If anyone out there has had experience introducing a mare successfully into a group of geldings, I would very much appreciate knowing how you did it.
I have a friend's mare coming to retire with me at the end of the month, and am anxious to ensure it goes smoothly without loss of limb or life. The three geldings run as a mini-herd because I've set up the barn so all four doors open up into a blue-stone area and from there to the fields. The stalls double up as their run-in sheds, and the three fields interlink so they can come in any time when they want.
This system has been working brilliantly, and I need the new mare to fit into it for her stay to be possible.
Obviously I have to work up to her being allowed in with all three boys. But I'd be interested to know if anyone else has done this before and if so, how.
Thanks to anyone who answers this post!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Horses in winter
This weather is a real downer, isn't it? I'm in Maryland, and we've had tons of rain, which then turned into snow over the weekend.
I was supposed to go to a tack sale as a vendor on Sunday, and had cleared out an embarrassing number of bridle parts, stirrup irons, spare reins, interesting bits, and two saddles I never use. I was cleaning the lot as I watched the snow flakes come down, gently at first, then more violently until the 'there won't be any accumulation' forecast turned out to be a bald-faced lie!
My first concern as always, was the horses. Would they mind the snow? Luckily we'd been warned it might come, so I'd brought them in that afternoon out of the rain to dry off under light stable blankets while munching hay.
I then winterized the barn: filling up and plugging in each electric water bucket and performing ditto on the outside water trough. I put blankets on the now dry horses and opened up the stalls so they could go outside if they so chose.
They responded by galloping to the far side of their huge field and not bothering to come in until the next morning when they saw me poke my head out of the house to admire the winter wonderland. So much for being concerned about the weather!
It never ceases to amaze me how hardy horses are, and how little bothered by adverse weather as long as they have access to shelter. My guys now have full winter coats, too, so when it's dry I take the blankets off. They stay out all night regardless of how cold it is: the hay I carefully place in their stalls, in case they want to come in, is untouched.
I need reminding every year that horses do not want to be as snug and warm as we think they do!
I was supposed to go to a tack sale as a vendor on Sunday, and had cleared out an embarrassing number of bridle parts, stirrup irons, spare reins, interesting bits, and two saddles I never use. I was cleaning the lot as I watched the snow flakes come down, gently at first, then more violently until the 'there won't be any accumulation' forecast turned out to be a bald-faced lie!
My first concern as always, was the horses. Would they mind the snow? Luckily we'd been warned it might come, so I'd brought them in that afternoon out of the rain to dry off under light stable blankets while munching hay.
I then winterized the barn: filling up and plugging in each electric water bucket and performing ditto on the outside water trough. I put blankets on the now dry horses and opened up the stalls so they could go outside if they so chose.
They responded by galloping to the far side of their huge field and not bothering to come in until the next morning when they saw me poke my head out of the house to admire the winter wonderland. So much for being concerned about the weather!
It never ceases to amaze me how hardy horses are, and how little bothered by adverse weather as long as they have access to shelter. My guys now have full winter coats, too, so when it's dry I take the blankets off. They stay out all night regardless of how cold it is: the hay I carefully place in their stalls, in case they want to come in, is untouched.
I need reminding every year that horses do not want to be as snug and warm as we think they do!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Rubesca's Anniversary of Death: Laying a Wreath and Remembering
Yesterday was tough. Three years ago, on 22nd November 2006, my equine soulmate colicked at 5:30 p.m.
She was 26 years old, had won a trophy that summer for the highest dressage scores over three shows in Virginia, where I was living, and I thought we had many years ahead of us yet.
We were in the middle of a move. She and my three other horses were staying at a boarding barn while we sorted out the new house and built new stables. She hated it. I shan't go into the callous attitude of the people who ran the barn, but suffice it to say, I couldn't wait to get my guys out.
It was the night before Thanksgiving, quite literally a dark and stormy one. I hadn't seen my horses since Monday, because of waiting for deliveries at the house. All day Wednesday it had been raining and blowing a gale and all day something told me Rubesca was unhappy. Either she would be outside in the weather with a blanket on - she hated blankets - or she would be indoors and miserable. After waiting forever for a morning delivery, it came late afternoon. As soon as I could, I bolted out of the door and roared round to the barn. I had to check on all my guys, but especially Rubesca. That nagging voice....
The horses were indoors, with little hay and even less water. Everyone had gone home. The horses were glad to see me: more hay and more water were distributed. Rubesca nickered to me. I rubbed her face, relieved she was O.K.
Ten minutes later she lay down and groaned. I was perplexed. She lay quietly, and I began to brush her face, waiting for her to tell me what was going on. This behavior was new. Soon she got up and began to look at her flanks, wanting to lie down again - this time to roll. I grabbed a halter and lead rope and walked her around outside in the roaring wind and rain. She kept trying to go down.
There followed three long hours of rousing people to help, getting the vet out and having to make the agonizing decision to euthanize. Her gums were going black - her circulation was shutting down.
We were in the indoor arena now and after she fell, I asked everyone to leave. Lying over her head, stroking that beautiful face and sobbing, I chanted over and over and over: "What am I going to do without you?" I really didn't know how I was going to cope.
Rubesca was my success story, the crazy 18 year old Thoroughbred chestnut mare who was given to me free. Within six months we had bonded and she was winning showjumping, dressage and one day event shows with me. She'd had three event wins alone as a 25 year old the year before and together we were more than the sum of our parts. I was about to retire her from competing and watch her frolic with her son and the other two geldings in the fields.
Instead I have an "In Memoriam" plaque on the door of the stall at our new barn which should have been hers. She lies in a grave, situated within the paddock closest to the house and enclosed with white fencing. I have planted a garden over it. Last October she was joined by our 22 year old cat, Mitsu, who lies facing her. I can see them from the house.
At 5:30 p.m. yesterday I began crying as I remembered the last time I brushed her face and lay a wreath on her grave. At 8:30 p.m., the time she died, I added a solar lamp from our yard. It was burning brightly, and by its light I could see the plaque: 'If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd climb right up to Heaven and bring you home again.'
But at least she gave me the gift of being able to say 'goodbye.'
She was 26 years old, had won a trophy that summer for the highest dressage scores over three shows in Virginia, where I was living, and I thought we had many years ahead of us yet.
We were in the middle of a move. She and my three other horses were staying at a boarding barn while we sorted out the new house and built new stables. She hated it. I shan't go into the callous attitude of the people who ran the barn, but suffice it to say, I couldn't wait to get my guys out.
It was the night before Thanksgiving, quite literally a dark and stormy one. I hadn't seen my horses since Monday, because of waiting for deliveries at the house. All day Wednesday it had been raining and blowing a gale and all day something told me Rubesca was unhappy. Either she would be outside in the weather with a blanket on - she hated blankets - or she would be indoors and miserable. After waiting forever for a morning delivery, it came late afternoon. As soon as I could, I bolted out of the door and roared round to the barn. I had to check on all my guys, but especially Rubesca. That nagging voice....
The horses were indoors, with little hay and even less water. Everyone had gone home. The horses were glad to see me: more hay and more water were distributed. Rubesca nickered to me. I rubbed her face, relieved she was O.K.
Ten minutes later she lay down and groaned. I was perplexed. She lay quietly, and I began to brush her face, waiting for her to tell me what was going on. This behavior was new. Soon she got up and began to look at her flanks, wanting to lie down again - this time to roll. I grabbed a halter and lead rope and walked her around outside in the roaring wind and rain. She kept trying to go down.
There followed three long hours of rousing people to help, getting the vet out and having to make the agonizing decision to euthanize. Her gums were going black - her circulation was shutting down.
We were in the indoor arena now and after she fell, I asked everyone to leave. Lying over her head, stroking that beautiful face and sobbing, I chanted over and over and over: "What am I going to do without you?" I really didn't know how I was going to cope.
 |
| Cruz Bay's Mum: Kelly aka Rubesca (for shows) |
Instead I have an "In Memoriam" plaque on the door of the stall at our new barn which should have been hers. She lies in a grave, situated within the paddock closest to the house and enclosed with white fencing. I have planted a garden over it. Last October she was joined by our 22 year old cat, Mitsu, who lies facing her. I can see them from the house.
At 5:30 p.m. yesterday I began crying as I remembered the last time I brushed her face and lay a wreath on her grave. At 8:30 p.m., the time she died, I added a solar lamp from our yard. It was burning brightly, and by its light I could see the plaque: 'If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd climb right up to Heaven and bring you home again.'
But at least she gave me the gift of being able to say 'goodbye.'
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A great riding lesson!
Today's lesson was fantastic. At the moment we are making progress all the time, and it's a good feeling. I need to remember this when we take steps backwards. But it's been a long time coming!
