Hi ladies! I'm sorry it has taken me sooooooo long to reply to your posts! This last few months have been WILD for me and mine. I had my surgery on 8/29. Then, in October, I attended a conference in Chicago (I live in WV). In November, hubby was off-work and ill for 3 weeks. When he's only normally home every 10 to 12 days and then only for 3 or 4 days at a time, 3 weeks at home is almost enough to drive you out of what is left of your mind! Then, once he was back to work, Christmas was coming.... You all know what it is like! I appreciate all the feedback regarding me and my mare. She is already showing pretty well... She's due in March some time. I have dropped to 310 now (100 pounds gone forever!), but I think I'm still going to wait till late spring before I even consider riding her. In the meanwhile, my daughter (175 pounds) rides her and they love their time together... I'll get my chance soon enough and, since I'm waiting till spring, it won't be as hard on either of us! I've requested to add each of you to my friends list. I'd love the chance to chat more when we are all able! Hugs, Lea in WV

I was told I could ride two months after surgery.

I know that pain of not being able to ride or even work with horses. When I was 15 I stopped riding, I just felt I was getting to big to ride. At 280lbs. Well I stuck around in the horse field for a couple more years but other demands came up. So I lost my connection with horses all together. Finally when I was comming up on my 21st b-day I said to hell with no horses in my life and bought my mare. Granted knowing I couldn't ride her or anything, do to I was about 360lbs. But the companionship of a horse is one of lifes treasures.So I had to crash course my then 14yo sister on correct riding and training. Needless to say she nearly has velcro on her butt now, she rides awsome (takes a bow), We has serious arabian show people around here beggin for her to ride for them. Well I am comming up on 24yo...yeah I know Im "old" lmao, but I feel 10 years younger than I did last summer. I am alittle over a year out from surgery and I finally get to say, well I did this in the summer. I finally got to ride my horse, after 2 years of having her. It was a fantastic thrill and wonderful knowing I still could ride just as damn good as I used to, actually better Im smaller than I was when I first started riding. Ok granted I have ridden since June, she came down lame pretty bad on and off for the last 5 months. Which I finally have her out of and is ridable again. She's an ex racehorse spent her 2yo-7yo years on the track. But now my sister (16 now) and me are starting to set up a training base. Its so much fun. Since she rides so correctly and only weighs 130lbs we can even train ponies. Which is hard to do, to find someone who knows ponies, their antics, and attitudes, but also is a good rider and sized right to do the job. We currently are working with my mare, yes granted under normal cir****tances she would have been finished a while ago, but because of all the race in her I wanted her to recoup and get to be a horse more than anything. But we are looking at the show ring this spring. We have 2 Hackney ponies we are working with, one a fresh started, the other is broke but was allowed to get away with everything so she has some nasty habits. And my best friend just bought a gorgeous AQHA Gelding, sadly I found him and would have bought him if I had the money to. But hey thats ok my friend can pay for him and such but we struck the deal of I train him for free my sis gets to show him for free. He's only 2 1/2 yo. A dunalino, yes dunalino. Its dun like markings all in Palomino shades. More foundation bred (thank the lord, I do not like these TBy QHs out there now, granted I own a TB but she looks more QH than most supposed QH's these days. Well at 16.1 1200lbs and "hips" & butt to boot, with a gorgeous head too, that isnt your typical TB. Why do ya think I picked her out of so many, lol. Ok that was a ramble, lol. As for jobs I really am not sure what is available out there right now. I know grooms for Arab and hunterjumper circuit are paid good money. But can't go much farther than that. Well feel free to drop me a line if ya want to chat. Nicole

Hi Carolyn! I read your post. Boy...can I relate to you. Have you got your date set yet? Hear anything about a horse job yet? Best of luck...hope to chat soon Susan =0)

Hi Lea, My name is Karen I live in Phoenix, Arizona. I just found this website tonight so I am brand new in here. Oh my gosh!! When I read your note it was MEEEEEEE!!! I had no idea when I found this site earlier tonight that I would find people in here sooo much like me. I am grateful I did, so now I know I truly am not alone in some of the ways I think and what my goal is for the future. In my younger thinner years (about 15 years ago) I used to break and train and also show horses. Back then horses were my life and my biggest love...to tell you the truth they still are although sadly enough currently I do not have one. I was envolved deeply in the horse show world, 4-H and helping the kids, giving riding lessons to kids. Currently I weigh aprox 365 pounds, also have bad knees, and am afraid I would squish a horse if I tried to ride one...or not be able to fit in the saddle at all. I do not have any way currently to even get the surgery so I am reaching out to try to learn all I can about what other people have done to get it. I do not have any insurance at all, and by far do not have the means to pay for the surgery in cash. Myt vredit is not great either as a bad divorce 3 years ago ruined that. So this is going to be an uphill battle. However my love for horses and the longing to one day be able to ride again is what is keeping me going on this painful search. I so desperately want to ride again. I would love to be able to talk to you and be email buddies. I would like to hear how you are doing or have done stage by stage. To answer your question about being able to ride your pregnant mare. I do agree with another person who wrote you, I would not ride her much past the 9 month mark. Exercising her is good, alot of on foot walking will keep her limber and her muscle tone good which will also help in delivery, but no stress weight on her back after that point. I wish you success in your surgery and the results there after. From one horse girl to another! I hope to back back up there again someday myself. If you know of anyone who has suggestions on better ways to get the surgery for someone in my position please let me know. Also just write and say hi sometime! Take Care Karen