quote:

Originally posted by Gong Show:
For your first go, I'd doubt they'll have you doing much that's strenuous, so two hours won't be too bad.

Guy at the saddlery & western wear shop from which I just returned suggested two hours in the saddle, first time out, might leave me with a very sore backside. He suggested it'd be wise to go out and get a couple shorter rides in, first. I will look into that.

Other points noted. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Gong Show:
And yes, wear the cowboy hat.

I'll wear one of my workin' "cowboy hats" that are crushable felt, probably. Unless it's unusually warm, then it'll be one of my straw cowboy hats. (Yeah, I've a lot of cowboy and cowboy-ish hats.)

Meanwhile, I took p113565's recommendation to heart, re: jeans, went out and got myself a pair of Wrangler Cowboy Cut jeans. Trying them on, they did feel like they were cut a bit more generously through the legs and crotch. I could see where that would be a benefit in a saddle.

Didn't want to wear my "dress" black j-toe boots and my Dan Posts aren't quite as snug on my feet as I'd like, so boots happened, after all:



They're a roper's heel. Sides are ventilated. They have a synthetic sole with just a little grippiness, but nothing that would be inclined to snag in a stirrup. Store guy called them a "working boot."

They fit my feet like a glove, right out of the gate.

So now it's off to see if I can find closer riding stables to get a couple shorter rides in before The Day.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
I don't think that The Duke used a shoulder holster.

Well, I do have this rig...



But somehow I doubt they'd be amused if I showed-up wearing a western rig with a .45 LC six-gun strapped to my side

Wrangler Cowboy Cut Jeans: Excellent!
Hope you have a great time.

Billy

Update on the Horse Riding Adventure

It was fun! The ride/motion was a little unexpected. When you see them riding in movies and on TV it looks a lot smoother than it is in reality. There is a motion to the ride that definitely takes some getting used to.

I suggest that, for first-time riders, two hours is the maximum you want to try. I'm in pretty decent physical condition for a 71-year-old man and I'd say it started getting a bit challenging at about the 1-1/2 hour mark. With fifteen minutes to go I was thinking "I can do the rest of this standing on my head." At about the five minute mark I was beginning to hope we'd see the barn soon

Back at the barn they were going to have me dismount right there. I suggested it'd be best if they took me back to the platform they had us use to mount as I could not trust my legs. And it was a good thing, too. Even using that, dismounting was a bit challenging.

Right after mounting:



On the trail:



Back at the barn (that's my niece on the right):



I'm holding my mounts reins up because she was anxious to get into the barn.

I wasn't too awfully sore, but it'd be a good week, I'd say, before my seat would be in any kind of shape to try it again

Will I go again? Not certain. I thoroughly enjoyed at least the first hour. After that it started to become increasingly challenging for me. I suspect that, after I became more conditioned to the ride, I'd probably enjoy it a lot more.

We shall see.

Thanks, again, everybody, for the pointers, hints, information, and encouragement.

ensigmatic's excellent adventure!

Glad you had an overall good experience. Horses are magnificent animals. They do eat a lot and what goes in must come out so you have a lot of bulk to take care of on both ends. We have a small farm and always grew most of the feed. Veterinary care and hoof care have gotten very expensive and difficult to get. We sold the last two horses of ours a couple of years ago and I miss them but not the work and expense. Renting for a couple of hours is definitely cheaper but you miss the chance to build a real friendship with the animal. If you go back again you might consider a one hour ride.

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
Glad you had an overall good experience.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
If you go back again you might consider a one hour ride.

Problem is: The established riding stables are all 45 minutes to an hour away. By the time you add signing the forms, them getting the horse saddled-up & you on the horse, etc., you're looking at 1-1/2 to 2 hours in "overhead" time.

This was one of the reasons we ended-up selling our boats (yes: Plural: A sailboat and a powerboat): Besides the various costs: The time to get there, get out there, get back to the slip/trailer, and get back home was often as much time as that spent actually boating.

There's a new riding stable that just opened that I think will be closer. Maybe I'll check them out.

Re: Having your own horses: Other than you're dealing with a living animal: Really not unlike owning a boat. Particularly a larger boat, and, I suspect, particularly a larger sailboat that stays in a slip. The maintenance overhead is remarkable.

You didn’t complain about your knees, so I guess it was ok for you, but…I think your stirrups were too short.

Interesting that the horses were sent out on the trail with nosebags on. I never knew dude horses to bite, and I can’t think of another reason to do that. Can’t figure out the front (they’re not really) “boots” either. If I just said, “Meeshegun” would that be alright?

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
snip
but…I think your stirrups were too short.
snip

I thought the same on the stirrups, but it has been years since I have ridden so I didn't call it out. It might also explain the "ride/motion" comment.

If the saddle was spanking your backside something was out of adjustment or you weren't "moving" with the horse correctly. When it's going right, to me it seems like your legs become shock absorbers.

Glad you had fun.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
You didn’t complain about your knees, so I guess it was ok for you, but…I think your stirrups were too short.

I didn't want to argue with the wrangler, but I think you're right. She said they were out as far as they'd go, though, so...

No, I didn't have any problem with my knees.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Interesting that the horses were sent out on the trail with nosebags on.

I found that interesting, myself.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Can’t figure out the front (they’re not really) “boots” either.

They're kind of like spats. Some of the trails were kind of narrow. There was undergrowth off to the sides. Some of it, occasionally, thorny or prickly stuff. Maybe for that?

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
If I just said, “Meeshegun” would that be alright?

Sure

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
snip
but…I think your stirrups were too short.
snip

I thought the same on the stirrups, but it has been years since I have ridden so I didn't call it out. It might also explain the "ride/motion" comment.

Nah. The ride/motion comment was purely because it was unexpected. Once I was in the saddle for a bit I was fine with it.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
If the saddle was spanking your backside ...

Nope.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
When it's going right, to me it seems like your legs become shock absorbers.

They were. Which was why they were so sore--particularly two days later

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
Glad you had fun.

Thanks!

Just re-read your title and the "how long" made me remember this:

Horse walks into a bar.
Bartender says: Hey why the long face.

LOL.
.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:


Interesting that the horses were sent out on the trail with nosebags on. I never knew dude horses to bite, and I can’t think of another reason to do that. Can’t figure out the front (they’re not really) “boots” either. If I just said, “Meeshegun” would that be alright?

Good observation and question. Around here, mesh head/ear/face mesh and the booties are to help protect against those darn flies.

BTW some people put a weird looking mouth piece on the horse, it's to slow down their eating nice grass and getting too darn fat.

I don't know about Michigan and horses, however.

Horses are just so interesting, love them.
.

My niece mentioned to my wife she really enjoyed the ride. It turns out the riding she gets back home is only round and round in circles in a paddock. Here she got to ride honest-to-God trails.

I'm guessing they'll be back again