Did She Lit De World On Fire?
Even underweight and sprouting a dull coat in preparation for winter she garners the attention and appreciation from fellow horsemen. Lit De World On Fire may not have impressed racing aficionados but off the track…
Author: Erica Franz
I've been riding since I was 9, and in love with horses from the day I was born. Living in Washington with my horse and 5 dogs.
Out Of The Starting Gate
and into the training ring… At least that is the plan, and the project. If you frequent Writing of Riding then you will know that there are several new things – new site layout, new…
The Movie Secretariat
It was my pleasure to have the opportunity to go to a screening of Disney’s new movie, “Secretariat“. Keeping in mind that I am not at all a fan of horse racing, I have to…
American Horses Are Still Being Slaughtered
Yes, American-based slaughter plants have been closed and horse slaughter ruled illegal in the states. But… horses are still being sold to kill buyers in the US and then transported across the border to both Canada and Mexico where horse slaughter continues. And… the same issues exist in those plants as did American plants of inhumane slaughter practices.
2010 WEG Demonstrates Hyperflexion
Despite the FEI’s ruling that Rollkur is a banned practice, and instead has favored the use of LDR (Low, Deep, Round), there is plenty of evidence to the contrary that hyperflexion is a norm for competitors. The World Equestrian Games, hosted in Kentucky this year is already proving the perfect grounds to spot the practice in person.
Desensitizing the Horse = NH Sham
I really prefer having things told to me straight, don’t lie to me and then give an excuse as to why you couldn’t tell me the truth in the first place. That is why I strongly dislike this common and popular tool of Natural Horsemanship and feel it is of greater detriment to horse and rider than simply putting the facts out there.
Dressage is Simple : Collection in Six Steps
Even if you strictly ride western and loath the sight of any english discipline you can benefit from incorporating the fundamentals of Dressage into your riding and training habits.
Parelli Woes Continue
Pat Parelli recently ruffled feathers when he presented a demonstration at the Royal Festival of the Horse in England while working with the eventer Robert Whittaker’s horse Catwalk. Apparently it was offensive enough to cause people to walk out in disgust, as well as confront Parelli directly and post video on Youtube. That isn’t the whole of the problems Parelli may be facing however.
Selling Yourself to the Horse
Have you ever been pitched by a sales person who lacked all elements of confidence and charm? Who seemed nervous and uncertain about just what it was they were selling and the reasons you ought to be buying it? I know I have plenty of times. And then there are the salesmen who are so confident and smooth that you almost want to beg them to sell you whatever it is they are peddling.
Try, Fail, Change
Sticking to something until you see it to the very end just might earn you a reputation of being reliable and a success, or it may hold you back for years and years and years chasing something that is not worth the effort. But how do you decide which is which?
EndoTapping : What’s The Real Deal?
There are promotional videos explaining the benefits and application of EndoTapping, but I thought perhaps I would give some input from the position of a Massage Therapist on how EndoTapping affects the horse and why it is effective.
Manolo Mendez You Have My Attention
Despite my initial “wow, I like this guy” reaction to seeing photos of him riding, reading about clinic experiences and even tracking down videos of him riding and working horses at clinics, I haven’t been able to dig up enough dirt to discredit my positive thoughts about this man. Unusual, I know.
The Good, The Bad, The Bitless Bridle…
One of the most difficult things for a rider to learn is how to use their hands properly. Wait, no. Let me restate that. THE most difficult thing for a rider to learn is how to use their hands properly. Why you may ask.. because the hands are connected to the wrist bone, the wrist bone is connected to the arm bone… and so on right down to your ten little piggies and the hair on your chinny chin chin.
Master Luis Valenca Rodrigues
What I found fascinating in particular was the history lesson on the Lusitano breed, how it came to be developed in the manner it has (with bulls, etc) as well as how he contrasts their speed/flexibility to other breeds and what that means in their training and handling.
From Star Trek to Saddlebreds
I’m not sure if it is common knowledge that actor William Shatner, known best for his role in Star Trek and as the Priceline.com Price Defender, is also an avid horseman. I happened upon this interesting article just today that goes into detail about how Shatner came to acting at an early age, grew, stalled, resurged and so on.
Click to read “The Many Iterations of William Shatner” on the NY Times website.
And just for fun, one of my favorite roles Shatner was cast in…
Acknowledging A Love
I have learned that no matter what, horses will always be the greatest love in my life, the greatest passion and the driving force behind my happiness.