June 2009 Blog Posts (59)

The Heart of the Sahara

Last time I was talking about our veterinary clinics in the North of Tunisia, and the bleak arid zone around Kasserine in the centre. But of course, Tunisia stretches way down to the south - in fact it's shaped like a dagger pointing right at the heart of the Sahara.



But I love it there. It is another world, and worlds away from the forests and mountains of the north.

Our centre is in Kebili, where we were given a bit of sand by the Ministry to play with, and over the last six… Continue

Added by SPANA on June 24, 2009 at 9:03am — No Comments

Have Tape Measure Will Travel - But "Ooh the Mud"

Hi again. Since our last blog entry we have been very busy logging air miles and accumulating dirty clothes. After Edmonton we headed to Blainville, Quebec for a great week of jumping. It is great to work in Quebec because they have a unique tradition of holding what I like to call traditional hunter classics. The two round variety - with a course that encompasses all the characteristics of a traditional hunter classic. What is exciting is for Sunday they combine the two hunter rings to make… Continue

Added by Evie Frisque on June 23, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Another week, another video

...now added - hope you like it :-)

Nic

Added by Nic Barker on June 22, 2009 at 6:38am — No Comments

100 miles completed only 250 left to ride plus one sport pony show over

Well I've completed 100 of the 350 Endurance miles I've set as a goal this season.



First was the Aprilfest in May ride on May 17th where we finished the 50 mile Endurance ride in 7:02 for 21st place. Not bad as I didn't consider either Loosi or I fit yet for the season so we rode slowly for the completion.





Last weekend (June 13) saw us in Hesperia MI, about 1 hr north of Grand Rapids saw the Canadian invasion of the White River Summer Ride. 18 Canadian horses… Continue

Added by Diana on June 21, 2009 at 11:15am — No Comments

Horses-Only fiction contest!

Dear Barnmice,
I'm trying to figure out how to make a continuous link to my blog, but until I do that, I thought you might like to read news of a great horses-only fiction contest for young writers!

If you go to TerriFarley.com and click on my weblog link, you'll find more information.
While you're there, you might check out my wild horse and book news, too!

Happy trails,
Terri

Added by Terri Farley on June 21, 2009 at 10:46am — No Comments

Fleur has gone on to a new life.

Little miss Fleur, my yearling filly, left for the New Brunswick farm of Patrick St. Onge today. Patrick is a well-known Canadian reiner, now based in Gainsville, Texas. Fleur loaded like a charm - first time is always the easiest! I guess she will be a pasture pony until she's two anyway. I hope he keeps me updated on her progress - I wonder if she will end up in Texas?



Got a lovely email from Patrick on the Sunday to say that she had arrived in St. Jacques, NB safe and sound. They… Continue

Added by Karen Murphy on June 20, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Just 5 more minutes!


Took this photo of some of our guys one morning early this week, just before they came in for breakfast :-)

Added by Nic Barker on June 20, 2009 at 1:30am — 1 Comment

One Way to an Educated Halt



Most of my riding life I have been trying to lighten my aids, especially with my hands. Since I ride the Forward Seat system I had a wonderful beginning by following their system of riding with loose reins part of the time and hewing to the ideal that no hand aid should ever alter the head carraige of the horse. I accomplished alot, and as I got better my horses got happier and happier with me, giving me quiet and smooth slow-downs and halts. However I wanted to get better and…

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Added by Jackie Cochran on June 19, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

"Breathe" Your Legs to Prevent Your Horse from "Fading" in Extensions



If your horse doesn't march with good energy in your free walk or fades too early in your trot and canter lengthenings, try "breathing" your legs during the movement.



To "breathe" your legs:



* Take your legs off of his sides.

* Move them an inch or two back, and place them on lightly again.



"Breathing" your legs does two things.



1. If you've been gripping, your horse is probably numb to your legs. Taking your legs off allows you to put…

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Added by Jane Savoie on June 19, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Check out ANIMAL MATTERS RADIO (this sunday) about Mini Guide Horses for Disabled...

This Sunday - check out - Animal Matters - Service Mini Horse Show by Health&Harmony Nwk on BlogTalkRadio - http://tobtr.com/s/536133



June 21st show at 7pm PST

Call-in Number: (914) 338-0821

Upcoming Show: 6/21/2009 7:00 PM

Host Name: Health + Harmony Nwk

Show Name: Animal Matters - Service Mini Horses For The Blind



Length: 1 hr

Description:

Join co hosts Christianna Capra and Healer Gabriela Castillo (http://web.me.com/gabicast/) and this… Continue

Added by Christianna Capra on June 18, 2009 at 1:58pm — 1 Comment

Take time to enjoy the marvelous!

