megs2129 asked:


I do horseback riding and let’s just say I’m pretty old. Its very fun and I love the horses. I was just wondering who else does horseback who is old?

RUBEN

Tenzin Pemo asked:


Most people would inherently shudder at the sight of the Death tarot card, but they have likely entirely misinterpreted its meaning!

In divination, Death rarely means a physical death of the flesh, but instead it simply means a change. Remember the Hanged Man? Death is his next step, wherein he must truly shed all his past beliefs, relationships, hobbies, etc.

Only the most amateur tarot card readers would immediately jump to the conclusion that Death implies that a person’s time is running out on Earth (though it could indeed be a warning of that). It is more of a possibility that a transformation is in the cards for somebody!

1) The Skeleton on Horseback

Pictured on the Death tarot card is always a skeleton riding a horse, carrying a black flag with a white flower on it. Sometimes, there is a rising sun and/or sad people (including a child) in the background.

Death is indeed one of the more melancholy cards of the deck, as it resembles an end. But the rising sun offers hope for a new tomorrow, a new beginning.

2) The Story

The story behind Death is pretty simple and it follows that of the Hanged Man. After the Hanged Man leaves the tree, he stumbles through a desolate, cold field and sees a skeleton on horseback against the backdrop of a rising sun.

The image is startling to him, as it makes him feel empty and sad inside. The man asks Am I dead? The skeleton’s reply is: In a way. Your old self, your old way of life, is over.

While this makes the man very distraught, the skeleton elaborates, promising that he now has a new chance at living a different life. The man and the skeleton resemble each other; both are bare-bonded in a sense. But this state of depravity is only temporary!

3) The Scorpion

The sign of the card, Scorpio, boasts three forms: a scorpion, a serpent, and an eagle. This implies transformation! It also stands for *** and death. What does this say about the card?

4) Why Death is not so scary!

The Death tarot card typically has a surprising meaning: rebirth. Without death, you cannot have life. So do not think about Death in such a narrow and limiting away.

It may very well mean that you have been reborn as a person. Did you just quit a job, get a divorce, abandon a religion, or have your children moved out of the house?

These are all examples of why you may be presented with the Death tarot card and these are all opportunities to take on new adventures in life.

What is the dream job you never pursued? What did you always hope retirement would hold for you? A new chapter of your book has begun; it’s time to embrace it.

Is the Death tarot card always so metaphorical? Not necessarily. Depending on the situation, Death can mean physical death. Perhaps a loved one closed to you is battling cancer or you have taken life for granted and need to be reminded that time is fleeting.

5) Dealing with Loss

Whatever the case, loss is sad, even if it signals a brighter, better future on the horizon. But even physical death is hardly the end of the world! In fact, it is just a part of the never-ending cycle that makes the world go round.

Members of American society often have trouble confronting the aging process and inevitable death, but the Death tarot card teaches us not to be afraid of this fact of life. If we can’t escape death, then we should learn not to fear it. The tarot cards teach us this.

Chances are, you should not start writing out your will if you get the Death tarot card though. The likelihood is you have completed one part of your life and are moving onto another one.

Did you just buy a new house, get married, or pick up a new hobby? The tarot cards are special tools because they can describe and predict many things; don’t ever interpret them literally but instead consider the entire context of them.

6) Upside Down Death

When the Death card is turned upside down, the meaning does not change, but it does become weaker. Maybe the need of a transformation is not as great.

The reversed Death tarot card often connotes a more painful change, whether physical or mental. Menopause, sickness, divorce, dropping out of college, etc, these are some ideas of what an upside down Death tarot card could refer to.



NOE

Susan asked:


Ever tried a horseback riding beach vacation or something like a beach horse riding tour? Horse riding vacations can be real fun. Beach horse riding tours are coming up in a big way.

A romantic beach horse riding tour

Horse riding beach vacations promise great enjoyment and adventure. On a horseback riding vacation, you get a chance to go around the beach and enjoy the beautiful scenic waters in the calm breeze. The music of the gushing waters can offer a tremendous opportunity to enjoy the pleasant company of nature. You can peep into your heart and be yourself. Couples can grab this Wonga Beach Horse Riding Tours to take a glimpse of each others eye or enjoy some fun racing. Besides this, the sound of a horse galloping can be musical. You can enjoy the view of the beach side and remain in sync with the rising sun and the beautiful nature around.

