~*~horses~*~

Post by **Wolfyu** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:18 pm

Sidesaddle?

I've never even THOUGHT about doing that!

I always ride 'normally' when I do ride horses.

KittyCatt · Post by **KittyCatt** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:00 pm

Good for you wolfyu. Riding sidesaddle is literally a pain in the *youknowwhere*

Rushellefff · Post by **Dragon_of_doom** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:26 pm

I like Horses and Geese!

My friend has horses and one just had a baby. I proubly going to go over there soon and see it.

Post by **Kielo91** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:38 pm

Riding sidesaddle is a talent, I think. When I've ridden horses, I've always rode the traditional way of riding a horse or ponie. It's neat to hear you ride sidesaddle, KittyCatt. Same for others as well.

Post by **Missy** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:42 pm

I have a Thouroghbred-Arabian mare. She is 26 years-old, but does not act it. I do not get to ride her much (since I have a baby). Her registered name is Bey Hart. Call name Tilly.

Post by **superlion** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 4:53 pm

"traditional" still leaves room for western or English... I took English riding lessons for one summer. I have been on a couple of western trail rides too. I think I like the English style better in that I am more informed about it, but Western is good too - both because the "steering" method is easy to understand, and because you get something to hold on to

KittyCatt · Post by **KittyCatt** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 8:37 pm

Yes, western is easier.

Post by **Jay** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 10:12 pm

I'd be interested in hearing the English vs. Western methods in more detail, as well as how "steering" is performed. (I've never been on a horse, at least not from what I remember.)

Post by **superlion** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 10:27 pm

Both have different kinds of tack (the equipment on the horse), particularly the saddle. In western riding you have a saddlehorn that you can hold on to if you so desire. There isn't one in English. The reigns are different too, which is pretty much why the steering is different. In English you have one reign that loops back, and you have to hold one side of the loop in each hand. Your thumbs hold the taught part of the loop (that goes toward the horse's head), and the reign goes into the palm of your hand under the index, middle, and ring fingers, then goes between the ring and pinkie fingers to go over the pinkie. It sounds complicated, and it is hard to learn. To steer, you pull on one of the reigns, the one that is on the inside of the turn you want to make. In Western riding, you have reigns that are usually tied together. You hold them where they join with one or both hands (inexperienced riders will want to hold on to the saddlehorn with one hand and the reigns with the other) To steer, you pull the reigns to one side or the other, in the opposite direction you want to go.

Then on some horses, they will turn if the rider leans in that direction. They tend to be the well trained racehorses... my mom has an interesting story about that...

Another interesting thing I learned in English riding is the "standing trot"... pretty fun and good exercise once you get the hang of it, but it's not really easy to learn or explain... basically you have to stand up in the stirrups on a certain beat of the trot...

Post by **Jay** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:22 am

Does holding the saddlehorn actually help? It seems too close to the center of gravity. (Two that are as close to shoulder width apart as possible would seem to be better.)

KittyCatt · Post by **KittyCatt** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 9:04 pm

Wonderful post superlion, i can tell that you have experience with horses

Post by **superlion** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 9:51 pm

Yeah, the saddlehorn does sort of help

Regrdless of where it is, you can sure hold on tight and do ok. Usually the bronco riders in rodeos hold on to the saddlehorn with one hand and their hat with the other.

Thanks Kitty... just a little

I sort of wish I had my own horse, but I doubt that will ever happen... along with many other things...

Post by **Jay** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 10:12 pm

Thanks, SL, for the info.

I love learning new things, especially things based on the experiences of others. (As I get older, with my body not working as well as it did in younger years, I have to be more cautious in what I do. So that means there will be less and less opportunities for me to do some things.)

KittyCatt · Post by **KittyCatt** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 6:40 pm

Oh come on Jay!! You cant be THAT old... even if you are, and have to be careful, just remember to have fun!

BTW... I just learned three gaits in the western discipline, the walk, the jog (trot) and the lope. I think my fave is the lope, so easy to ride to, and also so graceful.
My trainer/friend says that i am learning really fast for someone that is just starting out with horses and that maybe this year i can ride for her in some of the smaller shows

Post by **Jay** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:05 am

I'm 46. Several years ago, my retinas became detached in my bad eye. Last month, the gel separated from the back of my better eye. This latter thing isn't too big a deal. It doesn't stop seeing things, for example. But I will see some slight light flashes in certain conditions. If anything was to happen too serious to my better eye, I would have a difficult time using a computer. So, that is what I meant by being cautious. I have to be careful that nothing jerks my eye too much. Although I loved roller coasters and other theme park rides, I'm leery to take a chance going on them. Similarly, although trained horses are normally very tame, there is always a chance they would act up. What is a small jolt or jerk for most people, could be a large jolt or jerk to my eye.

I still have fun and enjoy things. I just have to be more selective and cautious. Computers have always been my primary passion, but I enjoy other things as well. For example, there is a small lake (or big pond) on the way to the library. There have been a pair of swans there for a long time. They have always been interesting to watch. Currently, the female is sitting in a nest. The proud, father-to-be is very showy and energetic. So they are fun to watch.

And, of course, I can still have fun by listening to the experiences of others.

Zookeeper's Lounge

~~horses~~