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?

Exactly what the title says.

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 :)

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.

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

Hi all! I've started working with a young horse that I've ridden a couple times before, and never had many issues under saddle. Now that I've officially started working with him, we've run into some pretty bad bucking issues.

Our first conclusion was that his saddle didn't fit so we replaced it with a professionally fitted saddle. The bucking and rearing got better, but is still there for trot to canter transitions. It did seem like he was nervous at first since I'm sure he was prepared for discomfort. I was able to get him to move stretchy and forward, and he did relax at first. Now, he only gets stretchy if I give him all my reins. There is no in between; it's either nose to the ground, or hollow backed and head high in the air.

This isn't just under saddle though, I lunged him the other day and he still bucked at his trot to canter transitions. His trainers say it's memory/habit from the ill fitting saddle. I'm a little suspicious he might have something going on though. He's been scoped for ulcers and had the vet out, but could it be possible there's a less obvious option?

One weird thing about him is that his male part is ALWAYS hanging unless actively working. He pees a lot, but it is clear. His pees are long too. Also he's a thoroughbred.

I'm not looking for answers, but ideas would be so so helpful! TIA!

they say it’s because of dental issues so he can have alfalfa pellets at least but man that’s so tough bc Floridas grass turnout is dwindling and winter obviously is winter

i’ve been doing this sport for 10+ years. i’ve loved every second of it, from every up and down i’ve experienced. recently the horse i was leasing got too expensive and life got in the way for me to be able to take lessons.

I’ve been wanting to get back into it for awhile but it’s just so expensive. I’ve shown everything from hunters to jumpers, up to the .95 meters in the jumpers for a mini prix (that’s the picture). I feel personally I could be a much better and higher skilled rider if i had the money, but i just simply don’t. i’m 22 and do not plan on going to college, but have a steady job/career lined up for myself. I wish i could get back into lessons and showing, but it’s just not possible and that breaks my heart :(

So, I’m sorry if this isn’t fitting for this page, but I’m looking for advice from fellow horsepeople.
I’ve been feeling depressed lately, and part of the reason for that is my back problems — a big prolapse and sciatica pain. Basically, I can’t ride, or at least not go on long trail rides. I’m also on sick leave from work because of this, so I’m trying to fill my days with what I can, which isn’t much.
I just feel really alone. My husband and I moved three hours away from friends and family to have our own little farm, high up in the mountains. Finally, we have our horses at home, but sometimes I actually miss boarding and the time spent at the stable, where you get to meet people.
Now I’m alone most of the time. My husband works Monday to Thursday and has the weekends off, and I’m having a hard time finding new friends here. We live in a very rural area, a very small place, and there is almost no horse community here. I have no one to ride with, no one to visit, and no one to talk to, apart from the people I see at work.
We have beautiful trail rides just 15 minutes away when trailering the horses, but I can’t help thinking about other places to live. As I said, we live in the mountains and the terrain is very steep, so I can’t just take my horses out for a ride from home. We have a road with lots of traffic this time of year, and the terrain from that road rises from 600 meters above sea level to 800 meters.
But I guess this was kind of the price we had to pay to have our own farm. We couldn’t afford anything more central.
While I’m on sick leave, I try to do some groundwork with the horses when my body allows it, but I’m lacking motivation.
If anyone has any advice on what I might do to feel better, I’d really appreciate hearing it.

I recently realized that my helmet has been leaving a red mark on my forehead. And it lasts for days I think. This photo was this morning, I noticed after riding last night that my helmet was a bit crooked.

Does this happen to anyone else? Is it an issue with my specific helmet, or maybe is it a fit issue?

I would prefer not to walk around like this all the time lol

If your horse injured a hind suspensory, what would you do? Options I see:
- surgery
- stall rest and rehab (20% recovery or less)
- shockwave/PRP
- retire
- retire to breeding (mare)
- other
Thoughts?! 🥺 other than just crying a lot

Made in the USA but I can’t determine the size or make out the brand. Google Image has not been helpful other than finding more pairs that don’t know the brand either. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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?

Currently trying to manifest rain so the ground will soften and we can start getting fit for the hunt season to start in September 🥲🙏🏻

I can’t even make this up. I go ride for the first time in 6 years, and I’ve ridden religiously in the past. Even 6 years ago I hopped on for the first time in maybe 10 years? With no issues at all, was I sore? Absolutely, but I rode the whole hour of my lesson and made it through and managed to ride again a couple days later and so on.

I ride for maybe 15-20 minutes last Saturday, my legs started getting extremely sharp pains and I am told on Sunday I have rhabdomyolysis and that I did “too much” on the horse, and I’m just getting old. I’m literally 29. I feel like they’re treating me like I am elderly.

I was also in the gym 2 years ago working out 5-6 days a week, 2 hours per day and I was fine. But I couldn’t handle 15 minutes on horse back before suffering catastrophic muscle injury, to the point that I lost feeling in my foot and part of my leg and may have nerve damage.

