Sometimes all you need is a little mid-morning snuggle with your mini donk on Thanksgiving.
Well, now that we’ve all gained at least ten pounds yesterday stuffing our faces full of mashed potatoes and turkey and gravy and stuffing and pie and all the ridiculously delicious things that are served on Thanksgiving, it’s a good day to drink lots of water and maybe go for a run. I’m spending it the best way I know how, by riding my horses in the frosty morning, riding more horses in the middle of the day, and teaching lessons in the afternoon! And then, of course, thanksgiving leftovers, because that’s almost the best part.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
News From Around the Globe:
World number five Sir Mark Todd had a special ask-me-anything night at the Cornwall Farmer’s Store this week. While promoting his own line of nutrition, Keyflow Feeds, Sir Mark entertained the crowd with decades worth of stories in the equestrian world. He spoke about his hopes for a record seventh Olympic trip to Rio next year, as well as his role with coaching the Brazilian team. He also talked about the “golden bubble” that Michael Jung lives inside, and how he’s been trying unsuccessfully to steal his magic. [Cornish Equestrians Enjoy Sir Mark Todd]
Meanwhile, in Canada, four horses were saved from a frozen pond using chainsaws. Unfortunately, six horses in total fell into the pond, and only four were alive upon rescue. Lesson learned? Don’t have a frozen pond in your horse’s paddock!! [Chainsaws Rescue Frozen Horses]
The Horse Radio Network Holiday Radiothon is coming up on Cyber Monday, Nov. 30! Featuring 20 hosts, celebrity guests and over $2,500 in prizes, you don’t want to miss this epic 12-hour long party. EN’s own Jenni Autry and Leslie Wylie are hosting the final hour, and we need YOU to call in so we can show the world eventers are awesome. [HRN Holiday Radiothon]
If you’ve got a nervous horse, is petting them a soothing action, or a reward for nervous behavior? In my experience, the idea isn’t to reinforce the nervousness, but to change the experience from a stressor to a positive and happy memory in any way I can. Science agrees with me, and physical touch has been shown to be able to reduce psychological arousal. However, it’s important to identify the causes of the nervous behavior, and continue to assess the body language of the horse as you proceed. [Will Coaxing A Nervous Horse Reinforce the Behavior?]
Holiday discounts on SmartPak already?! Sign me up! SmartPak is offering 15% off tons of apparel, tack, supplements, and basically everything you ever wanted (aka, the whole store), so get on over there now! [SmartPak Holiday Sale]
Congratulations to Maddie Lichten, the winner of this week’s Fab Freebie giveaway for a pair of GoSocks from GiddyUp Gear! Click here to buy your own pair of GoSocks featuring Boyd Martin, Buck Davidson, Gina Miles and Denny Emerson. Be sure to check back Monday for our next Fab Freebie!
Flashback to the 2004 Athens Olympic Eventing!
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