Spark Equestrian

01/08/2024

I say this all the time, hips back! Shoulders and hips are your heaviest parts so they have to balance each other out!

08/11/2023

Keep working until you get to your goal.
If you want something and it requires work, don't do half the work. Go above and beyond to achieve your goal. Too many people now, think that making an attempt or showing effort is sufficient. So do the things you enjoy, but appreciate what goes into it. Riding isn't easy, good riders have not ridden easy horses over easy courses. Learn from the mistakes, or even failures, get back up, and do it better the next time!
Don't let a little plastic lid stop you from getting breakfast.🦝

07/30/2023

To maintain an attached, supple balance of your seat …

Imagine your stirrups are like a trampoline. You cannot brace into a trampoline, but if you keep your ankles, knees and hips soft and able to bend, you can maintain your balance on the trampoline.

Stephany Fish Crossman is a USDF bronze and silver medalist as well as one of only nine accredited coaches for Mary Wanless’ Ride With Your Mind Biomechanics System in the U.S. She is currently based in Brooksville, Florida, with her husband, Chris, who is a cattle rancher; her two horses that she’s taking up the levels; and her pet cows.

🎨: Sandy Rabinowitz

07/27/2023

: Boundaries are important. Your horse shouldn’t be pushy in your space. Your trainer shouldn’t pressure you to do things you don’t feel ready to do. And you shouldn’t be pushy in your trainer’s space. Good students respect days off, downtime, and work hours; good trainers respect financial considerations, physical or time limitations, and a rider’s goals.

06/29/2023

With the Fourth of July festivities just around the corner, now is a good time to make preparations to keep your horses, farm animals and pets safe during any fireworks that will be happening in your area.

The graphic below lists some tips to get you started. If your horses are staying out overnight, be sure to check your fencing ahead of time and neutralize any hazards like rocks, branches or holes that could lead to injury if the animals start bolting. If you are concerned your animals may get loose, make sure your contact information is on a tag on the halter (provided i’is a breakaway one) or braided in their mane.
Some horses require sedation to help them get through. If you are really worried about your horse's safety, consult your veterinarian about calming agents.

This is also a good time to update and review your fire response program at your barn. Make sure you have the number for the fire department, everyone knows the address of the barn, plenty of fire extinguishers are available, and any fire hazards are removed from the barn.

No matter what your Independence Day plans are, above all please remember to practice safety and be considerate of the people and the animals living around you so EVERYONE may have an enjoyable celebration.

Happy 4th! 🇺🇸
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

06/10/2023

It's so important to have a properly fitted helmet. If your child is riding, you should educate yourself so you know if they are protected, or if the person you are dealing with knows what they are doing. Use the Brain Buckets!

Use the 5 Point Safety Check When Selecting a Helmet

10/25/2019

Two weeks ago we sent all of our horses to be rehomed. They are all doing well, but it does mean that lessons are on hold for now. We will be back when more concrete plants have been made! Thank you all!!!

10/11/2019

Give this a try to see how flexible you are! Absorbing shock through the knee and ankle is key to good balance, as well as keeping your heels down!

🌟The KNEE TO WALL TEST for horse riders🌟⁠
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The Knee To Wall test is a great way to assess functional ankle mobility for horse riders.⁠
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👉🏻⁠To perform the test:⁠
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➡️Stand facing a wall⁠
➡️Place the toes of one foot against the wall, and take a step backwards with the other leg.⁠
➡️Push your knee forwards until it touches the wall. ⁠
➡️See how far you can walk your foot backwards until your knee can no longer touch the wall.⁠
➡️Check that your foot is perpendicular to the wall and your heel is down. Make sure your hips are facing forwards and you are not twisting your body or leg in any way.⁠
➡️Record the maximum distance you’re able to achieve on both sides (measure from the wall to your big toe).⁠
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👉🏻Less than 5cm is generally considered poor ankle mobility, up to 10cm is acceptable, and more than 10cm is good.⁠
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👉🏻More importantly, you want to make sure that your mobility is EQUAL left and right which will ensure symmetrical shock absorption through the ankle joint.⁠
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🏇🏻🏋🏼‍♀️⚙️EQUESTRIAN BIOMECHANICS ⁠
www.equestrianbiomechanics.info⁠
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10/05/2019

We are celebrating Halloween all month! Emma and Josie rode at Compass Rose Farm for a 61% at Training 2, they also won the Junior Costume prize and massive kudos for riding through a tent blowing (and rolling around) in the wind! Everybody said Josie earned her carrots, and she agrees!

09/11/2019

Not a day many will forget. September 12th is the day we choose to remember. The coming together, the unfettered support regardless of differences, the United part of our great country.

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