10 week horseback riding challenge

lkirchner82

I rode the past three days - moseying on my senior boy Saturday, hunt seat lesson yesterday, and a saddle seat lesson today because why not?

Shoebacha1

I piddled around bareback on Sky, and did some bonding training with Avalanche. Av will now step up onto a pallet and on a pedastool on demand! For treats of course. LOL All I have to do is point at it and he gets on it! So proud of him!

TehLaughingDog

Aw this makes me miss my quarter horses. Hopefully you guys will post up another next year when I'll be looking to buy again. Have fun out there for me guys!

Shoebacha1

I got an hour long ride in last night. Got home earlier than expected and finished my work out video and dinner early enough that I was able to saddle up and ride. Love having a lighted outdoor arena!

Shoebacha1

It amazes me how much difference I have in confidence and balance just losing 20 pounds. I can get in the saddle without a step stool now, I feel more secure in my seat, and my endurance is greatly increased. I am so excited to see how much things change when I have lost 40 pounds....60...80....100. I think both me and my horses are going to enjoy it!

Shoebacha1

One of my milestone goals is, I want to be able to jump/climb up on my horses bareback without a stool. I am going to be practicing. Gonna have my hubby make me a practice dummy horse. Hey, another workout! LOL

Shoebacha1

Got a rushed ride in last night. I didnt have time to round pen Avalanche first and was worried he would be bucky. He actually did rather well. It was rough at first, his trot was like riding a jack hammer, but no bucking when we loped and after the first few rounds in the arena he loosened up and got smooth. Because it was a little windy, we didnt have to deal with the stupid horse flies either. Did you know those *kitten* can bite through jeans!

Shoebacha1

It is taking EVERYTHING I have in me not to weigh in. I have had to make several trips to the medical department, passing that stupid scale. I had to put a belt on to keep my size 20 jeans up! I have had 4 different people ask if I have lost weight. I am wearing a shirt I have not worn in forever (without spanks anyway) and I went up a hook on my bra. BAM!
Got called to an emergency dog sitting as saddling up, so didnt get my ride in yesterday. Today though, it is happening!

Shoebacha1

Got a nice long ride in yesterday. Plan is to do the same today. I LOVE MY HORSES! They are toning up so nice, too. Buff Butts!

Shoebacha1

Got sunburned and over heated mucking stalls. But, once the hubby gets home and we eat dinner I still plan to get a ride in tonight. I turned the horses out to pasture while I worked on their stalls, so Avalanche should not be TOO spunky.

Mouse_Potato

I got out and rode yesterday. We are both still adjusting to the new saddle, so I got a little drama. Nothing too bad. Unfortunately, she would still rather kill us both than have sunscreen applied to her nose.

Shoebacha1

Mouse_Potato wrote: »

I got out and rode yesterday. We are both still adjusting to the new saddle, so I got a little drama. Nothing too bad. Unfortunately, she would still rather kill us both than have sunscreen applied to her nose.

Sky is like that when I try to worm him or spray his head/face with water during a bath....or fly spray his back legs. Didnt get around to riding last night, but when we get home from taking the boat out for the first time, I plan to tonight.

epicstapler

Totally aware this challenge is well over but if anyone would like to add me i could definitely use the motivation to be more accountable with my riding

lkirchner82

Shoebacha1 wrote: »

Got sunburned and over heated mucking stalls. But, once the hubby gets home and we eat dinner I still plan to get a ride in tonight. I turned the horses out to pasture while I worked on their stalls, so Avalanche should not be TOO spunky.

Mucking is an awesome workout!

It's been too hot to do any sort of riding with my 29 year old, but I had a saddleseat lesson today. Hunt seat tomorrow!

Shoebacha1

epicstapler wrote: »

Totally aware this challenge is well over but if anyone would like to add me i could definitely use the motivation to be more accountable with my riding

Oh, this does not expire. This is an ongoing challenge. I am on week 3. I created the challenge and didnt ride the first several weeks. Welcome!

catriona232

I would love to join too! I usually ride Saturdays and Sundays, but need to get out at least one or two more days to see my horse.

