Favorite Finds 33
“You don’t have to go all over the world to do heroic work. Start right here-wherever you are. The intention to leave things or people just a little better than you found them opens your heart and gives your life purpose.” -Trudy Goodman
Jay Shetty’s On Purpose-Lewis Hamilton
If you read my Favorite Finds, you know I love a good podcast. I find myself in the car a lot and it can be such a waste of time for so many people but I use that time to listen to podcast episodes that help me grow, learn and develop. Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast is always on my list to listen to because the conversations Jay has with people are not only interesting but deep and meaningful. The latest episode from Jay Shetty’s On Purpose is with Lewis Hamilton who is a 7 time F1 world champion race car driver, one of my favorite drivers in the F1 industry. You don’t have to like race cars or F1 to appreciate this episode; this is more about what Lewis Hamilton stands for and how he uses his success as a platform to spread awareness and create more inclusion and diversity in the world. Jay and Lewis discuss the struggles Lewis has faced in his life, dealing with wins and losses and what success really means for someone like Lewis Hamilton. I hope this conversation inspires you as much as it inspires me to look for ways to make our equestrian community better.
Equine Pole Work
As a dressage rider, I will admit, setting up poles or gymnastic exercises is not my strong suit. If I set up poles, my first instinct is to simply lay 3-4 poles either in a straight line or in a fan shape for trot work…How boring is that? There are so many beneficial ways to use poles, yet, unless you’ve done it a lot, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start or how you should arrange them. I found a great Instagram account called @equinepolework that solves this problem for anyone out there like me who gets lost in laying out pole patterns. For all the equestrians out there that are stuck inside for a few more months, I recommend you introduce one day a week of pole work. It will get you and your horse off a circle and provide a little variety in your training along with building strength and flexibility.
Shoulder Slope and Shoulder Angle
I am always interested in knowing more about anatomy and physiology of the horse and how it relates to their biomechanics of movement. This article discusses shoulder slope and shoulder angle and what the difference is when evaluating horses. I think you will find this article easy to read but what makes it so beneficial are the pictures with descriptions so you can better understand how to evaluate a horse’s shoulder angle and slope on your own. This information is especially useful when you’re looking to purchase a horse or evaluating a young horse’s future prospect/discipline.