EveryRider

Great expectations... The Countdown

Great expectations part 1

The months have passed quickly, it seems like before I could catch my breath spring was upon us. When Devon was bred last spring, the foaling seemed so far off that I felt no real sense of urgency.  A few years ago I took a breeding course at Ohio State University. I still had my notebooks and I reviewed them a few times but that's about it.  For the most part she didn't even look pregnant, it all still felt a bit surreal. 

We were approaching 30 days away from her "due date" of April 22nd and it was time for her final vet check. My regular vet did not offer equine reproductive services and our local equine veterinary practice left me feeling less than warm and fuzzy, so we decided to make a last minute change and go with a different veterinarian. 

As soon as I met Dr. Bowman I knew we had made the right choice.  He is a rare combination of extremely knowledgeable and down to earth without the slightest hint of an ego.  It was obvious that he is passionate about his work.  He even seemed to enjoy the questions and explanations that many others find tedious.  Devon's exam went well and only took a few minutes. Her weight was right on target and she looked to be progressing nicely,and still being 30 days out it was still too soon to predict much else. To sum it up he basically said that  "Maiden mares are a bit more complicated. They can come early, or they can come late, you just have watch and wait." He also said he barely bats an eye until they hit 12 months. Apparently it's not unusual for maidens to go past their due dates. I was a bit surprised about the 12 month comment but I wasn't worried...yet...

Now is the time when most maiden "moms" of maiden mares begin to get cold feet...but not me...I was cool as a cucumber...One of the other maiden moms involved in this project was feeling less secure... She wanted to be sure we were ready for everything.  She was reading, researching, and taking notes, lots and lots of notes. It's not that I wasn't concerned, I suppose it's just my personality and my personal disdain for anxiety. I hate to be anxious about anything; it is truly my least favorite emotion. I figured I still had a few weeks to reread my notes and she was worrying enough for the both of us. Besides, statistically speaking, the numbers were on our side. 

I assured my partner that everything was going to be just fine. I was having the camera installed that week and we would be able to monitor Devon closely throughout the last few weeks. That's when she handed me the book.  Not just any book... The book that strikes fear into the hearts of first time foaling attendants everywhere: Blessed are the broodmares...  I remember reading portions of this book in my summer course.  Although then the word dystocia meant about as much to me as the words ovary or uterus. It was just information being stored away in the back of my mind, there was nothing frightening about it.  But when i was flipping through the pages once again I began to feel worry creeping in. What if we are part of that 5 percent?  What if something horrible happens? What have I done to this poor mare? 

To make matters worse, an experienced breeder who lives nearby(who ended up being a godsend) stopped by to check on Devon and found some fescue in our fescue free hay! This was impossible! I paid extra for this hay!  I took Devon off of grass even before the recommended 90 day period just to be certain this would not be an issue.  Luckily, it just so happened that our breeder friend was a fescue expert. After losing a foal years ago to due to a late diagnoses of septicemia caused partly by fescue toxicosis, she educated herself and other breeders on the effects and prevention of this devastating and preventable problem. If you are in Virginia and have an old established pasture, you probably have fescue. Tall Fescue is a hardy grass that is easily established, tolerates close grazing, stands up to heavy horse traffic, and survives drought conditions that wither other grasses. It is known as the most important cool season grass in the United States. Unless you are an expert, fescue is not that easy to identify. It looks VERY similar to bluegrass.

Here are the two grasses side by side.  They are even more difficult to to detect when cured in hay. Tall fescue is pictured on the left and bluegrass on the right. In fact, most vets can't identify it either.  Unfortunately, it only takes a little endophyte-infested fescue to cause major problems.

These problems may include :

• prolonged gestation
• abortion
• premature separation of the chorion
• dystocia
• thickened placenta
• retained placenta
• aglactia (suppression of lactation, i.e. no milk)

Luckily with the experienced friends help we were able to find it in time to have the vet start Devon on Domperidone, the most effective weapon against fescue toxicosis to date. Domperidone has proven to be successful in reversing the harmful effects that occur when pregnant mares ingest infested fescue hay or grass. When started early enough the drug was felt to be effective in the prevention of fescue toxicosis in 95.2% of mares treated. In one study done at Clemson University data on placental retention was submitted for 1,322 mares. Approximately 93% of the mares (1,236) treated with domperidone did not have retained placentas.

We were 10 days away from the due date when we started Devonessa on Domperidone.  At this time she had virtually no bag.  This could be cause for concern, or maybe not... Being a maiden mare it is not uncommon to have little udder development prior to foaling. I read several accounts of maiden mare owners who had mares foal with no bag and no milk until immediately prior to or even after foaling. There was really no way to be sure and knowing that there was some fescue in the hay it wasn't a risk worth taking. Domperidone costs around fifty dollars per tube which typically lasts about 5 days. Devon started with a 10 day supply and ended up continuing the treatment through the foaling date and a few days after. It was a small price to pay for preventing serious complications. 

At this point we were only days away from the due date and I had the camera up and running on mare stare. I was more anxious than anyone now. I was reading everything I could get my hands on and watching Devon like a hawk. Would she foal early?  Would the Domperidone work?  Was I ready to handle a dystocia if it were to happen?

I sat outside Devon's stall with my head hanging over the door, she rested her head on my shoulder and I felt her warm breath on my neck. I reached up and slowly stroked her neck. I couldn't let anything happen to her, I couldn't betray her trust. This was the beginning of many sleepless nights watching and waiting, hoping and praying that everything would go as planned. But I had to be ready for anything...

To be continued...

Great expectations... Stories of a maiden mare

Some time ago I posted the story of how I aquired my mare Devonessa.  She is a 9 year old  TB/Connemara cross.  She came to me from a well known dressage facility that happens to be right next door.  After being layed up for over a year due to a stifle injury and mild intermitant  lameness it was determined that she would be unable to  withstand the vigorous training required to be competitive in the upper levels of dressage.

Devon's previous owner decided to take her to the Verband Oldenburg inspection in hopes of registering her with the International Sport Horse Registry.  Devonessa scored second highest of the day and was accepted into the Oldenburg Mare Book.

She was now sound, fit and still perfectly capable of being ridden and way too nice of a mare to not have a job.  I had just started my business and was in need of another lesson horse so I decided to take her on a one year free lease.

Although Devon stands at barely 16h she is quite the mover. The problem was the majority of my students then consisted of beginners and a few intermediate riders.That big beautiful trot can be a bit intimidating to a new rider. I couldn't have my beginners flopping around like fish on her back so Devon was ridden by a handful of select students and did a lot of walk work. At first I wasn't sure  if she was going to be a good fit in our program.  We were just beginning to build a lesson program and I was hesitant to take on another mouth to feed permanent basis. I liked Devon but I kept a degree of distance between us as I knew that at this point she was only a lease. The agreement could be severed at any time and I didn't want to get too attached.

