Search found 389 matches

by Kelo
Thu Nov 12, 2020 4:34 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Horse shopping, how did you know what you want?
Replies: 433
Views: 73175

Re: Horse shopping, how did you know what you want?

Good luck with your shopping!

If you want me to look at the appendix's pedigree, just PM me their registered name and I can give you thoughts on their bloodlines.

PS....my Cowpony is 15 hands :D
by Kelo
Wed Nov 11, 2020 2:50 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Putting 2020 in Hindsight: November-December Goals and Progress
Replies: 368
Views: 72431

Re: Putting 2020 in Hindsight: November-December Goals and Progress

I hear you Kelo. It can be demoralizing all the while you can still acknowledge the fact that you've come so far and much farther than others would have expected. You are an inspiration; but, listen to your horse. If he's still game I wouldn't give up. If this is YOUR rider goal and your horse is s...
by Kelo
Mon Nov 09, 2020 10:24 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Putting 2020 in Hindsight: November-December Goals and Progress
Replies: 368
Views: 72431

Re: Putting 2020 in Hindsight: November-December Goals and Progress

why would you quit kelo? Well....50s aren't fun, even if they are high 50s, even if they are at the Olympic level with a limited horse and with mistakes as I attempt to learn this stuff. I mean, it's kind of embarrassing, although I am trying really hard to be kind to myself and remember I *am* an ...
by Kelo
Mon Nov 09, 2020 7:42 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Putting 2020 in Hindsight: November-December Goals and Progress
Replies: 368
Views: 72431

Re: Putting 2020 in Hindsight: November-December Goals and Progress

Well, I wrapped up my show season this weekend. This was my GP debut year, and our first time in the dressage show ring in three years. Three years ago we were doing I-1, when he got sick and it took the better part of a year to get him fixed up, recover and get back to riding shape. Then two years ...
by Kelo
Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:44 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Those that have done the impossible
Replies: 50
Views: 9407

Re: Those that have done the impossible

Maybe not "impossible" -- just "unlikely." :D But I'm certainly in that category. Bought The Cowpony for $4,500 as a 3-year-old. He was started in cutting as a 2-year-old, fell way behind, had done a little pasture doctoring when I got him, but he was basic WTC broke at the time....
by Kelo
Mon Oct 26, 2020 5:00 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: training to self-load
Replies: 78
Views: 15218

Re: training to self-load

I used John Lyon's trailer training program, you might look that up as it's good, common-sense training. I think the key of it is to break down every step onto the trailer to eliminate any anxiety. So teaching them to approach the trailer, put one foot on the trailer, rest, and take it off, one foot...
by Kelo
Sat Oct 24, 2020 4:02 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Always check that your gates are LOCKED
Replies: 7
Views: 2804

Re: Always check that your gates are LOCKED

Oh my goodness, I am glad everything was ok. That is a nightmare. When I built my place, I put it together so there is a walk-through gate, and the perimeter fence just because that situation terrifies me. The perimeter gates are locked except for rare specific events (like yearly hay delivery), so ...
by Kelo
Tue Oct 13, 2020 2:15 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Divorce- how did you get through it
Replies: 44
Views: 13358

Re: Divorce- how did you get through it

Hugs, Dresseur. I too got surprised by my divorce and that is tough. My ex had some serious mental/personal issues -- I tried to get him help but it was easier for him to just blame his issues on me rather than facing/addressing them. I understand the shock and the emotional turmoil -- I had some pr...
by Kelo
Thu Oct 08, 2020 12:27 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Horse shopping, how did you know what you want?
Replies: 433
Views: 73175

Re: Horse shopping, how did you know what you want?

I can weigh in here as a subject matter expert on the QH topic. I think it's important to understand that Quarter Horses come in a number of types now, due to being bred for specific activities...you can almost think of them as different breeds. So a horse bred for halter is not the same as one bred...
by Kelo
Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:32 pm
Forum: Tack, Apparel, Facilities and Transportation
Topic: Important stuff. Blanket color
Replies: 11
Views: 3628

Re: Important stuff. Blanket color

The color I pick is 100% dependent on what is in the clearance section :lol: My preferred style are those blankets with the attached neck, and then super heavy weight waterproof in his size at a bargain price, so getting to PICK a color is never an option! My poor horse has worn purple plaid, a terr...
by Kelo
Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:26 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: All about piaffe
Replies: 68
Views: 19470

Re: All about piaffe

I used the piaffe - halt - reinback -(halt) - piaffe exercise to help the Cowpony to understand the sit, and it worked well for him. I am thinking the halt part is quite important so he doesn't get to thinking about going jumping backwards, it was a full stop and relax, not just a hesitation, before...
by Kelo
Tue Sep 15, 2020 3:03 pm
Forum: Young Horse Forum and Breeding and Registries
Topic: Class of 2016, am I the only one?
Replies: 31
Views: 16229

Re: Class of 2016, am I the only one?

