Introduction & New to horses-advise

[Malinda]

Hi everyone. I have been reading on this site for about a month now and thought I’d better introduce myself finally. I don’t know if I would call myself a mature rider. But looks as if I might fit in with the “younger” Matures. I’ve just recently turned 28. I'm married and have a wonderful 20-month-old daughter. You all seem very nice and encouraging, so I wanted to say hello.

My family had a few horses when I was in grade school. I rode a cute spotted pony named Sprinkles. He was great. We also had goats and did 4-H and all that goes with that. But we had to sell the property and move to the city. I’ve not been close to a horse since except the fairs and a couple of guided trail rides years ago.

I would love to hear some advise as to what steps to take next for owning a horse. I love the draft breeds. I always have. So we will be getting a Shire draft when the time is right. Some things I’ve been told are to take at least a years worth of lessons before even thinking about buying a horse, volunteer at a farm and get experience working with them. I’ve not gotten much encouragement from the one draft board I wrote to last. As apparently it is assumed that any “non-horse-person” always likes the drafts. I felt embarrassed for asking questions because I was not a “horse-person”. I was not taken seriously. I am aware of the commitment and work that is required in taking care of horses from all the reading I’ve done. As that is all I can do right now. I’ve just never actually done it in person. Plus the experience of daily care I had to do with the goats. Mucking stalls, feeding, worming, milking, shots... What I'm wondering is what the big deal is? If I just wanted to do some trail and pleasure riding (at first) do I really need a years worth of lessons? And what’s a years worth? Once a week for a year or 4 times a week for a year? And I would think that having a totally inexperienced person come volunteer at your barn would be just frustrating because I wouldn’t know what I was doing at first.

Sorry about the book. But some thoughts on this would be great. I thought I might take some lessons and learn how to ride of course first, the basics. Get some hands on experience caring for a horse. Then get our own horse. And when I'm ready for the next step in my learning I’d take lessons on my own horse. I thought that sounded pretty good. Am I on the right track?

Malinda

[sophie33]

:) Welcome to NR, you are right it is very friendly! I am far from the most experienced person on this board so I'm sure you'll get more informed advice from others. Unlike you I never rode as a child so started from a lower point than you. A lot of the people on here have started again after riding as children and it seems (to me) that it is easier and quicker for them to get the hang of it. All the same it is definitely worth getting some lessons first of all because while your head might remember what to do, your muscles won't! And my experience of going on hacks or treks (like your trail rides?) is that they are great to help you relax in the saddle but you won't learn enough from them alone - you also need instruction. But whether you need a year - or more, or less - that is very difficult to answer - why not book some lessons and see how you get on and then think about it again.
Finally, I have recently starting sharing a horse (I think you can also do that in the US). Basically I look after someone elses horse 2 days a week. I would definitely recommend it before owning! It is very different from anything you do at a riding school - not just because you looking after the horse, but also riding and schooling alone! It was a big shock to my system - I'm loving it - but I'm glad it as a sharer rather than an owner - as the owner still takes the major responsibility!
There are people who post on here who, for one reason or another, bought horses very early on. A lot of them have come through in one piece and are enjoying it but it is my impression it can be very difficult at first because you are not experienced enough to know how to treat the horse, the horse then thinks it can dominate the owner, then the owner gets scared ... and a vicious circle can set in. On the other hand some people have done fine from the beginning - but it is my impression (sorry if I'm wrong folks) that they have had a lot of help from professional help and/or more experienced friends.
Sorry this has turned into a book!! But whatever you decide to do there are always people on NR to lend a listening ear and give friendly advice - its great!

[stroppymare]

Firstly, Hi and Welcome
I too am relatively new to this forum but everyone is friendly and helpful.

I would definitely have a few lessons and yes, re-familiarise yourself with looking after a horse on a day to day basis.

I find one thing which adult riders coming back into riding after a long break don't account for is the 'nerves'. You may have been a very able, confident rider as a child but after having children and a long break the 'nerves' just seem to pop up from nowhere.

After being a competant, confident rider from a child right up to the age of 22, after having a child and then returning to horse-owning at 26 I'd turned into a bit of a nervous wreck which took along time to overcome.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it and keep us posted.:)

[Whatanejit]

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/Smilies/c009.gif and Welcome.

[Afellpony]

Hello and welcome. I think you're going to find us all very friendly and helpful here. At least I hope you will. I dont have any kids. I learnt to ride at an early age and, the only time I've had a break from it was when I was about 16. That lasted 6 months and then I went back to horses again. At the moment, I have a young pony who I'm trying to get used to various things he'd have to see in every day life. However, I dont bother with the roads as we can ride round the farm I keep him on. Look forward to chatting with you.

