November 2008 Blog Posts (22)

December Horseyscope by Lauren Bode

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Happy Birthday Sags. It is time to reflect on what you have accomplished during the past year. Actually you did remarkably well., considering the odds, which were pretty much stacked against you. You have worked long and hard all year, you kept your focus, now it is time to make a plan and work it.There is no need to become frustrated if you do not feel or see any immediate change in your life. They are coming and you will have to take on quite a… Continue

Added by Barnmice Admin on November 30, 2008 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Quick tips for switching your whip with ease

Hi Guys,

Lots of riders are confused about how to smoothly switch their long dressage whip from one hand to the other. Many of you tell me you feel awkward while doing this, and you're concerned about making your horse uncomfortable and disturbing the contact because you're twisting the bit in your his mouth.

Here's a step-by-step method to switch your… Continue

Added by Jane Savoie on November 29, 2008 at 8:30am — 2 Comments

SPECIAL MUSTANG REPORT TO BARNMICE

SPECIAL MUSTANG REPORT TO BARNMICE

I don't know how Mrs. Madeline Pickens feels about nicknames, but this week I've been thinking of her as Mustang Maddie, and here's why:

People around the world have asked the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to admit and repair their mis-mangement of the Wild Horse and Burro program, but it took Madeline Pickens, thoroughbred horse breeder and animal advocate to "cowboy up.

In clear-eyed Western fashion, Mrs. Pickens saw that the… Continue

Added by Terri Farley on November 23, 2008 at 9:46pm — 4 Comments

Jane Savoie's nine tips for warming up your horse

Hi Guys,

So many riders are confused about how to warm-up their horses so they can have a productive schooling session. So here are 9 tips to help you with your warm-ups.

As a rider and trainer, your goal in the warm-up is to take the restrictions away from your dressage horse's body. So depending on the day, your warm-up… Continue

Added by Jane Savoie on November 21, 2008 at 9:00am — 1 Comment

Do you buy your horse a gift at Christmas?

I know lots of people like to spoil their pets over the holiday season too. I'm afraid that my horses probably work harder at this time of year than any other time, because the office is shut so I have lots of time!

So, because of this I like to spoil them (& myself a little bit too!) so I always make sure I sneak a gift or two for the horses on to the list.

This year, I think some matching polo bandages for the 2 brothers (or the terrible twins as they are known at… Continue

Added by Chris - resident queen of shops on November 19, 2008 at 5:10pm — No Comments

Traveling to Brazil to see Lusitanos

Next week, I'm going to Brazil to visit Interagro Farm, the largest breeder of Lusitanos in the world. There are about 600 horses being raised there - 30 are being brought to Florida for an auction in February. I'm getting a preview. The photos on the web site, lusitanocollection are gorgeous. I know they are champion dressage horses as the entire Brazil dressage team were comprised of… Continue

Added by susan111101 on November 19, 2008 at 5:00pm — 2 Comments

Barnmice exclusive Q&A with Conrad Schumacher

In celebration of the launch of his new DVD Prepare to Win Vol 1, internationally acclaimed coach Conrad Schumacher was kind enough to do an exclusive Q&A for Barnmice. Enjoy!

1. In what ways has working with such a wide range of riders and horses in

Europe and North America affected or expanded your classical approach to

training and teaching? Can you give a specific example?

In Germany everybody who starts to ride gets a… Continue

Added by Barnmice Admin on November 17, 2008 at 10:30pm — No Comments

shopping with the royals

well kind of ;-)

My travels this week took me to Tetbury, a beautiful market town in the Cotswolds, England. It probably has one of the poshest high streets in the country & is a treasure trove of antique shop, galleries, gift shops & clothes boutiques, including the Highgrove Shop - owned by HRH Prince Charles himself!! You can see a bit about Tetbury by clicking… Continue

Added by Chris - resident queen of shops on November 16, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

tack sale! all in good condition!

We have pretty much a whole horsey wardrobe here, folks!

Crosby plain raised standing martingale-dark brown, very good condition

-- $25

Simple leather breatplate-dark brown -- $20

Black cob sized bridle (with reins included) with gold chain detail on browband -- $30

Extra-long woven reins-very flexible, soft leather -- $10

Blue field boot bag with soft fuzzy interior to protect boots -- $5

Draw reins-dark brown leather, slip over girth connection. --… Continue

Added by Natasha Sukorokoff on November 14, 2008 at 3:00pm — 2 Comments

Jane Savoie: How to break the cycle of fear

Hi Guys,

Here are some great tips for breaking that cycle of fear...

The simplest, quickest, way to relax is to

BREATHE.

Now, I know you're breathing or you wouldn't

be reading this! ;-) But are you breathing

in a way that promotes relaxation?

1. Let's find out. First, let's dissect what

you do when you inhale.

