DefinitelyDressage.com

piedmontfields

Ugh. This is exactly why I haven't bought tickets yet, even though I live only a few hours away. I am on the verge of getting tickets and expect to drive an hour from where we'd like to stay and struggle with parking etc. I'm so sorry that these basic transport issues are not on US radar or this eve...

piedmontfields

At least you know he's feeling pretty fit! Well ridden and it will go better next time (or else you'll end up with a dressage horse ;-) We have a fab cross country course where I board. We ride around the jumps and track all the time---yet, Em has a meltdown anytime they fill the water complex or ch...

piedmontfields

I am continuing to work on me. I am still getting sore after my rides, so that is a clue that I am making changes in my position! Emi is very forward and easy when I get it right and use that lighter seat with more active upper calf. I am also working diligently on improving my hands. JJ gave me the...

piedmontfields

FYI, I genuinely tried to learn to use my Soloshot this weekend. I practiced at home and all was well. But in the bright sunlight at the barn arena, I failed to see that I did not have recording on! Too bad because I had kind of rough practice ride amidst lots of jumper riders going "hey, that'...

piedmontfields

Relieved that Ariel is okay. We had a horse have a very similar experience last week (mild colic; taken to vet clinic after not improving and then giving a lot of fluids and perked right up). Yes to salt and mineral blocks in turnout and stalls + electrolytes! It really has been terribly hot in some...

piedmontfields

Thanks for the free shrink diagnosis. I don't think I'm malicious. Hey, you're welcome! I don't think you are deliberately malicious either, but it can come across as such in this environment. I You see, this is a good example of picking up on a word I used that I didn't mean in that context. Of co...

piedmontfields

Demi, I think you were very kind and clear in your responses on this thread. MC, you often write in a way that makes me think you are not loaded with EQ. Perhaps you are malicious, but you come across to me as simply, well, simple. I'm sure people think I am laming my horse because I ride her across...

piedmontfields

Thanks for the comments on Andalusians/Lusitanos. Many have that "interesting" SI conformation, too, but I'm not sure how problematic it is for soundness vs. overall movement. On a semi-related note: I have witnessed clinics a number of times where horses are ridden and the clinician notes...

piedmontfields

Dresseur, based on your observations in training barns with a fair number of Andalusians + Lusitanos, may I ask if you have any opinion on their general soundness or areas of concern in these breeds/types? (or other posters with insights?)

piedmontfields

Lots of interesting points. I do think luck and type (conformation/genetics) are both huge factors--probably outweighing many other management actions and decisions. I know of too many people who manage quite thoughtfully and systematically (in a manner similar to MC's description) who have not had ...

piedmontfields

I actually think this is an important topic that MC raised in another post. I have thoughts on the topic, but am certainly not an expert. Also, I see approaches I respect and ones I avoid. What have you learned (through education or experience or both) about best methods for long-term soundness of t...

piedmontfields

I think it's the equivalency of bend and activity in shoulder-in that is not "well demonstrated" until the horse is well beyond 2nd level. It's just so typical in 2nd and 3rd level tests to see quite a lot of sidedness. A good half pass is hard to create/develop (it take time, strength, su...

piedmontfields

I know many people think of training in religious terms ("this is okay" "this is not okay"!). I don't. I think seeing the impact and effect on the specific horse is important. That said, reflection is also useful, which is why I appreciate critique, comment and questions on speci...

piedmontfields

MC, your comment/ concern makes me think of another topic I'd like to explore re: conditioning and fitness. Given that Demi says that her mare finds lateral work easy with her trainer, I believe her, and believe the description of the work's quality. It might not be show quality, but it sure sounds ...

piedmontfields

This is a very special face! Great shot.

