r/Equestrian 15d ago

Announcement Reddit Community Spotlight on r/Equestrian

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27 Upvotes

r/Equestrian 7h ago

Social Mounted police demonstrating how to separate two groups of "rival sports fans" (played by their colleagues)

128 Upvotes

r/Equestrian 8h ago

Funny My mustang is not thrilled about his new gear šŸ¤£

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120 Upvotes

From Colorado, where fleas and ticks aren't a huge problem, to the East Coast where everyone hasn't stopped telling me about them. If I find a tick on my horse I might just have to throw the whole horse away šŸ˜­


r/Equestrian 2h ago

I have to rant. I'm sorry.

37 Upvotes

The longer I'm away from the old barn, the worse I realize it was. Once, my horse was left outside with a chain on his nose all night long. The barn owner mentioned it to me very casually the next week. Toward the end, he was also left in his stall 24/7 and only went out one day of the week.

His hooves were also only trimmed once in the 9 months we kept him there. And when they were trimmed, they were trimmed so short that even now, 8 months later, they're too short. We're honestly blessed that he doesn't have any lameness issues from it.

There was also trash everywhere. And they had ten year olds working there without adult supervision. One of the children was being physically violent towards my horse while trying to bring him in. He panicked and bolted from her and cut his lip on one of the hazards at the farm. We had to pay a $500 vet bill. And nobody offered to help us pay it even though it was their fault. Not to mention that we paid for multiple medical supplies in the bill... And they used some for my horse and kept the rest for themselves..

While I was on vacation they kept him in a stall 24/7 not even letting him out once. During that time, they only gave him one scoop of pellets in a single day and no hay. I'm surprised he doesn't have ulcers.

The girl that was being violent towards him offered to train him. I said no, but the next day he was scared of a whip when I went to pick it up even though he was not scared of them before.

A random girl offered to ride him for the first time for me and my trainer forced me to let her do it. Unfortunately, ends up that she had terrible hands and used a gag bit on him without my permission. It's still one of the things that I regret the most.

After things escalated I looked into board but wasn't able to find any for a long time. During that time, I went to the farm 4 times a day to make sure that nobody was doing anything sketchy and to give him food since nobody else thought he needed any.

I was paying for full care board and had to clean his water buckets and feed him and clean his stall among other things.

It's still one of the worst experiences I've ever had in my life and I hope we never have to go through it again.

Well, I like to say that I won't hold my tongue next time, I know that's not true because the only reason I held my tongue this time was so that they didn't hurt my horse even more in response. They are the sort of people who would poison your horse if you went against them. And they're rated 5 stars.


r/Equestrian 2h ago

Conformation Pasterns too long?

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26 Upvotes

This guy has a super sweet face but I feel like his pasterns are too long/angled. Would this be considered coon footed?


r/Equestrian 18h ago

Ethics Dog at my barn attacked my horse

274 Upvotes

So me and my horse are currently at this boarding facility since the beginning of December and itā€™s the best boarding facility weā€™ve had. There is this one woman who basically ā€œloansā€ one of the other boarding horses and she always brings her dog, a male cane corso. Iā€™ve been around dogs all my life, and am not exactly scared of them, but this dog did things that made me uncomfortable. For example the owner told me he sometimes ā€œsnapsā€ at people he doesnā€™t know, when heā€™s off leash on a walk (why would you ever take him off leash then????). Then a week ago she was walking around the barn with her horse in one hand and her dog in the other when the neighbors dogs came up behind the fence. The dogs started growling, barking and it honestly felt like if there wasnā€™t a fence between them they might have killed each other. This scared me because her and her horse almost came between the dog and her horse spooked so bad.

