Posted by PHMustang on October 23, 2002 at 20:08:34:
In Reply to: How did you learn? posted by PH Cody on October 20, 2002 at 14:06:59:
You know all I can remember in horse back riding is my Uncle always had horses and I loved to go to his farm and go riding when my older cousins and/or my mom would let me. At that time they lived 1 1/2 hours away so I did not get to see them often but when I was 7 years old my parents purchased 10 acres of land out in the country with a trailer on it. I started asking right away for a horse/pony. My parents purchased my a horse before we even had the entire land fence or fences for the welch pony named "King" that they bought for me. I learned to saddle, ride and take care of that pony. He had a great western saddle and I could ride on the ten acres we had or down to the 2nd curve which was 1/4mile from home on a country road. Then my parents decide to get an in the ground pool and it was my pony or the pool....never did understand that choice....but I took the pool. Lucky for me, I had neighbors with horses that I rode. One who had a Quarter Horse stallion. The horse and I were the same age and he was a good horse. I learned how to take care, groom and really ride from that stallion. The owner could not ride as much due to an accident that happened on the job which hurt his back, so I was the rider for the most part. I was about 12 when they moved next to us. At first, the owner would help me saddle the horse. I could not lift the saddle onto his back. He must have been about 15 hands tall. I could groom and bridle him, but could not get the saddle on. Well, the owner decide to show me how...he used a large freezer to water his animals and he showed me how to close the lid, carry the saddle to this freezer, put it on top, pull the horse close to the freezer, climb on top of the freezer and then place the saddle on top of "Penny". I tightened the saddle from on top of the freezer so I could get it tight enough for me. Freddie always had to tighten it more if he got on but for me it was perfect. For the first several times of saddling myself, Freddie always verified it was correct and then I could ride in the pasture. "Penny" never tried to throw me or take off with me in the saddle. When Freddie decided to sell "Penny" he offered him to my parents but my parents did not want me to have a stallion. I understand that. At the same time that I was riding "Penny", my neighbors had a shetland pony that I learned to ride. She tried to get me off her back every which way she could. I landed on the ground more with that stubborn little pony but I also learned to land well. Sugar had a foal (filly) from "Penny" that I helped name Sweet Pleasure. I helped train her but she was sold to the stables near where I lived. Finally, I got my horse, Cochise of Sunspot. He was my baby...He was 7 years old when I got him and a white/grey Appaloosa. Many boyfriends took second seat to that horse. I much prefered to be with Cochise than any boy...and I was 14 at the time. I learned to groom him, play games with him and trust him. He was indeed my best friend growing up. I learned to ride bareback with him and of course Sugar. I was young and taught him to rear which I would have him do sometimes when riding. I was known all down my road as the girl who rode the white horse. I have ridden off and on during my adults years but have never had a chance to own my own horse. I hope to change that one day. I could go on and on about the memories growing up with Cochise but this is long enough. So anyway, I have had only one lesson and that was in english which I traded for helping the stable train ponies.
