Safety In Numbers

Ever wonder why your horse whinnies when his/her friends are not close by? Or why your pony tugs on the reins, wanting to head back to the barn? Have you ever seen horses huddle together in a field, looking like they are sharing a little gossip and a snack?

Horses are herd animals. Since the beginning of time they have traveled together in groups. This instinct is as strong as one of a toddler needing to crawl into a mother’s lap after a tumble. It is for protection.

In the wild, horses are prey to many large animals who like nothing more than a meal of tasty horse meat: bobcats, jaguars, wolves, even a smaller coyote will try his teeth at downing a weak horse or newborn foal. There is a saying, “Safety in numbers.” Horses included. They are safer ~ perhaps more intimidating to approach ~ when there are more of them than the lone predator.

Next time you are riding and your horse seems anxious to get back to the barn, don’t presume he/she is only interested in dinner. It is more likely the feeling of being safe with the other horses. A gentle pat and a few calming words can be helpful.

Body Language

This photo is a wonderful example of understanding how a horse is feeling by watching their body language.

This mare has her necked arched tight, and her eyes are studying something on the ground quite seriously.

Her ears are back—not flat back as if she were about to bite, but enough to tell you she isn't happy.
Her flank is tucked up and you can see how tense the muscles on her back are, in preparation to bolt.

In the wild, a horse protects itself by running away. That is why, if it is startled and feels danger is looming, it will spook and try to run.

This mare hasn't decided yet if what she is looking at is a real threat or not, but she is prepared to run and protect herself if the threat turns out to be real.

Watch your horse's body language to learn how he or she is feeling. And if you get the chance, rent the movie Buck. It is wonderful.

Wrangler

This is TJ, the head wrangler at Triangle X Ranch in Moose, WY. He is standing on the edge of a cliff at the top of Togwotee Mountain, looking down over Brooks Lake. The top of this mountain soars to over 10,000'.

A wrangler is a man or woman who is an expert horse person and who takes ranch visitors on trail rides. TJ's horse is not only wearing a bridle, he has extra gear to be used in case a guest's equipment breaks. Under his long oilcloth coat, his saddle bags will hold everything from a wrench to a first aid kit, a saw, extra pieces of leather, and perhaps a gun in case of a wild animal attack.

Share Your Horse and Pony Memories

This little boy is very lucky. He is growing up on a horse farm and has been around them since the day he came home from the hospital. Already he shows great love for our equine friends and you can tell he is very comfortable being in the paddock with his pony.

We all have a story to share, a memory we like to let roll around in our minds from time to time like a smooth, sweet yellow butterscotch. Maybe we like to remember the first time we drove past a pony in a field, or the first time we rode, the first pony we loved, the lesson pony who didn't bite when we tacked him up wrong on our first try, the first time we trotted, cantered or jumped. As horse people, we all share these memories. They are the common bond between us all.

Won't you share your memories with us?

Why She Didn't Fall Off

The video below shows someone riding a horse who trips, stumbles to her knees and almost falls completely to the ground. There is no obvious reason for this particular incident, it is just something that happened. Perhaps the horse was being lazy. Perhaps she wasn't paying attention, or maybe her toes were long and she needed to have them trimmed.

The reason the rider did not fall off is because her heels were down, she was balanced in the saddle, kept her legs secure and helped the horse get herself up by sitting back and not falling forward onto the horse's neck.

Your riding instructor should be teaching you about balance and safety during every single lesson. If he/she is not, talk about it. If nothing changes, find a different trainer.

Wear your helmet. Wear riding boots with a heel. Keep your own heels down and your body balanced correctly on your horse, so if you do fall off, you will be safe. 

Happy Riding!

Dallas Tripping Video: 

Falling Off Your Horse

They say your aren't really an equestrian until you have fallen off a horse at least a dozen times. That may be true, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't get up in the saddle and enjoy the beauty of riding.

What you must do, though, is protect yourself from injury by listening to your instructor and wearing the appropriate safety equipment. The rider in this photo wasn't hurt, and in fact she left the ring with people cheering for her. There are two things she did that made a difference in how she ended up without being hurt.

One, you can see both her feet are in the air and out of the stirrups. When your riding instructor tells you to keep your heels down, he/she isn't just trying to make your calves ache. You are being taught to stay balanced and to keep your feet in the proper position, so if you ever do end up in the air, your feet are not stuck in the stirrups. This is important. Seriously.

The second thing is this rider is wearing a safety helmet. I can't say it enough times: wear a helmet when  you ride. Would you ride a motorcycle without a helmet? Would you go to batting practice without a helmet? Would you rock climb without a helmet? No, of course not. Wear your helmet.