LOL, Kelo.........I'm older than you and I still love starting them as long as the have the 'right mind.' I got a 'pony ride' on Brandon yesterday. He's my 2017 model. He was so nonchalant about it. Once he gets better at steering I'll go solo. Guess I'll have to send any more I might have to you :...
by Kelo
Tue Sep 15, 2020 1:15 pm
Forum: Young Horse Forum and Breeding and Registries
Topic: Class of 2016, am I the only one?
Replies: 31
Views: 16229

Re: Class of 2016, am I the only one?

StraightForward, what lovely photos, Tesla looks wonderful! Way to go on those first rides! I used to love starting colts, but with this horse I learned that I have gotten old and I did not enjoy the process of sitting on a squirrely baby one bit, even if mine was relatively very gentle. I am really...
by Kelo
Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:54 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Summer of Seclusion: July and August Goals and Progress
Replies: 251
Views: 78012

Re: Summer of Seclusion: July and August Goals and Progress

Well I went to another recognized show with the Cowpony, doing the Grand Prix again. He's been doing so well in practice, improving a ton, so I was excited for the show. And I was thrilled at what a good boy he was, he tried, but we finished 1.2% away from our qualifying score. So. Dang. Close. We m...
by Kelo
Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:45 pm
Forum: Young Horse Forum and Breeding and Registries
Topic: Class of 2016, am I the only one?
Replies: 31
Views: 16229

Re: Class of 2016, am I the only one?

StraightForward, your newly minted riding pony looks good! Kelo, how is your girl doing? She's doing good, we're mostly just puttering around at home, so there's not too much to report. She's still growing and looks good. I haven't been trail riding in forever, which is sad for me. She did get to do...
by Kelo
Tue Jun 30, 2020 4:39 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Some Good News
Replies: 38
Views: 16900

Re: Some Good News

Congrats! That is fantastic news!
by Kelo
Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:19 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress
Replies: 188
Views: 76845

Re: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress

demi wrote: Did you get any pictures!!!!


No, not really -- everything was socially distanced with the absolute bare minimum of people, no spectators allowed. Here's a cell phone snap I took of Matt, though, with his first GP ribbon. :mrgreen:
by Kelo
Mon Jun 29, 2020 3:55 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress
Replies: 188
Views: 76845

Re: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress

Well....I did it! The Cowpony and I showed Grand Prix at a recognized show :mrgreen: As we all know, being able to perform at a recognized show is harder than performing at a schooling show which is harder than performing a test at home which is harder than performing movements at home. So there was...
by Kelo
Mon Jun 01, 2020 5:42 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: suppleness, collection, mobilization, elasticity, impulsion,
Replies: 9
Views: 5752

Re: suppleness, collection, mobilization, elasticity, impulsion,

Well, I don't think you will ever hear me claim to be a classical trainer using the precise textbook definitions, so if you're reading my posts with absolute literal translations, it might get a little confusing. :lol: I guess my personal definition of suppleness is more similar to what Dresseur say...
by Kelo
Thu May 28, 2020 1:04 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: "Never a lender or borrower be" is good advice.
Replies: 19
Views: 10752

Re: "Never a lender or borrower be" is good advice.

I've always believed the saying about "lend things expecting to never get it back." As in, if you DO get it back, it's a bonus. That includes money or items or whatever. If you're not willing to not get it back, then don't lend it. It is a good way to operate. I've lent some things that I ...
by Kelo
Tue May 26, 2020 6:40 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress
Replies: 188
Views: 76845

Re: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress

I am actually getting some positive results on the weight loss front. Congrats on finding something that helps, Kyra's Mom! That is great! The Cowpony and I have been back to training work. Trying to improve the quality of canter as well as the trot, specifically the pushing power and sharpening re...
by Kelo
Fri May 22, 2020 12:53 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Can your dressage horse do this?
Replies: 29
Views: 13731

Re: Can your dressage horse do this?

So what are fresh cattle? So a cow that doesn't have experience being worked by a horse would be a fresh cow. They're going to have a great big physical bubble, and when you approach them they're going to want to move fast and hard to get away. We use fresh cattle in our cattle competitions (reined...
by Kelo
Thu May 21, 2020 9:39 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Can your dressage horse do this?
Replies: 29
Views: 13731

Re: Can your dressage horse do this?

My girlfriend wants me to play with cows, yea, I dunno. Do it! I don't know what kind of cattle you have access to, but you're more than likely not going to have any that you could actually work even if you wanted to - you need fresh cattle for that. But you can push them around, and if he's not sc...
by Kelo
Wed May 20, 2020 12:58 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Can your dressage horse do this?
Replies: 29
Views: 13731

Re: Can your dressage horse do this?

