Bit-vs-Bit less
The safety and well being of our equine counterparts is number one for most of us. Would you use something that could harm your horse? In the equine world people are constantly arguing whether horses should be ridden in bits or with bit less bridles. As an ongoing issue, it effects how people view others, and also effects a riders choice in equipment. A few over-used questions include; Do bits tear horse's mouths? Can bit less bridles break a horses nose? Can you control an unruly horse in a bit less bridle? These are common questions I see on a day to day basis, on varying equine sites.
Contrary to popular belief, riding in a bit doesn't automatically mean your horse is going to end up with sores or even split open its mouth. In fact horses that are ridden on a regular basis, can go their whole lives without even the slightest sore around their mouths. That being said, horses ridden in an il fitting bit, on a regular basis CAN acquire mouth sores. Many riders in this day in age ride with "heavy hands," which basically means they apply too much pressure to the mouth of a horse, or pull their heads harshly if they don't turn right away. Heavy hands alone is one of the main reason horses end up with sores of the mouth, and consistent riding like this CAN tear the soft tissue around a horses mouth.
Although people think the concept of riding bit less is a new innovation, it was actually mastered by natives. Our rendition of riding bit less in the present day, is a bridle minus the actual bit. Natives actually road "tackles" in most cases. which means they used no equipment at all and steered the horse by a tuft of their mane and by the use of leg ques. People today worry about safety of themselves more so than their horses in most cases, so the very though of not having a bit in the mouth to control them is a death sentence. When you think about it though, horses are generally lead around by the use of a halter. A halter and a bit less bridle use the same pressure points, so all in all a horse should be able to be controlled in a bit less bridle just as easily as they are in a halter. People who ride with heavy hands can actually break the small bones in a horses nose. This is especially true with an il fitting bit less bridle.
I believe riding bit less is the most humane type, as long as someone knows what they are doing. Think about it though, would YOU want a piece of cold metal put in your mouth just for someone who doesn't know how to ride, to rip your head off? No? Then why on earth would you want to put a bit in a horses mouth. If your horse is suited to you, and you can control them on a day to day basis, as well as under saddle, then you shouldn't need a bit in your horses mouth.
Whether you chose to ride with a bit, or bit less the most important thing to remember is to ride responsibly. Think bit less first, if the horse doesn't respond after a few training sessions, then go back to bit less, but use a gentle bit. A horse shouldn't need 2 different bits in it's mouth at one time, especially if you have never tried bit less with them. Who knows, they may surprise you with how they ride in a bit less, and they will be a lot happier with you. Isn't that what you want for you'r horse? For them to be happy, healthy and safe.
Contrary to popular belief, riding in a bit doesn't automatically mean your horse is going to end up with sores or even split open its mouth. In fact horses that are ridden on a regular basis, can go their whole lives without even the slightest sore around their mouths. That being said, horses ridden in an il fitting bit, on a regular basis CAN acquire mouth sores. Many riders in this day in age ride with "heavy hands," which basically means they apply too much pressure to the mouth of a horse, or pull their heads harshly if they don't turn right away. Heavy hands alone is one of the main reason horses end up with sores of the mouth, and consistent riding like this CAN tear the soft tissue around a horses mouth.
Although people think the concept of riding bit less is a new innovation, it was actually mastered by natives. Our rendition of riding bit less in the present day, is a bridle minus the actual bit. Natives actually road "tackles" in most cases. which means they used no equipment at all and steered the horse by a tuft of their mane and by the use of leg ques. People today worry about safety of themselves more so than their horses in most cases, so the very though of not having a bit in the mouth to control them is a death sentence. When you think about it though, horses are generally lead around by the use of a halter. A halter and a bit less bridle use the same pressure points, so all in all a horse should be able to be controlled in a bit less bridle just as easily as they are in a halter. People who ride with heavy hands can actually break the small bones in a horses nose. This is especially true with an il fitting bit less bridle.
I believe riding bit less is the most humane type, as long as someone knows what they are doing. Think about it though, would YOU want a piece of cold metal put in your mouth just for someone who doesn't know how to ride, to rip your head off? No? Then why on earth would you want to put a bit in a horses mouth. If your horse is suited to you, and you can control them on a day to day basis, as well as under saddle, then you shouldn't need a bit in your horses mouth.
Whether you chose to ride with a bit, or bit less the most important thing to remember is to ride responsibly. Think bit less first, if the horse doesn't respond after a few training sessions, then go back to bit less, but use a gentle bit. A horse shouldn't need 2 different bits in it's mouth at one time, especially if you have never tried bit less with them. Who knows, they may surprise you with how they ride in a bit less, and they will be a lot happier with you. Isn't that what you want for you'r horse? For them to be happy, healthy and safe.
Equine Colour Genetics
Chestnut and black are the two base colours, in which all the equine colours strand from. The branches are formed with six dilutions genes agouti, cream, dun, silver, champagne, and pearl. Each has it's own unique colour, and it's own specific way of effecting the base colour. Although these diluted colours are different from the base colour, they are still considered "solid."
Aside from the solid colours there are pinto patterns. Within the pinto patterns there are about 5 different patterns; tabiano, overo, sabiano, splash, and tovero. A few of the patterns are hard to tell from one another. Each pinto pattern can have either base colour as the pain colour as well as white. The dilution gene on a base colour with the pinto pattern is very popular these days, and is a very attractive look. Spotted patterns seen on appaloosas especially, are yet another colour scheme for the equine world. There are about 10 different patterns within the appaloosa breed. Spotted blanket, leopard, manchado, snowcap, snowflake, and many in between.There a quite a few colours that don't fit into the catagories, and are very unique to their own. Catching a bird anomaly, rabicano, Gulustra plume on bay, mosaic, and many more.
