WelshD
Well-Known Member
The novice or junior jumping at shows was 2'9 minimum.
What changes have you seen in the horse world since you started
- Thread starter Woolybear
- Start date
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
TFF I have a folding hoofpick-happy to post you one
Aw, thanks
No worries tho, as I have got a leather pouch that mine half slides into when I put it in my bum-bag for extended rides out
Are there still some on the market these days?
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
Oooh - something else:
Blocks and plastic poles - brilliant invention, so much better to use than heavy wooden poles and the cavaletti we used to use.
Havent got any myself, but when at RC its so much easier to shift about
Blocks and plastic poles - brilliant invention, so much better to use than heavy wooden poles and the cavaletti we used to use.
Havent got any myself, but when at RC its so much easier to shift about
FrostyFeet
Well-Known Member
Bought mine from local saddlery-but just looked and have them on eBay 😀
Moomin1
Well-Known Member
Haha yes, I'd forgotten about that!!
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
armchair_rider
Well-Known Member
Rugs
Proliferation of horsey gear in general - there seems to be an every increasing variety of stuff in an ever wider range of colours, materials etc
Health and safety
Professionalisation of young riders - nowadays there seem to be a lot of people in PC teams who have horses that cost five figure sums and are trained by professional riders at professional facilities. There also seems to be a trend for people competing at the lower levels to specialise in a particular discipline (but I suspect that owes a lot to costs)
Proliferation of horsey gear in general - there seems to be an every increasing variety of stuff in an ever wider range of colours, materials etc
Health and safety
Professionalisation of young riders - nowadays there seem to be a lot of people in PC teams who have horses that cost five figure sums and are trained by professional riders at professional facilities. There also seems to be a trend for people competing at the lower levels to specialise in a particular discipline (but I suspect that owes a lot to costs)
Arizahn
Well-Known Member
New things that I like:
Speedibeet and similar quick soak beets/fibre feeds. Much easier!
The Internet and forums. Also mobile phones.
Hi-Vis and body protectors.
Old things that I miss:
Mandatory tack cleaning, yard chores etc as part of riding lessons.
Simple bridles without even a noseband.
The ground was softer when you fell off.
Speedibeet and similar quick soak beets/fibre feeds. Much easier!
The Internet and forums. Also mobile phones.
Hi-Vis and body protectors.
Old things that I miss:
Mandatory tack cleaning, yard chores etc as part of riding lessons.
Simple bridles without even a noseband.
The ground was softer when you fell off.
Woolybear
Active Member
Cheshire Chestnut
Well-Known Member
Totally agree with this and I think I've noticed it more than ever after having a break from the horse world and re-entering years later... When I had horses in the past I had one saddle I used on three of them and didn't pay too much attention to if it fit or not - if it didn't slide off and the horses didn't buck, it was fine. Defo no 'back people' or physios - don't think any of my previous horses ever saw one apart from my mare who had a ripped her stifle. The only regular people we had were the farrier, dentist (once a year) and injections once a year.
One thing that has changed and you never hear it anymore is 'shy'. It is now 'spook'. All the kids at my yard looked at me like I was weird when I used the word 'shy'. Was always used when I was younger!!
No natural horsemanship - we had one woman who used to ride past our yard with just a hula-hoop round her horse's neck and a cowboy hat on, we just thought she was mad and left her alone.
No hot water wash down areas either, horses always got washed in cold water no matter the weather and just a sweat rug stuffed with straw afterwards to get them warm.
One more thing - we had no posh or 'proper' jump wings. Mostly just used (stolen!) road cones, old barrels and the odd plastic chair. Don't think we got a set of jump wings until at least the early 2000's - they were made by my dad and we thought they were amazing!
Cheshire Chestnut
Well-Known Member
Oh and instructors these days are too kind and nice - I kinda miss the ones that used to make you ride for the full hour without stirrups, or the ones who used to make you jump with cups of water in your hands. Always think that if my 'old school' instructor was here now I've got a pony again, I'd be a lot tougher on myself - you had to be!
NZJenny
Well-Known Member
Our paddock used to look a bit like a junk yard - if it was jumpable we stole it, scrounged it or borrowed it !
I think a lot of horse owners a less knowledgable now - back then we had to know how to do everything, there was no FB or WWW to ask. We learnt from each other, library books and pony club and no one was touchy-feely-be-nice either. If you were ignorant and your horse suffered, then you got told in no uncertain terms. Ignorance was not an excuse.
Or maybe I'm just getting less tolerant in my old age.
I think a lot of horse owners a less knowledgable now - back then we had to know how to do everything, there was no FB or WWW to ask. We learnt from each other, library books and pony club and no one was touchy-feely-be-nice either. If you were ignorant and your horse suffered, then you got told in no uncertain terms. Ignorance was not an excuse.
