April 2010 Blog Posts (107)

Why Go Natural? - Natural Horsemanship is the ultimate way to train a horse... and here's why

Why Go Natural?

Have you ever watched the drama of horse-intimidators trying to load a horse onto a trailer? It’s unforgettable. Very often in the horse world you will see people cracking a whip at a horse or beating a crop against a horse’s shoulder. But you seldom notice the savvy of the horse handler who uses communication and leadership to complete the same tasks because their methods are done in a much calmer and more successful way.

When… Continue

Added by Lindsey Forkun on April 5, 2010 at 9:30pm — 4 Comments

For the Spirit of the Horse

I am saddened once again, by the reports on the way our horses are being slaughtered in our Canadian plants. It brings me to tears to see these poor helpless animals being butchered and brutally killed. The only mistake that they have made in their lives is to be born, and not needed. Two plants have been shut and we must close the 4 remaining plants.

We have to keep lobbying our politicians, leaders, equine associations, YES, equine associations: Equine Canada, your provincial… Continue

Added by Mary-Joe Figueira on April 5, 2010 at 6:49pm — No Comments

This Week in Horse History - April 5th Through April 11th

April 6, 1974 - The current facilities of W. K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center were dedicated on this day. The Kellogg Arabian Horse Center is an educational facility dedicated to promoting the Arabian breed. Its horses are shown by equine studies…

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Added by Paige Cerulli on April 5, 2010 at 6:30am — No Comments

Spring ADA

My little guy put forth a wonderful effort this weekend at the ADA Spring Celebration. All scores above 60% in first level and making great progress in second level! We also pulled the second level high point award! My top hat flew off in 2 of my rides, it was so embarrassing! Happens to the best of us I suppose. We get a well deserved few weeks off until Region 7 Championships for Arabs later this month!

Added by Emmy on April 4, 2010 at 9:22pm — 6 Comments

The biggest April Fool is me!

Thursday April 1, 2010

The biggest April Fool’s joke was the weather prediction! Dire warnings of rain, snow and wind. So what did we get? Clear and sunny. A little chilly – high was just around 60 – but So…

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Added by Monica Whitmer on April 4, 2010 at 7:34pm — 2 Comments

easter & flying changes

Conditions Life has been good. Very nice weather with highs in the 70's. no bug problems yet. Footing has been great for riding outside in the FEI ring and hacking.

Caddymaster Super news for Caddy he is back in form. I absolutely could ride a PSG test next weekend with reasonable expectations of scores in the mid 60's. I've been working as outlined in my past posts - but including a real focused "speed control" to the warm-up.…

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Added by liz call, md on April 4, 2010 at 7:19pm — No Comments

Insisting on Manners

I got a request a few weeks ago to discuss manners, or rather getting a horse to act politely. I had to think a lot, it has been over a decade since I had to work with a misbehaving horse on the ground. My MS makes it hard for me to keep my balance at all times, and when I got diagnosed I figured that my days of effectively training a young horse were over, for it REALLY helps in disciplining a horse if you can stand your ground. However,…

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Added by Jackie Cochran on April 4, 2010 at 2:00pm — 2 Comments

Don't feed your horse Carrots

Comments from the old mare.

I just wanted to introduce myself, I am the old mare in the corner stall and I have a few things to say.

1st. Stop! bringing home all those new horses to "MY" barn.

Enough is enough. Have "YOU" ever herd of the #ONE ?

Am I not good enough for "YOU" anymore and…

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Added by Roberta Edstrom on April 4, 2010 at 3:00am — No Comments

Adoptable Horse of the Week - Rocky from Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society!

Name - Rocky

Breed - Stock-type Grade

Gender - Gelding

Color/Markings - Sorrel

Arrived: 1/16/2010

Bio: Rocky…

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Added by Special Horses, Inc. on April 4, 2010 at 12:24am — No Comments

Lungeing Videos From The last 3 Days - Kingsley

Photo above: Kingsley today.

We are to lunge him 20 minutes a day encouraging correct outline and better balance. Problem 1: Kingsley's idea of lungeing is to check how upside down a horse can get and how fast can one run...

