All Blog Posts (4,786)

What's the Difference Between Jaw and Poll Flexion?

A lot of riders aren't clear on the difference between flexion at the jaw and flexion at the poll, and how to ask for each of these positions.

Keep in mind that a horse can flex three ways–to the left, to the right, and "in".

When a horse flexes to the left or right, he's flexing at the poll. When he does this, you'll just see his inside or outside eye or nostril. I call this position +1 or -1 because you're bringing his head 1 inch to the inside or the outside of…

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Added by Jane Savoie on July 10, 2009 at 12:30pm — 1 Comment

Rebalancing a Strong Horse

When a horse rushes he is running and using the rider's hands as the fifth leg. In other words the rider is trying to support a horse that thinks that it is acceptable to lean on your hands, which it is not.

What the rider must do is to try and be soft in the contact. When the horse starts to go forward the rider needs to bring his body back slightly to let the horse know to readdress his balance, then take quite a strong half halt and soften as soon as the horse starts to…

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Added by Tim Stockdale on July 10, 2009 at 12:30pm — 3 Comments

PARTNERSHIP & COURAGE – THE WINNERS

Oh what a difficult job! As we debated the merits of the fifty six wonderful entries in the Partnership and Courage competition we did consider taking the easy option and just pulling the winners names out of a hat! However that would not be fair to the truly exceptional entries…so here goes with our assessment and announcement of the winners:

POETRY

This is a much more difficult form of expression than many people realize. Most people start by using a structured approach… Continue

Added by William Micklem on July 10, 2009 at 10:30am — 14 Comments

Seriously???

Will Rogers got it right in this quote, "Do the best you can, and don't take life too serious." Sometimes we forget to take time to enjoy life.

I couldn't be taking life too seriously when I chose to paint this picture of horse rumps, or when I named it "Butts and Bows" -- after that ole time tune, "Buttons and Bows." Do any of you remember that song?…

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Added by Karen Brenner on July 10, 2009 at 6:04am — No Comments

How do I Choose my Horses?

Hello to everyone at Barnmice! I am delighted to be a part of this community and I hope everyone enjoys my blog! If you have any questions that you would like me to answer in an upcoming post, feel free to leave a comment on my page.

Choosing my horses.... how do I?

I get asked all the time and it is actually quite hard for me to answer as I really have not bought a horse in a very long time. As we breed horses at my property Kirby Park in Hahndorf South…

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Added by Megan Jones on July 8, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

The final test ride!

I've uploaded the last test ride, which a friend and I did on Sunday. Its the last leg of Ride Bare, 18 miles across Exmoor, and the next time I ride it will be with Sarah on our way home, I hope :-)

The video is here:

http://www.barnmice.com/video/the-ride-bare-exmoor-test-ride

...and we are off next week! More news once we return :-)

Nic

Added by Nic Barker on July 8, 2009 at 7:58am — No Comments

Rehabilitating Mia

Last July Debbie (my riding teacher) asked me to ride an Arab mare called Mia who had been abandoned at her stable. She (Mia) suffers from arthritis, and back then nobody was riding her, and as her arthritis got more painful she moved less and less. Debbie figured that I would be more patient with Mia than other riders, and being handicapped myself, that I would have more sympathy for her. Debbie just wanted to get the mare moving again, with a hope of working her up to a lesson…

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Added by Jackie Cochran on July 7, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Biological Control Of Flies in Equine Stables

Flies are very difficult to control because traditional methods only focus on the adult stage. This may bring a sudden “knock-down” effect, but it is normally short lived and soon after you have the same problem.

Biological control introduces natural enemies of flies that instinctively prey upon or parasitize them in their immature stages. The industry is heavily regulated, and any commercial products must be indigenous and not harmful to any other non-target organisms before being… Continue

Added by Frank Marchetti on July 6, 2009 at 2:37pm — No Comments

What's your method of instruction?

Watching a mare and foal running together is so fun! It's amazing how the little one can keep up with his or her galloping mother when only days old. The mare seems to encourage her youngster to stretch his/her legs and race through their new world. In this painting, a bay Andalusian mare and her foal are cantering in a grassy pasture.

What is your teaching method -- for teaching your horse, your students, kids or grandkids? I really… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on July 4, 2009 at 7:39pm — 2 Comments

"You prepare to position for the transition." Ray Hunt

Truer words have never been spoken.

It's kind of strange sometimes to think about my own past, horseman I've known, clinics I've participated in and watched. Ray Hunt was probably the most impressive. When I was in college, he was the "horse god". We all felt so privileged when he came to give us a free clinic. It was a packed house that evening. His books were required reading in our colt starting classes. Back then I didn't really understand everything he said. After… Continue

Added by Desirea Herrera on July 4, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

3 Simple Tips to Help You Straighten and Center Your Position

Hi Guys,

Can you tell if your position is straight and centered on your dressage horse? Or are you collapsing at your waist and sitting crookedly?

