Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby demi » Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:46 pm

Well dang, Hot4Spots. Hang in there.

Rocky had a good lesson today. She is trailering like a champ and that makes me feel good. I was so worried that she hated trailering. I am keeping the speed to 55 mph or less and dont even get on the freeway.

Today there was a woman free longeing her mare in the round pen right next to the arena. The mare was just tearing around and Rocky was affected by all the wild energy. She (Rocky) didn’t do anything crazy but had a hard time focusing on her lesson. She is still not totally committed to working for the trainer but considering she has only ridden her a half dozen times and at that, only every other week, they are quite impressive at times. Today, for short periods, she started to “blow” in time with her trot steps which indicates relaxation. Also, her tail started swinging rhythmically. Trainer says she’s a very dominant mare and I agree. I think once she “gives herself’ to trainer she is going to be awesome! I’ve mentioned before that trainer is a self-described mare person and it’s obvious she really likes Rocky. Rocky really responds to that kind of attention.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby DJR » Tue Mar 13, 2018 1:53 pm

Hot4Spots wrote:DJR - That's great re Ocean, for what appears to be a (mostly or all?) Great Dane). I had friends who used to raise them and changed to Shelties because of the age thing with Danes. What a beautiful dog. Here's hoping she continues to enjoy life for years to come as she so obviously does in that picture.


She is purebred (but back yard bred) Dane. Not conformationally sound - has needed both cruciates repaired a few years ago - but 100% sweetheart. :D

Re clipping: LOL The amount of ACE it would take to body clip Markey-Mark would probably knock him off his feet. Fortunately, his winter coat is minimal. You'd only know it's a winter coat when you compared it to his summer coat, when he becomes nearly transparent and you can see his mottled pink/grey skin (Appaloosa) through it.

My previous three Appies, Chico, Blazey and Erik were either indifferent to being clipped (Chico and Blazey) or LOVED it (Erik). Erik viewed the clipper as his own personal massage/vibrator.


All of mine can be clipped without muss or fuss, or at least that's how it used to be. I really am not sure what's bothering Panache. He got more reactive last year and it has carried over this year. I would have expected this in his 5 or 6-yr-old year, but he's rising 7 now. I've put him on Solace supplement to see if that helps (Mg and vit B complex). I'll continue to work with him on the ground to improve his tolerance to things he doesn't approve of!
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Hot4Spots » Tue Mar 13, 2018 5:30 pm

DJR - Mark has been on Quiessence since about 6 months after I started him under saddle. I don't know if it really does any good, but I don't think I want to find out by stopping giving it to him! He's been very reactive his entire life. I'd like to blame in on the Arab side of his pedigree, but I know that his sire was used to present the flag at big shows - you know - the gallop with a big flag - and that was in dressage tack, not western, so I guess I can't blame daddy. But mom was a big, mellow foundation bred Appaloosa, and his full brother (who is a chestnut leopard) is calm enough to gallop on the beach, so ????

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby DJR » Tue Mar 13, 2018 11:08 pm

I've tried Quiessence before but not on Panache. I wanted to give the Mg/Vit B blend a try first, but I may add or change to Quiessence if there isn't an appreciable improvement in the next few weeks. I think part of it is that he needs to get back into work.

But today (and last week) I am wondering if he's sore behind. If he is, it's incredibly subtle. I just don't like how he's managing canter through his hind end, left lead worse than right. I felt it under saddle today ... again, nothing obvious, just a gestalt "feel" I'm getting once in awhile. I've decided to carefully work him to see if gaining condition improves matters, but my threshold to have a lameness vet out will be low.
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Imperini » Wed Mar 14, 2018 6:12 pm

Hot4Spots I hope your boy feels better soon!

Looks like Ocean was enjoying herself there despite needing a bit of help. It always amazes me how big Great Danes really are.

We've had more snow here :( I'm afraid it's not going to do much melting in the next few days either. Certainly ready for less snow and warmer temperatures!

My last three rides have been interesting. I went to get another person's horse to help them out the other day and when he was walking next to me I was like oh yeah, horses CAN walk next to you without feeling like you're dragging them the entire way. I also know this horse is of the lazier type as I rode him regularly for a couple of years but still he's not quite the same as Pal. My coach had suggested some time ago that even things like leading should be done with enthusiasm rather than allowing her to mosey around but even getting that I always felt like I was just dragging her along with me.

Anyway getting the reminder with the other horse got me thinking a bit and then I was looking for videos and/or tips on ways to help with a lazier horse and came across a video which was explaining how it's the horse's responsibility to keep going until you tell them to stop which I've heard before but still had trouble with the application of it. The idea was to at first really exaggerate keeping your leg off and then when they stop really really send them forward then leg back off until they keep things going themselves. So I applied this to my leading (without the leg obviously), to my lunging, and then to my ride and the results were impressive. She became super light off the leg. Barely a touch and off she'd go or if I wanted a little more just a touch and I could get more.

I feel like a broken record sometimes in these posts because I find that I'll get something that works well to get P's attention but it only works for a few rides and then she goes back to pretending she can't hear me. While I've had much more success lately and have been able to get better work it still felt like we were going to hit a dead end, as in if I wanted a little more it just wasn't going to be there. I really think this might be different as long as I keep up my end of the bargain which is being very present and aware of what my legs are doing. I think this because on my first ride with this mindset we had to "discuss the rules" a bit more, the second ride a bit less. The third ride was a bit weird because a shavings truck blowing shavings out through a blower into the shavings storage area showed up just as I went out to ride ( :lol: great timing ) and my left hip is feeling pretty awful at the moment so I was not riding my best either but the discussion of the rules at the walk was very quick even though she wanted to do some gawking so I'll count it as a win.

