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A
Alcohol
This is certainly a many-sided subject but here we only want to
deal with the medical application of alcohol for horse care. If
there are signs of saddle sore or tender areas, the saddle area
is disinfected with alcohol [sprays are available in the stables].
Then the tender areas and bruises are treated with an ointment
before the saddle blanket is put on for saddling up. Therefore,
an alcohol spray should be included in the luggage of every trail
group.
Arrow
Markings on the trail. They do not always correspond to the route
marked up on the map. Therefore, you have a choice sometimes and
must decide. Since the markings can be overlooked or may have
disappeared in the meantime [new asphalt on the road, cut tree]
you should always follow the routes on the map. This reduces the
risk of losing your way.
Asphalt
Some minor country roads in Ireland are asphalt, where possible,
the grass verge should be used. The rule for riding on asphalt
is; never gallop. Every now and again, a rising trot is useful
for both horse and rider to cover some of the distance at a faster
pace for a change.
B
Balertwine
String of blue plastic. Every farmer has it in order to tie bales
of hay or similar things with it. It can help save you a lot of
trouble. It can be used for almost all occasions when you have
to lead your horse, or when you want to tether it for a short
time. It is used as a kind of intermediate safety implement which,
in panic situations, just gives way more quickly than a classic
halter rope, and anyone having problems keeping his trousers up
can turn it into a "fashionable" belt.
Bandages
Bandaging is a question of practice. Anyone who goes on a trail
should make himself familiar with the most important bandaging
techniques because sometimes the application of a bandage may
be necessary. Special attention should be paid to the fact that
a bright bandage on the foreleg may frighten some horses. Every
time they step forward something will appear underneath them -
just on the edge of their field of vision. This can easily cause
panic. So, before you allow a horse to go on the field wearing
a bandage, you should walk a few steps with it to test its reaction.
Barry's Pub
One of the three pubs in Grange. Just Barry's. Here you can relax
during a longer hack with a pint of Guinness or a coke or anything
else. The sandwiches are freshly made and filled with fresh salmon
and other tasty things, just as you wish. Even the horses are
taken care of. A field behind the pub offers fresh grass. If you
would like to give the horses a proper break at the same time,
they are unsaddled. Utensils for re-saddling can be found in the
garage. If it is locked, just ask Barry and it will be opened.
In the evening it is particularly worthwhile to drop in on Barry's
because half the village meets there. At weekends live music is
played in the saloon and you can enjoy the ever popular dancing.
Quality of the musicians; quite varied.
Beach
"Race course" for all horses of Horse Holiday Farm.
As soon as the animals feel the sand under their feet they are
transformed and behave more lively, fresher and more sparkling
than ever. After many years of training, the animals are used
to taking off. Mostly, they are quite successful with this; the
riders shout and cheer with pleasure and encourage their horses
even more. It should be avoided, however, to gallop into the water.
It is important not to gallop over too long distances. You can
always start off again after a short breather.
Ben Bulben or Benbulben
Widely visible is the symbol of Sligo County. It is the farm's
own mountain. Although it is only 340 metres high the bizarre
Table Mountain looks almost like a mountain range. It calls the
rock structures of the American Monument Valley to mind. The slopes
are steep and are pointed in the direction of Sligo so that they
look like a ship's bow. In bad weather the mountain disappears
in the fog as though it had never existed. Ben Bulben is one of
Ireland's most climbed mountains. With the horse, however, the
plateau cannot be reached.
Blankets
The use of blankets which belong under the felt and saddle is
a special art. The blankets should be as dry as possible when
they are put on, i.e. after every ride and after a day on the
trail they must be well aired and dried. All possible sunshine
and dry wind should be used. For saddling up they are folded three
times, straightened carefully and put on the horses back with
the closed end to the front. Attention'. This is really the first
hurdle of all your preparations before you start. Blankets that
have become unfolded during the first or second gallop or are
pulled out of shape or even crumple under the saddle have been
folded or put on completely incorrectly. If the blanket slips
or bulges out on the way, this definitely means; "re-saddle"
Blue Spray
For injuries, especially on the legs, the Blue Spray is an indispensable
remedy. It disinfects wounds and accelerates the healing process.