Stand up. Take in a really deep breath. Did

your shoulders go… Continue

Added by Jane Savoie on November 14, 2008 at 9:30am — 3 Comments

Eric Lamaze and Hickstead Win the World Cup Qualifier at the Royal

News for yesterday's results:

Toronto, ON – Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze brought his Gold-medal horse Hickstead across the ocean to compete in just one class at The Royal Horse Show this week, and it couldn’t have gone any better than it did tonight. Hickstead once again demonstrated he is in a class all to himself, exploding over the jumps with power and stamina unmatched in the arena this evening, if at all.

Of the 23 competitors to begin the $100,000 CN FEITM World Cup… Continue

Added by Laura on November 13, 2008 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Olympic Showjumping Gold Medalists meet their fans in Syracuse

We were privileged to see the US Olympic Gold Team medalists when they appeared together for the first and only time at the Syracuse Invitational Show on Oct.31.

They discussed their passion for horses, early riding experiences and answered questions from their fans. McLain Ward mentioned his mental preparation for the Games, working with a golf sports coach to improve his ability to deal with pressure.

Laura Kraut talked about the bond she… Continue

Added by Patricia at ECOGOLD on November 13, 2008 at 7:00am — 2 Comments

Cali's first visit to a restaurant

Cali made her first visit to a restaurant today. With permission of the

owners we attended the year end banquet for the local Mini Horse club.

Cali, rode in the SUV. We towed her bathroom. Which is her trailer at this

moment.She is comfortable "going" there. She goes right on cue every time I ask

her. She did need her ramp to get in to the SUV, but she jumped out. Good girl!

She found the door, stopped at the step, found the door handle (this one

still… Continue

Added by Dolores on November 12, 2008 at 11:31pm — No Comments

Cali Day 1 - Session 2

We had a second session this evening. Working on forward with a pull. I'll take forward anywhere. Click.

Once we get consistent forward, we can begin to train choices of where.

Cali's used to being led. Taken where we want her to go. This is her "first toe in the water" of making decisions. I let her decide where to go. For a little horse, that's confusing. So, it's natural that she would choose to go the places she is used to.

She chose the trailer, the car. When asked to… Continue

Added by Dolores on November 12, 2008 at 11:28pm — No Comments

Cali's Mini Guide Horse's First Day

Cali is settling in well. She's was a little nervous at first and she and my old mare scared each other.

We had a first lesson: Putting on the Dog Harness I got her. I'd opened the large dog harness as large as it would go.

Sigh... our perceptions are so weird. The first thing I had to do was to make it smaller at every angle. She was patient even though the wind was howling.

Next, I let her take me where she wanted to go with a little tug on the harness. She didn't… Continue

Added by Dolores on November 12, 2008 at 11:27pm — No Comments

WIN PRIZES AS A ROYAL ROVING REPORTER!

Originally posted in the Royal group by Michell Dunn...

BECOME A ROYAL ROVING REPORTER!

Hey Everyone we want to see YOUR sights and sounds from The Royal! Post your Photos, Videos and stories here from your time at the 2008 Royal - after the Fair we're going to go through and pick a couple of the best ones and give out some great prizes from Barnmice and The Royal.

Pass it On!

Added by Barnmice Admin on November 12, 2008 at 10:39am — 3 Comments

Helping young riders over come thier first major fall

At some point all beginner riders have thier first fall. The fear of that fall can inhibit the riders growth for months or years to come. What are somethings that you found works to over come this fear.

I know that it takes ten falls to becoime a rider, as it takes 10 falls to psychologically able to get over it with ease. But I believe we can make this less if we provide the coping tools to young riders.

A few things that I found that work:

1) If the rider is… Continue

Added by Karen Bohna on November 10, 2008 at 12:03pm — 2 Comments

Jane Savoie's Three Easy Tips for Leg Yield

Hi Guys,

I hope you enjoy these 3 Easy Tips to Make Sure Your Horse is Crossing His Legs Enough in Leg Yields

When you do leg yields from the centerline to the long side, it's not always easy to make sure that your horse is crossing his legs enough. That's because as long as you manage to get from Point A to Point B, you can fake yourself out into thinking you're really going sideways. But if your horse isn't crossing his legs… Continue

Added by Jane Savoie on November 7, 2008 at 8:30am — No Comments

So where does a shopping expert like to shop?!

At this time of year, I get lots of questions about where I like to shop. My friends know that I spend all day every day breathing horses & shopping (cool job huh!) so as it heads to the holiday season, I become their resident shopping expert.

Last week I had a day of meetings in London but my last meeting of the day was running late so I left my mobile # with the receptionist & hit Covent Garden for an whirlwind shopping tour! For those of you not familiar with London,… Continue

Added by Chris - resident queen of shops on November 2, 2008 at 9:25pm — No Comments