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Riding frustration
My holidays in Crete are almost over, the pressure is at its high for chores that have to be done before I return to England, and my riding adventures have been a small catastrophe, with a lot of frustration from my part and a lot of disappointment from Yannis’. For some reason, everything goes wrong, except for treats and grooming. Yannis focuses effectively on teaching his riders how to absolutely control a horse and expected to see that on me. His private-only lessons, the shape and size of his arena and the educational hacks around the area will help you realise whether you can have control of a horse; that is make it move, stop,…
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Crampy horses!
The foot adventure The receptionist at the x-ray department of the university hospital said she was too busy to book an appointment for me, but lately my influence skills have reached spectacular levels! When she saw my folder on her computer, she offered to arrange an emergency scan, so, after a short wait, there I was! The cute operator started taking my x-rays. When he moved my foot to the side, oh, my God, what a pain! While I was waiting for him to confirm that his scan was clear enough, I could hear talking in the room, in front of the computer. They had spotted something, obviously. “Is…
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The silliness of abuse
No offence to our American friends, but I cannot understand what appears the dominant desire for showing oneself off. “Challenges”, extreme shootings, etc., things that we can see on YouTube or on TV, because someone is filming or photographing the person doing them -with their consent or request. And these acts are accompanied with stupid smiles, or “how it’s done” advice. Come on, there are plenty of such scenes on the web and the news. So, here is a situation of equine abuse coming from Oklahoma, United States. Two men apparently find it fun to tie up a mare, stand on her body whipping her and sit on her…
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The language barrier
I’m writing this post on the aftermath of last Thursday’s training, which went well, but there was a small but important problem; the language barrier. Either if you train foreigners or if you are an equestrian learning in a foreign country, you probably know what I mean. But I would like to share my story. First of all, let’s start from horsey names. I was riding a horse whose name I have heard several times. I have also groomed him, led him to and in the school and I even managed to clean his hoof with the hoof-pick (I tried for more than half an hour, oops). And still, I…
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A new terrain
Yesterday I joined an adults’ lesson at my new equestrian club. About 10 people, 9 ladies and one gentleman. When I entered the arena, I was happy to realize that an all-adult group was warming up and, of course, I joined them. That time I was on Burt, a quite lazy horse, I have to say! Carole walked in a took us to a grassy yard at the back of the school. I loved the sound made by the horses’ shoes as we walked across the livery! Eventually we reached a grassy field full of jumps. Carole made corners and had us to trot around. The problem was, that it…
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Preparing for vaulting
One and a half year ago, on a skiing centre, when my sisters returned from the slopes were stunned to find out that I was gone, having rented equipment and hired a trainer, in order to try skiing! Nobody believed that I would do such a thing, but, well, I did it. I wanted to see how it feels and whether it works for me. Well, I didn’t like it, but this is not the point on this post. Later, I tried horseback riding. I was curious too. And I loved it. “I have found my sports at last!”, I kept saying to people. But it wasn’t so easy, as I discovered…