|
|
Freedom Farm, Inc.
|
|
| Spring Newsletter | May 2013 |
|
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
Thanks to all who participated and parents that shared in the preperation, fun, and success at the Bainbridge Island Saddle Club Horse Show.
Summer Camps are filling up so if you haven't registered your child yet please send in your form. The forms can be downloaded from the Freedom Farm website.
This month's newsletter provides dates and times for our usual activities, and includes some great articles about the importance of balance and fitness. We also received a great tip from Walter Zettl about the "Give".
Here are some links to check out:
Be sure to Like us on Facebook!
Mary
CONTACT INFO:
Mary Gallagher
(360) 457-4897
freedomf@olypen.com
freedom-farm.net
|
|
Hoof Beats Activities This month's Hoof Beats activities include: Bainbridge Island Schooling Show
Saturday, May 4
Away all day
Freedom Farm Practice Show
Saturday, May 18
|
|
Cowmanship Class
Sunday, May 19
Noon - 3 pm
Working cows gives your horse a job to do, and is so much fun! Join us, and then enjoy the transformation in your horse that becomes evident in all aspects of his or her training just from this one activity!
 | | photo by Grace Lambert |
Contact Mary for more information, or to let her know you'll be riding.
(360) 457-4897
freedomf@olypen.com
freedom-farm.net
|
|
Adult Workshop
Sunday, May 26
Noon - 2 pm
 | | photo by Kip Tulin |
Our adult workshops are always fun and informative. We learn new and fun ways to support our horse while we are on the ground and in the saddle.
To sign up, contact Mary via
email or by phone.
(360) 457-4897
|
|
|
April's Bainbridge Island Schooling Show
I learned a lot at the April Bainbridge Island Saddle Club schooling show last month. Mary wanted me to take Joia to the show so could have more away-show experience. I had hardly ridden Joia before, so I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I was able to ride her twice before show day and discovered how amazing her jump felt, so I was pretty excited to take her to the show.
When we arrived at the show, Joia was pretty wound up! In fact, she was starting to sweat before we even got to the practice ring. After riding her in the nice practice ring at the Saddle Club's schooling show facility, she calmed down a bit, and I schooled her in two classes and showed in three. Schooling was very helpful in getting Joia used to the arena and jumps, so that definitely was valuable in the classes I showed in. I could really see the reasons why it's important to school in classes before showing, especially in a new arena.
What I felt was one of the biggest accomplishments of the day was when we were waiting for one of our classes and Joia, while standing there, calmly cocked one of her hind feet and I suddenly realized how much she had calmed down during the day and was feeling comfortable in the new environment. And, of course, she was great in the show ring, because she's such a fun horse.
I always learn a lot going to the Bainbridge shows. The biggest thing I learned last month was how important it is to be planning out your very first jump line before going into the show ring. Joia also showed me how much I really need to focus on not falling to the inside when picking up the canter, because even her easier lead could be messed up if I did that. This helped me be more careful when setting up for the canter, especially in the jumping classes, because I had to land at the canter after the jumps. I had to be thinking about being in the right position while I was jumping. At last month's Bainbridge Island Saddle Club schooling show, I rode a new horse, learned a lot, made accomplishments, and had fun.
Hannah Crouch
|
| |
|
Lesson Notes
Trail Walking
 | Marilyn Crimmel, Mary Tulin & Mary returning to the Farm
photo by Rick Crimmel |
I'm so fortunate to have good walking horses. I don't know how I got so lucky. Maybe one reason is they are connected to the ground or grounded (barefoot). Maybe because they are free in their shoulders and back. Maybe because they are living as a herd, moving and playing with their friends all day.
In my show career, a good walk was very important. In the hunter arena the judge wanted to see a horse walk freely forward in a relaxed manner. When I was showing in the breeding divisions with my babies, the walk was judged as a way scoring natural ability. When I worked for Jimmy Williams, he taught me that the horses that had the better walks cantered well and consequently made for better jumpers and dressage horses. When I teach new ideas to my horses I always teach in the walk first. Once the horse begins to connect with the idea I move into the trot. Because a good walk is linked to a good canter the information transfers all the way up through the gaits.
At home I like to look in the mirror as my horse walks by and watch the foot fall of the hind legs and relate that to what I am feeling in my seat, back, and shoulders. This first week of May the weather has be extraordinary and we have had many opportunities to take our training outside of the arena and onto the trail. The trail is the perfect place to feel and connect to the walk, finding the rhythm of the hind legs, and the connection of the seat as the horse naturally relaxes and extends his stride. The effort of climbing hills at the walk, instead of trotting up, also helps me understand the suppleness I need in my lower back and arms to keep the connection.
Enjoy the weather, be safe and go trail WALKING at the end of your ride you will feel the swing in the hips and the suppleness in your lower back and shoulders and best of all, you'll feel the connection to the horse's feet.
Mary Gallagher |
|
Invisible Balance
Horses were meant to graze 18 to 20 hrs per day. They have a highly specialized system of wear and eruption of their teeth that, if respected, will keep them alive for a very long time. They need freedom of movement in their jaw, side to side and forward and back. This free range of movement in the mouth affects the balance and movement of the entire horse.
