Equestrian Blogs

Equestrian Profile: Ashley Van Der Hout, Part 2

August 17, 2020   |  THE HEART HORSE

Introduction

Ashley and I had such a long conversation I had to break her interview into two parts! If you haven’t yet, make sure you read Part 1 to learn more about Ashley and her journey.

In Part 2, Ashley discusses: How to find a good blacksmith or Vet, How to be a good student, Advice for boarders, Advice on buying your first horse, and Her favourite riding discipline.

How to Find a Good Blacksmith or Vet

Riding is a team sport. In order to be successful, however you define success, you need to have a solid team of professionals supporting you and your horse.

Ashley shares her advice on finding a good blacksmith or vet.

Ashley says, “There’s really no good or bad blacksmith or vet. It really depends on what type of person you are, what type of financial background you have, or what you expect from your blacksmith or vet.”

From Ashley’s point of view, it is all about finding a good match.

For example, she explains, “If you have problems, find the vet that is familiar with these types of problems or a farrier that’s knowledgeable about these issues. I think what makes a good and bad farrier or vet is all personal preference based on what you want to pay, the performance level of your horse, and what your goals are.”

There might be a blacksmith or a vet that is perfect for one horse/rider combination but simply does not work for you. For example, if your friend has a phenomenal hunter blacksmith, they may not be a perfect fit for your reining horse.

Similarly, if you have an easy keeping, low-maintenance, back-yard trail-riding horse, you may not want to pay premium prices for a vet that specializes in high-performance horses and on-call emergencies.

Choose your teammates wisely. And if it’s not a good fit, don’t be afraid to make a change.

How to Be a Good Student

Similarly to what she says about good and bad blacksmiths and vets, Ashley says there isn’t really a good student or a bad student. There are, however, some strategies that will promote faster progress.

Her top tips:



“Listening.” Ashley explains, “Listening is the biggest key for students – and asking questions. You have to ask questions.”

The Coach's Role

Ashley also acknowledges the coach’s role in creating knowledgeable riders.

“As a trainer or a coach you need to understand that it’s your job to bring that frustration or anxiety level down – to bring the emotions back to neutral ground. We have to console our students and teach them what they are doing wrong. That frustration is not really a bad thing. It’s just a lack of knowledge because they don’t know how to fix what is happening.”



Ultimately, Ashley says that good communication is the key to success. When the student is willing to listen and ask questions, and the coach is willing to explain the concept in different ways until the student understands, it is a recipe for success.

Advice for Boarders

Ashley is a barn owner, but she was also a boarder many years ago.

She says that respect between the barn owner and the clients supports a positive environment for both.

“It all comes down to respect.” She says, “You have to respect the barn owner as much as the barn owner respects the clients.”

She also expresses how important it is to show respect for the barn workers, “because without workers it’s not Kings Meadow.”

It is important to remember that owning and running a boarding facility is not a 9 to 5 job. Barn owners often struggle to prioritize their own family and needs.

In my opinion, here are some ways you can show respect for your barn owner:

• Respect their time. Do you need their help this second or can it wait?
• Respect their property. Clean up after yourself and respect barn rules.
• Don’t nitpick. Think about the big picture. The barn owner and workers do their best for you and your horse. Small things may get missed from time to time. Be grateful for all the times they get it right.
• Take the time to acknowledge what they are doing well. People are often quick to complain when things go wrong. Be quick to say something when things go right, too!
• If you do have to make a complaint, be respectful. Explain your concern and work together with the barn owner to come up with a solution. Be sure to listen to the barn owner’s point of view, and don’t expect extra services for free.
• Say please and thank you!

Advice on Buying Your First Horse

Ashley’s main advice on buying a horse is: “Understand your finances. If you’re not a mature working adult and you can’t put finances together, don’t do it.”

There are steps you can take before buying that will give you a similar feeling.

“My first advice would be part board or lease. Get the feeling of owning a horse but not truly owning that horse.”

Sometimes we see the price of a horse and think, I can afford that! But there are so many hidden and unexpected expenses that come with horse ownership.

Ashley says, “Buying the horse is the easy part. It’s the maintenance. You can have a horse that never injures itself, never needs shoes, never needs to live inside. But what happens with that one injury and it needs to live inside? Now you have vet bills, the boarding cost, the rehab cost, and the training cost to bring that horse back if you can’t do it yourself.”

It’s not impossible to buy a horse at a younger age, but it takes a lot of hard work and commitment. More than most people realize.

“I bought my first horse at a very young age. I also worked 7 days a week with school to afford them. You have to learn the responsibility and I don’t think buying a horse is the best way to go. Buy a horse when you know you can do it financially.”



Ashley explains that waiting until you are financially ready allows you to enjoy the horse more, and lowers the chance of being forced to sell a horse you have formed a deep connection with.

Ashley's Favourite Riding Discipline

When I ask Ashley if she has a favourite discipline, she says, without hesitation, “Dressage. It’s more technical, more detailed, more of a challenge.”

She explains, “Don’t get me wrong, I love the hunters, I love equitation, but it all comes from dressage.”

For Ashley, a foundation in dressage is the key to success in any discipline.

“You need the flexibility, you need the suppleness, you need the balance. You need it in hunters, jumpers, and western too. It’s your basic foundation.”

“Equitation is being able to move that horse around your legs and around your seat in the hunter and jumper ring. The horse can’t just follow the track, or the 8 fences down a diagonal down the outside with a hollow back and an outside bend.”

Ashley explains that a horse and rider with correct biomechanics is the most exciting to watch.

“If the horse is straight as a board and lifting its legs with a hollow back…so what if it can jump a 4 foot fence? That’s not exciting to me. I want to see the bascule on it, the flexion, the softness, the agility of the horse. I want to see that horse fly over the fence, even if it’s a small 2’3” fence.”

Conclusion

Through all of her great advice, Ashley reminds us to focus on what is really important.

It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, or wanting to have what other people have, even before we are ready. Nothing with horses comes quickly or easily. Try to stay focused on your individual situation and enjoy what you have. Surround yourself with knowledgeable professionals and enjoy each stage of your journey!

I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing!

Happy horsing around!

(NOTE: this blog has been reproduced with permission from The Heart Horse.)