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Horses in Connecticut
By Mary Jo Zanolli
Statistics by the American Horse Council have the United States horse population at over 9.2 million. Over 7.1 million people are involved with these horses as owners, riders, breeders, veterinarians, blacksmiths, feed dealers, barn builders, writers, etc. This translates into one in every 35 Americans being involved with horses! Just what is it about horses that appeals to people? Many horse-lovers will agree that horses offer a break from the over-stressed, hurried lifestyle that is just too common in many a household. Horses offer us a peaceful reprieve from our busy life, a way of connecting with nature and animals that somehow allows us to re-evaluate our priorities.
Good horsemanship and correct riding is not something that can be rushed, and the close bond between horse and rider can take years to develop. Potential equestrians in the state of Connecticut are fortunate to have hundreds of stables to choose from, with a huge variety of equestrian disciplines and riding styles offered.
The novice equestrian should begin with riding lessons at a reputable stable. Once the rider has mastered the basics of position and balance she can choose to refine her skills in one particular discipline. Most stables focus on one or two specific riding disciplines. Every discipline has its own show scene and the opportunity to compete with others who are at your level.
Polo, jumping, dressage, western riding, and trail riding are some of the equestrian activities available in Connecticut’s horse community. Polo and jumping are good choices for the rider who loves speed and the rush of adrenaline. Trail riding, on the other hand, is a nice option for the rider who wants to spend quiet time with his horse and nature. Dressage focuses on developing a horse’s natural athletic ability, with the end goal of horse and rider appearing to move as one, almost as ballet dancers. Western riding has its roots in the American Old West Era, when cowboys rode horses to herd cattle and work a ranch.
Equestrian sports also include driving, endurance riding, eventing, gymkhana, vaulting, and reining. Driving can be competitive in nature, such as harness racing, or more recreational, such as a quiet fall ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the foliage. Endurance riding is a competitive trail ride over a long distance. It is not unusual for endurance rides to be over 100 miles in length at higher competition levels. Eventing combines dressage, show-jumping, and a cross-country ride into a kind of equestrian triathlon that tests horse and rider on three different riding disciplines within one competition. Gymkhana, or games-on-horseback, are timed events based on speed and include classes such as barrel racing and pole-bending. Vaulting is a kind of gymnastics on horseback, often choreographed to music. Reining is a Western style of riding where the rider and horse work through a precise pattern that includes the horse doing spins, circles, flying changes of lead, rein- backs, and sliding stops.
Equine sports are certainly not limited to the above riding disciplines, but the listed riding styles are among the most common. The web can be a great source of additional information for the potential rider. The United States Equestrian Federation, www.usef.org, offers links to the websites of many nationally recognized riding disciplines, such as the United States Dressage Federation or the United States Eventing Association. Additional information can be found at www.equisearch.com as well. With over 9 million horses in the United States, it is obvious that even in today’s busy society horses still remain an important part of our culture. Get involved in your local horse community and find out why so many people have fallen in love with the horse!
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