Riding Sidesaddle

While we were planning our wedding, the idea came up that we should ride away from the ceremony on horseback. Ok, easy enough. But wait, I had always wanted to try riding sidesaddle. What better excuse could I have? Never mind those YouTube videos of sidesaddle riding brides gone wrong, it can't be that hard! So I borrowed a sidesaddle from a friend, and proceeded to practice. It's different than riding astride, but not as insecure as it looks at first glance. Rather than putting your weight down through your legs, you grip the leaping horn on the sidesaddle with your thighs, your left foot just barely resting in the stirrup. Your hips are tilted rather than perpendicular to the horse, which takes a little getting used to. Since you don't have a leg hanging down on the right side to cue the horse with, a crop or whip is used for a substitute. Mounting and dismounting were the biggest challenges, but that issue was solved with a tall mounting block. Despite making jokes about my dress ending up around my ears, the wedding day went smoothly, and we made a very pretty picture. Learning to ride aside was an interesting experience, and I'm glad that I decided to do it. We tend to get into ruts, and forget to push ourselves to try something new, or learn a new skill. The fear of embarrassment or failure can be a terrible cage, keeping us locked into the same old routine. So, go for it, and even if your dress ends up over your head, you'll have a really great story to tell!

KS Bluestem Reagan

Suzanne Avery sent me a link to this video, with permission to post as an example of one of my training horses. I sent Reagan home with about 3 weeks of riding, and he has done wonderfully. His new owner is absolutely thrilled with how well-behaved and solid he is. I can't take all the credit, because he was one of the most sensible babies I've ever ridden outside, but the things he's doing in the video are typical of what I expect a horse to be able to do at the end of 30 days. Here's Reagan : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWq38pgwyWI

Back in the Saddle

As some of you know, I broke my leg back in April and haven't been training for the general public. I swallowed my pride, and used my older, beentheredonethat lesson horse for the first couple of rides back in June. It was ugly. I have a whole new understanding of how my lesson students feel. When you haven't developed the physical fitness necessary to ride (or have lost it from sitting on your butt with a broken leg), it's pretty darn hard to do things! Since then, I've been riding my horses and a select few outside horses, working on building my fitness level back up. Lessons learned from this experience:

• It gets easier, really.
• Consistency is key.
• Work on general fitness as well as riding-specific activities.
• Don't be in a hurry, but don't be sluggish either.
• Pay attention to your body position. If you don't use it, you aren't going to build muscle or develop a good seat.

My riding is back to nearly normal, and I'm starting colts again, but it's been an interesting road to recovery. If you start to think that you can't do something (I'm too old, too out of shape, too whatever), remember that with a good plan, some determination, and the right support system, you greatly increase the odds of your success. If it's something you truly want to do, don't give up.

Thanks Cheryl!

I'd like to thank Cheryl Manahan of the Wichita Riding Academy for letting me follow her around for a few days last week. She's been boarding, training, and teaching riding lessons for a number of years, and was nice enough to share some tips. I don't think I'll be switching to saddle seat any time soon, but it's sure fun to watch!

Congratulations to Paula and Stanley!

Clearwater Training Stables boarder Paula Guastello and her gelding Stanley are starting off the show season with a bang! At the KFQHA show in Lyons, KS, they earned the Novice High Point award, showing in halter, cattle, and pleasure classes. The picture is from the Aged Geldings Halter class, which they won handily. Last weekend a trip to Centerview, MO netted a first place in the Handy Ranch Horse and Ranch Pleasure classes. Congratulations, and good luck with the rest of the show season!

Another New Boarder

I'd like to welcome Paula Guastello to the barn. Her horses Stanley and Ruby arrived a week ago, and are enjoying being able to go in and out of their stall at will. Thanks for choosing to board at Clearwater, and here's to many happy hours of riding!

Pressure and Release

Horse Illustrated has a good article on Western training myths in the February issue. Sandy Collier, a reined cowhorse trainer, makes a really good point about how horses learn that I'd like to share. Myth No. 1 - "Horses that are strong in the mouth need a stronger bit," and Myth No. 5 - "Pulling on your horse makes him hard-mouthed" are really interconnected, and bring up a point that I notice with a lot of riders. If your horse is running through the bit, and not respecting your hands, oftentimes it is because you aren't releasing the pressure quickly enough. Horses learn from the release, not the pressure itself. If you aren't giving the "reward" for stopping by releasing the pressure on the bit, the horse doesn't have any incentive to listen to the signal given by the rider pulling on the bit. This becomes a vicious cycle when the rider starts using a stronger bit because the horse isn't responding, but doesn't work on improving their release. The horse will respond better at first, because the bit applies more pressure, but when the release doesn't come quickly enough to reinforce that that was the correct thing to do, the horse starts ignoring the stronger bit as well. So the rider switches to an even stronger bit. One of the most interesting things about starting colts, and training horses in general, is how quickly they pick up on things when your release of pressure comes correctly and consistently. They are looking and searching for that release, and it is incredibly effective in letting them know that they have done what you asked. When the release isn't there, oftentimes the horse becomes frustrated, or unresponsive. So for your horse's sake, think about how you are riding, and make sure to reward them with a prompt release of pressure when they do as you ask. One of the best things you can do for your horse is to always be learning, and trying to improve your riding and communication skills. Every time you ride, you are training your horse, for better or for worse.

Horse Holding 101

When you find a farrier that you like, you want to keep them as happy as possible. Working on a horse's feet can be back-breaking and potentially dangerous, but as a owner or handler there are some things you can do to make it easier. The latest issue of "America's Horse," a publication for AQHA members, has a great article on holding your horse for the farrier. It contains a list of do's and don'ts for horse holders, which I've summerized below. However, if you can, read the entire article, as it more fully explains each do and don't.

• DO: Relax
• DO: Stand on the same side as the farrier, except when the front leg is on the hoof stand
• DO: Square the horse up
• DO: Tilt the horse's head slightly toward the farrier
• DO: Keep the horse's attention - and pay attention yourself!
• DO: Keep a good hand on the lead
• DO: Use walls to your advantage
• DO: Keep the horse's head up
• DON'T: Allow nuzzling
• DON'T: Discliple without warning
• DON'T: Feed the horse
• DON'T: Use restraints you're unfamiliar with
• DON'T: Overload the horse's senses

Many of these tips also apply to holding a horse for a veterinarian. 

New Boarders

Welcome to Rachael Hull and Eleanor Harowicz! They both moved their horses in on Friday, and increased the number of horses in the barn by four. Thanks for deciding to board at Clearwater Training Stables!