I also finally decided to go see a physiotherapist about the hips so am armed with some new exercises but I may be doing more groundwork than riding for a bit if it doesn't start feeling better. Not really fair to ask her to move out if I'm all locked up on the left hip. Was really surprised how much weaker my left side is than my right. I knew it was worse/weaker but didn't realize quite how much.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby heddylamar » Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:58 pm

Imperini, I hope your hip PT is as successful as mine has been for riding! It's pretty awesome to have two equally useful legs again :P

I went out to ride on Sunday, but scratched that in favor of ground work. Maia had spent much of the day running around playing, and was quite obviously not ready to quit. Planning to ride with the cast tomorrow ... we'll see how that goes!

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Chisamba » Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:39 pm

DJR wrote:
All of mine can be clipped without muss or fuss, or at least that's how it used to be. I really am not sure what's bothering Panache. He got more reactive last year and it has carried over this year. I would have expected this in his 5 or 6-yr-old year, but he's rising 7 now. I've put him on Solace supplement to see if that helps (Mg and vit B complex). I'll continue to work with him on the ground to improve his tolerance to things he doesn't approve of!


I know you have a lot of experience with horses, but I have a theory about seven year olds gelding ( or stallion) horses Just about every one i have worked from green to trained has had a seven year itch. I think it is when they reach full maturity and they have to have a little emotional growth bump before you get your final temperament

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby DJR » Thu Mar 15, 2018 5:10 pm

Chisamba wrote:
DJR wrote:
All of mine can be clipped without muss or fuss, or at least that's how it used to be. I really am not sure what's bothering Panache. He got more reactive last year and it has carried over this year. I would have expected this in his 5 or 6-yr-old year, but he's rising 7 now. I've put him on Solace supplement to see if that helps (Mg and vit B complex). I'll continue to work with him on the ground to improve his tolerance to things he doesn't approve of!


I know you have a lot of experience with horses, but I have a theory about seven year olds gelding ( or stallion) horses Just about every one i have worked from green to trained has had a seven year itch. I think it is when they reach full maturity and they have to have a little emotional growth bump before you get your final temperament


I appreciate your insight, Chisamba. I was expecting this at age 5-6, not 6-7, but I think you're spot on. They're not quite fully mature (mentally) and still figuring out where in the world they belong I guess. I hope this evens out, I prefer the Panache from last year!!
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Chisamba » Thu Mar 15, 2018 7:33 pm

DJR wrote:
Chisamba wrote:
DJR wrote:
All of mine can be clipped without muss or fuss, or at least that's how it used to be. I really am not sure what's bothering Panache. He got more reactive last year and it has carried over this year. I would have expected this in his 5 or 6-yr-old year, but he's rising 7 now. I've put him on Solace supplement to see if that helps (Mg and vit B complex). I'll continue to work with him on the ground to improve his tolerance to things he doesn't approve of!


I know you have a lot of experience with horses, but I have a theory about seven year olds gelding ( or stallion) horses Just about every one i have worked from green to trained has had a seven year itch. I think it is when they reach full maturity and they have to have a little emotional growth bump before you get your final temperament


I appreciate your insight, Chisamba. I was expecting this at age 5-6, not 6-7, but I think you're spot on. They're not quite fully mature (mentally) and still figuring out where in the world they belong I guess. I hope this evens out, I prefer the Panache from last year!!


with confident handling they return to their four year old self, imho but if they develop a nasty habit here, like one gelding i have in training learned to buck his rider off, and that is a more complicated problem. I think your handling him here will establish his stable ( see what i did there) personality . :)

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Hot4Spots » Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:48 pm

Well, I've been poulticing since last Friday - and he's been walking sound since last Saturday. I SWEAR, this horse is trying to give me a nervous breakdown! He stands there, staring at me with his big, brown very human (Appy - white sclera) eyes as if to say, "What me, lame?" AAARGH. Actually, of course, it's good, but it was a week of worry. Vet was out today to do another boarder's horse's teeth, so I had arranged to piggyback on that call. Vet poked, squeezed with hoof testers, removed shoe, pared away, remarking "Gah...he's got REALLLY hard hooves!" and found.....NOTHING. Trotted him out - well, that left hind is still a little wonky, though improved (suspensory), but right fore? Just fine, thank you very much. So, farrier will put shoe back on tomorrow, and I will hold my breath and saddle up (since he hasn't been ridden since a week ago Wednesday (so, y'know, walk only can become problematic. ;) )

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Flight » Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:45 pm

Imperini - my Dingaling is the same. Everytime I ride it's always a bit of a battle to get him to go with impulsion. I apply the same rules, even leading him around, I have to make sure it's done promptly and with me having more energy in me. He has developed more muscle and suppleness so he can respond to me, but yes it's always going to be something I have to work at.
My big Norsey horse has been looking sound. I haven't had a chance to get him looked at by the equine specialist centre, but I've been lunging him most days waiting to see if he goes sore again. He hasn't gone sore again, so I'm thinking of lightly working him and doing the xrays in 6 months time to see if there is advancement on the changes in his feet. But if he goes sore again at any time, I'll book him in. Working full time, trying to sell my house, it's busy times.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby DJR » Thu Mar 15, 2018 11:28 pm

I rode again today and started with Jet who was just excellent. We had to work on a few issues - mostly self-induced over the years - but he was trying his heart out. I posted about it on the FC thread so won't repost here.

