Nobody will dispute that I am not a breed or colour snob and that I absolutely adore every horse that crosses my path.
As a young girl, I used to go to my then, best friend's, Auntie Sis's farm and she had this old grulla mare named Topsy. By the time we were done grooming and pampering Topsy she shone like a fancy schmancy show horse. We doubled her bareback until at least one of us fell off - usually landing in a cow patty; and then laughed so hard we nearly peed our pants.
It must have been the joy of being with Topsy that I developed a love for the colour grullo (male) and grulla (female). After many years of learning and practice, I finally felt I wouldn't mess up a youngster too badly so I announced to my husband that I wanted to have a baby. He quickly reminded me that in my 50s it was highly unlikely to happen. I persisted and told him that if the baby lived to 30 I would be 80 and my biological clock was ticking. He was so relieved I meant a baby horse, he quickly agreed. While browsing Kijiji in 2012, there he was - my perfect little yearling and I called him Nevar - the hero in my favourite movie Ladyhawk.
I finally started riding Nevar this past week and I know some folks think starting a horse at 4 is too late. However, after making the painful decision to put down my beloved Nugget at 12 due to unmanageable arthritis, I chose to wait until Nevar was at least 4 before starting to ride him. I wanted to make absolutely sure his joints and ligaments were good and strong and would stay that way throughout his life.
Recalling my first rides on Dexter; after the 4th ride we were riding in the mountains crossing bridges and creeks. Just like my first rides on Dexter, riding Nevar this week has been rather uneventful - exactly the way I like it. This is why I am such a strong advocate for effective ground work. By the time you put your bum in the saddle, the horse has been well prepared for the saddle and bit, and already knows lateral and vertical flexion, one rein emergency stop, moving off leg pressure for lateral work, transitions, and halt.
Good preparation on the ground prepares young horses and rehabilitates older horses by developing mutual respect and trust. Trust is so important when riding a young or rehabilitated horse for the first time because trust translates into confidence and horses feel your confidence or lack thereof.
Folks often feel if their horse could just get more miles, or if they were better riders; they wouldn't keep falling off. I am definitely not the best rider nor am I the bravest rider but effective ground work has changed my riding experience completely. If you are coming off your horse, I encourage you to improve your ground work.
Fall is the best time of year for riding - bringing cooler temperatures, no bugs and spectacular colours. This year make fall about the red, orange and yellow; not the black and blue - improve your ground work!
Tovie and Nevar
As a young girl, I used to go to my then, best friend's, Auntie Sis's farm and she had this old grulla mare named Topsy. By the time we were done grooming and pampering Topsy she shone like a fancy schmancy show horse. We doubled her bareback until at least one of us fell off - usually landing in a cow patty; and then laughed so hard we nearly peed our pants.
It must have been the joy of being with Topsy that I developed a love for the colour grullo (male) and grulla (female). After many years of learning and practice, I finally felt I wouldn't mess up a youngster too badly so I announced to my husband that I wanted to have a baby. He quickly reminded me that in my 50s it was highly unlikely to happen. I persisted and told him that if the baby lived to 30 I would be 80 and my biological clock was ticking. He was so relieved I meant a baby horse, he quickly agreed. While browsing Kijiji in 2012, there he was - my perfect little yearling and I called him Nevar - the hero in my favourite movie Ladyhawk.
I finally started riding Nevar this past week and I know some folks think starting a horse at 4 is too late. However, after making the painful decision to put down my beloved Nugget at 12 due to unmanageable arthritis, I chose to wait until Nevar was at least 4 before starting to ride him. I wanted to make absolutely sure his joints and ligaments were good and strong and would stay that way throughout his life.
Recalling my first rides on Dexter; after the 4th ride we were riding in the mountains crossing bridges and creeks. Just like my first rides on Dexter, riding Nevar this week has been rather uneventful - exactly the way I like it. This is why I am such a strong advocate for effective ground work. By the time you put your bum in the saddle, the horse has been well prepared for the saddle and bit, and already knows lateral and vertical flexion, one rein emergency stop, moving off leg pressure for lateral work, transitions, and halt.
Good preparation on the ground prepares young horses and rehabilitates older horses by developing mutual respect and trust. Trust is so important when riding a young or rehabilitated horse for the first time because trust translates into confidence and horses feel your confidence or lack thereof.
Folks often feel if their horse could just get more miles, or if they were better riders; they wouldn't keep falling off. I am definitely not the best rider nor am I the bravest rider but effective ground work has changed my riding experience completely. If you are coming off your horse, I encourage you to improve your ground work.
Fall is the best time of year for riding - bringing cooler temperatures, no bugs and spectacular colours. This year make fall about the red, orange and yellow; not the black and blue - improve your ground work!
Tovie and Nevar
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