About you? RE-intros

Hello. Im 28, i have my cob gelding prj hes 7, had him since he was 18 months old. We did some inhand showing but i decided i hated it, took too long to clean the cob and keep him clean and then i just hated all the waiting around and blah blah egh,,, nooooo not for us basically! so we just hack now, we did some jumping and occasionally do a little jump, but i dont enjoy it and after we have jumped something 2/3 times he just runs through it! So we hack milesssss and i love it and he seems to enjoy it hes much more responsive and willing to do more than a walk (hard to get him to do more than a walk in the school). We are in east mids

I'm based in Derbyshire and I have owned Libby for over ten years. She's a German warmblood chestnut mare, 15.2hh. She's old now so we only hack and that's only occasionally as I'm always so busy with other stuff too. She lives out and has recently moved house to a perfect privately owned yard and we are lucky to be there. No facilities no stable but it's fab and they have ten acres to roam in a mixed herd. Libby has a large incurable mass the size of a grapefruit that was diagnosed last year but aside from a snotty nose she's doing ok for now

I am 55 this year. I rescue Shetland ponies and breed and train Icelandic horses. I live in Shetland.

But, then again, you may already know that! x

I'm 57 (eek!), live south of Guildford in Surrey and have been on this forum since the week after I bought Ziggy in 2010. I keep him in the field opposite my house with his companion Mattie, a retired Arab racehorse and complete French gentleman. Ziggy is a permanent project, probably because I only have time to ride about once a week, but he is a sweetheart by temperament and everybody loves him.

Good idea CA, a lot of people aren't on the other introductions thread and many who are have probably changed places or ponies since they posted on it!

I'm 32, originally from Cornwall, I've been a groom since I left uni in 2006 and have a degree in journalism & political communication which I've never used! I've lived and worked in the Channel Islands, Portugal, France, two different parts of Italy, and all over New Zealand, so you could say I get around a bit! Among other things I've been a trail-riding guide, an assistant Pony Club instructor, a showjumping groom for a professional rider, head groom of a stud in NZ, and a carriage-driving groom... any of which I would happily do again! I'm currently back home in Cornwall studying for an English-teaching qualification, and it's the first time in my adult life that I haven't worked with horses, so to say I'm getting withdrawal symptoms would be an understatement!

I have two wonderful ponies, both of whom were freebies! I've had my 8-year-old 12.1 gelding Mouse (real name Anatole) since July 2011, when he was bought as a surprise 26th birthday present by my boss and her family. He was my first pony and I got him when he was about 16 months old, he is very very special to me. I used to hack him out and had a young rider to school and jump him for me. I also own Annie, a 9-year-old 15hh mare from Portugal. I've had her since March 2014, when she was gifted to me by her old owner who was friends with my boss down there. Annie and her mother were rescued from gypsies when she was a foal so she didn't have the best start in life but is very much loved and appreciated now! We are very keen happy hackers but also enjoy a spot of jumping (just small ones mind!) and have done some training shows up to 80cm. The ponies are both currently on loan back in France - Mouse is earning his keep at a riding school and Annie's with a friend - but I want to have them back with me as soon as I've settled and found a job!

Gosh joosie love how you have filled your life with so much and you are still so young - go you!

Well my intro a bit boring - I think I have been on here for about 8/9 years or so now. I lived many years in the Uk but I am full Irish despite a snotty British accent that I just cant shift as I was schooled there - but I do try lol! I moved back home about 20 years ago when I took early retirement from a very boring desk job that I hated but it paid me well and gave me a helpful pension to bring home with me. Had horses my whole life and come from a long line of Irish horse breeders/dealers and always been lucky enough to be surrounded by the best of Irish horses before the low end dealers started exporting the dregs of Irish equine stock and ruining the reputation. I have also produced and sold my own horses with a modicum of success but purely as a side line never to put bread and butter on the table, (my goodness where did that particular skill go to - can hardly sit on a fence these days ) I have done almost every discipline apart from stressage - I just do not have the temperament for stressage lol!