Then came Pan ... OMG, Pan, you're SUCH a bozo now. Two others were riding in the arena so I thought he'd be happy about that. I lunged him and got on, and right away he was a reactive doufus. Lunged some more and got back on and did some better warm-up work each way, but then he got his nose in a twist when one rider left the ring with her horse and I felt like he might explode (I HATE that "coiled" feeling you get on a tense horse's back sometimes!!!). I got off and worked him in hand because the remaining rider was on a youngster (4 yrs old) and I didn't want to cause an issue or get hurt. At first I was being understanding with Pan's nervousness, but then I got sick of him fretting and got a bit hard on him which actually seemed to help. The other rider was cantering her youngster (who, btw, was totally ignoring the blowing & fretting from idiot Pan - what a super youngster!), and Pan was acting the like the sky might fall in. So I upped my game and made it very difficult for him unless he focused on me, not 1,000 other things. Again, that helped. I worked him from the ground until the other rider was done & left, then got back on. He was trying to pull some antics but I just growled at him and rode him more firmly and told him to Q.U.I.T. I.T.!! He actually listened and focused each time I did that, and FINALLY got him down to serious work which of course helped him a lot.

Chisamba, I think what you said is spot-on, that unless I manage this behavior properly and do NOT let him think he's in control, it could go south ... fast. So, I'm being his leader in no uncertain terms, and I plan to ride as close to daily as possible until this is in our rear-view mirror.

Meanwhile, once back home it was a gorgeous, sunny day so I decided to ride Dante, my big Percheron gelding. He had been sold two years ago, but that woman's life circumstances changed on her so she offered him back to me on a buy-back agreement in our original purchase contract. I was so pleased that she kept me in the loop. Anyway, he came home at the beginning of March and today I got on him.

First of all, HOLY CRAP WHEN DID HE GET SO WIDE!!! Seriously, he was never that wide before, and in fact Jet always felt wider than him. But he's now 11 yrs old and a bit plump and definitely filled out. Yikes, my poor hips STILL ache and I got off him over 90 minutes ago, and all I did was 15 minutes of w-t-c!! Anyway, Dante was foot perfect. Happy, light to all aids, no shenanigans, soft in the mouth, and his same goofy self. Here he is from his couch-like back:
2018Mar15 Dante1stRideBack.jpg
2018Mar15 Dante1stRideBack.jpg (83.95 KiB) Viewed 21557 times


Tomorrow we're going for a road trip to see how Finn is doing with his under-harness training. He is being ground-driven now and being exposed to lots of sights & sounds so that he's set up for success when he is first hitched up (likely next week). It's a 2-hr drive to the trainer's place so we'll go in the morning to be back in time to ride tomorrow afternoon.
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby demi » Sat Mar 17, 2018 10:14 pm

I really enjoy everyone on this board :) I find you all very motivating...

Yesterday I checked my goals for this thread because I couldn’t exactly remember :? . I am keeping up with Rocky, but Emma is another story. I have been working her three times a week but I dont really know what to think of the situation . She is a high maintenance girl(sweet itch) and I seem to be spending more time just keeping her free from fly bites than working her. But that’s okay with me. She really is a special pet.

I am getting stronger with my workout routines and can feel the difference when i ride Rocky. Between Christine, our trainer, riding her every two weeks and me riding 4-5 times a week, things are coming together. Yesterday I felt like I rode as good as I have ridden in the last 20 years. Honestly, when I turned 50 (15 years ago) I started to let myself slide downhill without even realizing it. Now I know that it will take a lot of extra work (as in off-horse exercise) for me to really ride dressage, but I can feel now, that it is worth the effort. My lazy side reminds me of how hard Rocky is to ride (short back, not much swing, downhill) but then I remember how lucky I am just to have a horse and still be riding at almost 65! I so want to “go for it”.

Yesterday I was going to video my ride (one of my goals was to vid at least 2X/WEEK) but it was 83 degrees when I was ready to ride I started to worry about leaving my iPhone in the hot Texas sun. I set it up but by the time I got Rocky tacked up, I went out and felt the phone and it was HOT. At the same time, I was waiting for a call from a close friend whose 84 yr old husband is in the hospital and I was afraid I would miss the call if my phone was destroyed in the sun! So i took it off the tripod, put it in my pocket and just rode...And I had a NICE ride. I am cantering again! And it feels good. Maybe I’ll get DH to vid one of these days.

So far so good for 3 of my 4 goals...the 4th goal, is a PITA. Said I wanted to lose 8 lbs! I haven’t even gotten on the freaking scales. That’s all I’ll say... it’s Saturday night and I’m having a few beers. NOT lite, either.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Dresseur » Sat Mar 17, 2018 11:26 pm

Despite the new business machine cranking up at my work, I've been able to keep riding consistently except for one week. However, I haven't been able to get down to Andrea's. Everything has been progressing well with Miro - we're up to 3 shoulder in's on each side and 1 haunches in on each side. He's been feeling amazing, and the riding has been fantastic.

However, and this is a big however, he has been exhibiting some less than stellar behavior off the mounting block. I'm chalking it up to the fearsome 4's. He had a week off due to my work, then the first ride back, he had a big scare when the barn help threw the arena doors open right in front of him to bring the tractor through (she didn't know that anyone was in the arena). That led to some tension, and when I asked him to trot off after a walk break, he propped up instead and got really balled up. I didn't think anything of it, he's done that before when we were schooling canter/walks or large walk piris. He had a day off, and the next time I rode, I mounted, asked him to move off the mounting block and he propped up and got a bit snarky. I got him going and the rest of the work was normal and happy. The following day, I made sure to do a lot of transitions on the longe line, and I did some in hand work, and he repeated the behavior, but a bit bigger than before. So, the next day, I really paid attention to the in hand work, did turn on the forehand before I mounted (on the ground so I wouldn't be trapped by the block) and he was quiet as could be.

So, he got 2 days off, and I repeated procedure - and he was an angel. Cue today. I repeated process, got on, he walked off fine, and I asked him for the first trot transition and he got creative again. So, I brought him around, and then he was fine for the rest of the ride. It's definitely him being behind my leg, but I'm watching this behavior like a hawk. When I put my leg on, particularly my left, he starts sucking back a bit. So, I've been careful to reinforce that he goes forward when I put my leg on in the riding. So, stay tuned on that... for now, I'm chalking this up to 4 year old opinions and that he got a week off and liked it.

