And another...and another...

...have some Draft horses for the end of the year?

Being ridden, pulling plows, pulling wagons, baby draft horses...

In Racing...

...everything can go wrong. And often does.

Horse Power?

When your truck is stuck in the mud, you probably need a bit more of it.

(Made all the more ironic by the fact that these are, in fact, what the British call "horse boxes" - trucks designed to carry horses around).

How Not...

...to "break out" a horse.

1. No helmet.
2. Horse looks like a yearling.
3. Spurs.
4. Rider using spurs to keep himself on.
5. Did I mention spurs.
6. NO SHIRT?

When a fall results...

...in disqualification...

Self Driving Cars?

They're older than you think.

Bounce, bounce...

Shetlands jumping. And not jumping. (The kids all seemed to need to work on their release, though).

I Won't...

...do this forward. How about backward? Good velcro seat from the rider!

Mom, Mom!

Where are you going mom? What's out there? (Look at the dun line on this boy!)

You Don't...

...need a huge Warmblood to do dressage. Look at this beautiful Welsh Cob.

Oh no...

...you are not catching me. And you are certainly not passing me!

No way is that horse letting that bike past. She's not scared, just playing.

Let's See...

...what's wrong with this picture?

No helmet. Skate shoes. It sounds like the kid's getting a lesson from the older guy.

And the horse decides he isn't having anything of it when the kid decides to go straight to violent kicking.

Or maybe that's not it. Maybe it has something to do with the loose back clinch slipping back and turning into a bucking strap...

Either way, isn't the horse's fault.

So...

...we're going to advertise our jumper baby.

Nice bloodlines. Good looking foal. Nice to see the dam - she's pretty nice too. Ooh, good action on the baby. Pretty star on his head. Yeah. I'll take him...now, question is, can he jump?

Sure he can.

Right out of his pasture to visit the girls next door!

I'm trying to decide if this is a good advertisement or a bad one!

Go, go, go!

Chariot racing.

With minis. Look at those little guys go!

Poor Commentator

The top two finishers are Mywifeknowseverything and Thewifedoesntknow. The commentator is really struggling here.

Ow, ow, ow.

I felt this one. Poor horse. Poor rider too, looked like he hit his face on a pole.

What Not To Do...

Let's jump on the tiny pony, let the dog chase it and wonder why it dumps our butt and leaves the country...

Look At Him Go!

Gotta love the gaited guys.

Eight horses...

...can be hard to manage sometimes.

I think there's a horse eating monster around somewhere. Certainly those big guys are a wee bit hesitant, but the driver is being very, very patient. From the sound of it, it's pretty windy.

...and then the horses decide they're going somewhere that was clearly not the intent of the driver, scattering attendants in their wake. Not a fun situation at all. The outrider doesn't seem at all happy either.

Working Horses...

I'm not sure this horse is enjoying their job (might be a bit boring), but this is how you do grain separation when all you have for your power is a set of hooves.

Oh, Dear...

...zooom.

Yeah, this has happened to me.

How's This...

...for a fishing method.

Just...

...for the beautiful palomino.

Gotta Love...

...the big guys. And the stuff you can get away with with them.

I Think...

...everyone is having fun here.

Except the cows.

Bitey?

Well, that wasn't a serious bite, but...I wonder how well the guy knows that horse.

Actually, it looks a lot like a pony I know who had that habit...

So Many Things...

...wrong with this picture.

One, it's not a "red" or chestnut horse. It's a bay horse.

Friesians have to be black or they cannot be registered. Most Friesians are "self" meaning they neither have nor can carry the agouti gene that makes a horse bay. So, if this horse is bay (the lightning is bad - he could be a very faded black) he is not pure Friesian. He does not look pure Friesian in type to me.

Oh, and he's being ridden with his head strapped to his chest and no engagement of the hindquarters. Ride the right end of the horse, people. Rev that engine. I can also hear my instructor screaming heels down...oh, better yet? She's crooked. I think her stirrups are crooked not her saddle, but...

Not a bad horse, but I doubt he's a Friesian (most likely he's a Friesian Sport Horse - probably a Friesian/TB cross).

She's an instructor, too...

...an instructor who can't, on her website, spell "canter." I wish FHOTD was still around, she'd love this woman...

Ick...

