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T
Tail
The horses most important instrument. Insects are driven away
with whip-like lashes. Furthermore, the horse uses it to proclaim
that it is displeased with something. A normal brush will usually
do the job. If the trail is extremely dirty, water can be used
for once - of course without shampoo.
Tethering
The greatest mistakes and unfortunately, often the causes of many
accidents are connected with the way the horses are tied up for
their morning grooming or for a short break. The strength and
power of a horse are very easily under-estimated. Note: horses
are always tied up with the halter, never with the bridle
The question is where the rope is to be fastened. When looking
for a suitable anchor place you should only choose solid hooks,
posts, and trees. Absolutely unsuitable, indeed virtually dangerous
are: wooden fences, pallets [which can turn into terrible missiles!]
bicycles, car doors and gates. Even with metal field gates you
should look for a place close to the hinge fitting. Trees must
also be able to withstand a persistent pull. Quite a few of our
four-legged friends have managed to run away carrying along a
little tree together with roots - no joke!
Also important is the correct knot. The rule is; what can easily
and quickly be undone in an emergency is correct. All you need
for this purpose is a simple loop which tethers the horse but
can be easily undone by the rider in a flash. Anyone who does
not know this knot should definitely get someone to show it to
him/her.
Tideway's
Frequently under-estimated channels of water on the beach. A special
kind of obstacle. The tide often leaves behind some narrow channels
of water flowing back on shallow and sloping parts of the mud
flats. Due to the current the tideways are often much deeper than
they appear to be at first sight. Suddenly you may have to stop
in front of a tideway with a width of about l0 metres and then
the question is how to get across without going swimming, together
with the horses. If you can control and halt your horse in good
time you have already solved the worst problem. According to experience
tideways cause the most riding accidents. Quite a few horses do
an emergency stop from the gallop just before the water. Woe betide
anyone who does not sit firmly and safely in his saddle! Some
animals, trusting in their rider's circumspection, are said to
jump right into the middle of this water and lose the ground under
their feet.
Tilman
Lord and master of all classes. He manages the farm and knows
all about his horses. Upon arrival at the farm he allocates the
horses. When doing so he tries to take the rider's self-assessment
into consideration and relies to a large extent on his knowledge
of human nature and horse sense. Hardly anyone is put on the wrong
horse.
Traffic
Ride on the left. Horses and riders are road users just like cars,
bicycles, mopeds and foot passengers. The general road traffic
rules apply. Left hand traffic is prescribed by the law. If a
whole group has to cross a road, all horses must line up along
the road and cross together at command.
The horses at Horse Holiday Farm are used to normal traffic. You
should, however, not take any risks. The utmost attention is required
in built-up areas. Surprising noises [roaring concrete mixers,
pneumatic hammers] or unusual road users [wheelchairs, tandems
etc] may give your horse a good fright, which releases the natural
flight impulses in it. You should always be prepared for this.
Treats
An absolute must as a reward for the horse. The round little horse
toffees must be really tasty. Experienced horses first of all
test their riders by carefully sniffing at their trousers and
jacket pockets. Whether these treats are also suitable as an emergency
provision for the rider has not yet been tested.
Trot
Medium pace of the horse. A two-time movement. The horse can keep
this pace over a long distance without running out of breath or
being soaked with sweat. The trot is particularly recommended
to cover longer distances quickly. Furthermore, it is a welcome
change every now and again. Unlike German riding schools you hardly
every rise at the trot during trail riding - only a few people
would manage this for longer periods. And for the horse it is
certainly no pleasure to feel you hopping up and down like a Ping-Pong
ball. A sitting trot is the rule [English seat]; i.e. rider and
horse are to match rhythm and speed so that the ride does not
turn out to be an ordeal. Again the rule is Make it as easy as
possible for the horse. An elastic up and down without permanently
falling onto the horses back is more pleasant for the horse.
W
Walk
With the walk you start, with the walk you finish. Especially
during the stays at the Farm it is essential that after a gallop
the horses are given sufficient time to walk before you return
to the farm. Even the robust Irish Hunters of the farm are not
immune to colds. Large parts if not the major parts of the different
trails are ridden at walk. This is beyond doubt. Horse and rider
can take their time, just enjoying everything and experiencing
the beautiful countryside.
Water
On every field there must be sufficient water for the horse to
drink. During the trail ride you should convince yourself of this.
Buckets and troughs should always be filled to the top with water.
If the horses are washed after a ride and hosed down, it is the
rider's duty to dry them with a sweat scraper afterwards.
The animals normally stay in their herd where they can follow
their natural urge to be active and where they remain healthy,
happy and above all balanced. You will look in vain here for nutcases
or crooks who use every opportunity to bite into your bottom or
to hump their back like a rodeo horse or to nudge your shoulders.
Water bottles
On the trails filled water bottles turn out to be a real boon.
During some day rides there is neither a possibility to do any
shopping to stock up food, cans of coke or bottled drinks, nor
do pubs invite you in for a rest. Even the horses will have lost
a lot of liquid after several hours riding and will be extremely
thirsty. A brook or a natural drinking trough will then
Give relief. Very thirsty horses will even go for puddles. By
the way: if you forget about your horse and if you are so selfish
as to quench only your own thirst, do not be surprised, if it
tries to dispute your right to the first drink of beer.
Weather
An extensive subject Back home every holidaymaker is first of
all questioned about the weather and the amount of rain. In Ireland,
there are many different types of weather, you could say, all
weathers. Very seldom it turns out really monotonously good or
bad. You will feel transferred to the month of April. Variable
is probably the main characteristic. The gulf current determines
the weather all year round, therefore, it is basically, rather
mild. In addition there is the wind, the every blowing wind which
soon drives away low lying rain clouds.
As far as the weather is concerned, Ireland is the ideal country
for riding because extreme heat or extreme cold is unheard of.
"Nice weather" is the standard welcome of the Irish,
without sarcasm, by the way, even if it has only just stopped
pouring down. Only proper clothing helps against too much weather
or "increased humidity" - a coat of waxed cotton is
definitely a very useful piece.
Wednesday
Regular day of rest for stable staff, house staff and horses.
A good opportunity to draw the attention of all those at home
to you, by sending cards and letters in order to make them really
envious. On this day you can jump on a bus to Sligo or Donegal.
Those who have rented cars can use their free time for another
excursion.
Whip
The rider's extended arm. It should never punish but can frequently
be used to show the direction, to increase attention, to increase
speed and last, but not least, to praise. The whip can also be
used to chase away and wipe off flies and horseflies from the
horse's neck. Whips have a fatal resemblance to umbrellas: if
you have it on you it will not be needed and vice versa. Unpleasant
characteristics of the whip: they are often left behind, lost
or you cannot remember where you put it just after dismounting.
Wound
Unfortunately, cracks, bruises and cuts cannot be completely avoided
if you ride through the countryside. Complaining does not help
much. Blue spray does. Most of the small wounds, especially those
on the legs heal more quickly than you think. Profusely bleeding
cracks or gaping wounds are to be discussed with the stable staff.
Attention! Horses are basically oversensitive and make quite a
"song and dance" when even the smallest injuries are
treated, therefore: always watch your feet.
X
X - Rays
Try to avoid them by all means using circumspection and caution.
X - rays are used at Sligo Hospital like at any other hospital
in the world to diagnose bone fractures.
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