trying to convince my mom to let me ride this pony? how?

Ok I want to answer this in 3 sections, the teenager, the mother and the possibility of injury.

Teenager - I really understand your desire to ride other horses. I grew up on a TB horse stud and had my pick of horses to ride (from ones being disposed of). I had my regular horses/ponies to ride (which I did daily), but found these other horses to be a challenge and I felt I was invincible.

I now look back and wish I had spent way more time working on my main horse, she was super and we had a great bond. But I could have done SO much more with her and taken her to the top. She waited patiently for me until she was 20 and her best years were gone, it was then as a young adult that I realised just what I had and what we could have achieved. I lost her at 24 years.

The mother - I now have young children who are riding. It is very hard to watch them riding horses when I know what can happen. My non horsey husband finds it easier as he does not understand fully what can happen and he does not see the warning signs, ears, tail etc.

I don't want my girls hurt, yet I want them to enjoy riding. It is a very fine line to balance. Just take a moment to REALLY think about how your parents feel. Parents just want to protect their children from unnecessary harm. Along with the time it will take her to get you from place to place.

Injury - I've had many falls (like most have). One TB mare reared up and flipped over on me, I managed to push myself sideways and only squashed 1 leg, I still have the saddle with the scratches on it. I have been pretty LUCKY over the years and had some near misses.

However I now have 2 spinal fractures (compression - will never heal) from separate falls. One from a fall in track work (which ended my apprenticeship as a jockey) and the other from a fall off my own horse at home 8 years ago. I am in pain every day, it affects every part of my life. I ask myself often if it was worth it.

I don't want to scare you, I love horses and I still ride today. But think of it like going into a hospital rehabilitation to meet victims of car crashes, it might make you think twice about speeding and driving recklessly. I now consider very carefully if a horse is safe for me to ride, and what my chances are of ending up on the ground. I must feel safe on a horse, as you get older you don't bounce anymore. I don't just get on anything - regardless of what the owner says.

There is risk in riding full stop, regardless of the horse you ride. You need to weigh up the risk of riding these horses and the gain. Consider the possible long term affects on you and your family. Including hospital bills etc if you got injured.

Enjoy your 23 yo and work with your 3 yo. If you put your energy into that baby, lots of ground work, lessons and built a strong foundation you will have a fantastic horse. I don't know what your discipline is, but find out as much as you can about it. Get yourself a diploma in "3 yo horse (don't know his name) and in XYZ (your) discipline/s".

I do say that every horse you come into contact with teaches you something, however you don't need to ride heaps of horse to be good. Build a solid base (you - seat, legs, hands etc) and work as hard as you can in your discipline. Take that 3 yo of yours to the top!

If you feel too embarrassed about the people who answered your ad, simply say that you've had an overwhelming response and will not be able to ride their horse and you apologise sincerely.

Your mum will cool down, good luck.

I kind of see your mom's point of view. If you have two horses already, why are you putting up ads to ride more? And without asking her permission first? I'd say spend as much time working with the two you have. The whole 'I JUST have two horses' thing comes off as spoiled, most people don't have any. If you've got a 3 year old, then it's going to a lot of your time. Not to mention the 23 year old who likely still needs exercise, unless it has a soundness issue.

If you're dead set on it, then tell your mom you can make time to exercise all three. Honestly though, instead of bouncing around to lots of different horses, get to know yours really well. I think the best riders are the ones that have a really strong bond with their own horse.

Try and get experience from your own horses first. Before you just jump into a project like another horse. Are you winning every show with YOUR horses? If you are, great, go to other horses, but if you ain't try and read up on ways to improve your own horses first. You will get good with experience Patience and practise. No matter how bad or good your horses are, you can always improve and teach them new stuff. Challenge yourself, reach goals, yes the same horse can seem boring, but try and work with the horses in your own back yard.

And the lady, tell her the truth, she will understand. Or just tell her your sorry and maybe another time would work better.

