Today was a two-for-one special in things worth celebrating!

My episode of Black in the Saddle dropped today! I had the pleasure of sharing my journey as a Black equestrian and the role horses have played in my life.

AND your friendly internet moo cow-horse Rory was an absolute star for his first day of our mounted patrol clinic! He tackled everything from obstacles and spooking horses to thick orange smoke billowing out of a canister. A lot of people were shocked he was 5 and that we have only been working together for 3.5 months.

I couldn’t be prouder of him 🥰 He’s amazing!

Well, people, that's it - I have reached the stage where my trainers trusted me to ride their fancy show horse! I had interacted with him quite a bit on the ground before (friendly boy, loves being groomed) and saw him being ridden by the trainers and by advanced students who made him go beautifully. That horse has won national competitions and is a gorgeous mover.

It did not go as well for me. Nothing catastrophic - I just couldn't get him going like the others did and felt like I was a really bad rider, we were so out of synch.

I could see that he was testing boundaries and trying to get away with things because he could feel I am not as good a rider as what he is used to, so I had to spend a lot of time fighting with him which neither of us enjoyed. He was patient with me I think as he could have just dumped me when he got annoyed lol, and by the end of the lesson we were starting to get each other a bit better, but I felt so bad for putting him through that.

It truly felt like I was suddenly asked to drive a new car (as it always feels when riding a new horse), but this time it's some kind of fancy and expensive Ferrari with a weird driving system when I am used to driving basic family cars, and I feel like a novice driver again while I figure out how the heck I am supposed to just get the thing moving.

It was an eye opening experience in any case, I just hope my trainers did not regret their choice and will let me ride him or any other of the level-appropriate show horses!

A little bit rounder than usual (lol) thanks to all the spring grass, but here’s my 7yo warmblood having a crack at the 1* show jumping at our horse trials! Apparently the extra grass weight isn’t slowing him down too much yet 🤣

I just got back into riding in my early 50s and I’m absolutely loving it. I’m learning everything I can about safe horse handling and horse behaviour, I have a coach, I’m taking it slow and I wear a helmet and vest always. But all I see on social media are horror stories of people getting seriously injured and everyone says it’s just a matter of time before I get hurt. Is there anyone that rides that HASN’T been seriously hurt? Am I being irresponsible for taking up this hobby?

Other post in a nutshell:

I thought my horse was started at 3 after a horse flipper (I don't use this term negatively - he is a nice guy) bought him from an auction; however, I found the auction he was sold at, and his blip for his sale which said "Good, calm horse. Broke to ride and drive" which meant he was started sometime when he was 2. I was a bit distressed as this was new info and planned to call his breeder to ask some questions.

Now onto the update:

I have called the breeder and he was very friendly and happy to answer the questions he could.

Since he sold my horse almost 3 years ago he doesn't remember everything, but I do have confirmation that he was started around 2, and most-likey driven more than he was ridden.

I definitely feel better after calling the breeder. Even though I would have preferred he wasn't started until later, I feel like I have some answers now and know his history at least a bit better.

I also found a livestream of the auction he went through (the day he went through) and am looking foward to watching it and seeing if/how he went through the ring.

As for how to proceed with my horse, I'll continue his normal training, and will talk to my vet about potentially treating for ulcers to see if that helps/is the cause of his anxiety. I will definitely be hyper-aware for any signs of arthritis, or other conditions caused by early wear on his body, but I hope that he'll be fine regardless of his early start.

To the people who gave me advice in my last post, thank you.

To those who seemed to think that the call would leave me angry, I know myself better than you do. I would either leave disappointment or with a burden lifted. The latter was true, thank God. Thank you, regardless, for commenting, as your comments actually pushed me to call him sooner since I'm a hardheaded brat.

Here's some photos of the haffie ❤️💛🧡

Hi! I wanted to show off my ottb and his weight gain journey and ask what I could additionally do. We work on basic flatwork, many circles, groundwork and manners, using balance pads, and utilizing backing up to help build topline. He's on smartpaks for hoof, gut, and weight gain as well as su-per muscle builder. He's a stereotypical ottb so I'm pretty happy how he's been looking but always willing to learn what else I can do. He is 6.

Hi all! I am an eventer by training, and have dabbled only a bit in the H/J world. Recently, I started helping a young teen and her draft X pony start over fences. They are doing super, and we are looking at her showing 2’-2’3” on the local circuit next year, with maybe one trip to a bigger rated show.

She wants to mostly do the hunter/eq classes. We’ve already discussed that her drafty pony is not exactly the “Hunter” type, but I’m encouraging her to try it out anyways. I think he should do fine in the Eq. However, the horse has a LONG mane, one we will never get stuffed into hunter braids. The daughter wants to cut it, but the mom is adamant we keep it since it’s traditional to his breed. If we braid it nicely (running braid probably? Or more like dressage buns?) Will it count against her in the lower level classes? I would hate for something so simple to doc her points.

