I went to a local show last night I didn't really know what kind of horse show it was before I went, but it turned out to have it's share of Big Lick Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses, racing trotters, hackney ponies, even a Haflinger Pony. Here is a sample of the shoeing done on a Big Lick Horse:(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ5xGdy7FYs My mother went, and she knows nothing about horses, except watching me in lessons for years, she said the Big Lick Horses were the most digusting thing she has ever seen in her life, she couldn't watch, even she recognized that they were totally unbalanced and could hardly walk. Anyway, I saw a friend who has been telling me about an Appy he has at his farm. He tried to ride her, she did something and he said he would never ride her again. I told him I would come out and see her today. I am guessing she was used as a broodmare, she's about 10, gorgeous horse built like a truck, sweet. She knew how to lead and picked up her feet good, but didn't seem to know how to give on either side to the rein and knew nothing about riding, going forward. I worked with her on the ground for a while then got on her, we were able to walk around the arena a little, work on turning and stopping, she stopped good. I think she might be an excellent trail horse for someone, maybe him if we worked on it. She's a little bit in limbo right now, a person bought her at an auction and left her at this guy's house until fall, so I don't know. It shows me that the techniques I am learning work on any horse, unbroken horses, horses who have had some rough training and need to be started over, etc. I should have gotten him to video that part, but I did get a video of me riding his mule, bareback, a rope halter. After what I saw last night, I think it's best to put out as many better examples as possible. I saw way too many people pulling at bits with all of their strength, just bad horsemanship. There were a couple of people doing ok, a small child was a favorite of mine, riding a nice little gaited horse on a looser rein, the horse looked relaxed, it was much better, and I know I should be wearing a helmet, this is a bad example I am setting, do not do what I do, it's a bad habit not to wear one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVv92QmfISY I had an Amish kid sew sheepskin to the bottom of my bareback pad, it is pretty nice and comfortable:) Kim
