janet68
Well-Known Member
what a fun post i have loved reading them all (and remembering)
The "good" old days
- Thread starter cptrayes
- Start date
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
70s? pah new age stuff. Now the 60's
Saddles had serge linings and no saddle cloths/numnahs. You cleaned the grease off by scraping with a knife.
You were more scared of the riding instructor than any horse they put you on.
Gymkana games you had the reins under the horses neck so it was quicker to lead in ride and run etc. Musical sacks was vicious and you took your pony to the sack with you, none of this prissy leave the pony with a handler stuff.
Headcollars only available in leather and for the well heeled. Normal people used halters.
Jumping ponies xc bareback in halter (no hat).
The only time you schooled was in your lesson.
Hacks lasted a minimum of 3 hours if it was a quick one. All day with a picnic at weekends.
Horses didn't headshake. If a horse tossed its head it got a clout and stopped doing it.
Kids looked after their own ponies before and after school even if that meant a 2 mile walk to the field each time.
Hacking to shows was normal and there were a lot of them locally. Trailers were for the rich. Dont think I ever saw a horsebox at a show.
If your pony couldn't do something then you taught it too no matter how many times you hit the deck in the process. Getting a different one instead just wasn't an option.
Ending a hack on the same pony you set out on was rare. We all used to swap and ride each others.
Over weight horses just didn't exist.
Life was good.
Saddles had serge linings and no saddle cloths/numnahs. You cleaned the grease off by scraping with a knife.
You were more scared of the riding instructor than any horse they put you on.
Gymkana games you had the reins under the horses neck so it was quicker to lead in ride and run etc. Musical sacks was vicious and you took your pony to the sack with you, none of this prissy leave the pony with a handler stuff.
Headcollars only available in leather and for the well heeled. Normal people used halters.
Jumping ponies xc bareback in halter (no hat).
The only time you schooled was in your lesson.
Hacks lasted a minimum of 3 hours if it was a quick one. All day with a picnic at weekends.
Horses didn't headshake. If a horse tossed its head it got a clout and stopped doing it.
Kids looked after their own ponies before and after school even if that meant a 2 mile walk to the field each time.
Hacking to shows was normal and there were a lot of them locally. Trailers were for the rich. Dont think I ever saw a horsebox at a show.
If your pony couldn't do something then you taught it too no matter how many times you hit the deck in the process. Getting a different one instead just wasn't an option.
Ending a hack on the same pony you set out on was rare. We all used to swap and ride each others.
Over weight horses just didn't exist.
Life was good.
camilla4
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
coloured string nylon girths and matching plaited reins, (mine were red)
plastic covered coloured browbands - i had every colour under the sun.
[/ QUOTE ]
Mine were red too - my poor pony (although he was my first and I really didn't know any better!)
I can remember everything listed - some of the modern advances sure make life easier!
coloured string nylon girths and matching plaited reins, (mine were red)
[/ QUOTE ]
Mine were red too - my poor pony (although he was my first and I really didn't know any better!)
I can remember everything listed - some of the modern advances sure make life easier!
Dovorian
Well-Known Member
What about jute stable rugs, thatched with straw underneath to dry off after hunting.
I can also remember getting my first grown up outfit, cord type cotton breeches and a tweed jacket - for some reason I think it was all Harry Hall stuff and came from their shop in London where I was kitted out.
Jodhpur boots with a strap on the side were common - I think only the old farmer next door wore gaiters....
My first Rice trailer - wow was I proud of it - mega heavy and towed with an ancient landrover in which you had to double the clutch to change gear. You also had to get out to flip over the reversing bar on the trailer and then newer towing vehicle necessitated you to get out of the vehicle to engage the 4wd hub things.
No round bales of hay or straw
Under 16's all hunted in joddy boots in my area and most went to pony club too..
Who had an imported warmblood?
David Broom was a jumping megastar
Black tack didn't feature much - except harness as far as I can remember
Ooh there must be loads more things in my brain.....
I can also remember getting my first grown up outfit, cord type cotton breeches and a tweed jacket - for some reason I think it was all Harry Hall stuff and came from their shop in London where I was kitted out.
Jodhpur boots with a strap on the side were common - I think only the old farmer next door wore gaiters....