Or maybe I'm just getting less tolerant in my old age.
Lolita
Well-Known Member
Good - the growth of the sport and sites like this where you can get advice and chat with like minded people. Also buying online is easier. I also think its great when buying a horse it is easier to check out the reputation of dealers. Equestrian clothing is a lot nicer quality and nicer looking than it was 10 years ago.
Bad - Personay I find things a lot more complicated, there is so much variety in all equestrian aspects and sometimes I feel we make looking after and riding horses more complex than it should be. That's just my opinion I know others will disagree.
Bad - Personay I find things a lot more complicated, there is so much variety in all equestrian aspects and sometimes I feel we make looking after and riding horses more complex than it should be. That's just my opinion I know others will disagree.
windand rain
Well-Known Member
When I first had a horse 45 years ago they were a very expensive hobby not because of stuff but because they were valuable
TBs were the horse of choice for competition and there was no such thing as a warm blood they were horse mongrels, breeds were pure and traditional and not modernised so the heavy natives were draft horses with loads of bone short flat boned cannons and big knees and hocks. The only natives that were really designed for riding lightweights were section b, connies and newforests and even those had masses of bone and chunky bodies.
Rugs as said before were canvas new zealands and jute for the stable with blankets off the bed for added warmth. Will never forget how to fit a blanket under a rug so it was secure.
Feeds were oats and bran and hay if you were lucky and on a farm with a chaff cutter then you could cut your own chaff. Feeds were made up in winter with hot water and molasses mixed together with a handful of epsom salts once a week.
Lack of horsey knowledge isn't new in fact in the old days you bought a horse and a bit like a baby it didn't come with a manual so you learned as you went along if you had old horsemen to ask all well and good if not you had a PC manual. Riding lessons where I went came as a hack out on a lead rein until you didn't fall off when the ride cantered then you were let loose.
Rode bareback more than with a saddle and had never heard of or seen any of the equine pseudo medics the horse was healthy until it needed a vet and the vet was the only person to call if it was not. Vets were very philosophical too lame give it a year off or shoot it was a common thought. Worming was a science in itself and drenches were used for colic and coughs and colds were treated with a spoonful of honey painted on the tongue or cough elixir. Good old liniment was rubbed on legs and tendons damaged were fired.
Tack was cleaned and bits washed every time you got off the horse and stripped and oiled once a week now it seems to be dumped in the back of the car until it is solid and then treated with leather food.
A lot was plain simple and good, a lot was cruel and ignorant
Now with horses the horse is the smallest cost the biggest expense seems now to be bling, colour, convenience foods, and the afore mention pseudo medics, It is a lot better and probably three times more affordable to own a horse than it was 45 years ago whether that is good or bad is debatable, the internet for many is a god send and to many a curse as it shows up the ignorance as it is now. Generally speaking horses are now a days under worked, over fed and babied by comparison, laminitis and lung problems are more prevalent because if it and the horror of privately owned imprisoned horses is rising because of the value of land and the rise in horse ownership Most horses 45 years ago were working for long hours, or turned out for exercise during the day ponies almost always lived out 24/7 unless working in riding schools when they were stalled during the day and out at night.
Overall I would say the horses lot is a lot better now than it has ever been but for the overfeeding under working bit. I was always taught not to increase or if necessary introduce feed unless work was increased for at least a week first.Probably still a good method of controlling weight
TBs were the horse of choice for competition and there was no such thing as a warm blood they were horse mongrels, breeds were pure and traditional and not modernised so the heavy natives were draft horses with loads of bone short flat boned cannons and big knees and hocks. The only natives that were really designed for riding lightweights were section b, connies and newforests and even those had masses of bone and chunky bodies.
Rugs as said before were canvas new zealands and jute for the stable with blankets off the bed for added warmth. Will never forget how to fit a blanket under a rug so it was secure.
Feeds were oats and bran and hay if you were lucky and on a farm with a chaff cutter then you could cut your own chaff. Feeds were made up in winter with hot water and molasses mixed together with a handful of epsom salts once a week.
Lack of horsey knowledge isn't new in fact in the old days you bought a horse and a bit like a baby it didn't come with a manual so you learned as you went along if you had old horsemen to ask all well and good if not you had a PC manual. Riding lessons where I went came as a hack out on a lead rein until you didn't fall off when the ride cantered then you were let loose.
Rode bareback more than with a saddle and had never heard of or seen any of the equine pseudo medics the horse was healthy until it needed a vet and the vet was the only person to call if it was not. Vets were very philosophical too lame give it a year off or shoot it was a common thought. Worming was a science in itself and drenches were used for colic and coughs and colds were treated with a spoonful of honey painted on the tongue or cough elixir. Good old liniment was rubbed on legs and tendons damaged were fired.
