DefinitelyDressage.com

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Thanks, everyone. LSP, that's a good suggestion of looking into virtual option. I think it would require me coordinating with a second person but not impossible. My hope actually was to try to balance the clinician I rode with earlier this month (he comes every 2 months) and this local trainer. That...

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sounds like a really productive lesson, Exvet. Re: saddle pads: I have found both the ps of sweden and eq. stockholm 'cob' sized dressage pads are a really good fit for my smaller ones. I had a lesson yesterday and it was both helpful and frustrating. This is with the new local trainer I'm working w...

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oh, the snow riding loves so lovely and dreamy, Aleu! but I have to be honest, I'm glad I don't live in a snowy place! I'm so sorry, LSP, that is very hard. If it makes you feel any better, when the barn I was at closed down, I was really sad because I loved being there, but ended up somehow finding...

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Chisamba, i don't know how many students you have that need a horse, but I wonder if Kimba or Fly would be more willing to play lesson horse if they each only had 1-2 students that rode them. So that way neither was dealing with too much. That's what our current barn does for students that take less...

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MM also has massive chestnuts, it's a bit alarming. Exvet, yes, although I don't have RP's bloodlines, I'm fairly certain he's section B or at least mostly section B. He's built much finer than any of the C's or D's I've seen. He also has a very type face and the higher tail carriage. I'm not sure i...

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we have hot water and heaters in the wash racks, which does make bathing a possibility in the cooler temps. But I still save it for days above 60. I have found that waterless dog shampoo is a nice grooming hack in winter when baths are few and far between. After using a stiff brush to knock mud off...

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we have hot water and heaters in the wash racks, which does make bathing a possibility in the cooler temps. But I still save it for days above 60. I have found that waterless dog shampoo is a nice grooming hack in winter when baths are few and far between. After using a stiff brush to knock mud off,...

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Aleu-- I am so sorry that happened. How scary for both of you. Thankful you and Kora are ok! Mountaineer -- those are some lovely photos! re: curling: I've found success with some curlers by fluffing the reins. When they come behind contact, i sort of fluff my hand back towards them--it's a light an...

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re: chip: i also need RP chipped sometime in the coming year. I wonder if it'll make show sign up easier--maybe all we will need to supply is the chip number and coggins, vax records, and USDF/USEF numbers will all pull up when the chip is entered into the system. That would make things easy for com...

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We're in opposite of bitterly cold--still getting to high 70s/low 80s each day and the flies have been awful. For november, this feels bad. MM hasn't been doing well with our extended summer. Sigh. But trying to keep her somewhat in shape for her own health. So, we are doing what we can--even if it'...

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I have some days off here and there in Nov and Dec, so I'm hoping that means some good riding time if weather behaves. Me: Keep trying to eat well keep trying to work out some Keep trying to balance work and riding MM: get her in shape again! Even if it's just long walks, in fact... find time to do ...

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Oh gosh, I guess it's time to close out! Me Continue to eat healthy, especially when traveling Work on position Workout when not riding--even if just walking MM Keep breathing on track Get back in shape Enjoy her RP Continue to work on lateral work, esp getting a clear HI at trot September--regional...

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so sorry to hear this Khall. Give us an update when you have one!

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Sigh, yes. I ended up with feeling like we were just going to crack it after such successful few attempts of moving in the right direction and since then we have fallen apart. Now he is getting a bit wild and as a result we are getting all kind of variations of bad changes---not changing behind, ski...

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For your changes in the beginning my trainer would have us work the changes and then go back to a serpentine or even easier broken line just to return to the idea that the rider controls the canter and the aids. It's an instance where the horse needs to learn both ideas at once. yes! this is what I...

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Exvet-- i haven't looked closely at the new 4th level tests, but I know there was a lot of focus on making them better. I wish they would do the same for 2-3. That test hasn't changed in a couple cycles and it's just SO LONG. Khall--glad you made it to the show! Several from my barn were there as we...

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well, speaking of lessons, I had my lesson yesterday with the new trainer. She is an S judge-- so in addition to being a good rider/trainer, it's nice to get that POV. Last time she saw us RP couldn't canter, so this was a big improvement. We focused mostly on really getting serious about collection...

