Inspiration For Serious Horse Competitor

January 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The very best of pony riders are good at identifying, harnessing and honing all of the abilities they find inside themselves. They use their minds and bodies to maximum effect. They understand how to prime themselves to peak operating condition, and they know the way to recover quickly from problems with their abilities honed. They evaluate information and pick out all the most beneficial aspects, helping them set solid strategies that enhance the standard of results.

Just below, I have nine ideas as far as trusty and practical sources of quality info are concerned.

1. Instructional videos and audios

2. Trade associations, clubs and forums, both physical and virtual (on the net)

3. Subscriptions to online trade newsletters

4. BHS classes and lectures

5. Seminars, workshops, conferences

6. Personal coaching. A good coach can be of invaluable assistance in helping you work out your weaknesses and strengths, and in determining the direction your future endeavours should take. Personal trainers of the right quality are good for turning your dreams into realities, because they help you convert your deficiencies into strengths and augment all of your natural strengths. They’re also excellent for mental conditioning. They help you:

-improve your focus or direction by helping you identify where you have to go and how to get there;

– become fully aware of your own self, the areas you need to work on to get rid of errors, the areas you need to work on to fine tune skills;

– boost your ability to deal with others, especially your horses;

– inspire yourself better. You get to approach even the nastiest of tasks, like mucking out your stable on freezing winter dawns, with equanimity;

– cope with change better: in horse riding, you cannot predict everything, and you ought to be prepared for everything;

– build up your resiliency and your inventiveness.

7. Books on riding strategies by prominent specialists in the world of horses

8. Horse shows, performances, competitions, open days

9. Famous quotations, of the type that will galvanize and inspire you. Make it a practice to dig up 3 quotations a day and think on them. Think of their meaning, and how the wisdom in them can be applied by you.

Keep clear of overconfidence and arrogance. These are perilous sentiments , there’s a lot of truth in the old saying about pride coming before a fall

There’s nothing that’s unattainable for the person who is not scared to try. You can’t achieve success or failure unless you really make the attempt. Every failed attempt is a stepping stone to success, as it teaches you a lesson: how to do or not to do something. Failure is not falling down, failure is getting up again and keeping going.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers click here

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,

The Types Of Horse Martingales

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

A standing martingale is usually attached to the girth’s middle, passing up between the front legs of the pony and attaching to the lower part of the noseband. Among martingales, this version is the most restricting. A pony using a standing martingale is more likely to fall, if it unexpectedly loses its balance, because its freedom of movement is considerably restricted. Nevertheless this version of martingale, which applies pressure to the nose, gives the rider an improved way of control. Flat competitions do not allow martingales, though you can use them in jumping competitions and while playing polo.

Running martingale do not give the rider as much control as the standing versions, but because they aren’t fixed, they’re less constrictive. The rider can use them as a safer aid. The running martingale is fixed to the bottom of the girth and rises between the horses front legs, it splits into 2 straps with each rein passing through an end ring fixed to each of these straps.

The rider can control the scale of downward pressure he or she applies to the mouth thru the reins and the bit. The horse does not feel any pressure when it holds its head right. ‘rein stops’ are used to stop the running martingale’s rings from snagging on the horse’s bit.

All martingales must be handled with utmost care, particularly when initially introduced to a horse. You must take into account that horses have instincts that make them resist pressure and anything strange on their heads. They may even panic and violently throw their heads backwards against the pressure source; this can result in them falling over backwards.

The German martingale, also called Market Harborough, works much the same as a running martingale, but is generally not held to be legal, and thus is utilized in coaching only. It originates at the girth, goes up between the horse’s front legs and forks into two. These two straps go thru the bit rings before they are attached to other rings on reins that are specially suited. The German martingale permits bigger range compared to the running and the standing martingales.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers www.horsehorses.net

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,

Ideal Show Jumping Horses

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Show jumpers are horses utilised for the sport of show jumping. Horses and ponies of nearly all breeds, builds, colors and dispositions are used to make show jumpers.

Show jumping events are structured with different tiers that minister to all riding skill levels. Rider’s capabilities are reflected in the type and standard of pony or pony that they use.

Show jumping courses feature impressively coloured fences and twists, turns and changes of directions. The rider tries to go thru the whole course inside a set duration of time; if he does so without faulting even once, he has achieved a clear round.

Competitors who achieve clear rounds are qualified for the subsequent event: the jump off, a course that’s shorter but has fences of increased height. The rider who clocks the swiftest clear round is the winner.

