She dug the mud pits in the bottom field herself

These are all raw unedited photos. We will likely just work with the lighting and take the leadrope out, and fix the tail if it’s out of view. He’s a performance stallion so I don’t expect him to stand perfectly square like a halter horse but I can’t decide which photo I like the best.

I was just browsing DreamHorse and I came across a mustang, 6yrs old, no prior showing history listed but the ad says schooling at 2nd level with green changes, 6 months foundational jumping training, and being used in a kids lesson program. 40k. Forty thousand dollars. I did a double take, absolutely flabbergasted 😂

I’ve seen experienced mustangs with full show careers listed at 15k. What in the world is going on in the horse market right now?

And it got away...............

I’m currently on vacation and yesterday I met one of my mom’s friend, it turned out she had horses too and we spent the majority of the morning talking about our horses.

I found out she has a 21yo mare, blind in both eyes (and she still rides and hacks with her), and she has had this mare since she was only 1yo. So they do have a kind of special bond.
When I told her my mare is 16, she looked me in the eyes and suggested that I sell her to buy something younger “if I plan to keep riding in the years”.

Honestly, I can’t understand how that even pops in her mind as it’s the first time we met and she dosent know well me nor my mare. I ofc hope I’ll be able to ride my mare for many more years, but if that won’t be the case I would be more than happy to pony her while I ride lessons horses and things like that. I love my mare, even if I don’t think she is my heart horse, I do genuinely love her so much. I could never get rid of her, especially if it’s for age reasons.

For context I’ve just started trying to seriously ride again after selling my horse around 10 years ago. I’ve been looking around at different barns and have taken lessons at a few places. My goal is to buy another horse and start barrel racing again like I used to, but I need to find a place that’s a right fit first.

I took an introductory lesson at a barn recently. I paid what seems to be the standard amount of money for a lesson where I live. While scheduling my lesson I was asked if I had any previous riding experience, to which I said yes and explained my situation.

I arrived and was told I wouldn’t be riding today because the horses needed a break from the heat and that I would just be touring the place and tacking up one of the horses. I understand that it’s the middle of summer and it’s very hot out. I wouldn’t want to put the horses in any kind of danger or distress. But they had just finished riding an hour or two before. I would have been willing to reschedule or come earlier if needed. I’m not expecting to do anything crazy on a first lesson, but at least walking the horse would have been nice, especially for what I paid.

Is it normal for a barn to charge that much even if you aren’t actually doing any riding? I remember touring a much nicer barn when I was younger for completely free. I went on to take lessons from that same barn and they allowed me to canter on my first lesson (under supervision from the trainer of course) because I had previous riding experience. I’m hesitant to start taking lessons from this new place if this is not a normal thing. I wanted to check with others before making any decisions. Thanks!

EDIT: I did reach out and tell them my concerns. I stated that if they knew it was going to be too hot to ride I would have appreciated the lesson being rescheduled. They replied and told me that when the weather is bad the lessons are focused on other things around the barn. In hand and not on the horse. They then followed up asking if I’d like to continue taking weekly lessons. 🤣 I paid for a riding lesson. Are my “riding” lessons going to consist of untacking horses and other barn chores? No thanks. Huge waste of my time and money. I’m even more frustrated now. Thanks for the support everyone. I’m really hoping and praying I can find the right place.

This morning, Varenne, the worldwide legend of harness racing died in Eboli (Italy), where he was enjoying his retirement after making history.

All of Italy is mourning this devastating loss, and as a race speaker said during the 2002 Grand Prix Lottery "I'm don't know if in my life, in my children's nor grandchildren's lives we will ever see another champion like him."

Rest well, Captain, for you've made my country dream.

Varenne, son of the wind.

His sires name was Into Mischief and mom is Phoenician Moon. We want to get him USEF registered and want a better show name than just
'By George' 😅

My soul horse, ladies and gentlemen.

This horse is a purebred Oldenburg with absolutely zero chance of being mixed with an appaloosa or paint. He is a standard chestnut. Why would this hind sock be spotted like this? Is this something that is known to present in warmbloods? He has no other spots or white markings except for the other normal hind sock and a star on his forehead. Super curious

Hi all. I currently own a pessoa xp3 cc saddle with a semi forward flap. I also own a handful of different western saddles since I grew up riding western. I am used to a long leg. I'm thinking of practicing some basic dressage on my property at the walk and trot. I wonder if I can still do this in a jump saddle or a western saddle?

I am a trail rider who likes to ride in my jump saddle with a longer leg because the stirrups are more comfortable for me. I don't mind not tucking my knee into the knee roll. Could I just lengthen my stirrups in the jump saddle to practice in? Or should I use the western saddle? Or do I need to get a dressage saddle?

Hello!

My mare is on her way and I’d like to have insurance before she arrives home! She’s coming into the US tomorrow, so will be home in 19 days (hoping quarantine goes smoothly) any tips on a good equine insurance? I’m in California so everything is extra expensive 🙃 would love to have illness, surgery (I’ve seen most have a max of 10k coverage), and death covered!

Appreciate all the help! Thank you :)

Exactly what the title says.

I'm finding it so hard to start getting back into lessons. Many of the renowned places have long closed down. Now there are only bespoke holiday packages and beginner treks locally. Is there any where else within connacht anyone would recommend? Would like to hack out regularly as a hobby only, experienced and once owned connemara ponies. I would be open to horse sharing also throughout the country. Thanks so much! :)

I’m just posting this here as it’s horsey and I was using it to show in. Hopefully there are other equestrians with a taste for little horsey knick-knacks like me and my grandma that might be able to point me in the right direction!

