1.  Dress in layers.   Lots of layers, long thermal underwear, several long sleeve T-shirts, a vest, keep your head and ears covered, and wear sock and glove liners.  Also, give up those riding tights or jodpurs, if you can for stretchy jeans. Jeans are generally thicker.  Buy them a size roomier so you can layer underneath.

2.  Invest in a pair of winter riding boots.  I like the kind with velcro fasteners.  It is easier to get them on and off.  Make sure they are insulated to help keep your toes toasty.

3.  Invest in a riding blanket that covers your horse and wraps around you and your saddle to block the wind and hold in heat.

Once everything is in place for you to stay warm, think about your horse.

1.  Keep him in condition for winter weather.  Bump up his grain a little in the fall and put on a few pounds or keep him blanketed.

2.  Be deligent about keeping him shod properly.  In icy, snowy and muddy footing, it doesn’t hurt to invest in shoes with studs or specialized boots for proper footing.  These can be purchased through several sites found on the internet.  It is easy enough to measure for them.  But be sure to have a new trim on him before you do measure.

3.  Wrap your horses legs to help prevent tendon damage.  Walking, trotting, gaiting or cantering on sloppy footing puts more stress on the legs.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Most importantly, plan accordingly, give yourself plenty of time and enjoy your ride.

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I personally trained this little mare spending many, many hours in the saddle riding all over North Carolina and Virginia.  She has been on several day long trail rides and three competitive trail rides sponsored by ACTHA.  Confetti is 14.2 hands and has excellent and tough hooves.  She can go barefoot most of the time.  I prefer shoes on the rocky trails.  She is easy to handle and gets along well with other horses.  Anyone can ride her, but she is hot to the cues, so preferrably a rider with quiet hands and legs would be best for her.  She has a very sensitive mouth and it doesn’t take but a small touch to cue her.  I also ride Confetti with a hackamore, which I prefer except for cantering in the open.  Confetti loves to gallop and can cover a lot of ground in very little time.  She is a little running machine and her small compact body makes her perfect for endurance rides. 

I would love to keep Confetti, but I have too, way too many horses.  I want her to have a good, loving home, preferrably a woman owner.  She loves attention and grooming.  She also loves the trails.

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It took us a few hours to get there through some of the prettiest country one could hope to see.  The fact that we went late in October didn’t hurt any either.  The trees were beautiful, the mountains were clear and the rolling hills in the valley with their picturesque  farms and towns made me want to move there.  I think some of the nicest people you could ever meet live in the Shenandoah Valley.   I did get a little worried when we started up the mountain to the ranch pulling a long stock trailer with horses on a steep, winding and narrow road that had posted signs,  ”Not Recommended for Tractor Trailers”.   But we made it safely and pulled into a very convenient and well run facility.

Two days of riding were all we had time for, but to tell the truth, our horses weren’t quite up to more than two days.  We took our two most conditioned horses.  However, we weren’t prepared for the rocks on the trail.  Most of the trails were actually ‘easy’ trails, but one of our mares did not have shoes and the other only had front shoes.  I am talking about them walking over boulder size rocks that really took some accomodating.  This old gal actually got off her mare to make walking easier.  Thankfully, those sections of the trails were few and far between and only a short distance of maybe 30 feet.  But I loved every minute of it and would certainly do it again.  Next time I will be better prepared.   Shoes all the way around.

One of the best trails we rode took us up to the top of the mountain where we could see for miles and miles and overlooked the Shenandoah River.  This was a winding and steep trail, but so well layed out,  that it did not seem steep at all.  It took us about three hours of walking up and around the valleys to get there, then about two – three hours to get back.  The views were spectacular.  The only thing I regret is that I forgot to take my camera.  The most intimidating part of that particular trail was the rocky, narrow and steep area that I would have named ‘Goat Only Crossing”.  That is one area where I felt more comfortable leading my horse rather than riding.  But my mare went through it like she had been doing it her whole life. 