Show jumpers come with differing abilities, and are given to riders according to skill level. Beginner riders do best on show jumpers of average capability but with great calmness and patience; these horses or ponies would have relevant experience in beginner level show jumping. These horses and ponies are meant to instill confidence in their riders and give them opportunities to improve their riding abilities, especially over fences. More capable riders need horses in harmony with their own capabilities; they are going to be competing at more demanding levels. The best show jumpers are accurate and bold; they need to be brave enough to attempt tall obstacles and physically tough enough to go through the trickiest of courses. Clearly, the most gifted horses also need to be ridden by the most accomplished riders.

Horses and ponies of several breeds have been successful show jumping. There’s no direct link between show jumping ability and body size. There have several really great show jumpers of no identifiable breed. However , some breeds are rather more consistent in excelling at show jumping.

There is pretty much unanimous agreement that Connemara ponies are the equine world’s best sports breed. They are amazingly athletic and have gravity-defying jumping capability.

The Continental Warmblood is an enormously popular breed. The Warmblood is bred for high standards of performance; this breed is a brilliant show jumper. Warmbloods dominate the highest show jumping levels.

Another breed that’s frequently seen at the highest levels of show jumping is the Thoroughbred. These horses are powerful and magnificently athletic. They have extraordinarily superior jumping abilities.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers click here

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , , ,

Why You Should Define Your Pony Training Objectives

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

What precisely does a conversation on success have in common with handling horses? How does one define success in handling horses?

Well, let me put it in an alternative point of view. You have to have heard of the saying, ‘Fail to plan, plan to fail’? It is a fairly obvious saying that does not really require much explanation, and it is as pertinent to the training and handling of horses as to anything else.

If you are planning to train a pony, you want a plan that includes details of what you need to achieve, how and by when you would like to achieve it and what are the parameters which will help you conclude that your mission has had success. When you have a time-bound plan, you are galvanized to go hell for leather to achieve it. When you don’t have a plan, you are going to be chased all out by failure.

You also need to break down your targets into little, logical and time-bound steps. Every step covers one specific task, and when the horse has passed the test convincingly, the following step is taken up. Success can be claimed just when all the steps have been completed, and the horse has improved in its skills, its attitudes and its responses just the way it was initially planned.

When talking about horses and coaching, I also define success as not just getting the horse to respond fantasically to cues and commands with his regular trainer/rider, but also with all others who ride him. If your pony recognizes only your cues and commands, you cannot be said to have succeeded. It is understandable that your horse feels most happy with you and resents being ridden by others, but his coaching must be of such quality that his training-inspired responses work every time, irrespective of the rider.

By implication, that also means that before you initiate his training, you take the trouble of making yourself acquainted with the character type and history of your horse. You get detailed information on his idiosyncrasies and eccentricities, his likes, his peculiarities. You design your training to rid your horse of his idiosyncrasies by catering to them to begin with, and eventually weaning him away from them.

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that success is most frequently the result of a reasoned approach that involves do-able bites. These steps should not be tough to achieve, but should involve consistent work and dedication.

One way or the other, you have to gain the unquestioning faith and obedience of your horse. That is one of the vital ingredients that is going to result in success. The way to start this is to use a soft approach, to reward your horse each time he does something right. When he makes a mistake, you make him do it repeatedly, taking care though not to wear him out to a frazzle. You follow up on each step till the right responses become natural to your horse.

Success is reached when every second person wants to ride your pony and every third person wants his pony trained by you.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers www.horsehorses.net

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,

Preparing Your Horses For Their First Trail Ride

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Almost invariably, a trail ride comes as a nice change from the boredom of dull hours spent in the closed up environment of an arena. A trial isn’t just straightforward, relaxing fun; it also offers opportunities for both rider and horse to learn new things. Trail rides should be made an imperative part of any training programme involving horse riding.

However , you need to work on a few things prior to going out on a trail ride. There are steps you need to take to make sure that both your horse and you are prepared. Poor preparation can turn an otherwise enjoyable experience into an unpleasant nightmare. You would be making a major mistake in taking a raw pony out on a trail ride where he is going to be exposed to dozens of new objects he will not have been desensitized for.

If you used the principles of natural horsemanship to train your horse, your pony will often have had exposure to various sorts of circumstances. He shouldn’t be worried by bizarre stimuli and will hopefully have previous experience with rides through pastures having brush and trees. The ‘sacking out’ exercises you conducted on him should have made him inured to the more common ‘boogeymen’ like pieces of rubbish, flying plastic bags and the movement of unseen birds or animals in the brush.