My first Rice trailer - wow was I proud of it - mega heavy and towed with an ancient landrover in which you had to double the clutch to change gear. You also had to get out to flip over the reversing bar on the trailer and then newer towing vehicle necessitated you to get out of the vehicle to engage the 4wd hub things.
No round bales of hay or straw
Under 16's all hunted in joddy boots in my area and most went to pony club too..
Who had an imported warmblood?
David Broom was a jumping megastar
Black tack didn't feature much - except harness as far as I can remember
Ooh there must be loads more things in my brain.....
ester
Not slacking multitasking
this threads always make me giggle because a lot of it really isnt that old because I am not that old!
We still have a trotting race at one of our shows (normally won by a welshie!) and the shows are only just stopping running gymkhana games, the Pc shows still run them but at other shows been large lack of support so they arent worth running. And barrell jumping still goes on!
All of 8 years ago most of the RS ponies had NZ rugs if at all. so very used to them, and most had plain leather reins with knots in if it rained.
We still have a trotting race at one of our shows (normally won by a welshie!) and the shows are only just stopping running gymkhana games, the Pc shows still run them but at other shows been large lack of support so they arent worth running. And barrell jumping still goes on!
All of 8 years ago most of the RS ponies had NZ rugs if at all. so very used to them, and most had plain leather reins with knots in if it rained.
camilla4
Well-Known Member
Haven't read the entire thread, so apologies if someone has already mentioned this - does anyone remember "Jacatex" - you always used to get a leaflet/catalogue in horsey magazines!!
finkle
Well-Known Member
Love this thread..I use to ride my friends ponies years ago and we always laugh about what we did.
Hacking to shows, miles away and wondering why we couldnt get over the first jump when we got there. Wondering why we never got over any jumps, when in hindsight we just sat there and pointed the pony and never used any leg at all!
Swimming in the local resevoir on horseback and never even thinking that there may be any danger.
Cantering on every grass verge and jumping every drain.
Skiving school to walk two miles every lunchtime to her house to ride.
That her mum use to feed them two FULL feed buckets daily and they were about 12.2. The one I use to ride,bless him, only died a couple of years ago and must of been about 40. What a pony and what memories. They never sold either of them and spent there lives with that one family even after mum passed away.
Happy happy days....
Hacking to shows, miles away and wondering why we couldnt get over the first jump when we got there. Wondering why we never got over any jumps, when in hindsight we just sat there and pointed the pony and never used any leg at all!
Swimming in the local resevoir on horseback and never even thinking that there may be any danger.
Cantering on every grass verge and jumping every drain.
Skiving school to walk two miles every lunchtime to her house to ride.
That her mum use to feed them two FULL feed buckets daily and they were about 12.2. The one I use to ride,bless him, only died a couple of years ago and must of been about 40. What a pony and what memories. They never sold either of them and spent there lives with that one family even after mum passed away.
Happy happy days....
hackedoff
Well-Known Member
I used to wait every week for the Bunty because the best editions had a free 'newsletter' from I think Lavenham which was the pre runner of mail order catalogues like robinsons.
I used to dream of having my own horse and buying it the newwly introduced quited night rugs, a good wool summer sheet and a canvas nz. I lusted after a nice white riding mack and the bat wing jods!
I remember big horses on livery at the riding school being roughed off with quarter tips. Also feed bins were full of unmollased starights and I too dont remember many laminitics, but I do remember that most ponys and horses were past it at 18 and many were put down when retired even if fit supposedly as an act of kindness.
Every one was taught to grip with the knees I suspect because saddles were pancake flat and didnt have knee rolls!
I remember that no one could even give away coloured ponys and horses as they were for gipsys, warmbloods were all carriage horses and every one wanted to compete on a blood horse! Native ponys were rare, I think the first show I went to as a young teenager was the royal ag and I saw Aston Sperstar and I think Lannarth Flying Commet win in tiny classes - now welsh cobs and ponys classes are massive.
I used to walk the 7 miles on my own accross the local park to the local riding school on my own and often in the dark to ride and would spend hours and hours at weekends grooming and mucking out in the hope of a free ride.
Its a bit of a shocker now seeing the kids on the yard ferried back and forth by mums taxi and expecting the same none horsey mum to muck out for them whilst the kids get their nails done etc!
