Jane, over at The Literary Horse, has asked this age old question of her readers and wants some feedback.  I think that many of us involved with our equine friends get this question, oh, a few hundred times or so in our lives.  And Jane has nailed it:  you don’t love horses in the same way that you love football or chocolate.  Putting into words the nature of the feeling and involvement is next to impossible.  It comes from a place that transcends words.  If you are truly a horse person, no description is necessary to explain why the best Saturday mornings entail rising at dawn so you can experience the waking of the world from a horse’s back.  But for those of you that are NOT horse people and have either been afraid to ask or have gotten an unsatisfactory answer, here you go.  With the benefit of an extended amount of time to contemplate and create some poetic verbage:  Why horses?

Because they don’t talk back, yet you’ll often find an ear cocked in your direction as you speak 

Because they accept what is and never look back

Because you can view your soul through a horse’s eyes

Because there is no high like the one you feel when you have just perfected an intricate maneuver on horseback

Because of the strength and flexibility the body has as a result of riding

Because it feels powerful to charge through the woods at a gallop, ducking branches and feeling the wind whip around you

Because of the partnership and trust that is shared between a horse and rider

Because nothing soothes the edges of a rough day like a warm, hay scented breath blown on your cheek

Because they are so powerful and yet so fragile

Because equestrian friendships transcend age, religion, and sexuality.  The language of the horse is enough to sustain a lasting bond

Because horses are the best teachers and if you listen there is always something new to learn

But mostly, because horses are in my soul.  They have been from the day I was born, long before I ever laid a hand upon one.  If you have ever been lucky enough to experience that feeling with anything, then you might understand.  There are just some things you can’t explain, and trying to rein them into words diminishes the greatness. 

So I’m with Jane.  Why horses?  Because I like them.

What it SHOULD look like... Image courtesy of Schneiders Saddlery

As most of you know, Tiny has a severe allergy to gnat bites.  As a result, I’m always on the hunt for anything that will prevent a reaction and make her more comfortable.  So far, keeping her covered with a fly mask, neck cover, and fly sheet have done the trick and this summer was relatively itch-free for her.  In August, it was time to replace her neck cover and so I hit up Schneiders Saddlery for a good deal.  The neck cover I originally wanted was out of stock and so I chose another from the selection:  the Interlock Soft Mesh Neck Cover.  It seemed to fit the criteria:  light colored with UV protection to protect against the hot Florida sun, fine mesh to protect against those “no-see-ums” that torment Tiny, and 420 denier nylon mesh advertised as tough for turnout.  The price was right (about $15, plus shipping) so I gave it a shot. 

My reaction? Not impressed.  At all.  Upon arrival, I tried it on Tiny and she was swimming in it.  A size medium was advertised for her sheet size, but was extremely large on her and I had to rig it to close securely.  The mesh was fine, as promised, but the durability was horrible.  She had it for about a week before it was torn in several places – two weeks and it was destroyed.  Now I know that my horse is not the most dainty or gentle of creatures, but she had kept her previous neck cover for almost a year and the only reason it needed to be replaced was because the velcro stopped sticking.   A week?  Come on….

I can’t comment on Schneider’s customer service here.  The item did arrive promptly after I ordered it.  Although it was large when I got it, I did not try to return the product.  By the time it arrived, Tiny was already having a reaction to the bugs, had rubbed out half of her mane, and was developing itchy, raw sores on her neck.  I figured I could make it work for at least a few months until my first choice option was back in stock.  I was out of town for a week after she got the hood and by the time I got home, it was so filthy and trashed I didn’t even think it was worth the trouble to try to return it. 

What it DOES look like

Overall, I would not recommend the Interlock Soft Mesh products from Schneiders Saddlery (a matching mask and sheet are also available).  The material used is very soft and has no durability at all.  I’m not really sure what environment this product would be suitable for, as even rubbing on a wooden stall wall would tear it.  While the price can’t be beat, in this case the old adage fits:  you get what you pay for!

Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday!  I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for.  If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here.  If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful for in your own life.  If you don’t feel comfortable sharing, then just take a few moments to reflect on all that you have.  If you’d like to tag other bloggers that participate, feel free to do that.