The major things I learned today are:
1. To emphasize the outside rein (especially the right with Cruz) hold it open and downwards until he gives to it, while keeping the inside rein steady. This worked beautifully, at all gaits. And don't be afraid to do it during the test.
2. Use light taps with the whip to activate his hind end when he slows down, which is usually in the corners, while keeping my legs on to encourage him forwards.
3. Also when turning make sure to support Cruz with my legs, including going up the center line.
Cruz gave me smooth canter transitions and stayed round and straight along the long sides. His trot work was lovely, too.
Let's see if I can replicate the work tomorrow and through the weekend!
The major things I learned today are:
1. To emphasize the outside rein (especially the right with Cruz) hold it open and downwards until he gives to it, while keeping the inside rein steady. This worked beautifully, at all gaits. And don't be afraid to do it during the test.
2. Use light taps with the whip to activate his hind end when he slows down, which is usually in the corners, while keeping my legs on to encourage him forwards.
3. Also when turning make sure to support Cruz with my legs, including going up the center line.
Cruz gave me smooth canter transitions and stayed round and straight along the long sides. His trot work was lovely, too.
Let's see if I can replicate the work tomorrow and through the weekend!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Riding while being videoed
Two days ago I finally got my seventeen year old to tear himself away and take some footage of yours truly. I need it to post on YouTube at some point to link to my website, so people can see I'm not lying when I say I ride!
I'm also entertaining the idea of volunteering at a Thoroughbred Rescue center where they retrain OTTBs to become regular riding horses. The center needs a video of me riding, since the folks there are understandably wary of unknowns claiming they can ride well enough to be of any use.
I was pleasantly surprised at the result. Cruz behaved very well, so of course the batteries on my little hand-held device went dead after I began my canter work on the right lead. My son switched to the regular video camera which records on tape, but I have yet to discover (a) how to view it through the camera and (b) how to transfer it to the computer and thence to YouTube. I'm trying to get my son to film me again. Now all I need is no more rain, which started again with a vengeance today.
However, Cruz has been pretty good the past two days. He still tried it on with me in left canter after the filming stopped and took a while to convince that I was just going to sit there, quietly but firmly asking him to flex left and keep cantering without throwing a fit about it. Eventually he gave in.
Then yesterday we went through the two tests we have on Sunday, to finish. He had a bad moment but it was soon over. I was trying to keep things smooth as though I were in the ring, so as to know how to hide the fact that he's being difficult while bringing him round to my way of thinking.
I've been wearing my custom show boots again, and am so pleased that it's made no negative difference now. And the most wonderful thing of all is that yesterday I was able to sit quietly in all three gaits, without nagging with my legs. Cruz responded so well, by becoming ultra-sensitive to the lighest of pressure from my legs, encouraging me in this new and improved way of riding! I know he's thinking "It's about &^*$% time, Mom!"
So although my arena flooded again today, I have fond memories of yesterday to see me through to tomorrow.
I have been giving him Ex-Stress in preparation for the Equestrian Center on Sunday, just to help see him through the overnight stay and the day at the show.
I'm also entertaining the idea of volunteering at a Thoroughbred Rescue center where they retrain OTTBs to become regular riding horses. The center needs a video of me riding, since the folks there are understandably wary of unknowns claiming they can ride well enough to be of any use.
I was pleasantly surprised at the result. Cruz behaved very well, so of course the batteries on my little hand-held device went dead after I began my canter work on the right lead. My son switched to the regular video camera which records on tape, but I have yet to discover (a) how to view it through the camera and (b) how to transfer it to the computer and thence to YouTube. I'm trying to get my son to film me again. Now all I need is no more rain, which started again with a vengeance today.
However, Cruz has been pretty good the past two days. He still tried it on with me in left canter after the filming stopped and took a while to convince that I was just going to sit there, quietly but firmly asking him to flex left and keep cantering without throwing a fit about it. Eventually he gave in.
Then yesterday we went through the two tests we have on Sunday, to finish. He had a bad moment but it was soon over. I was trying to keep things smooth as though I were in the ring, so as to know how to hide the fact that he's being difficult while bringing him round to my way of thinking.
I've been wearing my custom show boots again, and am so pleased that it's made no negative difference now. And the most wonderful thing of all is that yesterday I was able to sit quietly in all three gaits, without nagging with my legs. Cruz responded so well, by becoming ultra-sensitive to the lighest of pressure from my legs, encouraging me in this new and improved way of riding! I know he's thinking "It's about &^*$% time, Mom!"
So although my arena flooded again today, I have fond memories of yesterday to see me through to tomorrow.
I have been giving him Ex-Stress in preparation for the Equestrian Center on Sunday, just to help see him through the overnight stay and the day at the show.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Quick! Ride before it rains again!
Yesterday was frustrating: I wanted to soldify the lessons learned the day before, and ended up waiting for the plumber all day. Allegedly he was going to arrive within 2 hours of 11:30 a.m. Time to ride after he's finished before the sun goes down, I thought. Well, he didn't get here till at 5 p.m.
Then today, Sunday, it didn't rain until we'd been to Starbucks and had our coffee and done the crossword. I was livid! I have the show next weekend and need to keep Cruz going. Luckily the rain stopped for long enough to bring the horses in, give them hay and let them dry off before I rode.
The wind was blowing very hard, in big gusts, and Cruz thought it a reason for spooking at the end of my arena as usual. But he behaved very well about being mounted and walking off, and after that he only tried it on when we came to that end of the arena. He tried very hard at the left canter, as usual, but I persevered and he gave in quite quickly. I made sure he would behave round that corner and then cantered him quite a bit more to make sure he would keep it up.
I then brought him back to trot and he was fantastic!! He was supple and round and in front of the leg.
I did some work in sitting trot and made sure he'd transition into canter on both leads with no argument.
Cruz was great, and we finished on a good note.
Then today, Sunday, it didn't rain until we'd been to Starbucks and had our coffee and done the crossword. I was livid! I have the show next weekend and need to keep Cruz going. Luckily the rain stopped for long enough to bring the horses in, give them hay and let them dry off before I rode.
The wind was blowing very hard, in big gusts, and Cruz thought it a reason for spooking at the end of my arena as usual. But he behaved very well about being mounted and walking off, and after that he only tried it on when we came to that end of the arena. He tried very hard at the left canter, as usual, but I persevered and he gave in quite quickly. I made sure he would behave round that corner and then cantered him quite a bit more to make sure he would keep it up.
I then brought him back to trot and he was fantastic!! He was supple and round and in front of the leg.
I did some work in sitting trot and made sure he'd transition into canter on both leads with no argument.
Cruz was great, and we finished on a good note.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Riding Lesson notes
Today's lesson was, as usual, very educational and humbling! Let's see if I can remember everything.
We concentrated on getting me to look up instead of at Cruz's neck and react to the feel of him in the reins. I can assess what's going on and adjust my riding much faster this way.
1. I need to ask Cruz to give on the right rein until he does it. Whether I'm riding to the left or right, I need to get him to submit to the right rein. Once he does, he gives in the back and is more supple - in all gaits.
2. When he doesn't want to bend left (once we start what he considers to be 'work') I mustn't turn him in small circles while emphasizing my left rein and asking him to get off my left leg. This makes him more unbalanced, and upsets him. I need to work him on a larger circle where he has a chance of co-operating, and loosen my upper thigh, while keeping my legs quiet. I have a habit of using too much left leg, which encourages him to move sideways.
3. Moving sideways instead of forwards as asked means he is behind the leg and able to evade my aids. I must keep him in front of my leg and using his rear end, then he won't feel I'm in his face and will be better able to co-operate.
3. When I asked him for left canter from walk he got discombobulated very fast. If this happens, I need to stay calm, keep my left rein asking for inside bend, loosen my thighs and relax my legs again. Just stay like that and he'll give in graciously, without a fight. It really worked.
4. Maintain that right rein (without giving up the left rein) while cantering down the long side in left lead. If necessary, move his head left and right - just minimally - to keep him supple in the neck and round and giving his back. Same goes for right lead canter, but he did that better anyway, 'cos it's easy for him.
5. Cruz doesn't want to get underneath himself in canter, so he tends to rush down the long side. I have to make sure I get him round, and with half-halts bring him into a more balanced canter. At one point he did a flying change from left to right lead to get out of cantering to the dreaded left! That was a first.
6. As a general rule, use shoulder fore whenever I'm riding down the long side.
7. Use shoulder fore coming onto the quarter line and moving into leg yield. Look where I'm going, so we don't overshoot the quarter line and go round in a circle again. Keep the outside rein guiding the horse on the line I want to take, maintain the shoulder fore and ask him to move laterally.
8. When in sitting trot in the final phase, ask him to lengthen and shorten (not 'go faster' or 'more slowly' because the impulsion and activity have to remain the same) to get him used to bringing his hocks underneath himself and strengthening his hind end.
