My first horseback riding lesson plus random pictures

[Dekka]

Originally Posted by 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.

I have ridden in shorts a lot.. but my legs don't move. So I have never had issues (except with one saddle, and only if I was jumping) BUT I would never suggest to someone learning to start in shorts, nor to ride in shorts where you care what people think of your ... ah professionalism

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by Dekka

I have ridden in shorts a lot.. but my legs don't move. So I have never had issues (except with one saddle, and only if I was jumping) BUT I would never suggest to someone learning to start in shorts, nor to ride in shorts where you care what people think of your ... ah professionalism

It all depends on how well broken in your stirrup leathers are, DEFINITLEY not to be done with a brand new cardboardy stiff pair.. YOWZERS!

I have good legs too (even if I do say so myself) so riding in jeans, shorts, a bikini (once for a bet) has never been an issue.. But then again I have probably built up a resistance over the years *touches calves to see if they are all leathery, getting a complex here*

But yeah, when starting out it's NOT a good idea.. Nor is it a good idea when backing youngsters that are wibbly wobbly and accidentally run into the fence..

[Dekka]

Ohh oorr When giving a quick 'tune' up to a camp school horse.. who then tips over during an argument at bending in a corner at the canter.. and then slides on your inside leg in the sand/mulch mixture. My leg looked a little shredded after that.

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by Dekka

Ohh oorr When giving a quick 'tune' up to a camp school horse.. who then tips over during an argument at bending in a corner at the canter.. and then slides on your inside leg in the sand/mulch mixture. My leg looked a little shredded after that.

Oww, sounds like you were grated!

Orr, going down tracks you haven't been down for a while that are overgrown with brambles and your horse spooks at some neighbouring cows and you get hooked up on the darn things.. Having said that, Gavotte spooks at pretty much EVERYTHING! I dunno why I was suprised..

[Dekka]

Cows are evil.. didn't you get the notice? They are a horrible experiment on horses gone wrong. Have you heard their 'neigh'? Gavotte is only trying to save you (and her) from a similar fate! Losing a little skin off your leg is MUCH better than the alternative

(the worst though around here are donkeys.. my horses don't notice them till they bray.. and then all h3ll breaks loose.. "omg that horse is possessed! run away, run away")

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by Dekka

Cows are evil.. didn't you get the notice? They are a horrible experiment on horses gone wrong. Have you heard their 'neigh'? Gavotte is only trying to save you (and her) from a similar fate! Losing a little skin off your leg is MUCH better than the alternative

(the worst though around here are donkeys.. my horses don't notice them till they bray.. and then all h3ll breaks loose.. "omg that horse is possessed! run away, run away")

Or PIGS!

One of my friends has two pet pigs and they are of biblical proportions.. He built them an electric fenced in enclosure in the woods that borders on one of my favourite rides.. Of course them being pet pigs the moment they hear a human voice they come CHARGING full pelt towards where the sound came from, snuffling and grunting their heads off.. I thought poor Gavotte was going to have a coronary!

I've never been round in a circle so fast in my life, infact it didn't actually register that we'd done a 360 until I was halfway back up the track in the wrong direction..

[Dekka]

OMG yes pigs.. I had a mare, Riven, who was totally fearless off all things, except pigs. She would try to climb the closest tree (or human) if she heard or glimpsed these most terrifying of beats! Horses are NOT good at climbing trees, nor is it pleasant having a 16.1hh irish tb mare try to climb into your pocket :/

[Gustav]

Or ghosts.. Ghosts that live in the woods, that are totally invisible to the naked human eye..

My old boss had a donkey called "Dibley" who was frightened of the dark, he used to get out, run off into the woods, get scared and run back into his stable again..

[Pops2]

beautiful smile. glad to see you using it.
not much for horses, we have a mutual dislike (even the draft crosses used for dudes). i like donkeys & mules though. yeah i know they can be obstinate, but i've never had one try to kill me. so i like them better.
i do however think it is a great idea for people to learn to ride properly. it adds so much to your life. screw the other students, if you can have a good relationship w/ the horses do so.

[Fransheska101]

I went to go look at helmets this morning.. its like they try to make them as unattractive as possible lol I know its necessary but WOW..

I would be the COOLEST girl at riding school with this baby..
LMAO!!