Yes, hornets = yellowjackets = stinging bees similar to a wasp

piedmontfields

I am similar to Dresseur and Chisamba in how I work shoulder-in and other lateral movements with a more mature horse. However, I would work differently with a green horse or one just learning shoulder-in. It is a developmental process for sure, and the shoulder-in in development is not an FEI should...

piedmontfields

I think you'll love it. Mine was a little frustrating at first, but I've started setting it up right when I get to the barn, turn recording off on the tag and put it by the mounting block. That gives it about 20 minutes to connect to plenty of satellites while I'm tacking up, so it starts tracking ...

piedmontfields

Some very good tips in this thread! I've been fortunate to not have these issues in the south, but many horses do.

piedmontfields

Love seeing the goals develop over time, and I look forward to everyone's updates. I just had a really helpful integrating lesson with JJ Tate yesterday, so I am super excited to put some important concepts and seat improvements together (following from discoveries via Susanne von Dietz' teaching). ...

piedmontfields

"Sweat evaporates before you get to the barn aisle"

Wow--now that offers me some perspective.

piedmontfields

I am now mostly physically unable to hold the thumb like a roof (with a good bend in the thumb), as my hands work at about 60% normal ability. But back when I could do it (and was taught to do this), the purpose was to be able to give very quiet, specific, changes in the rein (pulse in the thumb) wi...

piedmontfields

My update: Despite heat and torrential storms, I did get a lot of riding in this month (5x week except for this last week, which was 4). Tomorrow I get to take Em to a clinic and will report on that separately. On other matters: May-June Goals Me: -Continue with spin cycling 3-4 times per week. It i...

piedmontfields

It wasn't easy. And she did try to wait for me while I got stung and slapped at hornets. But the screaming sent her over the edge!!! :lol: I got stung about 30 times. She got stung 3 times and was other uninjured after her departure.. This was in our first year together. I've since learned when she ...

piedmontfields

Demi, I appreciate your update. MC, my guess is that this is the more elevated frame that Rocky can now spend some time in vs. the starting frame---but I'm sure Demi can explicate if she desires. Sometimes that change of frame is a real challenge to balance and thoroughness. I lunge occasionally, of...

piedmontfields

Goldhorse, yours is hard to top! :lol: My horse is so talented that when I got off her on the trail one day and accidentally landed on a hornets nest (holding on to the horse until the stings were too much), she took off and found a new farm 2 miles away to take her in---since I was obviously a scre...

piedmontfields

Happy Anniversary! I think you are very good for each other

I'm amazed at how time flies...

piedmontfields

Wowza! That is some perspective from the desert. The way to picture east Tennessee is as a temperate rain forest. It is serious work to keep land open here, as *everything* grows and it truly does rain throughout the year. Consequently, the landscape is all about many shades of green. It can feel op...

piedmontfields

That is so true, texsuze! Drought is even worse. The little town north of us got 5" of rain just this morning. I am glad to live on top of a hill (as does the horse!). Our tomatoes are rotting on the vines from the water. But most farmers did already get two hay cuttings in so far this year aro...

piedmontfields

We are on day 4 or is it 5 of thunderstorms throughout the day. The horses are tired of too much barn time plus the constant rumbling and lightening is making all of us mad!!!!

I'm looking forward to sun and heat tomorrow (fingers crossed).

piedmontfields

I'm glad you found the notes interesting, Calvin. To be honest, I'm still reading and processing and trying things out from that clinic. Overall, her teaching has made a very good impact on my riding---and it has happened at a good moment for further development.

piedmontfields

I think if that is what you want as a buyer, you could request to arrange and pay for that. I know that since having a horse with PSSM, I'd be inclined to test for that---even in warmbloods. I would certainly do it in draft crosses (even Clydes, as breeding is sometimes ?!). I'm lucky to have my mar...

piedmontfields

They sound well staffed! Paula, if you don't mind, would you pm about your barn location and rates/amenities? Argonne NL keeps circulating as an option in our household....

