Twenty-six (or fewer) goals for Jan/Feb 2026

[Lipsmackerpony88]

I hope everybody dealing with the tough weather is fairing okay. We had really cold temperatures and a pathetic amount of snow. Thankfully I missed most of that because I was in Florida for 8 days. Unfortunately when we got back of what family got sick from our travels. So I really missed 2 weeks of real horse time.

I had my first ride back yesterday and Lynx felt fantastic. Loose and supple and relaxed. Going out to do a quick ride today.

I have made the decision to move barns. Things are improving at the barn, they redid the footing again (twice) and it is better. They definitely are slowly, improving the place. But I found another barn where Lynx can be in a paddock 24/7 which I think he will enjoy and help his back/stifles. They also are planning on building a dressage court there at this new barn- which I'm really excited about because the current barn has not allowed us to even put up a makeshift dressage court for the last 2 years.

It's a hard decision - truly. But I feel it's best to move on for now anyway.

[StraightForward]

Ugh, I got the Albion over to the Saddler tonight to put billets on. She decided to go ahead and drop the panels, and yep, the tree is crooked. So I guess I'm going to try to get my money back and look for another one. There aren't too many 18" Albion Revelations available, and she had concerns about the general tree construction, so is that something I really want to drop $$$ on. So frustrating!

I had a good ride tonight, of course I thought part of it was due to the saddle really letting me sit and plug in. Last night we hauled out to a fun jump grid night. I thought we might be outclassed by the serious jumpers, but there were only three other riders in my group, and we stayed to the end, not that the jumps got very high. There was a photographer there, so hopefully there will be some good pics!

[mari]

We had a lesson this morning. I was on for all of 10 minutes before my instructor rather got on and did a how-to-pay-attention-to-your-rider bootcamp We might need a few instructor rides over the next few weeks, he has too many things to look at at the new yard to hear/feel me.

[Moutaineer]

Potters got his Osphos today, which should make him feel really good by tomorrow... no, I'm not getting on first!
Definitely an instructor ride! Maybe I will get on at the end and cool him out.

We've had no snow and very little rain this winter. It is cold overnight but has been in the 50s and brilliant sunshine during the day. Lovely now, but unless the rain turns on soon, we are going to be in deep doodoo this summer. Hay is going to be a real issue.

Bummer on the saddle, SF.

LSP, I think you are making a wise move.

[blob]

Exvet--glad you're having luck with new trainer and that you have a good, supportive path with Junior at the moment
LSP--leaving and moving barns is always a hard decision, but it sounds like you have made the right one. My two are at a place they are out 24/7 unless weather is extreme and they are really very happy with the set-up in both mind and body
SF--ugh, i'm sorry that the saddle drama continues. I am so so so glad I don't have to deal with the fitter dance any more. I will keep my fingers crossed you find what you are looking for!
Mari--that sounds like a bootcamp many of us could use!
Mountaineer-- I'm glad potters is doing well and I hope your healing is also!

Not much to report on our end, weather has kept riding at minimum. I have a lesson on Sunday, let's hope it's not a mess.

[StraightForward]

Ah, well at least the seller is taking the Albion back! Someone on Facebook has an Erreplus exactly like mine, but it's a private seller, so that makes me nervous that I would have no recourse if the tree had a problem. Then there is another, slightly older one at Maryland Tack Exchange, but it's brown and gold, which could be hard for resale. I did reach out to the company this morning but haven't heard back yet. Texted back and forth with the Albion rep my main coach is planning to bring in this spring but she doesn't have any Revelations and was starting to talk about trying to put me in something else which, like, I've tried so many saddles and have a pretty good sense of the 97% that won't fit at this point. I would pay the $$$$ to get the perfect thing custom made if I could be guaranteed that it would be right and last T through her career, but we all know what a crapshoot it is.

Had another flying changes lesson with my trainer friend today. I think the weekly supervision will be a good thing. Tesla came out like she'd eaten her Wheaties and maybe a box of fire crackers. She seems to be getting the idea of the changes, but gets really small and stuck, then changes and stalls out. Not so when we change over the poles and Teresa said they were clean, so we might do that for a bit. I thought I'd gotten video, but then realized the lens cap was on the whole time. Duh. After I chucked her in her stall and was putting stuff away, she apparently decided to roll and got herself in a tangle with the wire panel I have zip tied to the fence to keep her neighbor from eating her blankets. One of the boarders was shrieking, and I heard a bunch of thrashing, but by the time I got over there, she was up and the wire panel was totally separated from the fence. Somehow she didn't have a scratch on her and was totally over it within a few minutes. The horses seem to pop the zip ties off the bottom of the fence and I hadn't been diligent enough in replacing them, so she must have hooked her heel between the wire and the pipe fence when she was rolling and pulled the whole thing down. We were finding popped zip ties all over the place. I think this weekend I'll be lacing the whole bottom with baling twine so that doesn't happen again!