The reality is that nothing can entirely prepare a young raw horse for everything he’s bound to encounter on a trail ride. This is the major reason that you should always send out a raw pony in the company of an old been-there-seen-that-done-it equine chum. His herd mindset will make the greenhorn depend on the veteran for direction, and the vet can give the rookie constant inputs on whether the tree up ahead is safe or whether the noise coming from that bit of brush to the side signifies anything threatening. There are good chances the greenhorn will follow the lead of the vet, and if the vet is not worried by anything, the newbie will stay cool, too.

The point is this: never take a green horse trail riding alone. If you’ve ever faced a riderless and clearly frightened pony hitting the trail at a quick clip, or standing at the trail side grazing with no human in sight, you may know what I mean. Don’t put yourself and your horse in such a position.

I recall the case of a beginner coach who went off on his first trail ride with his mare of 3 years. Right at the beginning of the ride, they had to ride next to a narrow country road with a regular flow of vehicular traffic. The rider had prepped his mare well for meetings with cars and other heavier vehicles. He blundered in ignoring motorcycles. As fate would have it, the 1st vehicle the rider and his mare ran into was a motorbike, and that too as they were crossing the road. The mare reared and dumped her rider bang in the middle of the road, right in the way of approaching automobiles. Out of judgment or more likely luck, the rider had clung on to the reins, and got his mare to pull him to the road side with his body intact but bruised and his ego severely dented.

Take all of the time in the world prepping your young horse for his inaugural trail ride. You must ensure your horse is sensitized to even apparently harmless stuff like your donning or taking off a slicker or rain coat, whether on the ground or astride your horse. Your horse must stand silently when tied. It’d be even better if he is also familiar with a ground-tie and hobbles.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers www.horsehorses.net/

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,

Horse Riding Attire

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It’s feasible you have toyed with the idea of riding barefoot, wind curling thru your toes. Maybe you have dreamed about riding barefoot without a saddle, native American style. It probably does seem to be an enchanting dream, but you’ll have to think twice. Barefoot riding can be dangerous.

Irrespective of the discipline you are into, and even if you are into simple pleasure riding, you need to consider appropriate foot wear. I would go so far as to suggest you wear boots even if grooming or feeding your horse. A horse’s hooves can come down with a lot weight, and they are going to do your foot no good at all if it isn’t competently protected.

Most people find the idea of donning riding helmets a drag, but helmets are very simply life savers. They’re not worn for style. A cowboy hat is no replacement for a helmet. You need to consider vented helmets for optimum protection value.

If you are taking part in a show that stipulates hunt seat clothes, you must don a white shirt, or a pinstriped one. You should also sport a hunting cap, breeches, wool riding jacket and dress riding boots. It’s also routine to wear riding gloves. While you can wear jackets and breeches of any dark colour, you must do some research on what colours are in fashion before buying them.

You have to be formally attired for dressage. That suggests a white shirt and a stock tie fastened with a pin, black jacket, tan or white breeches and dress boots. You also need a hunt cap or a helmet. If you’re in saddle seat events, you need dark jodhpurs, jodhpur boots, riding shirt of white and dark jacket.

The garments sported by Western riders has lots to do with their sex. Men like Western shirts, leather belts with buckles of silver, cowboy hats of felt, riding boots, jeans and chaps. Women are usually seen in Western tux shirt, jacket or vest, felt hats, riding boots, and inevitably, jeans with chaps. In high-intensity events, belt buckles and ties are dispensed with.

Children compulsorily must wear regulation safety riding helmets, whether they are pleasure riding or competing. They should not be sporting cowboy hats.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers read more

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,

The History Of Music In Dressage

December 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Though dressage traces its beginnings back to ancient Greece, top class high school dressage and riding to the accompaniment of music essentially developed from the seemingly near mystical horsemanship displays in France and Italy between the 16th and the19th centuries. In the later part of the 16th century, the north of Italy specialized in Renaissance art based on equestrian motifs. It is to these areas the beginnings of what is now the dressage musical freestyle can be traced. Dressage was forever tied to music there, though not in the renowned music college of Pignatelli in Naples. This essentially occurred in the schools belonging to Fredirico Grisone and Fiaschi. Both these men penned treatises on dressage set to music. Pignatelli was actually the pioneer in training horses in pillars, so creating a whole new cultured in horse training, but it’s the music in dressage that has endured and increased the global presence of competitive dressage.

