DefinitelyDressage.com

exvet

We've been schooling and trail riding. I've been focusing so much on Junior that Brandon has kind of taken a back seat. I did work him yesterday with the idea of getting him solid into the outside rein and just focusing on perfecting our transitions - walk-trot-walk and trot-canter-trot. Well as we ...

exvet

Flight I had a colleague who learned tons while there. Enjoy and get the most out of it you can! Blob, I think we've often compared our horses but Junior is definitely on that energy efficient list all the while being that worker bee. It is the reason why we've been having so much trouble with our f...

exvet

My daughter and I went to Omaha the last time the world cup was held there, and it was fun; but also, a little disappointing (scratches that we specifically went to watch go). We've decided to pass this year, but the venue is viewer friendly, relatively low key (compared to Vegas) and not difficult ...

exvet

I'm going to be a broken record, Junior - focus on straightness, engagement, lowering the hind quarters, better soft connection, even into both reins and of course quality of the canter Brandon - soft, steady connection, the rest will be 'in place' Ace - just let him be the numero uno trail boss I p...

exvet

These two months went by fast! I didnt manage to lose 4 lbs but Im okay with that. Having my mom living with me is (and I feel guilty for even saying this, but) stressful. I am not eating well and I’m drinking too much wine because of the stress. If I could cut out the stress eating and drinking I ...

exvet

Ugh! more rain! Not the best way to start off the new year with a 3-day horse show looming overhead. Goals for all 3 are basically the same as last go round. I hope to get qualifying for the regionals behind me with the upcoming show so that I can focus on improving the quality of the gaits and con...

exvet

Ooh, oooooh. I can tell you how to dye your white stuff! :lol: Just FYI, it's in the rulebook that gloves still have to be white or black. Interesting because I've been showing with the brown gloves for 3 recognized shows and NO ONE has said anything. I'm not up on USDF rules! But, I really, really...

exvet

So today's lesson - controlling the outside shoulder in order to get a straight canter depart. Junior was NOT happy about the task at all because he absolutely doesn't want me to have control of that right shoulder but with much insistence, he did give me some engaged, withers lifted canter departs ...

exvet

Love the boots SF! Am thinking of getting a pair that are similar since buying more taupe/tan pads/gloves/etc to go with my navy coat. Ooh, oooooh. I can tell you how to dye your white stuff! :lol: Just FYI, it's in the rulebook that gloves still have to be white or black. Interesting because I've ...

exvet

Love the boots SF! Am thinking of getting a pair that are similar since buying more taupe/tan pads/gloves/etc to go with my navy coat.

exvet

Moutaineer in so sorry about your gut. I was happy to hear of your nice ride on Potters, now this. Ugh staightfirward good luck worth Tesla Exvet do you find you have to ride Junior just a bit deeper to get the base of his neck? Caliburn is like that. Yes I do. It really bothered me at first but it...

exvet

This is a pet peeve of mine. I will remount a horse who even tries to walk off making sure they stand through the entire process. It's just too dangerous to accept anything else as you've noted. I continue to work on my balance and strength when off the horse so that I can mount while holding the re...

exvet

It was a gorgeous day for riding yesterday. I rode Junior in the am focusing on canter quality, lowering the base of the neck and overall light connection. I think he did pretty well and is coming into the hand softer and sooner, doing better to maintain it over poles and in both directions. I also ...

exvet

Cringe worthy? Are you daft? Of course, you're not, and I think not only do you look remarkable after major surgery just a short time ago, but your seat is also still very much there! I rather liked the video. Good on ya. My lesson was quite a bit along the lines of what you're working on with Saiph...

exvet

Thank you for sharing the videos, Tanga. I am also a HUGE fan of the blue. I agree with Chisamba though there are plenty of nice moments too. I only dream of the day of having at least one at FEI again. Weather isn't cooperating here but then neither is my work schedule, oh well. Looking forward to ...

exvet

Good luck Tanga!

exvet

Here are some more recent pictures https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/o253/ldarling_photos/Junior_medium.jpg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/o253/ldarling_photos/Junior_concentrating.jpg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds I think there's a litt...

