What Have You Learnt In The Past Year?

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DirtyCob

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Hello, Im a newbie here - long time lurker

Whilst mucking out this morning I realised that I have had my girl for a year this weekend... which got me thinking, what have I learnt in the past year?

Bit of background.... lucky girl to have ponies at home until the age of 18, have a break for about 20 years and start again. Riding Lessons not enough, part loan not enough, full loan totally adequate but then I got the chance to buy my loan pony and here we are.

This is some of what I have learnt

A livery yard can go from being a place of immense fun to immense tension within a finger click!

A horse does not shrink in the rain/ nor does it melt in the sun

There are people whose advise you will take on board and consider and others who you learn to completely ignore

If a horse isn't "right"... there is ALWAYS a reason

A horse does not need dozens of rugs.... but hey its fun looking

Wellies do not last!

When we say the horses will be out 24/7 in the spring, we dont actually know when spring is!

HHO is fabulous - it gives me food for thought constantly

Everyday with my horse is a day to savour and enjoy

My OH has the patience of a saint!


so, what have you learnt?
 
I'm not as bad a rider as I think I am. Lesson for this year is not to be so hard on myself or such a wuss to enjoy both my horse and my share horse while I can. (They're both 17 and had their share of problems so they won't go on forever:()

After 12 years of knowing my share horse (and 3 years of sharing him) I finally realised that the rash he gets every winter on his back legs is caused by his tail. Can't believe we never twigged before:o. One tail bag later and it's cleared up in a matter of weeks:)
 
That I really, really, do not want liveries anymore. I want my life back (also my fields, my barn and my privacy)

That once again, I am starting over as a complete novice, last time it was western, this time it is gaited horses.
 
I have also had my boy for a year this weekend! :) I bought him after a 13 year break... he my first horse since having my first pony all those years ago...

What I have learnt.... what haven't I learnt more like... :)

I VERY quickly learnt that 6 months riding at a riding school to get back into it wasn't anywhere near enough.

I learnt that buying a 4 year old maybe wasn't the most sensible idea at the time, as he is way quicker and cleverer than I could ever hope to be, however this particular (now) 5 year old is the most amazing and special horse I have ever known. He is so kind and clever and is my horse of a lifetime. He is an absolute joy to own.

I have learnt that with there is no quick fix for anything, it takes patience, hard work and more hard work, and when you think you've cracked it, along comes another little hurdle! Slow and steady wins the race as far as I'm concerned, there is no rush to do anything we're not ready for. Everything I am achieving is down to me, and that is the best feeling ever!

I have learnt that I am my biggest critic. I am so hard on myself when things aren't perfect. If I ride for an hour and only 2 minutes is perfect, I need to remember those 2 minutes... not the 58 that didn't go to plan.

I have learnt that money is a thing of the past, I no longer have any EVER... or a social life!

I have learnt that over and above everything I need to just have fun on my horse and appreciate everything we do together! He is a privilege, not a right!
 
Well, I have learned that nothing is forever, so enjoy it while you can. (Daughters pony died in the field last july). I have also learned that I probably will never be the rider that I used to be and I'm finally ok with that. I have learned that I cannot please everyone, so have stopped trying, If I can help, I will, but it's just not possible to please everyone. I have learned that life is for living and I am going to give it my best shot!!!! :)
 
Horses are incredibly sensitive to any tension in the hand, arm and back. Lose that tension and you can then begin to get the horse to work truly forward through its back.

More generally, much of my training is undoing... such is life!
 
That my boy is a saint, an old soul in a young body :D

There are some really horrible unscrupulous people out there some of whom just want to make some quick cash and will lie through their teeth to get it so beware not everyone is who/what they say they are! (ah naevity at 28...joy!)

That my OH is the most wonderful man on the planet because he truely loves me and puts up with my crazy ;) and that he is a font of knowledge on oh so many things :D

There is no such thing as the "perfect" time to do anything, just do it and enjoy it!

Things aren't always as scary as you'd think ;) so don't let nerves put you off trying

There are some lovely horsey people out there who are willing to help if you but ask - and they may become friends for life!

