Are You Listening to Your Horse. Truly.

I am constantly amazed by how many riders fail to see that their horse is lame or uncomfortable.
The myriad of mistakes that are made just tacking up don't help and as Jochen Schleese, Master Saddler explains succinctly in his new book "Suffering in Silence" an enormous amount of responsibility rests with us. The rider.

First off let's look at saddle position. Incredibly to me, most people don't know where the scapular
 ( shoulder muscle) of the horse lives, moves and places with their saddle. I once visited a farm to view a prospective horse for my daughter. The owner of the farm had a boarding and training operation and her own daughter was now adult and competing. They tacked up the horse together. The saddle was up in front of and over the scapula, and the girth was quickly tightened. Outside we went into the high wind and tiny outdoor ring. Great weather for trying a horse. Seriously. Love seeing them in the elements.
I pointed out that perhaps the saddle was a 'little far forward' figuring they'd fix it.
"No," came the reply, " It's a bit big for him so we place it here because it'll end up there anyway." Enough said.
We watched the horse go.
" He doesn't like to canter," they announced kicking him into next week. No kidding. The young woman ( who was on the heavy side for the size horse which didn't help), dismounted.
" Would I like to try him?" she asked.
" Sure," I answered and undid the girth. I moved the saddle back down his neck and into the right spot. Yep it was too wide for him. I pulled the stupid foam pad up underneath and sighed. It wouldn't help but might be just enough for me to walk, trot and canter him each way to see how I liked him.
It made a significant difference. To the point that the owner gasped when he deftly picked up a canter  on cue and cantered on without issue.

A saddle that is too long for a horse will damage his sacroiliac as will as saddle that pinches the wither. The saddle obviously also needs to fit the rider. So do take a look at Jochen's book, it really is an eye opener for many.

When starting a young horse many people do believe that a close enough fit will do and certainly we know the horse will significantly change his topline and shape as he develops the carrying muscles. But is 'close enough' truly good enough. No. Fit the saddle, refit it as he grows. Regularly. It is the best money you will spend. Use someone that has trained professionally and has sincere experience, good equipment and a good reputation for this service. You can often find help at the showgrounds and pre-book with saddlers on site at the major events.

Then there are the students who present their horses for lessons with tack and other issues. Here's just a few:-

1. The polo wraps that do not overlap at the back of the fetlock but are split and wrapped beneath the joint and then overwrapped back up the leg.  Inevitably the polos end up falling down after an hour. Cutting a wrap of any type across the back of the leg where all the important tendons and ligaments meet and then working the horse is a recipe for damage. There is a great DVD Equine Leg Work that explains every sort of wrap you might ever need to apply and how to do it correctly. Or the polos are too short for their oversized warmblood which serve almost no purpose at all. Buy longer and wider wraps folks. They are made in pony, horse and extra long sizes. If the longer sizes are too big for the front legs you can always cut them down but obviously one that is too short is just a liability.

2. The narrow pinching girth that is snatched up tight the moment the saddle hits the horses back. And yes, sometimes they appear to be thrown up there. How would you like being cinched up right off the bat. Take your time. Walk your horse out. Then tighten it SLOWLY. If he is cinchy try a wider girth that widens at the ventral line ( belly). Many horses will work better and be more forward with this type of girth. Jumpers will appreciate the extra protection from fence rubs too.

3. The disappearing, wrinkles everywhere saddle pad without a contour. Again. You get what you pay for. Buy a quality saddle pad or two, wash them after each ride. Adjust the velcro to keep the pad where you place it and be sure to pull it up in the saddle channel when tacking up. Contoured types are more comfortable for your horse and will stay put.

4. Bit issues. So much to cover here and enough to blog about as a topic on its own. Obviously size is most important and type also. Less is more. I have often directed new students to switch a bit or switch a double to a snaffle bridle. 

5. I won't labor on this one. But yes, no foot, no horse. And bringing a horse to a lesson or clinic with small shoes, long toes, poor farrier work is once again compounding a problem that will ultimately cost you and your horse severely.

Once you have 'fixed' these and other common failings perhaps your horse won't appear as lame or uncomfortable. Of course he may indeed have a sincere medical issue that requires veterinary attention. As the trainer at what point should you say, " Stop. Your horse is lame. Dismount."
This is always a difficult question. Ideally you'd do just that. But sometimes a bit of detective work is required. Does the horse warm up out of it? Does the horse appear lame under a different rider? A whole other list of questions to be asked and analyzed. But yes. If I see it, I work a few minutes and see what I can define. If it isn't just stiffness from standing in the stall I will discuss what I see ( discreetly) with the rider.

