DefinitelyDressage.com

exvet

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

exvet

I rode Junior in a biomechanics clinic yesterday and got some great feedback and comments that we've made quite a bit of improvement. I also got a 2 thumbs up on the Prestige Lucky I bought for him so that was nice too. I also rode him in a lesson today with my coach who is a judge. We did quite a b...

exvet

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

exvet

I honestly have not had one kick out at my legs due to aiding for the flying change and yet I've had some pretty spectacular air borne and up in the air changes. I do think mari is correct in that straightness is one missing component that leads to the kicking and it's also imperative to have the ho...

exvet

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

exvet

Jingles for MM. Asthma in any species is tough and I know not just how frustrating it is to treat and prevent flair ups but knowing what triggers every flair often mystifying. Hoping she gets relief from the flairs. SF I feel for you on the saddle search. Will keep fingers and toes crossed that this...

exvet

Agreed! These are great notes. Looks like it was a weekend well spent!

exvet

Success! I cantered Troy under saddle today and we lived! LOL, Troy gets scared by his huge tail (could share with 3 others and not end up with a skimpy tail) getting caught between his back legs; but, he didn't bolt and was fairly well balanced in our attempts. He has a huge, bounding canter.....wa...

exvet

SF I've seen and been taught the same warm-up and it definitely helps get them supple and more relaxed. the half-pass to leg yield is a go to with Junior. Because he likes lateral work so much I must incorporate it in order to keep any semblance of forward but it's key for him to alternate between t...

exvet

I have an 'odd' post and because so many of us frequent here I felt I'd get more traction if I put it out there on this forum. I have a friend who is 74, ,turning 75 later this year. She has a 9 year old 13.3 Welsh Gelding who is fancy and moves well. He isn't registered but will be as a Welsh part ...

exvet

Glad to hear that those posting are surviving winter and seeing some healing progress. Sorry about the saddle SF, I know just how frustrating and challenging it is. I know I will be there again in the near future with Troy. Had one lesson today with the new trainer. She gave me some really good home...

exvet

My daughter (in NC) and step-daughter (in CO) have been sending me pictures of their snow fall. Boy am I really, really glad to be living in the desert right now. I just took another lesson with my new instructor. It was so refreshing to hear her say she just wants to figure where Junior is blocking...

exvet

Ugh, I feel for all of you in the path of the storm. I've seen a few friends' videos of plowing, plowing, and plowing! Here the inversion finally lifted and the arena was pretty nicely thawed out today. I've had a couple lightbulb moments over the past few days. T was going through one of her phase...

exvet

So glad to read that about Joplin. Moutaineer not only is your friend, Julie, a wonderful inspiration and good rider, the horse she's riding looks just like an Arab a friend had who rode up through I-2 before retiring him. My friend would loan him to me to ride in clinics when I would fly back to Ka...

exvet

Hoping everyone continues to mend/heal from their surgeries and horse/saddle challenges soon have good results. Also hoping those of you with dicey weather enjoy better temps soon. We've had pretty decent weather as of late. Last weekend I lost some time riding due to rain/snow/etc; but, this week t...

exvet

I had another lesson, different instructor, today. Junior was definitely not lazy. We worked on more piaffe/half-steps and forward at the canter but this time focusing on what Junior loves the most, half-pass. I also did a lot of haunches in to SI at the canter both directions alternating between th...

exvet

Well I hope everyone's recoveries continue and for those who need it, become more seamless, humans and horses alike. khall, I too would have walked away from that one. Sorry it didn't work out but at least you found it before a purchase and heartbreak. LSP I hope your barn situation works itself out...

exvet

Second ride today. Oh, so much better than the first. I jacked my stirrups up a hole so I had that base of support, rather than just dangling my legs off my pelvis. So much more comfortable, and I could get on (off the tall mounting block :)) and, importantly, off, more easily. Tuesday's getting of...