Homozygous is a term used for horses that pass on their colour. Homo means two of the same and zygous means gene (two of the same gene). If a horse is homozygous for the tabiano gene, it has two of the tabiano gene (both parents have the tabiano gene). The tabiano coat pattern in the paint/pinto horse is a dominant gene, unlike its overo counterpart, which is recessive. A tabiano coloured horse with only one tabiano parent will be heterozygous. Heterozygous means that the horse will pass on its colour 50% of the time. Homozygous and heterozygous do not only apply for paint/coloured horses. A regular solid horse can be heterozygous or homozygous for it's colour or other colours in its genealogy.
Aside from the solid colours there are pinto patterns. Within the pinto patterns there are about 5 different patterns; tabiano, overo, sabiano, splash, and tovero. A few of the patterns are hard to tell from one another. Each pinto pattern can have either base colour as the pain colour as well as white. The dilution gene on a base colour with the pinto pattern is very popular these days, and is a very attractive look. Spotted patterns seen on appaloosas especially, are yet another colour scheme for the equine world. There are about 10 different patterns within the appaloosa breed. Spotted blanket, leopard, manchado, snowcap, snowflake, and many in between.There a quite a few colours that don't fit into the catagories, and are very unique to their own. Catching a bird anomaly, rabicano, Gulustra plume on bay, mosaic, and many more.
Homozygous is a term used for horses that pass on their colour. Homo means two of the same and zygous means gene (two of the same gene). If a horse is homozygous for the tabiano gene, it has two of the tabiano gene (both parents have the tabiano gene). The tabiano coat pattern in the paint/pinto horse is a dominant gene, unlike its overo counterpart, which is recessive. A tabiano coloured horse with only one tabiano parent will be heterozygous. Heterozygous means that the horse will pass on its colour 50% of the time. Homozygous and heterozygous do not only apply for paint/coloured horses. A regular solid horse can be heterozygous or homozygous for it's colour or other colours in its genealogy.
Lameness and Health issues
Lameness issues have a broad range. Minor to major health issues; from head to hoof. All can be considered lameness issues because it hinders the work ability of a horse. Lameness in the head isn't really considered a "lameness" issue, but more a health problem. Problems in the face like blindness, deafness, and teeth problems are things that can either be fixed or don't jeopardize a horses riding career. Other problems in the face are usually minor, like broken bones, which will easily heal overtime. The most common lameness problem in horses occur in the leg. The reason behind this is the sole fact that horses are always running, jumping, and romping around and it is easy for them to pull muscles or break bones etc. In fact most horses in the world have at least one underlying lameness issue in their legs, most of which will never be discovered and will likely never bother a horse. Horses who have suffered breaks, strains, sprains, mud fever, and tendinitis may never be able to ridden again, and simply have to be put down, or used as another horses companion. Some horses, even those who have broken a leg can heal enough to be ridden again, some even continue their careers as if nothing happened once they have rested their fracture or lameness problem.
Speaking from experience; I had a Standardbred who I rescued off of the Saint John Race Track who had suffered severe suspensory tears in his front end. Most horses who suffer suspensory tears cannot bear the weight of a rider enough to do strenuous work. (Suspensory ligament is a strong band of tendon like tissue that sits just behind the cannon bone, in between the splint bones). He had close to a year off from racing by the time I rescued him, trained and began riding him. He was sound enough for me to jump him, and he never came up lame. Just proves that it really depends on the horse and the care taken to heal problems.
There are also lameness issues that lie in the hooves of a horse. The two most common issues are laminitis and founder. Both of these problems can be so sever that a horse will need to be put down. If caught in time laminitis can be treated and the horse will be 100% sound. If not caught in time though, horses risk losing their lives, or ending up in a field for the remainder of their lives. (Laminitis is inflammation of the sensitive tissues in the horses hoof. And blood flow to the laminae is disrupted.) Founder is the chronic rotation of the coffin bone. The laminae weaken and fray, and in sever cases they break, causing the toe bone to lay on the sensitive sole of the foot, or even penetrate the sole.
Lameness issues can be prevented in many different ways. The most important thing to do is have the farrier down every 6-8 weeks in order to keep the hooves in proper condition. Leg lameness issues can be prevented with proper protection of the legs(splint boots etc) and not pushing a horse too hard on improper footing, when they're too young, or when they are not physically fit enough to do the task you are trying to do. Most lameness issues require a vet in order to heal, so proper vet care is key for both prevention as well as treatment. A healthy horse is a happy horse.
Speaking from experience; I had a Standardbred who I rescued off of the Saint John Race Track who had suffered severe suspensory tears in his front end. Most horses who suffer suspensory tears cannot bear the weight of a rider enough to do strenuous work. (Suspensory ligament is a strong band of tendon like tissue that sits just behind the cannon bone, in between the splint bones). He had close to a year off from racing by the time I rescued him, trained and began riding him. He was sound enough for me to jump him, and he never came up lame. Just proves that it really depends on the horse and the care taken to heal problems.
