I'm lost....??

Question

Ok... well when i was nine or so... i began to ride. A year ago, is when I began to jump. I had a riding accident and became very nervous, but I still rode. I had a trainer and took lessons, so yes, i was riding a school horse, not my own horse. We couldn't, and still can't, afford a horse.
I was stuck riding this horse that i did not get along well. We just didn't mix. But i kept riding him. But things just weren't working out. So little by little, i didnt' ride as much. About a half a year ago, i stopped riding all together, I needed a Break. And now I've had my break. Now, I really want to go back. Because in the future, i'd like to become an equine vet. But now, i'm not sure anymore. I haven't been around horses in almost a full year.
So, my mom contacted a local ranch... well.. the only local ranch lol. The lessons are 65 bucks for an hour! And i'd at least have to go once a week. And we just can't afford it.So now i'm sorta lost.I really want to ride, i need to ride again,help

what do i do?

Answer 1

People answering this question have A LOT of really good advice. Thay all, however, have failed to bring up a very good point. The point is this. If you want to be an equine vet then going to that ranch and asking if you can work there in return for lessons will also give you the added bonus of learning about horses.
You will probably start with simple stuff like cleaning stalls and maybe grooming but if you are smart and a hard worker you just might get yourself into a position to where you start helping to handle difficult horses, help with sick and injured horses, even foaling!
An experience like this could help you to be a really good equine vet. You will learn how horses behave and think.
This could be an experience for you that will help you in your chosen career!
Go for it and good luck!!!

Answer 2

Hey don't worry I had the EXACT same problem. I used to ride and then began to jump and I just stopped riding and I too want to become and equine vet. I was l willing to pick it up again and was recently looking at other riding clubs to see the prices of lessons and they were pretty expensive. But however there was a riding club further away so once in a while ( 3-4 weeks) we now go to the place thats far away and kind of spend the day there. ( its a riding resort so they have beds and stuff). So try looking for riding resorts/clubs a bit further out from where you live and do a sort of family road trip there. While you ride mum and dad could do something. If you can't wait around 3-4 weeks don't stress. Talk to the manager of the riding club and ask if you could help out with the horses or maybe even ride them. I've been doing these 2 things for about 4 months and it's a cheap and fun way to experience horses. I really hope you get the job and have fun .Just remember: I've been there. :D Good Luck!

Answer 3

I would see what else is out there. To me $65 an hour is high. Around here - $25 a hour and that is for H/J and Dressage. But those prices are exceptionally low and I know it.

I think I would continue to look around. Is there a tack shop anywhere around? That's a good place to start. They usually know most of the horse folks in the area. The local feed stores also could possibly help as well. You could try to work out something with the ranch also. I would tell them straight out that I didn't have the money, etc. Maybe they know someplace else you could go that would fit your pocketbook a little bit better.

If nothing else, you may have to start finding some odd jobs around to make money - ask for lessons for gifts - etc. If none of this works, go to college and into a career that will allow you to make enough money to afford horses and everything that goes with them. You may think I am making fun of you, but for some people, it's the only way they ever get to have the horses they always wanted as a child.

Good luck. I really do help you can find a way to get your lessons now instead of waiting until you are out of college. That sounds extreme, but sometimes it's the only way. Ride for the love of it, not because you think it might get you into vet school. All the riding lessons in the world will not help.

Answer 4

I went through a horrible riding accident when I was 16. My 8 year old thoroughbred Tower under paced and sped up on a 5 ft double oxer, hitting his chest and flipping over on top of me. This was before break away stirrups and I was stuck under saddle while he rolled. I quit riding for about a year and decided my life was better with horse's than living without. If I hadn't made the decision to get back in the saddle I would have met as many great and wonderful people and horses as I have. I probably wouldn't have gone to college and became an equine veterinarian either.

If your choice is to get back on a horse then try and find stable work in exchange for riding lessons. Find a trusty mount that makes you feel confident and comfortable with yourself because the last thing you need is a horse who makes you regret going to the barn in the morning.

Answer 5

ok dear number 1 its great that you have a love of riding horses... but you also have to have a love for the horses. not every horse is the same.
its also good that you got back up and tried again. hats off to you i am proud of you for doing that. it takes gutts and currage and you have this.
now on to your delema.
if you really want to ride and take lessons it may be a good idea to start with asking the owners of the ranch if you can work off your riding lessons. this will teach you how the horses are cared for and make you feel better about riding all together. you will have a better understanding of it all and and also more respect for your self too cause you worked to earn your lessons on your own.
i know your young but if your old enough to understand that your parents cant afford the lessons for you then your old enough to take the responsabilty to earn it for your self and take the burdon off their shoulders.you know they would help if they could but this is your venture. go for it . if there is no work at the ranch then you could pick up odd jobs
delivering news papers. mowing lawns , helping the elderly around your neighborhood. wash windows wash cars. im sure you will beable to find something to help you raise the money.
the next think is the horse.
when i went to get my first horse i had a choice of 9 yearlings.
the owner at my request placed the yearlings in a paduct and i stood in the middle of the paduct and waited and watched. and in a few minuits 1 of the yearlings came to me.
you dont choose the horse the horse chooses you. then the bonding starts.
ask the ranch owner if you can have a few of the horses placed in a paduct and let you do the same as i did. (with an adult close by) let the horse choose you. then you will bond and you will have a trust for eachother, and you will beable to ride better too cause you and the horse will be comfortable with eachother.ride the same horse ecah time you have a lesson.
keep your dream alive to be a vet keep riding and keep your love for horses alive in your heart darlin .
im sure you will find the resorces you need to take your lessons... and you will bond with a horse at the ranch too. dont worry be happy , you have a mom that cares and loves you and wants you to succeed an all you do.
so go for it child; RIDE, RIDE TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT.
hope this helps
cheers
josie
ps my horses name was "Mystic Majic Lil Lady and she was beautiful and smart and trusting."
i was very sad when i had to give her up to move to austraila. :(
so please keep your dream alive...

Answer 6

Keep pursuing your dream, just find ways to do it that aren't so expensive. Try to find neighbors or nearby stables or horse people. Attend any kind of horse club functions, rodeos, horse auctions, shows, whatever...that are in your area, and just be smart, observe, make friends, and ask people all about their horses. If you are friendly, observant, and willing to learn and work hard, chances are someone will recognize the potential in you and offer you an opportunity to ride with them. You may be able to half lease a horse with an owner that can't afford to pay for its board. Good luck, and hopefully you'll find the perfect horse!

Answer 7

Don't know where you are at, but if there is a feedstore or such look at the billboard postings. People are always looking to break in to horses, and horse people usually love to help them out. $65 is not the only way to do it. Find a local saddle club, pony club or just some buddies out riding. Tell them your trouble and they will get you back in the saddle. No one should have to go horseless!

Answer 8

One way you can start ridding back up, is work out a "work" for "lessons" program with the ranch. This is how I got started ridding. I worked cleaning stalls, feeding, grooming, tacking and helping around the ranch, all for a lesson twice a week.

Something to think about. If they allow you to do this, it will give you invaluable expierence for your future horse goals.

I wish you the best of luck and hope it works out for you.

Answer 9

call the owner of the local ranch, explain your situation and ask for permission to work out the price or part of it with duties on the ranch, ie cleaning stalls, bathing and grooming horses. These are jobs that require time that sometimes there 'isn't time' for and they may be very willing to work with you.
Good luck!

Answer 10

Try and find work at a ranch, then I am sure they'll let you ride some of their horses as a kinda perk.