I used to dream of having my own horse and buying it the newwly introduced quited night rugs, a good wool summer sheet and a canvas nz. I lusted after a nice white riding mack and the bat wing jods!
I remember big horses on livery at the riding school being roughed off with quarter tips. Also feed bins were full of unmollased starights and I too dont remember many laminitics, but I do remember that most ponys and horses were past it at 18 and many were put down when retired even if fit supposedly as an act of kindness.
Every one was taught to grip with the knees I suspect because saddles were pancake flat and didnt have knee rolls!
I remember that no one could even give away coloured ponys and horses as they were for gipsys, warmbloods were all carriage horses and every one wanted to compete on a blood horse! Native ponys were rare, I think the first show I went to as a young teenager was the royal ag and I saw Aston Sperstar and I think Lannarth Flying Commet win in tiny classes - now welsh cobs and ponys classes are massive.
I used to walk the 7 miles on my own accross the local park to the local riding school on my own and often in the dark to ride and would spend hours and hours at weekends grooming and mucking out in the hope of a free ride.
Its a bit of a shocker now seeing the kids on the yard ferried back and forth by mums taxi and expecting the same none horsey mum to muck out for them whilst the kids get their nails done etc!
finkle
Well-Known Member
Oh and being envious of anyone who had a horse that jogged and pulled whilst out hacking as ours didnt.
HOLCHE
Well-Known Member
I've loved reading this thread.
I can remember -
the only hoof treatment was stockholm tar
wearing jodphur clips
I can remember -
the only hoof treatment was stockholm tar
wearing jodphur clips
hackedoff
Well-Known Member
Also long forgotten precepts
' hand and heart held high, heels and hands held down'
' a good rider never blames the pony'
'throw your heart over and the rest will follow' (often without the pony though!;-0)
'never give a hot thirsty horse water' (stopped beliving that when I did endurance!)
Oh no just remembered the introduction of web tack! Everyone at teh satble went out and bought their favourite pony matching birdle, numnah, martingale (even if not needed) etc and felt so proud!
' hand and heart held high, heels and hands held down'
' a good rider never blames the pony'
'throw your heart over and the rest will follow' (often without the pony though!;-0)
'never give a hot thirsty horse water' (stopped beliving that when I did endurance!)
Oh no just remembered the introduction of web tack! Everyone at teh satble went out and bought their favourite pony matching birdle, numnah, martingale (even if not needed) etc and felt so proud!
dixie
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Until 20 years ago, turnout rugs were made of canvas and waterproofed with wax. They weighed an absolute ton when muddy, rubbed horses badly, were disgusting to handle and took for-ev-ver to dry. Cross surcingles and leg straps were wonderful new innovations!
[/ QUOTE ]
They're still using those here in NZ
!!! they do have legstraps now though & are lighter than I remember. The saddlers seem to sell the modern rugs but 99% of the horses I see around Christchurch still wear canvas!
Until 20 years ago, turnout rugs were made of canvas and waterproofed with wax. They weighed an absolute ton when muddy, rubbed horses badly, were disgusting to handle and took for-ev-ver to dry. Cross surcingles and leg straps were wonderful new innovations!
[/ QUOTE ]
They're still using those here in NZ
finkle
Well-Known Member
Do you remember the Win a pony competition..Oh how I dreamed..I remember him being an Araby type chestnut gelding and staring at the pictures in the mag.
Grazing being a £1.00 a week and then finding one that was £4.00 and mum going on about the price.
My Uncle visiting and giving me a bit that he got from a racehorse owner. That was thirty years ago and I still remember that horses name..Silver Nickel. That snaffle bit was my pride and joy.
Grazing being a £1.00 a week and then finding one that was £4.00 and mum going on about the price.
My Uncle visiting and giving me a bit that he got from a racehorse owner. That was thirty years ago and I still remember that horses name..Silver Nickel. That snaffle bit was my pride and joy.
cronkmooar
Well-Known Member
Does anyone remember when WH Smith did a competion and you could win one of 5 ponies?? This was in the 70's
I really wanted one of them - didn't win though - wonder who did?
I really wanted one of them - didn't win though - wonder who did?
finkle
Well-Known Member
Yes just googled it and it all comes flooding back.
One question.....'I would like to win my own pony because.........'