Great trot, square halt, big pats with sugar and walking to cool him off.
We concentrated on getting me to look up instead of at Cruz's neck and react to the feel of him in the reins. I can assess what's going on and adjust my riding much faster this way.
1. I need to ask Cruz to give on the right rein until he does it. Whether I'm riding to the left or right, I need to get him to submit to the right rein. Once he does, he gives in the back and is more supple - in all gaits.
2. When he doesn't want to bend left (once we start what he considers to be 'work') I mustn't turn him in small circles while emphasizing my left rein and asking him to get off my left leg. This makes him more unbalanced, and upsets him. I need to work him on a larger circle where he has a chance of co-operating, and loosen my upper thigh, while keeping my legs quiet. I have a habit of using too much left leg, which encourages him to move sideways.
3. Moving sideways instead of forwards as asked means he is behind the leg and able to evade my aids. I must keep him in front of my leg and using his rear end, then he won't feel I'm in his face and will be better able to co-operate.
3. When I asked him for left canter from walk he got discombobulated very fast. If this happens, I need to stay calm, keep my left rein asking for inside bend, loosen my thighs and relax my legs again. Just stay like that and he'll give in graciously, without a fight. It really worked.
4. Maintain that right rein (without giving up the left rein) while cantering down the long side in left lead. If necessary, move his head left and right - just minimally - to keep him supple in the neck and round and giving his back. Same goes for right lead canter, but he did that better anyway, 'cos it's easy for him.
5. Cruz doesn't want to get underneath himself in canter, so he tends to rush down the long side. I have to make sure I get him round, and with half-halts bring him into a more balanced canter. At one point he did a flying change from left to right lead to get out of cantering to the dreaded left! That was a first.
6. As a general rule, use shoulder fore whenever I'm riding down the long side.
7. Use shoulder fore coming onto the quarter line and moving into leg yield. Look where I'm going, so we don't overshoot the quarter line and go round in a circle again. Keep the outside rein guiding the horse on the line I want to take, maintain the shoulder fore and ask him to move laterally.
8. When in sitting trot in the final phase, ask him to lengthen and shorten (not 'go faster' or 'more slowly' because the impulsion and activity have to remain the same) to get him used to bringing his hocks underneath himself and strengthening his hind end.
Great trot, square halt, big pats with sugar and walking to cool him off.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
There are horses and then there are horses: do mares and geldings mix in the field?
A very close friend of mine needs to move her 18 year old mare from her current deluxe quarters in a state where shoeing costs over $300 per horse, down to yours truly's humble establishment, where it costs less than half that amount. I hope to integrate her easily into the herd, as it were.
Cruz's mum ran with him and the other two geldings for years, and it was never a problem. It made for a balance in numbers and Cruz remained very close - in a filial way - to his mum until her death when he was six. I think he misses her, as he bonds very fast with mares when we go to shows or clinics, and I think he will be overjoyed to have a mother figure in his life again.
But I'll have to be very careful how I introduce the new horse to the others. I don't want fights to break out over her - been there, done that, with fatal consequences - and will have to be extremely watchful.
If we can make this work, Cruz won't be the odd man out any more. Sometimes the two older horses go off and leave him in a corner of the field by himself, which makes me feel sorry for him and want to cry over the death of his mother all over again.
It won't be for a few weeks, and my friend will arrive with her horse, and stay until the mare has settled. So I have time to come up with a game plan.
Cruz's mum ran with him and the other two geldings for years, and it was never a problem. It made for a balance in numbers and Cruz remained very close - in a filial way - to his mum until her death when he was six. I think he misses her, as he bonds very fast with mares when we go to shows or clinics, and I think he will be overjoyed to have a mother figure in his life again.
But I'll have to be very careful how I introduce the new horse to the others. I don't want fights to break out over her - been there, done that, with fatal consequences - and will have to be extremely watchful.
If we can make this work, Cruz won't be the odd man out any more. Sometimes the two older horses go off and leave him in a corner of the field by himself, which makes me feel sorry for him and want to cry over the death of his mother all over again.
It won't be for a few weeks, and my friend will arrive with her horse, and stay until the mare has settled. So I have time to come up with a game plan.
Horse riding can be fun, after all!
Somehow I've managed to keep it all together for the last two days! Cruz spooked at a deer rustling in the trees by the entrance to my arena, and decided it was a good ruse to continue shying at that spot as soon as I asked him to start his trot work. He thought it was a fantastic idea to do the "I can't canter on the left lead here, because Something Bad is going to get me."
For the first time ever, I kept my hands in their correct position, and each time Cruz tried to throw his head up or evade me any other way, I just kept a steady even contact. Lo and behold! He gave in very quickly, after the first try during his trot warm up and a couple of attempts to evade me in left lead canter.
It was such a good feeling to have him submit without a fight!! I patted him and told him he was a good boy. I could sense that by keeping a firm but not unkind hold on the reins, he felt reassured that I really was in charge and that there was nothing to worry about/no point trying it on!
Tomorrow I have a lesson and have told my instructor that I only hope I can show her what I've been bragging about, and not have it all fall apart under pressure!
Watch this space.
For the first time ever, I kept my hands in their correct position, and each time Cruz tried to throw his head up or evade me any other way, I just kept a steady even contact. Lo and behold! He gave in very quickly, after the first try during his trot warm up and a couple of attempts to evade me in left lead canter.
It was such a good feeling to have him submit without a fight!! I patted him and told him he was a good boy. I could sense that by keeping a firm but not unkind hold on the reins, he felt reassured that I really was in charge and that there was nothing to worry about/no point trying it on!
Tomorrow I have a lesson and have told my instructor that I only hope I can show her what I've been bragging about, and not have it all fall apart under pressure!
Watch this space.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Steady hands, happy horse!
It was so good to get back in the saddle today after 96 hours of torrential rain. The previously half-full water troughs were overflowing. Although my arena wasn't completely dry, it was very rideable.
Cruz was just wonderful again. He stretched down into the steady contact my hands are finally offering, bent easily to the left and right, cruised smoothly into canter on both reins and snorted happily all the while.
And the main reason for this: STEADY HANDS!!! Why, oh why did I never pay sufficient attention to my hands before these past few weeks? All Cruz has ever asked of me - well, one of the things he requires - is constant support from yours truly. Now he knows where to put his head, he's happy to do it.
End of ride: lots of pats while walking him off. Dismount, loosen girth, flash and cavesson, many apple chunks and hugs in thanks. We both admired the beautiful sunset to our right as we walked side by side up to the barn, with the obligatory stop to poop in my driveway (by Cruz, not me!).
Cruz was just wonderful again. He stretched down into the steady contact my hands are finally offering, bent easily to the left and right, cruised smoothly into canter on both reins and snorted happily all the while.
And the main reason for this: STEADY HANDS!!! Why, oh why did I never pay sufficient attention to my hands before these past few weeks? All Cruz has ever asked of me - well, one of the things he requires - is constant support from yours truly. Now he knows where to put his head, he's happy to do it.
End of ride: lots of pats while walking him off. Dismount, loosen girth, flash and cavesson, many apple chunks and hugs in thanks. We both admired the beautiful sunset to our right as we walked side by side up to the barn, with the obligatory stop to poop in my driveway (by Cruz, not me!).
My Thoroughbred cross horse and his apparent reaction to sudden temperature drop
After four solid days of pouring rain, a swimming pool instead of a riding arena, watching Cruz roar around the field, rearing and spinning for lack of other exercise, and a missed horse show on Sunday as a result, the sun came out. Hurray! By late afternoon the arena was rideable.
As I groomed Cruz I noticed two things. One, his winter coat has suddenly sprouted and two, he is no longer sensitive about being brushed. He's been enormously antsy while having his stomach and even his back cleaned, and has several times tried to cow-kick me: that's not Cruz at all! I was very much hoping this new sensitivity was down to the change in season, and it looks as if it was. This is the first year it's happened. Maybe because of the rapid drop in temperature and his body's attempt to compensate fast. Now his coat is thicker he's back to enjoying being groomed.
After the second day of rain, which my British born horses usually don't mind, I brought them all in for a few hours to dry off. I didn't want them getting rain rot/scratches. They have the option of coming out of the weather any time they want, as I've set up the stables to act as run-in sheds as well, but they weren't taking advantage of this shelter.
Kinley and CD were fine, but Cruz was shivering. I put a net blanket on him and covered that with a light wool rug. He was immediately more comfortable, and soon warm and dry. The three horses then wore New Zealands until the temperature rose and they were happier without them.
Anyway, that's taught me that when the weather suddenly and dramatically cools down, the Thoroughbred part of Cruz has a tough time with it. Luckily for them, the Irish Draft in the other two overrides the sensitivity of their Thoroughbred side.
