Equestrian Life
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Therapeutic Riding: Teaching Special Needs Children About Confidence
Confidence can be intrinsic and learned. Some of us are lucky enough to be born with a sense of self-worth that parents foster and grow. Other children need to gain this along the way. Cameron was born with confidence and a stroke. Our job as parents is to support this and perpetuate it, within reason. Therapeutic horse riding has fostered her and nurtured her, all while teaching her to listen to her body and her horse. Once or twice a year Cameron’s barn, Sunnyside Equestrian Center and her program, Special People United to Ride (SPUR) meet and compete with other therapy facilities across the state at the Horse Park…
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Get Ready for Equestrian Blogtober!
Summer is over and it is my favorite time of year! October! My birthday month, yes but so much more. Warm apple cider, crispy mornings at the barn where fog overlays the fields. Trail rides and hiking amongst colorful foliage before retiring at home in front of a wood-burning fireplace. A perfect month. My absurd summer schedule gives slight relief and more time for me to focus on The Timid Rider. As such, I’m attempting to join with my fellow equestrian bloggers to do Blogtober, suggested by Ruby Pepper Butchers of Equipepper! We all loved the idea and Charlotte Miller of The Forelock Journal put together this handy infographic to help…
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Protect Your Pet with Consumer’s Advocate Top Ten Pet Insurance Review Guide 2018
I look at my client’s owner and understand how relieved they are to see their dog relaxed and happy, but knowing it is an additional cost they pay. They only want the best for their pet, but with a terminal cancer diagnosis their funds are depleted from the treatments, and massage and other holistic therapies are the only things providing pain relief. While there are a few non-profit foundations that offer monetary grants for pets with illnesses such as cancer, if pet owners do not have pet insurance, they often have to decide to euthanize their pet to feed themselves. The average cost of cancer treatment for a dog is…
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Avoid Injury While Working with Horses
I love talking about my work with horses and dogs and how I can help them through sports massage. But my favorite responses are when I tell them what I do for a living. It varies of course, but almost always has some surprised face and follow-up questions. The most common question I receive from equestrians and non-equestrians alike is, “How often do you get kicked or bitten?” The answer, I haven’t yet. There are many reasons that horses are not defensive while I work on them. My methods work with equine massage, but also for anyone working with equines. Communicate Communication is the most important tool at my disposal.…
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Reset Your Riding
Sometimes it is important to take a few breaths, a step back, and reset in order to progress in your riding. That is what I did, albeit unintentionally when I traveled to Mongolia this August for the Gobi Desert Cup. I spent three weeks out of the saddle between travel and giving my horse some time off with his anhidrosis. For many days I traveled by car and watched while eighteen riders had the adventure of a lifetime on the backs of a Mongolian horse, a breed largely unchanged for thousands of years. Was I jealous? Of course. The final day of the race, I did join in the Officials…
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Desensitizing the Rider
You can scour the internet for references and advice on desensitizing your horse. But what happens when it is the rider that needs desensitizing? Every ride is a learning experience for both horse and equestrian. Some days are good, others could use improvement. Recently I had a lesson with my trainer after a long summer off due to pony camp and my children’s schedules. Until then we were mostly hacking around the barn and taking easy trail rides because of campers dominating the schooling rings. Thus, a lesson was much needed for both of us. Lessons are Necessary Lessons are necessary for all levels. Having a training plan and…
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Anhidrosis and Your Horse: Managing Symptoms
Ah, summer. The beautiful lush grass and extended daylight lead to more time in the saddle and with your favorite equine. But when your horse has anhidrosis or “no sweat”, summer can be deadly. Here are the symptoms to watch for and help with your horse. What is Anhidrosis? Anhidrosis refers to the inability to sweat properly and can affect certain areas of the body, or the entire horse. Commonly referred to as “no sweat” in equestrian circles, your horse may be mildly affected or severely affected resulting in the potential for heatstroke. Horses cool themselves by sweating so when the ability to do so is compromised, exercise or high…
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Summer’s Lament
Unpopular opinion: Summer is my least favorite season. I know, I know. Insert *gasps* and *shrieks*. I don’t hate it, but in weighing the pros and cons I find many more cons. I’m exhausted and hot and that is never a good combination. While I can wear lighter clothing during my canine massage visits at the office, in the barn I’m always in pants and boots. My long, curly hair frizzes and needs to be tamed by hats or a bun. You see, I hate the heat. I hate to sweat. And I hate having to bring my children to work with me. Summer means throwing…
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Weekend at the Races
The weekend of July 28th and 29, 2018 was a banner time at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Monmouth County. The local track has a number of amazing family-friendly events throughout the season but nothing quite like the combination of Ladies Day sponsored by Lilly Pulitzer followed by the biggest race in New Jersey, the 2018 Haskell Invitational. Saturday dawned warm and sunny, perfect to reveal the new line at Lilly Pulitzer and bring fashion to the women at the racetrack. Color and hats were the focus of the day, not only in the Secret Cafe but throughout the concourse. Mrs. New Jersey was in attendance showing off her…
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Learn From the Barn Children
Confession: My Children Are Braver Than Me I’m 40-years old. I’ve experienced a lot in life and still have a lot to learn. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t learning from my own three children; especially, when it comes to riding horses. Case in point- I rode bareback for the first time two weeks ago. I was terrified and looked like a sack of potatoes mounting up. I’m not flexible, nor have I ever been graceful. Luckily my pony, Ferrous, is saintly. It took me nine years back in the saddle as an adult to work up the courage to even mount and walk bareback, much…
