Wonderful topic! Many of the things on your list match my own.
Especially:
mydaddysjag said:
When a three year old was still considered young and green, just starting its show career.
When a gelding was considered a valuable horse by nearly everyone involved with showing.
Not having to body clip and do facials once a week for shows.
Being able to ride.
Having a rated show within 1-2 hours of home nearly every weekend in the summer.
I still cannot believe my colt, whom I consider
barely old enough to start in light work, is going to be considered a "senior gelding" this year. It's ridiculous!
Along with the things you mention, I miss the power of a big horse. I miss the grace and beauty, the heavy rhythmic thump of their hooves, the sheer pleasure of running a brush over that much smooth muscle. I miss my back not aching after a grooming!
I miss "clipping for a show" meaning whiskers, bridle path and fetlocks.
I miss the healthy physical exertion of grooming, mucking and riding. I miss being able to hop on and go for a quick ride with no more prep than a brush and a halter. I miss being able to trail ride; around here, the nearest driveable trails are an hour's haul away. I miss lunging up a hill at a gallop with those powerful muscles surging beneath me. I miss having a truly local club to be a member of- I grew up with 4-H and saddle clubs and now it's just me and one local friend...I do not consider meetings 1.5 hours away to be "local!" I miss being able to run to the local tack store and pick up what I need. I miss knowing that "Size X" will always fit and be well-made. I miss being able to throw my saddle in the trailer, load the horse and take off for the day. Even a short drive is a big production with the cart and harness! I miss having a decent choice in bits without having to scour the world. I miss being able to give the silver a quick polish, swipe some LeatherNew across a broad expanse of saddle and call my tack "cleaned." Those little brass buckles and endless harness straps will be the death of me yet!
I miss the smell of warm horse and that big soft nose in my hand and having my horse press his head to my chest while I rub his ears. I miss the ear-blasting trumpet call he made when he missed me. I miss that short slick summer coat and still being able to see the shape of my horse under his winter coat.
mydaddysjag said:
I don't miss:The feed bill
Horse shoes.
I have to admit, life is a lot cheaper without those. I'm even learning (reluctantly) to trim my own horses' feet! Never thought that would happen.
I love that one bale of hay lasts for a week or more. I watched someone with a Haflinger unload an entire bale of hay from their tack room at a show for the
first day's feed and giggled as I unloaded four flakes to last the whole weekend.
I really don't miss the pain that comes with getting stepped on by a full-sized horse; the minis do it and I lift my own foot and shake them off.
I appreciate the fact that all I get when a mini kicks me in the leg is a very bad bruise (and a sore throat from yelling at them). I love that they have so much more stall space per horse at a show than the big guys do, although I do miss them being able to see out. I don't miss the gallons of pee/complete soaking of a stall in one night. I don't miss hauling huge heavy buckets of water several times a day at a show. I miss having the choice of small local shows or big rated events- if I want to show the driving horses, it's rated mini events or combined driving shows way down south. Period. 4-H shows here have driving now but only for 4-H members. I don't miss the experience of training my own or interacting with a big personality as I get that in plenty with the little guys!
I do love the minis, they have a unique charm and are far easier for someone on a small budget to care for, but as soon as it's feasible I want another riding horse.
RhineStone said:
So I guess what I am saying is, while you can't "ride", you can have it all with driving your minis!
Theoretically, at least. The sad reality is in many parts of the country there are no driving events at all, never mind any of the fun ones you're mentioning. You are very lucky to live near such things.
Leia