Another Essex Girl!

[ClaireW]

Hello all
My name is Claire, live near Colchester, Essex, age 44 and have been horse mad for as long as I can remember - but didn't start to ride until I was 18, started work and could afford to pay for lessons - but guess who taught me to ride...... yes Heather herself - am I lucky or what.....! But it wasn't long before Heather departed Essex for Devon, so that was the end of my lessons with Heather....

After major back surgery at about 26 years old (nothing to do with riding) and spending a fortune on riding 3 times a week, I decided life was just too short and finally got my own horse, Dylan a 15.2 welsh/TB. We had six years of fun before discovering he had a real talent for jumping and knowing that I was not able to do him justice and was planning to start a family decided to let him go to a lovely home where they would do the competative jumping and cross country that he so obviously enjoyed.

I basically didn't ride for 10 years, except about three hacks, but once the children started riding knew I wanted to get my own again, and although I wasn't even looking I fell in love with a 2 yr old New Forest Filly called Bella - and so about 9 months ago she joined the family and here we are....will try to post a photo
After a major problem with my back earlier this year, I was worried about whether it would affect Bella when she is eventually backed, so decided to visit Heather in Devon last week for a simulator course.

The good news is Heather remebered me and seems that my back is fine....

[ukica]

Hello!

Your story is similar to mine in a way.  Also had a Welsh who was a great jumper and huge pause in riding before starting again with a vengence about a year or so ago!!

Only, haven't been on course with Heather yet, or been taught by her

Look forwards to hearing about your horse more and seeing photos too!

[ClaireW]

Hope this photo of Bella works - please ignore the wonky mane - growing out previous owners solo comb attempts!

Taken in May just as she turned two.....

[ukica]

She is lovely and a beautiful colour too.  Just one more similarity is that our horses are nearly the same age too!!

What have you done with her until now, training wise?

[Greybaby]

  Hello  Welcome!! 

Bella looks a sweetie!

[ClaireW]

only some very basic in hand work, manners, respecting space, backing up, loading (box and trailer) walking in hand and a little "free schooling" - did a show earlier this year and want to long rein but getting LOTS of opinions from helpful people that I should be lunging/bitting etc etc....

I have never had a youngster, and she is a lovely filly so looking to find a good EE teacher to support me, and plan what best to do for her over the next couple of years - this is a long term investment so want to get it right...

So hoping to get some good advice from the more experienced folks on this forum -

Need some recomendations for teacher near Essex - but willing to travel if needs be....

Claire

[Heather]

Hi Claire,

I did indeed remember you very well! It was great to see you again after all these years, and we wont lose touch again! I still come up your way a couple of times a year to see other old friends so, will let you know when I am coming and we must meet up. Welcome to EE!!

Heather

[Amanda1950]

Hello Claire

Bella is 

[TashaKat]

Hi Claire 

What a great way to start out riding    Bella is very cute 

[samboc77]

Hi Claire and welcome 

Love your pone 

[DiamondDancer]

Hello and welcome 

3rd person to join in not so long from Essex - me too! 

Gorgeous pone indeed and how wonderful to have started riding with Heather! You lucky thing... 

[VR]

Hi Claire!  Welcome to EE

Bella is  Though, as the owner of 2 natives, one of whom is bay, I could be biased! My newest youngster arrived with a solo comb destroyed mane too as it happens 

Ref youngster and the abundance of "helpful advice" ... you get lots of that! Some of it as you will have discovered, not so helpfull I'm sure they mean well though.

I too was told to lunge my, then 2 year old, but personally, I felt it was too young for him .. too much stress on young joints, especially as the natives mature slowly/quite late. So we stick to long reining and free schooling like you say. But then we aren't in any rush and even though he is now 3 we certainly aren't doing any ridden work 'till next year.

Have a look at clicker training too if you haven't already. That's great for working with babies and there's loads of helpful stuff on here about that 

[Pikku Karhu]

Hi Claire  and welcome!!

Bella is just beautiful! I've got a two year old too (and had as long a break from riding as you did, although have been back quite a few years now). Absolutely agree with VR regarding taking your time with the babies, and clicker training too!! 

You are SO lucky to have been taught by Heather from the start!

[sarasfly]

Hello & welcome!    Gorgeous girlie you have! 

[ClaireW]

Thanks to everyone for such a great welcome!

Heather - I insist you let me know when you are next in the area so you can come for dinner. Also want hubby to start work on the "peanut" stand....! Will also post separate message about course last week and impact on the heavy cob I took out Sunday....

VR - totally agree with you on lunging - I do not feel that lunging Bella is right due to stress on joints - but being told that this is how you start long reining so need to get more advice. Also in NO rush to back her - so very happy to wait until she is 4 and just spend next year on ground work (and saving up for one of Heathers wonderful saddles). Will look more at clicker training as this is new to me....

DiamondDancer - where are you in Essex? anyone else from Essex/Suffolk?

ukica - do tell me more about your youngster? (and yourself!)

Is there a forum dedicated to youngsters yet? Is there an "Enlightened" approach to youngsters? and how do you decide whether to do do all the work yourself or send them to someone else?

Looking forward to spending hours on here (but don't tel OH  )