'Nuff said. 

Thank you to Karen Goss for the use of her photo.

Summer Pony Pal Camp and The Stickers

What a wonderful day these kids have had a summer horsemanship camp! And look at sweet Annie, such a patient and kind horse-teacher. 

Part of learning to ride always includes lesson on the horse's body part. I will always remember my first lessons in England and reaching between my pony's ears and reciting, "The poll, the crest, the withers, the back, the rump, the tail."

The lesson plan for Pony Pal Campers at Columbia Horse Center Horsemanship Camp in Columbia, Maryland this day was to put sticky notes all over Annie showing the parts of the horse they just learned. Annie was a real trooper. She didn't try to eat even one!

True Story of Sea Feather

Do you remember Misty of Chincoteague? And Stormy, Misty's Foal? And all the other wonderful books penned by Marguerite Henry?

If you miss those good old fashioned horse and pony books, then you will be happy to to hear that children's author, Lois Szymanski, has just released her nineteenth book, The True Story of Sea Feather.

This amazing tale is a personal story of how Lois and her daughters were able to get their own Chincoteague pony through the kindness of a stranger they met at the annual Pony Penning Day and Auction in 1995. It is a remarkable story of a child's determination and the kindness of a stranger...a story that had to be told.

Here is a link to the Barnes and Noble web site if you would like to read more, or order the book for yourself. Mine is already on the way!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-True-Story-of-Sea-Feather/Lois-K-Szymanski/e/9780764336096/?itm=1&USRI=true+story+of+sea+feather

Check back tomorrow for updated photos and news about one of 2010's lucky Chincoteague colts and his owner, Alexis.

Erin and Her Quarter Horses Head West

This is Erin with two of her horses, Luke and April. 

Five years ago Erin followed her dream and moved from the east coast to the west, settling in Montana. She brought her paint gelding, Luke, with her, along with a Quarter Horse mare named Steel. The filly on the right, April, is Steel's granddaughter. April will be two years old in April of 2001.

Erin grew up riding dressage and eventing in Maryland. She now enjoys all the different western riding disciplines and is planning to train April in reining once she is old enough.

 

The Mystery of Your Pony's Yawn

When humans yawn we do it because our brain is asking for more oxygen. But a horse doesn't always yawn for the same reason. More often a horse will yawn when it is uncomfortable. Your horse or pony might yawn when you take the bridle off because it needs to stretch out the jaw muscles. They might yawn if their stomach feels upset. 

Some people believe yawning is a way of relieving stress, or a sign that your horse or pony suddenly feels less stressed, like after a  massage or a chiropractic treatment. 

If you notice your horse or pony yawning more than normal, it might be good to mention this to your vet, just in case it is a sign he or she is hurting somewhere you can't see.

Rachel and Cherokee

This is Rachel and her horse, Cherokee, a Paint horse whose coloring is called "overo." 

Paint horses have a combination of colors which include white patterns on bay, chestnut, black, bay or sorrel colors. Cherokee has two blue eyes, which isn't uncommon for Paint horses

A registered Paint horse must have two registered Paint Horse parents, or one Paint horse crossed with either an American Quarter horse or Thoroughbred. Their body structure is more similar to a Quarter Horse with a muscular body type with powerful hindquarters.

Occasionally two Paint parents can produce a solid color foal, but they can still be registered with the American Paint Horse Association. 

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Tell Us About Your First Horse or Pony Ride!

Most of us who love horses remember the first time we sat on a horse or pony for the rest of our lives. I remember my first, it was a paint pony led by a one armed girl down a lane in Donegal, Ireland. I was three years old, and in that moment the path my life took was determined.

Lots of kids, maybe even you, had their first experience on a pony ride at a fair or farm celebration. This is Sam and this was his first experience on a horse. He was so in love with the gentle giant he wanted to keep hugging him afterward and was reluctant to get off.

Most experienced horse people can tell when the light in a child's eye is shining in "that way," which means something clicked between the child and the horse, and this first ride certainly won't be the last.

* We'd like to hear YOUR story of the first time you ever rode a horse or pony. What do you remember about it, and how did you feel? Share your story and we'll post it here. If you have photos to send along with it, all the better. Send your brief one or two paragraph memory to: ponypix7@gmail.com.

Happy writing!

Norwegian Fjords and Elves

This young lady is riding a Norwegian Fjord (pronounced Fy-oord) at a holiday celebration and demonstration in Virginia. 

