Riding provides a cloak of invisibility

I really enjoy seeing wild life when I ride. Somehow being on a horse masks your “human-ness” to many wild creatures, cloaking you in the scent of your horse and making you invisible. On horseback I’ve been able to get within 10 yards of a buck sleeping under a tree . . . was able […]

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Let’s hope this man already has children.

Apparently this was part of a competition where polo riders and jumper riders switch mounts. I can’t believe that anyone would let their jumper be abused in quite this way — the horse deserves a medal for continuing to jump. However, I have never seen anyone get so much air over a jump and still […]

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Ever wonder what your pony was thinking?

You’ve got to give this young rider a lot of credit for his sheer stick-to-it-ness. Or, is the velcro on his breeches? Anyhow, the commentary is an amusing take on the inside of a pony’s brain. It reminds me of Penelope and Kipper, Thelwell’s memorable creations.

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The benefits of a good brisk walk

We’ve had rain here for the past two weeks. Lots of rain. For those of us with no indoor, that means one thing: riding in mud. When the sun peeks out for brief periods I’ve tried to get on my horse and get him moving and thinking. He doesn’t have the personality type to hang […]

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When training means treats

As I mentioned in my post about catching horses, I don’t generally feed treats or hand feed much of anything. Certainly, there are exceptions to the rule. I’ve been known to use bribes to load a recalcitrant horse. I’ve used grain when the horses got loose. And this spring I used treats to teach my […]

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More reasons to practice your two-point position.

Getting in shape to ride in a balanced half seat is painful. I can remember many lessons when my legs ached and my balance was precarious. I had instructors who insisted on perfecting my two point position. Maybe you’ve been there: arms out to the side, arms overhead, no stirrups, and endless circles and figures […]

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