Edited to add: today I repeated process... paid really close attention to the longing and what he was doing. Also made sure he wasn't slow and hovering in the in hand work - Got on, he went about his business. Even got to ride outside. But, I think that in addition to a "you will go now" problem, he is a bit stuck on the left rein, which is why this only crops up going left. So, I did a lot of circles to make sure he was following that rein around. He gets a break and then hopefully we continue to solve this.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby piedmontfields » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:40 pm

I appreciate everyone's updates, including the fearsome 4 year old and willful 7 year old!

Em and I are on the slow track, as she is getting over a hoof abscess---the first in a year and a half. She is improved and eager to work, but really not comfortable doing much more than walking, so we are walking in good footing. And I'm practicing FC aids at walk so I can work on my hip change! Hopefully she will be sorted soon, as I have signed up for a clinic with Jeremy Steinberg in about 2 weeks.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby DJR » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:39 pm

I had my first set of lessons since December this weekend. My instructor lives 4 hrs away but comes monthly for a 2-day weekend clinic to this neck of the woods. She is the best instructor I've ever had (I think I've mentioned that before) and ALWAYS the welfare of the horse is first & foremost.

Since Jet just was put back into work 2-1/2 weeks ago, the focus of the lessons was walk & trot work emphasizing a supple connection, loose/supple poll (he tends to jam up there), and swing at the walk & trot. Once again, I was introduced (or reintroduced) to yet another nuance of what it takes to have an elastic contact with one's horse, and to feel a true connection through the outside rein from which everything else is based, including flexion & bend.

The result was a beautifully soft, swinging trot and a wonderfully panther-like, supple walk. Even though he's not in condition yet (which will take awhile), he felt superb.

I also had good rides on Panache all weekend, not in a lesson but just at the barn where he's boarded. I spend half of the session doing in-hand work to help him with his reactivity, and the second half under saddle. I'm teaching him a la Tristan Tucker to learn to control his environment using calm body language rather than fearful/explosive body language, and it's really paying off fairly quickly (not that I'm looking for a quick fix, just that it's effective). If something scares him - like the tip of the lunge whip against the plastic high on the walls of the indoor (covering the insulation)- he may startle but he doesn't try to flea (and this is all done on a long line with plenty of room for him to exit if he feels he needs to exit). And each time he demonstrates investigative interest in the sound, or calming signals like licking/chewing, lowering his head/neck, etc., he is rewarded (the sound stops, or I praise him, or that sort of thing).

Last week, I kept this sort of work very short because he was SO over-the-top. But throughout the weekend he settled in to whatever I threw his way, and then gave me a lovely ride after. Under saddle I worked more on similar work to what I'm doing with Jet and it is also resulting in relaxation, suppleness, and a happy horse (which equals a happy & safe rider!).
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby StraightForward » Mon Mar 19, 2018 1:07 am

Had a lovely lesson today. Instructor was here two weeks ago, and could see a huge positive change since the last lesson. Annabelle was a bit up, as we hauled out to another arena and some kids showed up and were walking around in the bleachers while we were warming up. Just stuff she needs to get used to. The extra energy is nice to have as she tends to be a little to the lazy side at home most days. We worked on getting a good bend on a volte at trot, and then spiraling out a bit and picking up the canter, which, to my surprise, worked on her right, whereas a standard LY out on that side will give me the left canter. We also worked on some details with the walk as A likes to get sucked back and stop stepping through when I pick up the reins.

Going to give the SoloShot a try tomorrow as it looks like more good weather.

Last week I made it out to see Miss Pickle and... I'm just not sure about this horse. She is sound, healthy, and really talented, but she is not an easy personality. The trainer said it was the first ride where she'd felt like she could push Pickle around a little and not feel like things might spin out of control (pushing as in... yes, you will bend and follow the line around this corner). But I could see that she was a lot of work to ride and did not want to yield her body. She may have been in heat, as she kept turning her butt towards the gelding we tied her up next to... IDK. She set back against the tie when no one was looking, so not sure what set her off, but then when I went to trim her feet, she set back on her halter two more times when I was working on her left front foot. We thought maybe her right front was sore and she didn't want to weight it, but couldn't find a problem. She just sort of fixated and decided that having her LF held up suddenly constituted an emergency. I'm not sure if I want to continue with this horse; we'll see how things go over the next couple months, but she might be more suited to a pro.
Keep calm and canter on.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Moutaineer » Mon Mar 19, 2018 4:06 am

Eh, SF, that sounds like a not so tough decision.

I too had a great lesson/clinic with trainer's trainer yesterday. She got on him for the heck of it and loved him (of course :)) And now she understands him better she can help me more :) We worked on all the stuff I have been working on but with quite a bit more finesse... We had some truly lovely canter work and I am still processing what we did to get it.

Yes, I so appreciate everyone's input on this board. It's great to have a supportive and helpful group of peers who are all actually out there on the front lines doing it rather than just pontificating about theory.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby demi » Mon Mar 19, 2018 1:47 pm

DJR wrote:...
Since Jet just was put back into work 2-1/2 weeks ago, the focus of the lessons was walk & trot work emphasizing a supple connection, loose/supple poll (he tends to jam up there), and swing at the walk & trot. Once again, I was introduced (or reintroduced) to yet another nuance of what it takes to have an elastic contact with one's horse, and to feel a true connection through the outside rein from which everything else is based, including flexion & bend.

The result was a beautifully soft, swinging trot and a wonderfully panther-like, supple walk. Even though he's not in condition yet (which will take awhile), he felt superb...

