Horse Shoeing and Barn Suckage

[DesignFox]

Hey, second place is awesome!

[Lace Neil Singer]

I still have my rosettes stashed away; I got mostly seconds and thirds, with some firsts, a few fourths and a lot of clear rounds. I mostly rode in the gymkhana for fun tho; as did all my friends. We used to see it as just a laugh, whereas some of the snobs particularly along with Little Miss Snotty used to take it deadly serious. XD Which is pointless really, cuz if you're in that frame of mind you just make your horse nervous.

[Shabo]

The best riders are the ones that ride different horses. You can ride one horse, and be phenomenal, but as soon as you hop on another horse, you'll look like a newb again. Hence why, even though I have my own horse, I take lessons at a barn nearby (when I can afford it) and ride a different horse every time. Which is why the rich kids with the perfect horses are such crappy riders. (well, also because they never actually learn how to ride since their horse does everything for them).

[DesignFox]

<snip> Which is why the rich kids with the perfect horses are such crappy riders. (well, also because they never actually learn how to ride since their horse does everything for them).

You said it Shabo. My instructor will attest to that, too. She's gotten a few kids that came from other barns that she's broken of that- and they're pretty good riders now. Makes me laugh when a 12 year old puts me to shame, too...

And yes, I was telling Lace in a PM about how great it is to lease a horse and really make some progress with him. But then, after riding only him for a year, I tried to get on a horse I used to ride well in lessons...it was like I was a noob all over again. Both the trainer and I had a laugh over that one. I wasn't afraid to admit that I might need to be put on a different horse now and again for a lesson... Once my cough goes away, I will bring it up with my trainer again- she mentioned it some time ago, but we had other things we were preparing for at the time.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Yeah; there's no way you can call yourself a rider if you're sitting on a clockwork, perfectly schooled horse that does everything for you. That's not being a rider, that's being a passenger. -.-

[DesignFox]

Yep and yep. Although believe me, you can't just be a passenger on my guy- you'll find yourself in the dirt if you fall asleep up there. Especially if you're trying to do something "hard."

But yea, you need to be well rounded. You can't just get a perfect $50,000 horse, sit your butt up there and circle the arena. You best be doing some riding. What's sad is the reason these snooty booty kids can do that is, well, their parents can afford it. And they go to the showgrounds and win the ribbons because they have the nicest horses. Depending on what show you're riding at, sometimes that's all it takes. Some barns purposely just match kids with horses like that so the kids/parents feel good about life because they have a shiny ribbon to hang up- but they never teach the kids anything.

I have to learn. I'm not allowed to slack off. And I'm glad. I'm glad too, that I worked for my lessons for awhile- I learned a lot more about horses that way. And I appreciate them more.

[Saydrah]

My parent pet peeve is when they yell, "Atta girl, that's what the judges like to see!"

1. You are not a judge.

2. Riding well should be for the sake of riding well, not to please judges!

....sheesh.

Another story that happened on Sunday:

I had a professional photographer come take a few snapshots of Ember, since he just officially turned six. We got some beautiful photos, and later strolled around the barn, where I introduced her to folks. All went well except for one rude entitlement complex that stepped in the way of our peaceful stroll.

Some important notes about this story- I've ridden at this barn for eleven, almost twelve years. SB (Sucky Boarder) has been there since this summer and I had never seen her before.

Me: ....
PP: Pro Photographer
SB: Sucky Boarder

PP and I are strolling along when...

SB: "Do you two have horses here?"

ME: "I do. She's with me."

SB: "What about her?"

Me: "She's WITH ME."

SB: (to PP) "Are you taking pictures of horses?"

Me: (thinking maybe she wants some, too, as I had put a note up that a professional photographer would be at the barn and asked that anyone else wanting pictures contact her) "Yes, she's with me. This is her card."

SB: (ignores card) "Are you taking pictures of horses that aren't yours?"

PP: (stunned) "Uh.. what?"

Me: "She's taking pictures of MY HORSE."

SB: "Well, don't take pictures of my horses, okay? They're an INVESTMENT."

Me: "She's a PROFESSIONAL, taking pictures of my horse."

PP: "Uh... yeah, okay.." (ducks into lounge to get away from psycho woman)

SB: "Someone was taking pictures without permission yesterday."

Me: "I didn't know that. Thanks." (in the tone of voice one might say, "Curl up and die... thanks.")


I try to be polite at the barn, but I really would have liked to chew the snooty bitch out... I've been riding there for NEARLY TWELVE YEARS and she shows up mid summer and thinks she can talk down to me and a professional working for me?

I spoke to her trainer and asked that she discuss the student's behavior with her, and inform her that my photographer is a professional who certainly can be expected to know better than to photograph horses without permission, as well as ask her to apologize to me.

Doubt that'll happen- trainer is just as snooty- but at least now I know who to smile politely and decline to help when I'm the only person at the barn besides her late at night and she doesn't know how to work the arena lights or something. Damn n00bs.

[Lace Neil Singer]

What's sad is the reason these snooty booty kids can do that is, well, their parents can afford it. And they go to the showgrounds and win the ribbons because they have the nicest horses.

I remember talking to Rolo's owner once (she had him on part livery at the stables, and allowed experienced riders to ride him in lessons; cuz I rode him a lot she often talked to me) and she told me of being in a show once with Rolo. She was originally placed second, with this snot nosed kid on one of those expensive as hell horses placed first, but when the judge went to see the horses, snot nosed kid's horse bit the judge. Cuz the show was one where manners counted, the kid got sent to the back row and Rolo's owner moved up to first. XD

[Lace Neil Singer]

The riding school gymkhanas worked on a purely "first come, first served" basis with the school horses; the students could pick which horse they wanted for whatever event. Since I rode in the competitions for fun, I didn't really mind what horse I had. I always loved the games best. ^^

[DesignFox]

My parent pet peeve is when they yell, "Atta girl, that's what the judges like to see!"

