Grab Mane ~ A thread for the equestrian parents!

[hinodis]

I saw the other sport groups starting up threads and thought I would see if there are any parents out there with horse obsessed children, like mine. I have an eleven y/o who has been riding english for four years. I feel like I live at the barn. I am actually glad school is starting so we can cut back to only three days a week! Her ponie's name is Pumba. He is not the one pictured below, I guess I need to change that. Tell me about your rider!

 

[zagafi]

My oldest son is in Pony Club and I have a TB I plan to event (when we're both fit enough!) We're currently leasing his mount in search of "the one".

 

[hinodis]

My DD would love to be in pony club but there is not one in our area. We got to see some relays at the rolex with PC. It was so much fun. After the kids competed the rolex riders got on and did it. It was so hilarious!

 

[Magic Mom]

My DD and I both ride. Just lessons for the time being. We've been talking about getting a horse in the spring, but it would have to be a horse we can both ride, because I can't afford boarding and lessons for two horses. I love being at the barn.

 

[momto2girls]

My 8 year old daughter rides. She's been taking English lessons for two years now. She is absolutely obsessed! She has lots of other activities as well (gymnastics, dance, piano, art, scouts, sometimes ice skating), but nothing compares to riding for her.

She does not have her own horse yet, but I have no doubt that we'll be buying her one eventually.

 

[Magic Mom]

SO for all of you that have kids that ride, do you ride also? I rode when I was in middle school and did the whole show jumping thing, but when my parents got divorced I had to quit because of money (gee thanks Mom and Dad). Then, even though years went by I never stopped feeling like a horsey person, so when DD asked to take lessons, I decided to also. Its the best thing I've ever done for myself.

 

[momto2girls]

SO for all of you that have kids that ride, do you ride also? I rode when I was in middle school and did the whole show jumping thing, but when my parents got divorced I had to quit because of money (gee thanks Mom and Dad). Then, even though years went by I never stopped feeling like a horsey person, so when DD asked to take lessons, I decided to also. Its the best thing I've ever done for myself.

I don't, but I have to admit that I am tempted to from reading your post. Maybe when my now-5-year-old starts lessons next year, I will start as well.

I think that having kids is making me expand my horizons as well. We're studying foreign language together, I'm taking piano lessons because they are, and now I'm thinking about riding with them.

 

[Magic Mom]

I don't, but I have to admit that I am tempted to from reading your post. Maybe when my now-5-year-old starts lessons next year, I will start as well.

I think that having kids is making me expand my horizons as well. We're studying foreign language together, I'm taking piano lessons because they are, and now I'm thinking about riding with them.

Do it! but I suggest taking lessons seperately from them at first. It's hard to enjoy your experience and really focus on balance and cues when you are paying so much attention to them.

 

[Califgirl]

I started riding nearly 25 years ago, as an adult. (Okay, I'm old )

I have to say that I've noticed that kids who ride are much more self confident than kids who don't. It must be something about the responsibility they feel for their horses and ponies. And perhaps the fact that they get to do something that a lot of other kids never get the chance to do. It's also a good sport for 'risk taking' in a fairly safe way (under the supervision of an instructor.) I think it's always good to have a hobby that takes you out of your regular environment, whether it's an office or a classroom.

I'll admit that I"m not riding much now. In fact my lovely horse (that I bred) is leased. But, at least he's still at the same barn and I get to see him, if I want.

 

[Magic Mom]

I started riding nearly 25 years ago, as an adult. (Okay, I'm old )

I have to say that I've noticed that kids who ride are much more self confident than kids who don't. It must be something about the responsibility they feel for their horses and ponies. And perhaps the fact that they get to do something that a lot of other kids never get the chance to do. It's also a good sport for 'risk taking' in a fairly safe way (under the supervision of an instructor.) I think it's always good to have a hobby that takes you out of your regular environment, whether it's an office or a classroom.

I'll admit that I"m not riding much now. In fact my lovely horse (that I bred) is leased. But, at least he's still at the same barn and I get to see him, if I want.

You are right, riding is a big confidence booster for kids. One of the things I like about our barn is that the kids (even those using lesson ponies) have to groom and tack up prior to riding. They are expected to check the ponies for obvious injuries and make sure the tack is in good condition. I see so much of a change in DD since she has been riding.

