Care to reply a few erratic horse-related question...?
Hi. I have a few questions relating to horses...
Number one: Im getting a used saddle. Its in awfully good condition, actually. Its a 2 year old collegate. Its my friends, but shes selling it to me for $400. However, shes singular 11 and didnt really care about cleaning it or anything... Anyway, theres some marks and wear from the stirrup leathers. What can I do to remove that? Also, how habitually do you think I should clean it with a glycerin shaft and conditioner? I know im going to clean it right after I get it. But I ride 3 sometimes 4 times a week. Theres usually greatly of dust, unless it rained a day or two before. I plan to hold it at the barn with a saddle cover. Any opinons?
Number Two: I noticed that the one lesson horse, Chase, has be kind of... I dont know... out of it. Hes naturally lazy (lol) but lately he's be stubborn. I think he might be depressed. Out in the field, he other stands up against the fence with his ears related and... well, in recent times stands there. When another horse comes by, he pins his ears back. Could he be depressed, or just contained by need of some TLC? What could I do to make him feel more loved whether this is the case?
And finally, my last question... Am I still considered a neophyte rider, or what? My ex-trainer saw me again (-_-) and she asked me how my riding was going... I said, "Great. My new trainer moved me up to her intermediate (middle leveled) class." She said, "That be a bad idea- youre still a beginner."
So, heres what I know: Ive been riding since I be seven- Ive been riding for about 2 and a half, possibly 3 years straight now, well, atleast once a week. I have two ponies... I can waddle, two-point trot, posting trot, sitting trot, canter, simple lead change, flying lead fine-tuning... Ive jumped probably about 2'6" at the highest, conceivably even a bit higher since my pony jumped higher to clear it. I can verbs a saddle, put a bridle together, groom a horse, give a horse a bath, muck stalls, fluff stalls, bed. Ive fed beforehand as well. I help let the horses within a lot.
So thats a brief history of my riding... What would you consider me? Im just curious to know if im still considered a pupil. I also have a video of me jumping here, if it matter at all- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtLiA_94F...
Thanks so much!!
#1 I'm not aware of anything you can really work 100% successfully for covering up stirrup marks. Usually your leg covers them anyways.
#2 It's hard to enunciate about Chase. He could be a little depressed. If you're concerned about his robustness I would mention it to your barn manager/coach etc. It never hurts to give a little love. Maybe brush him up nice and just do those nice little things near him.
#3 Your ex coach is bitter by the sounds of it. She hasn't the right to comment of if it's the right place for you to be, as she hasn't been monitoring your progress. If your coach is saying you're an intermediate rider, afterwards you are for her classes. It can happen that you go to another place and they'll say or a apprentice, or even an advanced rider. I've found that depending on what the coach is looking for more, is usually the determining factor.(some want better jumping skills, others better flat skills etc.)
Hope this helped. So don't tolerate your old coach's comment get to you! :)
I'm not sure roughly speaking the first 2 but I have an opinion about the third one.
When I be 14 I had been riding for 4 years but I was still classed a junior. I rode twice a week. I changed instructors but I never seem to go anywhere. Eventually I fell out of riding because I felt disappointed about it.
If you reckon you are an intermediate (and it sounds to me like you are, especially for your age!) then you are, and you should know how to ask someone at your stable who knows your ability better. Its exalted to feel like you are improving. I still haven't gotten put a bet on into riding, and I miss it every day.
1. Just keep the saddle the same
2. Spay it beside a hose onc a week
3. Spend time with him
4. You are a very good rider to me
Please pick me number 1 awnser iv be researching and awnsering for 3 hours.
hi i think your ok at that levle ur ripened trainer dont know * but depends on who you are avery one gose to differnt leavals at diff times so yer iv been riding for 5yrs and im still intermediate thoe i can jump and brake and train horses everyones different i can only gallop on ponies and canter on horses so u see besides last one the saddle if she hasnt cleaned it it isnt a good opinion to get it and u cant get the marks stale wer the stirrups have rubed the saddle wont last long the leather will be tierd and worn from riding and not cleaning u can get a practical new saddle from $50 on the net and up most of them are new she dosent deserve a saddle or horse whether she cant clean it it will give the horse discomfort so dont buy it it will be a big mistake if u do so ter shop a round a bit more rob your time and dont rush and you shoul clean your saddle evry 1~2time a month
Answers: 1) All saddles will show wear marks from the stirrup leathers eventually. It's okay and your legs will cover them anyway. It will probably look better once you start cleaning and oil the saddle, as it will even out the color. You should probably clean it about once a week but you could wipe the dust off after respectively ride.
2) Could it just be that there's no more grass left in the pasture so he's not out grazing? Maybe he newly wants to be left alone. Many lesson horses develop cranky attitudes, especially whether used too often or by bad riding beginners.
3) No, I don't think you'd be considered a greenhorn from what you've written. Your ex-trainer might be bitter that you left. Also keep in intellect that there is no industry standard for beginner-intermediate-advanced. Intermediate at one barn might be way different than intermediate at another.
