Still sick!!

Aw, I'm still really sick :-( I went to the doctor today and it turned out that I have a rare inflammation in my bronchi. I had to go through a lot of testing. I'll get answers on Tuesday, that hopefully shows what is exactly wrong with me and whether I should have that extremely strong medicine needed to cure that sickness they think I have. So yes, no riding for me the next several days. Irritating. But oh dear, there's nothing I can do, so the horses gets some days off. Although they could use a little exercise!

Closer to every feeling

That's what I call beautiful and impressive dressage.

This person rides usually with a double bridle. However she shows in this video that she easily can ride her horse at the same level without bite!

Beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwyHqmsAXRs&feature=youtu.be

My new book

One of my good friends gave me this book: Riding with double bridle - A historical and practical guidance. It's about academic dressage, how to ride with a double bridle and how to train your horse to do a proper levade etc.


It's going to be interesting to get a little into another world. I have thought many times to move over to the academic style. But I don't really like their guidelines. For example; that they often ride with a giant sharp curb bit and then claims they don't "NEVER-EVER" pull sometimes their horses in the mouth, yea right., and the snobbish attitude. However, I love the saddles and the appearance of it all. It is a little baroque-like.

Useful tips

If you have a horse with feather who suffers from mud fever, you can prevent it by putting BabyOil on the affected area. This prevents the water from getting in to the hair and leg. Many use Pigoil, but since you can't  buy it in Denmark, I use BabyOil every winter for my gelding.

Sick today :(

What a rubbish day. I'm really sick today, so typical! Just before New Year.
I couldn't ride the horses because of my high fever and cough. But I let all the horses together today. For 3 weeks ago we got a little Ardenner foal to our stable. My Irish Cob's did not receive him so well. It's first today I dared putting them together. But it went really good.
Baltazar runs between Molle (the foal) when the other starts to chase him. Additionally, Molle tries to suck Giga's udder and she obviously dislikes it, so he got beaten up a little, which is perfectly okay. He has to learn his place in the herd.

Baltazar takes good care of his new friend.

Finally some acceptance from Victor.

A quote

"Only through a theoretical foundation, riding elevate itself from a purely craft into art"

Quote by Sara Maria

The AEBC Training System

The revolutionary AEBC approach is based on what is known in psychology as 'learning theory'. It is the only system of horse training that fully embraces a scientific approach to arrive at training goals. 

The system is centred around establishing a logical connection between your light aids and the horse's behaviour. Andrew McLean explains, "Animals learn to react to signals and they also give signals to their environment. The greatest variation in signals typically occurs in training, to and from both the rider and the horse." 

"The amount of dysfunction is proportional to the anxiety level and expression. Because the AEBC system centres on maximizing the aid-response relationship, it recognises that it is also critical to diminish the effect of the environment as a control over the horse's behaviour. A horse that shies is simply more motivated by the environment than the aid." 

The AEBC system focuses on making the connection from hoof to rein simple and clear, which means mastering control of the horse's legs. Andrew sums it up as, "By letting him know exactly where to put his feet, you give every horse confidence and reassurance." 

This may sound simple enough, but according to Andrew McLean, the goal of confidence and calmness cannot be emphasised too strongly. "There is a terrible amount of wastage in the horse industry and the greatest cause of anxiety in horses is their training. The number of horses destined for pet food can be significantly reduced by incorporating more up to date training psychology into the training context." 

"Whatever level the horse is at, even at Grand Prix level, the basic responses need constant checking and fixing. For various reasons, these responses can deteriorate at any time and it is this deterioration that is the deepest source of anxiety because these responses are initially trained by aversive pressures." 

Andrew's PhD thesis, proposed eight training principles, which are detailed in a series of articles. With AEBC training you will see that the horse's security and stability directly reflect the quality and consistency of his basic learned responses. And that's good news because it puts control of your destiny (and your horse's) in your hands.


http://www.aebc.com.au/theaebctrainingsystem

What is Equitation Science?

Equitation Science has developed rapidly since discussions between Dr Debbie Goodwin, Dr Natalie Waran and Dr Paul McGreevy following the Havemeyer Foundation Workshop on Horse Behaviour and Welfare in Iceland in 2002. Beginning in 1995, Andrew McLean was undertaking his PhD and deconstructing horse training in terms of learning processes. Just prior to the Havemayer Foundation Workshop, Andrew and Paul discussed the application of learning theory to horse training at the University of Sydney, Veterinary School.


