| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1639.1 | Whew, it's been awhile! | DECWET::JDADDAMIO | May the horse be with you! | Thu Jul 02 1992 20:12 | 33 |
| Here's a couple random thoughts on getting started:
1. There's a lot more to learn than just riding skills. When you
go for riding lessons, have them teach you how to groom the
horse and saddle it. Then, show up early enough for your next
lesson to groom and saddle for yourself. They'll probably
appreciate it since it's means a little less work for them.
2. Some stables will work out labor for instruction arrangements
such as "If you clean stalls on Saturday, we'll give you an
extra lesson or an extra riding session." This could be a way
to get a little bit extra time around horses after you've
learned some basic skills.
3. Check your local library for books on horses, horse care and
riding. When I was a kid, I used the library a LOT. I must have
read classics like Margaret Cabell Self's "Horse Mastership" 7-8
times. Even if the library books are old, they'll be useful.
The basics don't change much. The main things that have changed
significantly in recent history is veterinary medicine and show
rules.
4. You can also rent video tapes at tack shops. There are both
instructional and entertainment (competitions, Spanish Riding
School, etc) If you can't find a local tack shop that rents
video tapes, check out one of the mail order rental places
discussed under the video topic in this conference (see VIDEOTAPES
references in note 4.2 to find it)
5. Join a local club for the kind of riding that interests you
most. Go to their meetings and get to know some horse people.
Some clubs also have book and video libraries so you could use
that as another info resouce. Besides, maybe one of them will
let you hang around their barn and ask questions!
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| 1639.2 | lease | ABACUS::FULTZ | DONNA FULTZ | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:31 | 17 |
|
Leasing is the best way to go when your new to the horse
world .. It gives you a chance to try different horses
with out the all the expense ..
Most big school places like to work out arragements that
you clean stall and ride for lesson exchanges..
I know its really hard not fall in love with your first
horse but, try to try alot of different horses..
If you live in the chelmsford area, your more than welcome
to see our horses and ask as many questions as you like..
Donna
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| 1639.3 | | CARTUN::MISTOVICH | | Mon Jul 06 1992 16:35 | 8 |
| Riding schools sometimes do partial leases on school horses and will
sell them to you if, after some amount of time, you decide this is
the horse for you.
I second the suggestion that you work for extra riding lessons. That
way you will learn about horse care with supervision.
Mary
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| 1639.4 | | MASADA::FORD | | Mon Jul 06 1992 17:25 | 12 |
| Everyone has their opinion. Mine is alittle different. I would recommend
"playing the field" for awhile. Take lessons. Hang around farms. Work. Try
lot's of different horses but wait and when you are ready BUY YOUR HORSE. But
know what you want and look alot. I recommend buying and not the lease/half
lease idea because you probably will fall in love and want it to be YOUR
horse. There is a lot of difference between a horse and YOUR horse. People
will advise you against this but I can tell you will fall in love and it
is part of the joy of horse ownership. Prepare yourself for a marriage!
Just a thought.
Darlene
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| 1639.5 | Thanks for the replies! | MSBCS::KELLY | | Wed Jul 08 1992 19:48 | 17 |
| Thank you all for the great information, suggestions and advice!
Well, I just may be on my way into the World of Horses! I'm meeting
someone this Friday at her horse farm and we're going to discuss me
helping out...learning how to handle, feed, etc...I am soooo excited!
I also talked to another woman who has a horse, but also knows alot of
people in the horse world, so I'm sure I can get some info, etc. from
her. And possibly help her out sometimes too!
I am just so anxious to learn and I look forward to owning my first
horse. That may be a year or two down the road, but...in the meantime,
I'll learn all I can.
Thanks again, everyone!
Gen
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| 1639.6 | Dedication and Committment | PSDVAX::LORI | | Wed Jul 08 1992 20:00 | 22 |
| I've read your note and the replies. You've been given a lot of good
advice. What strikes me is the dedication and hard work that is
involved in owning horses. Don't enter without being prepared for all
of that.
Don't buy til you know what you want. That's the real hurdle. Buying
the horse will be the cheapest part of the whole experience. Buying
the tack, and covering the cost of up-keep and vets will be costly
part. Never understood what the term "horse trader" really meant til
we got in the business. Be careful.........
Our farm is in Vermont. Specialize in Morgan horses for "old style
appearence" and disposition. Have 10 of various ages and stages of
training. Be more than happy to have you visit and learn about the
Morgan breed. Just let me know and we can arrange something. If
you rent the Walt Disney video "Justin Morgan Had a Horse" you would
see what the Morgan stands for and what our area in Vermont looks like.
It was filmed in our area as the story takes place in Vermont in our
town and surrounding area. The Justin Morgan horse is buried not 2
miles from our farm.
...michael
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| 1639.8 | Psyched! | MSBCS::KELLY | | Thu Jul 16 1992 14:51 | 31 |
| Well, I've entered the world of horses! Last night was my 2nd time
helping out at a farm that raises Arabians! There are 9 of them there,
and I'll tell, you, when I'm there, I am in my glory! They are such
gorgeous animals! They actually crack me up too because they all have
their own individual personalities...some are friendly...some are
snobbish, etc...but they are all great! I've learned so much already
and I am just so excited about it! Gwen, the person who I am helping
out is great...I just watch her with the horses and she is so
confident. I want to be like that someday. I'm really not scared
around the horses...I just need to be around them more to be able to
feel totally relaxed and confortable with them.
I went to the barn yesterday and when I got out of my car and started
walking over toward the horses, they all came running over to the fence
where I was like a bunch of excited puppies! I was in heaven! I'm sure
they thought I had food for them..."You mean, they weren't just excited
to see ME????" ha!
The one thing that really cracks me up is when the horses want their
food. They all go nuts! Making noises and banging, etc...it is so
funny! I just love 'em!
Anyway, I'm really psyched about this...my next step is lessons...
soon, very soon...within a few weeks for sure!
Thanks again everyone, for you replies!
See ya!
Gen
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