How many "Horsey Ladies" are here?

[Michelemarrano]

Hi folks--I ride 50 miles/week on a bike and also ride and American Saddlebred gelding. I riding a horse once a week after biking 5 or more hours a week excellent cross-training. As I approach 50, I find that riding erect in an English saddle at the trot and canter really straightens me out after cycling.

On the Saddlebred Rescue website, I'd like to brag to you guys that I've gotten 4 horsey-ladies in Ohio to take up cycling as their cross-training into an aerobic activity.

I now go on bike rides with horsefolks and I take cyclist friends to the barn.

How many of you cyclists are also horsewomen?

[LoriO]

I am! I am lucky enough to have my horse at a barn that is 4.5-5 miles (depending on which way I go) from my house. So I get the best of both worlds, I ride my bike to the barn and then get to ride my horse and then bike home again!

Everyone teases me about my 2-wheeled horse around the barn. It even gets parked in one of the stalls when I am there :-)

[firenze11]

I am, too! My mom and I both have Morgans. Mine is a gorgeous black gelding and my Mom's is a wild chestnut mare. They're amazing.

I've been riding since my 8th birthday, but have been doing it less and less as the years go by. I used to show a lot, but it became less fun when we were doing it on our own and I didn't have a barn full of friends to do it with. When I get home from school I'll be able to ride more with my mom.

Cool to see other riders (besides those two-wheeled horses, hehe) on here.

[Michelemarrano]

How lucky you are to ride your bike to the barn. Our barn is 15 min away thru heavy traffic. Just 4 min from the barn is a parking lot for cyclists and a 32 mile route along the Scioto River. Last Monday I went for that 32 mile bike ride, then swung by the barn and took Dancer for a half hour spin (walk, trot, canter). It feels fantastic to hop on a horse when I'm loose and warmed up from cycling. No aches or pains!

[Kris]

I started riding lessons about a year ago, after 30 years of not being on a horse. I really love it. I can feel the difference in my back and my flexibility. I used to ride western, but now I'm trying English, and finding it very challenging. DH rides western, and we go together. We needed some activities after the nest emptied.

[Brandi]

Awww I wish I could be! I love horses but I am deathly allergic to them! If I get within 5 feet my face swells up. I have been this way since I was little and I hate it. what i wouldn't give to be able to ride without feeling like cr*p. I have to watch from afar and dream!

[Michelemarrano]

Hi Kris--I'm glad you like your lessons. Me and DH ride English--I'm an old "saddleseat" rider and DH rode "hunt seat". I had a five-gaited American Saddlebred mare (excellent trail horse); DH had a huge bay Saddlebred gelding he rode as a hunter. We rode together before our children came along.

I stopped riding in 1994 as we outlived our horses and started our family. Our girls are now 13 and 17, and we are both back in the saddle. There is a wonderful Saddlebred barn near our house--the trainer is the best caretaker in the world. She has a really neat niche of affordable lessons, affordable leasing, reasonable board. She makes riding attainable for us middle-class folks. She's trained and shown world champions but would rather have a barn full of truck drivers and nurses than work for rich folks.

I started riding back in November. I take 1-2 lessons per month and lease a wonderful lesson horse. I really find that posting a trot English style really works my core muscles and is making me a stronger cyclist.

Keep up with the English riding lessons--your cycling self will thank you!

[copperlegend]

Me me! I've been riding hunter/jumpers since I was 6 (wow, 21 years now, sheesh!), rode Western for a bit when I was in college because our IHSA team needed some spots filled. Unfortunately I had to put my horse down in November, and it's taken a while to get back in the saddle, but I have a great friend with a few lovely OTTB's for me to ride.

The barn is a mere 3 miles from my house, and I have a feeling I'll be riding my bike there from now on.

[arielmoon]

Me!

I have a 13yr old Arabian Gelding named Iceberg and he is a 2nd/3rd level dressage horse.

[solobiker]

I don't know too much about them. All I know is that they scare me. They are just sooooo big and powerful. They are very pretty though.

[MillieNZ]

Me too

My mare is retired and back to the farm that bred her to be used as part of their breeding program......... I miss her smiley face But since we are moving overseas at the end of the year, i'm happy that she is in a lifetime home......... In the meantime I ride everyone elses horses............

[Michelemarrano]

How cool! Dressage horses, hunters, Arabians....how cool! Now....who is going to post pics of their equine friends? Here's a pic of me and Dancer, the nice boy we're leasing...

[arielmoon]

[Michelemarrano]

Hi Ariel Moon--

What a gorgeous Arabian you have. I really respect the discipline of Dressage, it's unfortunate that I know so little about it. My Saddlebred trainer refers to Saddleseat riding as the "NASCAR of dressage!" LOL!!

BTW--I used to take my younger cousin to the barn back when I had my gaited mare 30 years ago. Michael is now a dressage instructor in Rhinebeck, NY!!

I've recently ridden in dressage saddles (Michael's and my step-mom's) and I must compliment how truly comfortable they are!

Thank you SO much for posting your pics!

[arielmoon]

Thanks Michele! Ice is a wonderful partner for me in dressage. We had a rough few years then when I first got him but now we really click. Unfortunately, I have yet to be cleared by my therapist for riding since I broke my pelvis in March. So he's enjoying his summer vacation!

I have ridden saddleseat and it is fun. Dressage starts with the foundation of riding and it allowed me to have fun in other disciplines such as saddleseat and western pleasure. I started out riding hunter jumpers when I was young but I never learned to get a feel of the horse, I only knew how to sit up there and look pretty.