The Norwegian Fjord is often the height of a pony, but it is still considered a horse (except when they compete in pony classes in a horse show). These horses are very agile and considered a light draft breed.

All the Norwegian Fjords have distinctive coloring, like the one shown here, some variation of dun with a dorsal stripe down their backs. In this photo you can see how the horse's mane, which has been clipped short, or "roached", shows the light color on the outside and the dark stripe straight down the center. Some Norwegian Fjords, like the one pictured below, have vague striped or multicolor markings all over their body.

The Fjord horses are one of the oldest and purest breeds of modern day horses and are believed to have existed in Norway at the end of the last ice age. Their gentle disposition combined with small but sturdy size make them excellent horses for therapeutic riding centers, and are often seen pulling wagons full of tourists in Norway today.

The Lucky Horses of TriangleX

At the end of a long day on the trails, the horses of TriangleX Ranch in Moose, WY, are let loose for the night to graze on the sage brush flats in the shadow of the Grand Tetons. The interesting thing to see in this photo is how fit these horses are. They work hard for a living, trail riding sometimes four hours a day. But there isn't a skinny one in the bunch.

Why? First, these horses are all kept up to date on worming and vaccines. Their hooves are kept trim on a solid routine, and they are fitted with saddles that are a good match for their bodies, which allows for a less stressful work day (a good lesson for us). But all they eat each day is the grass that grows wild on the flats behind this ranch. With very few exceptions, the grass is rich enough, and their bodies are so well cared for, that this is all they need. After all, this is what the wild mustangs of America have lived on for hundreds of years.

The horses are brought to the ranch in early May. By the end of June, most are working six days a week. While they are not being ridden during the day they are kept in clean paddocks with fresh water and hay near the ranch. But when the last ride comes in, and the last horse had been un-tacked, checked over and brushed, the gates swing open and fifty or sixty horses file out and head for the hills. They spend their evenings grazing, scratching, socializing and sleeping ~ preparing for yet another days work on the ranch.

www.trianglex.com

Megan and Flicka

Meet Megan and her mare, Flicka, whose show name is First Edition. 

Flicka's breeding is a cross between Westphalian/Rhineland and Thoroughbred. Before Megan owned her, Flicka went in carriage pulling competitions. From that experience she learned she could plow down anything by laying her chest into it. She would break the fences almost every day to get to the green grass outside the field. 

Megan bought Flicka when she was four years old and showed her in hunter and equitation classes, plus some dressage and eventing. Megan says if Flicka wasn't trying to drag her down the aisle to get to the treat bucket, she was escaping from her stall or the indoor ring after teaching herself how to open any gate.

* Do you know the origin of  Westphalian and Rhineland horses?

Casey and Tyler

Meet Casey and a retired thoroughbred racehorse named Tyler. In this photo Casey is riding Tyler in a horse show that took place on Thanksgiving weekend several years ago.


Tyler's story is one of huge success. After a respectable career as a racehorse, he became a favorite horse in a unique leasing program offered by a riding school in Maryland. Students like Casey pay a monthly fee for the right to ride one of the special horses included in the program. The leasing horses are kept separate from the regular lesson horses and have a limited number of hours they can be ridden each week. They also have set "days off" to stay fresh and rested, and they benefit from regular schooling by advanced trainers.

Although the leasing horses are usually not offered for sale, Tyler was so loved by another of his riders, Julie, that she convinced the stable owner to sell him to her. Tyler now lives a pampered life on a farm in western Maryland. 

Nancy and Leap of Faith ~ Turned Out For Dressage

This is a lovely example of a nicely turned out horse and rider team during a dressage test. 

Nancy is riding her thoroughbred mare, Leap of Faith. You can see Nancy has braided her mane beautifully, the saddle and bridle are spit polished and shined, and she has clipped the mare's ears and fetlocks neatly.

Nancy is wearing a traditional dressage coat and breeches, with white gloves (which are worn by more advanced dressage riders) and her boots are clean and polished. 

In this photo you can see Leap of Faith's neck bending slightly to the inside as she and Nancy begin their perfect circle. The mare's front right leg is stretching forward well and you can see the ripple in the muscles on her shoulder.

Rachel, Cherokee and the Cross Country Course

This is a photo of Rachel and the horse she owned for many years, Cherokee. Rachel and Cherokee are taking a fence in a cross country course, one phase of an event. 


Eventing consists of three different tests designed to show the full extent of a horse and rider team's athleticism: dressage; cross country; and stadium jumping. 


Look closely and you will see a pole with a red flag sticking out of the top of the hay bale on the rider's right side. The red flag is always placed on the right of each obstacle so the rider knows which direction to jump it. On the left will be a white flag and the jump number.These are placed this way to help the rider navigate a long course over field and woods and through water.

