Learn to Ride

Having horses as part of my life is such a source of joy. For those of you who have always loved horses, my suggestion is to learn as much about the sport and find a good instructor. Yes it is a sport and with any sport it requires instruction and knowing the rules of safety.

I came across a great little book for would be riders of all ages, although it is called the "Young Riders Handbook , Better Riding" (or should we say the young at heart). It's a very basic book, but well written and it covers so many important safety and horse relating tips like "horses have their days when they are not feeling their best just as we do, but if bad behavior or apparent discomfort persists, then ask for help". This may sound too basic, but you'd be surprised how many people ignore signals horses are sending out to riders (sometimes with dire consequences)

Other topics covered are mounting and dismounting, signs of discontentment or fear in the horse, transitions, the mechanics of different gaits, different styles of riding. There is an excellent explanation of impulsion and collection that any beginning rider will treasure for its illustrations and for its simplicity.

Jo Bird is the author of this fine instructional tool. This book makes a great gift for any newbie rider.

Happy Trails, Kathy
Horsedrivensite.net

Mud Rules

My horse trailer has finally been released from its snow prison, the result of a very snowy February. With the current rain and melting snow we've entered the MUD season. Having been through this for several years, I've realized that there are a few simple rules that can make life a little easier.

1. Have lots of extra clean jeans. No matter how high your boots are the mud can jump higher.

2.Get your dog to the groomer and have him sport a hairless look; it's much easier to keep clean.

3.Even 4 wheel drive is no match for the frosting of mud over the frozen earth. Stay on the pavement.

4.Horses love mud, but too much exposure can cause foot soreness, or infections. Get used to the sound of them kicking the stall to get out.

5.Be a good sport and only ride trails that are well drained and prepared for this seasonal mess.

And most of all, enjoy the other signs of spring that keep us hopeful.

Happy Trails, Kathy
Horsedrivensite.net

Winter Drip

My Springer Spaniel sat next to me on the glider near out fire pit, his eyes closed, nose to the sun, soaking in the rays that had been hidden for so long. I sat watching winter melt away one drip at a time, each drop sparkling in the sun like diamonique bargains on QVC.

I watched my Fox Trotter soak up the rays as well and I thought about what led me to this breed. Of course comfort was the big drawing card. I couldn't picture my aging spine tolerating much more vertical movement. Think I've shrunk about a half inch already and who needs to speed that process? A sure footed horse is what I needed and one that could cover long distances quickly and love doing it too.

Since this breed is favored by the U.S. Forrest Service I though now there's a few mile to cover, count me in.

Just a few more drips and we'll be riding again and not a moment too soon.

Happy Trails, Kathy Horsedrivensite.net

Foxie Withdrawal

It's been three months since I've ridden. The physical therapy for my Achilles tendinitis is working slowly, and hope to be back in the saddle soon. It seems that I'll never get my trailer out of the snow, but signs of spring are emerging. The Easter candy is in full bloom in all the stores, skunks are on the move (saw my first skunk road kill this morning),our snow man is melting leaving his eyes on his chin, and his carrot nose on the ground, so there is hope.

I know my Fox Trotter will need little time to get back into the routine because she's that awesome.

Happy Trails, Kathy Horsedrivensite.net

Greener Pasture While Going Green

Of course going green applies to the equine community, so being earth friendly I recently purchased a book titled Eco-horsekeeping by Lucinda Dyer. I try to use eco-friendly products in my home and hunt various markets for reasonable organic foods, but hadn't given much thought to my horses and my barn. I've been using fly predators for several years and am very happy with the results, and I use only natural shampoos and conditioners to prevent polluting the ground water. Every spring when the dandelions are in full bloom my husband and I have our annual conflict about what to do about those prolific yellow blossoms. My stance is to learn to love the dandelions.

This is a nice little manual and a quick read and reference book which is what we all love with our busy schedules. The contents cover everything from earth friendly cleaning, water conservation to pest control, land management, manure management and organic pet practices. Here are some of my favorite suggestions that I'm considering incorporating into my horse life. Going batty isn't what you might think (although winter is certainly testing me). With the ability to eat 1000 mosquitoes per hour, what's not to love about a bat? OK so you freak at the memory of childhood stories of bats getting tangled in your hair (and of dragon flies sewing up your mouth), but we're grown ups now! A bat house is able to house 50 plus bats, so this sounds like a win win to me. The book details how and where to place the bat house as well as ongoing care. Have thought about trying goldfish in the water trough to keep down mosquito larvae, but keep picturing some poor little fish in the bowels of my Fox Trotter. Remember Pinocchio in the whale?

There are reference to websites that tell you how to build your own inexpensive horsefly traps, how to manage soil and water conservation, deet free bug repellents that are worth using, and websites for equipment to harness solar and wind energy. The book contains individuals' stories of what they've found to be effective for managing horses and their environments in a green manner. Since I'm in Northeast Ohio and winter is providing me with a sabbatical from trail riding my Fox Trotter, this is a great time for me to plan how I might change some habits to create a better environment for all of us. So make a quick click to Amazon.com and treat yourself to a wealth of love the earth information

Happy Trails, Kathy Horsedrivensite.net

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

This might sound pretty bizarre but I'm feeling very excited about the fact that I'm starting to see some shed out on my horses. With lots of snow still on the ground I see this as a sign of hope that we're an inch closer to spring. I will now delight in the mess of winter coats flying to the ground and spitting horse hair out of my mouth. I promise not to complain as the hair works it's way into polar fleece and clogs my dryer filter. Grooming and fluffing my Fox Trotter to perfection before the mud arrives will be my new mission, and everyone will be glad when we can get back out on trail.

Happy Brushing, Kathy

My First ADT

After one formal lesson in the dressage pattern and little cart driving done last year because of trail riding activity, I fearlessly signed up for an Arena Driving Trial. The first challenge was getting and keeping my Haflinger clean enough because we had had a January thaw and the mud reappeared. My next challenge was learning to be patient as 34 other contestants participated.

Mind you, we had not mastered the fine points of driving in this type of competition but now I know what we'd need to work on if we are to continue. The good news is that my middle aged brain remembered the dressage pattern and when to salute the judge. During the cones course we had a good time and didn't destroy any property. The hazards were our undoing. We had borrowed a training cart from the facility. In this cart we were sitting lower than our own cart. Unfortunately this made it harder to see over my Haflinger's healthy backside, and we were disqualified for passing through one gate to get to another before we had used the first gate.

It was fun to be with our equine friends in the middle of winter. And it was fun to know that my horse won't spook at hazards and that I could learn to be a much better driver. Now I know what we don't know. Happy Trails Kathy