I just have to give my horse some credit for being amazing. We moved to the island 7 months ago and when we first started riding on the beach, I feared for my life every time. It wasn’t that Baron was out of control, but he stayed just under that fear threshold where things can… Continue reading Just braggin’ on my horse…
I’ve been riding Baron on the beach at least once a week since I moved to Hatteras Island 7 months ago. At first, I rode alone because I hadn’t met any riding buddies. Baron was amped about going out alone, and I wondered whether I would survive the initial breaking in period until he calmed… Continue reading Helping Horses Conquer Fear without Force
My 18 year old thoroughbred is my only riding horse these days. Before I moved, I always had a project horse around, a horse that needed to get healthier or needed training or exposure to become a better riding horse. When I moved, Baron was the only horse I brought with me to the island.… Continue reading Baron isn’t quite ready to retire…
This was Baron’s third trip to the beach, and the first time that I rode him for any distance. The first time I took him, I just walked along beside him because I didn’t know how freaked out he would be. He was pretty freaked out about the water. He’s actually still pretty freaked out… Continue reading Baron’s 1st Real Beach Ride
I’ll be doing a longer post soon about the logistics of owning a horse on an island, but I wanted to share these pictures of Baron’s first time visiting the beach. I trailered about 10 minutes from my barn and walked him over the dune onto the beach. We walked until we found an empty… Continue reading Baron’s 1st Trip to the Beach!
On Sunday I trailered Olaf to an obstacle practice day at a farm nearby. These obstacle challenges have become popular in my area and I’m a big fan of them. They allow horses to learn how to approach scary objects in a safe, calm way. Obstacles force you to think differently as a trainer, to… Continue reading Olaf’s First Obstacle Challenge
Spring is on its way, the time when horse shows, trail rides and obstacle challenges get going for the season. I finally have a sane, safe horse and I want to do a lot with him this year, hopefully some short competitive trail rides and obstacle challenges to start. I’ve got to build up his… Continue reading Olaf Goes on a Solo Trail Ride
