It has to for this German teenager!

When Regina  Mayer’s parents said she couldn’t have a horse, she decided she would just have to train the family’s cow, Luna, to do the job instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4WtxKoal-c

Just over 10 years ago, I used to be out at a dressage or eventing competition almost every weekend, but since married life, kids & my own business have come along I don’t get out as much as I used to!

Anyway, I have a dressage competition coming up in about four weeks, so for the last few weeks myself & a couple of friends who’re competing in the same event have been running through some of the tests lately…which brings me to the subject of this article.

Easy Ways to Improve Your Score in a Dressage Test

Some aspects of a dressage test need months or years of work to perfect like collection, lateral work, transitions etc….& if you haven’t been doing the hard yards in the months leading up, there’s not going to be much you can do to change things during the test.

But there’s some things you can do, no matter what level of training your horse has or how much experience you as a rider have, that WILL get you MORE points than your competition! …& you don’t need to put in months or even weeks of work to do this.

As you’d know if you’ve done any dressage before, 1 or 2 points can make the difference between a placing & nothing, so it’s well worth knowing how to scrape up every last point from the judges!

1. Make Sure Your Circles Are Actually Circles.

Yep, doing ovals or squares instead of circles is a VERY common way to lose points in a dressage test and it’s so easily avoided.

How a 'perfect' 20m circle should be ridden.

Imagine the area in which you have to do your circle as a square, then draw a perfect circle within that square. Your perfect circle will just touch the middle of each side of the square for a very small distance before coming off and continuing the curve. This is how you should ride your circles in your tests.

2. Ride Your Corners

Now I don’t mean ride as far into the corner as you can, then yank your poor horse around a split second before they jump out of the arena, but ride as far into the corners as you possibly can before you start the turn.

Just how far you can ride into the corner before turning is something you’ll only work out by practising it. Do it a few times at home and you’ll soon know when you have to start turning.

Hint…Make sure your horse is nice & steady before entering the corner – if you need to, you can use 1 or 2 little half halts to achieve this. This will make sure that they’re balanced and steady as they start the corner making it much easier for you to rider them through it nicely.

3. Ride Your Test Accurately

If you’re supposed to trot at C, do your best to do it at C, & not 4 metres before or after it! But you say, it takes me 10 metres to pull up my horse?

Ok, well in the long term, this would be something you’d definitely have to work on, but for now there’s any easy solution to this – start to prepare them for the transition 10 metres before hand so by the time you get to the letter, they’ve slowed down sufficiently!

This goes for any transition in any test…start preparing your horse with ample time to make sure you can make the transition on the required letter.

It all comes down to a bit of practice and getting to know your horse!

So go out there & get those extra points…it could make all the difference!

I’ve just spent the last few hours sorting through a few thousand pics that a friend took at Equitana back in 2010 – in case you don’t know, Equitana is a big, 3 day ’horse expo’ that they have in Australia every year. You’ll find everything there…breeds, English riding, Western riding, horse training sessions, trick training & riding displays, games and much more.

It’s horsie heaven…:)

But back on topic, I couldn’t help but notice something in a lot of the dressage pics. A lot of the dressage riders had the most grumpy, sour look on their faces…it really didn’t make for a pleasant picture.

Admittedly the horses looked absolutely stunning, but the riders, well they needed a bit of editing here and there. The other thing I noticed, was that it seemed to be mainly the female riders that looked grumpy.

The brilliant dressage rider, Steffen Peters with a big smile!

Now one of the things I remember my dressage coaches always telling me, was to smile when you’re doing your dressage test!

It will help you to relax, & if you’re feeling more relaxed then your horse will be calmer too and perform a bit better.

And no, this isn’t just some old wives tale, I can safely say from experience, that it really does work.

So that gets me back to my original question…why are all these (supposedly) top notch, professional dressage riders doing their dressage tests with such a horrible scowl on their face that it would make their grandma turn in their grave!

It certainly doesn’t make for a pretty, elegant picture…now I’m not saying you need to go through your dressage test grinning like a Cheshire cat every stride, but try to keep the grumpy face hidden away for 5 to 10 minutes. The judges & spectators will appreciate it!

So make sure YOU try to smile in your next dressage test…no matter what happens!