There are also lameness issues that lie in the hooves of a horse. The two most common issues are laminitis and founder. Both of these problems can be so sever that a horse will need to be put down. If caught in time laminitis can be treated and the horse will be 100% sound. If not caught in time though, horses risk losing their lives, or ending up in a field for the remainder of their lives. (Laminitis is inflammation of the sensitive tissues in the horses hoof. And blood flow to the laminae is disrupted.) Founder is the chronic rotation of the coffin bone. The laminae weaken and fray, and in sever cases they break, causing the toe bone to lay on the sensitive sole of the foot, or even penetrate the sole.
Lameness issues can be prevented in many different ways. The most important thing to do is have the farrier down every 6-8 weeks in order to keep the hooves in proper condition. Leg lameness issues can be prevented with proper protection of the legs(splint boots etc) and not pushing a horse too hard on improper footing, when they're too young, or when they are not physically fit enough to do the task you are trying to do. Most lameness issues require a vet in order to heal, so proper vet care is key for both prevention as well as treatment. A healthy horse is a happy horse.
Horse Breeding
Horse reproduction has the same life cycle as most other mammals. They have a “sire” that produces the sperm and a “dam” that holds the egg as well as the fetus during its pregnancy. Each parent passes on half of the genetic make up for the unborn foal.
Mares come into a term called estrous, which is when she becomes sexually receptive. Mares often come into estrous in the spring and summer, and into the fall. The cycle is triggered first when the days begin to lengthen and is controlled by the photo-period Most mares will not naturally foal in the winter months because it usually means less chance of the foal being born healthy or born at all. This is known as anestrus. The gestation period of a mare are about 11 months (340 days) colts being carried about 4 days longer than fillies. During its pregnancy a mare can still be ridden but will need to take it easy, so no jumping after 6 months.
Usually the only problems with the gestation period are that the foal is aborted. Mares will abort their foals for multiple reasons. If they don’t have adequate water and food and become slightly dehydrated or hungry to the point that they have to take energy stored from the baby to support their own self. This actually happens a lot. 16% of mares have double ovulation (to have twins). The odds of producing healthy twin foals are rare because it takes the mare a lot of work to keep just one alive. If a mare is pregnant with twins and it is caught in time through an ultrasound or a trans-rectal palpation, then the vet will terminate one embryo. Vets recommend an ultrasound about 14-16 days after ovulation occurs. Early Embryonic Death (EED) is caused by a mare twinning, malnutrition (mare), maternal stress, poor conformation of vulva, vagina, or cervix, or uterine disease. Often times there are no early signs, and by the time it is detected the foal is usually aborted. Equine Viral Arteritis is caused by diarrhea, depression, anorexia, fever, colic, as well as others. The fetus is usually aborted 7-10 days after the first signs of sickness in the mare.
A mare’s diet should consist of more bulk foods, and minerals. Feeding more hay as opposed to more grain is better, unless you can find a healthy mare and foal type of grain. The larger amount of hay should be separated into 3-4 smaller meals over the course of the day. Appropriate roughage and turnout is important. The mare should be in its own paddock to prevent others attacking her, which could cause serious damage to her and her unborn foal and can even kill the foal. They must have access to a safe and durable shelter that is approximately 12’x24’.During its pregnancy a mare can be ridden right up to when it foals in some cases, but will need to take it easy, so no jumping or strenuous work after 6 months.
Horse breeding occurs worldwide. People are breeding quality foals for top dollar. This causes so many issues in the horse world. Homeless and rescued horses are on the increase. There are more horses than ever needing homes around the world. Overbreeding is a huge issue mainly because of the back yard breeders. Back yard breeders are people who just breed to have a foal, or to make extra money. Most times the foals at these places end up untrained and sent to slaughters, or given away and deemed “worthless” because they have had no previous training. Other backyard breeders, the kind that claim to have quality foals for a cheap price, draw people in. This often results in people buying foals who are untrained, nasty, unsound, or unhealthy, which also causes the foals being shipped or end up homeless. It is inevitable that horses DO need to be bred to keep the lines going, but this should be based on the rarity, and well being of the breed. I am not opposed to “grade” horses (mixed breed horses) because they are often times even better than the pure line. Too many people feel the same way I am afraid. More people want to breed to make money or make a name.
Mares come into a term called estrous, which is when she becomes sexually receptive. Mares often come into estrous in the spring and summer, and into the fall. The cycle is triggered first when the days begin to lengthen and is controlled by the photo-period Most mares will not naturally foal in the winter months because it usually means less chance of the foal being born healthy or born at all. This is known as anestrus. The gestation period of a mare are about 11 months (340 days) colts being carried about 4 days longer than fillies. During its pregnancy a mare can still be ridden but will need to take it easy, so no jumping after 6 months.
Usually the only problems with the gestation period are that the foal is aborted. Mares will abort their foals for multiple reasons. If they don’t have adequate water and food and become slightly dehydrated or hungry to the point that they have to take energy stored from the baby to support their own self. This actually happens a lot. 16% of mares have double ovulation (to have twins). The odds of producing healthy twin foals are rare because it takes the mare a lot of work to keep just one alive. If a mare is pregnant with twins and it is caught in time through an ultrasound or a trans-rectal palpation, then the vet will terminate one embryo. Vets recommend an ultrasound about 14-16 days after ovulation occurs. Early Embryonic Death (EED) is caused by a mare twinning, malnutrition (mare), maternal stress, poor conformation of vulva, vagina, or cervix, or uterine disease. Often times there are no early signs, and by the time it is detected the foal is usually aborted. Equine Viral Arteritis is caused by diarrhea, depression, anorexia, fever, colic, as well as others. The fetus is usually aborted 7-10 days after the first signs of sickness in the mare.