.... (which equals a happy & safe rider!).


This could be a thread in itself! Just the fact that DJR mentions “yet another nuance”, reminds me that this is a puzzle.

There are so many pieces to this puzzle!! My trainer is getting some of that “beautifully soft, swinging trot” from Rocky but still only intermittently. I can get a form of soft swingy trot if I do what I previously was calling the baby trot, but the baby trot I was doing (I posted some vid of our baby trot in another thread) didnt have near the impulsion that my trainer is getting out of Rocky. I knew that I needed to be able to push Rocky to the edge of her comfort zone wrt “forward”, but given her hot temperment and athleticism, I didnt feel safe doing it. Fortunately my trainer is expertly capable of pushing Rocky forward beyond where she is comfortable and then bringing her back to soft swingy trot.

So I am getting to the point of feeling safe enough to push and had a great ride on Friday. But then yesterday, it felt like I was riding a jack hammer. I worked through it, remembering that trainer only gets intermittent “soft swingy”, and it got better. The thing is, although it got better, it still didn’t feel as good as Friday. And this makes me think that I am missing some of the nuances that DJR mentioned.

Today, I am going to try to include “baby trot” as part of the warm up and then use canter to push her out a little. So it will be baby trot, working canter, baby trot. Maybe. I need to think about this more before I ride today. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated :)

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Ponichiwa » Mon Mar 19, 2018 2:44 pm

I am having a great spring.

Kiwi is now 11, and looking adorable as ever:
Image

I've been riding 5-6 times a week now that it's lighter later, and it's showing. The flying changes are much less dramatic. We even did a couple rides in the double to test how reliable the connection and relaxation that we've been developing can be.

My sister had a ride-a-test clinic for her students over the weekend and Kiwi and I were the demo riders for how to (and how not to) ride components of the tests from Intro through 3rd. Potentially because of the Double Bridle Days, she was extremely honest in the bridle (maybe thankful) and foot-perfect. She earned all the carrots.

Despite the above, I decided we're not ready to show this month (mainly-- I want to lose 10lb before I show) so we're setting our sights on a potential schooling show in April to test our readiness for the big time.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby piedmontfields » Mon Mar 19, 2018 6:46 pm

Kiwi is looking gorgeous. Love that she is wearing kiwi colors, too. Great update on her schoolmaster demo! Smart mare.

I'm with you on getting fitter and smaller. I'm about a month into spin-cycling at home as an addition to my routines. It is kicking my butt! :lol:

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby demi » Tue Mar 20, 2018 2:36 am

I didn’t get to follow through with my plan from earlier today. I am trying to get my own workout plan just right and for the last several days my knees have been painful when riding. The various JaneFonda aerobics that I do have the option of doing high or low impact. I have been pushing toward the high end, but maybe I need to go more on the low impact side. Anyway, when I rode the sun was setting and Rocky was very lively in the cool atmosphere. With my sore, stiff knees, I decided not to canter. I did set up my iPhone however and got some really depressing footage...just kidding, sorta. I really am happy to be riding at all and the video is a good reality check.

Tomorrow is another day. I will be able to ride early and will take 2 Aleve a couple of hours before I get on. Hopefully I’ll get to do what I had planned for today. Then a friend is coming over to trail ride at noon. I’m looking forward to a good horsey day!

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby demi » Tue Mar 20, 2018 2:37 am

Love the pic of Kiwi!!!

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Chisamba » Wed Mar 21, 2018 6:00 am

And the fecking fourth nor'easter in March is pouncing. They keep elevating the prediction in inches and rate. I'm not sure how I'm going to get to the barn if it's as bad as they say. If my day staff even makes it to relieve me.

Good luck.y fellow North eastern peeps

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Rosie B » Wed Mar 21, 2018 11:29 am

I'm enjoying reading everyone's updates.

I'm with Chisamba - March weather is wreaking havoc here and I haven't been able to ride in over two weeks now. I'm sure the break will do Bliss no harm, but I can't wait for nicer weather.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Moutaineer » Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:03 pm

I finally got around to dropping my stirrups a hole at the weekend. I've been working hard on keeping my leg closer to the girth, and apparently as a result, the stitching on my breeches patches against the roll of my saddle ate my knees last week so I had to do something.

It has made quite a difference in how I can accurately place my leg and how I can lengthen my upper body as well as, obviously, my legs. It feels and looks more correct. And my knees aren't bleeding.

My SI joint is outraged, however. "You changed something. Let me get inflamed!"

I'm sorry you are getting hit so hard, Chisamba. The mud here is epic. Every time it looks like it is getting tacky rather than sloshy, it snows again, then gets to 50 degrees again. My entire pasture apparently drains into Walker's stall and run out area. OMG. I'm not sure who is more over it, him or me. We have a storm starting tomorrow, and then another storm coming next week. Sick. Of. It...

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Flight » Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:42 pm

I took Ding to my town's local show and did some hacking. There is a lot of standing around waiting at shows. I got there at 730am and my classes didn't actually end up being on till 4pm. I was going a bit insane. My plaits were falling out by then and we were pretty dusty and hot.
At one point a balloon drifted across the grass and Ding went and sniffed it, but then he accidentally trod on it. Well it burst and he went straight up in the air, all 4 feet off the ground! I so nearly fell off!! Luckily he was so shocked that he just came back down and stood stock still so I could recover. About 10 mins later another one came across towards him. He stopped and stared at it, and when it was about 15m away, it self burst. Well, his eyes nearly fell out of his head! LOLOL Poor Ding!

