FREESTYLER
Well-Known Member
Just got back yesterday afternoon...jetlagged, stuffed from all the food and dreading work tomorrow!!!
I must admit I only had a couple of days to see some horses/ride etc... rest was spent shopping!!
Bargins of course!!!
I was suppose to go out and have a lunge/longe! lesson with someone from the American Dressage Forum, but would you believe it there was bad weather in that area and winds like you have never seen before...
they were telling people NOT to drive... so could not do that......
Went to my friends and rode a lovely old boy who allowed me "to play" and I sat my first "proper" flying change and canter half pass.... I did not want to get off him!! It was such good fun... I think I could do these movements all day!! I cant wait to be able to get Mister to do them!!!
It was 92 degrees though and I must admit I could not ride for long, I do not know how they cope.. also the sand menage was kicking up more dust than Mister makes on a bad day when he wont get his arse in gear!! It was pretty unbearable. Apparently they do suffer quite a bit from Sand Colic... unless you are really rich out there many of the "Ranches" do not have grass in California (well the part I went to anyways) they are in fenced off areas of sand with a shelter(bit like a carport!) although some do have stables with "through lounge!!" that allows them to wander in and out. The flies are awful for the poor horses.... I think ours live in luxury!!
I have come to the conclusion that owning a horse out in the USA is VERY expensive... they have Alfa Hay or a cheaper version, Alfa coming out at about £8 a bale and the cheaper about £6.50! GULP!! To keep you horse on DIY as such (although the Mexicans tend to muck out for you) is around £250 a month, and competing .... well, a class similar to BD will cost you around £30-£40!!Plus you have to pay yearly subs which are way more than BD...works out about £400!! So we should count ourselves lucky I think!! (although they do get wonderful trophies and rossettes!!!)
In my opinion if you want to do Dressage in USA and stable your horse in a half way decent stable, it is very costly...double what we pay......and if you work you only get 1-2 weeks holiday!! I will not moan about UK again....well not for a while anyways!!
I must admit I only had a couple of days to see some horses/ride etc... rest was spent shopping!!
I was suppose to go out and have a lunge/longe! lesson with someone from the American Dressage Forum, but would you believe it there was bad weather in that area and winds like you have never seen before...
Went to my friends and rode a lovely old boy who allowed me "to play" and I sat my first "proper" flying change and canter half pass.... I did not want to get off him!! It was such good fun... I think I could do these movements all day!! I cant wait to be able to get Mister to do them!!!
It was 92 degrees though and I must admit I could not ride for long, I do not know how they cope.. also the sand menage was kicking up more dust than Mister makes on a bad day when he wont get his arse in gear!! It was pretty unbearable. Apparently they do suffer quite a bit from Sand Colic... unless you are really rich out there many of the "Ranches" do not have grass in California (well the part I went to anyways) they are in fenced off areas of sand with a shelter(bit like a carport!) although some do have stables with "through lounge!!" that allows them to wander in and out. The flies are awful for the poor horses.... I think ours live in luxury!!
I have come to the conclusion that owning a horse out in the USA is VERY expensive... they have Alfa Hay or a cheaper version, Alfa coming out at about £8 a bale and the cheaper about £6.50! GULP!! To keep you horse on DIY as such (although the Mexicans tend to muck out for you) is around £250 a month, and competing .... well, a class similar to BD will cost you around £30-£40!!Plus you have to pay yearly subs which are way more than BD...works out about £400!! So we should count ourselves lucky I think!! (although they do get wonderful trophies and rossettes!!!)
In my opinion if you want to do Dressage in USA and stable your horse in a half way decent stable, it is very costly...double what we pay......and if you work you only get 1-2 weeks holiday!! I will not moan about UK again....well not for a while anyways!!