exvet

I had some pictures come up on my facebook feed of Junior and I competing at a show 4 years ago this weekend. I pulled up some pictures from our last schooling show from this past fall for comparison. I thought the changes were pretty evident and figured I'd share in this and the next post. https://...

exvet

Sounds like with the coming spring lots of positive steps have been made for many. Really like the video clip Aleuronx. Warning my post is going to be LONG; sorry, but I've been kicking myself and apologizing to both my horses for several days and I believe Ya'll will understand the why. Brandon sca...

exvet

OMgosh, I hear you demi. I agree that having dependable horses is a godsend. Even though I didn't do quite as planned at the last horse who I wouldn't trade my guys for anything. They are all so solid and perfect for this independent amateur. They deserve my upmost respect and gratitude for what the...

exvet

More prayers for you and your Mom, Aleuronx. Sounds like we might know where you get your determination from ;) I spent part of yesterday in addition to chauffeuring my mother around to get her various errands run also trying to arrange for her cataracts surgery. I was grateful to find out that it's...

exvet

I had some of the best moments of connection on Brandon this morning. Since in my last lesson (last week) I was given homework to dedicate two weeks to solidifying the objectives, I decided to take Brandon to my lesson this morning. The exercise was simple but so very good for Brandon. I spent much ...

exvet

I've certainly have been on all sides of the issue regarding use of the double, mostly in regard to me, myself and mine. I don't really have any opinion on others' choices in its use. I think I've made a little head way with Junior connecting the dots and being, I'll say more responsive in giving th...

exvet

Annabelle shows pretty nice scope over fences. Maybe I can manage to get some video of Junior and Brandon going through my makeshift jump alley.

exvet

Remember I'm part of the club, Brandon is definitely a princess, though both Resi and Monty already had broken me in pretty well ;) Monty did transition to the double well, but his issues of preference were and are still more dramatic when it comes to saddles. With Resi it was the bit and with Brand...

exvet

Got another exercise today! We did this the entire lesson and have been instructed to work on this for the next two weeks. I will say that Junior was not happy with the exercise at all. We worked in the dressage arena; a short court would work or anywhere with similar square footage and the ability ...

exvet

LOVE IT! Tanga.

exvet

Saiph is a spooky easily distracted horse ( referencing Moutainers comments) and as she feels better and stronger and turns on the power her distractions become a bit more dramatic. I have found that keeping the back feet quick and stepping into the outside rein not only cures everything, it also i...

exvet

I agree demi, you and Besa make a wonderful pair. She seems like a dream to ride. Flight, you have given me some ideas! SF I need to do the same with Brandon again. Molly had me do this in a lesson back in the summer and after the show I see that I need to revisit. Thanks for the reminder ;) Here is...

exvet

Sounds promising! Fingers crossed for a good report from Davis.

exvet

Tanga! you're right! The rain came. The weather was meh but at least my classes were between the rainstorms, and we did reasonably well. Yesterday I went with the idea of just giving Brandon an opportunity to build his confidence. So, I wasn't going to yank and spank or force him to conform to reall...

exvet

Yes it's been a challenging show and it's already raining. I don't ride until noon but that could change with whatever show management decides to do with the rain issues. I've been hauling back and forth and just paying for a day stall; so, it could be worse, I could be typing in a damp, drippy wet ...

exvet

Well no qualifying score for Brandon either BUT for a horse that went in cold to a very noisy scary indoor arena (2 rings side by side) that he's never set foot in and to do a test we've never shown I was grateful that we managed to squeak by and stay in the 60s. He didn't really spook or do anythin...

exvet

Thanks again y'all; but this is what one expects to deal with when you ride what I ride, no apologies and no regrets. The fact is that Junior will never move like a warmblood and tension/power is the Welsh Cob mantra. It's my job to make it look less tense and I didn't succeed in this judge's opinio...