So, I need to work on my trot. At my last comp the judge said he needs more engagement and elevation in front to get more freedom and swing in the shoulders, and more collection in the trot. I might share some vid to see how to work on this without it becoming passagy or disconnected.
Also, it's been interesting to watch vid of me trying to do canter pirouettes. I've discovered that collecting the canter, he stiffens his topline and I pull back with my hands so he just shortens his neck, so I definitely have to work on that!

The boyfriend decided he wants to do a half marathon, so I feel like I have to accept the challenge too. I ran 18km yesterday, now the legs aren't happy with me! Horses will get an easy ride today.

Getting cooler here now, horses are becoming fluffy. We really need some rain, it's going to be a dry autumn.

dingyass4s.jpg
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Dresseur » Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:28 am

Ummm. I bought another horse. I'm blaming the Nor' easter. Cue freakout...
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby demi » Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:30 am

another nice pic of Ding and Flight!

I was able to follow through with my plan for yesterday and actually videod my dressage ride. I won't share the vid ;) but I did learn from videoing two days in a row. I noticed on the vid from Monday that I was REALLY letting Rocky have too much length of rein. I have always obsessively worried about her coming behind the vertical because she has the tendancy to do it easily. So the next day, I just forced myself to shorten the reins and she resisted quite a bit. She wouldn't let me put my seatbones on her! She wiggled left and right putting me on one seatbone and then the other. I held my ground and eventually she gave in. And what was so surprising to me is that I thought I had my reins WAY too short and that she was practically in rolkur(ok, maybe I'm exagerating a little) but when I watched the vid, she was just a teeny bit IFV, and only came behind momentarily a couple of times.

And an hour after we worked in the arena we went on a trail ride:
Image

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Flight » Thu Mar 22, 2018 1:58 am

Dresseur wrote:Ummm. I bought another horse. I'm blaming the Nor' easter. Cue freakout...


More info more info!! :D :D

Demi, I have the same problem with rein length. A little while ago my instructor had me shortening up my reins and I was sure that they were too short but on the vid they were fine.
Nice pic too, that looks like a nice blue sky day for a trail ride.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Xanthoria » Thu Mar 22, 2018 4:30 am

I think last time I posted I was trying to get leg yield. Well the baby brontosaurus decided sideways is EVERYTHING and he's a noodly mess. Last lesson after we started some shoulder fore quite successfully for the first time, trainer got on and declared "no more lateral stuff!" until he's moving forward and straight. We've also worked on the sprawly nosedive canter. So we're only allowed to do PERFECT canter departs and only allowed to canter for 3 strides. Because frankly that's the longest I can hold him up.

Naturally it's been raining so arena locked (HATE this policy) so we decided to put a kimblewick on and show him what the Pacific ocean is. He was aghasted.

First, he was aghasted on the way to the beach:

Image

Then we got there and he wanted to RUN! RUN AWAY!:

Image

We walked around a bunch and he calmed a bit:

Image

...but on the whole we left while we were still alive.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby mari » Thu Mar 22, 2018 1:49 pm

I did a post and the forum ate it... So hopefully this is not a duplicate.

Xanthoria - Such lovely photos. In that last one he looks like a giant!

I've had an unproductive dressage month, pretty sure we went more steps back than we actually progressed forward. But on the bright side, the jumping has been really fun. Here are some pics of a lesson yesterday.

Image

Image

Image
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby demi » Thu Mar 22, 2018 9:48 pm

Nice updates everyone! The California Beach Boy looks so cool in that last picture. By the time you start showing him, Xan, he probably won’t even bat an eye at the show atmosphere.

Mari, you and Odie look great! I know nothing about jumping but you look very “together “ in that last pic especially.

Dresseur, tell us about him! Guessing he’s young because of the color. Or is it a mare??

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Chisamba » Thu Mar 22, 2018 10:56 pm

I cannot see Mary's photos.
However I love Xanthorias third photo. Ding looks marvelous, as does Kiwi. Rocky and buddy look charming.

I got to ride my three mares today. I took two photos and. Mikhail was there for the third.

Image

Acacia

Image

Kimba's neck lol

Image

Deneb saying hello

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby piedmontfields » Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:47 pm

Really love all of the photos. I've got to work on my own contributions. Flight, you and Ding just look better and better! Dresseur, we eagerly await stories about the new addition. Mari, your fellow looked great back over fences. Chi samba, I love seeing your mares. Acacia is quite the powerhouse! Deneb looks so hopeful and kind in that photo. Nice.

My good news is that Em is feeling better in the hoof and we did a light field work out today! :D

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby DJR » Sat Mar 24, 2018 2:19 am

Thanks for all the photos - love them! I couldn't see yours, though, mari.

I had a great ride on Panache today. He was less reactive, and more keen to settle into some nice suppling work at the walk & trot. The arena where I ride has been very, very dusty lately (frustrating) so I have had to abbreviate my rides until the BO gets it under control. Nevertheless, Pan was interested in his work today, and we had some really lovely moments of relaxed, supple walk & trot.

Then I returned later in the day with my daughter to ride Jet while she rode her pony, Sawyer. We went to the outdoor ring due to the dust problem, and my daughter was worried about how her pony might react to riding outside. She need not have worried, she had a great ride! She was anxious at first, but rode him as instructed and worked him through the initial lookiness. She went on to have a pretty dull trot so I asked her to think about the hind leg more and, wow, did she ever transform it into a gorgeous working trot. Then up into canter, which she is still nervous about. Today she nailed it. At first she was perched, standing in her stirrups a bit, but then on try #2 she rode SO well as she actively tried to find her seat and find a forward canter without letting him race off. I could not have been more proud of her!

