Search found 851 matches
- Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:52 am
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
We're hitting the road Wednesday for mom's farm in TN, then on to TX on Sunday. Poor Maia is going to melt. Fortunately, it's all interstate, so she'll have some AC by way of wind. I've already started her on electrolytes and probiotics. I may shave her (non-existent coat) during our 3-day stopover...
- Fri Jun 10, 2022 7:53 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
How exciting, Demi! And on the topic of "ride like the buttons are there, and good things will happen" - got to ride someone else's horse today. She borrowed Queso to get over a roadblock she was having with the turns on the haunches, and I popped on her horse and schooled ToH for a bit as...
- Mon Jun 06, 2022 4:39 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
Moutaineer wrote:Ponichiwa, Anne Gribbons is here next weekend. $400 a ride...
Ouch. I rode with her (several) years ago on my FEI-almost-GP horse and got a ton out of it... but that's a too-rich-for-my-blood fee for where I am (firmly somewhere between 2nd-3rd) with Queso, for sure.
- Mon Jun 06, 2022 3:32 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
blob-- great notes despite a less-than-thrilling experience. The relaxation point is an interesting one to me-- I can see that approach being fairly valuable for the energy-conscious horse, but my experience with my mare at a JS clinic several years ago had me regretting the loss of her hard-won rel...
- Tue May 31, 2022 6:40 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
Kora looks great! Demi-- echo SF et al above. Besa is your horse and you get to make training and riding decisions. While it is frustrating to be on the cusp of a big milestone e.g. medal and not make it due to circumstances out of your control, that's just life in horses (and you're certainly not o...
- Thu May 26, 2022 5:51 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Canter fitness: riders
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3148
Re: Canter fitness: riders
How's your breathing in the canter? Can sometimes feel like a stamina issue when in fact we just need to breathe more and/or deeper.
- Tue May 24, 2022 5:22 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
My lowest lifetime scores are in 2nd level, so I may not be the best source of advice here. But I wouldn't let a pesky thing like pragmatism interfere with my ability to opine on the internet, so let's go. The trouble I have with 2nd level is that I really need 3rd level engagement to be successful,...
- Mon May 23, 2022 4:36 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
Yes, and I think on further reflection another big takeaway for me and also I think for some of the riders is being able to recognize our horses are ready for more. It's not that I need to throw all the history I have with RP out the window, but I cannot treat him like the pony he was when i got hi...
- Fri May 20, 2022 5:40 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
goldhorse-- so sorry to hear about Piggy's turn. Hoping for the best for the both of you. Flight-- a week makes a huge difference in the eyesore-level of a clip job. Trust me: tons of experience here leaving much-worse-looking clips on my herd. Demi-- congratulations! Very exciting. Queso and I are ...
- Mon May 09, 2022 1:47 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
Guys guys guys guys guys
Yesterday I took my first stab at multiple changes along the rail after a nice big medium canter. And Queso got "5-tempis" -- 3 clean changes, on the aids, uphill (and maybe too much so), without drama.
Over the moon with the fabulousness that is The Melty Cheese.
Yesterday I took my first stab at multiple changes along the rail after a nice big medium canter. And Queso got "5-tempis" -- 3 clean changes, on the aids, uphill (and maybe too much so), without drama.
Over the moon with the fabulousness that is The Melty Cheese.
- Mon May 02, 2022 5:55 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
- Replies: 384
- Views: 99973
Re: April showers bring May flowers and June bugs. Our goals and progress thread
Sweating season is fully upon us here in TX; RIP my ability to wear the same clothes all day, inclusive of a quick walk during lunch. Goals this time around: Queso: - Concerted medium canter practice 2x/week - Half steps 1x/week - Introduce multiple changes - (Stretch) Show at the end of May? (and a...
- Mon May 02, 2022 5:47 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
- Replies: 326
- Views: 79949
Re: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
Once the anticipation kicks in, she assumes anything is about the flying change. Any circle any lateral work, anything at all. I have ridden "this horse" although without the complication of pacing. Some things that helped us and may help you: - Zen Zone: build a "relaxation zone&quo...
- Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:23 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
- Replies: 326
- Views: 79949
Re: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
I'm guilty of making too big of a "thing" out of the changes, rather than treating them as just another transition. I just need to get out of my own head. Preach. My new "thing" is to stay super relaxed into the initial aid, and then lose my ever-loving mind and curl into an unh...
- Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:56 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
- Replies: 326
- Views: 79949
Re: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
April is going out with whatever the opposite of a bang is-- whimper? Slow fade?-- thanks to deadlines at work. So the wrap: Anyway, our goals this time around are fairly simple: Queso: - Half steps 1x/week for bodybuilding and improving the balance and engagement in extensions and in the canter - T...
- Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:27 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
- Replies: 326
- Views: 79949
Re: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
I had a gelding who could really benefit from clinics-- talented and occasionally hot, but had the kind of temperament that could take pressure outside of his normal fare and he'd dig down and try-- and I thought, foolishly, that meant that I was a great rider who could benefit from clinics and ever...
- Tue Apr 12, 2022 1:02 pm
- Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
- Topic: Barisone Trial
- Replies: 44
- Views: 9100
Re: Barisone Trial
LK is certainly a difficult character and isn't without fault in this whole debacle. However, I have a hard time feeling any sympathy for MB--picking up a gun is picking up a gun. And unless you're truly afraid someone is going to physically assault you and you have no way to defend yourself withou...
- Mon Apr 04, 2022 10:20 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
- Replies: 326
- Views: 79949
Re: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
Congrats on the successful show, Tanga! I do appreciate your updates, including folks working through horse and rider challenges. The hobby is a lot like life! In that vein, Emi and I are now letting go of the reins. She has torn a gracilis muscle in her hind (? how; maybe it was a microtear that tu...
- Mon Mar 21, 2022 9:12 pm
- Forum: The Menagerie
- Topic: Reactive dog help...again
- Replies: 18
- Views: 4296
Re: Reactive dog help...again
How is his hearing? Just thinking about other reasons to be insecure immediately after waking.
- Mon Mar 21, 2022 6:43 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
- Replies: 326
- Views: 79949
Re: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
I had just the best set of rides over the weekend. The kinds of rides that keep you coming back to this sport: not necessarily that everything went well the first try, but that all of my aids got all the way through and demonstrable progress was made. Trying to bottle this feeling for when I feel li...
- Mon Mar 14, 2022 12:35 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
- Replies: 326
- Views: 79949
Re: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
Had a great ride on the mighty Q yesterday. True to my goals, have been touching on the half-steps with intent this time around (rather than picking at them sporadically and then giving up if there's any resistance). Things got dramatic, QH-style. Which means mostly staying on the spot and getting s...
- Fri Mar 11, 2022 2:21 pm
- Forum: The Menagerie
- Topic: Reactive dog help...again
- Replies: 18
- Views: 4296
Re: Reactive dog help...again
Starting with the vet is a good call-- address any physical explanations. I would also recommend crating for bedtime. That waking-up transition tends to be a time when normal inhibitions (i.e. bite inhibitions, growling, etc.) are lowered, so put a bit of space between you and an accident by crating...
- Wed Mar 09, 2022 7:33 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Spooking
- Replies: 34
- Views: 4629
Re: Spooking
You can also do lots and lots of transitions to help keep him attentive. Keep him busy enough with the work to not worry about spooky things. Yep, this. Lots of transitions. Between gaits, within gaits, playing with the tempo, alternating between stretching and working gaits-- anything that gets hi...
- Tue Mar 08, 2022 10:08 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: A horse that is "too forward"
- Replies: 18
- Views: 3263
Re: A horse that is "too forward"
Re: book-- Not to my knowledge. I got this exercise from a trainer I rode with several years ago. Will say that my hot-headed mare (who is now enjoying a retired life) needed lots and lots of time in the ribbon-candy exercise before she'd relax. I would start up in the trot (walk was potentially exp...
- Tue Mar 08, 2022 10:01 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
- Replies: 326
- Views: 79949
Re: Looking forward to looking forward - March/April Goals and Progress
Hope all in the grips of winter are staying healthy and sane, and those in the heat of summer are... well, actually the same to you as well. And best wishes to all those horses and humans that are healing. As for me and the Beige Blimp, we're trucking along. I've stalled out on my own weight loss, a...
- Tue Mar 08, 2022 9:45 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: A horse that is "too forward"
- Replies: 18
- Views: 3263
Re: A horse that is "too forward"
Not familiar with Pasos specifically or gaited horses in general, but an exercise that has worked for hot horses in my past is: "Ribbon candy" tight serpentines in counterflexion. Reinforces the message that the work isn't overwhelming but there will be different requests, so the horse is ...
- Wed Feb 09, 2022 2:45 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Interesting topic
- Replies: 58
- Views: 8071
Re: Interesting topic
Very good summation here: https://mariacooke.com/making-sense-of-baucher-part-3-comparing-baucherism-steinbrechts-gymnasium-and-german-school-dressage/ I find it interesting and can see the benefit of both schools of training. Interesting article. There's an implication about 2/3 of the way down in...
