Southwind Farm remembers our fallen service members with pride this Memorial Day weekend, and together we pay homage to those who have given us our freedoms.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Monday, May 18, 2020
7 Tips for Getting Back in the Saddle
As things slowly begin to open up and riding can resume here in Maryland, we know it might not feel the same as it did before. Even if it's only been a month since you've ridden, it can be hard to get back into a riding routine and feel in sync with your horse again. Thanks to a quick article from 'I Heart Horses' we are sharing 7 tips for getting back into the saddle after the time off.
1.) Don’t get frustrated when you aren’t as good as you used to be. You might not be as quick with your aides or as sharp with your eye right off the bat. That is okay, it will take some time for it to come back...but it will!
2.) Spend time with your horse before getting on. Of course it's your horse and they remember you, but there might be a small lack of trust so it's best to spend some extra time grooming, grazing and loving on them to ensure that you are the same person they know and can trust.
3.) Don’t commit to a barn, instructor, or horse immediately. If you were taking lessons casually or not sure about staying at your particular place of boarding, take the time now to research new farms and instructors and call about availability to see what might be the best fit for you and your horse. (Hint: Southwind Farm has stall boarding spots available!)
4.) Go for a trail ride. Enjoy the first few rides back, no pressure! Take the time to reconnect with your horse before jumping back into to a regular workout routine.
5.) Attend a riding clinic once things are open again. If you are comfortable, when clinics begin again, think about looking into a few that could help you re-develop goals and things to work on with your horse.
6.) Make it an appointment and stick to it! Be sure to set out consistent time each week to spend with your horse (as much as your facility and schedule allows) so the transition back is easier.
7.) Make friends with horse lovers! If you haven't ridden in awhile and are looking for suggestions of places to go, reach out to other equestrians or people you know who own horses and talk your ideas through with them.
1.) Don’t get frustrated when you aren’t as good as you used to be. You might not be as quick with your aides or as sharp with your eye right off the bat. That is okay, it will take some time for it to come back...but it will!
3.) Don’t commit to a barn, instructor, or horse immediately. If you were taking lessons casually or not sure about staying at your particular place of boarding, take the time now to research new farms and instructors and call about availability to see what might be the best fit for you and your horse. (Hint: Southwind Farm has stall boarding spots available!)
4.) Go for a trail ride. Enjoy the first few rides back, no pressure! Take the time to reconnect with your horse before jumping back into to a regular workout routine.
5.) Attend a riding clinic once things are open again. If you are comfortable, when clinics begin again, think about looking into a few that could help you re-develop goals and things to work on with your horse.
6.) Make it an appointment and stick to it! Be sure to set out consistent time each week to spend with your horse (as much as your facility and schedule allows) so the transition back is easier.
7.) Make friends with horse lovers! If you haven't ridden in awhile and are looking for suggestions of places to go, reach out to other equestrians or people you know who own horses and talk your ideas through with them.
Learn more about why Southwind Farm is a great place for horses and riders of all disciplines at www.southwindfarminc.com !
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Happy Mother's Day from Southwind Farm!!
🌼 Happy Mother’s Day to all you horse and human mommas out there from everyone at Southwind Farm! We hope you can enjoy this beautiful day and rest assured knowing that all of your equine children are being taken well care of! 🌼
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Trailer Tune Up before Summer!
If you are like most you haven't been able to get out lately due to current circumstances, chances are your horse trailer has been sitting around. That's why it's important to do a trailer tune up before summer so it's ready to go when you are! "A well-maintained trailer will be safer for both you and your horse than one in shoddy shape(Equisearch)."
Here's a handy checklist from an article at Equisearch to get you started.
(Note: Unless you're a truck/trailer-maintenance expert, ask a reputable trailer dealership or an experienced trailer-maintenance person to perform most of these tasks for you. With this information in hand, provide this person guidance, and check the trailer over when you pick it up.)
For more tips and details on the ones above, click here for the article link.
(Note: Unless you're a truck/trailer-maintenance expert, ask a reputable trailer dealership or an experienced trailer-maintenance person to perform most of these tasks for you. With this information in hand, provide this person guidance, and check the trailer over when you pick it up.)
- Check all tires.
- Invest in spares.
- Rotate your tires.
- Check the brakes.
- Tighten the lug nuts.
- Enhance your tire kit.
- Remove and clean the mats.
- Check the floorboards.
- Lubricate the metal.
- Make sure all the trailer lights work.
- Check the lights.
- Bonus: Apply reflective tape.
For more tips and details on the ones above, click here for the article link.
If you are looking for a new place to call home for your horse later this summer visit www.southwindfarminc.com to see if we're the right fit for you!
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