Were you there? I was looking for you at the South Chagrin Reservation where The cable channel RFD was filming as part of their series on urban trail riding in Northeast, Ohio.
I had not ridden these trails for at least a year, and I had forgotten how beautiful they are as they frequently follow the meanderings of the Cuyahoga River, and wander through bird sanctuaries and around peaceful waterfalls. There is very little awareness that outside of this bliss is a vibrant suburban community close to a large city.
Back in the days when Standard Oil was owned by the Rockefeller family in Cleveland, this family had the foresight to buy up and put aside thousands of acres of land now known as the Emerald Necklace. I am so grateful for their genius.
As my friend said yesterday, "it's so relaxing to spend a day with horses" and I couldn't agree more.
May the Trail Angels be with you, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Yoga High
Keep in mind that I'm no expert on Yoga. I began my intermittent relationship with practicing Yoga several years ago during my stress packed college years. Back then it enabled me to work and to attend school in a more relaxed way. Yoga does that for you.
In more recent times, after two rounds of physical therapy for back issues, I came to realize that many of the exercises I was given for my back were derived from Yoga and so now each morning I take 10 minutes to practice a variety of poses that help to get me going for the day.
Guys don't seem to be that keen on the whole Yoga idea; it's not as dramatic or sexy as lifting weights, or sweating on the treadmill. That being said, my husband has become a convert. To my surprise a friend of his got him interested in attending a Yoga class and the changes have been noticeable. The most apparent change for him has been his balance in the saddle. New to riding a few years ago, I think that he has struggled to find his "seat". Too many years at a desk and at a computer can really throw off our postures.
Whatever bad habits he had developed while sitting are being corrected with Yoga. It's so dramatic I think that he's now a permanent convert.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
In more recent times, after two rounds of physical therapy for back issues, I came to realize that many of the exercises I was given for my back were derived from Yoga and so now each morning I take 10 minutes to practice a variety of poses that help to get me going for the day.
Guys don't seem to be that keen on the whole Yoga idea; it's not as dramatic or sexy as lifting weights, or sweating on the treadmill. That being said, my husband has become a convert. To my surprise a friend of his got him interested in attending a Yoga class and the changes have been noticeable. The most apparent change for him has been his balance in the saddle. New to riding a few years ago, I think that he has struggled to find his "seat". Too many years at a desk and at a computer can really throw off our postures.
Whatever bad habits he had developed while sitting are being corrected with Yoga. It's so dramatic I think that he's now a permanent convert.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Doggone It
Let me say right off the bat that I am an avid dog lover. Anyone who visits our home is greeted by our very enthusiastic and friendly Springer Spaniel. I love all types of dogs and I have great respect for their intelligence and for their instincts. That being said, I am often puzzled by the decisions that some dog owners make.
It's not unusual to be trail riding on shared trails to come upon people walking their dogs unleashed. Not all dogs are used to being around horses and dogs faced with a new situation may exhibit unpredictable behavior. Also horses feeling threatened have the potential to gravely harm the dog. As I said to one dog owner as I pointed to his dog and then to my horse, "wolf relative, meat". He wasn't amused.
The point is that we cannot deny natural instincts and we all need to take precautions.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
It's not unusual to be trail riding on shared trails to come upon people walking their dogs unleashed. Not all dogs are used to being around horses and dogs faced with a new situation may exhibit unpredictable behavior. Also horses feeling threatened have the potential to gravely harm the dog. As I said to one dog owner as I pointed to his dog and then to my horse, "wolf relative, meat". He wasn't amused.
The point is that we cannot deny natural instincts and we all need to take precautions.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, May 31, 2010
Parade Around
It was Memorial Day and our little town circle was the site of its annual parade. Once part of the Western Reserve of Connecticut, this part of Ohio resembles many places in New England. Our little town center is ringed by white buildings with a gazebo at the center. American flags wave from every pole this time of year, and the graves in the town cemetery are dressed in red, white and blue.
We dressed the way a couple would have dressed (at the turn of the century) driving to attend a special event, to visit a friend, or to attend Church. Our Haflinger's blond mane caught the sunlight and children of all ages were delighted see riders and carriages and horses of all shapes and sizes walk down main street. People waving and smiling and greeting us was like a breath of fresh air considering our country's current struggles.
You see horses bring out the kid in all of us. Horses remind us of the Creator that we all share, and of the strength that we share as well.
Happy Trails, Kathy, horsedrivensite.net
We dressed the way a couple would have dressed (at the turn of the century) driving to attend a special event, to visit a friend, or to attend Church. Our Haflinger's blond mane caught the sunlight and children of all ages were delighted see riders and carriages and horses of all shapes and sizes walk down main street. People waving and smiling and greeting us was like a breath of fresh air considering our country's current struggles.
