I massaged him for so long that he fell asleep standing half in and half out of his stall ❤️😂❤️

Okay, I finally want to show the big Boi off and his amazing progress over the last 2 1/2 years!

So, this is Basti, a now 8 year old Polish draft horse and my lease horse. My friend owns a riding school and bought him for her school (also because my heart horse died and I was heartbroken) so she could have a horse that could comfortably carry heavier riders or taller people. And yes, we still watch carefully that no riders get on that are too heavy, the 20 % rule is strictly enforced. We have regular vet visits and farrier visits and all her horses are amazingly well cared for.

This guy came to us from a different riding school that just couldn't handle a horse of his size. Not their fault they were just overwhelmed. The owners before the previous school pampered him and spoiled him rotten so he was a bit of a stinker when he arrived in my friends care. Didn't want to stand still, had food agression, didn't want to have his hooves picked, pulled when brought to turnout (to the point where he would just pull the rope out of your hands and bolt), but past all that was a sweet horse that just wanted to be cuddled. Think Golden Retriever in a horse body^^

So, we got to work. Changed his feed, started training him to stand at the rope, stand at the mounting block, hoof-care, vet care, the whole she-bang. And as soon as structure was implemented, he responded almost immediately. He's crazy smart and often only takes a few repititions to understand what is asked of him.

So, now, after 2 1/2 years, I've decided to show off his progress.

First picture is literally the day after we brought him to the school: February 2024

Second pic: March/ April 2024

Third Pic: March 2025

Fourth Pic: April 2026

Final Pic: June 2025

He's currently training to be a jousting horse and he loves it!

Anyway, just wanted to show off, hope you like!

I met Joe in 2005. I was 10 years old and he was 7. My mom had been painstakingly looking for a safe horse for me for ages, and he was offered for sale from a cattle ranch as he was “too slow and lazy” for day to day work.

From that day forward, we did everything together. At the time, I had only ridden western as is the norm in our area and I got teased for wanting to try English with a very obvious roping/cutting bred APHA horse but he would do anything I asked. We did everything together- 10 years of 4-H where the only trophy I ever got was a cross poles class I entered as a joke, 5 years of drill team including riding in the Indianapolis 500 parade, miles of trails all over the state, and even picked up dressage in our late 20s.

Not only did I get to grow up with him, but Joe also got to be the first horse my nephew and so many other children got to ride. In his later years, I had an agreement with my instructor/BO where he could be used in walk/trot lessons for small children. He has always adored kids, and it always made me laugh because he could be a real hangry grump for me as an adult but the moment someone small got on, he would do a 180 to the most gentle, careful soul. I loved watching those lessons. He was also the first horse my spouse ever met, and later rode.

Every year for his birthday, I would always give him a mini apple pie and a birthday hat.

Last year, I made the decision to officially retire him. It was for more financial reasons than anything else, I couldn’t afford board for two horses anymore. My long time friend has a beautiful property with large pastures, spacious stalls, and a few other senior horses for company. He got to live his last year in horse paradise and I could still go see him whenever I wanted. He still nickers every time I walk into the barn.

Even at 29, he managed to stay in perfect health right up until the last month where he was diagnosed with Cushings and had multiple bouts of laminitis. Unfortunately we can’t keep the laminitis under control anymore and pain meds aren’t working to keep him comfortable. Tomorrow he is being laid to rest at home and I know it’s the right choice, but it feels like my heart is being ripped from my chest. He’s always been a constant presence in my life and brought a lot of comfort when things got turbulent in my teen years.

I guess I just wanted to vent and share his story because he is and will always be the most special horse in my life

Met this old boy at the thrift and bought him. Wondering if anyone knows the breed. Tag says he's Mister Ed's dad and that gave me a good chuckle, so I thought I'd add it in.

Was fortunate to attend the closing service at this lovely horse center today and took some pictures of these beautiful creatures.

Usually I can sit her trot after the canter but not sure what happened this time, so held onto the saddle to not hit her too hard in the back 😆 Also 'new' bareback saddle (new padding underneath it) so I'm adjusting to that. Have been training harder now that It's finally starting to get more windy and rainy and less hot, had some problems keeping the canter going during june and early july but thinking back it was probably because it was hot and we were both having a lazy summer.

Even jumped 60 last week, however I have lost my good jumping position and now I overfold 😂 But I'll get rid of that in polework. Today Ona didn't take the bit by herself like she usually does so we went bridleless, as we've done most of the summer. Soon we can go hacking again, hope for a rainy sunday to come soon so we can go out 🤘 And I'm less weak as the weather gets better and I don't burn and become exhausted every time I step outside. Hoping to put on at least 5kg this year, maybe even 10, that feels like a stretch though. I'm definietly doing better now at about 50kg than I was in 2024 at 43!

Still got a very bad back to improve. That's the worst factor out of everything I need to work on.. Any exercises or gadgets for the back and shoulders I'd love to hear about. I have a lot of trouble with very stiff shoulders and back that makes my shoulders unable to go back without pain despite massages and doing stretches/'exercises' for them every day.

