The Importance of Voice Commands and Ground Work

My first post in a while that isn't about some muddy adventure that I have been on, but I've had a few experiences lately that prompted me to write this.

As the title suggests I am a firm believer that not all 'commands' that you give to a horse should be through the legs or the reins, for that matter.

This is demonstrated even more so when trying to lunge successful; because in order to do so you have to train your horse to understand voice commands as you haven't got legs or reins to assist you but more on that later.

As a mainly ground observer I notice a lot of little things that people while riding cannot see. One of them and a massive pet peeve of mine is hauling or jagging a horse in the mouth and I see so many people rely on strong bits and sit on top of a horse practically mute.

Now don't get me wrong, firm bits are 100% needed but so many riders forgot that instead of hauling on their horses mouth constantly they  could be using their voices to help steady their horse.

I've recently been riding the Supercob Scully and he is basically a tank on legs. He is strong and knows it but  i've also found that he is very responsive to my voice when he gets strong.

When we're cantering and he's wanting to gallop off at a million miles an hour I have to say "wooooo steady" and he genuinely does response and steadiest up. That, linked with pulling on the reins signals to him I want him to slow up, or if coming to the end of the track that I want him to slow down and stop.

That way I'm not spending the whole time sat back tugging on his mouth which is overall better for his mouth and better for me not getting exhausted from constantly pulling up.

As mentioned above about lunging - I'm rather rusty at lunging but Georgie asked me to lunge B the other day and she gave me a lesson at it. Georgie (to her credit) has spent a lot of time teaching Beanie voice commands while lunging and he is a true gentleman now because of it. He stops when asked, strikes off when necessary and easily transitions through the paces. 
G has had to do that for him to be responsive and lunge well. You can't go flapping or pulling on a lunge line to slow down or speed up a horse they'll just get mixed messages. And with mixed messages comes frustration and then naughty behaviour as that is often how a horse vents their frustration.

Here is a video of Georgie that she took today after schooling. B really does do as he's asked 

As you can see he stops when asked, turns, trots on etc all from the voice command. He foes get a little distracted from the wind and rain outside the school but on second time of asking, he does as he's told.

Most horses respond extremely well to voice commands, or should I say requests (as riding should be a partnership not dictatorship) as they can really give confidence and guidance. Often a spooky horse can be reassured and helped by some gentle talking and help out hacking or while trying to overcome a scary obstacle.

I've sat and watched before as people have shoved their horses with a broom and shouted obscenities at it while trying to get it to load into a box. That's one sure fire way to terrify your horse while really, a softer approach of patience and vocal reassurance would have helped wonders.

Studies have been done on horses and their owners voices and it has shown that  they really do recognise us and our voices. A lot of it is conditioning, horses start to associate that a certain sound (as really that is what the horse understand, they can't actually understand what we're saying to them) to a positive or negative consequence. Such as when I tell Scully to slow up with a "woooo" sound he has learnt that if he slows down that I take the pressure of his mouth. Same as when a horse does something you want, you tell it it's being a "good boy/girl" and pat them and perhaps give them a polo they associate getting a nice reward of a polo for doing what you ask..

Try it, next time you're in a situation with your horse where he could use some vocal reassurance or commanding/requesting use your voice and you may well be surprised at how much it helps. 

It's easier said than done as in a sticky situation that requires concentration we often forget to use our voices but give it a go and you may well be happily surprised 

S x 

Sophies foot following adventures!

Gosh, today has been no rest for the wicked! I'm not sure where to even start!

I wasn't riding today so I was back to being a foot follower with the Drag for their Great Gidding meet. I arrived early to help and hang out with my friends before everyone arrived. I must admit I was jealous to see everyone looking so smart in their jackets and ready for the meet, I want to wear my new jacket!

I put myself to use being the 'glamorous port waitress' - it's not going to serve itself! Not long the car park filled up very quickly with a rather large field and the excited conversation buzz could be heard. Kudos to everyone as they and their horses looked extremely smart! 