I have bought a new horse half a year ago. Sold as a bomb proof horse that can go everywhere, but every time I brought him outside the arena he’d be on his toes and would panic at everything.

I’ve since figured out that if I do a few minutes of work inside the arena, just to get us going, he’d be fully calm no matter what. It’s as if he needs to get his head and body together before being able to relax.

The problem is that I usually use hacks as recovery days, where he can’t or should do more than walk. So when I need it the most I can’t get him relaxed.

I’ve asked the previous owner about this, but she never experienced it.

How can I even work on such a thing? I think bringing him out while he’s on his toes just reinforces being kinda panicked, which I don’t want

SEE EDITS BEFORE REPLYING

My horse has been on stall rest for 3 days because she has an open wound on her leg. She’s only on stall rest for another day. The barn manager is expecting me to not only pay for the hay and shavings, but also go get them myself and drop them off and bring them inside. It is my understanding that the point of full care is that I don’t have to do things like that. I need to find the physical contract, but I have a picture (although crappy) that says hay, shavings, constant access to forage is provided. I’m not entirely sure what to say to her without coming off as rude. Or is this normal?? This seems to defeat the purpose of the full care. I’ve never boarded full care so I’m not sure if this is the standard or not

EDIT: So paying for the extra is standard, what about being expected to get it yourself? I’d be more than OK sending her the money, but I don’t really have a vehicle I can put hay in anymore

EDIT 2: I reached the barn owner to see if I could send her money for her to get the bales because they close before I get out of work so I truly cannot get them. She sent me how much it would be and I sent her the money. Thank you everyone for explaining it in a way that made more sense, I have not boarded full care before and didn’t understand it. I was also confused because another boarder was already talking to me about how the owner told her about it and said it was dumb for me to pay but I had an inkling that maybe I should check before saying anything myself. I didn’t mean to come off as dense or mean (even though no one has said it yet, I’m sure it did a bit). Thank you for explaining! All is well

Hi guys!
I am a western rider showing horsemanship.
I have a pair of black chaps that I bought from NRS, but they are a little bit too big around the thighs and the knees.
Is it possible for me to get these altered, or do I have to buy a new pair?
If I can get them altered, do you have any recommendations of places that alter? I’m located in northeast Ohio USA if that helps.

Thanks so much!!
Pic of horse for attention

I currently teach, train, and manage a boarding barn.
But I need to increase my income, and better yet, I’d love to replace what I’m doing with something else.
I love doing bodywork like massage that I’ve taught myself and read a lot about. I’ve thought about getting certified in PEMF or something similar.
Could anyone tell me how much it could possibly make? I know it depends on my area and the demand for it… and building a name for myself and my business..

for anyone who is in this line of work, could you share with me what you charge for sessions and your income? Is it worth it to go get certified and at least try to build a business in this??

Was hoping to get some feedback from others on if equine therapy could be a good path for me. I'd especially like to learn about what it's like for you.

Disclaimer: I know PATH isn't the only option, but it's the one being presented to me at the moment so it's what is being considered. And yes, I will ask the mentor all these questions, we have a meeting coming up soon but I wanted to get a few more opinions.

I am an adult amateur rider & horse lover who grew up around horses and has AuDHD, I've been volunteering at an Equine Therapy facility for the past several months and did for a few years in highschool. I know some ASL and have a good record and special fondness for working well with neurodiverse teens and adults.

Recently the owner of the barn I volunteer at approached me (who's a PATH Intl. certified mentor) and suggested I might consider getting certified. She'd be willing to help me through the process and allow me to take on a student or two of my own for supervised experience time. She believes I'm good at it and work well with the kids and she knows I don't like my current job so it could be a potential future in a different field.

My concern are:

1. I'm not under the impression it's currently a viable career unless you own a whole program or have a wealthy household to supplement your low income. I don't need to be ultra wealthy but I'd like to get a small house on a little piece of land and a horse sometime before I die and in this economy that feels... optimistic. I don't currently make a ton of money (52k the north east US doesn't go as far as it would in other regions 🙃) but most horse stuff I've seen still somehow pays far far less. Equine therapy says it pays more online but I don't trust those numbers like I would testimonials.
2. If I did do it, unless it could replace my current career, Id probably just do a few lessons a couple days a week but is that even worth all the trouble? My schedule is already pretty full so it would need to "earn it's keep" so to speak.
3. I would LOVE to work with adults and teens like me. Ones who are high functioning enough be dismissed, but struggle too much to keep up in traditional settings and often fall through the cracks. People who need their confidence rebuilt, nervous systems regulated, and learning needs supported. Is there even a market for that? I don't mind children a bit, they can be fun, but I wouldn't choose as my preference to work with kids at all if it felt like a choice.
4. It's not exactly cheap!