This weekend will be auditing Steffan Peters, so I'll have my pencils sharpened and share some notes!

[Moutaineer]

SP will be here for a symposium in 2 weeks, SF. He must be doing a grand tour of the west! I will be interested to hear your impressions. He'll have ro be a rock star for me to be able to sit through all 6 hours for 2 days, however!

Potters was quite "bright and cheerful" yesterday, but was a very good boy, so I did get on for 10 minutes at the end of his session to cool him out. Getting off is still a major fricking trial, though, which is a bit embarrassing. My goal is to ride 4 times next week. 10 or 15 minutes a ride, but its all progress.

[exvet]

Glad to hear that those posting are surviving winter and seeing some healing progress. Sorry about the saddle SF, I know just how frustrating and challenging it is. I know I will be there again in the near future with Troy.

Had one lesson today with the new trainer. She gave me some really good homework for Junior and did see some improvement from last week. I'm going back to riding diamonds for my 20 meter circles, using my inside leg to turn the cantle of the saddle on each of the 'sides' and keeping my outside leg off. Already it's helping me sort out Junior's right shoulder issue. Though lazy he was more forward today if that makes sense to anyone (if it does then you've been or have in the past ridden a horse/pony like Junior). We also worked on more Piaffe and he's so close to getting it right with me in the saddle. It's so nice to have someone who is all about, "there's no reason why the two of you can't do x,y,z. He's physically capable. We just have to figure out exactly where he's getting blocked and soften/relax him." as opposed to , "he sucks the broom, he sucks back, until you get this and this, you'll never get that....." Both identify the same holes and weaknesses but a totally different approach to coaching.

Rode Troy on my own. He was cantering rather well on the lunge yesterday; so, I thought I might push him in to the canter today but it was clear I needed to work on suppling and getting him off his huge shoulders. I know he's a baby horse but it's a safety thing. I did some leg yield/nose to the wall at the walk which he grasped really well, lots of turns on the forehand and halts to brisk walk to brisk trot and back down to walk then halt for balance; and then some tapping on the shoulders with the whip at the trot in the figure eight circles to get him to lighten his inside shoulder(s) and bend around my inside leg. He definitely realized today that he graduated pre-school and kindergarten is in full session.

I have a lesson tomorrow on Junior with the judge (soon to be "R" from 'r'). She and my new coach compliment each other really well.

[exvet]

I have an 'odd' post and because so many of us frequent here I felt I'd get more traction if I put it out there on this forum. I have a friend who is 74, ,turning 75 later this year. She has a 9 year old 13.3 Welsh Gelding who is fancy and moves well. He isn't registered but will be as a Welsh part bred because his dam was never registered. My friend has made the very tough decision to sell him now because she feels he has more value [now] and wants him to get the very best home. We haven't settled on price yet but it will be a bargain against current standards. He is sound but is very much pony in the 'tude' department. He isn't unsafe but despite her age she does a great job with him (which is necessary, he'd take advantage of some). She has ridden him in some big clinics, Amelia Newcomb being one and has shown him in schooling shows doing reasonably well. He loads and hauls. Here's the kicker while I'm going to reach out to my Welsh contacts, she does NOT want me to advertise him; but, wants me to handle selling him due to it being so tough for her. I am NOT going to be taking any kind of commission. Do any of you have anyone in your 'circle' that might be interested? I'm going to get on him before too long and will be able to give more insight as to how he is to ride. Please private message me if you might know of someone......................Thanks!

[StraightForward]

The clinic was really good today. It was mostly FEI level combos, and I feel gratified saying that this is really the first time I've been able to get so much out of auditing rides at that level. Steffan's go-to warmup is half a 20-m circle near the end of the arena with a feeling of LY out, then down the long side with counterflexion and a little LY off the rail, then repeat at the other end. The other thing he was using was to warmup in the walk to test the suppleness through lateral work, but add a couple trot steps if you start feeling a resistance.

I went over to my barn to ride at lunch and used that warmup, which worked really well. Then I went for a few changes. T got really anticipatory and started getting stuck, then thought maybe rearing would be a good idea. I got her back with some simple changes through trot on a circle, then asked again and got a pretty decent L/R change and quit there. Since it was a short ride, I went back after the clinic and repeated the warmup and worked towards some R/L changes. She wasn't quite getting the R/L without use of the pole, but using the pole, we managed to get changes both directions from true lead. I think next ride I'm going to set out a line of those little plastic sports markers so she has a visual cue, but it will be lower, and I can start reducing the number until we're maybe just down to a "gate" of two. We'll see. At the end of the ride, I decided to work a bit on the trot HP. Steffan was really stressing suppleness with the last rider, so with that in mind, I did some HP with circles added in and some LY. That ended up in short of a wandering HP exercise where I rode a volte, then a few steps HP, then LY out, rinse and repeat as needed. It worked well to keep the bounce and energy vs. just trying to ride a whole line and having the bench and energy fizzle out.

