Spring Awakening: March/April Goals and Progress

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Also Heddy, sorry about your old Guinea pig. They are adorable and sweet but yes they leave us too soon..

[exvet]

I had a great lesson yesterday with Molly at the show grounds. All of Junior's flying changes were clean and in the air. His contact was pretty solid and we really dug in and got him into that right rein honestly. Most importantly I had a forward pony. When we got to the show today, Junior was as chill as could be and hung out in his stall while we waited. I got on about 30 minutes before the test to walk around and then worked with Molly for about 20 of those minutes. Again, Junior was showing us that he was demonstrating clear improvement. My judge today was Melonie Kessler. She's the one who wrote comments on a first level test I rode at least 26/7 years ago when I had just purchased my first Arabian. The test was scored in the low 50s and her comments were capable horse, incapable rider. I still have that test. I never sent it in to USEF as suggested by many. I've ridden in front of her since and she's scored me fairly in most cases. Today Junior's test was better than those in the past but his changes just weren't in the air and he stuck on one walk pirouette. Still Molly said that there was a definite improvement in quality and Junior showed definite transitions with all of my mediums and extended gaits/moves instead of just fading. My score was a 59.89 in the end. I received 6.0 throughout the entire test with a 4 for the one sticky pirouette (more than fair) and 5.5 for the first flying change and a 5 for the second flying change which I felt was higher than warranted but all those darn 6's no matter what, oh except his gait score which was a 6.5 and my initial entry which was a 7 and my rein back which was a 6.5. So I guess with the mistakes I should be happy and in all honesty I am very happy with Junior. Actually, I'm still in love with my pony. Tomorrow is another day.

[StraightForward]

Heddy, jingles for your little piggy!

EV, hope you are having a great show; can't wait to read all about it.

LSP, it sounds like your daughter is getting a great foundation and will become a quality horsewoman.

Moutaineer, glad you are having good rides, and I'm sure your red boy will be sleek as a seal soon enough!

My Tesler was on fire when I arrived at the barn today Hyper-vigilant when I was tacking her up in the stall, and then about 18 hands when I lead her out to the arena, so it was definitely a lunging is the better part of valor kind of day. Someday I will get her bucking and leaping backwards trick on video. The neighbors (the property line is basically the arena fence) had a dump trailer and were unloading soil, so I took my time lunging and then hand walking her around the arena,

Once I got on, she was good. I have to love the warmblood ability to get over it and settle fairly quickly. She did almost unload me when a dove flew up almost under her nose, but again, good old tendency to just jump once, and not twice! After that we had a good ride. I was in the jump saddle and had set up three canter cavaletti, which we eventually worked our way through on both leads. First, we did spiraling in and out at walk, and then some ToF in motion and moved up to trot LY. I had a bit of a lightbulb moment that I need to step a little into the outside stirrup when the OF steps down, especially in the LY left, while keeping my body just a touch to to the inside. That seems to free her up while also helping ground that OF so that she can step over more effectively. Of course left is the side of my body that does not want to serve as a reliable pillar of support from my foot up through my hip and ribcage, so being more aware and intentional is helping. She started out a little reluctant in the canter, but got over it and we did some LY and CC. Overall she is feeling so much more supple, and there are moments where she is figuring out canter. I FINALLY got the SoloShot tag I ordered in November, and tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, so I'm hoping to go through the exercises from my lessons last weekend and get some video.

[mari]

I had a great lesson yesterday with Molly at the show grounds. All of Junior's flying changes were clean and in the air. His contact was pretty solid and we really dug in and got him into that right rein honestly. Most importantly I had a forward pony. When we got to the show today, Junior was as chill as could be and hung out in his stall while we waited. I got on about 30 minutes before the test to walk around and then worked with Molly for about 20 of those minutes. Again, Junior was showing us that he was demonstrating clear improvement. My judge today was Melonie Kessler. She's the one who wrote comments on a first level test I rode at least 26/7 years ago when I had just purchased my first Arabian. The test was scored in the low 50s and her comments were capable horse, incapable rider. I still have that test. I never sent it in to USEF as suggested by many. I've ridden in front of her since and she's scored me fairly in most cases. Today Junior's test was better than those in the past but his changes just weren't in the air and he stuck on one walk pirouette. Still Molly said that there was a definite improvement in quality and Junior showed definite transitions with all of my mediums and extended gaits/moves instead of just fading. My score was a 59.89 in the end. I received 6.0 throughout the entire test with a 4 for the one sticky pirouette (more than fair) and 5.5 for the first flying change and a 5 for the second flying change which I felt was higher than warranted but all those darn 6's no matter what, oh except his gait score which was a 6.5 and my initial entry which was a 7 and my rein back which was a 6.5. So I guess with the mistakes I should be happy and in all honesty I am very happy with Junior. Actually, I'm still in love with my pony. Tomorrow is another day.

Yay for progress! Well done!

We had a fairly productive lesson today, it might be the only proper ride this week because there is a lot of rain coming again. African Horse Sickness claimed a very high-quality foal last week at our yard. What a hideous disease it is... EEV (Equine encephalosis virus) is also rampant in our province at the moment. A few horses at the yard are very sick, and other yards have reported deaths from both EEV and AHS. The rain is such a blessing in our country, but the extended wet and humidity are causing midges to thrive, and they spread these viruses.

[exvet]

Sorry to hear about the disease outbreaks in your area mari. Dealing with such vector borne diseases is so hard especially the ones preventable through vaccination as are the majority we deal with here. AHS is always on our radar for reportable foreign diseases. Thankfully we have dodged that bullet.