 

[Jennasis]

You are right, riding is a big confidence booster for kids. One of the things I like about our barn is that the kids (even those using lesson ponies) have to groom and tack up prior to riding. They are expected to check the ponies for obvious injuries and make sure the tack is in good condition. I see so much of a change in DD since she has been riding.

That's wonderful! One of my biggest pet peeves are the "lesson factory" barns, where the kid shows up, gets handed the reins by the groom, rides for an hour, and then hands the reins back to said groom who has to cool and untack.

My students have to fetch their horse from it's stall/pasture, groom, tack, ride, cool off, untack, groom again and put away. Then we have tack cleaning days, bathing days...stuff like that. I'm teaching horsemanship as well as riding and truly appreciate all the other barns that do the same.

Thanks to all of you parents who let your children participate in this wonderful sport!

 

[Califgirl]

That's wonderful! One of my biggest pet peeves are the "lesson factory" barns, where the kid shows up, gets handed the reins by the groom, rides for an hour, and then hands the reins back to said groom who has to cool and untack.

In all my years of riding, I have never, ever run into a barn that does this. Perhaps on occassion, but certainly never as a regular occurance. Was it just for a riding activity, such as a GirlScout riding day or something?

I used to teach, and students were always responsible for every aspect of getting their mounts ready, and putting them properly away, as well as cleaning all tack. (Of course there was always supervision, after all lesson horses are the bread and butter of riding programs, and those horses must be well taken care of.) I can't imagine handing someone the reins and saying 'here you go' and putting the horse away for them on a regular basis. I would never have let beginning students do this.

 

[Jennasis]

In all my years of riding, I have never, ever run into a barn that does this. Perhaps on occassion, but certainly never as a regular occurance. Was it just for a riding activity, such as a GirlScout riding day or something?

I used to teach, and students were always responsible for every aspect of getting their mounts ready, and putting them properly away, as well as cleaning all tack. (Of course there was always supervision, after all lesson horses are the bread and butter of riding programs, and those horses must be well taken care of.) I can't imagine handing someone the reins and saying 'here you go' and putting the horse away for them on a regular basis. I would never have let beginning students do this.

You're lucky if you never got to see a place like that. They are quite common, particularly in urban/well-to-do areas where the princesses/princes are "above" doing the work. It is truly sad, and after managing a barn that did just that for some time I vowed to do it the right way.

I could tell you stories that would curl your hair about lesson factory barns (particularly the one I USED to manage). Their tactics, procedures, care of horses and the equipment used. Just abominable.

 

[zagafi]

And that's why Pony Club is such a GOOD thing! The kids are responsible--not mommy and daddy, and certainly *not* a groom. They have to help one another, so teamwork and cooperation are emphasized more than "competition".

I've never experienced a barn with such practices (grooms handing off the horses), and wouldn't be interested in that type of experience for me or my kids, truthfully. Riding is but a small part of horsemanship!

But to answer the other question, heck yeah I ride! How do you think the kid got into it? LOL!

 

[mrsv98]

Count us in too! DD, 8yo has been riding for about a year and a half. She is just about ready to start jumping and is so excited. We do little schooling shows but that is all for now.

During the summer she goes to camp at the barn. They have to do everything for their ponies, including baths, not sure who gets wetter! They also have classes in managment, types of hay/feed, parts of the body, etc and the ferrier even does demonstrations.

DD is convinced she is horribly deprived because she doesn't have her won pony but unless we win the lottery, she will remain deprived!

I rode and jumped for many years, showed and such. It is so crazy expensive now, we can't both afford to ride so I let DD have the joy.

 

[bballmom56]

I rode and showed hunters and jumpers in my younger days. DD24 started lessons when she was 5 and although she doesn't ride much now (working full time and her horse, also 24, is basically retired as he has done a lot in his life from racing to jumper to coming back down to the 3' equitation and hunters) she takes care of our barn and would love to show again. But it has gotten horrendously expensive. I work for a private dressage barn now which is actually the nicest and kindest barn I have ever worked in.

I think once you get horses in your blood, you never lose it!

