Welll, not quite unless you are lucky enough to be in Wellington. For the rest of us, we can start thinking about the season and what the new tests will bring. I think it is good to have change. Who would want to ride the same old stuff? I got the tests but will reserve comment until I have studied them.
Have no fear, Dressage Today deals with the issue and I send you there. Come back and open a discussion! That would be fun!
Also, they have a great article by Janet Foy. She discusses what the judges look for. I'm looking forward to sharing with my Pony Clubbers.
So ...read Dressage Today. Come back and chat!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Another Day Under the Covers!
Waiting for me when I came home from work was one silly Arabian but as soon as I went to feed him, four more sets of hooves came tromping up to the barn. Since the wind was negligible and everyone seemed fine, I drug ta bale of hay out for the drafts and gave his highness-the Arab- his in his stall.
A few pats and hugs and that was as much as we had for each other. I stood there wishing for more but...what can one do?
Yesterday, while walking the rowdy Jack Russels, I tripped and fell into a snow drift. It beat falling inot a manure pile but not by much.
Today I recommend we watch Jane Savoie on you Tube. Lots to learn from free videos!
Let me know what you think!
A few pats and hugs and that was as much as we had for each other. I stood there wishing for more but...what can one do?
Yesterday, while walking the rowdy Jack Russels, I tripped and fell into a snow drift. It beat falling inot a manure pile but not by much.
Today I recommend we watch Jane Savoie on you Tube. Lots to learn from free videos!
Let me know what you think!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Mick Comes In Out Of The Snow (And so do I)
Snow in WV. Not the worst we have ever had by far but it made for a nightmare of a drive home. I live 45 minutes from where I work and have to go through some tricky mountain twists and turns to commute so-TG for 4X4!
When I got home, not only was silly Collateral waiting for me but Mick and the Haflingers were more than interested in coming in. Its hard to get my stalls clean when I have a “crowd “ at the barn door-blocking the passage of me and the wheelbarrow! At least I know I’m wanted!
I know the horses are “well insulated” when the snow rests on their backs. I
f their coats were not adequate, they would be wet. Still, I check for shivering and weight loss. IF, I had an indoor and IF I clipped, a nice turnout blanket might be in order but with our footing conditions and cold, dry air challenging their lungs, we will wait out the winter and unless I see signs of needing the additional cover, we will continue without.
Inside, I played my daily dose of HOWRSE (good stuff on bad days). HOWRSE got me through my broken leg and now it gets me through the stress of a job and lack of outside activity. Try it, you’ll like it!
I’m getting a plan together for my “pre-season” conditioning. I’m focused on core strength and flexibility but in the end, it is all part of the big picture. Daniel Stewart -along with Mike Conway/Mountain River Physical Therapy -and “Ride Right” has provided a real foundation for this and was a big part of my post-broken leg rehab. I can’t say enough about the mind/body connection. No matter what level of rider you are, mental and physical balance are critical to having enjoyable, safe rides. Daniel just announced he should be releasing another book this coming fall. I can hardly wait!
Out come the balance boards, the exercise balls and my saddle on a rack that will hold my weight. Crunches, squats, yoga-its all good. Whatever gets you moving, stretching and preparing your self for the ride. Think muscle memory.
Visualize your ride while you move on the exercise ball. Use an exercise band for the reins.
Work toward being a kinder, gentler rider through sensitivity and control.
When I got home, not only was silly Collateral waiting for me but Mick and the Haflingers were more than interested in coming in. Its hard to get my stalls clean when I have a “crowd “ at the barn door-blocking the passage of me and the wheelbarrow! At least I know I’m wanted!
I know the horses are “well insulated” when the snow rests on their backs. I
f their coats were not adequate, they would be wet. Still, I check for shivering and weight loss. IF, I had an indoor and IF I clipped, a nice turnout blanket might be in order but with our footing conditions and cold, dry air challenging their lungs, we will wait out the winter and unless I see signs of needing the additional cover, we will continue without.Inside, I played my daily dose of HOWRSE (good stuff on bad days). HOWRSE got me through my broken leg and now it gets me through the stress of a job and lack of outside activity. Try it, you’ll like it!
