Perfect practice makes perfect. - George Morris Working without stirrups is so incredibly beneficial for our riding. It may not be fun, but it strengthens our legs, stabilizes our position, and allows us to really feel the horse. I once had a trainer who made me flat without stirrups every time I rode for a …
Tag: An Equestrian
Horse Show Rituals
We all have our own little routines that we complete before heading off to a horse show. We likely also all have little superstitions, or "good luck" things we do too! The first thing I do when getting ready for a show is groom my horse. Touch up clipping, bathing, mane trimming are all …
Moving Forward
I have not posted about the horse show I went to last weekend because, honestly, I have been trying to erase it from my mind. I do not want the fact that we completely bombed our jumping classes derail me in the show this weekend. I sometimes have the tendency to carry past experiences into …
Good Weather Please
Here is to hoping that the weather cooperates this weekend so that I can finally make it to a horse show! I was supposed to go to a local show last weekend; however, due to crazy storms it was moved to this coming weekend. We have attempted to go to a show almost every month this year …
Sitting Still
When my horses are lame or sore I immediately give them a few days off. If that does not help, the vet comes out. I am always very conscious about my horses' physical well-being. One horse I had got regular massages and chiropractic adjustments. And I always make sure that they have adequate time off. …
All Mine
There really is nothing quite like owning a horse. I got my first horse when I was fifteen. At twenty, I found myself without a horse and with no way to buy one. I started catch riding, and eventually got riding jobs. For a few years, I exercised and trained horses along with teaching riding lessons. …
Change is Subtle
The other day during my yoga practice, I realized that one of the standing asanas has become easier for me; I can lift my leg a little higher and hold it up a little longer. It was not a major change - I could not suddenly put my leg behind my head or hold a handstand for …
Update
Some of you have asked how Chance is doing since I posted a bit about his body soreness a while ago. He is doing great and fully back to work! It turned out that neither of my saddles fit him quite right. He never acted like his back was sore and it seemed to fit him …
Spring is in The Air
Some old fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. - Laura Ingalls Wilder Spring finally arrived in Texas! It has been warm, humid, and sunny! After all the rain, the grass is so incredibly green. Wildflowers are popping up, birds are chirping, the earth is coming back to life. That is …
Imperfect
I have never been the perfect rider. I have never had perfect equitation. I did not have a natural eye for distances. And I have had to work very hard for my nerve. I have never had perfect horses; they have all had strange little quirks. However, their quirks made them interesting; just the same, …
Laurel Ashton Equestrian 