April 2010 Blog Posts (107)

Sigh. Ah well, there is ice cream...

... and I did ride my horse for the first time! *happy dance* :D

Added by Ferrous on April 17, 2010 at 10:00am — 7 Comments

Starting and running a 501(c)3, or how to use up all your free time (16 April 2010)

Even before we had finished Secret Santa 2008, Colleen and I were kicking around ideas for another fundraiser. February is typically a very slow time for donations, because it's after the holidays (when those credit card bills come due) and before taxes. Working on our "dribble theory," we hatched an idea for a fundraiser that would, at the very least, give some equine 501c3 groups increased exposure, as well as net them a bit of cash.

The idea was simple: we invited the groups who had… Continue

Added by Special Horses, Inc. on April 16, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

The Days Are Getting Longer

It's been a busy week, but I was saving Thursday evening for a ride. One of the disadvantages of my job is that I do not get off until 5:30 pm. It's been impossible to get home and ride before darkness falls. Last night I rushed home, changed clothes, got Jessie ready, and was saddled by 6:15.

Our neighbor was out and about and I asked if we could use his arena. He said yes. This was a real treat for us because the rains had the ground packed and it wouldn't be too dusty. We went over… Continue

Added by John Harrer on April 16, 2010 at 2:46pm — No Comments

Back on track - and Making Tracks

Monday April 12, 2010

Back on track and making tracks

It Poured rain last night – very late season storm for Southern California. But Robin and I agree that…

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Added by Monica Whitmer on April 16, 2010 at 2:00pm — 1 Comment

It's never too early to start training your horse

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Added by Clinton Anderson on April 16, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

Is Your Upper Body in the Proper Position?

How should my upper body be as I ride?…

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Added by Julie Goodnight on April 16, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

The Resume of One Horse Husband

Over the past 7 years, I have watched as my girlfriend has returned to making horses and riding a significant part of her life. She rode as a kid, and now as an adult is 'returning to the saddle' and building on what she has loved from an early age.

She has held various positions since I've known her: barn help, working student, apprentice trainer, and now horse owner. Each one has expanded her expertise and given her the confidence to plan for the time when we will have a place of… Continue

Added by Green-Broke Groom on April 16, 2010 at 1:30am — 3 Comments

Starting and running a 501(c)3, or how to use up all your free time (15 April 2010)

When I sent out requests for "elves" for Secret Santa for Horse Rescues in 2008, one of the people responding was Colleen. Colleen had been active with Stable Movements, a therapeutic horsemanship facility in upstate New York. She had earlier gone on the Chronicle forums asking if people could send any kind of show clothing for their Special Olympics riders. Since the response had been overwhelmingly generous, she wanted to pay back in kind.

Colleen's expertise, amongst other areas, is… Continue

Added by Special Horses, Inc. on April 15, 2010 at 3:28pm — No Comments

Saddle Fit Tip #4 - Understanding the Importance of Full Panel Contact

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Added by Jochen Schleese on April 15, 2010 at 7:30am — No Comments

Leave your portable flash at home!

Far too often I see photographs wherein the beauty of natural light is stripped away by the wanton use of portable flash. My advice is leave the flash in the camera bag or better yet at home under your bed! Try instead to experiment with the ISO setting to increase the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. I shoot most of my equine photography at 800-1000 ISO. This allows me to capture action in a dimly lit arena or shoot in extreme low light situations such as in a barn or at… Continue

Added by Cary Andrew Penny on April 14, 2010 at 7:30pm — No Comments

Starting and running a 501(c)3, or how to use up all your free time (14 April 2010)

Through my Secret Santa efforts, I had become friendly with Lori Yonts of Sunkissed Acres Rescue and Retirement in Summerville GA. That December, just before Christmas, one of her barns had burned down. Through the wonderful generosity of so many on the Chronicles Forums, much of what had been lost - which was considerable - had been replaced. However, the insurance company did not come through with the actual value of the buildings and equipment, forcing Lori to take on additional work at… Continue

Added by Special Horses, Inc. on April 14, 2010 at 2:44pm — No Comments

Picking the right boarding stable. Pasture safety.

In my previous blog I spoke about the importance of a facilities fencing as it relates to the horses safety. I'd like to continue on the subject of horse safety and talk about the pasture and paddock area.