exvet

2026 has gotten off with a wet start. I had a biomechanics lesson today. Worked out yesterday and today...........so far so good. Despite the rain I saddled up Junior and rode the 1 mile to the covered arena. I got to watch Lauren ride Junior and she got to feel his ponytude. The good news is she di...

exvet

I guess I'll throw my hat into the ring now...........since I have another lesson with the biomechanics gal tomorrow, got the horses teeth done yesterday and just ordered Junior's Xmas gift yesterday the zycosan. Goals: Me: lose the few pounds I put on over the holidays which means getting back into...

exvet

I ended up getting two lessons this weekend (Fri & Sun). The one on biomechanics which helped a ton, little things, it's always the little things and then the one on Sunday with my friend/judge. We continued to work on multiple, multiple, multiple transitions and in between work sessions getting...

exvet

I'm sorry that you and the remainder of the boarders are having to deal with such chaos. I'm not dismissing the issues but I have ridden in our covered arena with guys on the roof. I guess I'm just lucky since my horses (those I had at the time) tolerated the noise and commotion well. I've had to go...

exvet

Well yesterday was terrible. The new owners appear to have kids or maybe the construction crew they brought in do... But the very small children were riding a 4 wheeler and electric motorcycle around the farm parking lot, like next to the outdoor arenas. Hauling butt through the parking lot, past o...

exvet

Glad you found a saddle that fits. I tried the same model of Stubben several months ago on Junior but it wasn't going to work for us. When I did find a saddle that worked for us both, the difference was amazing. Personally I don't wear a helmet unless I'm riding the 3 year-old or other horse I don't...

exvet

SF, Molly Martin swears by PEMF and offers services to others in the area. She is convinced it's one of the key pieces in keeping her horse's ulcer incidence down to a minimum.

exvet

Got to ride with Lauren Beechler today. She's a professional photographer who teaches biomechanics having apprenticed under Shannon Peters. It was absolutely refreshing and Junior did pretty well. She was all about being light in front and staying so quiet much like I used to ride Junior prior to al...

exvet

I have had two lessons this weekend, one with my judge friend and one with the new instructor. Both ended with very positive results. I also have set up a lesson on Friday with a Shannon Peters protege so biomechanics is the focus. We will see if she can help me with my position on the shortest back...

exvet

Good luck khall on your trip and possible acquisition. Good news on Joplin!

exvet

@Exvet, I don't know that you have the footing (I'm imagining it's rocky, so likely not), but do you ever do any work on trails? Even little spots where you can put on a short bursts of speed might make it a fun game for Junior. Anything to encourage him to really jump forward! All the time. Did fl...

exvet

Had today off because of switching shifts with a colleague. Plan to ride both boys but a nasty cold is really making it tough. I'm focusing on and preparing for next weekend and the weekend after that ......so......must......tack up.....throw leg over.......and go (2xs over). The focus and good news...

exvet

https://hosting.photobucket.com/96944799-328a-4c79-875f-35e9069a1a5b/5242f025-c9dc-4f4a-a843-898206a908e3.jpg Today was just a fun day for Junior. A neighbor, my SO, and I went trail riding and then circled back to our lot where we're building our new house (still have the other one on the market)....

exvet

Lovely pictures SF. I wish Junior didn't hate cavalettis and jumping the way he does otherwise I think it would help. Looks like it really helps T. Moutaineer sounds like you're making some real progress with your recovery. Glad to read you'll be back in the saddle soon. So Troy has been working on ...

exvet

LSP, tell your daughter what a great job she did and I'm jealous. I don't think I can keep Junior on the aids for 85% of the ride, well, not without it getting slightly ugly here and there.......................he is doing better though. Rode Troy down to the arena and back. He had to deal with Fed ...

exvet

Nice changes Aleuronx but you can keep that snow LOL. I have a 2 acre turn out that is gently rolling land. I ride Troy on it quite a bit. If he wants to canter he can canter there - straight lines no problem but so far he hasn't really taken the initiative. I've been getting a lot stronger road tro...

