Winter Tries to Return

This week was full of physical soreness for me, and changing weather for the horses. 

When I arrived at Debbie’s stable Wednesday morning for my lesson I told Debbie that I was not up to much activity.  That suited Debbie just fine; she had to give her soon to be endurance horse, the Arab gelding Tercel, another ride before her first formal long distance ride to get him used to his new endurance bridle and breastplate.  She also wanted my opinion on how…

Bingo Tells Me That I Am Just Not Steady Enough    

Wednesday morning was beautiful, cool enough so I could wear my Back on Track back and neck wraps and warm enough that I could wear my spring riding tights and just a light jacket against the remaining morning chill.  The sun was shining, the breeze was balmy, and the horses were happily soaking up the sun.

I did not use the BOT hock boots, since Bingo had made painfully clear that he really does not like them.  Of course,…

Hello  Just joining the group  I live on Gabriola Island BC, we have a 5 A property and not to brag but our riding ring is situated so both horse and rider have a view of the ocean! So yes we are spoiled have a look at www.explorethemaples.com   ; Does any one live near by?

A Different Type of Stirrup Leather

This week was so much better for me; I got to ride three times on three different horses!  The weather cooperated as far as precipitation, though there was a cold North wind each morning.  At least it was above freezing all three mornings, a big improvement over last week.

My riding teacher, Debbie, has been making me work on my lower leg more as I have been adapting to my latest saddle, the Pegasus Butterfly saddle.  Due to this saddle’s…

Bitter Cold and Warmer Rains Interfere With My Riding

My apologies for missing three weeks of blogging.  What is there to say--lows in the 20’s F, and often rain on the days that were warm enough for my scheduled lessons.  It is hopefully the last gasp of winter.  I do take comfort with the idea that several nights in the low 20’s F after weeks of warm, spring like weather may kill many fly larvae, reducing the plague of flies that come to the Southern states during the spring or…

Iron is an essential micromineral in the horse's diet and nature has provided an abundance of it in soils, plants and water.  Deficiencies in this mineral are very rare while excess amounts are all too common and can affect a horse's health in detrimental ways.  If your horse has any immune issues, metabolic conditions, infections, or laminitis pay extra…

As a mother of three (and grandmother, too) I know how important it is to build strength and confidence in your children. When my kids grew up in Germany, there were no ipods or tablets, and 'playing' meant running outside and getting knocked around a bit.

Today, my kids are strong and confident adults, who learned to ride a bike, swim, climb a tree, build sand castles, balance on climbing beams, build wood huts on 'adventure playgrounds', spend a (scary) night sleeping in their tree…

i WAS JUST CURIOUS. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A BEAUTIFUL WESTERN SADDLE. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS A WAY TO TELL IF ITS A PARADE SADDLE OR A SHOW SADDLE? I HAVEBLOOKED ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH NOT MUCH LUCK. THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE/HELP IN THE MATTER!…

Riding the Horse That is Brought out for You    

When I started riding in 1957, there was a different culture around in the riding lesson world.  Stables that gave riding lessons did not have perfectly conformed or perfectly trained horses.  There were several reasons for that.  One reason was cost, perfectly conformed and trained horses have always been EXPENSIVE animals and no riding stable wasted these rare animals in a lesson program with ever changing riders of various abilities…

Have you have lost your horse riding mojo? Visit The Confident Rider Project on Facebook to find out more.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/54356... or why not sign up for the challenge…

You used to really enjoy riding but now its becoming more and more of a problem... the excuses as to why you can't ride. Its too windy, its too rainy, its too cold, its too......

This is now having a real impact on your life. You are being held back from the thing you love most, and as a result it’s making you feel down and your lack of confidence is…

A great way to stay in shape is to head outdoors on your favourite steed! Take extra time to warm up your horse's cold muscles by spending more time at the walk and trot before venturing into deep snow or at faster speeds. Cooling down also takes longer because of the heavier winter coat, especially if a sweat has broken, so take your time…

You are probably wondering what equine nutrition has to do with buying a new saddle.  Let me explain.... 

If you are anything like me I am really due for another saddle, but because of the big price tag that is usually attached to purchasing 'the right one', I knew I had to look at my budget and see the areas where I can trim back to jump-start my "saddle…

Sitting Up Straight Takes a Lot of Effort

Ever since I started using the Equicube for one to four minutes a week, I have been tired.  The rest of the time, I try to replicate the spinal alignment I get from using the Equicube, both on horseback and just walking around on my own two feet.  I have to retrain my body how to stand, sit on horseback, move with the horse, and how to walk on my own feet while keeping my spine straighter and my face vertical.  I get some muscle aches too, in…

A horse's nutrition for the most part these days is largely dependent upon the experience, knowledge, but most importantly the "attitude" of its owner.  Attitude plays a key factor in almost everything we do, and often determines our successes or failures in our relationships, our work and, in this case, the horses we love and care for.

As I continue to work with horse owners in helping them with balanced nutrition plans for their horses, I find that it is…

Progress in Fixing my Slouching Back

When I started working a lot on my two-point in my new saddle I improved BUT my back muscles started hurting while I did it.  After working religiously on my two-point position for five months my back muscles still hurt every time I get up in the two-point position.  Obviously, I have to do something to strengthen these muscles but I could not figure anything out that worked within the limits caused by my Multiple Sclerosis, especially the…