Shoebacha1

catriona232 wrote: »

I would love to join too! I usually ride Saturdays and Sundays, but need to get out at least one or two more days to see my horse.

I have made it a point to go "visit" my horses daily. I may not get to ride everyday, but I can walk from the house to their run and dump and fill their water bowls and give them treats.

Shoebacha1

I am down 18 pounds!

Shoebacha1

I have moved to Stroud. I am so close to Stroud and Prague lake. Great trails. Been riding each weekend. No longer have a lighted arena, so can only ride weekends due to getting dark. Hope you are all staying safe!

Shoebacha1

If any of you are in Oklahoma, or close. I am going to a toy for tots benefit trail ride and chili dinner at Lake Carl Blackwell on November 12th. Would love it if anyone could join. If my mom and friend do not go, I have one beginner friendly and one intermediate rider level horses available. If I can get someone/s to go with, I plan to camp out and fish, and if weather permits, swim. I have a weekender package in my trailer.

Mouse_Potato

I grew up in Oklahoma, but I'm not close anymore. I'm in Houston. Just moved my girl to a barn much closer to my house, so hopefully we can ride more. They have a ton of trails as well, so I think it's time she learned to be a trail horse!

Shoebacha1

I love trail riding. I feel closest to God when on horseback, especially when watching a sunset or riding through the woods, or by water. I enjoy riding and working towards a goal in an arena, but my reason for riding is to observe nature and bond with my horse while taking in the awesome gifts around us. Speed events are fun every so often, but I am not a competitive person, and I always worry of hurting my horse, especially with my weight. For now, me and my boys will continue our quiet nature hikes.

Shoebacha1

I adopted a 16 hands, 26 yr young gelding, Quincy, last month. His pasture mate was 34 and being put to rest, so the older owner did not want him to be alone. I got his teeth floated, his coggins and vaccs, but he dropped some weight. I started him on a combination of whole oats, senior feed, alfalfa pellets and weight builder supplement. He is already putting weight back on after just one week of this. He has some creaks and never breaks a walk in the pasture and we ride him in the pasture with no issues. Took him out on the cattle lease this past weekend and OMG! Changing his name to Ricky Bobby, because he wants to go FAST. Had a hard time holding him back, he wanted to trot and run the whole time. We were using the snaffle bit that came with him, but changing to a twisted copper for the next ride. It was a bit scary for me, I ride 13 hand horses normally, so being on a new 16 hand horse who I had to constantly hold back was a quick reminder of how much higher I was from the ground. Dont know how you gals do it. I think I will stick to my short fat horses and leave the tall lean ones to the husband. Second guessing my want for a draft horse. Plus, short horses are easy to get back on if you do fall. If I ever fall off of Quincy, IF I can get up, I will have to find a fallen tree or some other form of help to get on. My leg does not go that high, even if I were flexible.

Shoebacha1

Excited about the toys for tots trail ride tomorrow. Avalanche has been so jealous that I have been riding and showing Quincy attention (and giving him grain) he will be happy to be my ride.

Shoebacha1

Rode over 10 miles on Saturday. Anyone who says horseback riding is not a workout is so wrong. My legs and shoulders are more sore from that ride than when doing squats. Going to Prague Lake this coming Saturday to get another ride in.

crimsongrey

Just came across this post and wanted to say HI It's great to see there are horse people on MFP. I started a group, but no one really participates...except me. Feel free to join! http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/117046-equestrian-athletes

Shoebacha1

I have been putting the miles on my horse and his new shoes. Been riding at least 4 miles each time, with some loping circles when we get back (getting barn sour, have to make home less appealing). I have been taking a break, but new year new me....(sigh)

Mouse_Potato

I tried to get out and ride yesterday, but work called. Hopefully this weekend!

Shoebacha1

Glad I went riding now....wasnt paying attention to the weather. Will still try and get a ride in this weekend, but hate having numb toes and all the static. The weather was perfect on Saturday.

lkirchner82

I haven't posted in ages, so it was great to see that you all are still riding regularly! I've acquired a new rescue, so this winter will be spent getting him conditioned and simply trusting humans and he will hopefully be ready for spring riding.