The Maker's Mark Secretariat Center is a non profit facility located in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. We are dedicated to reschooling, and showcasing the athleticism of the off track Thoroughbred so that they can go on and become ambassadors for the breed in second careers. We are also committed to educating the public about these wonderful horses: We welcome visitors of all ages, interns, and volunters . This blog publicizes unofficial updates on our horses and our programs. For more information, visit www,secretariatcenter.org or www.facebook.com/makersmarksecretariatcenter








Sunday, September 19, 2010

"Today Is Horse Day. That's Why We're Dressed Like Cowboys"

by: Erin Shea

On Thursday September 9, The Year of the Horse was celebrated at Liberty Elementary School, so Maker's Mark Secretariat Center joined other organizations from Lexington to come teach the children about horses. As the Fall 2010 communications intern, I was asked to come report and photograph the event. I am so glad that I went.

We explained to 750 kids what we do at the Center by comparing it to their school, but instead of subjects like math and science, the horses learn things like dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper and other disciplines. Susanna, who speaks several languages, spoke to them in a foreign language and explained how horses also have a language. Then she taught them how to say "hello" in horse by blowing in their nostrils. We took our two ambassadors, Ferdinand's Star and Fly Lite, who willingly greeted them all which delighted the kids. We discussed how horses see the world, which is different from how humans see it. We flipped up the horses' lips and showed off their racing tattoos, and displayed their big yellowed teeth.

"See what happens if you don't brush your teeth?" said Susanna.

"EWWWWW!! YUCK!!" exclaimed the kids.

Ferdinand's Star and Fly Lite, were used by Rob Spencer, equine podiatrist and farrier, also to teach the students hoof care and how shoes are put on horses. Most of the kids knew little to nothing about horses so we had to start with the basics.

"Look at your feet. Do you all wear the same size shoes?" asked Susanna. "What kind of shoes do you wear to the beach? To go hiking? To play basketball?"

Rob Spencer showed the kids that horses have different shoes for different jobs. And that horses have different size feet, and that shoes are nailed or glued on.

"Do the nails hurt??" the children asked.

It was a great day for the kids but it was also educational and fun for me. Explaining horse nature, horse care and daily procedures in a way that children can understand - simple, clear and logical, made me thing about things I take for granted. Seeing the children laugh and marvel at Ferdy and Fly was wonderful because horses bring me joy too. It was awesome to share my passion with the children at Liberty Elementary School.








Friday, September 17, 2010

Learning How To Go Left....And Other Thoughts While Riding...

by: Erin Shea

Riding is a mental as well as a physical pursuit. When you get on your horse, you don't leave your thoughts and personality behind. They show through your riding. It's quite amazing how much your individual traits shape the way that you ride. I guess this is because you can tell the character of a person by the way that they treat another living thing, like a horse. During my time riding last week, I came to the realization that they way I ride reflects my personality.

I am my father's daughter. I have been told this my whole life. I tend to ride putting the majority of my weight on my right side of my body. Susanna noted this and surpirised me by asking me out of the blue if I was like my father in personality. "Why?" I asked. "Because in Chinese medicine, Native American medicine, and indeed some religions, the right side of the body is traditionally associated with the father," she told me. "And you are very right sided." She suggested I lengthen my stirrup a hole on the left so I would have to reach more for it and asked that I pay attention as I rode this way in the future what happened.

So I was riding Diano in the jumping field a few days later. At first I was having a hard time getting him to go down the outside line without bending to the left too much and drifting left coming to the fence crooked. Remembering my tendency to be right sided. I started to put more of my weight in my left stirrup. We had a much straighter line. Wow! it is amazing what riding properly and balanced can do for you and your horse!

Like my dad, I am a perfectionist. It's a blessing and a curse. It's a great trait when trying to accomplish something. I'm motivated and will work until my project is complete. However, I am often unsatisfied with my work and I tend to beat myself up over things which often are not important. Not the best quality to have when training a horse.

This too showed up in my riding this week. While I was trotting on Pete, Susanna told me not to try so hard while posting. Easier said than done for someone like me. At first, "not working so hard" was really hard. However riding this way, and not stressing about whether you are doing everything by the book, makes sense when you realize that your horse responds to what you're asking. After a bit, I began to feel how to use my seat and body to ask my horse to extend and collect at the trot. When I gave him the correct support from my position. Pete engaged his whole body in his trot making me realize what an amazing responsive horse he is. He's so sensitive, like many Thoroughbreds, and willing to do what his rider asks of him, if asked in a clear way, and then allowed him to do what he does best: being a horse!

Our riding habits may lead us deeper into our lives than we know. That is what I've been experiencing myself this week. So as a piece of advice to all riders, look past the physical part of riding and think about yourself as a whole. Sort out your riding problems and maybe then you will be able to put yourself in balance, both in the saddle and out.