Sending your child to any camp requires research, and horse riding camps are no different. The search can be overwhelming, so we’ve compiled some information to help you find a camp, pack for the camp and more.

Types of Summer Horse Riding Camps

One of your first steps in your search for the perfect summer horse camp is to decide what kind of camp you want your child to attend. Various factors should weigh into this initial decision.

• Length of camp term:

  There are camp options ranging from day camps to week-long camps to even month- and summer-long overnight camps. Your child’s comfort level of being away from home is an important factor in deciding what camp format is best.

• Horse ownership:

  Many camps have their own horses for campers to ride, and some camps allow or require you to bring your own horse.

• Riding facilities:

  Some camps are strictly arena-based, some are strictly trail-based and others are a mixture of the two.

• Riding discipline:

  There are so many different disciplines within the horseback riding sport: English, western, trail, hunter/jumper, eventing, dressage, vaulting, reining and more. Some camps offer a variety of disciplines while others focus on one or two specific disciplines.

• Riding format:

  Some camps will assign a specific horse to each rider for the duration of the camp, and others will purposely rotate riders and horses. Additionally, some camps ride twice or even more than twice a day while others ride once and day and then focus on other traditional camp-related activities, such as swimming and arts and crafts, for the remainder of the day.

If your child is interested in riding but has not yet had the opportunity to ride, make sure the camp you choose has experience introducing young riders to the horse world.

How to Find a Reputable Summer Horse Riding Camp

There’s no one way to know if a camp will be a perfect fit for your child. However, there are some things you should absolutely confirm before dropping your child off for his or her horse-filled days.

Consider:

• Safety:

  The camp’s website and marketing materials should promote safe horsemanship and horse keeping. For example, riders should be wearing helmets, horses should appear to be in good health, and facilities and fencing should look well maintained.

• Recommendations:

  The Internet is full of various forums and feedback tools for all sorts of businesses. While it’s hard to know if everything is believable, do take some time to see what others have written about a camp. Your research will allow you to generate some good questions for the camp staff. You can also ask around your local horse community for recommendations.

• Instructor qualifications:

  Make sure to find out the qualifications for camp staff and camp counselors. A reputable camp will have a hiring process that requires staff and counselors to have a wealth of horse knowledge as well as a passion for teaching and a clear emphasis on safety.

What to Bring to Summer Horse Riding Camp

The list of what to bring to a horse camp is likely never ending. Every child has his or her favorite items and necessities. However, here’s a starting point for the horse-related items:
Make sure to bring:

• An ASTM/SEI certified riding helmet. We recommend one with ventilation since it’s often quite warm in the summer months. Most camps will have loaner helmets available, but for safety and hygiene, it’s preferable for campers to have their own.
• Shoes with a heel (These can be cowboy boots, paddock boots or tall boots. No matter what style, riding shoes should have a small heel to prohibit the shoe from potentially slipping through the stirrup.)
• Tall socks
• Riding pants (Breeches/jodhpurs or jeans – whatever your child prefers and the camp recommends. If your child is going to any kind of overnight camp, make sure to pack several pairs.)
• Riding shirts (These can range from comfortable t-shirts to specifically designed horseback riding shirts. No matter what shirt style you pack for your child, make sure it is a breathable fabric. Keep in mind that riding and barn work are hard on clothing—if your camper has a favorite outfit that they’ll want for the school year, don’t send it with them to horse camp!)
• At least one large, insulated water bottle (Hydration is incredibly important for any athlete. Horseback riders are no exception!)
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Gloves (optional depending on rider preference and camp recommendations)
• Camera. In an effort to encourage kids to unplug, some summer camps prohibit use of electronics, including cell phones. But you can send along your old point-and-shoot so your camper can snap some shots of his or her friends and favorite camp horses.
• And any specific camp-recommended items

If you choose to send your child and his or her horse to a camp, the camp should provide a specific list of what you need to pack for the horse.

