r/Equestrian

This might be a hot take.. maybe not.. but keep an open mind.

These posts are my absoluteeeeee worst pet peeve:

"25 year old horse looking for his retirement home/forever home.. he's done so much for us and we want a good home, needs to be a companion or very lightly ridden as hes got xyz going on. Heres what he's done in the past: yada yada yada."

Ok but WHY require a "forever" home when you couldn't be that for the horse that won you rodeos/shows, protected you in the saddle, gave you joy, you name it. I freaking hate that. Like how could you sell an animal that has given you their all for all of their good years but try and offload them when they are old and decript?

I legitimately just seen an elderly gelding at the auction a few weeks ago, they listed his accolades as they brought him in - a bulldogging horse, kids horse, you name it. And yet.. he gets sold at auction for $200???? What in the f? And these are people that have room for horses, I'm from a super small community and know so many. This old gelding just brought a damn tear to my eye, I almost bought him to feed him good grain, and euthanize him at my place but unfortunately I dont have the money to save all the auction horses and he was probably a frost away from death. The time to euthanize him was yesterday. Yet he's brought to sale?

Stop selling your ancient horse that has (maybe!) a few years left and be responsible- put them down or allow them to retire and then euthanize when they turn that corner. It really irks me.

And DISCLAIMER: This judgement does not apply when owners die, people are getting out of horses, moving, sold the ranch, the horse is aggressive/not a fit, etc. Just the people making space for younger horses. Be patient with the animal that you loved/used/taught and allow them to pass where theyre comfortable, they have given you alot, give them a peaceful, respectable death - they earned it.

Ugh I need advice….

My barn manager is not the world’s easiest person to deal with. The property is ancient and a bit unwieldy so I help out a lot. She cannot manage to keep a steady mucker so I tend to do Saturdays for $60 - about 8 hours of work. She also has me teach beginner lessons which I do make $40 per lesson. However, I pay $600 in board and have to pay $40 additional because my horse is on a different feed, along with a few of her horses. I also buy additional bedding because he is messy.

My barn manager can be extremely passive aggressive, confrontational, and just plain rude. She texts at all hours of the day/night, and has a lot to say about everyone’s horse, riding, tack, etc. She’s the kind of person that you text other boarders to see what mood she is in to prepare yourself before you get to the barn.

My horse is in a seperate paddock you have to through the main paddock to get to. The other day, I rode my horse at 2:30pm, and went to put him away at 3:45. A horse from the main paddock pushed into his paddock before I could shut the gate. So here I am, trying to rush one horse out of the paddock while holding my horse. In the process, the horse that had pushed in ran out the gate and kicked one of my barn manager’s horses, who was observing.

I texted my barn manager just to let her know in case he came up sore. It wasn’t a hard kick but still. She goes ballistic. She says it’s my fault because I riled up the other horses by putting him in “close to dinner time”. Dinner time is anywhere between 4:30-6pm. She tells me I made a stupid decision, and tells me she isn’t bringing my horse in to feed him. At this point, I’m halfway down to the road to get back to work, so I turn around so I can turn my horse in to eat dinner.

When I get there, she had brought all the horses in except mine and a notoriously spicy horse. She had opened my horse’s gate so he was in with the spicy horse. Because all the other horses were inside for dinner, the horses were anxious and started fighting. I ran to the gate and screamed “they’re gonna kill each other” and she said “I don’t care” and then said if I brought my horse in she would put him back outside. I did bring my horse in and told her not to touch him. She keeps hurling insults the whole time, saying no one cares about her and we are all selfish.

I feel like it’s time to leave. The worst part is, I’m in an urban area and there isn’t many barns within an hour. I found a good barn that will take my horse ASAP but is $1k a month and has no income opportunities. But honestly - atleast I won’t be the one doing all the work!! I have to do so many barn chores, especially considering I pay for “full care”. Unpaid work I do includes: picking turnouts, feeding horses, shoveling manure pile, general repairs,etc.

