DefinitelyDressage.com

westisbest

I use saddle soap lightly on my saddle, it's buffalo leather. I use a cellulose sponge and really rub well to get the dirt off, it's very dry and dusty in our facility. Same with bridle, take off bit soak in plain hot water, scrub all leathers well with saddle soap. Then I lightly rub Lederbalsam in...

westisbest

I can't imagine anyone who HAS such a horse, that would turn it over to be "schooled" by a new entity, then ridden by a bunch of unknowns 5x a week. Let's hope that this doesn't happen. Poor horses. Always at the mercy of economics, the changing whims of their custodial humans.

westisbest

That sounds awful! wishing you some good R&R and help for your farm. Ice terrifies me now in my old age.

westisbest

Yes she has a full day so even if I don't ride I bring him in, groom tack up etc. And I love, love seeing him go. Still so magnificent

.. unless the roads are terrible or I'm unwell etc I 'm always there.

westisbest

I have slacked off rather a lot this winter. So far. My guy is in half training so my trainer has mostly ridden him the past month twice a week. I'm truly happy to not have to push so hard this winter. With the twice a week pro rides he is keeping fit enuf and rebuilding his strength that he lost du...

westisbest

She's a beauty Paula! My now 3 yr old amazing beauty of a boy cat was a rescue. I used the food (Nutro) that the rescue had him on. It's not great tho and transitioned him to a high quality food after a few months. Nature's Instinct is what I'm on now. He did have a tummy issue for awhile and had to...

westisbest

Thanks Paula! Yes boxing day here is our "Black Friday" the malls will be chockabloc packed lots of deep discounts. It's -22C here, went to see my horse yesterday and let him free run the indoor he was kept in yesterday. For me a needed downtime day, pulled a back muscle so hot tub at the ...

westisbest

oh gosh Josette! fingers crossed it's not the bad kind.

westisbest

Yes but Calvin says no scratches. Maybe in a damp climate tho there is still trapped moisture that leads to some kind of irritation.

westisbest

Hi Westi - they were definitely stocked up (hind legs only) - he has four white stockings, and last year was AWFUL for scratches! I could not figure out the problem this year when this issue first arose. He did not have scratches, no abrasions, nothing. He is 20.5 years old. Anyway, clipping *seems...

westisbest

So they weren't stocked up? or just looked like they were? I have been thinking the same. My older guy now 22 has always been prone to "cankles" ie wind puffs from high level eventing for years. Decided I would clip his four white socks soon as they always look worse when unclipped.

westisbest

So very sorry for your loss. RIP Peri.

westisbest

It's been foggy, icy damp and cold lately. And I've been busy all week so tonight a good solid homey beef stew. Brown the beef first in a sautee pan then in my big dutch oven (not sure of the make but it was very expensive not Le Creuset but another French make) it does something magical to a dish w...

westisbest

I think MC if I were in your situation, being on my own place with the one horse, I might very likely pack it in. Being in a boarding barn with a close knit group of friends, keeps me going. And my coach and a competent friend can and do help ride if I'm working or unable to get in the requisite 4-5...

westisbest

I know the heartbreak too well. I lost my best friend, protector, travel companion GSD two years ago October 4. 13.5 precious years. I still miss him everyday and my chest tightens with grief just writing this. But it does get easier as with all loss. Talk about him to people who care about you. It ...

westisbest

I love my almost year old, almost paid for :), stainless freezer on bottom fridge. I don't find it shows prints much. I wipe it everyday. I now have a black dishwasher (which you can't see from outside the kitchen, black over stove micro and white (hated) range which is too new to replace unless I g...

westisbest

You could check this out. Paul used to come out up here regularly for clinics.

http://www.paulbelasik.com

westisbest

Hmm, have to put that on my wish list.

westisbest

I've come to the conclusion that I don't like any meat dishes I've done in the crock pot. My pot roast slow cooked in the oven for 4 hours at 300F in a heavy dutch oven was far superior in taste and texture to the crock pot. Guess that's why I only broke down and bought one a couple of years ago! I ...

westisbest

Pot roast with carrots and parsnips in. Doing in the oven as I didn't leave enuf time this am before heading out to ride to crock pot it. A nice heap of taters mashed with horseradish and sour cream. And a dish of sliced up sweet onion in vinegar a family staple with pot roast. For desert an absolut...

westisbest

I have no idea if I will have another horse after this one who is now 22. At 67 myself I am happy every day that I can do the things that give my life meaning, I tend to live in the "now" , now :). The number one priority is looking after this guy which means high board costs. So I'm not a...

westisbest

I think an ageing retired horse is going to deteriorate faster than an ageing in work or lightly ridden horse. We've had these discussions in other threads. What you don't use, you lose just like humans. The horse I still ride at 22 hasn't changed much even with time off this year due to surgery and...

westisbest

That's terrific! It's a really nice group here

westisbest

The charter didn't protect the Shafia women who were murdered as a family in Kingston. Or several other "honour" killlings in B.C.

westisbest

My interenet and tv provider here, Shaw Cable must be one of the last remaining good ones I guess. Can almost always get thru to a tech they work from call centres across the western provinces. And if they are busy they have a "can we call you back within x number of minutes" you go thru t...

westisbest

Never ridden with this lady before... Verena Mahin from California. I signed up in a moment of staleness and needing an outing. I'm sure I will learn stuff and it's at a lovely facility, so it should be entertaining. Yes, I'd have to be feeling full of intestinal fortitude to ride for Natalie. She'...

