DefinitelyDressage.com

westisbest

You can see the roof here well[/img] What size is it? I would think just the insulation alone would be a huge expense, and then all the work plugging up cracks and ventilation and dust control. I think there are good reasons that we don't have very many heated indoors around here! I'm not sure K th...

westisbest

It's 80'x180'...new place won't be quite this big but we won't have to be navigating around jumps all the time either.

The footing is a geo textile base. It reduces dust, gives secure landing for the jumpers. Footing costs are huge. This one gets topped up every year I believe.

westisbest

You can see the roof here well,

westisbest

Westi... 8-) I meant to ask you about that 1.5 million figure you gave for putting up a heated indoor arena. Is that because of the heating work? Where did you get that figure? I have no idea about heated barns/indoors; never saw one. I think maybe I saw a pic of one on udbb once and the ceiling wa...

westisbest

Starting the week off on a more positive note. Had to go out early yesterday for farrier, lunged my guy inside briefly to check his shoulder (unsoundness) all was well. As it was frosty cold this am so we had to work inside. My coach got on him first, gave him a good ride wtc. I did simple work toda...

westisbest

He was a very challenging horse in his younger days. I think he had his share of tough training. In fact I know he did. It's amazing to me that he is so kind, loving and trustworthy after some of that crap. Altho I also think that he is and was the kind that would not allow himself to be really abu...

westisbest

No I don't have to stay there of course but leaving now will net me nothing.. I will lose touch with the only friends I have that I enjoy riding with and that ride at my level. My coach is so kind and caring with him and me. I don't think she could ever be replaced. And she won't. Taking him and me...

westisbest

All their hay is stored outside.. The rounds come in plastic wrap. Not sure what they use on ground that they are stacked on up in the bale yard. The squares are stacked in a huge pile outside the barn on some kind of ground cover and then tarped. My friend says she will store her hay indoors in the...

westisbest

Darn I lost my reply. MC - you are totally right about the harsh winters and the need for a heated indoor. A necessary requirement. It is frustrating the strings attached to take lessons in these barns when you are rehabbing an injured horse. The hay situation is maddening - sounds like poor manage...

westisbest

Lost my reply too! Anyway, ran out early today for farrier, misty cold fog everywhere but Mr. Teddy bear was happy as a big clam at the round bale with his buddies. 4 of the 7 in that group are over 20. Couple of youngsters that were testing him at first but it's settled down. I think most horses ne...

westisbest

Poor you! I know so many people that have been kicked lately. All best wishes for healing and most minimal of teeny scars

westisbest

Sometimes the insanity the illogical freaking insanity of what I'm doing, spending $$ of a 22 year old horse pushing myself physically and emotionally to stay riding, hits me hard. As it has the last couple of days. But when I am actually there it always feels as if there is no other choice. And th...

westisbest

These are average rates around here for a good barn and trainer. That sounds much better than $1800/month, and is probably consistent with what barns in more populated areas charge near here. We're in a more rural area so I think board at an average barn with an unheated indoor is about $500-$600/m...

westisbest

Full training 4x/week for $600 is a bargain here. Haven't checked lately, but last I knew you couldn't get anyone decent for under 1k a month. Board of 800+ is common here; again, I haven't checked recently. Quite honestly, I think that is a fair price for boarding IF they are doing it right. Most ...

westisbest

The hay situation in all boarding barns is terrible from what I've seen. Hay is a big ticket item and often hard to find. It is so very essential. I would also be frantic about a barn running out of hay. It's especially hard for someone like you that lives so far away. When I boarded, I was close e...

westisbest

Younger dressage trainer has more or less left moved her clients to a dedicated dressage barn. So our dressage group and one trainer are a small group left now. If I don't take lessons I'm not supporting my trainer. And then I won't be in the small elite haha... group invited to the new "priva...

westisbest

Westi, let me make sure I have the detail correct. Rehab barn/Racehorse Barn: Not too far, but need to sign on with trainers that are inappropriate. Current Boarding Barn: Requires 2 lesson/wk. Has a Stall. Is a 45 minute drive on way. Potential Private Barn: Is close by, but can't go there until J...

