Lol its not pride its pure out chicken. I actually do have a pretty good bit of experience. I just will never say that i have enough. Too bad your friend isn't totally nuts maybe i would have a chance..lol. No seriously all aside I will give you a short listing of what experience i have had: At 13 went to daycamp for one week (Paid) got lucky and they gave me a chance to work for my keep. I cleaned stalls, groomed, fed, and saddled horses for rides. I had some riding lessons in exchange and started riding western. At 14 still doing the same thing but also started taking out trailrides and being the dummy up ( lol sorry our slang for first up on a horse in training). Soon was being taught how to sack out a horse , get em ready for saddle and bridle, and basic moveout. ( The hackbarn was owned by a local trainer) Also held horses for him while he treated foot problems and while he trimmed. At 15 ownership changed and i was used that summer for teaching Daycamp. I was responsible for them learning basicly how to groom,saddle and usually to not be totally scared to death of a horse. Unfortunately a lot of parents use daycamps as a babysitter for older kids. After having them get over the fear a lot of students started with I taught them basic commands for riding. At 16 the barn lost its lease and closed.( By the way it was called HorseWorld the name had been retained from original ownership) Then i did some volunteer work at Fulmer International in exchange for riding lessons. (english was a whole new world to me found out i had muscles i never knew about). In the summer I worked from 7am to 12 then came back after lunch at 2pm and worked until 6pm that afternoon. I got a 30 minute riding lesson with Cynthia (Mr. and Mrs.Hall were far above and beyond me) occasionally with Mirriam. I cleaned stalls. weatherproofed blankets turned the horses out and brought them in for lessons. Groomed and saddled whatever horses were needed when their owners showed up to ride. Occasionally assisted in feeding. Hmm ...lets see my Mom made me quit because she insisted i was doing far to much work between workin at the barn and McDonalds at the time. At 18 I got married and started workin for almost heavens stables for $50 a week, Once again teaching at a daycamp. I dealt with the beginners because i didn't feel i was capable of teaching the more advanced students and i just prefer dealing with beginners. Its fun watching them light up when they start to get the hang of things and that fear is abated to respect for the horse. I did this for 2 summers and in the winters i just helped care for the horses. I had to work light because shortly after gettin married i found out i was pregnant. I didn't have much else to do with horses until i turned 23 when i bought my first one. I made the mistake of buying a horse who had quite a few mental problems due to prior abuse. I ended up giving her to a friend so she could retire she was 15 when i bought her. My husband insisted she go before she hurt me. After that he bought me Dreamer who was a very sweet 2 yr old. I worked on her ground manners and at 3 started her under saddle. She was a dream to work with absolutely loved learning. Then we moved here and i had to sell her so she is now having her training finished with a friend of mine at Broken Arrow Stables who intends to train her for english instead of western which is what she was started with. This last part was 3 yrs in total. I'm 26 now. Ok far too much info and i guess i do have a touch of pride.LOL I'm lucky i ever saw so much as the backside of a horse. My mom hates horses and the only reason i got in that first week is my dad snuck the money to pay for it and afterwards he put his foot down about her not letting me around them although she won out at fulmer because he agreed i was workin to much. Ok so well i am gonna start asking around and keep my fingers crossed but even to my eyes my experience seems very limited. Hehe thanks for the boot in my hind end i needed it.
Edited by lively 2005-10-29 6:28 PM
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Curious
Ok I'm just curious here but would anybody be familiar with the Killeen,Texas area? I'm asking because ( I know this sounds silly ) I am trying to find somewhere that I could possibly work with horses. I mean all I want out of this is some extended knowledge in the area, as far as horses go. I know back where i came from it was easy to get on with a barn on a volunteer basis, but here i know very little about how things in this area work. I'm not a horse expert and doubt i ever will be but I am still tryin to learn as much as possible. Books can only tell you so much and hands on seems to teach so much more. I've been workin with horses off and on since i was 13 yrs old but unfortunately I have never seen where anyone actually pays for help. Pay isn't what I'm after unless you include the chance to learn. As far as basic grooming and such I do know how to do that and cleaning stalls is easy enough. I mean the work can be hard but its enjoyable, Heck I'm not really sure what i am asking here. I feel silly for posting this. I am wanting to ask some of the local stables if they would take someone on a volunteer basis but I'm rather shy when talkin to new people and tend to stutter when i get nervous. I do not want to sound like some kid with a wild hair up their hindend. I mean I'm 26 years old and responsible if i do say so myself. I have had a horse or two of my own in the past couple years but due to a big move and finances were not able to keep them. I actually enjoy the labor side of horse care riding isn't that nig of a thing with me although i can ride western. I just want the chance to be able to learn more. Well like i said i feel silly for posting this but any ideas on how to find a place thats willing to work with me on this? Well gonna let you guys go and hush.