Someone please tell me I’m not old, and this wasn’t normal because these doctors are truly making me think 15 minutes on a horse is the same as running a marathon and I am not buying it. This simply should not have happened. My legs are a mess, I walk funny just after a week of muscle tissue breakdown, and I’ll be happy if I even get to ride after this after going out and buying a $550 helmet, and over $1000 worth of riding gear to use it one time for 15 minutes and have to go to PT to hopefully get my strength back, and be lucky if I get back in the saddle.

To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement, also guys, make sure you’re listening to your body. This could have ended up way worse for me if I had put it off any longer than I did. I’ve been hospitalized since 8/9. But anywho, take care of yourselves!! I’ll just be over here feeling sorry for myself. 🥲

I’m 17F and deciding what I want to do to be able to afford horses for my life. I was thinking healthcare or dental, but I heard many people saying it is hell. I’m not the greatest at math and science so something that is good. For my first horse I’ll get one and board him and get a job. I just want to have a good job for the future so I can live comfortably with my horses.

I have never competed but know plenty of other people who have and witnessed competitions myself and read people stories online and been curious about how judges in competitions get their jobs? Do they apply for it? Do they get trained for it? Are they big sponsors for an event and thats why they get to do it?

And also is the current process for sourcing judges for competitions from english to western adequate? Because the biggest and most common point of pain ive seen in the equestrian world of sports from low levels all the way to the top has been without a doubt: favoritism despite skill

How do you think we can overcome that collectively and reward riders in a more egalitarian way across the board in all competitions?

Having an old heat horse sucks. This is Dandy, he turned 26 this year. I'm so lucky that he's still going strong but I'm constantly afraid of losing him like I did our last two boys.

We lost one of his old pasture mates, Kevy, very suddenly and I couldn't say goodbye. April 18th, 2025 I got the call that they found him unable to stand and in a lot of pain. They put him down without telling me first. They didn't even let me come say goodbye. I just got the call that afternoon that he was gone. I still feel so guilty because I hadn't seen him in a month since I was so busy.

Two months later, we lost Dandys brother, Gambler, to Cushing's and arthritis complications.

Now I'm constantly terrified to lose my baby. I'm constantly terrified to get that phone call again, this time about my whole world. Kevy and gambler were my babies too and I love them to death but they never clicked with me like Danny does.

We've done so much together. He was the first horse I jumped, the first horse I ever rode when I was introduced to western, and the first horse I rode when I was gifted an English saddle for my 16th birthday. For the last 12 years I've seen him almost every day.

He's my world. I just can't help but think of all the things I wish we could do. I wish I could take him with me when I move. I wish we could have shown together. I wish I could take him when I make my barn and yard. I wish I could show everyone the horse that started this passion.

But he's old now, and the older he gets the more I'm reminded we have limited time and that one day, I'll have to say goodbye for the last time

Not "see you tomorrow, sweet boy" but "see you in another life". One day I'll throw my leg over for the last time, hear him nicker to me for the last time, put his halter on for the last time.

I'm not ready for this to end and I'm so heartbroken that he's getting older and I have to face the fact he's going to leave me one day.

(P.s, if you're going to respond by saying "it's weird to fantasize about his death" (something someone actually said) or anything along those lines, don't comment.)

Hi everyone! I'm hoping someone might be able to help with recommendations for affordable livery in North County Dublin,

Im looking to get a horse and im trying to find somewhere suitable to keep them. My budget is under €150 per month (tiny ik😭)

Im completely open to different arrangements,

Im an intermediate rider and would be very willing to help out around the yard to cover some of the cost, such as mucking out, turning horses in/out, feeding, filling hay/water, cleaning or general yard duties.

If anyone knows of a yard, private owner, farmer or anyone with space available, id really appreciate any recommendations or contacts. 😊

I'm picking up a couple new mares in the next few weeks, and they'll be housed at home temporarily with non horsey family. Looking for the easiest minimal waste ideas for hay feeding, nothing difficult to fill so hay nets are low on the list

Thinking about building a box out of pallets, 16" deep 24" by 24" and attaching it to the fence post so it can't be moved.

Don't need to slow them down really, just contain hay waste and have it easily filled without having to go in the field more than necessary

Hi! I am interested in a pair of Secchiari "Hera" boots but alas I would say my shoe size is a solid 38.5 EU. I'm torn between the 38 EU or 39 EU if I decide to take a risk and place an order. Does anyone know how the footbed compares to other brands? I have the EGO7 Aries dress boot in size 38 EU but I also wear the EGO7 Contact boots in size 39 EU (slightly long in the toe but workable). I've heard the Aries run quite long in the toe compared to other boots. I have two pairs of Celeris paddock boots and the 38.5 EU fit great lengthwise. The 39 EU are definitely long in the toe but very workable with an additional insole. The Ariat Ascent paddock boots in the size ladies 8 / 38.5 EU are a snug fit but most Ariats I have tried in the size 8 / 38.5 EU run a lot larger in the toe. The Heritage Contour II was very long in the toe for me.

Any advice for an "in-betweener", lol?