tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post8247369119304092599..comments2023-04-15T03:58:45.461-07:00Comments on It's a Really Long Way Down: No real rhyme or reason to it...verylargecolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035418539530230889noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-15968071810775867562008-09-08T00:50:00.000-07:002008-09-08T00:50:00.000-07:00For some reason, the bigger the horse, the safer I...For some reason, the bigger the horse, the safer I feel.<BR/><BR/>Put me on a 14.2hh cob and I'm constantly expecting to be bucked off, no matter how placid the beast looks.<BR/><BR/>But a 17hh neurotic TB? No probs!Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09460042230472269220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-9209062484173563712008-09-06T09:37:00.000-07:002008-09-06T09:37:00.000-07:00Fugs says-"I need to make my own horse a priority ...Fugs says-"I need to make my own horse a priority again, instead of letting him wait until after I've ridden the horses I'm riding for other people!"<BR/><BR/>The Big K helped me with that one. I put my horses in my training line up, just as if I was getting paid to ride them. I would start with horse A and work through to horse M and give mine the same priority as the others. If I only rode through to horse G, I would start with H the next day.<BR/>I also grouped them. Broke horses, greenies, semi- greenies, etc. That way I could organize my equipment to fit each group.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-52938058748084352122008-09-05T13:48:00.000-07:002008-09-05T13:48:00.000-07:00Yeah I am 25, but I would never say dude to my bos...Yeah I am 25, but I would never say dude to my boss...just on blog comments :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-3664582366149311772008-09-05T13:43:00.000-07:002008-09-05T13:43:00.000-07:00Sometimes it is just something you can't see. Lik...Sometimes it is just something you can't see. Like when you walk into a room where others have been arguing and you can just feel the tension, crackling and popping in the air...<BR/><BR/>Or when you meet someone that you feel you have 'known' before or all your life.<BR/><BR/>I am the opposite somehow. The Arab freaks me out because she stops while the TB has brakes when She feels like it. The Arab was started by us, the TB was not. By all means it should be the other way around for me, but not so.Cut-N-Jumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03603347619547454296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-32292606066161231902008-09-05T13:26:00.000-07:002008-09-05T13:26:00.000-07:00I have developed a cardinal rule in the last few y...I have developed a cardinal rule in the last few years. If somebody says, "Do you want to ride him?",and it's a horse I haven't been on before, I want to see someone else ride him first. <BR/>I have been set up by too many people, either because they had too much confidence in my ability, or by actual meanness, and a sense of "Let's see how she copes with this."<BR/>It has saved my butt a few times.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-85505168161121000222008-09-04T18:52:00.000-07:002008-09-04T18:52:00.000-07:00Oh yeah, I immediately felt fine on Rusty too. Bu...Oh yeah, I immediately felt fine on Rusty too. But I still made Jaime canter him under saddle first!! LOLShanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12473073294883948153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-45853281304737888482008-09-04T15:51:00.000-07:002008-09-04T15:51:00.000-07:00LOL!The boots were NOT mine. The paddock part was ...LOL!<BR/><BR/>The boots were NOT mine. The paddock part was borrowed from my friend's 12 year old and the legging part was borrowed, I believe, from my friend's 15 year old - who is, like, 5'9.<BR/><BR/>I bought some field boots on ebay but they need to be cut down as they are even taller on me. I am a 5'3 midget.<BR/><BR/>And my 35+ friend got ME saying "Dude" too so I do it now also...LOL!verylargecolthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18035418539530230889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-39908331678217985582008-09-04T14:32:00.000-07:002008-09-04T14:32:00.000-07:00I get such a kick out of young people saying "Dude...I get such a kick out of young people saying "Dude."<BR/><BR/>I had an intern over the summer who called me "Dude!" Arh, arh!\<BR/><BR/>And Dude, what is up with those boots?Beasley the Wonder Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15980053756419492309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-83141180966781568912008-09-04T12:22:00.000-07:002008-09-04T12:22:00.000-07:00Dude what is up with your boots? This is the secon...Dude what is up with your boots? This is the second picture I have seen with you wearing them. Are they not yours? Do you realize they look like they go over your knees? Is this a new style I am not aware of?