Finding Our Freedom

Hello everyone, A lot has been going on and that has led me to do a lot of thinking. Let me first tell you what all this thinking is about, let me tell you my dream.
It has always been my biggest dream and hope to have a horse rescue center. But not just any horse rescue center I want a place where children from broken and abusive homes can come and feel safe, loved, and blissful. I want to be able to pair the abused horses who are physically and emotionally starved with the children and watch as they heal each other. What I want is for the children to be able to help in the horse's rehabilitation by helping to show them love for the first time. In this process I believe they will heal each other. THIS has always been my dream. But being only 14 and having only one horse of my own on land that isn't mine, to me, sometimes the dream seems a little far away. 'How would I know what the process that these kids are going through is like for them? How would I know if they would actually benefit from the process? How would I know what they feel?' Those are some of the questions I ask myself, my short life has had a few bumps in the road, but nothing compared to what others have to endure. It was just the other day when I was pondering some of these things when I realized: yes, some people do have things harder than others but we all have some wounds in our heart that need healing. I need healing too. I realized that the best way to find answers is to find them ourselves, so I am going to start my own journey and begin a journal that I would like to share with all of you. So I know that you join me as we all try to find our freedom.
:o)!

Horse Hero of the Month: Monty Roberts

I first just want to say how excited I am to writing

about this amazing man. Mr. Roberts has changed the face of horse training, his revolutionary ideas have been formed over years and years of watching and "listening" to horses. Monty first learned to listen to wild horses while observing wild mustangs at the age of thirteen. He was sent there to round up wild horses for the Salinas Rodeo Association's Wild Horse Race, he spent hours silently watching the feral horses interact with each other. Soon he realized that they used a discernible, effective, and predictable language to communicate. In a moment the would change his life and the lives of horse people around the world, Roberts understood that utilizing this silent language would allow training to commence in a much more effective and humane manner, encouraging true partnership between horses and humans. Later he would name this moment of partnership "Join-Up".

I, myself have used his methods on my own horses and can testify that they work! I've been a fan of him for a few years now and I am so honored to be able to mention his name on this blog.

Thank you Monty Roberts for what you have done and for what you continue to do in "Making the world a better place for horses".

Some information for this post came from www.montyroberts.com.

Breed of the week........ The Gypsy vanner horse

Ahh..... The Gypsy vanner horse. I don't know about you, but when I think of this horse I think things like dream horse, magical horse, the horse my knight in shining armor will ride up on. While all of us might not think these things, I know we can all agree on this: These horses are breathtaking! While I've never spent much time with them in person, I can give you a little history on them.

The Gypsy dream was to breed a perfect horse to pull their colorful vardos, or living wagons, through the hillsides of England and Ireland. The Gypsy Vanner had to be strong and athletic so that they could manage the heavy vardos with the gypsy family and it's belongings. The horses had to be hardy and easy to keep, because they were often tethered on the side of the road or in fields, eating whatever grass they could find and living without shelters in the cold winters.... And when the day's work was done, the beautiful Gypsy Vanner had to be gentle enough to teach gypsy children to ride!
They are bred from a combination of draft and pony breeds, and until now the breathtaking horse was not a registered breed. While the breeding of these horses was careful and deliberate, the detailed history of the breed bloodlines was kept in the memories of the families who bred them. But due to the recent demand of these horses, registries are now being established here and abroad, to protect and continue the established bloodlines.

These magnificent horses, are also known as "feathered horses", Drum horses, and Gypsy Cobs. They can now be seen in show rings around the world, and excel at almost anything you put them up to. They are reliable, trustworthy, and beautiful. What else can I say about these horses?

They are gentle giants, slowly winning over hearts all over the world!

OOPS!!!

Hey,
Sorry everybody....
I know it's quite a while since I've posted, but no worries! I'll back in the saddle soon with a awesome new post;o)!!!
-Diamond In The Ruff.

I've Never Felt More Free.