Looking forward to the rest of the symposium tomorrow!

[exvet]

SF I've seen and been taught the same warm-up and it definitely helps get them supple and more relaxed. the half-pass to leg yield is a go to with Junior. Because he likes lateral work so much I must incorporate it in order to keep any semblance of forward but it's key for him to alternate between the lateral work and then a long wall or short side of just plain "go forward" in whatever gait to 'refresh' him. Looking forward to more of what you learn with SP.

[exvet]

Success! I cantered Troy under saddle today and we lived! LOL, Troy gets scared by his huge tail (could share with 3 others and not end up with a skimpy tail) getting caught between his back legs; but, he didn't bolt and was fairly well balanced in our attempts. He has a huge, bounding canter.....was glad to have a grab strap up on his neck so that I didn't accidently grab him in the face. Here are pictures showing that Troy is around 15 hands tall now. Ace standing next to him is an easy 15 hands with a regulation stick.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Mountaineer- so glad you are getting on Potters! It sounds like you are doing amazing, I'm so happy for you.

SF- thank you for sharing some notes from SP! I've heard he is a great teacher.

Exvet- wow, those photos really show what a big boy Troy is becoming!! He's definitely not a shrimp! And yes, what a tail he has! That's amazing.

Lynx has really figured out half pass at the walk, he's really fun to do the lateral work if I don't overcomplicate things!

[khall]

Exvet wow Troy is a wide boy! Glad the canter us was successful!! Here’s to continued progress with Junior.

SF hate that about the Albion. Don’t know if you would be interested in a different model of Black country but Juliet’s owner has a brand new wide load beautiful saddle. I’ll share the link or if anyone else is looking…

Lsp sounds like moving is a good thing even if it’s bittersweet.

Blob yeah the frigid mess we’ve had no fun. We did not get precip this last time just strong wind and so cold!


A friend and I are getting Chex going back some. Doing some double lunging and I’m going to start some in hand work. I’ve started back doing joplin’s PT now but it’s tiring for me 30+ minutes of brisk walking and lateral work but I need to start somewhere! Amazing how much the surgery took out of me. One more week to see if I get the all clear. Still trying not to lift though I catch myself doing so some. Thankfully Chex is a pretty easy ride. You don’t have to work hard with him.

Joplin has her next US 2/19 may get to add in some canter so that would mean riding if I’m cleared to. Still very limited stuff though. Will know more next week

Hopefully all are having better weather though I understand the concern out west with no snow pack. Was just reading how bad that is and potential for fires/dry summer.

https://www.facebook.com/share/16QHZQJo ... tid=wwXIfr

Happy riding all!! Will update next week on Joplin

[StraightForward]

. SF hate that about the Albion. Don’t know if you would be interested in a different model of Black country but Juliet’s owner has a brand new wide load beautiful saddle. I’ll share the link or if anyone else is looking…

T actually doesn't need anything wildly wide. Usually a regular wide or generous MW. This morning my saddler put me in touch with her friend who does Patrick saddles. Talked to her and she understood my plight as a fellow tall person. However, with tariffs the Patrick Leggero is going to start at $8900 currently. I am literally sick to my stomach thinking about spending that much on a saddle. I did some digging and Contact saddles out of CA are built by the same company on the same trees. The rep called me and is going to send some pics of demos she has for a slightly less eye watering price. There are also some used Leggeros that might be worth a try, knowing now how much the new ones are now! Wondering what the chances are of tariffs going away in the next couple years, and whether the US prices will act come down accordingly.

[Moutaineer]

I cantered today!

Not far, but a canter,nonetheless, and for the first time since June.

And I'm not too horribly sore this evening, either... so far.

LSP, I get you on the lateral work. I'm a specialist in overcomplication on that front.

[mari]

Whoooooooooo Moutaineer for cantering!

Work is interfering with my riding this week. Well, partly work and partly malaise.

[StraightForward]

Yay, it must feel great to canter! Onward and upward!

I used lots of Steffan tips last night and got some really good work. I ride in the Erreplus to refresh my memory of that saddle. If only I could get that flap and block put on another seat and tree. It seemed like her back came up more than in the other saddles.

I don't think I put it in the notes, but he referred to several horses as getting rigid, which is T x 1,000, so I stopped accepting that rigidity, and ended up getting some lovely canter HP right. She has been puffy on the lateral side of her LF cannon but seems totally sound, so we're continuing on. Looking forward to our next FC lesson on Friday.

