March 2009 Blog Posts (50)

April Horseyscope by Lauren Bode

Aries -March 21 - April 19

Happy Birthday dear Aries.Last year started with you going for it in your career, this trend continued for all, or most of last year, where you focused mainly on your career. You experimented with different aspects of dealing with your horse, and sometimes you felt almost as if you had a grasp on everything, so you began to coast for awhile.This year your focus will change as you have achieved most, or all of your goals.You do have many interesting feats of… Continue

Added by Barnmice Admin on March 31, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Poetry? .........

Hot Topic, Skinny Jeans, Converse, Eyeliner, Emo Screamo, Black.

These, are my things.

Aeropostale, Peace Signs, Flip-Flops, Pink Eyeshadow, Hip-Hop, Purple.

These are your things.

See Mom...we are different.

I have anger issues, you do to...

So What! That's one thing.

Blonde Hair. There's another.

I want, when i'm 15, is a

Silver lip stud, in my bottom lip.

You want a girly girl for a daughter.

But you… Continue

Added by Taylor on March 31, 2009 at 4:00pm — 4 Comments

An Important Blog about (not) Advertising in our Blogs! :)

Hi Everyone,

A few recent posts have prompted me to add this note reminding everyone that there is no advertising or advertorial allowed in our Blog section - or any other member content section of Barnmice. Any posts that we consider commercial will be deleted.

Just to be extra clear:

No posts or photos about commercial products or services.

No notices about commercial websites.

No links mid-blog or discussion taking readers to a commercial… Continue

Added by Barnmice Admin on March 31, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

HorseOptions.com Blog 3/28/2009

HorseOptions.com Blog – March 28th, 2009

We went out riding today where our horses are boarded in Hugo, MN (they are for lease by the way and you can see their pics on the home page of HorseOptions.com).

Anyway, Troy (our friend) was there with his family riding Buddy. He is the angel who helped us “rescue” Buddy. If you don’t know Buddy’s story you can find it on horseoptions.the-talk.net. By the way, if you have a horse story we’d love to hear it.

Buddy is… Continue

Added by HorseOptions.com on March 29, 2009 at 12:35pm — No Comments

Interagro & Do Vouga Lusitanos

I am seeking owners of these horses in order to follow up with interesting articles to pitch to media. I just bought a Do Vouga Lusitano and he's the smoothest ride I've ever had.

Added by Susan Apple on March 28, 2009 at 11:41am — No Comments

Saddlebred in the Making

Check out Louie's blog! This blog follows my 3 yr old ASB through his life and training as he learns the role of the American Saddlebred pleasure horse.

Added by Leah on March 28, 2009 at 10:42am — No Comments

Teaching your horse to Jump - The Correct Approach from Day One

Let's spend some time developing the correct technique and right jumping habits from the very beginning...

When you are ready to start jumping your horse, the first thing you must do is work out a way of getting the him to the fence so that he can jump it correctly.

Presenting your horse appropriately is the only way to help the horse improve his jump.

I surprise you, having said in earlier posts that canter should be a horse’s preferred pace, but I aIways start… Continue

Added by Tim Stockdale on March 28, 2009 at 10:00am — 4 Comments

Destroy Fear with an Attitude of Gratitude

Hi Guys,

It’s completely reasonable that occasionally you’ll be afraid when you ride. After all, you’re dealing with a reactive (reactive means bolt, spin, buck, shy, or rear!) animal that outweighs you by a lot! But you can destroy those fears by adopting an attitude of gratitude.

The first thing you need to remember is that ninety-nine percent of the things you fear never come to pass. So why waste all that energy worrying about things that will probably never happen.… Continue

Added by Jane Savoie on March 27, 2009 at 5:00pm — 7 Comments

Raising The Bar

I’m often asked about my thoughts regarding the paradox of a rider or horse owner/enthusiast trying to develop a true bond with a horse while the horse is in a boarding stable and therefore primarily "in the care" of others.

For many people it seems almost futile to put the time and effort into becoming so conscientious about your own approach to your horse when you have little or no control over how the staff and/or volunteers at the boarding stable are behaving with and handling… Continue

Added by Chris Irwin on March 27, 2009 at 2:11am — 4 Comments

Will Rogers Quote, Three Quarter Horses & A Lesson Learned

This Will Rogers quote makes me chuckle! "There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."