We were certainly tired when we got back, mostly from not being used to riding all day and partly from being up so high in the mountains.  After taking care of the horses and relaxing with our favorite beverage, I was ready to go again.  But, being fall, the daylight was decreasing and it was getting cooler and we were hungry.  Typically we would have started a fire in the pit and grilled steaks, but we opted for the cook stove in the trailer where it was warm and we had a shower and TV. 

Next morning I could not wait to get started.  We had the camp pretty much to ourselves that weekend.  It was very quiet and peaceful.  The trees were in their rich yellows and reds.  We took a shorter ride this day thinking that our horses feet would probably be a little sore.  However, with the addition of easy boots they picked right up and didn’t have any problems at all.  We did ride up on some people on dirt bikes, but they were wonderfully understanding and accomodating when they saw the horses.  Our mares didn’t seem to mind at all and just kept going like troopers. 

There is no way to describe the beauty and serenity of the Shenandoah Valley.  It is one of the most relaxing places I have ridden and would go again in a heartbeat.  I highly recommend it.

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Recently, I had two very green 3 year old horses come in for training.  They had some ground work and saddle work done, but basically everything was new to them.  The owners needed a little help to get over the hump and continue themselves and I was happy to help.  These two horses had been pasture buddies since they were one year old.  They were very dependent on each others comfort for security.  However, this did not interfere in their training.  I put them in stalls on opposite ends of the barn and pastured them together in the evenings.   They adapted quickly and only whinnied to each other occasionally as if they were checking on each other. 

Training went quickly and easily as they are both very intelligent animals.  I always start out with basic ground manners:  standing, tying, grooming, picking up feet, bathing, clipping, moving left, right, back, forward, leading, bridling, saddling, using a bit, moving away from presssure, the walk forward cue, stopping with the bit, the one rein stop, etc.   All this I teach them from the ground before I ever get on their backs.  

I started with the male first.  It was interesting that he was very apprehensive about anything being above him and want to bolt everytime I got higher than him.  We worked on this quite a while just to be able to get on his back safely.  I put him in the round pen and started raising my arms up until he accepted that, then I used the rope or lariat to go over his back, around him and over his head until he was ok with that part.  Then I progressed to twirling it over my head and throwing it over his head, behind him and in front of him until he was ok with that.  However, he still did not want me above him.   We have a flat bed goose neck trailer that puts me quit a bit taller than him.  I walked back and forth on the trailer leading him alongside until he allowed me to pet him on the neck and head.   After that , me being above him was not a problem.  From their we progressed to riding.  He took to it quite well. 

However, his sister, who had already been exposed to the saddle, did not have a problem with me being higher than her.  I could get on without a hitch, but she spooked at different things in the yard or pasture.  (Needless to say, I do all my basic training and first time rides in a round pen.)  I did the same training on the trailer with her, but it did not make a difference.  So then I progressed to different desensitization techniques.  I got out our exercise ball.  I started out rolling it around her, under her, over her  and bouncing it until I could bounce it off her sides, rump and shoulder with her standing there.   Not a problem, but she still spooked under saddle if she saw something move suddenly.  So I started waving my arms around like a mad woman, doing jumping jacks, anything I could think of until she started standing there looking at me.  Then I rewarded her with lots of strokes and soft language.  She spooked less and less. 

Time went by too quickly and the owners took her home to finish her.  I cautioned them to keep her on a lead line until they were comfortable with taking her out alone.  They have since emailed me twice to let me know she is doing great and they are now riding her off the lead line and she is the first one at the gate to be worked.   Awesome.   That is what I like to hear.

Here is their testimony:      “ Both horses are doing great! I’ve started riding Zazzy last week off the lead line and she hasn’t spooked yet. She has started just looking at me like I’m crazy when I jump or do jumping jacks with her. She really acts like she is enjoying working, she’s always the first one at the gate and ready to go with me to the round pen. Had too give Sluggo a few days off due to a swollen leg, I think his sister kicked him, but doing much better and he did fine today when I started riding him again. We are very pleased with the progress they have made after being with you. Thank you again.”

