Today Fancy and I will head to the Blythewood Christmas Parade.
I will be going to this parade with mixed emotions! I will once again see people who are totally clueless in regards to horses and their mentalities. Which is to be expected. This year we are going prepared. We will have at least 4 adults walking along with us to keep the spectators away from the horses. The last thing they need is someone running out (adult, kid, dog) to pet the horse without permission. Don't get me wrong, I love for people to come up an pet my horse, however, it needs to be when I am aware they are coming and am prepared for this. Not the surprise kid/dog running up and spooking the horse.
Parades are a VERY stressful situation for horses. My wife has ridden in one parade and will never do it again. I think some people delight in spooking horses. In one parade last year we were staging by the motorcyles, bad move. There was a VERY considerate gentleman on a bike that noticed the stress level in the horses and pleaded with his friend, "Do not backfire your bike until we get down the road a ways." So what does he do, backfires his bike while I am sitting on Fancy and he is about 10 feet from us! She jumped through her skin was stayed put. Afert a parade anything is TOTAL CHAOS. You are trying to get your horse back to the trailer among people in cars trying to get home. So you have little old ladies in classic cars blowing their horns at you. My goal for this year was to teach Fancy to KICK ON DEMAND and put a nice dent in car doors. No, I didn't do this as I don't want to take the chance in her getting hurt during the kick!
So why do I do this? Experience, for Fancy, not me! She is young and all things considered, a great horse. I have only come off her once and it was my own fault. She has never done anything to try to get me off regardless of what horrible situations I put her in. However, I want her to learn to relax in public situations. She does great when we go places for trail rides. She can run barrels faily well on the home course. However, she is HORRIBLE when running barrels somewhere away from home. Of course, it doesn't help that she always seems to be "in season" when we take her to a show. There is nothing like running barrels on a horse that sees some boys watching her over the fence and she decides to go see them rather than round the last barrel! Oh well! It is something to look back upon and laugh at!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Trail Ride Manners
This past weekend I partciapated in Hoofin' For Heroes at the Double J Ranch in Whitmire, SC. This was a worthwhile benefit ride and for the most part I had a great time. This was my second trip to the Double J, and I will go back.
However, this blog is not about the event nor the Double J. The event organizers and the people working at Doubel J are both fantastic. It is about inconsiderate riders who sadly appear at any such ride.
There is a time and place for everything and being a worthy horse person, you know when it is the right time to do the right thing by riding the right way in your current situation. The problem is those with the cowboy mentality that take no consideration of other riders and horses.
If you want to haul ass, GREAT! There is a time and place for it. However, when you are hauling ass and you come up to other riders you need to slow down to a walk and ask if it is OK to pass. There was a rowdy group there, and I begrudge them none of their fun, however, we had nice group going and once they came upon us our group got spread out into three different groups. My horse backed into a ditch and my wide's horse was bucking and doing 360's, and the rowdy bunch thought it was funny. We also happened to have a couple very young (10 year olds) riders in our group. This could have turned out to be a diaster!
Another irritant, the Rowdy Group also had a horse with a BIG BOOM BOX on it. It was an impressive setup, however, I was out there to enjoy my horse in a natural setting not to listen to someone else's choice of music. While what they were playing was fine, it isn't what I was into at that moment. This also put our horses on edge.
This is all about the lack of consideration for other riders. While the Rowdy Group may have all been VERY experienced riders with bombproof horses, that was not the case with everyone out there. There are riders and horses of all different levels. Some of these horses were very green as were some of the riders. Double J is challenging enough without this added human element.
I change my riding style based on who I am riding with and interestingly enough, my horse Fancy seems to be in tune with the situation. If there are inexperienced riders we take it easy and she does not push to do more than I want. Then there are some people we ride with that we can step it up a notch. She is well aware that if we go it alone, then we will step up another notch and have a very spirited ride.
Again, have your fun, but when you come upon another group, calm it down until you can CALMLY work your way away from them. Be CONSIDERATE!
However, this blog is not about the event nor the Double J. The event organizers and the people working at Doubel J are both fantastic. It is about inconsiderate riders who sadly appear at any such ride.
There is a time and place for everything and being a worthy horse person, you know when it is the right time to do the right thing by riding the right way in your current situation. The problem is those with the cowboy mentality that take no consideration of other riders and horses.
If you want to haul ass, GREAT! There is a time and place for it. However, when you are hauling ass and you come up to other riders you need to slow down to a walk and ask if it is OK to pass. There was a rowdy group there, and I begrudge them none of their fun, however, we had nice group going and once they came upon us our group got spread out into three different groups. My horse backed into a ditch and my wide's horse was bucking and doing 360's, and the rowdy bunch thought it was funny. We also happened to have a couple very young (10 year olds) riders in our group. This could have turned out to be a diaster!
Another irritant, the Rowdy Group also had a horse with a BIG BOOM BOX on it. It was an impressive setup, however, I was out there to enjoy my horse in a natural setting not to listen to someone else's choice of music. While what they were playing was fine, it isn't what I was into at that moment. This also put our horses on edge.