I’ve come across a few very strange ads for horses for sale ads in the last week or so…just had to share a few with you .

Enjoy!!!

I have a hore that had his man parts off. He was to meen with them on. Heis beter now he don kick no more but he wont let me ride him. I guess he isnt broke. He has papers and says he was borned on the march 10 2009. He is a good one with his feet and will led around good. I bought him at auction and they rode him in the pen a little. But my friend says he not really broke. I got him for my kid but he s no good for kids. I will sell him with papers for $400 what I paid for the vet to fix him. Or trade for a pony or smaller horse my kid can ride. This one got a lot bigger since we got him. I dont know how to measure him like you suppose to do, but he’s shoulder is 64 in he was a lot littler last spring.

Don’t think I need to say too much more about that one!

2 Perfect Horses – $1000

I have 2 great horses that we dont ride anymore.Both are healthy..The black one is approx. 8 yrs old and female..The brown one is approx 13yrs old and used to be a male…they are both barefoot…My kids rode them for awhile but have lost interest in them…They are both around 16 hands tall..(black mare is a bit taller)…Looking for a great home for them..They both love attention and are easy rides…Would like to keep them together if possible..asking $1000 for the pair.

Used to be a male? Since when have they been doing sex change operations on horses!

Ok, I think we all know what they mean, but it certainly didn’t come out right!

Gray Qh Mare

**MUST SALE ASAP ALL OFFERS WILL BE CONCEDED***
 May 1,2003 Birth date of mare she rides very well but not for a begginer rider she is 14.1-14.2 she is Gray Very long mane and tail BEAUTIFUL!!! Bought her but just aint got any time for her about to go back to school and im always working ! havent got to ride her in about 3 months bcz i hurt my knee but had a friend hop on her bare back and she didnt do anything !! Priced to sale papers are wonderful !! Has Wimpy,Leo,Peppy San Badger and some more great horses !!
 Would make wonderful brood mare she has had 1 foal who was amazing i have pictures of him also she was a great mother !!
 Can Text or Email pictures…
 $750 OBO just really need to get this girl sold before i go back to school !!
 Thanks so much !!

Uh, yes, you definitely need to go back to school.

1-VERY BEUTIFUL OVERO PAINT GELDEN,DARK RED SORROW AND WHITE,4-5YRS OLD$400,1-DARK BROWN BAY GELDEN 2-3YRS OLD$200,1-PRETTY,BUCKSKIN AND WHITE,MARE,6-7YRS,$300,BY EACH OR ALL$750.THESE HORSES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE,NOT STCKLY,BEIMG-RUN ON PASTURE,FEAD FEED,AND HAY,ARE OF A FREINLY TYPE,CAN PET THEM,WILL COME TO YOU,CAN BE DEEP IN THE PASTURE AND IF THEY CAN HEAR YOU WISALE,WILL COME TO YOU,LOVES ATCHION,LIKE BIG PETS,BUT HAVE BEEN RUNNING ON PASTURE FOR SOME TIME, WILL NEED RETRAINED OR BROKE,WILL MAKE NICE HORSES,TO SOME ONE WHO KNOWS AND LOVES THEM,

…& so do you! With computers these days, it isn’t that hard to run it through a spell checker is it?

Must Sell Horse

She has been hauled to trail rides, been started on the barrel pattern, and has also been used moving cattle. I have had her since she was a baby and is as sweet as can be. She is a 2002 model. Would make a great barrel horse just needs a job. This horse loves to work. . She is a wonderful horse but I cant give her the attention she deserves. MUST SELL! MAKE AN OFFER! $1000? $900? $800??? Make an offer!!!
I do not have her registered papers, so she is being sold unregistered. If someone would like to dna test her I can give you a copy of the papers.

Ok, so you don’t have her papers, but if I pay for a DNA test you’ll give them to me??? Something doesn’t quite add up here.

Equestrian vaulting is becoming more and more popular these days, and it’s little wonder really. Vaulting combines horse riding with gymnastic activities, all done on a moving horse – some people would liken it to doing circus tricks on horses!

When you first start out vaulting, you commence training on a barrel – or simulated horse – and practice a lot of the moves on that first. Once you’ve become comfortable with that, you move onto a horse and complete the movements at the walk. Once you can perform them well at the walk, you move onto the canter.

