10 week horseback riding challenge

Shoebacha1

I find I have been taking for granted that my horses are always going to be there when I am ready to ride. I live on a ranch with an indoor and outdoor arena and over 100 acres, yet I have only ridden my horse once in the last few months. I am working 6 days a week and 12+ hours, but I need to make myself get out there and ride at least one of them on Sundays. Any other horse folks out there who would like to join me in committing to ride a horse at least once per week for 10 weeks?

lkirchner82

I'm in! On my way to the barn right now.

MommyL2015

Not fair. I'd do this in a heartbeat if I had horses.

Mouse_Potato

I try to ride every Saturday. Sometimes the weather gets in the way, but I can *probably* manage 10 in a row.

Shoebacha1

MommyL2015 wrote: »

Not fair. I'd do this in a heartbeat if I had horses.

If you were in the Stillwater, Oklahoma area, you could come ride with me. Check out on Craigslist in the farm and garden listings. I have posted looking for riding buddies before. You could post an ad saying you would like to ride and maybe someone will let you ride theirs? I let people ride mine for free, but I am sure you could find lease options.

Shoebacha1

lkirchner82 wrote: »

I'm in! On my way to the barn right now.

Great! Enjoy! What kind of riding do you do?

Shoebacha1

Mouse_Potato wrote: »

I try to ride every Saturday. Sometimes the weather gets in the way, but I can *probably* manage 10 in a row.

I understand that! I used to only have a small 3 acre lot and if it rained it was worthless to try and ride because of all the mud. Luckily, now I have an indoor arena for bad weather days. I hope you manage! What kind of riding do you do?

MyBoyG

You bet! Spring is here, so I'm ready to get my horse back in shape. Lunged him tonight and hope to ride Friday.

Mouse_Potato

Shoebacha1 wrote: »

Mouse_Potato wrote: »

I try to ride every Saturday. Sometimes the weather gets in the way, but I can *probably* manage 10 in a row.

I understand that! I used to only have a small 3 acre lot and if it rained it was worthless to try and ride because of all the mud. Luckily, now I have an indoor arena for bad weather days. I hope you manage! What kind of riding do you do?

Primarily dressage, but also some small jumps. I've got a pretty green little mare and we're trying out lots of things to see what she likes. What about you?

Shoebacha1

I just piddle in the arena and do trail riding. Nothing fancy.

lkirchner82

Shoebacha1 wrote: »

lkirchner82 wrote: »

I'm in! On my way to the barn right now.

Great! Enjoy! What kind of riding do you do?

My gelding is 29 and is living the life of luxury as a spoiled retiree. So I ride my friend's western pleasure horses primarily. I have also recently begun taking hunt seat lessons. My goal in life is to spend as much time with horses as I possibly can, so I really don't care what I do with them, as long as I get to be around them!

Shoebacha1

My favorite gelding is approaching 20, but still spunky as all get out.

alipene

I usually ride twice a week as the mare is about 24 and a little arthritic. Sometimes work and other stuff gets in the way though. Hopefully once a week for 10 weeks is do-able for me as it just fits in before I go away for a week

Shoebacha1

Sounds good! Look forward to hearing about your rides.

Mouse_Potato

Shoebacha1 wrote: »

I just piddle in the arena and do trail riding. Nothing fancy.

Piddling is awesome. When I got my girl vet checked they asked me what I planned to do with her. I said a little jumping, a little dressage, some trail riding, maybe try endurance riding. They said "Oh, you plan to *enjoy* her!"

hoyalawya2003

Yeah, love that there are other horsey folks here! I have a jumping lesson scheduled for today. I am trying to commit to 2 to 3x per week, but that is dicey considering I work full time and have young kids and a husband with a nutty schedule. I have been fox hunting and showed hunter jumper (for the first time!) last summer, but have now been dabbling with dressage and considering doing eventing (really low level). I just read a fiction book about saddlebreds, and was interested enough that I found a barn about 7 miles away, so I am toying with that idea, too. I grew up riding, training, and showing Tennessee walkers, so I think that world is probably closer to what I grew up with. I currently half lease an Irish draft who is a fantastic foxhunter.

