Expect lots of stupid questions!

OldNag

OldNag

Wasting my time successfully....
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23 July 2011
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I'm new to this forum - have been lurking and reading and finding it incredibly useful.

I used to ride as a child and a teen - lived in London so never had one of my own but was one of those kids who lurked at the riding school all weekend, and all through my teen years I used to do a paperround to afford my weekly lesson.

Then had a long gap from riding, really got back into it about 9 yrs ago when I'd moved out of London, and then fell pregnant so stopped.

However, have managed to inject my kids with the horse-mad gene and they have been riding for the last few months and are absolutely loving it. And I've got back in the saddle too. Heart totally over-ruling head, I've been looking for part livery and have found some - and am now looking for a pony for the kids. (which I may also have found). And once I've got them sorted and in a routine I'll start looking for something for me... but I'll get them sorted out first.

There is so much that's changed during the last 20 odd years and lots of terminology I don't recognise. But things I'd long forgotten are gradually coming back.

I'm sure I'll be asking lots of stupid quetsions as time goes on, so apologies in advance. Promise, I'm not a troll :D
 
Hi there,

Same story here really! Moved to Wales and found 2 lovely horses to ride after a 15 years gap. Both my kids just started riding and we have found a lovely little pony for them to care for.

Lots has changed and it doesn't really help that I am originally from Germany and everything "horsey" is like learning new vocabularies ;)

Looking forward to your questions as I am sure they'll help me too.
 
I'm just back after 3 years of university/getting a job. Have a 4 yr old cob mare now. Full of exciting challenges! :D

I know 3 years doesn't sound like a long time, but it takes a while to get back into the swing of it. I've mostly had great support from horsey people and friends, but as always there are the occasional bunch of 'push-button pony/my saddle is better than yours' fokes. That's quite new to me. But it doesn't bother me at all, especially when my horse walks calmly through the same gate twice, while they're having a battle of wills with 500kgs of fur and can't find the right button :D:D:D
 
The main secret is simple.....it's called commonsense.

Which you appear to have a great deal of already.:)

Horse keeping isn't, or doesn't have to be, rocket science, and there's nothing wrong in asking questions, and in my book it is more stupid not to ask if you are not sure.

Good Luck, enjoy your horses:)
 
I got back into horses after about a 20 year gap, and I so relate to the terminology thing!
As Enfys says, commonsense is the main thing to keep hold of, horses haven't changed shape or grown extra limbs. There is so much choice now though--bedding, well 'in my day' there was straw, or well, straw, but now where to start. I fed my pony hay and some pony nuts, but now there's hay, haylage and the most huge range of feeds and it can be intimidating.
Ask questions, listen to the answers with a pinch of salt and a dollop of common sense and you'll be fine!
Have fun. :D
 
Thanks All.

I can relate to the feed thing. In my late teens I worked at a yard in London and all the horses were ever fed was hay, nuts, (oats for some) and a bran mash once a week. Some of the stuff I've seen mentioned, I haven't a clue!

Things really have changed ... when I first started riding some 35 years ago jodhpurs came in beige or beige (I'm sure they must had white show ones too?) - when I see what my kids are wearing, I'd have given my eye teeth for blue jodhpurs with pink ponies on them like my 6 yr old has!

Thankfully where I'll be liveried, the yard owner is fantastic and there are lots of other knowledgeable people around so hopefully we won't go too far wrong.
 
Welcome and welcome back to riding! One of the huge differences now is choice! You can spend a fortune on the latest clothing trends, match-matcy, a huge rug wardrobe...the possibilities are endless!! :)
 
pennybun said:
I got back into horses after about a 20 year gap, and I so relate to the terminology thing!
As Enfys says, commonsense is the main thing to keep hold of, horses haven't changed shape or grown extra limbs. There is so much choice now though--bedding, well 'in my day' there was straw, or well, straw, but now where to start. I fed my pony hay and some pony nuts, but now there's hay, haylage and the most huge range of feeds and it can be intimidating.
Ask questions, listen to the answers with a pinch of salt and a dollop of common sense and you'll be fine!
Have fun. :D
Click to expand...

Firstly, welcome OldNag!! :)

I think you'll find I'm the biggest idiot in the village so don't worry about asking stoooopid questions :):):)

Ref to pennybun's and Enfys' post, it's so true! There is an absolute myriad of bedding, feed, supplements etc etc and it's mindboggling. So I echo the commonsense sentiments and the KISS rule.

K -eep
I - t
S - imple
S - tupid

Although I sometimes manage Keep It Simply Stupid :D:D:D
 
Welcome :D

You're like a lot of us on here :D. Horse mad, then Life got in the way, so came back to it later when children are young.

I did the same. Short story: bought D1 a pony; six or so months later, bought D2 a pony; six or so months later, bought me a horse :D:D

Now we have four neds, and are contemplating a fifth... :eek::rolleyes::cool::D:D:D

You have been warned! :D
 
Five horses :eek:

No chance! Think my hubby would leave. He's really not impressed about one pony... not sure how I'll sneak number 2 in .. and three would be out of the question! (And the yard I've found is not cheap - but it is absolutely wonderful).

I've already decided that whatever I get for me is going to have to be something that my girls can ride too as time goes on, so that we can manage on just the two.

Mmm wonder if I could use roller skates... Thelwell style?
 
OldNag said:
I've already decided that whatever I get for me is going to have to be something that my girls can ride too as time goes on, so that we can manage on just the two.

Mmm wonder if I could use roller skates... Thelwell style?
Click to expand...

Where I live children start on Quarter Horses!
 
Ah well if I start them on a 15 hander that could solve my new dilemma...

Went to see a pony this afternoon - really lovely Welsh A, schoolmistress but not a plod... saw her ridden, then my kids had a go on lead rein. Nice pony to handle etc. Going back on Tues as seller (who is also the livery yard owner and is an instructor) wants to see my older one ride her off the lead rein and make sure she's going to be OK on her off lead. Which is fair enough and sounds very sensible - and gives me time to sort out vetting etc.

Dilemma is though that I was admiring a horse being groomed, nice sort, about 15hh. Turns out she's for sale... mmm very tempting. That wasn't quite in my plan. But I haven't even seen her ridden or sat on her yet so I'm jumping the gun. Tempted though!

Will report back on Tuesday ...
 
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