Vaulting is excellent for your balance and can be a valuable part of the training for any horse rider competing in any other disciplines – dressage, western, jumping etc.

To get an idea of what you can do with vaulting I’ve included some videos of some great equestrian vaulting videos below (not all are of British equestrian vaulting).

Freestyle Competition at an international event in Saumur, France, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTv_dz8uPhI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvHCF1h3hq4

This video below is an absolutely brilliant example of equestrian vaulting at it’s very best. Gold medal winner, Joanne Eccles at the World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky doing her Freestyle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vfkcabr-eg

And here’s a couple of juniors doing a Ken & Barbie Freestyle team display!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXONEVOPBvU

Here’s a collection of funny horse riding falls I found on YouTube recently…no one got hurt in any of these falls! Enjoy!!!

This little girl was very keen to show her friend how she could canter her pony bareback…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CV_5jMR9qw

…the only problem was, this 12 year old Welsh Mountain pony had a trick or 2 up it’s sleeve too .

In this one, the horse decides if I have to have a bath in this river…then so do you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDGJUbEh6K0

A very neat somersault off this pony…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpYAGdSMZqc

If this person ever decides to pursue another career other than show jumping, I’m sure they’ll do very well at equestrian vaulting!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gujSoBvgE3w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIo3ZfA9da0

This is a great story about the heroic horse, Sergeant Reckless, and her involvement in the Korean War. This great little mare was purchased from a Korean racetrack by the US army and trained to help transport dangerous explosives…on her own!

Just saw this ad pop up on one of the horse classifieds sites that I spend a bit too much time on …no harm in window shopping is there?

Anyway, brought a smile to my face & I reckon it would definitely get people’s attention. Next time you’ve got a horse or pony for sale, it mightn’t hurt to try a slightly different tactic like these guys to help your ad stand out from the thousand or so others!

For Sale: One rather loud halter – comes with free pony! , $4,500 ono

One rather loudly coloured halter for sale – cob size, good condition (barely used), also matching lead rope!! Be seen wherever you go with this one!!
 
Oh, and it comes with the following pony attached to it:
 
WIZARD
 
Sire: Willowcroft Hawfinch
 Dam: Dalpura Puffin
 DOB: 6th October 1999
 Height: 14.1hh
 
Wiz is a wonderful little gelding who would be best suited to someone who does not mind a forward pony. He is by no means ‘silly’, and is a gentleman to handle on the ground, in the arena, etc, however he is energetic and would benefit from a confident rider.
 
Wizard has ‘been there, done that’ and is very eager to please, willing to do whatever is asked of him, and has been used for Pony Club, Competition, Mounted Games etc – everything a pony of his size should be used for!
 Nothing is too much trouble for him and you will find that he is more than ready to be your best friend!
 He is offered for sale to a competant home and will NOT be sold to a nervous or beginners home. He is for CONFIDENT people only. (Courtesy http://www.myaushorse.com.au/)

What a great little ad, so next time you’re selling a horse, give it a bit of thought and see if you can come up with something better!

If you’ve come across any other funny or different horses for sale ads, I’d love to hear about them so feel free to share them in the comments .

Knowing how much hay to feed a horse can be tricky, but fortunately there’s a very simple rule of thumb that you can go by to work it out. The last thing you want to do is under feed your horse, and have them skinny or over feed them and be wasting money on excess hay.

The first thing you need to know, is how much your horse weighs. There are several different ways you can find this out including:

1. Taking the horse to a public weighbridge. Just take the horse out of the trailer and walk them onto the bridge to get their weight. The horse should be weighed just before they have a feed and a drink of water to make sure you get their true weight and not their weight plus what’s in their gut, which if full, can be up to 90 lbs (40kgs) more.
2. Using a horse weight tape. You can usually purchase these from a good saddlery or horse feed store & you simply run them around your horse’s chest immediately behind the withers. They’re better than nothing, but the biggest problem with these is that they can be out by up to 20% depending on the make of the tape and the conformation of the horse.
3. Take a rough guess…not the best option, but depending on your situation, it might work out ok. A VERY rough guide is: Ponies to approx. 13.2 hh, up to 750lb (350kg); Large Ponies/Galloways 13.2hh to 15hh, 750lb to 1,000lb (350kg to 450kg); Over 15hh, 1,000lb & up (over 450kg).

