DefinitelyDressage.com

blob

made mushroom and chard pasta using the 'one pot pasta' technique: I sautéed mushrooms with garlic in a pot, dumped in some chicken broth, a can of diced tomatoes, seasonings and brought to a boil. Threw in the pasta and let it cook (stirring from time to time) until it was almost done (4 minutes or...

blob

I love Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, NM. It's best known for Georgia O'Keefe's home and painting there, but it's a 22,000 acre rustic conference center owned by the Presbyterian Church. First choice lodging is for participants in week long workshops but overnights are welcome space available. It's a be...

blob

I love reading the updates. My son took a bunch of pictures before the rain demolished the spring blossoms but they were not training related, more spring inspired. I am a fairly simple goal setter. I find the whole SMART goal system ...maybe intimidating, but definitely off putting so I will chime...

blob

Great to hear everyone updates and goals as everyone on the Northern hemisphere hopefully fully emerges from any lingering winter. @RosieB, you and bliss look really lovely together! The summer grass has really come in with a bang that last few weeks and as a result RP has suddenly put on noticeable...

blob

SMART goal is a good reminder. I'm bad about the measurable part. I tend to set a lot of "better" and "more" goals when it comes to riding and that can be hard to track.

blob

I haven't seen a Fairfax saddle in person, but I just took a look at their jumping saddles (in the market for one). It looks like there's a saddle fitter who works with them in my area, so I'm going to make an appointment. I'm definitely interested to hear how it goes and what you think of the Fair...

blob

So, I guess it's officially May, eh? My goals... MM: Work on better timing for changes and more consistent response Work on creating more shoulder freedom Continue working on up, up, up Cross train as much as possible Look for a new saddle? (ugh) RP: Figure out next steps (is this a horse I want to ...

blob

Curious if anyone has any experience with this saddle or other fairfax saddles...

I like the variety of adjustability and they appear well built, but I haven't ridden in one nor do I know anyone who has.

blob

thanks, everyone--lots of good and sensible thoughts about RP. Great to see Bliss in action and to hear everyone else's updates. Chisamba--miscues are so easy to create! When I was starting MM under saddle I would always praise her for halting on the lunge or under saddle. To this day, she associate...

blob

Chisamba wrote:I have 2 kinds. Splint boots that have pockets to hold moldable ice gel that you put in the freezer, and gel like wraps that you freeze and put on like polos. I would have to Google to find them

Just curious which of the two kinds you prefer...

blob

But going back to the subject, half steps, etc. are good but the horse has to have the scope, the freedom of the shoulder, etc. to do good mediums and extensions. I don't care how much they lower their hind end and sit, it's not going to be a good medium if the horse doesn't have the front end to g...

blob

However, is this horse worth it? This is exactly the question I am asking myself and that I need to decide. This is not the same as a horse I've known for years suddenly having a moment. This is a horse that hasn't ever really been stable in the time I've had him, but also has not had much stabilit...

blob

After many months of careful work, physical diagnostics/help, and lots of progress, RP had a freak out after mounting yesterday. It was very similar to the incident back in November that launched me. And I'm feeling very disheartened. I was really starting to believe that was behind us and just an o...

blob

MM is not a leaper or a farter, but our extended trot is a distinct lowlight. It's improved a lot and will continue to improve but it's definitely something I have to push for. Things that have helped: Fields and hills Focusing on passage or passage like trot. This helped build strength and cadence....

blob

Thank you, all! This has been super helpful already. Lots of ideas of places to look into! What kind of shape are you in? Hiking at elevation? I didn't get into mountaineering until moving to Seattle, but did do some hiking there. Durango is only about 3 hours from Canyonlands (I use to go there to ...

blob

If there's no active swelling, soreness or lameness then I wouldn't worry about it too much. For minor splints (as your sounds) I've very often (more often than not, in fact) seen them just go away on their own over time. MM popped a splint at one point years ago. I can't tell you how long it took t...