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Khall, I will say that one of the reasons i chose a bockman instead of a equi-trek is that when i looked at reviews in europe, equi-trek seemed to have a pretty mixed reputation, it kind of spooked me even though i did like them on paper a lot. My bockeman is out in the elements and still looks bran...

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We're starting to get a peak of fall weather here. Humidity down, cool mornings. Afternoons are still in the 80s, but still feels nice to have the change. I'm hoping RP and I can get a lesson in this week. It's been so long since we've had a lesson. This is the new trainer, who I still have not real...

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Wow Flight! I would have never guessed that riding him 1-handed is hard because that work looks really great. I'm also so impressed with how solid and consistent his changes are considering where they were when you first started training them--I remember the leaps! My other takeaway from watching yo...

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does he do it when lunging, at liberty, or on a loose rein? If no, then IMO head tilts usually come when the horse isn't forward enough on that side for the connection he's being asked for-- a bit of hand-leg disconnect. You likely either need a steadier rein or more leg (or both) on that side.

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Khall, glad you didn't get hit badly. The bump East saved us as well, the news from South Carolina is awful. I would do the same thing you are --- not add med and make the call if he gets laminitis again. I know the struggles of dry lots in this part of the country. But grazing muzzle and/or some lu...

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Agree that's a lovely tailcoat, Aleu--but I suspect you could get away wit bolder trim and points IF you wanted to without standing out too wildly. There are a lot of tail coats out there that have base colors much bolder than traditional black or navy Oh no, Mari--poor Odin, that sounds very uncomf...

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Aleu--what color options are you exploring? please do share! We're already getting some heavy storms in from Hurricane Helene and looks like the rest of the week will be a wash out. The worst of it should be tomorrow evening/early Friday, but these things are unpredictable. I do not yet know what th...

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Thanks, Tanga. I think part of it for me is also figuring out what different things set him up best and not trying to drill what might be a GREAT exercise generally speaking, but maybe not best for him. I broke my own plan because the rest of the week is looking to be a washout from hurricane Helene...

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That's a lovely change, Khall!

I know a trainer who always recommends teaching and schooling changes true lead to CC because the horse is less likely to anticipate or fall in with inside shoulder and end up late.

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Thanks, Tanga, the video and exercise is helpful. I think will be esp so once i need to improve the changes on a horse that sort of understands that base idea. Today was day 1 of playing with changes and prep. warm-up we did a lot of moving hindquarters and moving shoulders in w-t-c. And this work m...

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LSP, my vet had us treat SI injections a bit differently than a standard joint injection. still the few days off, etc. But she said that with the SI, what you really need to do is strengthen the area around it. But if the horse is in pain, you can't do that. So, as soon as he's had the few days off,...

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Thanks, Exvet and Khall. The 65s felt right for more conservative and tough judging. The 61s, particularly the one in the championship class are a bit more disappointing, particularly paired with the comments. The 3 judges I rode for were new for me. There are others I've ridden for before, I just d...

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i hope the SI injections are helpful, LSP. I am home from regionals and it was a bit of a disappointment. I did not go in with grand expectations of placing, but I was hoping to put a bow on what has felt like a pretty good show season. Instead, I ended up with my lowest scores all year. First pract...

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he's very handsome, Exvet! and has certainly won the lottery landing with you. I can't wait to see how he progresses. So sorry about your loss, Flight--that is such a hard thing. We leave for regionals on Tuesday and they still haven't sent us stabling information, hopefully that comes tomorrow. Whi...

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I went with the bockeman. I also looked at the equitrek and i really liked their side load model. But ultimately decided on the bockeman, partly because it seemed like it would be easier to find a dealer/maintenance and of course it had what i needed and the reputation was good. I went with the Port...

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Flight, i would love to see videos. Khall, i'm fairly certain that changes will be neutral for his canter quality UNLESS he gets anxious, then it will tank the canter. So, my primary goal in finding an exercise that works for him is not letting him get anxious, which means I will have to us exercise...

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re: trailers: A couple years ago i bit the bullet and got one of the european trailers designed to be pulled by a smaller vehicle. DH and i live in the city and having a third vehicle isn't practical for us and having a true truck also isn't practical for us (it won't fit in our garage and street pa...

