As I've trail ridden with several different groups, and several different women, it has occurred to me that on any given day the ages of the riders can span 3 generations. I find this to be both empowering and encouraging.
In a culture that typically emphasizes differences in generations and that does not value aging, especially in women, I find that riding with women of all ages to be a wonderful bonding experience. Caring for and riding horses is for certain an anti aging activity. The physical and the mental activity it takes to ride regularly is what keeps us well, balanced and happy.
I've often thought of my trail rides as my therapy, and the on trail discussions with other women as an important component. Being on trail close to the beauty of nature and close to the power of the horse make for a perfect day. There are no generation gaps on trail.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Fly Taxi
The horse flies have been particularly large and aggressive this year. Could it have been from some of the hot and humid weather conditions? At the competitive trail ride outside of Toledo last week they were fierce and numerous, and threatened to spoil an otherwise great weekend.
Sprays seemed to be a temporary fix, but we all know that sweating dilutes the effectiveness. A clever fellow rider had the answer in a rump cover that could be attached to the back of the saddle and under the tail. It was light but durable mesh bordered by soft polar fleece and colorful trim. I was glad to purchase one of her last covers.
The day was saved. As the temperature rose from the start of the race at dawn, the the flies rested on my horse's backside; it was comical to watch them hang on and try to bite without success. I don't know if it was the movement or the thickness of the mesh, but the confused flies had no effect but hung on like we were the last taxi on a Saturday night. As I looked behind me I giggled and my horse was completely unaware of the joke.
Thank you inventive fellow riders.
Happy Trail, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Sprays seemed to be a temporary fix, but we all know that sweating dilutes the effectiveness. A clever fellow rider had the answer in a rump cover that could be attached to the back of the saddle and under the tail. It was light but durable mesh bordered by soft polar fleece and colorful trim. I was glad to purchase one of her last covers.
The day was saved. As the temperature rose from the start of the race at dawn, the the flies rested on my horse's backside; it was comical to watch them hang on and try to bite without success. I don't know if it was the movement or the thickness of the mesh, but the confused flies had no effect but hung on like we were the last taxi on a Saturday night. As I looked behind me I giggled and my horse was completely unaware of the joke.
Thank you inventive fellow riders.
Happy Trail, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
How it Drips
A good friend of mine introduced my horses to the luxury of watermelon at the end of a long hot trail. At first my Fox Trotter turned up her nose and curled her lip as only horses can do. My Haflinger gobbled it up, with great streams of juice dripping down each side of his mouth. He knew a good thing the minute he tasted it. The Trotter soon followed his lead.
It turns out that watermelon is a great way for both riders and horses to rehydrate in the summer. Watermelon is known to reduce inflammation that occurs with asthma, arteriosclerosis and arthritis. Watermelon is full of antioxidant vitamins, particularly vitamin A and Vitamin C. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals that can cause damage to tissue.
Watermelon is also high in lycopene which can lower the risk of several types of cancers. It's low in calories; one cup of watermelon is 48 calories and without fat. It's rich in vitamin K, Magnesium. What's not to like?
My granddaughter and I sing the watermelon song as we feed the horses. "Watermelon, watermelon, how it drips, how it drips, up and down the elbow, up and down the elbow, spit the pits ,spit the pits" (to the tune of Are You Sleeping?).
Of course feed the melon only, not the rind. Your horses will be singing for more.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
It turns out that watermelon is a great way for both riders and horses to rehydrate in the summer. Watermelon is known to reduce inflammation that occurs with asthma, arteriosclerosis and arthritis. Watermelon is full of antioxidant vitamins, particularly vitamin A and Vitamin C. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals that can cause damage to tissue.
Watermelon is also high in lycopene which can lower the risk of several types of cancers. It's low in calories; one cup of watermelon is 48 calories and without fat. It's rich in vitamin K, Magnesium. What's not to like?
My granddaughter and I sing the watermelon song as we feed the horses. "Watermelon, watermelon, how it drips, how it drips, up and down the elbow, up and down the elbow, spit the pits ,spit the pits" (to the tune of Are You Sleeping?).
