DefinitelyDressage.com

piedmontfields

Great ideas, thank you! The Ingrid Klimke book is a good match I think. I should get the Harry Boldt book for me!

piedmontfields

I am trying to narrow down a thank you gift for my barn's trainer who is an advanced level eventer. While I don't train with her, I appreciate her and her barn's management and want to give a holiday/thank you gift. She not only trains and competes, but also teaches many young riders. I've thought o...

piedmontfields

Rocky hasn’t had any other rider but me since she was broke as a 3 yr old (she’s 10 now) so it was the first time I have seen her go. Ive never even seen myself on her in a video, so I think my mouth was wide open the whole time! ... Piedmont, I couldn’t figure out your exercise. Is the 400m track ...

piedmontfields

Sue B, that is terrible. I'm so sorry for you and your family.

This is such a massive problem in the US right now. Probably most of us even on this board have been touched by addiction and its consequences.

piedmontfields

Yes, big improvement Rosie! Especially if these are the "I thought we were done" circles :lol: I continue to alternate between one handed and two handed riding to improve the steadiness of my hands. A detail I've been obsessed about lately is assuring that we lose no power in our transitio...

piedmontfields

Thanks!

piedmontfields

Wow! That is awesome.

We definitely need photos.

piedmontfields

I use Emi's sheepskin pads directly on her back. She approves. Some of this is how my saddle fits, of course. But admit that I only use them when she is fairly clean, so as to get a few uses out of them before washing! p.s. I should confess that I did stain her black once with a vigorous workout and...

piedmontfields

Flight, you all did so well, separation anxiety and icky weather and all. I felt like Ding was very at home in the movements and you were a calm, centered guide for him. I feel like there is lots of improvement evident in this video, even though it was not as easy ride. The horsey call and response ...

piedmontfields

You should be communicating with your vet about this.

piedmontfields

What a good mare. My mare would certainly be watching that area long into the future. Kind of like she keeps an eye on the liverpool in the arena. Every time it is moved to a new jump she says, "See, I told you that thing was suspicious!" I once leased an ex TB racehorse who was quite a ho...

piedmontfields

I know, this is such an incorrigible group. Give us a topic and we go where we want!

BTW, to translate Whole Foods market to you, it is popular in the US to call the store "Whole Paycheck."

piedmontfields

Tsavo wrote:I approach this like a jockey... take out weigh wherever you can. I took it off my body, bought a monoflap saddle, and use featherlite plastic stirrups.

Do you find that the plastic stirrups feel any different to you?

piedmontfields

I'm dealing with a similar horse "body" to Sue's Rudy. And I use similar techniques. But you know, Rosie's video reminded me that when I get to trot-walk-trot transitions in my warm-up, I demand them super quick and up hill (so it is really collected/high in the wither walk). Emi's warm up...

piedmontfields

That is an awesome update heddylamar!

I am keeping up with my inward leg circles at all gaits and the mare says "yes, you need to do this for me to let go and M O V E!"

p.s. gotta love mares

piedmontfields

Thanks for your comments. I feel more normal liking my heavy old fashioned stirrups! Srhorselady, can you point me to the kind of metal fillis you like? I mostly just see the cheese grater type.

piedmontfields

Mountaineer - LOL!! Yes - my "visit" to Whole Foods may be like someone going to Disney World. It is another reality for sure. :lol: Whole Foods only came to Knoxville in the last year or two. The first few times I shopped there, all I saw were people visiting the store like it was Dollyw...

piedmontfields

Chancellor, I'm still trying to imagine bread in a can!!! I guess I'll find out if I abandon my buggy (yes, I live in the south) in your path :D :lol: Rockabilly, I think our regional buggy driving is a lot like how we used to catch up with neighbors in the piedmont of NC: Stop on a quiet country ro...

piedmontfields

I need to replace my pads on my trusty Fillis style stirrup irons. So I was looking at stirrup options, too. Wow--there are so many choices out there!

I guess I am very old school with my heavy, simple stirrups. Do you have a type of stirrup that you love? If so, why?

piedmontfields

I am no expert young horse trainer. I do see a lot of young horses come through my barn, though. The ones that are set up to succeed by their owner/in a new setting (rather than strongly corrected after the fact for messing up) tend to learn quicker and become solid citizens. Those owners that respo...

piedmontfields

I would love to spend the time in the arena today after having a good lesson myself and then watching Rosie's clinic vids. But I am going on a trail ride instead. I can become TOO focused on dressage, so the trial riding is important to keep me balanced. And Rocky appreciates me much more when I am...

piedmontfields

I liked the exercises in your videos Rosie. Its not good, bad and ugly, it is just the reality of progressing in training, improving strength and responsiveness. Great job! I completely agree. Great teaching and what a treat to clinic with Ishoy! Rosie, your work also reminds me that even with a ve...

piedmontfields

DJR, my main concern is that to make the numbers work, you seem to need boarders. However, as most boarding barn businesses could tell you, very little money is made from boarders (but lots of work is required---by someone, if not you).

piedmontfields

yes, I dismount by putting my leg around the front of the saddle. ... I thought it was easier/safer than balancing awkwardly on the back of the saddle to get off. Definitely not safer, as it puts one in a more difficult position if the horse moves, etc. I'm not sure what you mean by balancing on th...

piedmontfields

Be curious how it goes for you, Imperini. You can also practice these moves off the horse--like on a tall stool (sitting), or even on your back with your legs in the air.

piedmontfields

Inward leg circles: At the walk (initially) without stirrups (or with) allow both legs to move out away from the horse, forward and then circle back to the horse's side. Your legs will move like mirrors to each other. This helps me lengthen my inner thigh, drop my knee, widen my sit bones and releas...

piedmontfields

Demi, you have really been doing well with your program and regular riding! I am a big believer in consistent work, as I think it is better for both me and my horse.

