DefinitelyDressage.com

piedmontfields

Interesting comment khall on the PREs vs. PSLs. What is different conformationally that you've noticed?

piedmontfields

Yes, to ride the horse you chose to buy, Demi! Also you looked very happy together in your earlier video. E N J O Y. Not your job to finance someone else's ambitions, unless that makes *you* happy to do so (sometimes it does--no judgement from me on that). Love Queso, the flying change machine! Kora...

piedmontfields

Blob, those are good tips. I will remember them for when we get back to canter work! (fingers crossed)

piedmontfields

For me, being able to do good canter work for 10 minutes straight takes about the same amount of fitness as doing a slow jog or fast walk for 10 minutes straight. I don't know if that helps with perspective. I personally find the lofty, bounding canters generally easier to sit than the flatter, more...

piedmontfields

Blob--Looks good! Confession: This is similar to what I do with one horse at our nice barn (but she is a white grey, hence lots of bathing potions! And they like boarder horses to look good; the other good looking horses are in full training). I don't want to talk about overflow/seasonal change ups ...

piedmontfields

Thinking of you and Piggy, Goldhorse. Glad he is full of himself after a brief intervention and hope more help is possible. I always love how bay horses look when they are clipped! I know some don't like the mousy-color, but I think it is special. I am not a skilled clipper and I am lucky that Emi d...

piedmontfields

khall, please be careful handling Juliet. It is not worth getting hurt. The owner needs to step up, etc. There is no need to be the competent hero here, and frankly the mare may be on the way to leaving earth due to competency needs. In more cheerful remarks, we made it to the cross country course t...

piedmontfields

Ditto on just using ATMs abroad (while being aware of skimmers and also notifying your bank that you will do so).

Enjoy, Paula!

piedmontfields

Susan, is there any chance getting off MSM made a difference for Kyra in the trimming process? (No judgement here: I actually took Em off MSM/glucomasine/chondroitin as a little test. She snap crackles and pops more, but feels similar.) Jingles to those who need them (ouch Blob! Fingers crossed it i...

piedmontfields

That's awesome, Paula. And congratulations again.

piedmontfields

Ditto with M. and Blob. Nothing obviously concerning---but you have the reference feel and eye on a change. I have learned a lot about noticing changes from the sports vet who visits my current barn and from a more experienced trainer. Change on normal is a clue for assessment.I'll admit that I have...

piedmontfields

Ponichiwa, this is a great save list for more than FCs! Thank you. And thanks Chiasamba for sharing the process/reflections.

piedmontfields

It is certainly very threatened. The leaked draft decision is not the final and change in arguments would not be unusual.

It would be a terrible blow to human rights, privacy, public health, and the overall well-being of women, children and families.

piedmontfields

Self: Keep tracking the damned calories; keep exercising. I dropped about 10-12 lbs over the last 2 months; I need to repeat that to get rid of pandemic/stress weight. Finalize new (single)job. Mare: Keep up our pursuit of tack-walking queen title. Maintain good position and clear quiet aids (me), s...

piedmontfields

I also love seeing Pal! Well done.

Glad there are a lot of good reports here and on the main thread. I shall not post a video of us tack walking, although we are both watching our posture!

piedmontfields

It’s probably shocking to you. I think that is normal.

But as long as finances say you are good to go, you are. It is real change and you can do it!!

piedmontfields

I have ridden with Jeremy S and also audited a number of times. I and my horse have improved a lot from what we learned from him---like that I could increase my demands on my mare and myself (at that time). I think he is very fair, but I would most enjoy riding with him when my horse is fit and heal...

piedmontfields

Demi, that horse sounds like it could be a wonderful partner! I'm not quite turning on the horse search for myself, but one certainly ticks a lot of boxes.

piedmontfields

Well, we are beginning to earn our "queen of tack walking" title. First under saddle walk yesterday showed that Emi is feeling a lot better about 3 weeks post-injury. More swelling needs to come down and healing needs to happen, but it is all going the right way. I will say that it is a lo...

piedmontfields

What a beautiful tribute to K. He was quite the fellow! You will miss him and it is hard for sure. I'm sending my heart to yours.

Thinking of the little brown hen, too. Nine is awesome, but when we love them it doesn't matter what age they are or how long we've known them.

piedmontfields

Glad you got the images done and a good report. That will be helpful for follow-up/tracking the tooth, too.

piedmontfields

Thank you all for your kind words. We had a helpful visit from our sports medicine vet this week who has probably seen 100,000s of horses in his career, including much worse gracilis tears. As Chisamba noted, Emi's is a recoverable injury, and the vet was quite confident that she would recover! It w...

piedmontfields

Trot-canter-trot-canter is harder than it seems and very helpful for releasing the back of these Iberian sorts. If you can keep her through doing these transitions, you are getting somewhere. Yes, it is different than some other types. Also, many horses with this build act like they are ready for 3r...

piedmontfields

Khall, FWIW, Emi had a very similar canter in earlier stages to your lovely mare. It really taught me to sit quietly on my butt (no leaning forward the way thoroughbreds like it) and just get grounded. In general with this kind of build, the hind end is eager for the job, but they have to learn to g...

piedmontfields

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 turned into a full tear via a slip in turn...

piedmontfields

For those entering mud season, I thought you'd enjoy this series of Emi in the "spa" after a workout!