How many dreams were pinned on that one question LOL...just goes to show how badly we wanted horses in those days and how hard we had to work to even get to ride one. Wish it was still like this...kids today just have no idea do they.
One question.....'I would like to win my own pony because.........'
How many dreams were pinned on that one question LOL...just goes to show how badly we wanted horses in those days and how hard we had to work to even get to ride one. Wish it was still like this...kids today just have no idea do they.
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Wish it was still like this...kids today just have no idea do they.
[/ QUOTE ]
No they dont. As I said to my OH the other day whilst moaning about our daughters lack of commitment (probably unfairly)....."its all just too dam easy for her."
What I would have given for a fantasic pony, horsebox, parents who fully support ambitions and never moan about the cost.
As the saying goes they dont know they're born.
Wish it was still like this...kids today just have no idea do they.
[/ QUOTE ]
No they dont. As I said to my OH the other day whilst moaning about our daughters lack of commitment (probably unfairly)....."its all just too dam easy for her."
What I would have given for a fantasic pony, horsebox, parents who fully support ambitions and never moan about the cost.
As the saying goes they dont know they're born.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
many kids do have an idea! They dont all get ponies.
I am only just on my first pony (at 26) and spent many an hour working and hoping for a ride in my teens. At the time I had friends who I maintain didnt know they were born but I dont think its a generational thing.
I am only just on my first pony (at 26) and spent many an hour working and hoping for a ride in my teens. At the time I had friends who I maintain didnt know they were born but I dont think its a generational thing.
Goya
Well-Known Member
OMG. I am really ancient. I remember all of this.
One memory which came flooding back was that i broke in a 16.2 3 year old chestnut mare and the only facilities I had was a 5 acre field. I seem to remember using poles to "fence" a corner off.
My previous experience was of a 13.2 "first" pony.
That mare evented and show jumped when Novice was the "entry" level for eventing and Newcomers was the first level for BSJA.
Also we had to enter BSJA classes months in advance or you didn't get in.
And you always won prize money even for gymkhana games.
ETS. And I paid £150 for the mare and £75 for my first pony.
One memory which came flooding back was that i broke in a 16.2 3 year old chestnut mare and the only facilities I had was a 5 acre field. I seem to remember using poles to "fence" a corner off.
My previous experience was of a 13.2 "first" pony.
That mare evented and show jumped when Novice was the "entry" level for eventing and Newcomers was the first level for BSJA.
Also we had to enter BSJA classes months in advance or you didn't get in.
And you always won prize money even for gymkhana games.
ETS. And I paid £150 for the mare and £75 for my first pony.
Kat
Well-Known Member
ahhhhh those were the days........
when I cried because lessons went up to £2.50 an hour and my parents said if they went up to £3 I'd have to give up.
when everything was bought with growing room and worn to death. I remember having a wax jacket down to my knees to last me....... the rubber boots I had for christmas (we had to wait for christmas for new kit) when I was about 11 still fit me..... the lining is full of holes but they are still waterproof.
when jods didn't stretch much and would be dead tight after washing, when they started getting a bit small my mum used to help me get them on and she'd hold the waist band and pull often lifting me off my feet. I needed someone to pull them back off too, same as my boots.
when you wore a hairnet all the time.
when navy blue wax jackets and hunter wellies first came out - a navy barbour and hunters was the height of sophistication.
String gloves that shrank when you washed them.
being the first at our RS to have a skull cap because my mum was unhorsey and terrified - I got a velvet cover because I was embarrassed!
riding bareback for an hour to get to the winter grazing after lessons finished, but at least the NZ rug gave you a bit of padding! Riding back in the back of the YOs horse box.
Going to the saw mill to collect savings, free if we collected them and trasported them ourselves. Digging them up without masks or gloves and being rewarded with a bag of chips in the back of the lorry on the way home.
Working all day at the RS in the cold and rain aged 10 for the chance of a ride to the field at the end of the day. Eating pack up in the hay and warming hands and feet in the much heap.
Ponies were all hairy round natives, that were as strong as an ox and as cunning as a fox. No fine boned show pony types back then.
Building jumps from sticks in the woods. Jumping anything we could find and holding back for a canter on the verge when hacking out.
