Chance has been quiet as can be the past couple of weeks since summer kicked in. That changed a little bit today. It actually was not too terribly hot this morning, there was a nice breeze. I guess he got a little excited about it. He started out lazy on the flat, and over the …
Hello Summer
Summer has come to Texas in full force! I am one of those crazy people that loves summer. I thrive in the heat and humidity. As long as I stay hydrated, I can stay outside all day. I love the longer days, and sunshine. I even love to sweat! Luckily, Chance has always done fairly …
When Things Don’t Work Out
"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." - Randy Pausch All of us ambitious types set goals for ourselves. We plan and work hard to achieve the things we desire; and oftentimes we do achieve them. But what about when no matter how hard we try, things just don't work …
Equestrian Athletes
It is astounding to me how few riders think of themselves as athletes. "We just ride horses," I have been told. At horse shows, I have seen even trainers chowing down on junk food all day, and guzzling sodas. Many riders and trainers do not exercise outside of riding. In my opinion, equestrians are athletes and …
Dropping the Irons
Riding without stirrups is probably one of the best things we can do to improve our riding skills. It helps to clean up equitation, strengthen the legs and core, improve the seat, and increase confidence. It hurts, but it is worth it. When I was a kid, I was frequently tortured by my trainers with no stirrup …
Monsoon Season in Texas
It has just rained and rained and rained. There has been so much flooding in the Houston area the past couple of weeks, and it is pouring outside as I write this. The good news is that we are out of the drought we have been in for the past several years. Between wildfires and …
A Perfect Ride and Terrible Weather
Yesterday was one of those perfectly magical rides that I never wanted to end. Even with thunder rumbling in the distance when we started jumping, Chance was quiet and we were completely in sync. My eye is improving at the bigger jumps, and he is not building quite so much throughout our courses. We only …
Calming the Spook
Horses are very sensitive animals. As prey animals, they instinctively are very aware of their surroundings. They know when something is different, and they can sense things we may not be able to see. This often leads to spooking. Horses are called "dumb" or "crazy" for spooking at some invisible phantom, or for peeking at a new …
Making Time to Ride
A few years ago, when I first began working as a real estate agent, people would often ask me if I still found time to ride. I always replied, "yes of course," as if that could even be a question I would think to myself. I have ridden for nearly fifteen years. For a few …
Bad Horses
I have always loved bad horses. Not dangerously crazy horses, but the horses with a little sass that make you work for their respect. The horses that won't pack you around, but demand the same level of focus and accuracy that you desire from them. The horses that are just a little hard. That has …
Laurel Ashton Equestrian 