Three completely unrelated questions...

[starcrossed]

01. In this economy, my job is very unstable right now. There are strong indications I might lose it in the next few months. If I'm unemployed I'll need my savings for pesky necessities like bills and food and I can't make riding a necessity. I know it's commonplace for teens to volunteer at barns and work in exchange for lessons but has anyone

Comments

[brickred]

1. I am 28 and I barter stall cleaning in exchange for lessons. (I mention my age just to say that it's definitely not just a teen thing). In fact, I haven't paid for a lesson in almost two years. I had already been riding at my barn for several years, but we have a weekend stall cleaner who has the same arrangement, and she was new to the barn. You can always ask your barn owner/trainer if there's any possibility of making a similar deal; if you don't mind riding elsewhere, check Craigslist.

2. Is it just that mare? I used to lease a mare who had a personality like a cardboard box. Didn't care to be scratched, was not at all sociable, just wanted to be left alone. She wasn't mean, just ... dull. But the mare I own now is a complete sweetheart: very sociable, treat-oriented, loves to be groomed, will follow me in the arena over jumps and around poles at the walk and trot at liberty.

I've forgotten what geldings are like because like you, we have next to no geldings at my barn! So maybe I'm just more accustomed to typical mare behavior :)

3. Could you try cantering on a different horse? One with a really solid, good canter? Longeing is also another possibility but I wonder how many of your problems stem from having to do so much work to even get going.