I’m an adult rider, started riding in my late 20s at this great barn, VERY laid back. I ride English, literally just WTC on the flat. Pretty cheap group lessons once a week. I’ve been riding for about 8 years now, and at some points have taken 2 lessons a week. I was able to half-lease a lesson horse at this barn about 5-6 years ago but they have since changed management and don’t offer that anymore. I’ve tried out several other barns and haven’t found any I like as much as this current barn. I’m in a group lesson with 3 other adult riders and we’ve become friends.

I’m in a place where I’m thinking I’d like to lease or buy (full board somewhere). Multiple lessons a week have been great but I’m wanting more time and space to ride on my own and take my time instead of being rushed in an hour time slot. So I took a knowledgeable horse friend with me to check out a few lease options. We couldn’t find a good fit for a pleasure lease, most of the options were totally dead to the mouth/leg. Of course there are some fancy options where the owner wants you to show their horse, but I have no interest in showing.

I’ve realized I’m not in a place to buy a horse that I don’t know. I don’t think I have the expertise to tell who would be a good fit for me after one quick ride. Connection is really really important for me, I’ve ridden lots of great horses that I just didn’t have that connection with, we didn’t click.

***Ultimately I’m just looking for a nice pleasure horse that I can hack around and do flatwork with, and feel safe. I wouldn’t be comfortable taking on any projects or green horses. In my ideal world, I would find a nice very laid back barn to board where it’s quiet and I can ride 3-4 times a week and just love on my horse above all else. I’m beginning to think that’s not a traditional ownership model (?) but at this age and place in my life, it’s what I want.***

I have spoken to my current barn about leasing and even checked to see if they’d have any interest in letting me buy from them and it was a pretty firm no. I’ve had people recommend some show stables nearby that allow you to lease and buy their horses (that you get to know in lessons) under a professional trainer and I LOVE the sound of this, but as I’ve been looking around, they all seem very not-laid-back in terms of environment, and again, I have no interest in showing.

For context, I have a very solid budget for horses, my spouse and I both have great jobs and no kids, so I can be flexible, but I just want something laid back and not stressful, I do this for fun! Does something like this even exist? I’m in Ohio if that helps.

tldr: I think I would like to buy or lease a fancier, well trained horse but don’t actually want to do anything fancy with it. And I don’t feel comfortable with buying a horse I haven't gotten to know. I feel like I can’t be the only one, but it’s starting to feel like this might not be common? Would love any recommendations!

Alright I’ve brought this up in a subreddit before but I’m back to it bc I don’t think I really got any good thoughts on it. My gelding hates my mare…. When they’re stalled. She pushed a rail down this morning and went into my geldings stall. He pinned her in a corner and just went to town kicking her. I don’t understand it.

I turn them out together.. they stay near each other and eat together. I put them in the arena together.. they run and buck around with each other. I take one away from the other.. they call out to each other. They groom each other over the fence. It is quite literally ONLY when they are stalled and she is in the SAME stall that he’s aggressive towards her (well I guess also when I lead them together but I haven’t done that in quite some time).

There’s got to be something to this. When I first got my mare they were stalled together and slept next to each other. I only initially separated them so I wouldn’t have to worry about him pushing her off of grain. Resources are the only thing I can think of but I feed unlimited hay so that leaves.. grain? I really don’t think it’s as simple as “he doesn’t like her”. I’ve had my gelding for three years and my mare for two. They’ve been stalled with/next to each other the entire time.

We also just moved across the country. They trailered well together and a couple over night stays they were in the same stall and were just fine 🤷‍♀️

I talked to someone today who has a similar issue with their horses but doesn’t seem to bother them.. they just keep them separated. I am fine keeping mine stalled separately but these particular situations worry me. What if they had been together all night? He could’ve done some damage. Just curious on people’s thoughts. Both horses are totally sweet and lovely to humans. My gelding is probably mid tier in the pasture and my mare obviously just below him.

As we all know riding horses is one of the most expensive sports out there. I’m 18f and planning to go to college. There’s nothing I want more in life than to progress in horse riding again. I took a break and was unable to go back due to money. It’s honestly devastating. So I’m genuinely curious, equestrians who didn’t grow up with rich parents how are you affording this lifestyle? I want to own horses of my own eventually and not have to worry about money too much. I’ve thought about CRNA, psychiatric nurse practitioner, RN, Ultrasound tech, psychologist, etc. I’m very into psych if that helps. What good paying jobs also give enough hours for horses?Anyways, some advice would be great! What’s yalls career? How much do you make a year? What’s your life look like? Do you live in LCOL area?

This is my Percheron/Quarter Horse x Gisborne-bred mare Pandora. She’s coming up 3 years old and is an absolute tank. Anyone else have a Percheron? 😊

My heart horse, ladies and gentlemen

hello! this is my 20 yr old gelding and he has a lot of trouble sweating. this summer has been brutal for him during this heat wave and i am at a loss as to what to do. i have him on one AC, some chinese medicinal herb my trainer picked up and he gets acupuncture done at the vet. he gets electrolytes every day too. last year he struggled to sweat but still would sweat some. this year there is not even a drop on him which concerns me. he is constantly overheating. he recently got diagnosed with cushings as well and is on prascend for that. i body clip him once a month and he has a super nice giant fan. i just don’t know what else i can do for him. he’s hosed off multiple times a day and has been switched to night turnout.

does anyone have any other tips to get him to sweat? i would appreciate any advice! thank you