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Horse Mania Newsletter #8
September 23rd 1999
Subscriber Count: 262
************************************************************
The NEXT deadline for ALL article writers and things submitted to the
newsletter is October 2nd. Please let me know if you cannot meet this
deadline for some reason.
************************************************************
Here’s issue number eight! This is my last week of school and then I get a
two week break and I plan to make some changes to the website then. As
usual any criticism, comments or suggestions are welcome! All things that
are written here without a name are by me, and everyone else's columns has
credit given to who has written it. See you until next time,
Susan
(thehorse@hotpop.com)
http://horsemania.cjb.net
'\__~ '\__~ '\__~
\ \ / \ / / cantering
In this Issue:
-Wanted
-Breeds in Focus- New Forest and Hanoverian
-Your Opinion
-Tell Us About Yours
-Archer’s Corner
-Horse Care
-All About: Learning to Ride (part 3)
-Tales of Foalhood
-Q&A
-Horse Trivia
-Horse Quotes
-Manes & Tails
-Straight From My Mouth
-Horse Jargon
-Horse Help
-Pen Pals
-Archives
-References
*WANTED
-------
Here are some regular columns I’d like people to do. You need to be able
to do it once every two weeks. If you’re interested and know a bit about
it and have good books on hand, send me your name, age, and why you’d like
to do it to thehorse@hotpop.com
-Horse Training, about all aspects of horse training from young foals to
problem horses and training for competition. Preferably someone with
knowledge and experience in this area.
-Horse Website Review, you need to find a horse website and do a review on
it, saying the good and bad points and of course give the URL!
-Short Stories, I’d particularly like people to send in their own horse
short stories. If they are long they can be printed in parts, but please
send them in!
Also remember you can submit anything horse-related you want, poems,
jokes, stories about your horse, experiences you’ve had or once off
articles.
*BREEDS IN FOCUS- New Forest and Hanoverian
----------------
NEW FOREST PONY
Origin: England. New Forest in south-west Hampshire.
Type: Pony
Height: Usually around 12.2hh-14hh
Colour: Any colour except skewbald, piebald and blue-eyed cream.
Characteristics: The New Forest pony is naturally sure-footed and it’s
slender legs are strong, giving the pony long, low and smooth action,
especially in canter. The hooves are round and hard. The tail is high set
and the quarters and hind legs are symmetrical. New Forests ponies have
large heads which show the influence of other horse breeds.
Use: Wonderful riding ponies, especially for children. Also used for
driving.
History: These ponies have roamed the New Forest in south England for over
a thousand years. Many attempts were made to improve the stock. The first
was in 1208 when 18 Welsh mares were introduced. However, the greatest
outside influence was by a Thoroughbred stallion, Marske who came to the
forest in 1765. He only stood at 14.2hh like most Thoroughbred of that
time, he had no success as a racehorse himself but was the sire of the
great racehorse, Eclipse. When Eclipse made his fame Marske was taken from
the forest to stand at stud. In 1852 the Arab stallion Zorah was lent by
Queen Victoria to be released in the forest to help improve the appearance
of the ponies. But the deterioration of the New Forest ponies continued
because of in-breeding within the herds. Queen Victoria lent to more
stallions, the Arab, Abeyan and the Barb, Yirrassan which had more
influence. Later Dartmoor, Exmoor, and Fell pony blood was introduced to
correct the New Forest Pony’s lack of substance.
Picture: https://www.angelfire.com/id/horsemania/images/forest.gif
(this photo is not mine and comes from http://newforestpony.net/)
HANOVERIAN
Origin: Germany
Type: Light Horse
Height: Usually around 15.3hh-16.2hh
Colour: Mostly bay, black, and chestnut
Characteristics: The Hanoverian has a refined head and a long neck. The
shoulders are large and sloping with very pronounced withers. They have a
medium length back with broad and powerful loins. The quarters are
muscular and the tail is well set. Hanoverians have short legs with large,
pronounced joints and strongly muscles forearms. The feet are hard and
well shaped.
Use: Riding, used to be used for driving frequently. Often seen at high
level competition in Dressage. They are very athletic horses and have
correct conformation.
History: The Hanoverian was established at Celle in 1735 by King George
II. The founding sires were 14 black Holsteiner stallions and some
“Thoroughbred” blood of the time was introduced. This created a free
moving, light horse that was suited to both riding and carriage work but
still strong enough for farm work. Some Trakehners also influenced the
breed after the Second World War.
Picture: https://www.angelfire.com/id/horsemania/images/hanoverian.jpg
(this photo is not mine and comes from http://www.fiveoaksranch.com)
*YOUR OPINION
-------------
In this section I will ask a question every issue and put in the
responses. Send in replies to me at thehorse@hotpop.com with "Your
Opinion" in the subject line.
This issue’s question is:
“How did you first get involved with horses?”
(can be your first ride, first horse...first time you saw a horse etc.)
Now we’ll take a look at the responses to last issue’s question which was:
“Should more equestrian events be allowed into the Olympics, and which
ones?”
(for Sydney 2000 there is only dressage, showjumping, and eventing but
that may change in future Olympics)
Thank you to everyone who replied!
“Yes, I would love to see show hunters at the olympics!!”
-shareasmile
“Well, the events are jumping, dressage, cross country, and now reining.
I
think some other events should be added, but not events that politics play
a
very important role in the judging. Most rail classes, huntseat,
saddleseat,
and western pleasure are judged mainly by politics. That is not fair
because
not everyone has the money to have the right "politics." Plus, no offense
(I'm a past WP rider) rail events are boring to watch and don't require
your
horse to have a whole lot of training. Maybe a Hunter course would be
acceptable or even a flashy Saddlebred fine harness class, but i think the
Olympics have it covered with the events they have”
-ZanMoon
“Yes, endurance and thoroughbred racing.”
-PuppyLuvSF
*TELL US ABOUT YOURS
--------------------
This a section where you can tell us about your own horse, or the horse
you ride.Send it in to thehorse@hotpop.com and I’ll put it in. It can any
length you like.
I don't own any horses but I work on an appaloosa farm where I take care
of
15 horses. The one filly that is there is by Rugged Lark (you have to know
him)...her dam is by Dreamfinder(famous appy stallion). There are also two
fillies that are half-sisters to Bright Zip (john Lyon's stallion). Of
course, I have my favorites. They are a 4 month old colt (bay with a
blanket), the filly that is by rugged lark, two mares, and one
gelding.
-Sharon
I would like to tell about the horse I ride, Dolly. I don't own her,
but I ride her so much that she probably thinks I do. She's a sweet
but stubborn 26-year-old Quarter Horse mare. She is
a bright, copper bay. I ride Western and occasionally English. She used
to barrel race. Despite her age, she's very fast. I haven't tried her
on the barrels yet but I'm going to. I love Dolly, and I'm glad I ride
her.
-Heather
*ARCHER’S CORNER
----------------
Hey guys!!! I was left out of the last issue of Horse Mania, LOL!! Nah,
the truth is that I couldn’t make it for the last deadline. School was
getting on my nerves and I had to leave a lot of things aside, so that my
teachers would be happy. That included my horses and my virtual Horse
World. But now I’m back because here in Chile we’re having a mid term
break (phew!!!) in memory of our Independence Day; 18 of September 1810.
So it’s a 10 day holiday for me!! Actually it’s just finishing but who
cares, I’d better give way to my articles.
Buying a Horse Part II
This is the second part of the article that I submitted in Horse Mania#6.
I think it’s best that you all read again the first part of the article so
that you can refresh your memories.
Learn as much as you can about horses
Every prospective horse owner should learn all he can about horses before
buying. Keep an open mind while learning. Material is available at
libraries, bookstores and county extension offices.
Visit horse shows and breeding farms. Observe different breeds of horses
and different styles of riding. Ask questions. Most horsemen will be glad
to help a newcomer.
How will the horse be used and who will use it?
A horse should please and satisfy its owner for more than just a few weeks
or a few months. To do this, the horse must be capable of doing things the
rider wants done. A horse selected for informal pleasure riding will be
quite different from one chosen for competitive riding in shows and other
contests.
The age, sex and training of the horse and maybe its breed must be matched
with what it will be expected to do. Few horses can do everything, and
certain types may be better at particular tasks than others. For example,
if you want to compete in stock seat equitation events and also raise a
foal, the horse must be a stock-type mare with some training.
Riding interest can greatly affect the cost of a horse, too. A jumping
champion may be too expensive for you, so your interest may have to be
adjusted to match what you can afford.
A horse should be selected with a specific rider in mind. The age,
experience, training and interest of the rider must be carefully matched
with the horse. Untrained horses and untrained riders are not a good
combination. Young children should not be mounted on large horses, nor
should adults expect to ride ponies.
Being sure of a good horse
Faults and problems of a poor horse can be disguised or may not be noticed
by an inexperienced buyer. If you don't have the necessary background,
seek help from a reputable individual who knows horses. Veterinarians are
commonly used as resource persons. Other respected horsemen, such as
breeders or trainers, also can help.
Since you must spend the money and live with the horse afterward, you
should become as knowledgeable as possible. Know the type of horse you
want, why you want it and what to look for.
Where to get a horse
Before attempting to locate a suitable horse, decide on the specific type
of horse and the amount of money to be spent. The horse you want may not
be available at the price you can afford. However, don't change your price
range until all possible sources have been exhausted.
The most common sources of horses are breeders, private sales, dealers,
and auctions. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
Breeders — When you have decided on the type of horse you want, you
probably will have selected a specific breed. Buying privately from a
breeder is usually one of the best and safest ways to get a horse.
Lists of breeders are available from state and national breed
associations. Breeders' names are also found in stallion directories, show
lists, breed magazines and from other persons interested in the breed.
Breeders have a reputation to uphold and probably want business sent to
them by satisfied customers. They frequently give some kind of assurance
or guarantee. You may expect to pay slightly higher prices when buying
from breeders.
Most horses on a breeding farm are either brood stock or young horses
three years old or under, which will required additional training. Mature,
well-trained pleasure horses may not be available.
Private sales — As a rule, buying from an owner privately is safer than
buying from a dealer or at an auction. The buyer must be experienced or
have experienced help. Individuals who own a few horses and sell one or
two may be fairly experienced, but they also may be inexperienced horsemen
themselves who are unable to evaluate the horses they are selling.
A good private owner to buy from is a person who has been forced to sell:
someone who is moving; a student leaving for college; or the family with
grown children. Check newspapers, publications and bulletin boards. Go to
a stable or horse event and visit horse owners. Remember advertisements
are designed to sell, and the advertiser may not be a knowledgeable
horseman.
Dealers — Buying from a dealer requires horse knowledge, but it is usually
better than most auctions. Although many dealers are honest, some are
interested only in making a profit. It may be impossible to tell the
difference. To stay in business, a dealer must buy horses cheaply enough
to pay for their feed and care and still make a profit.
If you buy from a dealer, first learn something about him. Check with
other horsemen who are acquainted with him or who have bought from him.
Good dealers have good reputations and are willing to stand behind their
sales.
Auctions — In general, buying at auctions is risky. Don't assume that all
sellers are honest. Even an experienced horseman can't tell for sure if he
will be satisfied and whether a horse has faults or unsoundness when it
can be observed for only a few minutes before the sale and in the ring.
There are several types of auctions, ranging from private auctions to
breed sales, consignment sales and public auctions.
Usually, no guarantees are made and horses cannot be returned or
exchanged. Some horses are sent to such sales because there is something
wrong with them. Certain problems can be disguised by drugging or skillful
handling.
A consignment sale is less risky than a public auction. The horses sold
are sent by dealers or private individuals. Standards usually are stricter
than those at public auctions, requiring higher quality.
Private sales and breed sales are the safest types of auctions because
breeders, who must maintain a good reputation, consign the horses.
What sex horse should you buy?
Generally, stallions are unsatisfactory as pleasure mounts and can be
dangerous when handled by inexperienced horsemen. A stallion's handler can
never relax and forget about his horse.
A gelding or mare is more suited to the pleasure rider's needs. For steady
dependability, a gelding excels. Mares are usually more excitable,
especially when in heat.
If you wish to raise a foal, of course, you must buy a mare. For breeding
to be worthwhile, the mare must be of top quality. Don't expect to make a
profit.
Do you want a registered horse?
There are both advantages and disadvantages in owning registered horses. A
registered horse may enter both breed and open classes in competition
while an unregistered horse is restricted to open events. Registered
horses usually have a higher resale value than do unregistered horses, but
also are more expensive. Simply because a horse is registered does not
automatically mean it has better conformation, disposition or training
than a less expensive horse of uncertain origin.
When you examine a registered horse, ask to see its registration
certificate. Check the papers carefully to be sure the description fits
the horse you are considering. Ownership transfers must be up-to-date.
Don't buy a registered horse unless the papers come with it. You can send
them to the breed association yourself as long as the owner has signed the
transfer statement.
And in the next issue, Buying a Horse Part III ý ‘Specific Considerations’
The Horse Whisperer.
This is a real interesting horse subject. What is a Horse Whisperer? Why
called that way? What about Robert Redford and his movie ‘The Horse
Whisperer’? Or the book by Nicholas Evans? What truth is there in all
these stories, books, movies, web pages etc? Well that was my job to find
out. I did a lot of investigating so you can all think what you want but
knowing about the subject.
Horse Whisperer...two words that make a very large, dense and mystic term.
These words have grown very popular in a Horse Luvers world because of a
book by Nicholas Evans and the movie starring and directed by Robert
Redford. But what is a Horse Whisperer? Are they as recent as the
book?.....
“A million years before man they grassed the vast empty planes leaded by
voices that only they could hear. They first came to know man as the
hunted knows the hunter. Long before man used them for their own labours
they killed them for meat. Their alliance with man would forever be
fragile for the fear that struck in their hearts was to deep to be cured.
Since this Neolithic moment when the horse was first halted there was
those among men who understood this. They could see in to the creature’s
sole and sew the wounds they found there. The secrets were uttered softly
in to the troubled ears. Those men where known as the whisperers”
This is the way that the Horse Whisperer is introduced in Redford’s movie.
A mystic man who has the gift to train horses by only understanding them
and talking to them in the ear in their own language. But what actually
are they? We could say that they are horse trainers who use more
gentleness and sensitivity in their training methods instead of more
traditional "breaking" procedures.
The term "whisperer" actually has been around quite a while, and probably
started in the United Kingdom in the 1800's during the time of Thomas
Sullivan.
During the third century B.C., Alexander the Great, who as a young man
commanded vast armies and conquered the Persian Empire, was one of those
individuals first recognised as a very special horseman. As a young boy,
he trained the great stallion, Buchephalus, when his father's trainers had
given up on the horse, and, did so with a gentle hand.
Alexander, a pupil of Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, had been educated
on the basis of human ideals and logic. The story of the fiery Bucephalus,
tamed by Alexander when all others had failed could be a tale of a
whisperer. The horse was afraid of his own shadow, yet out of all the
horsemen in the kingdom of Macedonia, only this small boy was able to
understand.
John Rarey lived during the 19th century and amazed Victorian England with
his displays of horsemanship. He did his "mysterious" training within a
closed barn, where no one could observe his techniques. A wild, unruly
horse would go in . . . and a docile, totally changed animal would come
out.
Rarey also traveled to Australia in the 1800's, where his methods of
working with horses may have influenced one of that country's greatest
horse training legends, Kell Jefferies.
Jefferies, who died in the late 1950's, was a phenomenal trainer and
horseman, asking and receiving from his horses incredible, great mutual
trust.
But what are there with modern Horse Whisperers? I couldn’t just stay with
a guy who supposedly could talk softly in a horse's ear . . . conveying
special secrets and endearments understood only by the horse and trainer.
I wanted to know what was modern gentleness and sensitivity all about? I
found this man called Greg Barrington. A western horse trainer. He is one
of a hundred modern trainers who today are called whisperers.
For Barrington, getting inside horses' minds is just common sense - no
more, no less. "If I have his mind, I have his body," he says simply.
It's a training method he's been using since he was old enough to act as
his grandfather's "horse calmer" at his blacksmith jobs. Barrington was
barely five years old at the time, but says those early years on his
native Cape Breton Island soil provided his early grounding in horse sense.
He uses methods that include various things. One is to listen to what a
horse has to say through his body language. If a horse tucks his tail
tightly between his legs, he's telling you he's tense. If his head is
high, he's bothered about something. If it's low, he's not paying
attention. If a horse licks his lips, it's kind of a concession and he'll
probably be willing to at least try to do what you ask. The key to
successfully working with horses is to listen to their side of the story.
They're always talking to us; we just don't listen very well.
The other part of his method is more about his specific way of training
horses. It’s a Motivational Response Training ... “we motivate the horse
by stimulating it to give us a response, and reward the horse for the
response it has given” “Now, it may not be the response we are ultimately
looking for, but that's OK. We got what we wanted: a response. Later we
can fine-tune it by breaking down our goal into simple, easy to understand
requests for the horse. But at the same time, we as trainers must be
willing to accept and recognise small attempts from our horses. The more
we break it down, the quicker we reach our goal”. “We are teaching them to
learn by the use of "Motivational Response Training"
(Motivation,Stimulus,Response and Reward).”
So what I can gather about his Horse Whispering methods is that he trains
horses in a special way. A method that is like teaching a little kid or
training a dog; giving a biscuit after each ‘sit’. And an understanding
towards horses, to know what they are saying by their body language. This
isn’t very amazing at all. Actually it’s what horsemanship is all about.
These gifted guys just have the experience and luv for horses and have
said ‘no thanks’ to the bronco-busting (western) way to train horses that
has been a part of a culture for over 200 hundreds.
But what about all the magic alliance between Tom Booker and Pilgrim? Is
that all true?
That and more merit another article for the next issue.
Next issue ý All about Redfords movie, critics, horses etc.
*HORSE CARE by Lindsay Casper
-----------
Horse Care Across the World
Unfortunately, I did not receive as many replies as I had hoped. I
thank
all who replied. Replies as follows:
>From Jennifer B.~ Horse Care on the East Coast~ I read your article about
the horse care on the West Coast and I decided to tell you a little bit
about the horse care here in New England. In most barns horses are kept
in
stalls for most of the day. The show barns usually only turn the horses
out
for an hour (sometimes less in the winter) a day in separate paddocks.
This
is mostly because they do not want the horses getting injured but also in
the winter it gets very cold and in the summer the flies are awful so the
horses don't want to be around much. Because the winters are so cold the
horses are heavily blanketed most of the time. Sometimes horses get
special
pads on their feet that causes snow to be pushed out of the foot so it
doesn't collect between the shoe and make the foot cold. I am not sure
what
kind of hay my barn uses but I know it's not alfalfa. We also worm our
horses once a month and give them daily wormers (usually Strongid C). I
suppose the differences aren't too great, only how we deal with the winter,
which can get REALLY bad!
>From Lindsay B.~Horse Care~ Hi. I have two horses. A mini and a paint
(geldings) in Virginia and the stable I keep them at is a nice one. It is
called Luck's Glen Farm. My friend's mom owns it and we have been friends
for a long time. My paint, Dude, is in a nice 6-stall barn w/ a tackroom
and office. He is turned out once a day from 4-6 P.M. I ride him when I
get home from school, about 4:30 is when I get there. Right now he gets 3
flakes of alfalfa and one grass. In the winter the horses usually get oil
instead of alfalfa. For grain I think he gets Triple Crown of some sort w/
a cup of Grandflex because he has slight arthritis in his right hind. The
s
talls are 12x12
For Topper's barn (the mini) he has shorter walls,a large stall and a
large dirt paddock. His home is on the side of a shed. He is very fat so
we give him 2 flakes of hay a day and dietary horse feed. He gets turned
out into a small dirt paddock and I graze him a couple of times a week. He
gets driven or jumped almost every day.
>From ZanMoon~Horse Care~ I'm from Kentucky, bluegrass state... famous for
TBs. In my area, most people feed their horses pasture and grass hay along
with a little grain if the have the money and desire. Barns can range from
nonexistent (like me) to fancy structures with air conditioning and indoor
arenas. My horses live in a pasture, get a complete feed (has hay pellets
as well as grain) and are wormed probably once every six months or so
because their not exposed to other horses.
>From Susan~Horse Care in Australia~ I live in Australia and because there
is no snow, even in winter, the horses can live out all year round in most
parts of the country. I'm in Sydney and at the stable where I ride the
horses are kept outside for most of the time. They don't have a closed in
barn with stalls, but they have some sort of outside stalls which are like
a 3 sided shelter with one side open to a small fenced in outside area.
The shelters protect them from the wind and the rain. In winter it gets
cooler and the horses wear slightly thicker rugs but other than that there
isn't too much difference between summer and winter. The paddocks are nice
and large and one of them has a little lake where the horses walk through
in the summer on really hot days. This is only one place in Australia so
it varies from place to place a bit. I remember that when I used to live
in the USA the stable I went to had an indoor arena and barns with stables
inside to protect the horses from the snow and extreme cold. That's not
necessary here. :o)
Thank you to all who wrote. My addy is tareana@msn.com so if you have any
questions, comments, etc., please write!
*ALL ABOUT....Learning to Ride (part 3)
----------
Learning to ride is a wonderful thing and it is a lifetime of learning,
even experienced riders keep on learning new things. This is intended as a
guide only and is just a quick overview. Here is the final part.
More Complicated Riding
After you can confidently walk, and trot and control the horse there is
still much more to learn.
Cantering
The canter is what many riders say is their favorite gait. It is smooth
and floating compared to the trot and faster. You must sit with a deep
seat and stay in the saddle, the correct riding position must still be
maintained.
Galloping
There is not much need for galloping, and if you are learning at a riding
school you may not even get to try it. It is the horse’s fastest gait, and
the only time you really need it is when racing or cross country. It isn’t
required in many situations. There are two ways to ride the gallop, but it
must always be controlled. It can be ridden with a forward seat (as the
way jockeys ride racehorses) or in a normal seat.
Jumping
Jumping! It’s great fun for the rider but you have to be careful not to
overdo it or your horse may become tired or even refuse to jump anymore.
It should always be balanced with flatwork and young horses whose bones
have not fully developed should not be asked to jump. When jumping the
rider must adopt a forward seat. At first it is a good idea to practice
changing from the forward seat to the normal position on the flat until
you get used to it. Then try a few low single cross rails in trot. Later
you can try them in canter, and as you get better, do higher jumps and
more than one at a time until you can jump a full course! Remember to
always wear your hardhat when you jump and have someone else with you.
Trail Riding
Trail riding is a great activity and is relaxing for both you and the
horse. It is even more enjoyable when you can ride reasonably well!
Shows and Competitions
Once you have some riding knowledge, you can enter horse shows if you want
to. There are classes for all levels of rider, from beginners right
through to the most experienced. There are many disciplines to choose
from, everything from Dressage to Halter to Showjumping to Eventing to
Endurance, just to list a few.
Next Issue: Keeping horses stabled versus in the paddock
*TALES OF FOALHOOD by Erika
-------------------
Moonshine, my two year old filly is infinitely curious about everything.
Her
curiosity has gotten her into some trouble over the past two years and
four
months. First, that first trail ride following behind mom. Well, curious
little Moonie decided that mom and uncle Blitz were taking the easy way, a
much too boring way for a youngster like her to take. So, instead of
sticking close to her mom's rear, Moonshine leaps off on a tangent trail.
Actually it was more of a jaunt through the thick woods. About halfway
through the woods, Moonshine encountered a down barbed wire fence.
Spindly
legs and tiny brains don't go together very well with barbed wire.
Instead
of patiently waiting for my help, she tore through the woods and barbed
wire
at breakneck speed once she discovered she was caught. Mommy's call
finally
brought her back, bleeding and feeling sorry for herself. A comforting
nicker, a soothing drink of milk (this was about a month after her birth)
fixed all but the physical scars. Those had to wait until we reached
home.
Once there, the month old little filly learned that injuring yourself
hurts
and so does what "mommy" (I'm her surrogate mother) does when you hurt
yourself. I cold hosed her wound and inspected it further. The vet came
out
to give her a tetanus shot and said she'd be okay, and she is. Bumps and
bruises find Moonshine, or maybe she seeks the bumps and bruises herself.
Q&A by shareasmile@hotmail.com
---
If you have ANY horse related questions, please e-mail
shareasmile@hotmail.com I will answer the question as best as i can, and
if
I can't I will find you the answer elsewhere! These are just my answers,
if
it's a major problem I urge you to see the advice of a trainer. Let's
move
on to this issues questions:
Dear shareasmile,
I am wanting to buy my 1st horse, I have taken lessons for about 6 months
and can walk, trot, and canter. I want to ride it in lessons and ride it
on
my own. What type of horse do you recommend it?
--Ellen
Dear Ellen,
Getting your first horse is a very exciting time! Make sure you have your
trainer/instructor along with you when you go to find a horse, and make
sure
to get a vet check by a vet you know!! I'd suggest a calm horse that can
be
your teacher. One that doesn't spook, have lots of heart, and loves to
have
fun! Quarter Horses and other such breeds are usually very calm. Don't
get
one younger than 8 or 9 unless you are SURE it is very, very calm. Get
one
that suits your height and you won't be scared of to be around. Don't go
by
looks to much, go by what suits you, and good luck!!
Dear shareasmile,
My instructor and I just aren't getting along, should I stay with her or
get
a new one?
--Desiree
Dear Desiree,
This can be a very difficult situation. Try to work the problem out with
her, and if you can't, it is time to move on, so you can learn to ride.
*HORSE TRIVIA by brgrey@prodigy.net
-------------
1. Which side of a horse do you usually mount from?
a.left
b.right
c.whatever side you want to
2.What breed of horses are used at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna?
a.Andalusians
b.Arabians
c.Lippizaners
d.Friesans
3.Where is the Spanish Riding School of Vienna located?
a.Spain
b.Austria
c.Australia
d.Poland
4.A baby horse is called pony.
a.true
b.false
5. The piece of equipment that goes in the horses mouth and is usually
made of metal is called: a.bridle
b.reins
c.hackamore
d.bit
6.The trot is a ______ beat gait.
a.1
b.2
c.3
d.4
7.True or False: Horses can tolerate cold better then heat.
a.true
b.false
8. If you turn your horse out with a halter, you should always use :
a. a breakaway halter in case he gets caught on something
b.A strong halter that will not break
c. an old halter so it won't matter if it gets dirty
The Winners!! 1st- Sierra 8/10 2nd-Morgan 7/10 3rd-Katie 6/10
Send answers to brgrey@prodigy.net
*HORSE QUOTES
-------------
If you know of any good horse related quotes, send them in to me at
thehorse@hotpop.com!
“Go Broke...
Buy a horse!”
above submitted by hellosammyjoe
*MANES & TAILS by Jamie
--------------
More Movies About Horses
Hello, fellow horselovers!
Most of the movies I will discuss in this issue
are not about horses, but do have some significant
scenes with horses, which of course add greatly to the
enjoyment of the movie.
All of the movies listed are fantasy-oriented,
with lots of sorcery and magic in the plot, with the
exception of the last one listed.
About 1983, KRULL came out, the story of a
princess who is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer-demon on
her wedding day. Her husband,(a prince), must go to
her rescue. He starts out on the long, dangerous
journey to where his beloved is being held with only a
couple of trusted advisors. Along the way, they are
ambushed by a group of desperate criminals, whom the
prince recruits to help him in his quest to find the
castle where his wife is captive.
When they finally find out the castle's location,
they also discover that it phases in and out of the
real world every once in a great while, and they don't
have much time to get there and rescue the princess
before it fades away again, out of reach. It seems
hopeless until a friendly cyclops appears and tells
them that there IS a way to travel the huge distance
quickly and safely, by capturing and riding the
extraordinary FIREMARES to the castle.
Unusual-colored CLYDESDALES portrayed these FIREMARES.
This sequence, where the prince and the outlaws catch
and ride the fabulous horses to the enchanted castle,
is easily the most enchanting and exciting one in the
entire movie, and is guaranteed to have you dying to
own one of these horses. The FIREMARES run so fast
that they create a trail of fire and smoke, and their
momemtum actually allows them to FLY over the canyon
the group crosses to get to the enchanted castle.
This sequence, unfortunately, is not near long enough
for horselovers, but what a treat to see these
fabulous horses!
There is an article in an old Equus magazine
which tells how the Clydesdales were selected and
trained for their role in the movie, and it said they
all did very well, and learned fairly quickly.
Of course, at the end, prince and princess are
reunited, after a battle with the evil demon-sorcerer.
In 1985, heartthrob Tom Cruise starred in LEGEND,
a beautiful fantasy set in an enchanted forest full
of fairies, goblins, elves, and UNICORNS. This movie
was just shown a few days ago on cable. He plays
Jack, and a beautiful young actress plays his
sweetheart, Lily.
Jack and Lily represent innocence and love, as do
the UNICORNS, who also represent goodness and light.
The UNICORNS appear early in the movie, played by two
cream-colored Andalusians, and they are absolutely
gorgeous! Jack and Lily are watching the UNICORNS
from a distance, and Lily wants to walk up to one and
touch it. Jack tries to tell her not to, but she
doesn't listen. Some goblins, servants of the demon
Lord of Darkness, have been ordered to get the magic
horn of the UNICORN stallion, and so put an end to
goodness and light so evil can rule. The unicorn is
shot with a blow dart and finally sinks to the ground
unconscious.
At this point the goblins come forward and sever the
horn from the unicorn. The forest has been plunged
into wintertime, and only the unicorn mare is left.
Lily is kidnapped by the goblins and taken to the Lord
of Darkness. Jack and his elf and fairy friends must
figure out a plan to rescue Lily and the unicorn
stallion, and get the horn back, PLUS, destroy the
Lord of Darkness. It is not easy, but all turns out
well, and the beautiful UNICORNS once more roam the
enchanted forest. The scenes of the UNICORNS are
breathtaking.
Also about 1985, there was LADYHAWK, in which a
gallant and brave knight was cursed to become a black
dog every time the sun set, and his beloved became a
hawk during the day, "always together, yet forever
apart," for the two lovers could not be together more
than a few moments as humans, before the curse, placed
upon them by a jealous bishop, turned them into
animals. The knight was Navarre, played by Rutger
Hauer, who rode a magnificent Friesian stallion; this
was the first time that the American public was
introduced to the Friesian when this movie was
released. There are also beautiful Andalusian horses
in another scene of the movie. The story is exciting
and memorable.
A recent Disney movie involving horses was
released just a few years ago and has been shown
several times on TV, and is available on video, is
WILD HEARTS CAN'T BE BROKEN, the true story of a young
girl who loves horses and sees a magazine ad for
diving horses and performers in 1930s Atlantic City.
Her name is Sonora Webster, and she is quite
determined to get to Atlantic City "where your dreams
come true," and learn to be a diving girl. She has
been living with an aunt, and when she's expelled from
school for misconduct, she decides to run away and
find her fortune. She is very stubborn and
headstrong, determined to have her way about things,
particularly when it comes to her goals in life.
She meets a man with a small traveling carnival,
and learns he does a diving act. Sonora tries her
best to convince him to let her train to be a diving
girl, but he's not impressed. Besides, he already has
a diving girl. As it turns out, this other girl is
not that interested in a diving girl career, she just
wants to be an actress.
Sonora finally gets a chance to try with the help
of the man's son, when he arrives with a new diving
horse he just won in a poker game. The horse is a
beautiful dapple grey Arabian, nervous and
high-strung.
Sonora and the carnival owner's son begin to train the
horse and Sonora must learn how to do a running
mount--to jump on when the horse is cantering towards
her. After many failed attempts, she finally does it,
and becomes a diving girl.
A romance develops between Sonora and Bill,
the carnival owner's son. Later, when the old man
dies, Sonora and Bill must carry on the act
themselves. During one show, as Sonora's horse,
Lightning, gallops toward the edge of the diving ramp
to leap off, a crash of cymbals from the band startles
the horse just as he jumps, throwing him off balance.
When Sonora and Lightning hit the water, she has her
eyes wide open, resulting in blurry vision when they
emerge from the pool. She expects that it will clear
up any time, but it doesn't, and she does not see a
doctor about it until it is too late--she loses her
sight. It takes several days before Sonora accepts
the fact that she will be blind permanently. Bill
tries to persuade her to give up diving, but her
stubbornness won't allow her to do that. She
determines to learn to do the running mount blind.
Again, it takes many tries, but she finally succeeds.
At another performance, unknown to Bill, and with the
help of a stablehand, she takes matters into her own
hands. Sonora has the other diving girl locked in her
quarters, and tells the stablehand to release
Lightning from his stall and run to the ramp, where
she will be waiting at the top to leap on his back for
the jump into the pool. As Lightning runs up the
ramp, Sonora listens for the sound of his hoofbeats
coming closer and closer, then jumps onto his back as
he comes to her. She makes the jump successfully, and
continues making diving jumps for many years
afterward, with the audience never knowing about her
blindness. She marries Bill and has many happy years
with him.
The horses used in the film were very
well-trained, and the diving sequences were said to be
filmed with mechanical horses doing the dives. The
credits said no horses were endangered or injured
during the making of the film. The movie is
inspiring, exciting, and well-written. I believe it's
available on video.
The horses who did this stunt originally in the
1930s, from what I have read about it, all made the
jump willingly, with no force or cruelty ever used,
and none were ever injured. The famed Diving Horses
of Atlantic City's Steel Pier were quite an attraction
for several years.
That's it for this issue. A few more movies will
be discussed next issue.