As time went on it became increasingly difficult to remain objective to the possibility of giving her back.  I wanted to do what was best for my business and I knew I could probably replace her with a horse that could be ridden by anyone. Another horse that just shuffled along day in, and day out lesson after lesson. There is just something about her... I'll admit that I have a preference for mares.  It is true that they can be moody and tempermental, and over all geldings tend to be the more level headed choice.  Sometimes you come across a horse that is just special. Devonessa has presence... At the ISR inspection it was obvious that she was in her element.  She isn't just beautiful, she is steady, confident and LOVES to strut her stuff.  She is always noticed and always complemented by everyone who visits the farm.  If I only had a dollar for every time I heard "She is such a nice mare"  Everyone loved her... As hard as I tried not to, I loved her too... I knew I would eventually seal the deal and I finally did.  Devon was mine.

I was interested in breeding her but I wasn't willing to do so without being certain that I could truly afford to do it right.  It was then I was approached by two of my clients with an offer to sponsor Devon's breeding.  They would own the foal unless I decided to buy in, so in essence they would be leasing Devon from me over the next 18 months.  I would oversee the process and Devon would remain in my care.  I was involved in the process of researching and picking the stallion (which was very exciting and educational!)  We spent a lot of time planning and researching as we needed to be sure there would be a market for the foal as well, should we decide to sell.  It was a great opportunity to breed her without having to come up with the very expensive stud fee (which happened to be the least of our expenses BTW) This process would also determine if I should one day breed Devon on my own. It would be an excellent opportunity to own and train a sport horse of this caliber myself.

In early spring of last year the stallion selection had been narrowed down to two.  Both of which were standing at Hilltop Farm in Maryland.  We took a field trip to Hilltop to tour the facility and meet the beautiful studs in person.  The choice was between Royal Prince and Contucci.  They were both breathtakingly beautiful and extremely well mannered.  Temperament and ridability were among the top determining factors in our decision. We were able to spend a bit of time with each horse and watch them move as well. 

The facility was amazing and it was nice to see stallions treated so well.  The stallions were all stalled in a particular wing.  The stalls were huge with bars from the chest up so that they were able to see and interact with each other.  They also had long narrow runs for turn out each day!  Imagine that! Dressage horses actually being allowed to be horses, running and playing OUTSIDE!  I think that has a lot to do with how sane and easy to handle they truly were.  After we left it didn't take long to make the decision.  Contucci was beautiful and built so well... he had a shoulder to die for and looked incredibly powerful yet he was just a big sweetheart who loved scratches and attention.  Contucci was amazing but in the end the choice was Royal Prince.  He was much smaller than Contucci but every bit as awe inspiring.  Watching him move gave me goosebumps.  He dances...  He has this rhythmic flow in every move he makes.  He just looked so nice to ride. Just thinking of the combination of Devon and Royal prince  made me smile. Devon never got to meet her Prince but I made sure to tell her he was quite the catch.

The first cycle we sent her off to the vet to be bred.  In retrospect I think that was a bad decision.  Although they were able to monitor her closely and inseminate her accordingly, she was incredibly distraught.  I have come to believe that it is best to leave a horse at home, in familiar surroundings, whether it is undergoing a medical treatment or for breeding purposes whenever possible.  She did not catch.  The second time we stayed home.  She had her mom and lots of bananas to eat while she was poked and prodded.  She did great!  The next time the vet came to visit we had great news!  Devon was in foal and we had a little white blob on sonogram to prove it! 

Now I was all excited with nothing to do but wait.  Devon went on as usual being alpha mare, giving a lesson or two and suddenly being congratulated by everyone who came her way.  She didn't know what all the fuss was about but she had no less than 3 visitors with bananas in hand daily and she couldn't be more pleased.  Poor girl had no idea of what was waiting down the road... to be continued...

stay tuned for part 2... The countdown
 

15 minutes with this half naked man could change your life...

Or at least your riding... 

Everybody's doing it these days.  From our favorite celebrities to athletes at the top of their game, even your mom and your Aunt pearl talk about how Yoga has changed their bodies and their lives.  Maybe its because I share the attention span of my horses, or the fact that I always thought stretching only came before "real" workouts. I understood the need for flexibility and suppleness as a rider, but I certainly never thought of yoga consisting almost entirely of controlled stretching could make me stronger or more fit.  Unfortunately after injuring my knee during a bad fall, I was unable to ride for quite some time.  I had to find a low impact solution to regain lost muscle and flexibility in order to be fit enough to ride.

I first tried yoga a few years ago and to be honest I hated every second of it.  Part of the problem was the way I was introduced to yoga in the first place. My mother lent me a 90 minute tape of Denise Austin's "Fat Blasting Yoga." You remember her right? The perky aerobics queen of the 90's with endless smiling encouragement as she bounces around aimlessly. Well, picture the same bad music and the same annoying voice while trying to follow, "Down dog, up dog! Down dog, up dog, down dog -- aaand up dog!"  Maybe it's just me but I despite my best efforts I found myself cursing the TV rather than relaxing. Her overly cheerful style can quickly become irritating, especially when she coos something like, "This is my favorite stretch!" or, "Yea, YOGA!"  So after about  20 minutes I decided yoga was definitely not for me. 

I turned to pilates, which I still believe is the best all around workout for equestrians.  Allowing you to strengthen your core and work up a sweat all while developing the coveted long lean muscles essential to good riding.  While I had a lot of success with pilates the tightness in my hips and thighs persisted.  A depressing fact that you may not know is that we all begin to lose flexibility at the age of 16.  Like it or not, touching your toes before hopping on your horse just isn't enough, especially as you get older. 

It was then at the advice of my instructor I decided to give yoga one more chance.  I purchased A.M. and P.M. yoga by Rodney Yee.  After the first few minutes of rolling my eyes and grumbling about the new age flutes and speedo on the beach, I gave it a real go.  The entire A.M. session was a total of less than 20 minutes.  I can honestly say I experienced amazing results my very first day.  I felt more relaxed, loose and energized than I had in quite some time.  The P.M. session is just as delightful. It is a great way to wind down at the end of the day, not only providing you a well rested night sleep but I awoke with less stiffness each morning. I don't do it every day or even as often as I should but I find that even 2 - 3 times a week will make a dramatic difference in your riding and just the way you feel in general.

In summary there are many ways yoga can help you become a better rider:

•     Yoga creates flexibility in the hips.

•     Yoga creates a stronger, suppler, back.

•     Yoga builds body awareness and independent use of each part of your body.

