Forums » Smalltalk » AMA: Aussie Horse rider and ‘outback’ kid

So. Not entirely sure how this works but I’m chocked full of horse and livestock farming facts/knowledge if anyone’s interested. Even anything to do with Australia I could answer too. Though I’m not much of a city kid so my knowledge around there is limited. I grew up an hour from the nearest town on a sheep farm for most of my life!

What got you interested in horses? What is your favorite breed of horse?

What is the most interesting thing about Australia?

My own horse riding experiences are limited; I spent a week on a ranch in Colorado years ago.

I was told there's two styles of riding, Western and English. Do you favor one over the other? Or is there more techniques than that?

Also, any tips for how to make it so my butt doesn't feel like it's been paddled for hours in the saddle or do I just need to get used to it?

I’ve had horses since before I could walk. My mum has had them since she was a teen. I was mostly a ‘backyard’ rider but got serious a few years back when I started doing small competitions and lessons. The main reason I got so into horses was my last pony. He was a dressage pony who was super experienced and taught me everything he knew.

My favourite breed is the Arabian Arab horse (not the Egyptian variant. They are different). I just love their spicy temperament and flowing movement. A well bred Arab horse will look almost like they’re floating over the ground. Welsh ponies will always have a place in my heart though. They’re so cheek and mischievous but so reliable. Pity they like eating too much

As for Australia, the emu war that we lost was probably the biggest laugh most people enjoy. But uhhh. The magpies are like the mafia. If you wrong them, they will find you. But if you feed them, they’re super friendly and pretty to listen to

There’s three technically: English, Western and Stock. But stock can be a sub catergory of western if you squint. I am an English rider and I focus on dressage, which for non horsey people, it’s like the ballet of horse riding. Eventing is a three phase event that I dabble in. It has dressage, showjumping and cross country. I ride eventing for the adrenaline rush mostly lol.

The first week will have you feeling like you’re right out of a western cartoon with that wierd wide step hobble . But it does get better as you get used to it. I think ranches have either stock or western saddles so I recommend sitting more on your butt, like reclining in an armchair or coach.

I don't know to much about Australia but from what I understand it can get very dry there. Do you have a hard time making sure the horses (and sheep) have enough water? And does the dust/sand have an affect on them? Or the heat? (Sorry so many questions at once there.)

Would you ride in an arena or did you prefer to ride in the fields/on trails?

I haven't gotten to ride for years but I as always curious about how other places would ride and take care of their horses.

Well. Australia is just as diverse in dry and wet as America is. The ‘outback’ where I spent most of my young childhood had massive dams ‘small lakes’ to catch the water we did get. There were a few summers where drought had us worried and you would get livestock sales selling animals for cheap. But thankfully I’ve never had to worry. I’m much more south now and so it’s actually quite green here. Really good grazing soils and water now. We have to worry about the animals eating TOO much rather than not enough

For horses, sand and dust can actually cause a condition called colic. It’s one of the biggest horse killers unfortunately. And basically it’s a really bad stomach ache from the sand and dust sitting in their guts. I’ve been lucky… but I’ve seen images of bad sand colic before and the vets can pull out a lot of sand from a horses internals. Heats not too bad of a factor. Horses can survive just about any ‘normal’ human temperature with 12C being their ideal. So they prefer the cooler side but can handle up to 40C depending on the breed and age.

I actually ride in both an arena and go for trail rides! Arena work is where I train for competitions and practice ‘fancy’ moves. Or where I’ll break in a young horse. Trail rides are like a well deserved break for both of us. Enough movement to keep the horse happy and healthy but no added stress of remembering tests or moves… instead the trees have scary monsters inside them

I’m actually plotting to take my horse for a ride down the road and get food from the drive through of a local McDonald’s when it finally opens lol. I’ve ridden them to a servo (gas station) and bought food for us and taken them for trail rides that lasted hours! They’re okay tho. And they live seeing the kids that we pass down the street

Who's your favorite horse and do you have pictures to share?!

I do have favourites. My first dressage horse, Casino (Cas) was my precious boy. Such a sweet natured gentleman with enough sass and spice to keep things interesting. He’s the high level dressage horse that taught me almost everything I know about horse riding. He passed a few years ago but he had a good last few years of his life.

The current favourite is a spicy and slightly traumatised Arab warmblood named Scout. We think he was hit with a whip when his riders fell off but he’s come so far in the year and a bit I’ve had him for. Hopefully he’ll be a good boy and go far in the dressage world

This is Cas



This is Scout