Welcome

I thought I'd post a brief little update, since its been a while.
Costa has been undersaddle now for about 5 months and is doing very well - although he is sadly for sale, as I just don't have time for two horses.
Enrique and I are going to be attemping 1st level this year (I think if I refuse one more time my trainers are going to stop talking to me altogether)

But really, that brief little segue was just an excuse so that I could post the free jumping videos.

( Jump, ponies! Jump! )

i_hope_that
For many of us, the holidays can be kind of rough. If you're searching for a network of understanding friends, this ultra-nurturing community encourages you to express your heartfelt wishes and offer other members encouragement and acceptance. Not for the terminally snarky or emotionally-challenged, this is a good-spirited place to lend comfort and support.

diygifts
Feeling crafty? If you've got a few last folks on your holiday gift list, this is a great place to seed your creativity and generosity. You'll also discover wonderful DIY tips to decorate your home and entertain guests. Offering a no-frills-no-skills attitude that welcomes the cash-challenged and arts-phobic, you're sure to get ideas and make friends in the process.

cooking_club
A fun and friendly community dedicated to those who love to cook, whether you're a meat-and-potatoes type, an aspiring gourmand, and/or a vegan. In search of a brilliant dish to use up those weekly leftovers? Post your ingredients and you'll be whipping up a feast by dinner. You can also share favorite recipes. For Type A chefs, you can spice up your culinary repertoire with exciting cooking challenges.

Attention those in the NE Ohio area:

I have a 6 YO Dutch Warmblood mare. She's a nice horse; good mover, is schooling a light 3rd level (halfpass, changes, but not pushing her to do them every ride yet). She's shown since she was 3 and a half years old.

The problem is I am so frustrated with her that every ride is turning in to one big fight. It's not her fault, it's mine. I get nit picky about one thing I feel a horse her age should be completely solid with when she's not 100% perfect and it just escalates until the only thing we're doing is trotting and bending with tension on both of our parts.

I need to step back and take a moment or two away from the horse. I don't have the money right now to send her to a trainer that I feel confident she'll come back actually trained from, since those are down in Florida this time of the year. So here is what I'd be looking for:

You can free lease her if you can ride her correctly.
You can keep her where she is or take her to a reputable barn in the area.
I really would like to hear that you're with a reputable trainer. You don't have to put her in training there, but I would like to know who's program and method you follow.

What I would give:
Standard vaccinations/coggins.
If my farrier is used, I'll pay for the shoes. (if you use your farrier though... then I don't pay)
Pay your entry to local schooling shows.

She is not a schoolmaster, since she is just learning, but she tends to be on the lazier side of things.

If interested, email me at s.justic1 at gmail dot com

Hey everyone, I have been doing some research, and I found this bridle it's called the Rambo Micklem Multibridle, and you can use it bitless or with a bit, but I was wondering if anyone knew anything else about it other than that, and I have heard good things, like the horses like it better and it fits your horse's head better but how is it as a training tool, would you reccommend it, do you know anything about it? Anything you could offer would be great thanks! http://www.williammicklem.com/multibridle-multibridle.html

Hi Guys! Has anyone ever seen a TV series called Riding High? It was made in New Zealand and I used to love watching it when I was younger. I've been looking all over for a copy of the series and I can't seem to find it anywhere except that it's listed on IMDB . So, if you would happen to know where I can grab a copy, please let me know.

I am looking to buy a medium/heavy turnout blanket for an American Warmblood, between 81" and 84".  Doesn't have to be new or in excellent condition (if it needs repairs, thats ok).  Please email me at lovelybeezer@gmail.com with pictures.  Must be willing to ship to central PA, and I would prefer to pay via paypal. 

Thank you in advance!

I'm thinking about baking little horse treats, putting them in little baggies, and putting them on the stalls for holiday treats. I'm looking for ideas.

What are everyones favorite treats to make up for their horses?

So this could very well be slightly off topic, but here goes anyway:

I have been trying (without success) to work with my local GMO to put on a L Judges Seminar. Long story short, it's not happening.

However, I want to go through the L program and have wanted to for years.

That said, there are L programs available throughout the country, none of which are close to any of us in Region 2. After some research, for me at least, the one near Portland, Maine, is going to be the most cost effective with plane tickets, etc. I just know, that without making one area become a little cheaper this is going to get super expensive very quickly.

So here is the question:

If anyone is near the Portland Maine area and willing to have me pay for gas (if you're auditing or attending the seminars would be great too) and could pick me up/drop me off at the barn and hotel it would be appreciated.

OR

If anyone is willing to rent a room/couch/floor space out of their house, I'd gladly pay for it if it's reasonable compared to a hotel.

