Being new to the site, I wanted to see what people were talking about. I have been riding & showing all of my life. The only times I didn't ride was during my pregnancy when I was having some problems. Then after for a little while, but have always been active with them, or helping at shows & the 4H kids. Now that my daughter is 11, and the "baby" weight never went away, I am going thru all the pre-surgery b.s. for RNY...I had gained over 110 & other health issues -including thyroid disease- have hampered every other attempt at weight loss. Although my weight hasn't gone over 275 at my very worse, and after a hysterectomy that took off 30+ #'s really quick. My horses have been my sanctuary, and from what I have read at all your postings you are quite biased on your "breeds" (or maybe it just reads that way). I grew up in the "political field/showing" and had the best horse, equipment, trainer for lessons, etc. that my family could afford at the time... and have found it's not the breed that makes the horse.... it's how they are raised (in the ring it's who you are & who's your trainer). Now on my own, I have always looked for a horse that has a brain, FIRST! Not it's color, & took all the heat from others for no longer being in the "breed" any more, I am not a follower... I want a horse that suites MY needs, as should anybody really. It's body/build, second... for somebody that is larger, should not be on a 14-hand (800#) horse...stock horse or any.... for that matter, just for common sense reasons. If they were, the Arab is one of the best breeds, for one reason, the have a denser bone & an extra set of rib(s) {13-in an arab}, than a stock horse (other than that they were bred for "more" & to endure. (They are also he foundation of almost every breed in the US, by the way! inculding the Morgan, AQHA, Paint, & Appaloosa, among may others.) I have now an Arab-cross, and he has more brains, endurance, stamina than any stock horse I was ever on. For a person with extra weight, I have found myself fatigued long before my horses are. But I do things with my horse, and the neighbors think I'm a bit strange; ie... we go for bike rides...He trots along side of me, all saddled up & with side reins on, just to strengthen his neck and back muscles. I take him for walks, more often than my dogs (****ers can't handle 'round the block -80acres- trip, and to the lake so he can go play in the water at the boat landing! Having a horse with a strenghtened top-line will not only help them, but will make your ride much more comfortable, his/her collection will reduce fatigue on your body in any & all gaits. I guess also having a horse that I DON'T have to post his trot is a blessing, since its so soft & gentle. Just this past year, I went on a "cancer ride" and I was actually suprized at how many plus size women I had met, one had even offered to buy my horse, because of the ride he gives me, and after 8 hours of trail riding he wanted to keep going (we did have 2 breaks). Our other big ride was the "Colorama" held in the fall, it's a 3-day event and I was amazed at the people/breed combinations, of true horse people. They came from MN, IL, MI, OH, Canada, & more I'm sure... living in the Northwoods of WI, is the best for trail riding with all of our state forests! Usually it's always the men who are 180-300#'s out riding and they never make any issue of their weight, but if there is a woman riding over 150#'s we get looked at with strange eyes (& comments) - why is that by the way?

So let me get this straight, you haveh ad her for 3 years , and never ridden her? has anyone ridden her at all in the last 3 years? if not, then i advise just judicious caution , she might be fiesty , and probobly slow to take lead cues when you get on her, how cold is it ? i will ride at 32 degrees, but colder and i say, no way i guess im a wimp you need to make sure she is ready for you, i would check her out like i would any new horse, saddle and bridle her, and leave her halter on, with her tied securely, lean in to the saddle, if you can get most of your weight on her without any fuss, then go ahead and ride her, just go slow for both of your sake, do you have a round pen ? because that would be where i would start, since it has been so long for both of you , letting her out on atrail could be a bit overwhelming for both of you, work her in a round pen , or in her pasture ( but remember working her in her pen may lead to poor response ( Barn sour) , so it might not be an accurate assesment of her, do you have any horsey friends who can help you out, even a local trail riding group , or kids in 4 H might be able to try her out before you do , it sounds like youre more scared than anything, perhaps im wrong, i think she should go fine, its not like were talking an arab , shes a morgan, the original "i think i can" horse shes what, 11 , so she is past any young horse childishness, and i dont think its a problem , you and her have another 10-12 years together, im sure they will be great ones ! Beth

Hi again! Thanks for all of your input! I don't ever plan on doing any competitive riding, only pleasure. I do have a large pasture to start working with her in. I am excited, but in the same sense I am also scared. I have never ridden her. I know that she is broke, but not sure how well she will be in the saddle. I have put a saddle and bridle on her with hardly any problems. So I do know that someone loved her and took good care of her, at least before the last owner she had! I love her very much and have only had her best interest at heart. I think that is why I haven't ridden her in the last 3 years. My weight was always and issue with me. Now I feel good, I have quite a bit of confidence back, and can't wait for this "beautiful" Indiana winter weather to disappear! Happy horsing! Stef

i have seen them now for around 3-5k , which is still kind of pricy , i was toying with the idea of having a big paint mare inseminated from a nice stud , sicne thats only 1000 i know there are a lot of them in florida, i figure by the time i am ready to seriously look at them , the prices will be down a bit more i dont believe in spending that much for a green horse, now, 3-5 k for a dead solid broke horse, then thats a different story

Stef, honey getting back in the saddle at 35 isnt much more than getting into any other sport, walking for endurance, and leg presses for thigh strength , abdominal exercises for proper posture ... its a lot like getting into any other sport, you need to condition yourself, but you can luckily do most of the conditioning you need right from the saddle, but if you feel you need more help in that arena , there are things you can do you know one of the greatest conditioning tools ever invented for horseback riders was that old suzanne summers "thighmaster" those were the same exercises i used to do with my team mates in 4H when i was a kid, i laughed when they first came out, now i comb rummage sales for them . When i had the stable up in North Dakota, and had students, i used to give them to them to get in shape and prepared for the "feel " of a horse, it really does help them become more concious of thier leg cues and aids so am still looking for them , because i know i am going to get another traiing stable going down here in missouri in the next year or so , probobly do a horse B and B but that enough of my prattle for this morning, i have to go ! happy valentines day all ! Beth