Any MNers with horses out there?

[Longlegs1972]

and how do you cope?

I'm getting really down cos I never get the time to spend with mine....

Ah now you see it wouldn't have to fit various horses over time because this is my horse for life . I had the last one 23 years so by the time I've done the same this time I'll be drawing my pension! Also if it feels wide it may be no good because I have a dodgy hip that doesn't rotate outwards properly. I can see the attraction of them though, especially if you do ride lots of different horses and can use a saddle you are comfortable with on all of them. Also if you come across lots of horses with saddle damage you are bound to feel strongly about the subject. I'm afraid £600 is still more than I can afford, even if it was a new saddle. Actually my friend has a saddle for sale which my instructor says is a good fit so I will probably go with that for now. It needs some reflocking but the stitching etc is good. Thanks anyway Fangzooki.

Off on my hols tomorrow for a (horse-less!) week, had a nice ride today so that should see me though!
Pixel - awww at your 'horse for life'
Kids back to school soon so we can all enjoy some guilt-free riding (is there such a thing? )

Hope you have a nice holiday Rodeo. I'm looking forward to next week so much I feel a bit mean. After all these are my dear children and I'm wishing away their school holiday . It's ds really, I'm finding him really hard work, he's got so hard to handle. I don't know if it's just the autism or partly being a 7 year old boy pushing his luck but I'm shattered. A nice peaceful week with dpony and my poor neglected allotment is what I need. I'm a simple soul!

God i'm knackered. Got some last minute tickets for the XC at Burghley so trotted off with dd for some horse therapy. Pockets empty so retail version not an option sadly!
[GRIN]

even

Lovely! I've never been to Burghley but I have been to watch XC at Firle which I really enjoyed. I'm very lucky in being only 1/2 hour away from Hickstead and our local Friday-ad often has tokens for free entry so I get to go there quite a bit. Actually you've just reminded me, I'm supposed to be organising our tickets for Olympia! Hope they haven't sold out because I'm taking dd this year, although I've got a feeling she'll be more interested in the dog agility .

Bates Caprilli saddles are leather Pixel but made by Wintec and are fully adjustable like the synthetic ones. I had one for my horse from breaking til she was 5 and whilst it still fitted her after many gullet changes, I wanted a dressage saddle and spent a fortune on a made to measure one.

Mummy Williams, so sorry things haven't gone according to plan. Just a couple of things spring to mind though.

Never give titbits. This will encourage nipping and biting and also a strop if on occasion (i.e. when pooping field) you don't produce a treat.

Please get professional help. A friend bought a very complicated pony who used to rear up on her in the stable and was quite frankly dangerous. She became very afraid and his behavior worsened. She employed a Natural Horsemanship type person who showed her how to deal with him in a kind but clear manner so he knew exactly where he stood. Many years later they are best buddies and she'd never part with him.

Had a nice holiday, but nice to be back and nicer the children are back at school Hope your enjoying your first child-less week with your new ned Pixel! Didn't realise you had a dd too, how old is she? Hope you got your tickets
Fangzooki, ooh Burghley, how exciting!Chatsworth is quite near to me but I always seem to miss it!
One of the horses I ride is for sale, he's here. It was always on the cards as he's a bit too laid back for her and she's not the dressage type! I will miss him though, he's lovely but I'm sure he'll find a nice home

Hi Rodeo, I was wondering if you were back! Glad you had a nice time. I didn't get to do as much as I'd hoped last week as the people I work for (from home in term time) rang me up before dd had even gone back and gave me lots of work. I couldn't really say no so my 'freedom' has started today . I did skive off on Thursday and take dpony for a walk and had a lesson Saturday so all was not lost. Today I've lunged him and he went really well so I'm pleased. He is a lovely boy and already comes running as soon as he sees us.
Yes, I have a dd as well. She is 11 and has just started secondary school (my baby!) and we did get our Olympia tickets Yay!
Mummywilliams, how are you getting on?

Hello horsey types!

Quick question.

What weight do you think a 14.3 ish section D could carry?

I've come across a very unloved pony, madly out of control sweet itch and terribly neglected feet. He is the kindest little thing, about 3 years old.

The thing is I'm trying to persuade DH that we need to have him. A big plus in negotiations would be if I could tell DH that he would be able to ride him at some point in the future. DH weighs about 13 stone. What do you reckon?

The pony has lots of lovely flat bone and although in need of TLC he is up to weight and a real darling.

I had a friend who had two welsh cobs (Sec D) that they used to do endurance rides - her DH must have been 13 stone if he was an ounce!

Mind you it depends if your DH can ride - and how well. 13 stone which sits well and doesn't flop around is very different from 13 stone of novice rider - when I was still teaching I used to reckon that a novice rode about a stone and a half heavier than their actual weight!

He is a novice Donk (he thinks he's John Wayne tho). I don't actually think he'd ever find the time to ride him but I'm just being devious and trying to think of plus points to help sell the little fella to DH.

I know if I pushed it DH would agree to us buying him (not sure that he's for sale but he's very clearly unwanted) but I want DH to want to want him if that makes any sense.