Tack was cleaned and bits washed every time you got off the horse and stripped and oiled once a week now it seems to be dumped in the back of the car until it is solid and then treated with leather food.
A lot was plain simple and good, a lot was cruel and ignorant
Now with horses the horse is the smallest cost the biggest expense seems now to be bling, colour, convenience foods, and the afore mention pseudo medics, It is a lot better and probably three times more affordable to own a horse than it was 45 years ago whether that is good or bad is debatable, the internet for many is a god send and to many a curse as it shows up the ignorance as it is now. Generally speaking horses are now a days under worked, over fed and babied by comparison, laminitis and lung problems are more prevalent because if it and the horror of privately owned imprisoned horses is rising because of the value of land and the rise in horse ownership Most horses 45 years ago were working for long hours, or turned out for exercise during the day ponies almost always lived out 24/7 unless working in riding schools when they were stalled during the day and out at night.
Overall I would say the horses lot is a lot better now than it has ever been but for the overfeeding under working bit. I was always taught not to increase or if necessary introduce feed unless work was increased for at least a week first.Probably still a good method of controlling weight
windand rain
Well-Known Member
double posted for some reason
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sywell
Well-Known Member
The need to have paper qualifications. Horses are about relationships do you know what it is thinking and how you are going to out think its next move. It is very clear to older horse people if someone has manual dexterity and confidence with a horse they do not need to see a paper qualification from some college.
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
I've seen huge changes since I started riding in 1964 but I guess the most striking and sad change for me is that there's far more knowledge around but far less wisdom about when to use it.
Princess Rosie
Well-Known Member
What a fabulous thread, has given me lots of thoughts about how things used to be, string gloves and trying to deal with wet NZ rugs (you needed muscles!), I remember hacking 10miles to the local show and then when dark to come home my dad used to follow me in the family Austin Allegro with his hazard lights on, no one had high viz, a horsebox or stirrup lights or anything to help in the dusk/dark.
I can remember walking down the huge field (don't think I was ever on a yard that split fields up generally just one huge field) with my pals, us catching our horses and vaulting on bareback and having a bareback race (with just a leadrope in one hand) and clinging on for dear life back to the stables!
We never had electric in the stables and tack rooms were always filled with rats.
A lot has changed for the better but the world has gone slightly mad with health and safety for sure.
I can remember walking down the huge field (don't think I was ever on a yard that split fields up generally just one huge field) with my pals, us catching our horses and vaulting on bareback and having a bareback race (with just a leadrope in one hand) and clinging on for dear life back to the stables!
We never had electric in the stables and tack rooms were always filled with rats.
A lot has changed for the better but the world has gone slightly mad with health and safety for sure.
paisley
Well-Known Member
Sticky bandages for wounds- I will never miss the endless faffing about trying to get foot poultices to stay on before they came along!
And my pet grump is that no-one spends time and effort on grooming now-it was always a good 20 mins at least rubber curry combing with enough enthusiasm to make your arms tired before brushing, so your horse effectivey got a massage every day
And my pet grump is that no-one spends time and effort on grooming now-it was always a good 20 mins at least rubber curry combing with enough enthusiasm to make your arms tired before brushing, so your horse effectivey got a massage every day
WindyStacks
Well-Known Member
Oh and the differentiation between bucking and broncing. You used to just have buckers - now you have types of! Mind you, I'm guilty of it myself and have used the term this week - until I started reading HHO I'd have just said he bucked.
Dave's Mam
Well-Known Member
I'd never heard of broncing until a few months back. Crikey I am oldskool.
Dave's Mam
Well-Known Member
Folded in a point up the neck & folded back, over the rug and roller over the top. Now I AM showing my age!
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
The number of 'all-weather' arenas that are around these days - and the number of people who seem to think that you have to have one to be able to ride.
50 yrs ago, my first riding lessons were in a 'menage', which in reality was a fenced off earth area, which was either very hard in summer of a sea of mud in winter, then I progressed to the group which rode in the field, which included a sloping area. When the ground conditions were not suitable for schooling we hacked out.
Since then I've never had access to an arena, although have had dedicated schooling fields available. The horses are at home now and we could hire an arena locally but actually prefer to school in the field. After all showing classes, dressage and many sj comps are on grass in summer. Horses need to be able to work sensibly on grass, imo.
50 yrs ago, my first riding lessons were in a 'menage', which in reality was a fenced off earth area, which was either very hard in summer of a sea of mud in winter, then I progressed to the group which rode in the field, which included a sloping area. When the ground conditions were not suitable for schooling we hacked out.