Demo's Perfectly Braided Tail.

This is Demo's tail and a beautiful example of a tail braided for a horse show. 

There are many different types of braids. This is a classic French-type tail braid where dozens of sections are gathered at each side, pulled together in the center and braided down in a straight line.  It isn't often you can get a braid as straight an perfectly done as this one.

At most show stables you can find riders who earn money to pay for their own shows by braiding other people's horses.  An exhibitor might pay anywhere from $20 to well over $100 for a perfectly braided mane and tail. 

In hunter or equitation classes, where the horse and rider "turn-out" is expected to be polished and professional looking, a team might have points taken off for a sloppy braid, or no braid at all.

Delilah the Part-Arabian

This is Delilah, a part-Arabian mare used as a trail horse for more experienced riders. Delilah is wearing a Western bit and bridle. You can see the bit has long shanks, and there is a leather chin strap that is used in place of a curb chain. Typically you will see a western bridle with only one ear hole, but this bridle has a regular brow band like an English bridle. 


You can also see a very slight dish in Delilah's head, just below the eyes. This is a typical characteristic of an Arabian horse. Also, her muzzle is tiny and her ears fairly small. 


Arabians are used on trails a lot because they are very sure footed. They are also the most common horse used for competitive endurance riding when they might have to travel as much as 100 miles in a day.

Wrangler Bill

This is a photo of Bill, a wrangler at a ranch in Wyoming. Bill is checking a horse's hoof before they leave to go on a long trail ride. 


Wranglers are the experienced riders who take groups of people out on trail rides. In Bill's case, he works just outside of Jackson Hole at the TriangleX Ranch. He is responsible for tacking up the horses, helping the riders mount and get their stirrups adjusted, being sure each horse he takes out is sound and suitable for the rider, and for keeping the riders safe while having fun on the trails.


Each wrangler takes a set of supplies in their saddle bags for emergencies, such as pliers, rope, a knife, a hammer, a hoof pick, and emergency medical equipment. But more fun for the riders (sometimes called "dudes") is the knowledge of the area where they are riding because a wrangler will answer one hundred questions in a day if they answer anything at all.

Ryan, Landau and The Three Beat Canter

Ryan and Landau, a 17 hand Holsteiner, are in training for the show ring. If you look closely at Landau's hooves, you will see that the only one touching the ground in this stride is the back right. All the others are in the air.

Landau is cantering, which has three beats ~ it sounds like one-two-three, one-two-three, one-two-three. He is cantering on the left lead, which you can tell because he is pushing off with the back right leg. If he was pushing off with the back left leg, he would be traveling on right lead. 

If Landau was pushed out to a gallop, then each hoof would hit the ground one at a time. So instead of three beats, you would hear four.

* Do you know how many beats you would hear when your horse or pony is trotting?

Equine Body Language

This horse's name is Matilda and she is sending a clear message to another horse to back away. If you are ever near a horse and they lay their ears flat back against their neck like this, move. Immediately. This horse is sending a warning and is about to bite or kick.

Horses speak to each other, and to us, with body language. Laying their ears back, flipping their tails and cocking a hind hoof, curling lips or flared nostrils are all signs a horse is agitated and will try to protect itself by fighting back. 

The only other way a horse will try to protect itself is by running away. As you can see from this photo, Matilda is not in a place where she can easily escape from the horse who is bothering her. Instead, she will revert to fighting, or at least threatening to fight.

Little Katie and The Sad Giant

Meet Little Katie and her patient, Nick, a 17.2 hand Hanoverian gelding who Little Katie helped fix.

Little Katie is a registered Shetland pony whose job is to bring happiness and comfort to people and other horses. She is part of the Personal Ponies Program and has seen the inside of many hospitals and nursing homes, where she has made many sad or ill people smile.

Nick was a former show horse who had major surgery on his shoulder, which left him confined to his stall for one year while he healed. During that year he became very sad. He stopped eating and started biting himself out of frustration. The veterinarians weren't sure how to help him recover and were running out of options for trying to save him. They understood his depression came from being isolated from other horses, and that he was lonely. His owner was willing to do anything for the horse she loved.

Who better to help lift his spirits than tiny Little Katie?

Little Katie was moved right into the stall with Nick. At first, he was so afraid of her he flattened himself against the wall and shook until his legs grew weary. But it didn't take long before the two were inseparable. Nick started eating again and came out of his depression, and his grooms were able to start letting him take baby steps outside his stall. Although he'll never be ridden again, he eventually healed enough to be retired in a nice field where his owner gets to visit him every day.

