The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread NINE

See our "who's who" page! ^

[HairOfTheDog]

The FreeRepublic Saddle Club - Who's Who *pics*

This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.

I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!

I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and MissTargets will now be pinging everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.

So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.

Previous threads:

The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SEVEN
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread EIGHT

New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, I'm a 'get sore in the knees' gal... and my toes sometimes go to sleep when I'm too heavy in the stirrups.

[HairOfTheDog]

Me too. :~D

[HairOfTheDog]

You found a rhythm... now, if you can just remember how it happened so you can get there again ;~D That's the trick. :~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I've had my toes go to sleep before too. Usually when the horse is being frisky, and I get nervous:)

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, it's when things are hairy that I get heavy in the stirrups too.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

You found a rhythm... Like posting. It took me 2 years to learn to post. Then in one day, I owned it:) Never been a problem since, no matte what horse I ride. I wonder now why it was so hard:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

It's funny there have been times, when my toes have started tingling, and I lighten up, and suddenly the horse is fine.....:) Kinda like the chicken and the egg, what came first.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

So what do you think makes knees hurt....

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

It's funny, but I spent my whole riding experience posting, on all the horses I've had, and I find Bay's trot really awkward to post to... So I usually sit his, unless he's really moving out.

[CindyDawg]

Well something happened. Usually my trainer is "Janis, Janis did you hear me?" and I do but I'm not processing fast enough because I have my hands and head full. Yesterday we were gliding right thru exercises though. I was watching SLs ears and she was listening too.

[HairOfTheDog]

Stirrups too short is a big part of it, the shorter they are the stiffer I get... so I've let them get longer over the years. I think they get sore because they're working all the time and tensed without getting to move and stretch. I take my feet out and let my legs swing a little to help relax them, or... trotting and posting for a little while helps.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I've wondered if I'm doing something wrong, is why mine never hurt:).

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Have you ever had knee issues from injuries in your youth?

I sprained my knees but good a couple times snow skiing, and once in a horse fall. Might have something to do with it.

I guess you're just lucky... my hips never hurt... so I guess we all just have our own weakest link :~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

No, never had knee problems.

I think my hip problem is from having kids:). I had alot of trouble with my hips hurting when i was pregnant. I've noticed it more with this new wider saddle too. When I first dismount,,,,ooooo, takes a minute or so till I can walk:).

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Heh... I stand there for a minute too wondering if I'm gonna go all the way to the ground :~D

[CindyDawg]

Uh huh. Jelly knees. :')

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

So tell me, why do we like it so much, and can't wait to get back on to hurt some more:)

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Skiing used to hurt even worse at the end of the day, but it's a good hurt :~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I've thought skiing looked like something that would be painful. I know water skiing is. I water skied the last time about 5 years ago, and decided that was the last time...whew. A lot worse then riding.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I tried and once and failed to water ski :~D

I snow skied all through high school and college, not much since. I'd be an injury waiting to happen if I tried again now, I think :~D