Lesson # 7

Today we had a theory class, that is instead of riding we go over curriculum or learn something new from our coach.

In our theory this week we learned how to lunge

Here is a guide on how to lunge your horse!

Things you will need:
-Gloves
-A lunge line (35 ft. is best)
-A properly fitted cavesson, bridle or halter
-Leg protection (for the horse)
-Lunge whip
-A safe enclosed space


Reasons why we lunge a horse (for their benefit):
-Exercise
-Training
-Learning where to place their feet
-To build up muscle

When a horse is full of energy it can endanger you,
and the horse!

-To get rid of extra energy
-When a horse is too young to ride
-To teach them manners
-To learn how to do proper circles

How to lunge a horse:
-Put your whip in the hand that will be nearest the horses hindquarters
-Wrap the lunge line in figure eights and hold them(not wrapped around your hand)
-Send the horse out
-Start small, and slow then increase circle and speed
-Make a triangle with the lunge line, you at the center, and the whip
-

Lessons #6

-Standing in stirrups/ 2 point
-Rising trot
-Standing at trot, and circling arms
-Trot poles
-3 trot poles, then canter away
-3 trot poles, jump a cross rail, canter away
-3 trot poles, jump a cross rail (stay in 2 point), 1 stride between rail and poles
-Cool down
- Thread the needle, and around the world (tricks)

*I rode a 13hh appaloosa pony names DANNY, then at the end i rode a 12hh Paint named Patches*

Horse MUSIC!

If your looking for music that includes horses:

-Saddle club CD
-Websites
-Browse youtube

Horse books everywhere!

Here's a handy horse tip!

When looking for a good horse book

1. Go to the library
2. Browse through garage sales
3. Ask your local stable if they are selling any
4. Ask friends! (i have gotten 3 best sellers from besties!)

Lesson #5

- Warm up
- Canter catch up
- 2 unevenly spaced poles
- Count your strides
- Identify your lead without looking down and if your on the right one
- Counter canter

*I RODE SPUD*

Lesson #4

-Warm up
-Trot
-Canter catch up
-Trot poles canter away
-Trot poles cross rail canter away
-Eyes closed- Trot poles, cross rail, canter away open eyes
-Trot poles, cross rail, 1 stride space between cross rail and pole on the ground
-Cool down

*I RODE SPUD!*

Riding Lesson #3

- Warm up
-Trot rising and sitting
-Trot without stirrups sitting then to rising
-retake stirrps
-Canter warm up
-Canter pole course

I was riding an arabian gelding names SPUD

Riding lesson #2

Today was exciting! I was moved to a Lv. 3 class.

We did:

-Trot poles

- Approach poles trot, then continue at canter and over canter pole.

- Trot poles, then jump

- Trot to jump, continue at canter change rein across diagonal, simple change of lead, canter pole, and a 20m circle   

Attention!!!

This IS NOT about horses, and it is rare i will ever post something like this but for anyone looking for a new kitten or cat, this is for YOU!

The edmonton humane society is looking for new homes for an array of cats and kittens. Please if you want a new pet go to your local humane society.

Howrse!

For those who love horses there's a game for that! You can breed your own horses, sell in the auctions, and private sales, earn equus (howrse money), you can even name all of your horses.

There is a Black market on howrse where you use passes (special things you buy with your real money) to buy special BM's that can bring up a horses skill, make it a Pegasus, or even change it's coat.

Howrse pegasus


As you advance through the game you get a higher seniority which is basically how many days you have been on the game. You can also accumulate EQUUS which is another word for the money you have earned on howrse.

The great thing about howrse is that you don't have to pay real money to get bonus's even the passes (which you do buy with real money) can be bought from other players at a certain price.

There is no limit on how many horses you can own, but it is best to start out with a couple until you earn the money to feed, and board them. You can also buy them companions, some like the cat are normal but you can get special ones (like the pheonix or the kangaroo).

There is an ideas forum as well where you can post any good or bad ideas you have. Special horses are constantly coming out, and have funky names. New breeds come out as well, and at first there are none around. If you want to earn money off of training and selling them then you want to get them asap but if you just want them for your own fun, then it is best to wait awhile until they have been bred and rebred to make more of them.

You will find that every breeder has their own affix, which is like a label for your horses, once you have affixed them only you can change it, and if you decide to sell them then the affix will stick so you can always find them.  A lot of breeders also choose to have a certain breed of horse, or they collect GA coats, or collect unicorns or specials.

EVEN MORE TO COME!

