Today, I only give you a short post- only a poem, written years ago. It's a beautiful poem; very few people can accurately describe the wonder of flying with horses, but this man knows. He's got it right.
What delight
To back the flying steed, that challenges
The wind for speed! - seems native more of air
Than earth! - whose burden only lends him fire! -
Whose soul, in his task, turns labour into sport;
Who makes your pastime his! I sit him now!
He takes away my breath! He makes me reel!
I touch not earth - I see not - hear not. All
Is ecstasy of motion!
-James Sheridan Knowles, The Love-Chase
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Was Picasso a horseman?
You don't have to be a horse person to find horses beautiful. Artists around the world have created their own horses through a variety of mediums. It doesn't have to have a thousand pounds of muscle to be a horse: it just has to have four legs, four hooves, and a tail.
A steel stallion.
A driftwood horse sculpture has washed up on the beach!
A driftwood mare and foal in the forest.
A frozen Pegasus.
Frosty the SnowHorse!
A mighty rearing chestnut.
A driftwood mare and foal in the forest.
A frozen Pegasus.
Frosty the SnowHorse!
A mighty rearing chestnut.
A steel stallion.Maybe Picasso didn't ride horses, but that doesn't mean that artists can't appreciate their beauty. Through metal, stone, and wood, sculptors today are creating horses that will last for generations. (Well, except for those snow horses. They might melt.)
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Do's and Don'ts of Color Scheming
Okay, so my barn has been going through a bit of a shopping phase lately, and we're in the process of buying all new halters and saddle pads for our horses. People are throwing out their old, faded color schemes and trading them in for a brand new look- which has raised a very important question.
Which colors look good on which horses?
While the best way to decide on a color to complement your horse is through good ol' trial and error, there are a few rules of thumb from the equestrian fashion handbook that can help you select the color of your next saddle pad, blanket, or halters.
Note: In writing this post, I am considering only which colors will accent the horse best. I am thinking in terms of 'the schooling ring' and at home in the barn. If horse shows are a part of your normal routine, do take into account the attire allowed in the show ring, as some disciplines are a little more strict than others.
For light gray ("white") horses
Do: Choose dark colors; they can be either rich (i.e., navy and merlot) or bright (think dark violet or teal) depending on your preference.
Don't: Choose light or neutral colors, as these will blend in on your horse. This means generally avoiding pastels as well.
For darker gray horses
Do: Be careful about using whites and blacks, as either can be tricky depending upon your horse's precise shade. Go instead for bright pops of color that will contrast the dullness of the gray. Deep red, magenta, and dodger blues, and clover green are all pretty good bets. Darker shades of coral also tend to look nice.
Don't: Go for the dimmer shades like steel blue, lavender, or olive.
For bay horses
Do: Consider the red quality of your horses coat. Darker bays with little red look good in a scarlet or crimson saddle pad; ruddier bays may not necessarily be suited to red or orange based accessories. White always looks good on a bay horse and can be positively stunning on a darker bay. Icy colors can also complement a fiery coat. (Consider shades of mint green and turquoise, but be willing to test them first.)
Don't: Use black unless your horse's body is positively red. And please, don't use beiges or golden colors.
For chestnuts
Do: Evaluate the red tones in your horse, as you would a bay. Do avoid reds unless the horse is that golden brown that people like to call sorrel. Dark blue (particularly midnight blue, with its grayish undertone) tends to complement the orange shade of the coat. Use black or white if you are looking for something more conservative or traditional. Emerald or mint greens are also good, depending on the richness of the coat color. If you want something lighter, periwinkles or blue/green pastels can work.
Don't: Assume that one color fits all. The varying shades of chestnut make it difficult to generalize. Consider contrasting orangey shades with blues and redder coats with greens. And don't assume that black and white mean boring. Play with piping around a black or white saddle pad or consider mixing and matching lead ropes on a black halter to play it safe while still adding the zest of color.
For palominos
Do: Head for the purples and violets. They look fabulous on palominos! Also consider some rich pinks. Teals and blue, too, generally look great.
Don't: Be afraid to try a color. Many colors look good on palomino horses, but... Don't assume every color is safe. Orange and yellow based colors can be a big misstep on yellow-based horse coats.
