Henk writes:

The stall next to me wasn’t empty for long. A day or two after the Spanish horses left for their new home in Nova Scotia (see November 9th post), Louis, our Canadian horse, appeared next door. He likes to live outside in the big pasture, so I hadn’t seen him for a while. He was looking exceptionally grumpy.

 

“Merde,” I heard him curse under his breath. He was avoiding me, trying to get to the far  side of his stall, but every time he put his…

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Henk the Friesian horse writes:

OnTRA (the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association) is asking its member centres to nominate outstanding riders, volunteers, and of course HORSES for special recognition. So naturally I expected Lil to nominate me. You don't get much more outstanding, after all. With my tall, dark and handsome looks, my charming personality, my aristocratic breeding... It should be a no-brainer.

 

But for some reason she thinks that working only a handful…

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Henk writes:

It's show season! For us, that means getting our manes french-braided and doing everything from dressage tests to trail classes to leading patterns, all the while being filmed on video. The videos are then uploaded to Para-Equestrian Canada where our riders compete on video against riders from across the country, all of them with some kind of disability.

 

What a cool idea. We horses get to show off to people we've never even met, and the riders love it,…

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Henk writes:

 

It's impossible to overstate the importance of a well-trained human to the happiness of a horse's life. As with anything, you can cut corners and start with an untrained human -- or even try to reform a spoiled one -- but unless you're an expert, it's a risky thing to do.

 

Cry if you want, but you'll learn to sit that…

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http://www.stonegatefarm.ca

 

Henk writes:

 

I've been working in therapeutic riding lessons for the past couple of weeks because Sunny, the tiny Standardbred with the delicate physique has hurt himself again. His owner (who lends him to my human, Lil, for lessons), calls it Recurring Sunny Summer Lameness (RSSL), because he likes to maim himself each summer and spend at…

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Paco is the first horse all participants meet when they first start our program because of his wonderful personality. He is a Quarter Horse, Dun in color (some call him Buckskin) and 15hh. He is 20 years old. He has done it all in his life from cows to barrels and everything in between. While he will accommodate our riders who prefer English equitation, he is a cowboy horse through and through. He is a dream in the saddle who neck reins better… Continue

Do I have the answer. I'll have a better idea after this clinic.



This Clinic is suitable for both Therapeutic and non Therapeutic Coaches and Instructors, riders and volunteers.

Clinic: Elaine Potter – Open Para Dressage Judging



Date: Sunday, 24 Jan 2010, Snow day 31 Jan 2010



Timings: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM with a half hour lunch provided



Location: CARD (Community Association for Riding for the Disabled)

4777 Dufferin St

Just north of Finch… Continue