[blob]

MM had a bad asthma episode over the weekend, that I'm still trying to sort out and she's still recovering from. On Saturday she was great and normal and we went for a nice hack about (walk only, but about 40 minutes) with a friend. She was totally fine after and she went back out like normal. Sunday morning the barn manager checked her breathing at feeding time (like she always does) and totally normal as she has been. I came out around noon and she was in total distress--very labored and fast breath and wheezing so loud you could hear it several meters away. Gave her a full/big dose of dex, which brought it down, of course, but not as fast as I would have liked as even that evening it was more labored than ideal. She spent the evening inside. Next day she was normal at rest, but I gave her a partial dose of dex just to make sure we were tamping anything down. The day after (yesterday), also normal at rest so I took her for a little hand walk, and just 12ish minutes of walking got her breathing faster/harder than it really should. So, obviously cut the walk short. She recovered to normal quickly, but tells me there is still inflammation in the system that has not fully tamped down. The vet comes next week, so I will talk to her then and have her listen to her lungs. In the meantime, will monitor her closely and let her rest/recover. We're about to get some unseasonably warm weather (high mid 60s--low 70s) the next next week or so. So she's getting clipped on Friday.


In more positive news, I had a lesson with RP over the weekend. Trainer was really happy with the trot work, which was nice, but still wants me to keep asking for more sit. In addition to the lateral work, she had me do a lot of w-t transitions in SI, almost thinking half steps in and out of the trot to keep hind end active without running with the forehand. In HP, she had me come down the centerline and HP over to the quarter line or a little past and then do the very last part of the line as a LY, almost thinking of haunches leading. She doesn't want him getting into an incorrect HP habit, but wants to make sure I have control of that hind end and really being able to push it over. In the canter work, she wanted to work on an exercise that she she uses as a prep for changes--teardrop with a simple change on the short diagonal out of a SUPER collected canter. But RP immediately just wanted to change, so she said 'great, let's do the changes'. We got one high behind but clean one R to L and one really nice one L to R and ended with that. Focus for me is to be more methodical in the set-up, getting a stride or two of counter flexion to get him off his new inside shoulder before I ask.


As a side note, has anyone heard from Chisamba? I hope her surgery recovery is going well!

[StraightForward]

Blob, so sorry MM had an episode out of nowhere like that. Sending jingles to her. Glad you are having some good rides with RP though. Sounds like he is getting the hang of changes.

We are also starting to wrap our heads around changes, though probably not quite as far along. Last night I did some canter work in travers, and then asked for changes as we approached the wall. T didn't get as stuck as she was last week. I had to ride her pretty forward and really emphasize the change of bend and LY away from the new inside leg. At one point she over collected herself and attempted to change. It didn't land, but she kept cantering, and I could see that the wheels were turning. R/L change is turning out to be harder, which is opposite of what I expected. She kicks out sideways like she can't figure out how to get her LH to come through. We did one with a big kick, but I decided to be more persistent and went around for another try and I'm pretty sure we got it. So I'm glad to say that we might be able to get away from the crutches of counter canter and using the pole. I want one more 2nd level score, so I don't want her getting too much in the headspace of changing out of CC. Tomorrow we'll do another lesson, so hopefully we'll get another rung up the ladder towards what we need for third!

Next saddle ordered is a Veritas Eximo, which should be here Tuesday. Fingers crossed!

[exvet]

Jingles for MM. Asthma in any species is tough and I know not just how frustrating it is to treat and prevent flair ups but knowing what triggers every flair often mystifying. Hoping she gets relief from the flairs.

SF I feel for you on the saddle search. Will keep fingers and toes crossed that this is the one. As I've mentioned before, I know I'll be back at it with Troy.

Worked everyone today before the rain comes, if it does. Junior is staying more forward which is a relief. Troy definitely has a timer LOL. He doesn't act out or behave badly but he gets 20-25 mins in and his mind starts to wander. I have to continuously remind myself that he's not even officially 4 yet.

Our new house (same floor plan as our house in the HOA neighborhood) is finally getting framed. The barn will be next and then my new dressage arena.

[blob]

SF--good luck on the saddle search, it's the worst. Fingers crossed for your Veritas Eximo. Sounds like your changes are coming along well. I don't know that RP and I are further along on them. I think probably around the same--where the idea of the change is there but the comfort in the mechanics isn't quite there yet! Instead of kicking out, RP tends to hop up behind but it's the same feeling of he can't quite figure out his legs. When do shows start up again around you?

Exvet--exciting on the new house! Hope it all keeps moving smoothly, i'm sure you'll be thrilled once the barn and arena are ready too. Troy sounds like he's doing so well for a baby. But that baby brain is real! I'm also so glad things with Junior have been trucking along nicely.

[khall]

Just a quick share for FCs

https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/h ... N-4ObDzSSQ

[Moutaineer]

Exciting on the new house, exvet! (And the barn and arena!!)
Blob, I know with my own asthma, I often have no idea what flares it, and it can take s couple of weeks to get it to settle down after I realize i need to resort to the heavy duty drugs. I'm just coming off a flare now, so I feel for MM at the moment!

