December 10 Questions

From L at Viva Carlos

Does your horse need shoes?

Nope. Kachina has been barefoot since I got her. She's got good hard feet, and I can generally even ride on gravel roads or tough terrain without an issue. She's also extremely sound.

What do you think of the barefoot vs shoes debate?

If my horse needed shoes for any reason then I would go that route, but I think barefoot is the good default choice. The reason I first tried barefoot was to avoid winter ice balls, but I've come to appreciate the naturalness and the lower cost and frequency of farrier care. I know many horses who do well barefoot. I don't judge or press my opinions on anyone else though and I realize that shoes can be necessary for some disciplines or footing.

Favorite season for riding?

Early summer - warm enough to go back outside but still not many bugs around (especially mosquitoes)

How many shows do you think you've gone to?

With Kachina: 6 in total, 5 schooling and 1 recognized.
For dressage scribing: 6, 4 of those were gold shows.
In total: When you include shows that I've watched and shows that I competed in with other horses, it's probably around 3 dozen, but still not a whole ton.

Kachina's first ever show

Do you consider yourself a good rider?

Not really. I think I have been riding for a long time, have been a good student, and have learned a number of tools for my riding toolbox. However, I don't think I have a whole lot of natural talent or guts, and I could be a lot further along considering I started riding as a kid. I've only periodically had access to regular instruction and that is one thing that has made my progress a lot slower.

How experienced do you think someone needs to be to own a horse?

I think they need to have good knowledge about horse care or be in a good boarding situation. You don't necessarily need to be a great rider to be a good horse owner though.

Have you ever gotten into a fight with your trainer?

Nope. I don't currently have a regular trainer, but I've always tried what a trainer has suggested, and quietly left if I ultimately felt that their approach didn't work for us. I'm pretty good at avoiding drama, maybe too good sometimes, but the horse world is small and I'm glad that I've never burned a bridge.

Describe your dream horse.

A horse that I can move up the levels with in dressage but also enjoy low key trail rides with. Also one that is fun to be around on the ground. Kachina has the potential to be this, though I wish she enjoyed grooming etc. instead of being so antsy.

Does anyone in your family ride?

Do my cousin's children who live in Ireland and I've only met twice count? So basically no. One of my other cousins raises racehorses and I love to connect with him over horses, but he lives in Ireland too so I don't get to see him often and he doesn't ride himself anymore. Of my immediate family, my SO, and his family, nobody is into horses even remotely.

My cousin's horses and farm (and cows, and dog)

If you could ride any horse in the world, which one would it be? why?

A Grand Prix schoolmaster. I could learn so much if I had access to a horse that could show me how things are supposed to feel.