Disceplines

Im just going to be quick with this post because im tired :( im defining different disceplines you can do with horses (like jumping, barrel racing, etc):

Western Riding Disceplines (Western is more cowboyish and has the saddle horn):

( Ive gotten all definitions from Dictionary.com )


Barrel Racing-a rodeo event, usually for women, in which a horse and rider must race in a zigzag pattern around three barrels, competing for the fastest time. (dictionary.com)


Reining- Like dressage, reining makes you do patterns and do sliding stops and spinning. You also have to change your speeds (my own definition)


Team Penning- When there is an open box in the middle, the riders need to get 5 (depending on the show) cows with their number in the pen before the time limit.


Horse Cutting- When a rider and horse picks a cow out of a group and tries to keep them away for as long as they can.

English Riding Disceplines (english riding is when your saddle doesnt have the saddle horn and you have a certain specific way you sit):


Jumping/Hunter Jumper/Cross Country: When the rider and horse goes over jumps on a specific design or way. Jumping is when you jump and need to beat a certain time/ be the fastest. Hunter Jumper is when you do it for equitation (looks). Cross Country is when its more out dorsy and you jump over hedges, in water, etc.


Dressage: Like, reining, you have a specific design to do and certain little tricks like sidestepping, circles, etc.


Horse Racing: When you race horses on the track


Polo: A game of Eastern origin resembling field hockey, played on horseback with a long-handled mallet

There are many others, but it would take to long. If you want to look up some neat stuff look up Standardbred racing (or cart racing), trail riding, or Endurance racing. There are more, but i cant think of them now :( Oh well :D

~Nikki Carter

Just an Ordinary Day :)

Nothing special to report. I cleaned the sheep yesterday.

Ive started dating someone, we are still in the "akward" stage lol.

I guess ill post up lyrics:

Ordinary Day- Vanessa Carlton:

Just a day,
Just an ordinary day.
Just trying to get by.
Just a boy,
Just an ordinary boy.
But he was looking to the sky.
And as he asked if I would come along
I started to realize
That everyday he finds
Just what he's looking for,
Like a shooting star he shines.

He said take my hand,
Live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand

And as he spoke, he spoke ordinary words
Although they did not feel
For I felt what I had not felt before
And you'd swear those words could heal.
And as I looked up into those eyes
His vision borrows mine.
And I know he's no stranger,
For I feel I've held him for all of time.

And he said take my hand,
Live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand.

Please come with me,
See what I see.
Touch the stars for time will not flee.
Time will not flee.
Can you see?

Just a dream, just an ordinary dream.
As I wake in bed
And the boy, that ordinary boy
Or was it all in my head?
Did he asked if I would come along
It all seemed so real.
But as I looked to the door,
I saw that boy standing there with a deal.

And he said take my hand,
Live while you can,
Don't you see all your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand,
In the palm of your hand.

Just a day, just an ordinary day
Just trying to get by.
Just a boy,
Just an ordinary boy.
But he was looking to the sky.

I love this song! Vanessa is a wonderful singer and has beautiful meanings to her songs :3

~Nikki Carter

Game Show Coming Up Soon!

I want to try and take Mae to a game show in July. I won't game her (maybe) I will just walk her around for fun and help the other people who are gaming :)



I like number 11, "The little things you do mean the most" <3 so true!

Working With Mae

Working with Mae and her Ground Manners:

I love riding Mae under saddle she is INCREDIBLE! But, her ground manners are very.... um.... "not nice".

She wont stop when she is told, she figits, she walks sideways when told to stand still. And the worst, is when I try to get her in the washrack, she will just walk out. I can't even stop her.

She is still having these issues, but we have found ways to fix them and we will be working with her:

To stop the figiting (in washrack)- I use a crop and when she doesnt move, i "tap" her with it and she will move.

To make her Stop when told- I smack her once in the front

To make her back up in the washrack and not run out- I repeatdly smack her front with the whip until she backs and stands still.

Sounds mean huh? THIS ISN'T ABUSE! This is teaching a horse to do something right. It would be abuse if i smacked her for no reason.

Now, since I changed my blog into something I mostly talk about horses and my life, here is a picture I want to discuss a little bit:



What is love? Have you ever asked yourself that? I found this very interesting and true. I thought they shouldve added that "The person you love doesnt have to attract others, but it will attract you". Or something like that.

Also, could you love someone that you haven't "dated" or been with (not like, family like bf/gf)? I have loved someone i couldnt have, and I still do but now hes like, a brother to me now. I do have 2 guys I like right now, but i dont know if I "love" either of them. I know the one it wouldnt be okay if we dated but i still like him, and the other is dating a girl I hate so yeah lol.