 

[magicgirl]

I am a horse obsessed mother. My DH and I used to breed Irish Draughts but now we only breed Dartmoor ponies. My DD age 26 is tiny and shows some of them under saddle. Our best pony has qualified for The Horse of the Year Show in October but is confined to the stable lame at the moment.

My DD has gained so much from riding, she has learnt what it is like to lose as well as to win. I feel lucky to be able to able to spend so much time with her on a hobby we both love. She is now married and the horses are still important but it is DH and I who do the daily looking after.

My Grandson age 4 always makes straight for the horses on the few occassions I see him even though his father, my DS, doesn't encourage it. I keep telling him it is in the blood.

 

[muffyn]

my daughter started with her 1st pony at 8 yrs old ( we knew NOTHING! we thought the pony was going to die because it wanted to lay down!! < we always thought horse never lays down unless something was wrong>)

anyway we were lucky to have found 16 acres of land at the time, & well, off we went ,, with 4-h ,, pony club etc.. she eventually attend a college that focused on equestrain studies & is now running her own training/boarding/lesson barn on the property. most of her horses are saddlebreds & one Freisian so far.


my daughter shows her horses all summer in "regular" riding classes, but my favorite memories are of the 4-H years of gymkana & pony club eventing, so much fun..

as for me,, I used to ride as a teenager,, but for some reason lost my 'seat' over the years & after 2 disasterous falls am reallly relunctant to ride again.

 

[kendall]

Horse mom here. All my sister-in-law's fault - she had DD on a horse as a baby and in lead line before we even knew what hit us.

Fast forward 16 years. DD is in 4-H (loves the gymkhana with our now 23 year old appy), High School Equestrian Team, and Pony Club. She loves eventing and is showing Beginner Novice and Novice this summer with our Clydesdale/Standard bred X.

It's definitely in her blood. We borrowed a pony from my niece when DD was 12 for a test run - DD had to groom, tack, etc. all herself - if she couldn't do it, she wasn't ready.... that was a good move, because DD has always taken care of her horse (sometimes with some nagging, like any teen), braided, washed, tacked, groomed.... I "know nothing" literally and figuratively, of course, according to DD, so I just write the checks and take her shopping.

I have absolutely no problem that at 16 years old, she would rather spend time in the barn or at a horse show all weekend - I know where she is and what she is doing.

And, I have to admit, she actually does really well hauling the trailer (yes, we've had her hauling since she had her learner's permit - we figure the more hours with us the better) and can haul herself to her lessons and workouts now. Can't say enough about having good trainers/teachers - we have an excellent jumping instructor for eventing and are hunting for a dressage coach.

I'll throw some photos up on Flickr later (been meaning to upload, so this may inspire me).

 

[Val]

I grew up around horses. Yah, we had them, we rode them (recklessly), but they were just something you screwed around with in the pasture and then at the 4H fair (showing them secondary to the hogs and cows!). Still, I LOVED horses. My DD20 was born, and she was instantly infatuated with horses even though we didn't even live near any! She watched National Velvet over and over and over from age 2, began to take lessons by 3. Her junior high P.E. teacher (who my son now has) remembers her as the girl who didn't walk, jog or run but walked, trotted and cantered!

.....fast forward. She is now a junior at Alfred University, rides both English and Western on their team, and takes her horse with her to college- all the way from Central Illinois! She is an art major/equestrian minor.....we pray for gainful employment!

We had two horses until last summer, when we had to put our old paint mare down at age 29. While DD16 and DS12 could take or leave horses....my youngest DD10 also suffers from a severe case of equiphilia! Lord help us, but I see another horse in our future.....DD10 is in love with a young horse at the barn. Both she and the mare will be ready for one another in about 18 months, so I better start saving!

Public service announcement: If you aren't into horses, keep your children away! It is the only way to prevent equiphilia, and once bitten by the horse bug there is NO treatment but to keep riding and buying horses! How do you know if you have it? Do you love the smell of fresh hay and horse poop? Do you find cleaning leather relaxing? Save those extra carrots and apples for horse treats? Look longingly through the Dover, Stateline, etc., catalogs for hours on end? Don't mind getting to the barn at 5 AM the day of a show to braid the HORSE'S hair? Well, you better get treated fast- or it is all over! Even my husband is starting to know what correct 'diagonal' means and he has memorized several dressage class patterns....there is no going back....we are equiphiliacs!