I've ridden 4 days this week--quite a bit of trotting and cantering. Margo thinks I can start back into lessons next week rather than just tooling around. My brain says this will be a good thing as I can nip any bad habits in the bud. My body is like "oh my god, really?"

Yesterday i had to share the arena with someone who is teaching their young horse flying changes. They got way too close to us flying around on an excited youngster who kicked out at us, which made Potters spook, quite understandably, which was a jar my back did not need, and things unraveled from there. Not the way I wanted to end the week! He's been such a good sport about me fish flopping around up there, but this was a bridge too far for him and he was thoroughly on edge for the rest of the ride.

I feel like I've completely overdone it and am going to have a very quiet weekend! Part of the problem is that my car is in for repair and I'm driving my truck. I cannot find the sweet spot for the seat position, and its just so much "more" to drive than the car. It's actually pretty luxurious and normally, I find it very comfortable for even long distances, but at the moment, it is killing me. I must go call the car dealership and find out what the heck they are doing!

[exvet]

I hope you are feeling rested and that your back is healing Moutaineer. Khall thanks for the FC notes. It's funny because I read you post and the same thing popped up in my facebook feed - funny or eerie, but it was a helpful read.

I had another lesson today with the newer coach/instructor and Junior's canter quality has improved significantly......better yet he's stretching over the back a letting me half halt him on each rein at all gaits...................I'm trying not to get ahead of ourselves but I'm feeling better about this 'new' direction we've been taking.

Also did more canter with Troy and got him to take each lead pretty easily - working mostly straight lines but we tried the start of a 20-meter circle on his right lead which is his more balanced one and we got half-way around before he realized how much work it was LOL. His canter reminds me much of Junior's sire's canter which was awesome to ride. We're in for a bit of bad weather this week so I'm hoping I get to ride some before a biomechanics clinic our GMO is hosting this weekend.

https://photobucket.com/share/a028d8ab- ... dfa3489f1e

For those who know, I hope this makes Paula Kierkegaard happy - he's not constrained, he's licking, and using his hind end..............goals, they are real.

[StraightForward]

Thanks Khall, I will have to take a look at that article.

Moutaineer, so happy to hear you are back in the saddle, and I hope your back recovers!

Had a lesson today to work on changes, and many shenanigans were had. I asked for them in a specific place last time, so today she really started anticipating and there was just lots and lots of kicking out. She had a chiro appointment tomorrow, but I might need it more, lol. The instructor said she would ask her mentor, Carrie, for advice because she's never seen a horse kick this much with the changes. Good news is that T is thinking about it and trying to figure things out. Bad new is she's keeping me on my toes having to change strategies with just about every ride.

[mari]

Had a lesson today to work on changes, and many shenanigans were had. I asked for them in a specific place last time, so today she really started anticipating and there was just lots and lots of kicking out. She had a chiro appointment tomorrow, but I might need it more, lol. The instructor said she would ask her mentor, Carrie, for advice because she's never seen a horse kick this much with the changes. Good news is that T is thinking about it and trying to figure things out. Bad new is she's keeping me on my toes having to change strategies with just about every ride.

Odin kicked out violently for a very looooooooooong time. My neck and back just couldn't take it anymore. Now, 2/3 years later, we had many beautiful single changes all over the arena in our lesson this morning, so I promise there is hope.

My personal feeling is that kicking out is from being a bit crooked, and not accepting the shifting position of my legs. To fix it, we spent more than a year doing t/c/t/c/t/c transitions. I would focus on very obedient counted strides, so if I had called out "12 trot" to my instructor, come hell or high water Odin would do a canter depart on the correct step. And we would go true/counter/counter/counter/true/true/counter, for example, in between trot steps, to FORCE him to really feel and obey my leg position. When that was going great, every now and then I would throw in an actual change, praise a lot, and go right back to the t/c/t to reinforce.

We still revisit it now, even though we're trying the 3s and 4s too. It has been my most valuable FC training tool.

[exvet]

I honestly have not had one kick out at my legs due to aiding for the flying change and yet I've had some pretty spectacular air borne and up in the air changes. I do think mari is correct in that straightness is one missing component that leads to the kicking and it's also imperative to have the horse up through the wither and off of their shoulders. It's likely the timing of the pictures but it appears to me that T is crooked and (despite being in the air fully) weighted or loaded onto one shoulder. While Junior would find kicking out too high of an expenditure of energy, I have come to realize that if I don't have the give or correct bend in the rib cage along with the suppleness and accepting of the new outside leg, the flying change isn't going to happen.

