My first horseback riding lesson plus random pictures

[Doberluv]

You bet. Just ignore those kids and enjoy the whole thing in your own way. I'm glad you get to do this. Yup....no shorts with a saddle. I use to ride bare back or with a bare back pad and shorts worked okay with that. One day I made the same mistake and rode with my western saddle with shorts. It was a long ride and boy, that was a big mistake. LOL. Live and learn. Have fun!

[Tankstar]

Sounds like a great time. I did alot of horse lessons when i was younger. I miss it. I worked at a barn with 40+ horses for 3 years. never even rode there either lol. most were jumpy rescues though. Horses are great. I would love to get back in to it one day, when I have the extra money for it.It wold either be Agility classes for Blaze, or horse back riding for me. I pick classes for Blaze lol

[BostonBanker]

I echo the safety concerns Dekka mentioned. There's no reason NOT to do everything you can to stay safe around horses. There are some dangers you just can't eliminate, so take care of the ones you can.

As for the school horse - those guys are worth their weight in gold if they are good at their job, and most don't get as much loving as they deserve. Play around with your guy as long as he's enjoying it, and ignore everyone else. The horse will appreciate it, and that is what matters.

[sprintime]

Enjoy while you can. The pictures brought back so many memories. I found it a bit odd that for a summer camp you were allowed on a horse without a helmet. Helmets have always been mandatory around our area.

[Bigpoodleperson]

I agree about the helmet! Not stylish, but that doesnt really matter when its your life on the line. I Love horses, and wish i could take riding lessons now! I dont ride much. I used to volunteer at and later work for a therapeutic riding barn. We had 30-40 of the best horses you could ask for! They were fantastic, and did their jobs well. I loved those guys and terribly miss them!! Its one then to take riding lessons and love on the horses. Its another competely different thing to develope a real Bond with a horse, work with them, have them completely trust you, have them rest their head in your arms and fall asleep , etc! Sigh, i miss my babies.

[oc_spirit]

Glad you were able to get out and have some fun on a horse!!! There's nothing quite like it! I can't remember when the last time I did proper arena work was...LOL Yes I am kinda partial to trail riding :P Shows and ribbons are no interest of mine so I stick to the trails. The Curly horses I'm currently excercising prefer it more plus it offers more training opportunities.

And I too have to echo the shorts. I got caught once when in Brazil. I wasnt expecting to get a chance to ride when we were on the beach and had no choice but to ride in the western saddle in shorts. Owwwwww! The exception to the rule is me and a good friend of mine are waiting for a hot day to ride her 2 horses barebacked to the dam nearby and take them swimming!

[Gypsydals]

Looks like you had a good time. It is addicting. Lol I agree with what the others said ignore the other students and give that ole' boy some loving. He's earned it.

[Gustav]

I have to admit to riding in shorts quite often.. Here's a nifty trick for all those people who ride in an English saddle..

Take an old long sleeved shirt, unbutton it, put the back of the shirt over the seat of the saddle, thread the stirrup leathers through the arms of the shirt, and button the cuffs around the stirrup iron, et voila.. Instant leg protection.. lol. Although it doesn't look very professional, and is probably not very safe.

[~Tucker&Me~]

Helmet helmet helmet! Please, wear one.

But yeah, have fun

[sillysally]

Originally Posted by BostonBanker

I echo the safety concerns Dekka mentioned. There's no reason NOT to do everything you can to stay safe around horses. There are some dangers you just can't eliminate, so take care of the ones you can.

As for the school horse - those guys are worth their weight in gold if they are good at their job, and most don't get as much loving as they deserve. Play around with your guy as long as he's enjoying it, and ignore everyone else. The horse will appreciate it, and that is what matters.

Yep. Some horses really enjoy having their manes messed with too. My standardbred gelding would stand there and doze off if you messed with his mane.

I'm gonna agree with the helmet thing too. I have had my own head literally saved by a helmet and can think of 2 people off the top of my head at my barn that would not be with us today, according to their doctors, if they didn't have a helmet on at the time of their accidents. One of my dad's friends died when she fell off a horse on the road, had no helmet, and whacked her head on the pavement.

If the barn does not provide helmets and you want to keep taking lessens, you might want to consider buying yourself one. They have some reasonably priced ones out there that are light weight and comfortable. Our local Tractor Supply Company (TSC) carries 5 or 6 different models.....