In sixteenth century Italy, music was essentially brought into equestrian activities to enable easy teaching of tempo and rhythm to horse riders. Grisone believed strongly in using the voice to maintain a horse’s tempo. His dissertation of 1550 was shortly available in German and French too. Fiaschi incorporated short musical stretches that matched equine movements and gaits in his treaty of 1556, so setting a musical vocabulary down on paper for the very first time. Fiaschi egged his riders to master music so well they could sing while riding their horses and ride as if they were doing so to the backdrop of rare and exciting music.

As long ago as 1548, costumed chevaliers in Lyons, France, astounded their audiences with fascinating displays of jumping horses and horses jumping and turning. Small bells were attached to these horses to supply a lovely sound in accompaniment to their prancing. It was said that so sweet was the sound, so pleasant the resonance that folks were no less thrilled than by the sparkling of the finest of gems; they were left wondering whether what they were seeing and hearing was real or all part of a dream. LaBroue wrote in 1602 La Broue that a rider without any musical sensibility was one who could never tune himself good enough to the horse’s tempo and beat to do an excellent job of riding.

In1612, Plunivel, who had revived the soft xenophon equine training methods, came up with an equine ballet honouring Louis XIII’s engagement to Austria’s Anne. The ballet was an impressive success. Though the ballet lasted just a couple of minutes in an otherwise long day dedicated to jousting, lavish parades and carrousels that went well into the late evening, Pluvinel’s ballet outshone everything else when his riders in blinding costumes cavorted around in a display that had the crowd mesmerised.

Though music’s association with dressage goes back a great distance, it was only recently that it made an appearance again in competitive events. Starting with the early twentieth century, dressage events drew to a significant extent on its military origins, instead of on its entertainment worth. The reintroduction of musical freestyle during the 1980s once again had dressage horses dance to perfection in the strongly competitive arena. All at once, an event which was considered as rather uninteresting became a sure crowd pleaser, and the popularity has stayed. Musical freestyle was added to the Olympic format for the 1st time in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers click here

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,

English Horse-Riding Style Verse Western

December 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The name ‘English’ does suggest origin in a specific country, but the English horse riding style is one of the 2 most popular universal riding styles, along with the Western riding style. English style riding can be seen in lots of variations, but there are certain elementary factors that are shared by all variations, and these factors clearly distinguish this form of riding from Western or other riding styles.

Potentially the 1st and most clearly obvious distinguishing factor is the saddle. Whatever purpose the horse is being used for, if it is being ridden in the English style, it’ll have an English saddle. This saddle is rather flat; it doesn’t have the deepness of seat that typicalizes the Western saddle. It also lacks a saddle horn. The English saddle is meant to allow full freedom of movement to the pony, no matter the discipline it is engaged with. You can see this for yourself if you should watch a horse engaged in English riding: it’ll go thru varied activities like classic dressage and racing, activities that demand a lot of freedom of movement.

English riding comprises assorted sub-styles, all identified by the need for both hands to be on the reins. This technique permits better control over the pony and switches the focus from horse to rider. Riders using the English style will rise and sit during trots in tune with the horse’s rhythm, while riders using the Western style will stay put in their saddles.

Lots of folks consider English riding the ideal setting to showcase a horse’s inherent power and grace, and this can be easily seen in all of the events using the style. Just consider dressage, which is a way of coaching and competing. Riders always use an English saddle at dressage, which is a riding form that gives maximum exposure to the horse’s riding potential. Dressage is designed to showcase equine precision in response to rider cues. The English riding style is also employed in show jumping events, where horses are timed as they progress over a series of obstacles. Polo is another sport that uses English riding; this sport is extraordinarily demanding on precision timing and coordinated movements from both rider and pony.

The discussion about which horse breeds are far more suited for which riding style does not appear to have any end, I actually feel it is a pointless discussion. I’m absolutely sure any riding style is suitable for all horse breeds. It all depends on the coaching. Most professionals prefer that horses trained for particular disciplines also be trained using only one riding style, and I am in compete agreement with this approach because it helps better focus. A pony schooled in a specific style will be more responsive to cues concerned in that style; contradictory styles would achieve nothing aside from confusing the horse.

If you are looking for to settle on what style would work for you, try both out and see which feels more comfortable. Think about your intended disciplines, and do a little research to see what would be better for your particular purposes.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers go here

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,

Understanding The Various Horse-Riding Wear

December 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

You get helmets and riding hats in a selection of designs, and you should select the one that is most appropriate for your discipline. It’s clear that riding headgear is selected based on the rider’s own fit, comfort and personal choice. Whatever you select, buy only new stuff and make sure it conforms to BSEN1384, EN1384 or PAS015 safety standards.