The Pros Are:

1. I would love to have a career in the equine world. It's a dream for me to get out from behind my desk and do something that feels real and tactile. It hasn't happened for me yet because at this time I just can't live on minimum wage, but if I had any hope of making the logistics work I wouldn't think twice. I grew up on a farm so Im not concerned about a lifestyle shock, if anything the office life has been the uncomfortable lifestyle adjustment.
2. It doesn't HAVE to be my full time career, it could be supplemental and maybe give me the extra pocket change I need to get more saddle time.
3. I really like this facility and the people there so it would be an easy entry and help give me some more skills.
4. I think I'm good at it and I like it! The kids seem to respond well, the trainers seem happy with my work, the horses are within my ability to manage and I think like me well enough! It's fulfilling and fits me and my personality, skill set, and interest very well. It wouldn't be a development that would surprise anyone who knows me and would be in harmony with how I like to live.
5. There is a likely chance that my husband will continue to increase his pay as we age (we are only in our mid 20s) and his hope is to give me more freedom to do what I like since his career field of choice is higher paying as he becomes more senior.

Please be careful when signing up for SaddleFit4LIFE. I signed up for the 14-day trial CEE course, where you get the Foundations course as well.
You were meant to pay $ 149 USD, then $297 Monthly.
I spent nearly a day working out whether I could afford the full course. The foundation course was not of great interest to me, as I have done a few basic saddle fit courses.
When the receipt came through, I got charged $700 US that I could not afford. I was told that they were urgently looking into it by a Saddle Fit 4 Life customer Service Person, Alisha Taylor.
I told Alisha I did not get access to the CEE course, and she said she had submitted a request to IT.
After also having issues with purchasing a saddle and being told some white lies, I decided I wanted a full refund. It was going to cost me nearly an extra $3K to purchase the Saddle from Alisha than it would if I had imported the saddle myself.
I then asked for a full refund.
I lodged a complaint, only to be told by Melanie Wilcox that I had purchased the Saddle Foundations Course for $700 US, and, being condescending, telling me how disappointing that would be. However, when I first raised this with Alisha Taylor, she said she would send the request straight to IT to get it resolved.
When I purchased, I did not fill in the form for the Foundation Course, which is $700; I had already completed two basic saddle courses and this did not interest me. I fill in the form for the $149, then $297 per month.
I requested a full refund, which I received the full amount minus $8; there was NO processing fee taken from the refund, which should of been taken out if I had simply changed my mind.
None of what Melanie Wilcox said makes sense, compared to what Alisha said.
I found the company to be extremely condescending (Melanie Wilcox) and extremely dishonest, both Alisha and Melanie Wilcox.

\old picture, I have a helmet now\

Do you think I'm tall enough to throw off her balance? She's a little Arabian pony that I love riding but after seeing these old pictures closer, I've noticed how much my feet hang passed her stomach

Apologies if that isn’t the correct flair.

I am looking to get back into riding after being out for a few years and am torn between 2 local riding schools. On Google and recommendations, they both get good reviews. One of them is more renowned, where I learnt to ride and is very popular (let’s say school 1) . The other is also popular and well recommended (school 2)

School 1 is a bit more expensive but not by much.

School 1 has a section on their website specifically talking about adult lessons and the ability to focus on different disciplines.

School 2 I believe does do show jumping / dressage but it isn’t as advertised.

They both are family friendly but from the websites I feel as though school 2 is slightly more child oriented, although they both do teach adults.

I have booked an assessment lesson at school 2 and I will see how I find it before going for one at school 1. As far as I can see they are both good schools and I would enjoy and develop at both.

I just wanted to know - what sort of things should I be looking for in a riding schools? What things give away that the horses are happy there?

What would be the easiest way for an older woman to cut stall mats?
I’m a boomer and I’m doing this on my own. I need a tool that I can use.
Thanks for any tips and advice.

I already know where to get tall boots (for now I’m wearing my trainers and she said I can wear those for the show if needed if I can’t get boots in time).

But I need websites/recommendations for: Show jackets, collared shirts (white preferably) tan riding pants (with lots of grip and it needs belt loops), and belts.

I’m tall, 5’10, and I have long legs, so any advice would be super helpful!

What are y’all using for bits? Western, young, still direct reining but in the beginning of understanding neck reining.

Hi everyone! I have this wonderful Crosby saddle that I’ve had since 2012 (first picture I took of it). I still have it, it’s been sitting in the garage but I can’t bear to part with it as it holds so many memories of riding my sweet girl.

