Blog : Equus Education

Horse Crazy Lily by Nancy Rue

May 1, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

At some point I picked up Horse Crazy Lily in an op shop. The young girl with the horse on the cover drew me. Reading it recently, the fact that it is a Christian book also has appeal!

The 11th book in the series, Horse Crazy Lily focuses on a time in her family where things are changing drastically. Lily has an older as well as a younger brother. Her parents have decided to adopt a 9-year-old girl on top of this. Tessa is a troubled child, not having anyone in her life that she can depend on. Consequently she reacts to most situations poorly.

Before Tessa is a part of the family, Lily is at a friend’s birthday party. They are all going out horse riding. Although Lily’s first ride is daunting and starts out somewhat scarily, she is soon hooked. She is convinced that horse riding is her skill for life and she owes it to herself to learn all she can – and get a horse of course! She just has to convince her parents. With a well researched argument and presentation, she is sure they’ll be swayed to say yes.

What she didn’t factor in was her newly adopted sister. Tessa has a lot of needs and many of these are expensive.

Lily finds that alongside her newfound love of horses, her usual routine with her close girlfriends is suddenly broken. The family needs to invest a lot of time and energy in Tessa and also help her to settle. Young Lily finds herself feeling resentful toward the even younger girl, as her life is turned upside down.

It isn’t until tragedy strikes and her friends step in to help that Lily realises how important Tessa is – and that they need to show her. Horse Crazy Lily has the lovely added aspect of horses, although they don’t feature as heavily in the story as I would have liked.

The focus on proving to someone their worth – as well as sticking with them – is a great topic to weave into the story. The book was easy to read although having read other books in the series would have shed more light on Lily’s friends, who were assumed to be known to the reader.

Author: Nancy Rue
Fiction – children’s, Christian
In My Library? That it is!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Profile On: Julia Dixon, Saddle Fit Technician

April 28, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
The awesome thing about this question is there is rarely a day that goes by let alone a week that isn’t related to horses in one way or another. I can be on the road working as a Certified Saddle fit Technician for Schleese Saddlery from early mornings till late at night. Still somehow I end up at the barn where I board my horse even if it is just for a quick brush or ride.

Julia Dixon, Saddle Fit Technician

I am also a Registered Equine Massage Therapist. When I am not fitting saddles or with my own horse, I might just be found at another barn treating a horse.

What is it exactly that you do?
Being a Certified Saddle Fit Technician, my role is creating the optimal saddle fit for horse and also rider. So there are certain territories that I travel along with a client success manager. In Ontario I take on both those roles. I am responsible for booking all my appointments in Ontario and servicing the saddles. Some are refitting existing saddles or helping new clients find the right saddle for their horse(s) and themselves. I spend most of my time on the road travelling from barn to barn. I also work trade shows and do lectures in barns. The lectures are on the areas where a saddle should sit and also where it needs to stay clear from to allow for optimal long term riding to prevent any long term damage.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
This has most definitely become my full time profession. I would say “yes” you can earn a liveable income. It is just like anything, the more you put in well of course you can see the more comes out! My response to this question as it is the same for Alexa and myself, is the same answer.

Julia Dixon, Saddle Fit Technician

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Saddlefit4Life is a non-profit organization that provides education and certification in the assessment of saddle fit for horse and rider. I encourage anyone interested in assessing and fitting saddles to research Saddlefit4Life, the fitting philosophy, and upcoming courses and events.

Saddlefit4Life offers a range of educational opportunities. This is from introductory seminars to intensive courses for those interested in learning more about pain free saddle fit.

Favourite horse memory?
When the Obrigado model came out and I was able to take it for a test ride. I can’t really put into words what the feeling was like, I will try though… It is like that feeling when you just become one with your horse. With the shorter pommel sitting over the horse’s strongest point of their back lets you feel like you can lift them up so lightly with every stride and just float.

I feel blessed to have a technical feeling when it comes to saddle fit. Horses can feel a fly land on their skin. So when I can make what might feel like a small adjustment, to them it feels so big. I have such a large box of great memories. Especially during every saddle fit appointment when you can see that horse moves more free, taking that bigger stride, and the rider saying the “shoulders feel so much freer” just makes my day!

Julia Dixon, Saddle Fit Technician

Future goals?
I am always looking for ways to better myself and learn ways to help horses. My goals are to help as many people suffering with lower back pain, something I have had in the past. Knowing what I know about how saddles can help with that, drives me to help anyone that has maybe stopped ridding and could possibly ride again. Which in turn follows our saddle fit 4 life in protecting as many horses and riders from long term damage as possible 🙂

Best thing about your sport/profession?
Working with the horses and people I get to. Most people may think “horse people” are sort of their own breed. They may not be far off, but I wouldn’t change for a minute to people I have met over the years. And seeing their horses change in positive ways over the years.

Every time I measure a horse and get to go over the numbers with the owner is such an added bonus. Most times it shows how well the owner has ridden the horse. And how positive the changes are and with that is its weight in gold. The smile on their faces, knowing how well all their hard work has paid off is just an awesome feeling. I am so lucky I get to share that with them.

