After losing Dobi I’ve basically been in bed wrapped in one of his rugs for two days, but I had already agreed to this ride and felt that I should just get on with it. I’ve never ridden an Icelandic before (and it shows), but the fact he was so completely different from Dobi made it not quite as hard as it otherwise would have been. Still cried though.

It’s so wild to me that people are just advertising their rides with no helmets pictured. It certainly doesn’t make me feel like it’s a place that values my safety.

One year ago today, I paid in full for my boy Gandi, and I think it was the best decision of my life. He isn’t the flashiest or the most amazing show jumper. But he is the best friend and partner

So been out on a Saturday hack today, the normal for our yard is to put a blanket message out and invite everyone on the yard chat.

Anyway a new livery asked if she could come along, as ever no problem, riding 17yo TB, briefly gave her the rundown of the route, 6 miles, road, field and track, through sheep, etc etc, yes she was fine, walk, trot,canter.

She said no problem they were fine with all that.... fair enough.

Anyway on penultimate 500m of the hack i was told by this lass that most of her riding has been on a riding school cob, that she never got to canter out of. She was glad today had gone well, and she haven't fallen off and she she didnt think she had done that badly for her first canter out in fields. My hart about dropped out of my boots.

Conclusion. If Your a new person going out with a new group of riders please please be honest with them, dont wing it, or pretend that your ok. 99% of riders will plan events/hacks to your level. If u havent done somthing but want to try, let them know, we will talk you through it. Dont traumatise yourself or your horse.

And in reverse remember every horse and rider has to lern, so if you have someone with you that is struggling, be patient, just because u can do it dosnt mean they have to be able to do it without blinking.

We have a complicated history together. But I've been busting my butt getting my riding skills up to par, and she's a much calmer horse than she was 7 years ago. We just walked and trotted maybe 20 minutes total because she has a pinchy stifle that we have to be mindful of. It was amazing. I got a little emotional when I got off because it had just been so long and we've both come so far. I can't wait to start riding her on a more regular basis. ❤️

I have a 7yo WB who has always been adjustable to the base of a fence, but can get a bit strong and piss off on the other side, particularly over bigger jumps. He’s never been unmanageable in a snaffle, but I realised I’d gotten into the habit of not fully putting my leg on or really riding to the fence because I was already anticipating the tug of war we’d have on landing.

I’ve always been very much on the “if you can’t ride it in a snaffle, you can’t ride it at all” train, so I was honestly terrified of bitting up. Eventually decided to give a baby Pelham with short shanks a go and… oh my god?
For the first time, I could actually ride him properly into the fence, completely release his mouth over it, and then just make a tiny adjustment on landing. And he just… listened? No arguing, no pulling, no discussion whatsoever. I genuinely think I used less hand throughout the entire ride than I ever did in a snaffle.

For context, I’m 165cm and about 50kg, so I’m not exactly winning any strength competitions against a big warmblood either.

I know this probably sounds incredibly obvious to people who’ve been using different bits for years, but I think I was so caught up in the idea that a stronger bit was somehow a failure in training that I hadn’t considered how much nicer it might actually be for both of us to have a quieter conversation rather than a constant negotiation.

Anyone else had a similar revelation? I’m almost annoyed with myself for not trying it sooner.

Is it terrible of me keeping my horse for 6 years and then selling her? I can’t afford my horse on my own salary. For the next 6 years I will be getting spousal support from my divorce. But after that time I can’t afford it anymore. I feel terrible about because normally I keep all of my animals for their lifetime. I love her so much and it’s breaking my heart knowing I can’t keep her forever. I feel guilty for even buying her in the first place. She’s just 5 years old and I feel like I failed her. I just would like any advice or feedback you all can provide. Am I extremely selfish for bringing her into my life?

It’s fall y’all!

I put some hay back in the "hole" he made eating, he was not happy about it lol

I am leasing soon for the first time. Im super excited! The horse I am interested in is $800 a month for a 2 day lease. And for 3 days it’s $1325 a month. these are without lessons so one of those days I would need to. Are these prices pretty standard? I love this horse she is great, but Im also open to others if this seems high. I also live in NY so I know things are just more expensive there in general.

