Wednesday, February 21, 2018

The Old Kelowna Ranch

I learned about this hidden gem through a friend. She invited me to go riding with her and I was delighted to discover this barn and its surroundings. This barn is very inconspicuous; it is so concealed there is no website. Although it may look like any barn, I assure you it is very different. The barn is much cleaner than most since all the riders work together to keep it that way. The riders and boarders who go there, are all kind and a pleasure to talk to. The atmosphere of this stable is truly friendly and welcoming; it's hard to feel shy when everyone is including you in their conversation. The paddocks have great drainage so there is no need to stress about losing your boot in the mud. 

B. is an amazing coach! She is very kind and never gets mad at you for asking questions. I have really enjoyed taking lessons with her!

Sadly, I had to stop riding due to work and lack of finances. I have been missing horses and riding so much lately! I really want to get back in the saddle but since I do not have a horse of my own this has been very challenging for me. I was riding a friend’s horse but she had to lease her.


I was on a quest to find another riding opportunity closer to where I live but that is a story for another blog. But my heart’s desire is to be able to afford my own horse as soon as possible. If for some reason I can’t keep it at my own property then I will be boarding it at The Old Kelowna Ranch.

Photography by "Em Rose Photography"
Photo copyright to "Em Rose Photography"©
 The Old Kelowna Ranch, August 22nd, 2016

Photography by "Em Rose Photography"
Photo copyright to "Em Rose Photography"©
The Old Kelowna Ranch, August 22nd, 2016


Photography by "Em Rose Photography"
Photo copyright to "Em Rose Photography"©
 This photo was taken of me by Em Rose at The Old Kelowna Ranch, August 22nd, 2016

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Oxer

As I mentioned in my last post, today I will be talking about oxers.

Oxer – noun
A jump or obstacle used in show jumping. An oxer can be in many shapes and forms, they can be tall and wide, or short and narrow. Oxers can range in height anywhere from a foot off the ground to around eight feet tall. 

Setting up oxers is not an easy job; it takes lots of practise to know how to prepare the right patterns and where to place the oxers correctly. In show jumping, riders will often walk the course with their coaches before they ride. As they walk the course they keep count of their steps, knowing that four steps for them is one stride for their horse. This is a very important part to show jumping. If a rider does not walk the course they wouldn’t know when to cue their horse to jump. With walking the course before hand, the rider can also judge if their horse could make the jump with three strides instead of four in-between jumps. They also use this knowledge to their advantage and it helps them to know if they can cut corners to shave seconds off their time, as they strive for not only a clean run but also a fast one. If a horse knocks a pole off of the oxer or their hoof steps in a water jump then four faults are added to their time for every pole down, which every rider wants to avoid. The riders also have to finish the course within a certain time otherwise they will have one fault added. The goal of the rider is to finish the course in the fastest time with no poles down and no faults which is considered a clear round.


At Spruce Meadows, they often have themed oxers. For instance, the Mount Rushmore oxer; it is tall and narrow, unlike the BMO oxer. Although it is almost the same height it does not look so because of its length. 
Leslie Howard & Lennox Lewis jumping the Mount Rushmore oxer: picture source

Aldin Fufer and Wiveau M jumping the BMO oxer: picture source


I have added some example photos of all kinds of oxers from the most complicated to the simplest two pole cross oxer.
Photographer: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall July 4th, 2015. Horse & rider unknown, jumping the Canada oxer: picture source

Rider & horse unknown jumping the coin oxer: picture source

Philipp Weishaupt & LB Convall jumping the CP Rail oxer: picture source

Ian Miller & Dixson September 10th, 2017, riding by the Rolex oxer: picture source

Sam Felton, April 21st, 2017, jumping the two pole oxer: picture source

I hope that you have enjoyed reading about oxers. Stay tuned for my next post about a hidden gem in Kelowna, BC.


These photos do not belong to me. I have saved them from Google images. I have put a link to the source, so when you click on picture source (below the picture) you will be taken to the link. The picture sources are also cited below;





Canada oxer photographer Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall: https://www.gg.ca/gallery.aspx?ID=11344






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The Importance of Grooming Part Three

Yesterday I talked about the curry comb, dandy brush, and body brush. Today I will finish off this three-part post with more information on other grooming tools.

