Horse Idiot looking for experience and knowledge.

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Emuk21

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4 May 2008
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Norwich, Norfolk
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Hi,
I wondered if anyone here can help me. I am pretty much a Horse Idiot, I don't have much experience and I don't have any real knowledge of horses and I'm looking to learn through books and hopefully volunteering. I was hopeing someone here could recommend some books(if this is a practical way to gain the knowledge i need) and also if anyone knows of anywhere in East Anglia preferably Norfolk, but also would be willing to move to Suffolk, where I might be able to volunteer 1 day a week for 6-8 hours? I'm willing to do anything required until someone has the time or inclination to show me more, such as grooming, feeding, and maybe at some point the basics of riding(although I am currently in the process of losing the weight necessary to be able to ride).
Any help anyone could give me would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Emily
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hello and welcome. I'm a real beginner too so I can't offer any knowledge but I have learnt loads from coming on this forum. I have lessons and have just started sharing a horse. Maybe you could volunteer at your local stables or put an advert in a tack shop saying that you are keen to help and learn. Good luck
grin.gif
 
Why don't you see if you could volunteer at the ILPH? They are based in Norfolk...

The International
League for the
Protection of Horses
Head Office:
Anne Colvin House, Snetterton
Norfolk, NR16 2LRTel: 01953 498682
 
I have to say in my opinion no amount of reading will come close to giving you the knowledge and experience you get from a hands on situation.

I would definately suggest volunteering at a local stables as I learnt so much just being around horses.

I would also suggest having some lessons with a decent instructor.

Oh and as for books try the BHS Riding Manual or if it's still about the RSPCA guide to horse care.
 
The one book that I still refer to is the good old Pony club manual!!! Covers all the basics properly.

I have an old edition but I am sure there are a few more editions published since then!
You could try ebay for this and similar books. Enjoy your reading!
 
I totally agree with the above - you have to get hands-on experience with horses as no amount of reading will really teach you about handling and caring for them. Its all about doing it.

I think volunteering for the ILPH is a great idea but maybe you could also make a list of local schools and go and talk to them (can't help you with location as I live in Ireland!). I came back to riding as an adult and found I needed to find people to teach me who would give me confidence. I ended up going to smaller, family-run yards.

You could do some reading as well though - the RSPCA Guide is a great basic and the Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship.

Hope it goes well for you - being with horses is the most wonderful thing and I would want to be around them even if I never rode.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes for you.
 
I think you are taking exactly the right route.

Reading is of little use without practical hands on, and there have already been some good suggestions, but I love to read and I would suggest any of the three books (or preferably all) by Henry Blake. I am not sure if they are still in print, I got mine from Ebay. I would suggest starting with Horse Sense. The other two are Talking with Horses and Thinking with Horses.

I enjoy his very non pc, practical style and they are very easy books to read again.
 
Redwings is another option they are in a area close to me and open up during the summer.I am sure they could do with a extra pair of hands
 
Some local Equine colleges or large riding centres offer BHS courses. I think there are 4 levels ranging from 1 which is aimed at total newcomers to the highest one which is more for your experienced beginner who wants practical advice on horse care and management. The college near me (Plumpton) offers these and they are evening/weekend courses. -Perhaps there may be somewhere like this near you.
 
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