DefinitelyDressage.com

exvet

Late to the discussion but I too have found this board to be very constructive, supportive and one I visit daily, part of my routine. I too would be willing to pay for a subscription. I agree completely with all the points that demi makes regarding what makes this board so helpful. While it's not as...

exvet

To be clear, Junior has never been heavy in my hands or leaning. I just have always known (even if it was in the back of my mind) that his gapping and opening of his mouth had to do with me not giving enough in my hand despite not pulling back. I rode with a student of Heather Blitz (and Heather in ...

exvet

I think with Junior, the nose band of the Micklem, though claiming the opposite, must have closed or limited the opening of his nasal passages even when fitted properly. As for the flash, well I decided that his opening and gapping of the mouth of course is telling; so, against previous instructor's...

exvet

I kind of feel like I've gone full circle, again and again......hopefully not circling the drain LOL. I've been working on using mostly my seat to ride, really trying hard to keep my horses moving from my inside leg to outside hand. I've also decided to ride with a really light connection, mostly be...

exvet

One of the best purchases I made was a horse vacuum. I use static cling and other anti-static products which includes Show Sheen to address the issue which can be pretty serious in our dry climate. Dampening the coat with something like Show Sheen before vacuuming really helps and I still see plenty...

exvet

So glad Cowboy's recheck had good news. As they say when it rains it pours. Sounds like you're due for a bit of a reprieve

exvet

Wow Chantal, I think Mikey looks great and I too am trying so hard to get 'those' moments more consistent with Brandon. So, I entered a show for January, actually two. Due to the distance of travel (still a local show in many respects but 1.5 hours one way from me), I have decided that on Friday, wh...

exvet

Gosh everyone looks great. I just had a lesson on Junior. He was quite entertaining, first grabbing Molly's hand (the velcro wrist attachment) when we got into the arena. Something he's never done before as he's been taught not to put his mouth on people (or dogs for that matter). It was clear thoug...

exvet

On Saturday I got both Brandon and Junior ridden before the deluge hit. I had saddled up Ace and was heading to the mounting block when the bottom fell out of the sky. Too bad too because I had some very productive rides on the other two and was looking forward to having some obstacle fun with Ace. ...

exvet

Blob, Nothing earth shattering. She told me to put him on high Omega 3 and do a trial of hydroxyzine. So, since I have the chunky pony and have used Platinum Performance Skin & Allergy before with success on Morgan, I ordered that for Junior and compounded hydroxyzine. Like I tell my small anima...

exvet

Good News! Junior doesn't have any serious anatomical issues or upper/lower respiratory disease! He does have some delay in response to closing his arytenoids which my colleague thinks is full explanation for his 'noises' but nothing that isn't manageable. She also commented on the amount of mucous ...

exvet

Sending healing vibes to you both. If you need additional help, let me know. There's a possibility my DIL who lives near you might be able to help out a little. She loves horses and helps me with some coverage when I'm out-of-town.

exvet

Glad you're on the mend moutaineer but I do understand, currently fighting off some sort of respiratory illness myself. Yesterday was a beautiful day and perfect for trail riding. This is why we live here. https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/o253/ldarling_photos/Happy_Trails.jpg?width=960&hei...

exvet

Thanks y'all.

khall, Junior is on insulinwise and has been for a few months now. He's also on just bermuda and wellsolve, nothing else except vit. E supplement.

exvet

Wonderful picture Chisamba and absolutely not surprised you're already back at it. So glad to hear/read that many are having a great holiday season. Our cruise was very relaxing and then I went back to work................full on fall-out sh!t show..........but very productive, financially, for the ...

exvet

Good news Chisamba! I had another lesson today on Junior. Of course, we worked on getting him over his back and then moved on to the FC. It was time to reprimand Junior each and every time he gave me the wrong answer in terms of mechanics - in other words if he tried to give me or go to the skip a c...

exvet

Here are some of the videos from Saturday. The one of Brandon is from his second class which we didn't do as well as our first, fussier and not over the topline like he was in his first class. He really rocked it in the stretchy circle in the first class. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUI5chRy7Ac ...