I’m getting a plan together for my “pre-season” conditioning. I’m focused on core strength and flexibility but in the end, it is all part of the big picture. Daniel Stewart -along with Mike Conway/Mountain River Physical Therapy -and “Ride Right” has provided a real foundation for this and was a big part of my post-broken leg rehab. I can’t say enough about the mind/body connection. No matter what level of rider you are, mental and physical balance are critical to having enjoyable, safe rides. Daniel just announced he should be releasing another book this coming fall. I can hardly wait!
Out come the balance boards, the exercise balls and my saddle on a rack that will hold my weight. Crunches, squats, yoga-its all good. Whatever gets you moving, stretching and preparing your self for the ride. Think muscle memory.
Visualize your ride while you move on the exercise ball. Use an exercise band for the reins.
Work toward being a kinder, gentler rider through sensitivity and control.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Equestrian Survival On A Cold Snowy Day
We have been spending these cold winter days getting our mind and body ready for good weather. Even though we can’t do much together, it is a time to keep mentally and physically fit for the moment the weather breaks.
Hay is the thing of the day. A little for the drafts (fat as they are) and a lot for a hot blooded Arabian- Collateral. Silly Collateral waits for me to get home from work. I would not DARE going into the house without graining him. Actually “graining “ is not exactly correct. Since coming to us -underweight and dull coated- he has been getting a pellet called Trifecta by Buckeye. It is a high fat concentrate and he got his weight back up easily and is now on maintenance. Collateral eats almost a bale of hay in this cold weather. The draft types are rationed with only a couple flakes because they are TOO FAT. We produce our own quality hay and have large, lush pastures. The point of this disertation is, we have to watch our horses. No one, single, feeding plan is going to work for all horses. Each individual will need their own plan with a follow up monitoring. For example, in the spring I will have to keep at least one of my Halfingers off of the high sugar grass to prevent grass founder. Five years ago, I had no clue but yes, “easy keepers” are not necessarily “easy”.
Exercise is tough right now. Footing has been lousy since we have either mud or snow. They get lots of movement in the pasture but little solid conditioning. Some winters are a little more cooperative with less precipitation. Not so now. Use what little time and space for some ground work. This keeps up the relationship betweem horse and rider and develops communication skills. It also provides a time to really see how they are doing. Any skin conditions? Hidden lameness? Weight loss or gain.
Back to our mind.
I’m big on mental preparedness. Balance coming from within.
We are finishing http://www.amazon.com/Klaus-Balkenhol-Man-Training-Methods/dp/157076378X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294809898&sr=1-1-spell Klaus Balkenhol- The Man and HisTraining-Methods by Brita Schoffmann. This is much like two books in one. Along with the text that discusses his traing methods are notes at the bottom of the page that describes his journey from policeman to Olympic star. Very inspiring on many levels. I am particularly taken with his intense interest in forming a bond with his horses. This is something i have always felt. I left showing very early on because I was disturbed by the way many show princesses treated their horses. I thought, “if this is what it is about, I want no part of it”. I retreated to my farm and that was the end of competition. Now I know that these riders probably made it no further than me because they could never bond with their horse and blamed the what could have been a partner for their own shortcomings.
This leads me to say, weather or no, days need not be wasted. Any day you spend with an equine companion is not lost.
Hay is the thing of the day. A little for the drafts (fat as they are) and a lot for a hot blooded Arabian- Collateral. Silly Collateral waits for me to get home from work. I would not DARE going into the house without graining him. Actually “graining “ is not exactly correct. Since coming to us -underweight and dull coated- he has been getting a pellet called Trifecta by Buckeye. It is a high fat concentrate and he got his weight back up easily and is now on maintenance. Collateral eats almost a bale of hay in this cold weather. The draft types are rationed with only a couple flakes because they are TOO FAT. We produce our own quality hay and have large, lush pastures. The point of this disertation is, we have to watch our horses. No one, single, feeding plan is going to work for all horses. Each individual will need their own plan with a follow up monitoring. For example, in the spring I will have to keep at least one of my Halfingers off of the high sugar grass to prevent grass founder. Five years ago, I had no clue but yes, “easy keepers” are not necessarily “easy”.
