| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Mar 31 2007 : 1:52:35 PM
O.K. here is the back ground. I have wanted to own a horse since I was a little girl. I rode quite a lot when I was a child until my parents divorced. I hadn't ridden again since I was 16. Until I moved here to Rhode Island and made friends with a woman who has two horses. I rode her horses twice since. I have completely forgotten how. I get a little nervous.I want to take lessons but it would make our budget a little tight.
SO anyway here is what I need advice on. Another friend of ours works for animal control. Ever since she found out I wanted a horse she (she owns one too)calls me every so often with one she would think is perfect for me. I always find something that makes me uneasy about them but she has found one that does sound like a good match. He is a retired police horse. She said he is bomb proof and has no vices. I don't know how old he is yet. What are some other things I should ask? I keep going back and forth weather I should even go look at him. Do you think this means I am not ready? I know the expense of the ferrier and the vet checks. Our barn isn't finished yet but my girlfriend said we could board him at her house until ours is finished. I would just make a trade with her for doing her hair. Our barn is going to be started this summer.
Also I don't know if this makes a difference or not but we have been trying to get pregnant. I know I couldn't ride if I do get pregnant. I think I have started to ramble so any advice would be great!
Thanks,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| goneriding |
Posted - May 04 2007 : 06:53:34 AM
Congrats on the ride...a good warm soak and ibuprofen, you'll be back in biz in no time!! hehehe...
Winona :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
http://goneridingagain.bravehost.com |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 04:11:51 AM
Ahh, you take me back many years to the thrills of the first rides! There is nothing so exhilirating, so intoxicating, so motivating as those first rides. They're like water in the desert.
Here's to many, many more, and lots of learning experiences! |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 10:04:26 PM
Alicia! That sounds WONDERFUL!!!!! I'm so glad that you were able to go riding and remind yourself what you know how to do --- Enjoy it!!! I think Kathie said it best -- Keep up the pace!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| Kathie |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 3:03:10 PM
Honey i am So Pleased for you!!!
I knew that was exactly what you needed..
Get your self out there & start messing with a few horses..
Boosts your spirits right up again!!
Just being around them, touching them.. handeling them..
Gives you so much more confidence.. doesn't it?
See.. just like riding a bike!! But SOOOOOOooooooo much better!!
They respond to you! Bikes just sit there..
I'm happy you've made this step..
Keep up the pace.. i really think your on the right track now!
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 11:58:27 AM
Hi Kathie,
I posted up a few post ago how it went Saturday.I still am on cloud nine. I did so well. I remembered alot that I had thought I had forgetten. My girlfriend was even surprized how I did. The ride was not perfect her horse is young and is scared of tons of things at one point there was a down tree across the trail that was too high to walk over but too low to go under. So she wanted to go around. The embankment was pretty steep, the first time we went around went fine because we went up but the way back I was first and the horse I was riding got a little spooked and wouldn't go down, he decided he wanted to go into the woods. I handled him well and straighten him out and went down no problem. ( Sounds eay now but I was nervous). She came down and said WOW I am impressed, I thought oh no we have a problem but you got a handle on it right away. That is when I realised I was ok. and I did remember what I was doing. SO I can't wait to go again,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Kathie |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 10:00:33 AM
ok.. how did the week end go girl?
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
| Tracey |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 6:27:24 PM
How exciting! Glad you and your friend are able to buddy up until your place is ready. 
Visit Quiet Storm, our adopted Mustang! http://wildaboutquietstorm.com
http://carpentercreek.blogspot.com http://mustangdiaries.blogspot.com http://marbletownangels.blogspot.com
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| Phils Ann |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 1:46:00 PM
Alicia, I'm so excited for you! My MIL had about 25 years without a horse, then started in again at 60 (which, for her and her stiff joints, caused problems), so I think it's wonderful you're going ahead and getting back into it now. Your ability to ride and get back the confidence before getting your own horse should make a world of difference!
XO,
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 1:24:11 PM
Alicia-
Oh yes! A good helmet is a must! To think of all the times I when riding as a kid without a helmet! Oh my word!
A few years ago I was taking some horseback riding lessons. I am pretty comfortable in a western saddle. I can stay on if the horse is being a pill and even bucks a bit but I sure wouldn't win any prizes if I rode in a show. Anyway- since I feel pretty comfortable with western, I asked my instructor to teach me English. Several sessions in, I was still really awkward with my balance, but was getting better. One day the horse was being a bit more feisty than normal and I ended up coming off as she turned a corned as I was unbalanced. I hit my head on the ground, but had tucked and rolled so I wasn't hurt at all. But if I hadn't had the helmet I probably would have been hurt.
