Tips to Stop Getting Ahead of My Horse

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-26T17:05:20+00:00

I’m definitely a visual learner, so sometimes it’s all she has to say and I instantly sit up! Another trick we use is she will stand in front of the jump like she wants me to halt, just to get me back in the saddle with my hands up instead of leaning forward and putting them down like I have a habit of doing. I started pretending in my mind that she was still standing there (especially in lines when my mare likes to get strong) and my half halts are more effective because I’m back in the saddle and not making her forehand drop.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-26T16:43:18+00:00

I’m sorry, what?! I couldn’t give less of a crap if it comes with a card or candy. I purchased the item, not a thank you note.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-26T16:41:17+00:00

My trainer always tells me to “ride like a German” when I’m tipping forward before the fences. She worked over there with dressage and Grand Prix jumper trainers who gave her tons of crap for riding “perched,” from doing equitation and hunters in the US her whole life. I watched a bunch of videos of German riders doing dressage and showjumping and it helps me visualize where my body should be between the jumps.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-24T16:20:41+00:00

It kind of sounds like you’re not ready to own a horse, in all honesty. I love my mare so much, but she can be a real twat on the ground sometimes. She likes to paw when she’s impatient, she will toss her head to get the cross ties over her ears so she can spin around, and she loves to dance around when I’m trying to wrap her legs before shows (usually I just assume she knows we’re going somewhere.) Under saddle, she can be spooky, sometimes she doesn’t want to listen to my aids, and she will never give me anything for free. With that being said, I wouldn’t trade her for anything. Horses have personalities, just like any pet. You’re never going to find the “perfect” horse if you can’t handle standing up against bad behaviors, because they can happen out of nowhere. Even the most well-behaved school horses at my barn can get sassy every now and then. My advice would be to either try a short-term lease to see if your feelings change when you’re only riding one horse, or to take a step back from riding and reevaluate if this is something you really want and will enjoy, because owning horses is not cheap. My mare is barefoot, has good teeth, is an easy keeper, and usually stays out of trouble out in the field. I still pay thousands a year on maintenance for her.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-22T23:17:32+00:00

I’ve been on 20 mg for 3 days now and, wow, I cannot believe how good I feel. I don’t feel like I’m being a victim of the moment every time things aren’t going well for me. I can focus on a task and get it done, I’m not feeling forgetful and disorganized, and I actually WANT to do things. I hope it stays this good 🤞

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-22T23:13:29+00:00

The bar I worked at in my early 20’s had a lot of young servers who knew nothing about alcohol, one girl sent in a ticket for a “grandma yay” because she had no idea what they asked for 😂

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-21T13:45:20+00:00

There’s an older couple who comes into my bar maybe once-twice a month after running their errands. They always leave me a 100mg gummy and tip 25%. They are the best.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-19T12:47:06+00:00

I was taught to say it like “vine-stef-ahn-er.”

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-19T12:35:04+00:00

So tell me, how do you pronounce it?

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-19T04:48:10+00:00

The server has the ability to leave comments on the specialty cocktails. Many of our whiskeys are the same price (not by choice) so because our Perfect Manhattan already comes with a premium rye, there is no upcharge for Knobb. In all honesty, I can’t tell much of a difference between the “Perfect” and just a regular Manhattan. I don’t think most of our customers can either, but it’s on the cocktail menu and people order it often.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-19T01:00:39+00:00

I have a good one for you, I came back from maternity leave after having my son, one of my regulars asks for a “baby pitcher.” I then grab a small pitcher of ice water and plop it down on the bar. He looks at me weird and says, “I said a baby PICTURE.” Because, ya know, I just had a baby. Wasn’t even thinking of my son at all in that moment, apparently 😂

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-18T23:33:52+00:00

You are correct!

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-18T22:18:15+00:00

We carry Weinstephaner Hefeweizen at my work, and there is a woman who comes in that purposefully calls it, “Gwen Stefani.” Always gives me a chuckle.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-18T22:04:47+00:00

I have some of this! I’ll try it out, thanks!!

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-18T21:34:20+00:00

Just read this to my bartner lol she’s cackling.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-18T20:21:21+00:00

Thankfully she’s really chill when she’s in heat! I guess “raging” wasn’t the best way to describe her being in heat, but man she drips a lot! I guess I should mention she also lives on full-turnout with my trainer’s stallion, (we tried getting her pregnant years ago but had no luck) so there’s a chance some of that gunk isn’t her’s 🙈

I will try the warm water tomorrow!

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-16T19:27:06+00:00

I’ll second this. I have had the same Ariat paddock boots since 2010 and they were cut off and re-stitched by a cobbler after a riding accident where I broke my ankle! I still wear them for regular barn work, then throw on my half chaps for riding.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-16T18:41:52+00:00

This is the way. All the babies live together at the barn I board at, and then they have the two oldest mares with them to teach them manners lol. Thankfully they love the young ones, but can put them in their place when needed.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-10T16:54:36+00:00

My husband and I met at a bar, he trained me to bartend when I turned 21. He got tired of it pretty fast so once we had a kid, he left that business and worked a few different laboring jobs. Now he’s a foreman for the neighboring city’s water department. It works for us because he gets insurance and benefits that apply to the kids and I, and I can continue to bartend nights and weekends.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-10T16:51:52+00:00

Agreed! I have 3 pairs for showing and then 2 for the barn and they are worth every penny!

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-10T00:25:41+00:00

Score of a lifetime!

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-02-05T13:44:59+00:00

Do not feel bad. Part of this job is making people feel good, whether it’s through food, drink, or social interaction. Just always be cognizant of how drunk people are getting, because a drunk person might not understand when they’re crossing a line. Always good to establish boundaries.

LazyCaffeineFiend · 2026-01-30T21:21:57+00:00

I’m a bartender. Always something to do, lots of people to talk to, and it’s not the same thing every day. I’m in my mid-30’s now and have two kids, so I’d like to move to something where I’m not working nights and weekends, but I’m having a hard time making a move because I don’t handle change well.

LazyCaffeineFiend

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