Bull Run Stables

01/16/2024

“Be the person who still tries. After failure, after disappointment, after heartache, after exhaustion. Just be the person who continues to show up”

01/07/2024

When family comes to visit they head to the barn…

01/05/2024

On the joke calendar…The horse government never gets anything done. The politicians always vote “neigh”.

01/02/2024

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to our OTTB’s.

Jan. 1 is the common birthday for all horses foaled in the Northern Hemisphere. But why?

12/28/2023

New Years Resolution from the Carolina Equine Hospital……

With the end of each year comes a new wave of promise for the next. New Year’s resolutions are a way to have a new start without changing everything about yourself. These resolutions probably aren’t something horses worry about, but maybe we should throw in a few for their sake. Here is a list of New Year’s Resolutions that you should make for your horse this year.

More Time In The Saddle- Bucky might not seem like he wants to be ridden every other day, but it will help get him stronger and healthier, ready to take on any scary plastic bags that dare to float through his pasture or the next show that you boldy sign the pair of you up for! It’s understandably hard to get in your saddle miles when the weather is ugly, but with some planning and creativity, it is not impossible! Keep an eye on the forecast and plan your rides on the best days or ask a friend if you can use her indoor for an hour (we should all be this lucky!). Is it hot outside? Try to ride in the morning or the evening. Too cold to ride? Take the necessary steps afterwards to keep your mount safe and feeling good.

A Safer Stable- We are all guilty of putting things off. “ I don’t have a hammer to fix that nail sticking out just a little bit from the stall door.. I’ll get to it next time I conveniently have a hammer within arm’s reach”. Make a resolution to take care of any barn safety issues when you first notice them so that they aren’t there long enough to cause any damage to you our your curious barn dwellers. You know as well as anyone else that if there is something unsafe at the barn, the horses are always the first to find it!

Better Horse/Human Health- Every year, people choose weight loss as their top NYR. The main goal should be for you and your horse to just be healthy! Take care of yourself while making sure that your (now probably woolly mammoth looking) horse are in tip top shape to keep working at whatever level you are currently at! Keep your fitness up so you can ride longer and keep your horse’s endurance and strength up so he can carry you for longer periods of time. As a horse person, it isn’t just about you, but you AND your horse!

More Quality Time- Riding is great. Feeling the wind in your hair is an amazing feeling. But do you ever just hang out with your horse? We hang out with friends and family while just enjoying each other’s company so why should it be any different with your horse? Is he polishing off his hay net? Use this time to give him a good once over and brush him until he shines like a new penny. Comb out his mane and tell him what is going on in your life. Spending time with horses is magical and many people agree that it is life changing.

Work On Your Emergency Fund- Horses are expensive. This is the first thing people tell you when you express interest in owning a horse. Something that adds up with horses though is the emergency costs should something go wrong! Emergencies happen out of the blue, usually at a time when you aren’t rolling in money. Creating an emergency fund is a very responsible decision, especially when you have horses since the pasture is notorious for sending us a horse with a mysterious injury at eleven o’clock on a Sunday night. Knowing you have some money set aside for situations like this can help you rest easier.

Clean Out Your Car/Trailer- While you may drive a nice looking vehicle, we horse people are notorious for opening the door and having three saddles, a bale of hay, a blanket, five halters (when we only have one horse), a handful of carrots, and a barn cat that we don’t remember ever seeing before spill out. Bonus points if the saddles are clean! Keeping your vehicle clean and tidy can help you out big time if there is an equine emergency where you need to know if you have that extra halter laying around to catch your now loose horse. A clean car is also safer as there is less risk of something getting up under the brake pedal or flying into you should you do any sudden stops.

12/18/2023

Horses are the best gift...

12/11/2023

12/05/2023

Taking on a new challenge is a lot like riding a horse; if you are comfortable you are probably doing something wrong – Ted Lasso

11/30/2023

Even on vacation Joan funds a way to clean some stalls.

11/27/2023

At the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. Made of bone 16-17th century. A BRS Sunday morning student shared.

11/22/2023

The following article about gratitude at the barn is a nice reminder this time of the year. I'd like to add to her second point that leaving your phone in the tack room while working with your horse has made a huge difference in my barn time. I'm worth an hour or two without others demanding my time (there are exceptions but most days all is fine if I don't respond for a couple hours).