As for the show I got the 59 and change on Saturday and a 58 and change on Sunday. It seems that Junior is telling me that he can either be round and on the bit but lack forward or he can give me all the pizazz and forward but must remain above the bit. I'm starting to lose some faith but I'll give it some more time with the new saddle and see if I can finally convince him that he can push and lift with this back end while coming over the back and sustain that posture. I know he can do it. He knows he can do it but the judge on Sunday said I was restricting Junior's gait with the hand which is exactly what Junior was saying too well that was throughout the test.......I prefer to ride strictly with my seat but Junior does not seek my hand and stays above if I do so in the tests in front of the judge. Our warm up both days went pretty well.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

SF- glad Tesla settled down and focused. And yay for more solo shot videos soon!

Mari, that's definitely scary. I hate all the diseases that are always lurking and threatening us. I hope your horses stay healthy. So sad about that foal.

Exvet, I'm sorry the show didn't go quite as hoped. I hope you stay the course and are able to crack the puzzle that is Junior at that level.

I went to a clinic to audit in Sunday. It was "classical dressage" but it seems like it was an intensive type deal. Two sessions a day for 3 days. I understanding is it was more geared for more problem horses than anything. It probably would have been helpful if I could have seen the first day as well. But the horses were all very calm and relaxed. Nothing to write home about it though.

Lynx goes back to work today... It's been rainy and muddy. He's been so hot acting with time off so I hope we can get some productive work in today but we will see.

[blob]

Exvet, show outing sounds like it was really valuable even if the scores were not quite what you hoped. Sometimes showing is really about trying to pick the better of two problems and sometimes the right choice depends on the judge. With MM I would tend to either get 'hurried/quick' or 'lacks impulsion'. For MOST judges the hurried and quick ding was less severe than the lacks impulsion ding, so I was willing to take it. Of course that didn't change the fact that at home I was working to get implusion without quickness. But even when it was greatly improved, it was still something that judges saw to a certain degree.

Mari-- so sorry to hear there are outbreaks in the area, and so sorry to hear about the loss of the foal.

I had a good lesson on Friday-- really working on getting RP to set back in the half-halt and carry himself. And me keeping my body moving smaller rather than following him when he gets bigger. Instructor really wants me to focus on smaller gaits and more sit right now. I know on my own i will need to be careful that it doesn't get too small, so i think i will keep my big loose warm-up so I don't overcorrect and lose forward energy.

Since then has been rain rain rain. I need to make a decision about entering the show end of April soon. Maybe i can get someone to video tape me running through the test so i can make some decisions.

[StraightForward]

Mari - Jingles that no other horses get sick. Sorry to hear about the loss of the foal.

Exvet, sorry the show didn't go better. It sounds rather tough, but I know you'll work all angles to get through the issues.

SF- glad Tesla settled down and focused. And yay for more solo shot videos soon!

Well, I am having SoloShot issues. I bought a used one last summer, and it was registered to someone else. That wasn't a problem until I tried to register the new tag. Tried emailing the address it was registered to and it bounced back. It is one of the older models and had some other issues, so I just ordered a new one that calibrates faster, etc. Now dealing with the company advertising something different on their page vs. what I was charged. We'll see what they say. I cannot say I love this company, but the camera is great when everything is working. Hopefully they'll send a unit right away, rather than in mid-May. I sent a rather terse email to CS about their bait and switch practices since they had changed things up since yesterday as well. Grr.

T was a bit of a turd yesterday anyway. I set up circles with ground poles. About 18m for the canter circle, and then around 12 for the trot circle inside. We did eventually work through it in both gaits, and then did some t/w/t transitions trotting around the larger circle. We'll need to do this weekly, as T really wants to choose between picking her feet up and getting stiff/straight. This is forcing us to maintain bend and flow while navigating the poles, which I think will translate into better overall suppleness. We did get some good work towards the end, but there was a storm brewing and a horse in the round pen kicking up, so I wasn't going to push the envelope too much.

[exvet]

I really appreciate the support y'all. It's the way of the dressage world and having Welsh Cobs. My choice and I really don't regret it. Blob, I think you're right. One thing is got to happen and that is teaching Junior that he can sit and push from behind including into that right rein; so, as it were I decided to line drive him. I was able to finally get him to work over his back and clock along from behind into the contact of BOTH reins following him with a whip. Of course it takes a crazy person to do this since Junior is the one that re-arranged my face 10 years ago. He fortunately isn't threatening to kick out with light taps so I think this may help. I also need to get more help with developing his half steps under saddle. I think the combination will help unlock the mystery. Started line driving Troy this morning too. Had my SO lead him around to help him get used to the lines which did startle him a bit but he settled quickly. Turning doesn't look like it's going to be a problem.

[mari]

Sorry to hear about the disease outbreaks in your area mari. Dealing with such vector borne diseases is so hard especially the ones preventable through vaccination as are the majority we deal with here. AHS is always on our radar for reportable foreign diseases. Thankfully we have dodged that bullet.

The terrifying thing is that ALL horses in the country, with the exception of one completely AHS-free province, must be vaccinated to show. And the vaccinated ones still die. The foal was vaccinated, the whole yard and all the yards around us are. My very rudimentary understanding is that there are so many strains, and all of them are dangerous, so the application of vaccines is a best-guess scenario for that season. They offer some protection, for sure, but vaccination has to go hand-in-hand with spraying and fly-sheets and limited turnout time. It's standard practice during the entire summer season to take temps twice a day to catch it as quickly as possible.