...I don't know how they got the horse to do that, but...

That's not a bad piaffe, but the animal is tense, unhappy, and tied to a wall in a yard...I think there are chickens around somewhere.

Super-Reining

I love it. Especially the S shield on her hat. The horse seems so relaxed and unlike some reining videos I've seen she's not riding with English contact in a leverage bit...

I think...

...these little guys might just run under the rail if we aren't careful!

Nice, Nice....

...and then a firm "Nope" at 0.17.

Jumping Feathers!

Gorgeous Fell Pony with feathers...

...ow...

...oops...

...I think she tripped over her feathers.

Some Ponies...

...are just special.

Why, Why, Why...

It's not riding minis, but...

I'm in the mood...

...for some mini pony cuteness.



Unfortunately, I found this instead.







Shame the pony isn't strong enough to buck her off.



Don't. Ride. Minis.

How High...

...can you jump?

Even...

...the person who posted it admits it's a what not to do.







Yes.



Talking on the phone. While on a horse. Smart. Not.

...Wow...

Nice velcro seat. I don't think I'd have stayed on that.

This Is Driving...

...and not easy. The horses are struggling in a couple of places to get through those narrow slots.

At least...

...she's wearing a helmet. But her feet...

Horse is a saint.

Baby A-Rab...

...working out just what his legs are for. Look at that bold little guy.

(He's actually a Pintabian, but close enough).

This Is Why...

...driving on your own is difficult. Possibly even dangerous. The driver has no control, the animal is on the verge of making a hasty exit and is afraid, hence the rearing later. Heading for a wreck, I'm afraid.

I understand the difficulty and I assume that if he had a header he'd be using one, but...

No Rider Needed...

I once knew a pony who was very clear about the fact that her rider's job was to remember the course for her...and nothing else.

Love The Song...

...love the horses.

Well, They Did It...

...eventually.

(Helmets would be nice).

This Is How...

...you mow the grass.

This Pony...

...has springs under her hooves.

Connemaras are well known for their amazing jumping talent!

I Love This...

...comparison video. Please don't criticize their spelling!

So Adorable

This is what the Lp (appaloosa) gene does...

...to a MULE.

Airs Above The Ground

So...so...beautiful.

This Is How To Log.

Horse logging is still fairly common in some parts. For selective logging, it's easier than using machines. Most loggers use a single horse - this one is using a team of what I think are Percherons.

I've Been...

...looking for this video for a while.

This kid is having way too much fun.

NASCAR reining for the win!

I particularly love the "pit stop" (Maybe not the best reining sliding stop ever, but...). The donuts are pretty cool too!

Twins!

This is so rare - horse twins seldom survive.

Aren't they cute!

Show Off!

Bridleless dressage. Don't try this at home...

Unless you want to put in hours and hours of work, that is. Also, with that movement elevation, she has to have abs of steel to stay on bareback!

Draft Horses Can't Run Fast...

...but they can run barrels. Sort of. (The first Percheron wants nothing to do with this new game).

New Horse-Itis...

...really bad new horse-itis. Yeah... Work on that release, maybe?

Insane...

...what a ridiculous weight!

...and such beautiful, enthusiastic horses.

Horses Are Unpredictable

...whoah. But nice velcro seat there.

Confused green horse fail...

Glad I wasn't on her!

I Don't Know...

...how vaulters do it. I really don't. I struggle to get on from the ground with a stirrup these days.

Not sure....

...exactly what happened here. I'm guessing something got caught on the truck...

Nice...

Lovely hitch, and they dealt with a bad situation Beautifully.

This Is...

...insane. 20 horses is bad enough. 20 mules?

That's a lot of mules. And yeah, he has an outrider and another helper. And being mules, they can jump OVER the tow line...

Ow ow ow...

Just the first run here... Rider looks fine. Horse seemed to be limping a little. One NASTY wreck.

Nope, nope, NOPE

Proof we can't actually make a horse do anything she doesn't really want to do. Especially when she weighs, oh, about 2000 pounds.

Don't Try At Home?

...or maybe do? Apparently these kids haven't been doing this for that long.

Perfectly trained horses...and everyone is wearing a HELMET.

Proof...

...that horses get themselves into the darnedest scrapes.