•     Yoga teaches you how to breathe deeply at all times, even during a difficult  experiences.
  

After a few weeks of practicing yoga a minimum of 3 days per week you will see improvement:

•    Going with your horse's motion

•     Have a taller, quieter position

•     Give more precise aids

•     Experience greater concentration and flow

•     Enjoy faster muscle recovery / less soreness      

As with riding, there is no magic to yoga. It takes concentration, consistency, and discipline to succeed. Similar to training horses, yoga is not about force. Some riders are flexible, and others are not. Be aware of those differences and work towards your individual perfection. Work at your own pace and don't worry if you have to modify the stretches at first. In a short time you will find yourself improving your range of motion beyond what you thought was possible. You will learn how to move your body (and mind) away from strain, pain and imbalance toward balance of strength, flexibility and endurance. I think you'll be surprised how quickly you see results in your riding among other things. 

I have also included a few clips I found on youtube of one of Rodney Yee's beginner yoga videos.  These scenes are not from the A.M. / P.M. video but a lot of the stretches are the same so I figured a little sneak peak couldn't hurt. 

The hand that feeds you

We all love our horses and we want them to love us back.  We devote our time and our energy, we care for them, we consider them a part of our family.  As horse lovers and as human beings it is only natural for us to want to nurture our equine companions. Unfortunately, despite our good intentions we often do them more harm than good when we humanize their needs.   We want to believe our horses want and need the same things we do and that in return for our love, they love us, trust us, prefer us and would never hurt us.  Many people give treats to horses as a way of demonstrating affection sometimes believing that the horse will "like" them more.  Believe me when I tell you that when your horse begins to treat you as his human vending machine the last thing he is trying to show you is affection.

When your horse mugs your pocket or begs for treats he is invading your space and demanding food. By giving up either your resources or space, you are telling your horse that he is in control.  I read a great quote on this subject as it relates to self discipline.  The quote is "You cannot teach what you do not have".  When you fail to take leadership role,  the horse takes over, which often leads to spoiled and  aggressive behaviors from the horse.  You are creating a dangerous and unpleasant animal  with no regard for you or anyone else it encounters.

Before you roll your eyes and dismiss this post, understand that I am not implying you should never treat your horses.  I do give my horses treats.  Depending on the horse and situation, feeding treats can be harmless and fun.  In fact I have several horses that I call my "treat horses" because I know that when children come and ask to feed them carrots they will gently lower their heads and respectfully accept.  I also use treats when doing carrot stretches with my horses.

Treats can be a useful way to easily get what your after without a lot of fuss.  However, I DO NOT greet my horses with hand fed treats.  I DO NOT try to reward a horses bad behavior or calm a horse with treats. I DO NOT bribe my horses on to trailers with treats.  There is a difference between bribery and reward.  If you have to give your horse grain, carrots, etc. to get him to step in the trailer that's bribery.  But, if you give your horse the grain after they are in the trailer and standing quietly that's a reward. It may seem like a subtle difference, but the behavior must come before the reward.

Each horse is an individual and they all will respond differently.  If your horse is like one of my "kid treat horses" you may never have an issue with your horse becoming aggressive or ill mannered.  However if you begin to see signs of spoiling (chasing you or others in the field, mugging your pockets, nipping at your hands or clothes, dancing in the cross ties, or pawing each time you arrive)  It is time to practice restraint.  Give your horse all the treats you want in his BUCKET.  Let him watch you put them there if you are worried that he wont know they are from you.

The bottom line is a good relationship with your horse has very little to do with spoiling them.  In fact it has little to do with love either, at least not the way we as humans equate love.  What a good relationship is based on is mutual respect.  If you love your horse, then respect your horse enough to do what is in his best interest.  This is far more important than fulfilling your own fantasy of a human like bond that horses neither understand or appreciate.  If you want to show your horse how much you care, make sure he has a clean water bucket, groom him today even if he is only going to get dirty again, exercise him, put an apple with his dinner if it pleases you.  At the end of the day what your horse truly comprehends and appreciates is his dependence upon you.  He can depend on the fact that he will be safe, warm, fed and treated kindly by the partner at his side. 

*** Read this article by Dr. Jessica Jahiel highlighting a letter written by one of her readers entitled "Dear friend of my horse"  This can be a tricky subject at many boarding barns.  I think printing out this letter and hanging it on your bulletin board might give your unwelcome treaters a little perspective w/out stepping on too many toes:)   

The horse lover's gift guide

   
Okay so I'm no Oprah, but after watching her annual favorite things show last week I thought to myself why not a gift guide for horse lovers?  With Christmas right around the corner, time is running out  to find just the right gift for the horse lover in your life.  Here is a little inspiration to get you started :)  Everything listed in this first installment of my favorite things is not only tried and true but also priced at $25.00 or less!

I will continue to rack my brain for more ideas tonight and see what else I can come up with.  If you have a great gift idea we would love to hear them so drop us a line in the comment section or email me
Happy Shopping!

Handheaters from Hotwears    
Price: $14.95

Keep your horse lover warm this winter with a pair of handheaters from Hotwears. With these warm insulating hand heaters your hands and fingers will stay cozy warm!

The Handheaters hold up to 2 hot packs; one at the pulse point of your inner wrist and one across the back of your hand in a fingerless gloves, keeping your hands warm and fingers free. Another Plus: the slim fit lets you use them under your gloves or mitts!  Batteries Included:  2 HeatMax^® HotHands^® (Hot Packs). There are three sizes to choose from: S, M & L 

Rhythm Beads by Elated Equine
Price $14.00 - $20.00

Rhythm Beads (sometimes called "speed beads") not only enhance the natural beauty of your horse, but help build rhythm/cadence and help you both to stay calm and focused in stressful situations. 

There are other retailers that sell these wonderful beads but what I love about elated equine is the ability to choose your colors, pattern, string and bells using the Design your own bead feature.  Log on, pick

your colors and see what your design would look like on YOUR horse, right now, before you decide to buy!  You can also purchase necklaces directly from the featured patterns section or contact them with your color preferences and they will create a rhythm beads design especially for you!

Stud Muffins Horse Treats
Price $19.95/50 Pack

Stud Muffin horse treats are called the caviar of horse treats. I found them a bit pricey but after trying to make my own and failing miserably I decided to by a pack as a special treat for my horses after summer camp.  They go nuts for this stuff! I've yet to meet a horse that will turn up his nose to these goodies.

Stud muffins 100% hand made with all natural ingredients fortified with extra protein and flax seed, ensuring they are as healthy as they are enjoyable.

Massage Pin Brush by Epona
Price $9.95

The massage pin brush by epona is absolutely the best brush I have ever owned.  I have two, one for my horse and one for myself!  Natural wood brush and bristles, for manes, tails and body. Delivers a soothing, relaxing massage for the body, while softly detangling manes and tails – no breaking or tearing.

