4766 replies to this topic

[Laura B]

Yeah I think I'd rather like my life and my head in one piece than worry about the heat Just make sure I get one with the ventilation..and then stick a cowboy hat on top. Hot

Nice horse, did he have both blue eyes or one of the wall eyes? (they used to give me the creeps..bright blue eyes on a horse look really weird to me!)

Edited by Laura B, 17 August 2010 - 05:09 PM.

[Bugsy]

That's the approach I took when I got out there, soon realised it was a completely different way of life out there. Riding hats were not part of it. Plus I was confident in my own abilities and happy to face the consequences should anything of happened. =)

Yep he has two blue eyes. Some people were creeped out by it and others (like myself) thought it was really unusual. One girl in particular after seeing me ride him and spurred on by the fact he was 'cool' looking decided she was desperate to get on him. She sat on him for no more than a minute and decided she was scared and wanted to get off Yay for ignorant people!

But yeah, he was a super fun horse to ride. You kind of had to ride every moment with him though. He has a habbit of spooking sideways and dropping a shoulder the little bugger. I didn't mind that though. Some people just like to sit back and enjoy their trail rides. I preferred to have something to work on whilst on the move so I enjoyed him

[Laura B]

I don't mind 2 blue eyes, weird but not too bad, 1 is a bit freaky, but I prefer them with the normal horse eye colours.

Ha love people like that.

I think the Americans sometimes are a bit silly when it comes to riding safety, I know I wouldn't get on a horse without a hat ever, regardless of where it was. Even I think when I used to ride a lot and was confident in what I could do, I wouldn't risk it. Especially on the terrain where some of those trial rides take place!

I get annoyed with the riding hats over here that people have for hunting etc where it's just a cap with no strap, they might as well just ride without a hat as it's clearly going to do no good with one of them either. (Think that makes sense)

I'd ride without a body protector but not without a hat, not sure why, but I just would.

He sounds cool, sometimes you want the balance between a horse that knows what they're doing so you can relax, but then one that you can work on. I know a few of my favourites I used to ride had that exact balance. Frazer used to be unpredictable in some of his behaviours so you could work on that, but then you could always trust him to jump well and safely and be an awesome horse to ride. (I miss my Frazzles ) Dancer used to be the same, an unpredictable mare who used to growl at other horses and jumps..but fantastic to ride and do flatwork on!

Thinking about my birthday present for next year, trying to convince parents to let me try a polo lesson!

Edited by Laura B, 17 August 2010 - 05:58 PM.

[Bugsy]

Mhm. I wouldn't disregard 'The American's' riding abilities to be honest. Some of the riders I met out there were just incredible. I've alot of respect for them. Hat or no hat xD

Ah yes, Polo is good fun. I've worked as a polo groom this summer actually. It's a really good game to watch. You'll enjoy it

[Laura B]

I think a lot are really talented and whatnot, but I sometimes really get annoyed by the lack of safety in certain areas. I'd rather go for my safety over glamour and I'm surprised people don't always see that I'd respect them either way, but I'd respect them a lot more if there were hats being worn? It's just a bit like to me, going on a motorbike without the proper equipment, or sitting in a car with no seat belt.

And god knows a riding hat and general look of horse riding is completely unglamourous 75% of the time

It sounds like fun..I'm just worried I'll chicken out nearer the time as I haven't ridden for about 5 years

Edit: My Frazzlebum

Edited by Laura B, 17 August 2010 - 06:11 PM.

[Amy*]

Bugsy that loooks amazing Beautiful horse <3

And that picture is sooo cute Laura!! Love it

I haven't been on here for like ever again But with regards to riding without a hat - I have to say I agree with you Laura about those that ride with a strapless hat for hunting! You may as well not bother wearing them! But with regards to riding without hats at home, I have to say I have done! I've ridden all of mine without hats - not very often, normally when I have just had my hair cut or something (no excuse I know, but I do trust them with my life!) and I often ride or at least cool off with my strap undone! But I do go mad when the sister rides without one!

