Author Archives: Mitzy Bricker

Riding at Blue Rock Horses

Written by Olivia Cox

Olivia and High Hope working around a flower pot

We ride and work all around the farm, not just the round pen. Olivia is working around a flower pot!

I’ve been attending riding lessons at Blue Rock Horses for about two years. It’s been really fun and I’ve grown to love horses.

But why bother with horses anyway? What’s so good about horses? First of all, horses are beautiful, fast, strong, intelligent, and friendly. Horses can teach you many things, such as responsibility, self-control, patience, teamwork, leadership, cooperation, strength, diligence, and probably a whole lot more. Horseback riding is good exercise, and working with horses makes you strong, confident, and gives you a lifelong friend.

Strengthening exercises

This exercise Olivia is doing looks easy, but it is hard work to sit still, lean forward and keep your balance. She did touch High Hope's nose, good going, Olivia!


Mrs. Bricker and her siblings trade off duties visiting her mother, and my sister and I take turns taking lessons, so my lessons are usually not very consistent. But I still benefit from them. Can you benefit from part-time lessons? Yes, you can, but expect it to take a little longer. Fewer lessons also give you some time to look in to other things (horses are wonderful, but there is also room in our lives for other interests).

What I am currently learning is how to post, to the trot. The trot is very bumpy, and it can be uncomfortable to ride a trotting horse. If you rise slightly out of the saddle at every beat of the trot, it can be more comfortable. That is called posting. Although it seems easy, it’s harder than it sounds. While learning to post, I have to make sure I am posting to the rhythm of the trot, and also make sure High Hope will keep trotting. I also have to keep my heels down, my knees in, my back straight, my chin up, and my hands above High Hope’s withers. It is hard work, but Mrs. Bricker tells me that it will all become automatic. I think the sitting trot (a gentle trot that does not require posting) is easier. Next, I think I want to learn the lope, or canter, which is faster, smoother, and probably a lot more fun.

I usually practice posting in a round arena, so High Hope can trot in a circle. I will usually start out walking, then ask High Hope to trot when I’m ready. She might stop, stumble, ro shy, or even refuse to trto, so I have to work to make her trot all the way around the ring. Rising out of the saddle is not hard, just doing it at the right moment. I’ve found that it is a little easier to post when High Hope trots quickly, because the movement kind of throws me out of the saddle. I will often change directions, and take High Hope around the circle clockwise or counterclockwise. High Hope likes to trot, and is pretty agreeable during these lessons.

When it is over, we will take High Hope to the trailer, take off her saddle and bridle, put on her halter, brush her, put on her fly mask (if it’s buggy), and put her back in the pen. Of course, we never forget to pet her and tell her that she’s a good girl. Everyone deserves praise every now and then.

Riding bareback together, Olivia & Anna Kate

Our students always do some bareback riding as well. It is a great way to feel the movements of the horse. Here they are riding double. Look carefully at Anna Kate. See her big smile? It is more comfortable in the back. If it is any help, Olivia, when I was your age I had to ALWAYS ride in the front too!

The Benefits of Riding Lessons

by Anna Kate Cox

I have been taking riding lessons at Blue Rock Horses for about two years, and it has been incredibly fun learning to ride, as well as care for, the beautiful, four-legged creature called a “horse.”

Mrs. Bricker, my riding instructor, has been an excellent teacher. Not only does she teach us riding, she also teaches all aspects of horsemanship.

Caring for the horse--Anna Kate & HH

It is not the most glamorious part of riding horses, but Anna Kate does a fine job of caring for High Hope, and it shows!


The horses, High Hope and Webster, have been kind and patient with me while I learn about them, to ride them, and to care for them.
Anna Kate bareback & hugging HH

One of my favorite pictures of Anna Kate on High Hope. She looks comfortable, happy and enjoying time with her horse, High Hope.

