NWR: Equestrians of WW

I've just gotten back to riding after a few years out (my childhood horse passed away and it took me a while to get back to it in a good frame of mind). I'm taking dressage lessons right now and do really enjoy them. Somewhere down the line I would like to get back into jumping and also combine my love of hiking and horses into horse packing, but that is a long ways away.

ALL THE PONIES!!!

I have an arabian named Moose. I grew up taking lessons at a hunter barn (that's probably the closest to what it was...) and have done mostly dressage/eventing with Moose. But really, I just sort of ride her around in circles for awhile if we don't take a bit of a walk on the trails and then I throw carrots at her. It works for us.

Oh, I want to play!

I've always wanted an Appy - despite their reputation of being stubborn as all hell. I trained a super cute Appy pony, so I have a soft spot!

Here's my big goober - 13 year old OTTB (off the track Thoroughbred). He gets mistaken for a Warmblood every time we go out.

I wish! I used to ride horses when I was a teenager. I had lessons in English/dressage and Western/trail. And I used to go to a horse camp in Kentucky (I think it was called DH?) where we'd have our own horse for the week, spend all day riding the trails, and then sleep under the stars at night. It was perfect. I'd love to ride again someday, if it's in the cards.

About a year ago I was running a 50k race on trails, and around mile 3, I tripped and fell right into a pile of horse poop. My friends and I were rolling with laughter. I cleaned myself off as well as I could, but the smell really lingered for the rest of the event. I told them, hey, if this had to happen to someone, I'm OK with it being me. The smell is intensely nostalgic for me. I know that sounds gross, but it's true!

Your babies are beautiful

@Robin - she's so cute!! I board in a barn full of Arabians (literally - my guy is the only non-Arabian). They're so much fun! I love when they get the snorts and the tail starts to flag, they look majestic even when they're being silly!

I unfortunately don't ride any more- my old man is 24 I think- he's in great shape- albiet half blind (although he might be totally blind in the one eye at this point. - he's a retired pasture puff at a friends 3 horse barn.

I am debating if we want to buy horse property of some sort when we look at homes in a few years- I miss riding tremendously (I have a motorcycle now) and I dance- so to many hobbies not enough time.

I'd love to start riding again- I truly miss it.

Let me see if I can find a picture of my old man.

I had a beautiful AQHA mare from the Impressive Line growing up. We competed but we never took it as seriously as the others. We did a lot of trail riding and just chilling in the pasture.

I had to find a new home for her when I moved to the city for college but I found her a home with a woman who can afford to take care of her the way she deserves. She had grown up with horses but never had any of her own. I gave her Star for free on the grounds that she'd be taken care of and if for any reason they had to sell her I'd have the opportunity to get her back. She's stayed true to her word and then some. They literally built a huge and beautiful barn on her land just for her. Now they have 4 other horses and I get weekly updates "from Star" about her life with pictures. Perfect place for retirement

I rode for 12 years and stopped when I went off to college. I miss it so much! I actually sold my horse to the riding school where I rode and I just heard that they were getting ready to retire her. she and I used to do hunter shows and would compete all over the state. I've looked into taking lessons or leasing a horse but I just can't swing the cost with the cost of the wedding. My sister manages a horse farm that's about an hour from me but she may move her business closer to me which would solve my cost issue because I could ride with/for her for free!

@SoonToBe - that is the sweetest retirement story I've heard what a lucky mare!

@bownetogether I have an appy soft spot too! I can't get enough. I think their stubbornness is just intelligence. My boy has such a personality! If I had more time to put into them, he'd be a super horse.

I grew up taking hunt seat lessons, then went on to college to get an Equestrian degree and was exposed to the western world, I'm hooked. Dressage is fun, but ranch classes is where I would love to pursue - but right now only ride for pleasure

OMG babies!! What a cutie!

Seems like my "riding story" follows the same path as a lot of others - I rode growing up, took a break during college, and then started up again after graduation. My main focus when I was younger was hunters but I've ridden in nearly every discipline - eventing, jumpers, dressage, Western Pleasure... I'd love to ride a reining horse just to feel what it's like someday!

I was aiming for hunters or eventing with JJ but we had some hoof issues, so now it's just dressage. Which is proving to be a huge learning experience for us both!

@bowne - Thanks! She grew up with quarter horses, so she doesn't realize she's an arab.

@robin, one of my favorite mares is a SE Arabian. She is all attitude, but once she gets working she is a dream! I like them as long as they have a brain, they are lovely to watch

I also love this thread! I don't own a horse and I've done very little riding, but I LOVE horses. A friend growing up owned a horse and I got to ride a few times, but that is it. My parents never had the money for lessons.

I have been going to the race track for my entire life. My grandfather fell in love with horses and horse racing watching through a hole in a wooden fence at the DC International as a kid. His best friend was a trainer and when he got cancer my grandfather stepped into his place. My dad was raised at the track and I was there my entire life every chance I got (including the night before Thanksgiving this year with my dad lol). One of my biggest regrets is not pursuing the trainers certification. My mom hates horse racing and so I decided not to try (she must have said something to me that caused me to stop, but I don't remember). I've kicked myself forever.

I'll admit that horse racing isn't always good and that there are some terrible people in that business, but I promise I would have been one of the good ones. I love animals, especially horses, and couldn't imagine doing anything as horrible as some of the stories I've heard my dad tell.

When I was younger, I was big into dressage and hunter jumper. Unfortunately, when I moved away, I never found a new barn. I miss riding!

Felica- I give you credit coming to horses as an adult- I see so many people who are truly terrified of horses- I grew up falling off horses- so to me it's very natural. But I know a LOT of adults who haven't been around them and are truly terrified.

I was shocked when hubs re-proposed to me- he took me horse back riding- and we went on a 2 hour trip- I thought he was going to die- but I gave him a lot of credit. LOL Brooklyn little city guy getting on a horse. LMAO. adorable.

This is scooter he is retired due to leg injuries

My handsome boy!

Virtue & Scooter!

Virtue is a 24 year old Oldenburg mare! She is a broodmare only, but man can that girl MOVE !!

Scooter is a 18 year old QH gelding who is retired due to leg injuries. He used to be a cow horse!

FH is pretty sure horses will kill him, but I give him props for trying! FH is a nervous person by nature, I've only been able to get him on a horse twice. Once for my birthday a year ago on a trail ride, and once this past weekend (i lead him around for a minute because

I didn't know the horse he was on, but he took over like it was nothing after I handed over the reins and rode along side me and my appy). He said he just isn't comfortable on them, but I reminded him that's why I give lessons!

No shame: I love sharing pictures of my ponies and FH