Hoof-Pick

The hoof-pick does just want it says, it is used to dislodge any rocks or small pieces of sticks and other types of wood that get stuck between the frog, bars, and sole. And yes, there is a part on a horse’s hoof called a frog; it looks more like a nail then a frog though. Some hoof-picks can have a brush on the back to help with cleaning the hoof.
Picture source
Picture source


Picture source
Other Grooming Tools

Shedding Blade

The shedding blade is usually used after your horse has had a bath, after it has rained when your horse was not wearing a rain sheet, or in the spring and fall. Although it is not used daily like the other brushes, the shedding blade is used regularly in the spring and fall. The shedding blade has two sides -- one side has many small teeth for finer brushing, while the other side has fewer teeth that are bigger -- and is used to help collect a lot of loose hair. You can also use a shedding blade on other animals. I have one for my dogs and it works great!
Picture source


Mane and Tail Brush

The mane and tail brush is used for brushing out any knots in the mane and tail. You can also use a small horse comb for this as well. The mane and tail comb is mostly used when braiding a horse's mane and tail before shows.
Picture source

Picture source


I hope this three-part post has been helpful to you on the importance of grooming your horse. Come back tomorrow to read about oxers.

If you would like to learn more about grooming this is a great website: https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Horse and I suggest for anyone to check it out. 


This is also a really helpful grooming video I found on YouTube.
Video link

These photos and video do not belong to me. I have saved them from Google images. I have put a link to the source, so when you click on picture source (below the picture) you will be taken to the link. The picture sources are also cited below;









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The Importance of Grooming Part Two

Yesterday I touched on The Importance of Grooming your horse. Today I am going to explain the basic grooming tools and what they are used for.

Curry Comb 

Yes, I spelled that right. When I first heard that there is a horse grooming tool called a curry comb I thought, “that couldn’t be right.” I remember thinking to myself “I thought curry was a spice?” Well not only is curry a spice it's also a horse grooming tool. A curry comb is the first grooming tool you use; it’s usually rubber, with a flat surface for your hand to hold. The curry comb is round with teeth to dislodge and remove dirt and mud that sits on the horse's skin below the hair. The curry comb is used in a circular motion.

Picture source

Dandy Brush
Next is the dandy brush, although dandy also means a man or boy, this is very different. The dandy brush is used in a flicking motion to remove any dirt or mud from the horse that the curry comb brought to the surface. Different from the curry comb, the dandy brush is a narrow brush with long, rough bristles. The dandy brush is ideal for use on the horse’s body and legs but it is too rough for their face.
Picture source


Body Brush

The body brush is pretty self-explanatory, it is to be used on the horse’s whole body. The body brush is round with a flat handhold. Unlike the dandy brush, the body brush has short, soft bristles. The body brush is used in a long stroking motion, to help the horse’s hair feel soft.
Picture source
Come back tomorrow to read about three additional grooming tools.




Here is a really neat video I found on YouTube 
about how a horse brush is made.

These photos and video do not belong to me. I have saved them from Google images. I have put a link to the source, so when you click on picture source (below the picture) you will be taken to the link. The picture sources are also cited below;

 Rubber Curry Comb Picture: https://www.besthorsegear.com/products/rubber-curry-comb Dandy Brush: https://www.shadowhorse.co.uk/products/winners-circle-all-natural-autumn-winter-mud-brush Body Brush: http://www.blue-steel.co.za/product/body-brush/

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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

The Importance of Grooming Part One

Welcome to my blog, Not Just a Barn! 


 I have started this blog for the point of a school project and because I love everything horses! 

 I know some people who do not have a lot of knowledge about horses so that is why I have decided to write about a variety of horse topics. In these blogs I will examine and explore some local barns. I will offer grooming tips, reviews on a barn or two, and infomation about all different types of horse breeds. I will also be posting about which Kelowna barns are hidden gems and I will talk about the stables where boarding is scarce. 

 If you have a favourite horse breed and want to know more about them, send me the name of the breed and I will do some research to write a post about the breed.   

Today I will be talking about the importance of grooming.

Grooming


Grooming your horse is one of the most important things you can do. Not only is it an amazing way to bond with your horse, it is also a very important step to riding. If you didn’t brush your horse you may not know if they have any injuries. When you groom your horse, you can check their legs and body for any cuts or abrasions or swollen limbs. I suggest that a rider groom before and after riding. Also, grooming will help your horse to get used to you being all around them. When I'm grooming I love talking or singing to the horse to let them know I am still there even if they can’t see me.

Here are four pictures of me grooming a horse named Brody.
The photo was taken at Spirit Ridge Equestrian Center May 14th, 2015




Stay tuned, as I will post more about grooming tomorrow in this three-part post.
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