Continuing on from last week, next up is the 90′s.  More than any other decade in my life, the 90′s represents the Appaloosa.  Almost every meaningful thing that took place in my life during these years somehow related back to my involvement with horses.  Here are some of my top reasons to be thankful for the 90′s:

• In 1991, I got my very first dog, Davy.  He was all mine – I researched which breed I wanted and chose him carefully, and once he arrived I trained and raised him.  He was, and still remains, the best memory of my youth.  He was a black Lab/collie mix and he was one of the smartest dogs I’d ever seen.  He was naughty, and used up most of his lives before he hit two, but he was the most loyal dog anyone could ask for.  I learned responsibility with him and we had a tremendous bond together.  He traveled all over the country to horse shows with me and he protected me when we moved to the big city to go to college.  He patiently tolerated me sobbing into his fur during my years of teen angst, and always offered a kiss and a cuddle whenever I needed it.   At the age of 8 he was diagnosed with cancer, while we were in Oklahoma City at the National Show.  Tough dog that he was, he survived it and went on to live another 8 healthy, happy years.  I lost Davy in 2007, when he was 16 years old.  I think of  him every day and I am so very thankful for the years we had together.  He was the best thing that happened to me at that time.

• In 1998, Otis joined our little group.  Otis was a colorful character who wore out his welcome in my hometown neighborhood.  Always a sucker for a sweet face, I agreed to take him in when his former owners discarded him.  I’d admired him when I saw him roaming the streets and it took me years to learn that he was a Neapolitan mastiff.  Otis was challenging – he’d been neglected and had no training, and was fearful of everything.  He was pure and had a heart of gold.  He truly was our “Sunshine Boy.”  I lost Otie in 2004 at the age of 11, quite a feat for a mastiff, especially one with a rough start.  He had such a profound impact on me and encouraged me to learn about dog behavior and rescue work.  I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to take him in and show him how to be loved.

• My horse showing adventures peaked in the 90′s – we traveled from Pennsylvania to Florida, Michigan to Texas and everywhere in between.  Those years meant so much to me and the memories flow freely.  Friendships with people of all ages blossomed, fed by our common love for riding.  Horse shows were a chance to visit, laugh, and enjoy life with people that understood me.  I remember driving along in those dark hours before the sun rose, alone with my anticipation of the upcoming show.  One of my favorite shows was actually held here in Florida.  A large group of our friends from PA and Ohio would group up in Venice, Fl every December for a week long show.  On days off, we’d visit the beach to feed gulls or trail ride our horses around the vast showground.  Although not all the memories are as sweet, I wouldn’t trade one minute of those years for anything.  It was a time when my family was close – we did everything together.  It was also a time when I learned so much about myself and what my capabilities are.  These were some of the best years of my life.

• There are so many things I have to be thankful for from these years.  I could go on for ages, but mostly I’m just thankful to have had the opportunities that I’ve had.  I know that my parents made great sacrifices so that my sister and I could have it all.  I got to go to the college I’d dreamed of, without having to give up my horses like so many of my peers did.  They supported my college education and they continued to haul us to horse shows most weekends of each summer.  When my sister and I decided to move to Florida to continue our educations, the folks sold their properties and followed us down here, so we could continue our riding adventures.  Without them, I never EVER would have had the experiences that I’ve appreciated so much.  So Thanks Guys!  I love you!

Happy Thursday to all and please visit these other sites that frequently participate in Thankful Thursday:

Akal Ranch, Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch, and Tired Dog Ranch.

Image courtesy of D Sharon Pruitt

Many years ago, I learned the value of riding with “soft eyes.”  You might be wondering, What on earth does that mean?  If you drive a car, you probably drive with soft eyes.  Think of it like this:  when you use soft eyes your focus is soft, your peripheral vision is active, and you are able to perceive a large area.  For example, you can watch the car in front of you and keep an eye on that child near the road as well.  In contrast, there are “hard eyes,” where you sharply focus on a particular point or object to the exclusion of everything else.  You may have found yourself staring so hard at something that you didn’t even see the person that walked by you.  