For black horses
Do: Try pastels (seafoam green, dusty rose, alice blue, lavender) or bright, vibrant colors (dandelion yellow, shamrock green, raspberry red, or even neons for the more adventurous horses and riders). Of course, white is always acceptable, but a tan-based neutral is always a lovely alternative.
Don't: Buy dark colors like navy and don't assume that hunter greens are okay (more often than not, they aren't). Also, don't forget that black and orange are often associated with Halloween, so be wary when looking at those corals or salmons.
In general, light colors on a light horse can look washed out, while darker colors on the same horse will add contrast and please the eye. Similarly, dark colors on dark horses blend in, while lighter or brighter colors complement the coat. Dull coats often look best when contrasted against bright colors, and bright coats can be complemented by cooler or duller colors. Also, consider the red factor in your horse's color before settling on a color scheme. Red horse + red color = no complement.
However, color is an art, not a science. There is no formula for figuring out what color your horse looks best in, and everyone's aesthetic is slightly different. If you're choosing a color swatch for your horse, be sure to seek the opinions of other riders and rely on your own good judgement to come to a final decision.
Which colors look good on which horses?
While the best way to decide on a color to complement your horse is through good ol' trial and error, there are a few rules of thumb from the equestrian fashion handbook that can help you select the color of your next saddle pad, blanket, or halters.
Note: In writing this post, I am considering only which colors will accent the horse best. I am thinking in terms of 'the schooling ring' and at home in the barn. If horse shows are a part of your normal routine, do take into account the attire allowed in the show ring, as some disciplines are a little more strict than others.
For light gray ("white") horses
Do: Choose dark colors; they can be either rich (i.e., navy and merlot) or bright (think dark violet or teal) depending on your preference.
Don't: Choose light or neutral colors, as these will blend in on your horse. This means generally avoiding pastels as well.
For darker gray horses
Do: Be careful about using whites and blacks, as either can be tricky depending upon your horse's precise shade. Go instead for bright pops of color that will contrast the dullness of the gray. Deep red, magenta, and dodger blues, and clover green are all pretty good bets. Darker shades of coral also tend to look nice.
Don't: Go for the dimmer shades like steel blue, lavender, or olive.
For bay horses
Do: Consider the red quality of your horses coat. Darker bays with little red look good in a scarlet or crimson saddle pad; ruddier bays may not necessarily be suited to red or orange based accessories. White always looks good on a bay horse and can be positively stunning on a darker bay. Icy colors can also complement a fiery coat. (Consider shades of mint green and turquoise, but be willing to test them first.)
Don't: Use black unless your horse's body is positively red. And please, don't use beiges or golden colors.
For chestnuts
Do: Evaluate the red tones in your horse, as you would a bay. Do avoid reds unless the horse is that golden brown that people like to call sorrel. Dark blue (particularly midnight blue, with its grayish undertone) tends to complement the orange shade of the coat. Use black or white if you are looking for something more conservative or traditional. Emerald or mint greens are also good, depending on the richness of the coat color. If you want something lighter, periwinkles or blue/green pastels can work.
Don't: Assume that one color fits all. The varying shades of chestnut make it difficult to generalize. Consider contrasting orangey shades with blues and redder coats with greens. And don't assume that black and white mean boring. Play with piping around a black or white saddle pad or consider mixing and matching lead ropes on a black halter to play it safe while still adding the zest of color.
For palominos
Do: Head for the purples and violets. They look fabulous on palominos! Also consider some rich pinks. Teals and blue, too, generally look great.
Don't: Be afraid to try a color. Many colors look good on palomino horses, but... Don't assume every color is safe. Orange and yellow based colors can be a big misstep on yellow-based horse coats.
For black horses
Do: Try pastels (seafoam green, dusty rose, alice blue, lavender) or bright, vibrant colors (dandelion yellow, shamrock green, raspberry red, or even neons for the more adventurous horses and riders). Of course, white is always acceptable, but a tan-based neutral is always a lovely alternative.