The degree of enjoyment of your ride can be affected by your leg wear. Leg wear that either pinches or rubs making chaffing sores is exceedingly uncomfortable. While it would be rather stupid to claim that the right clothes can improve riding talents, it wouldn’t be farfetched to say that inappropriate clothing can definitely hinder a rider’s progress.

Breeches and jodhpurs are a definite option for awfully active riders they’re elastic and made from material that breaths helping to keep riders from overheating.

Riding boots are crucial for a couple of reasons. They come with soles and heels that are constructed to maximise rider safety (a foot caught in a stirrup can have tragic results). The better class of boots are made from tough, lasting material with finely designed treads and heels that stop the rider’s feet from slipping thru the stirrups. Jodhpur boots cover the ankles, while long riding boots go all the way up to slightly below the rider’s knees. It is vital that your boots sit rather comfortably on your legs, as you extensively use your feet and legs for exerting control over the pony when riding.

Riding jackets are available in a big spread of configurations and dimensions. They also come in several types, which is meant for one specific use. Riders have jackets for wet and cold conditions, for warmer and breezier conditions, for showing and for competing. Whatever style of jacket you wear, it should be absolutely comfortable and appropriate for the use. It should give you masses of freedom of movement thru the arms and across the shoulders. It should not have parts flapping around, nor should it have parts or attachments that could snag anywhere.

Chaps are a very popular item of horse riding attire. They are basically a rather brilliant invention, because they fit well over Jodhpur boots and yard boots. They give the rider the sort of additional comfort and grip that long boots do, without giving them the stress that the awfully costly long boots can give because of worries over damage or too much wear and tear. Chaps can be gotten in 2 designs: the full length type that goes from ankle to hip or the half length type that goes from ankle to knee. In chilly weather conditions, chaps can be used for extra warmth. They are made of any of several materials.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,

Equine Studies At Linn-Benton Community College

December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Found in Albany, Oregon, Linn-Benton Community College is a public community institution. This varsity offers 2 year associate degrees incorporating several subjects, including these two: Associate of Science (Animal Science) and Associate of Science (Equine Science).

The college has a proud tradition of providing students with practical instruction while guiding them to accomplishment in their learning targets. The college’s curriculum is so designed that it becomes the primary step in the direction of higher education at major varsities. Students in the Associate of Science (Animal Science) degree stream will:

– Learn how to successfully master abilities in animal husbandry concepts and practices relevant to most livestock species;

– Apply the skills they have acquired to get work in the animal farming field;

– Be well placed to use appropriate methodologies required for successful cashflow control and organized record keeping;

– Be able to efficiently perform research on nutrition, health and reproduction issues as well as management and marketing;

– Master industry-specify vocabulary and terminology such that they can be useful communicators.

Scholars who take up the Associate of Science (Equine Science) stream can:

– Apply the equine husbandry abilities they acquire as transfer scholars;

– Research nourishment, health and reproduction, as well as marketing, basic management and coaching;

– Communicate fluently with other equine professionals using industry-specific vocabulary and terminology;

– Use technology and computation capabilities to control finances and records successfully.

The courses this university offers enables scholars to pursue further educational courses and get their bachelors’ degrees at other four-year establishments. Students who opt for either of the equine science programs need a robust life science and mathematics background. They must complete courses in biology, maths and chemistry, as also in other subjects that are based primarily on baccalaureate cores. Scholars can also avail of courses that provide hands on experience in animal science as well as horse related fields.

Classes are conducted in superbly modern classrooms. Laboratories have state-of-the-art equipment that misses nothing essential for scholars. Great stress is placed on practical experience and activity. Students may be required to take advantage of assistance from local livestock producers to get them through their field laboratory work.

Scholars are given the chance to partake of a cooperative programme targeted on work experience. Scholars of the Animal Science courses are awarded college credit up to a maximum of 14 hours when they are going thru hands on training organized by the College’s Co-operative Work Experience Program. Students desiring to take up this option are required to approach their major instructors and the Programme coordinator.

The Varsity also has an Associate (Applied Science) Horse Management Degree for students ready to take up career work. This program is a key component of the college’s equine dept. This programme is conducted in a up-to-the-minute facility; it stresses breeding management as well as training of horses. Scholars who go thru Linn-Benton Community College’s degrees related to animal science or to equines will have availed of education of the best quality around, what their future intentions: seek employment immediately after two years or go in for further studies at 4 year establishments.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers read more

Filed Under: Horse Racing Articles Tagged With: , ,