Now I am in my late 60s and at the end of my horse owning life I think I have most always had a few horses around the place but not now - I just have my Dolly ( Irish hunter that came to me as an 11 year old and is now 17) and my two donkeys Bertie and Joseph. I had intended Dolly would be my very last ever horse - but sadly recent events are making it likely she may have to be retired as a field ornament and my riding nerve is rock bottom. I might perhaps look for a nice ploddy old sort to join my little herd but it will never replace Dolly she will remain with me for as long as humanely possible.

I am often grumpy, very opinionated but will immediately apologise if I am proved wrong , but if you can't prove me wrong I am like a JRT with a bone and will have my say! I have some useful knowledge to pass on but I am still learning something new about horses every single day of my life. I love this forum, it has made me laugh, helped me when the going got tough, made me angry, educated me, slapped me down when I needed it , and lifted me up when I needed it - sometimes reading on here has had me close to tears of sorrow for those of you who have lost your horses, had your struggls in life etc. Basically NR is a bit like a very good friend I think

Hi

I'm 28 and in SW London (boo) I own the most amazing haflinger Ale who I've had for 8 years now. He retired just over a year ago due to a multitude of issues but he's still pretty much the center of my world!

And for the last year I've been sharing a brilliant Connemara Brodie who has done absolute wonders for my confidence. We have such fun together, mainly just hacking and then some local shows in the summer


I'm animal mad and own as many rodents as my landlady will allow and if I'm not with the horses then I'll be out on my bicycle! And those two lines sum me up completely really!

Hi I’m MrC

I’m a 34 yr old female. Been riding since I was very young, from a Farming/horsey backround, I life in the Clyde Valley in Scotland. My hobbies are horses, Badminton, my close friends and books, lots and lots of books. I have had many jobs in the 14yrs since I first listed on NR at present I work in a High school after being relocated from the roads department of the council after I was deliberately struck with a vehicle by a member of the public whilst at work in March 2017, It goes to court in May this year. Due to this I suffer PTSD and through much therapy and medical help I returned to Work in Sept and haven’t looked back.

I have been a member of this forum since about 2004 I think. My original account was deleted so I have this one. My user name comes from Kia’s showname which is Mr Cellophane from the musical Chicago.

I currently have one elderly pony called Kiarone, I have had him 17years as of 1/03 this year. He is a 14.3hh Black rabicano Welsh D x Appy, he is 27, barefoot and my happy hacking partner these days although over the years we have pretty much tried our hand at everything other than Le Trec. He has Cushings which I treat with Prascend and other than this he’s as healthy as I could expect for a 27year old pony

I am bringing on my friends Cob x WB at present, I backed him and rode him away for her and now that he’s finally mature (he’s 7 in May) it’s time for his career to really begin. He will be my 13th horse that I have backed and broken, he will be the 4th that have carried on bringing on and riding away. This is the thing I think I have grown over the years to love the most, educating young horses in a firm but encouraging manner.

I am a traditional Minded horseperson, I follow the path of common sense, I am blunt but I am not deliberately cruel I just call a rock a rock. I am open minded and I enjoy learning new things and expanding my knowledge and seeking new experiences.

I am currently planning and saving for a trip to the Eastern Pacific region of the world. I am starting my tour with Tokyo Japan, this will be via Dubai and perhaps Hong Kong) then going on to NZ both islands to see my brother and have him show me he sights before a few days in Fiji and then onto Oz to visit the rest of my family

So there is a little bit about me

Well after reading everybody's threads above I really don't have much to say thats interesting, but here it is for those who have nothing else to do for a moment

I'm 48 born,schooled and brought up in central London. Left as soon as possible for the countryside at aged 21. I am a retired prison officer. Left the UK or rather fled to France 15 years ago upon retirement and have had an allergy to the UK ever since.
Fell in love with an RS horse at aged 42 - persuaded them to sell him to me and owned ever since. We now have 3 despite me only having one bum. However my Ist a PRE was retired 3 years ago along with unfortunately my OH's horse a Selle-Francais at the same time with the same disease. So I now ride my Connemara Cocaïne. She's 6 and if truth be known is rather too much of a sports pony for my skills but I'm hanging in there and she seems to be just about ok with that.