Since then I've never had access to an arena, although have had dedicated schooling fields available. The horses are at home now and we could hire an arena locally but actually prefer to school in the field. After all showing classes, dressage and many sj comps are on grass in summer. Horses need to be able to work sensibly on grass, imo.
3OldPonies
Well-Known Member
Annagain
Well-Known Member
Transport. When I was at Pony club, we'd hack an hour to get there, ride all day and hack an hour home and the beach ride was as exciting for for going on the lorry as it was for riding on the beach. I'd wave my parents goodbye at 8.30 am and come home exhausted at 5pm.
Now every kid has at least a trailer if not a 7.5 T lorry and their parents drive them EVERYWHERE. I half understand it as the roads are very busy but I can't help feeling they'd do better to develop a bit of independence.
I must admit I also drive to a lesson that would only take me 30 mins to hack to but that's more to do with getting home in the dark than not wanting to go on the roads.
Now every kid has at least a trailer if not a 7.5 T lorry and their parents drive them EVERYWHERE. I half understand it as the roads are very busy but I can't help feeling they'd do better to develop a bit of independence.
I must admit I also drive to a lesson that would only take me 30 mins to hack to but that's more to do with getting home in the dark than not wanting to go on the roads.
POLLDARK
Well-Known Member
People !! A notice has just appeared out side a bungalow on the outskirts of the village (where I live) the like of which I have NEVER seen. It is large (3' X 2') very yellow with large black print. It requests that all horse riders should come back & clear any droppings that are left on the public road outside their bungalow. It is not a request but an order. There is not a lot of horse traffic on this road either.
twiggy2
Well-Known Member
Funny I noticed that too
I bounced years ago
MerrySherryRider
Well-Known Member
Saddle sores are the exception now rather than commonplace.
Horses used to be the transport, now they are carried in it.
No one bothered much about 'being on the bit'.
Hats were used for lessons and jumping, not for messing about in.
Hacking jackets for every day hacking.
No one had insurance so vets had to diagnose with cost in mind and not do tests to satisfy the insurance companies.
Standing stalls were used in RS's for horses and ponies during the day and then they were chucked out at night.
Can't remember ever being on a lead rein when I first had lessons aged 5yrs. Did first couple of lessons on the lunge and then rode independently.
Horses used to be the transport, now they are carried in it.
No one bothered much about 'being on the bit'.
Hats were used for lessons and jumping, not for messing about in.
Hacking jackets for every day hacking.
No one had insurance so vets had to diagnose with cost in mind and not do tests to satisfy the insurance companies.
Standing stalls were used in RS's for horses and ponies during the day and then they were chucked out at night.
Can't remember ever being on a lead rein when I first had lessons aged 5yrs. Did first couple of lessons on the lunge and then rode independently.
kez81
Well-Known Member
back then all horses got chucked together, Individual turnout was only for the injured. You got squashed bringing in to feed in winter and carted off with turning out in spring. Horses only stabled when it was really really bad weather and the only ones who got proper rugs were the TBS. All horses were either cobs, ponies, hunters or TBS and usually solid colours.
You rode any horse put in front of you and didn't care if you looked ridiculous too small or your knees ended up near your ears just to fit in the saddle. You belted bareback up the field only to fall off at the top and laugh about it to your mates. If you got bitten, kicked or bucked off your instructor shouted at you and your mum just rolled her eyes. Kids often hacked out in groups with no adults and made it home alive with tales to tell. Jumps were made of scavenged randomness and it was mandatory to test them by pretending to ride and invisible horse and try to jump them yourself despite the tight jods not letting you bend your knees!
Dressage was just fancy stuff you didnt really pay much attention to as it was show jumpers that were the superstars. You worshipped the Whitaker's and rode Milton every night in your dreams. You got properly filthy with every visit to the yards from all the grooming, tack cleaning, mucking out and poo flinging fights!
You rode any horse put in front of you and didn't care if you looked ridiculous too small or your knees ended up near your ears just to fit in the saddle. You belted bareback up the field only to fall off at the top and laugh about it to your mates. If you got bitten, kicked or bucked off your instructor shouted at you and your mum just rolled her eyes. Kids often hacked out in groups with no adults and made it home alive with tales to tell. Jumps were made of scavenged randomness and it was mandatory to test them by pretending to ride and invisible horse and try to jump them yourself despite the tight jods not letting you bend your knees!
Dressage was just fancy stuff you didnt really pay much attention to as it was show jumpers that were the superstars. You worshipped the Whitaker's and rode Milton every night in your dreams. You got properly filthy with every visit to the yards from all the grooming, tack cleaning, mucking out and poo flinging fights!
happyclappy
Well-Known Member
Where do I start??? Seems most things have changed, and not all for the better.