Okay - I decided that my post was too long and annoying, so instead, here is an album of Babe & myself, with the occasional picture of the goats tossed in!
Photo Album
She is doing great, we both love the boarding facility we've been at since Feb 1st, however, it's so expensive (almost twice what board cost when I first adopted her) - even with working 2 PT jobs (in addition to being a full time college) that once the weather breaks, I might look for a pasture boarding situation as long as I can find a facility with at least an outdoor arena to train her in. Plus she seems happier outside as much as possible.
I'm trying to keep my options open for summer - I need to combine as much income producing work as possible with the ability to continue both her and my training. I'd like to travel somewhere in order to do that to see what living in different parts of the country are like and to observe how other farms are run.
My update was too long, so I deleted it in lieu of this:
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster, madelyn
My update was too long, so I deleted it in lieu of this:
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Rushtawin
I am sorry you felt you needed to delete your first message. I certainly enjoyed reading it and I feel others would have too. You come across as being genuinely interested in learning and doing what is best for for Babe. You have made a lot of progress with her since we first met you. To me it is refreshing to know there are still people around who are involved for the love of the horse, rather than just for the $ or the ribbons.
Remember we all have the choice not to read a thread if it doesn't interest us so my vote is for you to feel free to post what you want.
Best regards;
Chuck
I am sorry you felt you needed to delete your first message. I certainly enjoyed reading it and I feel others would have too. You come across as being genuinely interested in learning and doing what is best for for Babe. You have made a lot of progress with her since we first met you. To me it is refreshing to know there are still people around who are involved for the love of the horse, rather than just for the $ or the ribbons.
Remember we all have the choice not to read a thread if it doesn't interest us so my vote is for you to feel free to post what you want.
Best regards;
Chuck
Thanks! 
It's also one of my favorite topics, so I end up rambling. 
At the moment, I'm trying to talk my grandfather into a trip to the barn, since I need a passenger over 21 in order to drive. His '86 Regal drives smoothly and all it's done is sit in the driveway over winter, so it needs to be driven a bit.
It'd be fun for him since he likes animals and also get him out of the house for a bit as he's retired and lost most of his sight and hearing - and I think my horse would take to him quickly as she soaks up attention - especially if he has a treat in hand.
And he's sweet enough to find me whenever I'm home and eventing is on the television - and tolerates me watching the racing channel. I'm hoping I can find a horse to borrow for an hour who's essentially bombproof - I'm convinced that even just walking around on a horse would help his hip out.
My grandma and rest of my family think I'm crazy, but I convinced them to visit the barn two or three times. Granted, those times were when my horse was still intermittently high strung, but if they were to see her now, she's quite a lady.
It's also one of my favorite topics, so I end up rambling.
At the moment, I'm trying to talk my grandfather into a trip to the barn, since I need a passenger over 21 in order to drive. His '86 Regal drives smoothly and all it's done is sit in the driveway over winter, so it needs to be driven a bit.
It'd be fun for him since he likes animals and also get him out of the house for a bit as he's retired and lost most of his sight and hearing - and I think my horse would take to him quickly as she soaks up attention - especially if he has a treat in hand.
And he's sweet enough to find me whenever I'm home and eventing is on the television - and tolerates me watching the racing channel. I'm hoping I can find a horse to borrow for an hour who's essentially bombproof - I'm convinced that even just walking around on a horse would help his hip out.
My grandma and rest of my family think I'm crazy, but I convinced them to visit the barn two or three times. Granted, those times were when my horse was still intermittently high strung, but if they were to see her now, she's quite a lady.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Rushtawin - beautiful pictures of the mare and you are quite a beautiful young lady. You seem to have your head on straight and know what your goals are - quite refreshing for a college student! Post away - we all love reading about how folks are doing with their horses. And keep the photos coming.
What kind of riding do you do - I'm pretty ignorant of the whole thing. My barn buddy is a college student studying animal sciences and is on the riding team so I try and pick up stuff from her but when she tells me the rules and stuff I get really ticked when she didn't place or get points
Take care,
Cheryl
What kind of riding do you do - I'm pretty ignorant of the whole thing. My barn buddy is a college student studying animal sciences and is on the riding team so I try and pick up stuff from her but when she tells me the rules and stuff I get really ticked when she didn't place or get points
Take care,
Cheryl
"We are the people our parents warned us about" - Jimmy Buffett
"My occupational hazard is that my occupation is just not around" - Jimmy Buffett
"My occupational hazard is that my occupation is just not around" - Jimmy Buffett
Thanks on all counts! 
