Starting over again

When I was in High School, about a thousand years ago, I was an AVID trail rider. Nothing in my life has ever felt so wonderful as when I was riding through the woods with my Buckskin Quarter Horse, Wendy. Needless to say, after graduation, life started to happen and I stopped riding.

I'm at a point in my life now where I can begin the process of owning horses again. Luckily, my boyfriend grew up around horses his entire life. His father was a trail boss for decades, and they had a barn full of fast pacing horses. He too, is feeling that "need" to have horses around again. We are both in our 40's, are settled, and have a routine that will support being good owners. We purchased a small farm this week (8.1 acres) that will perfectly support a horse or two. However, I've found that we've both forgotten almost everything we ever knew about horses - right down to the correct feed, hay, the whole shabang.

So I joined this website in hopes of learning all I can learn before we even build the barn. I want to be a VERY responsible owner, and I believe that starts with educating yourself. The only thing I'm certain of at this point is the "type" of riding we'll be doing when we get to that point, other than that, I'm considering myself a complete newbie.

We are starting from scratch. Right now we do not even own a halter, but we WILL as soon as we feel that we're ready to purchase an animal and bring him home. So I hope to learn all I can before then, starting with proper shelter (barn types), appropriate hay recommendations (we're gonna grow our own), manditory items to keep in the barn for proper horse care (first aid stuff, grooming items, etc), you get the idea! We won't start barn construction for about a year, so I have plenty of time to learn all I can. In the meantime, my new nextdoor neighbors have 7 horses, so hopefully I can volunteer to help them out grooming and riding to reaquaint myself with the whole process. Speaking of riding... geez, it's been nearly 20 years since Ive done that with any dedication. Guess I should probably start there huh? LOL!

Im new to this site, and don't know how blogs work, but if anyone want's to respond with advice for a "beginner", which I essecintially am, feel free to reply!

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Comment by Teresa Williams on April 9, 2010 at 10:51am: Update: We survived the long, cold winter at our new place. We've settled in quite nicely, and are about to begin property development shortly. FIrst things first, gotta get the garden in! Then we'll be getting the site ready for the barn, which will likely be in later on this summer hopefully. In the meantime, Im looking forward to getting started on some great riding lessons. I've also discovered that the headquarters for the Missouri Foxtrotter's Association is less than 20 miles away from us. Needless to say, I will be attending some events this season since they are practically in my backyard! This is a fun and exciting time for me. Easing back into horse ownership and country living is a dream come true, and Im looking forward to sharing the experience with my new BarnMice friends! Cheers all... have a wonderful day!

Comment by Teresa Williams on December 16, 2009 at 6:19pm: Thank you for taking the time to write that lovely reply Nora! I remember that bond quite well from "back in the day" I guess that's what I miss the most....which is why we're closing on our new farm this Friday! ;-) That's step one - securing a nice place. I've been looking all around the area for a good stable where I can take lessons this spring, so that's keeping me fairly excited for the time being. As I said, our new neighbors have 7 horses, so I hope to be able to hang around their barn and perhaps do a little trail riding with them while I'm developing my own knowledge base again. I plan to take as much time as needed to ease back into ownership. In the meantime, Im enjoying the comments on this site, and am learning alot each time I log on!

By the way - any tips on finding a good instructor???

Comment by Nora Robinson on December 16, 2009 at 3:03am: Good for you and your boyfriend for for realising that owning a horse as an "adult" encompasses so much more than we may have experienced in our youth! When I think back and realise how much I DIDN'T KNOW about owning a horse (and actually owned 3) through my tween and teen years......it makes me shake my head LOL!

And when, as a mature woman, I finally got back into horses, and found myself daydreaming about one day owning another of my own one day......I too understood that I would have to learn a whole heck of alot, or there would be no way I could stumble through horse ownership at all.

I part leased 2 horses over a four year period, and really learn alot along the way. I not only learned some of the right things to do.......but also, WHAT NOT TO DO. Because of that, I had to research and discuss alot about proper feed, health care, farrier, tack, blankets, worming, etc.. And I had to learn about this, because I knew that there could be a better, healthier and more comfortable way for these horses to live. I loved each one, and I did everything I could to help them be happy and healthy.

I've had my own sweet pony for 2 1/2 years and I have had the sole responsiblity of her welfare resting on my shoulders, and my shoulders only. I have learned alot more along the way, because of new challenges (like her 1st abcess.....or wrapping and injured tendon....) that I had not dealt with before! I have had great people to ask opinions from, personally and on the internet......and the one thing I have come to realise.......is ......you will never know enough to cover all you bases! A horse will always find a way to make you have to learn more LOL!

So I would say......take the time you need to be around other horses, but maybe find just one that you can get to know well over a good period of time. When you know a horse you will know instantly, when you walk in the barn, if something is wrong or off. You will know, when you groom the horse ......touching, talking to them, feeling their response......what kind of energy, or lack there of....they may be experiencing that particular day. A personal connection with the horse is priceless, and will help prevent many confusing and potentially difficult health issues from escalating. Bottom line is, you always want to help the horse be content in his environment, secure in himself and confidently respecting you as his leader.

It can be a long and joyous road......or a dead end full of potholes. As long as we are responsible, committed and open minded caretakers, the joy will be in the journey.

Good luck and happy trails in the future!

Comment by Teresa Williams on December 13, 2009 at 7:06pm: Jackie, that's precicely what I plan to do, as soon as I find a great stable! I used to ride daily, but as I said, it's been way too long for me to rely on memory! Thank you for the reply!!

Comment by Jackie Cochran on December 13, 2009 at 1:29pm: Get riding lessons at the best stable you can find, even if they don't teach the seat you want to ride in. You need to relearn how to ride BEFORE you look for a horse, and the skills learned in one seat are usually transferrable to other methods of riding.