Search found 231 matches

by HafDressage
Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:43 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

I leased a number of horses shown through 2nd -4th. They were older and it was very affordable and helpful to the owner. Of course it was very helpful to me! Frankly, thinking about the title of this thread just reminds me of the vast differences in options between the 2 %, 1% or .1% and everyone e...
by HafDressage
Tue Mar 05, 2019 1:58 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

Okay except that most students don't pay that amount AND most Ivys offer financial aid in some form to families with an income under 100K. As per Princton's website, $66,700 is the average tuition, college fee, room and board for 2018-2019, The AVERAGE grant for a student admitted to the class of 2...
by HafDressage
Mon Mar 04, 2019 5:40 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

Okay except that most students don't pay that amount AND most Ivys offer financial aid in some form to families with an income under 100K. As per Princton's website, $66,700 is the average tuition, college fee, room and board for 2018-2019, The AVERAGE grant for a student admitted to the class of 20...
by HafDressage
Sun Mar 03, 2019 9:07 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

Chisamba - First, really NOBODY should ever spend 55K on an undergraduate degree in equine science. And that is not an insult to the field, which I respect, but it is a commentary on the future job prospects for undergraduates with that degree. Of course, going on to become a vet, getting a masters ...
by HafDressage
Fri Feb 15, 2019 11:06 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

What I am struck by is how much more expensive horses are here in the States vs overseas. I get ads all the time from Holland or UK where there are some gorgeous horses with training and very reasonably priced. Makes you wonder why such a difference. I think Xan was finding that out as well in her ...
by HafDressage
Fri Feb 15, 2019 11:00 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

In terms of comments geared towards "you can''t just buy success" I would definitely agree for the most part. Often those that can afford really nice horses don't ride that well. What is 'often'? You make a statement you really can't back up. You may know of some weathly people with price...
by HafDressage
Thu Feb 14, 2019 7:06 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

It's so interesting to see the many directions this thread went. I agree with Blob that whether you spend a lot up front or not, you are probably going to spend a lot over time in board/lessons/etc, so I don't think there are long-term savings spending more up front for the most part. I think Straig...
by HafDressage
Sun Feb 03, 2019 5:10 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

Speaking of....this article gave me a chuckle today: http://www.eurodressage.com/2019/02/03/ ... S5rmc5mu9A

Only a lackluster 70K.
by HafDressage
Sun Feb 03, 2019 2:26 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

HafDressage, if you think spending 1/10th of your savings on a horse is irresponsible, how much money should one have saved in order buy....say...a 50k horse? According to your thinking they would need more than 500k in the bank. Do you think a lot of younger people (30's and 40's) have that much s...
by HafDressage
Fri Feb 01, 2019 12:51 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Re: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

Okay good, I'm glad I'm not the only one baffled by this. Sometimes it feels so financially daunting to be in this sport. I'm hoping to stay around 30 or under for my next horse, but even that amount seems like a super ridiculous amount of money to just frivolously spend on a horse. Flight- awesome ...
by HafDressage
Thu Jan 31, 2019 10:40 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse
Replies: 103
Views: 51628

Ponderings/mystifyment/bafflement - The 75K+ sales horse

So, I keep a very close eye on the dressage sales market not only because it's practically a hobby at this point (insert mild obsession), but also because I hope to buy a second horse next year. Most of the horses I'm interested in are schooling 3rd level and above. Now, I would say that at any give...
by HafDressage
Wed Jan 02, 2019 10:45 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Rein Length
Replies: 93
Views: 22274

Rein Length

Okay so I'm a rider who tends to ride with a relatively short connected rein length most of the time. What I am noticing with my boy, however, is that I really do have fairly different rein lengths in the trot and canter. In the canter I keep my reins about 3 inches shorter than in my trot work and ...
by HafDressage
Sun Dec 09, 2018 4:29 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Tempis and straightness...
Replies: 34
Views: 17435

Re: Tempis and straightness...

Dresseur glad the rein bridging helped a bit! I had one more thought that I thought might be worth mentioning. The other thing that I was taught with the 2's and 1's is that the outside leg should tap not slide (well changes in general actually). So, it's like tap right, tap left, tap right, etc. Ra...
by HafDressage
Wed Dec 05, 2018 4:50 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: The *Perfect* Dressage Horse (Physically). Your Examples?
Replies: 44
Views: 20740

Re: The *Perfect* Dressage Horse (Physically). Your Examples?

Xan - You definitely have a type! :) I think Glamordale was my least fav of the bunch - looks over in the knees on both front legs, but perhaps it is just that picture. I am also of the shorter neck camp. I don't like a long back and I don't like a long neck. I also don't think a thick throatlatch i...
by HafDressage
Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:27 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Tempis and straightness...
Replies: 34
Views: 17435

Re: Tempis and straightness...