Do I stay at the cheaper barn and risk suffering and my horse potentially suffering? Maybe I give her a list of non negotiables? Or do I go to the pricey barn and just cut ties.

TLDR: Angry barn manager worth it for cheaper board?

Y’all. I have never heard of this, but maybe you have.

I’m looking at buying a horse located in a very rural area about two hours from home.

Vet options in the area are limited for the PPE. I called a vet that was recommended to me by someone. I inquired about gelding the horse sometime after the PPE, as I’ll really need him gelded before I can take him to any barn I’m considering.

They said the vet only does the procedure during particular phases of the moon! A Google search shows me this is some ancient folklore and not evidence-based practice.

I must say, in my almost three decades of horse experience, I’ve never encountered this before.

Anyone else heard of this?!

This is a rant and likely a hill I’m on alone other than those in my lesson program haha.

I’m an instructor who’s made my “niche” the traumatized equestrian. A few years ago I went through a fall that put me out of the game for months both physically and mentally and in coming back I realized how little support there was for equestrians returning from trauma. The number of times I was told to just “get back on” and that I waited too long, or that I needed to just “get bigger than the fear” was depressing, frustrating and hard. Calling barns and explaining that I owned horses, was an accomplished rider, but I needed to take a walking lesson on a school master of theirs, preferably being lead around while I would likely have a panic attack - was humbling. I know now that I didn’t lack grit, I needed help to move past a very traumatic injury which would not have been fixed by just immediately getting on a horse. Months of trying to “just get on” did not fix it. And I now work very hard to be that bridge for clients.

I now work with a licensed therapist who work with my/our clients with EMDR in therapy (she’s an equestrian too) and then I work with them at the barn to get them confidently back on a horse. Even if it starts with them on a lead rope or just unmounted.
I get the intention behind the “get back on” saying, it’s one I too chanted for many years. If you fall, get back on immediately to prevent fear sounds great… for small falls. But we need to stop acting like this applies to all falls. Or if you DON’T get back on your recovery will be worse/you’ll never recover. And sure, for minor falls, dust off and get back on IF you feel comfortable. Waiting, getting yourself checked out, creating an atmosphere you feel safer in, etc is not a sign of weakness and I’m frankly tired of people making it sound like it is. Also, therapy. If you have a fall that’s making you panic on a horse, therapy absolutely is a good choice. I really do think we as an equestrian culture need to be better about addressing the trauma of falls. You can love the sport and also be scared. You can want it, but also need to wait or seek therapy to enjoy it again. You’re not gritty just because you got back on immediately. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but it’s okay to not get back on right away and to question your sanity for a while as you fight your way back into the saddle.

Okay, my rant is over 😂 I was just today told by someone in sharing my reason for my lesson program that “it could all be avoided if you all just got right back on. It’s only hard because you waited”. Which genuinely makes my blood boil every time I get told it. Haha

I’ve been crying all day on and off and I just need to vent and write down my feelings.

I love my horse more than anything in the world but I’m.just.burn.out.

I’ve had him for 4 years now and 4 years in…it’s only been trouble after trouble after trouble. He’s what people might call a « problem horse ». When I first got him he had behavioral issues that took a year to fix. He was agressive and reluctant. He hated being ridden. However with work and patience and love I managed to fix that problem. But then came the health issues…for the past three years it’s been one health issue after another. He’s got breathing issues due to allergies, food allergies, bad feet, cervical arthritis due to an accident he had before I bought him…and the list goes on.

He’s been doing ok for the past 8 months now and I finally thought we were out of the woods! I was already thinking about taking lessons with him again, maybe even jump a little again. Last week, he saw the chiropractor (that he sees monthly!) and she told me that he was finally looking great and feeling great muscle-wise. No tension. Looking fit. I was so happy…and lo and behold…the very next day, he rolled too close to the hay rack and got his hind leg stuck in it. He hurt himself but nothing bad. So, for a few days I gave him arnica, showered the leg, applied clay and yesterday he was ok again. I lunged him and he was fine. So, this morning I wanted to ride him and go for a small trail ride (just walking) and well, nope. No riding. He was limping badly! Refused to put any weight on his right front hoof. I picked his hooves. And the feet is a little warm. So, I cleaned it and put on his hoof boots with silicone insoles. It helped and is at least now able to move around. But he can’t wear them 24/7…

For 4 years now I’ve done everything possible for him. All my spare money is for him, in vets, chiropractors, food, supplements etc.