Meanwhile, I was grounded on Jet. To my great dismay, and for the first time in his life (he's 13 now), he was lame in the LH. Not 3-legged lame, but definitely off from the first moment we stepped off from the mounting block. I tried walking him on a long rein for a minute or two to see if he'd limber out of it, and he seemed better, so I tried a bit of trot. NO GO. I got off and went over him carefully and found heat, tenderness, and a bit of swelling just inside the stifle (but the stifle itself seems ok). I think he's pulled a muscle or maybe sprained something, but no idea how. Anyway, I cold-hosed his stifle and he'll be on bute the next 2-3 days. I sure hope this is nothing more serious, poor guy. I hate seeing a horse sore!!
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby DJR » Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:10 pm

Jet was much worse today with lots of tenderness tracking up to the groin/sheath area on the inside of that LH leg. I ended up having the on-call vet out (why do these things always get worse after-hours??) who confirmed that he has cellulitis. We're not sure where it's coming from as he has no breaks in the skin anywhere that we could find, and his sheath is fairly clean. Nevertheless, he's now on antibiotics and bute. I hope it responds quickly to the medication and that there are no longer-term sequelae from this. As long as it goes away, I prefer this to tendon/ligament/muscle/joint injury as his long-term soundness should be fine. Still, I hate seeing him so sore!

Here is the affected area, which is so exquisitly sore & hot when you palpate it:
2018Mar24 JetCellulitis.jpg
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Healing vibes please!

Meanwhile, Pan was a pretty good boy for his ride, and my daughter had a good ride, too, on Sawyer.
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Xanthoria » Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:18 pm

:shock: Oh noes! I hope it’s nothing!

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Chisamba » Sun Mar 25, 2018 8:47 am

Cellulitis is so painful, poor Jet. Jingles that it clears rapidly

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby demi » Sun Mar 25, 2018 12:27 pm

I was really tired yesterday evening from non-horse things, and didn’t feel like riding. But I decided I’d just get on to stretch out my legs and hips, and also just to get in my 5 X/week. Well, I ended up having a really nice ride. Even without NSAID’s. As we warmed up, Rocky was engaged and very cooperative. The neighbor was out doing some kind of banging in his yard but Rocky was completely focuse on me. We did quite a bit of canter.

I also tried out my new breeches last night. Wow!, what a difference full seat makes! I got Kerrits Grip Tek. I have been feeling more secure in the saddle over the last 6 months and these new breeches really enhanced the feeling.

My lesson for this coming Monday got rescheduled till Thursday because my trainer is going be riding in a clinic with Ernst Hoyas! I seriously thought about auditing but it’s over 3 1/2 hours away.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby heddylamar » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:19 pm

I graduated from the cast! The wrist is in a splint for the next 6 weeks. I immediately celebrated by going to the barn to do groundwork with the 4yo ... who apparently thinks I'm a kite. We need some serious ground work before I climb on her hairy butt.

Poor Jet! Hope he's feeling better soon. My older mare gets cellulitis with tick bites, and she's in misery.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby DJR » Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:23 am

Thanks guys.

Already things looked a wee bit better today. It wasn't quite as hot nor quite as swollen. He's still very tender to the touch, but was more willing to walk on the lead shank today. I'm encouraged by the little improvement already, and so glad it was caught quickly and that he got IV antibiotics right away to help get ahead of it.

I also had an encouraging ride on my reactive boy, Pan. I rode him in the outdoor ring for the first time. He was very "up" so I worked him on the longe line first. It's a good thing I did as he was very "I'm a bronc" initially, and rushing even at the walk & trot. I worked him up and down the ring at all three gaits until I had something resembling relaxation. Then I got on and had a super ride on him, even with my daughter cantering while I rode (other horses cantering also seems to set him off this year, which is new for him, too). He just stayed attentive to me and didn't bat an ear at her while she cantered. Yay!
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Rosie B » Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:31 am

We're back in action! I had two rides this weekend, just basic re-introductory stuff. He'd had less than 3 weeks off, but due to horrible weather and round after round of colds and flus in my house, work has been intermittent since about mid February.

Despite blasting arctic winds (to the point where I had a hard time keeping my eyes open - even behind my glasses!) and 4" of snow on the ground and not having been ridden for almost 3 weeks, Bliss behaved himself beautifully for both rides. I kept them short and only did walk/trot because of the depth of the snow and because he's not super fit right now.

At the end of April I have a clinic coming up with Cindy Ishoy, so my plan until then is to slowly build his fitness back up in preparation for the clinic.

Then toward the end of May I am tentatively planning to show him for the first time in 3 years. Where does time go??? Thinking about maybe one first level test and one 2nd level test.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Hot4Spots » Mon Mar 26, 2018 6:48 pm

Very odd stuff going on. My guy had that three-legged lame episode that lasted less than 24 hours, with vet (five days later) finding nada. So we were back to walking/walking/walking. I think I'll wait until May to call vet for check up on our very slow progress re the hind leg. As the millenials would say, whatevs.

So Sunday I go out to ride the old (25) Oldenburg gelding for a friend and he is, well, not three-legged lame, but definitely off. If it is an abscess, this is going to be difficult. Owner was in tears. He has foundered in the past and he cannot be without his special shoeing, so pulling the shoe and poulticing will be a problem. She's going to see how he is today and drug him if he is worse and call vet AND farrier, since it will probably require both of them to be there at the same time. He's a lovely old BIG (17.2) horse, walk/trot only, but his responses would indicate he was schooled to at least 3rd level - he does all the 3rd level lateral work at the trot. Just a big sweetie. I hope this is something minor, like he whacked his leg getting up from rolling or something.