- Wed Feb 09, 2022 12:21 am
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Interesting topic
- Replies: 58
- Views: 8071
Re: Interesting topic
The feeling I'm chasing every ride is that elusive, fleeting moment when I can feel any aid going all the way through the horse. Chisamba calls it permeable. The electrical analogy would be no resistance, the fluid analogy is a hose without kinks. Energy can be created (i.e. going from halt to trot)...
- Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:55 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Interesting topic
- Replies: 58
- Views: 8071
Re: Interesting topic
I accidentally got a levade yesterday thanks to the barn dog popping out of the brush in front of Queso. Would not recommend as a training technique. Although in my mind we both looked very impressive. Like this old shot of Sabine Schut-Kery, but less vertical and more palomino and also very round (...
- Tue Feb 08, 2022 3:24 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Interesting topic
- Replies: 58
- Views: 8071
Re: Interesting topic
Will own that my tone is often too sharp for these conversations, especially given that training choices are very personal. I am sorry if I've come off too flippant for serious discussion. I do think there have been great and substantive commentary above (not my contributions, obvs) but think that w...
- Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:57 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
- Replies: 335
- Views: 44915
Re: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
Had a bit of a colic scare with Queso over the weekend, which turned into a couple miles of handwalking to make sure that everything was back in order. He's perky again now but that's definitely not how I was planning on spending Sunday! Naturally, saddle fitting was last week Tues; haven't been abl...
- Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:53 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Interesting topic
- Replies: 58
- Views: 8071
Re: Interesting topic
If you know me, you know I'm really big on context. Context is key in evaluating whether a training system is a fit for you and your horse. Is your horse: Hot, with an upright neck and naturally quick tempo? Probably the "take the forward away from the equation if things get tense" school ...
- Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:06 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Interesting topic
- Replies: 58
- Views: 8071
Re: Interesting topic
One of these days I want to see the ideal self-carriage comparison picture executing an extended trot instead of piaffe. But no, they're always using good = piaffe (usually some Iberian horse), bad = Olympic passaging horse or extended trot (usually but not always a warmblood). I'll give the linked ...
- Wed Feb 02, 2022 2:57 pm
- Forum: Tack, Apparel, Facilities and Transportation
- Topic: Bareback pads/ treeless saddles
- Replies: 21
- Views: 4785
Re: Bareback pads/ treeless saddles
I ride my very comfortably-shaped gelding bareback probably 2-3 times/month (usually when I'm too lazy to tack up "for real" and/or am taking him out for a light day). I'm no Isabel Werth so my actual dressage work is much poorer quality bareback vs. under saddle. I am also too lazy to hav...
- Mon Jan 31, 2022 6:43 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: dealing with stickiness
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3466
Re: dealing with stickiness
Thanks, Poncihiwa-- the transitions within gait are fluid and so that helps, but it's hard to translate them over to the transitions between gaits. I agree that physicality plays a role, but I do think this i mroe of a habit than overall lack of strength-- which makes it tricky. Re-reading what I w...
- Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:58 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: dealing with stickiness
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3466
Re: dealing with stickiness
It sounds like you're on your way to diagnosis already. With something like this, I'd do lots of transitions within the same gait between different movements (HP/LY, HP/SI, SI/HI, etc.) to build fluency. Once the feel is right, hold the movement and do a gait transition within it. I've been preachin...
- Thu Jan 27, 2022 2:27 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
- Replies: 335
- Views: 44915
Re: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
Preach, mari. Am very glad I'm not in the northern US every Jan - Mar (and then regret my location April - October, so who really wins?). I do think the winter is a time to just get through for most; hard to get progress when the weather is so against you. I have been on a roll of progress-laden rid...
- Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:48 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
- Replies: 335
- Views: 44915
Re: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
Ponichiwa, which horse are you using the Tactio on, Queso? Also, I can't remember why you bought it. (Asking for a friend, lol) Yes, for the Beige Blimp himself, Queso. Bought because a) the french-link snaffle I had him in gave him a rub thanks to its advanced age, and b) I liked the design of the...
- Thu Jan 20, 2022 3:48 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
- Replies: 335
- Views: 44915
Re: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
Anne-- the view from your arena is gorgeous! And the view in the arena's not shabby, either. Looks like progress! Speaking of progress... my new bit (NS turtle tactio) arrived yesterday. I got out to the barn, tacked up, and on the horse about 25 min before huge storms rolled in (isn't that just... ...
- Tue Jan 18, 2022 1:46 pm
- Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
- Topic: Farrier rescheduled,wwyd?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 4289
Re: Farrier rescheduled,wwyd?
I would recommend getting a pair of nippers and a rasp just for those emergent situations-- shoe is half-off, or all the way off and you need to take off the one on the other side. Not saying you have to get farrier-level good at taking off shoes but it does give you the option to keep your boy in w...
