Just wanted to introduce myself. You can call me Coon.
I'm 18, a high school student, getting prepared for a Nursing degree. My mother is a nurse who works in residential care as well, so I guess I've taken the family tradition. I have a 12 year old APHA mare, Amberly, who lives a life of leisure. Currently, medical problems (I have Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder that gives me random, intense vertigo.) leave me mostly unable to ride. I'm hoping to work those out very soon, as they may derail my career plans as well. So for now, I am just happily grooming and sharing my knowledge with others.
Prior to developing Meniere's, I worked at a therapeutic riding center helping with lessons and horse care. I first began riding on a cattle ranch. I learned all my basics here, along with breeding (they also bred quarter horses). Then, I moved to a hunter barn, got comfortable jumping 3'6". Worked with warmbloods, arabs, and TBs. Found a new trainer who worked in classical dressage, found a passion! Became very involved in the training and day to day work of a dressage horse. Then I found eventing and was equally excited. I had worked my lessons and leases off until this point, riding hundreds of different horses over 7 years and spending 30-40 hours a week in the barns. I worked with a new trainer who taught me the art of teaching lessons, since I had acquired both theory and a good amount of skill. I started teaching children and training horses. In the midst of this I got a massive knee injury and had to stop starting horses and focused on finishing those who had basics. I don't claim to know it all (or even most of it!) and especially these days, I have far more knowledge than physical ability, but I really have been honored to work with the horses and people I have. Growing up, I never thought I would get to touch a horse, let alone work with them daily and even be paid to!
Finally, I made the jump and bought a horse. I moved her to a trail riding barn, and now I have a great group of barn friends. I'm still the young kid to them, but I have held Barn Manager position quite a bit over the two years I've owned my horse. Now days I can ride a few times a week, but I never know when the vertigo will hit, so I am very cautious.
Whew!
That was a lot of info. But that is me! Let me know if you have questions! Looking forward to meeting you all.