*STRAIGHT FROM MY MOUTH by shareasmile
I got up last Saturday at 5 am and didn't get home until 10 pm. Why? I
went
out of town to help out at a horse show that my friend, my instructors
son,
and 2 other people from my barn where riding in. I learned a lot from
watching--I always do. I highly suggest going to watch shows, you pick up
sooooo much, not just about riding but about handling horses!
*HORSE JARGON by Bethany
-------------
BITS and BRIDLES by Bethany O-~-O
BITS a bit is a device, usually made of metal or rubber, attached to the
headstall and reins, and place in the horse`s mouth. The bit helps the
rider regulate the position of the horse`s head and is one aid used to
control pace and direction.
Snaffle--possibly the oldest form of bit. A single bar, jointed, hinged,
or straight, with a ring at each end to which the reins are attached.
The variations on the snaffle are endless, but all have the same general
action which is to apply gentle pressure against the corners of the
horse`s mouth.
Kimberwick--a bit where a single pair of reins controls the mouthpiece;
but unlike a snaffle, a kimberwick has a curb chain.
Pelham--a bit which combines the effects of the curb and the snaffle.
The snaffle rein attaches to the top rings, the curb rein attaches to
the bottom rings. The curb chain attaches to the "eye" of each shank.
Curb Bit--when the rider applies pressure to the reins, the shanks of
the curb bit swivel, thereby tightening the curb chain and exerting
pressure on the poll. The horse drops his head to release the pressure.
BRIDLES a bridle is that part of a horse`s tack which includes the
headstall, bit, and reins.
Double Bridle--a bridle consisting of two separate bits, a snaffle and a
curb. Bits may be operated independently for maximum effect.
Hackamore--a bitless bridle of two types: mechanical or bosal. On
mechanical type, reins attach to shanks extending from the caveson; on
bosal type, reins attach directly to the back of the caveson.
PARTS of the BRIDLE
Headstall--the parts of a bridle which fit around the horse`s head and
face.
Crownpiece--that part of the headstall which fits over the top of the
horse`s head, behind the ears.
Browband--that part of the headstall which lies across the horse`s
forehead, below the ears.
Cheekpiece--1) that part of the bridle to which the bit is attached at
one end and the crownpiece at the other, every bridle has two cheekpieces,
one one either side; 2) side pieces of a bit to which the reins are
attached.
Throat Latch--a narrow strap on the headstall which fits loosely under
the horse`s throat. Prevents the bridle from slipping over the head.
Caveson--that part of the headstall which goes around the horse`s nose.
Also called a noseband.
Curb Chain--a lightweight chain of flat rings, fitted to each side of a
pelham or curb bit. Increases leverage and control.
Reins--long, thin straps or ropes attached to the bit or caveson. Used
by the rider to guide and control the horse.
*HORSE HELP by Emily E.
-----------
Horse Help by Emily E. If you need help with your horse, send your
question to me, Emily E @ delliott@ecsu.campuscw.net I`ll answer it the
best I can. I`ll look it up if I have to.
This weeks question is an rather odd one but I`ll answer it.
Q: what is your favorite breed? signed, B.B
A: My favorite breed is Appaloosa. I love those. At camp I rode one named
Spot. He`s was the best one I`ve ever rode. I think they are so pretty.
for my second favorite would be a Magony Bay. I rode it at my friends
house. He was the nicest. didn`t rear or buck once. (In case your
wondering, my friend rode her dad`s.)
*PENPALS
--------
Here is the Pen Pal section for adults and children. If you'd like an ad
here send me (thehorse@hotpop.com) in this form with "pen pal ad" in the
subject line.
First Name:
Email Address:
Country:
Age:
Horse Owner?:
Other Comments: (no more than 30 words please)
You can leave out anything if you don't want to give it out, such as age
or country. ill put in probably a maximum of 5 ads per issue so don't
worry if yours takes a while to appear. Feel free to resubmit an ad, as we
have a regular stream of new people joining Horse Mania in between each
issue.
Here are the ads for this issue:
First Name:Shana
Email Address:PuppyLuvSF@aol.com
Country:USA
Age:11
Horse Owner?: yes
Other Comments:
*ARCHIVES
---------
Missed an issue? Want to see a back issue? Remember that all Horse Mania
issues are archived at
https://www.angelfire.com/id/horsemania/archives.html Issues usually appear
there within a week.
*REFERENCES
-----------
Here is where some of my information has come from and I recommend these
books!
The Encyclopedia of the Horse, 1994, RD Press
The Complete Book of the Horse, 1979 (reprint 1985), New Burlington Books
Horses & Ponies, 1997, Kingfisher Books
The Visual Dictionary of the Horse, 1994, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, London
Horse (Collins Eyewitness Guides, 1992, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, London
Horses, Ponies and Riders, 1984, Reed Books Pty. Ltd.
Horses, 1981, J. Warren Evans, W. H. Freeman and Company
Starting Riding, 1992, Usborne
--------------------------------
End of Horse Mania Newsletter #8
--------------------------------