[Dummer&Drummer]

[QUOTE=sophie33;1045724There are people who post on here who, for one reason or another, bought horses very early on. A lot of them have come through in one piece and are enjoying it but it is my impression it can be very difficult at first because you are not experienced enough to know how to treat the horse, the horse then thinks it can dominate the owner, then the owner gets scared ... and a vicious circle can set in. On the other hand some people have done fine from the beginning - but it is my impression (sorry if I'm wrong folks) that they have had a lot of help from professional help and/or more experienced friends.
QUOTE]

ER hi there, and the above paragraph is me on both accounts :) i brought my horses very early on into riding, never rode as a child. i brought rupert (on my own!!!!) i was a nervous beginer and he was a very very full pure bred section D with serious attitude problems LOL now i am very determined despite my nerves and every day i got this ill mannered horse in and rode him, under saddle i found him ok, on the ground he was a friday night lager lout, but i persevered and sold him slightly better behaved than i brought him. RI then found me Drummer and he is a sunday morning vicar, very well behaved in and out of the saddle but is exciting at the same time and i having owned Drummer since last february im having a BALL :D

i had lots and lots of professional help and i have 24/7 help if i need it at my yard. i livery at a riding school so the help is there for me - this is the only way i could own a horse so young and i dont regret it a single bit, not even Rupert my old section D he taught me a lot and really put me through my paces and challenged everything - whilst i dont regret it for a second, i would not chose to do that type of horse again :)

i learnt on the way, i did not know how to tack up when i owned my horse (sorry NR) :eek: but i knew lots of people who did :D and for owning a horse so early on ive stayed in the environment where i have experienced people to call upon 24/7 adn also owed it to my horse to keep up regular 2-3 lessons per week, although now 2 years later i am in 1 a fortnight and drummer has one with RI on his back alternate weeks :) i compete sj and have competed xc once (although reckon ill up that once to twice next year lol) and would like to do some LOW key ODE's next year

It really does depend what sort of person you are, how strong you and how dedicated - and to surround yourself by experienced people

[sophie33]

Hi Drummer,
Sorry if I gave any offence with my paragraph! I wasn't writing about you at all, just a general theme I've noticed in my many hours scanning NR! However, as you show clearly - if you are determined enough you can learn about horse ownership succesfully on the hoof, so to speak! Certainly gives inspiration to me when I start feeling like a clumsy useless person who will never get the hang of htis lark!!

[Dummer&Drummer]

oooo dont apologise, no offense at all - i think you are ''absolutely'' right :)

on the 'whole' i would not recommend what i have done but a few can do it but unfortunately there a few that cant do it that do do it :) does that make sense :) you have to realise how HARD it is emotionally as well, i and stress really really hard. and then i believe you owe your new horse certain things when buying as a beginner:

to have lots of 24/7 on hand help and around you - and most importantly LISTEN AND USE them - lots have help and DONT listen

keep up your lessons - as many as you can afford

get RI on board from time to time to keep the horse up to scratch till you are more up together

you owe your horse 'at least' these two things - i cant stress how tough it is though at times and really really get help from someone who knows your riding when choosing a horse (not a horsey friend) but someone professional like your RI - aside from being tough in the begining

The 'right' horse matched for the right rider on the ground and in the saddle is an amazing amount of fun and you will learn so so much :)

[Malinda]

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and advise. Lessons will be my first step. Befriend some horsey people and get in touch with someone professional.

Besides you friendly folks here, it seems to be a given, are horse people genuinely friendly to get to know for new people to horses? I'm just very shy when I'm face to face with people.

We are moving across the country soon and lessons will be much more affordable out where were headed. It sounds like I should just play it by ear so to speak. See how I feel after some lessons to see how dedicated I am. Obviously if I feel its to much for me we won’t be buying one. And I would be mostly riding alone. So I will have to wait until I feel comfortable with that. We do plan on buying several acres of land. So we will have the option to have our horse (whenever we buy it) with us. Boarding isn’t really something we would like to do. And I wouldn’t be able to ride whenever I wanted. :) My husband will also be taking lessons with me. I'm thankful to have my husbands full support.

I will keep you all updated in my adventures. For now I'm having fun reading and learning as much as I can.

Thanks again!

[Trewsers]

Hello and welcome! OH and I bought our first horses after having lessons twice a week for about 8 months, BUT the yard we boarded them on was very friendly and helpful, and we received tons and tons of help and advice in the early months. (I've been desperate for my own horse since I was about 3 years old - so a lifelong dream achieved now!!!). My advice would be to find a yard you feel comfortable with and a good teacher and make as many horsey pals as you can - the more the merrier!! I don't think there is any set time period for when you're "ready" to become a horse owner - cos I think it depends on the help and advice you have available to you. Anyway, I'm sure you'll get tons of good advice on here!!

[horseygal90]

Hi, welcome to the board :) (Yeah, I'm late! Who cares :p) We're pretty much all friendly on here, and theres nearly always someone around who's happy to answer a question - Just remember, there's no such thing as a stupid one!

Hopefully you won't find the return to riding (even though you only did a little) too bad, though I'd definatly advise you had a few before plunging in and getting your shire. (Good choice there, beautiful horses!) Also, right now you say that you definatly want a shire, but when the time comes and you get your horse, you may find a different breed or even a draught cross catches you unawares and you click together. A good yard can do you wonders - Even if it's just to begin with. Also, sharing/loaning may be something you'd like to consider before going ahead and buying a horse.

Enjoy the board! :)

[Little Dolphins]

Hi there Malinda and welcome!

Shire horses are gorgeous. Big heart, big body- big shoes! A farrier told me how much he charges for a set of shoes for a Shire, and it was more than I earn in a month. :p

Good luck with making your dream come true; once the bug has got you, there's no escape:D