All Blog Posts (4,786)

American Idol Show ...(or "So you think you've got dressage talent??")

The show Saturday night was a blast. We drove 2 1/2 hours to get to the Waikato Polytech, in less than perfect weather conditions. Fortunately it was held indoors - it's never very nice at this time of year! There was a lot of chaos with various 'acts' getting ready and doing their last minute practise runs, and with some interesting seating arrangements (BYO chair, blankets) they managed to fit about 400 spectators in, with room to warm up (in the dark) behind them, and the arena (18 x 50m) in… Continue

Added by Ottilie on July 19, 2009 at 4:00pm — 2 Comments

New training course available for "Equine Abuse Investigation" - Aug 2009

Horse council, cattlemen to develop course

July 18, 2009

The Kentucky Horse Council is partnering with the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association to develop a three-day training course for investigators which includes education on identifying neglect in horses cattle, sheep, goats, and swine.

The hands-on course is a continuation of the Level 1 Equine Abuse Investigation Training taught regularly by the council throughout the state.

Prior Level 1 course attendees… Continue

Added by Sarah at HorseJobs.ca on July 19, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

IRIDE-Patience

I am good at compartmentalizing, and my patience is a perfect example of that. Let me explain.....

I have the patience of Job when it comes to training horses. I ask much, but accept any shred of correctness with lavish praise. But ask me to wait in line at the grocery store, and I seriously consider not eating dinner that night.

Explaining the minute details of what it means to be "in front of the leg" to a student may put me 'way behind in every other thing I have to do that day,… Continue

Added by Mary McGuire Smith on July 18, 2009 at 7:30pm — 3 Comments

Competive Trail Success in Ohio July 11 & 12

The last weekend in June saw me in Kemptville Stewarding the Tulip Arabian Horse Shows. I think this was my 6 or 7th trip to Steward the Tulip show. Great bunch of people in the Ottawa area and some lovely horses. Always a good time in the Ottawa area.

Then I had to work a weekend while the boss was on holidays. Finally I got back on the road for July 10-12th to head to the OAATS Celebration CTR in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park just north of Akron OH. A 7 hr trip with a stop for… Continue

Added by Diana on July 18, 2009 at 1:38pm — No Comments

Video Insight into Wild Foal Alert

HI,

I should have guessed you'd need more information than I included with the petition! To see facts, copies of legal documents,photos of wild orphans being cared for and, most importantly, an audio tape of a government official threatening Shirley Allen. Shirley is known as the "wild horse angel" for the animals she rescues. You can see the Phantom her house before he was freed at the Sanctuary here:… Continue

Added by Terri Farley on July 18, 2009 at 12:20am — 1 Comment

It's Time...

For me to let you know I’m still alive! My computer had to be sent to service because it broke down and screamed at me when I tried to turn it on. So I’ve been without my dearest computer for almost 2 months! Anyways, enough about me. Let’s talk horses

All the horses have had/are having 5 weeks of summer vacation. Linda has finished her vacation and is now put back into work. We started out easy by walking around in the heat, going swimming and just goofing off. But we cant go around… Continue

Added by Hannah on July 17, 2009 at 7:00pm — 1 Comment

Chloe's progress

Chloe rode at Western Lawns Equestrian (England) at the w/e achieving first/second/first team on the Saturday on Sunday first in both classes Discovery and Fox. Chloe is still achieving great things with her show jumping and never ceases to amaze me with her patience. Going to Gracelands equestrian (England) tomorrow with her riding two ponies trying to acheive her double clears for next years… Continue

Added by Anne Marie Turnbull on July 17, 2009 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

Explaining the Rein Aids for English and Western

Hello Everyone!

People send me riding and training questions from all over the world and I look forward to sharing some of my answers with all of you!

Dear Julie,

Please explain to me the rein aids for English and Western. I would like to know which ones to use for each discipline and what is the difference. For example, direct and…

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Added by Julie Goodnight on July 17, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Using Your Hands Before Your Legs is the Biggest Mistake When Putting Your Horse on the Bit

If you only use your hands when putting your horse on the bit, you're making one of the biggest mistakes you can make. By focusing on the head and "getting the head down", you'll just be creating an artificial "head-set".

Putting your horse on the bit has nothing to do with "head sets". Physically, it's a round silhouette that occurs when you ride your…

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Added by Jane Savoie on July 17, 2009 at 9:00am — 7 Comments

Equine Science: Weekly News and Trivia Question - July 17, 2009

Welcome to the first of many weekly posts rounding up the latest equine science news.

