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

[89rodeogirl]

#1- I'm 21 and work at a barn, granted I work off part of my board, but I really just do it to help 80% of time so I don't think it's weird for a 24 year old to do so. Everyone appreciates free help.
#2-I'm not exactly fond of mares either. However, maybe it's just this particular mare you can't bond with? I'm sure your trainer is putting you on the right horse for you right now and you have to realize that eventually you'll move on from this mare so stick it out.
#3- I don't know who told you that lunging a horse is "really hard work" I simply disagree. There are much more strenous things that horses do. I learned to canter on a longe line. In fact, everyone trained by me or my trainer learns to canter on a longe line before they even learn to steer.

[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

[xtheridgex]

I'm 23 and I'm a working student at a barn. I guess that makes me an adult working student? It kinda gives me a knot in my stomach to call myself an adult.

About the lunging, I've taught a lot of lessons on a lunge line or in a round pen at the canter. Its not too hard on the horse as long as the line is long enough and you don't do it for very long. Its a good way to get used to the canter.

And I wouldn't worry about the mare. "Bonding" with her may or may not happen but the more time you spend riding her the more comfortable you will feel.

[thepartyline]

I'm 28 and work off some of my board/lessons doing stalls, feeding, odd jobs around the barn. Not uncommon at all. I've done this at 2 different barns over most of the time I've had my horse (2.5 years

[thepartyline]

I honestly could not imagine my life without her now! She is one of the most personable horses I've known, and what a personality she has. I didn't ride this weekend, but I went out and hung out with her and her mare buddies in the pasture, where she is the alpha mare. She was laying down sunning herself so I just sat with her and scratched her and chilled and no one bothered us. She rolled around in the dirt for a bit and then we played some follow the leader. Sounds boring, but she is such a doll to be around that it was the best part of my day.

So yes, I completely agree.

(though I always thought bay geldings were the boringest things on earth and two I had the opportunity to know the past few years showed me that's not true either - every horse gets its own chance to show me what kind of personality they have, now!)

mind if I add you?? Though lately I've just been venting about boy stuff, I like to read horsey people journals. And I just started a blog for Gabby (my redhead mare) at littleredmare.blogspot.com :)

[a_quick_one]

I'm 25 and work off board/lessons at my barn. Though I mostly ride training horses (I'll get on two or three most days after riding my two), I do very occasionally do barn work when the regular staff is out, and there are people who do it regularly that are older than me. It just depends on the barn - but there are plenty of places that like reducing their out of pocket payroll!

I've never been a big mare fan - but I LOVE my girl. I wouldn't have looked at her in any other situation, but I arrived at my barn when she was for sale, and got put on her for a clinic/to ride for training. So you just need to meet the right mare - some are always pissy and awful, though, and knowing how to ride them is a good skill as well!