Ear gloves, my latest obsession. Cricket asks, "but why?"
I knew that I needed a new helmet, but I didn’t realize the brain bucket I had was 11 (yes, eleven) years old until I checked it recently. That’s older than the helmet I thought it was replacing when I got it. But hey, it was a display and it was free. How could I turn it down? Then a couple months ago a friend of ours hit the ground hard and was saved from further injury by her good safety equipment. My mom got squirrelly and we were both very fortunate to receive brand new helmets for Christmas.
So now that the new season is underway, I encourage you all to examine your equipment (helmets, vests, parts of your tack like stirrup leathers, reins and girth straps/buckles), make sure it is all in good condition and update it if necessary. There are tons of affordable helmets and vests out there these days thanks to better technology and manufacturing. Don’t be stubborn like me and whine about the expense. It’s cheaper than a lengthy hospital stay.
Monday News and Notes:
Thehorsepesterer has been busy uploading videos from the first horse trials of the season. Show some love and appreciation and go check out his channel. [Ocala Winter I Horse Trials]
Does your trainer ever have you visualize certain actions or use analogies during lessons? I always try to think about carrying two piping hot cups of coffee to keep my hands quiet, and considering I was a barista for several years I’m pretty good at it! WEG silver medalist Harry Meade offers some training techniques like this where using your imagination may help improve your ride. [Horse and Hound: Unusual Techniques to Help Your Riding]
It seems like just in the last week the temperatures have plummeted, and tons of people on social media are lamenting diesel engines refusing to start and hauling water due to frozen pipes. Horses and farm equipment require a little extra attention during the coldest days of the year, and The Horse has put together a comprehensive checklist to help you make sure you’re covering all the bases. [TheHorse.com: Winter Farm Care Checklist]
Still looking for a New Year’s resolution you can stick with? The British Equestrian Federation’s “Hoof” program has developed a series incorporating exercises to help the rider improve their strength and confidence in the saddle. [Horsetalk article] [Hoof YouTube Channel]
The equine spine is a complex system of muscles and bone, and as riders we know proper development of those muscles is crucial. Jean Luc Cornille M.A.(M.Phil) takes a look at how these components work together naturally and also as a result of various motions under saddle. There’s some big words in this article but it’s worth a careful read. [Horsetalk: Gravity and the Art of the Horse’s Back]
Can’t ride? Observe and learn. Jim Wofford tells us to develop the ability to learn by observing, but be aware that observing and watching are two different things. In this article he helps us learn how to observe and further how to absorb that which we observe as something educational. [Practical Horseman: Learn from the Other Guy’s Mistakes]
Monday Video:
