The Equinest archives

Seat Building Exercises

When it comes to riding, having a strong seat is vital. Anyone that rides will tell you that riding a horse uses muscles that you don’t use for anything else. Regardless of your discipline, sitting astride an unpredictable animal is hard on the body & strong muscles will help to keep you balanced ~~should~~ when the unexpected happens.

The video below is short and offers easy exercises that you can do while mounted (at a standstill or a walk) and they all emphasize keeping your seat deep and developing essential riding muscles. They are simple exercises and while they may look a little silly, they are meant to develop muscle in the lower body, thighs and bottom.
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Jackie Baker – Horse Blogger of the Week

Today’s blogger of the week is Jackie Baker, you can find more of her stuff on her blog Regarding Horses (& don’t forget to grab her RSS feed while you are there).

Not just maintaining her own blog, Jackie also writes a blog about her horse Ace & the trials & tribulations of her first venture into horse ownership. On her own blog Jackie’s articles are well-laid out and easy to read, plus she provides close coverage of the upcoming 2010 World Equestrian Games and their regular WEG Radio Show.
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Juliet R. Harrison Revisited

Juliet's Horse Artistic Photography Tuesday is artist appreciation day & today it’s all about the work of Juliet R. Harrison, another artist I found via Twitter.

Artist of the Week

Todays artist doesn’t use a paintbrush or a pencil, she uses a camera to create her art. Her photography is unique and her eye for perspective is superb. She is an indiscriminate lover of all horses and appreciates the vast differences (and angles) the horse world has to offer.
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Vishi Ravikanth Dharmasiriwardena – Animal Artist Interview

A Wonderful Day Name
Vishi Ravikanth Dharmasiriwardena

Website & Places you can find my work online
Website: ww.wildlifeandnaturepaintings.com
Facebook: Vishi R. Dharmasiriwardena

Where I am
Sri Lanka.

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?
I am a self-taught, full-time, wildlife and nature artist, who specializes in the mediums of both oil and watercolor. All my works are original creations, and have never been duplicated. I try to portray my subjects, especially animals, with as much realistic detail as possible, so that a beholder might be heard to say that they, virtually, “come alive”!
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How to Apply A Stable Bandage

When it comes to caring for horses it seems like there are a million things to learn & every day you realize there is something else you didn’t know. Applying a stable bandage (also called standing wraps) is something most people just figure out, but thanks to the Internet there are now resources for beginners to work from.

The video below provides some examples of stable bandage use and a detailed step-by-step instruction process for wrapping your horse up nice and neat. From which way to roll up the wraps pre-application to wrapping the leg to the removal process.
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Jane Savoie – Horse Blogger of the Week

Today’s blogger of the week is accomplished author, trainer, dressage competitor, clinician & speaker Jane Savoie. Be sure to visit her riding blog (& don’t forget to grab her RSS feed while you are there).

Amid her longer and more informative articles there are post written from the unique perspectives of a dog (Indy) and a horse (Moshi). Jane’s main focus is Dressage, however her advice ranges from common riding issues to specific show ring moves and her extensive background means she’s seen it all.
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Unique Horse Crafts

Horse Crafts It seems that many horse people have crafty tendencies as well, (what else is there to do when it’s snowing?) whether you are 8, 18 or 68 making beautiful things is always very satisfying.

Finding the Goods

Recently I’ve been doing posts about horse games in various forms & trying to organize the many types of equine entertainment available to us. Most recently it’s the more traditional board games & puzzles, but there is plenty of electronic fun there too. With each item I provided a brief description & a link to where they can be found on Amazon.

There is a fun for horse lovers of all ages here. Some of the kiddie stuff is so cute even adults can enjoy it. Don’t worry, I won’t tell.

C. Tanner Jensen Revisited

Tanner's Horse Art Tuesday is artist appreciation day & today it’s all about the work of C. Tanner Jensen, another artist I found via Twitter.

Artist of the Week

Todays artist has a strong appreciation for texture & color, her work is boldly unexpected yet completely balanced all at the same time. She loves all horse breeds equally, appreciating the different movement of each one.
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Caring For Saddles

Regardless of your riding discipline, chances are you use a leather saddle & leather equipment. Proper care of your leather will make it last longer and keep everything in good working order.

On a horse, every strap counts so keeping them in good shape is more than just important, it’s essential. Routine cleaning & oiling provides you an opportunity to give your tack a thorough inspection for safety issues. This video provides some quick basics for the care of your saddle, the single most important piece of any riders equipment (although the tips can be used to care for all leather items).
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Sarah Conrad – Horse Blogger of the Week

Today’s blogger of the week is the director of e-comunications at the USEF, you can find more of her stuff on her blog Horse Bits. (Be sure & grab her RSS feed while you are there).

A former managing editor for the official USEF publication Equestrian Magazine, (among others) Sarah is no stranger to writing. Her style is efficient and she writes from the perspective of a life-long horse lover. Not just a lover, Sarah’s a professional in the equestrian industry which lends her a unique perspective not seen in some of the other blogs I’ve featured.
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Horse Puzzles

Horse Puzzles Who doesn’t love a good puzzle? They are a great way to exercise your brain while you create something beautiful. Admittedly they aren’t actually games, but they are close enough to make games Wednesday.

I’ve done a whole collection of horse game posts, from flash games online to video games to board & card games, but I think the puzzles are my favorite. Whether you are alone or with a whole group finishing a puzzle means you have made an accomplishment and you have something to show for it. I’ve provided a brief description & links to where they can be found on Amazon.
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Boyd Greene Revisited

Boyd's Horse Art Tuesday is artist appreciation day & today it’s all about the work of Boyd Greene, another artist I found via Twitter.

Artist of the Week

Today’s artist isn’t necessarily a horse artist, but an all around artistic guy. His art reflects his love of the outdoors and his flowers look so fresh I want to reach out & touch them. His love of horses (especially Clydesdales) stems from his childhood & so does his drawing.
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