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G
Gallop
The fastest and for most riders the nicest pace of the horse.
It is tempting but make sure that your horse does not over exert
itself. For your sake it is sometimes prepared to give more than
is actually good for it. Therefore, you should not allow the gallop
distances to become too long. After a breather where you should
really continue walking so that your
companion does not catch a cold, you and your horse may start
again. Subsequently, you should allow your horse sufficient time
to settle again. You should walk your horse to dry off.
Gallop is the most important programme for the instinctive flight
of the animal; it is life saving so to speak. It can, however,
also be dangerous especially if you gallop on the beach into the
water, particularly into tideways'. Other dangers are deep sand,
hills, rocks and stones. Here stick to the rule: draw the reins
in good time, under all circumstances, the rider must think for
his horse.
Gallop is preferable on sandy ground for both horse and rider.
Also on the beach and on woodland paths. On rock-hard ground,
asphalt roads and downhill, gallop is forbidden in principle.
No ifs or buts! Not even the strongest legs can bear this.
Gates
During rides or trails it happens quite frequently that gates
and fences closing a field, paddock or pasture need to be opened.
It is absolutely necessary to close them again. This is a task,
which requires time and strength. Opening and closing from horseback
bears hazards and it is therefore recommended to dismount for
this purpose.
Girth
The girth should be firmly resting on the horse's belly. Repeated
re-tightening is a must! After the first rounds on the sand, the
girth is to be re-tightened for the first time; half an hour later
the firth should be tightened again by one or two holes. Slipping
saddles, blankets and luggage are most unpleasant for the horse
and therefore extremely dangerous. In addition, a ride underneath
the horses belly is not really a pleasant experience - unless
you count yourself as one of the Apaches or Comanches who are
said to have taken pleasure in playing hid and seek in this way.
When you girth the horse
you should allow it to adjust to girth and saddle. Anyone, who
tries after the first tightening, and after having put on the
saddle to drive the air out of the horse's lungs by force, just
causes unnecessary pain. Your four-legged companion will then
use a little trick - it bellies out a bit. In order to adjust
the girth to an optimum, you should, after the first tightening
of the girth, lift up the left and then the right leg, standing
in front of the horse's chest.
Girth area
The rule here is: before and after every ride, the girth area
is to be thoroughly cleaned and brushed. Dirt and especially sand
my lead to serious injuries due to rubbing. Even a few grains
of sand will have the effect of a rasp, or sandpaper under the
girth. If bruises, injuries or pressure marks occur in this area
these are to be treated with special care. In these cases an ointment
is always useful.
Gloves
Although the horses at Horse Holiday Farm are used to being ridden
with long reins, the rider is recommended to wear gloves. This
helps to prevent blisters, especially when the drawing of reins
- on the beach! - Tends to develop into a small fight with the
horse. And just experience the reins being pulled out of your
hands a few times with a strong jerk …..
Going lame
The horse may go lame after excessive strain. The horse seems
to drag one of its legs. The best way to have this checked is
by a fellow rider at a trot. If the finding is positive, only
walking will be allowed. Cooling and rest will provide fast relief
and healing. During a trail ride this is frequently not possible
to a sufficient extent. Depending on the degree of impairment
the horse is to be exchanged. A phone call to the farm is always
recommended to get advice.
Gorevans
A pub in Cliffoney. The absolute meeting point for the guests
staying at Mary's Guesthouse. But also for the guests of the farm
it is a worthwhile and pleasant walk or nice evenings ride out.
The atmosphere is typically friendly. With a glass of Guinness
and a Paddy you will get to know all the latest news of the area,
if you take the opportunity to ask, but usually the Irish are
quicker and are very keen on hammering you with their questions;
"where do you come from".
Grange
A small village on the main road from Sligo to Donegal. The farm
is situated a few kilometres further north. It is worth mentioning
because of its pubs and Crystal Factory, "Sligo Crystal".
Anyone who likes cut glass should visit the factory and watch
the crystal cutters doing their work.
