What are rider aids? Natural aids include our leg, seat, hand, basically our whole body in general. Artificial aids include crops, spurs, whips, draw reigns, martingales, flashes, curb chains, bits and more. Artificial aids can be very useful tools in training horses, if used properly. In my opinion, less is more when it comes to artificial …
Tag: equine
Patience
"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson~ We've all been there: we think we are not achieving our goals fast enough; our horses are not where we want them to be; we are not where we want to be. This feeling of impatience can cause frustration and disappointment. The funny thing …
Good Rides and Bad Rides
As with any sport, in equestrian some days are absolutely fabulous while others are not so great. Sometimes you just cannot get in sync with your horse. Maybe he or she is a little frisky and acting out, or maybe you are having an off day yourself. Regardless of the reason, some riding days are …
Thankful
I am a little late since Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I decided to write a post about what I am thankful for (equestrian-wise). I am not a big Thanksgiving person, but I do believe that gratitude is very important. I am very blessed in my riding life, although some days I can lose sight …
Facing Fear
"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." ~ John Wayne ~ Fear is an emotion aroused by potential danger. It is an emotion that, as riders, most of us experience from time to time. Horses buck, take off, spook, rear and these things can be frightening. When a thousand pound animal is …
A Week from Hell
Well last week was interesting, to say the least. I do not think that I ever been happier for a Monday. That nasty cold I mentioned in my last post turned out to be an ear infection... Since apparently I am two. I also have poison ivy. For those of you who have never had poison ivy, …
Winter
Last week I said that winter is coming, and now it is here. I have a nasty cold to prove it! It has been consistently cold for the past couple of weeks, even freezing at night. That is not characteristic of November in Texas, for we normally do not get this weather until January. And …
Change is in The Air
Winter is coming! We finally had our first actually cold day here! Texas gets a late start when it comes to chilly weather. Strangely, it was 68 degrees when I woke up this morning, and 52 by 11am! Abrupt weather changes can cause complications with horses. For one, they can be a little frisky when …
Balance
"Rule your mind or it will rule you." ~ Buddha Life gets a little crazy sometimes. I often feel like I am being pulled in many different directions, and it is difficult to find balance. This blog is about horses, but that is not the only thing I have going on in my life. I have a …
There is Always a Way
"When you stop doing things for fun you might as well be dead" ~ Earnest Hemingway ~ Ah it has been a month since I last posted! Life has been a little crazy between work, a trip to Disney World, and keeping up with riding! And I have a pretty good feeling that things are …
Laurel Ashton Equestrian 