I’m Chloé Sharrocks, a keen scientist with an interest in all things equestrian, and every Friday I’ll be blogging about the most recent research developments in the international horse-world. I’ll be covering everything from the latest veterinary science news through to nutrition, sports psychology and even research into the… Continue

Added by Chloé Sharrocks on July 17, 2009 at 8:30am — 5 Comments

EVEN MARK TODD CAN BE LED ASTRAY – Part 1

So be honest… before buying your groceries who looks at the list of ingredients on the back of the box as well as the appealing tag lines on the front? Probably not many of us, but now the research indicates that we are becoming much more aware of the true contents of the beautifully packaged and photographed goods on display. We have learnt that ‘90% fat free’ actually means 10% fat, which is a high fat content and probably also includes a high sugar content. We have learnt that ‘100%…

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Added by William Micklem on July 17, 2009 at 7:30am — 21 Comments

Trying Times

A quote for a tough day . . .

This week's To Do List.

Added by Karen Brenner on July 16, 2009 at 9:23pm — No Comments

Call to Action: Nevada's mustang orphans

Dear Readers,

Nevada's wild horses are in danger NOW.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture has given orders to kill orphan mustangs even though these babies were being nursed back to health in the homes of wild horse "angels".

Several of these foals have already been seized. Their fate is, at best, uncertain.

We're doing what we can to keep attention focused on the NDA now, but you can help too, no… Continue

Added by Terri Farley on July 16, 2009 at 4:39pm — 8 Comments

Show Biz

Been busy this week preparing for the Dressage Waikato "American Idol" show, this weekend. I'm doing a Pas De Deux with another local rider, Debbie, whose horse is like Mr B's white twin. They are really cute together, I'm just hoping they don't mind performing in a crowded indoor.

It's nice to have a fun project like this to work on during the winter,… Continue

Added by Ottilie on July 14, 2009 at 4:00pm — 2 Comments

2nd Try at Animal Matters Radio with Guide Horses for the Blind - Sunday 7/19

We at ANIMAL MATTERS RADIO apologize for our technical difficulties / failures on this show originally scheduled for June 21st – it did not happen!!! We did have a great response to the topic of the show and so will try again on Sunday, July 19th – please join us!!!

Thank you for your understanding and forgiveness – CC and GC

Call-in Number: (914) 338-0821

Upcoming Show: Sunday - 7/19/2009 10:00 PM Eastern

Host Name: Health + Harmony Network

Show Name:… Continue

Added by Christianna Capra on July 14, 2009 at 2:08pm — No Comments

Noel, The Christmas Pony

December 4, 2008

As I was working around the barn today, enjoying the treat of a sunny but chilly day, I received a call from an SPCA constable; could I attend for a seizure right away? I finished up quickly, then headed out to an address in a rural area near Chilliwack. Responding originally to an abandoned dog complaint, the officers had rounded up a number of dogs, left behind in the wake of a tenant moving out. Apparently these folks left in such a hurry, they "forgot"… Continue

Added by Kevan on July 13, 2009 at 11:35am — 2 Comments

Accepting what the horse offers

Last Sunday I got to ride at Lanolin Farm, and I got to ride Mars again. Now Mars had been on an extended years long vacation due to the arthritis in his knees, and finally Mars got sound enough to ride. Mars does not necessarily WANT to end his vacation, he really likes hanging out with his buddy/girl friend Cider in the cool shade in the one place with a nice breeze. He does NOT want to carry me around in the hot sunshine, doing boring circles around the ring. It took Shannon…

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Added by Jackie Cochran on July 13, 2009 at 10:00am — 9 Comments

Walking The Talk of Natural Horsemanship

Hello and greetings to everyone from Riversong Ranch in Alberta. I’m sitting here in my office reading over a recent chat I found on Barnmice about the merits – pros or cons – of Natural Horsemanship. And I must say that I am truly encouraged by most of the comments I read that seemingly indicate that now that the natural horsemanship “revolution” is over that perhaps now the evolution of natural horsemanship into “supernatural horsemanship” will begin.

Despite all the marketing hype… Continue

Added by Chris Irwin on July 12, 2009 at 1:00pm — 13 Comments

What to Do When You're 'Older' to Enjoy Your Ride and Ride Safely

Hi, This week I spotted a great question posted to the 'over 50 rider' group. I've copied it below:

What are you doing to keep fit/get fit, keep supple, improve or keep your balance, stretch muscles or even to control nerves and be calm? And what supplements are people taking, or herbs or meds to keep from feeling pained and creaky before and after…

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Added by Heather Sansom at Equifitt.com on July 11, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments

partnership and courage

Against all odds; I am creaky, 55 yrs old; do NOT want to give up my riding my horse - my life has changed dramatically since I purchased him 3 yrs ago; working in one state living in another...no time for anything; he's been sick - haven't ridden for 9 months; want to just give up and sell him but no one will buy him when he's sick; really don't want to sell him; today's economy doesn't help as far as selling him; don't want to think about that currently; it would be the last resort. I can… Continue

Added by Margaret H. Ostrowski on July 11, 2009 at 8:06am — No Comments