How...the...heck...did he manage it? (Don't use giant tires as a waterer, apparently).

Wild Thing...

Love the costume. I assume it's a grey under there somewhere.

The equitation...uh...if I swung my legs around that while wearing spurs, my trainer would totally confiscate them...

I Don't Like...

...wild horse racing, but this pony has them right where it wants them.

(At least everyone is wearing helmets, I suppose).

Look At...

...those little Shetland legs go.

How About...

...taking your horse everywhere?

(When he's this small, you sort of can).

Western Discipline "Master Video".

Nice little run through of the major stuff - English people pay attention.

A quite different police chase...

The horse does not belong to the guy on him. And is completely bombproof...sirens? Whatever. Flashing lights? Whatever. Pepper spray? No big deal.

Seriously, whoever owns this horse has a gem. Thankfully, the animal wasn't hurt.

Showing The Difference

A dressage rider and a cowboy demonstrate the ways of going - side by side. Beautiful.

Ow, ow, ow

This is called a rotational fall.

The ring setup was to fault here. The bales marking the boundary of the lyst (which didn't even seem to be serving any real purpose) were way too close to the barrier, and the horse just tripped over the at full speed.

Also, he should not have been permitted to finish the show. Not without a good check for concussion anyway.

Oh, Very Smart...

I have no problem with people riding their horses through the drive through as long as...

...they, say, use a saddle?

Seriously, who does this? No matter how much of a saint your horse is, riding through traffic bareback is, in my opinion, just plain dumb.

Things Not To Do...

...according to this rider, anyway. She seemed to get away with all of them, though, although I think that might be a yearling she's riding for part of it...

Can Anyone Else...

...see what's wrong with this picture?









No, it's not the concept of working a protection dog from horseback, the horse is a saint and both animals work together well. But right at the start, she's working the dog way, way too close to the horse. One trip and a hoof could easily hit the head of her valuable, well trained animal.



If riding with your dogs, train them to stay a little further away. Please. This is why hunt people carry those whips with the really long lashes...

Even Broncs...

...can screw up when they're green. Yeah, this is a "new" horse.

This...

...may look cool, but the horse is a saint. Don't try it at home!

That...

...is a lot of horsepower.

I sometimes have enough difficulty with one horse at a time!

Apparently...

...this cowboy couldn't afford a real cow for his horse to chase.

Oops...

Classic dressage fail. Silly Appy.

Oh wait, no, he's a POA. Even worse ;).

Because I Needed A Good Laugh...

...a medley of horses being ridden...

...by goats.

Baby Jumper!

Yes, people in Europe do often do this - put foals in paddocks with jumps in them to see what they do - but this guy's only 4 DAYS old!

Oops...

Driving a six horse hitch is probably not easy - I've never tried it, but that's a lot of horsepower right there. Here are some beautifully presented horses.

...not sure what exactly happened at 3:51, but it looked like a harness tangle caused by a spook.

Handled very well.

(Yes, that guy is sitting on the horse's head. This looks horrible, but is a legitimate way to safely prevent the animal from attempting to rise while still tangled).

Who Says...

...drafts can't jump?

Bounce, bounce, bounce.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

This is a high jump contest at an agricultural show in Australia.

So. What's wrong with this?

The bottom part of the jump is made of hay bales further reinforced with a pretty solid looking wooden gate. This isn't going to give very well if a horse crashes into it. The hay bales even appear to be positioned lengthwise. The sand pit on landing is a good idea, but I really don't like this setup. (I also have visions of the jump staff dropping a pole on their heads).

Rollkur...

...what is it, and why is it bad?

Rollkur is basically tying the horse's head to its chest, which some dressage riders mistakenly believe is a good idea.

But this video explains it better than I can.

Usually...

...a loose horse stays with the herd. Not this time. Good work by the outriders (please be aware this one is mildly NSFW due to language).

I Like...

...Schiller's videos a lot. Here's one for pony crazy girls who think their horse loves them so much.

Horrible, Horrible...

This is one of the most bizarre horse racing accidents I've seen.

All I can say is that if the track was so wet that the gate car spun, why were they racing in the first place? Amazingly, all of the horses walked off the track. Three of the drivers, however, ended up in the hospital.

Chasing cows?

Nope. No cows here.







Or horses.

Mmm...Classical Dressage...

