Friesian horses are what dreams are made of; damsels in distress and Knights atop their regal mounts coming to the rescue. The Friesian is a native of the Dutch Province of Friesland. Some believe the breed exhibits characteristics of the prehistoric wild horse that populated Europe. It is a warmblood breed used during the Middle Ages as a durable mount for knights in armor.
The modern Friesian was developed in the 1500s when invading Spanish bred their Andalusians to local Frisian mares. The result was a more versatile and a lighter horse. These horses were favored for High School dressage. During this time the Friesian developed its high stepping gait and its crested neck.
Purebred Friesians almost disappeared in the 19th century when, because of their popularity as carriage horses, it was used to develop other breeds like the Morgan, the Hackney breed and the Orlov Trotter. Post WWI Europe almost saw the extinction of the breed, but by the 1960s, with improving economies the breed was rescued.
US Friesians were brought to New Amsterdam (New York) in the 1600s by the Dutch, however they were crossbred out of existence. Post war immigrants reintroduced the Friesian back to the US and thank goodness for that.
Enjoying all breeds, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Ohio Trails
There are almost one hundred places to trail ride in the state of Ohio. Hard to believe because we are not that big a state. The parks range from 8 miles of trails to almost 60 miles of trails. The interesting thing about Ohio trails is that you may be riding on flat sandy soil one day and within a days drive, ride across a river with walls of rock rising from the riverbed.
Riders are encouraged to track their miles and report them. There are patches for riders who have ridden 200, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 miles. There are also awards for the Top Ten Overall Riders, Top Youth Trail Riders, Top Ten First Timers. There are "Saddle Hours" for people who show and awards to match sponsored by the Ohio Horseman's Council. So saddle up.
See You on Trail, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Riders are encouraged to track their miles and report them. There are patches for riders who have ridden 200, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 miles. There are also awards for the Top Ten Overall Riders, Top Youth Trail Riders, Top Ten First Timers. There are "Saddle Hours" for people who show and awards to match sponsored by the Ohio Horseman's Council. So saddle up.
See You on Trail, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Balancing Act
It doesn't take long when you're riding a horse to realize that a large part of the sport is a "balancing act". My 'Aha" moment happened when I came to conclusion that my Achilles tendinitis may have resulted from an imbalance in riding; putting more pressure in my right stirrup.
At Equine Affaire this weekend, I had the opportunity to watch a seminar by Colleen Kelly, an exercise physiologist, now a biomechanics expert, who lectures all over the world. Colleen did a great job illustrating the effects of imbalance on your horse's performance. It made me more aware of foot and knee placement as well has how I align my body in the saddle.
Being mindful of bad little habits we may have developed and correcting them can make a difference in how you feel and how your horse feels while working. If Colleen comes to your area, be sure to take time to see her. She's also pretty funny and makes learning fun.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
At Equine Affaire this weekend, I had the opportunity to watch a seminar by Colleen Kelly, an exercise physiologist, now a biomechanics expert, who lectures all over the world. Colleen did a great job illustrating the effects of imbalance on your horse's performance. It made me more aware of foot and knee placement as well has how I align my body in the saddle.
Being mindful of bad little habits we may have developed and correcting them can make a difference in how you feel and how your horse feels while working. If Colleen comes to your area, be sure to take time to see her. She's also pretty funny and makes learning fun.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, April 12, 2010
Getting Trail Ready
Equine Affaire was lots of fun, with many opportunities to learn something new, and some new product on the market that make allot of sense. Our Ohio Horse Council sponsored a booth dedicated to trail riding, because there are so many awesome trails in the state of Ohio.
I snatched up material that caught my eye as I prepare to fully enter trail riding season. Some of these rules sound obvious but they are worth reviewing.
1. Be sure that your horse is trail ready. Not all horses make good trail horses. Some horses don't really enjoy trails and the hard work involved. Others act out or may be potentially dangerous to their riders or to other horses.
2. Learn about the trail you will be riding before the ride, or ride with someone familiar with the rail.
3. Leave the dog at home. Maybe your dog and horse are buddies but this may not be true for other horses.
4.Nonriders using the trail are supposed to yield to horses if possible.
5.You may need to instruct bikers or hikers to keep a safe distance from the horse. I've found that if I greet the other person on trail and they respond, the passing goes more smoothly. If they shout out they are vegetarian, the horses really relax.
6.Carry a first aid kit, cell phone, ID on you and on your saddle in the unlikely event that you become separated from your horse.
7. My personal bias is that riding is like swimming, you should always have a buddy. Besides, you'll want to be able to back up your story when you find Big Foot on trail.
So get out there and have safe fun. Helmets are IN.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
I snatched up material that caught my eye as I prepare to fully enter trail riding season. Some of these rules sound obvious but they are worth reviewing.
1. Be sure that your horse is trail ready. Not all horses make good trail horses. Some horses don't really enjoy trails and the hard work involved. Others act out or may be potentially dangerous to their riders or to other horses.
2. Learn about the trail you will be riding before the ride, or ride with someone familiar with the rail.
3. Leave the dog at home. Maybe your dog and horse are buddies but this may not be true for other horses.
4.Nonriders using the trail are supposed to yield to horses if possible.
5.You may need to instruct bikers or hikers to keep a safe distance from the horse. I've found that if I greet the other person on trail and they respond, the passing goes more smoothly. If they shout out they are vegetarian, the horses really relax.