Try this exercise:  when riding, pick a point in the distance and focus hard on that point.  Feel how your body reacts.  Do you tense up?  Does your horse react?  Are you still aware of other objects in your environment?   Now, turn your head 45 degrees to the right or left.  Focus hard on a point there.  What happens?  If you’re like most of us, your horse will drift in the direction that you’re looking.  Why?  Because your body responds to your focus by stiffening and subtly cueing your horse to turn.  Now practice using soft eyes.  Look ahead but don’t focus on a particular point.  Use your peripheral vision to scan your entire surroundings.  You’ll be surprised how far your visual range extends towards your shoulder area!  You’ll likely feel your horse soften as you soften.

Using soft eyes when riding is an important tool.  When you keep your focus soft, your body naturally softens.  You also have greater awareness and perception and can sense your environment.  This keeps you in tune with your horse and allows you to make corrections or adjustments almost before they are needed. 

There is also a place for using hard eyes.  I most often found this a useful tool in pattern classes or showmanship, where a straight line is essential.  If you choose a point at the far end of the arena and concentrate on that point, you’ll find that your body directs your horse straight to that point.  The same goes for barrel horses – focus on your pocket and your horse will slip right into it for a great turn.

Have you ever noticed what kind of eyes you ride with?  Do you find that these same examples hold true for you as well?  Have you found a use for hard eyes other than those that I’ve mentioned?  I’d love to hear your stories!

Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday! I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for. If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here. If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful for in your own life. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing, then just take a few moments to reflect on all that you have. If you’d like to tag other bloggers that participate, feel free to do that.

This week, I wanted to do something a little different.  I have so much in my present life that I am grateful for, but now and again I get to feeling a bit nostalgic for the old days.  I have been very lucky throughout my life to have had some experiences that have shaped the very fabric of who I am.  For the next couple of weeks, I want to honor those experiences that have conspired to put me at this point, in this moment of my life.  First up, the 80′s, the decade of my youth.  This is where it all began….

Horses awaiting their riders at The Pointe's ranch.

• The single most life changing experience I’ve had thus far started with a vacation that began innocently enough in Pheonix, Arizona.  I am so thankful that my parents took us to The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in 1984.  Under the blazing Southwestern sun and in the shadow of the looming mountains, my sister and I fell madly, completely in love with riding.  This vacation changed my life.  While I only remember bits and pieces of the rest of our trip, I  can still smell the leather of the saddle and feel the sun on my back as we rode through the mountains.  Sadly, the resort no longer offers trail rides (at least not that I can find online)  and the mountains that we rode through are now dotted with glass and stucco mansions. 

Michelle aboard her very first mount, Hank, at The Pointe.

• Of course, the next event that I want to mention was when my parents bought my first horse.  You can read the story of Starfinder here.  That moment was one that I’d dreamed of for as long as I could remember.  I still recall when they vetted her at the Illini Railsplitter show, the leg x-rays weren’t clear and it looked as though she wouldn’t pass the exam.  Amazingly, upon re-doing the x-rays, it was decided that she was clean and would be coming home with us.  I still feel that some divine intervention took place because that horse and I belonged together.  She was the gear that started this whole ball rolling.

Starfinder, my first horse

What’s funny is, when I sit and think on this decade nothing else (non-horse related)  jumps out at me.  These years were a time of dreams coming true and my evolution out of childhood.  I soaked these experiences in and let them shape me, and I learned so much.  While many girls my age were struggling to find their niche, to be comfortable in their skin – I had my horses.  They eased my transition into high school and gave me escape and comfort when I felt like I didn’t fit in (which was quite often).  So this is what I’m thankful for and what the 80′s represents to me. 

Happy Thursday to all and please visit these other sites that frequently participate in Thankful Thursday:

Akal Ranch, Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch, and Tired Dog Ranch.