In no time at all the hounds were ready to be bought out, Sophie did her all important field master speech for the field so everyone was ready to go. I jumped in the car with Henry, Sam, Sam Pawley and a couple of others ready to whizz around the countryside to watch. 
The field successfully tackled the first few gallops and jumps, so it was time for a quick breather for the horses and hounds.
Soon after that the first inductee to the Cambridge University Drag Hounds Tumblers club was seen, with Jodie making an exit off her lovely ex race horse after a short stride was out in and unbalancing followed. Sam and I straight over to offer assistance and much to her credit was up in no time a bit sore but back on! Well done to you madame! 

Hoping for a good view of the second set of jumps I made my way up the hill to position myself ready, in front of me was a 3 foot or so post and rails all the horses were going to jump, well note to self, I can jump but i'm no eventer and tend to leave a leg behind over a 3 foot post and rails! Luckily I managed to avoid falling flat on my face as that would have been rather embarrassing! I'll stick to climbing up and over them next time I think! With all the field safely over Sam and I were dropped back at the yard as Henry needed his car, so quickly jumping in another car we high tailed it down to carry on watching. And so it began our hilarious adventures as foot followers.

With Destiny the hound deciding that any direction but the direction the entire rest of the pack was going was a good idea Sam was sent off to retrieve her. Which hilariously involved the rather undignified carrying of a fully grown, rather pungent hound back to the pack. I wish I was quick enough to get a photo cause I was crying with laughter at Sam attempting to run down the road with her!

He got back in the car and was... smelling 'interesting' (if you've smelt a pack of fox hounds you'll know what I mean) now, I whizzed by the yard and Sam thought it was a good idea to throw his smelly jumper back into the yard, but perhaps I didn't slow down enough or with just hilarious bad luck Sam managed to throw his jumper directly into a smelly muddy puddle. I'm actually sat here laughing to myself at the memory! Sorry Sam, i'm laughing with (at) you!

Now back up the country lanes I thought I was in for watching a wonderful days hunting, but alas another was inducted spectacularly into the tumblers club with a rather nasty rotational fall sent us running full speed across the field to help. That is generally where my day ended while being on the phone to the emergency services for an ambulance and waiting for it to arrive while trying to first aid. Well done to those who stayed with Emily and kept so calm and kept her warm and looked after until the ambulance arrived. 

I'm also so glad that the gorgeous Scully is OK also, what a genuine little darling he is!

Everyone rode so well today and so very well done to everyone! Thank you to The Drag pack and it's crew and Barbara for a lovely post hunt feast!

Here's a little video of what footage I managed to catch today

Now to get ready for Horseheath next weekend and praying to the drag hunt gods I can ride! Cause boy after this week do I need it!

Over and out x 

Little early Christmas present and Supercob fun!

Evening all, well I've had an eventful and rather muddy day today, but I couldn't be happier.

I know I've said it before but I am SO lucky to have friends at allow me to ride there horses, I'd be sat at home being lazy and grumpy if I didn't so I cannot thank them enough. 

I got to take the V8 super cob out again today and he was.. Fresh! Insisted on being with Sophie at the front of the pack and being as close to Monkey as possible that me and Sophie were clinging stirrup irons! 

I swear they're talk sweet nothings to each other through the stable walls at night when no-one is around!

The inseparable couple! 

As im sure anyone with Windows noticed, it rained a lot yesterday and was subsequently very muddy today.

So much so my jodphurs are currently soaking in vanish oxy action to get the mud stains out!

This photo does absolutely no justice!

But all the horses seemed to be on very good form for today's hound exercise and introduction to drag hunting day! 

Supercob decided that I am a spoil sport for not allow him to gallop full speed, and insisted on slower canter by putting a couple of small bucks in to show his disapproval!

He didn't stay this white for long 

But after a lovely jolly around the countryside the horses were flagging and it was slowly getting colder, we all headed home for a hot dog and tea!

I popped over to the lovely Somersby House tack shop across the road in Great Gidding to meet Katie, as I decided this week that my Christmas pressie was to be a navy wool hunt jacket and Somersby House had a great selection. I chose this gorgeous Shires one, 100 wool and absolutely gorgeous.

Even the bottoms have foxes faces engraved on them. 

They're currently on offer so go and get on now while it lasts!! 

This tack shop is my new favourite, only two weeks ago did I mention buying my new hat from there and now a new jacket. Treating myself!!

What do they say, all the gear no (idea)..horse! 

Unexpected Sunday - Whipping in

As I lay here in bed, absolutely exhausted and my muscles going more and more stiff I realise I literally do not care and that is because I'm in too much of a good mood!

