Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Horse Dictionary

Arena: Place where humans can take the fun out of forward motion.
Bit: Means by which a rider's every motion is transmitted to the extremely sensitive tissues of the mouth.
Bucking: Counterirritant.
Crossties: Gymnastic apparatus.
Dressage: Process by which some riders can eventually be taught to respect the bit.
Fence: Barrier that protects good grazing.
Grain: Sole virtue of domestication.
Hitching rail: Means by which to test one's strength.
Horse trailer: Mobile cave bear den.
Jump: An opportunity for self-expression.
Latch: Type of puzzle.
Longeing: Procedure for keeping a prospective rider at bay.
Owner: Human assigned responsibility for one's feeding.
Rider: Owner overstepping its bounds.
Farrier: Disposable surrogate owner useful for acting out aggression without compromising food supply.
Trainer: Owner with mob connections.
Veterinarian: Flightless albino vulture.

for more humor like this check out Equerry.com

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Let's Buy a Horse!


Our little Q-horse just isn't going to work for us. He goes back to his home this afternoon after 4 days on trial. I'm certain he'll make a great horse for someone, but I don't have the time and my mother doesn't have the know-how to make it happen for our family.

Green horse, green rider, per my instincts was a BAD COMBO. One of them has to know what their doing, otherwise it is misery for both of them. My mom is a little heart broken over the "loss" of "her" horse, but when it got down to it, no matter how cute the little fella was he didn't fit into my purchase parameters.

My mom's goal in horse ownership is to get out of the house come to the barn, and get on for a ride. She doesn't want to show, she doesn't even really want to canter. She just wants to ride. Her only requirements are: the horse is small (that's 17hh right?)and quiet. As far as I'm concerned, I don't care what it looks like or how it moves. All I'm interested in is finding a safe horse for my mom to ride that is within our price range.

To me, it is very important for people to ride horses they enjoy riding. After all, equestrian sports are supposed to be fun. Few of us riders are professional horse trainers obligated to ride green horses for our clients. My advice to all horse buyers is this, make sure it is someone (the horse) you enjoy working with. Think about your goals and if the horse you are looking at will help you achieve those goals. DO NOT let the owner, your friends or those big beautiful brown eyes persuade you into comitting yourself to a horse you are not confident you can handle.

Here are a few things to consider when buying:
Training (what does it do now?)
Mentality (does he/she have bad habits?)
Rideablity
Physical issues (sound? quality hooves? scarring etc)
Age
Price
Goals for Horse
Potential
Looks

And just because you're on a tight budget, doesn't mean you can't find a great horse. Take your time, ride the horses. If you can, get a horse on a trial basis. If you're serious about your prospective buy, get a vet check. Above all, be pragmatic and honest with yourself.

All horses are beautiful, and there are plenty out there, so don't rush into buying if something isn't as close to perfect as possible. Don't invest your money and time into some one with a problem you not sure you can handle. Don't buy a horse simply off breeding (unless its gonna be a brood mare), or looks or because your trainer can ride it. Spend the time to find the horse that best fits your needs, and you will be a happy rider.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Mothers and Daughters and Horses OH MY!

23 years into my career as a dressage rider, I come to find out my mother has wanted to ride this whole time.

Mom found a little black quarter horse he's not quite ready for prime time, but she likes him. I picked him up last night, now he's on trial with me for the next couple weeks. He can be young, but he's got to be kind. I don't care about looks, movement anything. Any horse my mom calls her own must be quiet. In spite of all the years on the side-lines my mother is a little out of touch with certain realities of the horse business, last night she was a little hesistant.

My initial thoughts are that a green-is horse, and a green rider is an awful idea. There is a lingering part of me that thinks maybe it will be okay, and they can both learn together. Of course it will be a lot of work for me to teach the two of them. The horse needs to learn, the rider needs to learn, and I'm the bridge bringing them together. Maybe though, it will be good. My mom and I will both learn how to communicate with this fella, and maybe, just maybe communication between mother and daughter will improve. Horses do have a way of breaking down barriers.

We haven't decided yet if we're keeping him yet. My mom hasn't decided how dedicated she will be to her riding. All she knows at this point is that he's cute and she really wants to give this a shot. Both of my parents have supported me in my riding all these years, even when I quit. My mother has been especially wonderful, I owe this to her after all that she's done I can share this with her.

For those of you who know my mom, wish me luck!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

FYI: Sarah Martin

Lincoln Equestrian Center will be hosting yet another event this weekend! Sarah Martin, USDF certified instructor though 4th level, and graduate of the judges "L" program will be instructing riders of all levels on Saturday and Sunday.

Sarah Martin teaches out of her Taka Chi Stables in Blanca Colorado. Her career in the horse world has taken her across the country, and through a variety of different disciplines of riding. Martin started her horse career in the Arab world, moving into Endurance riding back to Arabs and eventually, into dressage.

I'm sure that having ridden so many different types of horses in a variety of different disciplines will make Sarah a very knowledgeable and understanding clinician. The USDF certification process does produce good quality instructors who are prepared to teach riders at all skill levels. This is a great opportunity for riders in the area to come, watch and learn!

The clinic is open to auditors, please bring your own chairs. There is no fee to audit. A limited number of lunches will be available to auditors, at a cost of $7.00for a deli sandwich, chips, drink and desert.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Reminder

NDA Members: The Annual Banquet and meeting is this Saturday November 17th. During the meeting new board members will be selected, and new officers on the executive board will be elected. Members present at the banquet/meeting will decide. However if you are not present, you can still be accounted for if you send a proxy vote in with someone who is going.

Check out the nominees for this year's board in the November issue of the Contact. A good executive board is the key to a well run organization. Proxy make a difference, your voice will be heard!

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Pop Equi-z - Your Eye Q

The farrier asks you to fetch the "walleyed" horse from the barn. Which one do you retrieve?

A. the one peering at you thru the knothole in the stall wall

B. the one with the whites of his eyes showing

C. the one with a blue eye

D. the one with small eyes



I shall reveal the answer later..........

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Dressage Horses without Arenas

On Sunday, October 28th, Rafter J Dressage took the arenas away from dressage horses and went for on a scenic, quiet Poker Ride.

Tweleve horses (not all dressage horses) began at the Folmer Ranch in Palmer, Nebraska and rode a mile down a gravel road to some lovely wooded property along the Loup River. It was a brisk morning, but MAN we had fun! It was a very refreshing time. No pressure. No rules. Just us, our horses, and the scenery.

We spiced up "your average trail ride" by putting 5 buckets along the trail. In each bucket were two decks of cards. Each rider was given an index card at the beginning of the ride with each side of the index card represented one Poker Hand-5 Card Draw. Each rider drew two cards from the bucket and tried to assemble the best two poker hands they could. At the conclusion of the ride, the *twist* was revealed.....points were randomly assigned to each Poker Hand and it was conceivable for the person with the WORST hand to actually win.


Amber Handcock won $10 and a $10 gift card to Tractor Supply by not actually having a poker hand....she had the highest score simply from totaling her individual cards.

Cathy McCloud and Phil Sydzik both came in second with two pair.

After the ride we had a potluck at the Folmer Ranch and everyone agreed that we ate WAY TOO MUCH!

We had a wonderful time. I encourage all riders to use the last of this wonderful fall weather to get your horses out. Forget about your training goals and your program for two hours. Just enjoy your horse and the weather!