This is different from usual: Cruz is normally the horse wanting to be out in the rain, snow, ice, you name it. I always thought this was his one quarter Welsh Cob coming through - the rugged pony part of him. In Virginia he used to open his stable door so he could be out in some terrible weather conditions. So once again I put his atypical body reaction down to the suddenness of the temperature drop.
One has never learned everything when it comes to horses. That's why they never get boring!
As I groomed Cruz I noticed two things. One, his winter coat has suddenly sprouted and two, he is no longer sensitive about being brushed. He's been enormously antsy while having his stomach and even his back cleaned, and has several times tried to cow-kick me: that's not Cruz at all! I was very much hoping this new sensitivity was down to the change in season, and it looks as if it was. This is the first year it's happened. Maybe because of the rapid drop in temperature and his body's attempt to compensate fast. Now his coat is thicker he's back to enjoying being groomed.
After the second day of rain, which my British born horses usually don't mind, I brought them all in for a few hours to dry off. I didn't want them getting rain rot/scratches. They have the option of coming out of the weather any time they want, as I've set up the stables to act as run-in sheds as well, but they weren't taking advantage of this shelter.
Kinley and CD were fine, but Cruz was shivering. I put a net blanket on him and covered that with a light wool rug. He was immediately more comfortable, and soon warm and dry. The three horses then wore New Zealands until the temperature rose and they were happier without them.
Anyway, that's taught me that when the weather suddenly and dramatically cools down, the Thoroughbred part of Cruz has a tough time with it. Luckily for them, the Irish Draft in the other two overrides the sensitivity of their Thoroughbred side.
This is different from usual: Cruz is normally the horse wanting to be out in the rain, snow, ice, you name it. I always thought this was his one quarter Welsh Cob coming through - the rugged pony part of him. In Virginia he used to open his stable door so he could be out in some terrible weather conditions. So once again I put his atypical body reaction down to the suddenness of the temperature drop.
One has never learned everything when it comes to horses. That's why they never get boring!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Good Rider is a Good Leader
Have just come back from riding Cruz in the rain. Hey, we're both from England - we can take it!
I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but Cruz is in such a good mood and so co-operative that I'm in high hopes of a good show on Sunday. He's teaching me things he's tried to tell me for ever, but which I am only just now listening to. Poor Cruz has a rather dense mum.
I have a really irritating habit of adjusting my left rein all the time. I don't keep my fingers wrapped round it tightly enough and it gets longer as I ride, necessitating constant shortening. This means the left rein is never steady and annoys the heck out of Cruz. It has taken me years to figure out just how disconcerting it is for him, which is very embarrassing and makes me feel bad for him. So much of his anxiety in left canter can be traced to this one issue, plus not enough right rein.
What it boils down to is that Cruz has never had constant reassurance and true leadership from me. It's like being a girl with a dance partner who is supposed to lead but keeps changing his mind about where he wants to go or how to get there. He sometimes has his arm round your back, supporting it, then takes it away, then puts it back. Can you imagine how worrying that is, having no support from your partner and not knowing what's coming next, as you're never being properly prepared for the next step?
I'm working hard to be the reassuring, confident leader of our dance partnership, and keeping steady contact with my hands, appropriate leg pressure and bend/flexion, forward movement and preparing Cruz correctly and in timely fashion for transitions.
It's really working!
He went long and low and stretched and bent in walk, trot and canter, snorting away and letting me know he approved of the New Me. His transitions were smooth, and even his first canters were easy to sit to, as he gave in his back early. Consquently I positioned my legs better in left canter, as I am just as right-handed as Cruz is and we both struggle on the left rein.
Once again, the session didn't need to be long. His work was just as good in sitting trot, and with my keeping a firm but soft hold on the left rein, he is happy to give to it in the canter transitions and stay flexed correctly to the left both on circles and on the straight.
I think I'm finally getting the hang of being a good leading dance partner. Even when he heard a deer moving in the woods and thought about taking off, he stayed calm because I kept him between my hands and legs.
Another good day!
I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but Cruz is in such a good mood and so co-operative that I'm in high hopes of a good show on Sunday. He's teaching me things he's tried to tell me for ever, but which I am only just now listening to. Poor Cruz has a rather dense mum.
I have a really irritating habit of adjusting my left rein all the time. I don't keep my fingers wrapped round it tightly enough and it gets longer as I ride, necessitating constant shortening. This means the left rein is never steady and annoys the heck out of Cruz. It has taken me years to figure out just how disconcerting it is for him, which is very embarrassing and makes me feel bad for him. So much of his anxiety in left canter can be traced to this one issue, plus not enough right rein.
What it boils down to is that Cruz has never had constant reassurance and true leadership from me. It's like being a girl with a dance partner who is supposed to lead but keeps changing his mind about where he wants to go or how to get there. He sometimes has his arm round your back, supporting it, then takes it away, then puts it back. Can you imagine how worrying that is, having no support from your partner and not knowing what's coming next, as you're never being properly prepared for the next step?
I'm working hard to be the reassuring, confident leader of our dance partnership, and keeping steady contact with my hands, appropriate leg pressure and bend/flexion, forward movement and preparing Cruz correctly and in timely fashion for transitions.
It's really working!
He went long and low and stretched and bent in walk, trot and canter, snorting away and letting me know he approved of the New Me. His transitions were smooth, and even his first canters were easy to sit to, as he gave in his back early. Consquently I positioned my legs better in left canter, as I am just as right-handed as Cruz is and we both struggle on the left rein.
Once again, the session didn't need to be long. His work was just as good in sitting trot, and with my keeping a firm but soft hold on the left rein, he is happy to give to it in the canter transitions and stay flexed correctly to the left both on circles and on the straight.
I think I'm finally getting the hang of being a good leading dance partner. Even when he heard a deer moving in the woods and thought about taking off, he stayed calm because I kept him between my hands and legs.
Another good day!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Riding horses is about being grateful for any progress!
Cruz and I had our lesson, which was very hard work on both of us. My instructor showed me how to persevere without getting into an almighty fight, specifically maintaining my cool when Cruz doesn't care to bend or even remotely flex to the left.
The next day my rear end was so sore, I just rode in walk! But it was productive and I used the time to practice shoulder-in and renvers (I'm not very good at the latter yet, so walk is easier on the horse). The next day Cruz was much more co-operative and the week progressed well until we hit another brick wall. Cruz definitely has a work threshhold! He is now very good at counter canter on the left lead while bending inwards to the right! He much prefers that to a normal left lead canter. I persevered until I got a decent-ish left canter from a decent-ish right legyield, then stopped.
In my next lesson, I was shown how Cruz sets his neck in any given bend and doesn't care to change it. We worked on exercises to loosen his neck while riding long and low, all the way up to asking for more engagement and raising his poll. It was, once again, very hard work, but he began to give in his back as well as in his neck and jaw, and did some lovely work. I was able to sit quietly and ended on a high!
I was busy the next day, so he had time to recover. When I rode him again, I made sure to keep his neck and jaw supple while asking him to move forwards off my leg. Another thing I must keep in mind is that if he is going sufficiently forwards he won't feel that I'm getting 'in his face' when I ask strongly for any given bend if he doesn't give in easily. The whole ride was peaceful: Cruz listened to my requests very politely, gave the required bend, so that I was able to reduce that to flexion early on. AND, he gave me the most wonderful left canter. It took less than half an hour to reach this point, and I stopped then and there. Big pats and a walk around the neighborhood as a reward.
Cruz has continued for four days like this, and I am able to ride more quietly - at last - without getting after him. Another thing I have realized is that I am very unsteady with my left hand. I am beginning to appreciate how negatively this affects Cruz - heck, if I were a horse, I'd be a lot less tolerant than he is! I'm concentrating on keeping my left hand steady, especially through the upwards canter transition, when I've been giving the rein away and then trying to get it back after he's got upset. It's working a treat: if I keep that steady contact even on the hated left rein, Cruz feels comfortable and flexes nicely to the left.
Of course, I need to watch that right rein! So much of my straightness 'issues' with Cruz result from a lack of sufficient right rein...Dressage is certainly never boring! But it feels great to look forward to my rides again, and not have to keep going ad nauseam just to correct some issue. My riding time has been cut almost in half at the moment. That'll change as I introduce more work, but for now I want Cruz to feel that it's all easy for him and that his canter work is no big deal.
I have a show coming up on Sunday next. I'm in the PVDA Chapter Challenge Show on November 1st. My team is riding Training Level so that we are all able to compete together. I'm riding the same tests this Sunday as a practice for the November show. Given the way Cruz is going. I'm hopeful that we'll do well.
Interestingly I've found that wearing my super warm winter riding boots has improved my leg position.