This is all about the lack of consideration for other riders. While the Rowdy Group may have all been VERY experienced riders with bombproof horses, that was not the case with everyone out there. There are riders and horses of all different levels. Some of these horses were very green as were some of the riders. Double J is challenging enough without this added human element.
I change my riding style based on who I am riding with and interestingly enough, my horse Fancy seems to be in tune with the situation. If there are inexperienced riders we take it easy and she does not push to do more than I want. Then there are some people we ride with that we can step it up a notch. She is well aware that if we go it alone, then we will step up another notch and have a very spirited ride.
Again, have your fun, but when you come upon another group, calm it down until you can CALMLY work your way away from them. Be CONSIDERATE!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
27th Annual Jack Monroe Beach Ride
This was the second year that I have attended this event. In some ways I was dreading it. Last year I learned there are a lot of rude horse people with bad horse manners. This is to say, I think they are more interested in showing off than they are in their safety or those around them. They have no consideration that when they gallop up on their horse that they may be approaching a horse that is new to all of this and is easily frightened.
This year was different! Was it because they clearly stated NO COWBOYING and NO RUNNING? Is it because fewer people showed up because of the weather forecast and/or the ecomony? I suspect "all of the above" as the reasons. There was also a very visible presence this year in regards to security which I have no memory of at all last year.
Whatever the reason, I really enjoyed the ride this year. We arrived Wednesday after a couple mishaps, electrical system on horse trailer failed and then after that was fixed, a camper tire shreaded itself to pieces. Our goal was to arrive and be setup before dark, didn't happen. We arrived before dark, but it was dark when we finished setting up. However, we did much better this year as we were eating dinner at 2AM after we setup last year, we were eating at 8PM this year, so there was big improvement.
I believe the Lord truely thinks highly of this event. While the Columbia, SC area was being hit with lots of rain and serious storms, the rain at the Lakewood Camping Resort only took place at night AFTER we were done with our horse activities.
Thursday started off by leading the horses to the beach to get them use to it. My horse Fancy was so animated and stress that we, along with my wife and her horse, ended up on the home page of The Sun News. You can see the pictures here, at least as of this writing you can! http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/724/gallery/668753.html#http://media.myrtlebeachonline.com/smedia/2008/11/13/15/54-horses-fancyA.standalone.prod_affiliate.78.jpg
In the end, Fancy was calm and had waves breaking on us and hitting her belly. She would enter the ocean with her left eye facing the water, but refused to do so if her right eye was facing the water.
All in all we had a great time. I am sure they are disappointed in the turn out this year. I appreciate the lack of COWBOYING taking place on the beach and in the camp ground. Of course, we did do some cnatering on the beach, but we did it in areas where no other horses or people were close by, because we respect other riders and passer byers!
I do recommend this event, though it is pricey as it is a charity event to raise money for the American Heart Association. There are rumors going around that Lakewood Camping Resort may not allow the use of their property next year due to the individuals who live there all year are tired of it. Also heard rumors that the organizers are unhappy because Lakwood does not allow people to come in for the day of the ride only, thus keeping a lot of people away who could help the fundraising numbers. RECOMMONDATION: Work with Myrtle Beach State Park and have the day trippers go there!
Next we are not planning on returning as we want to try something new, specically the Ward Ride, which seems to be the weekend before or after the Beach Ride. Can't do these things EVERY WEEKEND, would if I could though!!!
Paul
This year was different! Was it because they clearly stated NO COWBOYING and NO RUNNING? Is it because fewer people showed up because of the weather forecast and/or the ecomony? I suspect "all of the above" as the reasons. There was also a very visible presence this year in regards to security which I have no memory of at all last year.
Whatever the reason, I really enjoyed the ride this year. We arrived Wednesday after a couple mishaps, electrical system on horse trailer failed and then after that was fixed, a camper tire shreaded itself to pieces. Our goal was to arrive and be setup before dark, didn't happen. We arrived before dark, but it was dark when we finished setting up. However, we did much better this year as we were eating dinner at 2AM after we setup last year, we were eating at 8PM this year, so there was big improvement.
I believe the Lord truely thinks highly of this event. While the Columbia, SC area was being hit with lots of rain and serious storms, the rain at the Lakewood Camping Resort only took place at night AFTER we were done with our horse activities.
Thursday started off by leading the horses to the beach to get them use to it. My horse Fancy was so animated and stress that we, along with my wife and her horse, ended up on the home page of The Sun News. You can see the pictures here, at least as of this writing you can! http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/724/gallery/668753.html#http://media.myrtlebeachonline.com/smedia/2008/11/13/15/54-horses-fancyA.standalone.prod_affiliate.78.jpg
In the end, Fancy was calm and had waves breaking on us and hitting her belly. She would enter the ocean with her left eye facing the water, but refused to do so if her right eye was facing the water.