Riding schools really aren't such fun anymore - although I did do chase me charlie about three years ago in a lesson!
when I cried because lessons went up to £2.50 an hour and my parents said if they went up to £3 I'd have to give up.
when everything was bought with growing room and worn to death. I remember having a wax jacket down to my knees to last me....... the rubber boots I had for christmas (we had to wait for christmas for new kit) when I was about 11 still fit me..... the lining is full of holes but they are still waterproof.
when jods didn't stretch much and would be dead tight after washing, when they started getting a bit small my mum used to help me get them on and she'd hold the waist band and pull often lifting me off my feet. I needed someone to pull them back off too, same as my boots.
when you wore a hairnet all the time.
when navy blue wax jackets and hunter wellies first came out - a navy barbour and hunters was the height of sophistication.
String gloves that shrank when you washed them.
being the first at our RS to have a skull cap because my mum was unhorsey and terrified - I got a velvet cover because I was embarrassed!
riding bareback for an hour to get to the winter grazing after lessons finished, but at least the NZ rug gave you a bit of padding! Riding back in the back of the YOs horse box.
Going to the saw mill to collect savings, free if we collected them and trasported them ourselves. Digging them up without masks or gloves and being rewarded with a bag of chips in the back of the lorry on the way home.
Working all day at the RS in the cold and rain aged 10 for the chance of a ride to the field at the end of the day. Eating pack up in the hay and warming hands and feet in the much heap.
Ponies were all hairy round natives, that were as strong as an ox and as cunning as a fox. No fine boned show pony types back then.
Building jumps from sticks in the woods. Jumping anything we could find and holding back for a canter on the verge when hacking out.
Riding schools really aren't such fun anymore - although I did do chase me charlie about three years ago in a lesson!
Kat
Well-Known Member
Oh and cavellti!!!
Our RS didn't have any we had poles resting on barrels or crates but the posh livery yard we hacked past did, all lined up in a grid, I thought it looked amazing!!!!
Later learned what a death trap they were though......
Our RS didn't have any we had poles resting on barrels or crates but the posh livery yard we hacked past did, all lined up in a grid, I thought it looked amazing!!!!
Later learned what a death trap they were though......
camilla4
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
ahhhhh those were the days........
String gloves that shrank when you washed them.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah yes - those very yellow ones?!!! I used to have a new pair in my Christmas stocking every year - they always turned a very dingy shade after a few washes, as well as shrinking horribly...
ahhhhh those were the days........
String gloves that shrank when you washed them.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah yes - those very yellow ones?!!! I used to have a new pair in my Christmas stocking every year - they always turned a very dingy shade after a few washes, as well as shrinking horribly...
Mike007
Well-Known Member
The one thing I would never want to return to ,is the veterinary facilities of 40 years ago.
PeterNatt
Well-Known Member
Hacking 2 -3 hours to a show or to the hunt and the same back.
Very rarely seeing a horse that was over 12 years old.
Hacking down a main road on a Sunday morning and not seeing a single car.
Hacking on the roads in the pitch black with only stirrup lights on.
Cantering on the roads.
Feeding bran mashes once a week.
Very rarely seeing a horse that was over 12 years old.
Hacking down a main road on a Sunday morning and not seeing a single car.
Hacking on the roads in the pitch black with only stirrup lights on.
Cantering on the roads.
Feeding bran mashes once a week.
NELSON11
Well-Known Member
Tying up the horses at the local pub for 1/2 lager and lime.
Galloping accross farmers fields without getting caught,
cooking linseed and barley on the stove every night.
We also had to make our own chaff with a machine like something out of the ark.
Yes those horrible leather brushing boots with 5 straps.
Builiding fences up the bridlepaths out of anything we coud find and jumping anything especially bareback.
My first bag of mix when it came out at £2.50 after feeding straights for years. So exciting
Old vet books detailing bran poultices and so much brown paper was used with potions that would make witches proud.
Hacking three hours to my forge and then thinking how amazing it was when the blacksmith became mobile.
Still have some old jute rugs and those nasty canvas turnouts with self rightings although were very strong.
Cantering on the verges and jumping ditches on the roadside.
Trotting for miles on the roads
Those were the days. Wish I could go back 25 years.
Galloping accross farmers fields without getting caught,
cooking linseed and barley on the stove every night.
We also had to make our own chaff with a machine like something out of the ark.
