and meanwhile, back on the hill

We had some rain, and now we're having sunshine. The fall color is brilliant, and this morning a breeze is blowing, which causes sudden explosions of color as leaves fly through the air and to the ground.

The effect is like being inside a snow globe, but even better. An autumn leaf globe.

There has been all sorts of activity going on. Acorn patrol, cats shifting their routines, a few incidents of high feline drama as their paths cross in the house, and a Corgi who has resumed full Corgi energy, which means her voice is heard in many of the ongoing conversations around here.

We have firewood in various states of cure and sizes in the backyard. The woodstove has been checked over and fired up at least a few times already.

We haven't had weather down to freezing yet, but when we do the front porch plants and tree will need to move back inside for the winter.

At the barn there is a buzz of energy. Donkeys into everything, pony getting the a.m. race back into gear, lots of mud rolling this week, which is a bear to get off the heavier coats they all have.

Salina's wonderful Whinny Warmers have already been unpacked and used once.

I have clean fly masks ready to go into storage, and am considering unpacking horse blankets. It's not quite time to use them, but that one night will spring on us out of nowhere. That's just how quickly the weather shifts here.

Husband found a mouse trying to burrow from the outside in to the barn. Daughter found a lizard in my bathroom. Lots of small creatures seem to be looking for winter digs.

I'm thinking about winter soups and good books, sweaters and warm breeches, and imagining those mornings when feeding horses breakfast also means breaking ice on troughs. We don't have too much of that here, generally, but lots of folks are predicting a cold winter. On a horse farm, you know it's really winter when mucking suddenly has audio.

Today though, it's cool but not cold, on a canvas of color that still includes summer green. We're on that rich edge where two seasons still mix together. Which usually means the best of both.

FEI to investigate Kittel's warm-up ride based on video

Go HERE to read the story on Epona TV, which includes their response to a request from the FEI for a copy of the full video as well as testimony by the videographer.

Go Well, Ted Andrews

I just learned that Ted Andrews, animist, shamanist, and author died this past weekend. Ted has been a friend and teacher to many through his books Animal Speak and Animal Wise.

He will be missed.

an alternative for classical riding enthusiasts

I just discovered this today, and would like to offer it as an alternative to explore if you're interested in riding and training classically:

Traditional Horsemanship

Check it out. It's new and still getting organized, but has a lot of potential, especially for those of us devoted to learning and growing, and interested in humane certification and competition.

Epona TV releases full 10-minute uncut video of Patrik Kittel riding Scandic in warm-up at World Cup

I've decided to put this here because so many people are coming by the blog, after googling to find more info on this video and Rollkur.

If you're not sure what you think of this issue, watch the video. Watch the entire thing.

Anky says top athletes do exercises. Put yourself into a pseudo-yoga pose that is not natural and uncomfortable. This pose should inhibit your ability to see as well as breathe properly. And you have to walk and run while doing it. Hold yourself there for 10 minutes. To get the full effect, have someone ELSE hold you there for 10 minutes. Tell them that if you resist, they should spur you on in a sensitive area of your body, because, after all, this is fun, and this is what you have to do to win.

Even that doesn't capture what these horses are enduring. To do that, we'd have to put ourselves into the same posture while allowing a dentist to do an uncomfortable painful procedure at the same time.

If you feel this is good horsemanship, carry on.

If not, write the FEI. Boycott venues that allow this type of warm-up. Don't buy Anky's many products. Don't go to clinics where this is taught.

Sign the petition. (both - there are two circulating right now that I know of)

Addresses and a link to the petition are further down on this blog, and also easily searchable online.