Hello! I am new to this community and semi-new to forums in general. I just wanted to quickly introduce myself. I've been riding since I was 12 which was quite a while ago. I have two horses, an Arab gelding named Ghazal who is now semi-retired and an 8 year old paint gelding named Bugs. My education in horses has been mostly erratic and often self-taught so there are quite a few gaps and many things I've had to un-learn and re-learn over the years. I have two (horse) dreams; one is to just be a better horse-person in general so that my horses always have the best care and the second is to someday compete in Eventing with my new partner, Bugs. Right now I would be happy to just make it to the Begginer Novice Division. There are many obstacles in the way, time, money and some fears on my part but it's a goal I've had for a couple of years now and each year I do think I'm getting somewhat closer. Anyways, I really just wanted to say hello and nice to meet all of you!

 Well howdy there!!  Welcome!  I've always had horses but have recently switched to English riding, with a dream of doing Dressage, but I would also like to try Eventing.  Unfortunately though, like you, I have fears... Bailey, my only horse I can ride out of 4, would love it, I think it looks like a blast, but those big XC jumps look crazy!! one day maybe....

Welcome!

Howdy!  Your horses are very lucky to have you.

Thanks for the welcome everyone! 

 crittergirl, I know what you mean about the x-country jumps. Honestly, it takes me about four or five warm-up jumps for my heart to get back down into my chest. I sincerely doubt I'll ever get higher than novice in Eventing but you never know. Right now I'm just trying to take it one day at a time.

Thanks txspots, that means a lot. There was a time when my ignorance about certain things caused my horses discomfort at best. They never went hungry, their feet were always done, etc, but still things could have been better. For example when I tried to switch to doing dressage with my Arab someone told me to just use some draw reigns and he'd have a perfect head set. Well, he does have a very nice head set but he's really never learned to come through behind. Now that I know better it kind of makes me sick that I did that to him. Now that I'm sort of starting all over with my paint I'm trying to do things the right way and every once in a while I can feel him start to use his hind end and man what a feeling! It's exciting to know that I'm actually teaching him something, not just forcing him to do what I want. (Sorry I was just bursting to share that. I try to tell my husband about these things and he gets that dull look in his eyes, kind of bums me out, lol.)

asharri:

It's exciting to know that I'm actually teaching him something, not just forcing him to do what I want. (Sorry I was just bursting to share that.

asharri:

There was a time when my ignorance about certain things caused my horses discomfort at best

If we are honest, we are all like that.  At any given point we could have done something better.  All we can do is keep learning, and keep trying, and hope our horses will forgive us and let us try again. And what better place to learn than this site full of helpful nice people?!

asharri:

I sincerely doubt I'll ever get higher than novice in Eventing but you never know.

then you will be doing better than me!! I sincerely doubt I will actually get the guts to start it period! lol!!