Dresseur - So I think the twos are the easiest of the tempi changes because the rhythm is so even. AND also in fairness probably because I learned them on a horse who was so insanely good at them it was almost like he was saying put your leg here now, now here, now here. So, I think that helped. For...
by HafDressage
Thu Nov 01, 2018 1:36 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Side Reins!
Replies: 26
Views: 16342

Side Reins!

So I grew up in a very SRS school of training that emphasized proper lunging in connection with side reins. Over the past 5 years I've mostly boarded at H/J barns and really enjoyed it for the most. I've learned a lot from my H/J friends and definitely have a lot of respect for them. NOW, all of tha...
by HafDressage
Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:06 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: New USEF tests are out!
Replies: 20
Views: 12344

Re: New USEF tests are out!

Okay so they definitely made 4-3 more reasonable. Thank goodness for that. So, seems like good changes to me so far.
by HafDressage
Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:48 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: New USEF tests are out!
Replies: 20
Views: 12344

Re: New USEF tests are out!

OMG YAY!!!!!

Okay well I'm super excited that 3-3 stayed the same!!!! It's a great tests and I'm glad they left it alone. Looks like 4-3 changed, which is super needed to, so I'm reading through that to see if it's more reasonable then the last version.
by HafDressage
Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:28 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: USDF tests for purchase?
Replies: 15
Views: 10885

Re: USDF tests for purchase?

Oh I can't wait to see them either!!!! I'm really hoping they come out soon!

That 4-3 test is bananas currently. Honestly if you can get through that you might as well show PSG. So, I hope that they change that one for the better so that it provides a better stepping stone to PSG.
by HafDressage
Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:21 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Collected trot - more cadence
Replies: 13
Views: 9688

Re: Collected trot - more cadence

Flight this is also part of my mission right now, although you are definitely ahead of me on this front. I think it seems like you are definitely heading in the right direction in terms of the trot appearing to have more cadence. I think what you have around 1:10 is better than in the beginning beca...
by HafDressage
Tue Sep 18, 2018 5:48 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Creative 3rd/4th level training exercises?
Replies: 8
Views: 6672

Creative 3rd/4th level training exercises?

So sometimes I feel I'm lacking some creative effort in my rides. Often I find myself doing the same exercises over and over, which is not ideal bc my horse is already so minimal in the effort department that it would be much better to mix it up more. So, just looking for some creative/interesting/d...
by HafDressage
Fri Sep 14, 2018 6:28 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Extensions
Replies: 3
Views: 4191

Re: Extensions

PaulaO- I agree with you. I think a big part of the problem is not that these horses don't have active hind legs - bc many of them do - but rather that the sport has "emphasized fancy above all else," so everyone's hind leg pales in comparison to the overly dramatic front end that is being...
by HafDressage
Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:05 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Leg Yeild: How much, how often?
Replies: 44
Views: 22073

Re: Leg Yeild: How much, how often?

I do a leg yield or or two in most of my warmups and then do more of it usually in conjunction with the HP. I either will train the HP in leg yield position (Carl Hester does/recommends this a lot) or I will half-pass for a few steps adn then go back to the leg yield, then back to the half pass. Sid...
by HafDressage
Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:00 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Reflection: The Kind of Trainer You Need (now, in the past, at different moments)
Replies: 24
Views: 15630

Re: Reflection: The Kind of Trainer You Need (now, in the past, at different moments)

Okay so after my earlier rant about people putting up with too much bad behavior from trainers earlier, this article came up on my news feed. Let this boggle your minds for a second: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/sports/jimmy-williams-flintridge.html While what I was referring to was clearly fa...
by HafDressage
Sat Sep 08, 2018 3:26 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Musings on leg position
Replies: 65
Views: 29500

Re: Musings on leg position

Thanks for all the responses everyone! Very interesting discussion thus far. The more I reflect on this, the more I really think that this more forward leg could work for some body types, but not others. I'm tallish 5'8" and while I have plenty long legs, I also have a decent length torso and v...
by HafDressage
Sat Sep 08, 2018 3:05 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Reflection: The Kind of Trainer You Need (now, in the past, at different moments)
Replies: 24
Views: 15630

Re: Reflection: The Kind of Trainer You Need (now, in the past, at different moments)

I would just like to have a trainer at all right now... What I like in a trainer: No yelling at me Will get on the horse Has space for horse to be at their place to train them for a month or so a year No shortcuts, gadgets Whether or not they show, will engage with me in a program to improve horse ...
by HafDressage
Thu Sep 06, 2018 2:34 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Reflection: The Kind of Trainer You Need (now, in the past, at different moments)
Replies: 24
Views: 15630

Re: Reflection: The Kind of Trainer You Need (now, in the past, at different moments)

