"Ultimately, I am looking for horses that will assist me to assist them to be, do or have whatever they need or want and also assist me in making a difference for other people and horses. I keep a tally board of voluntary participation in different activities so it is quite obvious who likes what. Most thrive, excel and achieve their needs and wants. If a horse doesn’t like or function in this arrangement I find them a home more suited to what they like."
- Michelle Dennis
Click on the word JUMP to see a great clip of teaching jumping AT LIBERTY. Here is another clip from her DVD:
Here is yet another way to communicate with horses, allowing them to express themselves quite freely.
Michelle's website explains how she developed a relationship with her home herd. She lives with the horses on the property, and has cues for when she will play with them. The horses have adequate food and water by grazing and supplemental hay. To have access to "extra" feed, many have learned to show up when they hear the stock whip (they are on 40 acres, it has to be something that will carry sound), and willingly participate in learning new games and useful tasks.
They will follow her for up to an hour, doing different things. Those who participate are fed after playtime, they have learned to go pick up their own feed bag (nosebag), bring it to her, and calmly get their extra ration. Any horses that exhibit disruptive behaviors are shown the gate and kept out of the feeding area. Needless to say, it is a rare thing, and usually only due to being a newcomer learning the rules.
Seeing the bond that can happen when quality time is shared between species who allow one another equal parts in the conversation has shown so many new possibilities. What new things has your horse shown you lately?
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sedgefield 2011 eCovertside
Have a look at some of the fun Windy Hollow Hunt had at Sedgefield Hound Trials 2011! (click highlighted words for links)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Safe Travels
For the trailer:
Spare tire\tire iron
3 emergency triangles\flares
chocks
flashlight
tarp
duct tape
electrical tape
knife or bandage scissors for cutting ropes in emergency
water
bucket\sponge
spare halter and lead rope
fire extinguisher
WD-40
broom\fork\shovel\manure disposal bags
insect spray for bees and wasps
Most states require that you carry a Coggins and health certificate.
In case of an accident, keep emergency contact and related information for you and your horses in a very visible place. Home numbers, destination numbers, medical conditions, etc. Simple instructions for horse handling are helpful too, in case rescuers are not horsepeople.
Emergency First Aid Kit (Equine)
Roll Cotton - 2 rolls
Roll Gauze -- 4 rolls (4" or 6")
Gauze squares
Disposable Diapers (great bandages)
Clean standing bandages - 2 quilt or fleece with outer wraps
Vet Wrap -- 2-4 rolls
Adhesive Tape (vet wrap may work better if you need to take it off!)
24" section of 6" PVC pipe, split in half lengthwise -- this makes a good splint. Check that the diameter fits your horse
Sticky roll bandage -- Elastikon
Thermometer
Stethoscope
Mosquito forceps (hemostat-like tweezer with handle)
scissors
twitch
antiseptic soap/Betadine/Hibiclens
hydrogen peroxide
Antibacterial Ointment -- Furazone
Antibacterial Topical (ointment, spray, etc.)
Saline for irrigating wounds/eyes
Irrigation/piston syringe
Oral dosing syringe
Bute paste
Banamine Granules or paste
bucket
water -- 10 gallons or more
Calming paste
Hoof boot
If needing horse accommodations along the way, be sure to check www.horsetrip.com
The Hawkins Guide: Equine Emergencies on the Road by James Hamilton and Neva Sheve has more ideas about travel, stress, pre-trip preparation. Equispirit Trailer seems to be the main source for the book. www.equispirit.com, 877-575-1771.
For the Truck:
red flag for antenna
registration and proof of insurance for tow vehicle and trailer
jumper cables
tool kit
spare belts and hoses
tow chain
Cell phone and\or CB
replacement fuses
road atlas
work gloves
portable air compressor
extra cash (HA!) and credit cards
Shipping, in case extra help needed:
even if not in your area of need, they might be able to provide a good referral:
Equine Express
Tony Zarcone 845-742-1483
Morrissey’s Horse Pullmans (Old Friends has used them)
www.wehaulhorses.com (Double S Horse Transport)
www.equinelimousine.com (expensive but good)
www.majos-stall.com/hauling.html (Majo County)
All American Transport 800-982-2208
Tom Roundtree 254-396-3633
B&D Horse Transport
Happy Trails
Friday, October 22, 2010
Balance Detector
Ever wish you could know how it feels right at the moment when you are most balanced with your horse's movement? With all the technological advances of today, wouldn't it be great if someone would invent sensors that are small enough to fit into your tack and transmit where you are in your seat and reins?
Check this out:
Jane Savoie unveiled the new EQ Equisense Systems recently at WEG, to an enthralled audience. With her assistant trainers and the help of an Equicizer, visitors to her booth were able to experience it for themselves. You can see on a screen where you are in or out of balance, correct it, and have the strong reinforcement of knowing how it feels. This is very important in being able to improve your position quickly, and know how it feels when making minor adjustments. One woman who had a session where she started out very crooked, came back the next day and sat very well balanced immediately, probably the result of neurological "learning" and memory of how it felt when in good form the previous session.
Interestingly, I had recently viewed a DVD from Alexandra Kurland using similar principles, though her version was on a stationary object similar to a horse, taking a lesson practicing different rider positions and cues using focused body awareness. She also reported very effective improvements in rider position in a shorter time than some of her students who were taking riding lessons during the same time period. The DVD is titled "Helen House Horse", so named as the "horse" is a stationary object that can be in your house.
I am very excited to visit Jane in her booth at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts next month, November 11-14. You can visit virtually at the new EQ Social site, and meet others interested in balanced riding.
What are your methods for achieving balance? Do you think the EQ System would agree they are working?
Who's going to Equine Affaire, MA?
Follow-up: I WENT! It was so cool! I was crooked, and learned where and how to "feel" myself into balance. Here is my friend with Jane, her session went very well. I was so excited, I kept forgetting to ask the million dollar question: How much does this cost? Ha ha.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
WEG 2010 - Para Dressage
Cathy Lloyd and Majestic
This past week I visited friends at Willow Tree Farm in Riverhead, LI, where I was able to get a sneak peek at Team South Africa's Cathy Lloyd as she prepares for next weeks World Equestrian Games where she will compete in the sport of Para Dressage.
For the first time, Para Dressage is being included at this exciting event, giving it a worldwide audience that will increase awareness for those not yet familiar with it.
Imagine riding a complex dressage test with your own horse. Now, imagine doing it without full control of one or more limbs or limited sensation in some area. If that isn't enough, how about riding a NEW horse you have only had one month to get to know? And in a new environment, with the whole equestrian WORLD watching. It is amazing to consider the different ways this affects training cues and methods of working with the horse, and yet horses can communicate and respond with their riders so well, a spectator is often not even aware of anything different until the rider dismounts and gets into a wheelchair or an impairment becomes visible in some other way.
When speaking with Cathy, she mentioned feeling humbled riding with some of the other competitors who have more complex situations than hers. She herself is spending one month with a borrowed horse who, though wonderful, is quite different than her own. This requires making adjustments to things as detailed as choosing music to suit his rhythm and tempo, changing her previous freestyle routine. Watching her ride and attempting to conceive of coping with even one or two of those things, which I would never have guessed when seeing her, is an inspiration, to be sure.
To keep an eye on Cathy, look up Team South Africa Para Dressage on the WEG website, Majestic's Nom de Show is "United We Stand".
Here is a link to only one of many good articles on Para Dressage, please add to the list.
Who are you excited to watch at WEG? Post away!
L
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