January 2010 Blog Posts (102)

Antiquity Rules

Hey this book sounds very interesting! where did you get it? cheers, Ann.

Added by P.Ann Turner on January 27, 2010 at 6:39pm — 2 Comments

Fast is Not Better: Is there Only One Right Way to Train a Horse?

We need to change the concept that there is only one right way to approach a horse and that the “right way” has already been discovered, and that the horse and human must cater to it, and that the best method is the fastest method. Fast is not better. Relationship is about time spent in connection. We need to recognize that better horsemanship is achieved through being continually educated by the horse; by adjusting our leadership to create a true working bond.

By… Continue

Added by Carolyn Resnick on January 27, 2010 at 10:00am — 4 Comments

Helping the Working Equines of Afghanistan

"Look, Jeremy", the senior officer of a famous British regiment, grabbed me by the arm. "We're breaking our necks trying to win the battle of 'Hearts and Minds' out there. We've built drains and septic tanks, bridges and water systems. But, in Afghanistan, everyone is a livestock farmer - and there are just no vets at all there. I know what SPANA does, and it's just what's needed out there. Can you come and help? Please!"

When I'd recovered from the shock of such a request - and he… Continue

Added by SPANA on January 27, 2010 at 5:35am — No Comments

"Jingles" for Radar from True Innocents Equine Rescue (Riverside CA)

We need your "jingles" - your positive thoughts and well wishes - for Radar.

Donations can be made by visiting www.tierrescue.org/IndividualDonations.htm

.

Sunday afternoon Gail from TIER noticed Radar was uncomfortable. He would eat a mouthful of hay, walk off, stand for a minute and then start walking his enclosure. She took his temperature, which was normal,… Continue

Added by Special Horses, Inc. on January 27, 2010 at 2:00am — 2 Comments

A destitute horse at Sunkissed acres Rescue and Retirement (Summerville GA)

Donations can be made by visiting www.sunkissedacres.com

According to the department of agriculture, this horse simply walked out of the bush onto the highway, and they asked asked Sunkissed to take him on. The vet aged this horse between four and five years of age. He has three shoes - possibly from last year. An old injury, but not lame. He is missing an eye.

He is the skinniest horse Sunkissed has had to date. They are… Continue

Added by Special Horses, Inc. on January 27, 2010 at 2:00am — No Comments

Antiquity rules!

I am a history buff, having studied European History in detail in high School in Jamaica. I am thinking about writing some articles about the men - and some women from the past who literally changed the course of riding and how it evolved to this day, and I mean dating back to Xenophon the Greek and forward! I am so fascinated by the people, their characters and how life was back then, for instance did you know that during the reign of Louis 14th in France, there were 5000 horses at the Royal… Continue

Added by P.Ann Turner on January 26, 2010 at 10:57pm — 3 Comments

Kingsley's Rehab Week 11: 21 minutes

FULL STORY OF KINGSLEY'S REHAB FROM WEEK 1: REHABILITATING KINGSLEY

His majesty managed to lose 5th pair of overreach boots in just as many months. The mud is so bad that they probably just got sucked into it. Winter like the one we have… Continue

Added by Wiola Grabowska on January 26, 2010 at 3:41pm — No Comments

The weather, bibs, gloves, Equine Dental Technician and a cup of tea

Pic.above: Thanks to uncooperative nature of my Mobile's camera I have actually managed to take this rather interesting photograph. It was taken on my today's hack. Poor woodlands, soaked.

Work has returned to 80% of normal but there are some worrying forecasts about the snow returning again in February. I've… Continue

Added by Wiola Grabowska on January 26, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

We Bought Summer!

Yes we did! Its official now. I own a beautiful white and brown 6 yr old Dutch WB X Paint X Welsh pony now. After a LOOOOOOOOOONG and drawn out affair it was, its finally over and I'm happy with my desicion. We are now working towards our first show together as a team in the second weekend in March. Going to start low, like cantering a low course of X-rails, and we'll go from their. I want to be able to complete my last 3 Level's on her and then see where we both are at then.

Well… Continue

Added by Rachel G on January 25, 2010 at 9:30pm — 2 Comments

Balance Exercices: #1

Have you ever felt un-balenced on a horse? I know I have! So here are some exercices to help you stay in balence!

#1 Around The World

Swing your right leg over the front of the saddle, so that you are sitting side saddle. Next, swing your left leg over the back of the saddle so that you are facing backwards. Then swing your right leg over so you are sitting side saddle again, and then swing your left leg over so that you are sitting facing forward again.

Next month… Continue

Added by Sasha Merlin on January 25, 2010 at 9:22pm — 2 Comments

getting on bare back

to get on bare back you must...