Love. To be Loved. Love love love.

I want to be loved, by the "significant other" im happy my family loves me, but I am LONGING for another love from a boy/man <3

~Nikki Carter

Update on Everything!

Mae threw a shoe :( but she got it back on so today i will be riding her!!

We recently took pictures of a new rescue and we hope she gets sold out soon!
We are still under quarantine until further notice :(

Not much to say, im going to the barn today :)

Ill post lyrics to a song I think shouldve been more famous when it came out!

After Tonight- John Nozuka

There's something in your eyes
Is everything al right?
You look up to the sky
You long for something more, Darlin'
Give me your right hand
I think I understand, follow me
And you will never have to wish again

I know that after tonight
You don't have to look up
At the stars no no no no
And I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
And I know if the love is alright
You don't have to look up
At the stars no no no no
I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
No no no no no no no no no

Tell me how you feel
And if I'm getting near
I'll tell you where to steer
You tell me where to steer, D-D-D-Darlin'
Way above the clouds
And high above the stars
Through the unknown black holes
Noone knows where we are
But we'll return to earth
And do it all over again

Cause I know that after tonight
You don't have to look up
At the stars no no no no
And I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
And I know if the love is alright
You don't have to look up
At the stars no no no no
I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars

Now come away with me
Come fly away with me
Just for one night
Noone will ever know
No no no, Darlin'
I will leave you satisfied
Forever past time
You don't have to hide
Your free to fly

I know that after tonight
You don't have to look up
At the stars no no no no
And I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
And I know if the love is alright
You don't have to look up
At the stars no no no no
I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
Said I know that after tonight
You don't have to look up
At the stars no no no no
And I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
And I know if the love is alright
You don't have to look up
At the stars no no no no
I know by the end of tonight
You'll be looking down upon them
From heaven yeah yeah
Oh no no, oh na na na na na na
Yeah yeah ooh na na na-oh

I love this song and the guy who sings it is hot! :D

Pic of him (John Nozuka):


See you later :D
~Nikki Carter (Isnt John Nozuka Sexy?)

Selling Horses and the Economy

As we all know, our economy is in a downfall right now. Well, ya'll know how much horses cost, like, THOUSANDS of dollars!

Well, my point I guess is that in an economy like this, its hard to sell horses now. So lots of people have to eunthanize them or send them to the slaughter house. I would RATHER someone Euthanize their horse then send them to a slaughter house because slaughter houses are bad (not going to explain it its too long).

I understand better horses should be sold at their right price. But if you need them sold, then lower your price. Not by a whole lot, but you will have a better chance of selling them.

ABUSE IS NEVER OKAY! NEITHER IS NEGLECT!

~Nikki Carter <3

Wow Just, Wow

Definition:

Lame: When a Horse Injures themselves for an amount of time

Mae went lame when I was riding her. She was limping a ton and I didn't understand why at first. I thought it was my fault but it wasn't. She hurt her hoof by either stepping on a rock or tripping then her horeshoes (she hasnt worn them in years) chipped the back of her hoof. She is going to be okay though :)

~Nikki Carter

The Progress on the Rescues

This is Mae my purty girl!!!


Mae:
I am leasing her at the current moment. She is an AMAZING jumper and is behaving better in the crossties. I still haven't had a chance to work with her on her ground manners. But she is behaving better.

The reason why Mae is sort of a rescue:
Ya'll realize we are in a ressesion right? It has some horse owners panicked because some of them need to sell their horses but its hard to find someone to buy your horse for the right price. Mae was almost Euthanized until our vet found her and gave her to Vicky (my horse trainer and the woman who owns the barn) and I am leasing her. So we saved her life. She is very well trained for jumping and eventing which is what I want to do :) I might own her someday but we will see.

Timmy: He is being leased by a friend of mine named Lindsay. He is doing well but is having attitude issues at the moment haha! He is giving her some problems under saddle, but she can fix it in no time ;)

Rescues. If you want to help them, you need PATIENCE! :
Rescues have been mistreated, abused, etc. so you just can't expect them to be "perfect". They will need work but some you have to be careful of how you discepline them. Some of them will be terrified and you will need to help them get used to being treated fairly. Some of them will need to learn how to trust humans again. Some will never trust them but they can still be good mounts. All it takes is patience and training to help a rescue.

Abuse is NEVER okay!!!

~Nikki Carter <3

Finally went to the Barn!

