How many of us have or ride horses?

[eofelis]

I pretty much lived and breathed horses for 20 years. I haven't done any horse stuff for about 7 years now.

I had my own horses from 1985-1995. I first had an 18 year old Appy gelding, Felix, who was given to me. I lost him to colic a year later He had lots of parasite damage , maybe from poor care when he was younger. Then I had a retired Stb pacer gelding, Shaw, for a short time. Not a bad horse, but he didn't work out for me.Then I had two: Sam a Morgan (I think, no papers) and Sijin, a BLM Mustang filly I adopted. Later Sam got a new home and I just had Sijin. I lost her to colic when she was 8.

After that I just rode other peoples horses. I never bought another one.

I worked at various farms in NE Mass. (Where I lived at the time). My favorite place I worked was Groton House Farm in Hamilton, MA. They raised a few babies each year. I had fun working with them.

I only rode for fun. I only went to a few small shows and a few pre-novice horse trials. I took some dressage lessons sometimes.

Four years ago or so I finally sold off the tack I had. I had a nice Crosby Prix de Nations saddle that I loved. But I wasn't using it. I bought a nice road bike (still have it, the Surly Pacer) with all the money I got from selling off my tack. I'm a student now and I'm more interested in hiking and bicycling. I don't have time or money for horses.

I do love to ogle the horse I see out on my rides. One place has a couple of Fresian horses. I've also seen a Haflinger and a Fjord. I mostly see QHs and Paint/pinto horses. I see lots of mules here too.

Last winter I went for a ride with some folks. They had some nice Morgans they used for trail riding. I went out on a ride with them. I got to ride a nice mare, Fooler. We rode out on some BLM land that mtn bikers also use. I had a nice ride, she was a nice horse, but when I saw someone mtn biking I felt a bit envious! I was just sitting on the horse getting sore knees and no exercise! I never thought I'd be envious of someone that was not riding a horse!

I sort of keep in the horse picture through the model horse hobby (these are "little plastic horses" ). It's like model trains, but with horses. Creating miniatures. There are some amazing artists that are sculpting horses and casting them in resin. I've been doing that since 1981. I was very involved in customizing and showing in the 1990's. I've done little with that since I've been in college, but I hope to get back to it someday. I still visit modelhorseblab dot com regularly. It's a forum like this one. (I actually call this forum "girl bike blab" when I'm talking to my bf, he understands what I mean)

[rheidis73]

i see a lot of horsey Avatars. i have a 14 yr old Appaloosa, the best horse in the world. i love him to bits. in fact i might just get my butt to the barn and ride him.

I am an equine tech, so I do not get on horse back much anymore. I rode thoroughbred race horses for awhile, dressage and of course, a lot of western riding. My dh and I have worked numerous cattle ranches where we would be on horseback 9 hours a day sometimes. I worked in an elk camp that was 21 miles in on horse. Took 8 hours to get in. I have worked as a trail guide on Maui, taking people on horseback thru the pineapple fields and rain forest. There is more, but I will not bore you no more So, I do have a lot of experience with horses, but mostly work with them on the ground now. So, if anyone has any horsey questions, fire away. If I don't know, I will ask my boss. Of course, an equine vet. Crazy enough, I worked cows on horseback until I was 7.5 months pregnant! Anyway, the only saddle I get in now is my Bianchi one

[arielmoon]

I have a 12 year old Arabian gelding that I ride dressage. His name is Iceberg and he is awesome.

I became a vegan for health reasons over a year ago and joined a live journal community where I discovered that it was not vegan from an animal rights perspective to ride a horse. During this time I discovered cycling and my horse is enjoying more free time. I will admit that it is something I struggle with. Even though I am extreme about my eating habits (healthy vegan here) I try to be well rounded in my outlook on the world. The reason I say that is because if riding is cruel then even owning a pet could be considered a form of abuse if taken to the extreme. I dont know where the line is but I believe the fact that I do not eat animals and no animals suffer for me that I am making a small difference that may or may not offset the riding of my horse.