I started western, then tried bareback, then converted predominantly to english (especially dressage) followed by a jump lesson or two. It began as trail riding, then backyard riding/advice from local trainers, then more trail riding, lessons, student work/riding, showing in hand, catch riding, and exercising horses for others (and 2 I trained, not counting mine) back before I lost my nerve from my fall on March 18th, 2006. Plus helping out at shows and such & following around vets.
Nowadays, predominantly english (dressage) and I've been making up for the lost time and ground from when my confidence disappeared, and though it depends on how much I trust the horse, I'm beginning to relax again in the saddle. I now take lessons on campus (whenever my doctor lets me) and as many as possible when I'm able to afford them or have time for them. For the most part, it's become manageable in that I don't have huge confidence problems anymore.
Before my fall off the horse I used to exercise, my own horse was started western (I was the 2nd one on her) and then a few days after that, I tacked her up in a dressage saddle (and rode her her first time English!) and taught her how to accept contact and what the bit was, and how to respond to my aides, etc. I have videos from that, I might post them on Photobucket. Nowdays, I predominantly just walk around when on her because whenever she's sound, I'm not, and vice versa. I can't wait to get us both conditioned and going again! She has such a work ethic under saddle and it's so rewarding to have all your hard work and training pay off for you AND your first horse (which is her).
My interests? Getting confident enough to pick up where I left off with cantering, hand gallops, and low jumping... so that I can progress to cross country and eventing! Other than eventing, vaulting, and polo. I wouldn't mind learning how to train/exercise the TB's, but have been avoiding it because I need to relearn stuff before I feel confident enough to try that. Hopefully one day, though!
I started western, then tried bareback, then converted predominantly to english (especially dressage) followed by a jump lesson or two. It began as trail riding, then backyard riding/advice from local trainers, then more trail riding, lessons, student work/riding, showing in hand, catch riding, and exercising horses for others (and 2 I trained, not counting mine) back before I lost my nerve from my fall on March 18th, 2006. Plus helping out at shows and such & following around vets.
Nowadays, predominantly english (dressage) and I've been making up for the lost time and ground from when my confidence disappeared, and though it depends on how much I trust the horse, I'm beginning to relax again in the saddle. I now take lessons on campus (whenever my doctor lets me) and as many as possible when I'm able to afford them or have time for them. For the most part, it's become manageable in that I don't have huge confidence problems anymore.
Before my fall off the horse I used to exercise, my own horse was started western (I was the 2nd one on her) and then a few days after that, I tacked her up in a dressage saddle (and rode her her first time English!) and taught her how to accept contact and what the bit was, and how to respond to my aides, etc. I have videos from that, I might post them on Photobucket. Nowdays, I predominantly just walk around when on her because whenever she's sound, I'm not, and vice versa. I can't wait to get us both conditioned and going again! She has such a work ethic under saddle and it's so rewarding to have all your hard work and training pay off for you AND your first horse (which is her).
My interests? Getting confident enough to pick up where I left off with cantering, hand gallops, and low jumping... so that I can progress to cross country and eventing! Other than eventing, vaulting, and polo. I wouldn't mind learning how to train/exercise the TB's, but have been avoiding it because I need to relearn stuff before I feel confident enough to try that. Hopefully one day, though!
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Ditto to cewright's comments!
I like reading your posts, as you're one of the few who also have a retired TB—it's nice to talk equitation once in a while, amongst all of the race info on the board. I read it last night, but as it was late, I was just skimming before bed...
Hope your new place works out! I'm anxious to get on my girl again, once the snow melts. She's a good girl, like your Babe!
Keep us updated, I look forward to it!
I like reading your posts, as you're one of the few who also have a retired TB—it's nice to talk equitation once in a while, amongst all of the race info on the board. I read it last night, but as it was late, I was just skimming before bed...
Hope your new place works out! I'm anxious to get on my girl again, once the snow melts. She's a good girl, like your Babe!
Keep us updated, I look forward to it!
Thank you again!