* Do you know where Shetland ponies originally came from?

Elizabeth and Romeo ~ Perfect Athletes

This photo was taken in July during the Junior Young Riders Dressage Competition at Morven Park in Virginia. Seventeen year old Elizabeth is riding an imported Hanoverian gelding named Romeo. They are riding a First Level Test.

For a horse to work as pleasantly as Romeo is in this test, his back must be strong and supple. A supple back makes for a happy, healthy horse. A horse whose back is conditioned properly will be able to "track up" like Romeo is doing here.

Tracking up means that his hind legs come up under his body easily, and his back hoof lands in the same spot his front hoof did. He has to be able to stretch his back leg forward enough to reach that spot, and the first step in doing that is by having a strong and supple back.

In this photo you can see how Romeo's back left (or inside) leg is moving well up under his body, and that hoof is about to land in the exact spot where his front left hoof was. A horse that isn't supple and cannot track up efficiently, will not be able to bring his back leg forward that far.

Elizabeth spends many hours a week working with Romeo. Like any athlete, he requires thoughtful and expert conditioning as well as a good balance of free time to rest. The result is a well ridden test like this one, which earned Elizabeth High Point honors at this very competitive show.

Spring and Her Arabian Ancestors

This is Spring, a thoroughbred mare owned by Haleigh. Spring is enjoying her time outside on a cold day with her blanket on. 

If you look closely at Spring's head you will notice a slight dish, or indentation, where the white blaze is on her face. Although Spring is a registered thoroughbred, her Arabian ancestry shows clearly in her confirmation, specifically that dish in her face and her high tail carriage.

All thoroughbreds can be traced to one of three very influential Arabian stallions who were imported to England several hundred years ago. The Beyerly Turk was brought to England sometime in the late 1600's after a successful career as a war horse. The Darley Arabian arrived in England straight from Egypt in the early 1700's. The Godolphin Arabian was imported to England in 1724 and bred some of the best racehorses that country has ever seen.

One of the most prominent characteristics of an Arabian horse is a dished head, which is still evident in many thoroughbreds today.


* Do you know which equestrian sport Arabians excel in more than any other breed?

Lauren and The Ratcatcher

This is Lauren and her pony just after they competed in a horse show. Lauren rides in Short Stirrup classes in hunter shows.


Lauren is wearing her show shirt which has a separate piece around her neck called a "ratcatcher." You can see a gold pin the front of her neck. This is part of the appropriate dress code for showing in hunter shows. The neck piece Velcro's in the back, but before Velcro was invented the pin was used to keep it in place.


Lauren has her hair pulled back into two pigtails which are tied with ribbons. Once Lauren is old enough to start showing in regular hunter classes she will not wear pigtails anymore, but instead she will tuck her hair into a net tied with a bow in the back of her neck. When a judge is looking at a horse and rider in the ring, they don't want to see lots of hair flying around, so care is taken to keep it neat and tidy.


A sure winner for Lauren is not only that her pony appears to be immaculately groomed, but her smile will show any judge how much she loves riding and her pony.


* Do you know why those shirts with the separate collar are called "ratcatchers"?

Katy, Molly, Paige, Kylie ~ Safety Helmets and Smiles

Here is a group of friends who grew up riding together: Katy, Molly, Paige and Kylie. This picture was taken on a day school's were closed because of the snow storm, which gave these friends the perfect opportunity to spend the day together riding in the snow.

The most important thing to see in this photo is that, even though some of the horses are wearing saddles and bridles, some have just a halter and lead rope, and one wears only his winter blanket with a halter and lead rope, every one of these girls has their USEF approved safety helmet on their heads.


Never ride without an approved helmet. A bike helmet won't work. I cannot stress this enough. If you ride horses or ponies long enough, eventually you will fall off. An approved helmet will protect your head when you fall so you can hop back on and keep learning and having fun, like these four girls.


If you look closely, you will also see the other thing every one of these girls is wearing is a big smile. Happy Riding!

Mikey, the Surprise Foal!

This foal was a surprise to the owners of his mother. The colt's name is Mikey, and his mother was a school horse at a lesson stable. She had been purchased at an auction, so she came to the riding school without a lot of information about her history.

Mikey's mother was one of the few mares who don't show any signs of pregnancy until right before giving birth. She was actually in the middle of a lesson when she went into labor and surprised the instructor and rider with the gift of a baby.

Mother and foal were moved to a farm where they have lots of grassy fields to play in and a large foaling stall to sleep in at night. Once Mikey's is six months old he will be weaned from his mother, and she will return to her life as a lesson horse, teaching beginner kids and adults how to ride.

