“Okay, you all get ready to go; harness ponies are getting ready to come out!” the announcer bellowed over the loudspeaker. I waited with Abraxus in the small warm up ring at the top of the ramp to Freedom Hall. Abraxus was nervous; I continually had to slowly circle him as stopping and standing are… Continue reading Trainer Armband: An AOT’s Experience at Louisville
Why Do We Ear Up Horses?
I had my last practice ride before our show last night, and enlisted the help of my non-horsie husband to come ear Loki up. He’s never done it before (and spent about 10 minutes trying to figure out how to crack the whip while I was grooming him). So after we were done and in… Continue reading Why Do We Ear Up Horses?
“Show Your Horse” – How to Be Seen in a Crowded Ring
If you’re showing in a pleasure class, odds are you’ll be one of a dozen or more riders trying to be seen by the judge. Considering that the average class time is around 7 minutes, that’s not much time to shine! So how do you get your horse noticed (in a good way) when there’s… Continue reading “Show Your Horse” – How to Be Seen in a Crowded Ring
On the Road to Louisville – From an AOT Perspective
I’ve grown up with horses. My mother is a trainer/instructor and has always had a barn full of horses for me to ride and learn on. Now, though, I am the one doing most of the riding and training of our horses. She still occasionally takes an outside client but she and I both find… Continue reading On the Road to Louisville – From an AOT Perspective
Improving the Hind End
A strong hind end is necessary for a good performing horse in any discipline, but especially so in Saddle Seat. We like to see a horse with “good hocks,” which refers to the horse’s ability to use his hind end to its fullest range of motion height-wise. The ideal hind end will have high, snapping… Continue reading Improving the Hind End