A dream adventure

This sporting opportunity called horseback riding beach vacation can be highly indulging. With immense excitement and adrenaline rush you can move about sketchily on the golden sands of the beach. This can be an exploratory experience where you can shun your inhibitions and de-stress. Infact group beach Horse Back Tours Port Douglas have been extremely popular. Tourists from across countries come up on these beaches exclusively to capitalize on a horse riding beach vacation. It promises unparallel pleasure. If you ever had a dream to live carefree and enjoy the best gifts of life, a beach horse riding tour is what you have been longing for. Your dreams come true when you feel your hair flying back with the strong wind, being stationed on a horseback with the saddle in your hand.

Information that will help you

If you are coming up for a beach horse riding tour you need to ensure that you do not leave your essentials behind in your car. A pair of long boots for hiking, sunscreen lotion for a beautiful face, long pants, water bottle, etc will help you be at ease on the emerald beaches. Be sure to ask the concerned person about the necessary precautions, rules and regulations in order to avoid any unforeseen circumstances later. You must be well aware of the area that you must be restricting your horseback riding beach vacation tour to. You must also empathize with the horse and treat it gently.

Where to find them?

There are many beaches that offer horse riding tours across the world. However, you need to first make a choice of the destination. Once this is done, you can confirm whether there is a beach horse riding opportunity there. This will help you to avoid ambiguity and clear the air beforehand. Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA are some popular countries offering beach horseback riding vacation packages for tourists and locals. The price of the packages is highly affordable and reasonable. There have been a large number of takers and the numbers never go down. It is promising. It is true fun. It offers total de-stress. You can’t miss it!



STEPHAN

Margarethe De Clermont asked:


Do you have a secret horse riding dream that you never had time or inclination to pursue?

A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence. -Pam Brown

Then it may be time to enlist the services of a personal life coach that work exclusively with equestrians. A life coach who can share your horse riding dreams, work with you towards it and celebrate with you when you achieve it.

Your equestrian life coach is your horse riding cheerleader.

A life coach offers you support and commitment, and use specialised professional skills to provide inspiration, motivation and encouragement. You will greatly benefit from life coaching if:

You are a beginner, whatever you age, and this whole-distance-to-the-ground, why-does-he-go-so-fast, I-want-to-get-off-now thing is getting the better of you

Or if you had an unfortunate encounter with some errant hooves, teeth or a telephone pole

Or if your horse bolted for the first time ever and tried to rub you off on a fence

Or if you are getting older and are starting to doubt the wisdom of riding at your age

Or if you are frustrated because it feels as if you are making no progress with your riding whatsoever

Or if your riding performance suffer horribly from competition nerves

Coaching is a professional partnership between you and a qualified coach that encourages and supports the achievement of extraordinary results, based on the goals you have set. It is a form of experiential learning through conversation. The focus of the conversation is on the skills and actions needed to successfully produce well-defined outcomes.

The quantity and quality of results depend entirely on how much effort you are prepared to put in. Some people have major breakthroughs in the first session; for others it takes a little while longer. Everybody works at their own pace.

Common benefits people equestrians can expect from life coaching include:

Better performance during competitions

Improved sense of direction/focus in their riding

Increase self-knowledge/ awareness of themselves, their surroundings and their horse

Improved ability to relate to their horses and better understanding between horse and rider

Increased motivation (especially to muck out on a cold winter morning)

Increased ability to handle change and cope with horse riding challenges

The ability to master riding skills faster, making the riding experience more satisfying

Life Coaching mostly involve coach and client either meeting face-to-face or during a telephone conversation. Due to the time-deprived and demanding lives that we live these days life coaching has evolved to fit into our busy schedules in the form of e-coaching.

E-coaching is personal life coaching by e-mail. Equestrian e-Coaching is a fantastic, flexible, low-cost way to receive the wonderful benefits of life coaching. Its main benefit is that you can work at your own pace, in your own time and in your own home. No fixed appointments or deadlines hanging over your head. E-coaching is ideal for horse riders and horse owners who are already seriously stressed for time.

