Conference noted::equitation

    
    Welcome!
    
    My .02 worth, If you have the opportunity to ride different horses
    each week, meaning more than 1 or 2x per week, I would stay with that
    for now. Riding different horses can teach you alot. If you are only
    riding a little bit now and by getting your own horse would afford
    you the opportunity to ride alot more, then I would take that
    direction. Whichever you choose, good luck and have fun! Sounds like 
    you are really enjoying it.
    
    Marianne
    

    My students seem to progess faster when they stay with the same
    horse for a period of time. I think the strangeness of a different
    horse every week inhibits learning - just about the time you get
    comfortable and start to know each other, the lesson is over and
    it's time to learn another horse.
    
    We try to get everyone to 2 lessons per week - the serious students,
    that is.  This leaves enough time to recuperate between session
    yet isn't so long you have to start from scratch each time.  Usually,
    students ride the same horse, but occasionally they switch or go
    on to something more difficult.
  
	-maureen
    
 

    Thanks to both of you for responding.
    
    I do feel that having to ride different horses will help me to be
    a better rider - but - what Maureen said is also true - I
    spend half the lesson getting used to the horse, by the time I'm
    really comfortable and feel really good going over the jumps - lesson's
    over.  But - having my own would allow me to spend more time riding
    and practicing (I'm still trying to get used to English - BIG
    difference from Western!). 
    
    By the by...anyone got any sure fire ways for convincing a spouse
    to buy a horse???  Just thought I'd ask...
    

    
    But you spouce a hourse to (his/hers) that is what I did when I
    was dating my husband, I jsut went and got him one, and he loves
    to ride.
    
    Welcome to horse notes!
    
    Louisa

    Maybe you could give him one for Christmas as a surprise. Ha HA
    
    The last reply was right it is much easier if you share the interest
    since it is such a time consuming expensive hobby.
    
    Welcome

    If you are thinking of buying my suggestion is that you start with
    leasing with an option to buy.  This way the hubby doesn't feel that he
    is being pushed into something with no recourse.
    
    Good luck...he will probably learn to love it especially if he starts
    trail riding.
    
    

    That's not a bad idea...last Xmas it was a new set of golf clubs,
    this Xmas...maybe something in a chestnut?  I've already got
    the color for the bow picked out.
    
    Another Question:  Anyone know of places in So. NH (maybe from Derry
    to Portsmouth) to board?  I'm looking for full board that won't
    cost an arm and a leg.  The place I'm taking lessons at runs $400 a
    month - that's a little on the steep side, isn't it?
    
    Lynne  

    Thanks!  I'll probably be able to sell the lease idea easier than
    outright ownership.  Question #3 - anyone know of horses to lease
    in the So. NH area???? (I love this file!!!!)
    
    Lynne
    

    
    Lynne, where do you live?  I know of a place in Brookline N.H. where 
    full board is $275 a month.  Thats where I'm boarding my baby for now.
    A couple more weeks and she'll be comming home.  I may possibly rent
    out a stall next spring so she'll have company instead of getting
    another one, cause my husband tells me he won't have time to ride.
    
    Cindy
    

    Hi Cindy,
    
    I live in Haverhill, MA (on the Plaistow, NH boader).  I would like
    to get something fairly close (up to 1/2 hr drive or so).  I'm a
    novice at this, so I plan on really shopping around, weighing price
    with services, and whether or not the place takes good care of their
    keeps, etc. - if I buy my own, THAT will be real important.
    
    Thanks for the info!
    L.
    

    If you are interested in a lease, I have a mre that might fit the bill.
    What kind of riding do you do?  This by the way is a free lease with
    your
    responsibility being maintenance only.
    Give me a call at home after 9p.m. as we are usually owrking around
    outside.  508-422-7412.
    

    I'm interested...I'll definately give ya a buzz...Thanks!
    
    Lynne
    

    Lynne,
    
    I was in your shoes several years ago and I have some advise. First
    stick with lessons for a while if you want to ride hunters. Try
    to ride a couple of times a week to get used to the idea of the
    responsibility and time it takes to own a horse. Try to ride the
    same horse a couple of lessons in a row but also you should learn
    to ride new horses too. This will round out your experiance.
    
    I pay $440 a month to keep my horse boarded in Cleveland, Ohio and
    it's worth every penny to me. I have a trainer who trains both me
    and my horse and a stable manager who keeps an eye on him. I can
    trust that my horse is being well kept at this barn. You get what
    you pay for at a good barn.
    
    On convincing your husband. I gave mine no choice and I bought the
    horse with my own money. To keep the costs in line, I share the
    horse and the costs with my sister. It works great. I ride 3 days
    and she rides 3 days. Horses consume an unbelievable amount of time
    and while its alot of fun sometimes it gets to be a burden too.
    Sharing a horse has other benefits to me too, I get to take my horse
    to more horseshows.
    
    Good luck.
    
    Laura

    Thanks Laura,  I appreciate the feed back. 
    
    To update how it's going - I've got hubby sold on the idea of leasing,
    now I'm taking my time looking.  He likes to ride, but as I mentioned
    earlier - he's not infected as badly as I am.  I have the feeling,
    because I know my husband, that when he has more of an opportunity
    to ride and can pat and scratch when ever he wants - he'll get more
    involved.
    
    Now - I've had a GRAND total of three lessons now - 4th one's tomorrow.
     I have, however, noticed an improvement over the first lesson -
    by leaps (if you'll pardon the pun).  My instructor gave me a shock,
    however - my school gets together with one or two others every month,
    month an a half and has a little competition for the students. 
    Well, I asked her when the next one was and she said "October."
     I said, "Great, I'd love to come and watch."  She looked at me
    and smiled and said, "Watch?...You're gonna be in it."  I was so
    dumbfounded that I forgot to ask her when in October.  My 18 year
    dream is finally coming true.  I guess it just goes to show never
    give up on your dreams.....
    
    L.