Sorry, I'm rambling. We do so much, and it feels like a horrifying lottery every season.

[Aleuronx]

Oh Exvet, I was really gunning for some validation for you this past weekend. It really sounds like you are on the good path with Junior, more time in a good saddle, more consistency in that right rein and honestly a little bit of luck to have everything come together in a test (and the right judge...sucks that we have to say that). I do still believe you can with him.

Mari that is so scary. Vaccination is a tool but not a 100% and like you saw the young and oldest are most at risk. I hope the rest of your barn stays safe, what a terrible loss.

I've been reading along but so crazy busy at work. I love being a consultant but my sweet spot is like 80% client time and this last month has been 95% which feels a bit too frantic.

Mountaineer, you've done such a great job re-centering Potters. Go out and enjoy him! SF you as well. Really feel like it's one of the great things about this thread is to be a small part, a tiny window into everyone's journey. Progress can be tunneling until 6-12-18 months later there are big recognizable changes.

Short but sweet- We are still clawing our way out of winter weather with the most recent couple of days being rain and ice, gross. Played around with a show calendar for the year, 4-1 to start then maybe some 3rd freestyle again to get more exposure to venues that use specific ring for FEI+ classes, then PSG when trainer says go for it. She is back in a couple of weeks to dust us off and get us going straight again. Although I am excited for her to see us as I feel like even with the downtime this winter due to weather etc, Kora is going better than she was in the fall. That's my hope anyway.

First crack at 4-1 at a schooling show the end of this month, entry is in. Hope we can get some work going in the outdoor with more room soon!

[khall]

I’ve been reading as well. Keeping up. Hate the show didn’t go as you had hoped exvet. Al excited for you to take the psg plunge!! Kora is just lovely. SF would love to see video of T. Hope you can get the solo shot going.

Right now I’m on foal watch for a friend. She’s here at my farm to foal out. Long time friend and last mare from her mom’s TWH breeding lines. Lost her 20 years ago to breast cancer. Her mom was a good friend of mine as well. Have known this mare’s grandmother grandsire dam and sire.


It’s been a week already. Rip had a bad colic Sunday night. Thankfully found him before 10 pm since my local vet doesn’t do emergencies after 10 pm. Sigh. Refluxed over 10 gallons and had a large colon impaction. Required 2 bags of fluids and lavage via ng tube to get him comfortable along with lots of drugs. He’s bounced back well and I’m slowly re feeding him. Another big vet bill for the big red beast.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CD46Q ... tid=wwXIfr

I’m ready for less vet bills for a bit and less horse stress!

Also dealing with elevated insulin with Rip and Joplin. Cushings and EMS issues. Ugh. Easy keeps are so hard


Joplin is going well between wih and riding. She’s just fun. Working piaffe under saddle the other day and asked a bit more and she gave me a bit of a levade. We’ve been using piaffe to help the posture in the RB which it absolutely does. Adore this mare! I need video of our wih. I’m playing with slipping to the end of the reins towards her hip and asking piaffe or more forward to demi passage or a bit more forward into trot HP away. She’s just fun. We do have the occasional protest of that’s hard! But approaching it from a bit different way usually sets her up to make the effort.

I rode Chex pony too. Playing with various lateral work and some canter. He’s a talented little guy. He did get a bit tight in the right lead but otherwise some nice work.

Hope the weather is doing well for you all. Happy riding all!

[Moutaineer]

I'm glad Rip is doing better, Khall. I understand the retired horse money pit conundrum. I'm happy to see Joplin is bringing you joy.

AL, trainer said yesterday she'd like to see my do 4.1 this summer. We've got to get a couple of qualifying scores at 3.3 for Regionals, if we are going to do them, but then I think it's time to make the leap... I shall be interested to see how it goes for you! You are fortunate to have a schooling show that lets you do 4th level. I'll have to take the plunge into it at a recognized show as finding a local judge around here competent to take on even third level is pretty hard.

Horrible weather day here today. That and work interrupted my riding schedule. How rude! But I had an excellent ride yesterday, which is not always the case on Monday mornings after a weekend off! Apart from the fact that we did some technically good quality stuff, I was particularly pleased that when a visiting client and her mare rocked up in our small indoor arena, screaming and carrying on and generally misbehaving (the mare, not the client,) he tensed a bit, but stayed focused and didn't pull any silly stuff. Which was particularly nice as we had reached the canter and flying change part of our session, which can be a bit dicey with distractions...

[StraightForward]

Jingles for Rip! I get it with the retiree expenses. I have to admit that I am giving poor Obie the side-eye lately, but he is the same as ever. He will hit drinking age at the end of this month.

T is kind of in a phase. Very glad I won't be riding in front of Leslie this weekend. My ego is a little too fragile for that ATM. Today I set up a trio of jump combos: trot poles to a cross rail, which I used to initiate canter, a cavaletti bounce with 3 strides to an oxer, and then a single cavaletti with 2 strides to a small vertical. She wanted to suck back to the cross rail, and also sneak in an extra stride to the other jumps. Of course, someone was out marking utility lines on the neighboring property, but it's time for her to adult and stay focused with that kind of minor distraction. I eventually had to set a cavaletti in front of the vertical to get her to stop chipping in with a third stride. Eventually I did get her riding more forward through the jumps, but I think it's a symptom of issues she has with her dressage too, especially sucking back in the canter work. When she does get working, she is more supple and balanced than ever, so I don't think she's uncomfortable(?). I did have to kick her butt a little to get her in front of my leg and working. Tomorrow I might lunge and do that a little earlier in the ride and see if we can just get it over with. Maybe with the jumping she is back to where she can't be bothered with effort for anything under 2'6". I will include a lameness exam when we go in for dental and shots in a couple weeks. In the meantime, we'll see what the clinician I'm riding with in two weeks thinks.