exvet

I've been working on maintaining my own self carriage, but feel like I could still be just a little more together and owning my elbows. Coincidentally, this contraption came across my Facebook feed, and I'm considering buying one, or trying to come up with a way to DIY something similar. https://ri...

exvet

SF I'm impressed with your ability to get Tesla's frame as up and collected as she is. She's a lot more horse than I'm used to frame and size-wise. I will say that keeping Junior's shoulders up and his hind legs moving faster than he'd prefer is what gives us in the air and clean changes. Frequent t...

exvet

We've had 5 mornings in a row of hard frost. Waiting for it to get above 32 in order to start riding today. In the meantime I guess I have no excuse but clean the house, ugh! I'm hoping to schedule a lesson with the (new to me as in instructor/coach) instructor next weekend. For now I'll just keep w...

exvet

No, not Molly. She informed me that their ranch was closed to haul in traffic because of EHV 1. I rode with my friend who is working on her R judging license. I also have a lead on another instructor who may take Molly's place, we shall see.

exvet

So in the end it does sound like it's really necessary and much fairer for the horse to determine what her goals really are. I'm sure there are a number of people frustrated with the way I ride Junior. Everyone wants him more forward. I think some believe that I just don't get it. I realize that the...

exvet

Well Big Boy Troy appears to have grown. He's literally a hair under 15 hands. We went on a trail ride around our community and though he got a little 'high' with other horses screaming and running in their turn outs and other being ridden who were also calling out he did pretty well. He weathered n...

exvet

I think having a talk with her about her goals and expectations are the best place to start. I will say one thing that helps me realize the issue with not having forward (truly dead to the leg) is the fact that I've ridden power before and on a horse that really isn't 'hot' or 'overly reactive"...

exvet

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone - 2 legged and 4 legged no matter where you hail from! Just want to say I am grateful for the camaraderie and support from this group along with our shared loved of horses/ponies and dressage. Counting my blessings this holiday. Hope everyone who needs to is feeling be...

exvet

We too are dealing with all sorts of lock downs and cancellations in Arizona due to the EHV outbreak. We have 3 positive horses from the Waco show based here and 2 more in quarantine though they have yet to test positive. So far the positive horses have not shown any symptoms by last report. Of cour...

exvet

I'm so sorry to read about Rip. No question you made the right decision. Fingers crossed for the ultrasound on Joplin.

exvet

I too have done it successfully. Monty, Morgan and Resi, all who made up through PSG scoring in the low 60s at PSG were doubling as my mounts for competitive trail. This was while my sone was competing as a junior rider and required an adult buddy rider. Those who I rode and competed on that did bes...

exvet

Jingles to everyone dealing with surgeries, sick animals, lame horses. Hopefully everyone comes well and gets through this! I have a question for you all. I figured I would post it here since this thread gets more attention. But do you think horses can have a strong preference on their rider's styl...

exvet

Sorry it sounds like you'll be out of the saddle for a little while chisamba but those I know who have had knee replacement wish they had done it sooner; so, I take it as a sign that it's worth it in most cases. I hope to read that both you and moutaineer are enjoying your horses as we usher in 2026...

exvet

Hoping all works out well for your dog Aleuronx. With what you shared I'd also be suspicious of autoimmune disease which is manageable but I get it. You have no idea who often I hope for tick borne over something else since doxycycline is usually effective and cheap.

exvet

Moutaineer, glad to hear you are chomping at the bit to get back in the saddle. That just means you are healing in more ways than one................and I'm going to say it; Take your time! I get it though. Also nice to hear that Potters is doing well. Plans are 'just a trail ride' with Junior today...

exvet

We've been enjoying some pretty nice weather. Big boy Troy has been going out on the trail and doing pretty well, some minor spooks but nothing big. I'm also working on introducing turn on the forehand, baby leg yields and bending. I start everything on the ground and then transition to under saddle...

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