- Fri Jan 14, 2022 11:51 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
- Replies: 335
- Views: 44915
Re: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
Litany of excuses here. Queso got a bit rub and I am absolutely embarrassed and/or appalled. Root cause appears to be aged loose-ring bit that has been worn to sharpish edges at the bit/ring interface. Embarrassed because I consider myself a decent horseperson and did not notice the reason he was fu...
- Mon Jan 03, 2022 2:59 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
- Replies: 386
- Views: 52725
Re: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
Several days past the end of this challenge and it's (past) time for a goals retrospective. What I said I'd do: "Winter gear" here means long-sleeved shirts for warmth instead of sun protection. Very exciting times. Job stress is ramping down which means it's time to (re)focus on fitness a...
- Mon Jan 03, 2022 2:18 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
- Replies: 335
- Views: 44915
Re: New Year, New Goals - January-February 2022
Happy 2022, everyone! We've gotten a taste of both Anne's and Mountaineer/LSP's weather in the last week. Queso is not a fan of the recent chill despite his multi-layer blanket approach (looks a bit like the kid in A Christmas Story) after the last 2 weeks of mid-80s temperatures with very high humi...
- Mon Dec 13, 2021 4:30 pm
- Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
- Topic: Bob MacDonald SafeSport Ban
- Replies: 83
- Views: 31229
Re: Bob MacDonald SafeSport Ban
The SS case is still closed as the victims didn't want to speak and as I understand they didn't have enough to move ahead..... So yes, technically he was cleared. That is a true statement. They may reopen that now with the two victims ready to speak out and they may re-activate this SS case. Slight...
- Mon Dec 13, 2021 4:22 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
- Replies: 386
- Views: 52725
Re: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
Demi-- I don't know if the walk is a strength for your horse or not, but if so: I get a lot of value out of turn on the haunches and halfpass within the walk. You can practice the hind-end control in both tempo and positioning in a gait without the stress/tension of suspension, which helps A LOT in ...
- Mon Dec 13, 2021 2:07 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
- Replies: 386
- Views: 52725
Re: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
Queso and I keep trucking along. Have been spending the last week or so improving the separation between the two hind legs in the canter in both space and tempo (i.e. longer strides and also more distinct rhythm). It's helping the engagement tons, but is hard work! How are you doing this? You've go...
- Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:34 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
- Replies: 386
- Views: 52725
Re: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
Following the behavior as communication conversation-- hard to disagree with it, but there is a bit of a difference in how you address behaviors depending on the cause. The spooking-in-the-corner example is a good one: depending on what's causing the spook (if even there is anything, because horses ...
- Wed Dec 08, 2021 2:32 pm
- Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
- Topic: Bob MacDonald SafeSport Ban
- Replies: 83
- Views: 31229
Re: Bob MacDonald SafeSport Ban
Chisamba-- 100% agree. Tanga-- plaintiffs can maintain anonymity (see: Roe vs. Wade-- "Roe" is a pseudonym). And yeah, McDonald has maintained (vociferously!) his innocence and that the dropping of arbitration "cleared" him. SafeSport clearly disagreed. Already lots of abuse of t...
- Tue Dec 07, 2021 10:47 pm
- Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
- Topic: Bob MacDonald SafeSport Ban
- Replies: 83
- Views: 31229
Re: Bob MacDonald SafeSport Ban
SafeSport put an "administrative closure" on the case prior to arbitration. It turns out that the plaintiffs on the civil suit withdrew from the SafeSport process in favor of civil redress. SafeSport was explicit in its comments re: "ban was overturned and Bob is innocent!" claim...
- Tue Dec 07, 2021 3:38 pm
- Forum: The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics
- Topic: Bob MacDonald SafeSport Ban
- Replies: 83
- Views: 31229
Re: Bob MacDonald SafeSport Ban
Bumping with the latest: https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/bob-and-debbie-mcdonald-face-civil-lawsuit-from-alleged-victims-of-child-sex-abuse https://horsenetwork.com/2021/12/usef-opts-not-to-renew-debbie-mcdonalds-contract-in-light-of-civil-case/ Was not thrilled at Debbie's public statement a) ...
- Mon Dec 06, 2021 7:54 pm
- Forum: Dressage Training
- Topic: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
- Replies: 386
- Views: 52725
Re: Dig out the winter gear and finish strong: November/December Goals and Progress
Blob, all I can say is that these things come in waves. I'm currently at a high-water mark with Queso: everything the last week or so has started to click and all I can see is blue skies ahead... forgetting all the struggles in Aug/Sept/Oct re-establishing connection and balance. Someone remind me o...