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Blue Gate Farm

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Blue Gate Farm

Blue Gate Farm offers
Riding and Vaulting Lessons
Horse care is part of the lesson
(2)

08/18/2024

08/18/2024

𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭: 𝗧𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐥

Notice the holes in the bones, these are call foramen and are where nerves emerge to serve the muscles and superficial structures of the lips and nostrils.

08/18/2024

Skandale haben den Reitsport in den vergangenen Monaten massiv erschüttert. Die brutalen Bilder gefährden das Ansehen aller Pferdesportler. Eine Petition fordert nun härtere Sanktionen.

https://www.reiterrevue.de/news/nachrichten/petition-fuer-hoehere-verbandsstrafen-im-pferdesport-13595044.html

08/18/2024

That might be very convincing 🙃

08/18/2024

08/18/2024

BEES! BEES!

There aren’t many situations better calculated to strike instant panic into a group of trail riders than to be on some narrow winding track in the woods, and to hear pounding hoofbeats behind them accompanied by loud screams of “BEES---BEES---BEES!!”

Ground bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, whatever they are get disturbed by the first passing horse or two, but by the time the next ones pass over their nest, the little creatures are in full attack mode.

There’s nothing you can do but try to outrun them. And right about now seems to be high season.

08/18/2024

08/18/2024

Legendary Reiner Klimke

08/18/2024

Christopher Bartle explains collection:
“The freeing of the forehand as the hind leg is engaged and active is dependent on the supporting role of the horse’s topline. The muscles of the neck and back, if stretched and supporting will draw up the base of the neck and lead to the raised and arched appearance which is sought after. This of course must be volunteered by the horse rather than imposed by the rider’s hands. The stretching of the neck upwards will lead to the greater freedom of the forehand, and a rounder action from the shoulder, because the muscle which draws the forearm forward is attached at the poll.” Dr Klimke and Ahlerich demonstrate.
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2017/02/introducing-collection-with-christopher-bartle-part-one/

08/18/2024

Aloha,

Join Linda Tellington-Jones and Donna Snyder-Smith Sunday August 18th at 2pm ET, as they discuss Donna’s six-decade career with horses and her latest book, The Alchemy Of Horses: A Journey of Self-Healing.

This compelling memoir describes the power of horses to heal and how they helped Donna survive unrecognized PTSD. Linda has known Donna Snyder-Smith since the 1960s when they were both competing in combined-training and 100-mile endurance races.

To register for the talk visit:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0td-ipqD8uH9BXXKn-9kZhCICUcfTiWjt2

If you cannot make it live, you can catch the replay in the community library.

08/18/2024

Carl Hester tells us:
“Self-carriage is really easy to see. It’s that tension into the hand that we were talking about with Valegro, the first place you see it is through the whole of the top line of the horse. The best thing you can do for self-carriage is the give and re-take of the reins. It is amazing how you forget to do that when you ride on your own. That constant giving the hand, taking, giving, taking, making sure that the outline is stable, the mouth is soft. You only have to look at the mouth to know how it is working, the horse is carrying its own head and neck. People that ride on their own, it can be something that they forget they are doing, people put in too much power and that’s why they find self-carriage difficult, and I always think you’ve got to create balance and then put power in, that way around.”
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/02/balance-self-carriage-and-the-importance-of-rider-position/

08/17/2024

Looking for a horse?
Read the ad
Training level and 5 or 6 years old is good. The horse won’t go like an older horse at training level. If you need an experienced horse don’t look at the 5 or 6 year old. The horse won’t have the miles to forgive your sins

Learn to ride the horse you have. Chances are you aren’t asking enough of your horse. If the horse you have is older and therefore cannot do more then of course look for another horse if your coach says the horse is not up to increased work

08/13/2024

08/13/2024

08/12/2024

We are very excited to announce the launch of our own podcast series which will run for six weeks, featuring weekly episode chats with Lisa Ashton and our own Dr Andrew McLean.

Andrew is renowned for his groundbreaking work in equine behaviour, which aims to improve equine training and welfare through scientific research and practical applications. His contributions at Equitation Science International are instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for horses by promoting training methods that enhance their well-being.

Each episode will examine a different element of equitation science, providing listeners with insights into the cognitive abilities of horses, and the future and sustainability of equestrianism.

Interviewing Dr. McLean, is Lisa Ashton. Lisa is globally recognised for her innovative approach to leading positive change within equestrian organisations and for creating the first psychologically safe online equestrian community, Coffee With Horse Lovers.

Together, they will offer a comprehensive exploration of equitation, making this podcast a must-listen for anyone interested in horse training and the future of horse sports.

Podcast link: https://theotherendofthereins.buzzsprout.com/

Don't forget to click 'Follow' in your podcasting app so you don't miss an episode!

08/12/2024

Smokey

08/12/2024

Smokey today. Air quality warning. Don’t ride/work your horses

08/11/2024

You can’t really tell that it is smoky out today. First day of wildfire smoke

08/10/2024

I found this educational sign today at Beamish museum in County Durham. The Equine Defence League who produced this, was founded in 1909 by Francis Cox, his initial objective being to improve the conditions for pit ponies working in the mines. His cause was supported by such big names as Jerome K Jerome, Jack London, James Keir Hardy and Winston Churchill.

