I really want to be a dressage rider. My horse has other ideas. What am I supposed to do? Maybe eventually he'd be a decent dressage horse, but it's not worth giving up his happiness and personality to make him into a dressage robot. I have no idea what to do.
Option One: Make Shaker into a dressage horse no matter what -
Bad idea. He's told me he really doesn't want to be a dressage horse. I should listen to him
Option Two: Play eventers -
Honestly, I'm afraid to jump. The idea of doing cross country terrifies me. I also doubt Shaker's ability to make it through even a starter level course without dying. Also starter would be where we'd max out no matter what.
Option Three: Play jumpers -
I hate the H/J world, and don't want to go back. I want ride times. I also want to have a sound pony well into his 20s, if not 30s. Pounding his legs into the ground to make him a jumper is not very appealing.
Option Four: Be a trail pony -
Both of us love trails, but I'll be bored out of my mind if that's all I do, especially with the very limited trails at this barn.
Option Five: Just hack around in the hackamore -
Pony likes this option best. After years of having lesson kids and Parelli people yank on his mouth, he's kind of sick of bits. He's happiest when ridden without a bit. He likes his ridiculous hackamore. He's made it clear it is the only thing to go on his face.
Option Six: Sell or lease him -
I need my pony. This option is off the table. Just want to cover all my options.
Options Four and Five will result in the happiest pony. Above all, that's my goal. Hopefully in the new year I can take some dressage lessons on a real dressage horse, and maybe even part lease one.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Thursday, December 15, 2016
December 10 Questions
I've been meaning to start blogging again, and this month's 10 Questions from Viva Carlos seemed like a nice way to start.
Does your horse need shoes? I really don't know. My horse has had shoes the whole time I've owned him, but he'd probably be fine barefoot. He got his feet done this morning, and I asked the farrier to have him barefoot if possible, but to put shoes back on if not. Haven't heard from the farrier and also haven't gone to see my horse today, so I have no idea.
What do you think of the barefoot vs shoes debate? Do what's best for your horse.
Favorite season for riding? Spring. Time to get back to the trails, and in the past, time to start jumping again. Couldn't have jumps in the indoor at the old barn, so we took winters off from jumping.
How many shows do you think you’ve gone to? I've lost count, but somewhere between 10 and 20. I average 1-2 a year. Hopefully that will change now that I've got my own horse.
Do you consider yourself a good rider? Yes and no. I can ride a lot of horses and stick a lot of stuff, but when it comes to looking pretty or doing any particular discipline, not so much.
How experienced do you think someone needs to be to own a horse? A lot of people that do probably shouldn't, but it's not really any of my business.
Have you ever gotten into a fight with your trainer? Not really, but I'm sure it'll happen someday.
Describe your dream horse. I already had both my dream horses and lost them. Didn't own them, but still. One was a chestnut quarter horse that was super speedy, but also super anxious. The other was a goofy, somewhat crazy chestnut Arab. Miss both of them so much, and I'd do anything to get either one of them back.
Does anyone in your family ride? No.
If you could ride any horse in the world, which one would it be? why? I don't know if he's even still in this world, but I'd do anything to ride Harry again. I'd also do anything just to be around Amigo again, even if I didn't get to ride him, but that's not happening.
Does your horse need shoes? I really don't know. My horse has had shoes the whole time I've owned him, but he'd probably be fine barefoot. He got his feet done this morning, and I asked the farrier to have him barefoot if possible, but to put shoes back on if not. Haven't heard from the farrier and also haven't gone to see my horse today, so I have no idea.
What do you think of the barefoot vs shoes debate? Do what's best for your horse.
Favorite season for riding? Spring. Time to get back to the trails, and in the past, time to start jumping again. Couldn't have jumps in the indoor at the old barn, so we took winters off from jumping.
How many shows do you think you’ve gone to? I've lost count, but somewhere between 10 and 20. I average 1-2 a year. Hopefully that will change now that I've got my own horse.
Do you consider yourself a good rider? Yes and no. I can ride a lot of horses and stick a lot of stuff, but when it comes to looking pretty or doing any particular discipline, not so much.
How experienced do you think someone needs to be to own a horse? A lot of people that do probably shouldn't, but it's not really any of my business.
Have you ever gotten into a fight with your trainer? Not really, but I'm sure it'll happen someday.
Describe your dream horse. I already had both my dream horses and lost them. Didn't own them, but still. One was a chestnut quarter horse that was super speedy, but also super anxious. The other was a goofy, somewhat crazy chestnut Arab. Miss both of them so much, and I'd do anything to get either one of them back.
Does anyone in your family ride? No.
If you could ride any horse in the world, which one would it be? why? I don't know if he's even still in this world, but I'd do anything to ride Harry again. I'd also do anything just to be around Amigo again, even if I didn't get to ride him, but that's not happening.
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