Questions about equestrian life from a non-equestrian

Well, to be fair "Texas" didn't say that the main storyline is the horsey bit did they? Just that the character rides and spends a lot of time with horses.
Seems harmless. I must admit, before I opened the thread, I did wonder what questions we'd get!
 
LoveAlways said:
Hi all!

Just to introduce myself: I'm a writer, and I'm developing a plot about a girl who rides horses (mostly for fun, not for competition) and in general spends a lot of time around them, too. Unfortunately - although I have been doing a little research - I don't have any kind of background in equestrian life, but I want to make sure that I represent it accurately as I can. :)

So I happened to find this forum, and it looks like a good place to ask questions! I already found some answers by browsing older posts. Thanks in advance for your responses!

So here goes:

How common is it for someone to have a horse (or be around a particular one) from childhood to adulthood?

Have you cried when your horse (or any horse, for that matter) has been put to sleep or has died? If not, were you emotionally moved in some way? And for how long?

Is it common to ride without a helmet while your horse is at a canter or gallop or jumping?

Is it common to ride at night or in low lighting? Any bad experiences with this?



That's all for now, thanks again for your help! :)
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Hi,

Thanks for your post - Whilst I understand the reasons for your questions let me give you a perceptive from a fellow writer and horse lover.

A horse or pony is not just a pet/means of transport/and animal. For me my pony is a mirror to my soul - he picks up on my mood - if i'm unhappy - p'd off he knows and plays up because I should be supporting and leading him. If i'm happy he pricks his ears and wants to work with me. He trusts me and loves me unconditionally - if I have a bad day he nudges me and makes me smile.

I know he'll be ready for the pasture in the sky at some point and cry - oh yes I will - I will grieve beyond measure, he is my family, my friend, my therapy, - not to do so you must have a heart of stone.

I love my pony to bits but to ride him without a hat is stupid - he's a living breathing animal and even a leaf can spook him - perhaps in America it's more accepted but here in UK its rare.

OP - I would suggest spending time at a riding school - have a couple of lessons yourself - get a feel for your subject/spend time with the horses - chat with people there - getting an idea of the sights/sounds/smells yourself would help give you no end if your character's motivation is horses or the loss of one.
 
I'd say that it is reasonably common to own or be around a particular horse from childhood through to adulthood. I've known quite a few people who have kept their first pony / horse (one woman I know had a little pony that lived to be nearly 40). I've had my own horse from me being 15 (I'm 22 now) and he will be with me til the day he dies and where I used to keep him was actually the riding school I learnt to ride at so there were horses and ponies there that I'd known since I was about 8 or 9.

I've not actually cried for any of the horses known to me that were not my own that have passed but I did definitely grieve for them and I expect there to be a fair few tears when my boy eventually goes. Horses are with you for a long time and the relationship you develop is more like a partnership then the typical animal-owner bond that you get with cats and dogs.

In this country wearing a hat is the norm and anyone who doesn't typically gets lynched. A lot of yards insist on you wearing them when riding on the premises and they are compulsory for competitions. That said I do know of maybe two people who don't always and yes one of them does canter sometimes without.

I used to regularly ride in the evening in an arena with lights but would not consider intentionally riding on the road at night. I have ridden in thick, freezing fog before lit up like a christmas tree with hi-viz though. Only incident that really springs to mind is suddenly ending up jumping over the mounting block that I hadn't spotted in the corner of the arena because it was in a shadow.
 
Thanks so much for all your responses! This gives me a much better perspective than I would've gotten from blind Internet searches and the like.

I have ridden horses before and there are a few places with horses and farms and such around where I live. And the idea of living around horses isnt completely foreign to me, but I just haven't spent adequate time around them (and unfortunately dont have much time) to have the proper feel for the real deal. One day, I hope! I enjoy reading this forum and the love for horses that everyone has. It's cool!

Thanks again. :)
 
Oh and to touch on a few things to be clearer about my questions: basically all my questions are based on what I assumed about equestrian life.

I assumed that all these things were true, but knowing that assumptions aren't always correct, I started doing some research. However, from your replies, it looks like I wasn't too far off on the biggest points.

For example, part of the plot revolves around my main character falling into a bit of depression after her horse dies. I assumed it was likely for someone to be depressed after that event but wasn't sure of the extent of that sadness. From what I learned, its fine for my character to be sulking around for longer than a few weeks, even months. And to be inconsolable even with a new horse.

And yes, it is common to see people riding horses here in Texas (well, in the U.S. period) without a helmet -- however it makes me pretty nervous. Haha Always good to get other perspectives though. :)

Also I noticed some of you all said it was more common a few decades ago for people to ride at night or without helmets... My plot takes place 1950s/1960s, so I guess it fits! Great! Hahaha
 
Sleep overs up the field and we used to get on the horses in the middle of the night with just a halter, certainly no hat.. But clearly wouldn't do that now! Although I did love those sleepovers!

Had horses all life. As a baby I was put up on my mums thoroughbred, and then had a Shetland pony as first pony.

Absolute devastation when your pony dies.

Riding properly with a saddle I'd always wear a hat.
 
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