Children aren't actually all that bad really and eventually I'd like to have one of my own :eek:

That my horse was never taught how to lunge and so I need to get my OH to help me take him right back to basics

HHO is hugely addictive (my mum thinks I have a problem :o) and very funny/informative and sometimes infuriating - in the latter case I don't HAVE to get involved, I should just stay out of arguments because otherwise my nasty side comes out from the dark corner that I buried it :o

I'm a control freak when it comes to my horse and the field he's in (sorry mum! I love you! ;))

Some people should not be allowed to keep horses! Lack of care resulting in awful feet/health problems is unforgivable! especially if you are intelligent (and should know better), are very well off (and can afford to care for them properly) You should have your horse(s) taken away from you and be banned from keeping them! :mad:

Not to loose faith in the human species because even though there are some nasty blighters out there that can make you want to crawl in a dark cave and live the rest of your life as a hermit eating only moss and drinking only when it rains there are some absolutely wonderful people out there too who can make the rest of it seem worthwhile! :D

..... so so so very many things and every day is a good day to learn!
 
Learnt (realised) that I'm getting old and decrepit and move much more slowly than I used to. So learnt (still learning) to think ahead and not put myself in dangerous positions.

Have learnt the opposite to Enfys. That I am SO lucky with my liveries - bar one - and to be grateful for the support that they give me. OK I do them favours like feeding hay rugging their horses on a daily basis - but whoever rides with me doesn't grumble about bending my arthritic immobile foot into the right hand stirrup for example

Hve learnt to stand my ground - rather late in life - with the difficult livery (who's not bad at heart, just selfish). MY livery business, my rules

In this hard winter, have learnt the joy to appreciate the really supportive local farmer who provides our haylage. He and his son have been so good about bringing us extra bales on odd days of the week, as the horses are eating more than usual (wonder why). They don't charge for delivering and always help us roll the bales into the barn

Have learnt to shut, double shut and tie-up any gates, doors, since the advent of my latest day-time liveries, two minuscule Shetlands, who look like angels and are actually manifestations of the Other Gentleman
 
DirtyCob said:
Hello, Im a newbie here - long time lurker

Whilst mucking out this morning I realised that I have had my girl for a year this weekend... which got me thinking, what have I learnt in the past year?

Bit of background.... lucky girl to have ponies at home until the age of 18, have a break for about 20 years and start again. Riding Lessons not enough, part loan not enough, full loan totally adequate but then I got the chance to buy my loan pony and here we are.

This is some of what I have learnt

A livery yard can go from being a place of immense fun to immense tension within a finger click!

A horse does not shrink in the rain/ nor does it melt in the sun

There are people whose advise you will take on board and consider and others who you learn to completely ignore

If a horse isn't "right"... there is ALWAYS a reason

A horse does not need dozens of rugs.... but hey its fun looking

Wellies do not last!

When we say the horses will be out 24/7 in the spring, we dont actually know when spring is!

HHO is fabulous - it gives me food for thought constantly

Everyday with my horse is a day to savour and enjoy

My OH has the patience of a saint!


so, what have you learnt?
Click to expand...

Now THAT should be turned into THIS!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI
 
I've learnt to ride in a stock saddle, do a barefoot trim on a horse, herd cattle and sheep, crack a whip, lasso (badly!), and most of all that riding an unknown horse isn't as scary as I used to think it was!

The last one is still to be completely tested, but I'm getting there!
 
I have learnt many any things:

You can move too fast with a new horse and end up, inevitably killing all confidence.

If things arnt going well you may have to go all the way back to the basics, again and again AND again.

Although the above is frustrating, especially the second time around, its a huge benefit to both you and your horse.

It may actually be a BENEFIT to let someone else ride your horse - especially as afterwards he did some beautiful canter transitions that left my trainer speechless :D

To finally admit that my horse is wasted with me as his abilities are far higher than mine

To finally admit that all the problems weve had have been due to my stressyness and tenseness while riding

To try and not freak out at every competition

That I adore being with my horse on the ground - I could stand around with him all day!

