HOLD YOUR HORSES
Introducing The Kids to Every Sport Possible
We are a pretty active family. Always have been. My kiddos started to play sports as soon as they could walk. They started with skating and skiing because well… they all grew up in Alberta. Winter prevails here for on average eight months of the year. They loved the mountains and we prioritized spending a lot of time there when they were young, before they had commitments with school and sport teams. We spent most weekends and holidays downhill skiing, cross country skiing, skating, or hiking a different part of the Rocky Mountains.
Swimming
When they started with group sports, swimming was first on the list. What kid doesn’t love to swim? The community swimming lessons that consisted of games and Simon Says were a hit. They loved the swimming! They were even competitive members of the City’s swim team for multiple years. This required a fairly extensive training regimen. Endless lengths of the pool were swam routinely at each practice to build cardiovascular endurance. All three of my children became extremely strong swimmers, but in the end decided to move on.
Soccer
Next up on the hit list was soccer! Yay!! Yeah, we gave it a shot! Not so much. My son fit in perfectly in that he could put on an impeccable improvised version of being injured on the field. It was a performance like no other. All he required was another teammate to be onboard with the plan, and it was on like Donkey Kong. Unfortunately, his acting skills surpassed his talents for soccer and we called it a wash.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics was the next challenge. Surely we would find a sport that one of our children would become passionate about. Now this one seemed to be a hit! My oldest even decided to join the gymnastics pre-kindergarten program for two years. As soon as my second daughter reached the permissible age to join, she was raring to go. At this point my oldest daughter had moved up to Trampoline and tumbling and was happy to throw a wave to her younger sister at the other side of the gymnasium from time to time. She stuck with this for close to a year, but had other plans in the works. Our second daughter continued with gymnastics for quite some time. She was fully invested and was banking dozens of hours of training per week at this point.
Horseback Riding
My oldest daughter had always had a soft spot for animals. Her Grandmother had horses in British Columbia where they often spent time together grooming, feeding, and even riding them at times. It was always her dream to pursue riding as a sport, but my ex-husband and I did everything in our power to push it off as best we could. What do you think we were doing this whole time with all of these other sport intros?
Horses
First
off, horses are huge animals that require a huge amount of space. Horse sports, like eventing, dressage, horse racing, western riding, endurance riding, or grand prix olympic level horse jumping depend on a vast amount of space for a riding lesson to be properly instructed. This is vital at giving the horse plenty of room to expand its fitness levels and make for the best riders possible.
Secondly,
a huge amount of food is required to these animals for the amount of calories they burn throughout the day. Whether they are performing a series of obstacles, racing, vaulting, or jumping a timed event, participating in a rodeo, or simply having a quiet trail ride, these beautiful creatures exert a lot of energy , and must be fed.
Thirdly,
a huge amount of care must go into the maintenance of your horse. Often, competitive horses can suffer from sore muscles and require therapy. All of these aspects of owning and riding a horse come at a huge expense. But, there is no doubt, these animals are incredible.
Transportation of Horses and Living Accommodations
They require a truck and trailer for transport, they require an indoor arena in the winter for training, given the climate that we have idiotically chosen to live in. They require board… like rent… actual money paid out every month for them to have a place to live. Kind of like another mortgage, but forever. (Or at least until they pass on.. in which case I’m sure they would need to be replaced). This rent can range anywhere from $650-$1500 depending on the facility. It also takes into account whether your horse is boarded inside or outside. So… let’s go with somewhere in the middle, like $850 for an average.
Then you have veterinarian bills, and farrier bills. Did you know that they need their teeth done also? They need to be shaved at least twice a year, they need multiple blankets depending on the circumstance, oh … and shoes too. Don’t forget about shampoo, detangler spray, fly spray, and all the other nicknacks. Now, that’s just the horse.
There are many forms of horseback riding. Some horseback riders simply own horses to do the odd trail riding cross-country. Others take horse riding to another level. There are many equestrian disciplines that require a lot of coordination, muscle control, physical exertion, years of training, and hours of practice to become competitive in equestrian events at a professional level. Riding horses and show jumping as an equestrian sport takes stamina and a ton of hard work. It is a very competitive sport and even has its own governing body to oversee that the rules and regulations are followed for the safety of the horses and the equestrian athletes. Equestrian riding is the sport my daughters both fell in love with.
Tack
Now let’s talk tack. You’re going to need a saddle. For your first saddle, you could likely go used since your kiddo is likely going to outgrow it quickly. There are usually posting for used saddles in every town that has an equestrian facility. You can likely even find one through different saddle manufacturers. However, it’s still going to cost you. Then you will need a bridle, and reins to fit. Don’t forget your strips, cinches, bits, riding boots, lead ropes, hoof picks, brushes, feeding buckets, and halters. Most importantly a helmet.