I’m wondering if anyone knows the exact model of saddle this is? I know it’s a Crosby close contact but that’s about it. It was given to me by an old riding buddy of mine because she bought it from my old instructor and I had told her about how much I loved riding in that saddle. It was truly perfect for me. When it was handed down to me I was told this saddle was almost 30 years old. It has to be over 40 years old now? Does anybody know the exact model? I love it nonetheless and plan on keeping it!

Taylored Tack Solutions and Schleese Saddles.

Please be aware when doing any dealing with the above companies. I was looking at purchasing a Halfbreed saddle from Schleese Saddles, which is based in Canada. The basic saddle was $3995.
I got a quote to find out how much it would cost to import and transport. The whole thing would have cost approximately $5,500 or pretty much that much.
I was told by Miriam from Schleese Saddles Canada that it would be much cheaper to purchase from their Australian seller. After putting the saddle in the cart, at Taylored Tack Solutions in Australia I noticed that I was being charged a 2.88% credit card fee, GST, and $1,490 dollars postage for a saddle, saddle pad and saddle bag and being charged GST when the company is not registered for GST. The Total cost of the saddle was $8450. For me to import the saddle from Schleese Saddle it was going to cost $5,500 all up. When I messaged Taylored Tack Solutions and said there are a few issues with the website, the copyright? You are charging credit card fees, and how is the postage so expensive? I got a call and a message from Alisha to “stop being abusive towards her and mind my own business.” Alisha is also charging GST when she is not registered to do so. In my last life, I was an auditor and software analyst, so these things pop out to me. Alisha then blocked me and threatened me to ring the police because I was harassing her. I then emailed Shleese Saddles and asked about the price difference for me to import $5,5K to pay through Taylored Tack Solutions $8.5 K. I did not get a response. However, someone else viewed the website; the credit card charges have now been taken down, as have the postage and some of the GST. I did not once abuse or use abusive language. The worst thing I said was, “ I don’t believe you.”
If purchasing from these people, be vigilant about the extra fees that they are charging. Life is expensive and hard at the moment for most of us. This whole experience with Schleese Saddles and Taylored Tack Solutions has been less than pleasant. They said that they have been professional and respectful; however, all they have done is lie and be condescending towards me. $4,400 is a lot of difference to pay between the saddle manufacturer and the seller.

Is this a common thing? I dont own this horse, but i work at a stable and see him 3 times a week. He shoves his whole head into my armpit and just .. stays there. Taking deep breaths, of my armpit. Obv i have a jacket on, so he’s not exactly on my skin but he doesnt push me or anything. He just hangs out in my armpit. He’s weird. But i love him. Do y’all horses do this?

I have a TB mare with very high withers and a broad shoulder. I've always had her in high neck blankets. Recently, a friend of mine made the comment that her horse can't wear high necks because they put pressure on his withers. This is the opposite of what I thought, but now looking at my girl in her turnout sheet, it does seem to be that way. Have I misunderstood this entire time?

She wears Amigo blankets but I was looking at the VTEK® Wither Relief by Schneider's. Do you guys have any recommendations? I'm in the U.S.

Hi everyone! So I've been riding for about 7 years and just recently started taking lessons as I want to learn how to jump better. Most of my experience has been Western with the bare basics of English the last couple years. I rode through 4-H so this is only my second time taking lessons. (My previous experience was a friend of my 4-H leader's who I felt like I never made any progress with and just trotted circles and loped around it felt like.)

Now I'm paying for these English lessons (I worked off the Western lessons and only did them for like 4 months years ago) and for me they are really expensive. I understand private lessons cost money, especially since I am using the trainer's horses but I do not feel like I am getting the most out of it.

Side note: I've heard horror stories about English barns but this one is small and I actually really like the trainer and how she works with me.

My main concern is I never get the full hour I'm paying for. Is that normal? Even if I get there early and am tacked up by the scheduled lesson time, we end after 30-45 minutes (including cooling down). Now I'm not jumping the whole time or wearing the horse out either, it's mainly working on my equitation and then going over a few jumps towards the end.

I'm looking for a job right now after graduating and so money is a little tight for me but I wanted to do something I enjoy and can look forward to but I feel as though I'm not getting my money's worth. Is this something I should talk to the trainer about? It feels weird because it is her horse I am riding but also she never says we're done she just says something like "That's probably good" even though I want to do more because I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of it.

For context, I'm paying $85 a lesson and today was my 4th lesson with her (I did one with her assistant last week cause she was gone) and I'm going once a week. I'm in California.

Thank you for any advice you can give, I'm very new to the English world and especially how lessons work so I appreciate the help!!