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I know this is off topic as it has nothing to do with reining. But I’m on vacation, so I might as well. I finally found some real live (as opposed to bronze or marble) horses in Denmark. We spotted them during the changing of the guard at the queen’s royal palace, Amalienborg. They were beautiful Oldenburgs owned and ridden by Copenhagen’s Finest, the mounted police. The two officers we met told us about the training they go through with the horses.

The police horses are tested once a week for their calmness (bombproofedness?). Guns and chainsaws are a few of the things used to make loud noises for this testing. They are taught to actually push crowds back with their bodies. They also practice jumping once a week. Busy horses! Continue Reading »

So far, this is the only horse I’ve seen in Denmark. It’s only day two though, so I’m not discouraged. I’m in contact with a Scandinavian reining committee member (I think) who said she would do a little checking around for me. Keep your fingers crossed.

About the statue, I’m not entirely sure what the naked guy is doing by the horse’s hooves, but I suspect he threw himself down there to be trampled to death after spending two maddening weeks trying to get his horse to turn on the forehand. Continue Reading »