blob

One of my closest friends and I do a hiking, camping, road-tripping adventure every summer. In the past we've done Canadian Rockies, Pacific NW, Southern Alaska, and a trip from Nevada up to Montana. This year we're thinking about going from New Mexico up into Colorado. We'll probably fly into El Pa...

blob

Cats? No way. How does that solve my problem? Then I'd see a torn apart rodent that the cat killed. Then I'd have to have a litter box and have the responsibility of a cat getting sick. From reading forums, it seems cats always have some kind of health issue. I'd consider one for the barn, but I do...

blob

These are great to see. Chisamba, it's clear to see Kimba's improvement both in training, but also in her body condition. Straightforward, great to see Annabelle's trot get looser, more open. Below is mine with my mare. I copied Chisamba some and included a starting and ending pic of her just standi...

blob

I have a Boeckmann Portax K (I think. Maybe E. The one with two full size groom doors instead of a door and a second ramp). It is a fantastic trailer, basically an upgraded Brenderup, and I tow with an SUV. I'm a nervous, inexperienced tower who gets spooked at a drop of a hat but this particular c...

blob

I fully agree with the sentiment that training is neither fast nor linear. Though, I have to say, Piedmontfields, in this particular case there appears to be clear progress with Emi through the years!

blob

Chisamba wrote:Try and teach him that the sensitivity is released more easily when yielding than it is when tossing his head. Do it standing or at the walk first. Just a suggestion

Thanks, Chisamba, am working on this, will continue to do so.

blob

No, worries, my own mistake, likely. Pony gets lots of leg! In general though the current issue is neither rushing nor stiffness behind. I just meant he was more likely to rush than get stuck behind, but he's doing neither. The issue isover-reactivity to the left rein. It's both on the lunge and und...

blob

Blob, it is my opinion that most of the time when a horse shuts off when leg is added, that the door that is closed, metaphorically, is the jaw. Getting the mouth and jaw relaxed opens the door for the hind leg to step through. I didn't invent that description, I just dont know who to attribute it ...

blob

Demi, so good to hear an update from you! Glad you and Rocky are doing well with the trainer--it's so important to find a good fit. And sounds like there is some good consistent progress being made! RP's stiffness to the left seems to be getting worse not better and it's become clear that it's not r...

blob

greenhorse wrote:I decided to try the on-line in-hand class. I can get my money back for 30 days if I don’t like it. So, I thought it was worth a try.

let us know how it goes!

blob

Thanks, all, lots to think about. The show ground I go to most doesn't require getting on the freeway, in fact I'd have to go out of the way to get on a freeway, so I would be on roads with 45mph limits. For me, the distances and routes I'd be traveling are relatively easy/short, and my horses are s...

blob

I've struggled with writing this update, because with each telling, I get a little sadder, and a little angrier about the heartbreak that horses bring. Miro went through two rounds of shock wave, and after a total of 5-going on 6 months of stall rest, 2 treatments, lots of diagnostics, lots of alte...

blob

Thanks, all. The tow weight for the rover is 7,500 lbs. And the tongue weight is 500.

If I did this, I'd definitely look for a light trailer!

blob

I wasn't sure where to put this question, so I'm defaulting to the OL. I don't have a trailer, so when I need to get my horses somewhere, I either get a ride with a friend or I hire someone to haul. I don't mind paying the money to get hauled to local shows, but lately it's also been hard at times t...

blob

I also found this confusing. But so far the 2019 competitions have not asked for microchip info.

blob

What a fun pic, Flight, looks like he's in training to become a performance horse. I was sure you were going to tell me you were teaching spanish walk, not that he was being dramatic, ha! Glad you had a good clinic, Mountaineer. getting out of a riding rut is so important. hot4spots, sounds like the...

blob

Piedmont, I too am jealous that you have space like that to ride out in. We have to trailer out to get access to big open spaces. What a treat! You guys look lovely. Chisamba, great pictures of you and Kimba, looks like she's stepping under nicely with her hind leg. I have been playing around with m...