Tip or you - ask your mom why not. Ask in an open mind, not anger. You may learn something yet. Good luck,

You should let them know that, although horses have the potential to be dangerous, there will always be a professional present when you take lessons. Remind them how much you love horses and tell them that you will pay for lessons. Have them talk to your friend's parents about why they let their child ride, which might help convince them that while riding is risky, it is safe enough for you to at least try. Say that it is a very wholesome activity that will teach you a lot about responsibility and life. Tell them that they can watch your lessons to show them that it's ok. Promise them that if something doesn't feel right or safe to do, that you won't do it. Extra good behavior and extra help would also work in your favor. Good luck, I hope that you will be able to convince your parents.

Uhm, sorry to say, but I think your mom is right! You should spend more time with your horses, although that is a great idea to get more riding experience by riding other horses... some horses might be crazy, and then you'll be opening a can of worms... maybe just ask your mom if you can go like once a week to ride the horse, and she could watch.

The key to the post from One Bad A$$ Mistake America is they rode lots of different horses in lessons!

You don't have to ride lots of horses to have a "good seat" for some people it just comes naturally, for some people they have to work on it. i know 2 sisters one rides like a sack of potato's and the other looks like she was born on a horse but has never had instruction, so go figure.

You may improve riding other peoples ponies and you may not. i doubt you will improve a great deal without lessons though. if you want to ride other horses so badly go pay for lessons on them where you are covered by insurance.

But why not spend your time and energy having lessons on the horses you do have. some people would die to have 2 horses! i note one bad a$$ mistake america also said they never had their own horse, they never had the opportunity to do what you can. so do it and make your horses well educated and the envy of everyone.

Its very important to ride lots of horses!! I am going to tell my story (in short) but it does have a point. I have been taking riding lessons since I was 6 (but on horses since I was 2, so 13 years total). Anyways, I have never had my own horse, except a racehorse, who only rode once. I tried western pleasure, hus, a tiny bit of dressage, and started to learn to jump, but my lessons were mainly just riding. I can list most of the horses I have ridden, but I can't remember all of them. I never thought I was that great of a rider, but I started riding at a new place, and the lady I take lessons from said wow, you are really good I love your seat, hands, etc. And after only 2 lessons, put me on an oober green appy that gets ridden maybe once a month (not anymore tho!) In only a few weeks I have been able to move on to more advanced stuff, than just circling around. Point is, even though I didn't really have much training in a specific area, riding all those horses over the years (and having over 6 different instructors) made me a better rider than I even knew! Therefore, you should definately tell your mom that in order to gain experience, you really should ride more horses. I'm at a point where I want to have a strong bond with my own horse. But when you start out with only one or two horses, its hard to gain the versatility you need to be competitive on all horses. Tell your mom about all the facts, and tell her that if the horse is at all dangerous (she should trust you to know) that you will tell the lady "Sorry, but I don't feel I can handle your horse." Good luck!!

I agree with kristina. you should have asked your mom. and just tell the woman that your mom said no. she will totally understand. And you do not know this other pony, he may be very bad.

Just read the the blog about the girl who hurt her tail bone. and many wrote in to say they still have problems years later.

You have more than enough on your plate, You just need a plan.

buy the book 101 arena exercises

. when you can do all those on both horses then you will be a better rider.

sorry to say it, but your mom is right. you should have consulted her first, especially if she's going to have to take you to ride the horse because that's taking time out of her day as well. she's probably also worried about your safety. you don't know anything about this fjord, you could get hurt and it'd be your mum paying the hospital bills. also, does the owner of the fjord know how old you are and your riding level?

yes, it's good to ride a variety of horses, but right now you should probably be concentrating on your 3-year-old.

Tell your mom that you ride your horses plenty! And tell her the only way you will learn is to venture out a little more! But, if that doesn't work- then you will need to call the woman and tell her that something came up that was serious and you probably won't be able to exercise her horse and that you are really sorry.