1. make sure your horse won't take of and buck when you try to get on (that would be soooo painful)

2. stand on the left side of your horse

3. grab the mane on the bottom of your horses neck

4. step with your left foot, jump and swing your right leg over your horses back

5. if you are not fully up kick with your left foot and pull yourself up

yay!!!! you are finally on!!!!

Added by Lexi Smith on January 25, 2010 at 9:06pm — 3 Comments

From Chair to Saddle: Take it slowly

Unlike four-legged mammals that generally move with a horizontal spine, the human spine is uniquely shaped to allow us to move in multitudes of activities while standing or sitting upright. With the muscles and tendons providing structure, the spine can bend and twist and oscillate. It can also relax and allow us to sit for long periods. Unfortunately, our spine also has a good short-term memory about what it has been doing.

The tissues hold on to what we have been doing. What does… Continue

Added by Sit_the_Trot on January 25, 2010 at 3:48pm — No Comments

Proud & Excited!

Last week, I was invited to become a regular contributor to a beautiful, new magazine called Dogs…Naturally! I’m really looking forward to joining this group of talented people,who are devoted to “my best friends.” The first print issue is planned for this spring. For now, it’s available digitally; isn’t everything these days?

Please follow the link below to learn more about the magazine and download the first issue for free. Please share it with all the dog and animal lovers… Continue

Added by Nancy A. Kaiser on January 25, 2010 at 10:39am — No Comments

Olympian and Barnmice Member Belinda Trussell Wins the GP Special at the Gold Coast Opener CDI!

Canada’s Belinda Trussell Wins GP Special in the Gold Coast Opener CDI

January 24, 2010:

Belinda Trussell and her 10 year old gelding Anton won the Gold Coast Opener CDI Grand Prix Special with 68.25 percent this weekend.

Belinda talked with me this morning about her ride and her horse.

What were the highlights of the test? The whole test felt so energetic and fluent. The highlights were Anton’s piaffe and his extensions at both… Continue

Added by Barbara F. on January 24, 2010 at 1:30pm — 5 Comments

Puttering Around--Then Wimping Out at the Weather

This has been an up and down week. First, on Wednesday it got up to 70 F and it was sunny. Since my riding instructor went to Florida I did not get a lesson. I also had to groomed Mia and got real tired. I rode anyway because it was so beautiful, and I figured if I did anything horribly wrong that I could count on Mia to bring it to my attention. To my surprise I did not ride too badly.

I had been thinking about grooming more because I cannot think of a better warm up…

Continue

Added by Jackie Cochran on January 24, 2010 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Finding the right horse...

After riding for several years, I've decided that it's time to get serious and find a horse to call my own. Finding my first horse is proving to be challenging. I need a seasoned horse that I can handle. I admit that I'm not considered an "advanced" rider yet, and don't want a horse that will prove to be to much for me. Also, I absolutely love jumping, and I need a horse young enough to be able to safely jump.… Continue

Added by Elizabeth on January 23, 2010 at 10:30pm — 4 Comments

Lead the Way

We often get caught thinking our training begins once we have our horse saddled and ready to be ridden. It’s as if we are unconscious or robotic while we perform the repetitious tasks associated with this preparation. If you are trapped in this scenario, you are missing out on a lot of valuable training time. We should remember that as soon as we are within sight of our horse, the training process begins. Does your horse turn to face you as you approach? Does he try to ignore you thinking if he… Continue

Added by Wendy on January 23, 2010 at 2:41pm — 1 Comment

AND A BIG THANK YOU TO UNCLE JIMMY!!

Sadly, one of Uncle Jimmy’s horses was grinched in the Chronicle of the Horse Forums Horse Treat Secret Santa. We volunteered to be a degrincher, and was assigned Uncle Jimmy. But what Uncle Jimmy had planned to do – since, after all, his horses are hardly lacking for treats! – was donate whatever was sent to him to a less fortunate horse – one at an equine rescue. And, knowing that the needs of rescue horses may be unique, he offered instead to donate a very generous check to one of the… Continue

Added by Special Horses, Inc. on January 22, 2010 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Tribute to Old Friends

From Memphis Horses

A touching post on Rerun's facebook page today, made me stop and think about the many, special animal's and horses that have touched my soul and influenced my life. Thanks to that post, I took a few minutes to reflect and say a special prayer for them all.... here it… Continue

Added by Ashlee Pigford on January 22, 2010 at 1:33pm — No Comments

Teaching a horse to ground tie.

I'm of the opinion one of the best things you can do for you and your horse is to teach them to ground tie. Two reasons I like to teach horses to ground tie is for convenience and safety. We have all been there, we are up on our horses and realize we dropped something or we forgot something in the barn or trailer. It may be you need to tend to another rider or adjust someone’s tack, whatever the situation it may require two hands and be in a location where there isn't enough room or be safe to… Continue

Added by Steve Wawryk on January 22, 2010 at 12:46pm — 4 Comments