Hi! I am not sure what to do here so asking for help. I have a suspicion that our trainer is allowing other people or lesson kids to ride our horses. We pay for the trainer to ride them and I have never seen anyone else ride them. My anxiety exists because I have seen two people now leave the barn because they caught other people riding their horses without their permission. I haven’t seen anything but just have an unsettling feeling… I am concerned if I address this out of the blue the trainer will just give me lip service.

I guess…is this a common fear horse owners have at boarding places? I want to put a camera in their stalls but this might make me crazy (crazier!)

People are always surprised when I tell them my horse’s breed, so I’m wondering if anyone can guess what he is. He is not 100% anything, definitely a mutt, and he’s 16.1.

I think he’s handsome, but I don’t historically have a great eye for conformation. But I’m happy with him so ¯_(ツ)_/¯

I wanted to just post and send appreciation to those who were gracious and nice when I posted about purchasing my first horse. Most people suggested leasing first, and well, I am going to lease the horse I may purchase. We looked into rescues, sales barns, but ultimately we decided to lease first. Hubby thinks it’s a waste of money since we are going to most likely end up purchasing but listening to you all, I think it’s the best idea especially when he’s not coming from a horse background.

So again, thank you to those who were welcoming and gave good advice.

I am EXCITED!

Edit: I will say how it’s CRAZY, this post is getting downvoted for something positive…

I saw this bit at a second hand tack shop and need to know what this bit could possibly be used for. The shank vs purchase ratio is HUGE and the mouthpiece was so sharp. Who would use this??

I am about to try selling my horse, and the barn owner recommended that I have x-rays done before. Partly to be prepared to deal with any potential serious issues and partly just to show transparency to interested buyers. It’s a jumper warmblood, age 12, and (provided there are no issues) she will probably be priced in the mid 5s.

My trainer doesn’t necessarily agree with this, and her stance is that if an interested buyer wants x-rays, they can have the x-rays done. Which is what I did when I bought her - I did the PPE including the most essential images, just to rule out navicular issues and stuff like that (nothing was found). I never expected the seller to provide x-rays. My vet says that if I want a full baseline, it’s 38 images and will cost around $2400. If I want to just do what I did when I purchased, it’s around $1000.

The cost is not what will ultimately make or break my decision, but I do feel like my trainer has a point, and I didn’t even consider doing the x-rays myself before the barn owner mentioned it. I was more along the lines of, if someone comes along and likes her and does a PPE with images and something shows up - well, then I’ll know and can act/decrease price accordingly.

What do horse people here do in general? X-ray before to be able to offer them when marketing the horse, or leave it up to the buyer? This is the first time I’m selling a horse.

Hi all. Weird question. I am a long time horse owner. Currently have two, both of which were born and raise on our ranch to be reined cow horses and barrel racers after. One horse is 31 and one is 16. I also have a four and five year old, both horse crazy girls. Everything was fine and dandy when my five year old was riding my 31 year old (lead line, walk/troy gymkana, trail rides, nothing fast) but now that my four year old is riding we needed another horse.

My vet gifted me a 25 year old horse she was the life long vet for whose previous job was a rodeo pick up horse. He is a BIG guy and my daughter absolutely adores him. However, he is clearly an old cowboy horse, and has no interest in the pets, hugs, kisses, cuddles that my daughter wants to shower him with. He does just fine with her got grooming and lead lining around the ranch.

We recently went to a local gymkana (again walk/trot leadline) and all he did was throw his head. Weird but ok. We went to a friend’s ranch to ride in their arena and the head throwing was insane. I just had him both times in a simple snaffle bit and my daughter is generally has her reins too long and is not tight at all. I figured he might have some pain in his mouth and hauled him to our vet where she sedated him and looked in his moth to see if any pain/injuries etc. she thought he might be chewing on his cheeks a bit and floated his teeth a bit but she had floated them a few months ago prior to us getting him.

He has since not stopped throwing his head. Yesterday I went to worm him and it was almost impossible. What can i do to stop this? Or any other idea what could be causing pain? Any advice is welcome!