[khall]

Foal alert! Chestnut TWH colt born at 6 am this morning. Fairly uneventful foaling. Strong colt mom who is an older maiden was a bit unsure but with a bit of owner support is finding her maternal instincts.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ESLoj ... tid=wwXIfr

He’s absolutely adorable.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Alueronx- how exciting to be looking towards 4th level and PSG. I hope you get more video of you and your beautiful girl later on.

Khall- what an adorable foal! Glad Rip is doing better. And as always, I love hearing how much you love Joplin. It makes my heart happy when people connect so much with their horses.

Mountaineer- what good guy Potters is! We have turnouts right next to both outdoor arenas, so one plus for that is they get used to horses occasionally bombing around like fools. So Lynx almost never blinks an eye when a horse IN the arena is acting up lol.

SF- hopefully you get T figured out with her canter stuff. Horses are so complicated sometimes lol. They always keep us guessing.

I had opted for a ground work day yesterday as I thought the weather was going to be crappy and rainy again. Of course to my surprise the weather was pretty decent and the outdoor arenas were actually ridable. But I wasn't dressed to ride. Grr. I'll ride today but not sure the weather with be that nice.

[texsuze]

Khall--nice way to start the day with a foal! (Today is DH's/my 37th anniversary . Please share his name when he gets one, plus a few more pics. And to your point previously, agreed that easy keepers really can be tough to manage.

Is it April already??

[Chisamba]

Hello everyone,

Exvet, i have had a few shows where i KNEW i was better but the score didn't show it. Don't be disheartened.

I'm giving a bit of boring video of Pauletta in a lesson, so https://youtu.be/a0k4l0Rf9zQ?si=8TjABf03vn4rD5Pt

Comments welcome so long as they are not too harsh lol.
Those dealing with health, vets and and difficulties, many jingles for you.

Ride on and enjoy.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Chisamba - I was just thinking about you. Wow, you both look great! What a fancy gal she is! You both look like a great pair.

I did end up riding today. It was sunny and the arena was dry enough to ride outside. It was windy though so it was pretty short and sweet. Which is what the vet ordered anyway after his injections. I did a quick lunge then did some walk poles and work on our walk to halts. I also was hyper focused on my position! My hips are definitely my main problem I think. But working on it!
Then I called it good before the wind got more crazy.

[Aleuronx]

I do feel lucky to have schooling show opportunities at any level but to be fair it's more of me getting in the ring doing the thing (last year: can you do a flying change and not lose the plot and this year: can you do multiple changes and not run off to china?) The judges for these shows sometimes are rated but often are just L's so really the scores and comments I'm less concerned about.

khall, congrats on a successful foaling for your friend. How wonderful to be part of a legacy for someone, and cute as hell to boot. I concur more foals pics is never a miss!

I'm in phone setup hell, but the plus side will be better quality videos with the pivo. It was beyond time as I was having to charge phone multiple times a day, just hate the money sink into something not horse related.

Speaking of horse related money, still no resolution from insurance on my damaged trailer. They are fighting back and forth as insurance does. It's highly annoying and at this point I messaged the service manager to offer the trailer to any of the guys for cheap money if they want a project. Fingers crossed one of them does and I can be done with that part of it.

Hack day today out in the power lines were they've done work in the last ~18 months, lots of hard pack driving lanes to ride on now made for good hill work. Started Kora on her next Adequan dosing regime pre-season so I'm expecting the half-halt to disappear shortly and be tanked around in the best way like last time.

[Moutaineer]

AL, they won't even take your entry around here--deer in the headlights above third level, and even that can be challenging.

Chisamba. You both look great. She looks willing and forward and happy and focused. What more can you ask for!

LSP, I'm finding out a lot about my hips and my body imbalances in general from my weekly hour of yoga. I discovered last night quite how much weaker and less limber my right hip is than my left.

Broken record here. Another nice ride today. Good changes and a decent trot half pass in both directions. It's me not him, of course, and has a lot to do with that weaker and less limber right hip.

Looking forward very much to a clinic with Mette in a couple of weeks, but watching Potters like a hawk as we have a couple of snotty coughers in the barn--one of whom is stalled directly across the aisle from him. That would be just my luck.

Now I'm off to my weekly torture HIIT session... Focusing on strengthening the right side tonight I think.

[Chisamba]

Aleuronx, does she accelerate during the changes? That's Kimba's mo. Saiph shuts down. It's a bit funny how a test situation seems to stress us into riding differently and suddenly stuff that we can do becomes a bit more complicated, or is that just me?

I rent the barn and stables and am moving this month to place worth a full size indoor and a few more stalls so that I can accommodate more boarders. I am stressed as hell and hoping I'm making the correct decision.

Breeding season is here. Khall your foal post makes me wish to breed a mare. It's been a long time since I had a foal to raise.

Mari, I actually studied virology and got my masters in immunology because of African
horsesickness and when I immigrated to the USA I wasnt allowed to bring my horse because he was vaccinated with a live virus.
Live attenuated vaccine was the only one available. Anyway it turns out i hated working in a lab and found innoculating thousands of pinkies with virus to kill, mash and reap the virus to study was rather more than i could deal with. Now they're is a lot more interesting work with rNA vaccines etc. So i shifted careers.