[StraightForward]

Thanks Mari and Exvet! I think most of these happened when she tried to change before I actually asked. She starts feeling me prepare her and then throws a leg instead of staying on my aids and waiting. There was one circle where I was doing literally nothing except trying to get her more supple and relaxed and she did smaller versions twice. On the upside, she is getting the idea of changing out of true lead, and without the pole, but she was getting a little too deep and just wanting to take over and do... whatever that is. We did get a couple attempts without the drama. I think one she changed in back, but took a few strides for her front to catch up, or she snuck a trot step, but it was really close to a civilized FC. Hopefully we'll have it sorted out enough to give 3-1 a crack at the end of July. The other thing is that it's time to start keeping her together after the change. I have just been praising and letting her kind of run off because I'm happy that she gave a response, but I don't need to train her that kicking is a good way to get a nice break. I have been wondering if she's coming into season, as she's just been a little extra kicky overall the last couple days. Today we'll focus more on trot work, then she'll get chiro and tomorrow a day off.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Exvet, lovely little clip of canter. I bet Paula would enjoy that clip! Hopefully you get to ride in preparing for the clinic! I look forward to the notes.

SF, T is certainly athletic! I'm sure eventually she will be less dramatic about it, you have worked through so much with her already!

Mountaineer- sorry about your back! That's unfortunate but hopefully you heal up and keep trucking under saddle.

My weekend was a bust - my daughter was very sick and the congestion gave her an hour and a half long nosebleed that we almost went to the ER for. Then at the barn on Sunday afternoon, Lynx's neighbor in the run next to him was either having a medical episode (colic or ulcer pain?) or a mental breakdown. He has lived next to Lynx for years and I had never seen him so unsettled. He was pacing the run, weaving, bobbing, biting and kicking at Lynx. It lasted over an hour - we called the owner but she said he used to do that years ago and wasn't concerned. I didn't feel the same and neither did anyone else who witnessed it.

Anyways, frustratingly enough, I didn't want to remove Lynx (there was no other horse on the other side of the one freaking out) and upset his neighbor even more. We gave him alfalfa, moved his hay to different locations but he would not settle.

I wonder if it's the construction. They have started construction again and things have been very intense the last week. The horse is a TB and maybe he just got fried. I don't know. I didn't leave until he was settled. I hope he's better today but today will be more intense construction wise.

[StraightForward]

We had a better ride today. I took the spurs off but insisted that T get in front of my leg or else. Also really not accepting the rigidity that is her SOP. I didn't ask for any changes and she only did one little kick and change behind. I am thinking that she is coming into season and the spurs were just pissing her off. I'll probably give it another go on Wednesday with a little bit of a different approach and see what happens.

[blob]

SF--RP kicks up a lot in changes too, not out so much as needing to hop up and back behind to coordinate his legs. But also it does feel like it happens more when he anticipates and gets a bit behind the leg and hoppy. The exercise pattern that has helped the most is actually counter cantering around the ring and not letting him change or asking for the change until he's truly relaxed and not anticipating--if he doens't get to that point, we don't do changes that day. But once he's relaxed into the counter canter, I also make sure I can keep the lead and play with flexion, a stride or two of LY. When I'm ready to actually do the change I come a bit on the inside track, LY 1-3 strides towards the rail (since we're counter cantering this means off the outside leg of the lead), then I just think of starting to LY the other direction and the shift of my body and timing signals the change. When I do it like this and he's truly relaxed, he swings into the new lead and doesn't hop around.

[StraightForward]

Thanks Blob, that is similar to what Carrie had us doing for setup at the last fall clinic. I really think right now she is coming into season and a bit extra snarky, so with the spurs irritating her, and her thinking that a kick change behind would get me off her case, things went a little south. I was kind of hoping to avoid using CC in our changes training since I want to try for another 2nd level score in May, so we'll need to ride the CC serpentine. But I will use it if need be.

The Veritas fits T quite nicely, and it is a really nice saddle. The panels are so soft and squishy. But yet again, it does not fit my leg, and I'm not sure that going up to an 18.5 would work since the seat is more scoopy rather than having a flatter spot in the middle. I could find a good spot to sit the canter with my stirrups a hole longer, but sitting trot felt awkward. It seemed like T started out walking better in it, but the arena was pretty wet, so it was kind of a short ride and I couldn't say if she was better in it overall. Last night I ordered a Trilogy Allegiance in an 18.5 and more of a forward flap from Aiken Tack Exchange. Maybe the third time will be the charm. It's like new, but if I need to, I'll have Adrienne perform surgery and put a Velcro block on it if it fits T and the seat and flap work for me.

[blob]

fwiw: i've actually found that using this CC method for training the flying changes has helped me maintain the counter canter better than when i tried the change over the diagonal. Over the diagonal, the idea of CC went out the window for RP. But when I asked for the change from the CC, waiting for him to relax I was simultaneously training him to stay in CC (sometimes we went 2-3 times around before I asked) and training the change-- it has to be on my aid and not situational to us changing the direction.