The next day my rear end was so sore, I just rode in walk! But it was productive and I used the time to practice shoulder-in and renvers (I'm not very good at the latter yet, so walk is easier on the horse). The next day Cruz was much more co-operative and the week progressed well until we hit another brick wall. Cruz definitely has a work threshhold! He is now very good at counter canter on the left lead while bending inwards to the right! He much prefers that to a normal left lead canter. I persevered until I got a decent-ish left canter from a decent-ish right legyield, then stopped.
In my next lesson, I was shown how Cruz sets his neck in any given bend and doesn't care to change it. We worked on exercises to loosen his neck while riding long and low, all the way up to asking for more engagement and raising his poll. It was, once again, very hard work, but he began to give in his back as well as in his neck and jaw, and did some lovely work. I was able to sit quietly and ended on a high!
I was busy the next day, so he had time to recover. When I rode him again, I made sure to keep his neck and jaw supple while asking him to move forwards off my leg. Another thing I must keep in mind is that if he is going sufficiently forwards he won't feel that I'm getting 'in his face' when I ask strongly for any given bend if he doesn't give in easily. The whole ride was peaceful: Cruz listened to my requests very politely, gave the required bend, so that I was able to reduce that to flexion early on. AND, he gave me the most wonderful left canter. It took less than half an hour to reach this point, and I stopped then and there. Big pats and a walk around the neighborhood as a reward.
Cruz has continued for four days like this, and I am able to ride more quietly - at last - without getting after him. Another thing I have realized is that I am very unsteady with my left hand. I am beginning to appreciate how negatively this affects Cruz - heck, if I were a horse, I'd be a lot less tolerant than he is! I'm concentrating on keeping my left hand steady, especially through the upwards canter transition, when I've been giving the rein away and then trying to get it back after he's got upset. It's working a treat: if I keep that steady contact even on the hated left rein, Cruz feels comfortable and flexes nicely to the left.
Of course, I need to watch that right rein! So much of my straightness 'issues' with Cruz result from a lack of sufficient right rein...Dressage is certainly never boring! But it feels great to look forward to my rides again, and not have to keep going ad nauseam just to correct some issue. My riding time has been cut almost in half at the moment. That'll change as I introduce more work, but for now I want Cruz to feel that it's all easy for him and that his canter work is no big deal.
I have a show coming up on Sunday next. I'm in the PVDA Chapter Challenge Show on November 1st. My team is riding Training Level so that we are all able to compete together. I'm riding the same tests this Sunday as a practice for the November show. Given the way Cruz is going. I'm hopeful that we'll do well.
Interestingly I've found that wearing my super warm winter riding boots has improved my leg position.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Much Happier Day
Today I was determined to stay friends with Cruz and I succeeded. It was a windy day so I stayed in the upper two thirds of the arena to save any distractions for him, since he was threatening to be distracted and I wanted to keep things calm and concentrated.
I worked him long and low in walk and he bent fine to left and right, as he did in trot. I cantered him first on the right lead, a couple of times, and then walked on a long rein to take a break. I didn't want him anticipating left canter and getting worked up ahead of time, which he does very easily.
So when I asked for the left canter lead a few minutes later, he stayed straight and slightly bent to the left. I was careful not to ask for too much bend. I patted him like crazy afterwards, then worked on the right rein in trot, and the left. I found that if I now kept the right (outside) rein consistent and vibrated/squeezed the left rein he reacted well. I cantered him one last time on the left rein and Cruz was willing to give a little bit more. He still threatened to throw his head up, but I managed through squeezing the left rein to prevent it and have him give in gracefully. I stopped right there.
Big pats, time for a wash down followed by tea and turn out.
I hope tomorrow's lesson goes as well. I also hope my son Ross passes his driving test. He has to wait another three months otherwise, as Maryland law has changed.
I worked him long and low in walk and he bent fine to left and right, as he did in trot. I cantered him first on the right lead, a couple of times, and then walked on a long rein to take a break. I didn't want him anticipating left canter and getting worked up ahead of time, which he does very easily.
So when I asked for the left canter lead a few minutes later, he stayed straight and slightly bent to the left. I was careful not to ask for too much bend. I patted him like crazy afterwards, then worked on the right rein in trot, and the left. I found that if I now kept the right (outside) rein consistent and vibrated/squeezed the left rein he reacted well. I cantered him one last time on the left rein and Cruz was willing to give a little bit more. He still threatened to throw his head up, but I managed through squeezing the left rein to prevent it and have him give in gracefully. I stopped right there.
Big pats, time for a wash down followed by tea and turn out.
I hope tomorrow's lesson goes as well. I also hope my son Ross passes his driving test. He has to wait another three months otherwise, as Maryland law has changed.
Monday, September 28, 2009
A royal disagreement!
On Saturday Cruz decided that he was NOT going to bend left in left canter. He was very happy to bend to the right, even in counter canter, but not to the left. I must have ridden him for two hours in the rain, trying to find a way for him to accept the left bend. He finally agreed to bend left if I rode him long and very low, but as soon as I asked him to hold himself even a little higher, it was all over.
I was worried about what the neighbors thought, watching me turn him in left circles and pushing my left leg into him about every two minutes!
Because of all this, he did some fairly decent leg yields as long as I rode him straight, not bending to the left!!
So I ended being satisfied with those, although really frustrated over the left canter. It seems to rear its ugly head every so often. Cruz does find it difficult.
Sunday I was off in Norfolk at a Barnes & Noble book fair, so he had a day to recover, together with a lot of arnica. Today I lunged him, reeling him in more and more on the left - but still not particularly short - and he gave me grief about that left lead in canter again. Eventually he gave in, and I stopped. But it took a long time. I hope I can ride him tomorrow in a more friendly manner, the way I did at the show after a bad day on the eve of the competition. He seemed to agree to a truce that day: I'm looking for that tomorrow! We'll see.
I was worried about what the neighbors thought, watching me turn him in left circles and pushing my left leg into him about every two minutes!
Because of all this, he did some fairly decent leg yields as long as I rode him straight, not bending to the left!!
So I ended being satisfied with those, although really frustrated over the left canter. It seems to rear its ugly head every so often. Cruz does find it difficult.
Sunday I was off in Norfolk at a Barnes & Noble book fair, so he had a day to recover, together with a lot of arnica. Today I lunged him, reeling him in more and more on the left - but still not particularly short - and he gave me grief about that left lead in canter again. Eventually he gave in, and I stopped. But it took a long time. I hope I can ride him tomorrow in a more friendly manner, the way I did at the show after a bad day on the eve of the competition. He seemed to agree to a truce that day: I'm looking for that tomorrow! We'll see.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A Lesson Learned!
Yesterday I took Cruz for another dressage lesson. Although it would be nice not to have to trailer him for my weekly kick up the posterior, it is useful for him to travel so consistently. I no longer worry that it'll take an hour or more to get him into the trailer, which is how bad he used to be.
Our big bugbear right now is bending, especially to the left. Yesterday I was pushed into making him bend left, even if it meant having to exert a LOT OF HEAVY repeated left leg and left rein to make him give in.
I was given a useful exercise to get him to cross over laterally and get me to put that lifeless left leg of mine on his side. Do a canter leg yield on the left lead, then bend left and go into trot before the end of the long side. Come round and perform left leg yield then canter before the end of the long side. Repeat three times. By the end of the exercise Cruz was yielding gracefully to the left, and I was keeping my left leg on him better. We obviously did the same on the right leg, but without the same fights! Any time we were on the left leg and Cruz gave me 'no' I had to turn him left and really kick with my left leg a couple of times before he gave in. Then he got a big pat and went on our merry way.
We also performed counter-canter circles in both directions with him looking outwards to get him realizing how easy the correct bend is! He was exhausted afterwards and very happy to march onto the trailer and go home!
Today he gets off - he's worked for seven days in a row because of the show and the lesson, and deserves a break.
CD's eye is weeping again, although it's not sensitive to the touch. So I'm using the cortisone cream again and stepping up the homeopathic treatment, in case the trauma is threatening another ERU episode. I really hope not.
Our big bugbear right now is bending, especially to the left. Yesterday I was pushed into making him bend left, even if it meant having to exert a LOT OF HEAVY repeated left leg and left rein to make him give in.
I was given a useful exercise to get him to cross over laterally and get me to put that lifeless left leg of mine on his side. Do a canter leg yield on the left lead, then bend left and go into trot before the end of the long side. Come round and perform left leg yield then canter before the end of the long side. Repeat three times. By the end of the exercise Cruz was yielding gracefully to the left, and I was keeping my left leg on him better. We obviously did the same on the right leg, but without the same fights! Any time we were on the left leg and Cruz gave me 'no' I had to turn him left and really kick with my left leg a couple of times before he gave in. Then he got a big pat and went on our merry way.