Moutaineer, it sounds like you and Potters are climbing mount 4thlevel! Enjoy showing it off.

I'm missing the first schoong show because of the move. This month will be organize, purge move and unpack.

LSP, what did you think of " classical" dressage which is usually Boucher inspired? I think khall works in that style.

I have caught up with reading, and am to way behind to comment on everyone. I hope you are all springing forth .

[mari]

Chisamba - You both look great, her hocks seem very active. Good luck with your move! I try to train myself (and fail often...) to not think of changes/decisions so much in terms of right and wrong. Roll with it and try to find happiness in that new situation, and if it doesn't feel good and you have to pivot, then that was just part of your path. I hope it goes smoothly and well.

Exvet - I've been thinking about your comments about your show. I want to give your very kind and encouraging words right back to you. You are doing such wonderful work with your horses, and sometimes on the day it is disappointing because you just can't quite get there, or the judge just isn't feeling it. Keep on keeping on (says the woman now avoiding shows, but I'm using you as inspiration!).

I had a lovely lesson this morning. I love that feeling when something you've always struggled with just feels eeeeeeeeeaaaaaasy for a change. Finding a shoulder-fore position in left canter has always been difficult for Odin. There is usually an attempt to pull on me and speed up, and move his quarters all over the place. And today he just settled into it straight away, with a big round canter that I could sit forever. Such a good boy.

[Aleuronx]

I don't know many that go into a test situation and ho-hum just crack it out like at home, certainly not me. Hence the schooling show to get my head back into it. I struggle with the boundaries of it, I ride a good movement at home and tend to reward and walk whereas in a test you are stuck finishing it out and riding prescriptive lines. It's a different mindset than just playing around at home.

It's a bit of indoor-itis I think for the tempis/multiples. Lucky to be at a place with indoor but it is on the smaller side, a diagonal fits 3 changes comfortably with her covering ground which I want to encourage in the changes and not squash. I can get 4 changes on a long side in a pinch. We're at the point where I can own change 1 and change 2, change 3 it's a 50:50 split and after that she likes to take over, GO and do it herself. We need more space where I can do 3 changes, just canter, do 3 more, more canter etc, etc.

Love how Pauletta is turning out! Remind what her breeding is again? She has a lovely amount of bone to her, don't see that much anymore. With more hind end strength man those legs will be using power.

Good luck with the move, jingles it's all smooth with limited hiccups. I can't imagine the effort to move a whole program, get all the help you can get!

[Chisamba]

I don't know many that go into a test situation and ho-hum just crack it out like at home, certainly not me. Hence the schooling show to get my head back into it. I struggle with the boundaries of it, I ride a good movement at home and tend to reward and walk whereas in a test you are stuck finishing it out and riding prescriptive lines. It's a different mindset than just playing around at home.

It's a bit of indoor-itis I think for the tempis/multiples. Lucky to be at a place with indoor but it is on the smaller side, a diagonal fits 3 changes comfortably with her covering ground which I want to encourage in the changes and not squash. I can get 4 changes on a long side in a pinch. We're at the point where I can own change 1 and change 2, change 3 it's a 50:50 split and after that she likes to take over, GO and do it herself. We need more space where I can do 3 changes, just canter, do 3 more, more canter etc, etc.

Love how Pauletta is turning out! Remind what her breeding is again? She has a lovely amount of bone to her, don't see that much anymore. With more hind end strength man those legs will be using power.

Good luck with the move, jingles it's all smooth with limited hiccups. I can't imagine the effort to move a whole program, get all the help you can get!

Thank you. She is KWPN ( dessage) but Gelderlander on the dam side (tuigpaard) . She does have very good bone and feet. Unfortunately she has scars gro. severe summer sores. But I wouldn't have been able to afford her and it doesn't interfere with anything.

About moving its 20 horses tack and acoutrement, tractor lawn mower hay huts arena rake , i mean it's a whole palaver

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Chisamba - so the place I went used to train with Dominique Barbier (who I personally have not heard good things about so I never ventured over there during that time) but the last few years they train with Gerd Heuschmann. So a bit of a different direction I think? I've also heard mixed things about Gerd but lots of people do love him and think he's brilliant. Some people think he's a brilliant vet and author but should stay out of training people and horses. I've never seen him so I can't say.

The clinic was focused on contact quite a bit. I would day there were a lot of really loose reins but he didn't instruct everyone on it. Therm trainer who taught the clinic has never shown, ever so it's hard to evaluate his experience imo. It was a different type of clinic where people had 6 sessions over 3 days and it was geared towards people stuck in a particular issue. Anyways for me it was all quite basic and almost boring. Mostly training level stuff.

That being said he does a cavaletti clinic that I would be interested in watching. He was a natural teacher but I just don't know much about the guy...

[Moutaineer]

I spent a weekend with Gerd H when he first hit the spotlight. Which was a very long time ago. My impression then was that he had some very valid observations based on his work as a vet and researcher. But he insisted that he needed to ride all the horses participating in the clinic which he had no business doing, and he was very lucky he didn't get hurt. I think you'd need to be a very skilled rider (which he was not, at all,) to get on an upper-level horse and insist that it immediately change it's way of going without it being confused and protesting. It was "interesting."