A couple days ago I got to ride at Rocky River Reservation which is part of the Cleveland Metro Parks. The horse/hiking trail is surrounded by the beauty of nature, with a wide, shallow river sparkling along the trail for most the the ride. The flat, well packed trail is perfect for cantering along as well as walking and trotting. It's one of my favorite spots to ride!



Aristotle's quote, "In all things of nature there is something of the… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on June 18, 2009 at 10:31am — No Comments

Controlling Flies in Equine Stables

When springtime arrives the earth is warmed up and it bounds back to life. Most of that life is very welcome, but some of it we would rather do without. One such example we equine lovers have to deal with are those pesky flies. Why do horses and flies go hand in hand anyway? The answer is because the horses provide flies with an abundance of their favourite breeding ground: manure. If we can limit fly population where they breed by introducing natural enemies, then it becomes a long-term… Continue

Added by Frank Marchetti on June 17, 2009 at 10:56pm — 4 Comments

Ride Fit 1-2-3: Rider Analysis- Head Forward Problem

Hi, There were some great comments to last weeks' blog on soft hands and the training scale for rider fitness. One rider submitted some detailed information and photos with her question, so we will do an online clinic this week. My mandate with the Barnmice online 'clinic' is to provide three recommendations for off-horse exercises. It's actually hard for me to limit to three, and I often write in a few more bonus suggestions. A few exercises doesn't make a suddenly fitter, better rider.… Continue

Added by Heather Sansom at Equifitt.com on June 16, 2009 at 5:00pm — 3 Comments

Maintenance Massage for Your Horse

Most people will think of calling a massage therapist when their horse has a major problem. While massage is a wonderful treatment for many strains and injuries, what about the times in between when the horse appears fine? Your horse doesn't need to have an obvious existing problem in order to benefit from massage. In fact, the most effective use of…

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Added by Sharon McMaster on June 16, 2009 at 6:00am — 3 Comments

Barefoot horses in action

I'm adding some video clips on this site, and there are more here too!

Hope you find them interesting :-)

Nic

Added by Nic Barker on June 15, 2009 at 9:31am — No Comments

Ride bare!

To celebrate the launch of our book at the end of July, Sarah Braithwaite and I are riding from North Wales to Exmoor (from her place to mine!) in the last 2 weeks of July.



There is more info about the route, and the horses we will be taking, at www.ridebare.com



2 riders, 2 horses, 260 miles, no shoes :-) If anyone wants to ride with us en route (shod or barefoot) they will be very welcome :-)



More on the book and the ride… Continue

Added by Nic Barker on June 14, 2009 at 5:31am — 2 Comments

Adjusting to the heat



Summer has now truly begun here in the South. Days in the high 80's and low 90's with extremely high humidity. I go outside and it is like stepping into a sauna. Next month I face temperatures in the high 90's and possibly up to the 100's.



High temperatures and high humidity make all MS symptoms worse. Within a matter of minutes, on a bad day, I can lose up to a third of my IQ, become almost totally unable to coordinate my body, greatly increase my tremor, and lose…

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Added by Jackie Cochran on June 12, 2009 at 12:30pm — 4 Comments

Common Horse Riding Problems: Questions and Answers



Q: My horse seems to stop at a different type of fence everytime we go out. Just as I think we have mastered solid fillers then he starts spooking at flower arrangements. What should I do?




A: Make sure your horse is capable of going round the ring before you compete him. If that means you have to do more homework it is still more cost effective than wasting your entry fees. By hiring a school and practicing over a course you are doing a lot more good and putting a lot…

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Added by Tim Stockdale on June 12, 2009 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Is Your Horse Faking You Out? Or Is He Really Bending In Lateral Work?

Hi Guys,



In order for your lateral work such as shoulder-in, haunches-in, and half passes to be effective as collecting exercises, your horse must BEND.



Think of the following equation. Bend + Sideways = Engagement. (Engagement means the bending of joints. As your horse bends his hind legs, his croup lowers, and his forehand goes up–kind of like a seesaw or an airplane taking off.)



So here are some quick tips to help you determine if you're bending your horse…

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Added by Jane Savoie on June 12, 2009 at 9:30am — 3 Comments

Reining and Vaulting Test Events in JULY!

Get a FREE preview of the Games! Kentucky Cup Reining and Kentucky Cup Vaulting, the first Official Test Events to be held in preparation for the Games, are coming to the Kentucky Horse Park THIS JULY!

Kentucky Cup Reining: July 21-23
Kentucky Cup Vaulting: July 30-August 2

Admission to most events will be free. Parking is $3.

Visit http://tinyurl.com/mz47on for more info about all of our test events!

Added by 2010 Alltech FEI WEG on June 11, 2009 at 4:19pm — No Comments

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