The First International Equitation Science Symposium was inaugurated in August 2005, when 8 peer-reviewed research presentations and discussions were conducted at the AEBC in Australia. 

Andrew is currently the Honorary President of ISES. The formation of the society is a great step forward for equitation science and is a direct result of the growing worldwide interest in this among equestrian professionals and academics alike. Their mission is to promote and encourage the application of objective research and advanced practice which will ultimately improve the welfare of horses in their associations with humans. The ISES adopts ethical guidelines of the International Society for Applied.

Just a little reminder

"Let us always work so it's fun for us and the horse - otherwise the whole thing has no value - right?"


Just a little reminder ;)

Pictures from Andrew McLean's Clinic

I went this summer to a clinic with Andrew McLean in Denmark on Lolland. He demonstrate his techniques on various horses. There was an youngster who was afraid of many things, police horses - which he trains regularly in Australia and then he gave some lessons in proper riding. It was very fascinating and I got a lot out of it. I think it was very interesting because it all took place in a quiet and calm way. There were no "show factor", which many HMS trainers uses. This was straight on with scientific proof and clear explanations.

Did you know

Did you know that most horses love apple juice? 

Many distance riders give their horses it because of the high quantity of sugar which is in juice.

A little adventure

Yesterday my friend called and asked if we should go for a ride together. She was not able to take her own horse with her. But it's all good, I have two horses. I rode Giga and she got slow Victor. We rode a long trip in to the beautiful Swedish countryside. We went on a little adventure. We got a little lost. We rode for a long time around in a dark forest, eventually we let the horses choose the road for us and Victor found the way home. You know when he's speeding up, we are on track! He found down to Kågeröd indoor arena, which was very good, from there I knew the way home. We met some deer on our way home, it was almost completely dark when we got home. It was not quite as nice to ride 1 km on a busy road, with a lot of idiots who would not blind down with their headlights. But I got proven that both of my horses are 100% traffic safe! Which is nice to know. I think we rode for 3 hours. The horses were very tired when we got home :)

This guy is so right. A man I'm friends with on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HorsesKnowTheWayHome

Yes, horses actually know their way home. Or mine did!

A fun day

I hope everyone had an excellent Christmas.

I had a very nice one...

Today I have ridden all 3 horses, yes, also Baltazar. I started with Giga, I rode her without a bit. My brother was a little skeptical and asked if I could manage her without a bit in her mouth, and of course I could, so I just had to show off a little. I took her in canter and then afterwards we took a fast gallop and finally a small jump. He was a little impressed :)  My brother is so sweet, despite he's a rider and sells his horses for many millions, he still shows a little interest in my methods.

After that I rode Victor. He was a really little tomboy today; my nieces thought it was pretty fun to watch.

Eventually I had to show Baltazar's tricks. For my brother, his daughters, his new girlfriend and her daughter. Unfortunately he wasn’t madly good today. My brother kind of challenged me; if I dared to ride Baltazar without saddle in a canter. And of course I could, it's easy on a small pony ;D After my show-off thing, all the children got a turn on Baltazar. Baltazar enjoyed it so much!

Christmas ride

Today I rode both horses. It went really well with Victor. I trained his forward signal, he's pretty heavy to ride. He has a very strong stop signal that others maybe would interpret as lazy. However, he’s just ridden wrong from the start. So know I’m rearranging a lot regarding his training.

I only walked Giga today, she seemed a little tired and tense in her muscles. The saddle fits her not so well. The only thing that fits right at the moment is my western saddle. It sucks when I want to ride dressage.

AEBC, Horse Science

Are you familiar with the biomechanics of horse training? Or to the scientific parts concerning horse training. It is something I personally care a lot about. I have learned that Horsemanship is not always as good as you think because many of the techniques are not scientifically proven and they really just stores many of the horses' problems away instead of solving them.

In my opinion you should stop by Andrew McLean's website. AEBC, Horse Science. In Denmark his techniques are flourishing, so if you do not know him it is worth exploring.


http://www.aebc.com.au/

Xo Sara Maria :)

A video of the gentle giants

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you!

I hope everyone gets a good time with family and friends.