* Do you know how long a horse is pregnant?

Zena and the Need For Grass or Hay

A wild horse's diet consists of grass, shrubs, legumes (like alfalfa and clover) and water. Domesticated horses love grain, especially sweet feeds that mix oats, bran, molasses, corn and other favorites all together. But they also must have hay.  

Hay is a vital part of a horse's diet when he/she is kept in a stall with limited turn out. A horse's digestive system is designed to keep eating small amounts of food constantly, which keeps the stomach producing digestive fluids. Those juices do much more than just break down food. For example, when fiber, like that found in hay, is fermented by the digestive juices in the large intestine of the horse, it gives off heat as a by-product, which also helps keep the horse warm.

So if your horse cannot spend 10-12 hours a day outside grazing in a field, it is very important they are given access to good quality, clean, mold-free grass hay. More on the different types of hay tomorrow.

* Do you know which state has the most wild horses in America? 

Bryce, Cover and Body Language

This is Bryce, age 1 1/2, pointing to his Mom's horse. We aren't really sure what Bryce was saying to Cover, but he jabbered away for three or four minutes before wandering off to find something more interesting.

Do horses understand the words we use? Probably not. But they do respond to tone of voice and body language. 

If you approach a horse in a field head on, and that horse doesn't want to get caught, they will turn away. However, if you approach that same horse with your palm outstretched, speaking quietly, you still may not catch him, but he will at least wait to see what kind of treat you may have in your hand. He is responding to your body language. 

You have probably heard that a horse can sense when you are afraid and their reaction is to become afraid as well. When a horse's natural "fight or flight" instinct kicks in, they might rear, strike out, or run off. When dealing with horses it is important to know that they believe we are bigger than they are by the way we behave around them. So if you "speak" to them with confident body language, they will respond (usually) with good behavior.

Patience and the Special Shoes

This is a great close up of a special shoe that was custom made for a mare named Patience in Wyoming. Patience does most of her work on trails, sometimes climbing up steep inclines, or across rocky areas that require a very sure footed horse. 

Patience loves her job, but her hooves don't always agree and she gets bruised easily. Her owner designed and forged these special shoes that cover the bottom of her hoof, except the frog area, by melting two iron shoes together to make a plate. He shaped the plate so the frog is still exposed (the frog is important for blood flow, among other things) but the sole is protected.

By leaving the frog exposed, Patience will still get the benefit of pressure on that area which helps pump blood back up through the legs, and she will be able to safely navigate the trails without risk of bruising. Sometimes it just takes creativity on the part of an owner or farrier to keep a horse's hooves healthy and happy. 

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Heidi and Gigi ~ Jumping Sidesaddle!

TNo, Heidi isn't falling off the far side of her horse Gigi. Heidi is jumping a fence riding sidesaddle! Many people think riding sidesaddle means the rider literally sits sideways on the horse, but as you can see in this photo, the rider has bother shoulders and hips facing forward, just like when riding in a traditional saddle.

A sidesaddle is built with a special pommel that holds the riders leg tight in front, which keeps her balanced. Riding in a regular saddle with your leg swung over the pommel isn't safe because there is nothing to hold you in place.  Heidi is wearing a traditional English hunting outfit, but there are also Western sidesaddle riders and some people also use historic costumes.

The earliest images of sidesaddle riders come from painted Greek vases from the 9th century. Sidesaddles were designed for ladies to be able to ride modestly in long skirts and finer clothing. 

Today sidesaddle competitions are based on the style and riding habits typically used 100 years ago.


* If the very front point of a saddle is called a pommel, do you know what the very back point of the saddle is called?

Alyssa and The Red Roan Pony

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This is Alyssa sitting on a red roan pony. This pony was born a solid chestnut with a smattering of white hairs on the flanks or back, which tells it will be a roan.

Roan is different from gray. In order for a horse or pony to be gray, at least one parent must be gray. Also a gray horse or pony will have lighter colored head and legs, where a roan always has a darker head and legs like you can see in this photo.

A foal that will turn gray will usually have a sprinkling of white hairs around the eyes and will have started to lighten by the time they are weaned. However, a gray that is a steel color at 18 months can be solid white or flea bitten gray as an adult.

A red roan, like the pony here, has a chestnut base color. A bay roan has a brown body, black legs, mane and tail, and a blue roan has a black base coat, which gives it a blue-ish appearance when the white hairs grown out on top.

* Can you identify the name of the white facial markings on this pony?

