September 12, 2014
I really missed my annual horse camping trip this year. I guess the season isn’t over yet, but the group of wonderful ladies I usually go with aren’t available for such fun this summer.
A bit of a damp last day at Gates Horse Camp, 2009
In spite of the work the trip entails; packing and loading camping equipment for both horses and humans, I REALLY like going! Perhaps I’m just so accustom to working so many hours a day, I don’t see it as extra work!
Resting and eating between rides.
I generally use the trip to introduce young horses to the experience. Trail riding is so very good for all horses, but especially those who are at the beginning stages of their training or busy training and competing.
A youngster learning to open a gate.
I love listening to the horses as they chew their hay and move around. I really enjoy the camp fire, smoke and all! The rides through my beautiful state are a bonus. Did I mention the incredible food? This is one camper that does not bring hot dogs and pork and beans! Gourmet only! We generally bar-b-q, have incredible salads, veggies and tons of amazing deserts! The comradory among good friends is priceless. This is the reason I especially miss going horse camping this year!
No horse camping trip is complete without a game of “Whoa Trivia”!
August 19, 2014
I got the biggest surprise when I put my gloves on today. There was something squishy inside of one of them. I quickly drew back my fingers and glanced inside. There, staying cool I presume, was a tiny frog! Smiling, I released him to go catch bugs. The gloves then slipped right onto my hands and off I went to continue my work day.
You never know what you will find inside a glove!
Frog in a Blog!
January 30, 2014
What a difficult thing it is to lose a horse, whether it be tragic, illness or age related. Horses are such an incredible animal that it is very easy for us to become very emotionally attached. Such is one of In Motion Sport Horses students, Shannon.
Casino, Shannon and her ever supportive mom, Mary
Shannon has owned Casino, an OTTB gelding, turned hunter-jumper, school horse, for the last 12 years. Casino has played an extremely important part of Shannon’s riding and walking, for that matter. You see, Shannon has cerebral palsy. Doctor’s said she would never walk. However her parents thought differently. They had her riding horseback at a very young age. Casino was a horse at the stable where she went to ride regularly in Hawaii. The two made a fast bond with one another. When Shannon’s family planned to move to the mainland, Casino’s owner gave him to her, knowing the two of them would not do well separated. So Casino boarded a plane and moved to Oregon.
Casino enjoying the summer sun
Now at 31 years old, his body is tired. Casino’s vet monitored him very closely for the last five months of his life. The vet and Shannon determined when it was time for him to be put down, humanly, as opposed to letting him suffer. It was an extremely difficult decision to come to for Shannon, but one she knows was on Casino’s behalf.
Shannon sharing a quiet moment with Casino
Casino is missed on a daily basis. Thankfully, the tincture of time is very healing. Shannon continues to ride her Icelandic gelding and owns a very lovely thoroughbred mare.
January 29, 2014
For many, many years I enjoyed the work of exercising and training horses at various race tracks. Here are a few pictures of those days gone by in my horsey life.
A Morning Gallop
I do have to say, I was very fit back then. It was like doing three hours of aerobics each morning.
In The Winner’s Circle
The horses were always such a pleasure, the speed thrilling.
On occasion, I still enjoy a day at the track.
December 18, 2013
How does a human who is leading a horse after a 25 minute ride, in an instant, find themselves forcefully pulled through the air and thrown to the ground, but while quickly standing up, finds the horse on the ground too?
Sure wish I had video of this. I imagine we would all watch it over and over and over in awe and laughter!
July 14, 2013
Ben and Justin taking a break from a job that is about two-thirds of the way completed!
Why is it that putting hay into the barn usually happens on the hottest days of the year? Does it have something to do with “make hay while the sun shines”? I think it must. All I have to say is that I am very thankful to have a dry place to store a winter’s worth of hay and a couple of strong young men who are up for the task!
Accompanied by faithful canines, Roxy and Joy
Ben Jordan and Justin Williams are two awesome guys who annually put tons (literally tons!) of hay into a hay loft. When the hay is delivered, it is placed with a squeeze loader on the ground right outside of the loft door. The guys then roll and lift each bale into the loft. They think this process is a great workout and why would anyone pay a gym membership instead of doing this task!! Again, I’m glad it’s them and not me! Kudos and many thanks to you two, Ben and Justin!!
April 12, 2013
It’s always so wonderful to get news from a client that her horse won a race! This particular horse is a beautiful thoroughbred named Taba’s Gold. I started Taba under saddle a couple of years ago. She broke her maiden, going a mile at Golden Gate Fields. Congratulations to Jay and Sally Reid, Taba’s owners and Holly Evans-Burns, her current trainer.
April 7, 2013
Doesn’t every young girl dream of riding horses? So it would seem. A little girl named Ellie was about to have her dream become reality. However, her aunts very broke and beautiful dressage horse didn’t think a child should be riding her! The mare wouldn’t let Ellie onto her back, no matter what method of mounting was tried. Along comes Calvin….
Calvin giving Ellie a ride
I offered to let Ellie ride Calvin. Her aunt agreed we should try. So we tacked up Calvin and introduced him to his first very small rider. Ellie’s cousin lifted her up onto Calvin’s back. He was led around while Ellie smiled from ear to ear!
Ellie’s beautiful smile!
Not every young, slightly broke horse has such a kind and wonderful temperament as Calvin. He is quite a wonderfully minded boy, who really made a day special for a young girl named Ellie.
Happy day for Ellie
February 3, 2013
It is a real privilege to teach horses and humans! I consider myself fortunate to have wonderful students, one of which is Anna. She is a member of the Hidden Valley High School Equestrian Team. Their first meet of the year took place this weekend.
Anna took on an OTTB (Off Track Thoroughbred) as a project. His name is Flyer. He has a tendency to be a bit hot and tense. Anna is doing such a great job being soft and quiet in her ride, providing him reassurance.
Flyer got a bit herd bound at the competition, wondering were his trailer buddies were, but eventually settled and went to work in the warm up. The dressage competition ring ran over an hour behind schedule. When it was Anna and Flyer”s turn to enter the ring, he was a bit apprehensive, but a good boy. Anna did a great job piloting Flyer through Training Level Test 3. Flyer certainly showed his tense concerns, but was obedient.
I am very proud of both of them! Now we all head back to the practice ring in the next months and see how much improvement we can make together.
Anna, Flyer and Carrie
January 12, 2013
I hope when I am 70 years young, I too will be able to blog such a wonderful story! Read, smile, drop a tear or two and enjoy this link.
http://www.dressagefoundation.org/Rosalie_Nitzsche_Century_Club.htm