So fun little back story; I have been obsessed with this boy since August. Unfortunately time was not on my side and I didnt have the funds to go even look at him until just a couple weeks ago, where he ended up on hold with someone else.

I eventually gave up as everything seemed like he'd be sold. But I got a message that he was suddenly available again on Wednesday, and made the almost 4 hour trek completely by myself yesterday to go meet him.

He's a big giant goofball, who is so very curious about anything and everything. He will be my drill horse, and once he gets a good hang of that, I wanna work on what he is bred to do, which is barrels ❤️

I still am indecisive if I want to keep his current name, which is Elvis. He is a 4 year old 15.3hh bay roan Streakin lil Wayne gelding. So very leggy and oh so cute

This is my 6yo OTTB Sterling! He's the cutest thing 💓

That feeling when you realize your 3 year old is going to be HUGE 🙈

I also never thought my heart would be healed after losing my heart horse of 13 years unexpectedly, but this boy knows just how to heal me 🥹❤️

Hey y’all! I’ve been debating getting full chaps for the winter for a while now and would love to hear your thoughts/opinions. I ride English 3x/week and am based in a colder climate.

1. Do they actually keep you warmer in the winter?
   
2. Do you wear them to do chores around the barn?
   
3. Are they hard to break in/adjust to? I’ve only ever ridden in tall boots and half chaps before.

Thanks in advance!! :-)

Hi everyone! This might be an impossible question but..

Has anyone ever gotten custom boots that weren’t RIDICULOUSLY expensive?? I’m 5’11 with a wide calf and my current Ovation boots are a solid inch or two underneath my knee cap lmao. The Ovations are still in good condition, but I’m definitely starting to notice some dropping and wear after two years of wear, so I want to start looking for options now.

I’m an adult ammy who rides twice per week and did a schooling show this summer, and plan to do more next year, so I don’t have a need for super high-end boots but would like to have a pair that actually fit me.

Thank you for any ideas, suggestions, or recommendations!

I have been horse riding and having lessons as an adult since March twice a week, I am 41F, I am having fun and enjoy it. I noticed they were always putting me on very difficult horse but as i learned to trot and moved to canter I asked to change the horse and I have been getting 2 very kind horses.

I have ridden this horse maybe now 10-15 times, and she is very kind, I have been told she has back issues but I am light and she seems to enjoy, today she let me get on her and she was fine to walk and listening to me. She is always listening and does what you ask of her most of the times. But today as soon as I asked for trot she was shaking her head and felt like she was jumping a little from her front legs as I know she doesnt do that ever I told the trainer who hasnt taught me on this horse ever. And she said i should just whip her and thats the horse like. But I said I dont feel safe when she is doing this mid trotting. And then she said okay she will show me that horse is fine, horse fine me getting on her and when the trainer tried she was refusing so much, she got in the saddle and did ride her.

But other rider was saying they had the same issue with her 2 days ago and she thinks horse is hurting as she doesnt do that ever, but trainer was saying we just have to be firm with her. I am so confused, I think I did right decision to not continue my lesson as i wasnt feeling safe but was I over-reacting?

Oakley, 9yo Quarter Horse mare

A few sticky moments but we also had a few good blow outs and licks and chews!

This is his first day ever doing groundwork, believe it or not. He was quite neglected and only used for packing on trails when he was like ten. Now, as a 26 year old pasture puff, I figured it wouldn't hurt and would actually be good to get this boy some consistent work

He's not one to be happy in the pasture all day, he loves this kinda enrichment and it made a huge difference in our ride afterwards!

I've been taking care of this 18 year old mare with a pretty big swayback. She's been out of work for almost two years and has very little muscle. She's not currently ridden, neither is it a plan for the near future. What kind of ground exercices could I do to help build her core and topline back up? She's still full of energy and in good health and I want to support her back as best as possible as she ages.

Curious if anyone here uses apps for horseback riding or horse management. I haven’t tried any myself, but I’d love to know what’s out there and what people actually find useful.

What apps do you use, what do you like (or dislike) about them, and are there any features you wish existed? Feel free to share your experiences and recommendations!