Why is that some of you may ask, well unexpected awesome Sunday's that why.

So here's the scenario, I've drifted off back off to sleep after work - owners whatsapping me wanting info on there horses at 6.15am, when my phone rings.

A bit blurry eyed I scrabble for my phone.  It's field master Sophie Read! I press accept call and get asked, almost immediately, 3 questions 

"Are you coming to the meet today?" 

"Yes why?"

"Can you whip in"

"Um, yes I can try"

"Can you be there in an hour?" 

"Hell yes I can"

Panic descends for a moment when all manor of questions run through my head, such as 'oh god, can I even whip in?', 'what horse am I on?' 'Is all my kit clean?' 'If yes then where is it all!'

After realising that, indeed my kit was clean and all nicely hung up, I had to figure out a plan of action.

A quick bowl of cereal while wriggling into my jodphurs and, I'm out the door to meet Sophie and walk the lines.

After a brief whizz round in Sophie's  awesome Land Rover (seriously, speeding through massive puddles in a Land Rover defender is great fun and something I want to do again, so cool) we got back to the yard to people arriving.

Very kindly I found my horse all tacked up and ready to go. That horse being the pointer that doesn't like jumping. I can foresee many asking "but it's a pointer, it's supposed to jump" well more on that later!

After a brief unruly hound wanting to snack on the post hunt sausage rolls, we were off. I've never whipped in before so I'm pretty nervous and praying I don't forget the way! 

Just after the off we got to our first set of jumps, well I'd been instructed to try and get the pointer to jump so I'm setting up to a nice low jump and 3 strides out he seems keen, then last stride and brakes on and we're skidding towards it..

No jump for me today then it would seem. I'd be pretty horrified to fall off in front of an entire meet, especially as there's a tumblers club this year! 

Cantering on, on this giant 17 odd hand pointer felt pretty damn cool. I'd like to hope and think my riding has improved from riding 5 different horses in the last few weeks! 

A brief rest later we carried on, but the hounds couldn't seem to find the scent. It didn't help that when the runner set off it was foggy and wet and every minute that ticked by it got warmer and warmer and the fog lifting therefore taking the scent with it.

I'm also being absolutely terrible at whipping in, I keep getting my left and right confused and driving Tony crazy! Sorry Tony, not my finest moments! 

Who's that? Oh that's me hiding my shame at how terribly I am a whipping in!

We took an extra loop round the jumps again, I'm absolutely determined to get this bleeding horse over a few jumps, which I can say I did, I'm pretty proud of that! 

Once back at the yard everyone untacked and boxed up, ready for refreshments. 

Sandwiches, sausage rolls, cake, chocolate! Absolutely great and candles for Sophie as it was her birthday!

With the day now drawn to a close I headed off to my sisters house for a roast dinner. I feel very spoilt today, tacked up horse and dinner cooked for me, how lucky I am!

Hope everyone enjoyed the opening meet and we'll see you all again soon?

S x

Sit back and slide your reins - Scully the V8 Supercob

Now that the season is well and truly here and Autumn has set it, it was the very last hound exercise at Great Gidding, before the opening meet next weekend.

I got to pilot the Supercob again today, Scully. Yes, as in X-files Mulder and Scully. Whether he's named after Gillian Andersons character, Dana Scully I do not know!

What I do know is that I LOVED today. Really loved it. I've never actually ridden a cob before, so when I got on last weekend I didn't actually know what to except. At the end of last weeks exercise Tony did mention that he could jump. But from what I've seen of other cobs jumping (massive generalisation here) I wasn't overly optimistic. I mean we've seen Ben Hobdays 4 star eventer Mr Mulry fly round Burghley, but he's crossed with some awesome eventer I'd guess. So it remained to be seen just how I got on..

Any way, back to today. I arrived to see Scully had a clip, oh my gosh he looked adorable and Tara had very kindly already tacked him up for me, so he looked seriously smart. I felt like I should be stepping into the show ring he was so white!

He seemed very keen today, trotted off out of Fox and Hounds with such exuberance I overtook Sophie, the Field Master, and made 'that' faux par (meaning it is extremely frowned upon in Hunting tradition to overtake the Field Master, it's just not done so take note so you can avoid doing so in the future. So, slap on the wrist for me!) But I quickly slowed down and re-positioned myself after apologising profusely! With quite a large turn out today it was so awesome to hear so many sets of hooves trotting up the road. 

