beginner rider

Hello, all. I've been lurking for a few weeks now and find this forum so great. I've worked up the courage to actually post now. Background: I just turned 44 and have a 5 year old daughter who has been taking lessons for a few months now. My father is actually an equine vet and I have grown up...

Hello. I just joined this forum, so, I hope this is the right place to post a set of questions like this! If it's not please let me know and I will move it or repost. I'm eighteen years old (I feel so old, I'm still a kid, I swear), and I've loved horses since I was a little kid. I taught...

Made this video, and others with my friend Teresa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hND_P4_QM9k We are having a lot of fun making horse videos. Plan on making more and maybe venturing into possibly doing some vlogs. Its a bit silly... you've been warned! Hey new video! Check out these basics of...

:think: So, I have a 7 y/o draft cross mare that anyone can ride in the ring. Beginner to advanced can get this mare to w/t in the ring. Yesterday i was doing hill work with her to "fix" a pulled stifle. My horse tires pretty quickly and I put my sister (she knows the basics of riding and is a...

i am 50+ years old and have taken lessons for about 1 year. I love my instructor, she is very generous with her time and horses. However, the lessons are very unstructured and always take place in the saddle. There is no ground work or time spent on learning basic grooming, care etc . I don't...

Hello! I've been taking English riding lessons for a year and a half at a stable that houses about 17 different horses. I am wondering if and when it would be beneficial to purchase my own personal saddle? I am not looking to buy a saddle now by any means, but I do plan on showing this summer...

Hi. I'm new to horses and training, but I've done a ton of studying and watching of videos. I also take lessons twice a week and work really hard at doing things the right way for myself and the horse. I'm very motivated, 44 years old, with a healthy fear of falling from a horse - hence all my...

I'm just beginning lessons and I can't feel any 'side to side' motion when sitting the trot in a western saddle so I'm struggling to move with the horse. I just feel like I'm going up and down (and not at all balanced or comfortable!). She got me to move my arms and pretend I was jogging; as if...

I'm getting my first horse in a few months and I'm trying to make sure i've got everything i need! So far, I've got: Lunge line Saddle (thin) Saddle blanket Halter/bridle combo Halter Reins Lead rope Grooming box with ALL grooming supplies (brushes, hoof pic, curry comb, etcetc) Shampoo Feed...

Hello, I am Victoria; a new member to these forums. Recently, I have been inspired to continue training with horses, and have hopes that this community will help guide me on such a path. Years ago I actively trained with horses, doing ground work with my trainer and helping to rehabilitate...

Hi all, I'm a new user, but I've been digging around a bit and I thought it was time for me to register and talk to some horsey people. Here's my situation: I've been taking western riding lessons for a year and I've talked it over with my instructor and he thinks I'm capable of doing a...

Hey, I need some guidance with buying a riding helmet. I am looking on Dover Saddlery website and there seems to be a variety of helmets and wide price range. Can anyone tell me if this helmet is a good one to have for a beginner? This one is inexpensive and certified, but do you think it does...

So today, I am teaching my first lesson. I know the girl, and she knows the horse she is riding, I have seen her ride him, I am not too worried about her lesson. But this coming up week, I am teaching a lesson to a brand new beginner, on my horse, that she has never met before. Any tips when it...

Hi! My name is Marissa and I've been riding for four and a half years. But I'm still not sure what level I'm at. My first two years of riding were spent walking and trotting around an area for a half hour (I later found out that this wasn't "riding" at all) but then I changed barns and I had to...

I owned a pony at one time, sadly I had to give him away because he became too much for me to handle :-( Thankfully though he went to a very good seasoned horse owner that is working with him on manners. I know that I need a very calm and patient horse one that is going to bring my confidence...