DefinitelyDressage.com

Ponichiwa

What a great looking horse, Xanthoria! Great way to conclude a long and painful horse search. Congratulations!

Ponichiwa

So just to prove my problem with fc's is just that--MY problem; galloping Rudy down a farm road the other day I thought "Gee, maybe I should have him change leads now" and poof, flying change! What the he**, why can't I do that in the arena????? :oops: Sue, I feel your pain. The only thin...

Ponichiwa

I'm not a strong bio/med person so I'll defer on the topic of bone remodeling or not, but wow what a transformation, Chisamba! I do think that improved musculature can lead to better postures, which improves the visual but more importantly function. Lots of great progress in this thread to date. As ...

Ponichiwa

LS88-- he's looking great! Congrats on the progress. I bet you're thrilled with him.

Ponichiwa

Had a great ride on Queso yesterday. One of those fairytale golden-glow, I-don't-trust-that-this-is-real-type rides. I've been a stickler about executing transitions in the right balance for several weeks now, which Queso didn't love ("This is hard!" - Q). But it appears to have paid off--...

Ponichiwa

Yes, by copying a line from the 4th post on that thread (which appears to be the same method as their contribution to this thread by copying Tanga's first line before the comma in the 4th post above).

I've upgraded my bot forecast to "100% certain".

Ponichiwa

Fairly certain teto is a bot.

Ponichiwa

"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 and training. Over what remains of 2021, I'll be working on: - 15k steps/d; at least one 30+ min walk during the ...

Ponichiwa

blob wrote:I wish i had more access to hills I think it would help a lot!

Same!! Unfortunately, I live in a very flat area-- pretty sure there's only 40something ft of elevation change (ignoring freeways) over 45+ mi. Really didn't think that move through re: the implications on my dressage goals!

Ponichiwa

I should have caveated that my posts above are specific to the type of horse that Queso is: absolutely the bestest boy without question, but also somewhat limited in his shoulder mobility with a (slightly) downhill build. I have a horse (now retired) who has an extravagant front-end. Exercises to im...

Ponichiwa

I do shoulder in because of my belief that leg yield loads the front end, so start and finish with shoulder in. definitely change which shoulder you ride in. do S I in medium trot, go straight 2 or 3 strides in medium, do SI in collected. really sit. go straight for a few strides, SI to medium, .as...

Ponichiwa

I have a similar issue with my guy. I get too greedy for the stride length and end up paying for it with quicker tempo and the net benefit is bupkis: still stays more forehand-heavy or best case neutral vs. uphill balance. What works: - Very short pieces of medium, transitioning back to collected (o...

Ponichiwa

I do 'emergency' 10m circles with Norsey when he gets too wild. Quarters in either straight or on a circle is my go to when his trot gets too big. Was going to suggest exactly this. So instead I'll tag on to the good advice above-- if you've got too much ground-cover and classic half-halts aren't w...

Ponichiwa

Similar to the above, you can use your whip for noise instead of as a physical aid (e.g. "making whippy noises" in the air but don't touch the horse; tap your own boot, etc.) and that can help get your horse fresher to the aids without actually escalating aids or galloping forward. When I'...

Ponichiwa

Great work, Chisamba! Really impressed with your progress. I was doing OK this year-- down 10lb, HR indications that I'm getting fitter, etc. -- and then major job stress hit, which chisels away at my resolve ("you deserve a break" vs "keep making healthy choices!"). Just need a ...

Ponichiwa

Major job drama is putting my goals this term on hold. Just can't get my feet underneath me this year.

Ponichiwa

You can also buff the polished boots with a (ruined) pair of nylons/pantyhose for a similar outcome: high gloss thanks to heat thanks to friction.

Ponichiwa

Agree with the general consensus that 90% of the shine is diet/grooming, but that said... I use a spray-on sunscreen to help keep my guy, who is not white but is on the pale horse spectrum, both sunbleach-free and shiny: https://www.farmvet.com/Sunflower-Sunscreen?catargetid=120037530000016815&C...