Not long after starting we turned off road onto a slip of grass, and in his exuberant fashion automatically started to canter. No trot, but a beautiful collected, head in 'I should be in the show ring' canter. I didn't want to stop really!

Like me, the rest of the field were all smiles. We even had a little-un on her pony trotting and cantering with us. So so cute! I can't wait until Frankie gets to that stage (and I don't think it will be long now!)

Our first canter was quite a bit faster than last weeks, where I got overtaken by everyone! The Supercob had been cubbing the day before I rode him last week so I think he was still re-energising the next day so was speedy but in control. Today though, well, we set off and he was fresh! So fresh in fact that when I wouldn't let him kick up a gear, a few choice bucks were put in to tell me how much of a spoil sport I was being!

But being a sensible human I knew that where we were cantering was very clay-ie, wet and slippery so Scully thanked me a bit further down when we slipped a little bit, thankfully remained upright though! He went a bit steadier then, I did try and tell him!

About two thirds into the hound exercise I was beckoned up front to be the lead horse and lead for the rest of the pack over the jumps. Now... I'd be lying if I said I didn't start getting enormous butterflies in my stomache. I mean, I've jumped some cross country fences on B recently, and popped Misty over a couple of little logs or two on our Thurlow ride, but I'm a little rusty, but as we trotted alongside a field I was shown a 2'6" post and rails to jump. 'Cool' I though, I can jump that fine, although never seeing Scully jump I just pointed him at it kicked on and over we went. 

Scully to the rescue after Sam joined the tumblers club when the coloured pony he was on bronked after landing and they parted ways. In all fairness I don't think many people would have sat those bucks, not after the awkward jump over into the field.

But with a broken rein and a run away horse I figured I'd better try and rescue it!
The rest of the pack now over the fence and Sam back on Freddie, those butterflies started flapping inside at what lay ahead. 

There was an almighty hedge in front of me, and with a ditch in front no less. 

Going first, I just had to kick on and hope for the best! Which is exactly what I did and Scully engaged his hidden V8 engine and jumped it like a stag. So much so I had to sit back and slide my reins! (My inner childhood Mary King was proud of me for not jagging him in the mouth)

It felt AMAZING! And yes that does require caps lock, it helps me convey how good it felt. Although breaking afterwards was fun as Scully knew there was a hedge on the other side of the field we were in and had locked on!

But with the rest of the pack now over, I reengaged the supercob, and kicked on to the other hedge. This one was minus the ditch, but was rather a bit bigger. Scully, ears pricked, sailed over it once again. That horse is a champ, he just doesn't jump like a cob! He's a eventer in a cobs body, he really is!

Then onward towards another post and rails, a nice full up 3'0" or so, he yet again flew over no problem. With my confidence growing the butterflies flew away! I'd not jumped hedges or fences this big in a very long time. But, like riding a bike, I hadn't forgotten how to jump! 

With jumping now over with, we had a brief few canters while on the way back to the yard. Horses well and truly happy! Every one of them ears pricked, dirty but happy. 

Supercob all tuckered out, snuggled up in his stable! 

Back at the yard and with all the horses washed off Sophie, Ginny and I headed over to the tack shop across the road - Somersby House who were having an open day event today so we had a look round. I figured that my riding hat was smelly and old and I could do with a new one so I treated myself to a Champion jockey skull cap. I have little 57cm head which is advantageous as no VAT, thumbs up to little perks.

I'm now home, with the washing machine on washing all my mud splattered kit ready for next time, when ever that will be! 

Thank you as always to The Cambridge University Drag Hounds - Henry for lending me the Supercob, Tara and Sam for tacking him up and Tony and Ginny for taking us all out, as well as Sophie for being a wonderful and entertaining field master! 

Opening meet is next week at Manor Farm in Stretham. Link to the meet card here. 

Now for Horses in Training Sale at Tattersalls this week, wish me luck! I'll probably need it!!

Sophie x

The Husk - Brand new breathable products for your horse, all in areasonable price range

A new up and coming brand you may have heard of are the HUSK (Horse Active Sports Kit). Developed for the propose of bringing the fore front of innovation in horse equipment to the masses but keeping it reasonably priced! Good right?

