Things every horse owner/rider should do at least once?

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Lurky McLurker

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What would be your list? Mine would definitely include gymkhana games - having missed out on it all as a pony-less child, I take every opportunity I can to have a bit of fun! Who cares if an adult on a 15.1hh cob looks a bit out of place amongst the seven year olds on their Thelwell ponies? :p I think riding on the beach would probably be on the list too, although I haven't had a chance to try that one yet. So what's on yours? (I'll be taking notes, I want some ideas for fun things to try!)
 
beach ride definitely.

First time i took my boy, just me and him, and it was just lovely seeing his reaction to the water and the new surroundings. But i'd love to go again with a friend to go gallopy-gallopy... :D
 
Definitley beach ride and the pony games which I have done, since I too missed out on the pony club stuff. YO held a mini Gymkhana for all the liveries. Theres nothing better than beating a six year old to a bucket in the musical ride or watching someone on a 17.1 trying to get back on in a hurry during the stepping race or watching the six year old walk the handy pony/horse because everyones horse has spotted the washing line from the other side of the arena!
 
gallop bareback (doesnt even matter where)

it is an immense feeling, especially if you drop the reins aswell, arms outstretched etc.
 
I've done pony games and ridden on the beach but neither with my girl.

I'd say hack out just you and your horse. Something very special about that. Oh and ride bareback.
 
Hack bare back (pref in winter with exercise sheet wrapped round you)

hunt

beach ride

Try Trec/sj/xc/dr even if just once

mounted games

lie down with your horse

play games on the ground, like follow the leader running along side each other etc
 
gymkanna games are best and i know that as senior champion 3 yrs running on daughters first pony - pmsl before you exclaim im a light weight was bare back and was fun pure fun and that damn pony was pure fun:)

me - i have done it. ridden my mare against all odds, jumped her, hacked her and by heck smurf1 (my daughter ) didnt we have a gallop. no more needs just mmmm i love her. mmm but horse back safari in africa mmmmm anyone like to donate????? lol :) xx
 
One day I am going to ride bareback and bridleless on the beach - I think this one might actually happen this year.
Sponsored ride and jump bigger (or scarier) than you thought you were going to.
Get to where your horse calls you and comes to you when s/he sees you at the gate.
I like the one about lying down with your horse and it's another I'm working on. I can get her to lie down by mirroring when I sit but she still thinks she's supposed to roll! Nearly there :)
Go out hacking really early and watch the sunrise from your horse's back in a field, just the two of you.
Ride in the snow.
Win a red rosette.
Get a clear round.
Go for a walk out, like a ride out, but both walking instead of riding. Great relationship time.
 
Ride them on the gallops - I took mine back and rode out with a string at his old yard - the most fantastic experience ever. Scary and exhillerating at the same time (well, for a wimp like me anyway!)

Also,would second Soulfull's comment to lie down with them - laying on them.

As for the African horseback safari - I keep trying to persuade the hubby.
 
Jousting :eek:
Ride an Arabian in the desert (dressed like Lawrence of Arabia) :)
Ride in a race :eek: (possibly combine with item above)
Jump at least one of the jumps at Badminton:eek::eek::eek:
Jump a series of terrifying hedges :eek::eek::eek:
Swim with your horse
Own a horse through his/her entire life :)
 
Gallop really fast - doesn't matter whether it's a racehorse or a cob, the feeling your looking for is when the horses lowers itself, and you can really feel it trying as hard as it can!

I like walking with my horse on hacks too (generally cos we're rubbish at gates, and he's not going to improve at his age!)

Pub rides!

Things I still want to do - a long distance ride, I mean a few months really, but at my age, and being self employed in retail I can't see that one coming off - never say never though!

Interesting how serious competing doesn't seem to be that important in this thread.
 
oh yes.. gymkhana games ;)

also try

enter fancy dress as an adult :D :D :D

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did the stubble field one ....... not sooo great when pone did a sliding stop a western horse would be proud of and I did a forward summersault I shoul have been proud of only to sit back down onto my bum :eek: :eek: :eek:



still want to do the beach one


camp in the field overnight with horse and listen to the wonderful munching and waks up to the dawn with them.. ........or even just trust them enough to lie down in the field and share the space (and feel just absolutely fantastic when they feel trustftul enough to all choose to lie down near you. I just loved that one :) :) :) :) :)
 
I've done most of the above.

My suggestions for the list are:-

a day's bloodhounding - you can combine the hedge hopping, big scarey fence jumping and stubble field gallops with that!

a hunt scurry (basically a cross country race). I did one once and it was the best thing I've ever done on a horse. Forty plus lined up at the start, it was like the Grand National!
 
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