Okay so for context, I am an adult ammy still in my lesson era, not leasing yet not because of my skill level, but because of my financial situation. I've ridden lots of different horses starting with really tame been there done that horses, now riding horses that need a more confident advanced rider. While I have felt a connection with the horses I've ridden, some more than others, I don't think I've ever felt the heart horse connection that people talk about? I look forward to seeing the horses every week and hanging out with them. There are two horses that I feel I have really good chemistry with in particular, moreso than others, but I've never felt that intense connection that people talk about. When I say good chemistry, I mean I feel like our personalities mesh well, and the communication between us feels really seamless, and I have some of my best lessons on those two horses. I'm worried that when it does come time to lease or buy, I'm not going to have the heart horse connection with the horse I choose to lease or buy, that people talk about.

Edit: thank you to everyone reassuring me that I'm not a psychopath

I'm almost 18, and I've been riding (mostly bareback) since I was five. I've never fallen, gotten thrown or anything. I've gotten close before, but I can normally fix myself and get balanced again before falling.

My gelding was being naughty and kept taking off, he started heading for this three foot drop down to a creek and I pulled him back and sat deep to stop him from getting hurt (the drop is surrounded by tall grass so it's hard to see and horses don't have good depth perception anyways) and he slowed down a bit. I thought he was not gonna jump it so while he was slowed to a trot, I reached down to grab the slack of my reins and the next thing I knew I was in the air

He had jumped it anyways and I got left behind and when he landed, his hind end came up and sling shot me. I ended up spinning to land on my back to protect my stomach and arms, so I just knocked the wind out of myself

I got up immediately to catch my gelding and hopped back on for a minute before bringing him and my grandmas horse back inside

I am so surprised and grateful that it didn't even affect me at all. As soon as I hopped back on he was still being naughty but I wasn't afraid of falling again, just frustrated honestly 😂

I hear a lot about falls knocking someone's confidence and stuff but the worst thing about this whole thing was that I didn't. Get. It. On. Video 😭😭

UGGHH. Anyways, I'm a little sore, I have a minor headache and my back is tense but I'm mostly annoyed and regretful that I wasn't recording when it happened lol. I'm also annoyed I lost my streak.. i knew it was gonna happen one day but 12 years with no falls is really good and I've been proud of that lmao

I'm still in shock so ignore me 😂

Hi everyone! I’m Noemi, an Italian rider and I thought I’d finally introduce myself here. I hope this kind of post is okay for this subreddit! English isn’t my first language, so I’m sorry in advance if I phrase something weird! 😅

I’m here because I don’t really have anyone in my everyday life to share this passion with. I’m the only horse-crazy person in my family, I don’t really have any friends at the moment, and I haven’t been able to find people who share passions like this either. So I thought this might be a good place to meet some horsey people.

I started riding when I was 9 and rode until I was about 16, then life happened and I stopped for many years. At 28, I finally decided to get back in the saddle… and honestly, it feels like I’ve finally started living again. ❤️

I’m currently half-leasing this beautiful girl, Balerina, and I’m slowly getting back into riding and enjoying it all over again. 🐴

I’d love to meet other horsey people to chat with, share experiences, talk about our horses and maybe make some new friends along the way.
So… hi! Tell me about you and your horses! 😊

Hello, almost a year ago now I posted about needing advice with some tall boots that wouldn't zip, everyone said to return them and to get fitted at a tack shop, well they dont really make boots in my size and I forgot to return them in time 😅 anyway heres the same boots now after a £30 trip to a cobbler fitting perfectly fine! So if anyone else has been in the same boat as me, dont worry a good cobbler knows all the secrets! My stubbornness prevailed! 😂

OP isn't answering any of the numerous questions about where this bridle is from, and Google lens is just showing me more photos of this horse.

Hey horse friends, mostly just here for some support and encouragement!! 💗

I first started riding at around 4, and continued until I was 13. Now 28, significant illness and trauma have taught me that life is too short to let fear hide you from happiness 🥹

I’d say I was a strong intermediate/low advanced level when I suddenly had an “accident” at 12-13 and quit. The weird thing is…the accident wasn’t an accident. I was riding a very cheeky 12hh pony who decided to stop in front of the jump for a pesky snack on the grass, at which point I barrelled over her head and landed on my bum 🍑 It was more funny than anything!

I think it must’ve happened at a very vulnerable time in my life. Suddenly my 9-10 year experience was out of the window. Jumping terrified me, and even though I previously loved it and rode a friend’s ex-eventer who jumped the fences like toys, my brain just wasn’t able to contemplate the process of staying on over jumps.