If your horse is "acting up" it is highly likely he is in pain. Either you are riding him poorly, confusing him and directly causing him pain or he has a health issue. Unfortunately poor saddle fit can permanently damage a horse. Not all vets are good at seeing lameness. Just like us some are better at it than others. So find a good diagnostic vet, not one that will just go through the motions and expense a lot of money on unnecessary full work ups. There is no point in spending the money on your trainer if your horse isn't up to the job. Good training will help in all cases, but the well-being of your horse must be put first and foremost and you and your trainer must know what issues you are working with.

Yes I know plenty of trainers who want to collect the almighty dollar and will simply ' work the horse through it'. So beware. Especially if your trainer is one of those that likes to suck up lesson time riding the horse for you. While sometimes it is helpful to have the trainer 'remind' the horse of his job or help you train the horse ( which is a different program entirely), ideally your horse will be working ahead of you training wise so you can learn how to ride him yourself. Remember, if the horse looks 'off' he usually is!

Listen to your horse. Ninety nine percent of horses will work happily for you if you are setting them up properly to do so.

End of Year Championships Giving You Wrong Sort of Blues?

Do you feel you were unfairly judged at a championship? Did the scores reflect the average of the scores you attained during the year? Was your horse's performance as good as it had been previously? Was the judging accurate and fair?

IT ALL BEGINS HERE 

Our thanks to Willowview Hill Farm for the use of this photo of their DWBx Gambol's Georgy Girl

As the show season winds down the year end championships showcase the culmination of the a lot of hard work and dedication from equestrians in all disciplines. The horses may begin to look a little weary, the riders are stressed, and the judges are tired. Championship classes are traditionally scored stiffer than regular classes as we all know. The variety of scores though are sometimes hard to decipher.

There are always disappointments during these events, but hopefully they come because of rider error or plain bad luck and are not the responsibility of show management or judges. I appreciate that judges work very hard and do a sometimes thankless task, but in the world of sport horse breed championships I think the judges should be scoring the same animal similarly throughout the season. After all, given that a bad performance may happen occasionally, the horse and his conformation have remained the same. How can two or three judges at an event score the horse almost identically and another miss the mark by a wide margin.

Low scores in regional championship year end events that result from poor judging harm the industry. As those owners, handlers and horses move on to the national events and horse of the year award points it is imperative that their championship scores are not adversely low perhaps because a judge is to put it kindly, misguided or at worst acting with political favor. Horse breeders measure their breed choices and their own young horses by these very important scores, and keeping the playing field (arena) level and accurate is critical.

So a shout out to all regional championship show managements, please check back over the scores in your breeding divisions over the past few years and be careful to eliminate judges that score outside the curve ( either too high or too low), and protect the breeders in your area from being adversely affected. Bad judges should be weaned out. There are plenty of dedicated, knowledgeable judges out there that would be delighted to attend your next event. While I realize that we can say about low scores  " That is Showing, " at this level there is no reason to have judges that don't know or in some cases deliberately down score at a major event for political reasons. This is a seriously expensive arena to trot around, and owners deserve better.

The Daft Things Horse Trainers Say

Without question the 'daftest' thing I have heard a trainer say in a very long time came out of the mouth of one of the leading U.S.A. Western trainers, Linda Parelli. The reason apparently that Linda does not wear any kind of head protection when participating in one of the most dangerous sports for concussion/head injuries is because it would ' upset her balance.' Guess she isn't the rider she is cracked up to be?

She does also state that her husband Pat Parelli, who apparently doesn't worry over 'bad hair' will wear a cowboy hat, which of course provides protection only from the sun, agrees with their 'pro-choice' attitude when it comes to their students. Such wonderful leadership.

In New York State the bill recently enacted mandates that every rider under eighteen years of age must wear suitable head protection when mounted on a horse. Naturally this has caused an outcry amongst Western riders, who deem the barrel racing folks and other western riders should be free to make their own decisions. At our Delaware State Fair this August, a mother/wife was thrown from her horse around a turn barrel racing and airlifted to hospital with a major head injury. We all hear of such injuries every day. So why are Western riders so resistant to protecting their noggins.

