Holiday Festivities
The holiday season is a time of joy, and often, a time of reflection. We become acutely aware of the things in our lives that bring us the greatest joy. We reflect on times past and dream about what the future may hold. For most people, this relates to their family and friends. Horse people tend to extend beyond the “traditional family” to include their barn companions, riding buddies and, of course, their horses. After all, most horse people think of their faithful equine companions as their children. The process is very similar to parenting, so why not. We clean up after them, feed them, bathe them, groom them, clothe them and care for them. It is very easy to see why they are such an important part of our lives and the lives of our families. Below are a few ways to make the holidays a little more special for your “children.”
Decorate their stalls with stockings. Just like children at Christmas, your horse will love to see what that Jolly old elf has left in his stocking. Simple gifts like apples, carrots or his other favorite treats make great stocking stuffers. Maybe new brushes or a new lead are on his wish list. Whatever you do, its tons of fun and a great excuse to go to the barn on Christmas morning.
If your horse lives at a boarding facility, consider having a barn gift exchange or a giving tree. This is a great way to build friendships at the barn and get something special for the holidays. If you’ve never participated in something like this, here are a few tips. Have each person in the barn make a short list of some things that they would like for themselves or their horse(s). It is also helpful if they list favorite colors, color themes that they use for their “horsey things,” sizes or styles that they prefer. Of course, price limits can be set so that no one overspends – not that horse people would ever go crazy buying things for their horses or horse buddies. Put the names of the horses on paper ornaments and place them on a tree for people to pull. Each person takes one name. Another idea is to put the names in a hat and have each person draw a name. Be sure to post when gifts need to be back at the barn for the exchange. They can be placed under the tree or in a central location. Probably the most popular way to exchange gifts is at a Holiday party. What better way to have fun and enjoy the festivities of the season.
If baking is your thing, try making horse treats. Your horse will love taste-testing them and you’ll love making them. They also make great gifts for the other horses in the barn. Consider having a baking party with some “horsey” friends or barn buddies. It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Here are some recipes to try:
Molasses Cookies Horse Treats
Your horse will love the sweet crunchiness of these cookies. They keep well in an air-tight container. Never feed too many treats too often.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup bran
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 cup grated carrot or apple
PREPARATION:
- Preheat oven to 375F
- Oil two cookie sheets
Put aside a small bowl of white sugar and a drinking glass with a flat bottom.
In a large bowl mix all the ingredients thoroughly. The mixture shouldn’t be too wet, and should stick together.
Add more flour to make the mixture firmer and hold together if necessary. Drop by teaspoonfuls, about 1 ½ inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Grease the bottom of the glass, dip it in the sugar, and stamp the cookies to flatten them slightly. Bake for about 10 minutes. This makes about 25 cookies, depending on the size. Store the finished treats in an air-tight container or bag.
Oat 'n' Apple Chewies
Treat your horse or pony to these simple squares made of wholesome ingredients. Keep them fresh in the fridge.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup oat bran cereal or ground oatmeal
- ½ cup all purpose flour (approx.)
PREPARATION:
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Oil a 9inch x 9inch square cake pan
Spread the batter evenly in the cake pan and bake for 20-30 minutes. The batter will start to shrink away from the sides and it will be firm to the touch.
Slice into squares while still warm. Keep the chewies in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or bag.
Baked Carrot Crispies
2 carrots, shredded
1 apple, shredded
1/3 cup molasses
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup bran
3/4 cup oatmeal
Baking Directions.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously grease a muffin tin. Mix carrots and apples into a bowl with molasses. Add bran, brown sugar, water, flour and oatmeal. Mixture should have a thick, doughy consistency. Add more bran if needed. Scoop dough into a muffin tin, sprinkle each muffin with brown sugar and bake in the oven for 30-50 minutes until well cooked
Plan a holiday trail ride, take part in a holiday parade or have a caroling party (with or without horses). This is a fun way to get barn buddies together and show off their horses. “Dress” horses in festive ribbons, glitter and paint. Riders should also wear festive attire – after all, it’s probably the only time dressage riders get to add some glitz and glam to their wardrobe. Contact your local chamber of commerce or community events office to get a list of holiday parades and register. If you are caroling on horseback, check with your local officials to make sure that this will not interfere with any other events or public safety.
Mounted caroling should be done during daylight hours (perhaps on a weekend), to ensure the safety of the horses, riders and drivers. Sleigh bells can be added to the attire for ambience. Many people will stop to look when they hear sleigh bells. Be sure to set rendezvous points and route maps, so that people can join up in case the group gets separated. This is a good way to acclimate your horses to “strange” sights and sounds, which can be helpful for the show season.
The holidays are definitely a time of joy and excitement. It’s a time of reflection and for making resolutions. This year add to the festivities by including your favorite equine companion(s). Happy Holidays.
In The Moves -
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Trot - Walk - Trot Transition Defined
The horse begins in working trot on the 20 meter circle. At a given point the horse is asked to walk for one horse length. Then he is asked to trot on.
How to Execute the Trot - Walk - Trot Transition
Start in the a nice forward moving trot on the 20 meter circle.
Move to sitting trot for a few strides to prepare the horse for the walk transition.
Ask for the walk for one horse length.
Apply the leg and ask for the trot.
Notes:
Circling at one end of the arena gives a good visual for when and how long to perform the walk.
The walk should maintain a consistent, marching quality.
The trot should maintain good rhythm.
Purpose of theTrot - Walk - Trot Transition
To ensure that the horse is in front of the leg.
To make the horse responsive to the rider's aids.
Common Errors in Execution
The horse loses rhythm in the trot.
The horse does not fully come back to the walk.
The horse is not in front of the leg when asked to trot.
The horse's walk is not forward "marching."
The horse does not maintain a consistent contact in the transitions or during the walk.
The rider does not go to the sitting trot before asking for the walk.
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