Seeing It Coming.

There was something not right with this horse all the way through the round, and then he screwed up his distances and this happens. I have every sympathy for the rider, who is clearly injured. (The horse is like "Uh...sorry? I didn't mean to do it"). But something was definitely not right here. I'd almost say the horse is stiff through the neck and withers. Thoughts?

Good Job...

...all of these horses had brakes.

I've never seen or heard of this happening. (Ignore the video oddity in the middle...there are not two races going on at once here).

Dances, world's most dangerous stallion!

I admit it. I'm sharing it for the sarcasm, but what a nicely trained horse.

I Think...

...that cat weighs as much as that horse.

Big ol' ginger tom. Itty bitty baby horsey.

I'm Jealous...

Maybe once, a long time ago, I could do this.

Not any more. Heck, these days I use a mounting block all the time (albeit as much because it's better for the horse...)

How Old...

...do you think this horse is? You know, the one popping around that course with her ears forward and trying to go faster than would be ideal?

Hint. It IS in the video description.

NOT A Fail

Self taught rider. Cantering for the first time. She calls it a fail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JjCODC_zt8 (Refusing to embed).

I think she's doing really, REALLY well myself.

Yank, Yank...

He's not even moving and she's yanking on his mouth. Results? Predictable.

Nice.

It's not a perfect test, the horse is a bit counterbent through the circles and she needs to go deeper into the corners, but hey...

Not Bad...

...for two weeks of training. This cutting horse is learning and enjoying...

Oh.

Yeah.

"That's a mighty funny looking hoss ya got there."

(I like finding videos showing that mules can do just as well as horses. And what a nice mule - presumably a Quarter mule with that cow).

Trampolines...

...are not mounting blocks. At least she's wearing a helmet.

Horse is a saint.

Total saint.

I just don't get why, with nice green fields, they're riding in the back yard with all of those obstacles.

Who's In Charge...

...of this pasture?

Hint.

It's not any of the horses.

Well, actually, I think he fancies her. You'd never be able to reach, little guy!

Horses For Bridal Shoots...

...well trained, carefully chosen, perfectly safe to be ridden by somebody who doesn't have a clue...

...right.

ANY horse can spook. In this case, instead of having the groom help her down, which would have been beautifully romantic, they put a table for her to step on.

The horse decides the table is a Horse Eating Monster.

Oops.

Watch this...

This kid's a decent little rider. Good release...and then look at about the one minute mark.

I'm guessing that pony, being a pony, bloated when they fastened the girth. This is why you check right before going in...

...but what a velcro seat that kid has.

And.

She won.

This is...

...what patience can get you.

Note also how much the flat work has improved as the jumping does. It's all about the big picture. This horse probably got put off jumping by a previous rider with a poor release and had to be taught to enjoy it again.

Don't...

...try this at home. This is a trick trained horse.

Doing a potentially dangerous trick for both horse and rider. But if you've seen something like this in the movies, this is how it's done.

Karma

If this is a race, it's a "walkover."

So, why is the jockey whipping the horse? It's unnecessary...

...and karma promptly follows.

Nope.

No sympathy.

Foal...

...plus puppy. Because the weather outside is frightful and we all need a dose of cute.

This is actually a three week old being desensitized to dogs. Mommy is completely unconcerned, of course. The look on the foal's face in a couple of places is classic.

And yes, I do think this is a reasonable way to do it, but only if the dog is properly trained and can be trusted not to just chase the poor baby around.