westisbest

I was kind of hating the slow cooker curry chicken last night after it was done,, just taste test. So I thinned it out with coconut milk tonight before I heated it up and it was quite tasty! Not a true curry taste tho. Have to find a better recipe. Double or triple the suggested amount of spices. T...

westisbest

I was kind of hating the slow cooker curry chicken last night after it was done,, just taste test. So I thinned it out with coconut milk tonight before I heated it up and it was quite tasty! Not a true curry taste tho. Have to find a better recipe.

westisbest

My uncle on my mom's side was shot down during the 2nd WW and buried alive. He had a photographic memory apparently and was doing reconaissance. He was sent to England to recover from his injuries but he had terrible PTSD and never got over that. He lived next door to us for years and the few family...

westisbest

I made that Pushcart chicken last year from the recipe on old board, it was delish! Just built a chicken curry in the slow cooker, boneless chick thighs cauliflower crushed tomotoes, garlic ginger lemon juice and a bunch of spices. In a hurry so didn't blend the sauce as recipe called for but hoping...

westisbest

I enlarged it doesn't look like a double bit, it's a single bit with a leverage arm two reins, don't know what it's called.

westisbest

I'll hazard a guess that she has less chance of falling and splitting her royal crown open off that pony than she would going up a flight of stairs at the Palace. She's perfectly capable of judging her risks.

westisbest

Didn't get a break until 7 pm last night to go see my horse. So dark snow flying on the drive back to the ag show grounds where I"m working this weekend.. Xmas craft market I was setting up a booth till 8:30 last night in a cold drafty building.. I'm always amazed at how much activity there is ...

westisbest

I'm so sorry Josette. There is nothing as precious as the comfort of a beloved kitty. Would love to see pics of him. RIP RIcky.

westisbest

Believe in yourself. Stop second guessing what you know is right for you. Stay in college even if you end up quitting teaching. Get a horse! You know that's the only dream that matters to you, Don't listen to the people who tell you what you want to do with your life and how you want to live your li...

westisbest

Been there, never again. Hopefully. Even with someone who I considered a BF, was out riding with her years ago, going up side of gravel road which is travelled by big rigs, she took off on me! Thankfully I had the world's best trail horse, road hacker then, my perfect Paint. I've been up to the moun...

westisbest

Ouch Paula! Wouldn't less padding hurt more ?

... good for you for the remount.

westisbest

Don't take content and pass off as your own, Don't take info off a site and re-post on FB, a blog, etc where the original author has no knowledge or ability to edit/remove content. I think printing a thread for study at home is not the same as taking the material to another online site. Side note: ...

westisbest

Woke up to snow today. Not unusual here by this time of year. Traffic in town was a snarl so didn't have time for more than a quick barn run to pay my bill, drop off feed and a check on the big teddy bear. Who was warm and snug and making ugly stallion faces at the other horses at the round bale. Si...

westisbest

Thx for breaking that down. Yes mine is not hot off the leg. So when I put on my canter aids, I sometimes have to be sure I get the response before I take the aid off. And back up with a tap of the whip if need be. But not always. If he's feeling fresh or if there are other horses cantering in the r...

westisbest

I don't know what I mean either. I"m overthinking as usual.

westisbest

Mine isn't that difficult to get off the leg, it's more consistency from me. keeping the aid ON till he responds especially at canter. Ugh from me too. Hate the short days. This is the time of year that this ridiculously long barn drive really gets to me. By the time I get home even today when I did...

westisbest

Kande, I have been thinking about the "SHORTEN your reins" thing and am wondering if someone should start another thread in the training forum...I understand a lot of what you are saying and have also suffered through some trainers who were less then understanding. I had a 16.3 plus geldi...

westisbest

Shorten rein, more leg. That's pretty much the summary of all my work :). Rode today, cold and windy outside but Mr. Big is so relaxed and happy there were no shenanigans like several weeks ago. A friend is coaching me while my coach is gone, "shorten your reins, get him round". yea yea. W...

westisbest

Just opened a jar of this year's dill pickles, put up in July. Super crisp and delicious, I could eat the whole jar. Will restrain myself. The rest of a pan of baked spaghetti with meat sauce topped with lots of mozza that I made last night.

westisbest

Semiorville lol! I still don't see myself as a senior. Maybe that's a good thing. My coach is gone so I'm enjoying some no structure time. And almost (!!) not compulsively worrying 24/7 about my horse these days. He's mellowed right out in the field. Weather is still pretty nice. Second year of a ne...

westisbest

Huge grin on my face this a.m. heading back to the barn after venturing further afield with Duke. He had a small snit going up a hill that was taking him away from visual contact of the farm and more important, his pasture with his mates. That got him a boot and he settled right down. And at the to...

westisbest

...I just can not emotionally handle the stuff that goes wrong with horses... I wonder if dressage enthusiasts are even more emotional that the rest of the horseloving world. We love the beauty and music of horses, the emotions they evoke. A beautiful passage, I mean a REALLY classical, beautiful p...

westisbest

Me either MC. I picked up a book on drawing yesterday at the library. I have a low level art aptitude and thought it might be a good time to get my mind involved with something creative. Off to ride on a dark but not quite so cold day. My coach leaves later today for a much needed two week break dow...

westisbest

What wonderful photos Kathy! That one on Cowboy is beyond special.

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