Other folks that have suffered from concussions and associated head trauma from riding accidents that have been fortunate enough to live and walk, report permanent vertigo as a result of their injuries. So Mrs. Parelli, I guess if you are worried about a helmet affecting your balance, maybe you should think about that.

As trainers our students look to us to lead. I would love to see more ASTM helmets suitable for Western riders. Perhaps the Parelli's could help design one that would assuage their balance issues and not muss their hair? Seriously folks. Wake up. Because if you don't you may have a day when you fall from a horse and you never wake up again.

They Shoot Horses Don't They.........

Well actually apparently they do. A local vet reported three incidents in the last three years. That is crazy. What is wrong with people. As the vet answered, " A lot."

A friend who owns a Lippizan herd down in Arkansas, once had her young breeding herd turned loose in the woods. About thirty horses were chased for as long as two or three days on and off, shot at, maimed and some killed. Others required surgeries or were only useful for lawn ornaments afterward. This was done apparently 'for fun' and the authorities never prosecuted the perpetrators even though they had strong evidence to support arrests.

When it's not people shooting horses by accident, because oh yes, they look just like a deer grazing open fields in bright colored blankets, you've have people stealing them for horse meat.

If the horse meat craze hits the U.S.A. you can expect to be locking every gate to every field in creation. This has been a huge issue in the U.K., where horses are often stolen and trailered over to France. So sorry Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern, while I love your shows your bizarre appreciation of eating horse meat does not gel with my idea of high cuisine. Or any cuisine for that matter.

But then there are those that love the notion and flavor of the low fat horse meat. The delicate flavors from horses' delicate herb grazing behaviors. Perhaps you are one of THEM.

Perhaps it was visiting France as a child and seeing foals hung, skinned and not, outside butchers shops all over the place, Paris and country towns alike, that put me off eating horses. Perhaps that offended my childhood fascination with all things animal. Well I admit to being vegetarian for the first eighteen years of life. I have loved horses with a passion since I was old enough to sit by the farrier three doors down from my house and watch him shoeing horses of every variety. I would sit there for hours and hours apparently from the age of four. At that time owning a pony was my dream, and it wasn't until age eleven when we moved to a lovely house with fields - yay - that my horse ownership dreams were realized. So for the last fifty or so years, horses and ponies have been a real presence in my life and not a dream, and I am proud to say, not on a plate.

Have I ever eaten horse meat? Yes. By accident I hasten to add. You soon learn to tell the difference between horse meat and beef but it's not always easy and I was only thirteen. Where? France of course. It was chewy and horrible. But then contrary to belief, not all French people can cook,

Then we have the whole horse meat in frozen foods debacle. I won't even comment on that. Guess knowing the provenance of what is on your plate is even more important than we thought.

But the shooting of horses purely for fun is just too disturbing. I hope that whoever has been doing this is found and prosecuted.

It's a shame to have to add cameras to your property but unfortunately security demands it though I appreciate not everyone can afford that. Not so easy when you have large pastures far from the buildings, though a neighbor of ours uses them to patrol hunting in his woods too with the added benefit they cover our hay fields and farm road.

The favorite mode of transport is the ATV so you may possible perpetrators around. We regularly chase down any ATV riders who trespass on our property. While most have no bad intentions, somehow friends always get added and 'parties' ensue. Tossed beer cans, errant fireworks, races across the swales, tents bowling around by the paddocks in the winds freaking the horses out, noisy snowmobilers, loose dogs. You name it, we've seen it. And the amazing thing is folks seem to think they have a God given right to be there, on yes, YOUR property.

Be vigilant and if you see any suspicious behavior, be sure to report it.

Competing Your Horse - It's Not About What Happens at a Show - It's About How You Handle It. Keep Calm and Carry On.

I sometimes think more things go wrong at shows than go right. But then that's the competitor in me talking and I'm not channeling Jane Savoie's In Your Minds Eye,  - positive thinking in a nutshell. It's not just about the ribbons is it. Jane knows.

As a dressage rider I've messed up many tests despite my horse's best efforts to correct me. Going off course, wrong movement at wrong time. I've actually had instances where my horse offers an extension and I'm saying no and holding him back because I'm thinking medium. I am wrong, he knows the test better than I do.