Yes those horrible leather brushing boots with 5 straps.
Builiding fences up the bridlepaths out of anything we coud find and jumping anything especially bareback.
My first bag of mix when it came out at £2.50 after feeding straights for years. So exciting
Old vet books detailing bran poultices and so much brown paper was used with potions that would make witches proud.
Hacking three hours to my forge and then thinking how amazing it was when the blacksmith became mobile.
Still have some old jute rugs and those nasty canvas turnouts with self rightings although were very strong.
Cantering on the verges and jumping ditches on the roadside.
Trotting for miles on the roads
Those were the days. Wish I could go back 25 years.
wysiwyg
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
The one thing I would never want to return to ,is the veterinary facilities of 40 years ago.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agreed...
The one thing I would never want to return to ,is the veterinary facilities of 40 years ago.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agreed...
Enfys
Well-Known Member
Do you remember when Horse magazines actually used to have PAPER pages and line drawings, not the glossy productions of today?
My Mother used to collect us from the village school, riding a 12.2 pony, leading another and we'd just double up, bareback, satchels slung across our chests, no hats and trot off home, or maybe detour for tea to friends houses and leave the ponies tied to a garden gate for an hour. I had friends who would ride to school (this was East Devon btw) and their ponies would spend the day in a farmers orchard next door.
We used to get sent out to pick sackloads of cow parsley and herbage from hedgerows, or just sit on a haltered pony for half an hour so it could help itself. My pony lived and worked at a local Country Park, I had to book him if I wanted to go anywhere in summer, and I worked there too, leading pony rides around a field from about age 9! H&S - what was that?
I have a photo somewhere of me at my first PC camp, I am not going to look for it though! I was sent off to Exmoor with the seniors (1973 ish, so about 9) wearing batwing jodhpurs, sensible school shoes and my school mac (completely useless in the rain of course) Highland pony had a mane 18" long (until the big girls pulled it to 4") yellow plaited reins and matching string girth. I don't recall whether I enjoyed myself or not, but I did camp every year until I was 17, and then returned to teach (a lot of us did) so it can't have been that bad.
Summers always seemed sunny too.
My Mother used to collect us from the village school, riding a 12.2 pony, leading another and we'd just double up, bareback, satchels slung across our chests, no hats and trot off home, or maybe detour for tea to friends houses and leave the ponies tied to a garden gate for an hour. I had friends who would ride to school (this was East Devon btw) and their ponies would spend the day in a farmers orchard next door.
We used to get sent out to pick sackloads of cow parsley and herbage from hedgerows, or just sit on a haltered pony for half an hour so it could help itself. My pony lived and worked at a local Country Park, I had to book him if I wanted to go anywhere in summer, and I worked there too, leading pony rides around a field from about age 9! H&S - what was that?
I have a photo somewhere of me at my first PC camp, I am not going to look for it though! I was sent off to Exmoor with the seniors (1973 ish, so about 9) wearing batwing jodhpurs, sensible school shoes and my school mac (completely useless in the rain of course) Highland pony had a mane 18" long (until the big girls pulled it to 4") yellow plaited reins and matching string girth. I don't recall whether I enjoyed myself or not, but I did camp every year until I was 17, and then returned to teach (a lot of us did) so it can't have been that bad.
Summers always seemed sunny too.
Chunkie
Well-Known Member
I can remember the farrier putting his price for a new set up from £3 to £4 and Dad telling me we couldn't afford it and the pony would have to go (it didn't!).
All the horses on the yard, from the brood mares, youngstock to the hunters, hacks and gymkhana ponies and the reitred ponies were ALL fed the same - a mixture of sugar beet, oats and bran.
I would think nothing of hacking up to 7 or 8 miles to a meet, hunting all day and hacking home again in the dark.
Riding up the A5 without even thinking about it.
Horse insurance, dentist, saddler, 'flu vaccinations, back person - never heard of such things, and as for riding lessons - I was 31 before I ever had a lesson!
Saddles with serge underneath - God, they were a b**gg3r to clean!
Riding in pelhams without people protesting about how cruel they were.
String girths, plaited nylon reins (you needed them for gymkhanas though).