What Your Young Rider Will Learn at Summer Horse Riding Camp

Every camp is unique, and what your child will learn at his or her summer riding camp will also be unique. What you can hope is that your child will return to you with can include:

• Even more horse stories to share
• More general horse knowledge, such as the anatomy of a horse, proper grooming and hoof care, different horse colors and horse breeds, general horse health and more
• Safety around horses and when riding
• Experience riding in a new place
• Experience riding a new horse or horses
• New horse-crazy friends
• New riding exercises

No matter what kind of summer horse riding camp you and your child pick for his or her horse-filled summer, remember that with safety in mind and you and your child’s expectations and goals driving the decision, you won’t go wrong.

At great summer horse riding camps, the passion for horses and the joy of sharing horse knowledge with others undoubtedly brings together a wonderful and incredible group of staff and counselors who will do everything in their power to help your child have the best horse-filled summer possible.

The post Summer Horse Riding Camps appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“Top 50 Ranches is a resource to help guests find ranch vacations,” explains Dahl. “No ranch is the same, so we help you find the right one so you get what you’re looking for.”

The first step is deciding what type of ranch you want to visit. There are dude, guest, working, family and luxury ranches that are waiting to offer you the experience of a lifetime. We have some suggestions to showcase the variety of options, but a little research will help you hone in on your ideal ranch.

Guest Ranch

Guest ranches are geared toward both experienced and beginner riders looking to spend time in the saddle.

Bull Hill Guest Ranch is located in northeastern Washington state. Sitting at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near British Columbia, Canada, Bull Hill Guest Ranch offers panoramic views of Idaho, Lake Roosevelt and Canada.

Photo courtesy Bull Hill Guest Ranch

Bull Hill is part of a working cattle ranch that encompasses more than 50,000 acres of mountain landscapes. You can take part in cattle drives and trail rides, and the ranch’s private lake offers fly fishing for rainbow trout.

You can also look forward to boating, trap shooting, bird and wildlife viewing, mountain biking, western dancing, horseshoes, scavenger hunts, hearty meals and more. After a morning of activity, you can spend your afternoon in the hot tub and look forward to an evening around a campfire.
www.bullhill.com

Dude Ranch

Located in Milford, Pa., Malibu Dude Ranch offers rustic luxury accommodations, rodeos in the summer, and a chance to participate in cattle drives. This 800-acre ranch is in the Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania. If you’re looking to discover the cowboy lifestyle with horseback rides on scenic mountains in a mature forest, this could be the ranch for you.

Photo courtesy Malibu Dude Ranch

Malibu Dude Ranch offers horseback riding, a rifle range and skeet shooting, fishing and ice fishing, row boats and paddle boats, archery, mini golf and an indoor pool.
www.malibududeranch.com

Working Ranch

If you want to experience an authentic cattle drive, Double Rafter Cattle Drives could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Photo courtesy Double Rafter Cattle Drives

Photo courtesy Double Rafter Cattle Drives

A family-owned working cattle ranch located in Ranchester, Wyo., Double Rafter Cattle Drives invites guests to join one of six summer opportunities when they move their cattle to new pastures as part of their rotational grazing. You’ll spend your time moving cattle and sleeping under the stars—a true cowboy experience.
www.doublerafter.com

Family Ranch

In the San Isabel National Forest near Buena Vista, Colo., Elk Mountain Ranch offers a dude ranch getaway for families. With a full kids’ program for children ages 3 to 7 years old, as well as ranch activities for children 8 and older, Elk Mountain is a great family destination.

Photo courtesy Elk Mountain Ranch

At an elevation of 9,600 feet, Elk Mountain is Colorado’s highest guest ranch. You can expect beautiful views, great meals and fun activities. These include horseback riding, white water rafting, trapshooting, marksmanship, archery, trips to Aspen, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, hay rides, square dancing and more.
www.elkmtn.com

Luxury Ranch

Lone Mountain Guest Ranch is located in Big Sky, Mont., and offers horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, Yellowstone National Park visits and more.

Photo courtesy Lone Mountain Guest Ranch

For some, horseback riding is the ultimate luxury, while others may seek spa pampering on their vacations. At this luxury ranch, you can get both. After some time in the saddle, guests can schedule a relaxation massage or deep tissue massage.
www.lonemountainranch.com

When to Book

Because there are so many ranches that offer incredible vacations, you have flexibility when booking your stay.

“Some people choose to book six months in advance, and others book only weeks prior,” says Top50Ranches.com owner Jody Dahl.

