Allergic to Horses? I am

Its a long winding story but if you have some allergies or know someone with allergies, you might find yourself happy to take a time out and read.

I found out I had allergies when I was in bed sick, 3 out of 4 weeks for two months when I was in my late teens. Okay so it started when I was little. My mom mentioned she had to find goats milk for me, but I grew out of it, except I hadn't grown out of it. Not much else happened till I got SICK. Ended up at a nice doctor who specialized in allergies, he started do prick tests (I do not remember the official name), turns out I was allergic to a whole bunch of things, three of which stood out, I was allergic to Horses, Dogs and Cats. On the day I found out I was allergic to Dogs his receptionist gave me a dog :-).

You are going what! He put together a shot regiment that I started, what a difference, it helped a lot. A few years later was starting to have problems again. Having talked about having allergies with some friends, I was much more knowledgeable and decided to try a natural path allergy person.

I was impressed on the first visit. She was able to help me understand and accept quickly by going over the starting information I had from the doctor. By the end of the first visit I had a list 3 times as long and a lot more knowledge. She asked good questions and shared lots of information. Will admit to a bit of information overload when I left. Some items stood out, I was allergic to oranges. So when I would get sick and of course you eat oranges to get better, eating oranges would actually help me stay sick.

My being sick in bed was caused in part by my being allergic to the material my braces were made of. Ouch. Allergies are not to be taken lightly. The good news is that knowledge continues to improve. With the help of first the doctor and now natural path allergists I continue to enjoy being around Horses, Dogs, and Cats.

A friend mentioned that her son was allergic to milk, she was informed that it was important as it effects how kids breath, which effects how the mouth grows which effects the need for braces. Me I had an allergy to milk and I had to have braces, in my case it did have an effect. Parents need to be careful as kids do not outgrow their allergies, their symptoms may change as they grow, which is why treatment is important.

Hope this helps someone who may be allergic to Horses to understand that with treatment they too can enjoy being around horses.

Went For It

Well I went for it, good thing I decided to give myself a few tries. We started working as a team the whole week before, everything looking good. During the time only, Tessa's shoulder injury came back, and I MISSED it. Went in for our run and we blew it big time. I was like what went wrong!!!! The next day arrived, started to warm up, used some unprintable language here, her shoulder was bothering her a lot. I quickly realized what happened the day before. Took a deep breath and let it all go. I was paid and there, so decided to just use our run as a training opportunity. Made sure she was nice and warmed up, and had a fine time just cantering the pattern.

I also discovered a way for me not to get nervous. Looked at the list, thought I knew where I was in the call. Was off my horse checking her rear boots, when I heard my name called! I was up. The gal next to me was kind enough to hollar I was there, while I quickly put the last boot back on, up in the saddle and away we went.

BabyDoll on a trail ride

Sharing about BD's first trailer to trail ride. Every 4-5 days I have been taking BD on a block ride, then when we come back we spend a few minutes in the arena refining basic maneuvers. Decided she was ready for her first trailer ride to a new area trail ride. Invited a friend over and she rode Tessa, BD's dam. We saddled up and trailered to a spot just down the road. BD was calm and easy going about the trip. Because of the ground, I walked her for just a bit. When we got to the nice sandy ground, hoped on and started riding. We basically walked with a little bit of jogging here and there to stay up with Tessa. She did very well on her first creek crossing. I was very happy with her calm attitude about being in a completely new place. And even better (yep it gets better) She showed a bit of understanding that I desired her to walk in a straight manor with light rein contact to change her direction.

She was a little tired toward the end of the ride and the creek crossing coming back I had to get on her case a little to get her to cross, which upset her. Then the puppy unexpectedly rustled some brush behind her and she tossed in a crowhop :-(, so I got on her case lightly again. Now you can think negative or think positive. I would rather think positive, took a deep breath and let it go. Encouraged and allowed her to go back to a positive state so when we arrived back at the trailer she was in a happy to have gone trail riding mood.

The think to take from this is that a bad moment can be let go. Allow yourself to come back to a positive mood will allow your horse to find their good feeling again also.

Playing Around

Do you play around with your horse? I do :-) Finding new things for you and your horse to do is all part of enjoying a long term relationship with your horse. Here is King doing a few of his favorite tricks. YouTube Video We start with a back and move to a bow. King gives Kisses on the check. As you might notice he has a tendency to to do this trick for extra treats. We finish the tricks with a hug. Couldn't resist adding the picture of King enjoying a nap in his hay.

Working Young Horses

Use common sense :-)

If your youngster is out on lots of acreage running around getting exercise, what does your youngster need? Well the basics, leading, feet, brushing, etc. You can do very light training sessions concentrating on the basics.

How about a stall with a paddock or stall with small turn out with another horse. Exercise and the basics. Its all about looking at your options. There are some NO's that are available. No don't lunge for 2 hours. No don't lead them from another horse for 2 hours. No don't do much of the same thing for 2 hours. Young horses are mentally not ready for a 2 hour exercise or training session. But young horses in stalls and paddocks do need exercise.

You go well what are they ready for? Well some non forced turn out time in a large arena? sure. How about a 10-30 minute light lunging session? sure. Leading around the block, sure? all in the same day, probably not.

Its about mixing and matching. Mix and match your training and exercise program to create an opportunity for learning and exercise for development of bone and muscle. First few times leading around the block a youngster may only have the stamina for a half mile or mile. As the youngster grows and gets used to more exercise you may be taking them for 3 or more mile walks. When working on training your youngsters attention span may only be a few minutes, thats okay, as they grow and as you introduce them to training, there attention span will increase.