I'm putting my feelers out for this summer - exploring a ton of different leads as to what my options are. My main goals are to regain the level I was at before the fall, recondition myself & my horse, and then solidify her lunge work and basics under saddle. I'd like to get back into jumping, starting small of course! I'm convinced more time in the saddle will do wonders for both myself and any horse I'm riding. The same goes for lessons!
Granted, I need to support my horse (and goats) now and over summer and thereon, as well as myself, if I'm not living at home... so I'm definitely looking to work at wherever I end up (or nearby) to cover board, food, and lessons.
Current interests (sports-wise): Eventing, vaulting, polo. Exercising & training performance horses - not excluding racers in the future. At the moment, I'm too inexperienced and lack the confidence, though I'm trying to make up for lost time and lost ground.
All this feedback tempts me to dig through my computer and start posting more pictures with an eventual small website with the commentary for each! I could talk about horses all day (and my friends lament accordingly)...
Suggestions are welcomed and for those who've made them: THANKS!!!
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Rushtawin - sounds like you had an accident of some sort - fall off a horse and get injured - not too seriously I hope.
When we built our barn four years ago my goal was to get a horse that I could love on, take care of, groom and ride. Then hubby decided we needed to make a business out of it and brings home a TB fresh off the track - first time he'd ever been aorund a horse and first time I'd been around one in ages. Needless to say I didn't climb on her (HA). Now that I am pushing 50 my biggest fear is taking a dive off one if I ever got the nerve to get on one and I really really want to ride again - but the aching back and bad shoulder are ruling. So I do understand the confidence thing as well - however, don't let fear alone rule you sweetie. As long as the doctor gives you the okay you can do it! Sounds like you did it before Good luck kiddo and keep us posted.
When we built our barn four years ago my goal was to get a horse that I could love on, take care of, groom and ride. Then hubby decided we needed to make a business out of it and brings home a TB fresh off the track - first time he'd ever been aorund a horse and first time I'd been around one in ages. Needless to say I didn't climb on her (HA). Now that I am pushing 50 my biggest fear is taking a dive off one if I ever got the nerve to get on one and I really really want to ride again - but the aching back and bad shoulder are ruling. So I do understand the confidence thing as well - however, don't let fear alone rule you sweetie. As long as the doctor gives you the okay you can do it! Sounds like you did it before
Good luck kiddo and keep us posted."We are the people our parents warned us about" - Jimmy Buffett
"My occupational hazard is that my occupation is just not around" - Jimmy Buffett
"My occupational hazard is that my occupation is just not around" - Jimmy Buffett
My doctors think I'm crazy. I was out of the saddle for quite a long time because of the back/neck injury from the fall I'd mentioned (knock on wood, my first and only... and to think that time was one where I chose to get off rather than go where that TB wanted to!)... From that fall, I ended up compressing a disc close to my a pelvis, lost the natural curve of my lower back, and almost a year later, the chiropractor says my back & neck are still chronically strained.
Afterwards, I managed to sprain my neck & shoulders on Oct 6th (not mentioning why):lol:, then on Oct. 18th, I spooked in mid air at Country Night and landed poorly - spraining both ankles severely and ending up in a wheelchair for several weeks. Needless to say, my horse was VERY wary of the crutches that I had to use to get into the barn, but she still recognized it was me and came over for attention.
And then I pulled a large muscle in my back on Feb 21st, and according to multiple people (chiropractor & regular doctors), I have to wait 6 weeks from that to do anything. Including walking around on any horse's back (if I get the opportunity, I will likely make mine the exception since she's so happy just walking around.)
I'm not actually accident prone, but it's just frustrating because I end up healing myself (usually ahead of schedule), and just as everything's flowing smoothly, end up sidelined again. For example, how I managed to pull that muscle in my back from falling in black ice on Tuesday - and it was the following day I'd felt confident on Thunder's back (a lesson horse owned by the campus) - and then on Thursday being unable to sit down, Friday the doctor's appointment (which did no good, he didn't even give any anti inflammatories and my back muscles were spasming pretty badly), so then on Monday, the Wellness Center saw me and was like... "He let you out of his office like this?!?!?!?!" but both places agreed, no riding for 6 weeks to try to fully let that muscle heal.
As for the fear of falling, I'd say find a place that has therapeutic/hippo therapy or vaulting horse - those seem to be the most bombproof and they tend to be very obedient as well, regardless of if you're on their back or on a lounge line!