Oh....and by the way, I went to do my walk/walk ride on MY guy Friday night. He's been really well behaved, for the most part, over the past months about this, but Friday he was very hyped up - but only under saddle. He stood quietly for grooming and saddling, I led him up to arena - and get on, and he's got an enormous hump in his back. I tried walking a circle and asking him to stretch into contact, but he was very "light on his feet" and would not go into contact. When I put my legs on, he flinched and shied, then started passaging and piaffeing. Sigh. So I figured, better to hand walk him than risk coming off and- more importantly-him running around like a maniac. So I got off and stripped him down and tried to hand walk. He only wanted to walk on his hind legs. So I gave up. I am not comfortable doing IV shots, and I would have had to wait 30+ minutes for it to take effect given IM (It was already 6:45 P.M.) Came out the next day, gave him 1.5 cc of ACE and we walked our 45 mins. Sunday, I gave him nothing and we walked all around the property as well-behaved as you could want. I swear, he IS bi-polar.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby khall » Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:22 am

Rosie glad you are back in the game! Hot4spots, horses are enough to make us nuts:) DJR glad you caught the cellulitis quick, yowza that looks painful. Sounds like Pan is learning to be a good boy. Demi glad you had a good ride. We just don't know do we!!

Well I hosted a new clinician this past weekend, Cedar Potts-Warner. She is a young trainer out of KY that has the background of the NO training via the trainer she works with and her own development of a mix of NH and bridleless riding. With an emphasis on correct in hand and lunging work when appropriate. I got a lot out of working with Cedar with both Rip and my filly. One of the big emphasis with Rip was on diagnolizing the walk by activating the hind legs first one side then the other both in lateral work and on straight lines. Rip handled the work well with just a couple of dirt skiing incidents! Boy I liked what it did to his carriage. It got him so uphill and lighter. It is all in the timing!! Cedar really helped me with this. So now I have 3 ways to help develop Rip, the half steps, the diagnolizing in both lateral work and on straight lines. We also worked on some canter, CC and medium to collected canter, plus some trot, halt, trot work to get Rip more engaged, asking him to step into the halt by keeping the leg on during the transition to halt.

We also worked with my filly and I am just so pleased with her! Just some ground work, lunging and a bit in hand. First day in the round pen and second day in the arena with all the people and horses coming and going. VERY pleased with her! Yes she was initially a bit high especially in the arena (never worked her down there just visited it and not lately) but came down quickly with very little problems. Easy easy WIH and so much more forward thinking than my WBs.

Here she is the first day with a bit of WIH
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

So I want to keep up working with her some and to keep up the work with Rip and also apply it to Gaila and Juliet (my boarder's TB/Perch mare. Hoping to host Cedar again in a couple of months.

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Flight » Tue Mar 27, 2018 5:28 am

Great pics Xanthoria, his eyes are popping! Love the last pic.
Mari, I can't see your pics either. Wonder if it's because i'm on a mac? might try my phone.
Chisamba, nice pics too. Deneb is very pretty.
DJR, strange about the cellulitis. Hope it heals up quickly.
Demi, nice you had a good ride. I like grippy jods too, but a pair I was wearing the other day were making funny noises as I was doing rising trot :?
Heddylamar - make sure you give yourself time to heal! But I was the same with my knee, I was back doing stuff with the horses as soon as I could.
Rosie B you're tougher than me with that weather. Hope you get to go the the show in May though! Take pics!
Hot4spots, hope the lameness stuff comes good too. My horse was supposed to be on paddock rest but then I hear them thundering around the paddock at top speed. Not helpful.
Khall, interesting work with Rip, thanks for sharing. That's the biggest thing for me now, engagement. Your filly is looking good :)

So, I had 2 training days this weekend. Both saying Ding needs more engagement, more over the back. I'm struggling so much with this, can't get it right.
My instructor had about 5 mins to help with a warm up at the second day, and said I have to go back to working him more stretching down and out with his neck to help him not hollow his back. I always worry this will just put him on his forehand and bury his shoulders, but when I did it, he felt more relaxed than ever! I have trouble with him at shows feeling like he is holding himself up tight in front. Watching the vid (I will share some) he is a lot more relaxed and forward, but if only I let him have a few more inches of rein!! For those who will tell me I'm riding BTV .. yes I see this! But truly wasn't meaning to. So next ride I will be very conscious of letting him be more open.
I also was told that his flying changes were flat. But warming up with him stretching more, I think they are getting better.
Warmup vid:
https://youtu.be/smEnKSvYFQM

Here is my first go at our Consagrados level test for working equitation. It's sort of freestyle, there is a list of movements you have to do in order, but no markers and you do them where you like.
https://youtu.be/9oIAvMKQO3k

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby mari » Wed Mar 28, 2018 7:35 am

I'm not sure why my pics won't show. I use the [IMG] tags, and Google photos, and then right click and select "copy image address", and that goes in the tag. Very odd...

Does the link work?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/q1GzU4KsTufZefEl2
The aim of argument or of discussion should not be victory, but progress. ~ Joseph Joubert

mari
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby mari » Wed Mar 28, 2018 7:38 am

Flight - I think Ding looks lovely. For flat flying changes that need a bit more jump and expression, I always have that Charlotte exercise in my head, where on the long side you start in collected canter, then have 3 steps of lively medium, then the change, then immediately collect again.
The aim of argument or of discussion should not be victory, but progress. ~ Joseph Joubert

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Chisamba
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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Chisamba » Wed Mar 28, 2018 9:27 am

Well it looks like we are moving to Dallas area. I'll be losing all my clients and friends, some I've had for seventeen years. My horse herd will have to be dispersed except two, maybe three with the donkey. All my sheep. Geese, and two senior turkey dudes have to be carefully placed.

Then sell the farm.

And start a new for me without the advantages of a young show body or upper level horse.

It's daunting.

There seem to be a lot of horses near Dallas and a dressage club. Anyone here live out that way?

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Re: Get some spring in your step - March/April Goals & Progress

Postby Xanthoria » Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:57 pm

Whoa - that's a huge change! I hope it goes smoothly - sounds stressful :(


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