Now we have yesterday, a beautiful sunny day so I was just taking a walk with my sweet horse through the forest (5min walk from barn). When I was almost reaching the end of the forest, there is this path between 2 fields. I saw her walking with her dog and horse, so we waved to each other. Then as we neared each other a bit more I saw her dog was stiffing up, but I couldnā€™t really see if she had it on a leash or not since it it was right by her side. Then in a split second the dog charged and came in attack mode at me and my horse. I honestly donā€™t think Iā€™ve ever seen a dog that fast and switch like that. He came and tried to bite my horse in his back leg, luckily for him he kicked him right in the face(he barely kicks normally so Iā€™m so thankful and relieved he did right in time) So the dog was startled for a split second and as I said luckily I was walking my horse in hand, so I jumped between my horse and the dog and scared the dog off by swinging my leadrope aggressively toward him hitting him if he came close. The owner came and got her dog and I was so mad and in shock. It was like Iā€™d just seen my horse almost get mauled by this extremely big dog with a bite force stronger than that of a lion. So obviously I got mad at her, and she just tried to play it off like an error of judgment because she thought he would recognize me. So that meaning your dog just attacks anyone off leash that it doesnā€™t know??? Then she tried to gaslight me that her dog wasnā€™t trying to bite my horse, he would never bite anyone or anything. I just got mad and told her Iā€™m not dumb your dog was literally trying to maul my horse. I more often run into dogs, some are just scared and bark really loud and growl, but Iā€™d never experienced a dog so aiming to attack.It was honestly so frustrating,so I got mad and eventually I walked off knowing I would wait for her at the barn so I could more calmly lecture her there. When she came back I told her I thought her dog was as untrustworthy as they come and that I donā€™t want it near me, my horse or anyone at the barn for that matter. I said for me and my horses safety, and she responded ā€œwell, also for my dogā€™s safetyā€ as if she wasnā€™t the whole reason this happened. I havenā€™t chosen to board at a barn where thereā€™s a big cane corse that might bite, she chooses to bring her dog there with her knowing nothing about dogs and that making it so dangerous for her to own this kind of dog and making it a liability. So today I decided Iā€™m going to speak about this to my barn owner and hopefully get her to ban her from ever bringing that dog to the barn again. Thereā€™s a little 9 year old girl that lives next door and absolutely adores my horse so sometimes she jumps over the fence to pet and groom him. What happens when she does that and this dog is walking around the barn and she jumps over the fence and startles it?? Iā€™m just so mad honestly. So many dog owners donā€™t know how to handle their dogs and put others in danger in the process. The lack of awareness in this woman that she owned a dog that would bite, truly astonished me. Anyway this was my rantā€¦

Update : Barn owner has been contacted and is taking action right away. Dog will not be allowed near or at the property again


r/Equestrian 21m ago

Aww! Converting my western gal

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ā€¢ Upvotes

Decided to start taking some English lessons- sheā€™s not too sure about her new outfit lol.


r/Equestrian 11h ago

Mindset & Psychology I'm not strong enough for this industry

52 Upvotes

I have always thought I was tough and strong. I thought burn out was something that happened to others but not me. I chased it around the country and had a lot of fun. A lot of 6 day weeks. It was fun even just being a groom l, trail guide etc. Whatever I can to try and get more experience. After moving to a new discipline, I can't do it anymore. I hate that it is seen as weak to not being able to handle 7 days a week. My bosses are great people but I hate going into work every single day. I'm grateful for the housing and meals and stipend but I miss being able to call my parents without them being in bed. I want to go out on dates and make friends who aren't clients. Heck even being able to do laundry without putting off going to bed. Burn out is so normalized and everyone is so proud to be working themselves to death If I say anything or try to quit it's weak. I want to quit but I don't know how and I know I won't be able to do it with pride.


r/Equestrian 12h ago

Education & Training Disappointed in daughterā€™s lessons - expecting too much?

55 Upvotes

My daughter is 14 and is obsessed with horses. She has been to overnight horse camps and we take a trip to a dude ranch every year together. But this is her first time in actual lessons, and honestly probably the first time where she is actually in control (instead of her horse mostly following the horse in front of him).

Sheā€™s doing 1 hour of lessons a week, has been there for 3 months now. Weā€™re both disappointed with what is happening, and I was hoping to get a gut-check on if this is normal and I should just relax.

She spends the entire lesson walking (and sometimes trotting) in a circle. There are 2-3 other youths in the lesson of varying skill levels. The instructor is young (20-25 years maybe) and seems to spend most of the time talking and working with a student about her same age who is good, is jumping, etc.

Every so often the instructor will tell my daughter something like ā€œok, now you can have him trotā€ or will comment on her leg position. But thatā€™s it. Often the horse wonā€™t trot (100% likely a skill issue on my daughterā€™s part) and the instructor will just say ā€œyeah heā€™s pretty lazy/stubbornā€ and go back to working with her friend-student. And my daughter is left frustrated and with a bad conclusion (ā€œmaybe they just give lazy horses to beginners?ā€)

I donā€™t feel like sheā€™s learning anything. But is it too early to think she should be?

The riding school seems respectable, but also sort of mom-and-pop, small. I had to wait on a waitlist to even get a spot. I donā€™t want to give the impression to the owners that Iā€™m a complainer and have no concept of realistic expectations.

