DefinitelyDressage.com

Kathy Johnson

Holly Wood, Helen Heck and Lance Thrower are all real people.

Kathy Johnson

Remember that collapsing can come from many places and can impact many places. A bad knee, a tight hip, even a dropping shoulder can cause the the whole side to collapse. Stretching the leg down and stirrup stepping can certainly help, but if there is tightness in the hip, it might not put your seat...

Kathy Johnson

Thanks, Flight. She's not totally the same on both sides. It's easier to bend her left, but I'm not sure how that transfers to canter, except she goes a little shorter and slower to the right, and it's easier to sit. I realize that with my physical issues the way they are, I may not be doing either ...

Kathy Johnson

He is lovely and they seem quite happy together.

Kathy Johnson

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11147084_10153719974543188_3773922484069939496_n.jpg?oh=e15f7590907de7b04cb1c71cc0cbb841&oe=56EB3A8C I am currently riding a mustang, a National Show Horse, and a Lusitano, along with sundry program and lesson horses.

Kathy Johnson

I found this cool picture of Trigger, Jr. He was a registered TWH. They said he could do all the moves the Lipizzans could. Roy Rogers said that he was used mostly for exhibitions because he wasn't too good as a cowboy horse :) http://www.westwoodfarms.net/reference/images/triggerjrbook7.jpg

Kathy Johnson

Good point. I always wondered if it was a cop out, because generally, it's starting the changes that's hard, and once they have the singles, the tempis aren't so bad. I wondered if they were allowing the double because of the control it gives when starting the changes at shows. But...I am divided on...

Kathy Johnson

I'm riding injured again, waiting for my ankle sprain to heal and for the orthopedic appointment Dec. 2. Neither horses nor I have been working much for about 6 weeks. But it sure feels better to ride than to walk. Orra and Xaquema are my go-to horses for safe riding. Orra is working on straightness...

Kathy Johnson

I know that leases can be really financially advantageous to owners and riders, but they aren't always so much to trainers. I kind of feel for the mare, having 5 different people ride her (I'm assuming the owner rides her too). I would probably put the girls on different horses (easier) every now an...

Kathy Johnson

Back in the old days, there was no double at third but there were no flying changes. Then they put the flying changes in. Then they put the double back in. I think the level of collection needed to facilitate the changes is something to consider.

Kathy Johnson

I think clicker training is a great tool, helps the horses and helps us learn more about training. You are in my thoughts and I hope you feel better. This is my favorite book on clicker training. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/clicker-training-for-your-horse-alexandra-kurland/1002506281/26727446721...

Kathy Johnson

Well done! I know how hard it is to ride without mirrors, but it will make you much more aware of feel, so in the long run it's ok. Just be aware that you sometimes are being pushed a little too much onto the outside seat bone, especially in smaller turns and lateral work. It's fine to weight your o...

Kathy Johnson

I also think the conformation of the throatlatch makes a big difference. If there is not at least two fingers between the mandible and the temporal bone, it can be difficult, if not painful, for the horse to come on the bit correctly. This is fairly common with short, thick necks. If it's hard for t...

Kathy Johnson

I am water weight champion of the world. So, if you've reached an age where blood pressure is a concern, cut back the salt as much as possible. In general, if I want to lose weight, I know have to exercise 3 times a day as well as diet. One ride, one long dog walk and a bunch of PT and stretches wil...

Kathy Johnson

Really beautiful work. Your thinking seems sound. Yes, the tempo was unclear in the first pass, I was not sure which trot you were coming in from, so more like half steps, which is fine. It is harder to keep the forward aspect of the piaffe when you are bringing him down from trot to piaffe. The ide...

Kathy Johnson

Thanks Red Mare! I was just getting ready to post that link. Jean Kaplan Thornton was also there with one of her goldies, Benji. He also drives, one of these four. https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/261833_10150230854470741_8279514_n.jpg?oh=2a0b8b592cbdb538f786afa0730b25c0&...

Kathy Johnson

What happens with a cremello to Palomino? (distant memory resurfacing of something not good?)

Kathy Johnson

Not one of ours, unfortunately. Apologizing in advance. But it is a pretty horse.

: palboy.jpg (50.64 KiB) Viewed 30048 times

Yes on the Haflingers, Honeylips, but we're not being exclusive here. No DNA testing. And please show pix, even of the cremello

Kathy Johnson

We've got another one, the mustang mare Dawn. She's a lighter shade, dappled, with a bit of grey in her mane and tail. She's 5 and is for sale. Sweet girl, very stout. I couldn't fit another one into the picture without squabbles. https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11214171_1...

Kathy Johnson

Chis, what cracks me up is the way the herds group by color.The Friesians stay with friesisans, haflingers with haflingers, and so on. Then I realized that as inbred as they are, they probably are cousins so it makes sense that would think alike and like each other. I like the chocolate palominos, n...

Kathy Johnson

They are all so pretty! Yes, all of ours are pocket ponies. Fattah, who is blind in one eye is a little more aloof, or I should say careful. He wants to be close, but he's super careful. The Haflingers ARE human, in their minds.

Kathy Johnson

Oh, there's a pretty Palomino! Lovely.

Kathy Johnson

This photo shoot was almost impossible. I'll try to pull out the out-takes when I have time. We started with 6 horses and whittled down to 4 who would behave. There were lots of shennigans--the Haflingers can't help it. This is Fattah and Orra, National Show horses, and Aristotle and Nitro, Haflinge...

Kathy Johnson

On our business page, we have two people working on it. So often, Tony will post a picture there or on my personal page and I will like it, but I'm randomly logged in by Facebook as either me or the business. So it gets confusing who's liking what and I don't bother to figure it out anymore. Faceboo...