I am so glad you had such a wonderful day! I am so jealous that you go to go riding, but I am really happy for you too!
Alee
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| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 10:11:00 AM
Well my first "lesson" was great. She showed me how to groom real quick and said have fun. So I did her horse first. He is so calm and I got comfortable real quick. Then she showed me some hoof care. I was a bit nervous about that so she said that is something I need to work on. Then she got her daughters horse for me to clean up. He is a little nervous and moved quicker but after he and I settled down some he was easy. He was covered in mud because he loved to roll around but he looked great after. He doesn't like his feet being touch so she did his feet until I get more comfotable. Then I thought I was going to clean out the stalls and be done for the day but she wanted to show me how to put the sattle and the bridle on. The she says get on. We'll just walk around the ring. So we did and then she says ride around the ring for a bit.I'll be right back. She came back with her horse all set to ride. She asked me how I was feeling. I said good. This horse was well behaved and did respond well to me. She says lets go for a trail ride. I was like ok.I was a little nervous but I had SOOOOOO Much FUN!!!! We rode through the woods down to a trail and it was great. I just needed to get my cofidence back. I need to buy a helmet too.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 09:25:38 AM
Oh, Alicia - this is all so exciting! I just KNOW that there is the perfect horse out there for you...and you'll know it. Here's to building a wonderful barn, taking some enjoyable riding lessons, and finding a great match of a horse!!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Apr 27 2007 : 6:46:08 PM
I don't know if everyone knows but I am already a mom. I have a 17 year old son. I know exactly what I am getting myself into. I am almost done with my baby making years. That is one of the problems. I might not be able to have another child so I really can't count on having one. I can hope. When my son was young I financially strapped, I had a dead beat husband but my life is so much different now. I am married to a wonderful man and I do have some disposable income now. I chose right now to invest it into getting our farm how we want it and something I always wanted, a horse.
I agree to wait until the barn is finished and get some lessons.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| _Rebecca_ |
Posted - Apr 27 2007 : 6:15:12 PM
Here's my thinking. You will have a barn, so you can get a horse at any time from here on out pretty much.
I say, and this is coming from someone who has already gone through the baby-making years, wait until your baby comes, then you can decide. You may change your mind about wanting a regular horse until you are done with the child-bearing years and you can get your children started on ponies instead, first. And then as your family grows, pick out a horse for yourself. Ponies would give you the horse experience, and you can get used to being around horses again. And then when you get your own horse, you can choose one that is younger and you and your kids can get riding-lessons.
Just an idea. Having children is such an investment. You will have a different perspective once you become a mother. : )
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. |
| goneriding |
Posted - Apr 27 2007 : 5:51:11 PM
At my age, a bomb-proof gelding is the way to go too, not just the younger set!! My joints and muscles and etc just ain't what they used to be, sad to say.
Yep, hanging out at the barn is the best, you can't just buy a kit and 'fix' everything...horses take time.
Winona :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
http://goneridingagain.bravehost.com |
| akcowgirl |
Posted - Apr 27 2007 : 08:31:39 AM
Good Luck "hanging" at the barn. That is the best way to learn. Then you can kinda learn what behaviors you find desirable(sp) in a horse. What is right for your friend may not be right for you. In the beginning a babysitter horse would be the way to go. Gentle and non pushy. Then as you get better and decide if you want to do more than just trail ride you can really look for a horse that fits what you want to do. Take your time when buying a horse, like the other posters said you don't want someone elses problem. Good Luck
Valerie
Yes, I live in my own little world. But that's ok they know me here.
Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
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| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Apr 26 2007 : 6:31:36 PM
Well Kathie it is funny you ask. I did say no to him because I agree when I found out he was dominate, he wouldn't be right for me. But I am going to "Hang out" every Saturday morning with my friend who has the two horses and she is going to show me the ropes. I do know how to ride, just has been a long time. I did decide that it was time for me to make time for my own hobby. Since I have moved on the farm ,besides gardening I haven't really been doing the things I enjoy. I love the chickens but my dream has always been having a horse. So it is time for me to get the knowledge I need. Everyone has been so encouraging here, it is great. Most people look at me as say why would you want one of those, they cost too much and are dangerous. Mostly the city people. I'll let you know how my first Saturday goes. Thank you,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 26 2007 : 5:22:00 PM
Kathie-
You are so sweet to have allowed the "barn brats" to hang out and help like that! I know how much that sort of kindness means to a person that is completely horse-crazy and yet can not completely afford their own at the time.