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-54403055796185599102008-09-04T11:48:00.000-07:002008-09-04T11:48:00.000-07:00I'm pretty fearless on a horse and will ride just ...I'm pretty fearless on a horse and will ride just about anything. I ride my 3yo green as grass Arab colt (not gelded, but will be this fall sometime) bareback in a nylon halter with some reins attached to it. I've only had him since Easter and before that he was largely unhandled. He's extremely easy to work with and smart as anything. I've never had a sense that he'd try to hurt me or try to dump me. Even when he spooks, he still keeps his brains and its more of a startle, hop to the side then freeze to check the scary thing out. <BR/><BR/>I really didn't go all that slowly with getting on his back. It was one of those 'what happens if I...' things. He didn't care when I jumped next to him. He didn't care when I stood on the mounting block. He didn't care when I leaned down and put some weight on him with my hands, etc. So it just kept going until I was sitting up with my fiance leading him a few steps. The next day I got on him by myself and he's been broke-ish since. Our rides are very limited in duration and frequency because he's young and needs to develop, but he really doesn't care that I'm on him. We have the occasional 3yo colt-fit when he wants to go *here* and I want to go *there*, but that's it really.<BR/><BR/>There have been supposedly well broke horses that I've gotten on and something just screams, "GET THE HELL OFF NOW" even though they seem perfectly sane/calm/trained. Not listening has equaled broken ribs on two different occasions and a concussion on a third. Now I listen. <BR/><BR/>I don't think its a question of being afraid. I'll do just about anything on horseback - polo is my favorite thing to do. You can't exactly do that with any real success and be fearful. I have no fear getting on strange horses and hitting the trails or playing polo or whatever. Its just *occasionally* I get that GET THE HELL OFF NOW feeling and every time its ended in an injury when I didn't listen.Candy'sGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10714758020336093821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-29515489847990559202008-09-04T11:30:00.000-07:002008-09-04T11:30:00.000-07:00My big fear is bolting. As a teenager I was fearl...My big fear is bolting. As a teenager I was fearless - I'd get on anything, and I'd rarely come off. I started riding at the age of 8, and took 2 lessons a week for years, spent entire summers at riding camps, going to shows on weekends.<BR/><BR/>At the age of 18, I decided to buy my first 'project' - a 14.1hh, 3 year old green broke Arab/QH/TB gelding. Really sweet boy, laid back, but had a rebellious side to him as well.<BR/><BR/>When I first brought him home we spent some time letting him settle into life in the suburbs after being raised in the middle of no where. Lots of lunging and ground driving. He's already been ridden, so I wasn't worried about getting on him. <BR/><BR/>We started slowly (he was still a drunk greenie - unable to walk in a straight line LOL), and our lessons were going really well. He was super smart and really laid back. <BR/><BR/>And then my coach left. Coach #2 had a few lessons, and they also went well. Coach #2 decided it was time pony started learning how to canter with a rider, but didn't think I was up for it - I trusted her experienced opinion, and she recommended a friend of hers for the job. A couple of weeks pass, and I don't hear anything back, so I leave a note in my tack locker as well as the voicemail messages for her to call me before she rides next.<BR/><BR/>Coach #2 calls in sick, Coach #3 replaces her.<BR/><BR/>I go into my lesson like normal, and pony was perfect. Relaxed, balanced, listened beautifully. And as I always did with him, gave him a long rein to cool out. Get halfway around the arena, and he takes off. And I mean fast. My reins are too essentially gone, and my brain went blank - it was my first time on an out-of-control bolter. <BR/><BR/>I ask Coach #3 what to do (thinking she'd say pulley rein, circle, etc - something to slow or stop him), and I'm still securely seated, and she says, very helpfully "sit back, you are going to fall". Well thank you very much, that is just what I did. And I got trampled. Was out of commission for over 3 weeks with a knee the size of a watermelon.<BR/><BR/>To this day if a horse gets quick on me, I instinctively stiffen up and brace my knees. I'm constantly having to talk myself through things, and I don't have the guts I used to have. I've promised myself once I'm back in riding shape, I'm going to find an OTTB or a problem child and work through it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16964664890360943348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-79825936475527255612008-09-04T09:33:00.000-07:002008-09-04T09:33:00.000-07:00Shano - Now, your Rusty was a horse that I immedi...Shano - Now, your Rusty was a horse that I immediately felt fine on. I would have taken him down the trail the first ride. He just felt solid, and I know he has proven to be solid. Those first impressions really are on target most of the time.fuglyhorseofthedayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-57933979632925116072008-09-04T05:52:00.000-07:002008-09-04T05:52:00.000-07:00From my own experiences I definately believe that ...From my own experiences I definately believe that if you are tense,nervous,fearful when you ride that you send those vibes directly through the saddle into the horse.