We have the basics now. Here’s where it gets pricey. You will need a coach and lessons for the rider of this horse and when the horse and rider become ready, it’s showtime. Lessons when kiddos are little can run anywhere from $30-$60/per hour. When they are older and more experienced, they become much more expensive. Riders also do their fair share of clinics to improve their skills. These usually consist of a very experienced trainer chosen to host a weekend course on specific skills. These clinics can run anywhere from $450-$650.
Horse shows
Horse shows…here’s where you need to pull out your cheque book. Registration alone is hundreds of dollars depending on how many classes you would like to compete in. If you have a truck and trailer to transport your horse to the show grounds…wonderful! One less cost for you. ( If you don’t count the fuel and wear and tear on your truck and trailer). Then there’s the cost for boarding your horse while you’re there. You’ll need shavings as a base for the floor of your horse’s stall…at least three bags a day, with a good five or six to start you off.
You will have the option to bring your own feed or purchase it from the show grounds. Usually a mix of hay and grain. Water buckets are a must. Your horse will be working hard and they must be filled with fresh water at all times. Don’t forget, after your horse competes, you will likely want to wrap their legs with some ointment to relieve any muscle discomfort they may be experiencing and then give them a nice bath before bedtime.
Now, enough about the horse. Where are you and your family going to stay? Well there’s that. Usually at the show grounds you can reserve a spot at one of their designated camping areas. Most of them do not have services by the way. I mean you already smell like horse… who cares. Or if it’s going to be a longer show, like a week or longer ( and these are real things), you may want to consider an Airbnb or hotel. Airbnb’s are nice because they have laundry facilities, a kitchen, and often are big enough that you can share them with another family. This can bring the cost down somewhat.
She broke us down
My daughter did eventually convince us to allow her join the equine world. She started out with a psycho quarter horse who was completely unpredictable . She stayed with her for a few months at which point we called it a day and got her a little pony. The pony was a bit of a bitch, but taught her a lot. She stuck with the pony for many years and then retired her to my second daughter. (Yes, she added to the equine money hemorrhage from hell as well).
My oldest daughter advanced fairly quickly with her new horse. He was a complete dick, but loved her. They were an amazing team together and a lot of fun to watch. They won almost everything class together. This was great because she started to win prize money to help pay for some of the costs and to have some spending money for herself. She worked extremely hard at the sport. I couldn’t begin to tell you how proud I was to watch her jump that horse.
5 Tips For Succeeding In Equestrian Riding As A Sport:
1. Join a riding club or equestrian team to get social support and structure for your riding practice.
2. Find a horse that is well-suited to your riding abilities and goals.
3. Be willing to invest time and money into training, lessons, and show fees.
4. Stay dedicated to regular practice sessions in order to maintain progress and improve skills .
5. Be open to feedback from coaches, trainers, and other riders in order to continually improve your riding abilities.
We Love Horses
Although riding was last on my list as a sport for any of my children. It taught them many useful skills in life. They always put their horses first. They worked hard to achieve goals and form bonds like no other. My second daughter does not compete anymore, for reasons I will discuss another time. My son rides casually, but plays competitive hockey. (Which is no wear near as expensive… if you can imagine..) My oldest daughter is still very active in the equestrian world. She has found her calling and will likely never let it go. And I tend to agree with what the old saying says… “If your daughter’s riding a horse, then no one is riding her.”
Is there any difference between Western or English style horseback riding?
Yes, there are some differences between Western and English style horseback riding. Western riding typically involves using a western saddle and riding with the reins in one hand, while English riding involves using an English saddle and two hands for the reins. Additionally, Western riders often use spurs to communicate with their horse, while English riders rely on subtle cues such as seat movements or voice commands. Different gaits are also used – Western riders tend to focus more on trotting and loping (cantering) while English riders use more walk, trot, canter, and gallop. Finally, the typical dress of each style is different – Western riders usually wear jeans and a cowboy hat while English riders wear breeches and a helmet.
What are the benefits of riding horses as a sport?
Riding horses as a sport comes with many benefits, both physical and mental. Physically, horseback riding is an excellent form of exercise that helps build strength and endurance while also toning muscles. It can also improve balance, coordination, flexibility, and posture. Mentally, horseback riding is a great way to relax and reduce stress levels. Participating in a sport like horseback riding can also help boost self-confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment. Horseback riding can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels, making it an accessible activity for anyone looking to get active or just have some fun.
What is equestrian sport?
Equestrian sport is a competitive equestrian discipline that involves the use of horses in various disciplines such as dressage, show jumping, eventing, and driving. These sports require a high level of skill and coordination between the horse and rider, as well as excellent horsemanship. Equestrian sport is often divided into two categories – Olympic disciplines, which are those disciplines included in the Olympic Games, and other disciplines such as polo and endurance riding. Equestrian sport is an exciting, challenging, and rewarding way to participate in physical activity and compete with other riders.
Here are some great suggestions on things you may want to look at for equestrian gear:
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