Of course feed the melon only, not the rind. Your horses will be singing for more.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sand Trap
This past weekend I traveled to a park outside of Toledo Ohio for a competitive trail ride. Having participated in only a few of these competitions I am getting accustomed to some of the strategies involved. My horse is in good condition, and is getting ridden on trail regularly. What partially tripped us up in this event was sand.
Ohio has wide variations in topography, from rugged hills, to caves to farmland,to what I experienced this weekend, sand. Who knew? When I heard about sandy trails I never envisioned portions that were as deep as any sandy beach. Remember how hard it can be to run in sand? My horse did well, but she was little sore afterward, my friend's horse had pulled a muscle.
Riders from Michigan where sandy trails are supposedly common told us that riding in sand is as tough as the mountains we climb here in the Cuyahoga Valley and that horses trained in sand are very well conditioned by the effort.
All I know is that it was fun and that after a days rest my horse will be fine and I've learned many new things about competitive trail riding.
Happy Trail, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Ohio has wide variations in topography, from rugged hills, to caves to farmland,to what I experienced this weekend, sand. Who knew? When I heard about sandy trails I never envisioned portions that were as deep as any sandy beach. Remember how hard it can be to run in sand? My horse did well, but she was little sore afterward, my friend's horse had pulled a muscle.
Riders from Michigan where sandy trails are supposedly common told us that riding in sand is as tough as the mountains we climb here in the Cuyahoga Valley and that horses trained in sand are very well conditioned by the effort.
All I know is that it was fun and that after a days rest my horse will be fine and I've learned many new things about competitive trail riding.
Happy Trail, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Two Horse Rule
Since we've kept horses on our property, my husband in his wisdom and in his attempts at self protection had created and has enforced the two horse rule. I've respected that rule because he takes an active role in the care of the horses and we work well as a team. When I wanted another Haflinger to drive as a team, I had the two horse rule preventing the execution of this wish.
As many times as I've tried to buck the rule it has remained in place. And quite frankly over time I've come to appreciate the rule. I always think that I have more time and more energy than I really have. It's unfair to horses who get cheated out of quality time and training because owners are too busy. We have seen people accumulate more horses than they can possibly handle. You can see the care of the horses become less than optimal.
So the two horse rule stands unless I can bend the rule with a mini for my granddaughter.
Happy Trials, Kathy, Horsedrivensight.net
As many times as I've tried to buck the rule it has remained in place. And quite frankly over time I've come to appreciate the rule. I always think that I have more time and more energy than I really have. It's unfair to horses who get cheated out of quality time and training because owners are too busy. We have seen people accumulate more horses than they can possibly handle. You can see the care of the horses become less than optimal.
So the two horse rule stands unless I can bend the rule with a mini for my granddaughter.
Happy Trials, Kathy, Horsedrivensight.net
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Give Me Air
For the competitive trail ride I thought that I could camp one night, but remember I'm the Marriott camper. I made a last minute decision to camp because the competition began so early in the morning. Basically a noncamper, I thought that I could get by with a cushion and memory foam on the floor of my tack room which has a screen door. There would even be room for my collapsible Japanese commode that folds nicely into a carrying bag.
My back had other ideas as I tossed and turned to get comfortable on my makeshift bed. I'd forgotten that I was 20 many years ago, and that there was a reason why I called myself the Marriott camper. A fellow rider thought that she could sleep in the back of her truck and guess how that ended up. It was fate that a Bed Bath and Beyond flyer came to my house the next day advertising an air mattress. The universe was speaking to me.
So guess where I'm headed tomorrow.
Stay trail happy, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
My back had other ideas as I tossed and turned to get comfortable on my makeshift bed. I'd forgotten that I was 20 many years ago, and that there was a reason why I called myself the Marriott camper. A fellow rider thought that she could sleep in the back of her truck and guess how that ended up. It was fate that a Bed Bath and Beyond flyer came to my house the next day advertising an air mattress. The universe was speaking to me.
So guess where I'm headed tomorrow.
Stay trail happy, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
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