Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

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StraightForward
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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby StraightForward » Mon Sep 30, 2024 11:28 pm

Dang, I had a great lesson today, and my SoloShot didn't record for some reason. Grr. We played with half steps, using them to juice up the canter depart, and half steps and then forward in trot, and she said we got a first step of passage. Also first bits of canter piri. Exciting stuff and I really wanted to see how it looked! She'll be back in three week, so I'll have some time to play with things. Also need to learn 2-3 for the schooling show on the 19th, and decide which jumping divisions to enter.
Keep calm and canter on.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Tue Oct 01, 2024 4:19 am

Congrats SF! I know exactly what you mean. It's such a jolt to get glimpses of what they can do. Now it's time to experiment more and see what they will offer. I'm often jazzed by what Junior will do even if it's just for brief moments. That's how you build it up and string it together. I actually like 2-3. I think it flows, at least it was easier for me to remember because it seemed rather symmetrical in it's movements.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby mari » Tue Oct 01, 2024 6:36 am

Tanga wrote:Mari, wow, I'm sorry. I don't think I've heard of anything like that. One of the horses in the pasture (the woman who was the director of Hoof Dreams) got a little wound on his shoulder that made him very sore, then got cellulitis, and then ended up at Davis with a rare infection that she could have done nothing about, and is now on a month's rehab getting it taken care of. Wild.


He is currently a medical mystery to our long-term vet, and all the other practices she has been consulting with over the years. I really don't want a horse that vets ogle over and write papers about :?

They let me know yesterday that they've switched to a different antibiotic. Because although the swelling is better, his infection count is still high. So he's probably going to be there most of this week. I went to visit him yesterday and he's flat and not himself. But he's eating his meals and running away from the grooms.
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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Moutaineer » Tue Oct 01, 2024 10:50 pm

Back in the saddle after the best part of 3 weeks off. It was so nice to be back. Potters has been working on his tempi changes while I have been away, so that's fun.

I think I may have discovered how I'm blocking him in the lateral work. Sometimes it's good to let the muscle memory lapse! I'll see how I feel about that after a couple more rides.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Tanga » Thu Oct 03, 2024 7:08 pm

Moutaineer wrote:I think I may have discovered how I'm blocking him in the lateral work. Sometimes it's good to let the muscle memory lapse! I'll see how I feel about that after a couple more rides.


I agree, Mountaineer. You have to get away sometimes. I just visited with my friend Dennis Callin who was not too far away doing clinics here (he lives in the UK now) and we talked about a lot. This was one thing. I think letting someone else ride Quilla this year and me being so sick helped all of that bad muscle memory go away. I've tried schooling her on my good days, and not really having any issues, and I was able to stop messing up Quinn's ones.

BTW, I just went for it and entered a show for two days Nov. 1/2 with a judge I know and can get scores on to start off next year since we lost all of out beginning of the year shows. I have my leasor coming with me to help, so if I'm in bad shape, she can at least help me warm up the girls. I guess I'm just going to try to show one more championships (I keep saying that) next year and both at I-1, GP, and GP freestyle.

Some interesting tidbits watching Denny clinic and talking to him. It was hosted at a para rider's place, and it was very cool to see her school GP after being so impressed with the paralympics. She uses a prosthetic arm and has nerve damage in her back. She went to WEG and qualified for London, but then had kids. And with the other riders, it was interesting for my leasor to be able to see them and how being one sided affected their movements and what he had them do.

He's getting a divorce and probably moving back to the US, so I can more easily get him for clinics. I also think he should start doing something like video consults. I showed him videos of the girls, and just looking at them he gave me some good ideas. For Quinn he said I need to school piaffe trot piaffe more to help her passage,( so that she stays thinking more the trot tempo and doesn't get into the big walky steps behind.) That is gold. He also said Quilla does her tempi changes like Zorn. :) I would be more than willing to pay for him look at a video here and there and give me nuggets to work on. He was also talking about hating all of these deep seated, big thigh block dressage saddles--like me, he likes to ride in pancakes. There aren't a lot of people around who have that level of experience--over 50 years of bringing horses up to GP and competing them (including Janet Foy's horse, which is how she was able to get her S qualification) and lots and lots of time working with the old gods--Theodorescue, Boldt, Klimke, Balkonhall, Lindgren . . . ) I'm going to see if I he's interested in doing something like that.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Tanga » Thu Oct 03, 2024 7:09 pm

1
Last edited by Tanga on Fri Oct 04, 2024 5:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Thu Oct 03, 2024 7:49 pm

Mari- continued jingles for your horse!!

Exvet, gosh thinking of your family and everyone down that way with the hurricane damage. Just devastating.

Tanga, he sounds like a wonderful resource! Very interesting.

Lynx was very good in my lesson today. We are attempting to ride in an in barn clinic this weekend. It's with my trainer's former trainer/mentor. She's insistent that she'll work with any level and meet the horse where they're at so hopefully it works out for us. I wouldn't even have considered it if my trainer had it rode with them for years.

But Lynx got his mane roached again and he's just so shiny and dappled. He's definitely got the aesthetics down for the clinic! And I have some nice saddle pads that I'm itching to try out he he. I'm not usually one to dress up or have matching outfits or anything. But Lynx is such a slob usually that I am looking forward to dressing us up for the clinic. I hope we come away with great insights too. He's been really good this week.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby StraightForward » Sat Oct 05, 2024 4:44 am

If anyone is interested (and not too squeamish), here is the one-month progression of Tesla's sarcoid removal: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBLo6n

I pretty much used Underwood's exclusively for three weeks, with a few wash-outs with running water, and fly protection with a mesh bib and Swat. The past week I've been using Vitamin E oil, and she's been able to go back to wearing a fly sheet the past few days. It's already smaller than I was expecting the final scar to be. With any luck it will just end up being a line of missing hair. And with more luck the Torigen will do the job and there won't be a recurrence.

Today we went to the vet for the first Torigen shot. He couldn't find any reason for her hind leg issue, and experimented a little with using a rope to get her to hold her RH up. So now I can treat it as a training issue. It did seem like the lightbulb went on for her and she realized she could stand on her LH again. We are doing a couple weeks of methocarbamol just as an experiment, and I've got a box of Adequan as well, though I want to chart things out and maybe delay that a little so she's not getting so many shots at once. She is currently barefoot, and I mentioned keeping her that way for winter has her LF has gotten flatter and looks to have lost some sole depth over the last several months with the shoes.

Chiro saw her last night and thought she was better than two weeks ago, but did have some stuff going on with her right side. This chiro is treating other horses in the barn once a month, so I'm planning to continue using her as it will be easier to stick with a schedule. At this point it's whatever I can throw at her to get the canter developed so we can work towards 3rd level.
Keep calm and canter on.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Josette » Sat Oct 05, 2024 6:28 pm

SF - your photos look like a very complex multi-nodular skin tumor and quite the treatment challenge. The one month to track wound healing looks really amazing how well T is responding to this treatment.

Many years ago, I had an Arab who would pop benign Mast Cell tumors (single hard lump) on various areas of his body (one time the tip of his nose). Back then, there were limited treatments so the local vets would excise and cauterize the lesion - but a few years later another tumor would grow elsewhere. They could not be ignored as they could get quite large with more complicated removal. The tumor location was challenging sometimes.

Good Luck on a successful recovery.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Sat Oct 05, 2024 6:29 pm

Sounds like things are progressing in the right direction for you both LSP & SF!

Managed to get a lesson on Junior this morning. The good news since not having a lesson in over a month is that Junior is making more progress. We're cleaning up his changes, his canter half-passes are more free flowing and with some pulsing of the knees the passage is really coming. It looks like our greatest improvement has been with the canter half-pirouettes. So the plan is to focus on the tempi's along with canter quality. If I manage to really dictate the movements and gait with my seat which includes really focusing on swinging my hips to created bigger, more powerful movement we seem to do okay. I am also finding that if I point my seat bones where I want Junior's back feet to land, I am able to get more lift though the thoracic sling. All the prep work I was doing to get ready to hike rim-to-rim next weekend has really helped my riding. Unfortunately due to the hurricane destruction that trip has been postponed.

It's been a week since I've heard from my family. Trying hard not to worry and not to get in the way of what clean up they're trying to do since I know cell service is still very spotty and they need to be able to coordinate and communicate with each other. Told ASPCA that I would be available to deploy with the third wave. I first must make sure I have solid back ups for caring for my mother and the horses. Having experience with Hurricane Katrina the need for help will be there for a long time. Already setting the stage to get my NC vet license re-instated to active status or acquire a temporary depending on what makes more sense.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby StraightForward » Sun Oct 06, 2024 2:56 pm

Jingles for your family, exvet. It's great that you have a skillset to offer to be able to go over and help! Sometimes we get interest requests through my work for that kind of disaster relief effort, but nothing has come through yet.

Had a great ride on T yesterday. It seems the chiro adjustment helped a lot with her right lead. I ran through 2-3 and feel pretty good about it. A possible bonus for T is that it doesn't include 10m canter circles. Towards the end of the ride I asked for a 1/4 canter piri and she got a little stuck in it and we did almost a full piri. Definitely needed more bend and was on the forehand, but it was fun to get a glimpse and I let her know what a genius she is. Half steps are coming along as well as going in and out of canter on the spot. A fellow boarder who knows nothing of dressage was stunned and wanted to know how I produce that, LOL. I think we'll be spending more time in all of this collected canter work before we're ready for changes, though I'm hoping she'll get changes around a jump course figured out pretty soon.
Keep calm and canter on.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Sun Oct 06, 2024 6:20 pm

Exvet, jingles for your family. I really can't imagine going through all that.

SF, glad to hear T is feeling good now! I was shocked at photos you posted of her chest, I had no idea how serious it was. It looks like it is healing so well though, yay!!

Well we are done with the clinic. It was with Sarah Martin, whom I had never ridden with or even audited but she still live in the area so I had heard from many many people that had ridden with her including my trainer.

It was good! The first day Lynx warmed up well for me but became suddenly electric. Like when I was talking to Sarah about us I could FEEL his heart beating and he felt really fidgety. So we got to moving. Unfortunately the dressage are going to backs up to a neighborhood now. And in the corner there is a lot of trees and stuff so you can't see the yard but there is a guy on a riding mower on the other side of the trees. Of course our first few times past the corner the lawn mower like kicked back and made loud booms. So Lynx continued to be tight. Sarah was a big stickler for keeping him very straight, almost a perpetual shoulder fore type feeling, which I will admit I had lost focus of lately. She also really wanted them more pole high. I wouldn't say she was an absolutist about it but especially with Lynx being tense he kind of wants to bear down and then hide behind the contact. It's not a good feeling!!! She really wanted us to think of him lifting through his thoracic sling and withers to help his back. This is not the first time I've had a clinician instruct me to ride him that way. I did ask her about what about riding him long and low for his back. She said that's fine, and definitely stretch him but if he's dropping onto the forehand and running or bearing down and behind the contact, just forget it. Better to have him up and open to lift through his his body than do all that. And straightness over everything. She said she understands why he was spooky but basically to continue on my path and keep him really in front of my leg. I was extremely tired afterwards lol!!

The second day was very different. We went first thing in the morning. So we went from riding in the heat to 40 degrees in the morning. I told her I didn't have a good chance to really warm him up as she said it was fine because we could work on it. I brought a lunge line but she said she wanted to do more in hand stuff if possible. We worked on flexions from the poll but not from the big. Guided from his nose. Then gentle bending of his neck (from the scapula) then his pelvis which was like a turn on the forehand but less official. Lynx had so many releases. He even stretched his hind legs out behind him I've only seen him do once.

Then undersaddle he was much more relaxed and with him. We again worked on the straightness and not letting him curl. She worked on my position, mostly not closing my hip too much. It was a good way to end the weekend.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Mon Oct 07, 2024 12:56 am

Glad you enjoyed the clinic LSP. I've enjoyed riding under her as a judge, helpful comments.

SF, if I had spent more time on the collected canter work I might have been better equipped to avoid the skip a change but who knows, ponies!

Thank you for your good thoughts. I heard from my niece this morning. She had made it out to the fairgrounds to get supplies. She and my brother are surviving. They've been able to get gas and diesel so the rationing is still happening but not as dire. Her request to me was drinking water. She said that due to the damage done by the storm (if you know what Carolina red mud is like you understand) and the bodies (animal and human) simply make SAFE drinking water a true need and still scarce. So I contacted two high school class mates this morning who wanted to help and off they went to deliver drinking water to her town. I love North Carolinians and my 'extended' family!

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Chisamba » Mon Oct 07, 2024 3:06 pm

Saiph and I'm went to a schooling show. We manship to top ride our treasures without rearing and scored 67.8 but since it's a schooling show it only counts towards ego.

Kimba. Obviously upset at being kept home, decided to gouge her face and fracture her bone laying open her sinus. Horses are cashless. Just saying . She is all flushed out, stitched up, and on antibiotics oral and rectal.

She was so good though. It on call vet said she was perfect patient

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Aleuronx » Mon Oct 07, 2024 5:09 pm

Yikes!! Come on Kimba, that isn't necessary way to say you want to go to the next pony party. I did have a good laugh at 'horses are cashless' having just ordered another round of injectable hormones this morning. At least it sounds like you had a positive and successful day before returning home.

Chantal- Mikey is looking so grown up, well done.

exvet- jingles for your family. The images coming out of that area with the destruction is just unbelievable.

SF- Holy cow I must have downplayed the sacroid in my head as those pictures were not expected. You've done a great job getting that to heal so well. Fingers crossed the vaccine injections make it so you don't have a round two with that monstrosity. I'd say work on the collected canter but don't wait for perfect-perfect, you want the adjust-ability and one aid access to the hind legs. To me that was more key to success.

LSP- Glad you got some good work out of the clinic and getting to enjoy that lovely boy of yours. May it continue!

The colors are popping here and a bumper crop of acorns are dropping like little bombs of distraction. I've been sneaking off for as many lessons as I can and feel like every time we are building up. The latest is riding some our first (purposeful) 3-tempis. Success dependent on not letting her get the hind legs away from me and me keeping the reins straight, quiet and not be weird. The piros are very much large working style but I've started to play with a very, very baby version of the PSG line and I'm not sad.

We are 7-8 months from next season and we are starting out here:
https://youtu.be/jwHEpc3sMOA?si=MTLvtbfa6UaLRR-v

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Mon Oct 07, 2024 5:21 pm

Beautiful scenery and nice ride Aleuronx!

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Tanga » Mon Oct 07, 2024 8:58 pm

Aleuronx I love the changes--very snappy behind and through. They are very nice already. And nice start on the pirouettes. Another thing you can add to school/warm up those are shoulder in and haunches in on a smaller circle. I do shoulder in, which is a lot of work, and then haunches in, which feels easier to them, so you can really work on the bend and rhythm as long as you want, and go in and out of it. You can also do the haunches in and then take it to as many steps of pirouette as you want. It helps keep them away from getting into the collecting and spinning idea.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby khall » Mon Oct 07, 2024 9:41 pm

Aleuronx super work! I know you are having a blast with Kora!!

Exvet jingles for your NC family!! Keep us posted if you do end up there volunteering. It’s hard to fathom the widespread damage from Helene and now Milton. Been watching the Cajun navy mules. God bless them.

Chisamba awesome with Saiph and yes dang horses are so great at costing us money!!

Well I’ve gotten a wild hair because of how well Joplin was going to go to schooling show 10/19 (as long as weaning goes ok this week) and do 3 rd 3. Might do 3 rd 1 but not sure. The work is there I just want to run through the tests see how they feel. I had not planned on this at all but…

Here is a bit of piaffe and piaffe trot work I was doing the other day. A friend videoed for me.

https://youtu.be/nZmxn1j-1ns?feature=shared

We are back in the heat for a bit. Thankfully well away from the newest monster Milton

Happy riding all!!

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Flight » Tue Oct 08, 2024 10:03 pm

Mari, your poor guy - I hope it is clearing up by now??

SF, wow I didn't realise it was that big. I've dealt with a couple of sarcoids on one of my horses. They are awful things. The is healing up nicely considering it was such a bit excision.

LIpsmacker, sounds like a good clinic, glad you got good stuff out of it.

Kimba!! Oh wow ouch. Hope that heals up without any drama. But glad you had a good schooling show with Saiph, that is nice to hear.

Aleuronx, you are forging ahead with your progress. This is great! I love the trees, that looks like a beautiful place to be.

Khall, great progress too.Gotta be happy with that.

I'm putting up a video with hope to see improvement on over the next month or so.
I was going to take my little black horse to the working eq nationals at the end of Nov, but he's been bloody lame!!
So, I've been practising my one handed riding on Norsey. I never wanted to do one handed riding with him, because... too hard.

Anyway, if I can't get Ding sound and fit enough, I'll be trying to see if they'll let me swap horses so I'll have to push on with Norsey.

This is practising some of the canter movements from the dressage test. I have to shrink everything down, I need 10m serpentine loops and 10m figure 8s, straighter changes.
I can't keep my ass in the saddle in the extensions, and I keep holding too tightly on the reins trying to get it all right. You can see him flick his nose at me in the figure 8, because my contact is too strong.
I need to keep his piris big, especially to the left because his stifle cannot handle it. Gah!!
But I'll just keep practising, we will get there :)

https://youtu.be/swPcoLUKjTc?si=uiZL8uEL6KBF5E1-

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Anne » Wed Oct 09, 2024 12:19 am

Looking good, Flight! That was a very polite little nose flick. Your arena is gorgeous.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby mari » Wed Oct 09, 2024 6:22 am

Loving all the updates and videos!

Odin is home. Third course of antibiotics are finished, and he's on anti-inflammatories until the end of October. Yesterday the sheath was hot and swollen again, but went right down after working him.
I guess the test is going to be what happens when the pills run out at the end of October. If he's comfortable on only Previcox and normal stable routine, and a normal 4/5 ridden week. The thought that he might not be terrifies me, and I can't really think about it properly.
The aim of argument or of discussion should not be victory, but progress. ~ Joseph Joubert

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby blob » Wed Oct 09, 2024 1:42 pm

Wow Flight! I would have never guessed that riding him 1-handed is hard because that work looks really great. I'm also so impressed with how solid and consistent his changes are considering where they were when you first started training them--I remember the leaps! My other takeaway from watching your video is that I need to spend more time in continuous canter work.

Mari, so glad poor Odin is home and feeling better.

Khall, the piaffe work looks fabulous and effortless. Excited for your impromptu plan to show third coming up. When will the weaning take place?

Chisamba, congrats with Siaph--looks like the hard work is paying off bit by bit. So sorry about Kimba. Horses truly are cashless.

LSP, sounds like Lynx is feeling good post injections, that is promising!

MM still doing well and we are now starting to wean off the dex entirely. She's been on just 4mg for a month and now will do the 4mgs every other day this week and then not at all next week. Fingers crossed it goes ok. It still feels quite hot here. But I am hoping we have her in an overall much better place and she will be ok off dex.

RP doing well for the most part. I'm trying to get back on a lesson cycle, but schedule coordination has been difficult. There are a couple of things I really need to fix before we can show 2nd level, mostly at the trot. We don't have a true collected trot and i'm honestly a bit afraid to school it without some eyes on the ground to make sure he's engaging his hind end correctly given past SI issues. His lateral work is not where I'd like it to be. I do have a decent SI both ways, but I have 0 haunches in and it's surprisingly difficult with him. And because I don't have the correct lateral work or collection, it means I don't really have his hind end where i need it in the trot, which means I also do not have a medium trot. I probalby need to do more hill work, but I am bad about structuring hill work.

Canter work, on the flip side is going well. In canter I do feel like I am getting small chunks of true collection. He is also holding his CC well, though I'd love eyes on the ground to make sure he is staying straight enough and i'm not overbending towards the lead. Change work also feels like it's on the right track (knock on wood!). He is staying on my aids, he clearly understands the concept, but we have not yet coordinated the effort. L to R I have a harder time with timing, but if I get the timing right they are clean. R to L my timing is more consistent but he has to sort of buck into them right now--not a big buck, but just a hop behind.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Wed Oct 09, 2024 2:18 pm

Aleuronex and Flight- What gorgeous videos. All of you look just FANTASTIC. How exciting! Flight, You could hardly tell that you're riding one-handed.

Chisamba - congratulations on the schooling show but bummer on the vet bill. That's how it goes though, isn't it?

Mari- SO glad the Odin is home. I really hope he just gets better with time and no more complications with it.

I'm going to share a video from the clinic. I'm not very happy with my riding and I gained a lot of weight a year ago when I was going through our family crisis and the car accident and everything. But I think it's perhaps worth sharing because it shows where Sarah Martin really wanted Lynx. I think it's a tricky spot with him because long and low is great for his back too if he does it probably. But he also can find tension the lower he is sometimes too. Basically anytime he's behind the vertical is a very bad thing for him. I'm not one of those that is extremely over critical of moments of BTV and I think for some horses this is not the case. It's not always the worst place they can be for periods of time. But I do think it is for Lynx... Because for him it means bracing and a dropped back.

So anyways Sarah Martin really wanted him poll high and up and open. Like I mentioned before he was extremely tense during that ride and I'm sure I was too because it caught me a little off guard. So I can see our tendency to brace on each other but I wouldn't say that this is a representation of all of our rides as he's usually much more relaxed... But it's always nice to work on the harder stuff in a clinic. Do not so fun stuff but the stuff that it's nice to have a really good help with.
https://youtu.be/3mGg99TUYvk?feature=shared

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby StraightForward » Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:55 am

Great to see everyone's videos. Love the one-handed riding, I should play with that a little more.

Chisamba, I hope Kimba heals up, that sounds nasty!

After spending a bunch of time and $$ pulling together some hunter kit this weekend, I went out and schooled over jumps. We were a little out of sync, but things started to click. Then after a walk break, I put T in a canter and turned her towards a jump she'd already taken a couple times. She was apparently off in lala land, and it took her by surprise, but instead of fully stopping, she kind of piled into it (it was 3 stacked cavaletti with a brush box under) and proceeded to fall down on her knees and make a yardsale out of the jump. Luckily she got back on her feet and I stayed on, though I jammed my left thumb and middle finger pretty good. I took the top cavaletti off and decided to go back to trotting over that, and she stopped in front of it, and then walked through it, tripped, and went down on her knees a second time. Argh. Luckily she seemed unharmed, so I got her over that, and a couple other jumps and called it a day. So of course I was stressed out for a couple days, icing her knees and giving some Previcox. But she is back in action and seems none the worse for wear. Good thing because her new hunter bridle arrived today and she looks quite fetching in it. Tomorrow we'll have our first jumping lesson in a few months, and Saturday do some 2'3" and 2'6" rounds at a pony club schooling show.

Last night I did just a light ride to make sure she was feeling OK, and tonight we did a little more. I caught myself out for giving away my right shoulder too much, so worked on keeping that, and asking her to bend into that right rein in the T/C transitions. She thought that was fairly impossible at first, but started to figure it out. Ended with some trot HP and playing with half steps and forward, which really got her back up.

The other good news is that a horse is moving out at the end of the month, so T will get to move into her roomier stall and run. The stall she's in is a little small for a horse of her stature, so I'm super happy that she'll have a better place to nap as we go into winter.
Keep calm and canter on.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby khall » Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:48 pm

Blob I weaned Lani yesterday. I thought Gaila would be the difficult one. I was wrong:). Geeze Lani showed she can be dramatic and it’s a darn good thing my stalls are well built and tall. As it was my 7 month old could almost get her front feet over the top of the stall wall. Sheesh. She’s very deliberate about it too. More temper than anything.

So first day of turnout with Chex who came back for 6 months to be here weaning partner (he’s awesome!) and there was definitely some drama. She tried to jump the gate and the fence. Thankfully was not hurt and was repelled by both so now there is hot tape across the gate and after her initial frantic run around with Chex they’ve both settled nicely and are eating grass. She’s not stupid at all just has a bit of temper in there. But time to be a big girl! And yes she’s almost as tall as Chex is! He’s 14.1. She’s 7 months old. Omg

https://www.facebook.com/share/nuAMRei73JvwqCrf/?

Lovely work Flight!! Norsey is one big dude! I bet one hand riding is a challenge but it looks great! SF I agree riding one handed is a great training tool. I too need to do it more. Have to with the garrocha pole. And wow I had no idea that sarcoid was that big. It sure healed well. Dealing with one in Chex’s ear. They are going to inject using the same stuff they did on Joplin. I can’t even see where hers was.

Chisamba how’s Kimba doing?

Lsp love the video! Lynx looks very happy there.

Blob glad mm is better with her breathing. This is the best time of year for us here in Ga! Thankfully we dodged Milton. I do have an evacuee from Sarasota staying in mom’s apartment. She put it out on equine fb page looking for a place to stay. She has 2 dogs a rabbit and a huge tortoise with her. Mom’s place was perfect. Even has a tortoise safe fence. She had to leave her horse. Though she heard back he’s fine. More inland. I was happy to be able to help. I know mom would be pleased too.

Still not sure about the schooling show. Feel better now about Lani and I certainly can leave her up for the day if I needed to. Closing date is tomorrow. I did run through the tests no problem other than wanting to throw changes in. Very happy with Joplin and definitely feel how the piaffe work especially the rotations in piaffe help the strength. The days I can’t ride I work in hand out in front of my barn.

Keep the updates coming! Happy riding all!!

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Moutaineer » Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:50 pm

Looks like everyone is doing A-OK. Flight looks fabulous, Aleuronx too, and Lynx just looks to me like he needs lots of consistent steady work. Easy to say, I know!

Mari, keeping my fingers crossed His Royal Spotiness continues to improve.

Khall, glad the weaning is going wellish!

Well, my DH now has 2 cataract-free eyes, so maybe I can get some consistent saddle time in rather than being chief chauffeur and babysitter... except there is a huge wildfire burning in the back country which is filling the valleys with some really nasty smoke. My lungs don't do that, and neither do Potters.

So we shall see. I really do need to get with the program if I'm going to go to California in a month for the Thermal show. I need to make some decisions next week. As DH says "it's a long way to go for a trail ride."

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby StraightForward » Fri Oct 11, 2024 2:00 am

Khall, if Lani gets to big, feel free to send her to me :mrgreen:

Moutaineer, sorry you're still dealing with smoke. Blech. I keep looking for rain in the forecast. California sounds fun so we can live vicariously!

It was nice getting a jumping lesson for the first time in 3-4 months. Instructor thought T was looking much stronger and in better carriage than last time he saw us. We got some good tips on pushing the canter out more on her good (left) side and supporting and making space for the hind legs on the more difficult (right) side. I had a bit of anxiety from the accident earlier this week rear up on our first time to my fairly solid brick wall jump. T took it fine, but I screwed up the bending line to the next jump. The next time around we managed it well and decided to call it a day. This is really making me think quicker, which I hope will help with dressage and we start moving up the levels. We're hoping to have him back out in a couple weeks, and maybe again in November if the weather is on our side.
Keep calm and canter on.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Fri Oct 11, 2024 3:33 pm

Consistency was really hard over the summer but a little bit easier now getting into fall as my schedule lightens. My trainer won't ride Lynx without me there, more so because she doesn't want to be liable for anything soundness wise lol. And I totally understand but it would be nice to have more help. Unfortunately that meant probably a max of 3 rides a week in the summer and a day or two of light groundwork. Ideally I'd get him into 5 rides a week... We will see if I can manage it. Sometimes I only have 20 minutes so resort to ground work on those days.

But Sarah Martin was very encouraging and didn't seem concerned about anything with him. She even told me a story that one of her clients got a quarter horse at an auction for super cheap and then got him to I1 before retiring him at 18 years old. Do I think that's in the cards for Lynx? Most likely not, but I did appreciate her positive story and the intent behind.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Fri Oct 11, 2024 5:49 pm

LSP it's not over 'til it's over and you're way too early in your journey to know where it's heading. I will say that getting discouraged is not only normal but to be expected especially when you have a breed that isn't considered to be bred for the sport. After multiple years of frustration though I always kept hope, Junior is really starting to demonstrate an understanding of what it is I'm asking and more importantly he's delivering and at times even appears to enjoy it. What's important is to understand biomechanics and how it affects your horse, not someone else's but yours. There are many, many paths to Rome but they all have some things in common - focusing on gradually building strength, ALWAYS working on the foundation of correct rhythm, balance, impulsion and submission. How you develop each really does depend on the individual. Getting exposed to a lot of experienced opinions and those who've managed to achieve similar goals with similar body type and mind sets I think is invaluable. I've always known Junior's strengths but it's been a true journey in finding exercises and approaches that have allowed him to use his strength (so that he didn't get scared or frustrated) in a way that helps his weaknesses. Today after some solid work in the arena on tempis, half-passes at all gaits and half canter pirouettes we alternated between extended trot, passage and even some moments of piaffe 6-8 steps on the way home. He gets really powerful when he's heading towards home and fortunately sees the exercises more as play than work. Once I realized how to tap into 'that', well, we're having a lot of fun and definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Troy really wants to engage with people. He gets jealous if the others are getting attention which works for me. He's been wearing and carrying a saddle pad without any issue so soon we'll give the saddle a try. He's very orally fixated and clearly teething to the bridle/bit will wait a little bit longer. I'm hoping that sometime this weekend I'll be able to walk him down to the obstacle course and introduce him to some of obstacles.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Fri Oct 11, 2024 7:29 pm

Exvet, thank you! I'm not exactly discouraged but I just don't have a lot of expectations at the moment if that makes sense? I'm still enjoying the journey which is all I can ask at the moment! I definitely think having some other input that's really good is helpful. I love my trainer and I know she's gotten a few people to third level on some off breeds and has gotten a few people their bronze and silver medals. As well as training her own horse (WB). from a foal to GP. So I know she can definitely walk the walk and talk the talk. But I think having occasional set of extra eyes is very helpful for me at least. I know they are talking about trying to bring Sarah Martin back in, with the goal of having her here two or three times a year.

I also want to be opposed to finding another local trainer to do occasional "clinics" with. Thinking somewhere to haul out quarterly might be helpful. It just has to be the right person. Someone that has to gel with the current system. Which is honestly not super easy sometimes. I feel like we've had a really good set of dressage trainers here in Colorado, but if I'm honest it's starting to feel like the really talented ones are either moving or retiring. Still there is some fresh blood that I have not explored yet so I'm putting out some feelers.

Lynx was extremely good today. I wasn't sure how it was going to go because they're redoing the roof at the barn. When we got there they were not working on it so we were tacking up inside. They suddenly started to drill or cut something above us and Lynx understandably lost his mind. He was rearing and running backwards but I got control over him. I managed to get out of the barn with him. I did elect to throw him on the lunge for 5 minutes just to be safe and he was already over it. Whew!

We again focused on the straightness and keeping him a bit more poll high with stretch breaks in between. We also worked on our half halts because I feel like he was blowing me off one of the days of the clinic lol. We then did some shoulder in to counter shoulder in then back to straightness work. We ended with some really good hunches in. Trainer hopped on to explore the canter and I am so happy to say he looked even better than he did on Monday. :)

He got chiropractic on Wednesday and we got a really good report. The chiropractor that has stifles looked great and said maybe hold off on any injections just yet.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Fri Oct 11, 2024 10:38 pm

It all sounds pretty good, the focus, the health reports and the perspective (it really is all about the journey) to me, LSP. Sounds like we need some pictures to accompany the update(s) but I know how hard finding those opportunities can be these days.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Moutaineer » Sat Oct 12, 2024 12:00 am

I think sometimes we need to re-set our attitude when we have a horse that has had issues in the past, and say to ourselves, and to them, "OK, time to move on from that now and get with the program." Having someone outside of the daily circle look clear-eyed at the situation can be an enormous help with this.

My friend has a lovely young horse who has had his issues with soundness. (Most of which seem to have been resolved with a farrier change.) She's really struggled with the right lead canter. She's been out of town and the assistant trainer has been riding the horse and has had no issues at all. She's back and had a lesson today, and lo and behold, both she and the horse started out struggling with that right lead. Well, she basically got her butt handed to her by our trainer who said, "no, enough of this. He can do it, you can do it, so just go out there and do it. Forget the history and just get on with it." It did work!

I had a good ride today. Some nice collected canter work and flying changes. It was really welcome to have some uninterrupted horse time. It has been very hard to prioritize riding recently.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby StraightForward » Sat Oct 12, 2024 4:49 am

Sounds great LSP! I agree it's a balance on getting fresh eyes vs sticking with a program and trainer who knows you. I like my occasional jumping instructor because he's also ridden up to PSG and advanced eventing, so I get some different flat work tips that transfer over to the dressage. My dressage instructor encouraged me to ride with him as well. I think it's a good blend.

T is really getting some power. I mostly rode tonight to get her some exercise since the horses have been in all week due to irrigation. We did some trot HP asking for medium trot, then I shot her straight out of the corner across the diagonal and she really lifted and powered up the first few strides. If we can build that, I think we've got our extended trot for third level!

I found out they switched up the format of the show next weekend, so the dressage is not at the facility with the primo footing, and they are running it as a fix a test. Well I can just ride a test fory instructor and get feedback. I don't really want to ride 2-3 twice in a row. Hopefully this won't work out as well and they'll go back to their regular format next year. I'll focus on getting ready for the outreach HJ show at the end of the month instead.
Keep calm and canter on.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Sat Oct 12, 2024 3:33 pm

Exvet, here is a recent quick photo from when we were waiting on the chiropractor on Wednesday. I think he's looking stronger and stronger! And he seems very happy in the work.
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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Sat Oct 12, 2024 5:04 pm

Mountaineer- I agree with you, sometimes we have to just focus on what have in the present day with the horse and not all the baggage! That being said I had about the opposite experience from the lady you mentioned above. The longest time I was told I was causing some behaviors and Lynx but more and more he started exhibiting them with the trainers so the opinion is now that it was in fact discomfort on his part! But I do believe we need to just ride him on and see what we have now with not as much worry. :) Time and muscle will show us what we truly have imo!

SF- I'm sorry about the schooling show! There are practically NO schooling shows in my area anymore unless we want to drive an hour or two. It's such a bummer. I wouldn't want to spend rated show fees just to get out feet wet.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Sat Oct 12, 2024 8:14 pm

Lipsmackerpony88 wrote:Exvet, here is a recent quick photo from when we were waiting on the chiropractor on Wednesday. I think he's looking stronger and stronger! And he seems very happy in the work.


There's definitely more muscle mass there. Good job and one of my favorite colors!

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby khall » Sat Oct 12, 2024 9:55 pm

More fun with the flying changes! Joplin really gets into them and boy when she starts bouncing they she can be hard to sit on.

https://youtu.be/lbYIi9jC-2k?feature=shared

She can catch some air!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/6vbd5SyiTtEiHeAn/?

I did sign up for just 3 rd 3 next weekend. See how it goes.

And for fun Lani playing with her ball

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/GgiWNs1n2KWVYJNq/?

Weaning is going ok. She’s not eating like I’m used to my other foals did. She does finish it off at night while in her stall. I’ve got her on baby dose of ulcer guard.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby StraightForward » Sun Oct 13, 2024 3:07 pm

Lynx is looking really muscular!

Khall, can't wait to hear how your show goes. Very exciting!

We had fun as the only adults that came out to play at the Pony Club show yesterday. The woman at check-in let me know we were guaranteed a blue ribbon, LOL. However the horses have been in all week due to irrigation and T was wound pretty tight before we even left home. She was the worst she's been to load in probably over two years, and I was thinking about scrapping the whole thing for a trailer loading lesson. She even kicked at me when she finally went in and decided to try backing out as I was putting up the butt bar. So I did not arrive with high hopes, and took her directly to the round pen to pin the # on my saddle pad and get her bridled. She actually settled enough that I felt OK to get on, and I did my best to get her moving and letting off some steam without trampling any ponies and children. First round she was a little looky since the jumps were decorated for Halloween, and it was a bit rough around the edges. Second 2'3" round was much better, and then we did our first ever 2'6" round, which I can really only fault for coming into a line in cross-canter. In hindsight I should have circled and fixed the canter, but in the moment I just tossed her the reins and let her figure it out. We're signed up to do it again at another nearby stable next weekend, so hopefully we will improve a little, and show some style if we make it to the Outreach show. I've got the jump instructor scheduled to come do another clinic, so we'll get some last minute pointers as well.

My dressage instructor will be here next Sunday and Monday, and I'm looking forward to what we can do with the strength T is starting to find in her hind end. She's been on Methocarbamol for a week now, and I'm wondering if it is having an effect of some sort on something that was a little tight and stuck in her hind end. Today I need to go out and get her feet sorted out. I'm glad I more or less figured out the composite shoeing, but she lost sole depth in her LF, so I've transitioned her back to BF and plan to keep her that way until next show season.
Keep calm and canter on.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby blob » Mon Oct 14, 2024 12:18 pm

We're starting to get a peak of fall weather here. Humidity down, cool mornings. Afternoons are still in the 80s, but still feels nice to have the change.

I'm hoping RP and I can get a lesson in this week. It's been so long since we've had a lesson. This is the new trainer, who I still have not really found my groove with, but I think she will be very helpful as we both get to know each other better. So we are planning/hoping to get in a more regular cadence.

In other news, I'm pausing change work with RP for at least week. He's getting a bit too bucky and excited in them. He is not doing them before asked, which is great. But as soon as I ask he is getting a smidge explosive right now. So, we are going to chill and not do them for a few days and then I will ask again.

MM is doing well so far without her dex. We had one day we needed to give it to her, but the last several days she's been doing well. And we have been working to get her back in shape. She is very eager and willing right now in work, but I have to stop her from doing too much and causing unnecessary strain on lungs.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Mon Oct 14, 2024 7:30 pm

Khall- Joplin looks so good, I know you are having such fun with her! How exciting to be working on the flying changes.

SF- got to love that spicy mare you have! She sure keeps you on your toes but look how far you guys have come lately. It's inspiring!