While I think experience matters, I have had really experienced trainers who differ in their ability to communicate and teach. Probably the best "rider" I ever trained with, was among the worst of the teachers I've trained with. Where I think trainer experience matters most is when you run...
by HafDressage
Thu Sep 06, 2018 2:21 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Musings on leg position
Replies: 65
Views: 29500

Musings on leg position

Last week a friend and I joined Dressage Today Online and we both are totally in love with it. I decided to start with Catherine Haddad videos and have watched a few others as well (including a couple of Gareth Hughes videos on flying changes that are really helpful). So one thing that is interestin...
by HafDressage
Fri Aug 03, 2018 3:36 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: " competed through to the FEI levels"?
Replies: 34
Views: 19032

Re: " competed through to the FEI levels"?

FEI is the writer and publisher of the PSG through GP, so if he's shown any of those levels at even a tiny schooling show, then he's shown through the FEI levels.
by HafDressage
Tue Jul 24, 2018 5:20 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Hinneman article
Replies: 18
Views: 11073

Re: Hinneman article

I thought the article was very good/interesting. I find the tail thing super interesting. Was there implication about the thickness of the dock or just the amount of hair? or are those two things interrelated and I've just never put that together before? In terms of submission, I think people confus...
by HafDressage
Mon Jul 23, 2018 5:06 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: For *controversial* inspiration or discussion. :)
Replies: 28
Views: 16142

Re: For *controversial* inspiration or discussion. :)

I think Hafdresage is so sure she is right no amount of comment, thoughtful, kind or snarky, is going to knock her if her pedestal of perfection. Lol, I'm only as convinced I'm right as you are. I'm not someone who bashes top riders, nor did I bash LG. I think she probably is all of the above nice ...
by HafDressage
Fri Jul 20, 2018 6:56 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: For *controversial* inspiration or discussion. :)
Replies: 28
Views: 16142

Re: For *controversial* inspiration or discussion. :)

I'm sorry but the mouth opening and closing every stride is not "emotion." That is laughable. The mouth should be relatively quiet or have soft chewing. That is not what is shown. This could be any pair and I would have the same comment. So in your opinion, never having the poll as the hi...
by HafDressage
Fri Jul 20, 2018 4:41 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: For *controversial* inspiration or discussion. :)
Replies: 28
Views: 16142

Re: For *controversial* inspiration or discussion. :)

This horse is being asked to.perform approximately five minutes of hard task after hard task in a challenging environment and he is not allowed to chew? Or show his concentration and engagement in any way? What do you want? Emotionless performance. Dont expect that from a living breathing animal. G...
by HafDressage
Fri Jul 20, 2018 2:58 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: For *controversial* inspiration or discussion. :)
Replies: 28
Views: 16142

For *controversial* inspiration or discussion. :)

Stealing the thread name. :) Okay so... https://www.facebook.com/USADressage/videos/10156669843408395/UzpfSTExNDIwMjEyMTk5MTU5MjpWSzoxMDE1NjY2OTg0MzQwODM5NQ/ On the one hand: I mean AMAZING passage, excellent piros. Lots of foot perfect things including excellent activity behind. On the other hand: ...
by HafDressage
Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:59 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Frustrated ! No Walk
Replies: 37
Views: 21092

Re: Frustrated ! No Walk

Hayburner - Interesting problem. So, my three suggestions, which will be non-traditional are 1) don't make her walk at first. Get on and go. If that is what she wants, then I would go with it. Burn a little of the hot off and then come back to the walk and work on it later. It's very much like a hor...
by HafDressage
Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:28 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Spurs!
Replies: 5
Views: 4994

Spurs!

So I'm looking into a new pair of spurts and there are SO MANY OPTIONS. SO I'm kind of at a loss as to what to order.

Short/long, rowls/no rowls, spiked/smooth, sideways/normal, swan neck/straight neck.

So, what spurs do you guys use and why?
by HafDressage
Sat Jul 07, 2018 6:42 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Working for Long-term Soundness
Replies: 42
Views: 19084

Re: Working for Long-term Soundness

Clearly there's some luck involved in keeping a horse sound. There's also good management practices. I wouldn't dream of giving my horses more than a couple days in a row off unless they are sick or something. I'd pay someone to ride or lunge them or put them with a trainer. That said, this has nev...
by HafDressage
Fri Jun 22, 2018 4:33 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Quick Hind Leg aka Quick Behind
Replies: 69
Views: 32373

Re: Quick Hind Leg aka Quick Behind

I don't have time to read all the posts, but quick behind in reference to most horses (esp. warmbloods and big movers) is that they are either slow behind which means the gait loses purity or that they need to spend less time in the air with their hind legs. So, in the trot many horses that naturall...
by HafDressage
Wed Jun 20, 2018 4:13 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: I'm probably just grumpy but would like opinions.
Replies: 18
Views: 13608

Re: I'm probably just grumpy but would like opinions.