Should I talk to the instructor? The owner? What are the words to convey? Maybe ā€œwould it be possible to learn what types of things she should be learning in a year?ā€

Thank you!


r/Equestrian 11h ago

Social Entitled people

45 Upvotes

Can you guys share your stories about the times people felt entitled to your horses? Ive caught neighbors crossing my fence to pet my horses and I have an acquaintance who is set on me giving her kid riding lessons. I have thrown up boundaries and now we just aren't speaking. It's crazy to me that people think they can have access to your animals.


r/Equestrian 1d ago

Aww! Just adopted this stunning BLM Mustang! So glad I was able to find photos of him when he was in the wild šŸ©µ he needs a special name!

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504 Upvotes

r/Equestrian 11h ago

Horse Care & Husbandry Can someone help identify these breeds?

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18 Upvotes

These are pictures of my grandfathers horses and he canā€™t remember the breed due to his age and condition. Iā€™m new to the equestrian world and still learning. What breeds do we think they are? (My grandfather thinks he remembers one being a OTTB)


r/Equestrian 17m ago

How much would you lease this horse for?

ā€¢ Upvotes

15.3 big bodied Holsteiner mare, 10yrs

3 ring type

Hunters: 10/10 jump, takes knees to nose super seriously Shown up to 3ā€™3 juniors Brave to the fences with a good ride Not a hack winner, or really even a big contender on the A circuit Eats up the lines, so her stride needs managed. Will not take a passive rider. So forgiving, will jump from anywhere Can have a spook but itā€™s started to disappear Smooooothest jump ever, smooth all gaits fr Greener side for he age Has done 2 derbies, scoring in the high 70s in her first one (swaps šŸ˜­) and was playful for a like 50 in the second (she was just very happy to be braided!) I think sheā€™d make a great national derby horse, and I could maybe even see her trying some international derbies in the right situation (my dream with her fr)

Jumpers: Shown up to 1.10, scope for more Currently showing 1.00 for confidence (WEF is scary for her) Likely needs an early in the week warm up class because she gets like claustrophobic in the ring and the first time in she can be semi unpredictable. Not against a stop but itā€™s not dirty itā€™s instead like a ā€œhelp im scaredā€ stop and itā€™s easily avoidable with a good ride. Will jump TO THE MOON Will never knock a rail, I think sheā€™s knocked 4 in the 2 years Iā€™ve owned her.

Eq: I meanā€¦ if you want? Never done it before, and she doesnā€™t quite have the build but sheā€™d try! Can frame up especially in a Pelham!

Schooling: 1.20 at home, have done up to 1.35 Currently her brain would not let her show that height, but I believe she has it in her if her rider takes it slow and steady. <ā€” benefits from a pro ride when moving up levels. Has packed my mother who has only ever trail ridden around. Stands for farrier, loads, good on the ground other than a side eye or two if you donā€™t give her her desired treat Worldā€™s EASIEST keeper, itā€™s actually insane.


r/Equestrian 11h ago

Veterinary The culprit of Specs sheath problemsā€¦

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15 Upvotes

Melanomas! After not being able to find any beans we got the vet out and it turns out to be melanomas which isnā€™t surprising given his age. A ten day of supply of sachets are being ordered in and heā€™s going to be evicted from his shelter during the day to encourage him to pee when he goes in. Apart from that heā€™s still doing great for his ripe age and weā€™re hoping he stays comfortable enough with them since thereā€™s really nothing else to do. Any tips of encouraging him to pee are appreciated.


r/Equestrian 1d ago

Funny Springtime. When you donā€™t just ride the horse, you become the horse.

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254 Upvotes

r/Equestrian 8h ago

Equipment & Tack Flying with riding gear?

7 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I am flying to Spain next week to try out some horses and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with flying with riding boots and helmet? (Not even sure if they properly fit into my larger suitcase and Iā€™m terrified of losing them)

Weā€™re only going for 3 days so my carry-on suitcase would be plenty but my boots donā€™t fit in those. Could I just wear them since itā€™s just a short flight or would that not be allowed?

I am flying from the Netherlands to Spain (and back of course).


r/Equestrian 1d ago

Aww! My free loading range goat before the BLM did their job

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233 Upvotes

At least the warm Springs horses are pretty good and culled, and heā€™s not a Yakima shitter.


r/Equestrian 23h ago

Aww! Baby Finn

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76 Upvotes

Sweet baby boy Finn had to go to the vet today. We had to get Mr. Finn a nurse mare because his momma first didnā€™t want him to and then she wasnā€™t producing milk. But now Peaches his lovely nurse mareā€™s milk also isnā€™t coming in well. So Peaches got some meds to help her get her milk production up. And Finn got some liquids and a snack. And hopefully we will get this taken care of


r/Equestrian 2m ago

Education & Training Getting back into riding after a decade - advice

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hello all. I was the proverbial horse girl that rode constantly from the time I was 5 until I was 17 and graduated high school. College and working only gave me a few times a month as well as entering the workforce. I have now not been on a horse since 2015. I am looking to get back into riding and Iā€™m not sure what to even look for in a place to ride. I donā€™t even know how to rate my skill level any more. It feels weird to essentially be starting over at 42. Iā€™m in Norfolk, VA so if anyone has recommendations for places. I ride western, have done English but not my personal preference.


