When it doubt, lunge it out...

You know those days, where for some unknown reason you feel weak?
Your body and mind is just so exhausted and tired.
Well the last couple of days I’ve had that dreadful feeling and it sucks. Not only do I feel like sh*t, but when I go to work King he senses it to and begins to become extremely lazy and hard in the mouth.
No matter what I do/try, I just can’t keep him going forward to my leg.

So you know what I did?
I simply got off.

I know what you’re thinking; “well you’re just going to teach him that whenever he plays up , the rider just quits and ultimately the horse ‘wins’”

NO. Not at all. Why would I continue to ride, when I feel like crap and my horse knows it, so he continues to develop and get away bad habits? So what do you do? LUNGE....

I cannot express how much I LOVE lunging. I will just rephrase that. I LOVE GOOD LUNGING.
So many people just let their horse go around head stuck up in the air doing whatever she/him pleases. I on the other, make sure my horses are supple, forward and coming underneath themselves when going on the lunge ( without the help of “gadgets” as such). 

Lunging with his head up not going underneath himself
(Although I wouldnt let my horses do this, I dont mind this as the horse looks young)

extreme overuse of gadget

This helps my horses work properly without putting much effort  in myself when I’m feeling a bit sick.
 Although I will go into the controversial topic in detail at some later date. I would just like to make a point, if you can’t ride. There is nothing stopping you from giving your horse a good old lunge to exercise his muscles :) 
note: This is just my opinion and even though i dont use gadgets on my horses, i still dont mind other people using some on theres as long as its not hurting the horse in anyway. xx

Spyder my at the time 4yo wb x lunging at night ( was busy during the day)

back on track.... well maybe not today.

I’m currently sitting in my room eager to go out and ride. Craving the sunlight warmth on my face and the wind flowing through my hair as I gallop around a jump course, but sadly bad weather has stopped me from living my fantasy.

So watching horse videos on youtube will just have to fulfil my horse cravings in the meantime :(

( btw, I highly recommend youtubing Horse Power on youtube and watching the series)



Anyways, I did happen to have a lesson on King the other week, and progress has finally started to come along.  For the first time EVER I jumped king 1m. So thrilled. Although he knocked  a rail on his first attempt ( dangling his front legs, silly boy) , he  got it on his next attempt.
 

Hi, my names Paris and I'm a 'horseoholic'

yes, my names Paris and I'm a 'horseoholic'

Unfortunately for my free time and bank account I am a 'horseoholic'. Since it is my first blog post and you guys don't know me I thought I might inform everyone about me.

I'm a 15 year old girl from AUSTRALIA ( and no I don't ride I kangaroo to school), who currently owns 2 gorgeous horses;

Sunkiss Magic ( aka King): 9yo TB OTT

King



Spyder: 5yo WB x who's currently injured and has QLD ich. ( will explain story in another post )




Spyder

I've only started riding properly for the last two years and I hope to start serious EFA competitions next year ( junior SJ 1.10m ) and Elementary dressage. For me every competition isn't about 'winning' or getting a trophy, but about gaining experience, while making  it an enjoyable day for both me and my horses. 

Its a recurring thing to see kids ( and adults for that matter)  flogging their horses around an arena all day without any technique or concern for their animals welfare. Sitting on their ponies in the hot sun for long periods of time without offering water as they just chat to their friends.  It disgusts me.

I must admit, I haven't been seriously training or competing for a few months now ( I, discovered boys and party's) but I've finally got the motivation to be the very best I can be, and this blog will track my progress of my journey.

Goodbye Social Life , Hello Horses!