AMA, I own horses and compete in showjumping

[Troton2022]

Possibly one of the most dull and boring AMAs ever sorry!!!

just a bit bored and thought I would do an AMA in case anyone had any questions about owning horses, jumping, riding, what it’s like to have horses, or anything else horse-related that anyone wanted to ask!

Did you grow up with horses? When did you start show jumping?

@Comedycook

Do you come from a very wealthy/posh background?

No I genuinely don’t. I come from a normal background with a family that sacrificed a lot to pay for my ponies when I was a child. I’m definitely not wealthy compared to other families or horse riders.

But I’m also aware that whilst we made sacrifices and weren’t rich, we still managed to comfortably afford to keep horses which makes me a lot more privileged than other people. It’s all relative I guess! I just try to be grateful and keep perspective

What level do you compete at? And how high are the jumps? I had a colleague who did some show jumping, and he said the maximum he did was about 3 feet, which is a lot less than those I've seen on the Olympics (to be fair, he never claimed to be Olympic standard).

@Redpriestandmozart

What level of showjumping do you compete in?

Not at as high a level as I’d love to be hopeful for the future!

Do you drive one of those big horseboxes? If you do, is it stressful/do the horses mind? Do horses get travel sick?! One last question, does the horsebox have a WC? ...I do wonder sometimes as I'm driving about

[quote MurmuratingStarling]I have a question.

Why did you put this on AIBU - and not HERE where it was meant to go?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/AMA[/quote]
The OP is ignoring this one

Do you use modern positive scientific methods to train the horse? Or the old fashioned ones that demoralise them?

I’m on full livery so my horse is looked after at all times by yard staff. This includes mucking out and sorting his stable/bedding, turning in and out the field, giving feeds, sorting water and hay, etc. It means if I can’t make it to the yard I can relax and I know he’s being looked after as that’s what I’m paying for.

I try to do a combination of jumping, schooling, lunging, hacking etc as he likes the variety.
My horse is like work for me- non negotiable. If I wouldn’t call in sick for something (illness etc) then I wouldn’t use it as a reason not to go and see him. But if for some reason I couldn’t go, say I was held up at work or had an emergency, I know he’ll be looked after and won’t kill me when I next get on him! I’m lucky that my (current) horse is fine with days off relaxing in the field with his mates. Some horses need worked most days/everyday or to keep them sane.

If I was going on holidays or knew I wouldn’t be able to go to the yard I would pay extra for him to be ridden or lunged in my absence

@VyeBrator

Not ignoring, just answering the questions in order (I made an exception to reply to yours!)

@damnthisvirusandmarriage

Do you use modern positive scientific methods to train the horse? Or the old fashioned ones that demoralise them?

That's a very balanced question!!

@Troton2022 - what do you feed and if you use supplements which do you use and why?

All horse people set out to demoralise our horses. It's how we get our kicks

People who train their horses badly are generally unaware of what they're doing. I can't imagine anyone knowingly admitting to setting out to demoralise their horse!

@Dky4

Sorry I replied above to your comment and managed to reply without quoting it!

I also wanted to add, my horse would be fine not being ridden for a few days if he was getting exercise in the field with his mates.

If he was in his stable not the field (not likely as he is turned out regularly) and I had an emergency and wasn’t able to go up, I wouldn’t be ok with him not being exercised. I would pay for someone at the yard to lunge him or ride him. Horses need exercised and I don’t agree with horses being stuck in a stable all the time, it’s so sad they need to get out, whether that’s turnout, riding, grazing- they need to get out

What's your day job / how do you afford it?

I was a horsey kid, shared through my teens and early 20s but can't imagine ever being able to afford my own unless I can find a far better career! I wish someone had pointed this out when I was in school, might have made me look at salaries more
Outskirts of London so livery costs are particularly high here unfortunately.

I know you said above that 2 of your cousins are not wealthy or posh but u didn't answer if u are?
Are you wealthy? Are you posh? What kind of backgrounds do most of your friends circle come from, as in what professions? Obv there will be a variety but in general, whats their backgrounds?

@Tigofigo

Do you think it's OK for humans to use horses for their own benefit/entertainment in today's society? Won't it soon be seen on the same par as animals in the circus given show jumping horses often end up with injuries?

No I don’t think it’s ok to use animals for human entertainment. It’s a really tricky question and I’m honestly not sure. The attitude towards horse racing is definitely changing and more people are against it with how cruel it can be, so I wouldn’t be surprised if attitudes changed towards other equestrian disciplines too like showjumping, dressage etc.

Im really surprised insurance isn't more - we paid nearly that for a dog.

Hello... Fellow horse lover here. Do you get lots of requests for pony rides? I have a work colleague who is incredibly irritating and thinks she can drop her DDs a the yard so they can ride and I can teach them because it's too expensive for riding lessons 😣🤔 AIBU to say no. Plus it's my daughter pony, she has worked incredibly hard to school, and compete

I've heard that cocaine features highly in horsey circles of socialising( obv not the professional riders)..Is this true and why?? Is it just because there is more disposable income in their hands or is it seen as just a wealthy persons accessory to alcohol like a good cigar???

@1987qwerty

Did you consider posting in AMA?

No I didn’t I just posted on AIBU without even thinking, but I remembered there was an AMA board afterwards so I posted there too. I also apologised in my post there after realising that’s where I should have posted instead of AIBU. But people commented here so I’m replying

@GuyFawkesDay

Are you on SEU

Shite eventers unite?!

@navydear

I've heard that cocaine features highly in horsey circles of socialising( obv not the professional riders)..Is this true and why?? Is it just because there is more disposable income in their hands or is it seen as just a wealthy persons accessory to alcohol like a good cigar???

Woah, there's horsey socialising circles?! All the horse owners I know are too knackered and broke from working and looking after their horses to go out at all, let alone do coke

I might manage to have a coke, of the variety that comes in a can, while pulling bits of straw out of my hair and gradually falling asleep in the pub...

@PollyPutTheKettleOnKettleOn

Are you Zara Phillips?

Haha, she’s an amazing rider!

Are you a James Herriot fan at all?

@Jerrylarrygary

What's Rupert Campbell Black really like?

Fictional

I’ve actually never read any of the books! I had to google who he was! I think the book was out a while before I was even born so a bit before my time!