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Shergar – The Story of a Racing Legend

Click to see VideoWhile I’m not a huge fan of racetracks, I do have a soft spot for the horses who run on them. Of all sports, racing has the worst reputation for animal abuse so it’s fun to look at the industry through the misty eyes of days past.

A Champ

Like most of the racing greats, Shergar had the heart it took to be a great racehorse. His claim to fame was winning the Epsom Derby by 10 lengths, (a distance that hadn’t been achieved in over 200 years of the event). After a successful career the Irish racehorse was retired, in 1981. Two years later he was stolen at gunpoint for ransom and never seen again by his owners.
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Horsemanship for Women Line Drawings

Horsemanship for WomenRecently I’ve dedicated Wednesdays to horse art of some type or another (with some colorful breeds thrown in) and today is another post in the Horsemanship for Women line drawing series.

Mounted Instruction

This series of illustrations were drawn by Gray Parker in the 1880’s for a book called Horsemanship for Women written by Theodore Hoe Mead. The series ranges from bridle types, to ground work to riding – today’s post is another mounted one. If you haven’t seen the rest of the series yet, be sure to check out parts one, two, & three
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Boot and Saddle

A woman on horseback
Today’s poetry was written by Robert Browning and was published in A Victorian Anthology, 1837-1895 in 1895.

Boot and Saddle

Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!
Rescue my Castle, before the hot day
Brightens the blue from its silvery grey,

(Chorus) “Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!”

Ride past the suburbs, asleep as you’d say;
Many’s the friend there, will listen and pray
“God’s luck to gallants that strike up the lay,

(Chorus) “Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!”
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Horse Breeds From Italy

Italy FlagIt’s Friday again and a great day for visiting an exotic location and learning about the fabulous horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is an interesting ride, today a peek at the breeds from Italy.

Bred For War

It makes sense that many of today’s breeds came originally out of a need for sturdy war mounts and hardy mountain-type agricultural animals. Some of their breeds (like the Avelignese Horse & Bardigiano) are cousins to the well-loved Haflinger. All three of these breeds share common ancestors and come from the horses of invading Belgian Gauls.
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How To Fall Off

Click to see VideoAlthough it may seem counterproductive, learning to fall is more important than learning to ride. Anyone who wants to ride a horse has to understand one thing perfectly clearly, you will fall off.

If You Haven’t Fallen…

We’ve all heard the saying if you haven’t fallen off you aren’t a real rider and it is actually very true. The more hours you log in the saddle the greater your chances of hitting the ground at some point. That’s why preparing yourself by knowing how to fall can be invaluable.
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Horsemanship for Women Line Drawings to Color

Horsemanship for WomenIt’s the middle of the week and time for another section of the Horsemanship for Women series. If you haven’t already be sure to check out parts one and two.

Riding Sidesaddle

These drawings come from a book titled Horsemanship for Women, published in 1887 by Theodore Hoe Mead & illustrated by Gray Parker. I’m not sure how indicative of the era these drawings are, but they are certainly a change from the riding I grew up with. These are fun because they are all sidesaddle examples. I guess if you wanted to learn how to ride sidesaddle from drawings in the 1880’s, you picked up a copy of Horsemanship for Women.
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Horse Breeds From Ireland

Ireland FlagIt’s the end of the week and time to visit another beautiful location and learn about the hardy horse breeds it’s given rise to. Looking at each breed in the context of their origins is an interesting ride, today a peek at the breeds from Ireland.

Made Ireland Tough

Most of the breeds from Ireland are smaller and tougher than your average horse. In large part due to the climactic conditions and physical geography of the country itself. Perhaps my favorite being the Kerry Bog Pony, tinier than the Shetland and once used to transport peat moss from bogs.
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How to Photograph A Horse From Under A Jump

Click to see VideoToday’s video is a quick how to that can help turn your amateur photographer skills and average camera into a pro. Learn how to photograph a horse from under a jump (ahem, without getting kicked).

Not An Easy Subject

Suffice it to say, horses are beautiful animals but difficult photography subjects. Either moving too much so they come out shaky or just not looking quite as gorgeous as they are in real life. Jumping is a particularly difficult movement to capture so every little tip helps. A little creativity can help turn mediocre photography skills into pro-league images.
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