Types of horse PeopleThe “bigger bit, bigger spurs” kind of horse people believe if the horse isn't behaving, all you need is a more severe bit or spur, depending on the situation: If a horse is going faster than the rider wants, put a stronger bit in the horse’s mouth; if the horse isn’t going fast enough, jab it with bigger spurs. These people really don’t mind hurting the horse if they believe the horse is misbehaving. The “let’s go balls to the walls fast!” types of horse people, no matter where they are, will push past you (even in the tightest of places) just to go fast. They think they are better riders than you, even if they are new to the horse business. Some will spend their money on tack (horse equipment) so they are able go faster. Some won’t don’t even care about the tack: It’s all about speed! The “Western Pleasure horse-want-to-be’s” people (the slow people), will tie the horse’s head between it’s legs and pull their head down to make the horse go slow. They will purposely make them go lame so they will go slow. The trainer/riders will make the horse go so slow they will be cantering ( the speed where the horse is running) in the front and trotting (a slow jog) in the back. To make some show horses look “professional” for the show ring, they will “needle” (use acupuncture) the neck, if it is a thicker neck, to thin it down to look more elegant. If their horse has a thinner neck, it has less weight hanging out in front of it, can balance easier, and goes slow without troping. Troping is when the horse trots in the hind quarters and canters in the front. Also, when the rider doesn’t really move throughout the speeds asked makes them look elegant. The “Reiners” are all about the pattern. No equitation required, Equitation is the ability of the rider to hold proper form on horseback, and maintaining a neutral balance, so as not to interfere with a horse’s performance: a straight line could be drawn from the back of the rider’s head, shoulders, hip, and heels. Heels down, chin up, hands in proper position. Reining is all about the maneuvers at the correct speed in the correct fashion; but even these types of people will believe in the bigger bit, bigger spurs, depending on the trainer. The maneuvers in reining are sliding stops (running down the arena in a straight line or diagonally, then having the horse slide on the haunches to a stop), flying lead changes (it is when the horse switches from one leading front leg to the other--kind of like skipping). The spins are other main manuevers. Spins are when the horse is at a complete stop and they pivot on their inside hindleg, while turning the front, making circles. The “Jumpers” are an elite group of athletic riders that have strong legs, arms and bodies to hold themselves still while leaping over obstacles than can be both tall and wide. The horses are hot (horses with lots of energy), and very big (horses that are 16-17 hands--5’4” to 5’8” at the top of their shoulder). Also, these horses are normally very expensive. They are the Ferraris of the horse world. Jumpers jump 18 inches up to 6 feet. They jump mainly fences, but may also jump ditches, water holes, and logs.
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AuthorHI! My name is Delaney. Most people ouside of school call me D. I like to ride horses, read, write, run, but I don't like the pressure of winning so I don't run competitively or do any other sports be side Equestrian team. Archives
December 2015
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