Ladd and Jake

Valentine’s Day is this Sunday.  We are making special heart-shaped cookies at home.  We are thinking of ways to show people that we love them.

I like Valentine’s Day.  I like getting sweet little notes.  I love eating chocolates and candy.  I like surprising my mom and dad with a homemade card, but I also like to do something sweet for my horses.

Months ago I wrote an article called “Where is Your Horse’s Love Spot?” for a different blog.  I am proud of this article and recommend that you read it.  I know where Ladd’s love spot is.  He loves it when I rub between his jaw bones under his head.

Spend time this week finding your horse’s love spot.  Bring him/her an apple or carrot as a treat.  Brush them down for no reason.  Detangle and/or fix his/her hair.  I have seen horses with braided tails, braids in the mane, etc.  Take them on a fun ride.

Whatever you do this Valentine’s Day, remember your horse.  Remind them how much you love them too.  I talk a lot about enjoying your horse.  Let them have a reason to enjoy being around you, too.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today I walked with my brothers and MawMaw to see the horses on the ranch.  I went into a big pen where one of our geldings, Spur, was eating hay. While he ate, I petted him on his belly and neck.  When I turned to leave Spur bit me on my lower back. I was very surprised!

It hurt!  I really did not have any warning that Spur was going to bite me. The reason is because I was turned away from Spur.  I had my back facing him.  So, I couldn’t see what he was up to.

I know that when a horse puts his ears back he is not happy and might bite you.  So, I have learned a lesson from this horse bite, “Don’t turn your back on a horse, especially Spur!”

His name is Bojangles.  He is a bay gelding.  Bojangles will do anything that ask him to do.

Last Saturday, I rode him all over the ranch.  We traveled with my friend Steve as he took turns riding different horses from our ranch.  Steve rode Jessie, Commander, Spur, Angus, and Shania.  My dad rode Cheyenne.  A friend of Steve named Smoky rode his own horse named Goose.

We had a great time riding all over the ranch.  Bojangles has a very soft, smooth lope.  He is a joy to ride.  He responds quickly to every direction and cue you give him.  The only thing I was not used to doing on a horse was stopping Bojangles.  He likes to be told “Whoa!” while you pull back the reins and move your feet forward.  It was not hard to do. This just goes to show that each horse is different.

Steve brought Bojangles to the ranch to teach my dad how to open gates on horseback.  My dad’s horse fights him while he is attempting to do so.  So Steve thought that a trained horse would help show my dad what he is supposed to do in order to get a horse to respond.  Now my dad understands and is able to open gates on his horse.

I completely enjoyed my day riding Bojangles.  The most surprising thing about him is that he had not been ridden for many months.  Most horses get spoiled if not worked with regularly.  Bojangles was ready to work immediately.  If he was my horse, I would ride him everyday.  I really wish I could afford to buy him.  Since I only have $390.00, I guess that Bojangles will never be mine.  But is there any harm in wishing?

O is for opportunities to make money. You can earn money training horses.  You can give horseback riding lessons.  You can do many different things to earn extra money with your horsemanship skills.

R is for responsibility. You cannot be a good horseman without responsibility.  Horses require work and daily care.  They need fresh water, hay, and feed.  They need minerals.  They need to be worked with and ridden.

S is for sensitizing or de-sensitizing depending on your horse. Cold-blooded horses need to be sensitized.  They need to get their feet moving.  On the other hand, hot-blooded horses need to be de-sensitized.  You need to know your horse.  This is an important part of a groundwork program.

E is for exercise. A person’s legs get great exercise riding a horse, especially his/her inner thighs.  Horseback riding can be a good workout for both horse and rider.  It can also be therapeutic.  After my mom had a terrible car accident, she was left with a badly broken femur.  Months later she was still having problems walking without a limp.  She began riding Ladd.  It helped stretch out her hip and thigh muscles.  Within a month she was walking normally.

M is for maintenance. You need to groom your horse.  Brushing your horse is a treat to your horse.  They like the attention and pampering.  It keeps their mane and tail untangled too.  Every six weeks horses need to have their feet trimmed.  Horses are a lot of work.

A is for animal science. As a horseman, it is important to learn the names of  the parts of your horse’s body.  Knowing what a wither or frog is helps you communicate well with other horseman and veterinarians.

N is for nurture. You need to take care of your horse’s needs.  They want to be your friend.  They enjoy the companionship.  Like any friendship, you need to nurture it.  Bring them a carrot occasionally.  Rub down their muscles.  Go visit with them for no real reason.  A good horse can be a man’s best friend.

S is for self-control. I am a hyper child.  When I get in a mood, I can drive people crazy.  When I am around horses, I have to control my behavior.  I cannot run around whooping loudly.  When I get upset with my horse, I cannot yell at it and hit it.  I cannot throw things at it.  I again demonstrate self-control.

H is for health. Horses need to be wormed and vaccinated.  If they get sick, then they need to see a veterinarian.  A healthy horse is a happy horse.

I is for information. I make a point to read and watch informational shows about horses.  I want to learn all that I can about them.  My favorite television program is Clinton Anderson’s program on RFD tv.  I also go to clinics, camps, and workshops throughout the year.

P is for play. All work and no play makes for a dull day.  The best part about horsemanship is having fun.  Riding horses is fun.  Going on trail rides is fun.  Teaching your horse tricks is fun.  Play! Play! Play!

Shania getting her neck adjusted.

Have you ever visited a chiropractor?  My mom and dad have.  If so, why did you go?  My guess is that your back hurt or some other part of your body gave you pain.  The chiropractor adjusts your body to help your body feel better.

Well, horses can get hurt, too.  Sometimes their backs, especially around their withers, can hurt.  Sometimes their necks, shoulders, or legs can ache also.  What can you do?  You can hire a horse chiropractor.  Check with your veterinarian.  He/She might be qualified or know someone who is in your area.

We called one to check out our horses.  One limped occasionally in her right shoulder.  Another is very tender in his withers.  A friend of a friend agreed to come out and look at our nine horses.  He went straight to work.

The whole process was very interesting.  The chiropractor takes his hand starting at the withers and presses down as he slides his hand to the tail.  A well-adjusted horse does not do anything, but stand there.  There are several signs that a horse is in pain.  They can shiver, shake, flinch, and/or give to the gentle pressure.

If the horse does any of the above, then it needs an adjustment.  Just like a chiropractor pops a person’s back, a horse chiropractor pops the joints in a horse’s body.  You can actually hear the “pop”!

Checking for signs of pain.

I learned several things from the horse chiropractor.  The most important is that a trained horse who suddenly misbehaves like bucks or won’t stand to be bridled, probably has pain and needs an adjustment.  Regularly adjusting one’s horse supposedly makes the horse healthier.  They not only feel better, but are actually less likely to get sick.  As a rider, I can actually feel the difference in my horse.  He does not limp anymore.

If you have the chance to watch a horse chiropractor work, take the time to do it.  It really is amazing how the man or woman can move a horse’s body and adjust it.  If your horse shows signs of pain, then try to find a trained professional to fix your horse.  Your horse will not only thank you, but you will feel the difference.