So beautiful.

Such gorgeous horses. These maneuvers, by the way, were designed for use on the battlefield. The capriole was a way of dealing with being surrounded by enemies who might try to drag you off your horse.

Pile Up!

You don't see this kind of thing very often. Thankfully. (The only horse actually injured was the one that fell first).

I don't...

...normally post videos of kids doing silly stuff with horses, but this girl?

Western is one thing, but English with one hand is tough!

Silly Thing...

It's a pole on the ground...

You don't need to jump it.

And Now...

...for something completely different.

Yes, I realize those aren't horses at the start of the video! (Yes, some people do still use oxen).

I Always...

...have to post some coon jumping. Horses can't do this. Mules have a different shoulder, hip, and power to weight ratio.

Hrm. Long Reining

This is a pro trainer...who is doing something very basic wrong.







Can you see what it is?



The long reins are far too low. Instead of controlling the horse's hindquarters, they're dangling around its hocks - which is dangerous.



(Other videos of this guy show the same thing, so I guess he thinks he's doing it right).

Horse is a saint.

Rider reminds me of me as a teenager. Different kind of crazy, but...



(And yes, at 18 I thought RUI was a good idea).

This Horse...

...is taller than the measuring stick.

Flamenco Horses!

Some interesting Spanish trick riding here.

(Note that although it's labeled "Andalusian" horses I'm pretty sure the horses here are actually Lusitanos. Certainly the first one is, as Andalusians don't come in palomino).

Things...

...you don't do. This guy got away with it, but I saw somebody almost get killed this way once.

(Scurry is a form of obstacle driving that is generally done in an arena using small ponies).

Mom! Look At Me!

At least, I think the little black Shetland is mom to the pinto trying to climb on the other horse. Who looks very resigned.

Good, Positive Training.

...even if I think teaching a horse to sit is kinda silly-looking.

Imagine Dealing With...

...this. Apparently a breeder was in financial difficulty and just abandoned these guys.

And how could you do that! Look at those shaggy coats. (most of these are pregnant mares, too).

I Love...

...Helmet Cams. This one is a dirt race at Delmar. (I do wish the gate wranglers would wear helmets).

Ah...

...the noble Horse Guard. Such great riders.







(Hint. If your horse is fidgeting and won't stand still, jabbing it with the spurs is just a bit counterproductive).

Even The Best...

...have wrecks sometimes. Some of these are real bad, just so you know...

How Not To Catch A Horse

Speaks for itself.

More Cuteness

This baby is meeting a dog for what may well be the first time.

Good desensitization here. The dog, of course, just wants to play.

Dose of cute

Look what I found...

This Is "Natural Horsemanship?"

I love his idea of "a little pressure." Okay, so it works, but I've seen people teach a horse to load without hitting it around the head like that.

A Rather...

...small jockey. I love how the second horse is trying to say "Who are you and why are you on my friend?"

(Cat: He's warm).

Has Everything...

...been done Gangnam Style now?







The horse is a saint.

Rodeo Blooper Time...

I would love to know how the second girl stays on. Does she have literal velcro on her jeans?

Mostly barrel racers not turning when their horses do ;).

Because...

...I felt the urge for a longear fix.







Lots of basic mule information. I'm also amused about mules being raised at "T. Cross Farm."

Look What I Don't Need...

...pay attention at about 0:45 when the horse lands a bit roughly...

Woman has a great seat and thighs of steel.

Gotta Love...

...Shetlands gaming!

Look at those little legs go!

This Is...

...why you get out of the way of loose horses.

Rar!

It's a lion tamer.

No, wait, it's a gladiator.

Freestyle liberty with mini horse. I love it. (He's a little unsure of his mane in places).

This Horse Is Spooking...

...in time to somebody else's music.

Moral: Make sure your barn has a stereo...

Watch Those Legs!

...or not, they're blurring!

This is being captioned as a mini horse, but I'm pretty sure it's actually a (very fit) classic Shetland pony...having way too much fun with her little rider!

Hrm...

If your horses are bucking this much, there's probably a reason for it.

If it was just one horse, I'd say she just had a "wild" one, but I think there's something she's doing to set them off - saddle fit, maybe?

Ever Wondered...

...what going flat out on a good TB looks like? Here you go.