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| He is the best at ass shots. |
It's different with Courage, though. He's a good boy, but he's really green and I just don't trust him with my life the way I did Cuna.
I decided that it was fine. I mean, I was wearing a helmet and we were just doing flatwork. What could go wrong?
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| Also Courage. He laughs at that too. |
How far is too far? I suppose it's one thing if you're a pro on your own property and you have to ride alone or not work, but as an adult ammy who has no vested financial interest in getting my horse more or less trained, what is the deciding factor when it comes to riding without someone else on the property? I don't even mean a trainer or eyes-on-the-ground necessarily--just someone to dial 911 in case it comes up.
So I'm curious. What makes the difference for you? What makes you ride or play another day?
I genuinely don't have a choice, since my barn is sort of semi-private and people aren't often there when I have the chance to ride - usually after work. I make sure to have my RoadID on me, and that cool app from RoadID that calls your emergency contact if you stop moving for more than 5 minutes. I also will let my husband know when I'm getting on, and when to expect a text from me. It's not the safest, but it's a choice between not ever riding or that. I don't jump alone, though, ever.
ReplyDeleteWhich Windtalker, I wouldn't ride without anyone around since he has a tendency to go straight up. Yeah, the idea of laying there after a 17.1 hand stallion flips on me doesn't sound fun. With the other horses it just kind of depends on what the weather is like, when they were last ridden, and how they are acting when I tack them up. I think there is an app you can download that will notify someone if you are inactive for a certain amount of time after you set it (for riding specifically). I usually call someone and tell them I'm getting on and to check on me if I don't call back in a certain amount of time.
ReplyDeleteI've never really cared about riding on my own. I do ride with my phone on me at all times, but whether or not someone is around doesn't actually concern me. It's not that I trust my horse completely (I definitely do NOT) and I recognize that all sorts of things could happen....but I simply don't give it any thought.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, normally the BO is always around, and if not, one of her family members is.
I ride alone 90% of the time, and have fallen off, and gotten back on, and been fine. In the case that I should fall off and NOT be fine though, eventually someone would find me. The BO lives on-property, as does my good friend/BM, and eventually I'd get help. I don't really worry about it, otherwise I'd never ride! If I ride out by myself, I try to let someone know where I'm going. Otherwise... we're on our own.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm riding Phoenix (my trusty 25 yr old steed) alone I don't worry at all or tell anyone. If I'm riding Stampede alone, which usually only happens during tax season because the barn is huge, I always text my husband and say I am getting on and to get worried if I don't text again in 40 minutes. In general Stampede is a solid citizen but when he is stupid he's really stupid so it's best to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteI also ride with my phone in my pocket if I'm alone or out in the back field/trail riding. In the winter it's usually in my pocket playing music anyways.
I often ride alone, though my BO lives on the property she's and her family are not always there, and it's a choice between making sure someone is there and riding at all.
ReplyDeleteLike Jen, I wear a Road ID and carry my phone. However, I rarely have anyone to report to that I'm leaving for a ride or to expect to hear from me. Because of that, I have been known to leap off when things get hairy and try to work scary situations out on the ground. Typically, my horse is a solid citizen and I feel reasonably safe riding him. I think the risk/benefit is pretty solidly in the benefit category.
I also wear a RoadID and carry my phone. And always always a helmet of course. Knock on wood but riding alone really doesn't bother me unless I'm on a horse that I feel is pretty "high risk". In which case I might text someone and say that if I don't text them back in half an hour, send an ambulance. ;)
ReplyDeleteI ride alone all the time. My husband knows when I'm at the barn and I always text him when I'm heading home, so I figure if it got to be late or something he'd know what was up. Plus Simon is about as safe as they come.
ReplyDeleteI ride alone all the time too, and I always carry my phone on my body and wear a helmet. It's also a house rule that SOMEONE has a phone on them if we're riding together - we're often out on the trails, so the only way in/out would be a Gator or Lifeflight. I need to get a RoadID just in case.
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky to have really trustworthy critters. Even so, if things start to go south, if I'm by myself I just get off and longe. I can always ride another day. It's not worth the risk IMO.
