When the weather will not cooperate with riding plans, it is beyond frustrating. Texas is having its own monsoon season. So. Much. Rain. Yesterday, it cleared off in the afternoon so after a busy workday I was more than ready for a ride in the evening. I headed out to the barn, tacked Chance up, was …
Tag: sporthorses
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 …
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. …
Advice Needed
Fellow horse lovers, I need some advice! I have been having some trouble with Chance lately... He has been developing soreness off and on. We are having trouble pinpointing the source - we suspect it is in his feet. We have injected them, which has helped. However, yesterday he acted pretty uncomfortable while tracking left. He …
Crazy Pets
Yesterday was a rather exciting day out at the barn. Due to miserably cold and wet weather, I hadn't ridden Chance for a few days. He started out pretty fresh and on edge. This is pretty typical for him on a cold day, but he usually settles after ten minutes or so. Yesterday, not so …
Horse Shopping
One of the most exciting times of an equestrian's life is horse shopping! Whether you are searching for a prospect, your next show champion, or a companion looking at and trying horses is so much fun. However, it can also be a rather intimidating and emotional experience. A horse is a huge commitment, and they …
Bad Behavior
"He's going through this phase where he sometimes tries to run out of the arena when I'm riding him," I said to my friend the other day when she asked why I got off of Chance in the arena instead of walking back to the barn. He has not done it in a while, but I now …
January Blues
If I had to describe January in Texas... IT'S WET! We have had so much rain, and I am beginning to forget what the sun looks like. I really do not mind the cooler temperatures, but constant rain makes life difficult for those of us that thrive on fresh air and the great outdoors. I …
To Spur or Not to Spur
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 …
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 …
Laurel Ashton Equestrian 