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Do you pull or yank on your reins to get results from your horse?  If so, you are shouting at him as if you were screaming into those highly sensitve ears that can hear a bird fly away before we even see it.  Will you get results?  Of course you will.  A horse will either turn into pressure or turn away from pressure.  Their first inclination will be to turn away from pressure and if that doesn’t work they will go with it – for a while.  Ever had your horse pull on the bit, toss his head, tighten his jaw, grab the bit and keep going?  That’s because you taught him to do that by pulling or yanking on the reins.  Remember, if you keep pressure on, the horse will find a way to escape that pressure or worse, learn to ignore you. 

So, here is the fix.  Learn to ask, yes, I say ask,    your horse to respond to your hands on the reins.  Next time you ride, use very light pressure on one rein by squeezing that rein like a sponge until your horse does something.  Something like move his ear, move his body, head or anything that lets you know he is getting the message.   As soon as he responds, no matter how small the response, stop squeezing!  You just taught your horse to respond to your question.  Then make a game of it until you have taught your horse to direct rein left, right, back and gain speed control with as little pressure on the reins as you can possibly use.  Don’t get frustrated if your horse does not respond right away.  Don’t force the issue, stop if you find yourself getting frustrated and wanting to pull or yank. Walk away and try again latter. 

THERE IS NO NEED TO SHOUT AT YOUR HORSE TO GET HIM TO RESPOND!  Let me say that again.  There is no need to shout at your horse to get him to respond.  ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK!  All you have to do is ask and wait for the right answer.  It is like teaching a kindergartner to write his ABC’s.  Start with little steps, a soft voice, lots of praise and be patient while he is learning.  Before long, like your child, your horse will be wrting in cursive.

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We are pleased to announce two new opportunities for horse lovers who have limited time and funds, but would love the opportunity to become involved in riding and various equestrian activities.  Baymount Farm has created and is offering a new Intro to Horsemanship class at Mitchell Community College this fall.   This class starts September 9, 2010 on Thursdays from 6:30 – 8:30 pm for six weeks.  The class will cover briefly many aspects of the equestrian industry, including various disciplines; hunt seat, dressage, equitation, western and gaited riding.  Also covered will be the different equestrian businesses, equine contracts and laws, grooming and demonstrations at local barns.  More information can be found at http://www.mitchellcc.edu/cec/forms/MCC_CE_Schedule_Fall10.pdf    on page 14 of the Continuing Education Booklet online. 

Also beginning in September will be special classes just for Mom’s.  These will cover learning to care for, tack and ride horses with trail riding for groups of 4.  Classes will be scheduled Monday, Wednesday and Fridays in the mornings.   This gives Mom’s an opportunity to treat themselves special while their children are in school and take a break from the humdrum of cleaning, shopping, planning and all the daily activities of managing a family.  Visit the LESSON page on www.baymountacres.com for pricing and more information.

All in all, I am expecting this to be an exciting fall for 2010.  Hope to see you soon.

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So, thanks to some clients of mine I have had the opportunity to hold a clinic with just such a thing in mind.  They requested that I come to their farm and teach them specifics in their area of riding for the entire family.  I did and it was great!  My daughter and I both held the two day clinic for my clients who were a family of four.  They provided their own horses and equipment.   I think that is the best way to learn.  I can easily use someone else’s horses and equipment when I am learning, but then I get back to my barn and horses, discover that my equipment is slightly different and my horses aren’t quite trained the same and that adds to the confusion of putting it all together.  With their own equipment, horses and on their trails we were able to progress with comfort and ease.  This added to the quickness in which the children were able to pick up important skills in riding and apply those skills without as much hesitation by being on their own territory. 

The first part of each morning consisted of learning to harness, hitch and drive a carriage horse.   This went very well, was lots of fun and the family members learned the basics of driving down their driveway and out onto the property.  They learned how to fit the harness for comfort and security, how to handle the reins properly and how to drive, turn, back and slow down their driving horse.   Most of this they were already doing properly, but just needed a little brush up on their skills and confirmation that they were doing it correctly. 

