Forgive me if this is my second posting about this, I can't remember if I said anything earlier.  But, being over 50, we know what that's like, eh???  <grin>

Anyway, see that gorgeous horse picture on my post?  That's Lucy!  I got her Feb. 4 after having my trainer and a vet check her out.  Today's her 12th birthday.  Went out to the barn to give her a nice grooming and several treats.  It was a good time, no one else was there, so I could sing Happy Birthday w/o reservation, talk a blue streak to her, and let her loose in the arena for a few minutes so she could roll and be an unrestrained horse.

I'm still in the collecting-horse-goodies phase, stuff like shampoo and conditioner for when it gets warm enough to give her a bath, a new halter befitting a First Horse's birthday present, etc.  Have a saddle and tack already, was actually able to get a Crates headstall to match the saddle!  I never care about stuff like that for myself, but my horse must look good!

She's got pretty good bloodlines, is a double-registered Paint/Pinto, a Breeder's Trust horse, but I don't know if she has any points anywhere.  Will figure that out once the registration transfer comes thru.  I don't plan to show or breed her, just do trail riding and arena work as my riding lessons progress.

Currently she's in 60 days training.  She hasn't been worked consistently for the past couple years so definitely needs a tune-up, plus that'll give my trainer a chance to learn/teach her so as to instruct me better.

What a scary thrill!  Big responsibility, a horse.  Fortunately my trainer really knows her stuff and I know Lucy will be properly looked after at her barn.  All I have to do now is get used to being Horse Rich and Cash Poor!

Bye,

Congrats!  Horses are definitely addictive.  We are looking for a second and my house is over flowing with tack and saddles.  We have one horse and three saddles for her!  One is her show saddle.  Then she has an multi-purpose english saddle.  And then she has a cheap light weight saddle for trail riding and knocking around.  Then there are blankets and halters and bridles and reins and brushes and combs and helmets and ....

You get the idea?    Best wishes.

I just recieved thru the mail the knit nets you put over the ears for flies.  Shots, wormers and cowboy magic to get the tangles our from the winter.  I have 12 horses to work on this spring.  I love making them pretty.

I also have a mini pony for my grandchild.  She will start this spring riding.  She is 6.  I need to order her a safety vest.  And the sturrups with the cover on them so her little foot can not go thru the sturrup.  She already has a helmet and saddle.  Let see, she will also need boots.

As for the pony, I need a surcingle to help in training him.  And a couple of long reins.  He is good at lead line but I have not taught him the use of the bit yet.  Yep spring fever has hit.  Glad my credit card is paid off.

A big congratulations on your horse!

 "All I have to do now is get used to being Horse Rich and Cash Poor!"

I am always amazed at how non-horse people think I "must have a lot of money" because I have horses - lol lol

Truly would not need my part time job if I didn't have the horses, and at that Mr. WTW has to subsidize the barn goings-on - lol lol lol

You will have a lot of fun shopping for must have things (many of which you really won't need - lol lol lol) 

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!    How wonderful!!!!

Horse rich.... cash poor!  That's a good one and oh so true.  I've got 2 horses and 3 saddles.  One a western saddle, one a dressage saddle and the other a Tucker Plantation Saddle.  Bits??  I've got tons of those.  Bridles, why of course!  And they match the saddles!!!!!Blankets, yup, lots of those too.  Show Sheen, shampoo, conditioner, fly spray, MTG, the list goes on and on.  Oh and let's not forget MY clothing!  Saddleseat coat and slacks.  Black jods, black western boots, goofy looking hat for saddleseat, black leather gloves, white shirt and tie.  Western sparkly shirt (need to get chaps).  My, my, my!!

I love it though and wouldn't have it any other way. 

 Congrats on the new horse!  I bought my first horse at 44 (me not him!!) and I'm loving it.  I had to laugh at everyone's comments about all the "things" our horses need.  Every time I think I have enough stuff it turns out I need something else.  I still only have one saddle and one bridle but for Christmas I got a bareback pad and rope hackamore.  Of course multiple saddle pads are required.  Oh and I'm working through the Parelli levels so I need some of THOSE tools, rope halter, 12 ft rope, 22 ft rope, carrot stick.  And I'm thinking of attending some re-enactments on my horse so I needed tall black boots and period appropriate clothing (good thing I sew!).  I thought I would one day "arrive" and have enough but judging from other comments...THAT never happens!!

ownedbyduke:

  I thought I would one day "arrive" and have enough but judging from other comments...THAT never happens!!