 

Herbal Scented Cold/Hot pack by Horse Holistics
Price 25.00
I was given one of these as a gift a few years ago and it has been a god sent.  I use it all the time for various aches and pains. brings soothing warmth to larger areas like upper and lower back, shoulders, etc. as well as back pain and strain. Fluted channels keep contents evenly distributed for maximum benefit. Physician-formulated blend of 12 soothing, aromatic herbs in a flax seed base. Unlike rice or corn which becomes moldy and must be thrown out, flax seed keeps its integrity. Hot or cold, they're great for arthritis, sinus headaches, stress relief and many other common ailments. I don't know if it is intended for horse use at all but I did buy a smaller version for my arthritic old dog and he absolutely loves it!

Now There is NO Excuse...

...to not be organized.  Our new website of the week is Horselogs.com This affordable online horse management service allows you to safely keep records on an unlimited number of horses.  For a few dollars a month you can keep track of feeding schedules,riding lessons, training plans, expense reports, and schedule your vet and farrier visits.  In just a few minutes  you can record Medical history, Pedigree, Show results,  daily journal notes and more without downloading a thing. All you need is an internet connection and you have 24/7 access to record events as they happen and review records from anywhere. There is even an option to keep your horse's vital statistics such as pulse, respiration, hydration and temperature.

This online service is a great way for the everyday horse owner to easily manage their records with very little hassle or expense. My only complaint about the system is that it is not suitable as an equine business mangement system. While I often  use the calander and training journal I  have still found it necessary to utilize  a seperate program for tracking all of my business expenses and creating invoices.  Horselogs.com is definitly on the right track with this simple online system.  When you register you gain access to all of the premium services the first 30 days for free! So head on over to Horselogs.com and sign up

Riding with Dog and Frog

The seat or weight aid is probably the most important natural aid, as it is the aid that is in the most contact with the horse. Unfortunately it is also the most likely to be misunderstood.  Before we can do anything in motion we must be able to sit in balance. Becoming aware of how your body is aligned will help you develop the correct muscles and allow you to stay balanced over the horse's center of gravity.

My first lesson with every new student begins with the "plumb line"  This refers to the alignment of the rider which can be seen from the side.  The plumb line checklist is as follows... Ears over shoulders - Shoulders over Hips- Hips over Ankles - with a bend in the knee.  Everything drops straight down in a line. If your feet are sticking straight out in front of you, your upper body is going to come back behind the motion of the horse. If your legs are too far behind you, your upper body is going fall forward. When the horse feels this, he will move to correct it.

Once we have mastered the plumb line it is time to move on to our seat. Side-to-side balance means that you are sitting  with your weight distributed evenly with equal pressure on both seat bones. What if you can't feel your seat bones let alone discern one from the other?  This is where our friend Mr. Frog comes in.

Frog Position : Riders draw their knees up to help them find their seat bones and the  middle of the saddle and to stay there without gripping with their calves.

Initially Many people have trouble finding what is referred to as the "neutral position"  which is the equal weight on both seat bones, no weight on your crotch, with your pelvis open, and with your lower back flat.  In order to find your seat bones in the saddle grab a hold of your strap or horn and slowly draw the knees upward until you feel both seat bones against the saddle.  Once you feel them slowly bring the legs back down trying to keep that feel.  Then you may proceed in the warm up: lifting both legs together, then lifting alternating legs side to side at the walk, isolating each seat bone independent of the other (If you are an inexperienced rider do this only while on the lunge line or supervised at the walk.) You may notice your horse begin to slow or attempt to transition from walk to halt as you perform this exercise. This is a normal response as the horse begins to feel the weight of your seat. 

I am amazed at the number of riders I see who are already a year or two into lessons and have not been taught the value of understanding how to use their weight properly.  When you are balanced over the horse’s center of gravity and following its motion, any weight shift creates the feeling in the horse that he needs to  re balance himself.

Using your weigh distribution as an aid naturally influences the horse to create the shape you desire. Like leg aids, weight aids can be applied bilaterally or unilaterally. For example, to turn the horse to the left, you simply shift more weight on your left seat bone and the horse automatically feels like stepping to the left to keep you centered over his center of gravity. It is important to remember the rider’s upper body position should not change.  It is a common flaw for the riders to do too much when attempting weight aids by leaning or collapsing at the hip.  Its just a matter of developing the right feel and the right muscles. Balance is something that both horse and rider will revisit many times as they advance in training.

Dog Position:  Riders lift their thighs away from the saddle (like a dog lifting its leg) to help them find the center of the saddle without gripping with their thighs.

One of my students' least favorite warm up exercises is dog position.  A bit crude but the name of exercise is meant to resemble a dog lifting his leg to uhhem... do his business.  This uses the abductor muscles to pull the thigh away, stretching your hips and loosening the thigh.  Yes it hurts a little... but its a great way to help cure the grippers.

Thigh muscle suppleness allows you to wrap your legs around your horse's barrel  The adductors are located inside the thigh and they do allow you to squeeze and grip the saddle to stay on in rough situations. However used in a prolonged contraction, they can immobilize your pelvis and lift you out of the saddle.  Tightness in the thigh causes a chain reaction down the leg that also influences the position and effectiveness of both the knee and ankle as well as upper body position effectiveness. This in turn causes more concussion of the seat and upper body making it difficult to stay in the motion of the horse.  The abductor muscles (outer thigh) and the adductor muscles (inner thigh)  should work together with the hip flexors and be evenly strengthened bearing weight with little force while you are in the saddle.  The inner thigh and knee should remain soft and relaxed in every gait.

There are a number of exercises that riders can use to help themselves develop the “muscle memory” they need to stay in balance with their horses. Muscle tone and rigid strength are two different things ... Think ballet strong, swimmer strong, martial arts strong... Flexibility and fluidity are essential parts to becoming a strong rider. Off the horse exercises and stretches can be equally beneficial. Here are a few of my favorites

EveryRider's Website of the Week

So as it turns running a horse business provides you very little time to devote to much else.  When the site began I intended to write more, read more, do more etc.  I think life and life with horses in particular have a way of taking all of your extra time and hiding it in a place hard to find... Kinda like the black hole that all the my left socks disappear into... I suppose Everyrider  has turned into more of a newsletter than a blog considering I am rarely able to post more than once a week. I don't know how bloggers like Mikael's Mania write (and write well) almost everyday in the midst of running a farm!

Although I have only written around 35 articles I have still managed to  make so many wonderful new connections in the horse community and found such a wealth of resources online that I never even knew existed. So I thought it might be a good idea to include a few posts that simply review an interesting site or a couple tried and true products. Perhaps I can even throw in a contest or two! Any other ideas  are more than welcome! Just drop me a line or leave a comment.

