How many of us have or ride horses?

[GeorgiaPeach]

This thread is supporting my suspicion that my interest in horses led to my enjoyment of biking. There are lots of similarities - wind blowing in your face, going fast, enjoying beautiful scenery, and having freedom! Like many others, my first love was horses. I began riding at age 6 and with the support of my family rode for many years. I was really serious and did pony club, dressage, jumpers, foxhunting and three-day eventing up to the intermediate level. Soon I had to decide between college and horses and college won out. I did ride for fun at a local barn for a few years but I have really traded my saddle for my bike. I haven't sold my saddles or boots yet, though!

Though I love biking, I do miss the companionship of the wonderful horses I had growing up. It is hard for some people to understand that horses really do have personalities! They are such a joy to know. My DH has no clue... It is so hard to explain...

[MillieNZ]

She's a 14 yr hannovarian. and she's pretty much the 'The special one horse of a lifetime'

I've had her since she was 7 and we've competited in Show jumping & eventing for 5 years.................. i then put her in foal and decided to buy a bike to amuse myself waiting for the foal.................... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ............so now Millie lives a life of luxury and hasn't been ridden since last year as I'm way to busy riding my 'other love of my life' my Ruby Millie doesn't care less as long as I reguarly feed and pamper her !

We're moving to the States some time next year and sadly I have to leave her here the cost to ship her is horrendous and then the cost of keeping them over there is way more expensive than here in New Zealand , from what I've found out, what it'll cost me to keep Millie here a month is about what it would cost a week in California ! Ouch....................Still she is going to stay with a very good friend who is going to breed from her, so a reasonably happy outcome......

My Ruby bike on the other hand will be packed and coming over with me !

[Biciclista]

just for giggles, how much does it cost to ship a horse?

[MillieNZ]

$12,000 NZ dollars

which at current exchange rate is about $6000 US to either SF or LA....

Oh and that's just the flight over........

[amarantha]

There are a few of us in our dressage group who are also avid cyclists (especially mountain biking). We have a blog that tries to present opinions from the equine point of view ([url]www.feathertouchranch.wordpress.com)./url] I think having a background in cycling also gives us more empathy towards our horses,and a greater appreciation of the need for an athletic frame, both rider and horse.
Can't say which is more fun, though. Asking for, and getting the correct move from my horse is as satisfying as making it through a tough technical section of singletrack on the bike! The biggest difference is the reward I get from interaction and communication with the horses. I do wish people treated their horses more gracefully and it would help if many of them would learn to ride better. At least the bikes don't have feelings (well, maybe sometimes), and I don't cringe when someone abuses their bike...unless it's a bike I covet.