Monday, March 4, 2013

Dressage

 Hi guys!!!! I am so sorry for abandoning the blog completely for like 2 weeks but I have been extremely busy with tests and stuff!

anyway the post today is going to be about.........

 DRESSAGE!!


Dressage is (a french word meaning training) a competitive equestrian sport. As described by the Internacional Equestrian Federation is the highest expression of horse training. This is a sport where horse and rider are performing a series of movements, sometimes even to the beat of music. Competitions are held all the way from amatuer level to the WEG games. The purpose is to develop through training a horse's natural way of moving and its willingness to perform. At the WEG or Olympic lever the horse is expected to respond inmediatly and succesfully to the rider's minimal aids. The rider will apear relaxed and effort-free while the horse performs the moevement.It is sometimes refered to as "Horse ballet". 

Dressage originated in Europe but it was first recognized as an important equestrian sport during the Renaissance period. Classical european riders made a training scale which has changed a little since then. The modern day scale is:

1)Rhythm
2)Supplenes
3)Contact
4)Impulcion
5)Straightness
6)Collection


Monday, February 18, 2013

Riding Videos



I GOT NEWS! in this post I'm showing you Videos of myself riding in shows.  I know its not that high but I've ridden western saddle since I can sit on my own and I've only been riding in English saddle for a year and a half! 

Hope you enjoy.

Nacionals Day 1

Jump off

Nacionals Day 2


Post any Pointers or feedback as a comment!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

The Holstein



The holstein is normally bay,black,brown,chestnut or grey.


Its native to Germany but are now found on most continents. It originated in the mashlands of germany during the 13th century. The area was famous during the Middle Ages for the quality horses bred for monks. in 1686 lasws were createdto ensure the quality of the Holstein and make it worthwhile.

Further improvements to the breed were made as the need for a faster coach horse and lighter cavalry horses in the 16th and 18th centuries. The reputacion for the Hostein grew through out the 17th and 188th centuries and in 1797 the number of Holsteins exported reached 10,000.

In the mid 1940's Thoroughbred blood was introduced created one of Germany's greates horses. They are ideal for Jumping, dressage and eventing and usually finish near the top at internacional equine events.


Monday, January 21, 2013

Rider Character Traits



through all these traits this rider made the olympic dream.
Ever wondered if you have what it takes to be a successful rider?? Well, let me tell you, its not easy to get to the top of this sport, But with the right qualities, you can make it BIG. One of the just have things a rider has, are the specific character traits, and that's what this post is all about.

PATIENCE- avoid those meltdowns!

INITIATIVE- do you make things happen or do you let them happen?

POSITIVE ATTITUDE-do you draw people to you, or drive them away?

ASSERTIVNESS- getting your own way (NICELY!) 

COURAGE- are you a lion pre-or Post Oz?


TRUE GRIT- PASSION, A STRONG WILL, MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL THOUGHNESS THAT PROPERELS YOU FORWARD.

WORK ETHIC- kick the couch potato habit!

COMPETITIVENESS- Winners love to win, and they hate to lose 

FOCUS- and not with your camera


DETAILED ORIENTATION-
the positive side of nit picking ( to learn from tiny details and learn from them )


METICULOUS- look at those details!

PRACTICE!!!!!!!!- BE A METICULOUS RIDER, A GREAT RIDER, A HARD WORKING RIDER, NOT AN AVERAGE RIDER!!!!!



Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Quotes


This is a special edition post of this blog!!!  I'm posting quotes about horses that famous people have said. I hope you enjoy it!


1) He trots the air, the earth sings when he touches it- (William shakespeare)

2) There is something about the outside of the horse that is good for the outside of a man- (Winston churchill)

3)You cannot train a horse with shouts and expect it to obey by a whisper-(Dagobert D. Runes)

4)Kissed by sunlight embraced by open fields, the horse is the centre of beautiful things-(Anonymus)

5)Honor lies in the mane of  horse-(Herman Melville)



Thank you!!! please comment!!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Equestrian Attire


For those of you who are confused about what tack to wear while riding.... Here's the solution. I'm going to go through the different riding attire for each style of riding. English and Western. 

Western:

For the western type of riding you will need comfortable western riding clothes. The Different clothes you can wear vary from Huge belt buckles, Cowboy shirts to leather boots, to some plain jeans and a shirt. these give you the freedom to move around as usual to complete the task at hand and to express your personal style. The attire changes, Of course, If you are competing. For a show you'll use a show shirt or  a blouse, tucked in to some pair of neat jeans with a Western hat on your head. Your tack will be relatively the same ( except this time the tack will be clean and newly polished of course :D ) The shows might include; Reining, Roping and a Rodeo.


English:

Right. for the english style of riding, You will need Comfortable yet suitable riding clothes. These include the High riding boots (leather or rubber), Breeches ( Jodpurs) A Polo shirt ( although it can be a random shirt.) and A helmet. You can also choose to wear Gloves, A crop or whip, and spurs depending on the horse you're riding. The clothes don't change much for the shows, apart from Having to wear  WHITE breeches only, A riding suit and a show shirt (a chocker or a polo). Stating the obvious , you will be required to use a helmet in every competition. The tack is generally a Black bridle and saddle on top  a white saddle pad. The show might be; Show Jumping, Dressage ( In which you are required to use a top hat instead of a helmet) and Cross country, or a Hunter under saddle class all though there are many more.

