Good Times With the Budweiser Clydesdales

When the Budweiser Clydesdales rolled into town last week, Thomet Stables got the privilege of hosting them, as they have on other occasions. (I think this was the fourth time in the years that I've been there.) Seeing them on TV is one thing, but seeing them at the barn where my own horses are stabled is positively delightful. I thought I'd share a bit about the experience, plus some pics I've taken over the years.

When the Clydesdales arrive, there's always a crowd on hand to watch them unload. It cracks me up that some folks confess to seeing the convoy of Budweiser semi-trucks pull off the highway, and then ditching their plans to follow them to find out where they're going. Some things are worth being late for work!

During their visits, the Thomets open the doors to the public, welcoming all who want to get a close-up glimpse of these giant beauties. Folks of all ages stream in throughout the day, giving the barn a lively, festive feel. Those who come by early enough can watch the Clydesdales out in the arena during play time...

 ...which quite often turns into grooming time.

My favorite part is watching the always friendly, always professional grooms get the horses ready for their public appearances. 

And then there's nothing like heading downtown to see them in their full regalia.

There is no denying that the Budweiser Clydesdales have us in the palm of their hooves.

Their enormous size and power combined with their incredible beauty speaks to so many of us on so many different levels. It doesn't hurt that they have veritable marketing geniuses in their corner. Seriously, what other television commercials do we actually look forward to watching? 

Given their ties to the repeal of prohibition, these horses surely symbolize for many the American spirit... or at least the idea that free people in a free country do not necessarily need governmental input concerning their beverage choices. 



The Budweiser Clydesdales are most certainly the perfect representatives for good times. They remind us to lighten up. Life truly should be a party... 

...and it's a lot more fun when horses (and dogs) are invited.

15 Minutes Crucial to Riding Students

Each week, before climbing in the saddle for her riding lesson, nine-year old Audrey spends several minutes working with her horse on the ground. Ask her why and she'll tell you, "To make sure he's calm and paying attention to me." If you think the time she spends doing this isn't crucial, think again. 

In those moments on the ground, Audrey is getting a feel for her horse's mood that day. If he seems distracted, she is learning how to help him focus. If he seems sluggish, she is learning how to rev up his energy. If her horse seems anxious, she is learning how to calm him down. She is developing good leadership skills, while building a trusting bond with the horse. Most importantly, Audrey is practicing making good decisions for her both her own safety and her horse's. 

Recently Audrey was riding in a semi-private lesson when her horse alerted to a commotion outside the arena and came to a sudden halt. She attempted to press him forward but the horse starting getting nervous. Beginning to feel a bit nervous herself, Audrey hopped down and took the horse through several exercises to calm and refocus the both of them. When she climbed back in the saddle, she was able to ride safely past the commotion which was still underway.

In comparison, it wasn't that long ago that I witnessed a seventeen year-old prepare for a riding lesson by walking her horse into the arena and climbing immediately into the saddle. Within seconds her horse took off, bolting full-speed for several harrowing laps around the arena before she managed to get him to stop. When the instructor arrived moments later and asked the shaken teenager what happened, she replied, "I don't know. He just took off. I could tell he was a little nervous when I was getting on, but I didn't expect that."

She probably would have seen it coming a mile away had she received the leadership education Audrey's been receiving. It's no fluke that one horse bolted and the other one didn't. Leadership education is the difference between a rider who is prepared to prevent a horse from panicking and one who isn't. It's the difference between a rider who solves behavior issues and a rider who has no idea she is causing them.

Ask Audrey what's her most important job as an equestrian and she'll tell you, "To keep myself and my horse safe." She knows the fun she has riding depends on it. I'm not sure what the seventeen year-old's answer would be, but I do know this: the longer she remains in riding lessons without developing some decent leadership skills, the greater her chances of getting injured.

It doesn't have to take more than 15 minutes per lesson to help students develop good leadership skills. But, for leadership education to become normal in lesson programs, it most certainly takes riding instructors, students (of all ages) and parents understanding how crucial those 15 minutes are. 

Please join the challenge to create a safer riding lesson industry.

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