Any of you who already own a horse know how quickly a horse can find trouble. They just can't help it because of their curious nature. Eliminating the risks is key to keeping your horse from suffering a serious injury or even death. Over the…

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Added by Steve Wawryk on April 14, 2010 at 11:49am — No Comments

Starting and running a 501(c)3, or how to use up all your free time (13 April 2010)

I was becoming more educated. The Chronicle Forums had allowed me to better understand horses at risk - after all, I knew there were dog and cat shelters. What did people do with unwanted horses? They're much bigger, and far more expensive to maintain. Which is how I learned about slaughter. I had never given it much thought - although I'm not a vegetarian, my poor graduate student days had left enough of an impact that even when I could afford it, I rarely bought meat. Almost overnight, I… Continue

Added by Special Horses, Inc. on April 13, 2010 at 2:16pm — No Comments

Starting and running a 501(c)3, or how to use up all your free time

I am President of Special Horses, Inc., a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to helping smaller equine 501(c)3s with exposure and fundraising. While we in no way can cover all the PR and fundraising for any group, we try to help.

It started from my "Dribble Theory." Someone on the Chronicle of the Horse Forum would post about a horse in need, and I'd send in a small amount - not very much, maybe $5 or $10. But I would think, what if 50 people did that? 100? $5 is a dribble...but… Continue

Added by Special Horses, Inc. on April 13, 2010 at 2:30am — No Comments

Skinny Dipping Anyone?

Well,you never know what you will run into on a trail ride anymore.....a few days back,the weather was nice and I had finished early with my farm chores ,training,so before going home I thought,I am going to saddle up my QH mare Risky and go for a nice ride along the river on my friend's farm.

It was wonderful being out on my favorite horse,slight breeze,sun shining,birds singing.Great day to be alive...just my horse and…

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Added by Connie Breedveld on April 12, 2010 at 9:56pm — 6 Comments

Help Your Horse Jump - The Rider influences a horse's jump in many ways, learn how you can help your horse through your riding

Help Your Horse Jump

Jumping horses is an aspect of many equestrian disciplines and in many of these disciplines we often see a horse refusing, drifting, jumping crooked, taking a bad take off spot, or rushing the fence. Horses can make these mistakes when jumping for many reasons and the rider can be the cause of the mistake, more often than not. Riders can interfere in many ways with a horse’s jumping and it’s important that you have an… Continue

Added by Lindsey Forkun on April 12, 2010 at 9:30pm — 1 Comment

Weekend Tidbits

Well, after writing about vaccination and worming schedules last week I went to the vet's to pick up the vacs and talk to them about Jessie's sensitivity to the flu vaccine. There were two vets in the lobby and as the senior vet was talking to me about trying to give the vaccine intra-nasally to reduce the risk of reaction the younger vet was nodding her head. Two "yes" votes - motion passed. Four vaccinations $127.

Clinton Anderson had talked about giving vaccinations in the chest… Continue

Added by John Harrer on April 12, 2010 at 8:14pm — No Comments

The Birthday Bash

Some days are just a little to get started then others, worse yet is when those days fall on a Monday.

I have spent the entire weekend with promoting the Horse lovers Birthday bash on Knot-A-Tail web site. The new site is a year old this month and they are having a month long celebration.

It took a great deal of the weekend to continually update all the winners, and the comments that every one was posting all weekend. By the time I edited all the pictures and found out as… Continue

Added by Roberta Edstrom on April 12, 2010 at 6:04pm — No Comments

Academy Road Test Continues and Introducing My New Horsey Project

Photo: Kelly and Tilly on the lesson today.

As this month is very much about road testing the Aspire Equestrian Riding Academy project before its launch, I am trying to use any opportunity and time possible.

I had two girls coming for lessons with me to Cane End Stud and it seemed just perfect an occasion to test… Continue

Added by Wiola Grabowska on April 12, 2010 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Of teeth and speed

Talk about falling off the wagon! Last week, the train derailed! Robin and I skipped our very first ride together on Monday – it was cold, and windy and raining early in the day, so we opted to miss this one time. I was also sick on Easter – woke up with a headache and nausea – it may have been my first experience with a migraine – so I was very worn out on Monday. Well, Tuesday, I…

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Added by Monica Whitmer on April 12, 2010 at 11:25am — No Comments