piedmontfields

You all are so inspiring! I got an accidental good change over the weekend. Maybe soon I'll be sorted enough to get back to work on purpose

piedmontfields

Great barn staff and management are priceless! I know I've left my mare's fly mask out to dry and they have dutifully found it before it is time for her turnout. I try to be an orderly boarder, but we all do these things from time to time. There are about 30 horses at our farm (some are out 24/7) an...

piedmontfields

I am re-reading both of her books now, too, and they make a lot more sense to me now that I've seen her teach! Will be interested in your thoughts and experiments.

piedmontfields

Are you all really a fan of foam saddles? I like the look of the Forestier, but most foam saddles I'm familiar with have a pretty short lifespan for comfort....(and are harder to adjust)

piedmontfields

I google a lot of stuff everyday, but frankly most of it is physics-related!! (or politics, but not going there here)

I'm sensing that living "Duggar-Free" is a fine zone. :-0

piedmontfields

So many awesome updates. Flight, I'll just say that I remember when you were sharing Ding's "exhuberant" changes. Now look at you!!! So exciting :D Mountaineer, getting 8s is quite the achievement! I suspect your future is filled with some awesome show performances. GHH, I love that you di...

piedmontfields

Who are the Duggars?

piedmontfields

Lovely addition to your family, Chancellor! Keep sharing stories and photos.

piedmontfields

More notes from Susanne Von Dietz clinic These notes focus more on general principles and specific exercises. General principles Once the horse is out of balance, they can’t work in balance. Fix the balance first. We may need to ride “piano” (quietly). Ride a bit slower and smaller to secure the ba...

piedmontfields

What it means to me is that if something feels good, it doesn't mean the horse is going as well as it could. I think back of one day doing and extended canter and the trainer said "good" and I said "it felt terrible". He said "doesn't matter, it was correct and looked good&...

piedmontfields

I doubt that phrase about "feeling" resonated with everyone the way it did with me. I'm just struck by it because I used to be a rider who (over)reacted to feelings! I was also struck that many very, very good riders are simply not especially verbal people. It was hard for them to come up ...

piedmontfields

Here are selected notes on position, exercises and rising trot. These are not quotes or a definitive explanation---but are simply my notes from what was presented. Seat Exercises In canter, stand up in a dressage seat, sending the hips forward. Ride for three strides, then sit three strides, then st...

piedmontfields

but I don't think a horse NOT trained to do that will respond to this "ride the balance" paradigm. Based on observation of 10 horses a day for 2 days, I disagree. They really seemed to! (including quite green horses + re-train projects) All the participants were instantly able to "ri...

piedmontfields

I agree. You can't ride the balance without first feeling where the balance is....If forced to deconstruct/demystify this comment LOL, I would say she is trying to say instead of feeling that a horse is against your leg or grabbing a rein, try to do SOMETHING ELSE DIFFERENT such that the horse stop...

piedmontfields

Riding the balance vs riding the feeling. This is a guess, based on my understanding from her and from Jeremy. When we ride the feeling, we might think, oh, he's a bit stiff on the left, oh he feels too quick (running), etc. and then make adjustments in response to that feeling. When we ride the bal...

piedmontfields

Wow, that was 2 days of intense learning and observation! I feel like I just came back from an in-depth yoga or somatic studies weekend (something I used to do a lot of). Susanne is an encouraging, detailed clinician with boundless energy and specific attention for each rider-horse. There was a mome...

piedmontfields

I personally prefer not to wait until its a crisis. Agreed. I want to say goodbye BEFORE major trauma, not after. Both very good points. Also, good weather (good for that particular horse, a nice time of year for them to feel as good as they can) is a factor, I think. I would rather avoid a big wea...

piedmontfields

I do appreciate you sharing video over time, Rosie. My sense is that your seat has more integrity or structure in the latest video. I also felt that Bliss was on the cusp of very good canter work. The trot work was also steadier. One technique I like is to touch the inside hind leg with the whip in ...

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