Horsemanship is not merely a matter of bodily skills, but is based on scholarship and, therefore, is a matter of the mind and intellect. Good horsemanship is based on proper character development and, therefore, is also a matter of mentality and spirit. Without the correct attitudes and insights, there cannot be the right sport. -Charles de Knuffy



NOEL

Margarethe De Clermont asked:


One thing I have learnt during my struggles to become a better horseback rider is definitely non-negotiable: Whatever it is that you want to achieve with your horse and your riding, there is one fundamental concept you have to accept in all its complexity: you have to exercise you mind with as much diligence as you exercise your body.

There is a vast variety of mental exercises at the thinking rider’s disposal: mental rehearsal, anchoring, resourceful state induction, eradicating limiting beliefs with affirmations, reframing, perceptual positioning and many more at least one to suit every rider, though most riders prefer to use their own combination of techniques. The following ten are some of the greatest confidence boosters for horseback riders.

1. Start by accepting yourself exactly as you are. You are good enough exactly as you are now. That does not mean that there is no room for improvement, just that you are perfectly acceptable in whatever state or condition you are right now. And while you are at it, give your horse a break and accept him too, just as he is now.

2. Mental rehearsal

Athletes every where use this technique to prepare themselves form competitions. Imagining and fine tuning every step of their performance results in a dramatically enhanced outcome.

3. Installing anchors

An anchor is a stimulus that generates a specific state of mind. For example, touching a thumb to an index finger while holding the reins could be an anchor that will make you feel more confident in the saddle.

4. Journaling

Keeping a journal or training can be a powerful confidence booster. When you feel as if your training is going nowhere, you can look back at past achievements to remind yourself that one often feel discouraged just before one’s greatest breakthroughs.

5. Hypnosis

The power of suggestion to the sub-conscious mind can not be neglected. I believe it is an essential supplement to the thinking rider’s mental toolkit.

6. Practice Gratitude

Be grateful for everything you have achieved so far, no matter how small and insignificant a goal it was. Get a gratitude attitude.

7. Goal setting

Your self-esteem, awareness, ability to communicate with horses and people, energy and happiness can all be amplified by your use of goal setting. This type of confidence-building takes time, although the sense of achievement when you reach that elusive star, is an instantaneous confidence booster. So aim for the moon, if you miss it you will still land amongst the stars.

8. Reframing

In reframing you choose what an event will mean to you and how you are going to respond to it emotionally. After a dressage test you can focus intentionally on what went well, instead of every little thing that went wrong. Usually we tend to maximise our blunders, even if they are by far in the minority. Often we are blind and deaf to our own successes.

9. Get rid of limiting beliefs

Most of us have very rigid ideas of who we are, what we can or can’t do, what we do or don’t believe about horses and riding, about instructors and farriers and vets. Very few of us are willing to adjust our beliefs even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Instead of changing our beliefs, we get even more entrenched in our comfort zone, and decide instead to find some one or something else to blame: our horse, for example. Or the weather, another rider, the course planner, the trainer, our instructor etc. etc.

10. Discover your learning style and stage

Your mental fitness determines how efficiently you learn; how easily you remember new information and master new skills. How effectively you can use your brain to achieve the goals you aim for is subject to your level of mental fitness.

Start your mental fitness program today. You get mentally fit in exactly the same way as you get fit physically. By exercising your mental muscles. Daily, preferably. Otherwise as often as you can find time. The fitter you are mentally, the more spectacular the increase in your confidence.



KARL

Mr. Chef asked:


I know a girl that likes horseback riding. I was wondering does anyone know of a good place to go horseback riding in new york or new jersey? That offers horse back riding and other fun activities? like hiking or anything of that nature thanx I am trying to “WOW” this girl .

ANTON

Sandra Olivier asked:


p for a unique safari experience? Are you looking for close encounters with nature? Would you like to become one with the bush and wildlife? In the Kalahari Desert Reserve guests get treated to memorable horseback safaris for the whole family or as a romantic adventure for two.

Horse rides take place across picturesque grassy plains and rolling Kalahari dunes with views across the desert landscape. Most guests are novice riders, and therefore there are horses that are suitable for riders with no previous riding experience. Horses are child friendly which provides for a very special African family safari experience. For children and adults alike, there is nothing like seeing animals in the wild or watching the sun set over a never ending horizon. It is truly unforgettable experience to do this on horseback, part of nature and completely out of sight of anything man-made.