AND if you need a helper/friend on howrse i am on the universal version as wally09

Riding lesson #1

Today we were working on cantering, there wasn't much flatwork but we did the following:

Stretching
Standing in the stirrups (walk/trot)
Trot poles (standing/2-point)
Cantering 20 m circles
Cantering to the back of the ride

*I rode a 13hh appaloosa named Danny*

Equisizers! (419) 663-1472

The equicizer is a hand crafted, non- motorized mechanical horse. No tools or electricity are needed, it is simply controlled by the riders seat, and leg muscles.
The equicizer, and equipony



Developed by Jockey Frank Lovato Jr. to simulate riding. The equicizer can be used for exercise, training, and therapeutic riding in a safe environment. The equicizer is recognized by riding programs all over, and was used in the making of the movie "Seabiscuit"  

 Frank Lovato Jr.

The equicizer is entirely hand made, built from quality wood and hard wear. The equicizer is equipped with a bridle, reins, brass name plate, brass handles, realistic manes, and tails. Other options are available upon request. You can even name your new "Horse" with the brass nameplates.

Prices range from the equicizer elite ($3,599.00)
to the Equipony ($1,850.00)

In between them are the Equicizer original ($2,199.00)
and the Equicizer classic ($2,799.00)

Risers are also available for taller riders, or for riders who wish to have a taller mount

The Equicizer helps you:

• Stay sharp, fit and flexible when you are not able to get out to ride enough!
• Practice technique, skills, strengthen weaknesses, improve balance, coordination and ability!
• Develop more confidence!
• Instructors, reduce risks with students, great for evaluations, develop and practice basic skills repeatedly, spare the wear and tear on your horses!
• Prepare yourself better and safer to return to riding from an absence, injury or illness!
• Universal for every riding discipline!
• Make your dream of riding closer to becoming a reality!
• A new exciting way to exercise for better health and fitness for almost anyone!

The equicizers even come with different coat colors, mane/tail colors (and lengths), and different markings. They also come with a headstall and reins.

So have fun with your real, fake pony!

Horsemanship How-to: Soothe the Fly-Sensitive Horse

By Cindy Hale

Here's how to help a horse that is especially bugged by flies.

Flies always provoke some kind of reaction around a horse, whether it’s a stomp of a hoof or a swish of a tail. But some unlucky horses have an even greater reaction, one that goes far beyond a mere annoyance. Intense itching provokes the horse to rub against fence posts and chew its skin. Loss of hair is evident, ranging from a buckshot, speckled appearance to palm-sized bald patches. Once the inflamed skin is broken or abraded, bacteria invade the wound, causing superficial skin infections.

Unfortunately, the usual anti-fly measures aren’t sufficient to soothe the fly-sensitive horse. If a horse in your life has what’s commonly called a fly allergy or sweet itch, here are six tips to help make the warm weather months more bearable.

1. Though flies are prevalent in the daytime, gnats and midges are active at dusk and just after sunset. These are the most likely culprits for sweet itch, particularly the species culicoides. If possible, stable the affected horse inside at night. This will reduce his exposure to the pesky critters.
   
2. Closely inspect your horse’s skin for any open sores or ulcerated lesions, especially on his lower legs, chest and belly. After washing these areas clean with a shampoo formulated for irritated skin, and rinsing thoroughly, dab a small amount of topical ointment on each blemish. This will act as a barrier against dirt and germs and also help soothe the skin. Prolonged infections may require a course of oral antibiotics prescribed by your vet.
   
3. Use vigilance when selecting fly sprays. While you want to use one that’s effective, a horse with inflamed, irritated skin may be extra sensitive to some ingredients. Watch for signs like skin scalding or flaking, which could mean that your horse needs a change of sprays.
   
4. Make use of various fly barrier garments, from fly masks to mesh leg wraps and body-cloaking fly sheets. Not only will these help deter biting insects, they also keep your horse from chewing on his skin as he attacks an itch. Aggressive scratching can set the stage for skin infections.
   
5. Dirty horses, especially those who roll in mucky areas, attract flies. Sometimes simple grooming isn’t enough. Use the hose or a bucket of water and a sponge to wash away urine and manure stains.
   
6. If your horse continues to be tortured by a sensitivity to certain flies or biting insects, then consult with your vet. Daily doses of antihistamines may be prescribed. As a last resort, an injection of a long-acting steroid can help turn-off the allergic response and make your horse less miserable.

Finally, keep in mind that horses can develop allergies dependent on a very specific geological location. Though it may not always be practical, moving the horse to a new home may vastly improve his problem.