Ponichiwa

Not sure I fully understand the canter issue, but this is the Internet and when has lack of knowledge stopped anybody from opining? Strap in, and here we go. If the shoulders are really coming up, it's possible that the hind end is getting left behind. Inversely, it's possible that the hind is too f...

Ponichiwa

AK, you're reading from a pretty old playbook. Disagreement = hysteria ("PMSNBC", "the Ho") and all of the negative feminine characteristics that go with it. That's so 1890s. Let's elevate the discussion a bit, huh? I'm seeing a lot of "dismissal and insults", alright, ...

Ponichiwa

does no one even yrynto.pretend that the leg yield is ridden with no bend anymore? Had to laugh at this (with you, Chisamba, not at you!). I'm sure somewhere on the internet there's some keyboard warrior shouting that true LY cannot have any bend at all and is also an abomination. They'll also call...

Ponichiwa

well August is over , my personal health goals are ok. my horse goals are ok. it seems like it's been a bit of a plateau instead of climbing an exciting.mountain of success. As the kids these days say -- same, girl, same. Both Queso and I are firmly in that keep-on-keeping-on space where progress i...

Ponichiwa

SF-- you two looked great! Aleuronx-- young horses make me despair of ever getting a saddle that fits longer than 3 months. My sister has a 'miracle saddle' with very short points that somehow manages to fit (or fit well enough, which is honestly the same thing for growth-spurty horses) a surprising...

Ponichiwa

I bought a thinner mouthpiece curb with very short shanks and I love it. Queso was much more confident with less metal in his mouth and the tiny shanks are adorable (and also because he's a chubby cresty guy I don't want to have too strong of a curb action or we may never see his head again). Arguab...

Ponichiwa

I have a couple go-to exercises that I really like for developing the carriage and suppleness for halfpass. Walk/trot/canter: Start in SI down long side. When the connection feels right (bit of a judgment call here), take exactly 2 steps of halfpass and then ride straight ahead in SI slightly off th...

Ponichiwa

I had similar thoughts to Tanga. Typically out-of-neutral corrections (e.g. leaning back or forward, high or low hands, wider than neutral hands, turning the hand to avert breaking at the wrist, etc.) are intended to fix something that's missing in your neutral position-- or to illustrate a point to...

Ponichiwa

I touched on changes for the first time in quite a while over the weekend and all of the carry-your-brisket, learn-how-to-canter-like-a-more-upper-level-horse work is making changes both more accessible and also chaotic. Legs are everywhere. Good news: he's now changing on cue in front every time. B...

Ponichiwa

Lots of sweating here, too, khall! Just in time for that brutal reminder that there are still 45-60 more days of >90F temperatures and >60% humidity left in the summer. (Why do people even live here??) Keeping on keepin' on with Queso. I had accessed a magical phase of really adjustable trot with lo...

Ponichiwa

Thanks for bumping this thread, SF. I don't have any valuable insight to add but... I splurged on a custom frankenbridle for Queso, who apparently needed pony-sized cheekpieces and a horse-size crown. I'm borrowing bits just to check the fit of the bridle, but had to take a picture because the Q is ...

Ponichiwa

I've had knee injuries before, and it's a similar rehab plan. Strengthening after the acute pain phase is over, risk of relapse if you overdo it, etc. With everything going on (saddle, shoes/soles issues, stifle), hard to say if the vague unsteadiness is pain or other. Recommend in-hand backing up (...

Ponichiwa

I'm flailing around in that 2nd-maybe-3rd area as well with my guy, who is not a naturally uphill mover. We are currently creating the foundation for carrying his "brisket" up and engaged, and as a result I'm stretching only sparingly. He's more than happy to toodle around in an approximat...

Ponichiwa

I think thread-flouncing is fairly equal opportunity. Open to anyone regardless of training philosophy.

Ponichiwa

I do like a good "I'm going to go enjoy my horses!" thread-drop departure, though. Textbook flounce.

Ponichiwa

I get it, I get it, the riding is not great. But it's cruel to post screenshots and ridicule people for their riding. That's unsporting. I feel that way about Olympians and I feel that way about local yokels nobody knows outside of some part of California. I don't know what Rye actually said as she...