I have learned many great things that I didn’t know how to do before. I’ve learned to lead, groom, tack (put on bridle, saddle, etc.), and ride a horse. Before I started riding lessons, I had only petted horses, and didn’t have a clue how you’d do any of that.

It has been such a wonderful experience getting to know this amazing animal. I’ve learned the differences between trotting, cantering and galloping. I’ve learned how to clean a horse’s hoof by “picking” it, and to examine my horse for any potential health problems. I’ve learned to post, which is rising slightly out of the saddle to make trotting more comfortable for you . I’ve learned the proper posture you should have when you are riding a horse (back strait, knees in, heels down). Mrs. Bricker teaches us to pay attention to the horse’s body language and to anticipate what the horse might do.

One of the things I have enjoyed the most about taking riding lessons is learning to do something that I hadn’t done before. It builds your confidence, character and maturity to learn how to handle such a large, strong, quick animal. Another thing I have enjoyed while learning about horses is riding fast. It feels good to go so quickly on such a pretty creature. I’ve also had fun meeting the Bricker family and their two great horses. High hope and Webster have both been mischievous sometimes, but like I said before, they have been amazingly patient and kind with beginners like me.

This wonderful experience has taught me that good horsemanship is certainly worth your time to learn. It makes you braver, more self-confident, more patient, and it’s also lots of fun. I have definitely enjoyed and benefited from learning horsemanship, and getting to know these amazing, intelligent creatures better at Blue Rock Horses.

Anna Kate lesson with High Hope

Anna Kate works hard at sitting tall and pretty. She's doing a great job!

7 Stages of Aging on Horseback

This fun article came to me from my niece, Esther. Thank you, Esther!

Thanks to Jane Savoie

7 Stages of Aging on Horseback

Stage 1: Fall off pony. Bounce. Laugh. Climb back on. Repeat.

Stage 2: Fall off horse. Run after horse, cussing. Climb back on by shimmying up horse’s neck. Ride until sundown.

Stage 3: Fall off horse. Use sleeve of shirt to stanch bleeding. Have friend help you get back on horse. Take two Advil and apply ice packs when you get home. Ride next day.

State 4: Fall off horse. Refuse advice to call ambulance; drive self to urgent care clinic. Entertain nursing staff with tales of previous daredevil stunts on horseback. Back to riding before cast comes off.

Stage 5: Fall off horse. Temporarily forget name of horse and name of husband. Flirt shamelessly with paramedics when they arrive. Spend week in hospital while titanium pins are screwed in place. Start riding again before doctor gives official okay.

Stage 6: Fall off horse. Fail to see any humor when hunky paramedic says, “You again?” Gain firsthand knowledge of advances in medical technology thanks to stint in ICU. Convince self that permanent limp isn’t that noticeable. Promise husband you’ll give up riding. One week later purchase older, slower, shorter horse.

Stage 7: Slip off horse. Relieved when artificial joints and implanted medical devices seem unaffected. Tell husband that scrapes and bruises are due to gardening accident. Pretend you don’t see husband roll his eyes and mutter as he walks away. Give apple to horse.

This was what a very wise sales lady told me years ago after I described what I wanted done to a piece of my jewelery.

I never saw that sales lady again.

She was wiser than I at that moment in life when I was so full of motherhood and babies. Well, I am full again, only this time with aging parents and grand-babies. Her advice would have been timely once again last month when I foolishly stopped riding lessons.

It was a rash, “pregnant” decision. Even the horses have been lonely. They enjoy our students every bit as much as I. It can be overwhelming, this responsibility of aging parents and grand-babies in different towns. I can say with surety, being at home with 5 young children was easier. Though at the time I did not know it. Everyone under the same roof makes a huge difference. Now, there are many places to go to care for my family. So in my “pregnant moment”, I made a poor decision. It took only one week to realize it.

I have contacted the students and apologized, and have asked if they would consider continuing with working around the times available to us. Some have!! I hope the others do as well.