I got the website of the week Idea after reading my fellow horse blogger Patricia 's site "The Hinny Whisperer"  where she reviews several great horse and hinny related sites, giving you the highlights and reasons why each site is worth the visit.  I have tons of great bookmarks and links friends and students have passed along that I thought I might do some passing along myself!  So without any further ado here is our first website of the week!

Horses for Life 

 
 

Horsesforlife.com  is an amazing online magazine dedicated to preserving and bringing online the wonderful educational resources that should be available to all riders and instructors. While the magazines focus is on Discussing and reporting on topics related to the classical training of dressage horses there are a wide range of fantastic articles for horse enthusiasts of any discipline and breed.  Beautiful images and intriguing video accompany the wealth of in depth articles at horses for life.

While there are many free articles to enjoy, I highly recommend purchasing the subscription.  I believe it is 14.95 for a three month money back guaranteed trial or $34.95 for the entire year.  Once you subscribe you also gain access to the archives of over 175 past articles full of great information.  I think I have read them all!  The magazine comes out once a month and usually consists of a dozen articles or so.  The horse health articles alone were enough to make subscribing worth it to me.  There are several health related articles with all the latest veterinarian research and the possible impact on our horses.  A few examples of health related topics are listed below.
 

• What head position may cause your horse breathing problems?
• At what age are his bones mature, ready to go to work?
• What recent research discovered that fusing of the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae may be a concern for the horse that is put into work too early?
• Can the cavesson be causing your horse pain?
• Biomechanical Information that impacts upon our riding and our training

There are at least 3 free articles in every issue that you can read without registration so head on over to Horsesforlife.com and take a look ... You won't be dissapointed!

The Power of Rhythm

What is it like to be your horse?  What do they feel or think when they see us coming? Is the way in which we carry ourselves in our day to day routine around the barn, while grooming or tacking up that important? Self awareness is one of the greatest challenges in learning to ride.  When we begin as green riders we often are unaware of the position of our bodies or the tension we carry.  The same is true of so many of us on the ground.  We are not taught to pay attention to the subtleties of body language that are of such great significance to prey animals.  We rarely notice the change in the way our horse is breathing or the cadence with which he walks.  When you consider that the horses very survival was dependent upon their innate ability to perceive change, to sense danger and to be constantly aware it is not so strange that they notice the details we ignore.  Its easy to have the mindset that the clock begins when you sit in the saddle. Now you are ready, now your paying attention to your horse and you expect the same in return.  What about the rest of the time?

At Meredith Manor all of the training is based on a 10-level system called "The Training Tree" There are ten levels (as seen in the illustration to the left) in the training tree that are mastered in sequence. This allows us to break  down the process of teaching horses into smaller pieces using a step by step approach with each step building sequentially on the one before. This also gives us a way to identify holes in previous training or break through common plateaus by going back and addressing the missing piece before moving forward. 

I remember questioning the first two levels of the training tree: Rhythm and Relaxation.  It seemed like they should be reversed.  It made more sense to me that a horse would need to be relaxed before they could focus on their rhythm.  Then the question was posed... "How do you achieve relaxation?"  How does one make a 1000 pound animal relax? The answer of course: Rhythm

Developing a good sense of rhythm requires concentration. To make rhythmic movement an ingrained habit, you need to pay attention to the beat of your walk, the pattern of your breathing, and the bend and swing of your knees, your hips, and your shoulders. A steady rhythm is consistent, relaxing and predictable.  That predictability can help an anxious horse stay calm and relaxed. The horse begins to trust that nothing abrupt or frightening is going to happen.  Watch the soothed expression on the face of a horse being groomed by a caretaker currying to a steady inner beat and you will see the power of rhythm at work.

Once you master the ability to work rhythmically with your horses on the ground will develop a critical habit that you can carry over into riding. By Developing this mental discipline you will learn to to use rhythmic and relaxed body language on the ground to create calm focus and willing movement in your horse. Then, from the saddle, you learn to apply the aids in a rhythmic and relaxed way to recreate feelings of shapes you want the horse to take. Those even, regular footfalls create a ride that flows smoothly from movement to movement with seamless departs and transitions. 

When working with a nervous horse I pay extra attention to my breathing.  Counting 1-2- inhale, 1-2 exhale... slow steady and even... in and out.  Before long the horse begins to exhale more frequently.  He begins to find and match your rhythm.  You want the horse breathing calmly and quietly, giving the impression he’s almost bored. Thats okay!  Good training should be boring to watch.  When your horse comes up next to you and stands completely relaxed while giving you his undivided attention, he is paying you the highest compliment a horse can give.  Rhythm is equally important once you begin to ride.  It is important to realize that a horse cannot move with any better sense of rhythm than the rider he carries.  Some riders possess a natural sense of rhythm while others must practice the skill.  There are several ways to help find yourself find rhythm from humming and counting to simply paying closer attention to the beat of the hooves hitting ground.    Whether your goals are recreational trail riding or upper level dressage competition rhythm and relaxation are at the foundation.  Becoming the rider or trainer you aspire to be takes time and practice.  Start small... Practice rhythmic breathing in for 1-2 and Breath out for 1-2... It might make a bigger difference than you think.

Life Stinks...

While this may be slightly off topic for a horse blog I'm willing to bet that the great majority of horse owners  also have at least one dog and at least one creature lurking on their property that you hope stays out of sight.

So begins the story of my beloved dog "Hunter."  Late one evening Hunter went for a stroll crawling under the fence and down the hill to his most favorite spot.  Where our creek meets the trees he  crunches through the leaves exploring every smell and sound.  He has tried very hard to live up to his name and to protect his family farm.  He has waged war with more creatures than I can count.  From the frog to squirrel, from possum to mole even that ever elusive deer. He happily does his job leaving no stone unturned.

Each night Hunter patrols the property line then ventures back home once all is deemed secure.  This night would be different... While marking each tree on his way back to the  barn, he picked up a scent.  His hair standing on end the chase began but this time it wouldn't last long.  This unusual enemy was standing his ground despite Hunters powerful bark.  The feisty critter even dare turn his back and raise his tail in the midst of battle!  Then I heard a loud and pitiful "Yelp!"  and with a cry of defeat my Hunter came sprinting up the hill.

He was frantic and foaming rubbing his face in the dirt trying to get some relief. Hunter got a shot pure skunk to the face, the eyes, the mouth and the chest. The skunk secrets its highly odorous oil is a form of self-defense. When alarmed or attacked, a skunk can direct this spray, at a target several feet away. At high concentrations, the secretion can cause nausea and act like tear gas.  The only comparison that comes to mind is burnt plastic.  Not only was the smell potent enough to carry for miles, it can also be extremely painful for the dog who makes the mistake.  Once we caught him we washed his eyes and cleaned out his mouth as the irritation can be quite severe if not dealt with immediately.

