DefinitelyDressage.com

exvet

Since I have to work tomorrow, I guess I too will call it a finish for the period. I decided to take the suggestion from a few OTOB regarding a constant issue with Junior being behind the leg or let's just say never willing to give it his true focus/all. I put my ancient Roosli back on Junior just t...

exvet

Happy Holidays to all! Worked yesterday and plan to trail ride today. Junior has been doing relatively well though I find that if he's a bit lack luster or demonstrating too much ponytude it's almost always due to the fact that he has to urinate. He's usually pretty good about urinating right after ...

exvet

Happy Holidays and no need to explain. Any one who is so dedicated to herding cats, um I mean dressage enthusiasts, and the fur balls that come with them deserves a break. Looking forward to a brighter and smoother 2025.

exvet

Well not an issue with dressage trainers/coaches, currently I'm in a good spot; but, facilities? ugh! I'm lucky I've always been able to make due and figure out how to train and prepare test movements on the trail or in the pasture. Our HOA spent $100,000 on new footing for our covered arena. It was...

exvet

Kelo certainly was successful in her journey from training to GP on mostly virtual lessons.

exvet

I agree that it's tough to ride with someone who doesn't believe that your horse and you can do it. I've lived this saga over and over. I have had a few though who are realistic yet don't shut the door. Currently I'm riding with a couple of individuals and between all of them, they are realistic but...

exvet

I too had a lesson yesterday. Rode through third 3 after getting Junior warmed up and relatively supple. Overall the lesson went well. Junior is definitely improving his strength and ability to maintain a higher quality canter for longer and longer. I got more pointers on ring craft for the upcoming...

exvet

Blob and Moutaineer I hope both of you are feeling better soon. Poor Junior, he's doing fine but I am blessed to have such a level headed pony. I came home from work Thursday evening and rushed to load everyone in order to head down the mountain to the Valley. The boys followed suit and stuck to the...

exvet

Exvet, I think that's an exciting plan and I think all your hard work will pay off! That's pretty exciting!! When exactly is the show? We will be rooting for you. Thanks LSP. It's exciting if we deliver some noticeable improvement otherwise it's another delve into the abyss. Nothing ventured, nothi...

exvet

LSP I think you are wise in your decision. Now if I would only follow suit. I pulled the trigger and made all the arrangements for the show in Indio. I've ridden Junior every day I've been off for the holidays (10) except one. For the most part he's felt great and seems to be getting stronger and mo...

exvet

We had a great Thanksgiving. My step-daughter and her fiance came to visit AND made the entire dinner except dessert was on me. It was so nice to have someone else do all the cooking and it turned out great. My only commitment (other than the clean up detail) was the apple pie. Gave Junior the day o...

exvet

As an aside and I apologize for digressing from the topic at hand.......................... The pictures of RP really remind me of two specific breeders who focused on the As and Bs on the East coast. In Wales before the books were closed, the section As were bred to a couple of Arabians (decades ag...

exvet

Chisamba, I not only feel your pain, I had a very similar experience. Merlin who was a 3/4 brother of my late stallion Resolute arrived at my ranch as a yearling. He was foaled in Tennessee and wasn't known to be anything but a healthy playful colt. He was intact. My hope was for he to my herd sire ...

exvet

Impressive Flight, truly inspiring. Hopefully Ding's issues sort themselves out.

exvet

Yup goldhorse that definitely sounds like a Welsh Cob. We have to remember though, my family is decades/actually centuries embedded into Morgan breeding.................old style (foundation) Morgan isn't that far removed from Welsh Cobs.

exvet

Oh let's not talk of chestnuts or ergots. I'm convinced that the evolution of the Welsh Cob (as a breed of it's own in Wales) included keeping them hairy so that you couldn't see the dinosaur parts. My farrier ends up nipping all that off when he comes, shaking his head at me the whole time LOL. Blo...

exvet

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...

