RoobyDoobs
Well-Known Member
As a newbie to the site, I wanted to tell you all what an absolute pleasure it is to find a forum full of experienced horsey people who are willing to offer helpful advice to each other! Especially the regulars who seem happy to help with constructive, non-judgemental advice.
After supporting my daughter with riding lessons and pony camp etc for many years, I decided to take the plunge 3 years ago and have a go myself. I have always loved horses, but never had the cash as a single parent to do anything for myself. During that 3 years, I have come across all manner of allegedly friendly, helpful people who in hindsight gave me bad and misguided advice. Whats even worse, I think, was that if they werent offering advice they were sniggering behind my back watching me struggle. Its been such a roller coaster ride, where one moment I was deliriously happy with the horse I was sold (yes, I was taken for a ride big time and didnt understand how poor she was when I bought her), to being wrist slittingly depressed when I had to accept that after 12 months of good feed and grazing, she became far too much for me to handle and I had to part with her.
On the bright side, I have learnt a whole lot, and after 3 years of lots of expense, many lousy riding lessons, and several horse experiences, I am settled on a lovely yard ( 1 year now) with lovely YO & employees who are always happy and willing to help, with a beautiful horse who is absolutely perfect for me. I also have a great instructor now who listens to me and understands what I need. Im really looking forward to next year, when some lovely friends and I will be riding the Jack Mitton Way, and will be taking the horses off to the Cotswolds and various other places for hols. Cant wait!!!
I guess my point is that I really wish I had discovered the forum a long time ago..... there were times when it would have been absolutely invaluable to me!
After supporting my daughter with riding lessons and pony camp etc for many years, I decided to take the plunge 3 years ago and have a go myself. I have always loved horses, but never had the cash as a single parent to do anything for myself. During that 3 years, I have come across all manner of allegedly friendly, helpful people who in hindsight gave me bad and misguided advice. Whats even worse, I think, was that if they werent offering advice they were sniggering behind my back watching me struggle. Its been such a roller coaster ride, where one moment I was deliriously happy with the horse I was sold (yes, I was taken for a ride big time and didnt understand how poor she was when I bought her), to being wrist slittingly depressed when I had to accept that after 12 months of good feed and grazing, she became far too much for me to handle and I had to part with her.
On the bright side, I have learnt a whole lot, and after 3 years of lots of expense, many lousy riding lessons, and several horse experiences, I am settled on a lovely yard ( 1 year now) with lovely YO & employees who are always happy and willing to help, with a beautiful horse who is absolutely perfect for me. I also have a great instructor now who listens to me and understands what I need. Im really looking forward to next year, when some lovely friends and I will be riding the Jack Mitton Way, and will be taking the horses off to the Cotswolds and various other places for hols. Cant wait!!!
I guess my point is that I really wish I had discovered the forum a long time ago..... there were times when it would have been absolutely invaluable to me!