I audited a day of a clinic with DB probably 25 years ago. Bunch of scruffy, badly ridden horses being lunged in circles bent way to the inside with the line through the girth. He drank a lot at lunchtime and made inappropriate comments while swirling his cloak and mustache... The thing I most vividly remember about it was how damn cold it was in that arena. I did not go back.

Good luck with the move Chisamba, that's a lot! I'm sure you will enjoy the bigger arena, though.

And yep, I could win the Olympics in my head at home. I revert to a confused monkey in the show ring.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Mountaineer, your comments about both are about spot on from other comments I've heard.

I find them both to be a little odd choices for mentors honestly so in very wary. I can't say I saw anything disturbing at the clinic or even harmful. But it was also basic it was hard to tell.

Today I did a pretty light ride again Just focusing on my position. It was actually a lesson but my trainer was welcoming of my request. Towards the end of the last time we did change my knee blocks a little... I think I liked it but it definitely was a big change. I will take a few times to decide.

Lynx seemed a little chill and not the greatest but he probably was a little bored. And it was a bit cold out. Just felt like his head wasn't in the game but I also didn't push it too much today. I did end up putting a sheet on him afterwards. I don't blanket him much but it's hard in spring when he's losing all his hair! The Colorado Sun is no joke but so is the wind so it's a balancing act.

Jan Bynny (I think she's an Olympic eventer) is stopping at the barn tomorrow just to give three quick lessons before her real clinic at another local barn over the weekend. Actually got asked to ride in it but Lynx is not ready after his injections. So my hope is to go watch and then ride my own horse again.

[khall]

Chisamba you look awesome and love Paulette. What a nice mare to bring along!

As for the new foal he’s had a bit of a hiccup his IGg was way to low struggled yesterday to learn to nurse ( he’s fine now) so had plasma transfusion today. Rechecked IGg tomorrow and hope that takes care of it. He has a catheter so can’t be turned out but we did get them out for a run around this morning mare on lead and foal loose to stretch his legs briefly. He’s a cutie! So different watching the TWH foal compared to my last Lusitano X Lani. She’s such an athlete and knows where her feet are. TWH just don’t very often. In fact the little guy got tripped up by slight rise in the ground and totally wiped out.

I certainly don’t regret having Lani. She’s a lovely filly. Though size I’m still not sure how big she will end up. String test says 16 hh but I’ve always gone with if they are 14.2 as a yearling they will end up 16.2. I measured her a couple of weeks ago when she turned 1. She was 14.1 and I swear she’s grown. If she turns out temperamentally like Joplin I’ll be fine. Joplin is one of the safest horses and such fun I’ve ever sat on. Lani is a better mover than Joplin. Temperament we will see. She can be Spicey

As for “ classical” dressage Boucher training. Kind of. It’s definitely not training from competition instructor though Cedar does compete. Is a usdf gold medalist. I looked for someone who has a background from Nuno Olivera and JP Giacomini did. That’s who Cedar worked with for years though not any longer. Mark worked directly with NO in Portugal. He took what he learned and adapted it to his teaching style. Slow and methodical. He also didn’t pursue showing and didn’t train his own for that. Cedar does. So she’s a mix of competitive training along with the filtered down NO adapted to her own style and her students. I like the in hand work and Cedar takes it even further than Mark did. I’ve learned so much from them both but am so glad I found Cedar after Mark’s death

Mark wowed me from the beginning with what he could see. He was also a master farrier which was fun to see him adjust a horse’s way of going with a few swipes of a rasp. Cedar also sees so much detail and has such good tools to use to help the horse. Timing of the aids is one of her specialties.

I am not a fan of PK or Dominique B nor even Bettina. Though she was a beautiful rider it was her ego that tuned me off.

It’s interesting who I’ve ridden with. In Spain the instructors there both had gone through the Schoolmof Andalusia and we got to take a lesson with the lead instructor but the training while I could implement it fine just didn’t speak to me. Portugal and the Valenca’s did. Flight too has ridden there and cliniced with the Valenca’s.

GH. I liked his book. Not so sure about his instruction. Never seen him.

I’ve watched Manola M and he’s really not my cup of tea at all.

It’s been years since I’ve audited any SRS instructors. I was able to audit the trainer fromSRS who helped HG with Keen. Rock. Again not one of my favorites for several reasons. Loved Keen though.

Instructors are such personal choices. It’s been interesting to see how many enjoy Cedar.

[Srhorselady]

Ask khall says trainers are such a personal opinion. I audited a clinic with Gerd H several years ago and have read his books. His veterinary research seemed very logical and has always made sense to me. He did train and is certified as a German instructor trainer but that has never been his primary focus. The training part of the clinic I audited didn’t particularly impress me. It was okay but nothing particularly unique. However, the vet section was very impressive.

I also have a friend and former neighbor who was a working student with Barbier. she says he was a student of Nuno O in Portugal. He and Cedars former mentor at one time worked together and had a “falling out”. My friend describes Barbier as a very flamboyant and stereotypical Frenchman who enjoys wine, horses etc. I never met or saw him teach. However, my friends training/teaching style is very good. She focusses on getting the horses back correct and slowly improving the horse musculature. She wants the horse relaxed and then going forward without tension. Her horses do go beautifully, but it is NOT a quick fix for anything. She doesn’t show much, but is also a very good biomechanically oriented riding teacher. She uses a lot of the techniques khall has mentioned Cedar using.

So two more cents to add to the conversation.

[StraightForward]

Interesting conversation on the various training styles! I think matching the type of horse to the training style is a big thing too.

Chisamba, your mare is lovely, and you are looking fit and trim!

