Any horse people here?

Kuma'sMom · 10-03-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

I also worked at Spruce Meadows for a while, which was an amazing experience.

I worked there too! Can't really say the same though. Their horse program was pretty bad when I was there. They treated their staff and horses really terribly. Most people work there just to get the name on their resume and then move on to a stable that pays and treats them better. By the time I left, their reputation was so bad that they were reduced to hiring girls that had never even ridden a horse, because no one with any experience would work for them.

That said, I did get to ride in the same arena as some of the best riders in the world, which was very cool!

CoverTune · 10-03-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuma'sMom

I worked there too! Can't really say the same though. Their horse program was pretty bad when I was there. They treated their staff and horses really terribly. Most people work there just to get the name on their resume and then move on to a stable that pays and treats them better. By the time I left, their reputation was so bad that they were reduced to hiring girls that had never even ridden a horse, because no one with any experience would work for them.

That said, I did get to ride in the same arena as some of the best riders in the world, which was very cool!

Lol, when were you there?

Kuma'sMom · 10-03-2009, 09:04 PM

It was about 6 years ago, give or take. My goal was 6 months, I wound up being there 9 months before I found a job at the stable I wanted. It was another pro show jumping stable, but with double the pay, my own apartment on site, 9 hour day instead of 12, with great clients and bosses that treated the staff really well. I'd still probably be there if it weren't for all the drama in the family that owned it. The owner had 4 children, and none could agree on who should run the place, lol. I worked for 3 of them in a year and a half, the first two were great to work for, the last...not so much. I have issues with working 7 day work weeks, lol.

CoverTune · 10-03-2009, 10:06 PM

Haha, we may very well have been there at the same time.

Kuma'sMom · 10-03-2009, 11:34 PM

Really? What barn did you work in? I don't remember anyone named Stacey, but it was a while ago, lol.

AmyBeth · 10-04-2009, 03:27 AM

I LOVE horses, I have never been able to own one though. But to make up for my aunt and uncle would send me to a 2 week long horse camp every summer. Plus they have two horses that they never ride anymore and I always go out there and hang with them for a little while when I go over there. I will one day own my own horse and I can't wait, but for now I don't have the money, the time, or the space

.

Everyone has such beautiful horses! Although I tend to be partial to the smaller draft horses.

CoverTune · 10-04-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuma'sMom

Really? What barn did you work in? I don't remember anyone named Stacey, but it was a while ago, lol.

I worked in West, under Jon Garner. We may have just missed each other..

Kuma'sMom · 10-04-2009, 10:37 AM

Probably. I started in West, then was moved to East after a month. You got lucky not to have to work under Albert on a daily basis, lol.

CoverTune · 10-04-2009, 10:40 AM

Very lucky! I wouldn't have lasted a week, lol... lessons with him were bad enough.

Kuma'sMom · 10-04-2009, 10:55 AM

Oy, tell me about it! Honestly, there was a period (short thankfully) after I left Spruce Meadows where I didn't care if I ever rode again, that's how badly he damaged my confidence. Got it all back at the next stable though.

He was terrible, wasn't happy unless he had something to yell at us about every day. If we didn't do something wrong, he'd just make something up to yell about. One day he'd be upset that we used too much show sheen, the next day we didn't use enough and the manes and tails looked like crap, etc. I was so happy to get out of there, lol.

Rayne01 · 10-05-2009, 03:57 PM

Found out about 3 weeks ago that June was carrying twins, which I knew from the start. The vet had to abort one because it was backwards and causing damage to my other foal. It sucks but I'd rather have one healthy foal than 2 unhealthy foals. I'll keep u guys updated.

ChrissyBz · 10-11-2009, 05:35 PM

Yep, I've got three. Two mutts and an Arabian mare.

Love the smell of horse poop.