In that spirit, I share Emi dressed in her new winter riding gear:

: dressed for winter.JPG (122.27 KiB) Viewed 22304 times

piedmontfields

Well, after PT today (hard work), I was back to the drag and shove :cry: Rye, are you serious about swinging your outside leg forward?! :shock: That is way too scary to me! Ponichiwa, I was glad that Emi did not leave abruptly the first time I did this. But on the position subject, I did a bit of in...

piedmontfields

Vault off?!? Sorry, but I'm going to have to request that your Sr. thread membership be revoked :lol: I dismount like a proper Sr. by leaning forward so I can slide my right leg over till I am laying across the horse, and then carefully and slowly let myself slide down. :lol: :D But do you drag you...

piedmontfields

Thanks all again for ideas. I'm using them and it is helpful. Riding without stirrups in my warm-up is also helping, as it helps me open up the more challenged hip. I think the main thing is to just make sure I'm going to the seat/position first and not to any extra hand action, as she is so quick t...

piedmontfields

Beagle power! Very adorable ad. That said, with my first Weimaraner (who was trained as a tracking dog), we did put his skills to practical use one day at a dog park. Someone had dropped their car keys in the park (several acres) and was having trouble finding them. I had my dog sniff the person and...

piedmontfields

I feel like you might have better luck maintaining a consistent contact/arm position if you focus less on WHERE your hands are, and more on HOW they feel. I do agree, given that is how I've managed to learn anything in riding/equitation! The feeling I am trying to reproduce consistently when riding...

piedmontfields

This for me. I feel like I need to bring the leg up to apply it on a smaller barreled horse relative to my leg, but guess what? They can still feel it even if my entire leg isn't on the barrel. I was caught doing this badly in my last lesson and when I fixed it, suddenly the leg yield worked! You a...

piedmontfields

This for me. I feel like I need to bring the leg up to apply it on a smaller barreled horse relative to my leg, but guess what? They can still feel it even if my entire leg isn't on the barrel. I was caught doing this badly in my last lesson and when I fixed it, suddenly the leg yield worked! You a...

piedmontfields

Oh yeah, I always need to address my shoulders--especially when I ride after work. The method that works for me is to float the heart up and open. If I make the shoulder blades go down more in an assertive action, I tend to get more tense.

piedmontfields

On the monthly thread, there were a few references that made me think this might be a good topic to pull out in its own thread. As part of my effort to ride more quietly, I'm trying to pay strict attention to any time my elbows or hands move outside their appropriate "zone"! It is very eas...

piedmontfields

The excellent mare club is an awesome place.

Glad for the good update!

piedmontfields

I remember and still love your Halloween post, Hots4spots!

I look forward to everyone's updates. Be well, be safe, and enjoy the adventure.

piedmontfields

DJR, I think your time map excluded the extra commute time in the AM with the other property? (I know that I tend to think about the commute home, or from work to barn rather than the commute to work!)

The new place does sound worth checking out

piedmontfields

First jingles to Ding for healing and to all for horses to avoid hurting themselves or their riders!! I think my main goal for this period is just be a more consistently quiet rider. I'm not "that" loud, but every time I deliberately quiet my torso and keep my upper and lower body integrat...

piedmontfields

I think you might want to buy someone's time if you make this leap. Your commute will lengthen and your chore time will lengthen, so you will have less time available every day. Is the farm in a location that you have a decent shot at hiring someone to do chores so that there is less to do when you ...

piedmontfields

I really like the fit of wug-type Rambos for my mare. Also, they continue to hold up well (with a lot of use and rolling).

piedmontfields

Those are some great deals if you can find the right sizes. After getting Rambos, I do not want anything else!

piedmontfields

Ibut most of all I'm very grateful to still be riding and owning horses. So so true. I also love your photos and updates. Would love to see photo evidence of the Mr Stang and Junior surprising (not) you with their splendidness. Rosie, you did super well with this challenge! Me, not so much but I am...

piedmontfields

This is a decent summary: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalan-crisis-why-does-catalonia-want-independence-do-people-really-support-it-spain-latest-a8025836.html IMO, it is about both culture/history and economics. But if Catalonia were to leave Spain, it would be bad for both Spai...

piedmontfields

Cell phone! I like the ear commentary. By the way, notice that the grey mare is already back to having a biscuit colored neck

piedmontfields

Awesome updates, everyone. I always love seeing Laddie--even blurry. You two are an elegant match and will no doubt be ready for that bridle before you know it. Mari, you know I love Odin photo updates! Flight, you look fit and awesome and your horse does, too. I need to improve my fitness :-0. It h...

piedmontfields

After our worst day so far of the fall (torrential rain and 40), Emi ventures out for exercise on a grey and chilly day (we were the only ones to brave the weather yesterday). She would love living out 24/7 in say Portugal....or maybe Florida! You can see that we don't have very good colors this yea...

piedmontfields

Last year was my first with the Spanish hyacinths. i think they have good potential. I have them mixed in with hostas and azaleas, plus anemones. I love snow drops but they are not that awesome in my part of of the south. Due to excess rain and rodents, I have a certain amount of bulb loss every yea...

piedmontfields

Yes, I am another bulb freak. I usually plant about 1000 per year (after planting about 5000 the first year we got this place). I still don't have blooms all the way up the driveway...but that is the plan. I especially love fragrant jonquils and species tulips. I'm getting into spanish hyacinth now,...

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