I thought that it was time that this cafe had an equine thread! If you are into riding, driving or just playing with donkeys on the beach do post away here.

I have four, well more like three and a half equines. Two fell ponies, both big softies and very gentle and safe, a coloured cob who looks like a teddy at the moment in his winter coat and Shenkyn a mini shetland who loves everyone.

I am SO happy and surprised to see this thread! I have ridden for 7 years and helped at riding schools for 5. I've just moved to a great stables in the form of Wimbledon Village, where I help with the horses and take kids on lead reins in return for free riding and training for BHS exams.

Some day I will have a horse, probably not until I have my own money for it though (I'm 16). Eventually my dream is to own a yard and, among other things, run riding holidays there.

Do you have any pictures of your horses? these are my favourites from the place I work:

Pixie


Dessie


Kerry


And this is me with my friend's fabulous horse, Henry:






Hope the picture overload doesn't give anyone's computer trouble? I could change them into links?
Rosie x

Wow!!! I'm into horses too!!

I can't upload any photos atm, but I own a 17.2hh Palomino eventer called Star (show name Morgan's Munchkin ), A chestnut minature shetland stallion called Charlie, a really sweet bay polo pony called Laura, and a big chestnut mare called Ellie who is soooo sweet and friendly. I also have my ancient old 38 yr old Welsh Pony called Bumble Bee.

awwww horses

I used to own a Welsh Section D gelding called Jamie We had heaps of fun together until he tore his stifle ligament and had to retire.


More recently I exercised Arabs for a top endurance and dressage lady - bit scary because the horses were super-fit but good fun. I used to do 6-10 miles three or four times a week at 6/7 mph (=hard work!!!)

I can't ride at all now though because I have a back injury.

Wow, please try and show some photos some time - I've never seen a 17.2hh palomino before! what level do you event at? and how on earth do you have time for all those instruments as well as your horses?

Had no idea there were so many horse lovers on here - seems horses and music aren't such an unusual combination after all.

Talking of horses of music, watch this:

Andreas Helgstrand & Matiné

I love horses!
I used to have a pony named Vicky when I was small.

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This is my Nxt door neighbours horses.
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That is my Nxt door neighbours new foal.

She has 5 horses, but I don't have pics of all of them

V. pleased to see an equine thread!

I love the photos!

As a child I thought of nothing else but horses - which was fine as I come from a very horsey family.
Now I wish I'd spent more time practising piano and less time at the yard!

I've lost my nerve now - a long boring story but basically when I started riding again after the birth of my daughter I was completely unfit but my horse was super fit and jumping out of his skin and I just wasn't able for him and after a few weeks I used to go into the yard shaking like a jelly. Nerve is a funny thing - it never entered my head I'd lose mine, having ridden all my life, team chased, ridden in races etc., but once it goes it's hard to get it back.
I do ride occasionally now, helping to exercise a friend's hunters, but I always make sure I'm on something steady and reliable!

My daughter is keen as mustard and does Pony Club etc. It's great fun. (Except for the pushy parents!)

I've got Affretando so I'm not horseless.

NNoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

I come to the internet to ESCAPE from horses, their dumbass owners and all those that get damaged by being anywhere near them.

I will try to post some pics of the boys soon. If it snows they will love it. Jack (the big fell pony) really loves playing with snow.

That video is my favourite horse video, I'm glad you like it too!
I've got a black welsh cob mare and sort of foster a 35 yr old chestnut mare, ridden here by her owner who is a teacher in London so we look after her full time.

That cob is a very handsome boy RR. My fellas are wearing their turnout rugs today. It took a while to get Eddie into his as he has not worn one before but now he likes it. I have three and a half warm ponies now.

Unfortunately I dont want to risk posting any photos of my horses online because there's been a lot of horse crime in the area recently.

We don't complete particually highly - intermediate at the most! We only tend to get to about 2 three day events, and about 5 one day events a year now though. It's still progress though considering the beast she was when I got her (well, she still is, but at least I can kinda handle her now!!)

