How many people here have had a horse? - Page 6 - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

Ms Stella · 01-07-2013, 05:45 PM

Oh what fun to read!! I actually thought you were joking about the cattle!! I had no idea, WOW. Thanks for the photos...wonderful to see. I LOL at your comment on blow drying a 1000 lb steer! So did my husband who grew up on a farm :-)

I think horses and people can have a similar connection to dogs and people..its very intuitive and I also have thought that the grooming, which leads to a deep bond as well as the ability to get these animals (that could blow us off, bite us, basically do what THEY want not what we want them to) ... to do all that we ask them to is one of the connecting pieces of dog people and horse people.

As we all know it doesnt require strength or corrosion to train dogs and horses..it takes trust, bonding, love and understanding of what makes them work. That is what is evident in poodles and horses :-) I have enjoyed reading all your stories about your horse experiences..and your cattle experiences :-) Thanks!!

poo lover · 01-07-2013, 05:57 PM

Have owned horses since I was toy poodle size and have been equine midwife for 30 years foal my first mare when I was 16 and have been foaling and riding/driving as long as I can remember poodles and horse can life get any better?

Michelle · 01-07-2013, 06:18 PM

I've been in love with horses all my life and have been asking for one since I could talk. I started riding lessons when I turned 8 and rode western and did barrels and pole bending and when I was around 12 I reluctantly started riding english...they said it would be good for my balance ect and I could switch back to a western saddle if I really didn't want to do it, but then I started jumping and fell in love with it and did it for the next 7 years and leased for the first time this fall.

A huge rant about the lease...feel free to skip this paragraph.
I half leased two horses this fall and took jumping lessons from the owner. She pushed me way too hard, way too fast and raised the jump from 2' to 3' literally over night...I was not ready and told her I didn't feel I could do it but "her horse was 17.3 hh and needed to jump at least 3' or he will trot over it"...that was a lie because I was jumping 2' with him the past couple of lessons and he did not trot over them, we had some very good courses. I told her I have not jumped over 2' and I didn't feel ready for anything higher yet but she ignored me. I did pretty good that lesson, but the next was a disaster. The trainer had me cantering the horse faster than normal and was still pushing me to make him go, and he stopped infront of the jump (which he NEVER does...and I have been ahead and behind on jumps in previous lessons and he had always jumped them) and I was fine, I was a little off balance because of it but I collected myself quickly and then he decided he wanted to jump a 3' jump from a standing position...I flew forward, up onto his neck...my face nearly in his ears and was hanging on for dear life while he canters after the jump. He breaks to a trot and then to a walk and I eventually scoot my way back to my saddle. I'm all shaken up, bruised and in shock...I had not fallen in 9 years and the idea of falling off a 17.3 hh horse did not sound good. She told me to go around and do it again, so I did. We jumped the jump beautifully and we ended the lesson on a good note. The owners daughter needed the saddle I was using, so the owner said I could ride him bareback with my saddle pad...all the younger kids do it and hes fine. I hop on bareback and make it half way around the arena and he spooked. I flew straight up into the air, flat on the ground on my tailbone. I had the breath knocked out of me, and a shooting pain in my back and sides and I could not feel my legs for a couple seconds. I laid there trying to cry and call for them to come help me and nothing was coming out. I felt like everything was in slow motion and silent and all I saw was the horse running for dear life, and the owner and my boyfriend running over over to me...I laid there for a good 10 minutes before I even attempted to get up. I got up and was asked to clean up the horse and put him out in his paddock...are you kidding me? I can hardly even WALK. I had my bf do everything basically and he even had to drive me an hour home, but it felt like 5. I couldn't even sit and was in tears the entire way and just needed to lay down. I got home went straight to bed and didn't tell anyone about it for a couple days. I called the owner the next day to let her know I wasn't going to be able to ride for a while, but she made it clear I had to ride her horses twice a week since I am half leasing them and I should continue my lessons. She already had my money for the month and lessons so I figured she would be sympathetic and understand that I was not physically able to ride. I gave up and I told her I could try walking but thats about it. She continued to tell me how she horse is now terrified of that spot of the arena because I fell off and the fall scared him so bad...and she needs money for half of the farrier bill, vet bill and money for the lease next month. Where did all of this come from?! I think she knew I was going to stop leasing but couldn't afford to loose me, so was trying to get the money she could from me at that time. I sucked it up and gave her the money for the farrier and vet, but I told her I couldn't do next month and she went on about how I was screwing her, her family, horses and the barn over if I were to stop leasing...I couldn't even get up ON the horse...and once I did I couldn't get off. It took me 5 weeks before I was pain free and could walk normally again. I wasted so much time and money at that barn and I HATED it. I hated the atmosphere there and the people were not friendly. It honestly made me not want to ride...Thank heavens that is all over.