Lickits are awesome ;)

That I'm strong enough to put my horses welfare before my emotions and make the decision to PTS

That XC isnt terrifying but its actually my favorite disipline :)

Theres lots more but ive already written an essay and i dont want to bore you all :D
 
sandi_84 said:
That my OH is the most wonderful man on the planet because he truely loves me and puts up with my crazy ;) and that he is a font of knowledge on oh so many things :D

There is no such thing as the "perfect" time to do anything, just do it and enjoy it!

Things aren't always as scary as you'd think ;) so don't let nerves put you off trying

There are some lovely horsey people out there who are willing to help if you but ask - and they may become friends for life!

HHO is hugely addictive

Some people should not be allowed to keep horses!

Not to loose faith in the human species because even though there are some nasty blighters out there that can make you want to crawl in a dark cave and live the rest of your life as a hermit eating only moss and drinking only when it rains there are some absolutely wonderful people out there too who can make the rest of it seem worthwhile! :D
Click to expand...

Sandi, I have to steal all of the above as they are great and applicable for me also :D

Great post btw DC, and welcome :D

This last year I have also learnt that my training and work have really paid off on my young horse, she started out barely wanting to be caught and would not pick up her feet and kick out with the backs, I am now riding her! I can pick out her feet without a head collar too

I will never ever stop missing my old girl whom I lost in October 2011, but I have learnt that I can start a new chapter with a new horse, whom I am proud of and I think Seren would be happy for me in her own horsey way.

That things do not always work out, you have to put things down to experience

That it is best not to over think things

Try not to look back too much, it is not usually of much help

I am sure there are lots more, but these will do nicely :D
 
Ive learnt:
sometimes it's better to admit you need help - I wasn't getting anywhere in lessons with my then-new horse so he went off for schooling and now we're making lots of progress.

if you have an idea of what you want in a new horse, chances are you won't end up bringing that home.
I wanted something European, 8-12 years old and 16.2-16.3. I ended up with a 6yo IDx who's now standing at 17.2. :o

Sometimes it's better to fall off so it's over and done with. Just don't land on your feet. :o

It can be beneficial to move yards even if you love where you are.

If you make a mistake, learn from it, correct it and move on.
 
I've not so much learned anything in the last year as realise a lot of the info I seek sometimes and the questions I ask I kind of already know the solutions to :)

The two main things are

No fence is truly horse proof and that humans can be the worst creatures on the planet :)
 
I've learned that .....

Sometimes the grass is greener - you just have to take a chance.

Competing isn't everything - there is nothing better than just chilling out with your pony.

Shetland ponies are the spawn of Satan (well that's what my horse thinks anyway!)

And finally, there's nowt as queer as horsey folk!
 
I've learnt that:

- Confidence is a very fragile thing. It only takes a second to hit the deck and pick yourself up but a lot longer to re-build yourself properly.

- Save your good experiences in your confidence bank, they'll help you get up off the ground, take things slow and before you know it you'll be back to where you were

- Ride other horses, each one has something different to teach you, some will make you appreciate what you have others will give you ideas and inspiration to help improve your own.

- That I am actually capable of sitting up with my shoulders back.

- I can do almost everything I need to be able to do to be an awesome rider just a shame I can't do it all at the same time!!

- Don't expect a summer just because you've put up with the winter it may not arrive!

- Horsey friends are like no other friends

- My husband is a saint for putting up with me coming home late, smelling, horse hair in the washing machine, dirty boots, spending too much money etc.
 
To have the courage to go outside the box sometimes. I was finally persuaded to invest money in a Fit to Ride session and it has made such a huge difference to my riding. So wish I had done or had access to this sooner. I have a young horse so he has been brought up in the way of riding. Does mean that someone unbalanced or one sided cannot keep him straight at all though, everyone who has not had a Jon Pitts session will sit on my horse, go up the centre line and veer all over the place!.

That foot balance is so crucial and you need to keep checking yourself as everyone can get complacent ... having seen 2 good young horses go badly wrong because of this.

And I finally gave in this year and admit that I hate hate hate it when the weather is freezing cold and my horses become a chore. There, shoot me down, I have said it. A rare trip to an indoor school made me realise what a pleasure riding is when you are not bundled up like the michelin man on a fresh horse!
 