You see horses bring out the kid in all of us. Horses remind us of the Creator that we all share, and of the strength that we share as well.
Happy Trails, Kathy, horsedrivensite.net
Friday, May 28, 2010
Horses Were There Too
This weekend we will be honoring all of those brave men and women who have severed our country throughout history. Not to take away from their contributions, I'm proposing that we also remember the many fine horses who served and who gave their lives in the service of their masters.
It is thought that horses were first used in war about 5000 years ago, most likely pulling wagons, then graduating to chariots, and then to horseback tactics. From movies like Ben Hur, to the many Medieval period films, one can see the importance of the horse in warfare.
After WWI Calvary horses were being phased out, but as late as WWII horses were being used to transport materials in difficult terrain. My Haflinger and I were in a WWII reenactment as the Haflingers were used to transport supplies throughout the Alpine regions of Europe.
Even today mules are being trained then shipped to Afghanistan to transport supplies in rough terrain.
There has been little recognition given to our equine heroes. Following WWII three horses were given the equivalent of the Victoria Cross for their service during the war. In London's Hyde Park there is a memorial in honor of horses and mules who have served.
So as we remember our soldiers this weekend, let's also remember their canine and equine equivalents, and the roles they have played as well.
Happy Memorial Weekend, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
It is thought that horses were first used in war about 5000 years ago, most likely pulling wagons, then graduating to chariots, and then to horseback tactics. From movies like Ben Hur, to the many Medieval period films, one can see the importance of the horse in warfare.
After WWI Calvary horses were being phased out, but as late as WWII horses were being used to transport materials in difficult terrain. My Haflinger and I were in a WWII reenactment as the Haflingers were used to transport supplies throughout the Alpine regions of Europe.
Even today mules are being trained then shipped to Afghanistan to transport supplies in rough terrain.
There has been little recognition given to our equine heroes. Following WWII three horses were given the equivalent of the Victoria Cross for their service during the war. In London's Hyde Park there is a memorial in honor of horses and mules who have served.
So as we remember our soldiers this weekend, let's also remember their canine and equine equivalents, and the roles they have played as well.
Happy Memorial Weekend, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Trail Horse Hunting
A recent article in one of my horse magazines had me thinking about what I was looking for in a good trail horse. Trying to find a horse with a good temperament, courage, trail experience, and calmness can be a daunting task. In the age of Internet shopping for everything, horse shopping is no different, but you want to be able to be sure that you have the time to check out a horse fully. There are no serial numbers to tract for the horse's history.
We took several months to find my Fox Trotter, and in this time we created a folder full of contacts. Visiting farms, checking out the environment where a horse is raised or trained is a must. One contact led to another, leading us to my current horse. She was just four at the time which made me hesitate, but she soon won me over with her temperament.
You see her owner breeder had ponied her on trail from the time she was a baby, so she'd been exposed to trail. I think this is why she loves trail so much. Her owner had me ride her on a variety of trails, some quite difficult with river crossings and she performed like a trooper.
I came to the conclusion that I had not only been horse shopping, but I'd been trainer shopping as well, and all lived happily ever after.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
We took several months to find my Fox Trotter, and in this time we created a folder full of contacts. Visiting farms, checking out the environment where a horse is raised or trained is a must. One contact led to another, leading us to my current horse. She was just four at the time which made me hesitate, but she soon won me over with her temperament.
You see her owner breeder had ponied her on trail from the time she was a baby, so she'd been exposed to trail. I think this is why she loves trail so much. Her owner had me ride her on a variety of trails, some quite difficult with river crossings and she performed like a trooper.
I came to the conclusion that I had not only been horse shopping, but I'd been trainer shopping as well, and all lived happily ever after.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, May 24, 2010
Buttercup, Buttercup, O, Butter....
My outdoor riding area is awash in yellow, with one of my favorite spring flowers, the buttercup. Remember holding them under each other's chins as children to see if "you like butter"? To me they are way too perky and cute to be a problem, but they may be for your horse. You see the buttercup, or the Ranunculus bulbosus,is toxic to horses, and most toxic when the plant is flowering. Symptoms of poisoning may include blood stained urine, salivation, depression,blindness.
There's nothing attractive about ground ivy and it apparently grows all over the USA, and this too can be toxic to horses, causing sweating, shortness of breath, salivation, dilated pupils.
The lesson here is to become familiar with where your horses are grazing and what they are ingesting. Some of the most innocent looking, like red clover, can be some of the most toxic to our equine friends.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
There's nothing attractive about ground ivy and it apparently grows all over the USA, and this too can be toxic to horses, causing sweating, shortness of breath, salivation, dilated pupils.
The lesson here is to become familiar with where your horses are grazing and what they are ingesting. Some of the most innocent looking, like red clover, can be some of the most toxic to our equine friends.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
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