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My Senior Horses are Amazing

July 10, 2014

Golden Spike Farm Farm Horses, Horseback riding , , , , , , Leave a comment

I came across this blog today: Reasons why senior horse are amazing.  I couldn’t agree more.  My 4 horses are getting up there and they are so trust worthy, reliable and healthy.

Cuervo – He is just an ornery old man.  His best friend is Apple Jacks but he whinnies when any of the horses leave the barn area.  He is stubborn, doesn’t like to make turns in the riding ring; Clumsy, stumbles when he forgets to pick up his feet, and best of all he is so rock solid as in nothing spooks him.

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Apple Jack – He is my little rocket. In the riding ring he is hot, just wants to go as fast as he can.  On the trails he is the leader and nothing bothers him.  He loves to be ridden and doesn’t run away from me when I try to catch him.  He loves water, when I take him in the creek he splashes around.

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Nash – He is probably 15 years old so almost a senior.  He has completely recovered from his hernia surgery. I find myself getting on him bare back a lot these days. (I got the best friend bareback pad! It is great!)  He is comfortable to ride with out a saddle because of his Tennessee Walking horse gait the running walk.  He is calming down a lot, used to be super sensitive and slightly spooky but has been doing great recently.

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Casey – He is just great all around.  Awesome with the kids and lessons.  Okay he is a little lazy and will take advantage of the kids if they are not confident enough.  But he never does anything wrong and is so patient.  He is always last to come in for anything, because he is at the bottom of the herd hierarchy.  He whinnies for grain.  He loves his scratches especially on the chest and neck.

 

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Is bareback riding bad for your horse?

June 26, 2014

Golden Spike Farm Horseback riding Leave a comment

I have ridden all my life with and with out saddles.  I think it is an accomplishment to be able to ride bareback.  At almost 41 I can still walk, trot and canter bareback.  It is great for balance and muscles.  So I came across this article today: Anatomy of bareback Riding.  At the bottom of it is comments about people loving their “Best Friend Bareback Pad”.  Having never heard of these I did some research and found people raving about them.  Have you used one?  If yes please comment or if you have any other bareback pads you recommend let me know.  I think it is time to purchase a new one since the one I have is from my childhood riding days (12 – 18 years old).

I also stumbled upon people saying bareback riding is bad for your horse because it puts pressure in the two small spots where your tail bone meets your horses back.  Saddles do spread out the pressure and have a gullet down the center underneath to not put pressure on the spine.  So I guess if I get this new pad I will have to keep an eye out if my guys get ouchy.  I doubt they will as I don’t ride more than 1/2 hour a couple times a month like that.

This is a good over all article about bareback riding.