If you've ever ridden with me, you'll notice I always wear a helmet. My reasons for wearing one just outweigh any reason I can think of for not wearing one. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't look down upon or think less of anyone who chooses not to. I love you whether you ride with one or without. Further, I very much dislike when people belittle and demean those who choose not to wear a helmet, in fact I dislike that action for any reason.
But for me, I will keep strapping on my brain bucket as long as I ride.
Here's why-
I want to ride horses for the rest of my life. I want to teach and train and ride til I'm an ol' lady. The way I see it, if a helmet could make a difference in how long I get to ride, it's worth it to me.
I have a lot of kids who look up to me as a role model, and I don't want riding without a helmet to be something they strive for, the cool thing that only experienced riders get to do.
I want to be there for my family. I don't exactly have the safest job in the world and if I were to get into an accident where a helmet would have made a difference in how long I'm around to love my family, that's not worth my hair blowing in the wind.
I didn't always insist on wearing one, in fact there will be many old horse friends who laugh at this post. :)
But I've seen helmets save enough lives and prevent enough serious injuries enough to know they're worth wearing. And I've seen enough wrecks without helmets to know that I don't want to be in those shoes.
I'm in it for the horses, and I still love you whether you ride with a helmet or without. :)

Equine Instructor Spotlight: Booker

*Equine Instructor Spotlight: Booker*
Here at Zion Riding Academy we have two kinds of instructors- Human Instructors and Equine instructors. Our equine instructors are not just horses, they are not tools for a job, they are highly valued and respected members of our team. Without these incredible horses, our Academy wouldn't exist. It takes a special kind of horse to be an equine instructor. They must be  safe, patient with learning riders, well educated, and enjoy their job. Many of our instructors are 'retired' from a professional competitive career and enjoy their retirement getting smothered in love and attention by loving little kids. Booker is one of those horses. He started his career as a reining horse and competed in the sport until he injured his hock in pasture one day. They did everything possible for him, even stem cell therapy! His owner Joedy Lange had taken amazing care of him since birth and she didn't want to hurt him by asking him to continue competing in reining. So, she heard of our Academy and thought he would enjoy work as a lesson horse, so she contacted us and he has been an invaluable member of our team ever since! His registered name with the American Paint Horse Association is Red Oak Redemption, but around the barn he goes by Booker. He is a favorite of many of our students and Tessa's favorite (But don't tell the other horses!). He has a puppy dog personality. He will come when you whistle, follow you everywhere and he loves scratches! Just don't leave anything near him on the hitching post because he'll chew on it like a puppy! Despite his bigger size, he has taught many of our smallest students to ride because of his gentlemanly disposition and willingness to listen for the tiniest little cues. He is truly one in a million and treasured by all at the Academy. We love you Booker!

Zion Riding Academy

Why we don't yell at horses

Why we don't yell at horses.
Have you ever seen someone yell and scream at a horse?
It's a lot like asking someone a question in a foreign language and then screaming the same request at them when they don't understand it. That person may have been happy to comply with your request had you asked in a language they were familiar with.
We have a primarily verbal language.
Horses primarily speak in a silent language, complex and vast if we are keen enough to listen.
For that reason, it's difficult for us to understand that communication with horses is silent, just as it is difficult for us as apex predators to understand the instincts of a prey animal.
I'm amazed and thankful that these gorgeous creatures allow us to fumble up on their backs, put up with our shenanigans, and share in their wingless flight.
I don't deserve it, it's not something the horse owes me.
So how can I become frustrated with him for not understanding a language I failed to teach him?
Here's to a lifetime of learning to read and speak that silent language.
And that's why we don't yell at horses.

Presidents Week Horse Camp