Visitors can ride out to the rolling sand dunes and find a beautiful picnic lunch or a splendid candle lit dune dinner awaiting them. A dune dinner is an enchanting experience, offering the vastness of the “diamond studded” Kalahari night sky, Relais & Chateaux rated culinary delights and the sounds of silence penetrated occasionally with the roars and cries of the African bush.

The Kalahari Desert has a variety of horses that includes the following breeds: Percheron X, Boerperd, Boerperd X, Quarter Horse X, Thoroughbred , Appaloosa, and Arab X. An experienced horse guide and backup rider accompany all rides. Horses are schooled in the Western style of reining and trained for trail riding. Riders need only bring jodhpurs or can ride with comfortable trousers. Gloves, boots, hard hats as well as short and long chaps will all be supplied.

Surrounding the rugged Korannaberg Mountains in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, this Kalahari Desert Reserve covers 1000km2 (100 000 ha) of land on the edge of the mysterious desert wilderness that is the Kalahari. You will be able the find over 70 species of mammal which will include the Kalahari lion, cheetah, and desert black rhino, sable and roan antelope in this Reserve. More than 200 species of bird can also be found.

Horseback riding on safari gives riders an up close and natural experience of timeless Africa. Riders become part of the African landscape, becoming one with nature and their surroundings. You get to see wildlife, and scenery which might be missed on a more conventional vehicle safari trip. At this Kalahari Desert Reserve, the game viewing opportunities are unparalleled in terms of South African safaris. Horse riding alongside various wild animals across the savannah, embracing the sights and sounds of Africa, is an truly unforgettable experience. Don’t miss out!



JAMES

dresscloth asked:


ots are boots made to be used for horseback riding. The classic boot comes high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the saddle from pinching the leg of the rider, has a sturdy toe to protect the rider’s foot when on the ground, and has a distinct heel to prevent the foot from sliding through the stirrup. The sole is smooth or lightly textured to avoid being caught on the tread of the stirrup in the event of a fall.

lucky t-shirtThe modern riding boot is relatively low-heeled, with a heel of less than one inch, though historically a higher heel was common, as it has always been critically important for riding boots to prevent the foot from slipping through the stirrup. Today, only some styles of cowboy boot retain a higher heel than other modern riding boots.

There are a number of different styles of riding boots, intended for different styles of riding, from horse shows, to pleasure riding. Tall boots, which end just below the knee of the rider, include field, dress, and hunt boots. These are standard show apparel, worn by all competitors in the hunter/jumper and dressage disciplines. A lower, paddock boot that stops just above the ankle, is worn by children, some show competitors in the UK, Australia, and by those that show Saddle seat.

Field boots: have lacing at the ankle, which allows for some give so the rider is more comfortable riding with the highly flexed ankle that develops from the shorter stirrup length required for work over fences. Therefore, field boots are preferred in all jumping disciplines, including Hunt seat equitation, show jumping, fox hunting, and both jumping phases in eventing. They are also worn by police officers riding motorcycles or on mounted patrols, and by some police agencies as part of their “Class A” uniform or with ceremonial mounted units. The majority of field boots are black, although brown-colored boots may also be purchased.[1]

Dress boots: do not have lacing at the ankle, and are generally stiffer. They are worn by dressage riders, eventers in the dressage phase, and at formal fox hunts. They are also worn by riders of show jumpers. Dress boots are traditionally black in color.[1] A recent fad is dress boots for dressage that are cut to go extra high on the outside of the knee.

Hunt boots: like the dress boot, except it has a “cuff” at the top. The boot is usually black, with a tan cuff (traditional for male riders). It is appropriate for fox hunting.

Paddock boots, also known as Jodhpur boots, are short boots that come just above the ankle, used most often for pleasure riding and everyday use.[1] They are also required for Saddle seat style riding[2] and are frequently worn by children when showing in hunt seat disciplines because they are less costly for rapidly-growing children than are tall boots. They are sometimes combined with half chaps, also known as chapettes, for added protection or to give the visual impression of a tall boot. The lace-up style is primarily seen in hunt seat riding, whereas the elastic-sided Chelsea boot design is seen in both hunt seat and saddle seat disciplines. The elastic side boot is also commonly used in Australia as a riding boot and dress boot. They are part of the required attire in Australian Stock Horse turnout competitions and for Pony Club riding. Heavier versions, such as Blundstone boots, are made for general work and gardening but are not suitable for riding owing to their heavy, deep grooved soles.

