Social event idea...Horseback riding

[LilRedCorvette]

Well, we know how you all do with 4 wheels, how about on 4 legs???!!! Who would be interested in taking a nice trail ride on horseback and enjoy some local scenery and spring weather?

If there is sufficient interest I will get together the where and when, pricing, etc...and host the event. No experience is necessary, so don't be shy. Please post here if you are up for this.
[:D]

[jpatrick]

Laurie,

A year ago we would have been there but since breaking my kneecap I'm giving it up. I didn't break it on a horse but . . . .
Don and I were avid riders, even took a horseback riding tour for a week in Ireland. Other than that trip though, we would only ride Tennessee Walkers. No posting for us!! Great idea though. It should be a lot of fun.

Judy

[LilRedCorvette]

Judy,

I understand, and don't blame ya! [:(] I find out more tomorrow about an impending surgery on my right foot, (ack, my driving foot!) hopefully I can work this social around that. Otherwise I'll just be hosting and not able to participate. Waaah!

I am trying to find a place that has both English (posting trot) and Western (easier for beginner riders) riding horses, so that people have an option. I prefer English myself, we'll see what I can come up with in my research.

[Black396]

Judy,
I am trying to find a place that has both English (posting trot) and Western (easier for beginner riders) riding horses, so that people have an option. I prefer English myself, we'll see what I can come up with in my reserach.

I've heard of Corvette snobs but don't tell me.... an English riding snob? [:))] [:))] [:))] <j/k>

I've riden off an on for over 40 years and have never ridden English. Coming from an area that still uses horses for working I have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to use one of those little pieces of leather. [>:)]

[ArmyVette]

This sounds like a great idea! Laurie has never been on horseback and has mentioned to me more that once about wanting to do this.

I'm a very experienced trail rider and former horse owner but haven't ridden in about eight years or so.

[LilRedCorvette]

I've heard of Corvette snobs but don't tell me.... an English riding snob? [:))] [:))] [:))] <j/k>


[:))] [:))] Heeheehee...used to be on my college equestrian team and most of us rode English. Don't get too excited, I wasn't that good. I can ride English or Western, doesn't matter to me too much. It's been 10 years since I've been on a horse, so it should be interesting.[:p]

[GT4me]

I'd be in on this one! That is if you'd let a Mustang owner tag along.

Mike,
I've ridden and owned horses for most of my life. I have shown both Western and English, and I have to say I still feel more secure in an English saddle. Funny, I guess it's possibly whatever you learned to ride in first! [;)]

[casper]

Laurie,

Horseback riding sounds like a great outing, we'll look forward to hearing more details (dates etc). If our schedule allows it we'll certainly join in.

[urtoslo]

Laurie,

I've never been horseback riding, but I've ridden mules. Would a mule be available? If not, I guess I could try horses..

Andrej

[Black396]

Funny, I guess it's possibly whatever you learned to ride in first! [;)]

In that case, I guess I'll have to go bareback. [:))]

I can understand how some people might see a western saddle as intimidating. I can also see where some people might argue that an english saddle provides more contact, thus better communciation, between horse and rider.

[LilRedCorvette]

Since we have a variety of styles people wish to ride (sorry, Andrej, no mules available), I will see who's got the best selection of horses out there. So everybody, keep posting if you are interested in being a part of this social event.

As of today, it's official, I will be going into surgery soon, so I will have to plan the event and sit it out or plan the event for after my recovery. I am looking at dates now, any preferences? I will try to accomodate but can't promise anything...

[jpatrick]

Mike,

When we learned to ride Tennessee Walkers about 20 years ago we were told that REAL riders ride English, that Western saddles were more like easy chairs!!! Whenever I think of a Western saddle I think of the Secretary of Commerce whose horse reared up and the Secretary was impaled on the pummel. An English saddle can have leather hand holds across the front of the saddle for security. Now I suppose a REAL REAL rider would ride bareback!!!

Judy

[jpatrick]

Laurie,

Sorry you have to have surgery but I'm sure it'll cure your problem. Remember therapy is just as important as the surgery. I've had about 24 therapy sessions so far for my broken knee cap.

There's a place in the Shenandoah Valley that claims to have Tennessee Walkers but they weren't and the whole 3 hour tour was up and down the side of mountains. If you weren't experienced in riding up and down hills/mountains you would have been in trouble. I don't remember the name of the place offhand but if you told me I'd probably remember - - so steer clear of that place. [:*]

Judy

[Black396]

Mike,
When we learned to ride Tennessee Walkers about 20 years ago we were told that REAL riders ride English, that Western saddles were more like easy chairs!!! Judy

Actually with a Walker or an American Saddler, a western saddle is like an easy chair. In my mind those are some of the most beautiful horses around. Of course Arabians and Lipizzans have got to be there also.

On the other hand for just an all around good horse I'll take a Quarterhorse.

[urtoslo]

Give me a good mule any day! Smarter, stronger....[:D]

[jpatrick]

slower - - - -

[Black396]

Judy,

You know that some of the best riding mules were Tennessee Walker mixes right?

[:)]

[badaz06]

Any Clydesdales? And I dont know much bout an English vs Western Saddle, cept one's wider and bigger...and something about a horn and women...but...

I'm guessing John Wayne or Clint went Western...

[LilRedCorvette]

Wow...a mule for Andrej, a draft horse for Jeff, a quarterhorse for Mike...*takes notes* [:))]

If I get a request for a camel, I'm resigning...j/k[:))] [:p]

Ok, then, I am assuming we have sufficient interest and will get on this. [B-)]

[jpatrick]

Mike,

Can't say that I ever heard that one but it stands to reason that if you cross anything with a Walker you're going to get an easier ride. Did you know that a lot of the "cowboys" out West are switching to Walkers? When you're in the saddle a long time it's nice to not to have to post. After 20-30 miles a day in Ireland on their horses, we were wishing we were on our Walkers. My back froze up so bad there, had to see a doctor while on the trail!!

Judy

[Black396]

Did you know that a lot of the "cowboys" out West are switching to Walkers? When you're in the saddle a long time it's nice to not to have to post.

It doesn't surprise me. Horses are still a good efficient method of transportation in rough terrain. A lot of ranchers went to aircraft (small planes and helicopters) back in the 70s. Good for covering long distances, expensive and hard to get close to a 'cow' for a better look. ATVs and motorcycles were pretty good but there are times that a horse is better.

And lets face it, a mustang or a quarterhorse can work cattle all day but most of the time their gaits are horrendous.

If I remember my horse history correctly, the walker actually came out of a desire to have a horse that could be ridden by plantation owners, overseers, etc. that spent most of the day in the saddle. So in that case, they were bred as working horses rather than pleasure.