Is there anything better than a baby’s first cross country school? Photo by Kate Samuels.
I took my horse with a student and her new OTTB down the road this week for a little cross country schooling. This OTTB has been in retraining for about two or three weeks, and he’s popped a caveletti in the ring, but he’s pretty unflappable and brave, so I figured why not go cross country and see what he thinks? This little guy blew me away and was so brave about ditches, banks, water, all the different kinds of baby jumps. He walked INTO the ditch a few times happily before we explained that he had to go OVER it. Is there anything better than baby horses?? No.
National Holiday: National Relaxation Day
Major Weekend Events:
Bromont CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
Waredaca H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Full Gallop Farm August H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Ocala Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Huntington Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
News From Around the Globe:
Don’t let anybody tell you a one-eyed horse won’t do the upper levels, as we’ve got one heading to the European Championships. Irish eventer Tony Kennedy will make his senior championship squad debut at this month’s Europeans on a one-eyed horse he has produced from a three-year-old. Tony, 25, received the call-up last week with his father Con Kennedy’s Wisteria Lane due to Clare Abbott’s ride Euro Prince sustaining an injury. [One Eyed Horse Competing in European Championships]
The science behind feeding horses has made leaps and bounds over the years, and with more choices than ever, it’s important to learn what is right for your horse and your program. How do you balance fats, proteins, minerals, probiotics and prebiotics, to name a few? We got it all explained here. [The Science Behind Your Horse’s Nutrition]
Scientists are exploring the relationship between horses and their memories relating to sound, specifically particular voices. Researchers showed that horses not only discriminate between individual human voices, but have a recollection of whether their past experiences centered around each voice was positive or negative. In other words, past experiences dictate whether your horse is happy to hear you, and presumably see you, each day. [Happy Horses Need Positive Relationships]
Actually knowing how to ride a horse is literally only half the battle: the other half is mental. Building your confidence is a life-long battle, and knowing the sports psychology behind the work is helpful for your whole career. Horse & Hound compiled eight quick exercises you can use on a daily basis to build your confidence on the horse. [8 Easy Ways to Build Confidence]