A mare’s diet should consist of more bulk foods, and minerals. Feeding more hay as opposed to more grain is better, unless you can find a healthy mare and foal type of grain. The larger amount of hay should be separated into 3-4 smaller meals over the course of the day. Appropriate roughage and turnout is important. The mare should be in its own paddock to prevent others attacking her, which could cause serious damage to her and her unborn foal and can even kill the foal. They must have access to a safe and durable shelter that is approximately 12’x24’.During its pregnancy a mare can be ridden right up to when it foals in some cases, but will need to take it easy, so no jumping or strenuous work after 6 months.
Horse breeding occurs worldwide. People are breeding quality foals for top dollar. This causes so many issues in the horse world. Homeless and rescued horses are on the increase. There are more horses than ever needing homes around the world. Overbreeding is a huge issue mainly because of the back yard breeders. Back yard breeders are people who just breed to have a foal, or to make extra money. Most times the foals at these places end up untrained and sent to slaughters, or given away and deemed “worthless” because they have had no previous training. Other backyard breeders, the kind that claim to have quality foals for a cheap price, draw people in. This often results in people buying foals who are untrained, nasty, unsound, or unhealthy, which also causes the foals being shipped or end up homeless. It is inevitable that horses DO need to be bred to keep the lines going, but this should be based on the rarity, and well being of the breed. I am not opposed to “grade” horses (mixed breed horses) because they are often times even better than the pure line. Too many people feel the same way I am afraid. More people want to breed to make money or make a name.
Horse Management ( A day in the life of an equestrian)
This is a work in progress and will be the last "essay" done. It is more of a short story.
Equine Nutrition
A critical part of proper horse care is a balanced diet. Unlike most grazers horses have only one stomach (non-ruminants) as opposed to multi-chamber stomachs (ruminants).
Horses have to eat slowly so they don’t upset their delicate digestive system. They eat small amounts many times throughout the day and if a horse’s diet is changed too fast they can become ill. Horses are also susceptible to toxins and molds, therefor have to be fed high quality, and clean feed. Horses have adapted to eating the same foods in small amounts all day long.
A horse’s digestion begins in the mouth. The incisors break off the forage at the desired amount. The premolars and molars then grind up the food. Food is carried to the stomach through the esophagus. The esophagus connects to the stomach with a tough sphincter mechanism at the gastroesophgeal junction this means that food is only capable of going down, not coming up (no vomiting).
A horse’s stomach is small, which explains why smaller meals are better for the horse. The small intestine is about 40 feet long. In the small intestine the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.
The large intestine and cecum are about 4 feet long together. In the cecum the plant fiber in the food is fermented for about 7 hours, which produces vitamin K, B complex vitamins, fatty acids as well as proteins. The large colon absorbs the carbohydrates that were broken down from cellulose that passed through the cecum. The large colon is where a lot of horses have impaction type colic, because it has a lot of twists and turns. Fecal balls are formed in the small colon and then the feces are held in the rectum which is about a foot long and exit the horse through the anus.
Forage or roughage is the main part of the horse’s diet. It is needed in order to keep weight on a horse as well as keep them warm in the winter months. Good quality hay is cut in the early season because the seeds are not fully developed and they have not fallen off yet. Hay cut later in the season is usually tougher, and is coarser than the early season hay. Fresh cut hay is the best for the horses because it has less chance to become molded and dusty.
Grains come in many shapes and forms, and different people have different names for them. Crushed or whole oats are usually horses favorite, and they suit a horses digestive system very well. Horses are also fed corn, barley, and wheat. Most horse owners by 2 or more of these types of feed and mix them together to produce a well balanced diet. Molasses is sometimes added to horse feed because they are partial to sugary flavors, and the molasses makes the feed more palatable.
Vitamins and minerals are an important part of a horses diet especially for horses under added stress, and harder work. A simple salt block is usually used for for this reason, which usually has what the typical horse would need for vitamins. Other horses may need more though, supplements can be bought at most feed stores and each have differing abilities. Supplements can be vitamins mixed together to add to feed, or even for one specific reason; hoof growth, weight gain, healthier coat, energy, or calming the horse down. Many horse owners that have a competing animal mix and match many of these supplements with the horses favorite feed.
Feeding horses is the main financial bill you will receive. They eat a lot and will need a lot of feed constantly. Hay alone ranges from 2-10 dollars for a simple square bale, to 40-60 dollars for a larger round bale. Hay alone would cost about 600-1000 dollars per horse per year, not counting the wasted hay. Grain costs will range from 500-1000 dollars per horse per year. Horses are one of the most expensive pets for an average person to feed. Since the horses well being is more important than the cost, people put their feeding first to keep them healthy and happy. That is the most important thing.
Horses have to eat slowly so they don’t upset their delicate digestive system. They eat small amounts many times throughout the day and if a horse’s diet is changed too fast they can become ill. Horses are also susceptible to toxins and molds, therefor have to be fed high quality, and clean feed. Horses have adapted to eating the same foods in small amounts all day long.
A horse’s digestion begins in the mouth. The incisors break off the forage at the desired amount. The premolars and molars then grind up the food. Food is carried to the stomach through the esophagus. The esophagus connects to the stomach with a tough sphincter mechanism at the gastroesophgeal junction this means that food is only capable of going down, not coming up (no vomiting).
A horse’s stomach is small, which explains why smaller meals are better for the horse. The small intestine is about 40 feet long. In the small intestine the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.