The painting accompanying the quote is one of my favorites of my three Quarter Horses, DJ, Echo and Ollie. Ironically, the three were recent escapees from my electric fence enclosed mini pasture. Yes, a neighbor rang my door bell the day… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on March 26, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

Ontario Equine Economic Impact Project

Hi everyone,

Thank you for taking a moment to read this post! In addition to all of my regular horsey activities, I am in the fortunate position of being able to research the equine industry in Ontario right now. As part of this project, I have developed an on-line survey that is open to anyone involved in the Ontario equine industry. You can be involved in any capacity; an owner, a casual rider, an active competitor, an 'equine-related' business owner, farrier, trainer, etc. Any… Continue

Added by Bronwynne on March 25, 2009 at 11:05am — 1 Comment

Riding Fit

Hi Heather,

Just wanted to say how much I appreciated your comments regarding my position on my horse. I have tried a number of your suggestions and feel that they have definitely helped. Clearly, you spent a lot of time analyzing my leg position and the problems I mentioned about leaning too far to the right side. I also have gone to your site and it is very helpful. I would highly recommend anyone wishing to get some helpful hints to contact you.

Thanks so much for… Continue

Added by Andrea Menzel on March 24, 2009 at 5:14pm — 1 Comment

Ride Better 1-2-3 Week 4: The Problem of Legs Creeping Forward

Hi,

One of the discussion topics in the past week on this site has been around the problem of legs creeping forward when you ride. From what I see in clinics, this problem spans disciplines- it doesn't seem to matter whether you're in an English or Western saddle. Getting that heel more aligned under your hips is a challenge.

If you look at the past three weeks' worth of Ride… Continue

Added by Heather Sansom at Equifitt.com on March 24, 2009 at 3:30pm — 10 Comments

Horse of the Year

Well, it's over for another year...

HOY is the biggest equestrian event in the southern hemisphere, and a great sprawling beast of a show. It runs from Tuesday to Sunday, and includes show jumping, dressage, show hunter, saddle hunter, driving, breed classes, mounted games (eek!), ponies, hacks, small children dressed up like little dolls on exquisite little ponies… Continue

Added by Ottilie on March 24, 2009 at 3:00pm — 2 Comments

Big Girls I need your help!

I hope I'm not infringing rules here; I need help and this is the best place I know to find it!

my Company, Fuller Fillies has been designing and manufacturing for the UK plus-sized horse riding fraternity (can't spell the female equivalent) for three years; we have just launched in the USA, Canada, Germany, Holland & Sweden and realise that preferenced differ greatly!

I need to gather statistics, likes and dislikes, wants etc and would be delighted if all your Barnmice could help… Continue

Added by Suzanne Wild on March 24, 2009 at 8:00am — 4 Comments

March 21/09 - Rough week

Well the foal didn't make it. Found it dead in the middle of the stall on Monday morning. Further inquiry to foaling farm found out that he had had some seizures during the first couple of weeks of life. They hadn't seen any recent ones when he was sent to me at 3 weeks of age. I don't think he would have ever been right - certainly not right enough to race. The mare knew something was wrong and was solictious of human help with the foal.

Knock on wood the bad streak is over and on… Continue

Added by Diana on March 21, 2009 at 12:18pm — 2 Comments

Flatwork for Jumping Part 3: Starting Flying Changes

In Part 3 of Flatwork for Jumping, we take a look at flying changes.

Before any of my young horses go to a show, I teach them how to do a flying change. In training sessions I teach them that when they change the rein in canter they automatically change the canter lead.

It is important that the horse learns to change the sequence of legs and keep himself… Continue

Added by Tim Stockdale on March 21, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

Ideas for Eliminating Leg Yielding Resistance

Hi Guys,

People often tell me that their horses leg yield very well as far as going sideways is concerned, but they tend to toss their heads and show resistance to the reins. In desperation, some riders even use a tie down to put pressure on the nose to discourage their horses from yanking at the reins.

If your horse finds it fairly easy to cross his legs and move sideways with his body, yet he's tossing his head during leg yields, it sounds like he's objecting to your… Continue

Added by Jane Savoie on March 20, 2009 at 9:00am — 3 Comments

Benfit for Christina Cline

Anyone who has ever had the good fortune to know Christina Cline quickly realizes that they have encountered a rare and wonderful person with a tremendous heart. That heart shows itself in the unmatched kindness, patience and skill she brings to her work with horses, and in the generosity she has shown to so many people and animals in need.

Unfortunately, life has been anything but kind or generous to Christina lately, with the most recent and most devastating blow coming in the loss… Continue

Added by Kevan on March 20, 2009 at 1:41am — No Comments

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

We all make a difference in the lives of others. William James' quote, "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." points out the fact that our actions can and do make a difference. A smile can brighten a stranger's day. A random act of kindness can bring encouragement to others. Sharing a moment with someone you care about can be the lift that they need.

If your actions make a difference, what actions will you consciously… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on March 19, 2009 at 11:25am — No Comments