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your equine friend!

https://decidedlyequestrian.com/2023/11/17/the-magic-of-the-season-3-tips-to-help-you-experience-gratitude-at-the-barn/?fbclid=IwAR1XJGWsj-srNOBDhie5jkbkXnPcpYDh9Z-8rmhAll2kjEfqDLbFW17Ik0w

It’s the start of the season of joy, gratitude, and miracles, right? We should be happy and grateful with childlike wonder this time of year, no? It’s no secret that it feels good to take in experiences of wonderment like a crimson sunset, the feeling of a “just right” canter departure or gi...

11/18/2023

A little pole inspiration....

Ground pole exercises are the perfect way to practice without putting a physical toll on your horse. Here are 4 great ground pole exercises to try with your horse.

11/12/2023

A weekend at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center; what a fantastic facility.

11/08/2023

With closer quarters for the winter horse show season I think this blog about horses and ribbons at shows is a good reminder.

Sometimes horses carry a ribbon in their tail or forelock, in this post we break down what they mean and how to navigate riding with horses that have special needs in a busy schooling ring.

11/01/2023

So you know you are a horse person when you meet a new person and they tell you they work in retail in the “bridle” department. It takes you a second to realize she meant “bridal” department – weddings not horses.

10/17/2023

An article from the USPC blog: Tips for Riding a Spooky Horse
October 26, 2020 By Sarah Shade

Riding a spooky horse can be frustrating at times. When a horse spooks, it can change the dynamic of your ride and be unnerving for some riders. A spook can start out as something small, and can escalate to a difficult ride if the rider doesn’t help that horse focus. A calm, effective and confident ride during a spook can help the horse go from being anxious and worried to confident, secure, trusting the rider, and secure in his surroundings.

Here are some tactics to help a spooky horse.

Provide Positive Reinforcement
A spooky horse can also be worried, and needs positive reinforcement from the rider. Even if the horse is not giving you exactly what you are wanting, any positive step forward deserves positive reinforcement. This will help to create a horse who is more confident, more secure, and wanting to please his rider.

Keep Calm & Carry On
Work on being your horse’s “rock”—the stable, unflappable person that he can look to in order to help settle down and be able to go back to work. Take a deep breath so he can’t feel your tension, and relax your shoulders and seat so you can be quiet and effective

Redirect
Redirect your horse’s nervous energy to something positive. This can be something as simple as moving him forward on a circle, or moving away from what he is spooking at and going to work in a different area until you regain his focus. Give the horse a task that is simple physically, so you can regain his focus and attention.

Circle & Reapproach
When your horse is spooking at something, bend away from the object and circle away from it. Then, slowly bring the circle closer and closer back toward the source of the spook.

These tools can be used alone or together to help your horse during a spooky situation. The biggest things to remember are to stay calm, be positive and effective, and to regain the horse’s focus in a positive way.

Meet the Pony Club Expert
Sarah Shade is a USPC National Examiner, a member of the USPC Instructional Board, and a Co-Chair of the Regional Instructional Committee. She is an A graduate of Pentucket Pony Club. Sarah has competed through the 3* level in eventing, 1.20 meter show jumping, and hunter derbies. Sarah owns and operates a boarding/training farm in Georgetown, Kentucky and enjoys teaching all levels of riders in eventing, show jumping and dressage.

10/11/2023

Okay, I admit it! I'm an unemployed leather worker.
I've got nothing to hide.

10/01/2023

Birthday ride today for Joan Richardson. Berry and Joan’s combined age is 110 which is impressive; neither of them look their age.

09/21/2023

Visiting another barn I noticed something odd in the hay net. Do you see it?

09/18/2023

The Washington International Horse Show and USHJA Zone 3 Championship will be held in Upperville, VA October 19 – 22. The 4-day show includes the return of the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals.

Everything you need to know about the Washington International Horse Show, the destination for top hunter and jumper competition in Washington, DC.

09/05/2023

Horse show weekend.

08/22/2023

Not something you see everyday in a hotel parking lot. Farm Life!

08/15/2023

A fun outing of polo in Poolesville, MD on September 16....

Habitat Metro Maryland is excited to announce its upcoming Fourth Annual Polo Classic on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Congressional Polo Club. This region wide event benefits Habitat’s mission to build strength, stability, self-reliance, and affordable housing across the Metro DC area. Guests w...

08/11/2023

It’s hard for horse lovers to believe this is real

Uhhhhh... 😳🧐😂



07/31/2023

Joan Richardson keeping the horse show pony happy with grazing and walks.

07/27/2023

"Resilience is the abilitly to hold it together when it would be normal to fall apart." per Daniel Stewart.

07/16/2023

Early morning leaving farm to horse shop. 3 generations having fun. We met a lady who rode at BRS 25 years ago; love horse connections.