No, it’s not April. Yes, this is a real thing.
Horse Lovers Math brought this crazy/hilarious/weird/ingenious service to my attention this week.
How much more fun will vacation time be if you know that every time someone emails you while you’re ‘out of office’, a horse taps out a response on a giant keyboard on your behalf?
Seriously, this is a real thing.
And you get to pick which horse best suits your PA needs.
Are you after a fast typer who’s likely to nap on the job?
Or perhaps an assertive, efficient worker with shiny hair?
Maybe you require a friendly sort who’s trained in corporate buzzwords.
Take your pick. Like I said, this is real.
As well as obviously being fun, behind the initiative there’s a serious message about work-life balance and truly switching off from the office whilst you’re on vacation.
So, ‘OutHorse Your Email’ and relax in the comfort of knowing an Icelandic pony is trotting out those out of office replies on a giant keyboard for you while you indulge in whatever vacation shenanigans take your fancy.
Seriously, I am so tempted to set this up not just for vacation time, but as my automatic response.
Want to find out how to ‘OutHorse’ your email?
Pick your pony here.
Just how do you train a horse to type? And how big does the keyboard have to be? Satisfy your curiosity with this short video:
U.S. Weekend Preview
The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]
Applewood Farm YEH & Mini Event (Califon, NJ) [Website] [YEH Ride Times] [Mini Ride Times]
Course Brook Farm Summer H.T. (Sherborn, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]
Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. (Trevor, WI) [Website] [Scoring]
Major International Events
CCIO4*-NC-S (Nations Cup) (Avenches, Switzerland) [Website] [Entries] [Program] [Live Stream]
Wednesday News and Reading
We all know it’s red on the right, white on the left – but what about the other markers on course? When they’re flashing past you at gallop-speed, it’s really important you’re totally on it with what’s what. Refresh your flag knowledge with this reminder from USEA. [Insanity in the Middle]
I would hack 1000 miles, and I would hack 1000 more… Not only has this rider taken on the Man V Horse race this year, he’s also hacked 1000 miles. Fitting in riding around his 12-hour work shifts, Mike Mills has managed to squeeze in 236 hours and 19 minutes of hacking to complete the #Hack1000Miles challenge. And who better to spend all that time with than your best friend? [Meet Mike and his Best Mate Bali]
Extinct in the wild since the 1960s, takhi horses once more roam the Mongolian steppes, but are they truly the wild horses they once were? This short TED-Ed animation takes a look at the complex story surrounding the takhi horse project, exploring questions about conservation, zoos and whether today’s takhi horses are truly takhis. [The Bigger Picture]
Did you know that playing country music to your horse increases the amount of time they spend eating? Jazz, on the other hand, has the opposite effect. For today’s science supplement, we’re taking a look at the effect of sound on horses. We all know horses are super sensitive to sudden loud noises, but life on the farm can produce a cacophony of sounds – some of which humans can’t hear but horses are all too aware of. Research suggests that sound is certainly something we should be looking at when it comes to welfare. [Sound Therapy]
Learn all about helping your horse deal with spooky things, and the all important emergency stop. This clearly explained five-step technique focuses on turning your horse’s fear into curiosity. Horses are going to notice the ghost in the bushes, it’s hardwired into their DNA, and it’s our job as riders to learn how to help our horses out when they’re spooked. This step-by-step guide shows you exactly what to do when your horse spots a spook, so that you can help him deal with his fear in a healthier way than running away. And if the all-out bolt does happen, there’s also clear instructions for how to perform an emergency stop. [It’s a G-G-G-Ghost]
You’re not a ‘real rider’ until you’ve fallen off x amount of times. That’s what I was told when I was starting out, and, taking this advice literally, I had a good go at adding to my tally at every possible opportunity. I even had a dog-eared list detailing what happened, when and why – the last entry resulting in a broken shoulder and a wing-shaped bruise stretching from my eyebrow to my heel. We’ve all heard the saying about getting back on the horse, but in some cases, it’s easier said than done. I did get back on – with a lead line and my arm in a sling, I gingerly walked round the field. Then I got off and went back to my trusty pony, who was infinitely more naughty than the OTTB I’d fallen off, but I knew him and loved him and so felt safe. We all have our own ways of dealing with confidence crises, here are some that Heels Down Mag has collected. [Back in the Saddle]
Sponsor Corner
When 5* rider Sara Kozumplik started farm shopping with Ocala Horse Properties, what was on her must-have list? Number one: a peaceful setting.
“The number one thing was a good property for the horses, a peaceful property, not on a busy road,” Sara said.
Read more 👉 Creating a Peaceful Home for Horses with Sara Kosumplik.
Video Break
It’s just over six weeks ‘til Burghley (cue my crazy Burgley’s coming dance)!
In this teaser reel (we can’t wait for the full film!), Piggy March and Vanir Kamira take a trip along Winner’s Avenue and discover a very special plaque.