Cross Country
Reining

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Colours, Patterns and Markings


COLOURS, PATTERNS AND MARKINGS


hi, today I'm posting about Colours, Patterns and Markings different horses have. Horses sport a great variety of colours and unique markings. Each horse has its own marking an pattern. Here are some of the many Coat colours:

*Bay: It ranges from a light reddish brown to a dark almost black brown.
*Brown: The word "brown" is used to describe dark bays.
*Chestnut: A reddish colour with no black.The mane and Tail are generally the colour of the coat or lighter. There are a few variations in the colour.
*Grey: a horse with black skin but white or mixed dark and white hair.grey horses can be born in any colour and lighten as they age.
*Black: Black is a relatively uncommon, though not "rare". There are 2 types of black;fading black and non- fading black.
*Dun: Yellowish or tan coat with primitive markings.
*Roan: a colour that causes white hairs to be intermixed with the horses body colour. There are 3 types; Strawberry roan ( or red roan ), Blue roan and Bay roan.
*Palomino: a chestnut horse that has one dilution gene causing it to turn a golden colour with a flaxen( white ) mane and tail.
*Silver Dapple: Caused by a dilution gene that only acts upon black hair pigment, it lightens black body hair to a chocolate brown and the mane and tail to silver.
*White: One of the rarest colors, a white horse has white hair and fully or largely unpigmented (pink) skin. These horses are born white, with blue or brown eyes, and remain white for life.

There's also many different markings, like these:
Face markings:

*Bald Face or white face: a white blaze that spills over the sides of the face and usually over 1 or both eyes.
*Blaze: a wide white markings that runs from a horses face to its's nostrils.
*Race: a crooked strip
*Snip: a dab of white between a horses nostrils.
*Star: a Patch of white on the horse's forehead, between it's eyes.
*Strip or stripe: a skinny streak of white down a horse's face.
*White muzzle: no surprise there- its a white muzzle.

Leg markings:

* Coronet: a thin white band or stripe right where the hoof meets the leg.
*Ermine spots: Black or brown spots on a leg.
*Half stocking: white that reaches halfway up the lower leg.
*Heel: a dollop of white on the heel.
*Pastern: White that covers the pastern.
*Sock: White that reaches above the fetlock.
*Stocking: White that reaches the knee or hock.
*White crown: White on the front of the pastern.
*White leg: White that reaches the top of he leg.


Friday, January 4, 2013

Horse Artists


Sheri Gordon's Painting " Cadence "
This is one of Sheri Gordon's paintings called " Storm Chaser "
I know many of you have your fave  horsey artists, but today I am going to introduce you to 2 of my fave horse related artists....... say hello to:

SHERI GORDON!!!

Sheri gordon's " The grey "

Ebony and Ivory
Sheri was born and raised in the Saskatchewan prairies.  As a child she was always fond of animals and nature. Her favorite animals was the horse. She seeks to inspire the best in all her paintings. Her works looks realistic because of the variety of mediums she uses combined. for example; pastels, coloured pencils and oil paints. Her works are highly popular world wide, especially in North america. herself as an artist strives to create " Equestrian art for the dreamer. Sheri hopes to touch and find that special place in our souls where horses have and always been, Magic...

And now the second artist.....
KATE BLACK!!!!

Strength

Kate black has been a traditional artist for the past 18 years. Her main focuses have been, Horses, Fantasy and illusory landscapes. Kate is well known for the beauty of nature in her works capturing every aspect of it through her bold coloured palette and unique brush work. When you look a her work you find she has painted everything at that exact moment when everything else vanishes and you are left looking at the most beautiful thing you have ever seen, the pose, the colours, the movement. Many people believe she uses filters to make a photo look like a painting, But it's not true! Every painting is made from a sketch, then outlined and colour imposed we get the final result. 


"Cahir"
Her painting " New beginning" 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

How to Pick your horse's hooves


Happy new year!!!! A new year means new chances! I'm going to give you the chance to  pick your horses hooves this year if you haven't already done so....

Step 1:
Make sure your horse is calm and settled down before you start picking his hooves. There is no point in asking him to stand on 3 legs when he is exited and jumpy.Tie him in the cross ties with a slip knot. Ad I have said before its better to chase your horse down than having get hurt because of a rope that wont untie.

Step 2:
Start on one side. Introduce yourself. Rub his shoulder softly and talk to him. Stand on one side and turn your body beside his shoulder to face his tail. be careful though, a horse may kick.

Step 3:
Run your hand down his leg and tap the back of its leg. This will give the horse a chance to realize what you are about to do and let him square up. If the other 3 legs are positioned to awkwardly he wont lift his leg in fear of falling.

Step 4:
Squeeze his leg above the fetlock if he did not raise his leg at the first command. Be patien and gentle, as this may take some convincing if the horse is not obliging.


Step 5:
Hold the hoof in one hand. This is better and more comfortable for the horse. If he tries to pull his foot down, gently lift the end of the hoof towards his elbow. Relax the pull right away if he responds.once the horse is standing calmly on 3 legs you can start removing stones and mud. NOTE TO RIDERS: NEVER PULL THE HORSE'S LEG OUT TOWARDS YOU, THIS WILL CAUSE SERIOUS PAIN TO THE HORSE, KEEP THE LEG IN ITS NATURAL PLACE!!!!

Step 6:
Start taking the dirt out from the heel to the toe. It is best to work this way to prevent damage to the heel and to yourself.

Step 7:
Remove any material from the frog (the squishy triangle in the middle of the hoof) with your hands, as this part is extremely sensitive full of blood supply and nerve endings.

Step 8:
 Check that the nails that hold the shoe in place haven't risen from position. If they have, see if the shoe is loose. If it is call a farrier instantly to replace it. Put the hoof down gently and repeat the process on all the remaining 3 legs.


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