You may lunge your youngster one day and their attitude might suck, do you stop because (well), you always do 5 times around each way and stop? nope, you are going to keep going (stomping your feet, making faces, show you are not happy with the attitude) and the minute the attitude changes you take the opportunity to stop on a good note.

Okay so things are going BAD, you are at 30 of trying to teach your youngster something and its going no where. Options? First, take a long deep breath and let it out. Second try something the youngster is good at, if they respond nice take the created opportunity and stop for the day. After a good nights rest you can reapproach what you where trying to teach with baby steps.

Michelle

Improving, well everything

Read/Watch all kinds of books/magazines/videos/tv shows on horses from all kinds of Horse People and spend time with Your Horse.

Sounds too simple, but it really is that easy to start improving, if you've only read one author try some others. Only watched one video from one trainer? there is a whole world of information waiting for you. Open your horizons and enjoy learning from any all who are willing to share their experiences and love of horses with you.

Amazing Horses

BabyDoll (2 year old I have) was ready to lead around the block. The big decision was do I lead her? Do I pony her from another horse? and If ponying, which horse do I use?

After some thought, decided to see if ponying was something King would be willing to do. Your first thought is what do you mean is the horse willing to do it? Are you willing to work with a bratty teen? Its a gift, some people and some horses just have a gift with bratty teens. King has shown himself to be great with bratty teens, but I don't take it for granted.

So saddled up, got BabyDoll haltered and ready, and in the saddle I went. First stop was King quietly with little fuss established he was in charge. Just stood there, the minute BD stopped (fidgeting, pawing, etc) and paid attention to him, he twitched an ear. Slowly BD stood quietly. BD the horse that never stood quietly was standing quietly, Wahoo!

Then King starts walking and BD comes along, she wasn't in the right spot, so King stops. A little head movement, some nibbles and BD is in the right spot. Off we go.

We had a lovely ride around the block with a few stops here and there. The amazing thing, was how non aggressive and quietly King was able to establish and keep his roll as leader.

Michelle

Wahoo!!! The Narco Extreme Mustang Makeover has accepted my application.........

I will be picking up my mustang on Valentines day, February 14 in Ridgecrest, California. I'll head back to the mustangs new home at Los Pinos for 90 days of training for the big event in Norco, California May 14th.

Thank You, Marlene, Stace, and Joan of Los-Pinos Equestrian Center (http://www.lospinos-co.com/).

Their sponsorship made my dreams come true. Marlene's positive upbeat attitude helped keep me centered and positive as I waited to hear if I was accepted.
The Los Pinos owners are big fans of mustangs, having owned, bred and boarded several.

Women LUV Horses

We all know that women love horses but horse woman, Lynn Palm has found a way to bring us all together in one place to share that love. Lynn sponsored a Women LUV Horses event in California, December 5-7.

As a teenage horse person I had the opportunity to have a well rounded instructor, *who set a wonderful example” by going to every clinic, reading books, and talking with a variety of other instructors. She instilled a life long passion for learning in me that came not just from one person but from anyone willing to share their knowledge.

Among the ladies at the event, with just a small sampling of their accomplishments were,: Lynn Palm (4 AQHA Superhorse wins, 2007 AQHA Horsewoman of the Year), Cynthia Cantleberry (14 AQHA World Champion Trail Horse wins, 2001 AQHA Horse Woman of the Year), Sandy Collier (1993 NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship), Barbara Schulte (NCHA Derby, NCHA Superstakes Classic, and Augusta Futurity winner), Sharon Camarillo (National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee), and Jane Savoie (1996 and 2004 Olympic dressage coach for the Canadian 3-Day Event Team).

These ladies where some of the nicest instructors I have had the opportunity by which to be taught. Not only did these instructors willingly share their knowledge with spectators, but they actually demonstrated their techniques. You would sit in on a demonstration and hear "Jane said" or "Lynn said" *. and it was all about how these training techniques cross disciplines and levels to create a positive relationship between rider and horse. These ladies shared information freely with the spectators and each other to create an outstanding demonstration of riding instruction.

I am also going to take the time to thank the sponsors of the event: Oster, EquiMedic, Kerrits, Smith Brothers, Dover Saddlery, Adequan, Professionals Choice, Hobby Horse, Horseware Ireland, Alliance by Lynn Palm, Horse & Rider, Wrangler, Succeed, My Horse.com, SmartPak, Purina Mills, Farnam, MD Barns, Mercedes Boots, Eous, Kathy's Show Equipment,, Succeed, The Whip Clip.

Also, lets not leave out the charities that benefited from the event;: Americas Horse Cares, Wrangler Tough Enough to Wear Pink, and AQHA Professional Horsemen fund.

I looked at the schedule of events ahead of time, and good thing, as I could have wandered around aimlessly and enjoyed myself every minute. What I did instead was pick out a few demonstrations and lectures that I wanted to attend, while still giving me some time to watch the Supreme Horse Woman Contest, and wander around.

The Supreme Horse Woman Contest, and the gals that participated are some of the up and coming trainers of tomorrow, or maybe I should say that are arriving now? These competitors and their horses showed what "horsewomenship" is all about. Participants in this event, are also participants in The Extreme Mustang Makeover events which are sponsored by The Mustang Heritage Foundation and is dedicated to facilitating successful adoptions for America's excess mustangs and burros.

As a horse trainer I would encourage everyone to attend a Women LUV horses event. The joy of sharing and learning at this event made for a most unforgettable experience.