :-)

[kiza]

All the best with your injections PyscoFalcon.

well Maora i guess if you enjoy something then you never are to old are you (I arent saying 42 is old, only as old as you feel). Nice to hear that both you and your daughter can share the enjoyment together.
I hope one day I can share my passion of horses with my kids. (3 girls and 1 boy). I know one of them is horse crazy (3yrs) guess she takes after me in starting so early. Maybe there is just something in the blood ay. :-)

[PyscoFalcon]

Thanx. 2 days to go!

Just got some more model horses to keep my mind off it.