I had a pretty good ride today. I think we're just working through another of Tesla's tough spots. I think we'll continue to have them forever. It is all just in degrees. I did lunge to warm her up, and got her moving better with with T/W/T transitions. That seemed to help the under saddle warmup. She was still slow to warm up into the canter. She would tend to fall out of the canter, or just get stuck in an excessively collected canter. With the falling out, I just needed to discipline myself to maintain my position and the contact, and ride her into a balanced, connected trot so that the falling out wasn't a useful evasion for her. When she is cantering, it is the best canter she has ever had, she just doesn't seem to be able to hold it, or quite know how to handle herself. We did get some lovely CC and nice simple changes towards the end of the ride. I think my focus for the rest of the month will be polishing the second level work, rather than thinking about changes or messing with HP too much. Looking forward to a weekend of beautiful weather here!

[Tanga]

The site keeps logging me out again. Hmm.

Just a note on people you're talking about. We bought a horse for a client decades ago from someone who had worked with Dominique Barbier (who was around here) and basically rescued some horses from him, one we bought. I have never seen before and since anything like it. She was a super moving horse, TB, but you absolutely in no way could get her to take contact of the bit. She would flip herself over backwards if you kept trying. The dentist said he had never seen the bars in a horse's mouth damaged so much. The person we got her from said the abuse there was horrendous--I can't even imagine what you would put in a horse's mouth to make them so fearful of taking any contact and causing damage.

Doing well here. Physically back into most work, though I'll never get back to having any strength holding my arms up again (moderate bulging discs) and the girls are doing very well. Our first show is at the end of the month. Still getting rain, which is SUCH a relief here, but going back and forth to getting warmer and warmer. SO glad to be in the bubble where I live safe from the fucking nightmare of this country.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Interesting conversation guys! There is so many different paths in dressage, it's definitely interesting.

Tanga, that's what I have heard about Barbier as well...
So glad you are doing well though and looking forward to hearing about your show.

[Moutaineer]

Tired horse today. He says 5 days in a row is a bit much. But we did a bit of everything for 25 minutes and got a couple of nice flying changes, so honor was satisfied and he can have the weekend off.. I'm really happy I can get no-drama changes in the indoor arena now. Hey, im really happy we can canter in the indoor arena with no drama!

It was also a boot break-in ride for me. They've been sitting in the corner of my office looking decorative for a month, waiting for the right moment. Bargain dark blue Petrie Bergamos with a narrow band of blue and grey leopard print around the top, to complete my navy and white show attire. Found them for a song, basically unworn, on the Dressage Boot Addicts Facebook page!

I won't be drawing my legs up in this pair! The backs of my knees are singing to me as I sit here. Heel lifts and moleskin next week.

Gosh, the ticks are out in full force already. Poor delicate chestnut Potters reacts really badly to the bites. I have to go buy tick killer tomorrow.

[Chisamba]

Moutaineer, who knew there was a boot addicts Facebook. Lol. I risked buying a pair of Parlanti boots in brown also a bit tall for my length of calf. Ans lace up. I didn't know i would s hate lace ups. Expensive lesson.

[Moutaineer]

Chisamba, I think they will drop OK. I just need to soften up the ankles a bit and ride in them more. (Which is the problem, as I resent spending my precious saddle time not riding as well as I could be because of my boots!)

And then, because they are my "good" boots, I need to stop riding in them every day once they are comfortable enough to want to ride in them every day....

But yes, I have a pair of black boots that are never going to break in comfortably for me. I really should admit it and sell them.

[StraightForward]

Dressage Boot Addicts Anonymous is a wild place, LOL. I am bummed tariffs are going to jack up the price of any boots I might order to match my saddle, but I'm glad that overall I have the tack I need at this point.

Moutaineer, we will need pics of those boots. They sound gorgeous!

[Lipsmackerpony88]

I got to watch my trainer and another boarder ride with Jan Bynny yesterday morning. It's always fun watching your train ride because it always highlights that we're all just revisiting the basics basically forever. Lol. Where the progression happens in my opinion. Jan is an Olympic eventer. But she was quite picky about how the horses were moving and really wanted to get their inside hind legs after and under them. She was also very picky about rider position and was pretty insistent that everybody make sure that their hips were loose and simple too. She sure worked everybody really hard even though the lesson was more about the basics. It was one of those for everybody came away really tired and sweaty lol. But everybody was moving better by the end. Really glad I did not ride Lynx in it, I don't think either of us could have handled that right now LOL

[exvet]

Chisamba, I finally got the time to watch your video clip. I agree with the others. You and Pauletta look quite well matched. You have such a lovely seat.

I rode Junior today. I had to work yesterday and will be working extra shifts this coming week as well which means less riding; but, I was pleased with Junior's willingness to go forward into the hand with better consistency. I also have committed to more work over cavalettis which he's doing far better with in terms of powering up but without so much tension. I have a lesson on him tomorrow, not will Molly but with a dressage judge that is local to our area. I think the saddle is helping and Junior is realizing that he can sit in back and lift in front.

I also lunged Troy today. I worked him last weekend and introduced the long lines. Today I lunged him with side reins that were quite loose but for the first time started to shorten them to the point where he was feeling a bit more of a steady feel on the inside rein. He adapted and accepted it quite well. He seems to shine with verbal praise which helps convince him that any new stuff is okay to try. He's a bit croup high currently with his growth spurt and is about 14.3 1/2 at the croup and a hair over 14.2 at the wither. It's looking good that I'll have a 15 hand welsh cob that isn't so short-backed (again) which was the goal with choosing him over some of the others I had to choose from when I visited hs breeder.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Exvet, glad Junior is going well with the new saddle! And Trot sounds like such a fun little guy, so excited for you! 15 hands is perfect, imo! How tall are you, btw? I'm a smidge under 5'2". Lynx is about 15.2 or 15.3 and feels like a good height. I think he's a bit wide for me which doesn't really help my position but he's not so wide that he hurts my hips.

