Breezy Hill Stables

Hilarious:)

Region 14 hosted an exciting Men’s Sidesaddle Calcutta to benefit the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund where they raised over $27,000! You may recognize some familiar faces!

Make Them Carry Their Saddle

A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.

Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)

When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.

When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.

Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.

When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.

After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.

Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.

Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.

So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.

I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.

Hannah Campbell Zapletal

FROM A PARENT:
One of my friends asked "Why do you pay so much money for your kids to ride horses?" Well I have a confession to make, I don't pay for my kids to ride horses.

So, if I am not paying for them to ride, what am I paying for?

- I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don't.

- I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are "too tired" to go to the barn but go anyway.

- I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined.

- I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body.

- I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good team mates.

- I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don't get that score they'd hoped for, but still have to work hard in the grading.

- I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.

- I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to create a champion, and that success does not happen overnight.

- I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships.

- I pay so that my kids can be in the arena instead of in front of a screen...

..I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for horse riding, I pay for the opportunities that horse riding provides my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!

Unknown Author

Winter camp:)

Another Winter Camp done!!

“THE DREAM THAT MANY WILL NOT UNDERSTAND:
My horses are my personal dream.
One day when I am very old and when I can not walk anymore, it will be in my heart as a trophy of my memories.
I met people who taught me something and have the same spirit and I met others that I'm glad I forgot.
I got wet,
I felt cold,
And I felt warm;
I was afraid,
I fell,
And I stood up.
I even hurt myself, I have been broken,
But also, I laughed out loud inside.
I spoke a thousand times with myself.
I sang and shouted with joy like a madman,
And yes ... sometimes I cried.
I have seen wonderful places and lived unforgettable experiences.
I climbed on horses that made me feel brave and excited...and then there were ones that terrified me......
I stopped a thousand times to see a landscape.
I spoke with perfect strangers, and I forgot people I see every day.
I went out with my demons inside and returned home with a feeling of absolute peace in my heart.
I always thought how dangerous it is, knowing that the meaning of courage is to advance even feeling fear.
Every time I go out to my horses I think about how wonderful they are.
I stopped talking about it to those who do not understand, and I learned to communicate with other riders.
I have met some amazing people I now call friends because of my horses.
I spent money that I did not have, giving up many things, but all these things are not worth even one special moment with my horse.
They are not a means of transport or a piece of iron with wheels, they are the lost part of my soul and my spirit.
And when someone says to me: "You have to sell the horses and you have to be more sensible", ... I do not answer. I just swing my head and smile.
A horse..... only the person who loves them understands it.
May God bless my friends and all their horses...
And the adventure continues...”
Author unknown

Schooling show with beach theme.

Teach the student that shows up.
I’ve gotten what some have referred to as “difficult” students… the slow thinkers, the dyslexics, those with shockingingly minimal proprioception, the nervous over thinkers, the physically challenged,…
Whatever. I teach them the best I can. They learn what they learn. It’s not my job to decide if their speed of progress is acceptable or not- that’s up to them! If they are happy and having fun, and they keep showing up, (and yes, pay their bill) then I keep teaching them the absolute best I know how!!!!
I’ve had students that progress [what to me feels] painfully slow at first, but then things click and, like grass growing, you can’t see it, but there it is!!! Some are slow thinkers but fast learners. Some have a challenging learning style that pushes me to become a better teacher. Sometime kids show no RIDING progress, but parents rave about how the child is better behaved and a better listener for 1-2 days following their lesson- that’s progress!!!! Who cares if they still bumble around in posting trot, and can’t figure out diagonals. Sometimes adults struggle for awhile until they get strong/fit enough and then suddenly make a big leap. Sometimes fear issues can hold someone back for what feels like forever, but then they “suddenly”, after a year of repetition, break free and find their confidence.

Progress isn’t linear, and sometimes we are using the wrong metrics to measure success anyways. If two hours at the barn is the only time a parent isn’t worried about their child taking their own life, than who cares if the kid doesn’t want to trot and is content steering at the walk.

Sometimes us pros think “good” students have to be like us- athletic with big goals, and dedication to spare. But not everyone is in it for that, and that’s okay- I’ll meet them where they are and teach the best I can… using THEIR metrics- not mine.
PS- borrowed from another trainer:)