How cute is a 3 year old riding bridle-less and bareback?

How cute is a 3 year old riding bridle-less and bareback?

OK, this is about as adorable as pony pals get.

I don’t know these folks personally, but I thought this was too cute not to share. Take a look at Cecilia (3), riding her white pony Karin (9) bridle-less and bareback.

Apparently, the video was taken by her older sister, who added Taylor Swift’s “White Horse” as a video soundtrack. (Be sure to scroll down the left-hand sidebar, and click off this blog’s background music player, so you can hear the song.)

 .

 .

Loved this cute pony video.

Already, at age three, Cecelia has a light seat and a gentle way with her beloved pony. Clearly, the two have a special bond of trust and affection. That counts for a lot!

Because ponies may live to age 30 or more, the pair are likely to enjoy a long equestrian journey together. Perhaps they will become the darlings of the horse show ring or the Pony Club circuit.

Still, as a perpetual parent, I cannot help but harbor a few hesitations.

This is obviously a well-trained little pony, but ponies can still act up. Is it really safe to teach a three-year-old child to brandish a riding crop and make a pony rear in front of her?

I love that little Cecelia is wearing a safety helmet, but could someone please tighten the chin strap? The helmet won’t do her any good, if it slips back on her head like that.

What sort of footing is under this little rider, as she races her little pony around in the open?

OK, color me killjoy. I don’t mind. I’m all for horseback riding fun. But a few safety precautions can help to keep kids riding happily for many, many years.

Image/s:

Public Domain Clip-Art

Misc. Sources

Share

Flash mob dancers fill Calgary street before Stampede

Flash mob dancers fill Calgary street before Stampede

OK, I admit it. The Calgary Stampede is on my proverbial bucket list. I have always wanted to go.

The massive rodeo will take place in Calgary, Alberta, from July 8^th through 17^th.

C’mon, now!

One of these years, I’m just gonna pony up and go. Maybe I can wrangle up a press pass. Heck, I’d do a hundred stories, if one of my horsey news outlets would send me northwards to the Calgary Stampede.

Those thundering hoofbeats, daring cowboys, wild-eyed wranglers, cool concerts and fabulous foods.

Are you with me?

And now they’ve gone and done it.

Two hundred people jumped into a Western-style line dance outdoors in the Stephen Avenue Mall of downtown Calgary at high noon on Tuesday, June 21^st.

The performance surprised locals and tourists with their hot moves. Accompanied by blasted strains of The Black Eyes Peas’ “Imma Be,” the hoofers swirled in the street.

Participants included folks from Dance Canada, volunteers from the local dance community and other fancy footwork enthusiasts. Even Harry the Horse stepped in.

Take a look at Calgary’s line-dancing flash mob:

 .

 .

Related Items:

• A Cowboy's Name - a Poetic Song on a Love Lifelong
• And Style to Boot – Gotta Love Red-Hot Cowboy Boots!
• His Perfect Passion: What’s It Like to Love a Cowboy?
• It's a Wild Ride: A Poetic Tribute to the Rodeo Cowboy
• Olympic Dreams: What If Rodeo Events Were Olympic Sports?

Image/s:

Calgary Stampede promo photos

Share

 

Is your pony pretty in pink?

Is your pony pretty in pink?

June 23^rd is National Pink Day.

Look at all of these adorable ways to wrap your pony in pink!

Pretty saddle pads and wonderful wraps!

How about magenta for a Morgan, blush for a Belgian, coral for a Connemara or fuschia for a Falabella?

Pink animal prints, cammies and other patterns also count! After all, June 23rd is also Pizzazz Day. (Who knew?)

Happy Trails on National Pink Day!

Related Items:

Plastic Pink Flamingo Tapped as Official Bird of Madison, Wisconsin

Horses and Ponies - What's the Difference?

Growing Young Horse Lovers

50 dollar store finds for horse lovers

Image/s:

Misc. Sources - linked

Share

 

A Father's Day Sire Salute

A Father's Day Sire Salute

Happy Father’s Day!

To honor this special holiday, I thought it would be fun to share some photos of the sire and grand-sires of my younger horses. These fun and frisky sport-horses bear many of the best traits of both sides of their shared pedigrees.

Here’s their sire, a proud and prancing purebred Polish Arabian:

 

His sire is the stunning Zodiac Matador.

 

And Zodiac Matador’s sire was the famous Bask.

On their dam’s side, my young horses are grand-sired by the Westfalen stallion known as Puritano. Here he is:

 Why not salute your own horses’ sires and grand-sires on Father’s Day?

 

Related Items:

Can Anyone Be a Parent?

Jump-Start on Smarts

Selecting a Stud: Choosing a Stallion to Breed with Your Mare

What to Ask a Horse Breeder in Advance

Share

 

Happy Birthday to Our Dearly Departed Mare

Happy Birthday to Our Dearly Departed Mare

We lost Ashley, our beloved Warmblood mare, almost a year ago. Today would have been her 22nd birthday.

Can anything top the love of a first horse? 

I'm going to treat all three of her fabulous half-Arabian offspring to carrots today, in her honor. And maybe, just maybe, I will step up onto her filly for my second-ever ride. She's fabulous, by the way, just like her momma was.

Here's a toast to Miss Ashley!

Photo copyrighted by Nickers and Ink.

June 5th is National Trails Day 2011

June 5th is National Trails Day 2011

Let’s get out there!

Saturday, June 5^th, is National Trails Day in the United States. Let’s take a hike. Better yet, how about a trail ride?

National Trails Day was started by the American Hiking Association. U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has endorsed the energetic occasion, promoting the event through her “Let’s Move Outside” campaign against childhood obesity.

Who cares if you eat like a horse?

Just saddle up and ride! It’s National Trails Day. Grab your saddle, cell phone and water bottle. Don’t forget the riding safety helmet and fly spray. We’re off.

Are ya comin’, or what?

Related Items:

• 10 Key Safety Preparations for Equestrian Trail Riding
• 10 Tips for Training for Equestrian Endurance Riding
• Endurance Trail Riding Gear
• Getting Ready for Horseback Riding: First Time in the Saddle
• Trail Riding Etiquette: 20 Courtesy Tips for Equestrians
• Use Your Head! Choosing a Safety Helmet for Horseback Riding
• Wisconsin DNR offers 8 trail etiquette pointers for equestrians

Share