Or both could be offered and I'd be extremely grateful.

Thank you in advance and mods, pull if this is too far off topic.

stepstomarrow
When granddaughter, Jada, was born with leukemia, a donor-match was located and Jada made a miraculous recovery. In honor of her grandaughter's health, Jeanna has decided to walk across the country (in the dead of winter) to raise awareness and build support for the bone marrow registry (all that's required is a cheek swab). Follow Jeanna's remarkable journey as she travels the United States by foot.

My family will be going to Cancun, Mexico for Christmas, and I'd love to go riding, hopefully on the beach!

However, I really don't want to support a bad place. I have a general idea of what to look for, being a trail guide at a resort myself for a while, but I'd hate to make reservations, get excited and get there to find skinny horses, y'know?

Thank you soooo much secret santa for my book "How your horse moves by Gillian Higgins" its fantastic!!!!

My trainer received an email out of the blue of the potential breeder of the horse we sold last fall. Apparently his new owner tracked the breeder down and they weren't able to get an email back through to her, and the breeder somehow had my trainers contact info and sent it to her hoping we could get it passed on.
( Hanoverian- Dol Savirt )

My boarding facility is closing it's doors. I need to find a new place by the middle of Jan. I know Folsom, LA is littered with H/J stables and would love to board down there. However, it's about an hour away.

Does any one know of a good stable north of Folsom, LA - closer to the MS line? I would prefer H/J, but it doesn't really matter. As long as the horses are happy and healthy and there is some sort of place to ride :)

Hello all, I'm hoping this is in no way going to be a post that will make me sound like an idiot...I've been riding for a long time (about 8 years now) but it was more recreational the past two years than competitive. I am now getting ready to ride a 25 mile LD in May. The horse is on her way to being conditioned in which I will be helping but not fully responsible for. I'd say I'm a pretty good rider but over the two years I've lost alot of the muscle tone that I had from riding, especially core muscles. My question: Does anyone have particularly good exercises I can do OFF the horse besides basic sit-ups etc to help build the muscles I need?? Thanks in advance for any and all comments. I'm really not trying to sound stupid, I know what I can do to help I was just thinking maybe someone had more creative suggestions than just going to the gym....

Folks - I saw this and I wanted to share. I don't know if y'all might have seen this - but it's a nice counterpart to "When I am old, I will wear purple".

I give you the link to "When I am an Old Horsewoman"

http://dailyoats.wordpress.com/

Enjoy!

Hello fellow equestrian members.

It seems we’re a bit winter snow bound (or heat crazed in the southern hemisphere) because the drama quotient has been a bit high lately around here. But that’s okay, because drama can be fun! HOWEVER.

1. Please do not purposefully snark the idiots. This does not particularly help the community although it can be fun.

2. Yes, we are aware of the recent conflict over horse ownership in two of the latest posts. We will NOT delete these as it is not our policy to delete posts (and btw, original posters, you’ll get banned if you delete it, thanks!) nor do we exist as referees on who is and is not telling the truth. Please try to resolve such issues directly in order to minimize the drama in equestrian. However, don't go randomly attacking people in their personal journals either. Best luck to the foal(s) and mare(s) involved.

3. BOTH of the above statements can be taken as a blanket-statement for every member of this community. *ahem*


Thank you,
Your loving moderators.

Hello all!

It's been quite a while since I last posted- I've been in India for the last four and a half months! While I was away, a friend of mine was riding my horse (Gaelin) for me, and keeping him fit. However, she recently moved barns, and the result of that was that she was unable to stop by my barn to ride Gaelin. Now he's very fat, very furry, and VERY unfit! I know it tends to vary by horse and rider, but does anyone have any tried and true suggestions or ideas on how to go about reconditioning one's horse? I've got pretty much all winter before compeition season even starts, so I certainly have time!

Thanks in advance! :)

edited to fix top tags... :)

So, this summer I was blessed with twins - horses, that is - but I've been putting off groundwork. Now naturally, I didn't expect twins in the beggining when she was bred, but biology happens... anyways, I've managed to be able to squeeze a little extra time into my day for my babies (though it's not much time) and I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on time managment when training more than one baby at once . I fully expect the foals (Navy and Vixen) to have very different personalities than each other, and that they'll learn at different paces, and pick up different things more easy or more difficult than each other. Now, I've trained foals before - though usually I start immediately after they're born - but I've never worked with two at once... and I'm a teeny bit worried that I'll get frustrated, get the horses frustrated, and we'll all give up and the process will be much longer than needed. They both allow the halter to be on, but are not broke to lead.

Any tips to help me effectively divide and use my three and a half hours/day are so appreciated!
(Obviously, I'll be working with them one at a time)