Memorial Day

I feel so blessed to live in a country that has been protected by its soldiers from tyranny and deprivation of freedom. Today is a day to remember those who protected us and have passed on. My father-in-law is one of these men. I never met him, but my husband talks of him with such regard. He fought for our country to preserve our great way of life.

There are people who fought for our country who have not passed on. I would like to say thank you to them too. I appreciate their sacrifices. My nephew, Josh, serves for us today. My brother-in-laws, Archie and Dale served for us in the past. Thank you. It is because of people like this that we can enjoy luxuries such as horses.

Riding With Family

My step-daughter and her friend came over a couple of days ago. The friend is looking to get a job at a stable. She wants to start at the bottom and work up. I applaud her. Although she needs a little more experience, any stable will be lucky to hire her. She is eager, honest, strong, and so willing to throw her heart as well as her back into the equine world.


She seemed unsure as she began helping to clean my horse stalls. But, she worked hard and steady until she was finish -- without complaint. My step-daughter and I couldn't stand and watch her work alone so we chipped in, Tara hauled the wheel barrow, and I helped rake the edges so the loose stuff could be loaded. I took a few breaks to help my grandson get wet with the hose and follow his favorite path through the woods.


When we were finished cleaning I talked the girls into sitting down for some tea and tuna sandwiches. Of course, Ant (my grandson) only wanted cereal. I'm sure they didn't plan on spending so much time here, but I cleverly made it easy for them to extend their visit. After lunch we went back to the horses. By this time Pappy was home and he and Ant played while we girls continued with the horses.

We discussed horse anatomy and tack as we groomed the horses -- helping to prepare Brittany for her stable interview. Brittany first rode my old mare, Cerise, in her English saddle and jumping hackamore. Cerise is getting on in years, but she can still be quite forward. Cerise has raced, trained in dressage and enjoys jumping -- she is used to a sturdy contact from her rider. After Brittany rode her, I hopped on Cerise to show how she is used to going.


Next, Grace, she is young, big and unpredictable. She goes in a western saddle, Western headstall, an English kimberwick, and English reins. Sounds a little silly, but the western saddle helps you steady if she gets a mind to buck, and the kimberwick helps remind her not to think about bucking. I rode Grace a little, hoping for no surprises. Then Brittany hoped on. Well, okay, she didn't really hop on -- there was a tight jean issue. Modern jeans were not made for horseback riding. We'll leave it at that. She was cautious at first, as she should have been when mounting an unfamiliar horse. Then she and Grace started relaxing a little.


Pappy, Ant, and the three dogs decided to join us at that point. Since Cerise was just standing there not being ridden, Pappy hopped on her and rode around a little. All the while Tara had been helping hold horses and watching. Her desire to ride finally overcame her apprehensions, and she started talking to her dad (aka Pappy) about getting on Cerise. Tara has had some health issues for a few years now that have made it difficult for her to exert herself. And then, there she was on Cerise riding like an old pro.


So, we sent Ant and the dogs down his favorite walking trail with Pappy walking behind, then me, Grace and Brittany, and Cerise and Tara. Go figure, the young girls ride while the old folks and little boy walk. Ant zigged and zagged along the woodsy trail as the dogs darted around the bushes and trees -- secretly testing the nerves of the horses and riders. Pappy pointed out and explained every sight along the trail, as usual, "There's the old vine." "We usually ride up the easement, but we will only cross

over it today." And, as usual, I coached the girls on their riding skills.




When we got back to the house, Tara got off Cerise and Pappy and Ant resumed there games. Brittany seemed reluctant to dismount. She finally hopped down. I took Cerise to tie and untack her. Then Brittany shyly said, "May I ride a little more?"


So we tied the old mare up in the sand ring while Brittany continued to polish her riding skills on my young mare. Polish is the right word too. In the span of about an hour Brittany went from being a little awkward with the horses to looking like an experienced rider. She did a good job with Grace. By the end of her ride Grace was relaxed and cooperative.


It was so nice to have the girls ride. I'm hoping to have more days like this. I guess Ant was reluctant to let the day pass also. He asked to spend the night. So he did, and the day ended with pizza and Grammy, Pappy and Ant all snoring loudly, exhausted from the ride and walk in the woods.

The TEENAGERS

I hope you enjoy this science lesson and great horse video.




Cerise is the horsey star and the girls are neighbors who come to ride now and then. This video is their high school science report.

Good Ride

Yesterday, one of the local teenagers came to ride. She was excited to get on Grace. Last time she was around Grace was way to green for her to ride. She rode under my instruction, but she was great. I really did more coaching than actual instruction. Jamie was right-on with everything I asked her to do.

At first both horse and rider were tense. I encouraged Jamie to adjust her balance slightly and coached her in relaxing her body and aids. They worked on good walk, halt transitions. Within about fifteen minutes Grace was moving forward with a nice long frame and a good rhythmic swing to her stride. Jamie had created a relaxed posture in her own body and successfully communicated that to Grace.


At that point we set out on a short trail ride. I rode Cerise while Jamie continued on Grace. Of course the tension came back. Grace wanted to go for a rousing trot. Jamie was not ready for this, and Grace is still learning that she doesn't get to choose the pace.


All the coaching in the ring to create a relaxed forward way of going needed to be left in the ring. I encouraged Jamie to take a firmer posture, more assertive voice, and more direct way of applying her aids. She did. I was impressed with Jamie's ability to immediately apply the adjustments I suggested. Grace came right back into a more appropriate way of going.


We wound around the snake like trails in the woods. Then we worked our way out to the open field where we started following the trail up to the top of the ridge. Grace likes to trot or canter up the hill. I told Jamie to keep Grace at the pace she wanted. Jamie kept Grace at a good walk up the hill.


When we got to the top we relaxed a little. I love to stop at the top of the ridge to enjoy the view. The horses munched on a little grass as we gazed across the valley to the next ridge which is the Appalachian Trail.


My dogs, Kordel (a Collie), and Caramel (a Lab/Australian Shepard cross), followed along with us. They checked out all the local dogie hot spots, and Kordel made sure all his marks were still prominent. Lincoln (my Springer Spaniel) chose not to come. He has some health issues that are making it difficult for him to join us on the trail much anymore.

After our stop at the top we worked our way back to my house and the ring. Grace just could not believe that we had the nerve to ask her to go back to the ring. With a little urging Jamie convinced her that the ride was not finished. The dogs went back into the yard and Jamie and Grace went back to work.


Now that Grace was properly warmed-up she and Jamie worked on a nice forward trot. Jamie had a good seat and Grace held a good pace. They worked on some turns on the forehand and then walked around a little to cool down.

The ride was finished. We untacked the horses. Jamie cleaned the stalls and I worked on trimming the horses hooves a little. We had a good ride.