<BR/><BR/>Unlike my cross country misadventures with Mohawk I have not had any problems riding his 1/2 brother.I totally trust Junior to take care of me and I guess that is the message I send while riding him.There is no fear or worry from me when I ride him.My friends have even commented on the look of delirium on my face(big smile!!).<BR/><BR/>I also notice that when I am schooling or training I don't have the same feelings about getting hurt or worrying about it.Maybe because I am so comfortable in that arena or ring and I have my focus on the work we are doing.<BR/><BR/>I think everyone should have respect for the risks involved in riding but not let it overpower their abilities.LuvMyTBshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02535739190335276089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-11089375759664406422008-09-03T23:55:00.000-07:002008-09-03T23:55:00.000-07:00I'm a 17 year old who goes through all these fear ...I'm a 17 year old who goes through all these fear issues you have posted about. Probably because I've had too many bad riding accidents at such a young age, and maybe I'll mellow out and be fearless later on in life. My current horse I have a mixed relationship with. Most of the time I am totally calm and happy on him, and then there are times where I do not want to be on him at all. I've dealt with his acting up and spooking with a bit of anxiety (who can honestly say they don't get a slice of panic when their horse acts up?) and other times I've dismounted because it didn't feel right and I needed to get off. He sends out different vibes so it's hard to say I can completely trust him. I determine that fact when I'm on him.<BR/>My moms Paint horse is a horse I absolutely refuse to ride. Once you get on him, he does what he wants, pays no attention to the fact you're on him, and has that "squirrely" feel to him because he'll do whatever it takes to get you off so he can stop working. I get nervous when I'm on my horse around other horses, but it's not because of my horse. I get the vibe from the other horse they are just looking to upset my horse, perhaps biting him, or kicking, or however. I don't get that vibe from my friends older gelding that gets along great with my gelding, though. So I know what you mean about feeling how they are. I'm hoping in the years to come that I can eventually be the confident rider who can ride anything without fear, like I should be now at my age. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-60152966194948676482008-09-03T22:15:00.000-07:002008-09-03T22:15:00.000-07:00Girlfriend. It's called intuition and self-preser...Girlfriend. It's called intuition and self-preservation. I remember one horse that I tried out when I was out to purchase a horse. He was a super calm 14 year old paint. Drop dead gorgeous. AND HE JUST GAVE ME THE CREEPS. He had this expression that was almost human-like. I could tell he was smarter than the average horse, and I knew that HE knew when my weakness would come- when he could catch me off-guard. I told the owner this, and she said, "Huh. Some other gal said the same thing." Trust your gut. Can't hurt.<BR/><BR/>When I first saw Rusty, I was like yeah. He's alright. Cute but didn't show a whole lot of personality. (He was shy and on his best behavior even though his tootsies hurt from being trimmed.) But the whole drive home I couldn't stop thinking about him. I just knew he would be a perfect fit, and I haven't had any regrets since. Rusty, like any shy person, once you get to know them, their true colors shine. Rusty glows.<BR/><BR/>Plus, OTTB's have mental issues that can spring and spew forth any time . . . Of course so can Ay-rabs. I still think you are hella brave for riding Caspian! But then I just knew about my Ay-rab, Felix. Don't beat yourself up over not riding a horse your gut tells you is a psychopath.Shanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12473073294883948153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-22076185030710579972008-09-03T20:41:00.000-07:002008-09-03T20:41:00.000-07:00A few summers ago (before I had my own horses) I e...A few summers ago (before I had my own horses) I ended up with a greatgreatgreat grandson of Secretariat named Mountain Brigade (sire was Storm Cat). Poor gelding was a 4 year old and had chipped a knee - he got traded to a guy I know in exchange for a saddle. I threw him in my pasture to fatten him up a bit. <BR/><BR/>I groomed him and he'd follow me around. One day, I had him haltered and decided I'd get on him bareback - I didn't own any tack whatsoever at the time except the halter. No problem! He was a prince. So I borrowed a saddle and a bridle (without a throatlatch) and started riding him in the canyons near my house. Fresh from the track he'd never seen anything like irrigation pipe (had to lead him over it the first time) or deer exploding out of the brush - or a canyon trail for that matter. I was never afraid and I hadn't been on a horse in 20 years but grew up on a ranch in Wyoming. <BR/><BR/>Fast forward to the following summer when I had a dead broke ranch horse 'mowing' the same pasture. I got on him and nearly choked on the fear! He felt like a coiled spring ready to blow at any moment. <BR/><BR/>My cowboy neighbors never let me live that down. And I have NO explanation.