The large intestine and cecum are about 4 feet long together. In the cecum the plant fiber in the food is fermented for about 7 hours, which produces vitamin K, B complex vitamins, fatty acids as well as proteins. The large colon absorbs the carbohydrates that were broken down from cellulose that passed through the cecum. The large colon is where a lot of horses have impaction type colic, because it has a lot of twists and turns. Fecal balls are formed in the small colon and then the feces are held in the rectum which is about a foot long and exit the horse through the anus.
Forage or roughage is the main part of the horse’s diet. It is needed in order to keep weight on a horse as well as keep them warm in the winter months. Good quality hay is cut in the early season because the seeds are not fully developed and they have not fallen off yet. Hay cut later in the season is usually tougher, and is coarser than the early season hay. Fresh cut hay is the best for the horses because it has less chance to become molded and dusty.
Grains come in many shapes and forms, and different people have different names for them. Crushed or whole oats are usually horses favorite, and they suit a horses digestive system very well. Horses are also fed corn, barley, and wheat. Most horse owners by 2 or more of these types of feed and mix them together to produce a well balanced diet. Molasses is sometimes added to horse feed because they are partial to sugary flavors, and the molasses makes the feed more palatable.
Vitamins and minerals are an important part of a horses diet especially for horses under added stress, and harder work. A simple salt block is usually used for for this reason, which usually has what the typical horse would need for vitamins. Other horses may need more though, supplements can be bought at most feed stores and each have differing abilities. Supplements can be vitamins mixed together to add to feed, or even for one specific reason; hoof growth, weight gain, healthier coat, energy, or calming the horse down. Many horse owners that have a competing animal mix and match many of these supplements with the horses favorite feed.
Feeding horses is the main financial bill you will receive. They eat a lot and will need a lot of feed constantly. Hay alone ranges from 2-10 dollars for a simple square bale, to 40-60 dollars for a larger round bale. Hay alone would cost about 600-1000 dollars per horse per year, not counting the wasted hay. Grain costs will range from 500-1000 dollars per horse per year. Horses are one of the most expensive pets for an average person to feed. Since the horses well being is more important than the cost, people put their feeding first to keep them healthy and happy. That is the most important thing.
Equine Physiology and Exercise
XC-Poem
Heavy hooves beat the ground,
they make the most beautiful sound.
The harsh wind washes over me,
it’s much colder than the open sea.
The leather saddle is cold and like a rock,
we soar across the ground like a graceful hawk.
The first four feet tower on the approach,
the tension radiates from my nervous coach.
What feels like slow motion as we hover in the air,
I could die if I fall, but I just don’t care.
Two hooves hit the ground, the other two follow,
as we take off my lungs are hollow.
The water like ice as I approach at full speed,
I urge a faster pace from my beautiful steed.
A short descent that shocks me at the landing,
I quickly wonder how I will do at the standing.
The last jump creeps up on me in a hurry,
I’m completely choked up from this feeling of worry.
A swift hop over the final jump,
A towering five foot natural stump.
The gallop away is all I remember,
The sun shining on us like a scalding hot ember.
they make the most beautiful sound.
The harsh wind washes over me,
it’s much colder than the open sea.
The leather saddle is cold and like a rock,
we soar across the ground like a graceful hawk.
The first four feet tower on the approach,
the tension radiates from my nervous coach.
What feels like slow motion as we hover in the air,
I could die if I fall, but I just don’t care.
Two hooves hit the ground, the other two follow,
as we take off my lungs are hollow.
The water like ice as I approach at full speed,
I urge a faster pace from my beautiful steed.
A short descent that shocks me at the landing,
I quickly wonder how I will do at the standing.
The last jump creeps up on me in a hurry,
I’m completely choked up from this feeling of worry.
A swift hop over the final jump,
A towering five foot natural stump.
The gallop away is all I remember,
The sun shining on us like a scalding hot ember.
Summer Day Ride
I step out the door into the warm morning sun,
a whinny pours from my big yellow dun.
The annoying cicadas play their music out loud.
To my right are the barn people standing in a crowd.
I ignore them as I walk to the bright white fence,
a thousand pound animal gallops with muscles tense.
The dust flies as he skids to a stop.
I laugh to myself as he spins like a top.
With his head held high he looks back at me,
he shakes his body and turns so he can see.
In my hand is the bridle and he knows right away,
and his best pal walks over, a massive blood bay.
I clip the lead to my gelding and head to the tack room,
I attach the cross ties and give him a good groom.
I place the shiny black saddle onto his back,
he's as excited as me for our long summer hack.
I quickly put the bridle on his pretty yellow face,
and urge him from the stable by picking up my pace.
One smooth hop sets me in the saddle.
We walk by the pond and watch some ducks paddle.
The trees of the trail shade us from the sun,
each twig snap echoes like a shot from a gun.
The forest opens up to a large empty field,
my gelding urges forward but I force him to yield.
He finally settles with four feet on the ground,
soon deep breaths and a heavy gallop is the only sound.
At the end of the field we slow to a trot,
we turn back around, the barn merely a dot.
The rest of the ride is quiet and calm.
I offer a quick pat on my dun's mane with my palm.
We walk back into the yard with a great deal of pride,
because there is nothing better than a warm summer ride.
a whinny pours from my big yellow dun.
The annoying cicadas play their music out loud.
To my right are the barn people standing in a crowd.
I ignore them as I walk to the bright white fence,
a thousand pound animal gallops with muscles tense.