    So here is what I figured out. I rode the horse Mary Ann, but I changed it to Mae. She is wonderful! She almost got euthanized because they couldn't find her a home (her other owners). She is a trained circuit hunter. I love her a lot!

I am still going to work with Timmy but he is going to be used as a lesson horse now.

I am also still working Claer until she has her baby.

So I am still riding rescues and I love it!!!

~Nikki Carter

(PS we can't travel anywhere because of the virus going around but i guess that's a good thing i can get more training in before i have to show)

Sorry Guys

I am going to the barn today so I will be able to get more info and stuff to post :P

I am also trying out a horse for me her name is Mary Ann im excited!

Check by tomorrow to know what happens today :)

~Nikki Carter

New Horse Virus!!!!

There is a new horse virus going around, it is called EHV-1.  It is also known as Equine Herpes (weird huh?)

How did it start? :

(http://www.krqe.com/dpp/local_guide/grow_local/dangerous-virus-spooking-horse-owners) - The Office of the State Veterinarian is issuing notification that horses attending the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah between April 30 – May 8, 2011 may have been exposed to the severe neurologic form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1).

But there has been 1 or 2 cases in WA!

How can horses get it?:

(http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/05/130.shtml) EVH-1 can transfer from nose-to-nose contact. It can also be spread by contaminated tack, equipment, and people's clothing. In addition, the virus can be spread on the air for a limited distance.
EHV-1 can cause respiratory and neurologic disease and death in horses

Symptoms:

(http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/05/130.shtml)
Symptoms include fever, decreased co-ordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy, and the inability to rise.
While there is no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable.

THERE IS NO CURE!! NOT YET AT LEAST!

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR HORSES AT THIS TIME! BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU HAUL THEM!

~Nikki Carter

(PS the links are where i got the info btw)

Busy Sorry Guys!

Ive been at WSU in Pullman for the past 3 days so I haven't gotten out to the barn in awhile i will be going soon though. If not today or Tuesday then Wednesday ha ha!

Something Cool I got to see:
I got to see a horse run on a treadmill it was really cool! I was amazed that it didn't fall or trip! I guess you can use treadmills to rehabilitate rescue horses but I will get more info on that soon!

(PS sorry that there isn't much to write there will be more later :) )
~Nikki Carter

Bonds with horses

Bonds:
It is really important for a horse to have a special bond with a person or more than 1 person. Especially with rescues since most of them don't trust people because they have been abused, neglected, or they just haven't been around people a lot and they need to trust them.

I am working on building a bond with the new rescue Timmy :) (I will post a pic ASAP I am going to be gone all weekend so I won't be at the barn until next week). He is still doing good but he still gets confused sometimes when I try to walk him up to the barn. It is cute but frustrating. But in do time it will get better (he stops and acts like he is stuck, I don't know why he does it but he does).

END ABUSE AND NEGLECT NOW!
~Nikki Carter

Update on Some of the New Rescues!

Questions first:

I forgot people who don't really know horses read this. I said the word "shanking" before. Here is the definition for that

Shanking- Pulling the horses's lead/reigns up and down with force as a punishment for whatever action they did.

Peanut Pusher- A horse that needs more help going faster (with a whip or spurs). They are slower and need momentum to go faster.

Cross Ties- A place where there are two ropes that connect to the horse's halter so they can stand there with something holding them and you can groom them and tack them up.

Tack- The saddle, bridle, etc.

If you never understand a term I use just ask me to define it :)

Update on Timmy:

1st Time Riding Him-
I have ridden Timmy twice now. He is a Peanut Pusher so the first time I rode him it was hard to get him to trot and even harder to get him to canter. Timmy had issues with being in the cross ties because he was nervous because he was with someone who was a bit nervous of him (me) but he behaved better after awhile when I was grooming him. I had a blast riding him the first time!

2nd Time Riding Him-
I used spurs on him this time. He never had been used with spurs before (Timmy is a very safe horse he doesn't freak out about anything) so the spurs helped him go faster but not by much ha ha! He went into the trot and canter more easily this time. He still needs some help with jumping :) Timmy behaved much better in the cross ties than the first time I had him in the cross ties. He only danced around a little bit, and he didn't try to kick me with his leg this time when I was picking his hooves (BTW I rode him Friday May 6th and Saturday May 7th).

Timmy's story:
Timmy was not treated right. He was neglected and no people gave him attention where he used to live. His past owners tried to make Timmy do what he couldn't. So our mission at the barn with Timmy is, is that we want him to trust people more than he does at the moment.