If you know exactly what you want and where you want to go, book sooner rather than later. Many ranches only host a small number of guests each week, so booking early will ensure you get the week that works best for you.

Typical peak season is May through September, with families opting for mid-June through August.

How to Prepare

One of the biggest things Top50Ranches.com owner Jody Dahl encourages guests to consider is their physical fitness.
“Ranch vacations can be very active,” says Dahl. You don’t want to be so sore after the first ride that you miss out on other activities. A little gym time before the vacation will make it even more enjoyable.

Make sure to ask the ranch what they recommend you pack. If you’re buying new boots or other equipment, remember to break them in before you go.

No matter which ranch you choose, create lasting memories by unplugging your laptop and tucking away your cell phone. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Allison Griest has spent summers wrangling in Texas and Colorado.

This article originally appeared in the July 2016 issue of Horse Illustrated. Click here to subscribe!

The post How to Find the Perfect Ranch Vacation appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Her name is Beezie Madden.

Earlier this year, I met her. I met Beezie Madden.

The next likely question you have is: How?

I recently attended a friend’s wedding in Miami, Fla. These non-horsey lovebirds scheduled their wedding on the same weekend as the Longines Global Champions Tour Miami Beach competition. Amazing!

As soon as my boyfriend and I received the wedding weekend itinerary, I compared the schedule of weekend festivities with the show schedule. I was going to be able to watch the big money classes, live and in person.

I was going to be able to watch Olympians compete right in front of me. ON A BEACH.

On Friday, I watched several classes. As I explained what a jump off is to my non-horsey friends, I gushed about how Beezie Madden was my idol. I told them how I had the opportunity to have a phone interview her brother-in-law, Frank Madden, for a Horse Illustrated article a few years ago, and how he was an absolute pleasure to interview.

Fast forward to Saturday. My boyfriend and I went to a SoulCycle class that morning. It was across the street from our hotel, and I thought it would be fun to try.

After class, we decided to take walk around the hotel where the Longines Global Champions Tour equestrians were staying. This hotel was, coincidentally, the same hotel that would host the wedding of our friends later that day.

As we walked past a door of the hotel lobby, two people walked out of the door. I immediately recognized one of the two people. I knew who she was, yet I still optimistically asked, “Beezie Madden?”

To which she politely replied, “Yes.”

I suddenly realized I WAS MEETING BEEZIE MADDEN and had to control myself. Now that I had engaged her in conversation, what was I going to say?

I quickly introduced myself and mentioned how a few years ago I had the opportunity to interview Frank for a Horse Illustrated article.

I realized this moment absolutely had to be documented. I needed photographic evidence.

I asked Beezie to take a picture with me, and she graciously agreed. As we parted ways, I said, “Have a great ride today!”

As she walked one way and my boyfriend and I the other, the star struck feelings sunk in. I walked into the hotel lobby and started crying with happiness, excitement, surprise and a myriad of other indescribable emotions.

At first, my boyfriend awkwardly laughed and said I was acting like a 14-year-old who had just met Justin Bieber. Then I explained to him who she was, who Beezie was to me as a kid, who Beezie is to me now and who Beezie is to the sport of equestrian.

He said, “Oh wait – so she’s like the Michael Jordan of show jumping?”

“Yes!!” I said.

He got it.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be that star struck again. It’s pretty hard to top the fact that you’ve met your idol.

Of course she was as gracious, professional and kind as I’d always hoped. I’ll continue to watch every televised prix she enters, and I’ll always aspire for her equitation.

The post I Met My Idol, Beezie Madden, and Then I Cried appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Here are five distinct personalities you’ll find at just about every barn—and what the horses would say to you if they could talk.

The Prissy Princess

The Prissy Princess hates wind because it blows dust around the barn, around the stall and everywhere in the entire universe. Basically, she has a strong opinion, often accompanied by a complaint, about everything.

“Come on! I can’t step on that black mat in the wash rack. It looks dark and ominous. And no way am I walking through that mud pit you’re standing in. I have no intention of dirtying myself just because you don’t want to let me stand here and look beautiful.”

(Note: The Prissy Princess isn’t always a mare; plenty of geldings land in this category.)

The Spook

You know The Spook all too well. He has the sweetest eyes, and he is terrified of leaves blowing in the wind, sounds coming from the road, and even his neighbor down the aisle.