These signs could at one time be found in places where horses would be pulling heavy loads up hill.

But this is so relevant to every situation in which a horse might be worked today. Perhaps more than ever before.

Address

9425 Cheryl Road, Ness Lake
Prince George, BC
V2K5L9

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Videos

Turning the horses out for the night

We reward what the horse offers because in the future he will be asked to do this. As you can see he lugs at the bit. Mouth wide open to avoid contact. Stopped after this video because Taylor put her legs on ( squeezed with her legs) to stop this unwanted behaviour. It’s that easy. Why accept what you don’t want?

More on pierces first ride under saddle.

Erick

Erick’s trot

Watch Erick trot

Bad trot

Watch Erick’s trot. Watch his hindlegs. I have a worse trot where he doesn’t actually track up.

Marigold’s lameness check

Note standing square for a bit

Vet by visit by Dr Green today for a lameness check on Marigold. A suspensions pull. No work for her for 7 weeks. The Equinox computer program confirmed the issue. Ultra. Sound found the spot. A very interesting visit. Ultra sound was new technology as well.

Half halt

Learning sitting trot. Petra was happy today (if you think this isn’t really happy .. she has come a long way)

When you are working your horse you want to see the tail swing. It shows a relaxed back/ top line. Thats a good thing. Any horse can have a swinging tail.

Trot

Rise less high to slow the trot. Don’t use your reins as shown here. Looking to where you are going helps

Flowing trot

Beautiful trot. Attained by constantly bending the horse onto a circle line. Not a predetermined line. No straight lines. Loose reins to encourage the horse to reach for contact and lower neck

Petra

Shortcuts

Lessons and training

Barbara has always wanted to be a riding instructor. So she did the best thing: went to England and trained at Crabbet Park Equitation Centre, Sussex. It was the best training she could have got.

The 40th year Reunion at Crabbet Park confirmed this feeling as other former students, clients and staff felt the same way. Crabbet Park was exceptional in its training of students in riding, horsemanship, and theory lessons. She learned excellent basics that have carried ther through to present time ( and what more could a person new to riding ask for?)

After attaining the BHSAI she worked in London at Alderbrooke Stables in East London where she looked after all the horses, rode and taught lessons. This was excellent experience for someone new to working with horses. After returning to Canada, Barbara got a call from Peter Poole at Windfields Farm offering her a job working with the horses. At Windfields Farm Barbara got to work with a variety of Thoroughbreds: yearlings: grooming for the Sales, riding the yearlings (interesting and valuable experience), breeding and foaling the mares. The horses were well bred and some would go on to become famous. Windfields Farm, at the time Barbara worked there, was one of the top breeding farms of Thoroughbreds in the world.

Eventually Barbara came back to Prince George, with her husband, bought the current farm and over the years has improved it with fencing, loafing sheds, paddocks, lunge arenas, outdoor arena and finally the indoor arena. Garth Everall has been great to have come do the cat work to improve drainage, put in a driveway to the barn and in 2016 change the footing in the arena (which the horses love).

After graduating from University Barbara went to Pen Y Bryn Equestrian Centre in Pennsylvannia for 7 months. She trained under Major Jeremy Beale, BHSI (winner of Burghley horse trials). She furthered her riding in dressage, over fences and cross-country.

Martina Pork, Pferdewerkshaftmeister, moved to Burns Lake from Germany to teach and train horses. Barbara was one of the early students. One of the qualities of Martina’s teaching: lessons are repeatable. Martina trained 2 of her horses. She supervised the training of 5 of Barbara’s horses. Martina, unfortunately returned to Germany, but is available for lessons there.

Barbara has continued learning by atttending clinics (auditing), conferences, etc. The speakers and trainers at these clinics, conferences, etc are well known for their accomplishments internationally. Some of the people are Dr. Andrew McLean (horse behaviour and equine learning theory associated with ISES, Lasse Kristianson of Denmark who is the Technical Advisor for the Deanish Dressage Team and world class lunger of vaulting horses and coach of vaulters, Conrad Schumacher (Dressage), Jochen Schleese (Saddlemaker), Dr. Gerd Heuschmann (Veterinarian), Ellen Bonje (Dressage), Dr. Deb Bennett (Equine Palentologist), Dr. Hilary Clayton, etc.

In addition to riding lessons Barbara also offers vaulting as she has found student progress faster, are better riders, and have fun vaulting. She has trained a number of her horses and ponies to be vaulting horses.

Lessons focus on the welfare of the horse, as she was taught long ago at Crabbet Park, was reinforced at Windfields Farm, and now through ISES and vaulting.

Horsemanship (care of the horse, handling of the horse) is part of every lesson. Safety is important because falling off does happen, but shouldn’t happen frequently. Injury and fear do not help a rider progress. There is so much to learn in order to ride well. A rider cannot learn if the horse is unhappy which is why students learn using positive training and use the Principles of Equine Learning Theory as developed by Dr. Andrew McLean and International Society of Equitation Science (ISES).