The dust flies as he skids to a stop.
I laugh to myself as he spins like a top.
With his head held high he looks back at me,
he shakes his body and turns so he can see.
In my hand is the bridle and he knows right away,
and his best pal walks over, a massive blood bay.
I clip the lead to my gelding and head to the tack room,
I attach the cross ties and give him a good groom.
I place the shiny black saddle onto his back,
he's as excited as me for our long summer hack.
I quickly put the bridle on his pretty yellow face,
and urge him from the stable by picking up my pace.
One smooth hop sets me in the saddle.
We walk by the pond and watch some ducks paddle.
The trees of the trail shade us from the sun,
each twig snap echoes like a shot from a gun.
The forest opens up to a large empty field,
my gelding urges forward but I force him to yield.
He finally settles with four feet on the ground,
soon deep breaths and a heavy gallop is the only sound.
At the end of the field we slow to a trot,
we turn back around, the barn merely a dot.
The rest of the ride is quiet and calm.
I offer a quick pat on my dun's mane with my palm.
We walk back into the yard with a great deal of pride,
because there is nothing better than a warm summer ride.
My life with horses..
I grew up mostly on my grandparent’s small farm where there were chickens, cattle, pigs for me to play with. One thing I remember the most about being at my grandparent’s all the time was that we always had at least two horses. The horses weren't considered pets to my grandfather back then, but were how he made his money and how he kept his home warm. He used the big Percherons and Belgians to haul firewood, and plow the fields, but on occasion he would put me up on their backs and lead me around the pasture. Even though I was only 3 or 4 years old I remember this like it was yesterday, and I’m pretty sure it was where my love for horses sprouted from.
When I was about 6 or 7 my grandfather bought two ponies; a little bay pony named Shadow that was well broke for children, and a jet black pony named Shiloh who was not broke and a little nutty. My gramp saddled up Shadow and he taught me how to get the horse to turn, stop, and go. I rode every chance I got, and I got pretty good for my age and experience. I once watched my older cousin try to ride Shiloh during her training, and she would buck and once she reared and her crest hit my cousin in the nose causing an obvious nosebleed and the end of that training session. I remember thinking to myself that she was a baby for not getting back on the horse and I told myself that I would have gotten back on and most definitely would never have cried. (My grandfathers taught me, if you fall get right back on again).
I didn't get to ride a whole lot because my grandfather was always working in the woods and my grandmother tending the garden. So while they were away I would go to the barn, muck stalls and sweep the entire barn by myself; a big job for a 7 year old. After I finished tidying up I would feed, water and groom the two ponies and the other horse which was a tall, grey quarter horse cross named Abby. By the time my grandfather was finished in the woods he would come home in time for lunch, so once he unhitched the big red Belgian and the jet black percheron, Bonnie and Judy, I would take them to the barn give them their hay and water and groom them till the mud was off of them and all over me. It was definitely not a clean job, but it was worth it and I really enjoyed taking care of the horses, and knowing I could do it by myself. At first I did these jobs in order to make time for a lesson with Shadow and my grandfather. It only worked about half the time. Other times there would be just too much work that needed to be done around the yard.
As time went on I rode less and less, and then one day I went to my grandparents to see my little bay pony and he wasn't in the barn. I wondered all through the pasture until my grandfather finally came into the pasture and told me he had to sell Shadow and Shiloh. Being only 7 or so, and Shadow being the first pony I could kind of call my own, I took it pretty hard. I stopped spending time in the barn when I was visiting the little farm, and instead I stayed inside drawing horses and ponies and daydreaming about having my very own someday. When I moved in with my grandparents I decided to spend some time with my second favorite horse, Judy. I knew I couldn't ride her myself but I loved her all the same and she loved me equally. Judy’s hitch mate was Bonnie, who I found out was sick and had issues with her legs, so I was worried that if my gramp had to sell her that Judy would have to go too. The selling plan didn't work out though, because when my grandfather woke up at 4:30 one morning, he found Bonnie laying down with Judy attempting not to step on her head and neck. I was living there at the time, and when I woke up at day break my gramp was still attempting to get Bonnie to her feet. You could see sadness in his eyes. I tried to help, and held Judy outside of the barn until I had to catch the bus. My nan assured me everything would be fine, so I reluctantly went to school. I knew about death from a young age, my family never tried to hide the fact that death is a part of life. When I finished school, I jumped off the bus and ran to the barn to find no horses. I ran towards the pasture and seen Judy standing by the old birch tree that towerd over the fence. I searched everywhere for Bonnie with no luck. My gramp was sitting at the kitchen table as he usually does before supper. Something was different, and I could see it in his eyes, so I didn't even bother asking, but quietly went to my room and cried.
It was probably a year later and mom and I were living in a house in town, so when I had the chance to go visit Judy I was very excited. My grandfather had gotten another horse he hoped would work with Judy in the woods, but I never got really close to him, even though he looked just like Bonnie. I don't remember the day it was, but I do remember going over to visit, and I was greeted with sad news. Judy had died that night of old age. She was still in the barn waiting to be removed, and I begged my grandfather to let me go see her. With tears in my eyes I walked to her stall seeing a large mound covered with a blue tarp. He slowly lifted it by her head, and I gave her one last pat and kiss on her cheek. It took me weeks to get over her loss, because she was such a gentle soul. I still miss her.