“Listen, I know you’re tacking me up to work, but I have a really bad feeling about this. Did you just see that? Something moved in the distance. Stop telling me it’s going to be OK—it very well might not be OK. I just heard a scary sound! And a leaf just flew by! We should go back in the stall and hide. It’s safest in there.”

The Sweetheart

The Sweetheart is slow and steady. You can put the tiniest beginner on him and he won’t turn a hair. His heart of gold makes him worth his weight in gold.

“We just got lapped by The Jock of the barn, but I don’t care. This sweet kiddo on my back is having the time of her life. She doesn’t seem to understand the concept of corners or cross-rails, but I’ll help her out. And why is everyone acting scared of the cars driving past the arena? They’re there every single day. It’s all good.”

The Accident-Prone

The Accident-Prone Horse seems to always be off work because of some pasture bang-up, stall accident, a slight sniffle, or a combination of ailments.

“Thank you for the treats. I just can’t work today! My left hind hock really hurts, and don’t even get me started on the cut on my face. We were playing in the pasture and then there was this tree! I couldn’t get out of the way in time. I really don’t do this on purpose, but I would very much appreciate a massage and some molasses cookies today.”

The Jock

The Jock is the barn’s big, strong warmblood or Quarter Horse that has rippling muscles and excels in his sport.

“What’s that? We have a job to do? Let’s get going because I’m ready to show up all the other horses in the lesson. See that lanky horse in the corner? Let’s lap him before we do our next exercise. We need to show him how it’s done!”

This article originally appeared in the November 2015 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Five Equine Personalities appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

I often wonder where this need to get to the barn originates. I’ve decided that sometimes the urge stems from a very reasonable source, such as:

1. I want some fresh air.
2. The weather is absolutely gorgeous.
3. I need exercise.
4. My horse needs exercise.
5. I can’t stare at a computer screen any longer. I need to be outside. Specifically outside with horses.

Yet other times, the reasoning is a bit off-the-wall. For example:

6. My horse is expecting me. I told her on Tuesday that I’d be back on Thursday. I can’t disappoint her.
7. I bought my horse new treats. I know she can’t wait to try them.
8. I must ride in my new saddle pad. It can’t wait until next week.
9. I need to smell the barn. (Rational need for equestrians but likely not rational to the outside world.)

Perhaps it’s fueled by inspiration:

10. I watched a Grand Prix class. I always learn so much when I watch the elite riders. I must put my learnings to use. Circa now.
11. A HORSE EVENT IS TELEVISED. (Let’s be honest, it’s a miraculously exciting day when show jumping airs on cable TV.)

Or maybe it’s because I checked the mail. Snail mail.

12. In other words, I received three horse catalogues and this month’s issue of Horse Illustrated. I’ve flipped through every page while semi watching John Oliver’s latest ‘Last Week Tonight’. Forget the happenings of the world – I want to order ten things, have them appear at the snap of my fingers and teleport myself to the barn.

Social media.

13. Between my college equestrian team and the various cities I’ve called home, I have an amazing network of horsey friends. That also means my Instagram and Facebook accounts have several horse pictures and horse-world updates. I’ve now read updates about three horses and viewed my friend’s latest reining video ten times. Time for me to go ride my horse so I can provide an update, too!

All that really matters here is that I find time to ride. For the sake of the sanity of my friends and family, the sooner the better.

Allison Griest is a freelance writer based in Texas. Follow her on Twitter: @allisongriest.

The post 13 Reasons Why I Want to Ride Right Now appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

I recently attended a yoga class in Houston, Texas at Revolution Studio. I felt the tension in my hips the moment the class started, and I knew these were exercises I should bring into my life more often than, say, once every two to three months when I summoned the courage and determination to attend a yoga class.
Kim Syma, co-owner of Revolution Studio, says anyone can benefit from yoga. She chose three poses that are especially beneficial for equestrians.

Before performing any of these poses, make sure you’re warmed up. If you’ve already ridden your horse, you are probably good to go. If you are getting ready to ride, take a quick jog around the barn or even carry a bag of grain up and down the aisle. You don’t want to injure yourself by stretching before your muscles are ready.