1. You are not a judge.

2. Riding well should be for the sake of riding well, not to please judges!

....sheesh.

I'm so glad I don't ride at a big barn where people do that crap. I don't think my trainer would put up with someone doing that in her barn...

We go to the schooling shows, especially to start out, so we can learn the ropes and be judged on ability. She is very honest about what happens at a show and will tell us what to expect according to the competition type and what we are up against.

Most importantly to her is that we make progress and have fun when we go out. The last show I did, I didn't come in first, but the progress I had made since my first show had her prouder than punch, and she let me know it.

That was good enough for me! And I was so proud of my horsey, too. Even if he is "just a lesson horse." I really want a horse of my own, but (aside from the fact I can't afford it) I'm not ready to drop the lease on my old man...he's still teaching me soooo many things.

Like you said Saydrah, it should be about fun and learning. Whenever I get too serious, that's what my instructor says to me, "Hey, Fox. You're trying too hard. This is supposed to be fun, remember!" (yes, I do try very hard in my lessons, sometimes I have to remember to stop trying and just feel it...and then it's sooo awesome. )

That lady in your photography story was nutty. I hope you don't have to deal with her again anytime soon! Speaking as a photographer, I probably would have said, "I'm sure the professional who is here today to make money taking MY HORSE'S photos wouldn't waste her effort on YOU...who won't be spending a dime."

[Lace Neil Singer]

Is Gymkana where they do things like weaving in between poles and other game type things? I never got to do that sounds like fun. I rode saddleseat from age 7-15 then I worked up into hunter/jumper and dressage so the only shows I did were related to that.

Well, the gymkhanas I went to had showing classes and jumpin classes too, as well as games. I entered everything I could for laughs; I won a lot, but that was cuz I was trying to have fun, the kids who were deadly serious ended up upsetting their horses by their moods and coming last.

The games/races, if I remember rightly, were as follows:

1. Bending (that's weaving in and out of poles)
2. Ride and run (ride up, jump off and lead your horse back)
3. Pace races (either walk, trot or canter up and back. Breaking gait, either faster or slower, means you have to turn a circle. Trust me, it's a lot harder than it sounds.)
4. Picking up flags (you have to lean down and grab flags stuck into cones, the more you pick up, the higher you're placed)
5. Relay race (in teams; you ride up to the end and ride back with the riding stick, then pass the stick to your next team mate who then goes up and so on. First team back wins)
6. Pairs jumping (you and your partner have to stick close together while jumping. You get faults if you jump a jump before your partner, or get left behind. Least number of faults wins)
7. Chase me Charlie (already described this!)
8. Obstical (sp?) race (ride up, then while leading your pony take a bite out of an apple in a bucket, walk along a balancing beam, jump a hurdle and walk on stepping stones, well, upturned buckets.)

There are differences from stable to stable; some gymkhanas might have different races or the same races done differently; for example in the relay we used a riding whip cuz a baton could spook a horse whereas a riding whip is something that all horses are familiar with. The pace races sometimes are left off, but they I think show that a person is a good rider, ie cuz they show a measure of control.

[Lace Neil Singer]

At my stable, one of the instructors was a Pony Club instructor too; I think that's where all the games came from. XD In lessons, we'd sometimes do bareback games, too.

[DesignFox]

Lace- when I read your description, Pony Club is the first thing I thought of, too. My instructor invited me out to watch a couple of our local Pony Club's practices (she's a big part of Pony Club and often hosts practices at the barn) and wow did it look like fun!

I'd probably have trouble with anything involving dismounting then re-mounting...I'm barely 5 feet tall! I can't get up without the mounting block because I can't reach the stirrups (even on the lowest hole) from the ground! My guy isn't all that large either... I think he's 15.2 hands.

I think I need some of that games training...I'd watch those kids hop off and on their ponies like it was nothing. I could probably get up from the ground on a smaller horse or pony, but not nearly as smoothly as they could!

Ah, I wish I had found horses when I was younger.

[Tria]

*Sighs* I love horses. Sadly, I'll never be able to afford one or lessons. Plus with my weight, it would be irresponsible of me to get on one. 330 lbs + horse likely equals swaybacked beauty. I'm 5'3".... If I could shuck some weight, I could make a jockey. :P But unless I can get down to 150 or so, I won't get on a horse. I'd feel too bad if I hurt it. I know those are huge, strong animals, but....

[DesignFox]

*Sighs* I love horses. Sadly, I'll never be able to afford one or lessons. Plus with my weight, it would be irresponsible of me to get on one. 330 lbs + horse likely equals swaybacked beauty <snip>

I'm sorry to hear that Tria. I can't imagine life without horses...

There is good news for you, though. I couldn't afford lessons either for a few years. So, I found an instructor that was willing to let me do work in exchange for lessons. Maybe you could find a barn that will let you do that, too. It's hard work, but it's great because A) you get to be around horses a whole lot, B) you learn a lot about them C) you get the added bonus of a workout...so maybe it would help you drop some weight and you wouldn't feel so bad about getting on one!

Just be careful you don't get in with someone who will take advantage of you- I had a friend at a different barn from mine who was forced to work a whole lot of hours, but the instructor skimped out on the promised lessons. Make sure whoever you are working with sets the barter to something reasonable that you are comfortable with and lets you keep track of your hours.

I wouldn't mind having the extra time to go back to doing barn work. I was a lot fitter when I was doing barn chores. You don't realize how much hauling water buckets, cleaning stalls and lugging around hay bales does for your muscles.

I hope this helps you out! Good luck.