Back in June Georgie and I tried out their very first prototype, a dressage numnah that is both comfortable and cushioned - it supports and distributes your weight evenly over the horses back, but being made of a breathable woven fabric, it subsequently allows air to circulate between the skin and the saddle. Therefore reduces sweat and keeps the skin cool, allowing the muscles to remain cool which is so important to reduce the likelihood of muscle damage when exercising.

And with all good equestrian equipment, you want it to look and striking and cool as possible. Which it does so, don't you think?

The technology behind HUSK. is that it's made up of this special honey comb woven fabric that allows air to flow under the saddle.

You can even see from the above photograph just how cushioned it is, it allows the saddle to mould to the horses back, therefore not creating any pressure points, but keeping the breathable structure.

The evidence - A saddle patch that is basically completely dry after exercise. This was after schooling in a HUSK. numnah for a solid 45 minutes. 

They've also created an entire range of new products too, not just numnahs. It's still a young  growing company, with advise being given by some of the best professionals to help build the best innovative products, without rushing it!

Prototypes are still being produced for the Jump pad, made to fit the monoflap and dual flap saddles. Cut perfectly to fit just right! 

We can't wait to have one for cross country!

Not just numnahs but a range of boots are on the horizon, just days now until they're released. We have a funny feeling they're going to sell out the first batch in no time at all.

I've written before about the importance of keeping tendons cool but supported, and now you can do so with the HUSK. tendon boots. They do look very smart indeed! 

Not only boots, but also bandages. A different type of support but a different role in equestrianism, same breathable system! Usually used for dressage, or just day to day schooling but keeping the tendon protected from knocks, strapes or just general support while the tendons flex, all while allowing air to flow over the tendon area and keeping it cool. 

They just look so smart and well made, we absolutely cannot wait to try them out! Keep your eyes peeled on our twitter for a release date. We'll be retweeting all the action from The HUSK.

Even more exciting is that we've been working with The HUSK. on a revolutionary new pad, and it's like nothing else out there. Won't spoil the surprise but it's traditional in it's look but revolutionary in it's design. 

Keep your eyes peeled for more info!

The HUSKs facebook can be found here. I recommend you follow it to keep up with all the release dates and new products

Sunday fun day, Hound exercise 2 of 2!

Where to start, it's been such a whirl wind day. Well, much like last weekend it was a beautiful sunny day, if not slightly cooler but I am not complaining - It was very warm last weekend.

I was running late this morning after an unexpected turn of events that I won't go into, but I arrived to find Monkey already tacked up for me. So without wasting time I got myself ready and jumped on ready to go.

With the field a bit smaller this week we were all ready to set off, so at a brisk trot a pack of about 7, including me, set off up the hill in Great Gidding.

With a lot less road work this time we soon got on to beautiful set aside and into the most breath taking scenery. It's absolutely beautiful over in sticks. Sadly I couldn't take my phone out for a photo but think rolling hills, beautiful trees in all shades of orange and birds tweeting all around

Lots of trotting through, what felt like Jane Austin country, both horses and hounds were warmed up so we braced ourselves and had a canter. Monkey was an absolute angel and didn't try and tank off with me which is nice, we strided away to enjoy it. He really is such a good boy! 

Not long after we encountered a small ditch. Very much in Monkey style he jumped more into the the bottom of it than over it but it's not about style, it's how you get over it, right?

After about an hour we made our way back to the Fox & Hounds to put the horses away and wash them off. Monkey felt he wasn't done though, as the adrenalin was still running by the looks of his quivering flanks. He loves his job a little too much It would seem!?

Back in his bed he had a lovely roll and snuggle up. Erm, got a bit of straw on your face there mate.. 

A lovely sausage sarnie and drinks were awaiting us in the garden, once all that tack and equipment was put away of course. So generous of Henry! I'd happily do this every weekend.

I now have to give Monkey back to Sophie, I hope I've looked after him well?! 

He is a truely lovely lad and has given me a lovely couple of weekends.

Thank you to Tara, Sam and Ginny for tacking him up and looking after me. The Cambridge University Drag Hounds, what a lovely group of people, I'd highly recommend you go out with them if you can! 

Sophie x