DefinitelyDressage.com

piedmontfields

That is quite the transformation with Caliburn! Thanks for sharing and for the inspiration. I've been having some really great rides lately--probably because you all are sharing very helpful reminders and insights. A very simple exercise we did last night where we played with shoulder and neck posit...

piedmontfields

Love it!

piedmontfields

I do enjoy the exchanges on this board so much. Frankly, Chisamba's and Flight's notes reminded me of Dresseur's description of her trainer. Also, I really enjoyed Flight's video---there is a playful, exploratory quality to your work that I think is both kind and valuable. Exvet, I love that you wen...

piedmontfields

Ponichiwa, sometimes just keeping going and keeping everyone alive is the big dream! Life is like that. Thinking of you and your lovely herd.

piedmontfields

It is so hard. Peace to you, fergusnc, and please keep checking in.

piedmontfields

Being present, kind and loving is huge--in every moment. Thinking of you.

piedmontfields

Maia, we are proud of you! It rained for 3 straight days here. Tons of flooding. Yesterday, there was a few hour break and I was able to take Emi out and about to check out flooding and other damage to culverts, trails, etc. It's a mess, but miss mare was stellar. This photo shows a hay field border...

piedmontfields

OMG, Moutaineer---that is so scary. I unfortunately witnessed a horse have a full-out seizure from a reaction to Exceed (long-acting antibiotic). Amazingly, the horse did recover after several weeks in a vet hospital, but she fractured her skull in the process of the seizure. She recovered from that...

piedmontfields

I'm continuing to enjoy reading the 2020 hopes and dreams! Actually, to be honest, a lot of these posts sound like *plans* ...as you are aware of what you want to improve and how to do it. Very impressive. I keep trying to hold in mind some advice from this group about "why don't I just keep ex...

piedmontfields

I think the shelf would be easier to clean! Are you in the habit of placing bar soap on a drain plate/something? That helps. But make sure your shelf is big enough for that.

piedmontfields

Glad you have a back-up offer percolating...the new place will bloom under your vision. It's cool that it has a nice yard and is so walkable to the town.

Fingers crossed that DH + meds get sorted. It can be tricky to get the combo/levels correct.

piedmontfields

Keeping up a riding program without an indoor up north would be no joke---especially around typical working hours. I'm in the mid-south and I definitely have to drag myself to the barn sometimes, due to gloom and rain of winter---but it really isn't that cold here (so far, we've had less than 4 days...

piedmontfields

Lil Nas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lil_Nas_X

piedmontfields

Very inspiring, Paula. Well done and glad your circle is supportive, too.

piedmontfields

Argh. Thanks for that info, Ponichiwa. Right now, I'm just quickly wiping off the grey residue from the side of the spur after each ride.

piedmontfields

Blob, I needed a visual apparently to understand. I was thinking of those rubber things you can put on your spurs to protect your boots, but not of spurs with rubber.

piedmontfields

I'm learning from this thread--thanks!

piedmontfields

Susan- that looks like what I need--something that covers the side of the spur.

piedmontfields

Blob, I agree, and am definitely realizing I need them for "harder work requiring a quick reaction" aka engagement! I find the spur helps with specificity, too. So do all of the metals rub off on white horses? I mean, I do not normally ride with my toes so far in/heels so far out that the ...

piedmontfields

Thanks, all. Good tip on the nail polish, M.! Even if I don't use the spur during a ride, the metal wears off on my horse's coat. BTW, this is what I have been using, when I use something: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/rounded-end-spurs-2140 Also BTW: What on earth is "german silver"? ...

piedmontfields

I don't know if you're buying in bulk or not, but Ernst Seed (https://www.ernstseed.com/products/) has a great selection and good prices. I've also been very happy with the seeds from Prairie Moon Nurseries (https://www.prairiemoon.com/seed-mixes/ ). This source is better for specific flowers. You c...

piedmontfields

OK folks, I finally feel ready to accept that spurs are something we use for harder work that demands a quick reaction. I trust my leg enough to be clear and to know when the spur is on/off, and I'm ready to "graduate" from my cheap tiny nub spurs. I know a lot of dressage people like a ro...

piedmontfields

I appreciate the clinic report and reflections. It is a complicated matter to offer suggestions in a tight time frame without a lot of knowledge of the horse-rider pair. I'm glad you still got some good input on expectations for Jr. from Blitz. FWIW, the trainers I respect who very occasionally use ...

piedmontfields

This is probably not helpful, but I could understand either decision from the breeder. It would matter a lot what I thought of the breeder and how they placed their kittens in how I reacted if that makes sense.

piedmontfields

A beautiful and heart-wrenching story of love. Godspeed Fergus. You will not be forgotten.

piedmontfields

The passage also consistently shows the right hind less active than the left. Alas, one needs to make them match--otherwise it is not only inelegant but off-putting (lame-looking). I agree that weakness of the horse is a big part of what is going on.

piedmontfields

That sounds like really sound, patient re-training, Blob. I'm glad you could hang with it and get to day 2. I hear you on the trailer practice being tricky. I'm assuming it was a back-out trailer when the incident occurred? Dresseur, Miro looks pretty darn amazing. I'm very excited for you and also ...

piedmontfields

I agree with SF. Turnout is a very big point for maintaining fitness, especially if they have a bit of room and you know they use it (walking leisurely throughout 12 hours is good exercise). Have you ever done this long of time off with either horse before? I ask because sometimes it just does not w...