exvet

Thank you. I appreciate the moral support. As everyone does, we're taking it one step at a time. Yesterday was another decent day at the show. I came in 5th place out of 13 with Brandon at training level test 3, score 63. The judge who loved us the day before decided that I couldn't ride and was not...

exvet

Well after a daunting week, long, long story, day one of the show was a success. Monday- had to take a day off work to go pick out colors, stone, and roofing for our house up north after finding out on Saturday all of that had to be ordered ASAP and the HOA had lost our original, approved choices, u...

exvet

Got my last two rides in for this segment. They did not go as well as planned but they also didn't totally fall apart. I just got the distinct feeling that neither Junior nor Brandon were planning on working on Halloween. Rather grumpy they were :roll: Me - Continue working out as much as possible ...

exvet

Well, I still have to ride my two tonight; so, I still haven't closed out this last 2 months. Despite that, my goals for the next two months are pretty straight forward. Me: I've started adding to my workout regimen specific exercises to help me straighten up my upper body/shoulders so that I don't ...

exvet

Had to share their costumes! Halloween shows are the most fun! She's doing a Dressage show next month, see if joins the dark side with us ha ha. Cute! My daughter continued to do these kind of shows (here it was an annual hunter pace) well into her 20s because she loved dressing up her horse. She's...

exvet

Fantastic Chisamba! We'll be getting updates on your horses and their progression in training soon! ......and like my friends who've gone through the same you'll likely be wondering why you didn't do it sooner. Well wishes!

exvet

Mari has given some great exercises that I also find work well. It's really a lot of back and forth - coiling the spring and then letting it out. One key is to not get too greedy and to teach her how to 'carry' herself - within reason for her stage of training of course. By this I mean you need to d...

exvet

I will be thinking nothing but healing vibes Chisamba. You'll be back in the saddle in no time and a force to be reckoned with once you have the bionic hip. khall - congrats. I know how awesome it is when your homebred steps up to the plate. Sounds like progress SF! LSP - your vet is right. Wish I c...

exvet

I bet it's frustrating LPS. Hopefully your vet will give you feedback that will help, and the issue isn't serious. I had to suck it up and body clipped Junior this morning, He was so darn shaggy and really struggling in the heat. I think he realized the why behind it because not only did he stand gr...

exvet

Yes, StraightForward I hear ya! It is tough and that's one of the issues is that Brandon is less willing to get into the left rein; but, we are working on leg yield in canter and it is helping. Ace is a Navajo mustang. He was intact with foals on the ground when I got him at the age of 5. I gelded h...

exvet

Ask and Ye shall receive!

L-R, Brandon, Junior and Ace

exvet

Straightforward--I do think the judging is more conservative/harder in championship classes and I think that is totally fine/fair! For the judge that scored us fairly low (61) it seemed like the main complaint was that we were too quick. My trainer does not think this was the case and thinks perhap...

exvet

Definitely better!! And I will say Brandon has filled out so much! Turning into a brick house like Junior! I need to upload a picture taken yesterday. It shows a front view of Junior, Brandon and Ace all standing side by side mounted. I think Ace wins with the 'manliest' chest, then Junior and then...

exvet

He sure is the same kid who dressed as a tiny lobster last year! This year, he’s going to be a pirate! He did ride for the first time and seems like he likes it! He’s been on a handful of times now. His grandma said the same thing about him needing his own pony LOL! I would love that for him, but w...

exvet

I'm guessing that some if not most of you have heard of Amelia Newcomb Dressage and seen her videos, webcasts, courses, etc. She is heading here next week for a clinic which I'm auditing the first day. When she offered a course on 30 Days to Round Challenge, I decided to jump on it. I have received ...

exvet

khall I love second level. In all honesty it's where I think the more baroque types shine. I'm not surprised that Joplin was able to carry it off - enjoy, I'm sure you two will knock their socks off.