The second half of the day consisted of trail riding, a few lessons on jumping, two-point position, proper leg placement and usage in the saddle, the correct way to balance and the difference in hunt seat, western, and equitation.  Since we were using gaited horses, the hunt seat was a little challenge but the lessons were learned and the students were jumping by the time we left.   

Unfortunately, because of the weather, we were not able to do as much as I had planned.  We were facing wind gusts up to 25mph and temperatures in the low 30′s.  This made it quite cold, our fingers and toes were numb, our faces wind burned but our spirits were up and that hot chocolate sure was good!  Plus the cooks were magnificent, they provided the lunches and we dined like kings.

At any rate, I have a video of our clinic just for fun.   Baymount Farm Natural Horsemanship Clinic.   I hope you enjoy watching as much as we enjoyed filming and working.  I wish I had more to show you, but our battery went dead, must of been the extremely cold weather. 

Future clinics can be held for you, within a reasonable driving distance, no more than 2 hours away please.   Clinics run $110 per person daily, 8 hour days,  for 4 people, plus hotel.   More than 4 people the price can be adjusted.  Just email me for more information.

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Confetti acted as if she did not know how to be ridden.  If I had not known better I would have thought she was green, but given time to calm down I could tell she had training.  I spend a lot of time working with Confetti on a full cheek snaffle to get her responsive again.  I spent most of the time just walking beside her suppling one side of the bit then the other to see just how responsive she could be.  What I found was, she knew how to ‘give to the bit’ but didn’t know for ‘how long’ or in other words, how to stay on the bit.  So we kept walking and giving until she had it down.  That was basically all it took to teach her to rein properly.  After that, it was saddle up and practice in the ring.

I know she had been ridden before because she picked up on turning on the forehand, haunches, backing, side passing and half passing very quickly.  She was just rusty and protested to being back in work.    My daughter and I took her out on the trails and she loved that!  Oh my gosh, she was wonderful.

Ok, it was time to sell her.  We had way to many horses, my daughter was going to college and wouldn’t be home to ride her, so we found a home for her.  A wonderful family bought her, took her home for their 14 year old daughter.  But,  they have walking horses and Confetti had a hard time keeping up.  They decided to stick with walking horses and have offered Confetti up for sale again.

Now Confetti is back with us and continuing her training.  I have been working her on the obstacles for competitive trail riding and she has been doing quite well.  She is now ready for another home.  Confetti is being offered for $2,000.  I have a 14 year old student who has been riding her to keep her in shape.  This particular student just recently learned to ride and has been having a wonderful experience on Confetti.  Here is her recent video Red Confetti on You Tube

Confetti would make a wonderful trail riding competition horse or just a pleasure trial horse.  She is sound, easy to work with, stands for the farrier, hauls easily, has no dental issues, stays outside year round, has a very thick coat in winter and sheds out smoothly in the summer.  I don’t normally grain her except a small amount for extra nutrition in the winter.  She can go barefoot or wear shoes for the rocky trails.

Confetti loves people and gets along well with other horses.  I would love to keep her myself, but have too many now.  So, if you are interested or need more information you can reach me through my contact page.

Happy Riding.

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I have decided that ex-race horses really don’t like staying in the stall, which is quite alright with me.   My other one, Sera, a thoroughbred stresses and walks the stall if I try to keep her in.  Sir Alex just chooses to try to crib.  There isn’t a place in the stall he can sink his teeth into except the buckets, so out he goes.  I don’t need my buckets torn up.  Also, one less mess to clean up, you know.  As long as he is happy outside, so be it.  His coat is thick enough and he is heavy enough that I doubt he will even notice the cold.  He is also barefoot, which I like during winter.  Ice, snow and mud doesn’t get so clogged up on his soles and I don’t have to worry so much about him getting hurt cavorting out in the pasture. 