I've inadvertently and on purpose left the ring during a test. Once to escape a dog barking ferociously and snapping at my poor mount's hind legs, once because my horse simply would not stay on the right side of the chain despite my every effort, and other times just because my steering was not right. Being consistently told my by present coach Greta Kemmer to 'use the corners ' and 'ride to the letter exactly' sometimes my horse seems to spin out on the way around or understeer - a bit like Jeremy Clark's Top Gear brigade - every horse rides like a different car. You have to know just how much gas, bumping leg and seat aids to give it and precisely when.

There have been other fun instances. For example, tack mishaps like a rein that simply fell off the bit. Which of course happens when you switch bits after the warm up and are not fully focused. I was left holding the horse with one rein and he promptly took advantage and took off at a smart canter. Lucky for me the ring steward was paying attention and caught us. There was the time I was being driven home and was checking my test sheets and found all the names are correct on the top and front but all the scores pertain to a different rider. I knew it wasn't me when I scored an eight for a piaffe, because my horse shuffled in passage and never quite sat down and stayed on the spot the entire day. To this day they never figured out what the mess up was - and I didn't get credited the score. A shame because it was higher than I think I actually attained. There rears that annoying honesty thing again.

Then of course there's the lame horse. The disappearing and re-appearing lameness ( obviously appears just as you enter at A), the head shaking imaginary bugs that also appear only in the confines of the ring, the noisy spectators, the flapping umbrellas and rustling of papers, loose dogs and children, billowing tents at C - well, you get the picture. And let's not forget the wardrobe mishaps. The bouncing boobs because you forgot the right bra and they don't sell undergarments at the show! The stock tie that just won't tie properly backwards. Which wouldn't be necessary if you hadn't got hot sauce all over it after the classes yesterday when you just had to eat that high calorie fried showground food. The white breeches that quite simply, aren't. They were when you put them in the case. A bit like the missing sock mystery and the laundry. Note to self, always bring more than two pairs of breeches!

But I show because it is fun. Seriously. Once you get over the nerves it truly is enjoyable. I learn more about my training from the judges than I ever could at a clinic or symposium. I also learn important life skills like not letting other people get under your skin.  Subtle intimidation techniques
 ( I'm being sarcastic) like the rider cantering their massive horse toward your smaller one with purpose when the entire warm up ring is empty. The ring steward who insists that the horse be bit checked three times because she wasn't there for the first two and who grabs at the reins like they are a life line on a sinking ship causing your horse to rear uncontrollably for two very long minutes.

I've learned to multitask - fixing your hair while holding your whip in your newly bonded teeth ( my dentist loved that), and at the same time talking to your help, ( frankly no-one present can understand you, pity the dentist isn't there to translate). I've improved my language skills during my travels. You will soon learn to read basic directions and facility names like bathroom, medic, technical delegate and of course all types of food and beverages. Plus you'll learn to understand a myriad of call out phrases during the warm up or risk being knocked off your horse. You'll learn that Gasolino in Portuguese is diesel fuel and not gas. Whoops. ( Thankfully it was a rental car and not a towing vehicle and Hertz were very understanding though I did miss my first class).  I've also improved my driving skills. Italy is particularly challenging but I've learned to yell out the window like the rest of them. More language and sign language skills.

I have also improved many of my equestrian skills. I can now hum and talk in a whisper during any transition without moving my lips. A true ventriloquist. Of course my horse's ears give me away a bit and I get a few stern looks from the judges occasionally. But I must make each transition count. Greta will berate me otherwise.

I can pretty much fudge through any freestyle error and make a correction elsewhere. But then Greta knows me well and we've built those in.

Somehow when you put your tails on you do sit better and assume a better level of horsemanship - think it's the 'dress up for the stage' and 'act well' part of of the play. I can recover a halt most amazingly well if I do say so myself. My knee wriggle is most useful in all my pirouette works and collected walks.

What I thought was an 8 extension wasn't. What I thought was enough half halting, wasn't. What I thought was a reasonable 10 meter circle, wasn't.  On the other hand, what I thought was a medium canter above the bit wasn't. What I thought felt like too much forward movement in piaffe wasn't. What I thought was a spinning pirouette, wasn't. So - all those experienced eyes on the ground and the video playback afterward educated me, even where I thought I knew better. Another note to self - nothing improves your riding quicker than a video of your performance.

My ultra basic ( read British) politeness is under better control. I ask for what I want and if someone cuts me off when riding or passes too close to my horse in the aisle-way I have no problem pointing it out.  If I lose something important tack, clothing or equipment wise during the show I have no qualms about asking a fellow competitor or vendor to help me out, even if they are a superstar name that I happen to be stabling near. People can be so competitive in the ring but outside of it can be amazingly kind and almost human, even dressage people. Who knew.

So if you can afford it get out there. Smile at those you meet. Share with those you come into contact with - pretend your an eventer for the day, they are exceedingly generous and friendly.  And when things go wrong, and they will, get all British on it and " Keep Calm and Carry On."

Horse Lover Parenting & Coaching - Sportsmanship and Horsemanship Intertwine

It's not easy to watch your kid fail at something they love. It's not always easy to admit that they might not be the next Olympian in the making in any sport. But then sport is not just about winning or being seen to win. Or perhaps it is to some folks.

I have judged several dressage schooling events over the years, and believe me it is not easy to be the person writing the critique. Especially in a sport like dressage where the sport is not as straightforward to judge as is the fence down, did the clock run out, did the barrel fall over, who crossed the finish line first. While you try to be as objective and to follow all the guidelines as closely as possible, dressage is in part, art and is subjective to some degree. No matter how hard a human being tries. Additionally it is very hard to ring that bell and dismiss someone from the ring for a major error. It is however, the only way to keep the competition fair.

Most judges in any equestrian sport have 'been there and done that' themselves and have empathy for how hard an individual will have worked to be there on the day. Life is unpredictable however, I believe we learn more from experiences when things don't go as we planned than those times when they do. It's also true of horse training. The easy to train horses are a blessing, but the difficult ones who have obstacles to overcome are the ones that teach you as a trainer. Why are people so quick to judge the judges and yell at the event organizers?

I recall many years ago being at a major show down in Dutchess County, and listening appalled as an FEI rider cantered her horse over to the event organizer who was dodging about busy on the showgrounds in his 'de rigeur'  mode of transport the golf cart, and proceeded to yell and swear and carry on about the footing, the speakers, the proximity of other competitors, the loudness of the bell and every conceivable topic that a show competitor could possibly berate about - she became redder and redder in the face, angrier and angrier. From what I and the rest of the entire gaggle of folks could could figure out, there was very little verity in her argument.  But even if she had valid issues she wanted to address, there is a system for that. Use it.

How many times have you been at an event, from a 4H or Pony Club outing to the pinnacle events in equestrian sports and seen this kind of behavior? By competitors (sometimes), by their parents (often), by their trainer (frequently) or by their spouse or other team members?

In Europe you cannot compete at the next level until you have scored well enough at the one you are competing in, and you have to start at the beginning. No skipping into 4th on a trained horse. If there is a class with too little interest entry wise then the show managers will cancel the class. What is the point of winning top place in a class against yourself? What is the point in gaining a ribbon because you beat out someone with less experience in whose class you simply do not belong? To keep the horse owners happy? To kid yourself you are better than you are?

Believe me I am fiercely competitive and love to win, we all do. But there are different types of winning.

Sportsmanship and horsemanship are two important actions in my book and actions truly do speak louder than words.

With experience as both a parent of more than one horse mad kid and a trainer of students from true beginners to those competing at the height of dressage sport, the three  'p's in dressage, swallowing a certain amount of pride and allowing that maybe your charge is not quite ready, or sometimes anywhere near ready for the competition can be a challenge. We've all made our bad decisions. For me with both students and horses. Ones I've pushed too hard, ones I have not pushed hard enough. Ones I just plain 'let down'. 

The kids want to go to the show, their friends are going, their trainer may want them to compete unfortunately sometimes just to fill the slot on the van. Parents almost always want to see their kid participate and want to see the ribbons on the stall door. Horse owners want the scores, the kudos, the great day out, the bragging rights. Event organizers and horse organizations want to fill their classes and want return competitors. Compromises come at a price.

Every trainer, judge and event organizer and most especially the volunteers are often the target of some type of verbal abuse, badmouthing and internet blaspheming at some point in their careers.

As we head into the 2013 show season in the North East I urge everyone to remember that good sportsmanship is as important to teach our students (of any age) as good horsemanship. It is also imperative that we demonstrate both ourselves in every action and deed.

Respect should always be given to everyone on an equal basis on both sides no matter their age, tax bracket or experience.  It is important to do your job fairly,  regardless of negative barrage or financial benefit you think may follow. Show organizers MUST support their staff and show leadership and fairness in any situation and not rush to judgement. Rules must be followed by everyone, even if you don't like them or agree with them. There is a system to change them. If you want to see rules changed, spend some time at the meetings and talk to your representatives.

Horse showing is expensive, it is fun and it is serious. Just be careful that you are teaching your charges whether they are your students or your own family, the right lessons. Because those lessons will stick long after the ribbons are discarded and dusty in the barn and the glory days are far behind.

There is always another obstacle in front of you in life, and learning how to overcome it with fairness, grace and integrity is an important lesson to teach. I've got to admit though, it sometimes a lot easier to teach a horse than a human.

A Trot Down Memory Lane

The calendar says it is Spring, but no-one has apparently let Mother Nature know. Snow covers the grass, clouds cover the sun, and I can feel the gall bladder kicking up asking for some sunshine and more exercise. I am fortunate to have an indoor, but even so, being motivated enough to get out there and ride when the temperatures are well below freezing is often a struggle. It wasn't always like this. Where did I go?

Back in England where I grew up, temperatures were admittedly more temperate. Given that, the grey (English spelling on purpose) and dreary winter days, damp weather, perpetual rain and continual mud season never bothered me. There were horses to ride and every spare moment was spent outside doing just that. You can tell I'm British, talking endlessly about the weather right?

Frosty mornings were the perfect time for riding the bridle-paths. My kid brother Curtis and I,  would hack up to the village on this very narrow road.

You'd look and listen for traffic and then trot boldly on if all clear.

Of course it wasn't as green as the photo during winter months. You would trot on fast through narrow portions like this one, and motorists would stop and back up to let you go past. Horses are actually in the UK driving manual as part of the Highway Code, so if you've passed your driving test, you've also read how to drive by a horse without causing him to freak out. Most folks are awesome.

 

This gentleman takes his older hunt horse out for a morning hack. 

Photo credit: James A. Smith

Often the ride would include a stop off at the village shop, while I usually held the horses Curtis would pop inside and pick up some sweets (  candies ), including a few polos ( mints) for the horses, and we would split a bottle of milk or maybe pick up some supplies for mum. If we were on ponies we'd tie them by the reins ( what!) and go inside to visit the two elderly ladies who were sisters, who were as ancient as the woodlands around us,  and pick and choose our dining delights. We'd stuff our big riding mac pockets with whatever possible and the rest would bang about in a netted back we'd bought for the purpose ( a bit like a tiny haynet), all the way home.

You always planned your route to hit the shop either first or last, depending on how much you might have to carry home. If mom needed eggs we stopped off at a farm along route too, though at that particular farm their rowdy and aggressive Winston Churchill bulldogs were always a bit of an issue for the horses. That was a real quick hop on and off. Looking back I can't believe my 5'4" ( probably smaller then), self, could so deftly mount these big fit show-jumpers that averaged 16.3hh.


The neighbors show-jumpers were a fancy lot of horses. Another neighbor had fancy hunters and foxhunters. We would boot the hocks, knees and legs in case a horse slipped on the road. But all the horses were made fit for Spring by road work and some gallops in the forests. If you didn't go out because it was raining and cold, then you would hardly ever ride. So you pulled on your bulky canvas riding mac and got on with it. Riding in one of the high tech riding macs available today would have been a dream in comparison. Back then you just shivered as rain dripped off your hat, down your neck, ran down the back of the cantle and under your seat and crept under your cuffs.

A riding mac like this trench coat would have been a dream.

The horses sometimes had waterproof quarter sheets, but normally not. You learned how to warm up and cool down your horse using his gaits and always brought him home at a brisk trot so he didn't chill. Rugs (blankets) weren't as fancy as "The Horse of the Year Show" horses were - they were often hessian feed sacks sewn together and we padded them out with wheat straw beneath while the horse dried off. There was a lot of brushing off mud, cleaning muddy tack and barn boots of the wellington variety were essential around the yard. Though the boot and your foot often parted company at most inopportune moments. For example as you were catching a feisty horse from a field of twenty and they all wanted to come in for breakfast and shelve their heavy New Zealand rugs and get out for some exercise. Mind you, I don't suppose there is ever an opportune moment to lose your boots in a mudfest.

While the horses basked in warmth in their deep straw littered stalls we'd be off to muck more stalls with some defunct ex concrete mixing wheelbarrow that weighed a ton empty, ride more horses, clean more tack and repeat. All day long on the weekends. We were blessed to have some very ancient ( over 600 years or something) woodlands all around with marvelous bridleways, soil was sandy so the footing was always good. The sand was also good for the naughty horse or pony to plonk himself down and try and roll. Needless to say you hopped off fairly quickly and wrestled him back up before the saddle was damaged and there was a tidy smack with the crop which sometimes preserved the tack ( I would exercise all the neighbors kids mounts too, not sure where the kids were but my job was to school the ponies and young horses and keep them straight). And of course I say my job, but naturally it was one I was never, ever paid for - you did it because you loved it and it never occurred to me to ask for payment. Daft really. we worked really, really hard. But we learned so much.

Sadly these memories are all I have left of my kid brother, who lost his battle with cancer five years or so ago. I choose not to remember the year. We shared so many good times with horses, competing, riding all day rides between villages far and wide in all sorts of weathers. 

So this Monday morning as I sit at my desk working diligently (huh? think I'm writing and avoiding work), I am channeling this energy from my youth and remembering that while my passion for horses is undiminished, my over 50's physical self is not trotting forward down the road at a brisk pace. I am rather slugging along at a slow walk and I am definitely 'behind the leg.' It really wouldn't take that much effort to get outside,  harrow and water the indoor, tack up my charming Charrington lad, and get riding. In fact, the barn could not be closer and there is no mud. Yet.

Charrington, my 16.3 huggable hands high DWBx

Better yet, maybe I'll forgo the indoor altogether ( I was indoors riding all day yesterday in a clinic and at this point in the winter the indoor is boring) and take a quick hack around the fields and just avoid the drifts. I do after all, have that fine American 'Mac' in the photo above to keep me dry and toasty and a veritable array of windpro breeches to choose from, winter riding boots and ear muffs, a Saratoga high tech quarter cooler for Charlie and plenty of wraps. And thinking of Curtis,  a horse hug wouldn't hurt. For after all as we all know and as Winston said so well, "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."

See ya!

Press Coverage - All Press Coverage is Smart Business Sense

Over the years as a competitor I ( and our breeding farm, Willowview Hill Farm International), have been blessed by many super publications featuring our farm, clinics, horse breeding program, barefoot riding program and so many more events. I have always been most grateful for their help and the reporters efforts. As a veteran reporter/writer, I have personally also covered many major and minor shows, events, inspections, clinics and the like for some of the leading equestrian publications worldwide as a journalist. So have worked both sides of the aisle, so to speak.

Press coverage is a valuable tool that any farm owner or competitive rider should not overlook. It is in effect, free public relations and advertising/marketing. If you want to fill your next event, whatever it is, getting the handle on handling press is an important step to building your reputation and raising your business profile. The Editor will try to dispatch a reporter that has some knowledge of your particular discipline. This is an advantage to you, because the report will be more in depth. You may receive a call in advance asking if you have interest in having your private event covered, or in the case of public events the press may just show up. It is usual that press passes ( meaning free access and an ID to say so), will be requested in advance, especially if the reporter needs to travel.

Remember. All publicity is good publicity. Journalists and photographers are not out to do you harm. Well maybe if they work for the National Enquirer,  but generally not in the horse press. In the equestrian world the editors are not out to post horrible photos or describe in a distracted diatribe what went wrong. The journalist will conduct an interview or two or eighty, pull out what they consider the most interesting to the target audience, quote a few key points perhaps and generally try and give their readership an accurate feel of the event.

Anthony Bourdain says ( and I paraphrase), " Once you agree to work with that bitch, the TV, you know it ain't gonna begin with her making you look good. Quite the reverse. The best TV is of..." - Well, you get the picture. I can understand that sensation sells. Maybe that is why some people are so shy or nervous about having press coverage of their events. The notion that their business will be 'exposed',  their dirty laundry aired. Nothing could be further from the truth. Well again, unless there is horse abuse or staff abuse or something terrible going on.