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SF, I'll be interested to see how things go with T. I think in theory I don't mind riding a horse that is FBDM. Issue with RP, is that when he gets hot, he gets anxious and panicked. And so quickly hotness goes from 'i'm fired up' to 'i'm in a blind panic and don't know where my legs are and have lo...

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thanks, Tanga. I've done the simple changes on straight line and then slipping in the change with past horses. But he is so sensitive and naturally hotter, that I am worried this will get him too hot. I can probably try it, but getting him to anticipate it might result in him coming unglued, rather ...

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I know we've had a lot of discussion and even threads specifically on flying changes. But since we were most recently in robust conversation about it, many of you have put changes on your horses. Once regionals is over, my plan is to start the work with RP. But wanted to get thoughts from others on ...

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excited for your tailcoat, Aleu! re: trot lateral work: I agree, Chisamba that it's about back to front connection. But I'll also be honest that trot lateral work is typically a strong suit of mine, so I feel a bit frustrated it's been such a slog with RP. We finally have a decent leg yield, we some...

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Mari--I can relate. Trot lateral work is a real sticky point for RP as well. Canter lateral work--fine, no problem. But trot is tough. I am frustrated because lateral work, particularly at the trot is usually a strong suit of mine, so it feels frustrating I can't fix the problem.

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Hoping this a more productive set of months! Me Continue to eat healthy, especially when traveling Work on position Workout when not riding--even if just walking MM Keep breathing on track Get back in shape Enjoy her RP Continue to work on lateral work, esp getting a clear HI at trot September--regi...

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Time to close out it seems! Me Exercise when not riding Eat healthy on the road Work on position when riding MM Ensure she gets ridden even when i'm traveling/not able to flare in breathing meant she got true time off, but this was the right decision Continue to enjoy her RP Show in July? Get in a l...

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Mountain horse would be a good brand to look at for paddock boots. They are durable and affordable and while I've never tried their paddock boots, their tall boots are comfortable. Breeches: depends a lot on your preferences--a true breech or tight? full seat? silicone? low/mid/high rise? Smarpak is...

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Khall, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I know how hard all of this has been. Jingles for everyone else dealing with sick, injured, NQR horses, animals, or humans. This past month sure has been a doozy for many of us. My trip was wonderful--great weather, amazing hikes, and lots of just quiet ...

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You've gotten some very good advice here. I especially underscore the don't take the legs off. Keeping the gentle hug also means it's easier to give a slight gradual increase of an aid and is less surprising. the other thing I wanted to add is that there are some horses i've had in the past where th...

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I agree not to rush it, but I will also say that to me canter issues often live in their own island a bit. A lot of work on the trot, typically doesn't help or improve the canter, unless it's a basic fitness you're trying to build up. This is not to say you need to canter him around a bunch. But I w...

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Ugh, Exvet, that sounds like a really unpleasant viewing. Glad Brandon handled it well and has potentially a much better fit of a home lined up! So sorry to hear about your mom, khall. I can only imagine how hard this has all been. I hope you are able to enjoy DS's competition. MM is doing much bett...

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Flight, I'm annoyed on your behalf about the comment made about Ding. 16 is an age with plenty left in. I haven't seen him in pics or videos as recently as Norsey, of course, but I bet other than his woolies, he's looking fabulous. Norsey, I can comfirm, does look fabulous. And look at those changes...

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I know many on this board disagree, but I like IW. Her horses always seem happy in the work, many stay competitive into later years. Not everything is perfect, but her horses are usually not chin to chest . and I like that ost of her horses are ones she develops up, rather than taking on the made ho...

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I'm not fully caught up, but some observations from me: I thought Jessica VBW were quite over-scored in the qualifying (haven't watched them in the team final yet). I didn't like Lottie's test much--glamourdale seemed tense. I don't love the way Isabell's horse, Wendy moves--something a bit jarring ...

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MM has been having a rough couple of weeks with her breathing without any real obvious trigger, which worries me a lot. Normally she will have a 'bad day' every 3-5 weeks and then we will hit her with clenbuteral and/or dex depending on whether it's more of a wheeze or a heavy breath and that's it, ...

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