Maeve Birch Home

    Tag: Equestrian

    • Is It Necessary?

      When I was new to horses, the first thing I tried was riding. It wasn’t that I was particularly drawn to riding, it’s just that seemed to be the only access to horses available to me at the time. I tried out multiple riding stables, but would get a few lessons in and then stop,…

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    • Something is Wrong

      There is something wrong with our horses. I watched a video last week where three starving, unhandled mustang mares were taken to a rescue after being at a holding facility for who knows how long. The three were released into an arena with a tub of hay in the middle. They were cautious of everything,…

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    • Spring Thorns

      Spring feels like it’s right around the corner here, even though I know we have at least another month of cold temperatures to get through. This past week was deceptively warm, culminating in a day that had the horses sweating under their winter hair. We had to do a bit of clipping on the undersides…

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    • Check In, Breathe In, Breathe Out

      I teach a course locally on how to recognize the very beginnings of a dangerous situation developing with a horse. Part of it is being aware of your own body, it’s relation to the horse’s body, and recognizing how your emotions and the horse’s are interacting. I had to take my own advice the other…

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    • Not Alone

      The past week has been a little chaotic, as a close family member had emergency surgery and is still in the hospital. It’s the first time in my life when I’ve been so directly involved in helping care for a family member. Thankfully I have mentors I can reach out to who have been through…

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    • It’s Here! Paperback Release

      The paperback version of Standing in a Field With Horses is here! Click Here for Amazon book! When I was a little girl my aunt and uncle got me a ceramic dragon statue that I was so enamored with, I carried it from room to room with me for a couple of days, just to…

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    • Paperback Progress

      Hello readers! There has been much progress on the paperback book front. I got my proof copy of Standing in a Field With Horses in, then my laptop started glitching so badly that I had to continue my formatting updates on a computer at the public library. Thank goodness for libraries! I have the second…

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    • Self-Aware, Horse-Aware

      The equestrian world is intent on the appearance of leadership and strength. Perhaps I should back up a bit and say that it’s true for the entire dominant culture of the United States. Don’t quit, don’t cry, don’t back down… When things get tough, we’re encouraged to beat the odds, fight to win, and make…

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    • Coming In Strong for the New Year

      I took a two week break from the blog for the holidays. Between family visits, holiday parties, work, and travel, this introvert was exhausted. Isn’t it strange that we take time off only to fill it with activity? Some folks thrive on social activities, but I tend to get more worn down as they pile…

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    • A Task Without an Outcome

      There’s a pony at the barn where I currently volunteer who is afraid of putting her face in a halter. She had been rescued from an abusive situation and is taking a while to warm up to the idea of voluntarily having something approaching her face. To catch her in the field, usually someone has…

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