[khall]

My update is I’m still on riding restriction. I can get on and walk but that’s it. One more month of no real riding. So I’m doing in hand and double lunge stuff


Joplin still sound still progressing but it’s slow. Get to add in 5 more minutes trotting. Total of 15. Looking at still stalled for a couple more months at least.

Sigh. Long road for healing us both

[Chisamba]

Hello everyone. Like Khall I was restricted due to surgery. In my case total knee replacement. Of course I was riding soon (2 weeks). Unfortunately the very cold deep snow that never melted made caring for my animals very complicated. Walking in deep snow and ice is not to be recommended. Sadly I have to get a MUA on Monday.

Kimba. Working on flying changes. She won every 2nd level class we did so getting that change relaxed and confirmed is the priority.

Pauletta: getting her ready for her first show season. She is already behind. I mean way old for a first show season.

She too likes to buck into the canter.

Me heal and get fitter and stronger. Survive the coldest winter in decades.

[exvet]

So good to hear from you Chisamba. Fingers crossed for your ongoing recovery and that your MUA doesn't set you back (must admit that it sounds uncomfortable for me and always feel for the few patients I've had to do that to/for - mostly FHO and stifle repairs). Also nice to see that so many of us are working on the FCs LOL

khall, hope both your recovery and Joplin's continue to progress forward............perhaps the schedules are sinking up due to fate?

Blob your preferred exercise and approach to the changes for RP does help Junior out as well though I must do a million set ups and 'no, just kidding' before I ask for the change and then rinse and repeat because he's so darn ready to take over the play book.

I have a biomechanics clinic tomorrow with Junior. Woke up to snow this morning so no riding today but did squeeze in a ride yesterday before it all began and Junior was willing and forward. I have another lesson with my judge/friend on Sunday and wait for it............Troy will be doing his first 'baby' lesson on Sunday too. Hoping to nip bad habits in the bud before they are solidified. It won't last too long and it will be good to have someone with a background watching us.

[Aleuronx]

I feel like I’ve had posts half written or thought out and just not posted as it felt too sour. Chisamba you have the right of it, this winter has been brutal. Here’s my whiney lot; 2+ weeks of terrible cold sub arctic temperatures then a couple feral rides before more terrible cold, multiple big snow dumps in between.

Just the last week or so had beginning consistency of a riding program but feral and irritating the both of us. While we’ve been snow hacking and having a nice canter out in stifle deep snow a big part of keeping Kora’s brain in the winter is getting travel days and that’s been impossible. Sigh, just getting through feels like chore.

Healing to all those repairing themselves and steeds

[Chisamba]

I feel like I’ve had posts half written or thought out and just not posted as it felt too sour. Chisamba you have the right of it, this winter has been brutal. Here’s my whiney lot; 2+ weeks of terrible cold sub arctic temperatures then a couple feral rides before more terrible cold, multiple big snow dumps in between.

Just the last week or so had beginning consistency of a riding program but feral and irritating the both of us. While we’ve been snow hacking and having a nice canter out in stifle deep snow a big part of keeping Kora’s brain in the winter is getting travel days and that’s been impossible. Sigh, just getting through feels like chore.

Healing to all those repairing themselves and steeds

and now

We are under a blizzard warning so idk what will happen about my MUA

[Josette]

Chisamba - We are much further south NJ and coastal to you. We just received a township phone alert to expect between 24 to 30 inches and up to 50 mph winds. Our property is mostly woods so sometimes the trees make for a good wind buffer - but still praying nothing comes down on any buildings. Very long driveway and just discovered the tractor has a flat tire which we use to clear snow (besides the poop pile). How's that for bad timing. Anyway it's crazy as my daffodils are breaking ground on the bare snow areas.

[exvet]

I rode Junior in a biomechanics clinic yesterday and got some great feedback and comments that we've made quite a bit of improvement. I also got a 2 thumbs up on the Prestige Lucky I bought for him so that was nice too. I also rode him in a lesson today with my coach who is a judge. We did quite a bit of canter work and Junior was actually forward and doing well with collection to a piro canter and back out........so there's hope. Troy had his very first 'dressage' lesson. He did pretty well. I think he's going to turn out to be a pretty good egg. Hope everyone is surviving their weather. It's going to be turning really nice here over the next week.

[StraightForward]

Well we are off to the vet on Wednesday morning. I think I've mentioned that T had had some swelling off and on on her left front. She was sound on it and I assumed it was a superficial bruise, but the swelling has been getting more persistent and she had been a little off in her warmups. I put a sweat wrap on last night, but it was still fairly swollen this morning (though probably less than if I hadn't wrapped it). Of course the next saddle comes Wednesday, so hopefully she'll be Ok for at least a light ride or two during the trial period. Fingers crossed that nothing serious is brewing!

