I am preparing to train Dressage and need a pair of paddock boots, black preferred that tie not zip. I've looked on Ebay and can't find my size 8.5 wide width if possible and don't want to buy from a catalog. If anyone has a good gently used pair that fits what I am requesting and would sell them I would be interested. would like a photo of them and general condition- they need to last me at least 1-2 years. Thanks- just email me

Hi..........friends: HopeWell Ranch, a not-for-profit organization in Weidman, MI, is in DIRE NEED OF HAY. They need either bales or rolls, asap. If you know anyone who can donate this hay, please contact the ranch below immediately. OR: send a monetary gift which is TAX DEDUCTIBLE to HOPEWELL RANCH in any amount you can afford and in the "memo" line please write HAY fund. THANKS-- AND PASS THIS ALONG TO ANYONE YOU KNOW!!! HOPEWELL RANCH Jodi Stuber, Owner [email protected] 650 N SCHOOL ROAD WEIDMAN, MI 48893 989-644-5965 or 989-289-0465 http://www.hopewellranch.org is the official website of the ranch thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicole --Thanks for the reply --- I know my center of balance will change and it's going to be interesting how my seat will have to be more "ative" I am really looking forward to it. One thing I hadn't thought about was the loose skin... that's gonna be weird. Right now the sitting trot is difficult at best --- especially if my horse's back is not connected and that's often as I have a 1/2 Arab / 1/2 saddlebred whose back is LONG.... I will definitely take your advise on the girdle.... He is a GREAT BIG mover and can really extend. I have been really "dinged" in the show ring in the trot b/c of mh unsteady hand / weight in the sitting trot -- my hands bobbing make him appear uneven or even lame. (which he isn't) because in the posting trot - he is just fine... This is one of the reasons I am having this surgery. He deserves better! And my riding deserves better.. it's just not fair for me to expect him to be athlete and not due the time with him. Thanks for the response - and happy trails.

Hi Jennifer, I aint much of a dressage rider, i'll use certain excersises for bending and flexing. But fact of the matter is a seat is a seat, no matter what style you ride. What your noticing is the change in center of balance. When we are heavier riders, we like to put and ride on our butts, instead of being more upright on foreward towards the crotch. Sorry for the wording but no other way to put it. We have to put more weight to the back and in our butts because of weight we carry in the front. If we has heavy people try to ride correctly, we throw our selves off balance and the horse as well. So right now you are noticing a shift and you will constantly. I am 10 1/2 months post op, down 158lbs. I quit riding at 310 my heighest weight was 400. I wasnt going to put a horse threw that, not even a draft. But now at 232, Riding is so much different, I have had to teach myself to ride more towards the crotch, or else my posts will be slamming down on the horses kidneys. It is odd to notice the change and adjust yourself as you go. But riding becomes easier and so much more fun. But that center change is what you are noticing, and it will keep changing. But you must adjust as you go. But lemme warn ya now, if you think you are going to have loose/ hanging skin, sitting trots are a nightmare unless you are wearing a girdle!!!! That will throw your balance and the horses balance off real bad and really quick. Learned that the hard way,I've already trained my horse for huntseat and english pleasure, and I am in the process of getting her to learn to jog to put her western once in a while, yes a tuff thing to do with a OTTB. Can we say bad things happen with sitting trots no matter how slow. LOL. Im pretty honest about things that happen with WL, even when people don't want to hear it nor realize what things will come about, cause you dont expect it. So if you ever want to talk or want to know more of my riding experience changes feel free to email me (u can get to it from my profile). *~*Nicole*~*

Milissa, You will enjoy it 100 times more. I already have 100 times more confidence than I did before, and as much as I hate to say this, I was a pretty confident/ ****y rider before. Wasn't nothing I wouldnt ride or take on. But I don't mean ****y in a bad way just I knew my abilities and ways with horses. I never did show, I was never a small girl. But at camp shows and that I was a force to be reconked with. I would compete against thoes that were far smaller and riding longer than I had been, and win classes hands down. I know there were times I was placed lower just for the sake of other girls ego's. Which was no big deal to me. I know the feeling of horses leaving your life. They have been my passion since I was 1 and a half years old. As my mom says, my cousin got a Barbie horse for her birthday I seen it and would not let go of it. All I know is the years of absence from my life turned me into a different person. Horses are my relaxation and happiness, without them i was miserable. And I know my horse was my only reason for "living". If I had not had her, I would have never met the friend *****ally opened up the idea of WLS to me. My horse was the only thing that kept me plugging along in life though too, because I wanted her to see a happy loving life. Which means I needed to be around. I am not like many who will sell a horse, she is family plain and simple. And after some research I found she is from a long line of horses with long life spans......im talking 85% were 27 to 32 yo when they died. Well ok I have babbled enough. But if ya ever just wanna chat about whatever you can email me. Its always fun to make new "horsey" friends, they are always the most loyal too. *~*Nicole*~*