Michelle

I spend 3-5 days at the barn every week. I finally started riding a few months ago after a year break because of money issues. It feels SO good to be back on a horse. I'm working with some horses who need more experienced riders so I'm working with them (and myself) with the basics (bending in corners, walk, trot, canter) and on weekends I jump courses.

I've been riding an Arabian/Quarter horse cross during the week. Hes almost to short for me, lol. Hes only 14.6 hands and I'm almost 6 ft. My friend took these pics during our cool down so I'm riding bareback. (My posture and hand position is horrible in the pics...I get lazy cooling down lol)






I also rode a pony in training yesterday. It was quite the experience...lol. He did really well though and everyone said we looked and worked well together. I could wrap my legs around under his belly though...hes so tiny! (I unflipped these in Photobucket...idk why theyre sideways on here)





A couple other horses at the barn these are only a few of the 19 they own.

The biggest and the littlest horses at the barn. Cal is 17+ hands and Casper is itty bitty, probably 33 inches.

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"Money can buy you a good dog, but not the wag of his tail."

Michelle

Can't forget Mustacha the barn kitty

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"Money can buy you a good dog, but not the wag of his tail."

stealthq

Me

It's been about 8 years since I've ridden anything. I rode American Saddlebreds competitively for about 18 years before that, though. I also used to help train the horses that were meant for the lesson program - that was some of the most fun. I traded a horse for a house and haven't really regretted it so far. Wish I could ride again 'just for fun', but I know better. Get me back on a horse and I'd get bitten by the bug again. Sigh.

Funny thing. At one point, I had a pleasure mare that was nearly 18 hands. Super unusual for a Saddlebred - I never personally saw another even close to her size. Of course, I'm 5'3". I looked like a flea on her back - kind of like your picture on the pony in reverse!

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Nicole

plumcrazy

Raise your hand if you love horses!! *Raises hand and jumps up & down*

We've only owned horses for about 10 years, but I've loved them all my life. I remember looking at the classified ads when I was a kid and circling all the ads for the horses I thought my parents should buy for me! Unfortunately we lived in town and it wasn't an option at the time.

When I was managing the humane society here, our volunteer vet introduced me to the joys of BOARDING horses!!! I was able to own a horse but pay someone else to keep him! Just yesterday, a couple barn buddies and I trailered our mounts across the river to Fort Lincoln State Park and we rode our horses through the North Dakota buttes. It was absolutely FABULOUS (although it was a little cool and windy). I didn't get any pictures because I was preoccupied with staying on the narrow trail which dropped off on one side into a ravine! It was exhilarating and nerve wracking at the same time. We never knew when a deer would bolt from its hiding place or a hawk would burst out of the trees and spook the horses. It was a wonderful ride!

Since we didn't take pictures yesterday, I don't have any good recent pictures of me and Indy - these are actually from my friend's cell phone on a trail ride near the barn where we board... this is Indiana Jones; a 12 year old, 14.3 hand QH gelding who we've had since he was 2.





We also had a wonderful 16hh draft horse who I made the mistake of giving to someone with a signed contract saying we'd get him back if they didn't want him anymore - now we haven't been able to see him or learn anything about him for months. I'm afraid the people may have sold him and I'll never see him again... I've been texting the guy and reminding him that we would take Xe back if he doesn't want him anymore, but he doesn't respond... makes me sad... Here's Xe (Xenophon):

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There is no rule requiring that you attend every argument to which you're invited...

Rowan

OMG, I love horses! I grew up riding and especially loved dressage and jumping. (English all the way for me! )

My last horse was a retired Thoroughbred off the track, but before that I leased an adorable chestnut Arabian (while in the Corps), and I had a Quarter Horse growing up who was an excellent jumper. I miss them but you're right, it's EXPENSIVE and a lot of work. I try and go on the local stable tour every year to get my horse fix though.

Rayah-QualitySPs

OhYahhhh! I have always thought horses and poodle go well together.
We only have four now. 3 pasture pets and one riding horse.
Here is a picture of my daughter on her horse Gracie.


Oh I do not know how to make the picture show up. This is the link.

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Rayah Quality Standards
Quality not Quantity

plumcrazy

Rayah, I can help you post the picture - what is the photo number of the picture of Gracie and her horse on the Cedar Run Hunter Pace October 2011 photo album?? If I know specifically which picture it is, I can try to get it to load here... let me know!

Barb

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There is no rule requiring that you attend every argument to which you're invited...

JE-UK

I lost my good good mare in August this year, a 16.3 ID/TB, and am horseless for the first time in 30 years, which is very weird.

I started in H/J as a kid, then switched to dressage after acquiring too many crumbly bits . I went through an ill-advised phase as a teenager/young woman when I would get on ANYTHING.

Plumcrazy, boarding is the ONLY way! Although I confess to getting vastly more satisfaction from mucking out than from vacuuming.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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"Yes is so much important than No." Dominique Barbier

plumcrazy

The nice thing is that the barn owner and the barn manager happily allow me to muck WHENEVER the spirit moves me!! I don't HAVE to do it, but believe me, there are plenty of times I pick up the mucking fork and lift a few wheelbarrows full of used hay (if you know what I mean!) just to feel the muscles burn!

Sorry about the loss of your mare. It leaves a huge hole - I know! I lost my 8 year old Appaloosa, Talladega, to a freak pasture accident in February of 2008. He was actually at the vet's office for a week before he passed. I was supposed to bring him home on a Monday to continue his recovery, but he died at the vet's on the Sunday before. He wasn't expected to DIE, he was expected to RECOVER! Completely unexpected, and heartbreaking! The vet suspected an infection in his blood caused by the injury to his hoof. I still miss my chunky Appy!



I'm going to try to post links to Rayah's daughter, and her trusty steed, Gracie. I hope these work (I think you just need to give the page a few seconds to load the correct picture. If the links don't work, Gracie is pictured in CDR_0611 and CDR_0613)

Hunter Pace

Hunter Pace

Let's hear some more horse tales!

Barb

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There is no rule requiring that you attend every argument to which you're invited...

Rowan

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm going to have to post a picture of my former T-bred here as he could be her twin.