6.Carry a first aid kit, cell phone, ID on you and on your saddle in the unlikely event that you become separated from your horse.
7. My personal bias is that riding is like swimming, you should always have a buddy. Besides, you'll want to be able to back up your story when you find Big Foot on trail.
So get out there and have safe fun. Helmets are IN.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Friday, April 9, 2010
Time to Watch for Founder
I am on patrol and on special watch for founder this time of year when the pastures are bright green and high in sugar content. I want to avoid this condition like the plague and try to slowly introduce my horses to the back pasture after winter closer to the barn. Founder, or laminitis is a painful inflammation of the foot. It may occur just in the front feet or in all four feet. In a nightmare worst case scenario, the coffin bone, without the support of the laminae, can rotate down through the bottom of the sole. This vision keeps me in enough fear to watch my little herd like a hawk.
Besides standing in an attempt to get weight off the affected feet, horses may exhibit heavy breathing, glazed eyes due to the pain. The feet will feel hot and there will be a pounding pulse in the digital artery over the fetlock joint.
Overweight horses are particularly vulnerable, overloading on grain, or drinking large amounts of water when overheated may also trigger founder. Founder requires quick veterinary intervention.
So happy spring, have fun, but watch what your mounts are eating.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Besides standing in an attempt to get weight off the affected feet, horses may exhibit heavy breathing, glazed eyes due to the pain. The feet will feel hot and there will be a pounding pulse in the digital artery over the fetlock joint.
Overweight horses are particularly vulnerable, overloading on grain, or drinking large amounts of water when overheated may also trigger founder. Founder requires quick veterinary intervention.
So happy spring, have fun, but watch what your mounts are eating.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Horse Rescue
Between 2008 and 2009, there was a 400% increase in reports of neglect or abuse of horses according to the website, amillion horses.com. Dr. Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation, and her team of leaders in the horse industry, have formed the United Organizations of the Horse. One of the goals is to help the horse industry, which like many business has shrunk considerably( some reports state up to 50%) during the recession. The other objective is to stop the suffering of horses whom are no longer wanted.
The plan is to rejuvenate horses that have been neglected, evaluate and retrain horses and for those who need it, a quick, painless and humane death for those where there is no recourse. As tough as this is to think about, it cannot be any other way. Owners my designate that the horse meat be donated to hunger centers.
A wannabe vegetarian and horse lover myself, this is a sad scenario, but better to deal with the reality than to turn the other way and ignore so many animals leaving this world in a slow tortuous way. Knowing that Dr. Temple Grandin is involved is very comforting. Her book, Animals in Translation is a must read for all animal lovers. It will cement how various animals perceive the world and how different their brains are from ours.
There is a National Do Not Slaughter Registry which will provide horse owners with the option to recover previously owned horses from slaughter by paying costs. The Registry uses microchip technology. There would be scanning equipment at processing plants. Owners or previous owners would be given a 72 hour window of opportunity to recover the horse.
This reality of horse neglect and abuse predated the recession and has now reached alarming numbers. In any way that you can, try to support these valiant efforts to bring kindness to these animals.
Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
The plan is to rejuvenate horses that have been neglected, evaluate and retrain horses and for those who need it, a quick, painless and humane death for those where there is no recourse. As tough as this is to think about, it cannot be any other way. Owners my designate that the horse meat be donated to hunger centers.
A wannabe vegetarian and horse lover myself, this is a sad scenario, but better to deal with the reality than to turn the other way and ignore so many animals leaving this world in a slow tortuous way. Knowing that Dr. Temple Grandin is involved is very comforting. Her book, Animals in Translation is a must read for all animal lovers. It will cement how various animals perceive the world and how different their brains are from ours.
There is a National Do Not Slaughter Registry which will provide horse owners with the option to recover previously owned horses from slaughter by paying costs. The Registry uses microchip technology. There would be scanning equipment at processing plants. Owners or previous owners would be given a 72 hour window of opportunity to recover the horse.
This reality of horse neglect and abuse predated the recession and has now reached alarming numbers. In any way that you can, try to support these valiant efforts to bring kindness to these animals.
Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, April 5, 2010
Passive composting
If you own a small farm (1-5 horses), this method may be right for you. According to my new favorite book on going green, "Eco-horsekeeping",by Lucinda Dyer, this is the method for you.
It involves forming small piles of manure (heaven knows we have lots of that), 5-7 feet at the base and and about 3 feet high. This is easiest done if the manure is placed in a bin or container (with spacing in the sides to allow for airflow).
Fill the first bin, then move on to the second bin; by that time 2-4 months will have passed and the first bin will have composted for use. The piles should be covered to prevent the pile from getting too wet or too dry (like Goldie Locks porridge, just right). Turning the compost will get the outside manure to the middle where the heat will kill parasites and weeds.
This sounds like a recipe I can handle.
Happy piling, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
It involves forming small piles of manure (heaven knows we have lots of that), 5-7 feet at the base and and about 3 feet high. This is easiest done if the manure is placed in a bin or container (with spacing in the sides to allow for airflow).
Fill the first bin, then move on to the second bin; by that time 2-4 months will have passed and the first bin will have composted for use. The piles should be covered to prevent the pile from getting too wet or too dry (like Goldie Locks porridge, just right). Turning the compost will get the outside manure to the middle where the heat will kill parasites and weeds.
This sounds like a recipe I can handle.
Happy piling, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
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