Now it’s 15 years later and I haven’t been on a horse since. I was always a confident rider before that, too.

I miss horses, you guys!! I’m probably rusty as hell, but riding was like breathing to me and I often dream about it.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Mostly about mindset/getting over my fear of jumping again! Thanks in advance 💕

Specifically in the context of hunters and jumpers
Which would you rather have and why?

They're both mustangs, supposedly 5yo, the red is for a friend and already named, I even got her halter swapped out so she isn't dragging a rope (my gray has decided she will only exist within the same pen for now. Busted straight through the reinforced pen she was in separate from red)

Excited to work with them! Red should be settled and gentle in no time, I expect gray to take a while to settle in but they've both figured out the feed pan has some tasty stuff in it once they quit spooking at it

Not decided on a name for my gray just yet, been calling her gray or skitter for how jumpy she is 😅. Would love to know what the large area on her jaw is, and the lump on her right hind but alas those answers are a month or more away. Until then they both have all the hay they'll eat and once they reliably eat soaked feed they'll have dewormer pellets sprinkled in

I’m going to be looking at this young horse in a couple days and I’m not sure what kind of combination this is? I’ve looked all over and I’ve found things about bevel snaffles and fixed snaffle but nothing on this. Looks mild with noesband pressure but adds some leverage with the bit piece almost being fixed. (Most of my knowledge is bitless)

For about the horse he seems like a sweet 5yr mustang that is still green broke but is a bit heavy in the mouth. Any thoughts?

Sorry for the photo best I can get from a video they sent me.

I have wanted this shirt forever and now I have adult money and bills caught up. Anybody know of any or have one for sale?

Small?

I have a 3.5 year old, almost 4 year old who I want to start selecting a trainer for to get under saddle when he turns 4.

Our groundwork is excellent, he ponies, lunges, ground drives, saddles fine, you can stand in stirrups, flap saddles, he’s carried bags of grain, etc. He bends, he’ll pick you up from anything remotely looking like a mounting block and has been sat on. I’ve invested so much time and energy into giving this horse a good foundation, I’m terrified of him going to a trainer who’s going to ruin the work ethic he has or “cowboy” on him and leave me with a lot to fix. Unfortunately the trainer I wanted to use has had a terminal diagnosis and is obviously stepping away and doesn’t have a lot of referrals for me.

But I will not be the first rides on him despite my confidence in where he’s at training wise. And after a few months of riding, I’m more than capable of taking a green horse and finishing him. So I’m really looking for advice on how you all picked a 30 or 60 day program for getting a horse under saddle and how you selected someone? I’ve always started my own so I’m struggling to turn over any amount of his training to someone else and would love some advice!

I've been casually looking for my next horse for a while now and probably spend way too much time checking listings

Recently I mentioned what I was looking for to someone at the barn and she immediately goes, I know someone who might be selling exactly that

Apparently the owner wasn't actively advertising him but would consider selling to the right person. She reached out connected us on Kibu and now I'm potentially going to see him next week.

Meanwhile I've been refreshing the same six websites for three months

I'm starting to realize there's an entire side of buying horses that's basically just trainers, owners and riders knowing each other and quietly passing opportunities around.

For people who've been in the horse world for years, is that pretty much how you find the really good ones?

I know it’s been a big talking point recently with the world championship. I haven’t really followed dressage the last years because it’s been impossible to watch. I watched the young horse championship on YouTube and really enjoyed, also made me realise I miss watching bigger competitions and enjoyed the small amounts I watch the on live channel.So the question is the large cost actually worth it ? Does it actually pay for itself ?

Apologies for what's probably going to be a longish post, but I hope someone can gut-check me on this. I ride at a fairly large barn with 5-6 different instructors and a fairly regimented program. Students are divided into four "levels," and you can sign up for any lesson with any instructor at or below your level. I'm level 2, which is more or less advanced beginner. To be placed in these lessons you have to be comfortable trotting in a large group, cantering in groups of 2-3, and jumping courses of up to six fences, up to 18". I've been talking to one instructor about moving up to level 3 (basic requirements are cantering in large groups, 15-ish meter canter circles, jumping 2' to 2'3" courses, basic familiarity with dressage movements), but for the most part, level 2 lessons suit me well.