I like straight forward upfront people and NR replies and thank those people for that. I can't do psychological beat around the bush type talk any more. Its difficult, its vague & I'm never certain what was meant. Consequently I'm one of those repliers that tends towards saying stuff that people may not appreciate

So, I live in France with my OH 2 cats & 3 horses on full livery. We try desperately and mostly succeed in keeping our lives as stress free as possible. We're surrounded by vineyards so the wine helps

I am 37 and live on the edge of Thetford forest, I moved here from Herts 15 years ago after coming here to a show and falling in love with the forest. I've ridden since I was 2, with the hunt mistress originally, then RS's and loan horses and had my own horses since my late teens as soon as I could afford to buy/keep them. I have tried most things, or gone through phases of doing them, then rode western for many years after spending a couple of months at a working ranch in Montana, but Jess decided we should go back to English a few years ago. I'm another that believes you never know it all with horses, its a life long learning experience and I love learning new things, because of that I tend to read a lot of research papers and love a good documentary

Currently I have Jess a 15.1 quarter horse x paint/tb who I brought as a yearling (she turns 14 in 2 days ) to compete as my old Anglo Arab (Bo) was inconsistent in the ring We hauled all over the country to western shows and she was reasonably successful. That came to a stop after a relationship breakdown when I had to sell my truck and trailer. Now days we mostly hack, I like exploring and camping so do both with the neds I'm not adverse to doing anything if I can hitch a lift from someone

I also have Hank a 9 year old mini Shetland x (we think, he was a rescue). He came as a companion when I lost Bo very suddenly, he pretty much sat in the field for the first 2/3 years I had him, then I started tinkering with him when Jess went through a prolonged lameness, I started long lining him and broke him to harness in April 2016, he did the London new years day parade in 2017 as part of a Ben Hur team

After reading them all i realise i left mine a bit basic lol. Never mind the important part is there lol there are 5 other important parts though! My 3 dogs, my conure and our family african grey nothing else about me is interesting haha

I'm rising 65 and although due to retire at the end of the year I am not doing as my brain don't think I am, age is but a number and all that although I am going to reduce hours and number of days so I can at last spend more time with the gang
Born and bred in East Yorkshire and lived here all my life - Gods own County!

I have 2 daughters, 2 stepdaughters and 4 Grandchildren, all except one step daughter have been involved with the ponies at some point in their lives, a family affair.

have 5 ponies now between my daughter and I, Tess, coloured Cob Mare 13.3h fully retired now at 28, has a few health issues but continues to show her strength of character and is our herd leader, we did a lot of coloured showing with her back in the day, till one day she decided enough was enough, we had to make her get on the trailer, got to the show and she refused to do anything, we brought her back thinking just a bad day, next time she wouldn't even get on the trailer, we called it a day and she became a happy hacker and teacher of tiny peeps and continued in light work up to a couple of years back.

Acorn 12 (registered Shetland Gelding 9hh) Is mine and I got him as a birthday gift to myself when he was 6 months old, and have had years of fun showing him , he's had lammi twice and at one point his future was in doubt, but with care and a good farrier he is now as fit as a fiddle, he's broken to ride and hoping to get him back into the swing of things again this year in hand and with Grandkids - I may even get back on myself Hes cheeky, always in trouble and an opportunist.

