horses

Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 06:09 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
horses

Does anyone know of a forum similar to this that discusses horses?

And, to make this post somewhat travel-related.... my favorite travel/horse experiences:

1) ending a trail ride in St. Croix by riding the horses into the water at Cane Beach and the amazing moment when the horse steps off "land" and begins swimming
2) an afternoon trail ride in Rocky Mountain National Park
3) a winter sleigh ride under the stars through the pines in Durango, Colorado
4) the mule ride at the Grand Canyon

gracieb is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 06:12 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sure. let me first dismount from dressage and put away the tack so I can log on with my notebook while I worm a foal.
fehgeddaboudit is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 07:28 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
my favorite travel/horse experiences:

When I was quite young, maybe 6 or 7, riding at a full gallop with my Uncle in the desert in Tucson Arizona.

When I was 10 ( in NC) and my dad had gotten me a quarter horse, a half insane, quarter horse, who did his best to rub me off on every tree he passed. Riding him straight towards a clothes line, seeing the clothes line, leaning to one side to go under it while the horse went to the other side. I made a spectacular fall in front of my parents and their friends.

( NYC )Riding Western Saddle on a horse trained to English, showing my husband how to get his horse to 'go' when my horse threw me, one buck is all I felt, then I was sitting on the ground, facing the horse..the Yankee looking on horrified.
He doesn't want to let me on a horse again, he has this weird idea that I might get hurt.
Scarlett is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 07:52 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gracie, the Chronicle of the Horse has a site. www.chronofhorse.com Click on bulletin board when it comes up. Hope this helps.





ronkala is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 08:01 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi! You have a KY girl here, my whole life has been influenced by the horse industry. First, if all you are doing are tourist horse rides, you should find a reputable stable and take some serious lessons to understand how to handle the animals, etc. I prefer English riding, it's much more challenging..Western horses tend to be plugs, unless you are barrel or sprint racing, which has it's risks. Saddlebred horses are spirited and challenging- you will have fun, and get a great workout at the same time. I showed my Saddlebred on the KY circuit for years- it was awesome. We have the World Championships here in Louisville every year. I would advise you to investigate different horses and riding styles. Western...pleasure, events (barrel racing, poles, sprints) Arabian (different styles), Morgans, Saddlebreds, Thoroughbreds/Standardbreds (racing, jumping,Trotting ) plus hunter/jumping, dressage, etc that many breeds can perform. There are many stables in the US that have summer camps and rides and can help you become a better equestrienne. This may sound silly, but a horse enjoys a good workout with a rider that can handle a horse in a gentle but firm way.Go for it!
LLindaC is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 08:12 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, ronkala. I'll check that message board out.

LLindaC, who are you talking to and/or what question are you answering? I can't figure out what your post has to do with this thread. I've owned quarter horses riden western, have done some dressage, don't have the money or time for jumping and a friend who manages the horse barn at the summer camp she (and her children) attended as a child. I have a question I want to ask on a message board and thanks to ronkala I have a lead (no pun intended).

I'm still stratching my head over your post....
gracieb is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 08:17 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LLindaC, who are you talking to and/or what question are you answering? I can't figure out what your post has to do with this thread. I've owned quarter horses riden western, have done some dressage, don't have the money or time for jumping and a friend who manages the horse barn at the summer camp she (and her children) attended as a child. I have a question I want to ask on a message board and thanks to ronkala I have a lead (no pun intended).

I'm still stratching my head over your post....



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------









LLindaC is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 08:29 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oops! I hit the wrong button..not implying that you are ignorant at all, Gracie, lighten up. Glad you've "riden" (sp?) western, as you stated. I had the impression that you were looking for ways to improve your equestrian experience. May I suggest a great ride through the redwoods or on the deserted beach in Mendocino CA with Ricochet Ranch. They let you trot and canter and don't treat you like beginners! Also, we had a great time in South Africa riding through the mountains and vineyards. I'll be glad to hook you up with that stable if you are interested. In Simpsonville Ky, we have the very best of summer camps, etc, that focus on equitation. We also have many state parks which offer horseback riding. As I said, our state is # 1 in horses, I was trying to help you find something that you would enjoy.
LLindaC is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 10:45 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Linda, I would like more info on Ricochet in Mendocino. Would you send it to me directly at my hotmail address? Thanks!
Marilyn is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 12:25 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Marilyn, here's the link -
http://www.horse-vacation.com/
gracieb is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 12:59 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, gracieb!
Marilyn is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 02:05 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I did a week-long horse trek in Ireland in 2002. I booked it through Cross-Country International, www.equestrianvacations.com. It was FABULOUS! I stayed in lovely B&Bs along the way and we ate very well, too.