Riding in jeans - only "posh" people hacked in joddies in those days - we had to save ours for the shows, where we almost never wore jackets - most people didn't actually have a jacket anyway, and we only had them because we hunted.
Our ponies were always clipped because of the hunting, and I can remember that mine had an eiderdown under his jute - it was sewn together at the front so I used to slip it on over his head.
Yes, I would love to go back - as long as I could take a couple of Weatherbeeta Landas with me.................
All the horses on the yard, from the brood mares, youngstock to the hunters, hacks and gymkhana ponies and the reitred ponies were ALL fed the same - a mixture of sugar beet, oats and bran.
I would think nothing of hacking up to 7 or 8 miles to a meet, hunting all day and hacking home again in the dark.
Riding up the A5 without even thinking about it.
Horse insurance, dentist, saddler, 'flu vaccinations, back person - never heard of such things, and as for riding lessons - I was 31 before I ever had a lesson!
Saddles with serge underneath - God, they were a b**gg3r to clean!
Riding in pelhams without people protesting about how cruel they were.
String girths, plaited nylon reins (you needed them for gymkhanas though).
Riding in jeans - only "posh" people hacked in joddies in those days - we had to save ours for the shows, where we almost never wore jackets - most people didn't actually have a jacket anyway, and we only had them because we hunted.
Our ponies were always clipped because of the hunting, and I can remember that mine had an eiderdown under his jute - it was sewn together at the front so I used to slip it on over his head.
Yes, I would love to go back - as long as I could take a couple of Weatherbeeta Landas with me.................
cptrayes
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I must be ancient, I remember all this stuff
Biggest change is, IT USED TO BE FUN
I feel sorry for the kids these days
[/ QUOTE ]
Oy! Watch who you're calling ancient
I must be ancient, I remember all this stuff
Biggest change is, IT USED TO BE FUN
I feel sorry for the kids these days
[/ QUOTE ]
Oy! Watch who you're calling ancient
cptrayes
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Do you remember the Win a pony competition..Oh how I dreamed..I remember him being an Araby type chestnut gelding and staring at the pictures in the mag.
Grazing being a £1.00 a week and then finding one that was £4.00 and mum going on about the price.
My Uncle visiting and giving me a bit that he got from a racehorse owner. That was thirty years ago and I still remember that horses name..Silver Nickel. That snaffle bit was my pride and joy.
[/ QUOTE ]
Do you remember that they killed that pony? I followed his progress month after month and then one day they reported that they had transported him in a trailer with a rotten floor and he put his foot through and severed his leg at the hock. I still haven't quite got over my disgust.
Agree about the vets. Equine only vets were unheard of. You just got the guy who spent most of his time injecting cats and dogs and really didn't have much of a clue about how to treat a horse.
Do you remember the Win a pony competition..Oh how I dreamed..I remember him being an Araby type chestnut gelding and staring at the pictures in the mag.
Grazing being a £1.00 a week and then finding one that was £4.00 and mum going on about the price.
My Uncle visiting and giving me a bit that he got from a racehorse owner. That was thirty years ago and I still remember that horses name..Silver Nickel. That snaffle bit was my pride and joy.
[/ QUOTE ]
Do you remember that they killed that pony? I followed his progress month after month and then one day they reported that they had transported him in a trailer with a rotten floor and he put his foot through and severed his leg at the hock. I still haven't quite got over my disgust.
Agree about the vets. Equine only vets were unheard of. You just got the guy who spent most of his time injecting cats and dogs and really didn't have much of a clue about how to treat a horse.
Spudlet
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
The only tack shops i knew of were Lenord Neasham - really posh gents and ladies shop - and Barretts of Feckenham.
[/ QUOTE ]
Barrets of Feckenham - my first riding kit came from there! Skull cap and velvet silk, aforementioned long rubber boots and 100% nylon jods with virtually no stretch in them at all, good job I was a string bean back then cos the slightest hint of a curve would have scuppered any attempt to get into them
The only tack shops i knew of were Lenord Neasham - really posh gents and ladies shop - and Barretts of Feckenham.
[/ QUOTE ]
Barrets of Feckenham - my first riding kit came from there! Skull cap and velvet silk, aforementioned long rubber boots and 100% nylon jods with virtually no stretch in them at all, good job I was a string bean back then cos the slightest hint of a curve would have scuppered any attempt to get into them