Shiny, shiny horse float

I have a shiny, shiny horse float!!!

More to come, but I'm the proud owner of a barely used, feature-packed amazing quality float.

In other news, this is sure to support my weightloss goals given the float costs my entire savings + 2 weeks pay (assuming my savings are as much as I think. Fingers crossed!!

I'll make it work. So worth it!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New trainer: Training back on track

Yesterday, we racked up a collosal 5.25 hours in the saddle.

First off, I had a lesson with my new trainer - the partner of my previous trainer. His focus is more on *problem* horses - you know, the ones ruined by people.

When we arrived, that was us. Kadey was cranky, unhappy and I felt that without intervention, he would have gone down a path ending in aggression and danger for both of us.

After a few months with the old trainer, Kade is lovable, affectionate and even (on his terms though) cuddly.

I had 2 months off when my last job finished; but now that I'm back at work, I'm back to training :)

The new trainer (Ruth) is amazing. Both have a wonderful way with horses, getting the most out of them without a fight. I had a lesson with another trainer in preparation for a show but her methods weren't for me - too much heavy hands and pulling. Ruth's perspective is to train the horse correctly, then he'll transfer the weight to his hocks of his own accord - as opposed to advising me to pull with the mouth and ride forward to force him there.

So. Very. Happy. To. Train. With. Ruth!!

I said I'd like to lock in for weekly lessons, possibly 2x weekly if I can get enough freelance work to cover the extra.

I'm also thrilled that her perspective is to work through Kadey's tension and back issues with training, rather than putting it all on hold with the chiro. Chiro supports this, Kadey's biggest issue is tightness. Proper (and careful) gymnastic work will go a long way towards keepgin him supple and even enabling the chiro to achieve even more on his visits.

So in all, I'm very happy and looking forward to a summer of training so we're set to take on the 2013 show season with skill, dedication and commitment!

Make it happen

It's 4.30pm, a steamy 30 degrees Celsius and I'm about to head out to ride.

Crazy right?

I'm coming to realise that self discipline means many things.

Self discipline to not eat that Twix bar (I'm now on a no-twix for Oct challenge. It's like OcSober for non-drinkers).

Self discipline to get up early & exercise.

Self discipline to set aside time to prep healthy, clean meals for the week.

Self discipline to head into a hot afternoon & train my horse, even when I really don't want to (he'd probably rather be in air con too).

But each of these things will bring me closer to my goals and will help me to become a better rider. A fit body and rested mind plus perfect practice (any Jane Savoie lovers?) brings results, in the arena, the office and life generally.

This morning I woke up before my alarm - on a Sunday no less. Very proud of that achievement. If I have the self discipline to change a major bad habit (sleeping in), I have the self discipline to train, to eat well, to be fit and to make this happen!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Perfect showring plaits with waxed thread

Following on from the last post, there is also an excellent article by the same (unnamed?) groom on braiding with waxed thread. I found this article one of the most useful i've ever read on the topic, and the YouTube exactly details what she means (e.g. 'shish kebabing' a plait to create a rosette/button).

What gives horses that show ring shine? Elbow grease!

{image credit here}

Just found the Eventing Nation site, which includes a regular 'The Sunday Jog Up' series from a top groom.

One of the featured articles covers off how to get that show ring shine. Ironically, it isn't with fancy brushes, lotions or potions - it's with your bare hands.

I'm summarising the steps here so I remember to do them myself!

1. Curry - even if the horse isn't muddy,the heat and friction bring up the oils in the coat. For sensitive horses use gel curries or nubble mits (Kadey BARELY tolerates a gel curry in winter so summer will be the nubble mit!).

2. Follow up with a dandy brush to get the dust off that the curry raised (I try to curry one hand, brush the other but I end up currying most of the body, swapping hands and going back over.

3. HOT TOWELLING! Essentially, a bucket of hot water (warmer than 'very warm', but be careful that you don't burn your horse) and a rag. Wring the rag and starting from the face, use currying motions to rub the horse down getting down to the skin - 'steam cleaning' the horse, in the author's wise words. The horse shouldn't be wet but may be on your first few goes - wring the rag out more. Change water and/or dunk your rag as required. The author notes that she doesn't do this to horses with woolly winter coats as, in attempting to reach the skin, the hair would just end up soaked. Instead just curry (and/or vacuum) those beasties.

4. Brush the (now dry) horse with a short bristled body brush to lay the hair fair, using brisk, firm strokes to stimulate the horse's warm skin.  Use the damp rag from earlier to wipe down the brush (instead of with a curry comb) every few strokes.

Which reminds me - WASH YOUR BRUSHES! No point cleaning a horse with dirty brushes; all you're doing is moving the dirt around.

The author also provides the below:
"Another cheap trick is to thoroughly rub your horse after you ride.  It sounds incredibly simple, but just take an extra 5 minutes after you untack, and use a rag (or bare hands!) over the neck, shoulders, chest, back, and haunches.  Horses learn to love the massage, and rubbing the warm muscles really brings out the oils of the coat.  Keep at it for a few weeks, and the coat will be noticeably softer.  If your horse is only slightly sweaty, don’t be lazy and head to the wash stall– get that rag and go to work! " (referenced from here).

Classical Dressage pointers

Some great tips from the Classical Dressage site:


'Ride with an aggressive navel' - Nuno Oliveria (ok that one makes me laugh!)


