[Dressageguy]

I have notice that there has been some intrest with horses on this board and was wondering how many of you plan to make horses your full time career? I ride 3-5 horses every day and even though I have other jobs that pay the bills I plan to be an International Dressage rider. Also do you find that being a vegetarian helps you in your riding?

 

[Pescas]

Im starting horse back riding again!!

Well, Im too scared of falling off really. I havent ridden for a year, before I rode for two years. starting again now though, miss it too much

 

[That Alpaca Guy]

I never got the attraction, personally.

 

[MoonJumper]

I cannot live without horses, and I cannot understand how someone can NOT like them, or abuse them , or whatever. I love jumping! I was never attracted to dressage, but I'll learn eventually and who knows, I might really like it (but not more than jumping and cross country, lol). When I grow up, aside from whatever job I have (hopefully an actress) I really want to start my own boarding/training stable. PLus, once it took off I could quit my day job and make a fortune, AND I would get to be around horses ALL day. and night. FUN FUN!

 

[queenarmadillo]

I eventually would like to work with horses full time--either riding school type thing or horse training / sellling or some combination. However, there is no money in doing it if you have to work for someone else, so currently have a proper job and hope to save enough to retire young and get the horse farm then.

Being vegetarian doesn't affect riding in any way I dont think, but it is nice that people know my stance on such issues and so hardly ever start praising foxhunting in front of me.

 

[nowoutonvinyl]

oh! another dressage rider! always nice to meet a fellow rider.

as for me, i started riding when i was 3 and have been doing so ever since. i own 6 rescue horses at the moment... well 5 and mule. i just started dressage this year but i love it already.

as far as making a career of it i would love to.

i dont know if being a vegetarian has effected my riding but it did lead me to rescuing them.

 

[steinbock]

well, i'll be the odd one out..i'm a western person personally

and i plan on being an equine vet, so yeah, i suppose i'm going to make horses my full time job...

i currently spoil just one pretty girl, but i'm lucky to get her bills paid, so no complaining here...

as for the vegetarianism...i don't think it /helped/ my riding per say...but I think by being vegetarian and being aware and concerned about animal welfare, it helped me reach a better understanding with horses...like, i don't want to say i communicate with them, but I do feel a better connection with the horses than previously...

am i just weird or has anyone else noticed that?

 

[Jessica Alana]

Is horseback riding vegan?

No. Seriously. Ooh. I see a new thread coming.

I don't know. I heart horses. I haven't seen or ridden one in years, though. I want some, though. And someone to take care of them for me.

 

[steinbock]

depends what you mean by 'vegan' can you get all the stuff vegan? yes

is the actual practise of riding vegan? well, that again depends on your definition...

 

[Amy SF]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoonJumper

I cannot live without horses, and I cannot understand how someone can NOT like them, or abuse them , or whatever.

Some of the most depressing stuff I've ever seen on television is when I watch Animal Cops: Houston on Animal Planet, because there are almost ALWAYS abused and neglected horses rescued on each episode. It just tears me apart to see once magnificent animals sick and emaciated and have to be put down because their owners didn't take care of them.

 

[Jessica Alana]

 

[Skylark]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steinbock

depends what you mean by 'vegan' can you get all the stuff vegan? yes

Out of curiousity, do non-leather tack and saddles cost more, less or the same as their leather versions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by steinbock

is the actual practise of riding vegan? well, that again depends on your definition...

Debate on that question should go to a different thread.

 

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Skylark, non-leather saddles cost more and depending on what type of comprtition you're in, show-quality gear may or may not be available in a non-leather form.

I do cross country and use all non-leather gear there and it's all good stuff, but for some of the Western Pleasure Horse classes that I ride in, there are no really good non-vegan tack alternatives.

DressageGuy; I do a VERY little bit of dressage, mostly 'cause I ride for other people and have to use whatever horse they want shown/ridden/exercised/trained... when I was younger I dreamed of being involved with horses full-time but life throws you curve balls every now and then....

 

[JayBaby]

I live in Australia and synthetic saddles are around the same price as leather saddles. In fact good quality leather saddles are much more expensive than good quality synthetic saddles. I guess because leather is more expensive material. The cheaper leather saddles are pretty bad quality.

 

[steinbock]

huh...i just bought a synthetic saddle, and it was a lot cheaper than any semi-good quality leather saddle...now, it isn't a 'show saddle' but in any class (non pro, and only regional) that i show in, it will be accepted. (it's western) bridles are the same thing, you can get nylon brides that are really cheap (and pretty to boot

) however, I'm not sure how those are accepted in the show circuit.

I suppose if you are to get a real show saddle in synthetic, they would be maybe a little more than the leather saddles, but I don't think it's a major difference...

I have also seen very nice looking synthetic english saddles, but i really don't know much about that world (i tried to, but had to quit lessons when life got too crazy)

(oh, as for the debate, don't worry, I won't speak of it again

)

hmm...I'm gonna have to go look stuff up now

I'm very curious....

 

[faded_amaranth]

You can get just about anything that usually is leather, in a synthetic version and the prices I've seen are usually much cheaper for the same or better quality. Synthetic also fares better in certain conditions. The only problem with synthetic is that it does not brake as easily as leather, which could be a safety issue, there are some things that "need" to be made out of leather so they brake if the horse gets caught on something. Now I know plenty of horses that are turned out in completely nylon halters and they haven't had any problems. And it is more likely that a horse will take a bad step and brake his or her leg but still it's something to take into consideration.