My daughter rode him two days after he arrived and he was wonderful.  Sir Alex raced his second year and won a fair amount, but started to get sore so his conscientious owners decided to retire him rather then risk his getting hurt.    After that he went on to being a lesson horse.  He trots and paces which makes him perfect since he is so versatile.  I finally rode him a few days ago and decided that I needed to work with him on the snaffle bit to see what he would do.  In the video he was wearing an eggbut snaffle.  I put a full cheek snaffle on him which is my choice in bits when I get a new horse to try out.   I have been suppling him and asking him to walk straight without all the chewing.   Alex does like to chew, so I think I will try a snaffle with a french link and see how that works for him.  Today we had a great day!   Obviously  he has been very well trained by his previous owners and is a pleasure to ride. 

Sir Alex has quite a smooth trot, doesn’t canter, but that is ok, he does pace and is very smooth.  That’s all I need anyway.  He was a nut today when I was riding him in the ring.  My dachshund, Izzy, came out to say hello to me and Sir Alex thought he was going to get attacked.  I never dreamed he would be frightened by such a small, unassuming dog, but by golly if he didn’t spin around and try to run.   Thankfully, he is very, very well behaved and trusting of humans.  He settled down easily and we just kept going.  That is a good training technique with a spooky horse.  If you can stay on, just ride it out all the time trying to gain control and give the horse something to do that he does well to get his mind back on work and off whatever scared him.  They have a one track mind, so stay calm, regain control and keep going.

Anyway, to me Sir Alex is special and I really look forward to giving lessons on him.  I think my students will love him too.

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Was I in for a huge lesson.  I was so green and so dumb that I told the farmer who owned the land that his mare pony had an infection and needed to call a vet because she had all this discharge under her tail!!  Imagine the laugh he had after I left!  Well I kept my horse for a few years, but sold him after I had my daughter.  I had owned him a few months when I found out I was pregnant for the third time and decided he was too much to care for with an infant and two  boys that needed me more.   I wish I had someone who took the time to tell me how much there was to caring for a horse when I bought him and had outlined it for me.  I wouldn’t have changed my mind, but I would have had something in which to refer.  And I probably would have picked out a better horse.  There were so many books out there I could have thumbed through hundreds before I found the right one to go by. 

Here’s what I wish I had known.

1.  How to judge the temperament of a horse.  I loved all horses and if I could catch them I thought they would be fine. I didn’t know to look for signs of sourness, distress, submissiveness or what-have-you.  I didn’t know that ears flat back meant, beware, or that flared nostrils could mean the horse is ready to bolt, a swishing tail could mean, anger, not just swatting flys.  There is a lot of body language I know now, that I had no idea even existed then. 

2.  I would have given anything to have known a horse has a one track mind and if you keep it busy doing something it knows well your chances are greater at having a safe ride.  Especially if you horse hates to leave its buddy or the barn. 

3.  Knowing what type of grain, hay and wormer to give and when would have helped.  My poor horse had to survive on what grass he could find.  There was plenty of it, but he would probably have been healthier if he had been limited to his intake of rich pasture grass and wormed more often. 

4.  Realizing (not just knowing) horses are herd animals and feel safer in groups would have helped me understand my horses reluctance to be separated from his pasture buddy.  Looking back I am thankful he had a pasture buddy.

5.  Knowing the signs of colic and how to take a pulse, respiration and what is a normal temp would have been helpful.  All these things should be kept on record for future reference.

6.  Signs of lameness and what the common causes are, like laminitis and abscesses. 

7.  My most recent challenge was to have a horse choke.  Never had that happen before and didn’t know what had happened at first.  It’s nice to know that they can choke and still breath, but do need to see a vet immediately when this happens. 

I could go on and on, but I would end up writing a book and there are already enough books on the market about horses.  My best advice is, that if you love horses, but aren’t that familiar with them, then don’t be afraid to ask for help.  There is no need to go out and hire a trainer, but you can learn a lot through riding lessons, videos and there is always RFD TV.  There is lots and lots of practical advice on that program. 

But if you have a question and need a fairly quick answer just email me.  I’ll do what Ican to answer your questions and give my best advice.  You can find me on Facebook under Baymount Farm or Twitter.

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