Ponichiwa

I get it, I get it, the riding is not great. But it's cruel to post screenshots and ridicule people for their riding. That's unsporting.

I feel that way about Olympians and I feel that way about local yokels nobody knows outside of some part of California.

Ponichiwa

What helped my mare with (relatively) weak stifles the most was just backing, in hand, 10ish steps a couple times a day. Whenever I led her anywhere, I did a couple steps backwards before heading off to the wash rack/pasture/stall/whatever. Doesn't look like much but made a big difference in her.

Ponichiwa

Good luck at the show, blob! Finally stopped raining here! New complaint: sauna season is in full swing. Having to limit rides to 25 - 35 min with a walk-heavy warm-up to acclimate the both of us to working in 90+% humidity and misery. Luckily, like piedmontfiedls' Emi, Queso is a champion sweater. ...

Ponichiwa

I'm completely frivolous with you, too, Blob! But tail extensions aren't legal in FEI (or USEF/USDF) dressage.

Which doesn't rule out weaves... THE PLOT (and the tail) THICKENS

Ponichiwa

Another f'n week of rain. A flock of ducks has moved into my backyard, which is currently approaching pond-status. RIP my riding acumen. My kingdom for an indoor!

Ponichiwa

Sweating a lot and not accomplishing much-- mired in Week 3 of pretty much daily rain, and the arena is gumbo, and the air is basically a sauna. When we actually can work (no indoor, unfortunately), Queso has been much more reliable in the knocking-at-the-door-of-good-2nd-level-work balance. So he's...

Ponichiwa

Sue B wrote:If you come to a place for "refuse" the political board is probably perfect (don't know cuz I never go on that board).

I did have a bit of a laugh at that. Seek and ye shall find!

Ponichiwa

That's a really unpleasant way to talk about a fellow woman (re: "his pet whore"). I don't know what reception you're talking about, or what thread kicked this off, but man oh man I suggest maybe not coming out guns a-blazin' and then being shocked if your audience doesn't meet you with ki...

Ponichiwa

Good news from Potters! Re: DR-- I've really liked riding for her. As above-- not generous, but she's consistent and rewards good work when it's shown. Good luck at the show, Tanga! Queso also had a saddle fitting in the last week or so (where does the time go?!) and between that and a slightly diff...

Ponichiwa

The double is the right answer for some horses, absolutely. Not all, though. My FEI horse was DHH in a very stereotypical way: upright neck, hocks out behind, the whole works. Early on in his double-wearing career, if he hit the curb his neck would get about 2" long and miles high. So we rode i...

Ponichiwa

Ranch Horse classes are no joke! I mean, I'd love to take a lot of those horses home. Lots of very solid training required, plus the mind to put up with the long day/different actiities. Sounds like Queso was worthy of a tiara for sure! You are so good at training your horses and I know you know th...

Ponichiwa

Lots of great updates! I've been in a bit of a funk, which appears to be a cyclical pattern for me. Broke out of it long enough to ride in a "Ranch Horse show", which is basically breed-show classes where the horses move out a bit more than the western pleasure stereotype. While I had (com...

Ponichiwa

I also knew a Appendix gelding (7/8ths TB) and more than a few TBs with this issue, although they may have been induced by racing injuries. I've got a mare that has great pasterns with no signs of sagging, but who has told me repeatedly that she just does not want to be a riding horse. Might be some...

Ponichiwa

Just some ideas for the half pass that REALLY helped me. I explained this before, but it really fixed all of the issues I was having and has helped with everything. Everyone always tells you off the inside leg, and you can go circle HP circle, or HP, LY, HP. That's all fine, but it did not fix my m...

Ponichiwa

Not every lesson is a breakthrough for me, but I do try to get stretched outside of my (and my horse's) comfort zone in each lesson. Not looking to be overloaded, but if we're not pushing a bit more past what I do on my own, I'm not really improving. I've spent big bucks on clinics with top trainers...

Ponichiwa

Reviving this thread with a couple fun nonfiction books I've read recently: A Libertarian Walks into a Bear -- looks at a libertarian takeover of a small NH town government, complete with sidebars into NH's libertarian past (and impacts on bears). Thought the author did a great job managing tone thr...

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