blob

UGH. Hot4Spots, I am so angry for you. And how awful that they were vague and shitty about it. It may not be worth the hassle, but I think they legally have to site a concrete reason, the way they went about it seems like it could be grounds for talking to a lawyer... Either way, sending you lots of...

blob

Piedmontfields, yes, she's terribly smart, it's one of the hardest things about working with her. She gets bored easily, so I have to keep things for her. Right now, she'd rather give me a line of 4s than a single change because it's more interesting. It's fun when she's forward and wants to gallop ...

blob

Blob, I am one that skipped 2nd level and started at 3rd because I had solid changes. I never went back and got 2nd level scores for my bronze because 2nd level showed my holes. I admit it. I believe that until someone gets 2nd level down pat (scores well into the high 60's) that they will eventual...

blob

Show entries are due for the late april show I was planning on attending this friday. So I need to make some decisions. Is MM ready for third? Or should we stick to second? I've committed to showing as much as possible for my own show riding improvement. I just wish i had another week or so to decid...

blob

I just finished season two of "Jane the Virgin." I love this show! It's hilariously funny, sweet, gorgeous to look at, and completely insane. I think this show is one of the smartest shows on TV! It took me so long to come around because the premise sounded so ludicrous. But that's becaus...

blob

Yikes, Chisamba!

So glad humans and horses are mostly ok.

Kelo--ah! it always seems like things change once we enter that show ring, doesn't it? ha.

blob

Jumping is what I find helps keep my horse really motivated. He is a very happy dude by nature but it avoids some of the boredom that comes with being inside for 6 months of the year Yes, variety is important. Jumping used to be a great tool for my mare as well, but she's grown bored with smaller f...

blob

Chisamba wrote:Equifit still makes gel compression boots

Yes, but those are for therapy when the horse is in the stall, from what I understand?

I'm talking about boots that are meant to for ridden work

blob

I borrowed some boots from a friend the other day to use on my horse. They were an old, now discontinued style of equifit boots that had a removable gel liner. After riding in them, my horse's legs were tighter than they've probably ever been. I've looked around and can't seem to find something simi...

blob

Took my lazy gal to a hunter pace and she was super forward and motivated out in the open. I even got run away with at the gallop on a big open field :lol: which proves she is fully capable of moving with energy when she wants to. At my most recent lesson, everytime I asked for a change, she would b...

blob

Horses being treated for injury dont always know you are trying to help them, they just know it hurts. These are some of the hardest moments with animals. You can't explain to them that you are cleaning out their wound because it's for their own good. Instead, you are just doing something that is p...

blob

I watch predominantly PBS and BBC shows and series via Amazon Prime. I typically watch the mystery or crime series but am a bit eclectic in shows. So recently I stumbled upon the sci-fi comedy series about a vampire, werewolf and a ghost living together. Some very creative writing and funny script ...

blob

You are all welcome to come and instill perfect manners in Walker, especially if he knows you are catching him to hurt him.. I've had him a long time. He came to me with a difficult history, we've been there, done that, but he's one that you never, ever let your guard down around, and never, ever g...

blob

The interesting thing about horses and manners, I have the sweetest horse owner in my barn. It doesn't matter how well trained her horse is, when she gets it, within months it's the rudest horse in the barn. Something about choochie cooing and being amused by manners instead of correcting them is p...

blob

I don't like the phrase because it's not helpful--it doesn't lead towards a solution out of the problem/issue that the horse and rider are having. I also think it's not a very good phrase for anxious horses. Although I did know a lady who thought she could not ride her horse in rain (there as a cove...

blob

Yes, I should clarify that I have no problem with a 9 mover doing a clean test and beating a 6 mover doing a clean test. It's only when it's clear that a nice horse is being rewarded well above good riding that I get frustrated, not even so much for myself (I'm not putting in clean tests!), but I se...

blob

If they want to change it- up the score requirements all the way around, or, judge dressage as it’s meant to be judged- as a test of training- not how huge the horse moves. Not to derail, but I really wish judging would reconsider having all scores be a derivative of the gait score. Or, if that mus...

Search found 1760 matches