Beginning From Scratch

[TonyaRena]

I think more experienced people than us know by experience the dangers/safety/health issues of choosing to have horses in our lives and just want to us to be safe with healthy happy horses. I totally understand that. I also believe there are unknown risks in every day life, like crossing a road, that we face every day and can’t always mitigate - at least you are eyes open and willing to admit what you don’t know - like me!!!

And everyone does have to start somewhere. It is courageous to take on a life challenge that pushes us out of our comfort zones / that’s where personal growth happens. And everyone’s comfortable place to start at is different because we’ll all unique. (And I don’t know what other options these horses had but I’m thankful they are not facing the other awful options that await unwanted horses.) Don’t worry about the fancy stables - some horses in those environments will be unhappy and unhealthy because owners don’t care. And you sound as though you do really care which gives you an edge. It seems like you’re also spending a lot of time being around them - Mark Rashid tells a story where just pitching up and showing a horse consistency and calmness in the feeding process is a huge start to building trust.

Much has changed since I first learnt, over forty years ago. On the ground, I did not realise the importance for my own safety of being able to move their feet. I’ve learnt that and my great joy is if one does startle they don’t jump in my lap! My learning curve has been ENORMOUS. For health my starting point was reading the top five things that can go wrong with horses. Good job I did I recognised mild colic (after Bute for a paddock injury), an abscess from a stone bruise and very early laminitis in my quarter horse. Educating yourself is a great starting point when facing the unknown.

I wasn’t meant to get a young horse or a 17.2 ex racehorse but they are 100 percent the right horses for me. They’re natures are beautiful. And like you they complete my life. They feed my soul when my body wants to collapse in a heap. They are my reason for getting out of bed on lots of days. I’m sure there would be people who think I’m mad given my health and age but it FEELS so right to me. I’m prepared to learn anything I need to to make it work. Like you the other thing I do is really observe them and know what’s normal and what isn’t. And when it isn’t normal I do not hesitate to get help. Building a great help network will be essential for you.

Hence for me why I joined this fantastic forum. I’ve been back reading old posts on topics I need help with and have found them really useful. There are clearly some very knowledgeable people on this site who generously are willing to help people like us.

Sounds like you have ridden before so are not completely new to the basic steps. Do you have a safe area to ride in? And the basic equipment like hat and boots? Do you have someone who can be there when you ride or at least inform when you’re riding and when you’ve finished?

Just remembered I also liked meredithmanor website - bucket loads of free information.

Yes i do have a safe place to ride. I usually let my uncle and Nana know when i head to see the horses since its not far from the house. Nana usually will sit on the porch and listen out for anything unusual. I have all the basic equipment, as well as her two Australian riding saddle. I am willing to learn all I can. And i do apologize for sounding aggressive post. But they are my last connection to my aunt. She was like my Mom. If i hadn't stepped up and said I'd take care of the three horses, they would have been split up and sold to whoever offered the most. But i couldn't let that happen.

 

[Huggy]

Well everyone has to start somewhere. And if it doesn't work and i fail, I will not give up on the horses. No they aren't in a fancy table and no i don't have a fancy instructor, I but i do have three horses who is give my own life for if it meant they would be okay. I would never ever do anything to hurt them. No matter how small a change in them is, I've gotten so in tune with them and their mannerisms and how they do things. If there is something as small as a change in how they walk or their behavior, I go for help. They are my reason for breathing and i have a bond that many people don't understand. But they won't tolerate another person besides me to be within seeing distance. But they meet me at the fence the second i walk in that direction. Regardless of what im doing inside the pasture,weather its me reading or me just walking around, they are right there. When i sit down inside the pasture, I they lay around me, yes i know this is odd, I but they do and I refuse to let them down or lose faith in them.

You obviously care very much about these horses and that's a good starting point. Have you punted around on Facebook for someone in your vicinity to at least be around when you think about riding? Or even someone with a nice sensible steady horse that you could plod out with, on the more experienced horse of your aunts. I took on a "project" cob last summer, and although I'm quite an experienced (ahem!) rider, I found it invaluable to go out with someone happy to just walk with me, on their bombproof horse. If you have a novice horse there too, honestly with you being a bit novice as well, i would see if there's someone who could come and school it for/with you. There's no rush - she will happily wait to start work! As you say, you certainly don't need a posh set up - our place is quite tatty, but the horses are fed, needs tended to, safe, and most importantly loved. Take your time with it all, and be safe!

 

[TonyaRena]

You obviously care very much about these horses and that's a good starting point. Have you punted around on Facebook for someone in your vicinity to at least be around when you think about riding? Or even someone with a nice sensible steady horse that you could plod out with, on the more experienced horse of your aunts. I took on a "project" cob last summer, and although I'm quite an experienced (ahem!) rider, I found it invaluable to go out with someone happy to just walk with me, on their bombproof horse. If you have a novice horse there too, honestly with you being a bit novice as well, i would see if there's someone who could come and school it for/with you. There's no rush - she will happily wait to start work! As you say, you certainly don't need a posh set up - our place is quite tatty, but the horses are fed, needs tended to, safe, and most importantly loved. Take your time with it all, and be safe!

The horse i ride was previously a barrel racing horse,but he got injured. He is a registered emotional support animal. My uncle is very experienced rider. I do understand the risks, but in my personal opinion, the pros out weight the cons. I've been told by my uncle, who owns the land they are on, and him and everyone else who has attempted to enter the small pasture, is ignored and the horses freak out and panic if anyone other than myself gets within a yard of them. No one else can touch them or from them besides myself, anyone else gets bit or act out other ways. But like I've said, I have never had any problems out of them, never ever

 

[Huggy]

The horse i ride was previously a barrel racing horse,but he got injured. He is a registered emotional support animal. My uncle is very experienced rider. I do understand the risks, but in my personal opinion, the pros out weight the cons. I've been told by my uncle, who owns the land they are on, and him and everyone else who has attempted to enter the small pasture, is ignored and the horses freak out and panic if anyone other than myself gets within a yard of them. No one else can touch them or from them besides myself, anyone else gets bit or act out other ways. But like I've said, I have never had any problems out of them, never ever

For their own well being it would be worth trying to socialise them with other humans. If there's anyone with time to just go in and sit with them until their curiosity gets the better of them. If you couldn't tend to them for whatever reason, there could be a problem getting anyone to help out. Having just spent 6 months doing my friends horse, because she had a major op, (He's not the easiest horse either!) But she has a massive problem now, because his field mate, my old horse, just passed away, and she can't get him out if the field without my old boy leading the way. She didn't address this problem over the years, and now she has a big headache to deal with!

 

[Jessey]

From what you say I guess they are on the property where your uncle/nana live? That's good if they can keep an eye for any mishaps. Here in the UK we don't have many areas so rural that there aren't any horse folks within a few miles (often in livery/agistment/boarding situations it's just a few feet away ) and most towns will have somewhere to learn more, it's so different.
All of us here believe the pros out weigh the risks of riding or we'd never do it, but it doesn't hurt to set yourself up for success having your family look out for you is a good idea. I know you said your uncle isn't keen to help but perhaps you could keep trying and tap into his experience, it might help him with the loss of your aunt too. Having someone there with you would definitely be a plus