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Stretching exercises for the horse - Part 1
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Your equine partner might benefit from stretches too, but you have to perform some of them for him.
Topline stretch - use a carrot or piece of apple to entice your horse to stretch his neck and head down and between his forelegs. At first he may not be able to reach very far (same as many of you trying to reach your toes!) but as time goes by he should be able to reach way down there for his treat.
Neck stretches - again use an enticement for this one. Take the carrot as far towards the withers as the horse can, then down towards and behind the knees (but still off to the side). Repeat on the opposite side.
For both of these neck stretches, your horse may try to back up to get the reward. In that case, either position him with his hindquarters up against a stall or fence (solid, not wire), or you can try to use one of your feet to catch his pastern when he tries to back up. This second method is tricky and you need good balance. I hang on to the withers area with one hand when I do it, using the other hand to hold the treat.
Belly lifts - this stretch is especially useful for an older horse that is starting to get a bit of sway in his back. This description is from Dawn Park, a BC Equine College of Equine Therapy-certified equine therapist.
Gently run your hand along the horse's belly, starting at the front, and as you go along tip your fingers into the middle of the abdomen and then release. Move down a couple of inches and repeat the process. Or, if you have a friend with you, you can use a towel, each person holding an end, and on the count of three you each GENTLY lift upwards, then release slowly.
More equine stretches next week. |
| If you have tips or questions on equipment care, purchases, fit, or anything else to do with equestrian equipment, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com |
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Western, English, Penning or Trail riding, all equine sports have a voice on Northern B.C. Horse
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Past articles are all available in the
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Report on NSC Fall Show
The Northern Saddle Club Fall Show was pulled together at the last minute but in spite of that was quite well organized and ran smoothly (except for the icky weather on Sunday morning, but we didn't have any control over that!).
A total of six judges rounded out the show, with a different judge for most every division. Jill O'Neill of Smithers scored the Trail classes on Friday night in the indoor arena - scheduling this way makes it far easier for the course designer and saves time as well. Cori Stephen of Vanderhoof was well received on Saturday in the Main Arena judging the Western and Reining Divisions, which were low in entries compared to usual but still well entered.
Denise Trudel officiated over the Jumper classes in the Hunt Field, held concurrently with the Western. Marlo Likkel of Takysie Lake took over the Main Arena around 2 pm for the English Flat classes, which saw a large amount of junior competitors. Sunday was equally busy, with Joni Peters scoring dressage starting at 8 am. An hour later, the Gymkhana Division got going under the watchful eye of Kimberly Olynyk of Evelyn (Smithers). Lastly, the Hunter Division was judged by Erin Drescher, also of Smithers.
While having so many judges made the show staff's jobs interesting, the show did indeed run smoothly and from the comments received in the show office, it sounds like everyone enjoyed themselves.
I should have the Invitational Championship Gymkhana (Finals) qualifiers figured out within a few days, and will be calling those riders to see who can go to Terrace this year to represent the Northern Saddle Club.
For more info on Northern Saddle Club events, or the Finals, email me at kristi@hiway16.com and I can put you in touch with the right people.
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| If you have tips or questions you'd like to share with other local equestrians, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com |
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New to showing series -
More advanced classes - part 2
Team Penning
Three riders team together to cut out three numbered cows from a herd of 30, bring them down to the other end of the arena, and put them in a panel pen. Sounds much easier than it is, especially when you factor in the 90 second time limit!
Your horse should be able to stop and turn quickly without fighting you or getting overly excited. He should be comfortable around cattle. If you want to try it, but you're not sure how your horse will act, talk to some of the penners and see if you can go to one of their ranches and work cows in a quiet environment before you add the speed and excitement of penning.
You can also talk to some of the penners ahead of time before attending, so they know you would like to get on a team. There is always an interest in adding new members to the sport.
Hunters
Hunters are jumping horses are judged mainly on their style in between and over fences. A hunter will earn a score based on the judge's ideal of a hunter. Manners and way of going come into play, as well as the rhythm and pace throughout the course.
Hunter fences tend to the conservative; greens and browns, fake brick walls, using brush for fill - the sort of thing you would see if out actually hunting (like the English style of fox-hunting). The corners will be sweeping and easy to negotiate, and the horse should pick up his correct leads.
While a competitor will be scored down for rails knocked down or refusals, the ride is still judged on the overall quality.
Jumpers
Jumpers are speed event horses over fences. Brightly coloured fences and tighter turns make for more excitement as riders compete against the clock. Knockdowns and refusals are assigned faults (4 for a knockdown, 3 for a refusal), and riders are placed first by the number of faults (0 faults being the hoped for) and then by their time.
Some classes require those with 0 faults to return to the ring for a jump-off, which is then a tie breaker that is won by the horse with the fastest time. The jump-off is usually a shortened version of the original course.
If you have tips or questions you'd like to share with other local equestrians, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com
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If you are new to Northern B.C. Horse, check out all the previous issues on the Archive page.
Kristi is building a great knowledge base about horses, with the emphasis on our area of the world
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