Don't: Buy dark colors like navy and don't assume that hunter greens are okay (more often than not, they aren't). Also, don't forget that black and orange are often associated with Halloween, so be wary when looking at those corals or salmons.
In general, light colors on a light horse can look washed out, while darker colors on the same horse will add contrast and please the eye. Similarly, dark colors on dark horses blend in, while lighter or brighter colors complement the coat. Dull coats often look best when contrasted against bright colors, and bright coats can be complemented by cooler or duller colors. Also, consider the red factor in your horse's color before settling on a color scheme. Red horse + red color = no complement.
However, color is an art, not a science. There is no formula for figuring out what color your horse looks best in, and everyone's aesthetic is slightly different. If you're choosing a color swatch for your horse, be sure to seek the opinions of other riders and rely on your own good judgement to come to a final decision.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
5 feet of air, 1000 pounds of horse, 100% fearless
Sometimes, we need a little reminder as to why we ride. It's not because we love to soar over five foot fences; most of us never will. We love to ride because the horse will carry us over six foot fences. There is an unmistakable bond between horse and rider that is one of the strongest forces in the world. Once it's forged, a horse will carry you through anything: hell and heaven included.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
They're a bit like human martingales...
Lately, I can't seem to stop window shopping online. Sites like Kaboodle and Etsy make it too easy to waste the day browsing through pages of things that I don't need and would never use and are most likely overpriced. But that doesn't stop me from looking. Etsy has a ton of handmade and/or vintage equestrian-themed items for sale, and if you're looking for some unique presents for your stable managers or trainers or any horse-lover, I'd recommend the website. In the past five minutes alone, I've stumbled across three very different horse necklaces, all of which I like. Check them out: (Click on the picture to jump to the necklace's page on Etsy.)
I love this simple, silver horsehead necklace. It looks slightly abstract to me (in a good way) and, when you read the dimensions (1 1/4 inch length, 1 inch width), you'll notice that the pendant is small. I personally prefer smaller necklaces if the pendant is horse-related, because I feel like I can wear it without getting too many eye rolls from my friends. The necklace comes in a few variations, such as this lovely pendant, in which two horse heads form a heart. There are also earrings available, if you're not a necklace person.
This style of necklace seems to popular with my friends right now, and while I don't really agree with the trend, there is something to be said for this pendant. Maybe it's the juxtaposition between the circle and the horseshoe that makes it unique. I don't really know, but it is pretty cute.
Isn't this precious? It's vintage copper embossed with a horseshoe- very old-fashioned. I love lockets, so this definitely struck a chord. I really like the heart shape and the flower embellishment at the bottom. Just another example of some of the wonderful things you can unearth on Etsy.
So, what about you? Does anyone have any favorite equestrian jewelers or a favorite piece of jewelry they'd like to share? At my barn, almost everyone has some form of horseshoe necklace; it's tradition to wear it whenever we ride, and we certainly never enter the show ring unless its somewhere on our person! There's just something about equestrian necklaces that we riders love; I think we just like keeping our horses close to our heart.
I love this simple, silver horsehead necklace. It looks slightly abstract to me (in a good way) and, when you read the dimensions (1 1/4 inch length, 1 inch width), you'll notice that the pendant is small. I personally prefer smaller necklaces if the pendant is horse-related, because I feel like I can wear it without getting too many eye rolls from my friends. The necklace comes in a few variations, such as this lovely pendant, in which two horse heads form a heart. There are also earrings available, if you're not a necklace person.This style of necklace seems to popular with my friends right now, and while I don't really agree with the trend, there is something to be said for this pendant. Maybe it's the juxtaposition between the circle and the horseshoe that makes it unique. I don't really know, but it is pretty cute.
Isn't this precious? It's vintage copper embossed with a horseshoe- very old-fashioned. I love lockets, so this definitely struck a chord. I really like the heart shape and the flower embellishment at the bottom. Just another example of some of the wonderful things you can unearth on Etsy.So, what about you? Does anyone have any favorite equestrian jewelers or a favorite piece of jewelry they'd like to share? At my barn, almost everyone has some form of horseshoe necklace; it's tradition to wear it whenever we ride, and we certainly never enter the show ring unless its somewhere on our person! There's just something about equestrian necklaces that we riders love; I think we just like keeping our horses close to our heart.
