Happy Wisdom Wednesday!
Today we are resharing a post from Blair’s Barn, called “Make Them Carry Their Saddle”!
“A father of a darling girl and I were talking last year and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.
Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)
When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.
When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.
When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.
Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.
When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.
After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.
Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.
Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.
Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.
I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.
Hannah Campbell Zapletal”
Happy Wisdom Wednesday!
Today we are sharing a post from Woldgate Trekking and Livery Centre!!
We are incredibly blessed at AJS Farms to have a fantastic group of lesson horses!!
“They are never just RIDING SCHOOL PONIES❤️🐴
One day you may move onto bigger, fancier horses, but never forget the school horse who made you, as without them, you wouldn’t be able to ride anything at all.
The patient soul that tolerated your bouncing while you figured out how to sit the trot.
The kind mare that didn’t walk off when you stumbled up the mounting block, trying to get your foot in the stirrup.
The sweet gelding that picked up the trot even though your body was telling him to do the exact opposite.
The saintly angel that never spooked, which was a dam good thing because your balance was precarious at best.
Too often we forget where we came from. We move on to the next chapter in our lives and say, “Oh my gosh, I’m learning so much! I’m going so far! I could never do this kind of thing on that old school horse!”
But infact you could, you were just not ready to do all these things back then.
But that school horse gave you the confidence to move forward. That school horse took care of you in all respects and allowed you to take the time you needed to find your way. You couldn’t have become the rider you are today without that riding school horse, always remember to love them unconditionally for our riding school horses are what help start your dream, make dreams come true and get you ready for those bigger dreams 🐴”
Happy New Move Monday!
Today we are demonstrating a pair move, Special K with a flyer! Stay tuned next week for another freestyle move!
Happy Monday!
A big thank your to everyone who attended our vaulting fundraiser and recital last weekend! Here are some of the highlights!!
Happy Monday!
The competition vaulting team made a promo video to show off all they have been working on!
Don’t miss out on supporting Beachside vaulters this Saturday from 4-5:30 for the dinner fundraiser and vaulting recital from 5:30-7!!
Happy New Move Monday!
Today we are demonstrating a pair move that Reagan likes to call, the “swingy thingy”! Stay tuned next week to learn another vaulting freestyle move!
Happy New Move Monday!
Today we are demonstrating a mount to the outside shoulder! Stay tuned next week to learn another freestyle vaulting moves!
Happy New Move Monday!
Today we are demonstrating a freestyle move called the neck stand! Stay tuned next week to learn another vaulting move!
Happy Farm Friends Friday!
Today we are highlighting the team leaders of our leadership crew!
We had a fun night with these amazing teens! We appreciate the hard work and extra responsibilities these team leaders take on! We are so blessed to have these girls at AJS Farms!
What’s in it for the horse?
Happy Wisdom Wednesday!
Today’s topic is about what’s in it for the horse!
This past weekend, one of our staff was able to attended Equine Affaire in Ohio. She was able to observe many clinicians including Ken McNabb. One of Ken’s big takeaways from his sessions was the question, “what’s in it for the horse?”
Ken McNabb explained if the relationship between horse and rider is truly a partnership, then the horse should get something out of riding. He said that people often make the mistake of thinking maintenance (farrier trim, hay, shelter, vet visits, etc.) is what a horse gets out of the relationship. However, that mindset views horses as machines rather than emotional creatures.
Ken went on to explain that horses should enjoy their work and find purpose in how they are used. He demonstrated this concept in his training of young horses. Ken utilizes short training rides with horses who are still learning to prevent them from become bored and losing interest. He also shared that it is vital to let a horse take breaks when they are learning new concepts. Continuing to drill the same thing over and over is not productive.
We have used this method in our training of Tara! Tara is still quite young and we want her to enjoy being a vaulting horse. We have taken her training slow and have introduced her to vaulting with short training sessions. She gets tons of praise while being worked and a whole lot of treats when she is done!
Double half flag
Happy New Move Monday!
Today the vaulters are demonstrating a pair move called double half flag! Stay tuned next week to learn another vaulting freestyle move!
Happy Wisdom Wednesday
Today’s topic is expression!
Horses are very expressive animals! They communicate primarily through their body language. This is most often observed by a horse’s ears, but horses have many different ways to express their emotions!
Many people associate a horse bucking, rearing, or racing around as something negative. Often this expression can seem scary to us, especially if we are riding! While this could be behavioral or pain motivated, it could also be something more positive! It is always important to look at ALL the signs a horse is giving with their body language to help identify the cause of their behavior.
Horse can also buck, rear, and race from excitement! This can be due to a pasture change, meeting new buddies, weather changes and many other factor! Sometimes horses just have some pent up energy to use up and their behavior isn’t targeted or malicious.
This video is of Faith when she was released into the arena for the first time to exercise after months of stall rest. As you can see, she had a lot of feelings to express and energy to burn. Her big movements aren’t stemming from wanting to harm or scare anymore, but rather the excitement of being able to move freely in a large open space! You can even see that her ears are forward rather than pinned back!
Next time you see a horse express themselves, watch their body language deduce if the behavior is caused by positive or negative feelings!
Happy New Move Monday!
Today our vaulters are demonstrating a pair move called the lifted needle! Stay tuned next week for another vaulting move!
It’s spring break!
No lessons this week, the horses are soaking up the sunshine and ready to enjoy some time off!