“The more you stretch and take care of your body, the longer you’ll be able to do equestrian sports and feel good while doing so,” says Syma. “It’s amazing what a little bit of yoga can do in your life.”

Exercise 1: Supta Baddha Konasana

“Supta Baddha Konasana is a restorative pose,” explains Syma. “This is one of my favorites. You can do this before or after a ride.”

Supta Baddha Konasana

For this pose, lie on your back with the soles of your feet together. Draw the soles of your feet toward your body so that your knees open out into a butterfly position.

If you feel resistance in your hips or groin area, Syma advises that yoga blocks will help you modify the pose. For many, blocks may be useful under the area between your mid-thigh and knee.

“Lie with your hands by your side, palms open, close your eyes and just hang out,” Syma says. “This is a great posture for your hips.”

Exercise 2: Thread the Needle

Thread the Needle is an excellent position to move into from Supta Baddha Konasana (Exercise 1) for a deeper stretch. To seamlessly move into thread the needle, remain on your back. You will stretch one side of your body at a time.

Thread the Needle

While on your back, place your right ankle on your left thigh, just above the knee. Draw your left knee up toward your chest, and loop your arms through the hole you created. Grab the back of your left thigh or left shin, and rest your head and shoulders on the ground.

“This is a great hip opener,” says Syma. “It’s gentle on the body.”

Exercise 3: Bound Angle Pose Baddha Konasana

Bound Angle Pose Baddha Konasana is a seated version of Supta Baddha Konasana.

“It’s great for stretching the inner thighs, groin and knees,” explains Syma.

Bound Angle Pose Baddha Kosasana

While sitting, bring the soles of your feet together with your knees out wide, and draw the soles of your feet toward your body. If your knees don’t rest on the floor, place blocks under them. Cup your hands around your two big toes to create a foundation for the pose, and use the strength of your arms to draw your chest down to the floor. If it isn’t possible to hold your toes, clasp both hands around your ankle or shin on one side at a time.

“Play around with the distance,” Syma suggests. “To make this pose less intense, you can start with your legs in a diamond shape with distance between your body and your heels. As you bring your heels in closer toward the groin, the stretch gets deeper and more intense in the hips and groin area. If your knees come up, use the strength of your arms and elbows to gently press the knees down toward the earth.”

Benefits of Stretching

The benefits of stretching are undeniable. Whether you bring just one or all three of these poses into your daily routine, a regular stretching regimen is essential for any athlete.

“There are two athletes involved in equestrian sport, the horse and the rider,” says Syma. “Two athletes are working in tandem. If one athlete is caring for the other without putting the same sense of time and care into his or her own body, the two athletes can’t perform to their highest potential.

“Yoga supports the energetic transfer between horse and rider, and one of the biggest ways you communicate is the energy you bring to your interaction with your horse,” says Syma.

Get more equestrian fitness resources at horseillustrated.com/FitRider.

Thanks to Centered Lexington for providing the location for our yoga poses. www.centeredlex.org.

Allison Griest is a freelance writer based in Texas. Follow Allison on Twitter @allisongriest.

This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Yoga for Equestrians appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Our wonderful world of horsey things is full of items and wardrobe options specifically created, engineered even, for the equestrian. Despite the fact that I do own many items created by trusted equine retailers, I continue to bring non-horsey things into the horse world. How am I supposed to keep my favorite things away from my favorite place?

Exhibit A: My Fitbit

I love my Fitbit, particularly because it tracks my sleep. By default, the Fitbit sets a goal for its user of 10,000 steps each day. Between two trips up and down four flights of stairs with my dogs before work in the mornings and a few walk breaks in the office, I usually hit my step goal of 10,000 by mid-afternoon.

Add an afternoon lesson to the equation? I’m leaving all of my Fitbit friends in the dust! 17,000 steps for the day.

Add a day at a horse show? Between my warm up, courses, and dashes between the arena and the barn, I’m easily at 20,000 steps for the day.

No, the steps were not all my own. Many were ‘stepped’ by my horse, but I stand by my defense: Fitness trackers are meant to encourage and quantify activity. Anyone who thinks that horseback riding doesn’t count as an activity is encouraged to go for a 2-hour trail ride. If you are not sore, I am impressed. (For the record, many of the horse show steps are my own!)