<BR/><BR/>[Actually, the TB did scare me once. I decided to 'open him up' on a dirt farm road. Lordy - could he run! Should have kept him....]BarnHaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10108412668127977598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-14085624575204262612008-09-03T19:36:00.000-07:002008-09-03T19:36:00.000-07:00You followed your gut feelings. I'm a big believe...You followed your gut feelings. I'm a big believer that we all have an early warning system. It all depends on how well you pay attention to it.<BR/><BR/>I rarely ride other peoples' horses anymore. Just too comfortable on my own horses I guess, even the greenie. I'd rather ride him than someone else's horse that I don't know at all.robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01001532366083423219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-6740645931238069482008-09-03T16:00:00.000-07:002008-09-03T16:00:00.000-07:00For me, it's when I know exactly how crazy a horse...For me, it's when I know exactly how crazy a horse will get. Spook sideways? No problem. Spin and take off running? Hate that. Stop and stand there with head flung in the air, tail flipped over, snorting? Not crazy about that either as they usually tends to lead to the second one mentioned. I ride one gelding that will spook at everything, but all he does is scoot sideways. I'll ride him happily all day long because I know this is all he will do. Until I can figure out what's the worst they will do, I pretty much am taking deep breaths the whole time. LOLworldshowboundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128565906306804739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-44708651039885885742008-09-03T14:29:00.000-07:002008-09-03T14:29:00.000-07:00Fugly;Musta been what Cole Porter had in mind:"......Fugly;<BR/>Musta been what Cole Porter had in mind:<BR/><BR/><BR/>"...Won't you tell me, dear,<BR/>Why, when you appear,<BR/>something happens to me<BR/>and the strangest feeling<BR/>goes through me?<BR/>You do something to me,<BR/>something that simply mystifies me.<BR/>Tell me, why should it be<BR/>you have the power to hypnotize me?<BR/>Let me live 'neath your spell,<BR/>Do do that voodoo<BR/>that you do so well.<BR/>For you do something to me<BR/>that nobody else could do! ..."Sagebrusheqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05490175290841527388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-84496787330852160562008-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:002008-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:00I think mcfawn and funnsyd nailed it - at least as...I think mcfawn and funnsyd nailed it - at least as far as I'm concerned - I won't get on or stay on a horse these days unless it's mentally present. <BR/><BR/>For me it's rearers. They scare the bejezus out of me.<BR/><BR/>I first learned to dislike rearers when I was 13 - I was present when an older friend's horse went over on her, on a concrete walkway. Both of them died.<BR/>However, right up until my mid twenties I was OK, if very cautious with rearers, didn't really see 'em as any more dangerous than any other form of evasion. <BR/><BR/>Then we had a hose come in from a dealer, out of a string of 35 or so, purportedly a kids horse. She was one of the last few that we'd tried out, having taken a while to settle. The whole time I worked with her, although she did as she was asked, stood when reprimanded, groomed OK, picked feet up, tacked up fine, and lunged OK, I had this nagging feeling like she was on auto pilot. She was a nice looking horse, by far the best of the bunch and clearly had had a few hours put on her - most of the others were very clearly trail broke only.<BR/>So, I ignored my doubts and I took her out, got on her and walked her round in the arena, and dammned if despite responding to cues properly, she didn't feel more like a sofa under me than a horse. <BR/><BR/>We'd gotten as far as trot / canter circles and she'd dropped behind the leg a few times, enough for me to suspect she'd be nappy when more confident, or out on the trail maybe. Despite still not getting much of a feel for her I was beginning to think I was being stupid over nothing, when without warning, she dropped anchor and went up - right up - lost her balance and went over backwards. I threw myself sideways when I realised she'd gone past the point of no return and by great good fortune she wobbled sideways as well as she fell. She rolled over my calf, and I took a bang to the head, but I count myself lucky. <BR/><BR/>I got up, caught her and took her back to the barn. I've never in my life done that before - not gotten back on a horse after a fall, unless I was seriously injured, but that time I wasn't having any of it. She went back to the dealer. <BR/>Kids horse? I think not.