Field boots (and many paddock boots) have an extra layer of leather on the toe, called a toe cap. All styles have somewhat tapered, round toes. Current styles include zip-on boots, with a zipper running down the back of the calf of a tall boot or the front of a paddock boot, making them easier to put on and remove without aid of boot hooks or a boot jack.

Brown high boots (field or dress) were somewhat more common before World War II, when the English riding habit lost popularity outside of formal and/or horse show events. The U.S. Army, whose officers had worn high brown boots until the 1930s, abandoned the practice in wartime. For a time, some show sanctioning organizations did not allow brown boots, considering them to be casual attire, although the rule has relaxed somewhat.

For western riding and showing, western riders wear cowboy boots, with either the high “cowboy” or “riding” heel; the intermediate, somewhat lower “walking” heel; or the low, “roper” style heel that is similar to that of English boots. The uppers may vary in height. The lowest is the “roper” style that stops just a bit above the ankle, about an inch or so higher than the English paddock boot. The most classic length is the mid-calf height that keeps the fenders of a western saddle from chafing the ankle and calf of the rider. The tallest cowboy boots are seldom seen outside of fashion venues, but have an upper that reaches nearly to the knee, is usually extensively decorated, but in the modern day is seldom used for actual horseback riding. For pleasure riding, lace-up boots, similar to English paddock boots, have become popular in recent years, though the classic pull-on boot still is common. Cowboy boots are traditionally made of smooth cowhide, though occasionally a boot style may be of a suede or “roughout” look. However, the uppers of more expensive varieties may be made of leather obtained from somewhat exotic creatures, including alligator, ostrich and snakeskin.

Traditionally, English riding boots are made of smooth leather, usually cowhide, or occasionally pigskin, and most show boots remain thus due to the classic look. However, synthetic leather, vinyl and other materials are becoming more common. Quality of leather varies, with softer, finer-quality increasing the value of the boot. For formal wear, patent leather is occasionally seen, particularly in jodhpur boots designed for Saddle seat horse show classes held after 6:00 pm, when formal attire may be worn in certain types of competition.

For casual riding, riders often wear well-worn show boots, but also may take advantage of new boot designs modeled after the athletic shoe or hiking boot that have been created, using space age synthetics and breathable materials to create what essentially is a “tennis shoe with a heel.”



BENNIE

Susanne Malloy asked:


Have you ever though about riding your horse barefoot, with the wind whipping through your hair? It does sound nice, doesn’t it? However, you might want to think twice about this idea and instead consider some suitable riding apparel. Riding apparel has a very important purpose - keeping you, the rider, safe as you go galloping around.

Boots are a must, whether you are an adherent of the English or Western style of riding. Wearing boots is not just for riding, but for all activities around horses including feeding, grooming, exercising, etc. After all, those hooves are very heavy and if your horse accidentally steps on your toes; well, let’s just say you’ll wish you’d worn boots. For riding, a boot with a heel is the best choice as it will prevent your foot from slipping through the stirrups. However, for working in your stable, you may want to pick up a pair of paddock boots or work boots. They’ll be more sturdy and durable, and often more comfortable.

Not very many people are excited about wearing a riding helmet. After all, one would hardly call them stylish. At the same time, a riding helmet can quite literally be a lifesaver in the event of a fall. Your baseball cap or cowboy hat will not provide adequate protection. Shop for a well-rated helmet specifically designed for horseback riding. Vented models can keep you cooler.

Long pants, breeches or jodhpurs should be worn when riding. They’ll protect your legs from the saddle and horse’s sweat and from brush, sticks and the elements.

In competitive riding, you’ll have to stow your regular riding wear and pull out your show clothes - whether riding English or Western. Each style has clothing requirements, and each season brings new styles. If you aren’t following both the rules and the styles, you’ll find it hard to win ribbons.