So, now I contacted my farrier and she is yet to answer me…over 7 hours later. And here I am crying because I’m frustrated and sad that he’s in pain again. And I feel stupid for being stupid enough to believe that things were finally fine with him. I need to accept that things will probably never be fine with him.

I love him. Dearly. But I am just tired. :(

Edit: I said chiropractor BUT I meant Equine Physio.

Edit**: I’m thinking his naturally thin soles are worn out by the hard abrasive grounds we’ve had because of the severe drought France’s has had this summer.

Hello!

I am going to start working with a small horse/large pony (unsure whether he's under or over 14.2 hh) and want to develop his topline before working under saddle. He's approximately 20 years old!

Do y'all have any good groundwork suggestions/ideas for developing his topline?

How many times a week should we work on his topline and for how long per session?

I already have some ideas, I just want outside opinions! Thank you!

Hello ! i recently was employed at a horse stable. i have worked with horses before and previous stables and this woman reached out to me. she brought me in for a interview and really liked me so we moved on to a working interview and said i was great! i started the next week and worked everyday , she offered to teach me clipping and braiding and even offered if i was interested in a live in position in their barn in florida after this season.

fast forward to today , wednesday. i unfortunately broke my toe after being stepped on, big whoop. working with horses it happens . as i’m sitting there with ice on my foot , swollen to the size of a balloon she tells me we should wrap things up . i was so caught off guard i thought she was talking about my damn foot ! tells me i lack confidence in myself and im slow among other hurtful things and another person was starting tomorrow that worked there previously . i wasn’t told what i can improve or anything that i was doing wrong .

im honestly at a loss of words and so confused , is this even a rightful termination??

Maybe some of you are interested in this.

I had a trial shift at a stable, everyone was very gossipy, but was overly nice towards me. I had a bad feeling about this place.

So I didn't sign anything and asked for a second trial shift. The owner was very understanding, that I didn't want to quit my job immediately and told me I was acting very smart for getting to know the stable better.

So today was my second trial shift, I wanted to know how much work it actually is, last time I cleaned 5 boxes, but it would be closer to 15/20 when all open positions are filled, but today there were so many owners helping, that I cleaned 6 boxes ...

The stable knew 6 days beforehand there was someone on trial and there were 7 people helping today. Instead of telling some people to stay home, or go we were a lot of people and I didn't get to do much more work, than last time.

I've overheard a groom talking how she's wanting to leave for a while and that she likes the horses but the boss is a pain and the tone behind the scenes is pretty harsh. A lot of accusations of laziness, when there's 50 f***n horses to care for. Instead of hiring more people, the boss is belittling her employees.

Today I looked at the room for staff and the toilets with different eyes.last time I thought, he people did quit, a lot of work needs to be done, so yeah it's looking a bit grubby, today I've learned the staff room looks like this period. No one is being payed cleaning it, so no one does clean it. The toilets aren't fulfilling any criteria for a modern workplace. People don't go to the toileta because they are filthy. Instead they are dehydrating themselves, which is dangerous particularly in summer.

Sooo I trusted my gut. I won't start there. My workers rights were fought for, I will not spit on over a century of industrial actions to be exploited for my love for horses.