If I can get DH to agree to having him, I'll make propper inquiries as to if his current owners will sell him. They deal in lots of ponies, so I'm sure they will.

Good luck!

We've just got a 3 yo cob who is 14.1hh at the mo. We've been told not to put more than 12 stone on him until he is older so I should expect him to manage 13 stone easily enough in a couple of years. Don't forget that has to include the saddle though.
My sister has a 14hh section D and I'm not sure what she weighs but I'm pretty sure she's around 12 stone. His last owner said he could carry 15 stone but we reckon that's a bit excessive and haven't put him to the test to see if his knees buckle .
Good luck Doctor, I took on my last pony because I felt sorry for him and we had a special bond. It was wonderful seeing him blossom!

I hope you've all been out enjoying this lovely weather with your horses. There was no riding for us this weekend as our field is on a hill overlooking an airport and they've had an airshow on all weekend. We've had the battle of Britain going on over our heads with explosions and everything! The planes come in very low, especially the jets and huge helicopters so it's a bit risky to ride, even though the horses don't seem too bothered. Sadly one of the planes crashed, killing the pilot, only about a mile away. I feel very sorry for the pilot and his family but I'm so relieved he didn't land on us .

OMG - am I stiff and sore or what!?! Yesterday I had my first ride for a year - was only a hack, and now I can't walk!
How sad is that?
Was a nice hack though - had forgotted how nice it is to mooch through the country on a nice day.
And what's even better is that I can go and ride this horse 'Duncan' whenever I have time. So all smiley happy in the Zook house atm!

How lovely Bamzooki! Good luck with Duncan, what's he like?

Sorry, wishing you luck sounds like there's a problem with Duncan when there obviously isn't. I'm just being nosey really!

Hi Pixel,
He's about 16.2hh, bay, TB/WB ish type. Previously was an Intermediate eventer, and has also been broken to sidesaddle so is used to wearing a double bridle.
His owner bought him to hunt on with her daughter but can't see herself being 'motivated enough or have time this winter so help yourself'!
I don't think he has done much work this summer either given that he is as fat as you can imagine, but still is a pretty lively cheeky chap, while still feeling safe iykwim.
No idea how old he is - forgot to ask, but can't see him being a spring chicken.
My main problem is that she only has a jumping saddle for him which is not ideal for my needs, but I'm hoping I may persuade a friend to sell me her Heather Moffat treeless dresage saddle that she isn't using right now.

Which brings me on to my other horsey news - namely that said friend with saddle, is the owner of my previous horse, but she had to have him put down a few days ago. He had had a hind suspensory injury about 18 months ago, and had just about recovered enough to begin work again and the other hind leg went too. They tried various treatments, but it was not responding. So this being the sort of prima donna type horse who would not cope with being a pasture potato (not nearly enough being centre of attention involved with that) the decision was made to euthanase.
I half expected this but even so it's really horrible to think that he has gone. He was so much a unique individual who taught me so much and I feel lucky to have had him in my life for a while.

So sorry to hear that, what a shame. My mum's old horse had the same injury and it took a very long time to come right. He was sound eventually but only for light hacking which luckily he was happy with. If he'd been a 'career' horse it might have been a different story.
Duncan sounds gorgeous (and multi-talented!), I hope you have lots of fun with him.

Sorry to hear that very sad story thats awful.

I would be very grateful for some advice from you horsey folk, its quite superficial really -especially after reading Bamzooki's post.
My question is about hats and boots.

I am wanting to get back into riding after 15 years off and I'm completely out of touch with modern gear.
Can any of you recommend a good quality riding hat that is also stylish (!!) I know that sounds quite sad really but I really would love a great looking hat to get back in the saddle with! (I had a c section from hell and god awful pnd and I really want to treat myself for once!)
Also I want a fabulous pair of boots! Any suggestions?

(Not sure where riding supplies shops are these days. I am in West Yorkshire)

Hi Manuka,

If you can find a big place near you then you are rather likely going to be spoiled for choice I think.
Try looking here and here for some idea of what is around but you do need to be able to go and try them out obviously!
Personally I like Mountain Horse boots - very comfy for me even though I'm not easy to fit. Can never find a velvet hat that fits me well, so always end up with a skull cap of some sort. Usually Champion.

Bit at the prospect of your shopping trip actually!

Thanks for that info I really appreciate it! I've never had nice riding gear cos was always skint!
I hope you're feeling a bit better after your sad loss? I never had my own horse but looked after one for a busy farmer and he got dementia and had to be put to sleep which was awful. He was so lovely and chilled out and he was really funny too! I once went to get him from his field and he was lying on his side and he looked at me, groaned and lifted up a leg and let it bang down on the ground. He did that twice and I thought oh my god he's dying so I dashed off to get his owner who marched into the field and looked at him and then said He's taking the piss and he was the cheeky bugger!! He had a proper smirk on his face when he got up!

Hi Manuka

Try Equine Clearance Warehouse, who are based in West Yorkshire. On the net as well I think