I’ve been barrel racing off and on for about 17 years, but I still look for new tips and techniques any time I can get them.  I’ve really only ridden 2 gamers, so I don’t consider myself too experienced.  I picked up this book, Charmayne James on Barrel Racing (Western Horseman Books), a few years back because I was looking for some tips on at home conditioning of my barrel horse.  The book is a solid overview of what it takes to be a successful barrel racer, and includes chapters on choosing the right horse for the job, conditioning, nutrition, gaining show experience, mental and physical preparation for the rider, and troubleshooting, among other things.  There are lots of great photos of Charmayne and her dream team of horses, and the book is full of diagrams and illustrations. 

Overall, this book was a good purchase as a reference book to keep on hand.  To be honest, it didn’t really provide me with anything NEW.  If you are a beginner to the sport of barrel racing, or someone looking for a refresher in the basics, I would highly recommend this book.  It has a great deal to offer if you are training a horse to run barrels, like lots of little exercises to gain control over his body.  It even has a troubleshooting section with case studies examining common problems.  However, if you’re looking for more detail, such as a conditioning program or advanced exercises, you might want to keep looking.  One thing I found irksome about the book is that Charmayne’s conditioning program suggests that a rider “plan to spend an hour and a half with your horse each day, at a minimum”  five to six days per week to achieve fitness.  I’m sorry, but that is certainly not realistic for me, or for most non-professionals.  I don’t think that my horse needs 90 minutes of conditioning per day to run a 15 second pattern.  I think that excellent conditioning can be achieved with a carefully designed fitness program that will fit in better for the average rider that works and has a family.  I’ll definitely keep this book on my bookshelf, but I’m going to keep searching for a reference that is a little more advanced and has a more practical conditioning program.

Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday!  I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for.  If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here.  If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful for in your own life.  If you don’t feel comfortable sharing, then just take a few moments to reflect on all that you have.  If you’d like to tag other bloggers that participate, feel free to do that.

This week, I am thankful for:

• Some of the most gorgeous sunsets I have seen all year.  That’s one thing about Florida, we have the kind of sunsets that make you pull off the highway and dig your camera out.  Giant puffy white clouds backlit by brilliant oranges, pinks, and yellows layered upon one another like a sky-sized cake.  How can one NOT feel thankful after seeing that?

• The tiniest twinges of pain that let me know I’m back in the saddle again, for real.  Sore calves and thighs that haven’t been asked to squeeze, drive, and post around the arena for far too long.  Little sores where my knees protest the wearing of jeans while posting.  The sweet sting of sunburn on my shoulders after a long trail ride.  All of these things feel like home to me. 

Happy Thursday to all and please visit these other sites that frequently participate in Thankful Thursday:

Akal Ranch, Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch, and Tired Dog Ranch.

Things are really starting to pick up in the case of the slaughtered horses.  Just one week after the first arrest, police have taken another young man into custody on charges of armed burglary and animal cruelty, among other offenses.  Santiago Cabrera, 19, was arrested on Monday and confessed to two horse slaughters.  The best news in this case is that he is known to have worked with at least three other people.  Hopefully with these arrests, police can break this ring up and ensure that horses in South Florida are safe once again.

…and you won’t need a big stick.

What’s your communication style? Have you ever thought about it? Consider your friends and family: are you a chatterbox, firing off the commentary at machine gun pace? Or are you an observer, speaking only when you have a point to make? I’d bet money that the way you communicate with the people in your life mirrors the way you communicate with your horse (or dog, for that matter). The manner in which you communicate to your horse has a profound impact on the nature of your relationship. There are four common styles of communication: Assertive, Aggressive, Passive, and Passive-Aggressive. Let’s look at these styles in a bit more detail:

• Aggressive riders want what they want when they want it.  The communication between horse and rider tends to be more of a demanding nature, akin to shouting all the time.  The downside to this style is that it leaves no room for conversation.  A successful rider must be able to hear what the horse is “telling” her and adjust accordingly.
• Passive riders are just the opposite:  they don’t want to force the horse to do anything he doesn’t want to do, so they won’t rock the boat.  It’s great to be gentle and kind to the horse, but after awhile you find yourself nagging because they quickly learn they can do what they want. 
• Passive-aggressive riders are a combination of the two.  These are the riders that don’t communicate directly what they want , and when they don’t get it  they try to manipulate their horse into giving it to them.  One such example would be  a rider who is struggling with a horse  to soften and travel on a loose rein, but the horse resists.  The rider then ties the horse in a stall on a short rope (‘hanging it’) to teach it a lesson.  Once the horse is exhausted from having its head elevated for hours, it will travel slowly and with a low head carriage – but NOT because the rider communicated properly to the horse. 
• The best style of communication for riders is the assertive style.  These riders will communicate clearly, softly, and efficiently.  They don’t nag, or ask repeatedly for a maneuver.  They carefully consider their cues and respond to what their horse tells them.  They understand the “reward-correction” model and utilize it.  This is critical to successful riding.  The best reward for a horse is a release of pressure.  For example, if you want your horse to move forward you might squeeze your legs.  Once the horse moves, you release your leg pressure.  This is a reward.  The best correction for a horse is to make the incorrect choice much harder than the correct choice.  For example,  if I want my horse to lope softly around the arena on a loose rein and he drags his hip and falls out of frame - I will gather my reins, increase my speed, and counter canter him, really driving that hip under his body.  Chances are, when I ask him to lope softly after that, he’ll be more receptive. 

If you practice riding assertively, you’ll soon find that your horse will begin to read your more subtle cues.  Your horse will respect you and be more comfortable when you ride him, because he knows exactly what you want from him.  Many times when a horse is nervous under saddle, it’s because that horse is a “tryer” and he just doesn’t get what you are asking him to do.  Be clear, concise, and forgiving and you are on your way to developing a relaxed, comfortable partnership with your horse.

Photo courtesy of Dee Q8, Flickr

As September rolls on, I have observed a great deal of excitement about the fall season.  Excitement about fall traditions, like cider and local festivals, is contagious.  Mother Nature is giving us her own signs:  lower humidity and cooler nights, just the slightest tinge of red in some of our leaves, fall produce starting to hit the market stalls.  While most of the country is rejoicing with the arrival of fall and all it brings, I have some bittersweet feelings about it.  For me, this season isn’t represented by typical fall customs.  For many years, fall was the season of horses and preparation for the Appaloosa World Championship show.  This prestigious event is held every year in late October in Fort Worth, Texas and the months of September and October were always dedicated to training and preparation for the show, which has a qualification deadline of  August 31.  As most of you know, my horse show adventures pretty much came to an end 5 years ago when I started graduate school but this year I was able to get back into the scene a bit, and even briefly entertained hopes that I might be able to attend the World Show this year.  Unfortunately, as the year evolved I realized I wouldn’t be attending the show this time either.  However, last week I received something very special in the mail:  my World Show qualification information. 

 For many people, this might not be a big deal.  In fact, it wasn’t really a big deal for me 10 years ago – it was a given.  I’d worked hard all year, attended many shows, and was generally well over the number of points required to participate.  This year was different:  my horse and I  haven’t worked with a trainer in over 5 years, we attended very few shows, and we haven’t had the opportunity to make practice runs.  We pretty much winged it, doing groundwork and suppling exercises at home and working the barrels and poles at the shows.  Qualification became even more difficult because the game classes at the Appaloosa shows have been very small, making it challenging to get points – we pretty much had to win 1st or 2nd in a class to accrue points.  Combine all that with the extremely limited number of events that we’ve done (4 shows in the past year) and you can understand my pride at qualifiying for the Appaloosa World Championships in 8 events – we actually qualified in every single event that we show in.  It’s a bittersweet pill, because it’s a reminder of how my time competing with Tiny is winding down.  She’s 15 this year and who knows how many more competitive years she’ll have?  While I’m excited and proud to have been able to achieve qualification status, it hurts that I can’t participate with her while she’s still healthy and strong.  So for this fall, at least, I will have to join the masses of “regular” people enjoying their fall season at the arts festival sipping on cider, but I’ll be doing it with a twinkle in my eye as I think of the hundreds of Apps preparing for the World Show next month.