Adorable Chincoteague Foals

This adorable Chincoteague foal was one of several hundreds auctioned off at the Pony Penning Day Auction which is held the last week of July every summer in Chincoteague, VA. 

This foal's color is called skewbald, which is a solid color coat with white markings. In this case, the foal is bay with white markings. A piebald is black and white only. 

Chincoteague ponies normally grow to between 12.2 to 13.2 hands. Although rare, there are a few who have been domesticated and grew over 15 hands.  

Saryna, Macho and Equine Body Language

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If you are near a horse and they reach out to you like this, get away! The horse on the left, Saryna, who belongs to Robin from Bay Minette, AL, is warning Macho to stay away.

Horses "talk" to each other and us through body language. When one lays her ears flat back against her head land snakes her neck out, this is a horse who is angry or feels threatened and is going to bite.

Other ways horses communicate through body language include:

* Flipping a tail with or without a hind hoof cocked means the horse is agitated and is threatening to kick.

* Clamped tail, the horse is frightened.

* A head raised with tense neck muscles and ears pointed forward is a horse who is alert and possibly suspecting danger.

* Flared nostrils indicates a horse is nervous.

* Droopy eyes and ears, the horse is resting or bored.

* Lips licking or chewing without food is a sign that the horse is relieving stress, or thinking.

* Ears are rotating, or flicking back and forth, the horse is trying to pay attention to a lot of things going on at once.

* Do you know what it means when a horse or pony lifts his head  and curls his upper lip back?

Glory and Silver ~ Big Horse and Little Pony and Families That Love Them

This is a photo of Kim, her daughter Alex, and their horse and pony. Alex's pony is the little gray named Silver. It looks as though Alex has just finished a class at a horse show on her pony because she is wearing her show clothes and still has her rider number on her back. 

Kim's horse is named Dreaming of Glory. Kim shows Glory herself in adult classes, but here she is giving Alex a ride back to their trailer bareback.

Kim and Alex come from a family of horsewomen. Kim's mother is a USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) registered horse show judge and, although she would not have judged the class Alex rode in, she is well known on the east coast. She also works as a Steward, who is the person in charge at large horse shows who makes sure everyone follows the rules. Kim grew up riding and showing like her mother, and now has passed her love of horses on to daughter, Alex.


Even with their very different colors ~ Silver is gray and Glory is bay ~ you can tell these two are well cared for every day. Their coats are shiny, their hooves nicely trimmed and they have good weight. Caring for a horse or pony, whether you show or ride for pleasure, takes a lot of time and hard work everyday. 


* Do you know what makes Glory's color "bay"?

Hannah and Her Feather Fund Chincoteague Pony Foal

Hannah was the second recipient of The Feather Fund and picked out three Chincoteague foals to bid on. This dark chestnut foal went late in the bidding, but Hannah came away the lucky winner!


This colt has some very unusual markings on him, much like the original Misty of Chincoteague. He has a big lightening bolt on one shoulder and a boomerang on the other. He is a large, beautiful colt with white stockings and a star on his forehead. He is out of an island stallion named Leonard's Stud.

Chincoteague ponies are very sturdy and tough. They are not only wonderful family pets, but make excellent show hunters, dressage ponies, and are favorites of Pony Club riders who use them for eventing and games.

Click here for more information about The Feather Fund.  


* Do you know what the tiny mark at the end of this foal's nose is called?

Hannah's Rocket and The Field of Grass

Meet Rocket, a Thoroughbred-Oldenburg cross gelding owned by Hannah. Rocket is fifteen years old. He and Hannah enjoy both pleasure riding and equestrian competitions.

In this photo Rocket is enjoying his free time turned out in a nice grassy field which shows a safe and secure fence. Turn out time is very important to a horse's mental and physical health. Not only because they need play time, just like we do, but also because of the way horses' bodies have evolved over millions of years.


In the wild a horse will eat with his head low to the ground. He will take a few bites of grass, then walk a few steps, then take another few bites. Horses have very small stomachs for their size and eating in small amounts over the whole day helps their stomach produce the right amount of acid to digest their food slowly, which will help prevent colic.


When we keep a horse in a stall  and load them up with buckets of high calorie grain two times a day, we are changing the way their bodies are naturally designed to digest food. It is especially important they get enough time to meander freely in a paddock or field during the day, to help keep their digestive system running properly. 

Turn out also gives horses the opportunity to stretch their legs, roll over and scratch their backs, nap in the shade, or play in the snow. It is better for their bones, their joints, their hooves, their coat, and their happiness.


A healthy horse is a happy horse.  


