Equine Diaries

Gideon has been learning to jump more, and more! We are still just taking simple, low x's, but he has become less afraid of coming to the jumps, getting better at lifting his front legs up, bending and holding his knees up higher, and using more jump force--instead of only hopping or stepping over the jumps. I feel proud that he is listening to me and becoming more and more of a close partner :)

An Adorible Video!

Equine Diaries

I am officially leasing a horse now! Yay!
It's a really neat feeling....when your trainer tells you, "treat him like he's your own horse" it makes you feel all proud inside and excited to get started and do as much as you can, as soon as you can-to get busy working with "my" horse.
Giddy-that's his name-is a real sweety. He's adorable, and has the cutest, nicest build to him. He is half Arab, half Quarter Horse and a beautiful red/chestnut coloring. I love his dainty, white face markings best! :)
Now that we have been doing lessons for a while and have a few shows chosen to shoot for this summer show season, I am ready and "rearing to go" and get to work with training Giddy (and him training me...) so we can meet our best potential!

Event!

CALLING ALL HORSE-LOVERS, OWNERS, ENTHUSIASTS, COWBOYS, OR ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!

If you have a love for horses like I do, then you're gonna want to gallop on over the Springfield, IL on March 4-6 for the Illinois Horse Fair, presented by the Horsemen's Council of Illinois.

It will be held at the state fair grounds in Springfield.

The schedual is as follows:

Friday 1pm to 7pm

Saturday 9am to 7pm

Sunday 9am to 5pm

Here is a link to the wedsite with more information, such as; the schedual of events, cost, clinicians who will be their, ticket sales, and more!!!

http://www.HorsemensCounsil.org/HorseFair

Hope you can make it, if so have FUN!

~please comment on this post, if this article brought you the the Horse Fair, and if it helped or not!!!!~

An Update of My Horse Adventures

I know that I haven't updated on what I've been doing lately with horses. So here's a quick on what I've been up to!
{Me teaching a "first lesson" to my cousin this winter}

{"Keep those heals down in the stirrups!"}

{"Way-to-go! Nice steering"}

Equestrian Diaries

Dear fellow riders and hippophiles*,
Last time in equestrian diaries I was writing to you about how I was beginning dressage and what I was learning so far.
Well, as my trainer recently said, "Dressage isn't like other disciplines of riding, it's a journey," I found this to be true...even with such little experience with dressage I can see that it takes dedication and a LOT of patience. It really is a journey. When you decide this is the thing for you, that you can't possibly give up so easily, or that you've simply fallen in love with it...you have taken that first baby step into this journey. I've taken that baby step.


I just love it when God puts those perfect situations right in front of you when you are least expecting it! Recently, this happened when I got an opportunity to ride a horse-who is trained in dressage and other riding disciplines-from a very generous lady I met. I am so excited to start working with him! I will let you know soon about how things go through as soon as I start up with him...!

Nicole

*Greek for one who loves horses.

Fly Season!!!!!!

Now that it is officially summer, a day at the barn can be a very buggy experience. Flies, skeeters, gnats...you name it!
Because horse and rider alike would rather not be bothered by these incessant pests....there has been many concoctions made to deter icky insects, this is known to the horseman as "Fly-spray."
Now, in my opinion although many of these "fly-sprays" work well, thinking of all those many different chemicals going on to my horse's body-that could be potentially be harmful-makes me quiver. So, I have recently found a natural alternative bug repellent that *should not* harm the health of these animals so dear to our hearts.
Following is a recipe...

Mix one cup of warm water with one teaspoon of tea tree oil, add to a spray bottle and you are good to go. (For more than one cup's amount...keep adding more...a cup of water to every teaspoon oil.)

(Now take it into consideration that using a more natural spray might not work just as perfectly as might a chemical-rich spray, but it will work better than nothing...and your mind will be at peace knowing that your horse isn't at risk with any chemicals!)

*Tea tree oil, otherwise known as Melaleuca oil, is known to be safe for topical use....but should not be used internally! Here are some links to info on the substance: http://www.todayshorse.com/Articles/HolisticCare/TeaTreeOil.htm
http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/tc/tea-tree-oil-melaluca-alternifolia-topic-overview

Try it! I have and it works!

"The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears."