Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monday Lesson Night with Veann Leps & Police Escort!

Last night was a fun night for me - I got to do something I rarely get to do - have a riding lesson for myself. Over the last couple years my lessons for myself have usually come in the form of clinics with Don Halladay focusing on natural horsemanship techniques. These have been excellent learning opportunities for me, but last night was a chance for me to really have a critical and knowledgeable eye enhance my riding.

Veann made it to our lesson with police escort - the flashing lights of the cop car let me know she had arrived. She'd been lost for about half an hour trying to navigate her way around the construction blocking Durham Rd 1 just north of Harrison Drive. She luckily found a nearby cop who kindly drove her right to the farm!

I rode back to back lessons to make the most use of Veann's time. First up was Thetis. I rode in my close contact saddle and we started with dressage fundamentals. Veann reinforced learning the inside leg to outside hand connection - I have a tendency to always want to use an inside indirect rein, and Veann helped me to focus on using my inside leg more.

We then worked on building impulsion and adding more 'swing' to our gaits by moving forward and then collecting back. The next part was what I was most looking forward to - Veann taught me a detailed lesson on shoulder in and haunches in. I had the basic idea of what and how to do it, but I was never really sure when I had it exactly. To my surprise, the correct movement isn't as much of a bend in the horse as I thought - I had been asking Thetis to bring her shoulders in too much - this was really helpful to have someone watching to tell me when Thetis was traveling on the three tracks. Getting a mirror in the ring would help too because then I could watch myself as I come down the wall.

This was really nice for me to get a chance to be precise in my riding with something relatively new. We then finished with some jumping which Thetis really enjoys - and so do I! We did some bounces and a tight roll back. We practiced making our turns using the outside rein, and for my position I practiced sitting deep with straighter wrists and keeping my elbows at my sides.

Thetis was excellent - next up was Phin. I rode Phin in my dressage saddle - I hadn't used it for nearly a year! It really makes a huge difference and I can sit the trot much better in it. Phin was amazing and we practiced the same exercises as with Thetis, but this time I had a different horse and could work on getting the feel for the movements. Phin was easier to push with my inside leg to my outside hand - both horses were easier to the right, so I know I need to work on my left.

Phin really gave me some beautiful trots when I transition down from canter, and at first he wasn't very 'pliable' in the canter - he moved forward well, but then was harder to collect again... after a few laps of practice he was doing much better and we made a few excellent transitions.

Riding two horses back to back with the same lesson was really helpful - horses can feel and act so differently, so practicing on two different horses gave me an even better understanding of what and how to do the movements.

We finished up with jumping some bounces (still in my dressage saddle!) which rounded out a fun and education filled night.

It was really nice to get some feedback and focus on my learning needs. I am a strong believer that we never stop learning, and there is always something to learn when it comes to horses. I plan to continue with Vean in lessons monthly to make sure I keep up with my skills and practicing so I can keep progressing. I am also going to be setting up some lessons with 2 star Parelli instructor Todd Owens to help me move forward with my natural horsemanship techniques and progress to getting my Parelli level 3 in all four savvys.

We can always learn more to be even better for our horses - Cheers to lifelong learning :)

Sunday, October 23, 2011

An amazing cake to round out the day - have you ever seen anything like it ??!!

To round out the Oct 22 free wellness education & potluck day at Chestnut Hill Stables we had a very special cake designed by Sarah's Cutie's cakes, http://www.sarahscutiecakes.com/Site/Welcome.html

The cake is a 3D horse lying down, 100% edible except one toothpick in one of the horse's ears. The tail and mane are made of fondant icing, and the body of the horse is vanilla cake. The horse used up 4 batches of vanilla cake.

There was plenty to go around! We only used up 'the hind quarters' of the horse, and still have the belly, head and front legs still left - good thing it is my birthday this week so there is a reason to celebrate & many people to eat cake with!

Sarah truly is an artist when decorating her cakes. She has made many more cakes for me including birthdays, baby showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties. Every time I am amazed at what she creates - this time she really blew me away... I just wonder what will she create next??

Check out her website http://www.sarahscutiecakes.com/Site/Welcome.html

Laura Lorentson teaches us different stretches for our horses

Our last wellness expert to teach us on Oct 22 at our free wellness education & potluck day at Chestnut Hill Stables was Laura Lorentson, a Registered Equine Massage Therapist. http://www.lfequestrian.com/LaurTech.php

Laura taught us some stretches for our horses and explained that these were important for the horse's muscles. She showed us stretches for all four legs of the horse, and some stretches for the neck and back of the horse.

She used Thetis for the demonstration and Thetis really loved the stretches that used a carrot! There were 2 different stretches that Laura used a carrot to help encourage Thetis to really reach with her neck and get a better stretch. Thetis loves carrots so it worked really well.

Laura then gave us a chance to practice the stretches ourselves with Thetis - it was really fun and informative... and I think Thetis enjoyed it too!

Thank you Laura! http://www.lfequestrian.com/LaurTech.php

Lauren Gallant - barefoot hoofcare specialist teaching us about hoof health

After Dr. Elena Silverman, we learned from Laruen Gallant, a barefoot hoofcare specialist. This was during our Oct 22 Free wellness education day & potluck.

We learned many helpful tips from Lauren - http://gobarenhc.webs.com/aboutus.htm

She taught us about how the horse's diet and environment really play a big role in the horse's hooves. She gave us some suggestions to help our horses achieve a healthy weight by using a slower feeder - or even a hockey net to help make the horses eat the hay more slowly & continuously throughout the day which is healthier for them.

When horses eat continuously throughout the day it is easier for the bacteria in the horses gut to digest the food. This is better for both the 'hard keepers' (skinny horses) and the easy keepers (fat horses).

She also taught us about choosing foods for our horses that are low in sugar/starch, and she recommended we walk our horses on hard ground regularly to help develop strong hooves.

She taught us about the importance of the horse being trimmed so they land heel first, and she assessed Phin. Using Phin she showed us some important bits of information about the hoof, and then gave him a trim.

It was all very interesting & informative!

Thank you Lauren! Learn more about her: http://gobarenhc.webs.com/aboutus.htm

Dr. Elena Silverman teaching Equine Chiro Care

On Oct 22nd we started the Free education & potluck day at Chestnut Hill Stables with Dr. Elena Silverman. http://vntpetcare.com/Chiropractic_Services.html

She taught us about Equine Chiropractic care, and about the anatomy of our horse. We learned how to feel for 'subluxations' - places in our horses spine that are not quite right. We learned about why and how chiropractic care and help.

From personal experience I know chiropractic care really helps me. I tend to need adjustments in my neck, and I really find that chiro adjustments take my headaches away.

Dr. Elena Silverman started with Riddler and did a full assessment on him, and allowed us to feel the subluxations she found. Then she did some adjustments and we could feel the improvement. It was really impressive to see results so quickly.

She then did another partial assessment on Phin and pointed out some other findings.

Dr. Elena Silverman will be coming back next Thursday to do another set of adjustments with Riddler and a first set of adjustments with Phin.

Thank you Dr. Elena Silverman for teaching us about this very interesting and important area of equine health!

Learn more about her services at http://vntpetcare.com/Chiropractic_Services.html

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Learning with Don Halladay - the Young Horse Clinic

Right now I am doing a Young Horse Clinic with Don Hallarday (Parelli Professional). It is just amazing!

I brought Prince, a Gypsy Vanner gelding that I have been working with. Prince and I have come a long way since we started, but I wanted to come to this clinic to get more ideas for building confidence and progressing with him under saddle.

Prince and I ride walk/trot, but the canter always seemed to be a bit of an issue - and by that I mean some serious rodeo bucks if I'm not careful. Don Halladay has started many horses, is natural horsemanship, and he was bucking bronco rider in his former days which means he has a ton of experience to make him perfect for the job to help.

Prince has done 2 days of the 3 day clinic so far, and I am very happy with what we are learning and progressing. Both Don and I have been riding Prince and Prince had some bucks in the beginning at the canter, but with patience, understanding, and persistence Don is helping both Prince and I to progress.

I was really happy with Prince going walk, trot, and canter today under saddle on 3 different rides! He also stood on the pedestal, walked over the bridge, and jumped down the stairs! There is so much to do at the Horseman's Word Ranch.

Tomorrow I am taking Vinnie to play with in between some of Prince's rest breaks - I know it will be a fun & educational day!

Hitting the Trails - New York Style

Thanksgiving weekend wasn't just an ordinary Thanksgiving weekend for me this year. This year I took my girl, Thetis, with me to New York with James & Nifty for some serious trail riding in Allegany County among the mountains.

The weather was incredible, the trails were amazing, the colours of the trees were breath taking, and the horses were super! We had a fabulous time with many hours in the saddle. The horses enjoyed themselves exploring the forest and going over some natural obstacles.

It was nice to get the horses doing some 'hard core' hill work - really giving them a good work out. Hills are a great way to build balance, fitness, and coordination. The horses certainly got their share!

More pictures are posted on facebook - find me at www.facebook.com/lfequestrian !

Making the Move

The last weekend in September was a big one for LFEquestrian. We went to the Pickering Horse Show and moved the herd!

On Sunday, September 25th LFEquestrian moved out of the Feasby Rd location, and moved into Chestnut Hill Stables (12510 Durham Rd 1, Uxbridge). The horses went for a good run to explore their paddock! LFEquestrian moved to have access to an indoor arena.

Chestnut Hill Stables not only offers an indoor arena, but they also have a heated viewing room and washroom! LFEquestrian is excited to be at Chestnut Hill Stables.

To celebrate, LFEquestrian is hosting a free education and social event at Chestnut Hill Stables on Saturday October 22nd from 10am - 3pm... learn more at the website www.LFEquestrian.com Join Us!

Horse Show - a bunch of firsts

Sunday, Sept 25th we headed out to the show ring at Pickering Horse Centre. This time was a bit different. We were having a bunch of 'firsts'.

Micheala with Shawna, Erin with Phin, and Noa with Riddler. This would be Micheala, Shawna, Erin, and Riddler's first show, and only Phin's second show. Everyone was entered in the cross rail division.

We arrived in the early morning with lots of time to settle. I was so proud of all the riders and horses! Everyone settled in great - and everyone behaved themselves. All the riders remembered their courses and all the horses went over all the jumps.

For a first show it went just lovely - great weather, great company, and the horses were relaxed.

Congratulations!!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Ponies come to the city! Join us at Pickering Lone Star Restaurant Oct 15th!!

A Fundraiser for the Horse Rescue Series supported by LFEquestrian and Lone Star

PICKERING, ON, October 15th, 2011 – LFEquestrian and Lone Star Texas Grill Restaurant are teaming up to support the Horse Rescue Series. On Saturday October 15th from 3pm – 6pm, families can go to the Pickering Lone Star location, 705 Kingston Rd, for pony rides and discounts to the restaurant to support this great program.

The Horse Rescue Series is a program that gives horses a second chance at life. There are many unwanted and neglected horses. These horses are often sold at auction and sometimes end up at the meat merchant. In 2007, Statistics Canada reported nearly $70 million in horsemeat was shipped out of Canada.

The Horse Rescue Series takes rescuing horses one step further than other rescue organizations. Horses in the program get natural horsemanship training by LFEquestrian. Many horses that are rescued are not trained and can be unsafe around people or for riding – giving the rescued horses training makes them much safer and easier to handle.

LFEquestrian uses natural horsemanship – a kind and safe way of training horses. The horse learns to see the trainer as a safe leader. This is different from some other training programs that use whips and bullying to force a horse to do what the trainer wants.

After 4-12 weeks of training by LFEquestrian, the rescued horse is ready for adoption by a new owner. Many rescued horses in the series are used as riding horses – some of the horses even do competitions with their new owners!

The training is provided free from LFEquestrian, but the program relies on donations to cover the costs of caring and feeding the horses during training.

On Saturday, October 15th from 3pm-6pm there will be a fundraiser event for the Horse Rescue Series at the Pickering Lone Star Texas Grill Restaurant at 705 Kingston Rd in Pickering. This is a great time to bring the family out. LFEquestrian will be doing pony rides for donations to the program. Lone Star will be offering coupons for $5 off, or a free appetizer, or a free kid’s meal at the restaurant with a donation to the Horse Rescue Series.

The pony rides will be outside – if the weather is bad on Saturday, October 15th the ponies will come Sunday, October 16th from 3pm-6pm.

For more information please contact LFEquestrian at 416-571-5914 or visit http://www.lfequestrian.com/PickeringPonies.php

Free education & potluck day - join us October 22nd at Chestnut Hill Stables

Where: Chestnut Hill Stables (12510 Durham Rd 1, Uxbridge Ontario)
When: October 22, 2011 from 10am - 3pm
Cost: FREE
What: An education and welcome day - includes a potluck!

LFEquestrian is excited to be a part of Chestnut Hill Stables over the cooler months, and to celebrate we are offering a free education and welcome event!

Starting sharp at 10am there will be demonstrations and teaching from local horse professionals!

Learn from Dr. Elaina about equine chiropractic care, Barefoot hoof specialist Lauren Gallant on hoof care, and equine massage therapist Laura Lorentson on stretches for your horse! Lindsey will also be doing a short demo with her mare,Thetis, and will be available to answer natural horsemanship questions.

The education will be from 10am to approximately 1pm. Afterwards please join us for a potluck social from 1pm - 3pm in the Chestnut Hill Stables heated lounge!

Cake, tea, coffe, plates & cups will be provided by LFEquestrian - please feel free to bring what you like!

Please join us for this event! http://www.lfequestrian.com/EducationSocial.php