Gate to Great – Retraining Racehorses

April 26, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Perhaps you have a desire to train horses as your equine career. Recently I was made aware of a setup that focuses on retraining racehorses. It’s known as Gate to Great. Once the horses have finished racing, they can be unsuitable for riders of other disciplines – especially those who are inexperienced riders.

That said, I know of a long list of people waiting to take on ex-racehorses local to me! A previous employer at the local track always has people asking him about horses he needs to re-home after racing.

Gate to Great appears to be a setup where horses are taken in, retrained and then re-homed. Love the idea! Perhaps a similar setup could appeal to you for a business idea?

It states on their website:

“Under the program name of “Gate to Great Geldings”, we provide a rehabilitation process that gives Thoroughbred geldings a chance to recover from the rigors of a racing career and time to develop new skills outside the backside environment. Relying on our experience using Thoroughbreds for ranch work, we expose former racehorses to tasks necessary for success in new vocations, be it on the range or in the arena.”

Gate to Great - Retraining Racehorses — Gate to Great – Retraining Racehorses

Like humans, horses don’t need to be made redundant after they’ve finished a particular career. Especially a horse that has raced. Often this profession is short lived and horses can find themselves retired even before they’ve fully matured. If they aren’t to be used for breeding, then they should be considered for a new riding career.

Gate to Great Training Program

There are many people who love to take on off the track thoroughbreds and then retrain them. It’s great to see a program that is set up and follows a particular philosophy for their horses. What great OTTB retraining program or trainer do you know of?

Horse Training with Bilger by R J Bilger

April 24, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I recently received a copy of Horse Training with Bilger to read and review. I was surprised to read from the author that the book is one that can fit into your back pocket. Also, it is a quick read – 45 minutes from cover to cover!

Curious, I sat down one evening and did indeed progress through it quickly. Horse Training with Bilger outlines certain tasks with horses – in a particular order – that should be undertaken by all who want to be safe riders. It has a focus on establishing ground work and a safe working relationship with the horse.

Horse Training with Bilger by R J Bilger

As the handler achieves one aspect of safe handling, it is then able to move onto another. Bilger has created a simple book that is well explained. The tasks outlined are defined, so that it is clear why things are done and in the order he puts forward.

For ease of reading, I did struggle with the particularly long paragraphs. That said, the book is broken into a number of small sections and these are easy to read through. Readers are first introduced to the horse’s flighty nature and their use of body language. Once this is explained, the concept of handling the horse and working in a round pen is introduced.

Bilger then goes on to explain simple tasks that the handler should work to get the horse to do in a calm and safe manner. Once this is achieved, the focus moves from free lunging to in hand techniques. Once the ground work is complete, tacking up the horse is then addressed and from here, the opportunity to mount the horse and finally, to ride.

The order of the tasks is logically sequential. Once riding the horse in an enclosed, familiar area is addressed, it is then time to consider riding out alone. A separate word on horses that panic – and why they do – is offered to the reader. Although this is a short read, it is packed with simple, but effective ways to improve your working relationship with the horse and above all, to stay safe.

Author: R J Bilger
Non-Fiction – horse training
In My Library? As an eBook.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Forageplus – Forage and Soil Analysis for Horse Environments

April 21, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Recently Equus Education received a new follower on Twitter – Forageplus. Curious, I had a look at their profile. Set in North Wales, it turns out that these guys focus on welsh horse supplements, forage and soil analysis as well as managing horse environments.

As it states on their website, the Forageplus team mission statement is:

“To promote whole horse health using the ideas of the leading horse educators around the world. To create value and make a difference to equines and their horse owners through good science and information that works.”

I love that we live in a time where science and education is being used to better horses lives as much as possible. Whether it’s to do with saddle fit and function as in equine ergonomics or better nutrition practices after studying the horse’s digestive system – it’s all good! We’re continuing to learn and better understand this great species. Consequently, we’re able to more effectively meet their needs and this will continue to improve.

Forageplus - Forage and Soil Analysis for Horse Environments — Forageplus – Forage and Soil Analysis for Horse Environments

If you explore the Forageplus website, you’ll see that they offer many services, including:

Soil analysis – what’s in the soil on your property affects the types and quality of grasses. This in turn affects your horse’s digestive system.
- Knowing what’s in the soil and what’s missing means that property owners can make adjustments that are better for the land and their horses.
Forage reports – this looks at the varying minerals in the forage you’re feeding your horse as well as the nutritional make up. It’s a great way to see what you’re really giving your beloved equine and what may be lacking.
- Everything needs to work in balance; too much of one thing can affect the right amounts of another.

It’s great to see another business that has a passion for horse nutrition and health. The website offers many products for horses as well as free articles relating to horse health and digestion. Why not check it out?

Horse Crazy Lily by Nancy Rue

Profile On: Julia Dixon, Saddle Fit Technician

Gate to Great – Retraining Racehorses

Gate to Great Training Program

Horse Training with Bilger by R J Bilger

Forageplus – Forage and Soil Analysis for Horse Environments

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