A talented musician told me once when we were discussing life careers of a good way to know of the choice. He said if you cannot imagine a life without it, it probably is your passion and is worth pursuing. He was right also!

Come on! It’s time to go riding!

Go home, come back when you are not pregnant!

The Horses are Gone!

Every morning of every day when I get up, I look out the window to gaze at the horses. It is a fine way to start a day for me. Sometimes they are over a hill and cannot been seen, which was the case one morning this week. At least that is what I thought…

An eerie feeling of “empty” met me as I made my way to the barn. So eerie, in fact, I whistled several times for the horses. This usually brings a friendly whinny from High Hope along with a quick appearance. Not this morning. After several more whistles, each more urgent than the previous, the knot in my stomach grew tighter.

Our horses were not in the field anywhere. They were gone.

I knew this was my fault. I had not followed through on the “something told me” voice that said, “check the fence line” to the new paddock they had just been turned out in that day. I found a hole alright. Only it was, as my mother says,”A day late and a dollar short.”

Where does one begin to look for two horses on mountains and acres of forest? Horses are curious critters and have a knack of getting themselves into trouble. I knew two things: only God knew where they were, and horses eat grass.

So as I grabbed halters, leads, a bridle (to ride one and pony the other) and a bucket of feed, I prayed for help. Down by the beautiful Cowpasture River is a lovely hay field full of spring grass. This is where I would begin my search.

As I made the turn in the road , two heads looked up at me. They were busy eating grass! Approaching them quietly and with a calm, steady voice, I haltered them and lead them calmly back to their pasture.

This frightful episode ended well for us. I am thankful for that is not always the case. A horse belonging to a friend of mine was recently struck by a car and killed when he got out of his pasture. So, once again, I count my blessings.

What I learned and tips to remember:
* Be sure your neighbors have your telephone number. They will call if they see your horses are out.

*Always have halters, leads, and bridles where they can be gotten in a hurry (I do not leave halters on our horses at night, some owners do).

*Take some feed in a bucket when going to look for them. They come to the sound of feed and it will help calm them.

*Check fencing regularly!

horses at TAF in the field

Every morning of every day when I get up I look out the window to gaze at the horses.

To Everything there is a Season

When I was a teenager this was a popular song. Many moons have passed since those days, but it is true still. At my age, there have been many seasons, some good, some not so good.

I am generally the type that looks forward, not so much behind. I suppose that is why the rear-view mirror in a car is so small and the driving one so large. Yet, a season had ended for me this month that has made me quite sorrowful. I stopped teaching riding lessons.

The season I am in now, caring for my mother (with help from my sisters), has to take precedence over horseback riding lessons. It is a matter of safety and value. We have had so few lessons I cannot, in good conscience, ask to be paid to teach the same thing over and over. Horseback riding is a beautiful skill that requires dedication for safety and ability. Normal missed lessons are fine, but I am gone 1/3 of every month caring for my mother. This make my teaching ineffective. It was a hard decision. I love my riding students and teaching them. They are bright, fast learners. And above that, they love the horses.

So, for now, I have to let go. With no idea of how long or if I will every have the privilege to teach again.

Our horses and I will miss our students more than they will ever know.

Farewell for now….

riding recital pic of students

I love my riding students and teaching them.

Bridles, Belts and Bracelets

This is the first of monthly blogs written by Blue Rock Horses riding students. This month’s feature article is written by Miss Anna Kate Cox.

Blue Rock Horses students enjoyed crafting leather last Saturday. It was a very windy day, and when we arrived we were glad to get inside the small leather shop. We were greeted by the owner of the shop, Wayne Groves, who introduced himself, the shop, called Tricks of the Trade, and his wife, Barbara. Tricks of the Trade, like any leather shop, smelled like leather, which is a wonderful aroma.

