My family will be going on a BIG VACATION soon and I realized that I will not just miss our horse, Curly, but I will also miss my morning routine of checking out my favorite horse blogs. I have become obsessive about reading these things!
The writers of these posts are humorous, intelligent, sometimes ranting and furious, but always clear about their love for these animals. I have learned so much about training, riding and the unfortunate maltreatment of horses through their writings.
So, here's a list of my current favorites...and be aware that some are not particularly appropriate for young eyes!
Our First Horse
This was the first blog I stumbled upon, over a year ago. They have been less frequent in their postings lately, but I still enjoy reading about their experience as new owners.
Mugwump Chronicles
My current favorite. Great writing, great tips, lots to think about. Wouldn't be surprised to see a book come from her pen!
Fugly Horse of the Day
It's all about the horse....and bad owners should beware! People are watching - and posting! Not kid-friendly, but very eye-opening indeed.
Pony Girl Rides Again
Another well written, entertaining blog. Lots of great pictures too.
Horse Dreams
This is a friend of mine, who is in the beginning stages of starting an equine outreach for local youth.
It's A Really Long Way Down
Entertaining stories about the training of the Very Large Colt.
My new fear is that I'll stumble upon yet more great blogs and have to keep adding them to my morning list....soon I'll have to get up 2 hours earlier in the day to get done with all my "required" reading! :-)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Trying out new skills...
Yesterday E had her first go at implementing some of her new-found knowledge. She was very excited to try out some of Anderson's "Groundwork for Respect" exercises. Before taking Curly into the round pen we both were thinking that he would probably be a little slow at understanding the requests, but he totally surprised both of us and was pretty good at figuring out what he was supposed to do in each situation. I guess I'll have to stop saying that he's not the brightest of horses!
She was also surprised when she tried flexing him while on the ground. He easily reached his head back, making (and keeping) slack on the lead rope almost instantly. What a good boy! I had anticipated a training session that would take at least an hour - but they were done in about 20 minutes.
E did find it difficult to manage Clinton Anderson's special "stick" (generously loaned by a friend) and the lead rope at the same time. I think it will take some practice before she gets the hang of it....plus I think it would be good if she can find a way to exert pressure without the use of the stick. I must admit that it kind of irks me that his exercises are built around the use of a tool that "you too can own for the low, low price of $65!" But I guess a guy's gotta earn a living somehow.
And I also have to admit that I really do secretly like all the special tools...but also have a perverse need to resist buying any - which is how I am about all those wonderful kitchen gadgets I lust after at great stores like William and Sonoma!
She was also surprised when she tried flexing him while on the ground. He easily reached his head back, making (and keeping) slack on the lead rope almost instantly. What a good boy! I had anticipated a training session that would take at least an hour - but they were done in about 20 minutes.
E did find it difficult to manage Clinton Anderson's special "stick" (generously loaned by a friend) and the lead rope at the same time. I think it will take some practice before she gets the hang of it....plus I think it would be good if she can find a way to exert pressure without the use of the stick. I must admit that it kind of irks me that his exercises are built around the use of a tool that "you too can own for the low, low price of $65!" But I guess a guy's gotta earn a living somehow.
And I also have to admit that I really do secretly like all the special tools...but also have a perverse need to resist buying any - which is how I am about all those wonderful kitchen gadgets I lust after at great stores like William and Sonoma!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Up close and in person...
Living in a rural portion of the country doesn't allow for many opportunities to see celebrities. Yesterday, however, E was able to get the autograph of and even talk to one from the horse world - Clinton Anderson!
We dragged ourselves out of bed early in the morning and drove about an hour away to attend his current tour. I've never been to a horse clinic of any kind - except for a couple of 4-H sponsored ones geared towards the kids - so I didn't really know what to expect. I have read some articles that Mr. Anderson has written for Horse and Rider magazine, and he has seemed to be pretty no-nonsense and practical in those, and I knew that he had a tv show that is well liked, so I was anticipating a good day with an overload of information. It also doesn't hurt that he's pretty cute in his cowboy hats and button-down shirts!
I figured that there would be a fair number of people in attendance and was not too surprised when we drove up to an arena with a parking lot full of cars from as far away as Idaho. We climbed the bleachers to some seats near the top and sat down to listen to his philosophy of horse training. And I have to say, he made alot of sense. He then went on to put a saddle on a 2 year old that had never had anything on its back - I was amazed at what he was able to accomplish in just 3 hours! I know that I never want to train a young colt - I'll leave that to the professionals - but I will be able to apply many of the training tips he handed out to our own horse.
At the end of each show, Clinton Anderson has a meet and greet with his audience. Our girls rushed to be at the front of the line (they were fourth), books in hand for his autograph. E was so brave and asked if he would be willing to donate any of his training videos to her 4-H club. He told her to write him a letter telling about the club and bring it back to the clinic the next day. He pulls from these letters each week, sending products to the chosen clubs.
She also asked about Curly's head shaking habit. His first question back to her was, "Is your horse a lazy horse?" I think this guy must really know horses! Anyway, Mr. Anderson gave her a tip or two. I think E will be reading his book cover to cover. :-)
I think I will too....
We dragged ourselves out of bed early in the morning and drove about an hour away to attend his current tour. I've never been to a horse clinic of any kind - except for a couple of 4-H sponsored ones geared towards the kids - so I didn't really know what to expect. I have read some articles that Mr. Anderson has written for Horse and Rider magazine, and he has seemed to be pretty no-nonsense and practical in those, and I knew that he had a tv show that is well liked, so I was anticipating a good day with an overload of information. It also doesn't hurt that he's pretty cute in his cowboy hats and button-down shirts!
I figured that there would be a fair number of people in attendance and was not too surprised when we drove up to an arena with a parking lot full of cars from as far away as Idaho. We climbed the bleachers to some seats near the top and sat down to listen to his philosophy of horse training. And I have to say, he made alot of sense. He then went on to put a saddle on a 2 year old that had never had anything on its back - I was amazed at what he was able to accomplish in just 3 hours! I know that I never want to train a young colt - I'll leave that to the professionals - but I will be able to apply many of the training tips he handed out to our own horse.
At the end of each show, Clinton Anderson has a meet and greet with his audience. Our girls rushed to be at the front of the line (they were fourth), books in hand for his autograph. E was so brave and asked if he would be willing to donate any of his training videos to her 4-H club. He told her to write him a letter telling about the club and bring it back to the clinic the next day. He pulls from these letters each week, sending products to the chosen clubs.
She also asked about Curly's head shaking habit. His first question back to her was, "Is your horse a lazy horse?" I think this guy must really know horses! Anyway, Mr. Anderson gave her a tip or two. I think E will be reading his book cover to cover. :-)
I think I will too....
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