Show-Jumping Rules

Like dressage, showjumping is also a very formal event horse breeds like hunters are used and once again, like dressage, it is performed in an arena.
Riders are given a course of jumps (jumping course) and before the event starts, they will walk the course to see how many strides between each jump and to help them memorize the jumps.
English tack is used, mainly an all-purpose saddle or a jumping saddle (for formal events, tack would be black) A hackamore or cavesson bridle are also used. Rides wear white breeches (or beige, cream or tan) a black competition jacket, helmet, gloves and tall riding boots or gaiters. Show-jumpers wear what hunter riders would wear.
Olympic and Grand Prix events have 10 jumps with 2 combinations (refer to 24th march for types of show jumps http://thehorseradishblog.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2014-03-31T23:26:00-07:00&max-results=7&start=14&by-date=false and http://thehorseradishblog.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2014-04-08T15:23:00-07:00&max-results=7&start=7&by-date=false for jumping distance)
and the types of jumps varies from competition.
Penalties-
1st refusal- four faults
2nd refusal- elimination
Horse or rider fall- elimination
Exceeding  time limit- 1 point for every second
Foot in water- four faults

Stay horsey,
~Livinia :)

Horse Riding Tips

This is a little different from what I usually do but here are 20 horse-riding tips to live by!

1- Never show fear
2- Learn to half halt (it will save you a lot)
3- Heels down!
4- Lean back when going downhill
5- Lean forward when going uphill.
6- Don't give up easily
7- Sit straight
8- Be gentle on the reins, force will never help
9- Don't give up easily
10- Praise your horse if they do something good
11- Look up and ahead
12- Don't get angry
13- Get back on after a fall if you can
14- Head up, eyes up!
15- Check your girth before you get on
16- Measure your stirrups correctly
17- Make sure the reins are joint and not broken
18- Warm up and cool down your horse!!!!
19- When starting to jump, start with a small cross rail
20- Pull and release will help with slowing your horse down

Stay horsey,
~Livinia

P.S- feel free to comment on what you need help with or if you would like to know something about riding!

Akhal-Teke

Akhal-Teke

The Akhal-Teke originates from the country Turkmenistan. They are a hot-blooded breed which means they are active, agile and fast horses. They can be 14.2-15.2 hands high and can come in the colours chestnut, dun, grey or palomino. Their habitat is the desert since they originate from the hot climate of Turkmenistan. They have a beautiful long face and a slender body, long legs and a sleek muscular neck. 

Stay horsey,

~Livinia :)

Dressage Rules

Horses- Horses that compete in the Olympics and WEG are typically warm-bloods.
Arena- Dressage is performed in a 20 by 60 meter arena or a 20 by 40 meter arena with letters all around (AKVESHCMRBPF) 20 by 40- (AKEHCMPF) and in the middle the letters are- DLXIG
Tests- Dressage tests are usually marked from 0 through to 10-

0- not executed   

1- very bad

2- bad

3- very bad      

4- insufficient

5- marginal

6- satisfactory

7- fairly good

8- good

9- very good

10- excellent                                             

Tack- Tack for dressage is always English tack and your score also depends on how good you look and how neat your clothes and tack are. For dressage, a dressage saddle, cavesson or hanoverian bridle and a saddle pad. Tack is usually black but can be dark brown.
Clothing- Professional dressage riders dress very formally for competitions. They wear cream or (preferred) white breeches, white gloves, mostly white shirts, top hat or helmet, possibly tie and tailcoat or black riding jacket. (Tailcoats are worn in advanced competitions)

Stay horsey,
~Livinia :)

Pilates for Horse-riding!

What you need-
Gym ball.
Dumbbells.

Exercise 1- On the gym ball, tilt pelvis back and forth.
Exercise 2- Move pelvis sideways.
Exercise 3- Hip circles- move your hips in a circular motion.


Exercise 4- lie on your tummy, your hands together under your chin. Lift your head and chest. Do the same exercise but with your hands by your side.
Exercise 5- Stand straight with your legs slightly apart, using dumbbells, slowly lift your arms until they are in front of you and in line with your shoulders.

Do these exercises a few times each, 10 minutes a day will improve your riding and balance!

Stay horsey,
~Livinia :)

Lundy

The horse breed- Lundy- originates from the UK, although it is not a native breed from the UK, it was bred by crossing Welsh, Connemara and Thoroughbred. The Lundy's head is rather large with big eyes. Their legs are sturdy and have a long body. They can come in all solid colours such as chestnut and brown and also can be dun. The breed is quite small, they are usually around 13.2 hh. They are generally nice, kind and willing horses. Since they come from colder climates, they are agile and are hardy.

Stay fluffy,

~Livinia :)

Peritonitis

So today, Pondie was diagnosed with Peritonitis, he is an old horse (but doesn't look like it) so it was rather worrying but so far he is fine. The symptoms can be similar to colic and it can be confused with it too. Some symptoms of Peritonitis are-
- Looking and kicking at abdomen.
- Loss of appetite.
- Depression.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Rolling

Pondie was rolling, lost his appetite and was looking at his belly, which are all common signs of colic but of course, the best thing to do is call your vet out and have them see what is wrong. Peritonitis can be fatal (to humans and animals) if it is not treated immediately or properly. There can be different causes for horses getting Peritonitis, some more severe then others.
Causes-
- Bacterial infection (eg- worms in the soil)
- Injuries (eg- piercing through abdomen)

Injuries can be more fatal because if a- for example- stick penetrates the skin and goes through the abdominal wall, the dirty stick will introduce more bacteria then would if a horse consumes worms.
Bacterial infection can make the horse sick if a horse consumes something like worms, they can make small holes in the stomach, breeding more bacteria, creating inflammation of the horses peritoneum and causing pain and discomfort for the horse and eventually can be fatal if the horse is left untreated for too long.

Stay horsey,
~Livinia :)