Cowgirl up Even If You Hit the Ground

When I am not regularly attending college, I work at a boarding stable that offers lessons for young riders to learn about the show world. That is where I come in, Im the coach. I absolutely love every minute of teaching the kids but this last week I have came upon a few problems that I found rather troubling at first, but then I had to remember what it was like to be a young kid learning to ride a horse. I remembered what it was like the first time I was thrown off a horse!

My first problem this week was a little 8 year old girl I give lessons to once a week. She is the type of little girl who can ask 100 questions and never take a breathe, but the other night she wasnt as talkative. I thought maybe she was just tired and continued on with the lesson, asking her to trot within 15 minutes of starting. That is when all hell broke loose! She cried and screamed and told me she quite riding. This confused me at first because she has ridden for awhile and then I was told why. This little girl was bucked off a pony and dragged about a year ago, and then I understood, this little girl just needed to Cowgirl Up. After about 30 minutes of negotiating on my part and yelling from her part, she got up the courage to trot. Someone asked me later if it made me mad that she yelled at me, and I had to think for a minute "Is it ever fair to be mad at a child for a legitamate fear"? All I can say is Im proud she got up the nerve to try it, and she succeeded just like i knew she would!

My second problem this week is that one of my other girls I train was thrown off her mare. We did just start teaching this horse to lope so it was understandable that she threw a fit. My rider immediately got up and re mounted the horse. I was so proud to see her to this, but then when I asked her to try it again she looked at me and asked, "Can you try it first"? Now as an instructor I know it is my responsibility to make sure these horses are safe for the kids but at the same time, I dont want to be thrown off either! So after about 5 deep breaths and some persuasion for myself, I got on and made the mare behave ( not easily!). After I got the mare calmed down my rider got back on and brought the horse to a good lope. I never thought teaching lesson would make my heart swell as much as it did right then.

Seeing both of those young girls over come their fears and knowing I helped them do that made me feel so good. I know that we will come across more problems like this as the lessons continue, but I know my kids will become winners by next summer. So the lesson for the week at our stable is "Cowgirl up, Even If you Hit the Ground"

A Blinding Distraction In The Show Ring

For anyone who has ever been in the show ring, I am sure that you can relate to this story in some form or fashion. We have all had an experience while showing that makes us stop and wonder… “Why are we doing this? Why do we put ourselves at the mercy of a judge?” I am sure there are plenty of stories we could all share about a time when a judge has caused us to become angry or confused, but here is a story of my own that I will always remember and debate.

Nearly five years ago my younger sister was showing her pony in an open western halter class. Now it is important to understand that this was a show full of young kids who were just beginning to learn the ins-and-outs of the horse showing world. Anyway, this pony that my sister was showing is what many of us would refer to as “a confidence booster”. Molly was a trusty, reliable, sweetheart of a pony that taught my sister how to ride and show. She was not a horse registered and purely bred to compete in the showing industry; she was a lovable animal that had a heart the size of Texas. The only visible problem that tended to catch the attention of many people was that Molly was blind in one eye.

As the judge made her way across the arena inspecting each of the horses present in the class, she came upon my sister and Molly. She seemed to be spending a little more time observing and evaluating the confirmation and structure of Molly when we noticed her begin to wave a clipboard back and forth in front of Molly’s bad eye. After thirty or so seconds, she glanced at my sister and moved on to the next horse without even a slight glimpse back in Molly’s direction. When the placings for the class were finally announced, my sister and Molly were left standing without a placing or viable reason as to why, other than the obvious… the judge had held it against Molly that she was legally blind in her one eye.

Was the judge fair in dismissing that pony as a competitor because of her blind eye? Did the judge have the right to wave her clipboard in front of the bad eye in order to discover a flaw that was not apparent enough for her to evidently be able to see on her own? Every judge has there characteristics, colorings, markings, body conformations, even breeds that they favor. However, where is a line to be drawn that a judge should not cross over? Let me know what ya’ll think. Later Partner!

Horse Collecting: Horse Owners Taking on More Then They Can Handle?

For any horse owner, hearing that a horse has been abondoned is heartbreaking. Since I began riding when I was 9 years old, I have helped with 3 different horse rescues and I would just like to say, the people who aloud us to come in and help them find their horses a new home deserves a huge thank you. It takes a lot to swallow your pride and ask someone for help, and to admit you cant take care of your animals anymore. This problem is becoming increasily more common in Indiana and surrounding states. I found an article on Horse Talk that discusses horses being abandoned in Kentucky and it got me thinking, could people have a problem with "collecting horses"

Collecting horses may sound funny, but it is something that people actually do. Many horse owners end up with too many horses, and they cant care for them anymore. I am willing to admit, horses are addicting. Especially baby horses! I mean how can you turn down this horse?

Cute right?

But what happens when they start looking like this?

The sad truth is that there are thousands of horses abandaned every year in Indiana alone, and people thinking it is ok to just let them go in state parks. There are a few problems with this, the main one being it is extremely illegal to just leave your pets to fend for themselves in state parks. Also, horses have evolved so much since they have been domesticated, their bodies aren't made to live in harsh elements anymore. Many horses could easily starve without their normal feed, or even freeze to death because their coats don't get thick enough to live in the snow without protection.

If you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer provide adoquate care for your horses, there is numerous place that can help. The Indiana Horse Rescue is a great place to call, and they will take your horse, no questions asked. Also, the Crosswinds Equine Rescue will take any horse, and find it a safe, loving home. Don't ever embarassed to ask for help. You dont want to watch a well papered, registered AQHA show horse go from a great show prospect, to a sad, starve animal.

Events of the World Equestrian Games

There will be eight different events taking place, for the very first time, during the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Each of these disciplines are exciting and fun to observe as thousands of horses will be competing during the two week time period. The technique and amount of skill needed by every rider and horse is astounding and mesmerizing. There is simply nothing else that can compare to the exhilaration that is taking place in the world of horses right now.

The Disciplines:

1. Dressage

Dressage is the guiding of a horse through a series of complex maneuvers by slight movements of the rider’s hands, legs, and weight. It is commonly referred to and known as “horse ballet”.

2. Driving

Driving is the skillful maneuvering by each driver of a team of four horses throughout the three competitions of the event. The three competitions are Driven Dressage, Marathon, and Cones Driving.

3. Endurance

An Endurance Ride is a competition that tests the speed and endurance ability of the horse. Each rider and horse is competing against the clock over a course of 100 miles.

4. Eventing

Eventing is an all around test of three distinct pieces of the competition. Each horse and rider must complete the Dressage test, Cross-Country test, and the Jumping test.

5. Jumping

Jumping is a test of various conditions and obstacles the horse and rider must successfully overcome. It gives the horse the ability to demonstrate freedom, energy, skill, speed, and obedience under the skillful horsemanship of the rider.

6. Para Dressage

Para Dressage is a discipline provided to give riders with physical disabilities the opportunity to compete in high performance equestrian sports. This is the very first time in the history of the equestrian sport that para dressage will be included in the World Equestrian Games.

7. Reining

Reining is an exciting display of the athletic ability of a western type horse. The horse and rider must run a pattern that consists of small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs, 360 degree spins done in place, back ups, and sliding stops.

8. Vaulting

Vaulting is a combination of gymnastics and dance performed to music on a cantering horse. It requires a melodious relationship with the horse and exceptional physical condition from the vaulter.