Christy1982 · 10-12-2009, 03:04 PM

Me! I'm obsessed, I admit it! I've loved them since I was a child. Did some barrel racing on the lead rein when i was two or three (have pictures and ribbons, but no memories of it of course) and rode off and on when I could growing up. I was never allowed lessons or anything. I started riding seriously about six years ago, working at a dude ranch to start, and then switching to Equestrian studies in college. I now have a BS in Agriculture with Equine Science concentration and spent a year in Ireland studying horses! I love everything about them! I got my husband into it when we started dating just over three years ago, and lucky me...he's just as obsessed as I am now! hehe!

We currently own one horse, a 16.3 hand thoroughbred gelding. He steeplechased in his younger days. He's a gentle giant, and not what you think of as your typical off the track thoroughbred at all (although I've met plenty of OTTB that weren't stereotypically crazy).

He's a little "off" in the right hind, but is on a supplement called Cetyl-m that keeps him sound. He was given to us for free just over a month ago, and he's already been on a good amount of weight - but he does need a bit more!

Anyway, here he is...Levi

(that's my husband with him)

Spirit_of_Cotons · 10-18-2009, 06:32 PM

Levi is pretty. Christy--my friend barrel races too! She absolutely loves it as well, but she does it with Quarter/Paint Horses. I forget the technical term for a Quarter/Paint.

CoverTune · 10-23-2009, 09:36 PM

I responded to an ad on a forum a few weeks ago and yesterday I went out to meet the woman and her horses.

Tracey (the owner) broke her ankle quite severely this past spring, so she's looking for someone to just ride her horses, give them a little exercise etc. She already has a girl riding her Thoroughbred, so I was "auditioning" for her Paint mare.

Rain is a 7y/o chestnut overo Paint/Arab mare with one blue eye. She has the total look of a Paint, stocky, small, but has an elegantly arched neck. She is a truly stunning horse!! Due to an injury as a youngster (farrier abuse

), she's only been under saddle for about two years. Oh, she's also stone deaf!

Tracey brought her out and I brushed her, then we put on her saddle and Tracey lunged her for a few minutes. She moves SO beautifully!! But I was glad she got her little bucks out on the lunge line, lol. Then I hopped on and rode her for a little bit. She's VERY sensitive to leg aids, and has quite a soft mouth. She definitely needs miles, she's almost like riding a 3 or 4 year old, skill wise.. but she seems very quiet and sensible.

So.. everything went well, and it looks like I'll be riding this girl at least until the weather puts a stop to things (no covered ring, darnit!).

I'm VERY rusty, omg, lol, but I'm really excited!! I'm naturally a pretty soft-handed rider, so I think we'll get along well in that sense. Not sure if I can handle such an inexperienced horse.. not because I'm worried about her blowing up or anything, just because I don't know if I have the skills to properly train a horse/bring her a along.. but I guess we'll see, lol. For now, we both just need to get back in shape, and get used to each other.

Anyway, I drove away from there GRINNING like an idiot.. I can't even express how excited I am to get to have a horse in my life again.. not MY horse, but one I can see regularly etc. For those few minutes, or couple hours.. everything else in life just goes away, and all is right with the world.

I'm going out again on the weekend.. I'll try to get some pics.. she's really really gorgeous!

Kuma'sMom · 10-23-2009, 10:23 PM

Congratulations! Lucky you, I'm jealous, lol.

CoverTune · 10-24-2009, 10:02 PM

Here are a couple photos of the mare I'm working with, Rain.

Kuma'sMom · 10-24-2009, 10:29 PM

Aww, what a cutie!

Kat_Renee · 10-25-2009, 01:36 PM

Horse person here too! Been riding since i was 10; however when i was in college i couldn't afford it and retired my horse to a lesson horse. I just catch rode (usually slightly crazy horses) for a while (and picked up many bad habits...) and now taking lessons to undo all of my bad habits!

My old horse died May 14, 2009. He was 29 years old. OTTB. My heart horse...
Here are some pictures of my old fart-

I had a huge lower leg problem.. but it's fixed now!

pittsabowawa · 10-25-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoverTune

Here are a couple photos of the mare I'm working with, Rain.

Cute horse!.. Is she called Rain bc she looks exactly like the "Rain" from the Spirit movie?