All Blog Posts (4,790)

Saddle Pads: Perfect Fit

I travel from horse show to horse show and see poor-fitting saddle pads all the time. Not enough by itself, some misguided riders often combine a too-short saddle pad with a thick halfpad, creating even more pressure points.

Imagine wearing flip flops where the back of your foot hangs out by an inch. Now go walk for 10 minutes. Comfy? I don’t think so.



So how to avoid that:



1. Buy a saddle pad that fits your…

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Added by Patricia at ECOGOLD on February 24, 2009 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

First NAJYRC Qualifier

February 19-22 at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair in California was our first qualifier for the Junior team. This weekend actually held a lot of firsts for me and Chance. It was our first time showing in California, his first time showing in an Equidome, and his first time showing at the Junior level. He was still a little green going into the competition so I was hoping we would be able to pull it together in the ring. On the warm-up day Chance was good but a little lazy and ended up getting a…

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Added by Catherine Chamberlain on February 22, 2009 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Clearing Up Confusion About Horse Canter Aids

Hi Guys:



Many people are confused about the aid for the canter. What follows are some common questions about the canter and my answers.



Q: I know to ask for the canter it is outside leg behind the girth and inside leg at the girth, however during the canter is your outside leg supposed to stay back or do both legs then become neutral at the girth once the canter is achieved?"



A: Swing your outside leg back ONCE, and then…

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Added by Jane Savoie on February 20, 2009 at 2:00pm — 6 Comments

Are You Ready for a Flying Change?

Before you even ask your horse to do a flying change, there are a number of requirements that should come easily to you and your horse.



1. Can the horse do collected, medium and extended canter?



2. Can the horse do a clean canter walk canter transition? (no trot steps)



3. Can the horse…

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Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on February 19, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

Dream an Impossible Dream

Do you ever dream an impossible dream? Although you might think this week's quote is from Frank Sinatra, it is actually from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.

Download and print the newest To Do List from my blog.

Believe an impossible dream today!

Added by Karen Brenner on February 19, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Make Good Riding Your Habit

Correct Fundamentals help you "do the right things right".



As a rider, you need to put the fundamentals in place so that the right things happen by habit. Good riders ride well, because their right habits are so ingrained into their philosophy and their thought processes that they do routine things without thinking.



Developing the correct habits…

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Added by Tim Stockdale on February 16, 2009 at 6:00pm — 3 Comments

Shakespeare in love ...

Lest anyone think that Valentine's Day is going to pass us by without a jaunty love missive from one Shakespeare the Equine, let me not disappoint you but offer, herewith, his ode to one fair filly who lives down the aisle ... Happy Valentine's Day!!!





Fair Damsel

To Fergie



Is it thine amorous eye

That seizes mine awareness,

Or the wistful yearning of thy

Tender whispers in mine attentive ear?

I know not save the craving…

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Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 14, 2009 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Responsible Horse Ownership

In light of recent events I feel compelled to write about "responsible horse ownership". While this may seem best suited for the new or first-time owner, I have seen hard evidence that many "experienced" horse owners may benefit from the following as well.



A common state amongst professionals serving the equine community is one of bewilderment. Many of us visit farms, barns & private acreages, seeing what I describe as "WWYT syndrome"; or, "What Were You Thinking?" While I…

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Added by Kevan on February 13, 2009 at 11:00pm — 3 Comments

A horse of a different colour

Hello and best wishes to you all from our winter wonderland at Riversong Ranch in Alberta.



This being my first blog here on Barnmice I’d first like to say what an honour and privilege it is to be invited to join the ranks of such renowned colleagues as Jane Savoie, William Micklem and Tim Stockdale.



I’d also like to say right up front that I believe it is truism that a writer should only express opinions about what he or she has proven themselves to know something…

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Added by Chris Irwin on February 13, 2009 at 4:00pm — 12 Comments

How to Train and Ride the Free Walk

Hi Guys,



Today, let's focus on the Free Walk.



1. What is the free walk? The free walk is a gait of relaxation.



2. What should it look like?



* Your horse should lengthen his frame and lower his head and neck so he looks like he's going to graze. His poll is lower than his withers.

* He should open the angle at his throatlatch so his nose points a bit forward, and he looks like he's stretching toward the bit.

* His strides become longer so…

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Added by Jane Savoie on February 13, 2009 at 10:00am — 2 Comments

Are You Always Busy? Read this quote . . .





Are you always busy? The world can seem hectic at times. This week, why don't you print the To Do List and write down one thing you will do to relax on each day of the calendar?



I'm going to write: Take time to smell the horses!