Improve your equine photography

Edited Press Release

August 31, 2011

The Essence of Equus is a new equine fine art photography class offered online bywww.learntotakephotos.com. It will be taught by four professional equine photographers: Christina Handley, Bev Pettit, Laura Cotterman and Rachael Waller. The class includes two lessons on capturing more artistic images and two lessons on post processing and printing your photos.

The class begins on September 7, 2011. Everything is online and accessible 24/7 so you can work at your own pace. The class will run for two full months and include four assignments. The Essence of Equus will take you from planning your shoot, to capturing the images, to perfecting them in post production and finally to a complete fine art piece.

The Essence of Equus is more than a photography class. You will have four professional equine photographers who are at the top of the fine art world at your side as you make your way on your own personal journey. The instructors are all friends, know each other and work well together. This experience will be uplifting, energizing and fun.

See the horse's true soul through the intuitive eyes and heart of Rachael Waller, find the magic moment with the patience, timing and vision of Christina Handley, become enlightened of all the fine nuances of this magnificent creature with the wisdom and insight of Laura Cotterman and infuse your post processing with the creative genius and artistic talent of Bev Pettit.

The Essence of Equus will focus on the artistic and not the technical aspects of photography. Students can use any camera for the class assignments.

Students upload their photos and receive helpful feedback and advice. The learning environment is supportive, fun and creative. Everyone is encouraged to ask questions, discuss ideas and participate. This class includes live webinar discussion sessions. Go towww.learntotakephotos.com/essence_of_equus.php for the course outline.

About Learn To Take Photos
Learn To Take Photos is an online photography school founded by well known horse photographers Christina Handley and Laura Cotterman. Students learn photography, get to know new people and share ideas in a fun, encouraging and supportive environment. Learn To Take Photos’ online photography courses are designed for adult learners and are self-directed, creative and motivating. Students have one-to-one access to expert photographers.

Wild horses Arrive...

Wild horses arrive at Madeleine Pickens' eco-sanctuary in Nevada

Pickens has been an advocate for Mustangs since she first announced her sanctuary plan in 2008.

June 9, 2011

On Friday, June 3, wild horse advocate Madeleine Pickensannounced that the first group of wild horses had arrived at the Mustang Monument Wild Horse Eco-Preserve. These horses are part of a pilot program where 1,000 horses managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be moved to the sanctuary.

Pickens has been a longtime advocate for animal welfare. After learning that many racehorses were being killed in slaughterhouses after their racing days were over, Pickens and her husband, billionaire T. Boone Pickens worked to end horse slaughter. In 2008, Mrs. Pickens approached the BLM with the intent to create a sanctuary to house Mustangs that had been rounded up and removed from public land. Finally, in fall of 2010, the BLM agreed to support a pilot program for Pickens' sanctuary.

The first horses arrive at Madeleine Pickens' Mustang Monument

The sanctuary covers more than 500,000 acres, according to Pickens' website, and is located near Elko, Nev. Earlier this month, the first group of horses, all mares and foals, was trucked in and let loose at the Mustang Monument.

Pickens hopes that her sanctuary will ultimately become a tourist destination and educational opportunity for Americans. Under her original plan, visitors would be able to camp and hike in the sanctuary and see the Mustangs in their natural habitat. For now, she is just happy to see horses at home at the Mustang Monument.

"I cannot aptly describe the experience, but this is definitely a mission driven by God," she said on her website. "He has blessed us all with this wonderful gift...We are so lucky. I am so lucky. I’ve been surrounded by so many supporters and friends and I can’t thank you all enough. I am overwhelmed, speechless, and very fulfilled. It’s a new beginning."

Parts of a horse?

Here are the parts of a horse! I know them all, do you?

Why did I devote?

My life has always been horses, I remember riding a youngish gelding at my uncles ranch, at only 3. The older i got the more i fell in love. Trust me, I didn't just fall into lessons. Nope I worked my way up to it by riding those precious little ponies at the zoo! I at first believed western was what i wanted, but now i ride english, and its my kind of thing. The first horse I rode in english lessons, was a horse named Coke. He was a chestnut, blanket, appaloosa, and in fact i ride him in my lessons to this day. In between I have rode many a horses, and had my ups and downs.

I have many friends who would rather listen to music, and go to movies than listen to me gab about everything i know about horses, but i keep talking letting them know a little about my paradise. I dare you to try riding, or even reading, and learning about horses! It'll be way worth it!



I love them!