This post was going to be about something different but I have to write about what just happened and I have never felt more free, so the name was fitting.
I just got back from ridding my horse Glory (who lives at the stable right next door), and I think it was the most amazing ride ever. I usually ride bareback unless I absolutely have to ride in a saddle, so tonight was no exception. I was feeling a little stressed out, so even though I had already ridden today and it was getting late, I just had to ride. Glory met me by the fence, took her bit like a angel, and stood perfectly still for me to jump on from the log (I'm a little too short or she's a little too tall, I haven't decided). The sun had just set, which set the hills on fire with a pinkish glow. It was so beautiful. An overwhelming peace came over me as I dropped the reins and let my girl take me where she pleased. Now Glory and I are barrel racers (among other things), so she has plenty of go and usually wants to gallop up the pasture, so I took a little piece of mane just in case. But tonight was different, it was like she could feel the peace on the inside of me and we were connecting on a different level. I decided to take her over and take off her bridle, now I of all people know she is not a "voice activated" horse, and we are working on leg cues but I'm the one doing the working. So I know to some people this wasn't a wise thing to do, but I trusted her with all my heart. So there we were walking around in the quiet stillness of dusk, the only eyes upon us equine. I felt like I could speak to her, like I could tell her about the things tucked deep in the corners of my soul, but she already knew them. I asked her to stop and she did so immediately, and like I said she does not know voice commands. We just sat there with the moon rising above us enjoying each other's fellowship. I made a tiny braid in her mane and then was still to listen to the symphony that the crickets had been saving for that special moment. It was then that I have never felt more free. I realized how late it must be getting so I gave her a little nudge with my leg and asked her to take me back to my things by the fence, and do you know that she did a complete 360 and headed back to where I had left her bridle and my brushes! She stopped as soon as we reached our destination and allowed me to slide off her back. She patiently waited for her treat, all I had tonight was a small chick-o-stick. A small price to pay for what she had just given me, the freedom in a language all our own.


Ps. Hope you like the pic of me and Glory:o)

English vs. Western Saddles

English V.S. Western. Show jumper V.S. barrel racer. Equestrian V.S. cowboy.





The age old question stands, which is better? Well, lets just find out. First off the term English saddle encompasses several types, including those used for show jumping and hunt seat, dressage, saddle seat, racing, and polo. The same goes for the Western, with roping, barrel racing, trail, reining, and cutting saddles.Now, for starters, lets see why each was made. The English saddle design was molded in 18th century England when foxhunting became a popular sport. The saddles that they had been using with high pommels and cantles were too cumbersome for hunting, because if they were to witness the kill they had to keep up with the hounds. Which meant jumping over fences and hedges, running through creeks, and flying over ditches. To do all of this they needed a lighter, more flexible saddle that allowed the horse freedom of movement. The Western saddle was an invention of the American colonist. They were sometimes required to remain in the saddle for hours at a time. They would ride all day and sleep in the swags at night. The formal English saddles were very uncomfortable for this sort of use. The Western saddle has lower stirrups and a deeper seat. there was no "first" Western saddle, it was developed over time to better suit the pioneers.
As you can see each saddle was created for an entirely different use, Which means they are both used in entirely different ways today. They each have their pros and cons. For instance, you would have an extremely hard time roping a steer in an English saddle (duh), And a Western saddle would not only slow a horse down on the race track, the jockey would not have enough dextarity. So how could we possibly compare these two amazing saddles? What is there to compare? I think that if you want to be a jumper you need an English saddle, because a Western just can't do the job. But if you want to do team roping, a Western is a nesesity. So which is better? Neither. I think that both sides just need to start getting along and realize that both styles are beautiful! Now, you ask me, "Which do you perfer?", well to be honest I'll choose bare-back any day!


Next post hint. "I've never felt more free!" Can you guess what my next post will be? Be sure to coment;o)

Breed of the Week: The Arab

Our breed of the week this week is one of my all time favorite breeds. The Arab! These amazing animals are considered by many people to be the most beautiful horse in the world. They have a small head with large nostrils that can be enlarged to increase air intake. Like the desert tribes they lived with for so long, Arab horses became incredibly well adapted to life in a harsh environment, having extreme powers of endurance. Did you know that the Arab can be ridden in the desert for three days with no water? Also, the Arab has influenced more breeds around the world than any other horse. The unique outline of the Arab is determined by the formation of it's skeleton, which differs from other equine breeds. The Arab has 17 ribs (other horses have 18); five lumbar vertebrae (other horses have 6), and 16 tail vertebrae (other horses have 18). The Arab's small size belies it's weight-carrying ability. standing no more than 15hh (Arabs stand 14.2 to 15hh.), It will nevertheless carry a full grown man with ease. With elegance, spirit, and breathtaking looks, it is easy to see why it is one of the most beautiful breeds.