Ask a ground person to stand behind your horse.

1. Is your seat in the center of the dressage saddle so that each seatbone is the same distance from the middle of the saddle?

2. Is the distance between your last rib and your belt equal on both sides?

3. Are your shoulders level (i.e. the same…

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Added by Jane Savoie on July 3, 2009 at 8:00pm — 2 Comments

COURAGE & PARTNERSHIP COMPETITION

Why did I choose Courage and partnership as my two themes? Winston Churchill can explain the former...."Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all others." And Partnership? I believe the Power of Partnership is the key to fulfilling your potential and indeed in some cases to even go beyond what would appear to be possible.

To be either a good coach, student or rider you need to be a good team player because each is half…

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Added by William Micklem on July 3, 2009 at 3:30am — No Comments

Riding diciplines

THE HUNTER RIDER: Is slightly anorexic and trying her best to achieve the

conformation of a 17-year-old male in case she ever has a clinic with

George Morris. Field marks include greeny-beige breeches and a baseball cap

when schooling or mud colored coat and hardhat with dangling chinstrap when

competing. Forks over about a grand a month to trainer for the privilege of

letting him/her 'tune' up the horse, which… Continue

Added by Jill Williams Phinney on July 2, 2009 at 5:30pm — 7 Comments

Just Wondering.?

Well I was just wondering if there is any particular breed of horse/pony that is best for begginer riders to own, because my parents talk about getting me a horse sometime after I'v had some more riding lessons, but I was just wondering what breed would be best if there is a best breed for begginer riders/ owners. And how many hands high is best for a 12 year old? And are geldings better for a first horse then mares, cuz mares can get grumpy. lol =D

Added by Nyree on July 2, 2009 at 7:28am — 5 Comments

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Happy Canada Day to my friends

both big and small

to two leggers and four leggers

Canada loves them all

where else can we ride the prairies?

or through those mountains grand?

through the wooded wilderness

to Nova Scotia's sand?

So proud to be in Canada

My home away from home

always a new adventure

no matter where I… Continue

Added by Sarah at HorseJobs.ca on July 1, 2009 at 1:39pm — 1 Comment

Your July Horseyscope by Lauren Bode

Cancer June 21 - July 20

Happy Birthday to you dear Cancer. You are in for a wonderful year. Your way of dealing with your horse is magnificent and you will become the centre of attention this year in whatever discipline you chose to compete.The stressful situation which you found yourself in has evaporated.You will be favoured this year to travel quite a lot with your team, bringing home an armful of surprises. Pay attention to your horses' pastern and hoof this month to avoid long… Continue

Added by Barnmice Admin on July 1, 2009 at 12:00pm — 2 Comments

Bambi, the story of one of our rescues

I copied this from our website, it is the story of Bambi:

On January 25, 2009, we took in a rescue pony, a snowflake appy that our foster home named Bambi. She was in a bad situation that was only going to get worse, underweight and blind in one eye. She was very sweet upon arrival, but due to being isolated from other horses for who knows how long, she became very herdbound at the foster… Continue

Added by Lori Tankel on June 30, 2009 at 9:29pm — 5 Comments

More on "Ride Bare"

I've blogged about Ride Bare already, but now its almost here! In less than 3 weeks time, Sarah Braithwaite and I are setting off on our biggest riding challenge yet, riding from North Wales to Exmoor, a distance of over 200 miles, and we will be riding for at least 2 weeks, camping or staying at farms along the way.

A couple of weekends ago, Sarah went off to try out the second leg of our ride, and I've put the video of that day up here… Continue

Added by Nic Barker on June 30, 2009 at 4:30am — No Comments

Riding to fitness

I waited to long and let my body slip, then I had a heart attack. Now a heart surgery and angioplasty later, I have had my wakeup call. It is time to get my body back through exercise and diet. I hope to incorporate riding into my regime as well. It may not burn the most calories, but it is grat stress relief for me. I am dead serious this time, pun… Continue

Added by LincolnB on June 29, 2009 at 10:30pm — 4 Comments

The Importance of Stretching Your Horse

We spend hours and hours in training our horses to develop them physically or to perfect a certain maneuver, but how many of us take 5-10 minutes after the cool down to stretch out our horse's muscles? My guess is not enough!

Stretching is very important for maintaining maximum mobility and suppleness in muscles. When your horse's muscles…

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Added by Sharon McMaster on June 29, 2009 at 3:30am — 1 Comment