Hard work pays off! and an honest pony can really turn you from being an awful rider to taking on project horses!! Also that you'll never love anything as much as you loved your first horse :'(
 
That buying a horse is absolutely the best money I have ever spent.

I put it off for years as I couldn't afford it and was worried about the commitment and whether I was ready, but had longed for my own since my first ride.

I can honestly say in terms of pure happiness my horse is the best money I ever spent. The hours of joy she brings make her worth every penny.

It is now 2 years since I handed over the cash, and I can't imagine life without her.

This year specifically I have learnt about barefoot though, and this forum has been great for information and help with our journey.
 
That there are people out there that will happily lie through their teeth and have no qualms about selling a dangerous pony to a small child.:(

Not to believe anything anyone says about a horse unless I have seen it with my own eyes.

That young ponies are not always fizzy/silly/spooky.

To hitch/unhitch and take the trailer out.

That common sense goes a long way

That I can't imagine life without ponies.:)
 
That EHV-1 is a vile and cruel illness

That neighbours who don't like horses and feed them rat posion which triggers EHV-1 should be punched in the face.

that nutty horses who you never thought would amount to anything can totally change when backed and become happy not kicking, biting, evil horses :p

six horses are far too much for me
 
In the past year I've learnt a lot of things, most of them not very nice things unfortunately!

That we never truly appreciate what we have right at this minute until we're looking back in the future.

That grief is a mysterious and unpredictable beast that creeps up when you least expect it.

That no matter how much you agonize over a decision and no matter how sure you were when you made it there will always, always be "what if"s

Horses are predictably unpredictable and just because something was non-scary yesterday does not mean it will be none scary today (this also works the other way around, alas less often!)

No matter how many rugs you have you'll always manage to spot one at a "bargain price" in a weight or with a neck combination that you don't have.
 
I've learnt that backing your own horse isn't actually that difficult at all and eally quite rewarding!

But Pipkin:-

"That neighbours who don't like horses and feed them rat posion which triggers EHV-1 should be punched in the face."
What???
 
Like others, I also lost a wonderful horse last year, and if I didn't already know it, had it rammed home to me that life can be all to short and we should make the most of every minute we spend with our horses.

I then learned that looking for another horse wasn't as scary as it seemed at first, and that there are some very genuine people out there with genuine horses who really, really place more inportance on the next home than on the price.

I'm now learning that I might well be able to love another horse, and that just because my new one takes the same size rugs as my last one, doesn't mean that I can't buy any more!
 
I have learnt that with there is no quick fix for anything, it takes patience, hard work and more hard work, and when you think you've cracked it, along comes another little hurdle! Slow and steady wins the race as far as I'm concerned, there is no rush to do anything we're not ready for. Everything I am achieving is down to me, and that is the best feeling ever!

I have learnt that I am my biggest critic. I am so hard on myself when things aren't perfect. If I ride for an hour and only 2 minutes is perfect, I need to remember those 2 minutes... not the 58 that didn't go to plan.

I have learnt that money is a thing of the past, I no longer have any EVER... or a social life!

I have learnt that over and above everything I need to just have fun on my horse and appreciate everything we do together! He is a privilege, not a right![/QUOTE]

This, definitely :-
 
eleanor79 said:
I have learnt that with there is no quick fix for anything, it takes patience, hard work and more hard work, and when you think you've cracked it, along comes another little hurdle! Slow and steady wins the race as far as I'm concerned, there is no rush to do anything we're not ready for. Everything I am achieving is down to me, and that is the best feeling ever!

I have learnt that I am my biggest critic. I am so hard on myself when things aren't perfect. If I ride for an hour and only 2 minutes is perfect, I need to remember those 2 minutes... not the 58 that didn't go to plan.

I have learnt that money is a thing of the past, I no longer have any EVER... or a social life!

I have learnt that over and above everything I need to just have fun on my horse and appreciate everything we do together! He is a privilege, not a right!
Click to expand...

This, definitely :-[/QUOTE]

that was supposed to be a :) !
 
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