I ride alone every day - most days three horses. If my husband is away, I text my mom and tell her I am getting on, then text her after my ride. It has worked really well.
ReplyDeleteI ride alone most nights a week, but I keep my phone on my person, and there's normally someone at the property somewhere (its a big property though).
ReplyDeleteWhen I ride alone, though, I do have a different outlook than when I'm riding with others. For example, if he's being naughty, I wont hesitate to get off of him mid-ride, remove his tack, and let him run around the arena for a while. I've even had to do this 2 times in one night before! Obviously I wouldn't do that in the middle of a lesson or if I have a riding buddy there. I really try to listen to my gut when I'm alone - if something doesn't feel right, I address it. Its just safer that way.
I gage critter mood while grooming/tacking up - although in saying that the barn I board at has so many liveries I am rarely on my own.
ReplyDeletePS: I'm very much an ammy - so if I don't feel like riding would be conducive that day whether it be horsey weirdness or my own...so I just don't ride. We're not working towards anything besides fun - so if it's not going to be fun I pack it in and try again another day when we're closer to being on the same page
DeleteThere's usually someone at the barn (BO or other riders) - but I don't hesitate to ride alone (I am usually the only one in any given arena) - I used to do a lot of hacking out by myself but ever since a dirty runout by Dassah left me with a broken foot, I haven't. The new place has lots of hay pastures to ride around so I think we'll try them out soon by ourselves. Regardless, I always have my phone on me (l use a running belt to keep it and treats in).
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of texting the hubs when I get on and off - that's pretty smart.
I always watch to see how his mood is from when I get him in the pasture, while I'm tacking up, etc. He's a very level headed boy who doesn't hard spook like my last horse- he just startles in place. I've always felt very comfortable going out alone with just him- but he HATES when birds flying in front of him and we have some wild turkeys that like to hide in the woods by where we ride out. I'm always on edge down there, watching for any movement.
ReplyDeleteI always take my phone with me, just in case. Typically, someone is on the barn property, even if I go ride alone, so if I need to grab anyone quickly, someone would be there. :)
Miles is a pretty solid citizen, so I don't mind riding by myself. But I never jump alone or try something new (like a trail ride). Also, if he's "in a mood" I have no problem hopping off and working from the ground.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind riding alone, but I do admit that I am less likely to really push my horse during our rides then. I don't want to put us in a bad situation! That said, if I want to up the anty a bit I often leave a text with my mom or husband letting them know if they don't hear from me in an hour or so that someone might want to come check it out!
ReplyDeleteI'm really horrrible. I ride by myself a lot when I don't know if people are on property. I always keep my phone in my pocket and ride with a helmet on. I try not to go galloping in the field or jump like 4 foot if I'm alone. I wish I was better about wearing a vest or whatever when jumping alone but I'm so all over the place all the time I doubt I would remember even if I kept my vest out at the barn.
ReplyDeleteI do tell people I'm going to the barn though so I try to do something right!
I read your blog but do not have a blog myself, normally I wouldn't comment. but I will this time. I own a 15'3 Tb/Clydesdale cross who is 12 and I have had her for 11 1/2 years. I keep her at home. I use to ride always alone, deep forest riding, arena, at home in the field, go to shows alone. Trusted her implicitly. For whatever reason, she bolted while we were cantering, left our flat level area and we were dodging boulders and stumps and then she made a sharp left and I came off. My right wrist was broken, I was alone, husband out of town. Neighbors gone. I faced driving myself to the hospital. fortunately the neighbors came home as I was driving down the road. I had surgery, a plate and 8 screws put in. And this week-end will be the first time I will be able to get back on.Things can go bad very quickly. And I think I will always remember that from now on. It can on happen on the best of horses.
