Horses and Computers = Instant Addict

I need parental controls for my computer!

No, it’s not what you think- I don’t have a young child who I want to protect from pornography sites or Internet predators. I need parental controls for ME. I need a program designed to block me every time I surf on over to HorseChitChat, “just to look”. Something that will prevent me from being able to browse the rescue websites, ripe with statements like “these broodmares must be rescued in three days or they will go to slaughter!”

You see, I’m a sucker. I don’t fall for pyramid schemes, and I never buy anything unless I know what it costs, what it should cost, and what it costs at three other places. But when it comes to horses, I am weak.

It all started about 10 years ago, when I innocently started looking at horse rescues in my area. I already had a perfectly nice, sound, competitive horse at the time- but I was bored, and wanted a project. It seemed simple enough- rescue a nice horse that is going to be killed, put some time and training on it, sell it to a good home, and rescue another one.

Simple, right? It sounded like a good plan to me, so I found a flashy bay Thoroughbred type mare that was going to slaughter, and brought her home. She was three, and not even broke to the halter, but she was cute and athletic, and had lots of potential. In the beginning, things went OK. She was headstrong, but smart, and within about 6 months she was broke to ride and going like an average young horse, but with a few more surprises in store.

She had a way of making you think that you were totally in control and everything was going great- until she changed her mind, and left you sitting in mid air, wondering where the horse that was just under you had gone. She was difficult to read, and when she was good, you never trusted it completely, and waited for the other shoe to drop.

After a good foundation in dressage, we started doing some small jumping, and she showed a natural talent, and looked to be a nice little amateur hunter. But despite continued training, lessons, clinics, she still had the tendency to be unpredictable. Ok, looking back, I now see that she was often really, really bad… but the times when she was good, she was so very good that she could string you along, and I put up with the many bad times for those few times when she showed such promise. I kept thinking she would grow out of it…

Throughout this time, she began showing signs of foot soreness- subtle at first, and easily controlled with shoeing. We started to show a bit, and while we didn’t win any championships, we didn’t embarrass ourselves either. She’d have a bout of lameness, we’d take a few weeks off for shoeing changes, injections or whatever else seemed to help for a short time. Then she’d come back for a few weeks, get ready to show again- and go lame again.

This continued for about 4 years, until the lameness began getting worse, and the riding times were well shorter than the lame times. She hadn’t grown out of her bouts of temper tantrums or occasional bad behavior- if anything, they got worse the older she got.

At this point, I had put so much money into training and vet care, and so much of myself into bringing her along, that I was devastated. I found a pasture where she could live, and turned her out- and she’s never been happier.

As for myself, despite my experience with this mare, I’ve fallen for the same “scheme” of horses a few more times since. A lovely mare with an injury, who just needed a place to recuperate for a while before she was going to be a great show prospect… that one keeps the first mare company in the pasture. And another, a gelding rescued as a weanling who required several surgeries to fix the infirmities inherited to him by poor genetics- the jury is still out on him, but I’m not holding my breath… oh well, I guess the mares won’t mind a gelding to keep them company.

Yes, I need parental controls on my computer. Something that will never let me look at another picture of a horse headed to slaughter, or one that has been abandoned and needs just “one surgery to be 100%”. I can’t look- and if I do, I’ll bring it home- and there is definitely no room at this inn. Despite the best intentions, lots of hard work, and too much money, all I’ve got to show for it are three very happy, fat pasture ornaments, who I am sure will live with me forever, blissfully ignorant of my now-antiquated desire to save their lives, then find them good homes.

And my original horse, the one I was bored with when I decided to get my first rescue? Yep, he’s still going. I have to have at least one to ride, don’t I?

I also have a big issue with horse forums they are such a great to talk about horses and get answers to any questions I may have. The problem lies with how many hours I spend on them! Especially when they are as friendly as horsechitchat's forum.

Well enough for now I have to go look at some horses! :)

Equineman

EquestrianHorseForum

WOW! Way to much on my Plate- Equine News

Okay really sorry for the delay in posting but we have been working really hard on the equinenetwork system and my wife picked up a couple news horses in her training arsenal so to say the least we have been really busy.

Lets see what we have to rant about.

Last week I started getting into the "full wheel barrel" as I call it. I started working on being less selfish. Lets face it sometimes we have so much to do we really don't think about helping others with their stuff, so I started on that project.

I also started looking for other equine bloggers to help promote their blogs and behold their are lot of people just like me out there (most have a lot better grammar).