exvet

Exvet, I don't see much about your position that someone wouldn't envy. I like to watch you and try to ride like you honestly! You are so steady and methodical with how you ride. Brandon is looking so grown up. Especially at the trot. One question for the canter, and just a genuine question not cri...

exvet

I got a new exercise today in my lesson with Junior. It's supposed to help establish the diagonal aids (inside leg to outside hand) and get them to lift their wither and basically work straighter while staying supple. IT WAS HARD WORK for JUNIOR. OMG you'd think I was killing the poor pony. He did g...

exvet

https://youtu.be/eWLaWb29XWM

Cringing at my position; so got on Junior and worked on that

and there's definitely more work to do to obtain and maintain a steady connection to the outside rein; but he's starting to get quieter in the mouth even on his 'weaker' lead.

exvet

I appreciate the support Hayburner. For many the care of these animals is what it is. The simple fact is that shelters require some sort of income, and no vet likes competition. We compete to get into vet school. We compete when we're in vet school. The thought of competing after vet school, though ...

exvet

I worked in shelter medicine for over a decade. I started before shelter medicine was even recognized as a specialty/discipline. Back then most felt that only flunkies, retirees and the bottom of the barrel would work at shelters. Sometimes that was true. Most of the time it was not. The 'popular' v...

exvet

Good luck Flight! We'll be pulling for you two!

exvet

We are DEFINITELY enjoying the cooler temps! I had a great lesson on Brandon this morning. We did the 'snowman' exercise with him at walk - trot, where you trot a 20-meter circle in one direction and then walk a ten-meter circle in the opposite direction focusing on bending and the use of mosty the ...

exvet

I'm relieved to know that 3-3 hasn't changed (if at all it's not much). This old woman doesn't really 'want' to have to learn any 'more' new tests than she absolutely has to; but, to that point, I'm also glad for the new 1-3. I do better if the test is a mirror image in both directions ;) Usually th...

exvet

LSP I think Lynx looks great! Not just his overall soundness but I wish Brandon was that kind of steady eddie. We went out for a 6-mile trail ride with Ace and Junior yesterday. It was mostly trotting and canter. I do see Junior's stamina improving but he's still such a BIG stinker pony. He was so b...

exvet

Susan - sounds like some really lovely responses to the curb. There was a time when the curb was not considered anything other than a bit of finesse but as long as it was in the right hands it could produce great results with less effort and in all honesty left stress on the part of the horse. LSP -...

exvet

Yes, let the adventures begin! Both of my children grew up at the barn/around horses. They both still ride at 29 and 26 though neither own a horse right now due to finances. Both still plan on purchasing a horse one day but in the meantime continue to ride/leg up horses for others. My kids comment m...

exvet

Aleuronx what a bummer (no pun intended) but I do remember being toasted similarly on the stinker pony at a somewhat wet show, not the championships though. Horses (and ponies) certainly can put us through it even without all the mitigating factors that contribute to the 'cause'. Hope your father re...

exvet

So many beautiful and obviously developing horses. Great pic SF. Flight, your videos are definitely an inspiration. Chisamba, I can't count the number of people I know who've had their hip(s) replaced and wondered afterwards why they didn't get it done sooner and the majority of those people are dre...

exvet

chantal wrote:He's lovely exvet! And well ridden.

Thank you Chantal. We're doing the Amelia Newcomb 30 Days to Round Challenge and I'm shopping for a new saddle! We'll see if I improve on his connection and acceptance of the bit, oi vey!

exvet

Here is Brandon's training test 2 from yesterday's schooling show.

https://youtu.be/DUgcSaL9-P0

exvet

Supple - NOT. My ongoing issues and the elusive holy grail for me. In regard to Brandon, I slapped back shoes on him for the first time on Friday, surprised him with a show on Saturday and realized between yesterday and today (a combination of his behavior, my view of the videos and today's ride wit...

exvet

Complicated question but o really want input. When do you know a horse is ready to tap our / maxed it's natural ability at dressage. There are many beliefs. From every horse can do GP its just training to every horse can do second but from there listen to your horse etc etc. Considering everything/...

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