DefinitelyDressage.com

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He looks more like an ice cream salesman! Nice shot.

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Wows, what a pair. You are a friend of animals, Chisamba.

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I agree that this is a dedicated group, and I do appreciate the updates, stories and photos. Since the Jeremy Steinberg clinic, I've been fixated on addressing gait quality first and foremost. I took his advice to heart that with the hard to connect horse, you have to power them up/get more engageme...

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Greetings. Hope you and your horses are well.

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I"m really sorry for the bad news, Josette.

We lost a pointer at age 5 to cancer--it was a total shock and very rapid. We still tear up when we say her name (Katydid).

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Thank you for sharing the photos--they are wonderful. I'm glad you found it valuable, too. At this point, I am thinking of next spring for my own adventures (probably in Portugal)...need to nail down a time that my trail-riding DH and I can go. We went to the Royal School in Jerez for a performance ...

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demi wrote:Glad you had such a nice trip. You sound inspired! I can't access any of the pics except the last one and there are no horses in it!

Me, too. I want to see the Spanish horsies (and you enjoying them!!)

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I would move, as the policy does not make sense and I don't really enjoy being around timid, scared riders. But you have to focus on what makes you happy. I moved this winter from a barn *5* minutes from home to a barn 35 minutes from home and about the same distance from work. I also gave up a cove...

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The links to photos do not work. Perhaps change setting?

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Very, very cool. Glad you had a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing!

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So lovely! Your wedding attire is fabulous, too!

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Love the "hot flush" terminology.

This thread has reminded me that I need to pick up more black cohosh (does seem to help me with the flashes/flushes).

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Rosie, I realized as the thread went on that what you meant by "warm up exercise" was very different from what do you do for the first period of time to prepare your horse for work! I think of that as a "set" or a group of exercises/patterns with a certain focus. From experience,...

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The challenging part about the warmup is that it'll change over time. As usual, Ponichiwa sums it up so well. I also appreciate the reminder that a warm-up does take time. I'm going to reflect some more on what we are doing and how it is going. I have to remember the value of that slow "pony&q...

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I'm one that values most everything Dr. Clayton has to say. I think she is worth listening to! The way you warm up is how I was taught to warm up, and frankly it has worked well on most horses I've ridden. It does not work particularly well on my current horse, which is part of what has been challe...

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I am going to review the videos for more ideas--thank you! Would you all be so kind to tell me how long it takes for you to feel like your horse goes from "eh" out of the stall or field to whatever level/standard they are currently working well at? I may just be slow due to being old with ...

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Linden tree? I can't quite tell from the leaf photo..

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Great topic. I am embarrassed to admit that I think I am *still* figuring out the ultimate warm-up for Emi. In general, I do find taking longer in walk, shorter in trot, and longer in canter is the pattern that works for us. This past week, I have been deliberately practicing and timing our warm-up,...

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I agree with Paula. Our new dishwasher is super quiet---very nice for running overnight.

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Thanks for the update. Sorry for ouchy radiation skin---it is seriously intense, I've heard. Yes, we should party when you are done with that part!

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Ignoring the feel is an idea that confused me at first reading, but after a couple of examples were given, I think I get it. Many people have horses that are not really connected, maybe BTV or just a little sucked back, but they think it's good because the horse is light. Then when they get a real ...

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I'm sorry I can't teleport my husband to you for dishwasher assessment. After many fixes over the years, we finally replaced our 16+ year old model (most of the fixes were electrical in nature). Now he has fewer "fixing opportunities" (what an engineer does for fun on the weekends) This so...

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Last night, every time I tried to sit and hold with my lower legs, Bliss would jam up even more. I realized that I was trying to hold everything too tightly and that made my seat bones positively grind into his back. When I released the holding in my lower legs to just a "breathing contact&quo...

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That is a huge transformation. Well done.

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Rosie, you are having a lot of exciting changes with your return to work with Bliss. Very exciting! Could you share more about how you were sitting/are now sitting? How did you "organize" yourself for sitting in the "squashing" position vs. the light position?

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I agree that losing teeth later in life is pretty normal. I am not a fan of power floating, as I think it is an unsubtle way to float. For the first time, I had a dental specialist DVM (instead of my vet) do a hand float on my mare this spring. Moreover, this was done without tranquilizers (as my ve...

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Does anyone have an actual plan for their training? I had an interesting talk to one of the local judges the other day, who I've bumped into quite a few times now and chatted so she's asks how we are going and is very helpful, and she discussed actual planning (almost timetabling) training sessions...

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How are you doing, Shirrine? Hope you are healing rapidly and soon back to your beautiful ponies.