Charlie came next Welsh A Chestnut reg. Gelding , daughters after she lost TBx JOSH, hes 10, a rescue (swapped him for an old horsebox we were scrapping) A bit of a state when we got him - 6 months old, been through 3 sales until rescued by the lady we got him off, she couldn't do anything with him, including catching him which left his halter embedded in his face and a nervous disposition, daughter loves the bones of him, he has helped her through some tough times, he was successfully shown but then a bout o lammi stopped that - he then had a field injury, 2 failed backings and found to have serious back and pelvic displacements, been worked on and hes now as fit a fiddle, don't think he will be backed again now unless daughter gets a pro in but he's scheduled out for inhand showing again this year all been well then we will decide.

Nuts came next, she's 24 now (18 when we got her) Chestnut Reg. Shetland 35" ex brood mare brought in to be a Companion to Tess when the boys went out showing, she is now firmly established in our Gang, she is used for Lead Rein for the smaller grandchildren and has done young handler show classes with Emm. her nature is sweet if not a little nervous at times, a bit dense in the nicest possible way and follows you around like a lamb.

With Tess retired and Charlie undergoing treatment and possibly not going to be ridden daughter decided she was missing out on her riding so started looking last year, daughters 40th so along came Gem, 13hh Welsh Reg Sec C Mare rising 6
She is loving, green but a quick learner and always in trouble one way or another - she has been on a permanent ASBO since she arrived, shes not nasty or dangerous just gets into positions which usually ends up with us having to spend money to replace damaged goods. The list is endless so far, hopefully will lessen as she matures, She is ridden and continuing her education, we hope to get her out showing this year.

We don't have our own land, but rent 51/2 acres of hill grazing, and 2 stables and a small paddock in the village where we live.

Think that's me up to speed

joosie said:

Good idea CA, a lot of people aren't on the other introductions thread and many who are have probably changed places or ponies since they posted on it!

I'm 32, originally from Cornwall, I've been a groom since I left uni in 2006 and have a degree in journalism & political communication which I've never used! I've lived and worked in the Channel Islands, Portugal, France, two different parts of Italy, and all over New Zealand, so you could say I get around a bit! Among other things I've been a trail-riding guide, an assistant Pony Club instructor, a showjumping groom for a professional rider, head groom of a stud in NZ, and a carriage-driving groom... any of which I would happily do again! I'm currently back home in Cornwall studying for an English-teaching qualification, and it's the first time in my adult life that I haven't worked with horses, so to say I'm getting withdrawal symptoms would be an understatement!

I have two wonderful ponies, both of whom were freebies! I've had my 8-year-old 12.1 gelding Mouse (real name Anatole) since July 2011, when he was bought as a surprise 26th birthday present by my boss and her family. He was my first pony and I got him when he was about 16 months old, he is very very special to me. I used to hack him out and had a young rider to school and jump him for me. I also own Annie, a 9-year-old 15hh mare from Portugal. I've had her since March 2014, when she was gifted to me by her old owner who was friends with my boss down there. Annie and her mother were rescued from gypsies when she was a foal so she didn't have the best start in life but is very much loved and appreciated now! We are very keen happy hackers but also enjoy a spot of jumping (just small ones mind!) and have done some training shows up to 80cm. The ponies are both currently on loan back in France - Mouse is earning his keep at a riding school and Annie's with a friend - but I want to have them back with me as soon as I've settled and found a job!

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Look at Mouse so posh in his show jumping bonnet!

I’m 42 next month and currently live in bucks but I’m in the RAF so move ever five years or so. I sat on my first ever horse at the age of twenty.

I have two ponies chanter who is now 27 which means I’ve been on NR for nearly 11 years. He is retired now but was used for dressage and hacking he was from a rescue centre in Lincoln and obtained by my then husband while I was in Baghdad on tour. He is a grumpy boy never been the cuddly sort but I adore him.

When I knew his dressage career was coming to an end I went and got ginger (al biruni) as I wanted to carry on competing. He was four and an ex racer. We now ride for the RAF dressage team at novice and looking to move to up a level this year.

He is lovely but hard work we have had some massive highs and some hideous lows.

NR has been with me through a lot a marriage breakdown three tours Baghdad Afghan and Iraqi. Words of kindness and blunt truths all of which have meant a lot to me.