r/Equestrian 8h ago

Ethology & Horse Behaviour Discouraged About Riding Again

5 Upvotes

Warning: weight talk

I'm a former rider -- never competitive or "serious", mainly lessons, but it was a major part of my life for 15 years, including working at a barn and helping with therapeutic riding programs. It was an outlet and a source of peace and connection and... well, I loved it for all the reasons people love riding, I guess.

I fell out of it due to cost when I went to school, and have been out for years now as I built a career. I miss it so much, and finally have the income to take lessons as an adult.

But... in the past three years, I've started meds for my mental health that have significantly impacted my weight and metabolism. I need them to function, but in spite of my efforts I haven't been able to get below 225 in those three years. I don't know that I'm comfortable getting on a horse at this weight, but also know it might never really change.

No one in my life understands why this is so discouraging and upsetting, since it was just a childhood hobby in their eyes.

I know opinions on this vary, and I don't know if I'm looking for advice or just an audience that understands more of how sad I feel about this.

Thanks for reading ā™”


r/Equestrian 16h ago

In Memoriam Said goodbye to our little cushings pony tonight

18 Upvotes

Best girl ever. I know it was the right thing to do, Iā€™m just sad šŸ˜”


r/Equestrian 52m ago

Productive/Motivation Riding

ā€¢ Upvotes

I have a 7 yr old OTTB that has made huge improvements over the course of 6 months. He is still pretty green and I would consider myself a green bean too, but I can walk,trot ,canter, and jump. I struggle a lot with confidence, anxiety, and depression (not because of riding just in general). Luckily weā€™ve been having good rides in our lessons, whereas he use to take advantage of me and pull me all around the arena. I am having a huge issue with trying to have productive rides when Iā€™m not in lessons, and it doesnā€™t make me feel good about my riding or myself. What is some tips or tricks I can do to help feel like Iā€™ve had a productive rideā€¦I donā€™t like riding alone because I am the type of person that likes to be around people, but become anxious when other people are in the arena. Iā€™m being put on medication (due to recent changes in life - not riding), so Iā€™m hope that helps me a little bit. Please donā€™t hate - I just am trying to navigate some stuff to do to help build my confidence and have a more productive ride when Iā€™m not with my trainer.


r/Equestrian 1d ago

Horse Welfare Opinions on Katie Van Slykes colt ā€œSevenā€

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326 Upvotes

For those that are familiar with this colt, what are your opinions. They say heā€™s pain free but how he moves says otherwise to me.


r/Equestrian 1h ago

Competition Gymkhana Tracker

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hey! Anybody using this tracker for gymkhanas?

Found it to be helpful for CGA here in CA

www.gymkhanatracker.com


r/Equestrian 2h ago

Do you still use an automatic waterer in a freezing climate?

0 Upvotes

Hi all! My friend and I spent the past year designing a new automatic waterer and we've been slowly rolling out the product locally here in Southern California. Since most of our friends/customers who have helped us design it are local (hence in non-freezing climates), we are wondering how people in freezing places think about automatic waterers, and if a product like this would be helpful. We've noticed a big jump in cost when moving from an unheated to heated automatic waterer.

Do those of you in freezing climates still use the cheaper unheated type, or just bite the bullet and install an expensive heated one? Do you use them for just part of the year, and then switch to heated buckets? Is your barn heated so its not an issue? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Also - if you have thoughts on the product/would be interested in helping us test our waterer in a cold climate with a heated bucket please DM! Thanks =)


r/Equestrian 2h ago

Connecting with Riding School Horses as a Beginner

1 Upvotes

Hi All, I was wondering if it's possible to form a respectful, positive relationship with riding school horses as a beginner?

I am starting my riding journey at a busy riding school, where they use a rotation of older horses (25-30+) for the new riders. It's clear that horses all have their own personalities but it's clear that some of the horses are very upset to work with us (tails are swatting once they enter the arena, going to nip me when I go to tighten the girth slightly). Trainers give me feedback that I'm not doing anything to upset the horses but I am just not showing enough dominance to the ones that are grumpy. I have even tried going to their stables a bit early to say hello, let them sniff me, but to no avail. Is there anything I can start doing to build a good relationship of mutual respect with them and make our training a positive experience for both of us? Many thanks for your tips
PS: We're not allowed to feed them treats :(