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Very interesting, Chisamba. I can see the point where two whips could be more tolerable than loud(er) leg! Mares do have their preferences. I also like the photo of Kimba. No worries on your face---you are thinking and working! I suspect the rewards of this clinic trip for you and her will exceed th...

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Well, I ride out because I like it and my horse does well with it. If my horse were awful to ride outside the ring, I wouldn't do it (nor would she remain my horse!! I have ridden horses like this before and I just don't enjoy it as much as with ones who will handle a mix of activities.). In general...

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Sorry, by not abrupt, I meant they aren't intended to be a huge movement - or knock a horse off balance... They are small, lightning quick movements - you can't hold onto the hh at all. So, I did not use the correct word. Thanks for clarifying--that is how I understood them too. I like the idea of ...

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Ok, thanks. But... If your horse is too poll low, it is very hard to activate the hind leg and power them up. So step one, bring up the poll . When riding your horse in a decent balance (not with the poll low), you will also experience the poll coming higher when you get after the hind leg to be mo...

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Glad the notes have been enjoyed. It is easy for me to do, as it is just how I keep track of things! I'll try to respond to some specific questions below--not necessarily in order! Chisamba: He did basically say all that. He is a verbal clinician and he also has plenty of time to talk while students...

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The horse that was most challenging for me I leased for less than 6 months a number of years ago. I really liked his owner and farm home, but I really didn't understand him. He was a big guy (16.3) with a long neck. I will avoid stating the breed. It always felt to me like he had pieces of his spine...

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Sue, that is a great update--and well ridden/trained! I am getting to the point with shoulder in work that I am always thinking "ride it like a medium!" as I don't want any loss of trot quality in that movement. I have also used your technique of back and forth with success, as shoulder-in...

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I'm intrigued by the "littlest tick on the rein = down transition" - Callie is habitually behind the leg, and it has taken time to convince her that she should go forward into contact. She is sneaky about being behind the leg also so one of my early clues that she has gone there is that t...

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More Notes from Jeremy Steinberg Clinic Suggestions for Different Types of Horses and Training Challenges Cob-Type Horse with Up-Down Hind Leg This kind of hind leg can look very active, but we need to look at what kind of activity it is doing! With this sort of conformation, the hind can have a te...

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That said, he also emphasized that in some cases, you need to, for example, ride a horse a bit deeper through transitions to teach them not to brace (ex. walk-canter). But once in canter, ride them up. Ride a bit deep in up or down transition? I hope it was up transition. Yes, in the up transition ...

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HI MC. Glad you enjoyed the notes. I will do another post on flying changes. I've put my comments to yours in another color Only makes sense. You can't collect energy you don't have. Yes, that's his POV. Think to yourself “I've got no issue with your neck, horse. I’ve got an issue with your back and...

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Here is a first set. Notes from Jeremy Sternberg Clinic On Connection with a Difficult to Connect Horse Connection is the first point of access for improving gait quality. Remember, dressage work is supposed to eventually lead to more collection and improved gait quality. Connection is the bridging ...

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I just spent two days this week auditing a Jeremy Steinberg clinic with a variety of horses and riders. He is really an exceptional teacher! I let the clinic inspired and encouraged that the approach I was taking was, generally, very sound and more over *works*. I will write up my clinic notes prope...

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I agree with Musical Comedy. Enjoy your vacation and your "new" horse!

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That is a great update, Susan. Wishing you continued good sleep and healing!

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I am a bit seasonal, as in winter I ride under lights after work and stay in the arena more (but try to work outside and hack at least some on the two weekend days). But in summer, I have many more options! I board at a 200 acre farm with a huge outdoor (125 x 300), cross country course (which we ri...

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Am I the only one who can't see spotted Pal's photo? (I would like to admire her, too!). Imperini, I do love your "zombie arms" phrase.

I look forward to more Odie photos! Hope you are continuing to heal Mari.

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I will add another vote for don't feel bad if another rider works better for working through her challenges. She is already clearly not the next mount for your daughter, so not so much loss. Dealing with pony proportions/movement can work better with a body that matches them (plus out smarts them, a...

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2. I. Werth, in a recent article in DT, had Otts and Lucky Strike do a tiny trot because he was too extravagant too quickly or something. There or elsewhere, I can't remember, someone said that doing a tiny trot to warm up targets the muscles and not the joints. I have been doing a tiny trot to war...

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Hopefully you are not flying through London on BA...

Wonderful trip and memories to you!

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WOW, that is pretty awesome work, fegusnc, especially for a new hay farmer! Impressive yield improvement.

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Handsome Riot! Hope you two have a great summer.

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