And Petrat....I'm sure your shettie makes up on personality for what he lacks in size. Although half a pony does sound cute.

I've got a black welsh cob mare and sort of foster a 35 yr old chestnut mare, ridden here by her owner who is a teacher in London so we look after her full time.

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The welsh cob is stunning - I bet your always in the ribbons!

The real question which everyone wants answered is "does riding a horse give you a fat bottom" ?

Most of the "horsey" girls I've known over the years have had sizeable posteriors. Does regular riding cause this, or are girls of adequate cheekage simply predisposed towards horse riding?

Please clear this up for me. Thanks.

Perhaps forum members should take photos of their derriers and then we can compare those that ride and those that don't.. what d'ya think MrB?

That wasn't quite what I had in mind!

My theory is that very thin riders are not comfortable enough to make the sport fun and so they don't carry on after the first few goes. The more padded of us love it! It is my motto that one should never ever ride a horse whose back end is smaller than one's own.

Eddie is now almost inseparable from his new rug.

No, I honestly don't think riding gives one a fat bottom. Breeches and jodhpurs are tight fitting and unless you're super model thin they are unflattering as they show up even the smallest bulge.

I've ridden for years and am only a size 6. Riding has nothing to do with it - if anything it makes your behind smaller because any fat turns into muscle.

It is too cold and miserable to go riding a the moment but may well get Eddie and his cart out for the Anglesey Meeting. Just who wanted a lift from the station?

The sun is shining and my lads don't need their turnout rugs on today. That will be a fine excuse for them all to roll about in the mud.
How are everyone's equines faring this wet winter?

Mine are loving the mud in the field!! And jumping over puddles when out hacking.

It's impossible to keep them clean though!

I had a loooovely lesson today on a very gorgeous horsie called Bess.

And also this evening had my course for BHS stage 1 - has anyone here got their stages?

I haven't done any yet, but should really get round to it!!

Look what I was up to yesterday everyone - such a fun day! I went trail hunting on this 17hh beastie



I hardly stopped grinning all day and haven't since!

What a lovely photograph! He looks a fine fellow (or is she a mare?).
Glad you had a good day.

no, it's a 'he' - odd name I know! I had so many nice comments and had to keep saying 'he isn't mine!' while really really wishing he was!

Beautiful horse, beautiful picture!

We have a new cycle track in the village and Eddie and I christened it yesterday morning. Today they are back in their rugs again in preparation for the freezing weekend.

Fantastic pic Rosie.

What does everyone think of the new arrival at the riding school I help at? meet Dora:

Aww sweet! I just want to stroke that soft muzzle..

Awh - what a cutie!!

And I have that headcollar for one of my horses

What a super little chap! Does he drive too? He looks as if he should be pulling a cart.

Has anyone else been following Badminton? have to confess I've had the laziest day in the world today, watching it on freeview from 11 to 4.30. So gutted by both mary King's and William FP's blips!

Couldn't believe Mary and William's blips - so unlike them. They must be so annoyed, having those mistakes just when they were nearly home.

Bit more controlled than Paul Tapner though! Full marks to him, if he had to do it, for taking it out on the grass not the horse or anything else.

Mary is always smiling it's so lovely.

How are everyone's neddies then? I've had a lovely horsy week. Last Saturday I took a little mare from my yard to a show...

She's only been at the yard 6 weeks and is very inexperienced, and I'd only ridden her 3 times so you couldn't really expect us to be much of a team, but she went perfectly and the judge even said she liked her! (in a tone that suggested I was meant to be slightly surprised ).

This week I did a week's work experience with a friend's mum, and one of the perks of the job was the friend's horse, Henry.






Now GCSEs are over I have lots more time for horses!

I love your coloured mare Rosie. I'm sure you'll soon be in the ribbons with her.

She's cute isn't she! I think she might need to shift a bit of her belly though!