Exercise is tough right now. Footing has been lousy since we have either mud or snow. They get lots of movement in the pasture but little solid conditioning. Some winters are a little more cooperative with less precipitation. Not so now. Use what little time and space for some ground work. This keeps up the relationship betweem horse and rider and develops communication skills. It also provides a time to really see how they are doing. Any skin conditions? Hidden lameness? Weight loss or gain.
Back to our mind.
I’m big on mental preparedness. Balance coming from within.
We are finishing http://www.amazon.com/Klaus-Balkenhol-Man-Training-Methods/dp/157076378X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294809898&sr=1-1-spell Klaus Balkenhol- The Man and HisTraining-Methods by Brita Schoffmann. This is much like two books in one. Along with the text that discusses his traing methods are notes at the bottom of the page that describes his journey from policeman to Olympic star. Very inspiring on many levels. I am particularly taken with his intense interest in forming a bond with his horses. This is something i have always felt. I left showing very early on because I was disturbed by the way many show princesses treated their horses. I thought, “if this is what it is about, I want no part of it”. I retreated to my farm and that was the end of competition. Now I know that these riders probably made it no further than me because they could never bond with their horse and blamed the what could have been a partner for their own shortcomings.
This leads me to say, weather or no, days need not be wasted. Any day you spend with an equine companion is not lost.
Monday, January 10, 2011
2011- A New Beginning
Its winter, the holiday rush is over and it is now time to get serious about my blog. I’ve been thinking very seriously about what Mick, my other horses and I have to offer in this blog.
What we DO NOT have to offer is any expertise in the show ring. We are not about that. WE cannot offer any knowledge on best places to trail ride, best buys in horse trailers or how to spend the most money on tack, or exotic warmbloods.
What Mick, an eccentric Arabian named Collateral, and several obese Haflingers do have to offer is experience on how to come from behind in the horse world. We are a very special lot. We have a lot against us but we are going to be the beast we can be. As I cruise through life, what experience I have in finding balance in the saddle transfers amazingly well in how to find balance in life.
We are a little group of horses and their person who has survived broken legs, lived in nasty fields, been all but sold off to the horse slaughter to find each other in an idyllic setting int he mountains of WV. We are going to prove how with tenacity, one can overcome bias and have something special to offer the world.
Since we have had limited exposure to the higher equestrian world, much of what we have learned has come through books and blogs. This blog is to give you the best of what we have seen and prevent the reader from wasting time with what may have little value for them.
My focus in in classical riding. I like to think that if you understand this, you can transfer the basis to any style of riding. although I personally do not ride western, I think those who do may still find value in what we explore. We welcome you and your thoughts.
So everyone, SHARE.
Ideas bring forth other ideas. Unlike many sects of the horse world, we aim to be open! DOWN with ONE RIGHT WAY! Every horse and every rider is unique. Look at this as a tool box to balance.
What we DO NOT have to offer is any expertise in the show ring. We are not about that. WE cannot offer any knowledge on best places to trail ride, best buys in horse trailers or how to spend the most money on tack, or exotic warmbloods.
What Mick, an eccentric Arabian named Collateral, and several obese Haflingers do have to offer is experience on how to come from behind in the horse world. We are a very special lot. We have a lot against us but we are going to be the beast we can be. As I cruise through life, what experience I have in finding balance in the saddle transfers amazingly well in how to find balance in life.
We are a little group of horses and their person who has survived broken legs, lived in nasty fields, been all but sold off to the horse slaughter to find each other in an idyllic setting int he mountains of WV. We are going to prove how with tenacity, one can overcome bias and have something special to offer the world.
Since we have had limited exposure to the higher equestrian world, much of what we have learned has come through books and blogs. This blog is to give you the best of what we have seen and prevent the reader from wasting time with what may have little value for them.
My focus in in classical riding. I like to think that if you understand this, you can transfer the basis to any style of riding. although I personally do not ride western, I think those who do may still find value in what we explore. We welcome you and your thoughts.
So everyone, SHARE.
Ideas bring forth other ideas. Unlike many sects of the horse world, we aim to be open! DOWN with ONE RIGHT WAY! Every horse and every rider is unique. Look at this as a tool box to balance.
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