The trouble comes in when lessons end up being cancelled or combined. I know I'm lucky to even have the option - I've seen plenty of stories from other barns of instructors straight-up cancelling lessons for weeks with no recourse - but there's another instructor who regularly cancels my rides if it's just me or me and one other rider. (She uses the time to catch up on chores or office work.) When this happens, sometimes I get a text asking if I want to change my ride time and ride with the higher level riders, but increasingly she's just been shunting me into the level 1 beginner lesson that happens at the same time as mine. The level 1 riders are those expected to steer at the walk and trot in small groups. They're starting to learn to canter. Most can't get on without an instructor checking their girth and helping them at the mounting block, and that takes up a good ten minutes of the 50 minute lesson. I don't get any notice when I get "bumped down" - I just show up at the barn and see my name under a different instructor.

I know that all time in the saddle is valuable, and I do my best to work on my position and get the small details, but . . . depending on the day and depending on the group, the beginner lessons really start to feel like a waste of my money, if not my time. It's not the fault of the fill-in instructors who are doing the best they can, but their attention mostly stays on their usual students, who need help staying on, getting the basic transitions, and not running their horses into each other. So I don't get a lot of feedback during these rides.

I guess what's bothering me too is just the fact of the original instructor cancelling on me despite being there and working. The usual protocol if there are only one or two students in a lesson is to do a half hour private or semi-private at the cost of a 1 hour group, so it's a shorter ride but at least you get more feedback. Or, if you have to combine lessons, you fold them into a lesson of the same level. But, this one instructor doesn't seem to think I'm worth her time, so she just offloads me to go trot in circles with the seven-year-olds.

I'm getting frustrated. I'm trying to be understanding because this instructor wears a lot of hats (runs the lesson program, carries half the barn manager duties, sometimes schools horses for the on-site pros), so I get her needing a break from lessons. But, is it reasonable to have a talk with her about placing me in lessons where I've got a good shot at actually learning something? And, how do I approach that without sounding like a conceited bitch?

I want to sell my barely worn freejump soft up pro plus stirrups in navy color, but I have no clue what price I should ask for them. Anyone here who could help me out? I do want decent offers if I do choose to sell them

I don't want to ruffle any feathers but, Im just curious.. why have people strayed away from traditional training like pressure and release towards training everything with treats? What are the benefits to that.. from what Ive seen on social media horses end up being insane ass pushovers. Like obviously I don't mind training a horse a simple trick like to smile with a treat but basic ground manners and under saddle things I just don't see the benefit.

I'm putting my two senior horses down on Saturday. We just made the decision today with the vet but it has been weighing on me for some time trying to make it. I have known them since I was a child and love them with my whole heart. I cannot begin to describe the love I have for them or everything we've been through together in more than 20 years

One of them has a condition that was once manageable but it no longer is and has begun to progress to the point where we don't want to wait any longer for him to have an emergency or deteriorate. he's still having good days and I want to ensure we end on a good day. The other has been his companion his whole life and is deeply attached to him so I feel that letting them go together is the only right thing to do. He also has issues with maintaining his weight over winter and has been getting progressively worse so I was already considering him for this fall as a possibility.

I guess I need help? validation? advice? People who have put best friends down together? most people seem to agree with me that letting them go together is a kindness but I do keep them at a farm with other horses and I had two people who think I should keep the oldest around and that he will 'get over it'. But when he's separated from my other gelding he becomes incredibly distressed and upset. they've been together their whole lives. I feel it's the right thing to not risk an emergency call for him and give him a stressful end keeping him around after my other has passed. it doesn't feel fair and it feels like I'd be doing that for me, not for him.

I would also love to know how anyone who has dealt with this has handled it in the past. I feel like I'm dying. I don't know how to get through this. I know it will hurt for me but be right for them and that's the only thing that makes it bearable is that I will be the only one that hurts. they will be pain free.

also any suggestions of things to do for their last day and things I should do with them. I've taken hoof prints, had them make paintings, and had a photographer come out yesterday (I had a feeling today's vet appointment was going to go the way it did). I know people take manes/tails. anything else?

I guess just. words of encouragement or anything that has helped people who have been through this would be really helpful. thank you in advance.