But "hay" I am here just to express my love for the animals not to try and impress the socks off of anyone. And that is what I found, like minded people and I made a few friends.

It is hard in this day and age to get anyone to scratch your back without scratching theirs also. And like I said earlier I am going to try and set out and do this one project this month and see how well I do...

For me this is going to be hard, surely I will get sidetracked but I have already social bookmarked at least 20 other equine blogs and taken the time to comment.

Since you are all taking the time to work hard to keep your blogs up to date. I am going to try and commit to at least once a week. Along with my other blog on my equinenetwork.

So with that said.. here is an article that has been edited and should be close to correct..

Enjoy.. I hope :)

Basic Riding - Before Mounting

Riding Basics - Before You Get On

Most people view riding as cutting cattle, galloping over an open range or serious competition in jumping or other events. Before any of that can happen one must master the basics.

You're facing a large animal with power, big teeth and an instinct of self preservation above all else. The fear of sitting on this should be tempered with the confidence that most horses do not want to hurt people. Communicating with the animal is not the same as with another human or with a dog or other creature. The horse is "wired" uniquely. Respect him for his ability to take pieces out of an opponent, for the power that can crush a threat to his life and the speed to flee a dangerous situation - respect, don't fear. Remember that with a little understanding we can temper those tendencies for our benefit. Being fearful instead of a leader he needs means he's the leader - and many horses don't want to be! So they misbehave, someone gets hurt and the horse is blamed.

Instead approach him with the knowledge that in the wild world he was created to be food, and an appreciation that despite that he allows us to drape equipment on him and ride him! Watch your actions to keep him comfortable. So often a rider gets in the horse's way...and creates a problem where there was none.

Get on safely. Wear shoes or boots with enough of a heel that your foot doesn't slide through. Prepare yourself. These exercises will seem silly - but they will help you!

Stretch your legs out. Use a solid fence board - raise each leg individually as if you are going to step up on the fence. Brace your body and gently lean forward...don't "bounce" or lean all the way to the fence at once...this stretches the muscles in your upper leg. A few of these on each side can make a big difference.

Take a 2X4 or 4X4 board and place it on the ground in a level area. Place your toes and ball of the foot on the board, with your heels on the ground. In sets of 10 to start, then build up to 25 over a few weeks, raise yourself up, then ease back down - this stretches and strengthens the leg and, further, "teaches" the leg automatic heels down. When you get on the horse your leg is then automatically in the position to cue him with your leg, and is less likely to bounce against him when you don't intend to kick him.

On your board stand on it solidly...arms at riding position, and work up to 10 squats. Slowly lean to each side, front and back, and back up. This positions the body for automatic balance. If the horse does spook your body can more easily adapt, absorb the spook and stay in the saddle rather than on the ground. The fall from a 4X4 isn't nearly as hurtful!

Use a few solid blocks, the back of a trailer or truck or another higher area for the last exercise - ideally next to a post with a hay twine. The object is to, with your left leg, raise yourself up to the surface in one step, with minimal pull on the hay twine. While this may seem silly - that higher surface is your "stirrup" and the line is the reins - you don't want to pull on the reins (or the horse's mouth) but can grab the post (or saddle horn or mane). An old manual said a real horseman can mount a horse without the girth being on the saddle, and while that is a challenge that can be a goal with today's tall horses that sometimes isn't so easy! For those of us who are "vertically challenged" getting on a 16.2 hand horse means a patient horse, practice and sometimes a step or hill!

These exercises can be done, quickly, as a warm up before getting on each ride. They'll help you physically do the task at hand, and further help the horse to do his job.


Having a healthy horse to ride is important, but you can work on riding long before mounting up! Exercises to increase balance and leg will make it easier on both you and the horse.

Have a great ride!

Ron
EquineInternet.com

Keeping Your Barn Manager Happy Tip #1

#1 Pay Your Rent!
This is an obvious one isn’t it! Rent day is the happiest day for barn managers, especially when they get paid! Many barn managers do most of the barn work and they feel like they are finally getting paid for all their hard work when boarders pay their bills on time. Paying your board on time will also ensure that your barn manager doesn't place an agister's lien against you and your horse. There are many farms that are prepared to do this as soon as you are late on your rent because that is there only way of protecting themselves. If you have a problem paying your boarding, talk with your barn manager about the situation. Everybody has been in a financial jam before and they are generally willing to let you do farm chores or barn work in exchange for boarding your horse. It is always polite and professional to discuss the situation first rather than chance losing more money or a horse in the long run.

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