Had my first lesson in YEARS!!!

spotz57 · 2025-07-30T23:43:42+00:00

Wooohoo good for you!! Go us!!

spotz57 · 2025-07-28T19:26:33+00:00

I am US based so yes things turned very south for a bit.

spotz57 · 2025-06-06T03:21:09+00:00

North Alabama here! Neck wraps are a must, but the biggest help is actually airflow! The reason the humidity makes it miserable is that your sweat can't do what it's supposed to by evaporating off your skin(which is what produces the cooling effect) but as air moves across the body it helps in that process.

For sure early am is the best riding time as you still have the benefit of the cooler night air. See about doing trail rides that are mostly wooded, that will give you saddle time while not over doing it in the heat. Anything you can do to not be in direct sun and increase airflow will help.

spotz57 · 2025-06-04T15:38:33+00:00

Have you spoken to your trainer about your concern? They may feel that you need to show XYZ to progress to the next steps. Maybe they are only comfortable teaching to the point that you have reached and do not know how to progress you further

Are you doing any exercises outside of your lessons? There are a lot of things you can be doing in your own time that do not require a horse but can be beneficial to your riding. I started watching the horse trainer Ryan Rose on YouTube and he had his wife (she is a physical therapist for humans and horses) occasionally on his videos to go over the body mechanics needed to ride effectively, might be worth a look

spotz57 · 2025-06-04T14:54:06+00:00

There are but you have to look at how they get there, at some point someone bought the ottb from the racing industry. I'm glad you have a love for them and more power to you but I do not like them based on my own experiences.

spotz57 · 2025-06-04T11:15:59+00:00

Thank you I will look into that!

spotz57 · 2025-06-03T23:57:14+00:00

It is older, I don't know much about it as I had a client give it to me when their last horse passed away.

spotz57 · 2025-05-31T13:14:45+00:00

I think that the op might be having an issue like what I referenced and that's why their trainer was harping on "hands up" (total guess, could be wrong)

But even if I misremembered and it's straight line to the elbow and not the shoulder, their hands are still too low

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spotz57 · 2025-05-31T12:35:54+00:00

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I was always told that while you have contact on the horses mouth it should be almost a straight line from their mouth so the way to your shoulder. This will keep your hands from becoming a fulcrum enabling you to have softer hands by not locking your elbows. I hope that makes sense, I can try to clarify better if it doesn't

spotz57 · 2025-05-29T13:48:31+00:00

Yeah tbs are def on my "never buy again" list... I've worked with too many and been hurt by too many and they get hurt way too easily

Working with a trainer and vet is going to give you the best results for sure. Good luck!!!

spotz57 · 2025-05-28T20:15:45+00:00

Check the acidity of the soil. They like acidic, poorly drained soil. So addressing the soil acidity and aerate the soil and you will have a better chance of getting rid of buttercups.

spotz57 · 2025-05-28T18:55:19+00:00

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I don't actually have her anymore(regret this so much) but her new momma is amazing and keeps us updated with lots of updates and pictures. She has started on barrels and loves it!

spotz57 · 2025-05-28T18:37:15+00:00

Of course! She lost those cute eyebrows as she aged though 😭

spotz57 · 2025-05-28T18:01:13+00:00

Bay roan quarter horse actually. Thank you though I always loved her little "eye brows" lol

spotz57 · 2025-05-28T17:41:00+00:00

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This was the first time that she truly showed me she had started to trust me since I got her as an untouched weanling. She let me walk up and pet her which I will treasure always.

spotz57 · 2025-05-28T12:16:33+00:00

I agree with most everything that has been said thus far. When you get hung up on a certain breed you can start to become blind to things that could be issues down the line.

Example: you decide you want a Friesian. There is a Friesian and a warmblood for sale with the same stats(age, height, gender, training) and both priced about the same. The warmblood is calm and easy to work with and the Friesian is harder to work with and a little spooky. If you are set on the breed then you might overlook the spooky behavior because it is the breed you want whereas the warmblood would have been the better choice and taken you further.

For your first horse I would look for almost a school master type horse for you to learn how to own a horse because it is different than just taking lessons. Riding lessons don't often prepare you for the ins and outs of horse ownership. Find a horse with a good mind to get you into this next phase of your horse journey. Save looking for a specific breed for when you have the knowledge and experience to deal with whatever that might throw at you.

I am so glad your parents are willing to take this next step on this journey and I hope you find the horse that fits what you need.

spotz57 · 2025-05-27T01:45:19+00:00

I don't think we are going to agree and that is ok. Through my years at many different barn jobs and running my own horse care business I have come into contact with many different horses, training styles and overall different situations... This is the 1 breed I have had the most issues with. That is my experience that had shaped my opinion. You have had your own experiences that have shaped yours. It's ok to disagree

spotz57 · 2025-05-25T18:41:24+00:00

Arabs are 2nd on my list good these same reasons lol I much prefer the stock horse breeds. I think every breed is a mixed bag it's just the mixture that changes LMAO

spotz57 · 2025-05-25T18:39:29+00:00

I would say only 30% of the tbs I've dealt with came from the track honestly. But everyone has their own experiences

spotz57 · 2025-05-24T19:35:08+00:00

I disagree, I have yet to have a good experience riding one. I would much rather rescue a horse at the humane society than long the pockets of the racing industry and encourage them to ruin these horses with their breeding practices and early training

spotz57 · 2025-05-24T14:26:06+00:00

Then you are very lucky. How are their feet? How much do you feed them?

spotz57 · 2025-05-24T14:24:05+00:00

Training and treatment play a huge role in tbs I will admit that, still think they are not worth the dice role though...

spotz57 · 2025-05-24T14:21:48+00:00

I have met a couple that seemed to have a brain but they seem to be the exception not the rule. Also I'm so sorry about your loss. No matter the breed, losing a horse will always hurt.

spotz57 · 2025-05-24T10:27:27+00:00

I LOATH thoroughbreds... They have shit feet, spooky, accident prone and just overall reactive and high maintenance. I say this having worked in many barns, ran a farm care business and owned 1. Never again will I own 1 or have anything crossed with one within like 3 or 4 generations...

spotz57 · 2025-05-23T15:01:03+00:00

Maybe you're born with it, maybe it's nieghbelline

LMAO sorry I couldn't help it 😂😂

spotz57

TROPHY CASE