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Comment by Jennifer Lamm on November 30, 2009 at 5:32pm

I have a very young horse. He is 4. I am a fairly new rider of 5 years... my plan is that for the last year, me and Oliver, we just hung out..... literally, in my back yard.... I always equate myself to a young girl with her first pony.... when I can do all the ground work that I deem necessary for him to be feeling that he can trust me, I am going to move on.... Next, bareback riding... with my trainer present.... for however long, plus long walks on a lead line..... next, I'll buy him a saddle... maybe in a year or two.... then, rides WITH my trainer who rides him now..... I made my entire life plan around this horse... I am 49 and he is 4.... if I live another 30 years and so does Oliver, then I will be happy.... I go super slow with him... I'd also be very afraid of anyone else trotting around me... I don't go near people or other horses at the moment. I kind of decide when it's time for the next thing... Oliver and I have grown so much in our relationship, and we don't even ride yet.... I would never ever sell him... nor would I leave him in my will. He doesn't like anybody else but his trainer... At the moment... so if I passon, he must go with Steve.. or come with me.... :) those are his options. :)

Comment by Cindy Jeffery on November 30, 2009 at 4:35pm

So true April....having an indoor would really solve a lot of riding problems for me too. I just have to be content with what I have until a time comes when possibly an indoor is in the works. With a hubby that doesn't agree with spending on these kind of items it's really hard to justify. Constant tug of war so to speak of different degrees.

Comment by April Keays on November 30, 2009 at 3:57pm

Well, I've been fallowing the numerous topics here so I may as well add my two bits worth.
I was concerned about what to do with my Appy if he outlived me, but that didn't turn out to be the case so that was settled. As for my Standie I would probably just give him back to Greener Pastures unless my boyfriend's grandchildren take an interest. Fortunately I feel I have a couple of options open with this one and am not too worried.
As for selling the youngster, personally I wouldn't, but it depends on how you feel riding her. I finally got out to ride yesterday after all the rain we've been having. Of course my Standie was full of beans he is only 4.
He was quite happy plodding along at a walk, but as soon as I asked him for more he started a little bucking. There was no intent on his part to try and get me off, he was just feeling good. Like most of us, we don't bounce like we used to so I did tense up when he started this and brought him back down to a walk. Probably not the best way to handle it, but I let him know that bucking wasn't appreciated and we continued on to have a couple of good gallops after that.
I've got to find a way to get out to the barn to ride more often, but without an indoor arena it's really hard this time of year. My Appy was a couch potato, the less I rode him the lazier he became, but Monty is the opposite so obviously I have to change my way of handling winter in order to give him what he needs.

Comment by Sherry Cassetori on November 30, 2009 at 2:16pm

I have my horse at a barn that has a trainer and breeder, She picked out my horse for me. He is young just turned six, when on the right rein he can get a little goofy, by this I mean all of sudden taking off , there was a time I would panic, because I have fallen off and when you have a horse that is 17.1 you fall pretty far, any way my trainer has gotten me through it now when he tries it I know just what to do , before I would fight with him with the reins, get all tense and just fall apart, Now I just sit up bend him around my leg and stay in the circle, best thing I have ever done was to stay with it. Keep working on it. Like Cindy said it does take a while to do this, but once you do your riding gets to be more relaxed and so does the horse. I too have a hubby that is not into horses. My horse would go to my tainer and her husband, they treat my horse like one of theirs that they raised from a baby.