Slow start

Today I trained Giga and Victor. Both are in a extremely bad condition at the moment. So I started slow today, I have not ridden them once in three weeks. I want Giga to look a bit fine, now that I soon move her to Denmark.

Earplugs ?

I just saw that you could give your horse earplugs for New Year, or for other reasons. I had no idea you could buy that for your horse. But it looks very useful. However, I have never had problems with my horses. They couldn’t care less. But they are also coldblooded horses :)

Oh Nooo!

Oh no, we are haunted by ghosts in our stable!

The ghost of Sir Victor of Ireland.

The ghost of Lady Giga of Ireland.

The ghost of Baltazar.

The Gentle Giant

The Gypsy Cob also called the Gentle Giant has been the main worker of both Irish farmers and the travelling people (gypsies).

The Gypsy Cob now holds the distinction of being one of Ireland's oldest recognised breeds, standing proudly beside the world-famous Connemara Pony and Irish Draught Horse.

Nowadays, though still a loyal servant, the Gyps Cob is used by all the family. This breed needs little looking after, in comparison to more flighty breeds, which tends to fit in with most lifestyles. Whether your choice is exploring rough terrain or competing on the weekends, this horse has the intelligence and adaptability to suite most disciplines. 

The Gyps Cob is compact and powerful, ample both in muscle and bone, yet, with an ability to perform as a good all-purpose animal. It's well balanced and proportioned, standing straight and square and offering an imposing appearance. General appearance including top line relates to animals in good condition. It's temperament is calm, good natured, friendly and it has a willing nature, with a friendly disposition towards humans and other animal species.

Introduction

Sir Victor is my first horse. He's an Gypsy Cob gelding, born in 1998.  I got him when I was 11 years old. He was barely ridde in, and we had many problems in the beginning. I started training him with a better understanding for good horsemanship and his behavior changed a bit, now I’m working with Andrew McLean’s methods. And that's just right for us.

Victor is what I call a "Gentle Giant", he would never hurt anyone intentionally. 

I have started a couple of western shows. Unfortunately he is not suited to the pressure, he gets too nervous, which is a shame because he's a pretty talented horse. 

Victor is the horse that goes through fire for his owner. He's a great horse if you just understand him. 

Lady Giga is my second horse. She’s born in year 2000.

She should had been my father's horse, but she was too wild. She was barely ridden and she was a 1-class redeo horse. So I got her and I think I have done a pretty good job. She is a very talented horse and she's incredibly clever. She's a horse who does everything to please her rider. I'm sure you could teach her anything because she just loves to work. 

Lady Giga is not a horse for beginners because she's one BIG energy bomb and she can be a bit of a mouthful but she's still an incredibly good-natured horse and very gentle.

She has had two foals while she lived in Ireland as a wild horse. And I think that has made her really calm. She's always completely down to earth and she gets rarely scared. 

Baltazar is my third horse. He is a Shetlandspony gelding, and born in year 2002. Our friends knew a little pony that was for sale. What started as a joke, got a little more serious and we went out and saw him. We could not resist him, so we bought him as a "company pony". 

He is an incredibly clever and teachable pony.

He quickly became my little circus pony. He is a pony who enjoys working. It is always a pleasure to work with him. You can't find a happier pony then Baltazar. 

He is very gentle with kids and he loves to get the attention. He has never bitten or kicked anyone. He's just a lovely little guy.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog Liberty Horses

This is my blog about my 3 horses and their progress. 
Good and bad days - most good. And my methods and thoughts.

Briefly about myself and my horses. My name is Sara Maria, I own two Gypsy Cobs and a Shetlandspony. I got my gelding when I was only 11 years, Sir Victor of Ireland. He's the reason why I've come so far. Then there's my other Gypsy Cob, a mare, Lady Giga of Ireland and finally I have a little Shetlandspony gelding, Baltazar.

I have ridden since I was very young. My first ride was on my brother's show jumping horse when I was barely 1 year old. Since then I've loved horses. However, since my childhood I had a different view on training methods. I didn't like to go to the stables at my old riding school because of the way the horses were treated. I spent much time with the horse which was called evil and naughty. I have always sought a different path than your traditional way of training horses. And I started with natural horsemanship. The winter of 2010 I began to read more about biomechanics and the scientific aspects of horse training. But all this I will get more into later.

Sincerely.

Sarah Maria