It has been more than two weeks since the skunking and while hunter has finally been allowed back in the house with the rest of the family the smell still lingers.  He has never been better groomed or more leery of hearing me call his name.  He has had 6 baths and I have tried 4 skunk deodorizing remedies.  Some helped and and others not so much. The bottom line is no matter how loved or treasured your K9 friend, you will not be eager to let him snuggle up for at least a couple of months.  Below are the home remedies as well as the store bought DE-skunker:) 

1. Tomato Juice : The Old Wives Tale

You may have heard that tomato juice can neutralize the odor of a skunk.  A bath of tomato juice may seem to work but in reality it makes your dog smell like tomato juice instead.  The skunk's smell is so overpowering that your nose simply gets tired from the stench. The smell receptors in your nose bind the skunk odor so tightly that eventually you stop smelling it so much. This is called "olfactory fatigue." At that point, the tomato juice you've just bathed your pet with is a new smell that your nose is not used to yet. After a while, though, the tomato juice smell will go away and that skunk odor will come back.  The tomato juice tend to cut the oil base of the skunk spray but they do not really "kill" the odor. They just strip off the bulk of it. Skunk oil is meant to be persistent. A lasting memory of your encounter with the stripped kitty. Once it gets a grip just washing away the oil does not remove the smell, just reduces it.

2.  Home Remedies

1 pint hydrogen peroxide
2/3 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon liquid soap, preferably citrus based

Mix this up at the time of use (must be freshly mixed). Sponge on dog. Let sit two to five minutes then rinse with water. If a second dose is needed mix a new batch from scratch. The mix reacts with the mercaptans (smelly chemicals in the skunk spray) and oxidizes them. If the mix is not fresh, the reaction will not work.

 

3.  Household products

Summer's eve Douche Concentrate or any over-the-counter douche  is another effective product to neutralize skunk spray odor. These can be purchased at 24 hour convenience stores. It works better than tomato juice in a pinch and is mild enough to use on your dog's face.  The method is to apply it directly to the fur and work it into the deeper layers by hand. For the dog's face, we used a washcloth with the solution to apply the product.

4. Store bought skunk deodorizer

Nature's Miracle is a solid product if you can find it in the store or have the foresight to order it in advance for emergencies.  Skunk Odor Remover removes most skunk odors in minutes. Liquid enzymes neutralize the skunk''s odor-causing organic material. For best results, bathe dog with a skunk shampoo, then apply and let air dry.  While this did not eliminate the scent it did a pretty good job at neutralizing the odor and making the scent bearable.

If your dog has never had the misfortune of  going toe to toe with this stinky intruder consider yourself lucky.  I highly recommend having these products on hand.  Murphy's Law ...Situations like these never happen on a lazy afternoon.  Be prepared!  I would also like to send a special thanks to my boarder "Christina"  who jumped in to help without hesitation.  Anyone who is still a friend when you smell that bad is a true friend in deed.  Hunter and I thank you for not abandoning us in our time of need:)

Back to Blogging and a Reading Recommendation

After a long break Everyrider.com is ready to get back to blogging.  Its time to empty my head of all the collecting entries swirling around over the last few months just waiting for the chance to escape. 

Summer madness is winding down and I am finally able to catch my breath.  I am so proud of my ponies for being such troopers despite the exhausting heat and relentless little people invading their stalls, helping feed them, and bombarding them with paintbrushes, crafts and endless games requiring so much patience.

There is something incredibly magical about watching a horse with a child.  I have seen confidence burst from children who are too timid to speak, and quiet concentration from children labeled disordered.  They have a certain healing quality about them which enables us to feel stronger and much bigger than we are.   Likewise, children seem to have a similar effect upon some horses only in the opposite direction turning horses that may be stubborn or moody under a seasoned rider into gentle giants with low headsets.

While we had a fantastic summer, I must admit I was happy to see the yellow school bus creep down my gravel road again bringing with it cooler air and a bit shorter workday.  I am eager for the leaves to turn and to have an hour or two spent selfishly in the saddle wandering around aimlessly on our little trail.

I did manage to read an interesting book over the summer written by animal behaviorist Andrew Mclean entitled "The truth about horses". Dr. Mclean holds a PhD in horse training psychology has been an accredited riding coach for over 20 years  While I did not necessarily agree with every theory or method employed in Dr. Mclean's book I found his no nonsense scientific approach to be a breath of fresh air.  The trend towards more natural methods has produced many great training philosophies but not necessarily the theory or science behind them.  The book gives great insight into the way that horses learn and process information as well as their cognitive limitations.  I found the book an easy read at only about 150 pages and it is full of great pictures along side step by step instruction. To read Andrew Mclean's articles online visit his website at htpp://www.aebc.com.au/articles

   

And the Winner is...

After receiving 10 great entries via email and six more through the comment section it is clear that the real winner is me :)   I now have more than enough activities to keep kids busy and moms happy as they drive their napping angels home.  While there was not a bad idea in the bunch, but one stood out and got my creative juices flowing again.  The award goes to "Stick Horse Dressage"  This activity has several possibilities.

In a dressage clinic I attended recently we used our dressage whips as horses on the ground to practice correct body position and alignment for shoulder in, haunches in and half pass.  While practicing on the ground is obviously much different from performing such movements on horseback it was a great way to make the connection between what our body is doing and how that relates to what we are asking of the horse beneath us.

While camp kids are most likely not going to be learning shoulder in they can learn patterns and imitate gaits and movements.  Not to mention designing your own stick horse sounds pretty fun.  The possibilities are endless... Stick horse rodeo, barrel racing, western riding patterns and even dressage.  What a great way to explain lead changes!  The type of activity will vary according to the age group but I am really excited about this concept.  Below is the youtube video beth sent along with her request.  It is a bit silly but I think it might help paint the picture of how a horseless dressage competition could work.

I would also like to give a few honorable mentions to the following entries. Callie from Midwest horse for the mini rodeo games,  Mikael from Rising Rainbow Arabians  for the costume contest and Linda for the water relay...FUN! I plan to incorporate each of these ideas into my camps as well.  I got several more fantastic entries via email I only wish I had more prizes :)  However I enjoyed the contest and feedback enough that I will definitely be having more in the future. 

Camp Idea Contest

Everybody loves contests... Especially when there are prizes involved!  I came up with the idea after reading one of my favorite blogs Confessions of a Pioneer Woman.  Now don't get too excited... I can't afford to give away an awesome camera like Pioneer Woman, but I will be awarding a small prize at the close of my contest next week.   