ReplyDeleteJust like you, it depends on the horse. Always better safe than sorry. Some days if there's no one around, I make sure my cell is at least charged and on me. Or I call my hubs and let him know I'm hopping on and then say I'll text you when I'm off, call me if you don't hear from me...and so on. Chances are NOTHING will go wrong, but like you said....with horses the universe has a way of making things go awry very fast at the worst possible moments, eh ;) If I am really uneasy, I lunge. That way the horse got worked at least. I never NEED a ride, I have a lifetime to figure this sport out :P
ReplyDeleteI ride alone sometimes, though I don't like to - mostly when the MItts are at a show and Mary's visiting friends or out. Obviously, if I haven't told anyone I'm going off property by myself I don't go - I've just known too many things to go horribly wrong for other people for me to feel safe going off into the blue yonder by myself without at least someone knowing where I'm going and when I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteUgh this is the bane of my existence! I am terrified to ride alone because growing up my sister was always there with me, but I have no one to ride with and if I wait until someone is home something always comes up.... I'm trying to get confident enough to ride out alone, but stories like some of the ones above don't help lol. If I ever figure it out I'll let you know. :)
ReplyDeleteI ride two OTTB's-one VERY green 5yo, one moderately experienced 8yo that is being rehabbed back after some stifle issues. If it's just me and my sister, I've gotten into the habit of wearing a medical armband and my phone with me, but sometimes it's too hot for the vest... However, to get to our barn, you go to nowhere and hang a left at 'is-this-on-the-map' road, so if I'm 100% alone I don't ride. I normally get on even if 'greenie' is acting stupid(his are mostly empty threats), but if the geriatric ward is hyped up we stick to ground work-she has been known to act stupid.
ReplyDeleteIf I go on a hack or a gallop, I always leave a note with starting time, who i'm on/with, where I am/which trails we'll take, and about when I think we'll return.
Because I ride during the day I am often by myself at the farm although not always. I try to play it safe when I ride alone but the alternative would be a lot of missed rides.
ReplyDeleteFor safety purposes, I will not ride unless there is someone on property, who knows that I'm riding. To much risk, especially since I'm known to overheat very quickly and faint.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind riding alone although it depends on who I'm riding. I try to be smart and if it something I don't trust I may just lunge if no one is around.
ReplyDeleteI used to ride trail alone, but someone always knew I was out. These days I generally try to drag hubby down to just be there, Holly is miles better bit still green enough to have her spooky days when alone. We luckily have several people living on property so usually someone is somewhere on the property. That said people have fallen on trail ridden in and been ignored by others when clearly not OK. Better safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteI ride alone most of the time as the barn where I ride is not all that busy. I have had a couple of falls that thankfully weren't serious, but I do worry about something happening. I really need to buy some kind of armband so I can keep my cell phone on me at all times as I never have pockets.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I ride alone I don't jump, I don't ride anything that has a high "dump" probability, and I don't start anything I'm not willing to finish.
ReplyDeleteThere are people who live on the property, but I wouldn't count on them to find me and call for help. I do ride with no one around but I always contact my hubby or child and tell them I'm getting on and how long I plan to be on. Then I set an alarm to remember to tell them I got off. That way, if they don't hear from me they can at least come looking for me (we live 4 miles from barn). I always ride with my cell phone (exception is shows) - they work in my Piper back pocket, or I also have a calf band to strap on. I have no prob jumping with others around but not in the same arena. I don't jump with no one around. It's not often that I'm at the barn alone.
ReplyDeleteI ride alone pretty much all the time. I agistment at a 24 hour turnout only facility, there's only a small herd (9 horses) and I hardly ever see anyone down there. If I do, they are untacking, or feeding, or wanting to go out on a long trail ride that I'm not up for.
ReplyDeleteActually, the first time I've ever been really badly dumped and injured was when I was riding with other people! I don't know if I was too distracted by the others and not listening enough to my horse, but I pushed it too hard and he got dirty and forcefully ejected me from the saddle. One broken elbow later, and I've learnt my lesson to just wind it back when you've reached that limit.
I always let someone know when I am going down to ride my horse, but I don't check in with anyone when I mount or dismount. I ride with my phone on me at all times, and my helmet is an absolute must. I try not to push it if the horse is not co-operative and just be sensible. My philosophy is to know his limits, and know mine.
We might get things done a little slower than most people - I haven't jumped in ages, because I just don't feel that he is ready. But that being said, playing it safe has kept me fairly safe for 10+ years of riding alone, so there is that.
bonita of A Riding Habit
I'm lucky and there's usually someone around most of the time because I'm not a huge fan of riding alone. But if I am I just stick to ring work and have a cell phone nearby!
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