As a side note, I’m grateful that my mare doesn’t seem to feel, or at least doesn’t seem to mind, the celebratory Fitbit wrist vibrations when I hit 10,000 steps during a lesson.

6:00 riding lesson, right on schedule.

Exhibit B: My nice jackets

Some people have a shopping problem when it comes to shoes. Others have a shopping problem when it comes to purses. I have a shopping problem when it comes to jackets. This is a particularly peculiar fascination considering the fact that I live in the warm and humid city of Houston.

Jackets with useful features fascinate me the most.

• It zips into its own pocket? Excellent.
• It’s water resistant and windproof yet not noisy? I must have.
• It tapers in at the waist and has a quilted pattern? How equestrian!

Without fail the jackets I purchase for city life end up at the barn. If I’m outside on a chilly Houston night (we do sometimes get down below freezing here!), I’m at the barn.

Add that jacket to the ‘barn clothes’ side of the closet.

Exhibit C: My Shoes

I love my Toms. I love my Keds. I love my comfortable flats. I always wear my riding boots when I’m working with horses, but if I’m just at the barn to audit a clinic or drop off a check, I’ll often wear my comfy shoes.

More often than not, this results in barn dust (potentially manure remnants) and most definitely a barn smell on my shoes. The good news? I love the barn smell.

Have you ever blurred the lines between nonhorsey and horsey apparel and gadgets?

Allison Griest is a freelance writer based in Texas. Follow her on Twitter: @allisongriest.

The post All Gear is Horse Gear appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

There’s only one way to celebrate an accomplishment…

My training for this personal accomplishment was anything but ‘by the books’. I’ve never been a traditional runner.

• Until I got my iPhone three years ago (I was late to the smartphone game), I never knew how far or how fast I ran. I just went for a run – always with my partner in crime, Patch (a Mini Aussie).
• I never listen to music when I run. Running, for me, is a chance to be outside and hear nature (or city sounds) around me.
• I’m uninterested, or rather unmotivated, by a need for speed when I run. I am happy jogging along at a 10:00-mile pace. Sometimes Patch and I average closer to 10:30-minute miles. We enjoy every moment of our runs.

While I did allow (make) myself to miss television premieres and encouraged myself (through many internal monologues) to eat a balanced and healthy diet while hydrating throughout the day, I refused to give up my weekly riding lessons. My marathon goal was important, but let’s be realistic – running a marathon did not rank about above horsey time on my list of priorities.

Therefore, when it came down to deciding my recovery activity for the day after my marathon, it was an easy decision: go horseback riding.

I had a great night’s sleep after my race, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t tighten up too much the following day. (My hamstrings were my problem area post-race. I needed to keep moving.)

People called me crazy for going to the barn after my marathon, but honestly, I don’t think there was a better recovery option for me. It made me move in ways I would have been reluctant to move otherwise. For example, as I bent down to pick out my horse’s feet and put on her boots, I realized it was the first time all day that I had bent over to that extent. My hamstrings were so tight that I had actively avoided bending down in any capacity.

My trainer, a runner herself, promised to not go to extremes in my lesson. We focused on flatwork and she graciously avoided anything that required me to drop my stirrups.

The bottom line: horses make my heart happy. No better way to relax and reflect on an accomplishment than to spend time in the saddle.

Allison Griest is a freelance writer based in Texas. Follow her on Twitter: @allisongriest.

The post The Post-Marathon Recovery Ride appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

It’s a widely known fact that practicing any sport that differs from your regular routine can leave you with sore muscles, and as avid equestrians, we know horseback riding requires a unique set of muscles. Non- riders, like your nonhorsey friends who take the odd trail ride while on vacation, can attest to having sore legs and a tender seat afterwards.

Try out these three strengthening moves just for riders >>

But as active horse enthusiasts who do more than just ride, we know there are some barn chores that require muscle groups we don’t necessarily use when we ride. Perhaps the chore is moving a hay bale or a sack of grain, or maybe it’s spending hours in the stance of a baseball catcher while painstakingly wrapping a horse’s legs.