I have decided to offer summer day camps this year at our facility.  We have numerous lesson plans, games and activities both on and off the horse for a variety of ages from 6-12.  As the summer rapidly approaches I have found my idea bank exhausted.   I have thought  of as many fun ways to  learn about horses as I possibly can!  We have everything broom polo and musical stalls to horse decorating contests and horse treat recipes.  I have a couple rainy day worksheets and plenty of fun horse flicks to watch but I still need more.  Considering the relatively short attention span of both children and horses, I would like to have enough to keep all involved busy :)  So that is the premise for the contest.  I am looking for unique horse related games or activities that entertain, educate and inspire.  It does not necessarily have to be a mounted activity so feel free to get creative! Games, worksheets, fun arts & crafts and whatever else you've got up your sleeves. 

I will pick and announce the winner one week from today on June 8th.  The prize is a 25.00 gift certificate from your choice of any of the three horse retailers listed below.

1. Country Supply
2. Dover
3. Rod's Western Palace

Not too shabby for one little idea... So go ahead and give it a shot... and tell your friends!  Entries may be left in the comments section or via email at everyrider@yahoo.com   All entries must be submitted by 8pm  on  June 8, 2007.

Fly Patrol

Horse lovers welcome the warm air of spring.   The days are getting longer and the horses are happily munching away in the pasture.  Unfortunately spring and summer bring with them quite a few unwanted guests.  Many different types of insects bother horses.  Come to think of it many of the same bugs bother me.  Especially when I’m taking a nap and they fly right above my ear.  The difference is I have the ability to hunt them down and finish them with my handy dandy fly swatter while my horses must struggle to escape them day in and day out. 

Flies  tend to be one of the more persistent pests of horses. The dominant species in stables are the house flies and biting stable flies. Once outside, face flies, horn flies, deer flies and black flies become dominant. House flies do not bite, but, they can serve in the transmission of harmful microorganisms.

Basically, the pests be divided into three groups by their feeding habits. Sponging mouth parts, found on house flies and face flies, are used to sponge or sop up liquid foods. Stable flies, horn flies, horse flies and mosquitoes use piercing mouth parts to pierce the host animal's skin so that they may feed on blood. Some flies, such as bots and cattle grubs, have no mouth parts as adults. Stable fly bites are painful to both man and animal. When hungry, stable flies are quite persistent and will continue to pursue a blood meal even after being swatted at several times. Although the bite is painful, there is little irritation after the bite, and very few people exhibit an allergic reaction to stable fly bites. Other fly species that attack horses in pastures include horse flies and deer flies, black flies and other gnats,and mosquitoes.

Flies seem to live to reproduce. A typical life cycle of a fly is 21 to 25 days from egg to adult, and do they sure do keep busy! A female fly  often lays twenty batches of eggs during her short life span, with each batch containing between 40-80 eggs. In fact, two flies can easily produce 1.8 million breeding pairs within just 12 weeks. All the more reason for horse owners to become vigilant in their fly control efforts.

Even if you employ the most diligent control efforts, including regular manure collection and disposal, you can expect flies and winged pests to be present on your farm.  I've spent a lot of time researching and planning my counter attack this year.  I thought I would share some of the recipes and links so you can develop a war strategy of your own :)

1. Fly Predators

I have decided to give Fly predators a try this year.  My neighbor who owns the dressage facility next door has been ordering them for years and swears by them.  She releases them two or three times each fly season into the manure pile and where they get to work right away.    Fly parasites kill flies in the pupa stage before they hatch into flies. These are tiny wasps (the size of a fruit fly) that specialize in killing flies. They do not sting people or mammals. These insects are naturally occurring and widespread in low numbers. They just need reinforcement to exert fly control where fly breeding is abundant.

Fly predators are available from The Beneficial Insect Company in colonies of 10000-15000 insects. You can contact any of the companies that carry fly predators and they will work with you to determine the number of fly predators that you need. The number of fly predators needed based on the not only the number and type of animals that you have, but also the size of your pasture or stable and the conditions in your area.

2. Natural Fly Sprays

Pyrethrum?  Pyrethroid?  Permethrin?  Cypermethrin?  Tetrachlorvinphos?  I counted a total of 57 different fly sprays in my horse supply catalog this month.   So what are these chemicals we’re spraying all over our horses or misting throughout our barns?  One of the most common ingredients found in many insecticides are pyrethrins.  These poisons are extracted from certain species of the well known plant Chrysanthemum.  Pyrethrins are effective insecticides and are fairly non-toxic to mammals, but one problem associated with pyrethrin use is the propensity of this extract to become allergenic.  Contact dermatitis (blisters, rash or general irritation) is a common reaction in both humans and horses. People with sensitivity to ragweed or who have asthma can also be sensitive to pyrethrins, with symptoms such as sneezing, headaches, stuffiness, eye burning and itchiness. These products should not be applied near your horse’s eyes or other sensitive areas. 

Pyrethroids are found as the active ingredient(s) in many fly and mosquito sprays, this class of man made chemicals are manufactured to produce the same type of chemicals found in chrysanthemums.  Permethrin is a neurotoxin, a possible carcinogen (cancer causer), known mutagen (damager of genetic material), and suppressor of the immune system.  It kills insects by over-exciting their nervous systems.  In mammals, it also causes repeat nerve impulses which can lead to tremors, hyperactivity or paralysis. Because of the way they work, pyrethroids can also create problems for people taking medications for multiple sclerosis (MS).  Given all these problems,I advise considering other options before using pyrethroids.

I started making my own fly spray last year and I was quite pleased with the results.  The only downside is that in my experience the natural home made sprays don't have the same staying power as some of the store bought chemicals.  It really hasn't been an issue for me as my horses stay in during the day in summer with evening turn out.  I spray them twice a day with the homemade spray.  In the morning and after dinner before turnout.  I have included the recipe below.  Be sure to spot test your horse before using.

Organic Fly Spray (½ gallon approx)

4 tbsp.  Eucalyptus oil

4 tbsp.  Citronella oil

1 pt. (4c) Apple cider vinegar

½ pt. (2c) Liniment or witch hazel

Fill remainder of ½ gallon container with water.

Apply as needed by spray bottle or wipe on

3. Protective Gear

Fly masks protect a horse’s eyes not only from these pests but also harmful UVA and UVB rays.  For fly masks to be effective, purchase several and wash them regularly. If grit gets underneath or on the band, it can be very irritating to the skin. Do not buy ones pre-coated with pesticides. Also, do not leave the mask on continually; remove it at night.