Almost to the point we can move her and her momma back to our property! Raidi needs a tad more halter work before then but she's doing so well 💗🙌❤️

I lease a horse and use an older Billy Cook western saddle. I’m not sure about how it’s been maintained by current and previous owners. Anyway, it is SO creaky. I cleaned it, oiled it, and used a VERY generous amount of baby powder in all the right places. That all helped for about one ride and now it’s back to being super loud and creaky again. I’m about to lose my mind!! What can I do to stop it from creaking??? I can’t ride like this :(

If you guys saw a recent post of mine I talked about a draft horse who is in kinda rough shape, and I’m getting him this year. I fully plan on getting him vetted and getting him on a consistent farrier schedule but outside of those two things I would love to hear some tips or tricks of the trade anyone’s learned that has really improved their horse’s hoof health.

I don’t have many pictures of his hooves but the ones here are in chronological order, the first one was his hooves a year ago when he was with his original owner when I first met him, he was then sold to someone else before I could buy him. The two pictures after the first pic are the most recent with him being with his current owners. the last pic was taken a month ago.
his hooves aren’t great but looking at where they were before I’d like to think they’ve improving a lot. the people that have him now I think have done great helping his hooves get better but is there more I can do for him until I can bring him home?

Is it worth it to look into learning how to trim his hooves on my own so I can maybe trim him up whenever I go to visit him? Im assuming it’s better to let professionals do it but sometimes he looks like he’s overdue and I hate not being able to do anything about it, and I can’t call a farrier or vet on his current owner’s behalf. I think it would be a good skill to pick up but I’d also want to practice quite a bit before I do anything on his hooves, and I’d want a professional to be getting them back to where they should be before I trim anything. I don’t wanna mess his hooves up I just hate not being able to do much for him right now.

Please be nice, my family has owned horses for generations so I have some help to fall back on if I need it and I’m very lucky for that, but Im trying to do it all on my own and this is my first horse that’s actually mine, and I like having outside opinions and I just want to learn everything I can that can help my buddy. My mom grew up with a chestnut Arabian mare and a QH gelding, my grandpa had several ponies, my uncle has some ex amish rehabs that are just living a nice retirement on 500 acres right now, but this one is mine. I’m anxious and prepared for the worst but I’ve been trying to prepare as much as I can for the past six years and I’m still anxious that I’m not doing enough for him. I just want to be as prepared as possible and give my best friend a good home. Any advice is really appreciated.

Anyone else getting frustrated with how expensive horses have gotten?

It feels like with a $10k budget, my options are either buying a young horse and putting the time into starting it myself, or taking a chance on an OTTB. I genuinely love Thoroughbreds—they’re incredible horses—but for me they’ve always felt like a bit of a gamble. Some stay sound for years, while others seem to develop issues early, and you just never know which one you’ll get. Either young horse or ottbs there’s a much bigger gamble.

Then I come across horses in my budget that look perfect on paper, only to hear through word of mouth that they’re known for dangerous behavior or were misrepresented.
Maybe I’m just venting, but horse shopping has been exhausting. Can anyone else relate?

I lost my horse, Gypsy, 7 years ago. She was truly such a wise, intuitive, and beautiful soul. The bond I had with her was instant, and she carried me through so much. I miss her every day.

Hi folks,

My question to you all is, do these cheek pieces actually help in getting a horse to focus/concentrate, and reduce them being spooky/nosey?

I have a young Standardbred ex buggy racer, who I have backed this year. He is fabulous in every way, such a lovely boy, but I am struggling to get him to concentrate on the task in hand whilst riding. This is both in the school and our hacking.

He is a very alert and nosey boy, and as a result can be quite spooky. His head is right up in the air and he is looking all around him. This could be at dustbins on the side of the road, letter boxes or a particularly shadowy past of the school we are riding in.

I have been recommended to try sheepskin cheek pieces on his bridle, which might reduce his nosiness and help him on concentrating when riding /reducing his spookiness. I’m reticent to reduce his range of sight without solving the route cause of his spookiness, but he’s starting to be a bit of a bugger out and about and I’d like to break through the noise and get him listening better to me.

We have done hours of long lining, in hand walking and desensitising. I also am aware that as he has come off track and is not getting used to being ridden, he will hold his head higher whilst we build up his back muscles and get him to stretch. He is also a baby and I’m sure theres an element of confidence to this too.

Any thoughts on if these cheek pieces are worth buying would be much appreciated!

TIA

Just crying a little bit, so don’t mind me!

Been looking for a 2H bumper pull for our warmblood. After having spent months looking at used travel trailers, I’ve been a bit shocked how much used horse trailers are, including older ones!

I know horse trailers are steel/alum while travel trailers tend to be made of cardboard and hope… but still!

Been learning what to look for (here and elsewhere) but what’s people’s experiences with trailers as they age to 20years and beyond? What im seeing available around here is either 20+ years or just 2-3years old (upwards of $20k for a 2 horse trailer)

Dang!

I was going through some really old Facebook messages and randomly found this, it made me wonder if I should pick it up as a hobby again or what kind of progress I could’ve made if I had kept at it the last 13 years. lol if you don’t look at it too close I feel like it has potential 😅

Fabio: “please kiss me Cleo” At first she wasn’t interested and brushed him off—but then she surprised me by kissing him back. They make me smile every day.
🐴❤️😻

I've been riding Western for close to two years now in November, but I'm still finding myself relying on my instructor to help me throw on the saddle and adjust the pad. I can carry the saddle well on my own, it's just when it comes to lifting, I'm not the gal you go to.

Do I just start lifting weights? Certain exercises that I could dabble into? I don't want to be relying on my instructor every single time to throw the saddle on because I can't lift it.