Group
Depending on demand and interest the farm will organise a guided
hack for interested groups. It goes without saying that the special
skills of the individual rider are important considerations. If
it is your first stay at the farm, or if you wish to develop confidence
and feel safe with your horse, you should accept this offer. It
is also the quickest way for the guests to get to know interesting
trails in the area. The guests who join this group are expected
to adopt the practices and the
discipline of the group hack. However, if you wish and if you
have enough confidence in yourself, you can "drop out"
at any time and find your own way back.
H
Halter
Indispensable aid to fetch the horse from the field and take it
back there. And, if you intend to leave the horse for some time
together with its saddle, you tie your animal up just using the
halter. This also applies at the stables while you are grooming
your horse. The bridle must never be used for tying up; it would
rip very easily. Some horses hate to be tied up; when they panic
they may fight against the rope with incredible strength.
The rope of the halter is to be knotted in a way that it can be
released again, ideally with just one pull. The loop is internationally
known. Anyone who does not know it should get someone to show
it to him. For greater safety it is useful to use a panic hook
between halter and rope. If need be, it will be easier for the
horses release.
Halting
Experience in dressage with your school horse is sometimes of
very little use with the horses at the farm. You must adjust to
the special way of reacting, which the horses of the farm have
learnt during their trail experience. In the sense of classic
dressage you will, therefore, see many bad habits but there is
no point in complaining; you must learn to communicate with your
horse, and make your rules quite clear and in a way redefine them.
Before you ride off you should always dedicate some time to training
and communication. Watch carefully how your horse reacts to your
aids such as legs, reins and whip.
Hard Hat
It should actually be part of the compulsory standard equipment
of every rider. It is good, if it never really has to prove its
effectiveness. The helmet or hard hat is in this respect similar
to the safety belt in the car. The law prescribes its use; but
we do not wish anyone to experience the reality of its usefulness.
The hat should be worn with a chinstrap or would you prefer to
land right on it in case of a fall?
Heinrich
The youngest son of the Anhold family. After a period of time
away from riding, he rediscovered his love of horses and now competes
very successfully with his horses.
Hoof-pick
A tool for hoof care. It goes into the service box, which is underneath
the respective saddle in the tack room. You should always put
it back there. Remember to take it on trail with you.
Hooves
The horses feet. They should be taken care of every day. Before
and after the ride the hooves must be picked out and cleaned.
If little stones get stuck in them this may lead to going lame.
Pressed-in dung can cause hoof rot. A hoof-pick is used for scraping
which is available with its own number in the tack room. In case
of longer stays at the farm you can apply a little hoof grease
to the hoof once a day.
Horse
The main thing at Horse Holiday Farm. Not a piece of sports equipment
but a living creature with its own individual character and ever
varying moods and condition. The challenge for the rider is to
communicate with his horse. To make this possible every guest
has his "own" horse for the period of his stay and is
responsible for its well being.
The horses at Horse Holiday Farm distinguish themselves by their
good naturedness, stamina and impressive tread-safety. The rider
can rely on this. The horses are ridden with long reins rather
than short reins. This may be in contradiction to dressage experience
gained at conventional riding schools, but here the animals must
have the opportunity of convincing themselves whether or not a
path is safe for walking on. On the beach they usually become
even livelier, they are used to being allowed to gallop boisterously
here. When doing so they can develop a surprising speed. But make
sure that the gallop distances are kept short.
In the first few day's people tend to make the mistake of drawing
in the reins too much. After many years of experience, this is
an unmistakable sign for the horse that the rider is afraid [afraid
of what?] This results in a vicious circle; Drawn-in reins means
to the horse: Attention! Lets get moving! Consequently, it prepares
itself for this and tenses the muscles and perhaps it even starts
to dance around excitedly. Quite a few riders become really frightened
and think: Good heavens-we'll be off in a moment! And draw in
the reins even more. It is easy to imagine what the horse thinks;
fine.
I can soon set off like greased lightening. And you can bet that
it will soon do so.
Horses distinguish themselves by some clear behaviour patterns,
which the rider should take into consideration when he deals with
them :- Horses are escape animals who react or may react with
a panic stricken flight to any danger or imagined threat. So actually
this powerful animal is just a very sensitive "scaredy -
cat". Every animal has its own sensitivity and reacts individually:
one animal may take to its heels if it sees a white plastic bag
lurking behind a bush, whereas another one storms off as soon
as a red car comes along, ignoring, however, all other car colours.