One can never have enough "stuff"

I still have the Sears-Roebuck, saddle, bridle, and martengale my mom bought me for my first horse back in 1960!

 I have four or five other saddles (I can't remember because most are in the attic - lol).

I still ride bareback, unless I ride in a parade, then I ride the Tennessee Walker in my avatar, "Plantation Proper"

 I have lost count of the bits I have.  Brushes and more brushes.  Clippers --->  dead clippers, good clippers, crummy clippers.  Various assortment of horse sheets and blankets.

I have old pieces of leather and tools to repair leather.

 I have a floor-to-ceiling closet in my house that is nothing but horse and dog meds.  Plus the refrigerator, plus cupboards in the barn.

I know I am leaving things out, but you get the picture - lol lol  I have had my own horse since I was 12, so I have been collecting "stuff" for nearly 49 years.  I would do well to clean house one of these days, but every time I try, I think "I might need this some day" lol lol lol

What I am trying to say is to just plan on spending all your extra $$ on the horse

if you can find a horse and tack auction in your area thats a fun place to find new and used tack. the prices are usuaaly good and you meet other horse people from your area.congrats on the horse!

Ebay thought I was rich for awhile!  Congratulations to you.  BTW, do you play or sing with bass clef?  I sing and play flute (treble!).

Enjoy your horse!! When I turned 50 I bought my first horse  an Arabian gelding that took my breath away- without knowing a dang thing. (I rode as a child growing up in Europe but had not ridden for 20 years)!  I lucked out and this has been the greatest relationship that I ever forged.

Now, 9 years later (I affectionately call him my husband) my Arabian and I are the best of friends. Also, about 4 years ago I was given another Arabian - it is wonderful to see them fly across the small acreage and come to the house for carrots & apples. Boarding is expensive, the one thing I did was ask around private ranches to board, they are often cheaper.

Hopefully you know about Jeffers.com catalogue - good prices on shampoos, etc. And your best friend is a Great vet!! I hope you have the love affair and friendship that opens your heart as much as I have been blessed with my horse/s.

Lucy looks like a lovely horse, congratulations!  Love the Horse Rich, Cash Poor comment - hehehe.

But people can always find something to spend money on.  If not horses, some other interest will suck up all our money.

I always tell myself, if I didn't have two horses, I'd be driving around in a Jaguar XJ6 or a Porsche and STILL not have two pennies to rub together!

Hi KCS,

Yup, I play cello, although these days there isn't enough time to practice or play, so it sits, its case quietly gathering dust.  Funny, my first instrument was flute, and even though I've played cello for over 30 years, I still think in treble clef!

And to everyone else, thanks for your kind words and encouragement.  I'm really enjoying getting to know Lucy and working out some of her kinks.  My trainer was injured in a car crash a few weeks ago, so we're having to delay full-time training.  I'm able to do ground work (have learned to ground drive, what fun!), sacking out, and a little bit of riding.

Here's a question for you:  Have any of you ever had a horse who threw up her/his head?  Lucy has that bad habit, especially when I'm dismounting.  Trainer and I will work on this with her, and so far I've delayed my dismount and brought her head down by bumping the reins, doing this several times if necessary.  If you have any ideas re what else to do, bring 'em on!  Please!  We're going to have her wear one of those doo-dads (can't remember its name at the moment) that encourages her to keep her from throwing her head while being ridden, that should help.  There's got to be something I can do, too, that isn't tack-related.

Thanks again,

Mary 

Hi bc54, I addressed your question in the Getting Started forum - I'll copy it here in case you missed it over there.

What worked for us - first both feet out of the stirrups (mare knew this as a preliminary to dismount) - if head went up, then feet went back into stirrups & put the horse  back to work. This happened twice & she quickly realized that head up meant back to work. 

But the message wasn't completely through to her brain because as the rider put pressure forward to hop off,  the head would come up -- so feet back in stirrups & back to work.  This segment took a bit longer to register - took maybe 5 tries before she stood still - but clue in she did !

Next ride took only one 'reminder' - she's been fine since.

Hope this helps - usually if you make a horse work when they're not behaving the way you want , they quickly come to the realization that it is way easier to listen to your first request. .

Thanks, Countrymouse, great suggestion.  Will try that tomorrow when I'm at the barn again!

Mary