First ever ride on horse I own

[Ranger44]

OK, sorry but no pics. There was no time for a camera.

A neighbor friend (Sue) offered to come and assist me working with Signe. We did some round pen work with the saddle on (I had done this a couple of previous times by myself) and she gave me some tips to correct some mistakes I made. Then I managed to hop on for the first time. This was a pretty big milestone for me :cowboy:. Signe is a pretty good horse and Sue commented on what a nice horse she is.

I feel like I can continue to work with Signe by myself with out too many worries but I believe she is not the horse for me. There is no good bond like I have with some of my other horses. Plain and simple I don't think she likes me or men in general. She does not come to greet me like most of the rest of the herd and she will even hide behind the others when I am trying to put a halter on her. I think she is mostly just lazy lol. Once I show her that I am going to catch her she gives in and is fine.

I think I am on my way to reaching some goals which is great but there is a lot to do yet. I wish I had started when I was much younger but I am glad I started. This is such a bad time of year for me with it the busiest time of year with work and the weather turning cold but it will have to do.

I thought I should share my "big step" so I will stop rambling here. Thanks for reading!

[mare]

Way to go! Glad it went well, and I wish you continued success.

[JackieB]

Congratulations on the progress! I also came to horses later (age 40 for me), but am so glad that I did so as well.

You probably can build a strong relationship with Signe if you want that. Buster was aloof, very hard to catch, and generally disinterested in me when we first started working together. It took us about a year to make a breakthrough and we've been able to continue to build from there. So, I think it is probably possible with most horses.

Anyway, great job!

[Ranger44]

Thanks guys. Yeah Jackie, I think I could get her to come around too with a lot of work but I have to sell some horses and she is probably my most marketable at this point. I really prefer a gelding anyway. We have 8 horses and should get down to 3 or 4 next year. It's really fun to see and feel the progress. I wish this had happened this spring but if there is one thing experience(fancy term for age) has taught me is patience. I'm just enjoying the "ride"(pun intended) for now :cowboy:.

[JackieB]

Good for you, Ranger. I understand about the "too many horses" thing. I've steadfastly resisted getting more than one horse because I don't feel like I have all the time I'd like to spend with Buster, but most of my friends own several horses and none of them get ridden as much as they would like.

There is the benefit of having a bit more patience at our age. Or that's the idea, anyway. I rarely allow things to frustrate me that would have when I was younger and this is so important with horses, as you know.

[Ranger44]

Thanks for the response Jackie. I have a hard time starting any post because I lack the horse knowledge to post anything very substantial. It's tough to get responses that way.

[Remali]

Those first rides are great aren't they?! It gives you such a feeling of accomplishment, and it just is so good to feel a bond with the horse. If the bond is there.....sounds like you and Signe haven't quite gotten to that yet, it could still happen....but trust your gut feeling, it may be she isn't the horse for you like you say, but she sounds like a real nice horse so I'm sure she will work out really good for someone. Hey....next time.....maybe pictures??!!! lol!

[mandisue]

Great Job!!!! Good feeling isn't it.:)

[Ranger44]

Yeah Remali, I think she is a real nice horse but probably not the "one" for me. She will be real nice for the right person. I have two others that I hope to keep forever. One is Finn a four year old black bay gelding and the other is Buttercup a soon to be three year old palomino filly.

Thanks mandisue, you said that right!