<BR/><BR/>Taught me a valuable lesson - I'd ridden "not there" horses before, and never had anything come of it, but I'll <B>never</B> do so again.FDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485030894416936129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-73186919558604748872008-09-03T13:31:00.001-07:002008-09-03T13:31:00.001-07:00For me, it was, I don't care about the horses past...For me, it was, I don't care about the horses past, if my dad told me i'd be alright, or the horse would be fine, I would get on anything. I got on a TB, never made it to the track because:<BR/><BR/>1-So much potential, but he put it into getting the exercise riders off his back, broke a guys collar bone, made the other cry, both of them quit riding after Brillo. <BR/><BR/>2-He kicked something and injured himself, something in teh back leg, sound to ride but occasionally on the canter he would hold his leg up for a few strides.<BR/><BR/>I wanted a Palomino(I was a kid, color matters to kids!) MY dad told me a buckskin was as good so I rode this horse in the mountains, 6 miles up rocky terrain, and fell in love. this horse was the sweetest thing to me, no kicking or biting, easy to lead, he would follow me like a puppy. I could trow anyone on him, and I would they would hop on him bareback, bridleless, and he would just stand there unless I asked him to move. Amazing. But I put to much good work into him, he was techniquelly my uncles horse, and my uncle decided to give him to his grandson. I miss that horse like crazy. But i love my BBG.SammieRockeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03630642102832962031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-2972628074632728112008-09-03T13:31:00.000-07:002008-09-03T13:31:00.000-07:00For me, it was, I don't care about the horses past...For me, it was, I don't care about the horses past, if my dad told me i'd be alright, or the horse would be fine, I would get on anything. I got on a TB, never made it to the track because:<BR/><BR/>1-So much potential, but he put it into getting the exercise riders off his back, broke a guys collar bone, made the other cry, both of them quit riding after Brillo. <BR/><BR/>2-He kicked something and injured himself, something in teh back leg, sound to ride but occasionally on the canter he would hold his leg up for a few strides.<BR/><BR/>I wanted a Palomino(I was a kid, color matters to kids!) MY dad told me a buckskin was as good so I rode this horse in the mountains, 6 miles up rocky terrain, and fell in love. this horse was the sweetest thing to me, no kicking or biting, easy to lead, he would follow me like a puppy. I could trow anyone on him, and I would they would hop on him bareback, bridleless, and he would just stand there unless I asked him to move. Amazing. But I put to much good work into him, he was techniquelly my uncles horse, and my uncle decided to give him to his grandson. I miss that horse like crazy. But i love my BBG.SammieRockeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03630642102832962031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-63279325921085034122008-09-03T12:32:00.000-07:002008-09-03T12:32:00.000-07:00It seems that some horses just don't get along wit...It seems that some horses just don't get along with some people. I read a book once that was written by a woman who says horses talk to her. "The horses told her" that they choose the people they like depending on their scent. Maybe the 11 year old girl just smells right.<BR/><BR/>When I was a kid we used to board at a place with about 15 horses in one pasture. There was an old QH named Buck that would charge and bite people. He did this to everyone but me. Who knows why...he would walk right up to me looking for petting, but bite the person behind me.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, there was a nice, friendly filly in the same field. She never caused a problem until she saw me. She would run at me and try to kick me every chance she got. I couldn't go out into the field with out a whip to protect myself.la mexicanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01573750148028308725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-24599691333701904732008-09-03T10:53:00.000-07:002008-09-03T10:53:00.000-07:00I totally agree and dont get it either. What I fin...I totally agree and dont get it either. What I find funny is that a horse doesnt even have to do anything wrong for me to not want to be on it! Just the way that they "feel" is scary. And then another horse can do everything wrong and act like a nut bar but for some reason it just is not scary. They just "feel" right. Personally, I think it is our survival instinct and I always listen to it!Chelsihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045101705493626989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-85683308226715767092008-09-03T10:49:00.000-07:002008-09-03T10:49:00.000-07:00I'm still young enough to not be getting the 'DOWN...I'm still young enough to not be getting the 'DOWNDOWNDOWN' thing, but I can definately tell you which horses I feel comfortable on and which I don't. Like, with Duke, one of the horses I get to school a bit for lessons, I'm still perfectly happy riding him even though he's grumpy, lazy, bolts, falls onto the forehand, has to stop to eat everything he sees, etc., but don't like to get on one of my other horses, who's only real issue is steering and that he's very fond of going sideways.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09515850315041706553noreply@blogger.com