: Emi in the spa.jpg (141.13 KiB) Viewed 1113 times

piedmontfields

I agree that this looks like good development for a big horse along the way to a solid canter. You will know your horse on this---whether she can find the "motor" in canter and just roll on lap 2 or 3 or not at this point. FWIW, I've found using a big oval (rather than the entire arena) he...

piedmontfields

I definitely have that second type from exV's descriptions! Better to put to work/put on the aids than directly face the scary thing. But honestly I love these types of horses. Lipsmackerpony88, one of the best tips I got somewhere along the journey was to really soften and given the rein on the sca...

piedmontfields

I'm sorry to hear about MM's continued challenges. In our area (E TN) we are just starting to enter one (yes one) of the peak allergy seasons. I'm guessing it is similar for you? Do you think she might do better in another climate? I know that is hard to contemplate, but she is a lovely, trained hor...

piedmontfields

I have ridden Pasos like this! The lateral suggestion also works because it breaks up their "fino" gait and helps them land in a walk and then maybe a halt that you can praise. Many gaited horses find bending lines pretty challenging (unless they are ridden regularly with them). I think th...

piedmontfields

Agree with Flight. Nice development! In the second video, Saiph looks like she is cantering through her whole topline.

piedmontfields

Greetings, all! I wish you all health and recovery (as needed)---horse, human and other friends. While Emi sometimes says to me "I just want to hack and bird watch", she is actually doing quite well with a couple of more focussed arena rides each week (plus hacking and conditioning rides)....

piedmontfields

While cold for February here in E TN, it is *sunny* and that makes riding oh so much more enjoyable. I have been so pleased to do the most simple schooling work with Emi, with lots of focus on transitions within and between gaits to help her build back strength. I was so excited the other day when s...

piedmontfields

I was thinking about this yesterday, as it was chilly and breezy as we headed out to work in the fields. In general, Emi is such an honest horse that if given an aid (a bit of seatbone, a touch of leg, a brief addition of contact in the reins, etc.), she is going to flick and widen her ears and list...

piedmontfields

[quote="Ponichiwa"]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 warm...

piedmontfields

Goldhorse, in case our praise and awe haven't hit you yet, you and your Piggy rock. Awesome survival and performance skills! Will be fun to see your development continue.

I hope your friend is hanging in with healing.

piedmontfields

Congratulations on your count down, Paula! I'm glad you have a post-work plan that sounds like more fun than work

I'm about 8-9 years from retiring....and if we can figure out that it's okay to do it sooner we will! I like my work okay, but it's not my life, if you know what I mean

piedmontfields

Fingers crossed for Maia. So many great updates! I like Chisamba's pithy reminder: do not give up one for the other. I think the whole rehabbing year has taught me quite a bit about this, as it is so related to quality PT. Exvet, your update on Jr is pretty awesome! It sounds you are are well moved ...

piedmontfields

I appreciate the updates! Fingers crossed for Maia for quick improvement---and I relate as my dear mare clearly threw some sort of outdoor fit when her "boyfriends" left for Florida 1.5 weeks ago that resulted in a puffy hind fetlock. After two vet visits and clear improvement, I'm continu...

piedmontfields

If you scroll below the main video window, you will see the individual sessions (assuming you are logged in to the USEF site) under the USEF Network link. Not sure what non-members see.

piedmontfields

Heddy, I hear your perspective. FWIW, I have zero shame getting what the lottery of birth, class and genetics gave me: access to good care for a rare disease requiring me to suppress my immune system (via rx) to be a functioning member of society. Me taking prophylactic measures is totally okay in m...

piedmontfields

Healing thoughts to all who need them! I understand the COVID weariness, but then I think about how lucky we are in the US and some other placesto have vaccines and for people like me protective options to combine with a vaccine (monoclonal antibodies). What about the rest of the world's people? In ...

piedmontfields

I'm of no use, as I don't leave my dog(s) inside our 3.5 acre exercise area without supervision. If we leave them outside while we are driving in and out of the area, they are in a secure kennel run or in the house. But I have bird dogs!

piedmontfields

Really helpful that you tested him. No kidding that it is hard to avoid flax! Your plan sounds like a good plan. Glad you have a feed store bud/nutritionist for support and perspective!

We actually have a 17+h event horse on a similar diet at our barn, due to allergies.

piedmontfields

Another vote for the L program for a good basic education. But if you don't want to be a judge, see if auditing is possible as a way to save $. I did so ~20 years ago and learned a ton. As is the case with horses, I had a great ride yesterday and today Emi presented with one swollen but not very sen...

piedmontfields

Still catching up on threads, but to end the year I am very in tune with what the horse thinks is hard is the therapy (work) they need to do. Emi just did a 20 ride December, 1 year post-suspensory injury. She is still building strength, but it is evident that I can ask more and she can do more---bu...

piedmontfields

I think this would be a challenging move. is there any way you could board the older horses in Maryland instead so that you are not moving into another farm situation? Maryland is good horse country, as you move out north/west from the cities. The fact that this will be your first big move from an a...

piedmontfields

Lucky hound! Yes, quite possible he was dumped because he was injured. Some people are terrible like that with hunting dogs.

Do note that he not particularly underweight at all (and he doesn't need to be heavy to heal from that injury).

piedmontfields

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing. I feel like this is a great advertisement for wild wonderful Oklahoma! (do I have your location right?)

piedmontfields

This looks really beautiful SF. I look forward to updates!

Search found 2738 matches