Usenet has a good group at rec.equestrian. The best way to get there is through Google groups.
ChristieP is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 03:19 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LLindaC, thanks for mentioning the Saddlebred. We lost ours to a truck speeding down a road seven years ago, and we've never been able to replace her with anything close to her ability and spirit.
Postal is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 04:01 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Postal,
the same thing happened to my Uncles Paint ..and she was about to foal. A fool in a truck, flying along a small road in the fog, hit them and killed them both.
Scarlett is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 04:32 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi gracieb!

Horses have always been a part of my life too.

Right now, we have 5 (want to buy one?).

The forum that I am on every day is pleasurehorse.com

Many of us (like me) show and ride competitively, but many on there just either own a couple of horses and ride for fun, or just love horses and ask a lot of questions.

Everyone is welcome to join in and participate.

Travel questions come up sometimes - most horse related but some not - and so if you have a question, I'm sure you would get a response.

I've had lots of great horse experiences in the Caribbean, but my favorite would have to be on St Lucia when I rode the barn crazy mare named Born Free, and the staff was so impressed that when I came back later in the week, they gave me Rio - the barn's black stallion and their pride and joy - to ride. I thought I had won the lottery!

I'm so sorry for those who have lost horses on the road. We worry about that too and try to minimize the possibility by keeping our horses in the barn at night and checking our fences often, but they can be very Houdini-like when they want out.
Diana is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 04:39 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My favorite horse experience happens every week when I take my 4 year old daughter to her riding lesson. Nothing like a little girl and her pony.

Scarlett, I had a similar incident once: I was about 10, riding bareback. The horse decided he didn't want me around anymore, but instead of a clothesline, he headed for a low tree branch. I thought I'd outsmart him by leaning forward and to the side, grabbing hold of his mane. I'm not quite sure what happened, but somehow I ended up on my back with a fist full of horse hair!!!
Jocelyn_P is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 04:56 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LOL Jocelyn, isn't it weird, you never feel yourself flying
I have had saddles slip with me still in them, it is a wonder I am all in one piece..at least I think I am

We rode in Jamaica, off into the wilds on an abandoned plantation, it was great. I was eaten alive by mosquitos but it was so dreamy, riding this lovely horse, just myself with my husband and a guide.
Scarlett is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2004, 08:26 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LlindaC,
I also rode saddlebreds for years and showed in the midwest. Just today I was thinking about my trainer from William Woods College in Mo ( big Equestrain School years ago). My horse was named Cedar Brooks Genius and I still dream about him!!!

It would be fun to go to a site similar to this for horse lovers!!
I woudl LOVE to go on sleigh ride in the Mts.....maybe some day,... under a big blanaket with the one you love, a thermous of brandy, snow flakes floating down, and the peace and tranquilty of the country mountains!! oh how I dream.
annesherrod is offline  
Old Dec 4th, 2004, 05:15 AM
  #19  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the leads Diana. My horse question had nothing to with travel, but I was afraid I'd get blasted by the "hall monitors" if I didn't try to make this travel related! My vet was gone til Monday (possibly showing in KY if he was gone that long). I called a friend in Texas for advice and got some good info from a google search too. I'll try out the forum you suggested.

Annesherod, the sleigh ride was just magical. Near the beginning of the ride they stopped at a "remote" (not really obvously, but it felt like it) cabin and a woman took our meat order (steak or chicken). Then, all bundled up with sleighbells ringing, we traveled through the pines with gorgeous stars above (no light pollution) for a while. We stopped back by the cabin and had a big rustic dinner with the cowboys now serving double duty as waiters. Music, lantern light, good filling food and your drink of choice if you BYOB (we didn't know to). An absolute blast. I highly recommend the experience to anyone - especially for Southerners like me that rarely see snow!
gracieb is offline  
Old Dec 4th, 2004, 06:01 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In the early '70s when the section of Fairfax County, VA that we then lived in was still country, my wife and I would ride into the woods in search of a Christmas tree. They were scrawny little things, but to cut the tree and drag it home behind the horse gave it special meaning.

We foxhunted for about senenteen years and that was an experience neither of us will ever forget. Riding on cold crisp mornings, watching the hounds work, and the excitement of the chase.
ronkala is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -