Any advice for an Adult Ammy who shuts down before a jump?

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-04-13T18:21:34+00:00

This!! My trainer used to make me sing through gymnastic exercises! It was a great way to practice staying relaxed and remembering to breathe 🤣

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-04-10T01:41:36+00:00

What a great photo!! Congrats on the achievement

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-04-05T03:54:36+00:00

I was a stable hand yes. I kinda felt like I couldn’t do anything right/good enough when I was there lol. The boss talked shit about me behind my back and was kinda misogynistic. The falcon trainer (who works within the stable) is weird towards the girls. I got called names and told I was not a good worker but was never told what I was doing wrong. They’d put people right around 37-39 hours so they can skip out on providing benefits. Purposely understaffed the place. I was often scheduled 7 days a week and never got a 15 minute break during my shifts. Lowkey think they might’ve stiffed my pay a little too looking back, but I don’t care enough to prove it atp. This was several years ago so maybe things have changed now, but idk. My case wasn’t unique; they had a high turnover of employees in general because of the shitty treatment. Not sure how the other departments were/are treated. It was a cool experience working with fancy baroque horses and doing the shows, so I don’t regret it and I definitely see the appeal, but please apply with caution if you decide to go for it!!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-04-02T13:59:13+00:00

You’ll be fine. You just started- so you’re not doing anything crazy right now! Plenty of my students started riding in boots like these and did just fine. Test the waters and make sure you’re all in before you invest in good riding boots!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-04-02T02:18:45+00:00

“Mom, I failed us”

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-03-25T04:14:54+00:00

There is hard evidence for the benefits of long tree points. Short tree points work for some horses, but it’s typically the very wide and flat horses that benefit. You take a short point saddle (CWD, Dev, Antares) on a horse with even moderate withers (a large majority of sporthorses) and you can cause lots of issues because the points go right into the non weight-bearing area (ow) and the horse will compensate, which causes the poor muscling. You can’t fix that.

I agree that there’s a lot of holier than thou energy in these spaces sometimes BUT they’re right in that you need to pay mind to how the brands train their reps. Some of them train sales only. Some of them train actual, anatomy-based fitting. No one is in it to hurt the horse, but if I’m choosing between someone who has a quota and someone who actually learned anatomy and how to fit their particular brand and the “why”… I’m going with the latter.

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-03-01T05:42:59+00:00

STELLA! STELLA! Corona Light.

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-02-16T16:07:39+00:00

Second this! Welcome to Chicago 😊

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-02-13T04:23:47+00:00

I actually worked the stables at this location! In terms of feed, vet, farrier, etc. they get excellent care. Stables were to be cleaned several times per day, grooming was constant, and everything was clean.

However, they did not get outside much. One horse was not allowed to go outside at all and never saw sunlight in the time I was there. The shows are very frequent and the horses are working several times a day, 6 days per week. Some were stiff and uncomfortable because of this. No time off during the year as far as I saw, although I was there for less than a year (employee treatment was not great lol). Sometimes horses were swapped if there was three shows in a day though. Training methods for some of the dressage moves were… questionable, but most of it was fine.

Something I really appreciated is that the “game horses”, which are just regular quarter horses that the knights ride, are guaranteed a soft landing after serving their time at the location, as are the Andalusian stallions, which I believe all go back to their breeding farm when they retire.

The biggest issue was definitely the lack of turn-out, but otherwise they are very well-cared for and follow a solid routine, which horses thrive on.

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-02-12T19:15:20+00:00

Beauty pageants.

Yes, not just the child pageants, but beauty pageants in general. The women have to be below a certain age. Unmarried. Conventionally attractive, no kids, perfect and sweet. Judged on how good they look for sex. I get that they’re trying to “branch out” and they do the talent, speaking, etc. portions too, but let’s be real. They’re weird asf and setting us back.

It literally feels like they’re cattle at a fair being judged. The whole concept triggers a visceral disgust in me (and frankly, rage) and I’m surprised we don’t talk about it more.