westisbest

The ultimatum was either go back or pay to hold a stall. So I would have been paying $1800.00 a month for stalls in both places. Clearly no choice but to go back. I board at a H/J barn that we moved to as a dressage group 4 years ago with two trainers after we lost our long time home.. long story al...

westisbest

I have to stay in training minimum two lessons a week to stay in my boarding barn. So he has to work. Not overly hard but work. Ah yes, that does change the game considerably. What happened while he was laid up? Is that when you took him to the rehab facility? Did they hold a place for you at the b...

westisbest

[So now he's all teddy bear coated and I have to be careful not to overheat him in work. So yea it's been a very long stressful time. I don't clip, and mine do get very furry in the winter. They started getting their winter coats in Sept and will have much longer, denser coats by February. But I do...

westisbest

So my coach didn't want to take any chances of making things worse by riding him at this point. Holy moly, from Dec to August? That's 9 months! So now the Dec. 4th surgical scar is all healed up, but this new ding is in the same general area but doesn't affect the old, healed one? Yep 9 long months...

westisbest

Let him rest it tomorrow, out very early Saturday hopefully fully healed and we have a lesson before my coach leaves for a getaway next Tuesday.. Monday it's going to be below freezing and S N O W .. aghhh.. we almost always have snow before Hallowe'en here. If it's okay to lunge him I would think ...

westisbest

Went out today with expectations to ride. Tacked up lunged at trot in the outdoor. Mildly off still. So lunged briefly both ways just to loosen him up as I think he's only walking in the field. No swelling at all and the wound is suddenly starting to bridge across the top where it's been most probl...

westisbest

Yes a very special place. And for those that love them care for them and make sure that they are comfortable in their time of need.

westisbest

Went out today with expectations to ride. Tacked up lunged at trot in the outdoor. Mildly off still. So lunged briefly both ways just to loosen him up as I think he's only walking in the field. No swelling at all and the wound is suddenly starting to bridge across the top where it's been most probl...

westisbest

Went out today with expectations to ride. Tacked up lunged at trot in the outdoor. Mildly off still. So lunged briefly both ways just to loosen him up as I think he's only walking in the field. No swelling at all and the wound is suddenly starting to bridge across the top where it's been most proble...

westisbest

I've copied this "recipe" last week and have yet to try it. Let me know if you try it and it works! MAGIC CLEANER Ingredients: 2 oz. Dawn, 4 oz. bottled Lemon Juice, 8 oz. White Vinegar, 10 oz. Water. The secret is to spray on surface, let sit overnight (or longer) and then wipe with clea...

westisbest

I sprinkle cheap no name dishwasher soap on any really ugly food stained pots or pans. Add a little boiling water so that it's pasty then leave in the sink overnight. Usually works a charm breaks down the burnt on food enough so that you can then scrub it off with regular scrubber and dish soap.

westisbest

I am FB friends with Russell Guire, a biomechanics expert and clinician in the UK. He rec rides a big beautiful Knabstrupper and appears to do very well showing.

westisbest

Hot4Spots nice to see you join our group! I had to go and peek behind the forbidden "wall" and read a bit of your past. Sorry about the unloading. That is NO darn fun at any age but at our age, takes major courage to suck it up and get back on. So big thumbs up! FIrst time in my over 20 ye...

westisbest

Westi, what happened today when you went to visit Gali? Did you ride him? Was he sound? Rolled into the barn yard with the sunrise he was already out. Brought him in swelling was gone wrapped a couple of polos around his neck and down shoulder and underarm to hold the frozen plastic ice cube bags. ...

westisbest

Ok, this is a sad one. And there are lots more sad stories to be told. I don't know why I'm so chatty this month. Just put me on ignore if it gets to be too much. In October of 2001, I showed my grey mare Kali at the NJHP for the first time. I had not even owned her one year, as I purchased her aro...

westisbest

Then went out today, my coach got on him first, she said he was offish, we saw a lump on shoulder under teddy bear coat and felt a line across it that is likely a hoof mark.. first war wound out in field. darn. Buted him cold hosed, popped into stall for the night.. I'll go out early tomorrow with ...