-Horses only reacts with aggression if they feel driven into a
corner or if they cannot use their "escape" pattern
to get away.
-Horses bite and kick if they feel ill treated, threatened or
if they are suddenly surprised "from behind" or if they
are in a struggle for power.
-Horses are gregarious animals and are happiest when they are
in their herd or in company [for instance yours]. If a horse is
separated from its herd in certain situations it becomes frightened.
If a horse is held back in a group when all the others are galloping
away it may do all sorts of things [rear, kick, arch its back]
in order to be with the others. It will only allow you to hold
it back, if it has trust in you and if you are really the boss.
-Horses need an order of rank in their herd [which also includes
you in case of doubt] and they challenge this order again and
again by fighting and playing games. Only the animal of higher
rank has a say and enjoys the other animal's confidence. As the
rider you must make your horse feel that you are the strongest
- even if you may soon turn out to be just a paper tiger. This
is the only way to ensure its submission and gain its confidence.
After a friendly welcome in the morning, just press its head gently
to the side a few times, or perhaps make yourself "bigger"
by approaching your horse with yours lifted up and your hands
directed towards it, but without frightening it. The reaction
will soon show you whether you were successful or whether you
have to try again. Principle: The horse must make room for you,
must offer you its place.
-Horses will move aside for the one higher in rank. After this,
all further scrapping will cease. If a horse moves aside this
is comparable with the submissive gesture of a dog offering its
neck to the superior opponent. If the horse has made room for
you and thereby respects your higher order of rank, this will
be the start of its submission and the basis of its confidence.
-Horses are extremely inquisitive and not one bit unforgiving.
If you have made your four-legged friend understood that you are
the boss, it may push off, but after a few minutes it will show
interest in you again and approach you with friendliness and curiosity.
Just watch out when it brings up and tests the questions of power
again, trying to find out if you still deserve its confidence.
You should always be prepared for this.
-Horses want to be fondled and petted; they are rather affectionate,
but take care that you really reinforce only positive behaviour.
If you try to calm down a horse immediately after a panic reaction
"soothingly" pat the horse's neck. In these situations
you must again "keep a cool head" and make clear that
you are the one in control of everything.
Horseflies
A real nuisance for the rider and his horse. On warm, windless
days, horseflies can appear in swarms, in the middle of the moors
or in the vicinity of rivers and lakes and attack you. Sometimes,
the only thing that helps is to run away - although the horse's
sweat attracts this pest even more. Some horses are not bothered
about the bites of these aggressive insects, others, however,
threaten to freak out literally. This can lead to additional stress
for the rider. In these cases one should help the animals with
the whip and with one's hands, faithful to the battle cry: "Seven
at one blow". On critical days sprays are held ready at the
stable, which contain water mixed with a little vinegar. If the
horse is sprayed with this sour solution, the biting insects will
keep away for a while.
Horseshoes
The horse's "footwear". They should always be in good
order. Check them before and after the ride. In high season and
during the holiday weeks the blacksmith is at the farm almost
every day to give new horseshoes to the horses. If a horseshoe
is lost on the way you should phone the farm in the evening.
Horse Shoe
The valley of Gleniff, shaped like a horseshoe. A worthwhile days
ride from the farm. The start of the route is the same as the
one to the Cross Country Course. For orientation: The extension
of the road from Mullaghmore to Cliffoney leads straight to the
HorseShoe.
Hunting [on horseback]
A sport on horseback did with passion in Ireland and England in
the autumn and Winter Season. Indeed a test of courage for black-belt
holders. The hunt in Ireland goes - together with the pack of
hounds up hill and down dale - always in pursuit of the fox. Even
good riders must be able to rely especially on the almost supernatural
capabilities of their horses. They set off with power and stamina
and watch where they go and from where they can jump. Most important
exercise for the rider; Staying in the saddle.
At Horse Holiday Farm interested riders are well prepared for
taking part in a hunt. The Cross Country Course provides many
different exercises for this purpose. The climax of a hunting
weekend or a hunting week is the participation in a proper Irish
Hunt. You will definitely have something to talk about when you
get home.
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