[wishingforahorse]

So I am 15 and haven't ridden a horse since I was 9. My mom doesn't have much money so she couldn't afford for me to have lessons.

Now that Im 15 my mom is finally letting me get a job. I decided that I will try babysitting in my town. (I just got to put up my flyers now). I am either going to save up the money I make and go to horse camp, or I could take a lesson once a week. Which would you do?

I've been wanting to get back with horses for ever. There are, mini horses or ponies down the street from my house. And I think they also have a draft horse (It might be a larger pony)....Should I ask them if they need help, like cleaning the stall or something? And maybe brushing them?

I am trying to do everything that I can to get back with horses.

 

[maura]

Good for you for trying to figure out a way to do this on your own!

I would recommend camp over a lesson a week. It can be really hard to retain things from lesson to lesson taking once a week; beginners and intermediates tend to make much more rapid progress in a camp scenario where you're riding 2X a day for a week. Most camps include a stable management/horsemanship curriculum which would also be a big help if you want to work at the neighbor's.

I would definitely approach the horse owners in you neighborhood and ask if they need help. Be honest about your experience and your willingness to learn. See if you can do barn chores for them in exchange for lessons or riding privledges. Most BOs would welcome someone to do chores in exchange for riding.

 

[iridehorses]

maura said it very well. In the mean while, spend a little time on the forum reading and learning and asking questions.

Good luck and remember, if it's in your blood, it will be with you for a lifetime.

 

[Sophie19]

I would go for weekly lessons over a horse camp. In a horse camp after the camp is over your riding is over too. But with weekly lessons you can keep riding over time. A great way to help retain between lessons is to keep a riding journal, of what you did and what you had problems with. As soon as your done with your lesson, sit down and write in your riding journal. Also if your instructor does not mind, watching other peoples lessons can be helpful. You can also get cheaper rates for group lessons, although I would get at least your first two or three lessons in private.

 

[TheGoldenFilly]

I would definitely recommend taking weekly lessons. You will learn a lot more in individual or two-person lessons over a long period of time than you will in a concentration/few weeks of a whole bunch of kids. Many kids at riding camps just go once a year for the heck of it, and aren't nearly as invested as you sound. If you want to take your equestrianism seriously, then by all means, get a personal trainer via weekly lessons. :3

Secondly, I think you have a great proposal to work at your neighbor's farm! After all, the greater amount of equestrianism takes place not from the horses back, but from his side. Go ahead and call them up or visit them to ask if they would need any help. Tell them what you already know well how to do (ie grooming), as well as what you are willing to work to get better at (ie stalls--hey, doing one well is a lot more complex than what us stall-muckers make it look like!). I cannot stress the importance of Asking Questions. It will gain respect from them, and actually makes you seem smarter than just going ahead and doing some thing that you either don't feel comfortable with quite yet, or that you simply don't quite understand. Over time, as you get in the swing of things, tasks will start coming naturally. Some other things you can suggest doing might include, scrubbing water buckets and troughs, picking pastures, cobwebbing, etc.

Just remember--no two barns do things exactly the same. So always ask if you're wondering why they do this a different way than your riding stable does...who knows--it might come in handy when you've got to make some of these decisions for your own barn some day.

All in all, I think you are headed towards the right direction! Good luck, and keep it up! ^____^

~The Golden Filly!~

 

[wishingforahorse]

So I have decided that I will be taking horse riding lessons. My gram told me that she will pay for them but I want to pay atleast half.

My aunt called one already for me...but you have to own a horse for that one. The woman gave us a couple that we could call though =)

Thanks!