Shoebacha1

I have played around a bit with low jumps in the arena and on the trail. I ride one of my geldings through town. When we go to Sonic, the staff bring him out carrots and apples. LOL

Shoebacha1

hoyalawya2003 wrote: »

Yeah, love that there are other horsey folks here! I have a jumping lesson scheduled for today. I am trying to commit to 2 to 3x per week, but that is dicey considering I work full time and have young kids and a husband with a nutty schedule. I have been fox hunting and showed hunter jumper (for the first time!) last summer, but have now been dabbling with dressage and considering doing eventing (really low level). I just read a fiction book about saddlebreds, and was interested enough that I found a barn about 7 miles away, so I am toying with that idea, too. I grew up riding, training, and showing Tennessee walkers, so I think that world is probably closer to what I grew up with. I currently half lease an Irish draft who is a fantastic foxhunter.

I would love a draft or draft/mix! 2 of my boys are on the smaller side, practically ponies but stout. My old man is tall and slender. When one of them passes, I will be getting a draft cross.

Shoebacha1

I am having a tough food day.
Before I read about it in the PCOS for Dummies book, I always thought it was just a problem with me....but knowing that PCOS is what is causing this urge to binge eat on occasion helps me ignore and control it. Now instead of feeling like I have piss poor self control and am a self-sabatager, I understand the urge is actually chemically induced. Lets me feel I am in control of myself again, and helps me know the hunger pains are not really me being hungry, but my out of whack system telling me lies. I will continue to eat as normal and increase my water intake, and give the finger to these lies from my tummy.

lkirchner82

I trail rode for an hour today. Sunny and 75 degrees - what a perfect way to spend a spring day!

Shoebacha1

I am so jealous! I am hoping the weather is nice on Sunday. Would hate to have to ride in the indoor arena...

Mouse_Potato

I am heading to the barn shortly. It's absolutely gross outside. Hot, humid, and strong storms are coming tomorrow. There aren't many good riding days left this season. :P

Shoebacha1

Looks like I will be riding indoors tomorrow. Looks nasty outside today and only supposed to be worse tomorrow. Oh well, it is what it is. Still excited. Might even ride two horses!

Mouse_Potato

I made it out yesterday! Week one completed successfully! I was kind of hoping to go trail riding this afternoon, but it looks like the storms will be here by then. There was a horse show scheduled and it got cancelled. I guess if you are in Stillwater, I don't have to tell you about it. Be safe!

sunshinerose52

Wow I would so love to do this challenge. It is one of my goals that when I reach 199 pounds to get back on a horse and go riding with my 12 year old daughter it's been many years for me. I live in Barbados (West Indies) but will be in Spokane WA in August if anyone is nearby and wants to ride although I have only been in an American saddle once ever!!! Have fun on your challenge

Jburlen2007

Now that our ground is thawed out, I plan on fencing in part of our hay field and converting to sand for riding pasture. Should make riding at home much easier!

Shoebacha1

I failed. I planned to ride yesterday but the husband is very sick and I just didnt find the time. I will get two rides in this week to make up for it.

lkirchner82

I rode yesterday evening. Happy trails, everyone!

JustAnotherOneOfThoseGirls

awh reading all these makes me so nostalgic, I used to be a stablehand and cared for 30+ horses, with free reign to ride any of them whenever i pleased, I'd love to try and get back into it, although there's not many free/cheap options in England

Shoebacha1

Supposed to be beautiful weather Sunday until the evening. Late morning ride is going to be awesome. Hope it drys up a bit so we can go explore and not just do circles in the indoor arena. I have a goal of riding 3 miles down the road to Boomer Lake, and then 3 miles around, then the 3 miles back. Tomorrow is day one of working up to it.

Mouse_Potato

I completed ride number 2 yesterday. Once again, I had kind of hoped to ride today, but the weather is not cooperating. <sigh>