Just had very succesful but very tiring few days at pony club champs! I do love my poniesss & Had the best time at camp, Blue was a little superstar, as normal! We had a level 2a BD judge come in to judge us - Blue was absolutely perfectt + I really need to get my act together and BD him!

But he has a nasty kick on his lower jaw, straight through to the bone, it's horrrrible My poooor babyyy. Hope everyoneeeees okay

[Gemzie]

Great pics Bugsy

Amyyy havent heard from you in ages! Poor Blue I hope it gets better soon

Ems - lesson pics from last night as promised I rode Bess this week

[Ems]

Shod? or just having its feet trimmed? it actually doesnt hurt them all, their hooves are made out of the same stuff as our nails Its the same as us cutting our nails. There is of course stuff inside the hoof that they would feel but I believe farriers put the nails in at an angle so that it only goes through the nail material part and not the inner bits of the hoof - if that makes sense. Ems might be able to build on that I dont know huge amounts about it tbh.

And eep, riding tonight

I believe that they hammer the nails in in such a way that they dont touch the sensitive areas of the hoof (laminae) and rasp is also used on the non sensitive areas of the hoof - if it did hurt the horse or the farrier was bad at his job you'd know about it as the horse would be lame after!!


Bugsy Jasper is GORGEOUS! All that riding looks so much fun! I have tried western riding and really liked it so relaxing and the horses were so well trained!

Gemzie Bess is so cute!!!! She reminds me a bit of one of the horses from brack - Fanta I have a soft spot for black cobs too

Laura B Cute picture and cute horse

I have had such a busy but brilliant week!! I arrived at my aunts on thursday and we met Steph and then I went down to her house. OMG the shetlands were just SO cute! She currently have 28 shetlands! a mixture of mares, foals, stallions and geldings, mostly black (how shes tells them all apart I dont know!!) with the odd piebald and chestnut! And of course she has her riding horses two gorgeous cobs Rosie and Scooby!! They have five little foals the youngest was 12 weeks old the oldest was 17 weeks! Her shetlands are mostly named after places in cumbria and I totally fell in love with Wasdale.. the youngest foal... he was galloping around the field with his tail in the air like an arab as we hacked past!!! and then when we went in to bath Catsycam's microchip wound which is a bit infected atm Wasdale was eating my shoes!! SO CUTE!!! I groomed both of the cobs whislt Steph sorted out two of the shetlands and bathed them ready for the show on Saturday then we rode out, I rode Rosie and Steph took out Scooby. Rosie was lovely, very calm, very safe little cob then the next day Steph said do whatever you want so I took Rosie out alone (first ever hack alone!) but it chucked it down so I decided against taking Scooby out too and jsut gave them a really good groom!! Hes a little more nervy so I might rode him out with someone else first before I try him alone too! Its no wonder the shetlands win so many shows they really are gorgeous stunning ponies!!!

Anyways I promised pictures and I didnt get many but I got a couple More to come next week as i'm going back up Wednesday-Sunday!!!

Firstly meet Bailey the cheekiest little foal... who ran up to the stallion and stole hay out of his mouth...


His mum Precious


The stallion Kayman


One of the mares - Amethyst


Cheeky 2 year old Dove Cottage


Scooby and Rosie


Scooby


Rosie


And as promised a few Fancy pictures.. she was a good girl today! We did quite alot of cantering! I was impressed! the horrifically layered tail doesnt look so bad on camera... but the forlock does look quite straight...

Fancys says... whats in the house? (check out the dodgey tail)


Funny faces...


GRASSSSS!


Whats over there (and another tail shot..)


Its nice to see this thread active again

Edited by Ems, 22 August 2010 - 10:27 PM.

[Daisy]

I haven't been in here for about a billion years but I'm starting my horse placement for uni tomorrow at a big stud in Lancashire, I'm excitedd!!

Pics are looking great, will try and look at them all properly tomorrow, I have just moved house/travelled half way across the country to my mums and need to zzzzzz

[Laura B]

Daisyyy! Yay glad you're back! Hope it all goes well.