If you own a horse with uveitis (moon blindness) I highly suggest purchasing a guardian fly mask. The Guardian Mask does a lot more than keeping the flies away.  The sunshades provide 95% protection from harmful UV sun rays,     allowing full visibility without compromising safety and comfort.  This mask has made all the difference with my ERU Appaloosa Bailey.  He is finally able to go out in the sun and graze with his buddies again.

Another mask I am considering this year is the "Quiet Ride" fly mask which was created for use underneath of the bridle.  I have yet to try this product but I think its a great idea.   

On cooler days, fly sheets can also protect not only against flies, but also pasture bleaching.

4. Common Sense

The rest is just a matter of common sense. One of the easiest ways to reduce fly populations is to eliminate the breeding habitat. They require organic matter, such as manure and bedding material, moisture and warm temperatures. The elimination of any one of these factors will minimize fly breeding. Clean stalls daily, remove stagnant water from troughs and scrub often, keep aisle ways cleaned up and don't let your manure heap get out of control.  There are tons more products and ideas out there aimed at fighting flies.  I include a few interesting links that I came across during my research below.  I'm not sure if the "fly gun" is for real but it sure does look fun.

"The Amazing Fly Gun"

"Fake Cows Kill Flies"

Environmentally Insect Control System

Meredith Manor

I was recently asked to write an article for infohorse.com about my  experience at Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center.   An article from the perspective of a graduate about how I made the decision to go and where I am now. I gained so much in my years there that I was happy to tell my story.

Chasing a Dream

I have dreamed about a life with horses for as long as I can remember.  Growing up just outside of Washington D.C. the opportunities to pursue such a passion were limited. It seemed that either you were born into a life with horses  or you had to be wealthy enough to afford lessons.  Unfortunately I was neither.  So I did what every horseless girl does. I read books and watched movies.  I studied the breeds and their colors. I spent hours in my room flipping through magazines carefully debating which horse I would someday choose.  I clipped classified ads of “free to a good home” horses and houses for rent in the country and attached them to my Christmas list.  I started saving my money in a horse jar where I happily accepted donations.

Then at twelve years old I spent the summer in Upstate New York with some friends of our family who owned several  horses.  I finally got a chance to ride.  I spent every second at the barn.  Brushing and fawning over an old quarter horse mare named cinnamon.  To me she was perfect.  I rode her for hours back and forth from the barn to the house.  When summer ended I went back home.  I knew then I would never be cured.  I would never stop wanting  and longing for a horse of my own.

Time goes on and horseless girls grow up.  I rode over the summers when ever I had the opportunity, but as I transitioned into adulthood my dream of a life with horses fell by the wayside.  It was time for the real world. I had to be practical.  I had to make money.  So I spent the next several years talking myself into wanting something else. I sold cell phones, I became a pharmacy technician, I took real estate classes, and I worked as an office manager for our family business.  You name it I tried it.  I was successful enough.  I owned my own home and I had some money in the bank but the truth is I was miserable. I was just biding my time and I felt like I had no real purpose in my life. 

One night I was home feeling sorry for myself and I got online to look at horse sites.  I began to search for horse related jobs and stumbled across the Meredith Manor site.  I began reading Dr. Meredith’s training articles and  couldn't stop.  I stayed up arguing with myself about whether or not to fill out the form requesting information.  It was only a catalog.  What harm could it do?  The entire next week I ran home to check my mailbox for the package.  When it arrived I sat down next to the mailbox and ripped open the envelope.  As I flipped through the pages my mind began to race.  What if I could do this?  What if I sold my house, and my car, everything but the dog? What if  it’s not too late?

My mother and I took a trip to the campus for a tour.  At the end of the tour I was already certain.  I wanted nothing more.  I didn’t care if people would think I was crazy.  I was in love again.  With the smells and the sounds, and with  the curious creatures that followed me with their eyes as I walked through each barn.  My parents were so moved by  my excitement that they decided to support my craziest decision yet.  I sold my house and packed the dog and moved to West Virginia.

I remember my first day so clearly still.  It had been several years since I had ridden and I’m sure that was fairly  obvious. We all were to attend riding evaluations where we would be observed by instructors and fellow students as they determined our initial placement.  I was certain that I would be a nervous wreck but I wasn’t.  I rode around  doing everything wrong and yet I couldn’t wipe the ridiculous grin off my face.  I was finally here and nothing could  bring me down.  At least not on the first day :)

The next few months were very hard.  I was sore in muscles I never knew existed. I was blistered, bruised and  exhausted.  I had so much to learn that I might as well never have ridden. Luckily I made friends quickly.  They never tired of my questions and they didn’t laugh (much) at all my ridiculous mistakes.  They encouraged me through difficult times when I wasn’t sure I could keep going.  There is something that happens to you when you are pushed to the hilt of your mental and physical limitations.  You are forced to look inside yourself and see what you are truly made of.  There were times I was terrified, there were times when I was discouraged to the point of tears, but I  learned that I was much stronger than I ever imagined.  I learned that you can accomplish almost anything with drive alone. With every new horse and every new semester my confidence and skill level improved dramatically. I was becoming a rider.

A lot of thought goes into the curriculum at Meredith Manor.  As you progress through the levels of riding, training and theory your strengths begin to surface.  Interestingly many students end up changing their major along the way, specializing in something completely different than they intended.  I thought I wanted to be a trainer.  After all, the dream was to work with horses so why bring people into it?  While I learned a lot from my training classes I found  myself drawn more and more to another area of study.  A new passion began to emerge when I discovered teaching.

What makes the teaching program at MM so different is that we are required to become a teacher first and a riding instructor second.  A great deal of time is spent studying the aspects of communication and different methods of teaching different learning styles.  We learned to incorporate our working knowledge of horses with the ability to communicate and motivate our students.  After my first student I was hooked and I knew this is what I was meant to do.  The only   thing that made me happier than making progress with a horse myself was the ability to help someone else have that same experience.  Teaching is truly the best of both worlds and I can’t imagine anything I’d rather do.

Graduation was definitely a bittersweet time for me.  I said goodbye to my new family as they moved on to their new lives and I made the decision to stay.  I was accepted into the graduate assistant program where I was able to continue on as a student teacher and gain invaluable experience.  When I finally left the manor I had accumulated  almost 2000 hours in the saddle under some of the finest instructors in the world.  It didn’t matter what I started with  or how long it took to get here.  I was a new person, full of the confidence that comes along with realizing a dream.   This achievement was only the beginning.  I had a solid foundation to continue on my own, to set new goals and realize new dreams.  I have since acquired my own business in Virginia where I teach, train and ride everyday.

Making a decision to change the course of your life can be very difficult.  No matter what your dream is there are always obstacles and often many more nay sayers than believers.  Wanting to be something more than what you  already a