A few other horses came and left because they just didn't work for my grandfather. When I was about 10 he bought a a beautiful chestnut mare named Jewel, for me and my older cousin to ride. He had bought her from a dealer and she was in pretty rough shape when she came to the house. She didn't stay very long. She fell down one night and harmed herself bad enough that she didn't make it though the night. In my eyes I was destined to never have a horse.
August 2008 I had the chance to get a horse of my own. I beautiful standardbred from the track. I found him online advertised as free, and I couldn't miss the chance so I told them I would be up with a truck and trailer. My gramp and i went to the track to meet him, as well as pick him up. When I walked though the barn door at the track I was quite honestly appalled. The racehorses were standing in manure that was about 6 inches deep and packed firmly in their stalls. Not only did it smell awful but the horses looked depressed. One horse I remember even though I didn't see him. He was a stallion locked in his stall, he was blocked off from seeing all other horses. He was kicking the stalls, and they asked if I wanted him as well, but he would have been too much at my age. I left the track with my very first horse in tow. With my grandfathers help we named him SInbad, although his registered race name was Just a Reminder. Not long after he was with us we were riding him. When I moved in with my father I brought Sinbad to live with me there. He was only with me for about 6 months before I had to re-home him. I was devastated when he hopped on the trailer to head to his new home.
After a few personal ordeals I moved from my fathers after living there for almost 5 years, and living without a horse for four of those years. As soon as I moved out I started searching for a horse. I new I could handle a horse of my own at this point in my life. I was looking for a nice warmblood type horse, something to jump with, as well as ride trails. I searched for about 2 months finding horses that seemed perfect, but in never happened, something kept telling me NOT to buy them. I realized why I turned away from all of the others as soon as I met Bailey. Bailey was a really pretty bright bay mare, with four tall white socks covered in ermine spots, as well as a thing stripe down her face. She also had a random white spot the size of a fist on her neck. She had just had a baby 3 months before I met her, so when I did go see her for the first time I had the chance to meet her foal. When I go to the place she was living, she was inside the barn with her foal. I reached out to pat her and she backed away. The lady told me she was incredibly shy, not used to people. She also told me that she likely would never be able to be ridden because she was not handled very much. To anybody else that alone would turn them away from that horse. Something told me I had to had her. So I talked down her asking price from 500 to a mere 100, and bought her right away. We bonded the very day she came home. I was able to tack her up the very first day, and was on her back by day two. Riding at a walk on the third day. Everyone was amazed at how much I was able to get her to do in the first week. Our first year together was perfect. Someone was so impressed they offered to buy her. I said yes and she left for 5 months. During that 5 months she was NOT ridden, and was kept in a stall the entire time. I went to get her back early march, walked her 4 hours back home, and had even though I was able to ride her the next day, I decided to start from scratch with her training. Even after a few falls and broken bones she was still perfect. She tested me a lot, but the minute I put my younger siblings (ages 3,4,8,13) and my friends on her back she was an angel. I recently sold her due to it being my grad year, and needing to focus on school. The new owner is very pleased with her, and she is doing great in her new home. After having her for 3 years though, it is still hard to think she is no longer with me.
The future for me is with horses, no matter how hard it is to have a career in the equine industry. I already have plans to begin training horses for others, and achieving my riding levels so I can give lessons. The big dream would be to have a fully functional lesson, training and boarding barn. I know I am good with horses, and I really enjoy all the work involved with them. I am not the type of person to just want horses to ride them. I thoroughly enjoy cleaning, feeding and all the chores involved. Teaching people about horses is something I find fun as well, and training horses is my PASSION. I can say right now that this dream WILL become a reality, and very soon. Horses are quite literally my life. :)
-Jessie
When I was about 6 or 7 my grandfather bought two ponies; a little bay pony named Shadow that was well broke for children, and a jet black pony named Shiloh who was not broke and a little nutty. My gramp saddled up Shadow and he taught me how to get the horse to turn, stop, and go. I rode every chance I got, and I got pretty good for my age and experience. I once watched my older cousin try to ride Shiloh during her training, and she would buck and once she reared and her crest hit my cousin in the nose causing an obvious nosebleed and the end of that training session. I remember thinking to myself that she was a baby for not getting back on the horse and I told myself that I would have gotten back on and most definitely would never have cried. (My grandfathers taught me, if you fall get right back on again).
I didn't get to ride a whole lot because my grandfather was always working in the woods and my grandmother tending the garden. So while they were away I would go to the barn, muck stalls and sweep the entire barn by myself; a big job for a 7 year old. After I finished tidying up I would feed, water and groom the two ponies and the other horse which was a tall, grey quarter horse cross named Abby. By the time my grandfather was finished in the woods he would come home in time for lunch, so once he unhitched the big red Belgian and the jet black percheron, Bonnie and Judy, I would take them to the barn give them their hay and water and groom them till the mud was off of them and all over me. It was definitely not a clean job, but it was worth it and I really enjoyed taking care of the horses, and knowing I could do it by myself. At first I did these jobs in order to make time for a lesson with Shadow and my grandfather. It only worked about half the time. Other times there would be just too much work that needed to be done around the yard.
