First Snow Day

Winter Is Here

Misty morning

Winter is here. The days are getting short and cold. We have had our share of wet and windy weather too, but the clear, crisp winter days of Dingle make up for it. We are open all year round, and weather permitting are always happy to see visitors who would like to go riding. It is quieter at this time of year though, so it is also a nice time for some of the horses to go off on their holidays and relax after a busy summer. They will take it in turns to have a couple of weeks/months off in the fields over the winter.

Rosie

Rosie is a 16.1hh, registered Appaloosa mare, although you may not believe it from the picture! Born 2004 and backed at the yard in 2008, she is coming into her own as a brilliant trekking horse. She has a big stride with a lot of movement. As you can also see from the picture she loves the beach and the water.

Smokey

Smokey is a 16hh sportshorse grey mare, born 1997. Always glad to go on the mountain trek, she is great for beginners and has a fair turn of speed on the canter track for experienced riders.

Holly

Holly is our 15.2hh liver chesnut mare, and lives up to the reputation. Born 2001 and at the yard since 2008, she likes hacking and jumping, and Fuji. She does not like donkeys.

School Party

The kids may be going back to school, but the horses and ponies at Dingle Horse Riding have been having a school party of their own in the sunny weather this week.

Red and Fuji.

Minstrel

Minstrel is our 14.2hh coloured mare, born 2003 and backed at the yard in 2008. Usually ridden by the guide, she is not your average trekking horse. This awesome little mare is a cross between a space hopper and an electric eel, and jeez is she fast.

Thanks to the Carlson family for some more great photos!

First post to post 2010

We had a few wet moments but they didn't dampen our spirits, and opportune sunny spells more than made up for them. Thank you to Jessica, for the great photography; Liz, for introducing Monty to the Connor Pass and beyond; and Diana, for the inspirational perseverance.

Liz and Monty, Jessica and Fuschia, on top of Cnoc na Chairn above Dingle.

Fording the river on the way to Murieoch.

Leaving the beach at Ventry.

Minstrel having an itch at lunchtime in Ventry.

Up, up, up the Connor Pass.

And the weather held out for a photo at the top.

The horses first night in Cloghane.

Crossing to the beach at Fermoyle.

Fuchsia felt at home in Castlegregory.

Happy faces after a gallop down the sand.

Nearing Camp at the end of day 4.

The field in Camp.

Monty was sure what it was either.

Monty relaxing during his first post to post. He thought it was a great adventure.

Annascaul lake, nearing the end of our ride on the final day.

A wall painting in Dingle. Is that Fuschia in the lead??

Susan Callery

Susan is the owner and director of Dingle Horse Riding, as well as the Greenlane Art Gallery in Dingle. An artist herself, she established the gallery in 1989, and the stables in 1992, and since both have gone from strength to strength. Please visit our sister site http://www.greenlanegallery.com/ , or feel free to drop in to the gallery itself, located on Holy Ground in Dingle.

April 10th Showjumping

Bitless Bridles

Many of our horses are now ridden in bitless bridles, and we have come to the conclusion that they work better, and are happier, without a bit in their mouth. Whether on a forward going or steadier horse, on the beach, on the mountain or in the riding school, in competition and show-jumping, we feel our horses are more comfortable and just as responsive in the bitless bridle in comparison to with a bit. The bridles we use are based on the cross-pull design, I make these bridles myself, please visit my website also at http://www.uiscesaddlery.blogspot.com/. Come riding with us to try one out

Sue Carr's Visit 27th April - 6th May 2010

To Katy, Elaine & all at Dingle Horse Riding [including dogs, cats & ponies],

Many thanks for yet another wonerful stay; it was lovely to visit Dingle again, and to see the continuing improvements you are achieving. The horses have been kept so well this winter, despite the harsh weather; they looked and rode better than ever. It was also lovely to hear positive comments from clients about the "fabulously fit & well horses". The rides have been tweaked to give most benefit to both horse & rider.

I enjoyed tremendously the beach rides in 'bitless' bridles. The horses seem to enjoy the freedom to move without tense riders pulling strongly on the bit, and this makes it more rewarding for the riders. Well done guys!!

For me the high spot of our training sessions was being able to see horses working with the correct energy, rhythm, balance & shape, both during flat-work and over jumps... and all without a bit!!

Thanks again, and ...... Kallam, please make sure Snoopy's fence gets finished before she chews through it.

Love & best wishes, and we'll be back soon, Sue & Tim Carr xx