My daughter had a wonderful lesson this morning. They worked on her position for a bit and then continued the lesson on really being able to feel what leg is doing what at the walk trot and canter. She's already had it down pat at the walk and trot. Today she learned a new little trick that pretty much cemented that she will always know what canter lead she's on. She even had to make her horse get the wrong lead (to test her feel) today when even a year ago he barely had a left lead at all. It's small things but I get excited because to me this is where the real progress as a rider starts!

Yesterday was absolutely frigid so I just hand walked Lynx in the indoor (blanket and all lol) I mostly just worked on some serpentines and walk to halt. But towards the end I tried some shoulder in (in hand) And he got a little hysterical. I left a little frustrated but hoped I left him on a decent note.

Today, still cold but not as horrible, short on time, I just did some groundwork walking around to the path around the barn. There's some hills that I do a lot of walking up and down. And I incorporate backing, TOF, TOH and shoulder in along the flat parts. I didn't have the whip and gave him a bit more space during the shoulder in. Not problems! And a boarder that was riding outside hollered over to us "Wow, nice shoulder in!" Which was really nice. Lynx has not been the easiest in some ways but he's actually very sensitive and intelligent (but willing and fairly good tempered) and I'm thankful for him. He always still teaches me a lot. Thankful for every lesson from him and it makes me happy to continue to be his physical therapist !!

[Aleuronx]

It’s funny to hear Classical side and just understand that there are pitfalls with all training styles and individuals wherein. Not ashamed to say that my trainer tends more Dutch/German style but horse focused and yet demands work ethic from both rider and horse.

Exvet good to hear Troy is growing some nice height and being so accepting of sport horse life things. Will you do any Welsh shows with him? Young horse in hand stuff for exposure?

A ride outside this morning before the dodgy weather came in again. New phone as I hedged bets on tariffs wreaking havoc ahead of time, a gamble I sadly might have won for once. Anyway, video quality should be better although I think I need to tweak settings as it was bit jerky here and there. Riding wise, glad I got some video as I’m collapsed on the left side more than I feel and the right contact today wasn’t coming through 100%, but still lots to like. Troy work forward to collected and back trying to keep the engagement, raw baby pirouette, change on a medium canter line and I left in the multiple line where you can see her attempt to steal the 3rd change and I make her wait for the aid. Yes I’m red faced and dying in the trot work, lol she was kicking my ass and I was kicking right back. Trying to save myself from complete embarrassment at first lesson back.

https://youtu.be/WzOjdjO75cc?si=igE2TRkP8TE6KTOL

[Moutaineer]

I watched a bunch of 4th level videos last night, and realize that I'm going to have to continue to work on my fitness if I'm going to be able to manage that much sustained canter work in the height of summer in the desert...

[Moutaineer]

Nice video, AL. Some pretty flying changes in there. I liked your baby pirouette. I also like some of your extensions in the trot work. That's an exercise I need to work on.

[Tanga]

I love watching you ride, Aleuronix,. Good work. Good exercises. Hint on schooling pirouette--think about getting a bit quicker.

Spent the day today in Fresno judging Ram Tap. Those eventers make for an exciting day. Scores from 0 to 9.5, a number of 9's, and plenty of 9's.

[StraightForward]

Thanks for sharing the video, Aleu! Nice forward and back. I know Kora had some lateral canter issues similar to Tesla, so I am very encouraged by your progression!

Today Susan (Kyra's Mom) and I went to the Idaho Horse Expo to watch Jim Masterson's demo on releasing tension to improve performance. It was mostly new for Susan, and a good refresher for me. After, we went to the booth and talked to him a bit. He is exactly as he presents on his videos, and totally approachable and humble. The demo horse he used was doing something T does a lot, pulling up a hind leg. So I am going to work on more of the hind leg release. I did one of the Masterson weekend courses (not with him) in 2019, and still do some of the work, but the hind leg is not usually something I get to. I was also able to meet a local Masterson practitioner, and am helping her drum up interest to do a weekend workshop in the fall, which should be fun!

After that I went out to the barn, but T has a sexy new gelding neighbor, so there was nothing doing with relaxing with some nice bodywork, LOL. I am excited for the new owner. She is a teen who boarded at my old stable and had a fairly difficult first horse. Her parents had been trying to get her to sell and move on for a few years, so they retired the old horse and got her a new gelding that will hopefully help her grow. She really has potential to be a lovely horsewoman.

Due to the drama with the new neighbor, I decided to lunge, which was a good idea. I'd set out our circle of cavaletti, and lunged T over that. A few times she tried to stop dramatically in front of them, but I worked her through so she started going forward and jumping them instead. Once she settled, I got on and we had a good ride. Canter started out sticky, but got a lot better. She was able to maintain bend and canter all the way around the cavaletti circle both ways. After that I tortured myself with the Equisk bands and did some simple changes on bending lines and circles, as well as transitions within trot. Overall, her canter is feeling good. Hopefully we'll be out of this down cycle before the clinic. Tomorrow we'll jump. Hopefully a little course if not too many others are out riding.