westisbest

oh yeah, Westi, I also like the picture where your on him in halt. You fit him well. and, what's his name? I dont think i caught that anywhere, just that he's a G-line Hannoverian. Thanks. The first time I sat on him it was like the Cinderella slipper. Had sat on so many horses over my life but non...

westisbest

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful face she has. The age is evident but so is the kindness and the wisdom. Those true teachers are so valuable and they need to be treasured. Clearly she was to make it to 30.

westisbest

:D Such nice reports, really. I think it's great that we are still riding. My closest friend is 69 and she rode up until she was 65. I struggle to not resent that she quit when she did. She was a barrel racer and it's understandable that she doesnt want to do that anymore, but she could still trail...

westisbest

Nice to read more of the great group here! Kande you really do a lot of interesting things :)..and I don't know anyone in my crowd that would be out trail riding in snow pants. So yea you! MC that is a beautiful pic of you two.. PSG no less.. very fancy pants. Rode Saturday briefly inside, lunged hi...

westisbest

I had to buy new laptop couple of months ago, the store upgraded it to 10 for me gratis. 10 is like 7 which I had so I just bypassed 8 altogether.

westisbest

This is from my first lesson on him just after I bought him 6 years ago June. I'm 5'11" with really long legs (36" inseam) so it gives you a better idea of his size. No not really much on his knees. His lower legs get pretty hairy, Buffalo like :) He's very compactly built. Short strong ju...

westisbest

Last year about this time, full teddy bear.

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westisbest

Galileo can't be clipped until I figure out a blanketing solution that won't irritate the healing chest wound. I've connected with a woman who does blanket repairs used to do full customs. She is having surgery end of October and isn't supposed to do any lifting for two weeks so she will come out Mi...

westisbest

MC I say I'm sporty but not athletic. Or at least I don't see myself that way. I was very tall (5'11) and weedy (120-125 lbs) thru highschool I did not like team sports like basketball and volleyball as I wasn't up to the rough stuff. And yes girls can be rough in those sports. My first love was dan...

westisbest

Same here, other than the gym and the occasional bike ride, no other sports. Used to be a totally addicted downhill skier when I lived on the east coast and in my early married years out here. Had a part share in a ski chalet in Vermont and went every weekend. Then got pretty involved in golf with m...

westisbest

westisbest - I totally understand and been there too. I got this little rescue dog only 2 weeks after I lost my heart horse and my dear cat from lymphoma. I was very depressed and needed to do something about it. Last week, I visited a lovely zoo which needed donations to refurbish their wild cat e...

westisbest

Josette, I still cry when I look at pics of him. And when you've had a good GSD no other breed will measure up. The woman I got my boy from did a breeding this year (small breeder but very good dogs) I'm not wild about the male she is using, oversized and a couple of the male youngsters I've seen fr...

westisbest

Five more years for me and my guy to qualify. There's a good chance we will make it. I'm fairly sure I will still be able to ride in five years (albeit maybe usdf w/t :D ) Not sure how my horse will hold up. However, it is not a goal and I would not do it. It's actually a joke amonst the younger be...

westisbest

Agree about the movement. My DH who is 70 started working with a 74 yr old personal trainer (who looks like he's 35!) and it made such a difference in his balance that I started going, too. I can tell the difference after only 8 weeks. The big thing is the trainer pushes us harder than we pushed ou...

westisbest

Good old fashioned Shepherd's pie.. using a Rachel Ray recipe. lots of carrots, onions and celery in, grated cheddar on top of the mashed taters. A big leafy salad with raspberry vinaigrette. Made cream fudge the other day so a couple of pieces of that later.

westisbest

Kande, you are doing your farm chores I'm sure you're quite fit :). I was doing a very tough physical job just a few months ago, working as a gardener at a Tbred racing farm 8 hours a day almost non stop. I was wrecked at first but after the first couple of weeks did ok.. So I know I'm not a total l...

westisbest

Rode the first time today in almost a week. My mind has been overwhelmed with stuff (non-riding stuff, ie family, $$$) so didn't feel mentally capable for a couple of days. But a good long sleep, attacking some problems and felt as if I had enuf focus today to get on the horse. My balance is crappy ...

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