Now, to work out how much hay to feed a horse, you need to understand that a horse needs to eat between 1.5% & 3.0% of it’s body weight each day (when at rest) in dry matter. What’s dry matter?

Dry matter is horse feed without any moisture in it. Hay might seem dry, but it actually still has a bit of moisture in it – usually around 10% – so we need to take that into account.

For example:

A 900lb Arab at rest, will need:

Approx. 2.0% of 900 lb in dry matter each day – this percentage can vary between different horses.

2.0% of 900lb = 18lb of dry matter daily.

Remember, this doesn’t mean 18lb of hay, as hay has water in it. To work out how much hay the horse actually needs we:

18lb x 11% = 19.8lb hay

So to maintain condition, with no other feed, this Arab horse, would need around 20lb (9kg) of hay each day.

Now if the horse wasn’t keeping the weight on at this rate, obviously you’d have to increase it. Also, as soon as the horse starts to do any work, they’re using more energy, so will usually need some more feed to help compensate.

This should give you a close guide of how much hay to feed a horse. Obviously, you can adjust it as needed, but it gives you a good, solid base to start from!

Horse riding games are a lot of fun. They sure beat doing circles in the arena all day!

Not to say that you shouldn’t be doing some nice, steady arena work some of the time, but it’s not good for you or your horse to do it every day. This is where horse riding games come in!

They’re not only a heap of fun but they help improve your riding skills and confidence at the same time – perfect for using in horse riding lessons as well. They also help to give your horse a bit of variety in life & keep them from going ‘stale’ from doing too much of one thing.

There are literally hundreds of different horse riding games you can do & there’s nothing stopping you making up your own games either. Games are more fun when there’s at least a couple of riders – it gives you some friendly competition – but it doesn’t hurt to practice them on your own as well!

Here’s some of the best that you might like to try with your horse or pony.

Egg & Spoon Race

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inR1LdrOlCc

Requirements: 1 egg & 1 spoon per rider

Skills: Good coordination, smooth transitions, good balance.

A game that will keep the chooks busy & the riders’ on edge as they try not to break the egg! The rider needs to hold the spoon by the end of the handle (far away from the egg) and try not to drop the egg. This can be played in a couple of different ways.

First, the riders can circle around the arena and be asked to walk, trot, canter (lope) and change direction. If someone drops their egg, they have to leave the arena. The winner is the last person left in the ring.

Another way, is to do it as a race. Usually, the riders will line up at the start/finish line, ride to a barrel as fast as they can, turn around the barrel and race back to the start/finish line. The first person over the line who hasn’t dropped their egg is the winner.

Pole Bending

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJGbNtZvnng

Requirements: 5 or 6 (officially 6) poles.

Skills: Control, agility of the horse.

Pole bending is a very popular horse riding game that you’ll find at many gymkhanas and horse shows these days.

Like many horse riding games, there are several different variations, but they all come down to the same basic principle – whichever horse can weave their way through the poles the fastest, following the required pattern and not knocking any down, is the winner.

The version you’ll most likely find at horse shows, involves using 6 wooden poles, each 6 feet in height. The first pole is placed 12 feet from the start line, with the rest of the poles being placed in a straight line, with a distance of 21 feet between each pole.

The rider starts either to the left or right of the first pole (usually to the left so the pole is on the right) and weaves their way through the poles, turning around the last one, and weaving back. If they knock a pole down, touch one with their hand or fail to follow the required course, they could be eliminated.

Open Ended Barrel Race

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZj3EaB_eo

Requirements: 1 x 55 gallon barrel with both ends removed (or some other tunnel to crawl through).

Skills: Fast mounting & dismounting, a horse that will ground tie (stay when the reins are dropped on the ground).

The open end barrel race differs from the traditional barrel race in that the rider has to go through a barrel instead of around one.

A 55 gallon barrel with both ends removed is placed on the turning line, standing on end. The rider has to ride down to the barrel, dismount, tip the barrel over, crawl through the barrel, then remount and head back across the finish line.

Not surprisingly, having a horse that will ground tie is a big advantage with this game!

More horse riding games coming soon…