I took the reins in my hands, placed my left foot on the stirrup, swung my right leg over, mounted the horse and took position on the saddle. With a slight movement of the reins and a gentle nudge, I slowly guided my horse to the field. For the next 15 minutes, we exhibited the requisite movements for dressage (a competitive form of training to develop obedience, flexibility and balance in a horse) with flawless coordination, culminating in a National Gold.
Contrary to my achievements, my first tryst with horse riding wasn’t smooth sailing. Distinct images of the first day at the stable flash before my eyes every time I reflect upon my humble beginning. I was helped on to the horse by my trainer and instructed to take the reins in my hands when suddenly the horse spooked and charged towards the fence. I fell off and lay still; the hooves were within a hair’s breadth of hitting my face. This fall could have acted as a deterrent to any six-year-old, but not to me. Rather, it strengthened my resolve to master the nuances of the equestrian sport.
Ten years on, I am elated to have inculcated invaluable lessons from horse riding, lessons that have become intrinsic aspects of my life.
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In the process of guiding my horse to perform highly skilled movements such as pirouettes or horse ballet, I have learnt to discern his emotions while simultaneously controlling my own to deliver an unblemished performance. There have been times when I’ve been overcome by nervousness. However, I’ve been quick to keep my feelings in check, lest it influences him. Instead, I have attempted to be composed, brave and
The first virtue that can be obtained through the world wide sport of rodeo is patience. Because of the fact that rodeo is such a big sport, there are many competitors. With this in mind and the fact that events take more than a few mere seconds, rodeos can be an all day event. In a high school rodeo in Laramie this spring, there were nearly 200 runs or rides being made throughout the course of just one day. So you can imagine the...
Once you get them to settle down and get there mind focused on just walking and the rider then you know the bond with the rider and horse are strong. When it is time for the second run of the night you want to warm them up again but not as hard this time because he or she has already been warmed up once before this, so just a little warming up won’t hurt. When it is that time for the second run the rider will bring the horse him a set him or her up for their first barrel and make the most of the race. If you see the rider smiling then everyone knows she has done her job with this horse. The rider can make an automatic barrel horse where that horse know his job and she barely has to ask the horse for a turn or touch his face to go around that barrel. When the rider gets a horse to be like that everyone can tell they spent hours and days together. The rider worked with that horse but never made him sour or hate coming into the arena. They spent time working on flexing the horse and making sure he knew when to tuck his nose and leave it for an extra second. They will all see when they are running home how much they spend time they spend together if they are fast and smooth through the pattern and don’t have any blow ups before or after coming in and out of the arena. After the race is over and the announcer say who
Indian Horse is a novel by Richard Wagamese that beautifully explores the idea of family, and what it means to have people around you that make you feel at home. The reader is bombarded with an overwhelming sense of family and betrayal in the first few pages of the novel. As Richard Wagamese continues to write, one is able to see how safe Saul Indian Horse felt with his biological family, and he also shows how lost he felt without their love when he was taken to the Residential School. The school he was brought to was drained of all consensual love the moment it was open, and continued to fill the children with horrible feelings the entire time they were there. Indian Horse was unable to really feel as though he still had family while he was in the
fun with and enjoy your horse. To start you should have your horse groomed and in the cross ties.
"Number 278 Your Honor!!!” This is what I hear as I ride my horse, Ranger, along the perimeter of the huge ring that holds all my fears, worries, hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. As the announcer yells into the loud speaker “Riders the judges say ride on at a Running Walk!” I pick up speed flying past my competition, so many World Champions and World Grand Champions on one fair ground, it can be over whelming at times. As the riders sit in the ring patiently anticipating the results all I can think is how lucky I am to be part of such an amazing breed of horse, and to feel blessed that the Tennessee Walking Horse Association was so great. But after I leave the ring collecting my 1st place ribbon, there is a commotion by the inspection table, someone just got a ticket for scars on their horse’s ankles, and now they don’t get to show their “injured” horse. The problem with this? There is nothing wrong with their horse, yes he had scars on his ankles but he was not in pain. You see this particular horse was not well taken care of in his previous home, he was abused. Then his current trainer saved him from that bad place, and now because of his past he is not able to show. I and many others personally know this trainer and she would never do anything to hurt her horse, he is her prized possession. Abuse to the Tennessee Walking horse was a huge problem in the past, but not so much anymore.