* Do you know what the boots are called that Rocket is wearing in the picture?

Alexis and Her Blue Eyed Chincoteague Pony

Every kid who has ever read Misty of Chincoteague dreams of going to Pony Penning the last week of July and coming home with their own foal. Pictured here is Alexis, one of the kids sponsored through The Feather Fund which raises money to help two kids every year buy the foal of their dreams. 

Alexis wasn't the only one in love with this little blue eyed overo colt, there were many people prepared to bid on him. The colt's sire is Surfer Dude and he is out of a mare named Thetis.

Kids who are part of The Feather Fund must choose three foals to bid on, but this little guy was her favorite. When the bidding started getting higher than they hoped to pay, the woman bidding against Alexis saw she was part of The Feather Fund and stopped bidding so Alexis could get the colt.

Besides Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry, there are a couple of books written by Lois Szymanski, founder of The Feather Fund, about the Chincoteague ponies. The first is called "Out of the Sea: Today's Chincoteague Ponies." Her other book, "The True Story of Sea Feather" will be out in December and tells the story of her own daughter's first Chincoteague pony and the woman they met who inspired The Feather Fund.


Click here for more information about The Feather Fund.

* Do you know the name of Misty of Chincoteague's mother? 

Selena and Radar ~ Good Lesson Horse and Good Balance

This is Selena and Radar during a riding lesson. Selena wrote to us that Radar is her favorite lesson horse because he has the most energy. She also likes that he is funny and kind at the same time, and says he can trick her, but also follows the rules.


The best lesson horses for young or beginner riders aren't the smallest ones. You can see in the photo that Radar is a good size. The qualities that make a good lesson horse or pony are the same that make the best school teachers. They must be patient and kind, forgiving and intelligent, but most of all, they must love their job.

Radar certainly has the right temperament for being a lesson horse. He looks calm, patient and interested in his job. The best lesson horse and ponies aren't necessarily the cute, fat ponies with the fluffy mane and large eyes. They are the ones who love to teach.


This photo shows a nice example of the leg position for a young rider. Selena's stirrups are a little shorter than they will be when she has ridden more years, but if you look carefully you can see that her knee is directly over the tip of her toes. When you are learning to ride, you are learning about balance. Sometimes people think they have to grip tightly to hold on, but Selena's position shows you that isn't true. You stay on the horse because you are balanced correctly, not because you are strong.

* Can you tell us what the most common way is for a person to get hurt by a horse?

Chloe and Bambi and The Riding Lesson

Meet Chloe, a student at Reddemeade Equestrian Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. Chloe is about to have a lesson on Bambi, a favorite lesson horse of young riders. 

Chloe's instructor is helping her adjust her stirrups on the far side. When kids or adults take lessons, it is important to find a riding stable that meets your needs, where you feel comfortable. 


Many riding stables offer a free introductory lesson so you can experience their teaching style before making a decision. You should be allowed to see the barns and have some access to seeing the horses under supervision on your visit. Please remember though, a riding stable will not allow you to wander through the barns without someone with you. This is for your safety and that of the horses. Many goodies that humans think will make an excellent treat for a horse or pony will actually make them sick, or occasionally an eager mouth will bite off more then just the treat offered.

A good riding school will never let you ride without an approved safety helmet, which can be purchased at local tack shops. You will also need a pair of hard soled shoes which have a small heel (not high heels!).

You can find places that teach horseback riding through your local chamber of commerce, or by googling "riding lessons" in your town or county. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The right riding stable will welcome your interest and will answer all your questions openly and honestly.

* Do you know how much color a horse can see?

Iggy and Mai Tai and Why Horses Don't Often Lay Down

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Pictured here are Iggy and Mai Tai, two horses enjoying their field on a cool, April afternoon.

You can tell by this photo that Iggy and Mai Tai feel safe and comfortable enough to lay down in their pasture. Horses in the wild are reluctant to lay down because they are prey animals whose lives depend on their speed and ability to run away from predators like bobcats and wolves who look for the weakest horse or foal in a herd.

Although people are often told a horse should never lay down, this isn't true. There are times when laying down means the horse isn't feeling well, but a sick or colicky horse will be thrashing about, looking at their sides, getting up and laying back down, and often will be stretched out on their sides with their legs stiffened, like when a mare is giving birth. Horses like the two in the picture are relaxed and happy, obviously not in distress.


A horses digestive and respiratory systems don't function as well when they are laying down. This is one of the reasons they most often sleep standing up, and because their instincts tell them they must always be ready to run if a predator is looking for dinner.


* What characteristic must one parent of a gray horse always have to produce a gray foal?