My goal with Timmy:
I want to build a relationship with Timmy so he can have more confidence with people. I'm also working with him to go faster :) which that will come in time with lots of practice!

How did Stroll do at the Horse Show:
This horse has only been off the track for a month. She is doing very well but as we expected she was a bit hyper at the show and didn't want to stand still.

Why was she hyper?:
Because since she was actually used for racing she associates the show with a racetrack and they are taught to GO GO GO so she has to learn how to be more calm and attentive. Her progress is going good though she behaved a lot better than I thought she would :)

How did I do at the Horse Show:
Well, I know I did better than the judge think I did. I am sure she placed me lower because she didn't like that I was showing a pregnant mare (Claerchen but we call her Claer). She even ended one of the classes because she thought she was hurt and she wasn't (clearly). The judge also had a favorite which was upsetting but at least I know what I need to improve on and that I know I did a lot better than she think I did.

The Deal with Pregnant Horses:
It is not abuse if you ride a pregnant horse. It is actually not healthy for them not to be ridden. You can actually ride them until the pop the baby out and even then if you wanted to ride them the day they gave birth you could (i wouldn't though). Some people believe its wrong to ride horses that are pregnant but it doesn't hurt the horse. Claer was fine at the show and she was being a lady and had fun :)

Abuse is never okay! If you see it then contact your local animal police or shelter on what you can do to stop it!

~Nikki Carter

Difference Between Abuse and Discipline

There is a difference between Abuse and Discipline:

Abuse: to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way.

Discipline: to punish or penalize in order to train and control; correct; chastise.

Why did I just define Abuse and Discipline:
       Some horse owners take "discipline" to a whole new level to where it becomes abuse, they might not realize it either. Say a horse accidentally bumped into you, it is okay to push them  back or shank them  if they were rude about it, but you should never BEAT THEM for it! When you discipline a horse, never take it too far.  Shanking is okay if not over used or sometimes, but don't ever hit your horse with different supplies such as hoof picks (which I have seen happen before), trash can lids, etc. That is abuse

Guess what? I am  going to be riding a new rescue horse! He is very sweet and his name is Timmy! He is very nice :)

Something new also! I am  starting an Advice/Questions column on here. You can ask me a question about horses or advice for horses or questions on abuse  or horses that come off the race track!

Also,  one of our horses is going to the horse show this weekend! She is doing well since we have gotten her and learned a lot! Wish her luck her name is Stroll! Please wish me luck too I'm  riding a fat pregnant mare!

PLEASE, ALWAYS TREAT  YOUR PETS WITH RESPECT AND DON'T ABUSE/NEGLECT! THERE IS A LINE BETWEEN ABUSE AND DISCIPLINE!

Thanks for reading today!
~Nikki Carter

Hello and Welcome to my Blog!

Hello! Welcome to my blog! Lets just start off with why I made this blog and my mission along with it!

What is this blog about and why did it come to be? :
        Well, I am in a blogging class at my middle school. Our teacher wanted us to blog about something important to us and something we care about. I decided to blog about horses that are rescued and/or horses that come from the race track. I want to let the world know that horses also need love, like your very own pets. I have seen many that are mistreated and I hope after the world reads this they will rethink of how to treat their horses (or other pets). Horses that come off the racetrack sometimes are abused, but even if they aren't they still need a lot of work because they are taught to GO GO GO! They are usually a bit jittery too because of the exitement of racing. When we get rescues, a lot of them are scared of people because of the way they are treated. It is very horrible, to me its just like abusing a person, and I wish more people would get in trouble for it! ANIMAL ABUSE IS NEVER OKAY!

My Rescue Horse:
         I do own a rescue horse, her full name that I renamed her is Fast Track Mama, but we just call her Mama. She was neglected, she wasnt ridden for a couple of years, and she was just bred for 3 years straight (which isnt always a bad thing but when a horse isn't worked that long then yeah its sorta bad). She was skinnish when I got her and her 3 foals were also rescued and in bad condition. Mama is around 20 years old and she is retired from me showing her for 2 years. She is being leased by a small mother and her 2 yr old son and they love her a lot! She is an American Bashkir Curly horse (i really don't want to explain it though so google it lol) so she is very calm and bombproof. My trainer has used her for lessons for as long as she has been at our barn. She is a wonderful horse, but she was treated badly, but now she has a loving home :)

Please Treat All Animals with Respect, They Might Not be Human, but they still have Feelings and a Soul!

I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog! Please continue to read on!
~Nikki Carter