Problem 2: He still isn't totally sound

These… Continue

Added by Wiola Grabowska on April 3, 2010 at 6:28pm — No Comments

Horse Rescue: Day One

When I went out this morning, Pickles made that encouraging hungry horsey sound and seemed happier than she did yesterday.

There is a look that horses get in their eyes that tells you what they’re thinking. Sometimes it's easier to read than others. But Pickles is an honest horse and I think she knows she's safe now.

We trimmed her mane last night and put some moisturizer on her feet. She is still walking a little sticky this morning and I'm debating whether or not I want to… Continue

Added by maryann tobin on April 2, 2010 at 11:26pm — No Comments

The Last Ranch

I found this last night on Facebook and it reminded me that lately I have not felt like a very good friend.

"Someone in your friend's list is going thru a really tough time, losing a loved one, making a tough decision, having major surgery, starting a new job, losing their job, or just feeling all alone. If you see them today give them a hug and let them know you care. If you don't see them, stop and think about them for a minute and wish them well."

Taking a moment just to share… Continue

Added by Roberta Edstrom on April 2, 2010 at 8:41pm — No Comments

Decompression Time

Decompression Time - the time spent unwinding after getting home from work. Didn't Dick Van Dyke have a martini waiting for him at the door? While that sometimes sounds good, my decompression time involves cleaning pens. It sounds like work, but it really is not. I put on the ipod and drag the green waste can behind me. Just being in the pens casually picking up manure is soothing. No, really. There's something about doing a mindless job that cleans out the mental debris of the day.… Continue

Added by John Harrer on April 2, 2010 at 1:15pm — 2 Comments

Keeping Your Horse From Putting His Tongue Over the Bit

Dear Julie,

The question I have is for the Mountain Pleasure horse I bought about six months ago. He is a big sweetie, I love him dearly he has very nice manners and lunges well. The problem I'm having is the first time I rode him before I bought him, the people I bought him from used a headstall that was to big and he got the bit under his tongue I don't know and can't find out if he did this before then, but now it continues to…

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Added by Julie Goodnight on April 2, 2010 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

What Should I Do When I Run into Resistance?

You've carefully laid out a systematic, progressive schooling program for your horse. Yet every time you add new work, you run into a certain amount of resistance.

Don't panic. Understand that when you raise the bar, it's inevitable that you're going to encounter resistance. It's a normal part of training. Don't be afraid of it. Just work through it in baby steps.

Have a checklist…

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Added by Jane Savoie on April 2, 2010 at 12:00pm — 2 Comments

Training Tip of the Week: Benefits of the Sending Exercise.

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Added by Clinton Anderson on April 2, 2010 at 11:35am — No Comments

Large Lurking Lagomorph

A notice to all horses, beware and keep an eye on your carrots!

There have been sightings of a large rabbit lurking in human-yards around the globe. He has been seen carrying a basket full of eggs, so I fear that he has already stolen from the hens. Take care to guard your carrots... this rabbit seems to be planning something big this weekend!

Added by Nocturnis LeNoir on April 2, 2010 at 10:55am — 1 Comment

A POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP – Life & seizing life

A friend of mine died recently….before his time as they say….

but telling you about him is a joyful and hugely positive task:…

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Added by William Micklem on April 2, 2010 at 4:00am — 2 Comments

The Great Motivator (And I'm Not Talking Lombardi Here)

Last weekend the weeds in the garden were up to mid-calf. The alternating rain and sunshine, along with my benign neglect, helped them to thrive. They demanded attention and I knew if I didn't intervene quickly they would soon become a much bigger problem. Add to this that we had the nursery delivering a fifteen foot raywood tree for the front yard and I had to dig a 30" x 30" hole to accommodate it, and the prospect of riding was not looking good.

I decided to use riding as my… Continue

Added by John Harrer on April 1, 2010 at 6:01pm — No Comments

Great Witchingham Novice

The end of term at school (early of course) saw us making the mahusive trip into the depths of east anglia for Dell’s first Intermediate Novice (IN). Despite gloomy predictions of a long

journey from everyone ., we arrived early! – That one joins my optimistically

short list of “journeys that take half the time Google says they will”....

Dells first intermediate test meant it was also his first test I had…

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Added by Oliver Lawrence on April 1, 2010 at 6:00pm — No Comments