We also performed counter-canter circles in both directions with him looking outwards to get him realizing how easy the correct bend is! He was exhausted afterwards and very happy to march onto the trailer and go home!
Today he gets off - he's worked for seven days in a row because of the show and the lesson, and deserves a break.
CD's eye is weeping again, although it's not sensitive to the touch. So I'm using the cortisone cream again and stepping up the homeopathic treatment, in case the trauma is threatening another ERU episode. I really hope not.
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Show Results Are In!
Yesterday was a good day. I managed to watch a friend ride her new mare at Training Level for the first time, and was able to read her first test. She did really well. The mare is very forward going, so my friend is being careful not to sit deep in the saddle yet. But they got good scores for both their rides.
I went home to fetch Cruz, who behaved really well. He warmed up without a trace of tension or resentment after our less than happy session at home the day before. I tried hard to use my inside leg every time I asked for a bend left or right, and be soft with the hand asking for the bend. Cruz was a trooper and gave in graciously. His canter strike offs were great, as well.
But my stirrups were, once again, too long!! One of these days I'll be relaxed enough not to have to shorten them a hole at a show.
I worked him in the indoor and walked him outside alternately, and took him round the ring during the lunch break. He was very calm, and did a good first test (First Level 1). The only really bad movement was the rising trot on a long rein: I got a 5, which is sad, as we've got 8s before, and that score is multiplied by 2.
The rider between that and my next test was a no-show, so they wanted me to go straight back in. I hadn't practised my leg yields. So I rode to the indoor, and immediately asked for trot, and a left and right leg yield.
They were brilliant!
So of course, in the test the right leg yield was horrible! I can't have set him up correctly for it. But I took a deep breath, straightened him up, and got a clean canter strike-off to the left. I've never been able to salvage the canter and ensuing 15 meter circle after a bad leg yield. So that's a big plus. The left leg yield was pretty good, and I got the canter fine afterwards. We've made progress.
Still got a 5 for the stretching trot circle. Need to work on that. I also need more submission. I took Cruz back to the indoor and asked for the right leg yield again. He was suddenly a lot softer than before, and gave me an exceptionally nice one. I was told by the judge not to bend him inwards so much for the leg yields. She also said that he would have gone better in a third test. If we'd had more time to prepare for the second test, he may have been really submissive before I went in. Maybe this points to taking even longer to warm him up before his next test.
But I got a 7 for my riding (x 3) on both tests, which was a huge improvement on the 5 I got last time! Final results were 64% and 62.5%. There were three people riding at First Level: me, the no-show and myself. So I got a first and second place ribbon, plus a PVDA medal.
I celebrated with a venti frapuccino chai tea at Starbucks and sat outside in the sun doing the crossword. Embarrassingly I was late for afternoon Mass, but a friend sat with me and made me feel better.
A good day, and I'm really feeling that Cruz and I have made a small, but significant breakthrough.
He was also very co-operative on the lunge today. I would normally have given him the day off, but I have a lesson tomorrow and Sharon asked me to exercise him even though he was just at a show. He moved well, and I didn't push him for long.
So we're good friends, still, and I so hope we can move onto the exercise leading into half-pass tomorrow. Then I'll really feel we've moved forward!
P.S. CD's eye is doing much better. He's not so sensitive about my touching it to put cream in, and he's also keeping it open. I'm continuing with the homeopathy for a few more days until he seems out of danger. I don't want this episode to set off another outbreak of moonblindness because of eye trauma.
I went home to fetch Cruz, who behaved really well. He warmed up without a trace of tension or resentment after our less than happy session at home the day before. I tried hard to use my inside leg every time I asked for a bend left or right, and be soft with the hand asking for the bend. Cruz was a trooper and gave in graciously. His canter strike offs were great, as well.
But my stirrups were, once again, too long!! One of these days I'll be relaxed enough not to have to shorten them a hole at a show.
I worked him in the indoor and walked him outside alternately, and took him round the ring during the lunch break. He was very calm, and did a good first test (First Level 1). The only really bad movement was the rising trot on a long rein: I got a 5, which is sad, as we've got 8s before, and that score is multiplied by 2.
The rider between that and my next test was a no-show, so they wanted me to go straight back in. I hadn't practised my leg yields. So I rode to the indoor, and immediately asked for trot, and a left and right leg yield.
They were brilliant!
So of course, in the test the right leg yield was horrible! I can't have set him up correctly for it. But I took a deep breath, straightened him up, and got a clean canter strike-off to the left. I've never been able to salvage the canter and ensuing 15 meter circle after a bad leg yield. So that's a big plus. The left leg yield was pretty good, and I got the canter fine afterwards. We've made progress.
Still got a 5 for the stretching trot circle. Need to work on that. I also need more submission. I took Cruz back to the indoor and asked for the right leg yield again. He was suddenly a lot softer than before, and gave me an exceptionally nice one. I was told by the judge not to bend him inwards so much for the leg yields. She also said that he would have gone better in a third test. If we'd had more time to prepare for the second test, he may have been really submissive before I went in. Maybe this points to taking even longer to warm him up before his next test.
But I got a 7 for my riding (x 3) on both tests, which was a huge improvement on the 5 I got last time! Final results were 64% and 62.5%. There were three people riding at First Level: me, the no-show and myself. So I got a first and second place ribbon, plus a PVDA medal.
I celebrated with a venti frapuccino chai tea at Starbucks and sat outside in the sun doing the crossword. Embarrassingly I was late for afternoon Mass, but a friend sat with me and made me feel better.
A good day, and I'm really feeling that Cruz and I have made a small, but significant breakthrough.
He was also very co-operative on the lunge today. I would normally have given him the day off, but I have a lesson tomorrow and Sharon asked me to exercise him even though he was just at a show. He moved well, and I didn't push him for long.
So we're good friends, still, and I so hope we can move onto the exercise leading into half-pass tomorrow. Then I'll really feel we've moved forward!
P.S. CD's eye is doing much better. He's not so sensitive about my touching it to put cream in, and he's also keeping it open. I'm continuing with the homeopathy for a few more days until he seems out of danger. I don't want this episode to set off another outbreak of moonblindness because of eye trauma.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
A Scary Interlude
Yesterday I was trailering Cruz to a lesson. En route I had to brake (luckily not for an emergency stop) and my foot depressed almost to the floor before anything happened. Even then, the stopping power was negligible.
I was on my way and decided to continue, thinking that I only needed to adjust the setting of the electric brake box linking to my trailer's brakes. When I got to a quieter part of the route I played with the settings, but that made no difference.
I forced myself to concentrate on the lesson, then worry about the brakes on the way home.
During the lesson I was made aware of how little my left leg does. I need to keep my left calf on the horse, which putting my whip in my left hand will help.
We worked on leg yields, which we both find difficult to the right, as Cruz doesn't move off my left leg. Not surprising as I've never really asked him to! He got pretty pissy when I insisted, both in trot and in canter, but we got through the "no way am I doing this, mom" barrier and developed some exciting bend and thrust in both gaits. My homework is clear! I need to work on it today without upsetting Cruz as we have a show tomorrow, First Level 1 and 2. All I want is NO BLOW UPS during the test. Total submission would be a terrific bonus, too!
Anyway, I started off home, with my brakes soft and virtually non-existent. I got pretty scared, and drove ultra cautiously, keeping a good distance between me and the vehicle in front, and slowing down early for approaching downhill slopes.
As soon as I'd unhitched the trailer, I drove my Expedition to the auto mechanic, who is thankfully very close to my house. He's also next to the dog grooming parlor, so I took my Border Collie, Ruggles aka Fatso, to get his hair shaved off, as he's getting hot and bothered this summer. So I killed two birds with one stone.
It turned out that some screw or other had got grungy or loose or something. It was quickly fixed at no charge (hurray!) and I drove home with real brake power. I now don't have to try and beg, borrow or steal a towing vehicle for the show tomorrow!
Wish me luck and I'll write an update tomorrow evening.
I was on my way and decided to continue, thinking that I only needed to adjust the setting of the electric brake box linking to my trailer's brakes. When I got to a quieter part of the route I played with the settings, but that made no difference.
I forced myself to concentrate on the lesson, then worry about the brakes on the way home.
During the lesson I was made aware of how little my left leg does. I need to keep my left calf on the horse, which putting my whip in my left hand will help.
We worked on leg yields, which we both find difficult to the right, as Cruz doesn't move off my left leg. Not surprising as I've never really asked him to! He got pretty pissy when I insisted, both in trot and in canter, but we got through the "no way am I doing this, mom" barrier and developed some exciting bend and thrust in both gaits. My homework is clear! I need to work on it today without upsetting Cruz as we have a show tomorrow, First Level 1 and 2. All I want is NO BLOW UPS during the test. Total submission would be a terrific bonus, too!