If the show you’re riding in asks for hunt seat attire, then you’ll have to wear a riding shirt which is either white or pinstriped. You’ll also need breeches, a hunting cap, dress riding boots and a wool riding jacket. Riding gloves are also customary in these events. Breeches and jacket can be any dark color, but you may want to find out what colors are “in” before making an investment in them. Being out of style may not win you favor with the judges or the audience.

You’ll need to dress formal for dressage riding. You’ll need a white shirt, a stock tie (which should be fastened with a horse-themed pin), white or tan breeches, black jacket and dress boots, as well as a helmet or hunt cap. If it is a saddle seat competition, then you’ll want dark jodhpurs, jodhpur boots, a riding derby, a dark jacket and white riding shirt.

Western riders wear different clothes depending on their gender. Men will need Western shirts, ties, belts (leather with silver buckles), felt cowboy hats, riding boots, jeans and chaps. Women will be attired in Western shirts, vest or jacket, riding boots, felt hats and of course, jeans and chaps. In more intense sports, the ties and silver belt buckles are not required.



JOAQUIN

Margarethe De Clermont asked:


Firstly, what is Self-hypnosis?

Self-hypnosis is a process of communicating with oneself, directing one’s own attention in specific ways in order to produce states that are commonly recognised as trance states. Neither sleep nor unconsciousness, hypnosis is a state in which a person has shut out distractions and is free to focus intently on a particular subject, emotion, or memory or goal. The hypnotic state is an optimum state for making changes in your attitude and approach to horse riding.

Why would a horse rider want to change their attitude or approach?

Because her competition nerves are hindering her performance during contests

Because she wants to get rid of the debilitating residual fear after a horse riding accident

Because she wants to get rid of ingrained riding habits that limit her progress

Because she wants to master new riding skills faster

Because she wants to stay motivated to reach her riding goals

Self-hypnosis can be a very powerful tool in the mental skills toolbox of the rider. However, if you think hypnosis is no more than a stage trick or is performed only by charlatans, your doubts will impede any positive results that you may get from a hypnotic session. Therefore, you must be open-minded to some degree to the possibility that you can improve your riding ability through the power of auto-suggestion.

In reality, trance states are nothing special; we go in and out of these states several times during the day. Day dreaming, a well-known trance state, is a form of self-hypnosis. You have hypnotised yourself when you drive to work on auto-pilot. Afterwards you remember little of the journey, but if you suddenly had to react fast to avoid an accident, you would have. You are not asleep during hypnosis. You are aware of every thing that is being said. You can remember everything afterwards.

True, effective self hypnosis should be designed and created by the very person who will ultimately use and benefit from it, incorporating the precise words and phrases that mean the most to that particular person. If someone is willing to take the time and mental discipline necessary to improve their riding ability and awareness of themselves and their horses, with self hypnosis, the results will be extraordinary, positive and lasting.

Hypnosis is simply a state of mind, in much the same way that happiness is a state of mind.

Contrary to what most people believe, the mind under hypnosis is still alert and very much in control. If you cannot hear anything, then you cannot benefit from self-hypnosis. Hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness. You remain fully alert, in fact more alert than usual.

Any one can be hypnotised. In fact, it is often a learned trait. You can teach your body and mind to go into trance, and get better and better at it as you practice self-hypnosis. We are constantly hypnotising ourselves. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, when we call ourselves names, or put ourselves down and reinforce fears and limitations. It can become a habit and if you do it long enough you will develop a belief that will get the results you fear. Ex:

* Boy, my jumping is getting bad

* I am so bad at setting the horse up for a jump

* I will never jump higher than 90 cm, never

These are auto-suggestions or negative affirmations. More appropriate auto-suggestions to give yourself under self-hypnosis would be:

* My jumping is getting better and better every day

* I am very good at show-jumping, it is easy for me to set up my horse for a jump

* I will easily jump higher than 90cm

…and because the trance state gives you direct access to your unconscious mind, you will embrace these suggestions without reserve and accept them as the pure, unadulterated truth.

Imagine what might happen if you changed the suggestions that you give yourself on a daily basis? If you used the hypnotic trance state to give yourself empowering suggestions to improve your riding, reduce your anxiety about and exponentially increase your self-esteem?



NOAH