[exvet]

Keeping fingers crossed for T! I came home to find Junior climbing up his stall gate (to get in) and slipped and had his leg fall through......fortunately no bone breaks but it's how he gave himself a bone bruise on his pastern a couple of months ago.

[StraightForward]

Well, it is her lateral suspensory branch, so we are probably cooked for most of the show season. Just got done with PRP. A month of stall rest and then recheck.

[Moutaineer]

Sounds like many of us are having a sucky time. Sorry about T, SF.
Nice to hear from you Chisamba, sorry recovery not going entirely according to plan.
I was starting to feel pretty good, but now have the upper respiratory thing from Hell. Blech. So I am home and miserable. Coughing, sore throat, congested, nose dripping like a faucet, etc.
I did spend the weekend watching Steffen Peters teach, which was inspiring. I have notes that I will add to SF's post once I have use of my brain again.
Potters is going great. I'm very unlikely to be showing this year, so I've just offered him to Justin to get his scores for his silver medal. He's been such a help to me over the past few months it seemed like a way to pay it forward, and is probably a win for me, too, to get him out there.

[Aleuronx]

Oh SF what a gut punch. Is it within the body of the ligament or insertion area/bone involvement? Update when you can. Sorry you and T are having to deal with this luckily veterinary science is so much more advanced since the last suspensory I dealt with 10+ years ago, but rest is always key it seemed.

[StraightForward]

Moutaineer, sorry you have the yuck, just as you're getting back in the saddle. Justin showing Potters sounds like a good plan!

Alx, it is in the body of the upper branch, probably just before it starts to flatten towards the insertion point on the fetlock. My regular vet is out this week, so I used a different vet who I know, but not as well. It was hard to get a read from him on the relative severity. He said 3-4 months out is a WAG, but he would have a better prediction after the one-month checkup. Hopefully she will not be too much of a monster patient. She was already bucking and passaging when I tried to hand walk her on Monday, so I left the vet's office with a fresh bottle of Ace.

[exvet]

So sorry to hear the news of you both SF and Moutaineer. I had the horrible crud being passed around here a few weeks ago and it knocked me (and all of my staff) on my butt. Nasty stuff and tends to linger. Hopefully you'll have a short course, Moutaineer.

That really stinks SF. I know this is little consolation but for those of us in the field, better that it's in the forelimb and not the hind, and we always breathe a little bit easier when it's a mare. It is a low blow when you've been working so hard and she's been really progressing and doing pretty darn well. I'm not suggesting you use reserpine because it definitely has its risks but I had to break down and use it in a foundered gelding many, many years ago that I owned. I lost him to the laminitis but the reserpine did work (it was the only thing that did) and he didn't suffer from the well known side effects. Because of it's risks and side effects I likely waited too long to pull the trigger and use it. I feel sure his stress from the laminitis and the fact that he was stalled full-time and though in contact with barn mates while in his stall, he still worked himself up too many times while stalled and they were all turned out in their respective turn outs........ that is until I started him on the reserpine. He rotated and sunk and that process started before the reserpine. Despite my access to great care (I was working at a tertiary equine care facility back then) I did not feel that he deserved the confinement that attempts at resection would have forced, plus having sunk in both fore feet his odds of success were low. It's one of the regrets I still have with all of mine that I have owned over the years in that I wonder if I had started him on it sooner would we have turned him around and seen him recover.

[khall]

Feel better soon mountaineer!

Gosh SF! I hate that for you and T. It’s a gut punch I know. We are going on 23 weeks post injury for Joplin and boy do
I appreciate her ability to stay calm in the stall and during PT. Just recently I’ve put her back on trazadone to help keep her calm. We’ve had strong winds which usually don’t bother Joplin but after the long stalling it’s getting to her. Thankfully the barn aisle is wide and long enough to do most of it if it’s too windy outside.

As for rear vs front suspensory well I’m dealing with rear medial branch. We did renova then shock wave and started hand walking fairly quickly but limited to 4 days a week. We are up to 15 minutes trot 10 minutes walk lateral work 10 minutes flat walking and adding in walk diagnolizing. We do get some active short trot almost half steps down slight slopes when I work her in the grass. Vet feels safe once it was a known external injury she should come back 100%. I sure hope so.

I did hop on a very quiet horse yesterday and today. Tiny bit of trot. He’s a friend’s older painter gelding Chex’s owner is care leasing to get back in the saddle after fracturing her femur last August. He’s perfect for her

Chisamba and Al hope the blizzard was terrible! Now looking like more snow in your area. Yuck.

Peach trees are blooming here

[StraightForward]

Thanks Exvet. That sounds like a heart wrenching situation with the horse you lost. I did use oral Reserpine with Annabelle, and she would blow through that with Ace on top. She responded well to DePaulo Tranquility, allowing me to survive the ridden portion of her rehab. I ordered a bucket of it last night, but if it doesn't work for T I'll consider other options.