Have you ever ridden a horse?

[TheGoofster]

POLL:
OK, so a rather simple poll question today, but feel free to elaborate as much as you like.
Unfortunately I've only ridden a horse a few times in my life, but every time I have I thouroughly enjoyed it. Although the last time almost saw something happen that might have darkened my whole horse riding opinion. My wife and I were riding along (the man who owned the horses figured it would be OK for us to go out by ourselves), when suddenly my horse came to a large puddle. Suddenly he started to prance a bit, and started to kind of run his hooves through the mud. I fought with the reigns for about 5 minutes before I finally got him to get going again, and leave the puddle behind. When we got back, I casually mentioned it to the owner, and he got kind of a serious look on his face, and said that I was very lucky. Apparently this horse has a tendency to roll in large puddles. He didn't realize that there were any puddles on the trail, or else he wouldn't have given that horse. I don't think I would have enjoyed that very much.
So what about you? Have you ridden a horse before? Perhaps lots of times? Any good riding stories?

 

[jx3smom]

Many years ago in the desert in Arizona on my cousins horse. It was fun but not something I'm interested in repeating.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Yes, I've ridden many times. I used to compete before kids. I wish I had the time to take it up again but it requires a lot of time and usually a lot of $$$!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Yep, years ago when I visited my aunt, uncle, and cousin in Michigan, they had a horse. The only real problem I had was that once I finally got up there, my feet didn't reach the stirrups (I'm really short), so when I got off, I pretty much just slid down the horse's side.

 

[Cantw8]

is this you, Goof?

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

Yep, I've ridden a lot. I was a counselor for two years at a Y camp and the kids would ride horses everyday. The counselors would get to ride a lot too. My friend also has 4 horses and I get to go horse back riding with him a lot. The only thing I hate about horses is grooming them.. I can't stand getting the stuff out from under their hooves!

 

[Savsmommy]

I have a few times. My family reunion is always in Gatlinburg, TN. We always go horseback riding in the mountains. I love going but I get scared sometimes when the horses get close to the edge.

 

[imsorry]

I refer you to my siggy

 

[DVC-Don]

Yes, my family had 2 horses when I was in my early teens.

 

[TheGoofster]

is this you, Goof?

HEY, I thought I burned that picture!!!
Actually, that guys hair is a little greyer than mine (at least for now), and the horse I rode was a little bit less hairy.

 

[flaps]

Yes, many times when I was younger. The most recent time was 20 years ago.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Dh & I used to go riding all the time before we had kids. Not sure why we've never taken the kids.

Once dh, his best friend & I were riding. The place we went lets you go off on your own. Well the 2 guys went 1 way & I went another. Next thing is I see a horse running off with my dh behind it then another horse a few minutes later. WTH?!?!?

Apparently the 2 dodos were riding my dh moved a branch & said something to his friend about it who didn't hear him & got knocked off the horse on his back. So my dh jumped off his horse to fetch the friends horse so both horses ending up going back to the barn. The place was really understanding & gave them both back their horses, but took us on a guided tour after that.

When I went on a field trip with Stinkerbelle to the pumpkin farm she rode her first horse being led. She liked it, but was really scared by the horse itself, She did ride it though-- brave girl!

 

[U2_rocks!]

Used to ride a lot as a young teen - even competed in show jumping and dressage a bit. My grandad used to keep one horse at a time for years - he'd take in a retiring polo or racing horse and just enjoy looking after it while it was pampered in its retirement! Of course, I wouldn't let these poor horses just retire - I'd want to ride them, teach them stuff etc. The last one he owned was a mare called Final Fling. I rode her a lot bareback and had many falls when she and I would come tearing up a field at a gallop and she'd stop suddenly! As a teen I wasn't afraid of falling - I was invincible! I only got injured once in all the times I fell (cut my chin on a horse's hoof as it trotted over me) - I had a knack for landing well! I was teaching FF to jump, and even had her entered for a show, but she died of some digestive thing (not colic). I was so devastated. I was about 14.

After that I rode off and on at various riding stables, but quit when I had kids. In the past 10 years I've ridden sporadically. You never forget what to do, but your muscles sure forget what's required of them!

 

[zagafi]

Yep, I ride this one all the time! She's my Appaloosa mare, Martini. My oldest son rides as well.

 

[Honu]

Only a couple times, but my last experience will be my last experience. Strip, the huge black horse I was given, decided he wanted to take a shortcut down a ravine in Tahoe. We eventually fell and both of us were pretty scrapped up. I have no intention of getting back on the horse.

 

[m&m's mom]

MY DH and I both grew up on ranches. We were both riding before we could walk.
Both my DD's ride weekly in their lessons.

 

[Jennasis]

Did somebody say HORSE??? hehehe. I am a professional riding instructor and horse trainer. We have 8 horses in our lesson program and an additional 13 that we board at our 25 acre farm. I teach hunt seat equitation, hunters, jumpers and low level dressage. I am also the head coach of our county's Special Olympic Equestrian team and (see my siggy) have been chosen as an assistant coach for the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China this October.

My horses are my children...and they are awesome! I ride just about everyday, although not usually my own horses. I'm often found training and riding my clients horses.

Goofster, having a horse who also likes to roll in water, I offer you this advice: KEEP YOUR HORSE MOVING. They cannot roll if they are moving forward (briskly!).

Also, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS wear a helmet when you ride. I do not permit anyone to get on a horse on my property without a helmet (even on their own horse). Even at a walk, your horse can spook, fall down a ravine apparently, roll in a puddle etc etc.

 

[Froggyswife]

I love riding horses. I have ridden many times in the past but not recently. Horses are amazing animals. I just love them.

Funny story. My first husband and I went to a friends to ride once and he was given a very tall horse named stepladder. When x husband mounted the horse it sat down and refused to get up. I laughed so hard and asked our friend is that a horse or a mule?

 

[RSoxFan]

The closest City Girl here has come to riding a horse was riding my uncle's Akita when I was little.

 

[TheGoofster]

Goofster, having a horse who also likes to roll in water, I offer you this advice: KEEP YOUR HORSE MOVING. They cannot roll if they are moving forward (briskly!).

sounds like great advice to me, and the next time I find myself on the back of a horse, I will be sure to remember it!!!