All in all we had a great time. I am sure they are disappointed in the turn out this year. I appreciate the lack of COWBOYING taking place on the beach and in the camp ground. Of course, we did do some cnatering on the beach, but we did it in areas where no other horses or people were close by, because we respect other riders and passer byers!
I do recommend this event, though it is pricey as it is a charity event to raise money for the American Heart Association. There are rumors going around that Lakewood Camping Resort may not allow the use of their property next year due to the individuals who live there all year are tired of it. Also heard rumors that the organizers are unhappy because Lakwood does not allow people to come in for the day of the ride only, thus keeping a lot of people away who could help the fundraising numbers. RECOMMONDATION: Work with Myrtle Beach State Park and have the day trippers go there!
Next we are not planning on returning as we want to try something new, specically the Ward Ride, which seems to be the weekend before or after the Beach Ride. Can't do these things EVERY WEEKEND, would if I could though!!!
Paul
Monday, November 3, 2008
SCQHA Trail Ride at Double J Ranch
I rode at this event for the 1st time this past weekend (Nov 1). It was awesome! The people running Double J are top notch and a lot of fun to be around.
Double J Ranch is located in Whitmire, SC, whic is close to Newberry. Newberry, for those of you who don't know, is about an hours drive north of Columbia off of I-26. It took us a little over an hour to get there from Blythewood driving HWY 321 and 34.
I was disappointed that more people did not show up for this ride. We brought 3 trailers and a total of 9 horses. I am sure high fuel prices and the slow economy didn't help.
If you are looking for a great place to ride, this is it. Though, it is not for beginners! Check out the Trail Review in the Equestrian Camping/Trails section. There are some pictures included and a link to the Double J Ranch site. They also have enterainment every 3rd Saturday of the month, in the evenings. You can camp out and sing and dance Saturday night after a nice trail ride. Then, get up Sunday for another ride before heading home. The bathroom facilities at the campground are great. There are 4 or 5 single person bathrooms each with a private shower. There is also overflow show facilties outside which are walled and gated for the more rustic outdoorsy type experience!
IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON PUBLIC TRAILS in South Carolina, PLEASE SEND ME A REVIEW TO ADD TO THE REVIEWS section! We have some great places to ride in this state, share the information for those who may be interested but would like more information.
Double J Ranch is located in Whitmire, SC, whic is close to Newberry. Newberry, for those of you who don't know, is about an hours drive north of Columbia off of I-26. It took us a little over an hour to get there from Blythewood driving HWY 321 and 34.
I was disappointed that more people did not show up for this ride. We brought 3 trailers and a total of 9 horses. I am sure high fuel prices and the slow economy didn't help.
If you are looking for a great place to ride, this is it. Though, it is not for beginners! Check out the Trail Review in the Equestrian Camping/Trails section. There are some pictures included and a link to the Double J Ranch site. They also have enterainment every 3rd Saturday of the month, in the evenings. You can camp out and sing and dance Saturday night after a nice trail ride. Then, get up Sunday for another ride before heading home. The bathroom facilities at the campground are great. There are 4 or 5 single person bathrooms each with a private shower. There is also overflow show facilties outside which are walled and gated for the more rustic outdoorsy type experience!
IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON PUBLIC TRAILS in South Carolina, PLEASE SEND ME A REVIEW TO ADD TO THE REVIEWS section! We have some great places to ride in this state, share the information for those who may be interested but would like more information.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Best Time of the Year
Fall is my favorite time of the year and it can never come soon enough. The oppressive heat and humidity go away along with the nagging flies and gnats! It is also a GREAT time for riding horses.
SC-Horse will be at the AQHA Ride at the Double J Ranch November 1. We will also be at the Heart Association's Beach Ride in Myrtle Beach. If you are at any of these rides, look two trucks, 1 red and 1 white, with Bear Creek Stables signs and come come say "hello"!
Paul
SC-Horse will be at the AQHA Ride at the Double J Ranch November 1. We will also be at the Heart Association's Beach Ride in Myrtle Beach. If you are at any of these rides, look two trucks, 1 red and 1 white, with Bear Creek Stables signs and come come say "hello"!
Paul
Monday, September 8, 2008
SC Trails
South Carolina has a lot of great places to take your horses for trail rides. My goal is to go to them all! So far, I have only been to two, Lee State Natural Area and Saluda Shoals Park.
As go to these parks, I will write reviews which can be found in the Camping/Trails page. If you have your own review for any trails in South Carolina, please send them my way and they may be posted!
Thanks,
Paul
As go to these parks, I will write reviews which can be found in the Camping/Trails page. If you have your own review for any trails in South Carolina, please send them my way and they may be posted!
Thanks,
Paul
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
SC-Horse.com Introduces Horse News
SC-Horse.com now has News Feeds from around the world. These include Text news, Video news and slideshows. You can also find links to other sites that have news of interest for horse lovers.
So, if you are looking for some horse news on the web to catch you up on all things related to horse in the world, this is the place to start!
So, if you are looking for some horse news on the web to catch you up on all things related to horse in the world, this is the place to start!
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