'The shoulders are  level with each  other and rather than, as is usually described when talking about  position, holding them open and flat back, think of opening the  ribcage from the front as this uses different muscles and lets the  shoulder girdle remain soft and free.'

'Finally, point your toes as far to the front as your conformation allows so you can lie as much of the inside of your leg as possible against the side of your horse. My favourite description of this is the German one of “like a wet dishcloth”. It doesn't cling - it's just there.'

Loving this site.  

Dressage scribe for the day

This weekend, I'm going to a dressage show - but without Kadey.

I put my hand up as a penciller/scribe. I figure it's a good chance to get my hand back in the game, maybe make some new contacts in the dressage world and learn what judges are looking for and at. Basically it's like having a lesson, free of charge.

Only thing is, my first classes are Elementary level. Eek! I haven't even ridden an elementary test before, and now I'll be taking notes for moves I may not have even SEEN before!

In all, a good opportunity to learn. I'm going to study the tests before hand so I understand the movements and what's happening.

Whee!

Back to square one. Or no square, without an arena...

I spoke to the owner of the flood-lit arena down the road.... it is only available for agistees.

So, back to square one. There is a McMansion between here and that place however given that they're clearly not badly off, I don't think the incentive of 'I'll pay you if I can use your arena' will really get me anywhere. Boo hiss.

Of course, just as I heal and can finally get back in the saddle, the days will be getting shorter. Argh!!

Show Prep: Plaiting a horse with a thin neck + great tips for sewn english plaits

Found this video on YouTube - brilliant advice for hiding/enhancing a thin neck and also some great tips for sewn plaits in general. Waxing the thread with beeswax? GENIUS! 

Zen and horses

From a BlogHer blog by AnnaB:

"This year I have worked with some really great horses, who I usually meet in the middle of an unwanted behavior. After a little equine CSI work- the problem frequently boils down to a dislike of fighting. Meaning a trailer issue is more likely a resistance to the fight about the trailer, than the actual trailer itself.  It’s not so much what we ask them to do, but how we ask. Once communication breaks down there is no joy on either side.

And it doesn’t necessarily mean the rider is violent or abusive by human standards. Horses are so sensitive to our moods- frustration can feel like a punishment and depression can feel like pressure with no release in sight.

I don’t know that it matters in the end who started it, or why. Both sides have to surrender their defensiveness to start over. The bigger heart should apologize first; some of us learn that from our horses. Then like kids on a playground, we can go back to our game.

When working with animals, I see myself as a peace-nik. I refuse to continue a fight or hold a grudge. Post the Serenity Prayer in the barn if it helps, but the useless bickering has to stop. I choose to stay relentlessly positive, and behave as if I have an infinite well of honesty, optimism and creative ideas- along with all the time in the world. I’m no saint, but if I can act that way for a while, horses will come the rest of the way to meet me. Then trust can grow as the adversity retreats."

Which is interesting... and so true. I'm always amazed by the impact of little things, like getting a horse to change pace under saddle or on the lunge, with something as simple as adjusting my breathing or softening the look in my eye.

I have ordered some books from Amazon to explore the topic (and make the most of my stuck on the ground situation), I'll blog any findings or key outcomes with Kade as I go :) 

This is just a little bit awesome :)

Dressage: UK vs USA

A great breakdown on the various levels of dressage in the UK (which I'm pretty sure we follow here) and USA (SOURCE):

Re UK dressage levels, affiliated dressage is governed by British Dressage (www.britishdressage.co.uk) which is similar in set-up to the USDF.

The various levels in increasing order of difficulty are (new movements introduced at that level shown in brackets):

Intro – (walk & trot tests)
Prelim – (working trot & canter)
Novice – (medium walk, trot & canter, counter canter ,rein back)
Elementary – (leg yield, collected trot & canter, simple changes)
Medium – (shoulder-in, half pass, extended & collected walk, extended trot & canter, travers, half walk pirouettes,
Advanced Medium – (flying change)
Advanced (4 times changes)
Prix St Georges
Intermediare I
Intermediare II
Grand Prix

A little bit about how our classes are divided: We don’t split classes by amateur/professional status, instead we have a system of horse & rider ranking. Horses accumulate points as they do well in competition & once they reach a certain level are upgraded & are no longer allowed to compete at a level. This stops a Prix-St-George horse from being able to contend an elementary class.

Riders are given a group level, entitling them to compete in the Open or Restricted section at a particular class level. Once a rider has experience in the level above, they must compete in the Open section of lower levels.

To compare, the US system (explained in Lauren Sprieser's blog):

Intro - walk/trot
Training Level - walk, trot, canter
First Level - walk, trot, canter, lengthening trot & canter, leg yield, beginning of counter canter
Second Level - collected trot & canter, medium trot & canter, shoulder in, travers, renvers, rein-back, simple changes, turn on haunches, counter canter
Third Level - collected, medium, and extended gaits, half-pass, flying changes, plus the stuff from Second Level
Fourth Level - basically same stuff as Third Level but higher degree of difficulty. Flying changes every 4th stride, canter half-pirouette.

Earn your prize

Sir, I want that trophy. 

Do you want to steal it?

No, Sir.

Do you want to win it?

No, Sir. I want to earn it.