Now that I am finished up with my lease, I just bought my first horse! He is an 11 year old registered Paint gelding, Top Of The Moon Flash, aka Apollo. He was started under saddle at his previous home, but was never taught any ground work. He mainly sat in pasture with his horse buddies and went on the very occasional trail ride. I've taught him how to lunge and have been lunging him almost daily to increase his endurance get some muscle on him. He is very underweight too, but he's packing on the pounds like nothing...He's a great guy, I already can't imagine life without him.

Untitled by adayinmylife9, on Flickr

Michelle · 01-07-2013, 06:22 PM

I also wanted to add to the cattle thing, lol. 3 of my sisters actually showed cattle (and sheep)! I remember going to the county fairs and watching. I was never able to do it when I got older because the farm where we kept the cattle (and our sheep) had moved so we had no where to keep them. I would have loved to do it though.

Mel · 01-07-2013, 06:41 PM

Wow Michelle I'm sorry you had such a hard time. I've done the same thing as far as doing something that I know I was not ready for (under pressure and boy was I ticked off when I went home and never took lessons there again).

I broke my tailbone with my first horse (a bolting spook that ended up with me in the fence) and I had to clean a stall afterwards *ouch*.. my hubby told me upfront before I got into horses that he didn't want to mess with them at all so that was me with my broken tailbone stall cleaning with him watching

I did make him dump the poop though

and I think that's the only time he has ever done it. The lesson that I learned that day? My husband was always reminding to put a helmet on and as I was already out to the ring and ready to get on I thought about what dh would say if he saw me (I was the only one at the boarding barn). So I stomped back in with my horse and got my helmet. I ended up ruining my helmet on the fence (the back of my head) so lesson learned. Never forget your brain bucket

and I haven't since. I'm much more carefull now that I'm a mom.

You new boy is so cute and has a really kind eye.

Tonjad · 01-07-2013, 06:54 PM

I have had horses for the last 40 yrs up until 3mons ago ---they were my hobby ,my love, my life ! hope to have another in while.....

cindyreef · 01-08-2013, 04:12 AM

There is nothing like the smells of a clean horse barn. Whenever I walk into one I still feel Im home. I havnt had horses in 12 yrs now. When my daughter was a competitive figure skater I didnt have the time to devote to my horse. I have owned 4 horses and competed in everything from showmanship to western to jumping and dressage. Loved jumping and dressage. From a special pinto rescue to a well bred warmblood. The last one was 17.3 hands and since Im barely 5ft he was a little big but I loved riding him. Whenever I watch a show, jumping, dressage and racing I have to be alone to enjoy it because my family laughs at me when the emotion makes me cry. They dont understand the deep love and connection we feel for the horse. Even this thread brings tears to my eyes. But alas I am getting older and Im sure I dont bounce like I used to either. I still have the barn, the paddock and the dressage arena so maybe someday......

Marcie · 01-08-2013, 04:44 AM

I owned, trained and showed Arabian horses back in the 70s. I've mucked more stalls and spent more time in the barn than I can tell you. I miss it sometimes but it is very time consuming and expensive to do it up right. I still love horses but now my time is spent with the poodles.

Carley's Mom · 01-08-2013, 05:36 AM

I owned horses all my childhood and up into my 30's. Finally decided it was more work than I wanted to do.

stealthq · 01-08-2013, 07:03 AM

I had horses from the time I was 8 until I was 28. I ended up quitting because I just couldn't afford the board and training as well as travel fees and time to get to the trainers and shows - all out of state. And at least then, they were only 4-5 hrs away, driving. Since I've moved, it'd be more like 14-17 hrs.

I could still take lessons, but I've never had a love for riding just anything. I like my mounts to be spirited and a bit unpredictable (yes, even bratty). Not what you find in lesson horses. Generally, I liked the young stock and tried to stick with the 2-4 year-olds, though after so long without riding I'd probably get myself killed if I rode to my preferences now.