piedmontfields

The updates are so great to read. Love the photos and video. Blob, I think both of your horses look awesome. The young fellow has filled out so much! My fixation of the winter appears to be management/development of the right hind---in all gaits, conditions and movements. I saw this Ali Brock video ...

piedmontfields

Having ridden my very rideable yet modest Lusitano x (actually Lusitano x WB for WIW) today in a cold wind after a 20 F temp drop, I have to say that rideabilty is huge. So is the right match for horse and rider. Many amateurs would in fact find my dear of mare quite difficult---she is hot, she is q...

piedmontfields

I do think there is actually something brilliant and mind blowing about working smarter---not with more strength!

piedmontfields

Fingers crossed for your DH. Glad he got checked out and has a plan in place. Better earlier than later with these things! Exvet is right---this will all eventually work out and you will be glad for the next stage of life with fewer snow drifts that are your responsibility. I'm glad the sale looks t...

piedmontfields

I think it's back to the very uneven education available--esp. in the US. When people come to dressage with a bit of money as adults but relatively little solid horse and training sense (like at least Pony Club C level sense---few people even have that)---they are a vulnerable target for less than e...

piedmontfields

Thanks for the thoughts. I should say, I'm really just thinking that I am in a different place with my attention/skill than 5 years ago. It has taken me quite a bit of time to make these basic improvements. Alternatively I have worked on my feeling and timing to catch things before they devolve and ...

piedmontfields

I have been thinking recently about what I no longer tolerate (because my horse knows it and so do I) in our workouts. -My straightness/crookednes barometer is on in full force from the get go. I may walk on a long rein for 15 minutes, but I demand a certain degree of straightness. -My forward butto...

piedmontfields

I really need to do this some year. Why is work always in the way??? (whine)

Snork, that is tragic.

piedmontfields

PaulaO, this makes me so happy. You are a tough, strong and determined non-smoker.

piedmontfields

Maybe there is a local fitter who can help you assess the fit? Even if you use MacRider to make the adjustments? That might be an option.

I know this is more appointments and $$$. I agree that the leather and overall quality of MacRiders is very nice.

piedmontfields

"Way too narrow" as in you need an XW and it is a W? Or you need an XW and it is a medium?

It doesn't sound like this saddle is close to right. A good fitter helps a saddle go from close to perfect.

piedmontfields

Flight, it is great to see your progress. It is really helpful perspective, especially given the time it took to get to this consistency and calm. Well done! I was watching some DT online videos this weekend, including a bunch of Ali Brock's teaching. With one very fancy, sensitive mare and maybe a ...

piedmontfields

That is pretty amazing that you can be at a Starbucks in 10 minutes from your roost on the mountain! It is over 30 minutes from our rural home to a Starbucks FWIW ;-) I looked up other properties in your area and 1. They all have snow photos now and 2. Your place looks like a great deal (plus I bet ...

piedmontfields

Fingers crossed, M. Your home is lovely and the setting is awe-inspiring. BTW, do you also have photos *without* snow in your listing? I know people like that area because of snow, but it seemed useful to show it in another light, too, so as not to put off those who are less hardy or worried about a...

piedmontfields

My mare is a fairly fearful horse by nature and also mid-ranking in the horsey world (as in she is not an alpha mare). She also, like most mares, is highly observant of changing conditions. However, she trusts me and trusts that I am on her side. Over the years, we've come to various agreements, lik...

piedmontfields

I am familiar with Dutta from our trainer's regular imports of horses from IRE. It does seem that more US-based folks are using air to ship horses East/West--especially in the racing world. It would be interesting to learn about which other disciplines are doing this. Most of the dressage trainers I...

piedmontfields

I have no idea if these are helpful mantras for others the way they are for me, but to manage relative straightness (for the ability of the horse) I think of: -Steering the shoulders between evenly connected reins -Putting the nose in the middle of the horse's chest I think I'm one of those people w...

piedmontfields

Flight, my thoughts are with you and moreso your areas in the AUS that are really suffering. It is just terrible for humans and animals. Smart to just take it easy and survive. I am dealing with doggy rehab (post CCL tear and surgery) so am totally time pressed this session. So my main goal is to ke...

piedmontfields

I am really bad at hopes and dreams. Or wildly unimaginable goals (I read that in some self help book). I'm good at incremental progress towards better. But my main hope is to figure out how best to keep Emi comfortable, happy, and pleased in her work as she ages (she will be 18 this year). We've be...

piedmontfields

PaulaO is right. Care of elders is huge, even if your description didn't seem like that much time. There is a lot of uncertainty plus emotional care in that work. I have elected not to care for my elders (there are other options and there are good reasons for my decision), and that has saved me in t...

piedmontfields

Trust me, I am not a super human and I need my sleep! I think you're right that it is about habits. 10 minutes of focused chores can help a lot (whether cleaning, laundry, starting dinner, prepping lunches, etc.). Maybe you can knock some stuff out early in the AM, since you are a morning person? Ex...

piedmontfields

FYI, Crypto-Aero is quite oat heavy in ingredients---which makes it a poor match for easy keepers, IR or PSSM horses. The oats make it quite high in starch (like 24%), which many horses cannot tolerate...unless they are something like a TB hunting 3 days a week!

Search found 2738 matches