Kathy Johnson

Ah, vet wrap. I have plenty and I will try it. I have high arches too. Yes, walking in the arena sand is hard for me too. I'd rather ride in it

Thank you!

Kathy Johnson

That looks amazingly comfortable and might fit in a boot. Are you riding?

Kathy Johnson

Well, I should've done a search! But who would have thought, although I think this injury is fairly common in riders who've been riding around with their heels down for so long. Hoof, I lead your life. 40 horses, programs, a million things to do. I am able to do my paper work in my bed-office where ...

Kathy Johnson

Long story short, I sustained the world's most stupid injury to my right ankle, which has chronic sprains anyway. I got the Xray, I got the MRI, but I am waiting for an appointment with a podiatrist. I was trying to get the information from the nurse on the phone, and I don't think I got it all. I h...

Kathy Johnson

I like that it doesn't have a crank. Comes with reins, all sizes right now.

http://www.tackoftheday.com/product_p/2015-11-03-222-a.htm

Kathy Johnson

Glad to hear you're on the road to recovery. It's freaking hard to recover without a diagnosis.

Kathy Johnson

Is a horse safe for the farrier, for the dentist, for the vet, for all of these routine things? If the horse sustains a non life threatening injury that needs stitching? like a cut on her leg, can they treat it or does it run around the field until it heals on its own? Or will it endanger the life ...

Kathy Johnson

It was a fundraiser, so I actually had to pay to kiss Fiador

Kathy Johnson

Suzy and Kathy, my college roommate and I. https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/12106851_10153719979108188_1565919026906082532_n.jpg?oh=fcb4e2afdb2fedb63d4d31f0af3b7e9f&oe=56B7834A The mini Prix: Suzy https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/s960x960/11...

Kathy Johnson

I totally respect your experience, Figgy. It is a very personal decision. Thank you for sharing yours. I know how hard it is. We've had a couple of very old horses who could not hold weight, no matter how much they ate. And also a few who stopped eating. Usually the horse can't metabolize feed prope...

Kathy Johnson

Thanks, guys. At some point, when life calms down a bit, I will probably self publish. I am not looking for approval or disapproval, because I know how controversial the whole subject of euthanasia is. I used to have a policy that if the horse could get up and down and eat, I would not euthanize. I ...

Kathy Johnson

I had a Rojo, who I renamed Rosa. She is sometimes Rosie, but most of the time I just call her Ro. Rosa or Ro would differentiate her from the other Rosie and still keep any name recognition she may have. Rosette is just two syllables too and is a gorgeous name.

Kathy Johnson

The trick is to tie the trot you get over the poles to the verbal command, "trot." Reward every effort. Get a few steps, stop and cookie. Since the horse trots in the field, he does have a natural trot as well as some additional gaits. I try to find the trigger that helps the gaited horse ...

Kathy Johnson

It was a hard story to end well, but I knew that from the beginning. For years, I've walked a fine line on euthanasia, for it, against, judging those who do it, who don't do it, ok for this horse, not for that. If nothing else, Mama taught me not to judge. Everyone is usually doing the best they can...

Kathy Johnson

I am curious, just for the sake of curious. Were you guys ever able to do a work up? was she ever on any kind of whatever, joint lube, calming, Ace, bute, anything? as in experimenting with therapies, either drug or vet? the times I have seen or come across horses like this its usually been a pinch...

Kathy Johnson

I actually explored the possibility of rodeo, just because I was exploring every opportunity. They said she was too small for the pro rodeos but might work for high school rodeos. I didn't go further, because I'm not a fan of rodeos and didn't want to take responsibility for hurting high school chil...

Kathy Johnson

Keep Her, Sell Her, Give Her Away or Euthanize Her? Tough, tough, tough question. Mama is going to kill someone or she is going to kill herself. The other day I took a bucket of grain in the run to feed her. She caught a small piece of her halter on the side of the bucket. Giant explosion. She flung...

Kathy Johnson

Carpevita, he had a good spring and summer, full time lover boy, making hay with Suzy in our backyard. I don't *think* she took, and since that's all he wanted to keep doing, we separated them recently. I'm pretty sure it would be transformative!

Kathy Johnson

LOL, thanks Josette!

Kathy Johnson

JMHO, but in these kind of cases where the horse has been stuck behind the bridle, you are going to have to make a choice between balance before motion, or finding balance in motion, or be really clever blending the two. I sometimes do latter, doing work in hand but also sending the horse in a very ...

Kathy Johnson

When do we get to complain about our aches and pains?

Kathy Johnson

Oh, Minuet is still with us, maybe 25 or 26 now. She is still trucking around with kids in programs and lessons. She's a good girl. Before http://medicinehorse.org/images/minuet.jpg After http://medicinehorse.org/images/minuet2.jpg As for Mama, I think the best I can do is write up the final chapter...

Kathy Johnson

I got stuck at the impossible level in CC, 200 something. I play Farm Heros Saga, which seems never ending. I also loved Plants V. Zombies, went through it twice, but didn't know there was a sequel.

Kathy Johnson

This is Magic, the mini stallion we rescued last February. He had been running in a herd of mini mares, but had not been handled much. He's still a stallion because he's a really good boy. https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/16162_10153068953763188_8670781287840238842_n.jpg?...

Kathy Johnson

If possible, take the horse to a large (non dressage) arena with wider corners and fewer visual cues for the horse. Or work in a field. Make large sweeping turns. The horse won't associate the rail so much with a lead. Also simple changes along the rail help promote straightness and teach the horse ...

Kathy Johnson

I'm pretty sure we can generate lots more.

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