exvet

I don't bathe if it's below 80. My pony is just too cranky if I do. I do plan to body clip again in one week. His winter clothes are starting to take hold despite having been body clipped barely 2 months ago. I invested in a vacuum cleaner a few years back. Best purchase eva.

exvet

Ooh NICE photos Moutaineer! I'm in the process of getting my entries off for the Desert Dressage II in January at Indio. I had a nice ride on Junior this morning. In many ways I feel like we're getting to know each other even better. He is such a pony. His first answer to everything is, "Here, ...

exvet

How awful and scary Aleuronx. I'm glad you two are okay and am sorry you had to not only miss your clinic but deal with the stress of such a mess. I will say that when my truck was stolen at an away horse show, though I was at least acquainted with several of the people there, I was overwhelmed with...

exvet

Had a pretty decent lesson today and a much better ride than yesterday. Junior decided to give me the middle hoof on the issue of connection and contact through the right rein. Seemed like our bit of ugly yesterday translated into a much more obedient boy today. Of course I had a gem of an instructo...

exvet

Stop Curling links - video examples on 2 different horses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbCmpjMmZ6s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id5qHt5QsGA Thank you, but looking for personal experiences not promotion vids. My personal preference is to ask the horse to stretch into the outside rein off the ...

exvet

Sending jingles heddylamar, LOL but seriously I hope you get a lot out of your clinic. I rode Junior in a lesson with a riding instructor that had the devil in her hand, the lunge whip and then I rode him on Monday (rode Sunday too but was an easier day) with the wind whipping and his best friend le...

exvet

Well I got a three thumbs up during our lesson today. My instructor, my friend/cohort who is also showing 4th level, and a few people who came just to watch the lesson (checking out the instructor), all felt not only did Junior try his heart out but he delivered. So one method to my madness was that...

exvet

Moutaineer, thank you for the info on the venue. As for the decision to scratch, I would have done the same thing. Two things come to mind. First we're, as their riders/owners, are supposed to always set the horse up for success and second, every time we interact with the horse we're training it. If...

exvet

Congratulations Moutaineer. I would take that score with a smile any day. I'm heading to Indio in January. Will be interested in hearing more about your experience there. I've hauled horses there but have never shown there. LSP, Lynx sounds a lot like Brandon and his 'interactions' with other horses...

exvet

LSP - it is VERY cheap. I followed that protocol only to find that Brandon needed to be back on it at twice a week dosing for another 6 weeks or so. I was then finally able to wean him off and feel like I wasn't losing any ground. It was very clear that not only did it mellow out his cocky self his ...

exvet

Congratulations Aleruonx! Can't wait to hear how the clinic went. I like Lauren Sprieser as a person. I used to follow her progress with riding/showin but must confess I haven't really paid close attention for years. I read her articles every now and again. She reached out to me years and years ago ...

exvet

Troy is microchipped but Junior is not. Ace did have a microchip which is how I was able to verify his age when he wandered off the reservation. When I acquired him his microchip was a huge abscess. It came out in my attempt to treat it. I don't know that it would have cleared up otherwise especiall...

exvet

Thankyou Moutaineer. Isn't it crazy especially in this day and age? I had to get a brand inspection on Troy prior to bringing him to AZ. Fortunately the breeder had sold several Welsh Cobs around the same time and even though they were all leaving at various times and separately too that month or tw...

exvet

Nothing wrong with goals that simply help us persevere, Flight. SF I hope you bounce better than I do and aren't too stiff. Blob, I hope MM gets the weather break she needs. I will say that when I took Junior down to the Valley last weekend despite it being cooler and having rain he still had obviou...

exvet

Goals for the next round (and some catch up on the show). No chillin' for us: Junior: Talking about sounding like a broken record :roll: improve canter quality So, I've succeeded I think in conquering the basic concepts of the flying change. We got a low score for 4-3 on Sunday But we did eek out a ...

exvet

Goals for the next round (and some catch up on the show). No chillin' for us: Junior: Talking about sounding like a broken record :roll: improve canter quality So, I've succeeded I think in conquering the basic concepts of the flying change. We got a low score for 4-3 on Sunday But we did eek out a ...