Here's a link to the printable To Do…

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Added by Karen Brenner on February 12, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

Brenda Minor: 5 top questions riders ask regarding judging

Now that is an interesting question. The rules are very clear that should a rider at a competition have a question for the judge, they must first ask permission to do so through the steward or technical delegate. An excellent tactic, in that it usually means there will be some emotional involvement and the presence of a third party may allow for some coolness of thought. However, in my experience, riders do not ask judges anything. I believe it is the general perception that to talk to a…

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Added by Joanna @ Red Scarf Equestrian on February 11, 2009 at 3:30pm — 5 Comments

Crooked Riders = Crooked Horses: Develop Your Awareness of Balance and Symmetry





Crooked Riders = Crooked Horses: Develop Your Awareness of Balance and Symmetry



Like many young girls, I grew up carousing around my neighborhood bareback on my pony. The saddle came out for 4-H, otherwise, I stuck to her sleek back like glue. In college, I went on to work for a dressage trainer, never thinking that moving with the motion of a horse could be a problem. In my mid-20s, lured north to the arctic, I quit riding. I moved with my husband to the Brooks…

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Added by Sit_the_Trot on February 10, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Horse Travel Tips 'n Tricks

TRAVEL TIPS 'N TRICKS:



Plan ahead! (Preparation is less stressful and you’ll be happy you did)

Cool eye packs and neck pillows is a must when traveling. They provide relief and relaxation especially when you return from a dusty horse park.

Consider the climate (always pack a small telescopic umbrella)

Remember Important documents and necessities (this should be done at least 2 months prior)

Reserve anything important in advance (don’t assume anything)…

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Added by Joanna @ Red Scarf Equestrian on February 10, 2009 at 9:30am — 2 Comments

Sitting on a moving horse with ease, grace, supple posture, and a deep seat = Sit The Trot!





In 1733 F.R. de la Guérinière lamented that to bring out the beauty of our horse we need “an air of ease and freedom… a controlled yet supple posture...depth of seat” but riders weren’t working to achieve it.



And today? Despite knowledge of biomechanics and physiology elegance and control on a moving horse eludes many of us, Some riders don’t take the time to work on themselves. Others strengthen and stretch, yet they still struggle. Many think they just ride that way,…

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Added by Sit_the_Trot on February 10, 2009 at 12:30am — 2 Comments

A Safety Checklist for You and Your Horse



Always have in your mind that horses are unpredictable animals, not machines. Our familiarity can lead to taking liberties and accidents occurring.



How many of these practices are on your own safety list?



1. Always wear clothes and boots that are designed for riding.



2. ALWAYS wear a riding helmet that fits you correctly and complies with current standards.



3. If you are young, your horse is misbehaving, you are out of practice or you…

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Added by Tim Stockdale on February 9, 2009 at 1:30pm — 7 Comments

Excited to be back in the saddle so to speak!

Gosh, it has been a very difficult past few years with my children but finally have them all straightened out and happy so now it is mommy's turn! Have a few personally goals - started to lose weight last year and then hit a platue so back at it again as this year is MY YEAR! With no truck it gives me the time I need to prepare for showing in 2010. We had two unexpected foals last year at the same time, we lost our grand old broodmare Different Season - one of the few remaing CH Kourageous…

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Added by Andrea Hard on February 9, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

Questions (and Answers) About Horse Worms with Dr. Dan



Questions (and Answers) About Horse Worms with Dr. Dan

Equine Wellness "Fecal Test Article" with Dr. Dan





What process does a fecal test typically follow?



Personally we do a fecal floatation test which concentrates…

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Added by The Natural Horse Vet on February 8, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

Lauren Bode's Horseyscope Right on the Nail

Okay if this wasn't right on the nail or what for February (and we are only on day 8, so far).



Aries - March 21 - April 19



Your expertise will be needed this month more so than ever. It appears that you are suddenly being seen as the great trainer you are with your gentle and effective methods being brought to the forefront and put on display. Just enjoy the compliments. Taking some time for yourself and your horse will be uppermost in your mind, it will be beneficial…

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Added by Diana on February 8, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

Cinch Magazine- The Great Bitless Experiment

Cinch Magazine will be pursuing the 'Great Bitless Experiment' in the summer of '09 to determine, once and for all, the effectiveness of riding bitless versus bitted. Our study will include: well-broken horses, green horses, a nervous pony and starting a horse under saddle with the bitless bridle. We will be using a variety of different riders: adults, children, begginer to advanced. If the bitless experience works out for schooling, we will also try it in the competition ring!



We…

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Added by Heather Frydendahl on February 8, 2009 at 12:00am — 5 Comments

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