But having said that, reporting is not editorial/advertising. Well, at least not in the better publications. The reporting should be objective and the photos clean and representative of the days events. For this reason do not expect the reporter to 'run by' his report to you, or share the photographers photos. It is not a 'write UP', it is a report. It is up to the Editor of the publication to ultimately determine the size and content of the piece of work published.  Occasionally in difficult situations the Editor may require approval of the publisher ( sometimes not).

A Shady Spot and Attentive Staff Are Always Appreciated

Covering events often involves a long drive, airport headaches, poor hotel food, long hot and dusty days, electronic hiccups and many more issues. There is nothing glamorous about it. You have to just love it to do it. It is time, paid and sometimes unpaid out of someones busy schedule.

Press expect to be given VIP treatment. Fed, watered, wined, dined, sheltered, given best parking which is usually the closest ( making it easier to tote and retrieve all the required equipment for the photographer), complete access to all areas of the event etc. and the management should provide time to talk with them, introduce them to key participants and point out areas of interest. Provide them with a press pass ( so they can go anywhere without charge, sit down out of the sun in a VIP tent somewhere,) give them a show program or two, and a big welcome. At one of the major events I just attended the professional Show Manager went even further than the average.  This very very busy key show personnel member, personally took me around on her golf cart and took time to introduce me to all the key organizers, judges, announcers, major international riders, vendors etc. made sure I was cognizant of every last food and watering hole and bathroom on the extensive grounds. She kept an eye on my needs all day, fed and watered me and continually updated me on the show changes and generally went out of her way in every aspect, as did all the staff on venue. As a very experienced Show Manager, this was not her first rodeo. She was well aware of the boost to ongoing events a report from even a small press house, can provide. Needless to say, we'll cover this event again.

So don't overlook this valuable tool or you'll find yourself complaining when your next event isn't as popular or doesn't fill as fast as you'd hoped, or your business model isn't growing as fast as you'd thought.  Your career may not take off as you'd like if you don't take time to take the interview and to be friendly to the volunteers and staff at the venue and make yourself available to the press in attendance. Respect the hard working journalist.  Press is free - and there is not much in life you can say that about.

Let's Make 2013 A Banner Year for Catskill Horse Folks

"The Merry Band of the Catskill Horse" team is looking forward to bringing all Catskill horsemen and horsewomen together but we need your input and help to do it.

Carly Diamond was runner up for Most Improved Rider at Fairbanks Stables Clinic Event, narrowly missing winning The Horse Studio Degas bridle. All riders received a sweatshirt or T-Shirt though, kindly donated by THS, so no-one was left out.

Northfield Farm owner Anneliese Gilchrist riding her Oldenburg mare Farah at a recent dressage clinic, and beating some pretty serious odds to do it.

Whatever discipline(s) you love to ride and compete in we hope to see your names and faces on the Catskill Horse site this year. Over the past few months we've heard from and met in person, many of our directory business members. We've attended events in the area from shows, to clinics to tack swaps and have loved meeting you all.

                                                                                          

Maplewood Warmbloods ( Jen Vanover on left) at NEDA - winning.

Catskill Horse would also like to thank all of the folks that welcomed us and treated us like VIPs -

VIP Tent - End of a long day for both Catskill Horse publisher Paul & one of the VIP host volunteers - Karen.

Catskill Horse would like to thank the volunteer team for helping with the Directory including Anne Tanner Arent, Jeannette Moser, Cheryl Kelly and Kim Sanford,

Here are just some of the plans for the forthcoming year.

• The addition of an interactive horse for sale listing option, which we hope will benefit every horse looking for a new home.
• The addition of an interactive calender that registered members can use to promote their own events.
• Catskill Horse member sign up. Members will receive special 'extras'.
• New feature articles and wrap ups..
• Advertising opportunities for local businesses on banner and sidebar ads coming soon.
• Editorial features each month.
•  Advice column - look for our January column, " How to Host A Successful Clinic and Make $$".
• More photo contests and free giveaway prizes. 
• 10% discount to all Catskill Horse members from various local businesses with membership sign up.

Catskill Horse welcomes all ideas for other features in the directory.  This is a 100% volunteer effort, so please be patient when you contact us - we get to it all as soon as we can.
Email us your ideas to info@CatskillHorse.org and don't forget to send us news and photos of all your forthcoming events.


All photos courtesy NikkiAlvinSmithStudio.com All Rights Reserved.