Sorry again for my weird English, no native speaker

Hello all this is my first post here! For some backstory I’d say I’m right In between intermediate and advanced as I’ve trained a couple horses before but I definitely still have learning to do and my horse has been estimated at 16-20 and was previously at a dude ranch where she was deemed untrainable. This being said we have worked through every issue on the ground over the last 2 and a half years(we have taken things very slowly due to life issues) now our problem is once you get up in the saddle she doesn’t want to move, she stands, spins and kicks out no matter what we have tried, the only thing that has gotten her to walk calmly is being led around by someone on the ground but then the rider has zero control . I’ve thought it could be a saddle fit issue so we have had 2 different fitters come out and say her saddle is fine, I’ve had other people try and ride her thinking it was a me problem and yet nothing changes. I’m not in a financial spot to send her to any trainers in a 4 hour radius of me so this is kind of a last resort. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Edit to add: previously she would strike out and attempt to bite, was overall pushy and didn’t like anything past her shoulder being touched. These are all issues of the past, she currently walks quietly on a leadline, stands nicely for the farrier, ground ties, lunges tacked and with a rider she’s even had a kid use her for showmanship in 4H.

Hey all! Posting this in human massage subs and equine subs. So I am 27 and kind of lost. I was a veterinary technician with cats and dogs for five years. I always wanted to work in large animal either as a tech or vet, but I cannot seem to get my foot in the door without having a degree as a tech and schooling for a DVM doesn’t seem worth the time and cost for salary you get (I do not want to do small animal or mixed. Exclusively equine).

For the past couple of years I have been on and off pursuing my certification as a Masterson Method Practitioner. I do love it, but the income seems really variable and I think I will need a lot more CE to be competitive in my area.

I am a dressage rider that has a LOT of imbalances due to a gnarly vestibular disorder. Pilates and learning about human/rider anatomy and biomechanics has been incredibly fun and life changing for me. I go in public and watch peoples postures and how they walk. I love it. I read anatomy books for fun on both horses and people.

Dressage/natural horsemanship is my favorite, but I love all disciplines/breeds and I would love an excuse to branch out. I have a strong interest in equine veterinary medicine but also sports rehab and different modalities. Saddle fit and bit fit is something I’d really like to get into because it seems every where I go it’s a problem and no one knows anything about it. I also have an interest in how the teeth and hooves affect the entire horse (although I don’t think I want to be a farrier and I believe only veterinarians should float teeth). I like diagnostic imaging too.

Would it be worth it to go to school to become a human LMT and possibly personal trainer and advertise a horse/rider therapy combo business? I would be interested in doing horses and humans individually, but my dressage education has been 75% do x y z with your body and your horse will follow. Maybe throwing in some saddle fit/bit fit and learning enough about teeth and feet to know when to refer out?

I’ve been struggling financially for so many years and I’m tired of it. I want to get into my vain of work. I tried going to school to become a radiology tech for people and I loved the anatomy, but working in a hospital under fluorescent lights and possible shitty management with people’s feces vomit blood etc sounded like a nightmare. Due to my vestibular stuff I do like the idea of running my own business one day doing a whole horse and rider approach.

Does it sound like there’s a market for this? Beyond LMT/PT and some additional equine certs what else would I need? Would a vet tech license be beneficial for the equine aspect? Any experience, pro/cons, of either job, tuition time expectations and salary expectations are greatly appreciated!

I am just curious if there are any novel ideas out there that really worked for fundraising efforts.
Edit: specifically referring to lesson programs/barns.

My 6 year old OTTB who was sold to be as sound actually had stage 4 OA in his front pastern and coffin joint. He just recently 2 months after purchase started limping, finding it hard to turn, moving really and obviously compensating. I assume he received injections before I got him.

Anyways, now what? He obviously can't be ridden. Im just paying board on a horse that can't be used outside of grooming and paying to treat his arthritis.

He should be in the prime of his life, he's 6 freaking years old!

Hi, friends. You're such a wealth of knowledge, I thought I'd bring my question here.

I started riding in a dressage saddle and it is the least comfortable thing I've ridden in. I literally have blisters on my rear. Plus I normally have a pretty stable lower leg but with the block, I felt like I was rebounding instead of sitting snug and flopping around everywhere.

Is there normally an adjustment period between a jump saddle and a dressage saddle? Or does this thing just fit me like garbage?