There’s also the ultimate barn chore: mucking out a stall. For me, this is what causes me the most discomfort. Since I lesson and don’t own a horse, I don’t muck out a stall every day. In fact, when I do muck out two to three stalls in one day, chances are my hands are close to a blister here or there, and my back and shoulders are super tight. If you do clean many stalls every day, that repetitive motion or overuse of your dominant side for scooping and lifting can lead to chronic aches and pains unless you make a point to properly train your muscles.

I asked my friend Brittney Light, certified personal trainer, to suggest some strength training exercises that will help me work the muscles I use when I muck out a stall. I call it my ‘Muck Out Workout’. Next time you can schedule some time for a workout at the gym or at home, give these three exercises a try!

Deadlift

The deadlift is an excellent exercise that focuses on the lower back.

“The deadlift is an exercise that is important for people of all ages and all levels of athletic ability,” explains Light. “Without a strong lower back, we can wreak havoc on all our muscles which can lead to chronic pain. Think of the lower back as the base of a tree. Without a strong base the tree will fall.”

The repeated bending motion we make when we move a very full shovel from the floor of a stall to the wheelbarrow can cause stress on the lower back, so this is a great move to try. In this video, Brittney guides you through the steps to ensure you do this exercise safely and effectively.

Ring Pull-Ups

Ring pull-ups are a great exercise that works the upper back muscles that you use when you shovel shavings or manure. Brittney really likes this exercise for all athletes, including beginners. You can modify this exercise based on the angle you create between your body and the floor.

Banded Row

This exercise focuses on the upper back and upper lat muscles we use when we shovel a stall. The exercise doesn’t require much equipment – you simply use a band to imitate a row machine. Brittney talks you through this movement in the video below.

Whether you muck out a stall every day or once every two months, give some of these exercises a trial run. Hopefully they’ll help you feel stronger, more balanced, and best of all, less sore.

The post The Muck Out Workout appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Gray horses are beautiful. Their eyes contrast with their coats in a captivating way. Many grays change colors as they age, from dappled to flea-bitten, and it’s fascinating to see the way they mature.

Gray horses are also high maintenance if you want them to stay a whiter shade of pale—as opposed to green, yellow or the color of dirt.

I don’t think I pick gray horses; somehow they find me. The pony I grew up riding is a gray; the horse I showed when I lived in Kentucky is a gray off-the-track Thoroughbred, and the horse I now lease and show in Texas is also a gray Thoroughbred.

I love all horses, but the special ones who make a deep, permanent mark on my heart happen to be gray. I’m reminded of this constantly. Not just because I look forward to riding and spending time with my amazing grays, but because their hairs come with me.
Everywhere.

When I take a gray horse to a show, I’m likely one of the first riders at the showgrounds, especially if my class is early in the day. I need to bathe my horse, and the bath I gave her before we left the barn has likely become obsolete. One bath might not even get out those darn green stains. I’m prepared to scrub.

My current partner in crime, Q, has a habit of rubbing her head on anyone who isn’t paying attention. And those short, white forehead hairs don’t easily brush off.

If I’ve been with a gray horse, you can tell by the white hairs on my shirt. There’s a slight chance that a white shirt will camouflage the hairs, but I’ve likely allowed slime from a horse or paws from a barn dog to dirty my white shirt anyway.

Gray horse hair has this magic ability to transcend borders. Despite my best efforts to keep my horsey belongings (breeches, jackets, saddle pads, et cetera) in a corner of the laundry room, there are white hairs everywhere. In my washer, on my coffee table, next to my jewelry box … no place is safe.

My car suffers the worst. It’s the buffer between the barn and my house, meaning any hair I didn’t manage to remove before leaving the barn and getting into the car may end up floating around the car. If I offer to drive my work colleagues to lunch, I end up awkwardly apologizing when their black and navy slacks have white horse hairs on them. I promise I’m a clean person. I just ride a gray!

In the winter, my gray horsey partner is not gray, white, or a mixture of gray and white, but is of a yellowish hue. And it’s too cold for a full bath. So sometimes in the colder months, I ride a yellow horse.

And while it might seem that I’m complaining about grays, I promise it’s the opposite.

I absolutely love grays, and I think the evidence is obvious. I wear my gray horse hairs with pride, and if anyone asks, I welcome the opportunity to explain my horsey habit.

Allison Griest is a freelance writer based in Texas. Follow Allison on Twitter: @allisongriest.

This article originally appeared in the September 2015 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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