Young, Rhoria Lee, and Maggie Bracher. "Horsemastership part 2: Physical, psychological, educational and social benefits." International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation 12.3 (2005): 120-125. Web. 8 Mar. 2011.
Today, George H. Morris is doing clinics to train riders. He is in his older days but when George is set out to do something, he does it. He has lived for many years and has trained on to many different horses that his knowledge is sought after by so many eager to learn equestrians. George serves and participates on the USEF National Jumper Committee and Planning Committee, and he is the president of the United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame. This year George H. Morris will serve as coach for the Brazilian Showjumping Equestrian Team in Rio.
Imagine riding a horse on white sandy beach with crystal blue waters, or a cowboy in the dusty deserts of the Wild West. Although riding a horse along a tropical island and cowboys do exist, horseback riding is recognized as a sport. Most do not realize but horsemanship can be added as a part of an exercise routine and have similar benefits of going to the gym. In addition, there are psychological gains of horse riding.
Children who are at risk are finding success with physical and emotional issues through the equestrian exercises. Therapeutic horseback riding reflects the successful treatment of children with disabilities. This paper will discuss the benefits of skill building and goal setting. It will also explore the physical benefits therapeutic horseback riding has on disabled children.
For decades, Scientists have contemplated the idea of using horses for the personal gain of children and adults with needs such as autism, heart conditions, anxiety, stress, and other disorders that have yet to be curable. Horses such as Chester, a twenty year old gelding has encouraged more young riders who face difficulties such as social skills, behavior skills, and those who are physically indisposed. The phrase confidence is key, becomes important when people of all ages interact with a horse. Learning confidence may not be as easy as it sounds but is a necessary step to bond with a horse; without it, there can be no trust and most importantly, no bond between the equine and its rider.
Levinson's, F. (2011, September 20). Horse Therapy - Changing Lives . Retrieved November 5, 2013, from Way of the Horse
Riding encourages a child to work with their hands, exercise, and connect with horses and people of all ages, gain confidence, and learn new skills. Courtnee Niggel, an instructor summarizes how “A six year old child was told she will never walk again but after years of equine therapy she is now able to walk with a walker or by holding on to the sides of walls” (Niggel 1). Equine Therapy leaves a child with amazing results and changes their life drastically all the way from growing social skills to helping with motor skills, even to
There was a year spent volunteering at Edelweiss Equine Assisted Therapy Group Inc. During the year of 2008 there were several duties performed at the outdoor facility that housed Edleweiss. While working at Edelweiss three were several activities that took place. The starting position was to help those who came for les...
Second you should practice leading and lunging your horse. Leading your horse is just like taking your dog for a walk but when you lead your horse you want them by your side, you don?t want them too far in front of you or too far behind you. When you lead your horse you should have a halter and a rope. Your rope should be long enough for you to lunge your horse, which is about fifteen feet. When you are leading your horse you should never let the hors...
Sliding the barn doors open, I step into a warm, comforting environment. Musty straw mingles with the sharp aroma of pine shavings, complementing each other. A warm glow from sporadically placed incandescent lightbulbs richens the leather tack, all cleaned and hanging ready for the day's use. From it wafts the smell of a new pair of shoes. The fruity essence of "Show Sheen", applied after yesterday's baths, still lingers in the air. Even the harsh stinging scent of urine and manure is welcome at this early morning hour. Breaking open a bale of hay, I sense the sweetness of the dried timothy as it engulfs my olfactory system, making me wish my queasy stomach had not made me skip breakfast. I am nervous, as are many others. I know that the day ahead will bring excitement, dread, triumph, and defeat. The unpredictable nature of horse shows causes frenzied questions, like salmon spawning, to run constantly though my mind. Will the judge like my own particular style? What if the red flowers bordering the first jump spook my horse? What if a piece of paper on the ground blows into the ring? Will this horse show be a success? The outcome depends not just on me; but a...