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
A bad horse accident can most definitely mess with your head and/or confidence. I had a pretty bad horse accident back in college. Before that, I was pretty (fearless/stupid, take your pick) while riding. I did a lot of crazy, unsafe (but fun) things. The accident made me more cautious, more wary, and not nearly as reckless... all of which is probably best for my overall health anyway... 
**************************************
"Don't be a boorish buffoon" -Hokies Respect 'Jerk Alert'
"Don't be a boorish buffoon" -Hokies Respect 'Jerk Alert'
Aside from an occasional controlled hand gallop, I never really had the opportunity to do anything even moderately unsafe on the horses, except maybe not being taught how to dismount while in motion and/or accidentally cutting off another riding whenever the mount and I were still learning each other's nuances. Then again, over 95% of my riding was supervised directly by my instructors or the people I was catch riding for, so I have the drawback of not being able to discover some of the things I'd like to. For example, what it's like to ride through a clear pond that's past belly deep on the horses for a few moments. Though I've been in a few streams that were just past their bellies and that was always a blast. They're always fun to jump out of
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Rushtawin wrote:I ended up compressing a disc close to my a pelvis, lost the natural curve of my lower back, and almost a year later, the chiropractor says my back & neck are still chronically strained.
Have you seen a massage therapist? I good one with training in myofascial release and/or cranial/sacral might be able to help a good deal.
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an
Not yet, though I'm definitely considering it, if I can find a reputable one locally, with the hope that insurance might cover some of the cost. My chiro at home has done two or three myofascial releases and they definitely help! Only, he's an hour away from campus, and I'm only home every month or two.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
These sites might help you find one:
http://www.massagetherapy.com/find/index.php
http://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/locator.htm
Those are the two large MT associations in the US, so they will have the most up-to-date and complete listings. Good luck!
http://www.massagetherapy.com/find/index.php
http://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/locator.htm
Those are the two large MT associations in the US, so they will have the most up-to-date and complete listings. Good luck!
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an
I'll definitely check them out!
As for my quick update: Tonight or tomorrow, I finally get a free moment to go up to the barn... and my friend wants to use me riding my horse as her action shots for her photography class! I hope they come out well, we're planning on going tomorrow morning.
the bank account got dry enough b/c of having to board the goats & horse that I need to work around 27 hours a week to support them. Thankfully, at the moment, it's working out nicely, though all my free time is gone. I need to find another second job soon since Phoneathon ends this Thursday.
And of course, over spring break, both goats got attacked by coyotes at the facility they're boarded at. So they're on 5cc's of penicillin 2x a day and 1/8th of a tab of bute apiece and so far it looks like nothing's gotten infected, but I haven't seen them since Sunday, though the barn owner's been bandaging and medicating them for me (since she'd said her fencing was adequate and realized she was wrong) though the supplies to keep everything taken care of are expensive. They had their rabies vaccination about a month and a half to two months beforehand.
Also, around here, there is no one to look at goats vet-wise. The only large animal vets practice on horses - the small animal vets don't see goats at their clinic AND lack the mobile radiography equipment. It's quite frustrating and proves that we need large animal practitioners specializing in livestock - which is what I want to do - but I don't think my back will hold up for even that!
As for my quick update: Tonight or tomorrow, I finally get a free moment to go up to the barn... and my friend wants to use me riding my horse as her action shots for her photography class! I hope they come out well, we're planning on going tomorrow morning.
the bank account got dry enough b/c of having to board the goats & horse that I need to work around 27 hours a week to support them. Thankfully, at the moment, it's working out nicely, though all my free time is gone. I need to find another second job soon since Phoneathon ends this Thursday.
And of course, over spring break, both goats got attacked by coyotes at the facility they're boarded at. So they're on 5cc's of penicillin 2x a day and 1/8th of a tab of bute apiece and so far it looks like nothing's gotten infected, but I haven't seen them since Sunday, though the barn owner's been bandaging and medicating them for me (since she'd said her fencing was adequate and realized she was wrong) though the supplies to keep everything taken care of are expensive. They had their rabies vaccination about a month and a half to two months beforehand.
Also, around here, there is no one to look at goats vet-wise. The only large animal vets practice on horses - the small animal vets don't see goats at their clinic AND lack the mobile radiography equipment. It's quite frustrating and proves that we need large animal practitioners specializing in livestock - which is what I want to do - but I don't think my back will hold up for even that!
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"