Chantal, that is AWESOME! What an amazing experience that must be to do one of those, I am a little envious! :D

I think all of us enjoy a little change of pace once in awhile, so I bet Mikey will be refreshed and ready to work when it's time to dressage.
by Kelo
Mon May 18, 2020 9:30 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Can your dressage horse do this?
Replies: 29
Views: 13731

Re: Can your dressage horse do this?

Working cows is the best! I know that's sacrilege to say on a dressage board, but there you have it. Dressage is awesome and I love it too, but working cattle is just the funnest. :D Versatility for the win. Kelo was your horse one of the horses of the month when I was still doing that? I think I re...
by Kelo
Thu May 14, 2020 7:16 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: When do you think showing will resume again?
Replies: 27
Views: 15321

Re: When do you think showing will resume again?

The rumor about Steve Wysocki isn't correct.
by Kelo
Thu May 14, 2020 1:50 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Can your dressage horse do this?
Replies: 29
Views: 13731

Re: Can your dressage horse do this?

I've never tried it but I bet mine could 8-)

Can your dressage horse do this? :mrgreen: I think this was the pic taken seven days after we scored a 63% and 67% at Intermediare I at a recognized show, pictured here in a reined cow horse class. I think we scored a 142 here.
by Kelo
Fri May 08, 2020 1:18 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress
Replies: 188
Views: 76845

Re: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress

SueB - :shock: :shock: I hope Rudy is feeling better now! Yowch!

Ironbessflint - Your Haffies are lovely! Wow!

Flight - That is cracking the sh!%s for sure :lol: Yeehaw. At least he still looks elegant while doing it! :lol:
by Kelo
Mon May 04, 2020 9:00 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress
Replies: 188
Views: 76845

Re: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress

Ok, I'll make a goal this time of keep working on Norsey's piaffe steps. He finds it hard and he's the type that absolutely cracks it if he doesn't understand something, so I find myself avoiding the hard stuff. Flight, Norsey looks so good! Could you help me with what "crack it" means? D...
by Kelo
Mon May 04, 2020 8:39 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress
Replies: 188
Views: 76845

Re: Keep Calm and Canter On: May and June Goals and Progress

Lipsmacker, welcome! I also have a 4YO so we can have a bit of a "teenager horse" support group, as it were :-) Depending on how this COVID deal goes, if the shows start back up in June, I'm hoping to show the Cowpony at GP, knock on wood. Meanwhile, we're schooling to improve the quality ...
by Kelo
Thu Apr 30, 2020 7:15 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Bizarre graduate degrees
Replies: 14
Views: 9893

Re: Bizarre graduate degrees

That is a VERY specific degree!

I guess the good news is he'll be a foremost expert in it, since I bet he's the only one that has it! :lol:
by Kelo
Wed Apr 29, 2020 1:35 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress
Replies: 162
Views: 78947

Re: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress

Has anyone tried the Pivo? https://trendygadgetreview.com/pivo-interactive-pod-photography/ Khall, if I'm reading that writeup correctly, it only works within 15 meters? So not sure how well it would work for riding? I do virtual lessons, but I've yet to buy a digital tracker setup. Right now I jus...
by Kelo
Mon Apr 27, 2020 1:52 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Understanding the horse(s) you have, and their associated training challenges
Replies: 21
Views: 12969

Re: Understanding the horse(s) you have, and their associated training challenges

Thanks guys. Yeah it's super unfair to my filly to compare her. She's a good girl and deserves to stand on her own. But I trained the Cowpony up, and he is more or less the only horse I've ridden for 15 years, so it's hard for me to adjust. The amateur problems that don't get talked about I guess :l...
by Kelo
Fri Apr 24, 2020 1:13 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Understanding the horse(s) you have, and their associated training challenges
Replies: 21
Views: 12969

Re: Understanding the horse(s) you have, and their associated training challenges

Rocky is out of a Colonel Freckles/Doc Bar mare. Fabulous! Those lines are one of my favorite combinations of athletic but smart, and cow horses are my favorite for dressage horses. Don't get discouraged! The road can be long and twisty, but it's about the journey, right? I am friends with the folk...
by Kelo
Thu Apr 23, 2020 8:08 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Understanding the horse(s) you have, and their associated training challenges
Replies: 21
Views: 12969

Re: Understanding the horse(s) you have, and their associated training challenges

I just watched some really nice quarter horse reiners on youtube so I could study their canters. I have to keep in mind that Rocky’s dam is a good quality quarter horse and Rocky inherited many of her characteristics. Demi, if you don't mind me asking, do you know her pedigree? I'm a QH person, is ...
by Kelo
Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:41 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: When do you think showing will resume again?
Replies: 27
Views: 15321

Re: When do you think showing will resume again?