As time went on I rode less and less, and then one day I went to my grandparents to see my little bay pony and he wasn't in the barn. I wondered all through the pasture until my grandfather finally came into the pasture and told me he had to sell Shadow and Shiloh. Being only 7 or so, and Shadow being the first pony I could kind of call my own, I took it pretty hard. I stopped spending time in the barn when I was visiting the little farm, and instead I stayed inside drawing horses and ponies and daydreaming about having my very own someday. When I moved in with my grandparents I decided to spend some time with my second favorite horse, Judy. I knew I couldn't ride her myself but I loved her all the same and she loved me equally. Judy’s hitch mate was Bonnie, who I found out was sick and had issues with her legs, so I was worried that if my gramp had to sell her that Judy would have to go too. The selling plan didn't work out though, because when my grandfather woke up at 4:30 one morning, he found Bonnie laying down with Judy attempting not to step on her head and neck. I was living there at the time, and when I woke up at day break my gramp was still attempting to get Bonnie to her feet. You could see sadness in his eyes. I tried to help, and held Judy outside of the barn until I had to catch the bus. My nan assured me everything would be fine, so I reluctantly went to school. I knew about death from a young age, my family never tried to hide the fact that death is a part of life. When I finished school, I jumped off the bus and ran to the barn to find no horses. I ran towards the pasture and seen Judy standing by the old birch tree that towerd over the fence. I searched everywhere for Bonnie with no luck. My gramp was sitting at the kitchen table as he usually does before supper. Something was different, and I could see it in his eyes, so I didn't even bother asking, but quietly went to my room and cried.
It was probably a year later and mom and I were living in a house in town, so when I had the chance to go visit Judy I was very excited. My grandfather had gotten another horse he hoped would work with Judy in the woods, but I never got really close to him, even though he looked just like Bonnie. I don't remember the day it was, but I do remember going over to visit, and I was greeted with sad news. Judy had died that night of old age. She was still in the barn waiting to be removed, and I begged my grandfather to let me go see her. With tears in my eyes I walked to her stall seeing a large mound covered with a blue tarp. He slowly lifted it by her head, and I gave her one last pat and kiss on her cheek. It took me weeks to get over her loss, because she was such a gentle soul. I still miss her.
A few other horses came and left because they just didn't work for my grandfather. When I was about 10 he bought a a beautiful chestnut mare named Jewel, for me and my older cousin to ride. He had bought her from a dealer and she was in pretty rough shape when she came to the house. She didn't stay very long. She fell down one night and harmed herself bad enough that she didn't make it though the night. In my eyes I was destined to never have a horse.
August 2008 I had the chance to get a horse of my own. I beautiful standardbred from the track. I found him online advertised as free, and I couldn't miss the chance so I told them I would be up with a truck and trailer. My gramp and i went to the track to meet him, as well as pick him up. When I walked though the barn door at the track I was quite honestly appalled. The racehorses were standing in manure that was about 6 inches deep and packed firmly in their stalls. Not only did it smell awful but the horses looked depressed. One horse I remember even though I didn't see him. He was a stallion locked in his stall, he was blocked off from seeing all other horses. He was kicking the stalls, and they asked if I wanted him as well, but he would have been too much at my age. I left the track with my very first horse in tow. With my grandfathers help we named him SInbad, although his registered race name was Just a Reminder. Not long after he was with us we were riding him. When I moved in with my father I brought Sinbad to live with me there. He was only with me for about 6 months before I had to re-home him. I was devastated when he hopped on the trailer to head to his new home.
After a few personal ordeals I moved from my fathers after living there for almost 5 years, and living without a horse for four of those years. As soon as I moved out I started searching for a horse. I new I could handle a horse of my own at this point in my life. I was looking for a nice warmblood type horse, something to jump with, as well as ride trails. I searched for about 2 months finding horses that seemed perfect, but in never happened, something kept telling me NOT to buy them. I realized why I turned away from all of the others as soon as I met Bailey. Bailey was a really pretty bright bay mare, with four tall white socks covered in ermine spots, as well as a thing stripe down her face. She also had a random white spot the size of a fist on her neck. She had just had a baby 3 months before I met her, so when I did go see her for the first time I had the chance to meet her foal. When I go to the place she was living, she was inside the barn with her foal. I reached out to pat her and she backed away. The lady told me she was incredibly shy, not used to people. She also told me that she likely would never be able to be ridden because she was not handled very much. To anybody else that alone would turn them away from that horse. Something told me I had to had her. So I talked down her asking price from 500 to a mere 100, and bought her right away. We bonded the very day she came home. I was able to tack her up the very first day, and was on her back by day two. Riding at a walk on the third day. Everyone was amazed at how much I was able to get her to do in the first week. Our first year together was perfect. Someone was so impressed they offered to buy her. I said yes and she left for 5 months. During that 5 months she was NOT ridden, and was kept in a stall the entire time. I went to get her back early march, walked her 4 hours back home, and had even though I was able to ride her the next day, I decided to start from scratch with her training. Even after a few falls and broken bones she was still perfect. She tested me a lot, but the minute I put my younger siblings (ages 3,4,8,13) and my friends on her back she was an angel. I recently sold her due to it being my grad year, and needing to focus on school. The new owner is very pleased with her, and she is doing great in her new home. After having her for 3 years though, it is still hard to think she is no longer with me.
The future for me is with horses, no matter how hard it is to have a career in the equine industry. I already have plans to begin training horses for others, and achieving my riding levels so I can give lessons. The big dream would be to have a fully functional lesson, training and boarding barn. I know I am good with horses, and I really enjoy all the work involved with them. I am not the type of person to just want horses to ride them. I thoroughly enjoy cleaning, feeding and all the chores involved. Teaching people about horses is something I find fun as well, and training horses is my PASSION. I can say right now that this dream WILL become a reality, and very soon. Horses are quite literally my life. :)
-Jessie