exvet

Since I got the first day of the show out of the way, I can not reflect on the last two months. I feel as does my coach that we've made definite progress. I also still have my eyes looking towards PSG for next year. We've lost some of our recognized shows for next year (I just found out) so that is ...

exvet

Ooh! I agree with Josette. That is a lovely fall themed picture. You both look great. Heading off to go school at the show grounds. Weather looks pretty reasonable so hopefully Junior is feeling the love today, tomorrow and Sunday LOL.

exvet

Phew khall what every horse person dreads! Glad it's sounding like she's turned the corner. Good luck Tanga! I too am leaving tomorrow after work to head for the show. Not sure what our weather is supposed to be. Moutaineer jingling for your back to heal. I get twinges more often than I used to but ...

exvet

Jingles for Joplin. Hope everything turns out okay.

exvet

Congrats SF. I'm afraid the cardboard bull through Junior for a loop the first time they became acquainted, LOL. He's much more at east when his 'friend' is out watching us work

exvet

Dressage is certainly nonlinear, and I feel changes are especially so. You get single changes, lose counter canter. Recover counter canter, changes get sticky or unreliable. Clean up single changes and start on multiples, and prepare to start the whole rigamarole over again. I do love them though. ...

exvet

On the topic of flying changes as we all know Junior and I have been working (struggling) with these for years. I do think I have finally developed the ability to slow down his forehand while speeding up his hind end. Because like so many of us do, I'm thinking of multiple things all at once and not...

exvet

khall there's a lot to like! I had a lesson yesterday and rode through fourth 3. Is it just me or is this cycle of fourth level tests better written and flow better than in years past? Either way I'm happy to report that Junior is really starting to sign up and not just get on my aids but stay there...

exvet

That's such good news Blob! LSP - geesh horses, ya know? Can't bubble wrap them. Well, I'm back in Scottsdale. Met my farrier this morning to get regular foot work done. He really likes Troy. Of course, being a farrier, he marveled and wondered, "Lisa (thick Mexican accent) how is it your horse...

exvet

It sounds like everyone is making such great progress even if a wee bit exciting. Good job and good news! This morning Troy wore a saddle. He could have cared less. Sometimes having a food motivated (treats) breed is a good thing, easier to connect positive reinforcement with the object at hand. Wit...

exvet

Lipsmackerpony88 wrote:Exvet, here is a recent quick photo from when we were waiting on the chiropractor on Wednesday. I think he's looking stronger and stronger! And he seems very happy in the work.

There's definitely more muscle mass there. Good job and one of my favorite colors!

exvet

It all sounds pretty good, the focus, the health reports and the perspective (it really is all about the journey) to me, LSP. Sounds like we need some pictures to accompany the update(s) but I know how hard finding those opportunities can be these days.

exvet

LSP it's not over 'til it's over and you're way too early in your journey to know where it's heading. I will say that getting discouraged is not only normal but to be expected especially when you have a breed that isn't considered to be bred for the sport. After multiple years of frustration though ...

exvet

Beautiful scenery and nice ride Aleuronx!

exvet

Glad you enjoyed the clinic LSP. I've enjoyed riding under her as a judge, helpful comments. SF, if I had spent more time on the collected canter work I might have been better equipped to avoid the skip a change but who knows, ponies! Thank you for your good thoughts. I heard from my niece this morn...

exvet

Sounds like things are progressing in the right direction for you both LSP & SF! Managed to get a lesson on Junior this morning. The good news since not having a lesson in over a month is that Junior is making more progress. We're cleaning up his changes, his canter half-passes are more free flo...

exvet

Congrats SF! I know exactly what you mean. It's such a jolt to get glimpses of what they can do. Now it's time to experiment more and see what they will offer. I'm often jazzed by what Junior will do even if it's just for brief moments. That's how you build it up and string it together. I actually l...

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