To those who've dreamt of flying horses:
It's days like these when I find it easy to write. The house is quiet, the weather is beautiful, I've just finished February's issue of Practical Horseman, and I don't have a hope of getting to the barn for at least another three days. It's an atmosphere that's very conducive to blogs like this, because I'm sitting here thinking about all the riders like myself, stranded at home, who need a place on the internet where they can just be "horse people".
Maybe you've been riding for twenty years. Or twenty days. Or maybe you only own an arthritic ex-racehorse who spends his days hobbling around the pasture and so you're not riding at all. That doesn't matter. We are all horse people. And sometimes, we just need to be around people who "get it".
That's my mission with Flying Horses: to connect you with the equestrian world. Through feel-good stories and news bits; through fashion, and videos, and book reviews. Through any means available. But obviously, this is my first post. I'm not quite there yet.
So I thought I'd share some links for you to check out, while you wait for Flying Horses to come to life:
http://www.fuglyblog.com/
Fugly Horse of the Day describes itself as "snarky commentary on the breeding of poor quality horses, silly or abusive training techniques, and pretty much anything else..." They're not lying. It's a pretty addictive blog, and an eye-opener to some of the awful abuse/neglect/just plain bad riding that goes on in the world. Fugly never fails to amuse, disgust, and enlighten- all in one post.
http://equestrianlife.com/
This site makes me smile, because it's like a mini facebook for riders. There are status updates and groups you can join. But it's also a good source of information. You can browse sale ads, local farms, and upcoming events in your area. There are also some instructional articles and videos for you. It's a good website, and it would be even better if it gained a little more popularity; I hope it starts to catch on.
http://equestriantimes.com/index1.shtml
The Equestrian Times is an online news network that covers virtually every big news event in the English riding world. While you have to pay a fee to have full access to the articles, you can always browse the headlines for a quick brush-up on what's happening in the equestrian world.
http://www.thebrowncow.com/
I've always loved horsehair bracelets, but due to the fact that it takes so much work to get the hair, wash it, and braid it, those kind of bracelets are usually pretty expensive. Brown Cow's horsehair bracelets are extremely cheap, and (in my opinion) really cute. They'd make a good Valentine's day present, or just a nice treat for yourself.
Maybe you've been riding for twenty years. Or twenty days. Or maybe you only own an arthritic ex-racehorse who spends his days hobbling around the pasture and so you're not riding at all. That doesn't matter. We are all horse people. And sometimes, we just need to be around people who "get it".
That's my mission with Flying Horses: to connect you with the equestrian world. Through feel-good stories and news bits; through fashion, and videos, and book reviews. Through any means available. But obviously, this is my first post. I'm not quite there yet.
So I thought I'd share some links for you to check out, while you wait for Flying Horses to come to life:
http://www.fuglyblog.com/
Fugly Horse of the Day describes itself as "snarky commentary on the breeding of poor quality horses, silly or abusive training techniques, and pretty much anything else..." They're not lying. It's a pretty addictive blog, and an eye-opener to some of the awful abuse/neglect/just plain bad riding that goes on in the world. Fugly never fails to amuse, disgust, and enlighten- all in one post.
http://equestrianlife.com/
This site makes me smile, because it's like a mini facebook for riders. There are status updates and groups you can join. But it's also a good source of information. You can browse sale ads, local farms, and upcoming events in your area. There are also some instructional articles and videos for you. It's a good website, and it would be even better if it gained a little more popularity; I hope it starts to catch on.
http://equestriantimes.com/index1.shtml
The Equestrian Times is an online news network that covers virtually every big news event in the English riding world. While you have to pay a fee to have full access to the articles, you can always browse the headlines for a quick brush-up on what's happening in the equestrian world.
http://www.thebrowncow.com/
I've always loved horsehair bracelets, but due to the fact that it takes so much work to get the hair, wash it, and braid it, those kind of bracelets are usually pretty expensive. Brown Cow's horsehair bracelets are extremely cheap, and (in my opinion) really cute. They'd make a good Valentine's day present, or just a nice treat for yourself.
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