We begin all our riding sessions with warm-ups for both horse and rider. For the horse, this involves progressing walk and trot, circles, changes of direction and suppling exercises to warm up the muscles and joints prior to exercise. For the rider, the warm up serves an additional function: to develop an independent seat. The…
The second item on the Riding 1 checklist is: 2. Mount safely and correctly from block or ground, picking up reins correctly Mounting your horse may seem like the simplest of skills, but it's one that takes a lot of practice to make smooth, effortless and kind to your horse. As you can see from…
Over the past dozen weeks or so I've written posts detailing the requirements for our Horsemanship Level 1. If you read through those posts, look at the relevant chapters of the Manual of Horsemanship, and attend at least three Horsemanship classes in which you have the opportunity to practice handling, grooming and tacking up, you…
Summer is just around the corner, and boy is it busy! So rather than start the series on Riding 1 this week, I thought I'd give an overview of what's happening in the coming months. June 2 June: This Saturday during the rank exams at Academie Duello we'll be presenting a number of Green Spurs…
The final item on Horsemanship 1 checklist is: 11. Demonstrate safety and common sense when working around horses This is something our examiners make note of during the whole of the horsemanship assessment. We want to see that you are calm, confident, and sensible while handling your horse. Most candidates are very good at staying…
Aside from food, which was covered in last week's post, a horse needs shelter and security. These topics were both covered in previous posts (see links). For the Horsemanship 1 test we ask about 10. Stabling: needs and habits of the horse Along with reference to food, secure fencing, and shelter, we want to see…
Read More... from A Stable Situation: needs and habits of the horse
There's a lot of news and fun stuff this week, so lets get the lesson over with right away, shall we? Basic Feeding First of all, go and re-read this post from January, which covers basic feeding. There is an entire science to equine nutrition, but for Horsemanship level 1 test we ask specifically about:…
Congratulations & Thanks! Before getting to our weekly topic I’d like to thank everyone who lent a hand at the work party on Sunday. We got an great start on Jack-proofing our fences, replaced several posts, built and installed two gates, and hauled those logs out to the back field to start building new cross…
Now that we know the names of all those pieces of leather and metal that make up a horse's tack, we need to know how to put them on correctly. 7. Tack up (may be assisted) 'May be assisted' means that for Horsemanship level 1 you should know the correct method of tacking up. If…
As with points of the horse, the nomenclature of the saddle and bridle varies from the obscure to the obvious. Item #6 on the Horsemanship 1 test is: Identify simple parts of saddle & bridle While it may seem a nuisance to memorize these terms, it is fairly important to know your billet strap from…
Grooming the horse is one of the most important skill sets a rider needs to have. It allows you to check your horse for injuries, helps increase the circulation to his skin and muscles, prevents chafing from dirt under the tack, improves his appearance, and provides valuable bonding time. As you progress through your Horsemanship…
The quick release knot is item #4 on your Horsemanship Level 1 checklist. There are several methods of tying a quick release knot, and your instructor will teach you the most simple method. For your assessment we don't mind which one you use as long as it tightens when the horse pulls back releases smoothly…
First off a huge 'thank-you' to everyone who came out to the emergency work party on Sunday to dig ditches, attack brambles and fix fences (with extra special thanks to Kat & Tyrel who came out TWO days in a row, having spent Saturday with Andy clearing the ditch around the manure pile -- awesome!)…
The second item on the Horsemanship Level 1 checklist is: 2. Enter, approach and safely halter horse in stall or paddock There are a myriad of videos out there, but really, you can't do it much better than this little girl: (Just watch to about 1:35 -- it gets a bit chaotic when her sister…
Read More... from A Horse in Hand is Worth Two in the Field: catching & haltering
"There is something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man." - Winston Churchill Riding & Horsemanship this weekend still has room left! In this series of workshops participants will cover the Horsemanship material needed to progress through the ranks of the Cavaliere Program. Beginners will learn the simple…
Read More... from Horse Sense and Full-Speed Heavy Combat Training
This is the first in a series of posts that will look at the individual requirements in the Horsemanship stream of the Cavaliere Program, beginning with Level 1. Even if you already have your Horsemanship 1 it is worthwhile reviewing this material, as subsequent levels are all built upon this foundation. The first item on…
Read More... from Off side! Navigating your way around a horse
First off a huge thanks to those who stayed after Riding & Horsemanship or came out to volunteer for the work party last Sunday. Despite weather that rotated through freezing cold, sunshine, and sudden corn snow, much was accomplished. We got the new shelter up, Michael beat the blackberry jungle into submission, Kirsten, Kat &…
Cupid's arrow miss its mark? Maybe you were just moving too fast! For those with a need for speed there are two events coming up this spring that are likely to set your heart a-flutter. Mounted Games Clinic Date: March 30th to April 1st Closing date: February 24th Place: Maple Ridge Equi-Sport Centre, 21973 132nd…