wow!!?? (graphic?)

[fishdip]

I don't under stand what is so wrong with the photos posted. (1) they look really photo chopped and if not. (2) the BP looks dead

[Skymall007]

I have only taken six riding lessons in my life. I love horses and I love riding but I don't know anything about them. Sometimes I watch one of my friends do her riding lessons. I always feel shy asking my friends with horses if I can ride them. I don't want to be a nuisance. I did try bareback, English, and Western. Again, I don't know really anything at all (I am like pre-pre-pre Beginner) but I liked how with the English saddle I could feel the horse more.

[SKOOT3R]

I don't under stand what is so wrong with the photos posted. (1) they look really photo chopped and if not. (2) the BP looks dead

I'm not contesting this, but what makes you think this is photoshopped? That BP looks very much alive to me.

And to the post above mine. Horseback riding...really... lololololol

[200xth]

And to the post above mine. Horseback riding...really... lololololol

I don't get it. What's so funny?

[Badgemash]

I have only taken six riding lessons in my life. I love horses and I love riding but I don't know anything about them. Sometimes I watch one of my friends do her riding lessons. I always feel shy asking my friends with horses if I can ride them. I don't want to be a nuisance. I did try bareback, English, and Western. Again, I don't know really anything at all (I am like pre-pre-pre Beginner) but I liked how with the English saddle I could feel the horse more.

Hey everybody starts somewhere, none of us are born knowing how to ride (though I love seeing the itty bitty kids riding, too cute). As long as there aren't any liability issues with where your friend keeps her horse (a lot of places will make you sign a release form) why not ask? A lot of horse people are really passionate about horses and would love to talk about them as much as possible, kind of like we do with our snakes.

[fishdip]

The pixel's of the image look off.

[TexanLady]

Skymall007, you shouldn't feel shy at all! In fact most of them would probably love someone to go riding with! Believe it or not it is hard to find someone to ride with sometimes. I try to ride at least three or four times a week, and honestly I'm usually alone. My schedule rarely syncs up with my sister's these days and she was my roping partner when we rodeoed. Honestly, I'm usually asking my friends if they want to go riding with me. My parents keep four well trained trail horses for family and friends when they come over, and I always offer to let my friends come riding with me. I like to take one of my horses down to the lake on Saturdays with my dogs and ride all day, and it is always better to do with a friend. Most of the time I'm alone. Just me, my horse, and my dogs. I say go for it. I think you'll be surprised at how many of your friends with horses jump at the chance to go riding with you!

Badgemash, I maintain that $800 a month is outrageous, but if you are happy and enjoying yourself that is all that matters. I'm glad you've found a passion as an adult, and even happier for you that you're able to afford it. I could never drop $800 a month leasing a horse and paying for lessons. I know living costs are cheaper here in Texas (apparently A LOT cheaper), but I just couldn't pay that much. And it has nothing to do with me being a cheapskate. And yes, I was that girl that duct taped anything that broke because I refused to buy another one. The only things I've ever splurged on were my snakes and the house I'm buying. Other than that you have to pry every last cent out of my hand with the jaws of life. Still, have you thought about going in with some other people to purchase a few acres outside of town?

When I was at Tarleton I knew some people that went in together to buy five acres about ten minutes outside of town. The house on it was condemned, but the water hook up was fine. They used metal fence posts and built a fence around the acreage with a gate for about $4,000. I think there were nine of them, so all together it was only about $500 apiece. And they built their own run-in for less than $600. The acreage they got for about somewhere between 4-5 grand. They had somewhere free to board their horses and they were able to board some to make their money back. I'm not sure if that is feasible for you to do, I don't know how much land cost in Phoenix (apparently an arm and a leg!), but I thought I'd share.

Still, Badge, good for you for not letting other people tell you you are too old to take up the sport!

[sorraia]

When I was at Tarleton I knew some people that went in together to buy five acres about ten minutes outside of town. The house on it was condemned, but the water hook up was fine. They used metal fence posts and built a fence around the acreage with a gate for about $4,000. I think there were nine of them, so all together it was only about $500 apiece. And they built their own run-in for less than $600. The acreage they got for about somewhere between 4-5 grand. They had somewhere free to board their horses and they were able to board some to make their money back. I'm not sure if that is feasible for you to do, I don't know how much land cost in Phoenix (apparently an arm and a leg!), but I thought I'd share.

I don't know about Phoenix, but I live in a part of So Cal with "low" property values. My half acre with a 1400sq ft 3 bed/1.5 bath house was $115k. More than an acre is easily double that or more (especially now with prices picking up again), even
If the house is just a single wider trailer. Just our hay costs $17.99 a bale, and is necessary because grass doesn't grow here unless you run your water bill up into the hundreds. Amazing the differences in cost of living! I really kind of want to move some place where we could get a bigger property for less, but we couldn't afford it right now, and there's so much uncertainty to consider (jobs? Animal laws? Weather? ) and then there's figuring out a place both of us can even agree on. Can't beat the weather out here though!

[Marrissa]

I love horse people. We hijack everything with horse talk. :3

[sorraia]

I love horse people. We hijack everything with horse talk. :3

Truth! I'm actually a little surprised (maybe I shouldn't be) and amused how many of us found each other in THIS thread. lol