exvet

Thank you for the support Tanga and I agree with demi, you two look fab. Unfortunately, though the weather has been great today, Junior and I failed to impress the judge with anything but a very short back supposedly tense Welsh cob. I say supposedly because he didn't feel that tense to me and hones...

exvet

Lesson this morning was interesting and of course just underscored where our weaknesses are. We are supposed to have rain starting Sunday and all of my classes on that day are outside. So far the future of our show weekend doesn't look all too positive but as usual we'll take it as it comes. Focus f...

exvet

Nice progress on both Joplin and Tesla. Love the clip job on T too. I shot video of both boys yesterday using my Pivo. The Pivo worked fine but trying to get it to load on my computer has been a bit of a challenge (the pivo upgraded and I haven't figured out how to work around the 'new features' yet...

exvet

Aleuronx - I hope your mother is hanging in there and coping with things well. I know how challenging it all is. I was hoping to get a picture of Darla this weekend because like puppies do, she's grown a bit but still comes in at only 4 lbs. These are pictures that the breeder took. The second one h...

exvet

I like the Micklem bridles I have. They both are well made and built to last; however, I switched out of Junior's back to Monty's old FFS plain snaffle no flash bridle. My coach and I both agree that it likely was affecting Junior's breathing despite what is claimed. Of course, Junior has a pony hea...

exvet

I've been casually looking for a three-horse bumper pull and have seen downright crazy prices. Those priced truer to value (based on age and condition) usually sell within 1-2 days around here. I recently had my two-horse bumper pull repaired (minor stuff typical of weekly wear and tear) which is a ...

exvet

SF- Junior has recently developed a habit of stomping when he gets upset knowing that we're going to really amp up the ante. It seems though that with some persistence and 'fairness' in terms of releases and breaks his episodes have disappeared almost as quickly as they started (last few months). I ...

exvet

Ugh! more rain! Not the best way to start off the new year with a 3-day horse show looming overhead. Goals for all 3 are basically the same as last go round. I hope to get qualifying for the regionals behind me with the upcoming show so that I can focus on improving the quality of the gaits and conn...

exvet

I'm sorry to read about your mother, Aleuronx. I know how tough this can be. As for seeing out the old and in with the new........ Me: I've started adding to my workout regimen specific exercises to help me straighten up my upper body/shoulders so that I don't look so much like a little curmudgeon p...

exvet

That is awesome Ponichiwa! We've been actually having 'weather' here too; so, much so that my arena is too wet to ride in at least for yesterday and today. I did get to at least ride Junior in another lesson this morning. I haul him to a place with a covered arena. We worked on basically legs off an...

exvet

Merry Christmas everyone! I feel guilty about having absolutely gorgeous weather here for the last few days. I have spent some of the time alternating trail riding with arena work with all of the boys. My daughter is coming tomorrow to go trail riding. Then it's supposed to turn rainy and cold. Let ...

exvet

Another lesson and another 45 minutes or so being chased with the lunge whip. We had a brief discussion on where the issue truly lies and that is Junior is simply behind my leg, not sucked back but simply not the degree of forward needed for better scores and the solidification of the flying changes...

exvet

Late to the discussion but I too have found this board to be very constructive, supportive and one I visit daily, part of my routine. I too would be willing to pay for a subscription. I agree completely with all the points that demi makes regarding what makes this board so helpful. While it's not as...

exvet

To be clear, Junior has never been heavy in my hands or leaning. I just have always known (even if it was in the back of my mind) that his gapping and opening of his mouth had to do with me not giving enough in my hand despite not pulling back. I rode with a student of Heather Blitz (and Heather in ...

exvet

I think with Junior, the nose band of the Micklem, though claiming the opposite, must have closed or limited the opening of his nasal passages even when fitted properly. As for the flash, well I decided that his opening and gapping of the mouth of course is telling; so, against previous instructor's...

exvet

I kind of feel like I've gone full circle, again and again......hopefully not circling the drain LOL. I've been working on using mostly my seat to ride, really trying hard to keep my horses moving from my inside leg to outside hand. I've also decided to ride with a really light connection, mostly be...

Search found 1595 matches