The Tommy Garland clinic was held June 24 at Freedom Farm to benefit The Right Lead and the Iron Arabians youth group, and hosted by SUCCEED. The event was a huge success. Along with money raised to support both programs, 13 young riders received some great lessons in horsemanship.

Tommy taught the kids the importance of having confidence in the saddle, patience with their animals (and themselves), and respect for both their horses and other riders.

Tommy listened carefully to each rider’s concerns with his or her horse and worked with them individually to address the issues. His ability to recall the students and their horses from their application videos was outstanding, and this familiarity made the kids instantly more comfortable in the ring. The younger riders appeared nervous at first, but quickly gained confidence in the saddle. A few of the older riders seemed a bit hesitant to correct their learned habits, but upon listening to Tommy’s suggestions, and seeing the immediate improvement, they became very receptive to the changes.

After working with Tommy, every student went home with new techniques and increased enthusiasm.

Here’s a short photo recap of the day:

It’s a great weekend to be an equestrian here in Ohio! At our Freedom Farm Equestrian Research and Training Center in Ravenna, we’re gearing up for this Friday’s Tommy Garland Clinic, benefiting The Right Lead and the Northeast Ohio Arabian Horse Association (NEOAHA) “Iron Arabians” youth group.

We are also looking forward to the 15th Annual Medina County Board of REALTORS® Horse Show at the Medina County Fairgrounds, taking place this Saturday, June 25th, and Sunday, June 26th, from 8 am to 6 pm both days.

The Medina County Board of Realtors® and the Central Ohio Saddle Club Association (COSCA) are once again pairing up to bring us this show. Boasting more than 100 classes, this year renowned horseman and clinician Tommy Garland will serve as judge. With so many opportunities to show your horse, this event is perfect for both novice and experienced riders.

For most, showing horses at this level is a family endeavor; one of our favorite things about this particular show is the way they cater to equestrians of all ages. One event not to be missed is the Stick Horse Class, occurring at approximately 2:00 pm both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The Stick Horse Class gives children ages 10 and younger the opportunity to participate in the show without the aid of a parent or adult. Each rider is given a “horse” made from a yard stick and cloth heads, complete with bridles and reins. The children then name their animals, are given entry numbers, and are identified in the ring as the owner of their horse.

Participants are asked to perform a number of different gaits around the ring while the organist plays. This unique class makes special what can otherwise be a long day for these young horse-lovers, and some may say it is home to the show’s best riders, as every year the blue ribbon is awarded to all that take part in this darling event. This fun class is provided at no cost and children are allowed to take home their “horses” after the competition.

Whether you’re a veteran rider or new to the equestrian world, the 15th Annual Medina County Board of REALTORS® Horse Show has classes for everyone, including equitation, horsemanship, halter, performance and showmanship.

Entry fees are $5 per horse for every class in which you plan to show. There is no admission fee for spectators.

For further information, please call (330) 722-1000 or email info@medinarealtors.com.

Taking your horse’s vital signs is one of those basic horsemanship skills every horse person ought to know. This knowledge will help you to identify whether something is off with your horse’s health, and when it’s time to call the vet.

Bay Area Equestrian Network has put together these awesome short, funny, and informative videos showing you how to check your horse’s vital signs. They’ll also let you know if your horse’s vitals are within normal ranges.

Take the quick, four-minute tutorial on taking horse’s vital signs:

Temperature, Hydration, Mucosal Membrane, Capillary Refill

Pulse

Read the rest of this entry »