I think this conversation is interesting too, even just as a mental exercise! I would think that with all the brilliant minds in this industry, there would be a solution to the repeat video issue, which I agree would be a problem, as well as all the other problems that would inevitably crop up while...
by Kelo
Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:05 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: When do you think showing will resume again?
Replies: 27
Views: 15321

Re: When do you think showing will resume again?

Super, let's crack open a drink of choice then and continue :D (isn't it two judges)? My premise says that everything virtual counts as half. So if in real life you need two 60% scores at a specific level for your medal, to get the equivalent virtually, you'd have to enter 4 virtual shows (with 4 di...
by Kelo
Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:18 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: When do you think showing will resume again?
Replies: 27
Views: 15321

Re: When do you think showing will resume again?

I hear what you're saying, Chancellor, but respectfully disagree (mostly for the sake of us having lots of time right now to sit around the fire and spitball ideas 8-) ) I agree, there are always cheaters, but to me the mass benefit far outweighs those one or two bad apples. The majority of people a...
by Kelo
Mon Apr 20, 2020 8:46 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: When do you think showing will resume again?
Replies: 27
Views: 15321

Re: When do you think showing will resume again?

Kelo--good points, I hadn't thought of the adaptations! Could a judge basically Zoom judge a show? That is a very interesting idea. How does WDAA do a virtual show? People just send in videos? Sure they could Zoom judge a show. There's lots of ways to adapt, if the industry wants to survive, and we...
by Kelo
Mon Apr 20, 2020 7:40 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: When do you think showing will resume again?
Replies: 27
Views: 15321

Re: When do you think showing will resume again?

I don't have an answer and I hear your point, but at a certain point we have to reintegrate into life again, and the majority of us will eventually be exposed/recover. I have already seen notices from show secretaries saying that when they reopen all their duties will be done virtually, so no going ...
by Kelo
Thu Apr 09, 2020 1:24 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress
Replies: 162
Views: 78947

Re: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress

Exvet, you and your horses are the ones that TAUGHT me it was possible to get a non-Warmblood to FEI :lol: So this is all your fault. Chisamba, that is such a great point! I appreciate that so much. I had a friend who rode the GP tell me "you need to practice that test 100 times" but your ...
by Kelo
Thu Apr 09, 2020 1:11 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: No Puppy For Me
Replies: 8
Views: 6267

Re: No Puppy For Me

Hayburner, that is frustrating! But please don't take it personally - it's not personal. I don't know if it helps you any, but I've been rejected too. In my case, it's because I had a horse. At the time, I lived in town -- so the dog and the horse would literally never meet. :roll: But there you hav...
by Kelo
Thu Apr 09, 2020 12:44 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress
Replies: 162
Views: 78947

Re: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress

Ponichiwa, OMG I am a writer, counting is NOT my strongpoint! I am just trying not to fall off over here and y’all want me counting to 12, 15, 9, 6 x 3, get outta here! And don’t get me started about the 1s. I nail them 98% of the time in practice, no problemo, but if someone’s watching me, it sudde...
by Kelo
Wed Apr 08, 2020 5:53 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress
Replies: 162
Views: 78947

Re: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress

So I had planned to go to a recognized show and debut the Grand Prix in order to get feedback of where we are. It got cancelled due to COVID, so my instructor hooked me up with an S judge who was willing to do a "ride-a-test" video evaluation, and so we did that. While I rode in schooling ...
by Kelo
Tue Mar 31, 2020 4:17 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Dog Adoption Process
Replies: 8
Views: 6220

Re: Dog Adoption Process

My rescue, not having a fenced yard would be a disqualifier. Thought process is because if you let them out to go potty, it's not safe without a fence. Maybe in your part of the world, potty breaks are only on-leash, but here not so much. The smoking thing is not part of the home walk-thru checklist...
by Kelo
Tue Mar 31, 2020 2:36 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress
Replies: 162
Views: 78947

Re: Let the horse hair fly! March and April Goals and Progress

So the show I was planning to go to got cancelled, and I'm sheltering at home until all this blows over, including working from home. I'm fortunate to have my horses in my backyard, so continue to ride. I got a video of a practice test recently (screenshot below), and am seeing definite improvement ...
by Kelo
Tue Mar 10, 2020 7:39 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: World Cup Oh Oh...
Replies: 38
Views: 20692

Re: World Cup Oh Oh...

I'll be in town for work at that time, I might be able to get away for the Saturday performance....I'll have to wait and see if I can and if I can get a ticket....
by Kelo
Fri Mar 06, 2020 2:33 pm
Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
Topic: Dumb brag about my son
Replies: 18
Views: 12151

Re: Dumb brag about my son

That is so awesome! Congrats!!!

Time to stock up on a few audiobooks for the drive! :lol:

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