So I haven't watched the specific ride you are talking about, but I very likely agree based on the other rides of this combo I've watched. The piaffe and passage is better than Valegro, but everything else is not and is being way over scored. The extensions are all up front and nothing behind.
by HafDressage
Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:03 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Metalab bits?
Replies: 2
Views: 3299

Metalab bits?

I've decided I want to switch from my curb with short shanks to a standard shank bit. He isn't picky about bits and so I think i like the look of the standard length better, so I'm going to switch.... this of course has led me into bit land, which has way too many options. Before I buy another HS bi...
by HafDressage
Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:40 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: More leg? Not really...No
Replies: 20
Views: 14259

Re: More leg? Not really...No

Do instructors really say more leg? I don't think use ever said it or been told more leg. I've told people on hot goody horses that if a horse can get used to a blanket, they can get comfortable with a leg. I've said drap, keep your leg under you and many such suggestions, but I don't think I've as...
by HafDressage
Wed Jun 06, 2018 3:47 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: More leg? Not really...No
Replies: 20
Views: 14259

Re: More leg? Not really...No

Sorry. I didn't mean to offend. OH Tuddy no you didn't offend at all!!! I was just having an internal philosophical commentary about the concept of more leg, which is currently trending on facebook...and driving me nuts There are definitely times when you need more leg and on a hotter horse I would...
by HafDressage
Fri Jun 01, 2018 2:24 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: RIP Centerline Scores???
Replies: 3
Views: 3934

RIP Centerline Scores???

Sooooo, is this website still working for anybody else? It looks like it's down for me, which is super sad. It was so helpful. Anybody know what happened?
by HafDressage
Fri Jun 01, 2018 2:21 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: More leg? Not really...No
Replies: 20
Views: 14259

More leg? Not really...No

Okay so recently I've been seeing all of these riding memes' on facebook that are like "more leg" is the answer to everything. And also the thread on here...more leg more leg....and I just have to say.... NO...LESS LEG. Like maybe more forward or more from behind , but 100% not more leg sq...
by HafDressage
Mon May 21, 2018 1:41 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Fussiness with bits in double bridle
Replies: 16
Views: 14276

Re: Fussiness with bits in double bridle

Fzybrfrm - I'm sorry I just saw this. Not sure where to say to try to find a sliding one in that size. Given that you might need to try a couple, you might want to do the bit testing thing with dressage extensions. It will cost a little in shipping, but also will give you some options. Below are a f...
by HafDressage
Thu May 17, 2018 3:29 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Equilab -- anyone else using this app?
Replies: 33
Views: 18238

Re: Equilab -- anyone else using this app?

My rides are 30-40 minutes, and only 10-12 minutes of trot. I was really surprised by that because I was sure I was doing 15-20 minutes of trot. I can see the big clock in my barn from the arena, and I start trotting after 10 minutes of walk. It sure seemed to me that, except for a few minutes walk...
by HafDressage
Mon May 07, 2018 2:16 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Equilab -- anyone else using this app?
Replies: 33
Views: 18238

Re: Equilab -- anyone else using this app?

Okay so I'm totally obsessed. I love it. Even if it's not 100% accurate, it still gives me some idea of what is going on and definitely helps me understand some of my flaws. For example, I seem to track left (his easy side) more than I track right, which is totally unintentional. I'm putting screen ...
by HafDressage
Sun May 06, 2018 5:17 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: HANDS - (was various training topics)
Replies: 97
Views: 43358

Re: HANDS - (was various training topics)

I do not agree with hafdressage that the inside rein is the rein of direction, because you can absolutely have a flexion left and be on a circle right (meaning to!). The inside rein is the rein of flexion and bend, but should not be used for direction. IMO it is the seat aids more than the rein aid...
by HafDressage
Sun May 06, 2018 1:30 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: HANDS - (was various training topics)
Replies: 97
Views: 43358

Re: HANDS - (was various training topics)

So, "what you take up on the inside, you give out on the outside." So, if you were in a corner and you have more inside flexion and bend, you would allow more with the outside rein. I've heard that advice many years ago. I ask, why would you ever 'take up on the inside'? I think Ingrid wa...
by HafDressage
Sat May 05, 2018 10:39 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: HANDS - (was various training topics)
Replies: 97
Views: 43358

Re: HANDS - (was various training topics)

Ingrid's favourite sayings throughout this weekend: Do not give with the outside. The outside always stays. Only the inside gives. Thanks for sharing Musical comedy. So, I probably subscribe to this for the most part, but there are many trainers who advocate a bit more give (not giving) in the outs...

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