There are incredible highs and incredible lows to this horse thing

It's been a few days since I last wrote anything. I've been grappling with the aftermath of our last show. Seems there are some people (judges actually, but for anyone who shows, it's good to remember that they are JUST people) who believe that when your horse reaches a certain age, it's off to the....oh, I don't know, pasture, retirement home, or worse. In any case our first test (we do dressage) wasn't so good, not necessarily my ride, but the judge thought that my horse should, dare I say it, RETIRE.

You'd have to know Monty to understand why this is absurd. He was born and bred to show; his work ethic rivals most humans. And my barn is riddled with senior citizens; human, equine, feline and canine. Where should we go? Keep in mind this is a schooling show; we're not going to the Olympics (although Monty has, but obviously not with me).

This is a topic that is really important to me. What happens to older horses? What do those of us who love them do? If your horse is still "serviceable" and still wants to work, why can't he? And then there's the whole middle aged rider and not wanting to fall on your duff thing. Who could be safer or more reliable than that older horse who you know has outgrown the whole "the world revolves around me" attitude and is really dedicated to knowing that his rider is o.k. too. I took a good spill last year on a younger horse and let me tell you, I don't bounce as well as I used too. Not physically or figuratively.

For me, I'll stick with my very distinguished and loving gentleman for now, safe in the knowledge that I'm safe in my saddle. When the time comes for him to come home and retire to his condo, he'll let me know. In the meanwhile, judges, judge me as harshly as you'd like, our skin is as tough as horse hide.

Some days are just like this

I have to admit that there are some days that I just don't feel like going to the barn and riding my horse. Today is one of those days. Yesterday's ride wasn't great, and when I got home everything (and I do mean everything) hurt. Not riding is NOT what's best for my horse. He is, well, let's just say he's a senior citizen, and he needs to be ridden ALOT to keep him as loose as possible. I on the other hand, am.....oh lets just say that I'm middle aged, and feel like I just need a nap this afternoon.

But I know, as I'm sure you do, that once I get to the barn, and I see his silly face with his tongue sticking out at me (Monty has an incredible sense of humor) that all of that will just melt away. I'll forget about whatever the stock market did or didn't do today, or what my husband did or did not do today and my hips will stop aching, even if just for a little while.

And so it begins........

I decided to start this blog as a way to talk to and share info with other crazy, obsessed horsewomen. After 20 years or so of not riding, I decided to jump back in again about 3 years ago. Three years, a couple of spills and injuries later, I'm still riding (having found the best horse in the world for a partner, but more about him later) and have even done a few shows.

This blog is my opportunity to talk to other riders, share our experiences, things that we find that work, things that don't and just dish about anything "horse".