Anyway, I started off home, with my brakes soft and virtually non-existent. I got pretty scared, and drove ultra cautiously, keeping a good distance between me and the vehicle in front, and slowing down early for approaching downhill slopes.
As soon as I'd unhitched the trailer, I drove my Expedition to the auto mechanic, who is thankfully very close to my house. He's also next to the dog grooming parlor, so I took my Border Collie, Ruggles aka Fatso, to get his hair shaved off, as he's getting hot and bothered this summer. So I killed two birds with one stone.
It turned out that some screw or other had got grungy or loose or something. It was quickly fixed at no charge (hurray!) and I drove home with real brake power. I now don't have to try and beg, borrow or steal a towing vehicle for the show tomorrow!
Wish me luck and I'll write an update tomorrow evening.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
An Interesting Day
The day began with Starbucks, which is always a good thing. A friend passed through, who had to have a terminally ill horse put down this morning, a tough thing to experience. But she was also going to look at a new horse this morning. He looks like a sweetheart and I hope he's a match.
I managed to finish the crossword - also a good thing. I then put a second dose of ointment in CD's eye. He's looking so much better: the eye is less swollen, less painful and he's keeping it open. He doesn't enjoy my messing around with it, which is understandable. Because the pupil is dilated through the Atropine, I kept him inside with completely closed doors. He was happy as long as he had something to eat all day long. He's a very easy going horse.
At 11:00 went to the funeral of a horse neighbor's mother. It was my first time at a Methodist service and with a woman minister. It was very moving and especially poignant because my father died on the same day - 14th September - nineteen years ago. Father Dan gave me the cross from the altar after the Mass on Monday, as a great friend had told him that it was my father's anniversary.
Also at the service the same Psalm 23 and the Gospel, about there being many rooms in My Father's house, were included as at my father's funeral. Of course, I cried.
So it was great to ride Cruz in the afternoon. I have a lesson tomorrow so decided to ride until he got loosened up. I worked on collection and extension for a while, and then Cruz suddenly gave in his back. For the first time (with him) I was able to sit quietly with my legs long. It felt fantastic! So I now have what looks like a system for loosening him up. Cesar said yesterday that we should do this.
I have a show on Sunday. I don't know if I can reproduce the same on the day, but I'm going to try!
I managed to finish the crossword - also a good thing. I then put a second dose of ointment in CD's eye. He's looking so much better: the eye is less swollen, less painful and he's keeping it open. He doesn't enjoy my messing around with it, which is understandable. Because the pupil is dilated through the Atropine, I kept him inside with completely closed doors. He was happy as long as he had something to eat all day long. He's a very easy going horse.
At 11:00 went to the funeral of a horse neighbor's mother. It was my first time at a Methodist service and with a woman minister. It was very moving and especially poignant because my father died on the same day - 14th September - nineteen years ago. Father Dan gave me the cross from the altar after the Mass on Monday, as a great friend had told him that it was my father's anniversary.
Also at the service the same Psalm 23 and the Gospel, about there being many rooms in My Father's house, were included as at my father's funeral. Of course, I cried.
So it was great to ride Cruz in the afternoon. I have a lesson tomorrow so decided to ride until he got loosened up. I worked on collection and extension for a while, and then Cruz suddenly gave in his back. For the first time (with him) I was able to sit quietly with my legs long. It felt fantastic! So I now have what looks like a system for loosening him up. Cesar said yesterday that we should do this.
I have a show on Sunday. I don't know if I can reproduce the same on the day, but I'm going to try!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Dr. Cesar Parra's Dressage Clinic
Yesterday and today I audited Cesar's dressage clinic at my instructor's barn - Sharon Myer's Chimney Hill Farm. As always, he was very informative, interesting and amusing! Cesar comes up with great anecdotes to prove points he's making.
Here are some of the things he is keen on/exercises he uses:
1. Bend inwards - exaggerate this while warming up the horse.
2. Work very long and low at the beginning to stretch the horse. This may initially be a little painful, as for people, but the horse works through the pain barrier and becomes looser and freer.
3. When walking after the first warm up phase, keep the horse on a reasonable contact. He's not worked hard enough to be really listening to the rider, and is still easily distracted. Also, keep him busy, even now. Bend him left and right, walk in circles, left and right, to keep his mind on the job.
4. Concentrate on one higher level movement per riding session (unless you have a show that weekend and need to put it all together) so the horse remains fresh and not mentally overloaded.
5. The horse can't stay up and round for long periods of time (another reason for 4. above) so don't spend too long in that frame. Give the horse frequent breaks.
6. When working on a tougher movement, do it three times then let it go! Tomorrow is another day.
7. If the horse misbehaves, GO FORWARD. Don't stop and regroup, go forward and regroup. Also, use the inside leg to get the horse's attention while bending him inwards if he's being difficult (threatening to buck, etc.) and if you get the poll up he cannot buck. Be quick to forgive and relax again as soon as the horse submits.
8.GREAT EXERCISE TO INTRODUCE TROT HALF-PASS:
Trot across the diagonal, come away from the long side in leg yield exaggerating the outside bend like crazy. From the short side go up the center line, still bent (now it's the inside) and push the horse over in half-pass.
Same works for canter half-pass.
9. Cesar addressed the issue of a horse not wanting to work harder once the long and low phase is over. He says none of us wants to work harder, but we need to in order to attain our goals. Also this is a reason not to overdo the tough stuff in any given session.
10. Emphasizes value of prayer and singlemindedness in achieving goals.
Let's see if I can reproduce that at home by myself!
Here are some of the things he is keen on/exercises he uses:
1. Bend inwards - exaggerate this while warming up the horse.
2. Work very long and low at the beginning to stretch the horse. This may initially be a little painful, as for people, but the horse works through the pain barrier and becomes looser and freer.
3. When walking after the first warm up phase, keep the horse on a reasonable contact. He's not worked hard enough to be really listening to the rider, and is still easily distracted. Also, keep him busy, even now. Bend him left and right, walk in circles, left and right, to keep his mind on the job.
4. Concentrate on one higher level movement per riding session (unless you have a show that weekend and need to put it all together) so the horse remains fresh and not mentally overloaded.
5. The horse can't stay up and round for long periods of time (another reason for 4. above) so don't spend too long in that frame. Give the horse frequent breaks.
6. When working on a tougher movement, do it three times then let it go! Tomorrow is another day.
7. If the horse misbehaves, GO FORWARD. Don't stop and regroup, go forward and regroup. Also, use the inside leg to get the horse's attention while bending him inwards if he's being difficult (threatening to buck, etc.) and if you get the poll up he cannot buck. Be quick to forgive and relax again as soon as the horse submits.
8.GREAT EXERCISE TO INTRODUCE TROT HALF-PASS:
Trot across the diagonal, come away from the long side in leg yield exaggerating the outside bend like crazy. From the short side go up the center line, still bent (now it's the inside) and push the horse over in half-pass.
Same works for canter half-pass.
9. Cesar addressed the issue of a horse not wanting to work harder once the long and low phase is over. He says none of us wants to work harder, but we need to in order to attain our goals. Also this is a reason not to overdo the tough stuff in any given session.
10. Emphasizes value of prayer and singlemindedness in achieving goals.
Let's see if I can reproduce that at home by myself!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunny September Sunday
Last night I was up till 3 a.m. revamping my blog page, checking my book sales and creating links to and from my ebook publishing page. That is when I discovered a review of my book The Horse Bumbler: Getting It Right By Mistake. This lady is truly annoyed with me! I'm a 'spoiled brat' and she 'feels sorry for my husband.' She unfortunately didn't finish the book, otherwise she may have felt differently. But it was a great lesson for me: not everyone is going to like Bumbler and as an author I have to learn how to deal with adverse reactions. As a Christian I'm obliged to turn the other cheek, anyway.
So how fantastic that Cruz suddenly went super soft and round and supple for me today! I felt like a true dressage rider. When I create a forward going walk from the start, as my instructor says, Cruz develops a wonderfully energetic stride and moves straight with the same evergy level when I ask for his first trot. His canter work to the left was as good as to the right, too.
Another bug bear of mine is the ubiquitous leg yield. I know the theory - keep him straight, supple and on the outside rein, develop a good forward going trot. But I've tended to panic over the lateral thing and sit crookedly in my attempts to push the horse over. My latest tactic has been to incorporate a leg yield when I feel he is ready (and I can sit in balance) and not perform more than two at a time. I.e. not make a 'thing' out of them. The result has been great. Cruz stayed balanced and moved forward and laterally with smoothness and ease.
I ended the sesson on a high. Cruz is also snorting during his work,which indicates that he is feeling better about dressage, too.
So how fantastic that Cruz suddenly went super soft and round and supple for me today! I felt like a true dressage rider. When I create a forward going walk from the start, as my instructor says, Cruz develops a wonderfully energetic stride and moves straight with the same evergy level when I ask for his first trot. His canter work to the left was as good as to the right, too.