Alee
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| Kathie |
Posted - Apr 26 2007 : 4:57:45 PM
ok Alicia
it's been awhile since you've said anything.. & i just saw this....
So.. since we haven't seen anything letting us know of a new arrival i'm guessing that you said no to that big boy..?
i really agree too that he just didn't sound right .. not right now anyway.. & he may really be a sweetie pie.. but all you need is to be up on his back.. WAYYY up on his back. & for him to start showing his butt.. Which sounds like something he probably tends to do..
i think ( & yes.. yet another opinion..) that fou should find a Stable close by that you meet the people there that you like.. & enjoy their company.. & start hanging around the barn!! If it's the right barn.. the right people.. they'll love this!
i had my own barn for years.. i had boarders.. My own horses.. Studs.. & sale horses too. i even had Sumercamp & gave lessons..( which i usualy gave away!.. or bartered!!)
But i always had a steady flow of girls that loved to just come by to spend time at the barn.. just good company.. & kids too.. that wanted to mess with the horses a bit.. I called them "Barn Brats" i never paid anyone.. Lunch now & then maybe.. & made some great friends.. But they were willing to really help out.. JUST TO BE NEAR THE HORSES!
They helped clean stalls.. they helped keep the barn tidy..
Some of them were so trusted i could leave them there when i had to run errands.. BUT.. what they got out of it.. was to be able to be near a horse.. the opportunity to brush the horses.. help turn them out in the mornings.. & bring them back in in the afternoons.. help hold on to them when the Farrier or the Vet came..
& this started giving them the confidence they needed to make that plunge themselves.. So once we were both comfortable enough.. then i allowed them to ride a horse now & then.. Great excersise for the horse.. & great therapy for my Barn Brats! Didn't cost me a penny in labor.. & i usually sold a horse that way too!.. But this will be a great way for you to get back in there again.. We all know that once it's in your blood.. you always want to be near one again..
Go see what's out there.. you won't know if you don't ask..
Good luck Sweetie.. I hope you get your horse!
Kathie
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
| Norskema |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 3:31:44 PM
I think you should consider taking riding lessons, if only for a short while. It can be that the romance of the memories from when you were younger are conflicting with the reality of all that comes with taking care of a horse. Not just the expense but the real commitment. I feel the same way you do. I grew up around horses and some of my best memories are of riding through the woods and hopping on a horse and riding bareback in the pasture but I also know how much work it would be now. You should try it a little first before you are saddled (catch the pun?!) with a horse and find out it isn't what you wanted after all.
Every way of a man seems right to himself but the Lord is the tester of hearts. Proverbs 21:2 |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 6:29:28 PM
My girlfriend has a perecheron and he is beautiful. He is 17 hands and I have rode him many times. He is like a big puppy dog. I know not all horses are like this. We did want a draft horse for both riding and pulling. We live on 48 acres of woods. It is alot easier to get a horse in there to pull then a large tractor.My hubby has experience teaching animals to pull.
Anyway, we have decided not to get this particular horse because we really wanted the barn to be up and didn't want to board. If we had the barn it would have been a different story.Plus knowing another one would come up within the next year makes the choice easier. The reason I had said lessons would make our budget thin is right now we are paying for putting up the barn but once that is finished it is an expense we could handle with the horse care. But since I won't be paying for horse care right now.I have also decide to start taking lesson as soon as it starts to warm up here. I don't think winter is ever going to end. Thank you all for your wise words, you all have helped me a great deal with a tough decision.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Tracey |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 1:09:59 PM
A percheron isn't really a riding horse, anyway. They were bred as drafts to do heavy work. If he's dominant with other horses, he may try to be dominant with you as well...and certainly at that size it's not something you're going to want
I'd be looking for a nice quarter horse cross, if I were you. QH are plentiful, and they've been bred for nice, quiet work. There's always the exception, but there's a reason the breed is popular with a broad range of people.
