Robyn's Reflections

Summer has long passed fall is now given way to winters chill and the holidays are upon us.  As GES's prepares for chilly winter lessons, frozen water buckets and snow covered horses we also look forward to the new year!

We will be implimenting a great new program for riders of all levels and commitment.  We welcome to the barn some new staff and new riders.  It's a great time for some horse shoping.  Show team riders are preparing for a new show season.  Day camp planning and registraiton is up and running. 

Before you know it there will be buds on the trees and warm weather again :)

You can keep an eye on this blog for general updates as well as detailed information on the new program to be unvailed in Jan. 2012 and informational updates from events that I attend during the winter!

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Get a hair cut or nails done from someone who hadn't been licened or certified?

How about take a class from someone with no verifiable background in the class subject?

Send your kids to drivers ed with some one not appoved by the DMV?

So why would you take riding lessons without verifying the background and certification of your instructor?

I can't emphisize enough the importance of parents & riders thoroughly checking out the facilities in which they are choosing to ride.  There are dozens of books out there with information on red flags and what you do want to look for in a facility and instructor.

I was recently at a Karen Healy clinic and she was discussing the USHJA trainer certification program.  She is not the first person to mention that more people are likely to check out the validity of their stylist before they look into a riding instructor or barns background.

I know a lot of people who just see a barn, ask if they have lessons and as long as the riders have a helmet on their head and the horses are taking off the parents/riders are none the wiser.  This makes me put palm to forehead as it is most unfortunate not only for safety but also for basic horsemanship and riding skills.

When you call or email a barn you should get a promt response.

You should set up a tour and make sure you have a list of questions including who is the staff, what is their background, how many lesson horses are at the barn, meet with the trainer, ask how the lesson program structures goals and charts progress, how large are the groups, where do the riders take their lessons etc...

If you can, watch a lesson or two at the barn you are thinking about joining so you can observe what takes place and make sure that barn is a good match.

Note if the barn is clean and organized, horses healthy looking in good shape and friendly, what are the ammenities for riders and their guests......

Remember you get what you pay for.  If you can't afford more then $25 for a lesson you're going to get a $25 lesson.  If you are paying $50 for a lesson make sure you are getting a $50 lesson.

Bottom line is make sure to do your homework before joining a barn.  Ask questions, look around, meet the staff (human and equine) remember it's you neck on the line when you choose to ride so pick you stable carefully!

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This is not so much of a reflection as plan.....

Those of you are in and out of the barn on a weekly basis have probably noticed some changes.  The stall floors are now completly matted and look great (Thanks Ernesto!!).  The pony pen by the arena entrance has been enlarged to horse size.  The grooming stalls will be getting a face lift (the same as the stalls).

Also, in the upcoming weeks will be the constructing of the new lesson tack room (next to the hay area) and a 14th stall (in the next couple months) where the hay is now.  We are also going to be expanding the loft to stretch the whole length of the barn.

On another note we are approaching our busy season with lessons, camps and birthdays/rentals.  It is great when the barn is busy and good for business but we also attempt to keep a safe, calm and inviting atmosphere no matter how busy we are.  If you want to know what is going on at the barn with the above programs it's all on the lesson calendar.

As with all growth there is an adjustment period.  We strive to keep chaos to a minimum but you know how that can go :)  So as we approach our spring and summer growth spurt please help us to keep the awesome barn community safe and enjoyable for everyone.  Sundays are still reserved as the "quiet" day and keep an eye out for all the great activities you can sign-up for or participate in at GES this spring/summer!!

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This blog won't be complaining about the weather although it is far nicer to think of the groundhogs early spring prediction then it is the snow flakes drifting out of the cloudy sky today!  Time passes and so will the snow and the cold turning to chirping birds, spring rain storms and everything becoming green again before the heat waves start.

Last week the horses ran and played in the snow drifts as they were cautiously turned out after the winter blizzared passed.  Even Buddy (the 20 year old, halflinger) went frolicking and bucking.  As temps hovered near 15 degrees two show team members headed to Albion college for a few days of jumper showing.  We braved the chilly air with great rides, horse show friends, hot chocolate and hard work.  Safely back at the barn this week we challenge the cold once again with snow flurries, crisp air and fresh horses preparing horses and riders for the GES winter barn show.  Planning for the warmer months ahead and staying on track with riding and the to do list(s).  As a snow flake lands on a pony's eyelash and melts away the horses are quietly munching hay and picturing their lush summer pastures :)

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I figured I would start the New Year with some thoughts on safety.  While checking facebook today this link was posted on my status update page http://www.riders4helmets.com/ and has some information and thoughts on helmets. 

As I was reading through the latest artical on that site I realized I wear my helmet simply because if I come off a horse and hit (not so much the arena or grass) but a fence, wall, jump, tree, dirt road or my horses hoof connects with my head I want to be alive afterwards and hopefully get right back on my horse. 

I've had many falls in my riding career on all differnt footing, some jumping, some flatting, I've hit walls, jumps, the ground, been rolled over by a horse that fell, hit with hoofs as a horse tries not to hit me and so on.  It is part of riding that if you ride you WILL fall sooner or later.  I was wearing a helmet in almost all of these situations except for a handful where I was lucky. 

I have ridden 95% of my riding career English and 5% Western, I have ridden both disciplines with and without a helmet.  I have never fallen off riding western, does that mean it's safer? NO it just means there is more to the saddle and you have a horn to grab.  Have you ever seen someone try to barrel race competitvely in an English saddle? Not easy.....

However, this is just my reflection on choices I have made.  When I was younger (teen and young adult) helmet rules for riders were loosely written, my hunt cap wasn't approve and I didn't even have a harness on it.  It fit tight enough to say on without one and it stayed on my head when I did fall.  I also had a sense of invinsibilty as a teen/young adult as did my riding friends so we didn't think too much of it.  I would have to say the adults in my horse life weren't great role models either since they didn't always wear helmets and they didn't force riders to either.  That was back in 1998 or so.

It is now 2011 and I wear a helmet 99% of the time.  I do occationally hop on a lesson horse w/o a helmet to do a quick fix during a lesson but other then that I put a helmet on.  I do it first for my own safety and second to set an example of saftey and good horsemanship to my students.  I have also started to keep a helmet in the arena so I can pop it on my head should I have hop up on a lesson horse during lessons for a minute.

On a final note I look at helmets (as well as breeches, boots, neatly fitted/conservative tops, gloves, belt and neatly contained hair) as part of a uniform that I have the great honor of wearing and they are part of a tradition of horsemanship.  My outward appearance while riding reflects my inward focus and respect for the sport.  Just like a basketball player needs a mouthguard and soccer players need shinguard and swimmers need googles riders need at least helmets, boots and breeches to ride safely and warent being called horsemen or women :)

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