Peter at leather shop

Peter working on a shepherd's purse

The shop was also very neat and organized. He showed us the tools that he uses to make leather things. There were several hammers, including a maul, a cobles hammer, and a mallet. There was a huge machine called a stitcher, which sewed leather together. Lasts are used to help make shoes. Learning about leather tools was very enjoyable.

Next, he took us upstairs to show us all of the different animal skins. We passed them around and all tried to guess which animal the skin came from. Mr. Groves told us several very interesting facts. He told us that if you get leather wet, you can stretch it out into different shapes, he also told us how you keep leather healthy and nice-looking. You need to use soap & water to keep it clean, let it dry thoroughly, and oil it regularly. Most interestingly, he told us that small skins are called pelts, the medium-sized ones are just called skins, and large animal skins are always called hides. Also Leather can come from cows, sheep, snakes, alligators, sharks, lizards, foxes, bears, pigs, minks, reindeer, and many other kinds of animal skins.

The next thing we did was make a shepherd’s pouch. We sewed two pieces of leather together, and when we were done sewing, we had the strap attached, the buttons put on, and the pouch fixed up.

Abigail with purse

We had the strap attatched, the buttons put on, and the purse fixed up.

Then, Mr. Groves showed us how to make a bracelet out of a leather mystery braid (it’s hard for me to explain how it’s done).

Anna Kate with Wayne

It’s hard for me to explain how it’s done


We stayed for a while to chat and have fun, and suddenly it was time to leave. Mr. Groves gave us some leather key chains, and then we said goodbye and left for home. We had such a great time making shepherd’s pouches and mystery braided bracelets at Tricks of the Trade.

A Piece of Humble Pie

That is what Marilla told Anne she would have to do in the film ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ when Anne accidentally got her friend, Diana, drunk off Marilla’s wine. Anne thought it a fruit drink. It was a funny scene, but none-the-less Anne needed to apologize to Diane’s mother.

Eating humble pie is not easy. I had to eat some this month when my niece came for a visit. She rode our big gelding, Webster, better than me—much better. It is hard and humbling to watch someone ride your horse better than you. We horseman tend to be a bit prideful, and rather full of ourselves. So when we are outdone on our OWN animal it is painful to our pride. However, this is not such a bad thing; pride comes before a fall. And fall I have done many times off this horse. So much so that my confidence level was lower than a snakes belly.

I knew I was going to learn something from this young, excellent horsewoman. I was not disappointed. It was a pleasure watching her interact with this spoiled horse. Yes, he is spoiled. He has always been more defiant than our buckskin mare, High Hope. He has tried himself and my authority much more. I have always been a bit nervous around him, and skeptical.

Es tacking up Webster

Esther established herself immediately with Webster.


Esther, however, established herself immediately with him. She knew exactly what her goal was and what she expected of him. “You two are a team, Aunt Mitzy,” she told me, “but YOU are the team captain!”

This is her basic premise with horses, being a team, and she communicated it beautifully to Webster. She is generous in her praise and quiet with her reprimands. Sometimes it was difficult to tell between the two because she always smiles!

cantering

She knew exactly what her goal was with Webster.


She is focused and knows exactly what she wants from the horse. She works patiently until she can tell the horse understands. This is called consistency. She works them until she sees the horse working towards the result she wants. This is called persistence. It did not take long for Webster to understand what was expected of him. That is how good Esther is. It was beautiful to watch.
getting a whoopin'

Webster is in trouble, and Esther is still smiling!

in the field

An excellent horsewoman, Esther.


Both her parents are excellent horseman, and have ridden all their lives. They have taught all their children well the art of horsemanship. To their credit, Esther sure has the best of both of them. She has worked, studied and ridden many long hours. It shows.

She had taught me much. She is a positive, consistent, quiet handler. She had a clear understanding of what behavior is acceptable and what is not. She is easy to learn from because of her positive, cheerful outlook. The horses like her as much as I do! In fact, I do not know who learned more, me or Webster. I do know this, things are better between me and my horse. Thank you, Esther!