Unfortunately, the horses are so far not convinced of the advantages
of a spray. They shy away from the cold sensation and they are
frightened by the peculiar noise, or - something observed especially
with white horses - they do not find the bright colour very pleasing.
So far, it has not been determined whether this might be some
sort of environmentally motivated protest. In short: you must
be prepared for the horse to try to prevent this medical interference
with enraged kicks. In such a case only the rider's authority
will help.
Boot-jack
Practical device to be used for removing boots. At the farm there
are plenty, during a trail you may miss them. If you wear tight-fitting
boots, you should ask one of your fellow riders to release you
from your footwear with a practised grip. Or you should carry
a considerably more patient bootjack with you.
Boots
The rider's stepping tool. Boots protect foot and calf. Sandals,
trainers or street shoes do not offer sufficient protection. If
a horse has ever stood on your toes, you will know what it means.
Another advantage of proper riding boots; they are shaped in a
way that you have a good hold in the stirrups and that in case
of an emergency you can easily pull out of the stirrups. In case
of involuntary dismounting the treaded soles of trainers may lead
to an unpleasant surprise.
Bridle
Bridle is the collective term for snaffle bit, chin strap, curb
rein and reins. After every ride all the bridle should be carefully
cleaned. Wash the bit with water. At the farm the bridle is always
neatly hung up in the tack room. Bridle, saddle, halter and brushes
are provided with a number belonging to a particular horse. This
is the only way to keep the stables in order. It requires, however,
that the rider always put everything back in its place.
C
Carrowmore
A tiny village near Sligo. This is one of the areas you reach
on the Sligo trail. You should definitely use the opportunity
here to visit the largest Stone Age cemetery in Ireland. A total
of 40 dolmen, vault graves and megalithic graves are available
for visiting and exploring.
Clock
In Ireland the clocks run slightly different. It is not just that
people take more time with everything; as compared to continental
time the clocks in Ireland are an hour behind.
Clothing
With all the different kinds of weather in Ireland, suitable clothing
is the be-all and end-all. Since it is possible in case of hot
sunshine to get undressed and shed clothes down to the vest or
T-shirt, the main difficulty is in increased humidity which every
now and then finds expression in rain. The only thing, which can
be recommended with confidence as a protection against the rain,
is a coat of waxed cotton. Even if it pours down with rain, with
this protection you will be immune to such rigours. The coat is
so wide that it also covers up the luggage bags, which are thus
well protected. It
Is also possible to have a combination of a waxed jacket and waxed
trousers, which can be put over the usual jeans or beeches.
Coat
A coat of waxed cotton [can be purchased at the farm at a reasonable
price] is a safe thing. If it rains heavily on a trail ride or
if there is a real downpour these coats offer the only effective
protection. Conventional anoraks or Macs are sometimes soaking
wet after a very short time. Coats packed into the coat bag, also
called "banana" should never be put on while on horseback.
These sudden movements and noises easily frighten the horse.
Colette
The heart and soul of the farm. Her welcome and goodbye are worth
their weight in gold. She masters all requests and demands with
calm and circumspection. She gives the service instructions and
supervises purchasing. Her mark for all tasks; excellent.
Cooling
Rides on the beach offer the opportunity to ride the horse into
the water. A natural source of water, it cools the legs and the
stressed joints. A fine thing for the animals. Should the horses
show signs of fatigue or going lame, cooling is the most important
medical measure. Half an hour's walk through the seawater or standing
in a river for a few minutes sometimes works miracles.
Cross country course
A well-hidden field, a few miles away from the farm, which is
equipped with numerous hurdles and is used as a jumping ground.
This is where worn-out horses have their well-earned rest and
where the farms own breeding mares spend a nice day. All of a
sudden you understand why the horses of Horse Holiday Farm are
so good-natured and balanced. The jumping course with about 50
man-made hurdles and a few natural hurdles is a tough one. Here
a small wall, there a little pond. It is an ideal place to get
prepared for the autumn foxhunt. A warning for anyone who is out
of practice; it goes without saying that the horses know their
course. Sometimes things may really happen here. Then all you
can do is; stay firmly in your saddle and try not to bite the
dust before the horse.
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