Another bug bear of mine is the ubiquitous leg yield. I know the theory - keep him straight, supple and on the outside rein, develop a good forward going trot. But I've tended to panic over the lateral thing and sit crookedly in my attempts to push the horse over. My latest tactic has been to incorporate a leg yield when I feel he is ready (and I can sit in balance) and not perform more than two at a time. I.e. not make a 'thing' out of them. The result has been great. Cruz stayed balanced and moved forward and laterally with smoothness and ease.
I ended the sesson on a high. Cruz is also snorting during his work,which indicates that he is feeling better about dressage, too.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Back in the Saddle after Two Days Off
The past few days have been spent anxiously awaiting a call from my farrier. I missed the last appointment, so it was my own fault that I had three horses overdue for shoeing for more than a week! So after that last great lesson when it rained non-stop and I was worried about the shoes, I didn't ride.
But the farrier came yesterday - hurray! And it stopped raining today - hurray again! Not only that, but my arena had dried out sufficiently to be rideable. So I was able to get on my horse again, which is a good thing as we have a show coming up next weekend. He was well-behaved for a Thoroughbred cross who had been off work for more than 24 hours.
Cruz was a little unhappy with his left canter lead, but surprised me by being balanced and co-operative again when I did that counter canter exercise. I have aspirations to enter a Second Level test before the end of the year, and already the lowest level one needs a serpentine in counter canter with three loops. Now I feel that maybe - just maybe - we'll sneak that test in before the end of 2009. Even if we don't quite make it by then, I still know that it's not an unrealistic goal for the near future.
I was very proud of Cruz for having such a great attitude. He's got a decent shoulder-in and we're working well on walk to canter strike-offs. Now I need to quietly and clearly teach him to back up without making him anxious or think that I'm going to ask him to back up every time we halt. I'm learning that he listens much more than I've given him credit for. And he's always so cuddly after exercise.
Another good day!
But the farrier came yesterday - hurray! And it stopped raining today - hurray again! Not only that, but my arena had dried out sufficiently to be rideable. So I was able to get on my horse again, which is a good thing as we have a show coming up next weekend. He was well-behaved for a Thoroughbred cross who had been off work for more than 24 hours.
Cruz was a little unhappy with his left canter lead, but surprised me by being balanced and co-operative again when I did that counter canter exercise. I have aspirations to enter a Second Level test before the end of the year, and already the lowest level one needs a serpentine in counter canter with three loops. Now I feel that maybe - just maybe - we'll sneak that test in before the end of 2009. Even if we don't quite make it by then, I still know that it's not an unrealistic goal for the near future.
I was very proud of Cruz for having such a great attitude. He's got a decent shoulder-in and we're working well on walk to canter strike-offs. Now I need to quietly and clearly teach him to back up without making him anxious or think that I'm going to ask him to back up every time we halt. I'm learning that he listens much more than I've given him credit for. And he's always so cuddly after exercise.
Another good day!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A great dressage lesson!
Yesterday I took Cruz for a midday dressage lesson. He'd had the previous day off, because he's due for shoeing and I wanted to make sure his shoes were O.K. for my first lesson in a month.
He was an absolute star. As usual I needed to work on using that right rein, which he has trouble accepting and which is essential to keeping him straight. He bends nicely to the right, but has difficulty to the left, going out over the shoulder because I don't support him enough with the right/outside rein.
But boy, once he straightens out and all his pushing power propels him forward, what a different horse he is! It's really exciting to ride him when his back gives and he's motoring. Looking in the mirror, I see a horse with great presence.
He still tries to put his head up when I go down the long side, and I have to concentrate on 'riding every stride' instead of thinking "ah! I got it!" and relaxing too much. That's the moment Cruz is looking for and he's so very good at taking advantage of the loophole I'm giving him.
I'm taking a long time to accept just how hard I need to work to get results! My instructor told me to ask for energetic walk right from the start, and encourage Cruz to loosen up.
We did a new exercise to loosen his back in canter. Just as in trot, he has a hard time bending to the left on the left rein. So my instructor had me canter on his good lead, the right, do a loop and come back to the track half way down the long side, counter canter in a shallow loop, then continue on a twenty meter circle in counter canter, asking for bend to the left - while making sure to keep my left leg back and more weight on my right (inside) hip. Although he found it difficult, Cruz was very obliging and tried his heart out. When we did this on his left (bad) lead and came back to true canter, he found it so much easier than counter canter, that he performed a beautiful, rhythmic and balanced left lead canter. I was thrilled with him!
So now I have my homework before my next lesson.
He was an absolute star. As usual I needed to work on using that right rein, which he has trouble accepting and which is essential to keeping him straight. He bends nicely to the right, but has difficulty to the left, going out over the shoulder because I don't support him enough with the right/outside rein.
But boy, once he straightens out and all his pushing power propels him forward, what a different horse he is! It's really exciting to ride him when his back gives and he's motoring. Looking in the mirror, I see a horse with great presence.
He still tries to put his head up when I go down the long side, and I have to concentrate on 'riding every stride' instead of thinking "ah! I got it!" and relaxing too much. That's the moment Cruz is looking for and he's so very good at taking advantage of the loophole I'm giving him.
I'm taking a long time to accept just how hard I need to work to get results! My instructor told me to ask for energetic walk right from the start, and encourage Cruz to loosen up.
We did a new exercise to loosen his back in canter. Just as in trot, he has a hard time bending to the left on the left rein. So my instructor had me canter on his good lead, the right, do a loop and come back to the track half way down the long side, counter canter in a shallow loop, then continue on a twenty meter circle in counter canter, asking for bend to the left - while making sure to keep my left leg back and more weight on my right (inside) hip. Although he found it difficult, Cruz was very obliging and tried his heart out. When we did this on his left (bad) lead and came back to true canter, he found it so much easier than counter canter, that he performed a beautiful, rhythmic and balanced left lead canter. I was thrilled with him!
So now I have my homework before my next lesson.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Making friends with my horse again
It's sometimes hard to understand the difference between total commitment to a goal and overworking it.
My aim this year, as a dressage rider who bred and trained her own horse, was to move up from First to Second Level. In pursuit of that I forgot that Cruz Bay, who is the beautiful boy in the photo with me, and the son of the most wonderful mare in the universe, is a horse. He's not a machine, he used to event with me and enjoyed it. He's asking why he only gets to go into the riding arena every day instead of going on trail rides and jumping sometimes, too.
We had one good show out of three this season, when he finally got to warm up on grass. He even gave a little buck of joy! We won that class with high marks, but bombed at the next one.
I went home with my tail between my legs. Then I asked myself why we'd done so well two years ago, winning every show we went to. The answer seemed simple. That amazingly successful year, Cruz and I had been through a lot, but included in his daily routine was lots of jumping and trail riding. Fun stuff.
I also used to ride him in a happy mouth, which I'd changed for a double-jointed French snaffle for more leverage. My spurs were now longer with rowels, too.
Now I've put the happy mouth back in, and am wearing the short spurs. Cruz and I have a jumping session once a week, and go on weekly trail rides. We're working hard at that dressage, too. But I'm back to having fun with my horse again, and being friends with him.
My riding seems to have improved. I'm more relaxed now, and quieter in the saddle.
I have a show on 20th September. Let's see whether we do better this time.
If anyone has had similar experiences with their horses I'd love to hear about it!
My aim this year, as a dressage rider who bred and trained her own horse, was to move up from First to Second Level. In pursuit of that I forgot that Cruz Bay, who is the beautiful boy in the photo with me, and the son of the most wonderful mare in the universe, is a horse. He's not a machine, he used to event with me and enjoyed it. He's asking why he only gets to go into the riding arena every day instead of going on trail rides and jumping sometimes, too.
We had one good show out of three this season, when he finally got to warm up on grass. He even gave a little buck of joy! We won that class with high marks, but bombed at the next one.
I went home with my tail between my legs. Then I asked myself why we'd done so well two years ago, winning every show we went to. The answer seemed simple. That amazingly successful year, Cruz and I had been through a lot, but included in his daily routine was lots of jumping and trail riding. Fun stuff.
I also used to ride him in a happy mouth, which I'd changed for a double-jointed French snaffle for more leverage. My spurs were now longer with rowels, too.
Now I've put the happy mouth back in, and am wearing the short spurs. Cruz and I have a jumping session once a week, and go on weekly trail rides. We're working hard at that dressage, too. But I'm back to having fun with my horse again, and being friends with him.
My riding seems to have improved. I'm more relaxed now, and quieter in the saddle.
I have a show on 20th September. Let's see whether we do better this time.
If anyone has had similar experiences with their horses I'd love to hear about it!
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