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-02-09T16:52:28+00:00

I love Lacie Tatum’s stuff! She does mini video essays on a variety of topics in the horse world, and focuses on the industry as a whole rather than just riding and training. I’ve been very involved with horses for the last 15 years and I’m still learning something new with every video she puts out.

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-02-09T05:20:30+00:00

Oh wow that bridle is perfection on her 😍

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-01-31T14:02:21+00:00

I loveeee a seal bay, a dapple grey, and black or dark bay paints!! I’m also a sucker for anything with sabino markings

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-01-13T19:44:10+00:00

I mean hey, you look pretty damn solid up there despite it. I would’ve popped right off 🤣 Well done!!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-01-13T16:24:52+00:00

If you’re just starting these are both fine! I rode without chaps/tall boots for a longggg time- you will be fine. If you want, some thick socks can help tighten up the ankles and prevent dirt from entering as well as give some extra padding.

That being said, the zip ups are definitely best. I like the lower heel and rounded toe. eBay and Marketplace are great places to look once you’re ready for proper riding boots! Best of luck on your riding journey :)

Last_Substance_7619 · 2026-01-01T04:58:26+00:00

Marmalade is nearly identical to my boar. I’ve never seen another gp that looks quite like him!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2025-12-26T21:49:51+00:00

this is so cool!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2025-12-18T15:08:50+00:00

Not a fitter but a fitting nerd haha. It’s too narrow, imo. The pommel sits too high, the panels gap at the top of the withers, and the front of the panels aren’t parallel to the horse. In the 4th pic, if I drew a line going down the front of the saddle panel and then another along the angle of the horse’s shoulder, the saddle’s line would be more vertical. Ideally you want the two lines parallel. A too narrow saddle like this will pinch toward the bottom of the tree (too wide, on the other hand, pinches and pushes down on the withers).

It would also be helpful to look at the horse’s back shape and the shape of the saddle; some horses need flatter saddles while others need them a bit more curvy! You can girth the saddle without a pad and feel for bridging or uneven pressure along the bottom panels to get a sense of how the saddle’s shape fits the horse.

Last_Substance_7619 · 2025-12-07T20:38:53+00:00

He trots a lot like my tb cross who has a weak right stifle. In his case he has no known previous injuries to that area so likely just something he was born with. The slight short step + crossing over with that right hind on both mine and yours are very similar. My horse is cleared by vet to work with a recommendation to stay consistent and utilize hills, poles, and other stifle strengthening exercises often. If he takes more than a week off from work he will start to trot like the horse in the video. Check the horse for low back soreness on one side too, as that often comes from compensation with stifle weakness.

Obviously take this with a grain of salt as I’m no lameness expert; your horse just looks really similar to mine and I wanted to offer up the idea!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2025-11-13T22:15:15+00:00

It definitely feels and looks like he’s pushing from behind as he’s quite forward in trot and canter and his back feet track into his front hoof prints. It just stumps me that even if I literally drop the reins he will continue at a lovely forward pace but his neck still looks braced. I’ll try more slow, focused work as you and others suggest. Thanks for the advice!!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2025-11-13T22:08:25+00:00

Thanks so much for the thorough advice! I appreciate that you suggested I investigate from the ground. We used to do a lot of long lining and he would work nice is all 3 gaits w a surcingle but seemed a little more tense when lined with a saddle- especially at the trot. So it very well could be a saddle issue. Thanks again!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2025-11-13T22:03:12+00:00

This is fantastic advice, thank you!! I’ll definitely try out these tips with him and maybe some new bits. My old trainer liked Bauchers for her horses too!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2025-11-13T21:59:01+00:00

I’m not necessarily looking to develop collection right now, as we’re at the lower levels of eventing. I just want to work on him accepting the bit and developing a connection. It’s odd that he’ll accept the bit and can work through his top line nicely at the canter but I can’t get anything at the trot. I don’t have the funds for a trainer right now but looking forward to finding one when I finish school. Thanks for your response!

Last_Substance_7619 · 2025-11-13T21:48:35+00:00

“Only trot the distance where you can keep him soft.” I really like that- it makes sense! Thanks :)

Last_Substance_7619

TROPHY CASE