The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
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48 TheHorse.com THE HORSE October 2015 Aside from joining Horsemasters, which is the adult membership option for USPC, and participating in the club's clinics and other educational activities, Lopatina has taken hunter/jumper lessons regularly at nearby Invicta Farms for the past 3 ½ years. "I really enjoy the variety of tools I am learning while riding dif- ferent horses," she says. "I wouldn't call this my 'time off,' because this is probably the most active riding part of my life. If I owned one horse—that would take a lot of time on its own." Lopatina says she keeps going back to the saying, " 'Most people don't need a $40,000 horse, they need a $1,000 horse and $40,000 in lessons.' So that's what I'm doing. I'm just taking the time and money and spending them on extra lessons. "The better you ride," she adds, "the more people will offer, ask, and trust you with their horses." As far as working on my own skills, I took a few lessons from our city parks and recreation department when I first moved to this area. Over my horseless years, I also brushed up on my equitation with lessons at a combined training barn before taking trips that involved riding. Pack Your Helmet and Half Chaps This brings us to my next suggestion, which is one of my favorites: riding when you travel. Whether it was helping friends gather cattle in a surprise snowstorm on BLM land in Wyoming or enjoying an unguided ride around County Donegal on a brave Irish steed, I've found (or happened upon) ways to ride during trips both domestic and abroad. If you are traveling on a nonhorse- centric trip and happen to be visiting horse-loving friends, express your interest ahead of time in riding on your trip. I'm grateful for some of the unique experi- ences I've had: From a beach ride off the coast of Oregon to a trail ride in the Wind River Range of Wyoming, there have been many opportunities off the beaten tourist path that involved horses. As far as organized riding vacations, which I consider a prime way to immerse yourself in a region, I've taken two—one about a decade ago that was organized by a now-defunct equestrian travel agency, the other more recently by contacting the holiday outfitters themselves. Each had its advantages. For instance, I found that the private outfitters knew the region's residents, the routes, the history, and their own horses. All the details were already taken care of so I could simply saddle up and enjoy a rich visual and cultural ex- perience. Equitours.com is one example of a riding vacation company, and Horse Holiday Farm (horse-holiday-farm.com) is the private outfitter I mentioned. A New Lease on (Horse) Life Kelcie Griffith of Falmouth, Massa- chusetts, took a short break from owning horses after she retired her longtime hunter in college. She rode her trainer's horses on the weekends through school and then faced a decision on how to keep riding regularly when she graduated and went out on her own in 2013. "I did not want to give up riding, and I didn't want to just limit myself to one day a week with a lesson," she says, "so that's why I decided to go with a lease." Griffith signed a contract for a half lease of an Appendix Quarter Horse at her trainer's barn, which allowed her to ride the gelding a few days a week in exchange for paying half of his expenses—shoes, veterinary bills, supplements, etc. "I would go after work and ride him or ride him on the weekends," Griffith says, adding that she also enjoyed being involved with his care, including groom- ing, bathing, and even stall-cleaning. Different regions, disciplines, barns, and owners use varying lease structures and contract types. Prior to beginning your search for a horse to lease, Griffith recommends figuring out what your goals are for that horse and what your price range is. "I kind of got lucky that I'd been riding this horse for lessons when I came home from school," she says. "Maybe see if there is something on-property, because that's less expense than if you have to ship (a horse in). I know leases can range from a free lease to a couple grand a year. And I'd say, honestly, just try (the horse). You don't want to spend a bunch of money on a horse that won't be a good fit." Volunteer Then there are hands-on opportunities that allow you to help horses or horse people without necessarily being in the irons. Early in my time here in Lexington, I had volunteered teaching riding lessons to members of the Lexington Mounted Police. I schooled the occasional horse that was being considered for the unit or that I needed to understand a bit better for more effective teaching. After a long break from this role, I picked it up again last year and found the time back around horses and teaching very satisfying. There are many opportunities to volunteer in the horse community, whether it be serving as a side walker at a handicapped riding facility (visit pathintl. org to find facilities near you) or helping out with chores at an equine rehoming facility. (The staff of TheHorse.com took a day and helped out the Kentucky Equine Humane Center last year with some spring cleaning!) My parents volunteer regularly at a riding center for injured veterans: Mom helps with the horses, and Dad helps with the meals. You can also volunteer with youth organizations such as 4-H and USPC, and you can be a scribe for a dressage show or reining event. Consider helping out as a ring or gate steward at a local show or setting up camp beside a cross-country jump and recording riders coming through—something our news editor, Erica Larson, does regularly. You might even be able to lend a hand at a local barn. Griffith recalls a fellow horsewoman who "just wanted to be at the barn" and inquired about helping BRIAN M. HAINES PHOTO/COURTESY LENA LOPATINA EQUINOMICS Lena Lopatina borrows a generous friend's horse to participate in jumping clin- ics and improve her riding.