Visit Quiet Storm, our adopted Mustang! http://wildaboutquietstorm.com
http://carpentercreek.blogspot.com http://mustangdiaries.blogspot.com http://marbletownangels.blogspot.com
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| goneriding |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 09:14:11 AM
Agree with Horseyrider...after reading all the other posts, I think this guys isn't for you. Your gut feeling is VERY important and I can just 'see' your reticence (sp??). Also, if he's 18 hands, he's getting close to world champ in height. I know Percherons can be big but I'd say let someone really measure him from the ground up. I can't tell you the times someone has said a horse was 16h and he was only 15.2 or so or a horse was 19h....
A hand is 4 inches. So you have 14h, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 15h tall. No 14.4 or 14.5. See what I mean??
But to get a good horse, expect to drop some serious dough unless you are into semi-rehabbing. I don't have time to say everything I'd like as I have to get on the road but you have some good responses in this post.
Winona :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
http://goneridingagain.bravehost.com |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 07:38:45 AM
Eighteen hands?!?! How tall are you? I'm 5'3" and have hunters, and they're a pain to trail ride! The tallest one is 16.3 1/2, shorter than the one you're talking about, and when you're short the stirrup's short, too! It's nearly impossible to get on and off to open gates or duck under certain tree branches. My stirrup is just above my boobs. Can you stick your foot up that high and climb on something? Eighteen hands; can you even reach his mane from the ground??? The tallest I like for trail is about 15.1-15.2. And even that's rough on their withers because you have to pull to get on. Percherons often need shoes (large body mass flattens out the foot) and they cost more than regular keg shoes. A full set of keg shoes where I live with no extra forge work is $80, and that's every six weeks.
Percherons have very broad flat backs, and finding saddles to fit properly is a real pain. With saddles, 'close' doesn't make it. Having an ill fitting saddle is a lot like having a pair of ill fitting shoes; it's all you can think about, and the horse will become rebellious or rank. Eighteen hands??? That's a loooong way to fall....
If you were my client I would *so* advise you to keep on looking. The aggression issues are enough to make me say NO. That'll be nearly a TON (two thousand pounds!) of mad, and you can get in between at the wrong times. Not a good first horse.
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| Alee |
Posted - Apr 04 2007 : 11:18:24 PM
I think you are wise to be considering every angle and the new information is really important.
Now this is just my own opinion so please take it with a grain of salt. I am just speaking from my own personal experience of being in your shoes and from my experience at working at a horse breeding farm.
A horse that is a dominate horse can be problematic. Having a horse with this sort of personality means you have to always be right on top of training and proper discipline. Especially with a horse that is 18 hands tall. He is obviously an intelligent animal or he would not have qualified as a police horse so you have to be even more careful to not let him get in to bad habits.
My other observation is that while you obviously love horses and will make a great equine owner someday- you are still a bit unsure of where you stand ability wise. You are contemplating a huge life style change (having a baby). As a very new mother myself I know that having a baby will change everything for you. You also are not quite sure about your riding abilities at this time.
So to put it all together you have a pending life style change, are returning to horsemanship after a long absence, and your prospective horse could have a few challenges.
If you are willing to get help in learning how to deal with a horse with this type of personality, have the money for emergencies (a horse professional that I speak with recommends having at least $3,000 in emergency savings just for the horse), and are willing to make time for the horse no matter what else is going on in you life- I would say buy the horse. But my instincts say that this guy might not be the horse for you and that you might want to find one that is a bit easier going.
Just like any other major purchase or adoption- please don't rush it. Horses can live extremely long lives so it would be very sad if you rushed into buying a horse that was not a good mesh for your family and lifestyle.
Like I said before- this is just my opinion. Only you can decide if he is a good mesh for you and if you are really ready.
Good luck!
Alee |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Apr 04 2007 : 6:52:51 PM
I got some more info on the horse. He is a 18 hand Percheron that is 10 years old. He is a police horse in Providence. I asked why they were getting rid of him and she said that they get rid of them at that age to get younger ones to train. She said he can't be around other horse because he can be aggressive toward them.She said he is a dominate horse towards other horse. So they would turn him out in his own area, I would not be able to do this at my girlfriends with him. Our house would be fine because he would be the only horse but I question if it would be a good fit because if we decided to get a second horse in the future. I am leaning on saying no to this horse also because she said they have others going to retire soon and I really want the barn done before I get one but hubby and I are going to sleep on it. I know if I go and see him, that would be it.He is one of the breeds always wanted. Thank you everyone for your opinions and knowledge. Any other words of wisdom?
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
