February 2008 Blog Posts (17)

Thought for the day -- IX: That darn left lead ...

No quotes today, folks, just a moment to expound upon the frustration of the elusive left lead pick up.

It's elusive because I'm not nailing the cues Mr. Bear needs to make it happen. He asks me "Is this what you want?" as he throws his head up and moves into a faster trot; "Or is this what you want?" as he slows down to do the little prance thing that he thinks I'm requesting? "No buddy, that's not it!" I respond as patiently as I'm able. I half halt to rebalance and attempt again to…

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Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 29, 2008 at 3:47pm — 2 Comments

Thought for the day -- VIII: "To become ..."

"To become what we are capable of becoming is the only end of life."

Robert Louis Stevenson

I don't know about you, but I'm still working at "becoming" that of which I am capable -- in my case as a rider, a writer, a singer, an artist ... a human being. Life is about the journey and all its twists and turns and surprises, and how we deal with them as we move toward our destiny. This reminds me of a poem I wrote some time ago:

The…

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Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 29, 2008 at 3:44pm — No Comments

Space Shuttle Design determined by the Horse's Ass!

History and knowledge never go away.

Be sure to read the final paragraph, but your understanding of it will

depend on the earlier part of the content.

The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. That's an exceedingly odd number.

Why was that gauge used? Because that's the way they built them in England , and English expatriates built the US…

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Added by Linda Weldon on February 29, 2008 at 11:14am — 1 Comment

Riding in Portugal and Spain

HI - has anyone any tips on where to go for a riding holiday in April - want somewhere with a nice hotel to keep my husband happy and also somewhere that can cater for beginners and intermediate lessons and hacks... Somewhere warm! Cheers, Sam

Added by Sam Lewis on February 28, 2008 at 2:49pm — No Comments

Hey All!

Its my first blog post! Yay! Hehe... Anywho, I just wanted to do a little intro to my blog thingy. I'll try to post any new stuff that comes up in my horsey horse loving life! Not that most of you really care but oh well! Maybe somethings will strike you as interesting.

Currently I've but shut off from any horse interaction, but I hope to find a cool riding barn soon and maybe start some western riding and barrel racing! Who knows??

Ok well thats all for now! I'll post more…

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Added by Maryrose on February 24, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Riding Fun

One time, when my friend, Maryrose, was at lessons, something happened. I am regretting not being able to go, since I wish I could have seen it for myself. But she said that, as the horse she was riding advanced toward a jump, she went over. Yeah, she went right over the horse's ears and on to the ground. I have never fallen off, so I wouldn't know what it's like. She said that it's fun going through the air...then it's gets old once you hit the ground.

Added by Heather on February 24, 2008 at 9:34am — 6 Comments

Thought for the day -- VII: "Sometimes ..."

"Sometimes no thought is the best thought." Dorothy McDonall

This is "Give the Brain a Rest Day."

Ciao

Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 23, 2008 at 5:52pm — No Comments

Thought for the day -- VI: "Don't be afraid ..."

"Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps." David Lloyd George

 

I like the word "if" in this quote. How many times do we take a big step -- like moving up a level in the show ring or learning new dressage movements, etcs. -- when we really ought to be focusing on mastering what we're doing right now? I get caught up in that sometimes. I think to myself "Oh, I should be riding at this level," or "Bear and I need to do…

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Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 22, 2008 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Two Horses







I received this email and thought I would pass it along…



Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.…

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Added by Murray Manson on February 21, 2008 at 7:30pm — No Comments

Thought for the day -- V: Ode to Caydon Hay

Today we grace you with the poetic ramblings of my surprisingly literary equine partner, Shakespeare -- just for fun. It was written between mouthfuls (of hay, of course), November, 2006. Here goes:

What luscious forage through mine

Velvet lips doth pass?

Ah! Tis sweet, tis delicious

This dried and texturous grass.

Said soft and fragrant stems and leaves

Seem far too good to eat.

But neigh! Tis best to sup than

Leave it lying at…

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Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 21, 2008 at 3:49pm — 3 Comments

Thought for the day -- IV "In partnership with a horse ..."

"In partnership with a horse, one is seldom lacking for thought, emotion, and inspiration." Charles de Kunffy

There's no doubt about it, a life with horses is forever stimulating. Whether on the ground, or in the saddle, time spent with a horse is an exercise in self-awareness and being "in the moment." This was something that it took me an awful long time to learn. My first leap to self-awareness was as an intern at CornerStone Farms 13 years ago while I was working toward my…

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Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 20, 2008 at 11:00am — No Comments

Thought for the day III -- " ... through his mane and tail ..."

"... through his mane and tail the high wind sings, fanning the hairs, who wave like feather'd wings." William Shakespeare

I just had to share this as I imagine the wind blowing through my own Shakespeare's mane and tail as he yahoos! at high speed around the arena to get the bugs out before I get on him, especially in this weather. It is such a marvel to watch him exercise himself -- he is so joy-filled and such a show off!!!

Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 19, 2008 at 3:05pm — 3 Comments

Habitat for Horses Adoptable Horse of the Week!



Calista

Breed: Paso Fino/QH cross

Sex: Mare



YOB
: 1999

Weight: 860lbs

Height: 14.3 hh

Arrival date: Sept. 2005…

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Added by Emily at Habitat for Horses on February 19, 2008 at 11:00am — 1 Comment

Mr. G. DeLully put down

Sad news to hear...

British Equestrian Team member Fiona Bigwood has lost her number one Grand Prix horse Mr G de Lully. The Swedish bred gelding had to be humanely put down after he sustained 7 fractures between his hoof and fetlock bone. He was out in the sand paddock and wearing boots and bandages at the time of the accident.

Added by Linda Weldon on February 19, 2008 at 10:23am — No Comments

Thought for the day -- II: "We are responsible forever ...

"We are responsible forever for the things that we tame."

Antoine de Saint Exupery from "The Little Prince."

My first exposure to this author and his lovely book "The Little Prince" was as a little girl in London, England. It was a book my mother often read to my brother and I before bed. Part of its charm is how it is both wise and whimsical, as well as beautifully illustrated. If you have never read it, I highly recommend that you do ...…

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Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 18, 2008 at 5:00pm — 1 Comment

Thought for the day: "Go as far as you can see ..."

... "Go as far as you can see. When you get there, you will be able to see further." ~ Thomas Carlyle ~

We cannot always see the light at the end of the tunnel; especially on those days when life has dealt us a blow and we are smack dab in the abyss of that dark moment.

I was involved in a freak riding accident once that, unfortunately, claimed the horse's life. Though I was unhurt physically, I was left devastated and emotionally shattered for a while. I recall lying in bed…

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Added by Dorothy McDonall on February 18, 2008 at 2:00pm — 1 Comment

Habitat for Horses Adoptable horse of the Week





Summer Sahara

Summer


Breed: Arabian Cross

Sex: Mare

DOB: 1994



Color
: Grey

Height: 14.2 hh

Arrival

Date
: May 2006

Location:

Cleveland,… Continue

Added by Emily at Habitat for Horses on February 13, 2008 at 11:17am — 3 Comments

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