Comment by Cindy Jeffery on November 30, 2009 at 2:02pm

Wow! Ladies lots has been happening, I have been following along with not much to say until this point. First I too have been wondering what to do with my six horses when I pass away and even thinking of letting them all go do to the work involved and my lack of fitess. I too have a hubby who is not interested in horses and all that is involved, so that road has been lonely except for the kids interest in them over the years. Now they are grown with their own families, some of the grands are interested in horses but not a lot, another grand is on it's way and I have my hopes. Lately I've been questioning can I hold on, will I be healthy and limber enough to teach the child and others? I'm sure some of you can relate. So I too am considering putting stipulations in my will concerning the horses, unfortunately I am the trainer so finding someone to will them to is going to be difficult. Regarding the topic of selling the young horse...it would not be in my nature to do so, I would definitely given her a chance to prove herself. Selling a horse that has bucked is a difficult thing, she now has learned the beginning of an evasion tactic, that has to be fixed and the only way to do that is while your healing go over the scenario and what aids or responses you should have done, you mentioned not paying close enough attention, next time you ride make sure you do and ride through it. She will most likely be nervous around you, don't let that shake you proceed quietly and gently from the ground up step by step till you get to the point where you came off and ride through it. This could take days, weeks, months for me it's been years due to the trauma on the horse I am fixing. One more thing, make sure you have a trusted friend, trainer, coach with you to talk you through the hard spots. Something I don't have and wish I did, the fixing wouldn't have taken so long. God bless, I'm praying for wisdom and safety for you.

Comment by Shirley on November 30, 2009 at 12:37am

I think those answers are only within you.
You don't say here how old this young mare is.
My thought is if you want to and can put the time on her in a consistent and frequent program then he keep her unless someone perfect for her comes along.
But if you aren't determined to do that for you and your young mare, then find someone that has those desires.
I took a fall in August when my Cash gave me a slide and swoosh spook sending me out into the air and down with a crash. I had a helmet but no vest. I really whammed my ribs but no breaks this time. My Cash stayed with me until they led him out of the way. I did have a little bleeding from my liver and terrible bruising across my whole fanny. Looked a bit like a large MONET painting. The doctor said I couldn't ride till the swelling under the bruising went away because it could cause more bleeding under the skin. When I came back to the barn after a long ER visit, Cash came running enthusiastically up to the gate whinnying which was new. For the next few days he did that each time I arrived. I was so touched at his reaction. There is no doubt he knew things weren't right. He still comes to the gate to greet me but seldom with his whinny. I know he'd never hurt me on purpose but when he's in a serious fear mode I'm not sure how much he will rely on me rather then get rid of me. I'm trying to grow together with baby steps so we hopefully don't get in over our heads. I'm loving the journey!
Listen to YOUR instincts! Evaluate carefully what your commitment level is for this mare. A youngin takes a lot of time to do them and yourself right.

Comment by Linda White on November 29, 2009 at 10:09pm

OK, need a little inspiration myself. Today I rode my younger mare - admittedly hadn't ridden her for a few weeks, but she's a Canadian Horse and we expect them to be laid back. Long story short, while trotting across a field beside another horse, she up and bucked me off. Sailed through the air, slammed into the ground - ouch! - broken bits avoided by helmet and vest, but I'm pretty sore tonight. My fault - should have been more alert, should have expected something silly from young horse on a cold, windy autumn day, etc, etc. My dilemma now is - I think the sensible thing to do is to sell this young mare. I raised her from 10 months old, she's beautiful, has great gaits, can jump, trailers easy, etc,...but she's young, and i will never be riding her as much as my older mare. Part of me says, hold on, give her another year, ride her more often - but the other part says, to heck with that, life is too short to be taking chances, my other older mare is about as perfect as a horse can be - sell the horse. I just want to know people's opinions on this situation. What would you do if you were in my boots? Besides pop another Tylenol 3, that is...;-)

Comment by Margaret Robinson on November 29, 2009 at 10:00pm

This is great inspiration!! I had a serious crash from my young horse two years ago and have been pondering giving up, but after reading your posts.... Nope, I'm gonna carry on!!!

Comment by Linda L Moeller on November 29, 2009 at 4:56pm

I also am married to a non-horse person that's why Teddy is in my will. He'll be going to his trainer - someone he loves almost as much as me - with a bank account. He's the partial beneficiary on my life insurance and a portion of my estate is his.
My attorney loved doing this will. She'd never done one tht included a horse with a bank account!

Comment by Linda White on November 29, 2009 at 1:04pm

Heck - I'm 63 with horses 5, 6, and 13 yrs old. I figure I have a responsibility to stay alive! That's motivating - thus the helmet, the protective vest....
On a more serious note, how are people handling the dispersal of their horses if the unthinkable happens and they outlive us? I am married to a non-horse person, so they won't be able to stay here without me.

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