Recent content by erminex

Riding school horses probably aren't going to be the greatest ambassadors for their respective breeds, but I have found that I don't get on with natives at all. I find them very frustrating to ride. Nothing under 16hh either- partly because I sit a bigger horses movements better, partly because...

I do weightlifting mainly. I do some pilates at home and force myself to do cardio an hour a week. Weightlifting has done miracles for my posture. My lower back especially no longer gives me any grief at all when riding. Heavy lifting stimulates bone density, so if I do come off, I'm slightly...

The choppy strides is just my experience- I've ridden one pony who did indeed have the most comfortable strides, like sitting in an armchair, although he was small enough for my feet to dangle below his belly which I personally find uncomfortable. Sorry for the generalisation- I know there are...

I'm 5'4 and have difficulty getting on 13hh ponies from the ground. I feel great pity for any pony who has been assigned to me for a lesson as I usually end up with one foot in the stirrup repeatedly making hopeful leaps. If given a choice I always use a mounting block. The biggest horse I'd...

Doing sitting trot without stirrups is great for developing a good position and not bracing against the irons (this is how I was managing to lose my stirrups- I had this misconceived notion that the stirrups were helping me stay secure :P). It quickly teaches you to sit straight with your weight...

I'm still very much a novice but have a somewhat similar issue- I'm okay with a forwards going schoolmaster even if it's a little strong and occasionally plays silly, but really struggle on a ploddish schoolmaster. Consequently the two riding schools I use have very different opinions on my...

It's a bit silly and borderline dangerous to embellish or outright lie about your abilities when booking a lesson or hack. But I can also see how some people may just not realise how low/limited their riding ability is, or may get confused between what counts as being a beginner or an...

I'm 5ft3 on a good day with fairly long legs and typically ride 12-14hh hairy ponies and gypsy cobs as that's what most riding centres give me. I prefer taller horses as I don't like the sensation of my feet dangling below the ponies/horses belly- the riding centre back home gives me a 15hh and...

KHippo- Bloods are absolute dolls if you handle them from babies, or buy an adult that's known to be docile. I've had mine for a couple years now and I'm yet to see any semblance of aggression. If she's had enough of handling she'll start trying to burrow in to things but has never hissed or...

Technically speaking Lady -used- to belong to us, until she took exception to the dog and thus moved in with the neighbour. She can still be spotted outside on a nice day, expecting you to throw her ham over the fence. She was quite ill recently (her age is starting to show :<) so she lived in...

I have a black blood python :) Reptiles are amazing, but snakes in particular occupy a special place in my heart. Once I move out of the parents house I'll be able to expand, but for the moment it's just the one.