But because of lifestyle changes the horse must endure through domestication, it is very unlikely their teeth will wear as they were intended. As the horse's natural movements are compromised, imbalances begin showing up in their mouth, body, and feet. Over time, a small imbalance becomes a larger one. All the while the horse is changing how they hold themselves. We see that in the way the horse carries himself, crooked feet, unexplainable lameness and/or strange movement patterns. In time postural changes manifest into movement changes and eventually lameness.
To move with balance and grace, the combination of a natural life style, balanced mouth, and balanced feet is vitally important to the horse's health and longevity. When a rider is introduced, care must be taken to have properly fitting tack. We must also stay fit and balanced ourselves so our imbalances do not alter the horse's balance. Working with the horse to maintain balance throughout their body is often hard in a society where nature is easily over-ridden to accommodate the new "latest and greatest." In our life with horses it is essential to look at how nature sets the horse up to survive and follow her guidelines as closely as possible.
Jerry Schmidt
Balanced Equine Services
Sign the Petition to Change the Law "Horse owners in the state need to change the law.
The veterinary board of Washington wants to prevent and fine or jail anyone that is not a vet from helping your horses by restricting normal husbandry practices to being veterinary only. Horse owners should have the right to choose!!!!"
To view and the petition, click the link below:
|
| |
|
What can happen ...
... when we don't stay fit? We've been hearing a lot about fitness from Mary for good reason. She encourages riders to be fit because she has experienced changes in her own body as she becomes more fit, felt the difference in her riding, and has observed how it positively impacts the horses she rides. She's also noticed the changes in her students who are becoming more fit, and she notices changes in the lesson horses these students ride. I'm writing this article in support of all Mary says, but I am coming at it from a slightly different angle - and that is to describe (and show you images of) what can happen when we don't stay fit (or even get fit in the first place). These issues are not theoretical; they are based on facts gathered over decades about how inactivity can cause a host of problems. I'm currently enrolled in a NASM course to become a Corrective Exercise Specialist. The course describes various disorders and syndromes for which billions of dollars are spent (annually) to treat, medicate and rehabilitate people. Unfortunately people who feel they don't have time to exercise often end up suffering from one or more of these problems. Sadly, they then discover that they have plenty of time to deal with the effects of their injuries and physical limitations because they no longer have a choice in the matter. Sometimes it becomes, quite literally, a matter of life and death. Leaving aside the fairly well-known issues of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, the following physical issues have been identified as now fairly common but fully preventable by participating a regular exercise program: - poor posture (rounded shoulders and forward head carriage)
- pronation distortion (flat feet and knock-knees)
- low back arching (an overly-arched lower back)
All of these issues arise from weakened, "underactive" muscles that have been stretched too far for too long and "overactive" muscles that have become too tight from being held in a shortened positioned for too long. They cause altered movement patterns and almost always lead to pain, limitations to joint range of motion, injury, and temporary - and sometimes even permanent - disability. All of this can easily be avoided! (And fortunately, most of these problems can also be treated after they manifest, with proper physical therapy and dedication to a sound exercise program.) We sometimes realize only after illness or injury that the investment we make to our health is an investment that quickly surpasses all of our monetary investments. Invest in your future - and discover for yourself how good it feels to be fit! Grace Lambert
Rider Fitness Boot Camp
Dedicated riders come for a morning work out at 7 a.m. on Saturdays at Anytime Fitness, in Sequim (gym membership not required). The camp coach is Exercise Physiologist and Personal Trainer, Kenny Hall. The routines he developed for the circuit focus on core stability, balance, and strength training specific to riders. Workouts last approximately 50 minutes, and whether you are a beginner or advanced rider, this program will help you achieve your riding goal. Click here to view and print a registration form. Contact Mary if you are interested in joining us. |
| |
|
The Importance of the "Give"
I was talking to one of my students today about the importance of the "give." The horse has to know he has the possibility to go forward. I like to tell my students, even when you think you cannot give more, give again. Don't throw away the contact - this is just as wrong as riding with your reins too tight. The "give" should come from relaxing the shoulder and softening the arm - not from lengthening the reins or losing the contact.
The "give" has a profound effect on the horse. Instead of the horse feeling blocked or trapped, they feel free to step through with the hind leg. The "give" encourages the horse to move with an active hind leg, with schwung, a soft neck to a gentle inviting contact. It ignites the circle of energy between the horse and rider. When you give, it encourages the horse to try harder, to work with the rider, and to be willing to approach the limit of his abilities without tension. I like to tell my students "Open the door!"
When you are confused, or if your horse is tense and things are not going well, just "give." You won't be wrong!
(Thanks to Michelle Coleman-Grimmer for sending this to us!) |
|
|
Arena Schedule
Here is a schedule that might help you plan your time at the Freedom Farm arena.
Sunday - Open until 11:30 then again after 3:00.
Monday - Open all day.
Tuesday - Open all day.
Wednesday - Open all morning. Afternoon reserved for Boarders & Hoof Beats
from 3 - 5:30 pm.
Thursday - Open all Morning. Afternoon reserved for Boarders & Hoof Beats
from 3 - 5:30 pm.
Friday - Open all Morning. Afternoon reserved for Boarders & Hoof Beats
from 3 - 5:30 pm.
Saturday - Boarders and Hoof Beat members only 9 am - 5:30 pm.
If you have any questions please contact Mary. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
New Members:
TAKE 10% OFF
Your First Month's Hoof Beats Tuition!
(Current members may take advantage of this
discount by referring a friend to our program) |
| |
|
|
|
|
