Hi Meghan, post some pics so I can see whats happening. Maybe your riding with your stirrips too long? Remember last time we spoke i said to micro-manage how you sit tall. Think eyes up, nose up, chin up, chest up. Don't forget to breath, lol , both ways. Breath yourself into the saddle.

Hi Meghan.
I've been getting sick of guy's b-s- for over 40 years. Learning how to handle guys effectively can be as hard a learning how to be a good rider, except the horses are usually nicer. It can be done--I've been with my husband for almost 40 years. I learned from my previous mistakes with men!
May you get to be with your horses soon.
Take care, dear.

I am so sorry your life has all these problems now. It can get overwhelming when everything happens at once.
I know this is not much comfort but I think a lot of what you are going through is linked to this Great Recession, which can upset the best plans in the world. Often all that a person can do is grit their teeth, bear it. Keep your dreams alive in your mind so that when things improve you can move on them.
I remember when a horse I was working on got yanked out from under me. It sucks! Sometimes horse owners have no idea of how long it can take to properly train a horse.
May something work out for you.

Good grief, Meghan! You're only 19, and a year ago you thought you were in love with someone else!

At 19 you should be sampling the world, and starting to discover your place in it. Dating's great, but you're way too young to think about settling down with one particular person, and you have plans - yes?

Enjoy this relationship for what it is, but don't get hung up in long term relationship plans at your age. Ride lots, learn lots, and the relationship stuff take care of itself over time.

Good luck!

That's great Meghan, there is a lot of stuff you can do at the walk. All the lateral work can be started at the walk, starting with legyeild. It's really important to have the horse responding to the stop and go aids. If you have a look at Wendy's page I have explained what to do there. If you can't find it sing out and I will type it up again for you. I'm really pleased for you that he is going well. Cheers Geoffrey

Hi Meghan, Yes you can do some pole work, but really the way to get a "jump start " on jumping is to have all the flat work going really well. The better the flat work , the better the jumper!!

Hi Meghan, please read Dr.Deb Bennetts article http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf
and her website http://www.equinestudies.org
This does not mean you need do nothing for four or five years. Teaching straightness, halt, forward, laterals and ground poles like Linda Tellington-Jones or using cavalletti can be fun and help you.

Eva and Jutta Weimers have Playing With Horses DVD's and books,
http://www.wiemers.at
or visit http://www.artofnaturaldressage.com and see ground training exercises and the members videos.
Good luck
Susie xx

Hi Meghan, If your horse is only 1 1\2 yo you can't start jumping yet. Jumping a horse at that age will cause untold damage to the limbs. Your going to have to wait till it's at least 4!! The muscles and tendons and bone structure are not developed enough to handle the stresses involved . Lots of other things you can do to get ready for that time though. Iv'e got to get the kids of to school so I can come back on later and give you some advice. Cheers Geoffrey

HelloOOOoooo Meghan!!! .. *waving* ..
I have to ask you .. do you have any family in Northern Ireland??
~ Barby

Happy Birthday Meghan!!
~ Barby

hey,
thanks he's a lovely horse. :)