Blob- I hope you're able to get a lesson in soon. Glad to hear that MM is doing pretty good without the dex. Fingers crossed it continues!

I had a lesson on Lynx today. He was good. We tested out some short bits of sitting trot today, just in preparation to ask for the canter (more for me than him!) It went really well, he was relaxed with it and his ears even got a bit floppy which is always good. On Thursday we canter!! I'm a bit nervous about it although I don't know why. I think I'm nervous about my own self and riding than I am nervous about him being naughty or anything. My trainer thinks I'm being a little silly about it which is probably correct lol.

But Lynx is asking for more and more work so it's time. Canter needs to be in the mix now.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Mon Oct 14, 2024 8:13 pm

It sounds like everyone is making such great progress even if a wee bit exciting. Good job and good news!

This morning Troy wore a saddle. He could have cared less. Sometimes having a food motivated (treats) breed is a good thing, easier to connect positive reinforcement with the object at hand.

With Junior it was all about the right rein. I didn't realize how long we had worked before Junior really worked into it well and maintained being supple through that side. At the end I changed to a different arena (figured testing it out in surroundings would be wise). I'm happy to say that we did the tempis and got our counts as intended...............now if I can just get it sooner than it took this time. Lots of work ahead and counting down to the show, 3 weeks away.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Tanga » Wed Oct 16, 2024 7:59 pm

It sound like everyone is making great progress. I am really impressed with the pictures and videos I see.

I am a bit better. I can ride, though I am exhausted, and I still need to ride them to and from the pasture. I entered a show in two weeks with both horses for both days at two rides a day each so I can get a start on qualifying scores for next year's champs. I should be able to get them with Creeky Routson, and she will give me a good perspective on what to work on next year--we've known each other a long time and she knows the girls. My leasor is coming with me to help me or I wouldn't be able to do it, and if I need it, she can help me ride and warm them up. Because we lost so many local shows I wanted to get a head start, so I am spending way too much money on doing an overnight show and paying for stabling and a hotel, but I don't have my usual option of shows starting in Jan. anymore and so many fewer, so it is what it is. I say this every time, but one more champs with both at I-2, GP, and GPfs. Why not, right?

Still trying to figure out what is going on with my health. I have been max supplementing on my own with online groups who know this for iron, D, and B12, discovering that the "normal" test results are far below optimal or good, and all three work together. My GP is having me doing all of the cardio workups because at my worst walking up stairs leaves me breathing heavily--I am better than that now. It's fine that we're ruling that out (passed 3 out of 4 tests with flying colors) but she was not interesting in doing any tests for what really might be the causes and makes sense for me having travelled so many places and being around animals my whole life--h. pylori, Lyme, toxoplasmosis, bartonella, etc. I'm trying to get a referral to another doc who may know more about possible causes, but at least can help me with how to supplement! Learning more, understanding how B12 deficiencies work, my 340 "normal" is FAR below good, 800 + maybe up to 2,000 is good, and maybe supplementing won't work and I need the self injections. Sigh. But, I am almost 100% sure I can supplement out of this. If not, it is a really scary proposition. I just came from visiting my cousin who has been on an eight year journey of being oddly weak and everyone saying she is fine, to constant ER visits, to finding she has myasthenia gravis and cannot get to a doctor who will give her the actual treatment to stabilize her. Luckily she is very strong and self advocates, as is my other cousin who works for Kaiser, and also her brother is a neurologist who has been giving her ideas, so while we were there we were able to pick up her new donated van that can carry around her heavy duty wheelchair so she will be able to get around on her own and not exhaust herself trying to walk. I know I am very lucky.

I read all of your updates and it makes me happy to see so many results. The girls are doing well, but I have clipped twice already. Ugh! Luckily it seems we're past the massive heatwaves. By their coats, we will have a winter, which we need, because we are back to water rationing at the barn. The two heat waves we had in July and last week really dried out the ponds and dropped the wells. I will be glas to see rain, just not in two weeks for the show.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Moutaineer » Fri Oct 18, 2024 12:56 am

I'm glad you are feeling a little better, Tanga. So frustrating when you can't pinpoint the cause, though.

Torrential rain all day today and supposedly overnight to come, and much colder temperatures. Somehow my MW turnout and waterproof sheet must have got scooped up and sent out for cleaning while I was off my feet this summer. And they have yet to return... himself will be dressed in ragged handmedowns until they do.

I did have a very nice ride this afternoon. So far he's been much happier in the indoor than last winter. I'm strenuously trying to not let outside factors distract and influence me, so I hope it's rubbing off on him too. But qw had a couple of nice flying changes and some lovely trot work. The HP right really came together, and the left was OK, but at least he was going forward and not threatening to kill me.

The weather is supposed to be lovely next week, so we can get back outside and get some real work done...

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Chisamba » Fri Oct 18, 2024 6:18 am

Hi everyone, catching up on all of your progress.

Agree with moutaineer, don't let history get in the way of progress. Set the horse up for success and expect it.

Flight sorry to hear that Ding is on IR. Hope Norsey gets comfortable with the single hand rising. He looks very good.

Khall, nice flying change, it's certainly easier to balance big jump than to add to a flat change.

Exvet, I thought I was done riding with babies and here I am riding the younguns again. Good luck and enjoy your baby.

Some one asked me why I still take lessons. I gaped. But then I asked them to name one top athlete that did not have a coach. My favorite example being Roger Federer, because I'm a tennis fan. Best tennis player in the world, used a coach his whole career. This came up because I'm trying to work with my trainer more often. I want to need my tail coat. Lol
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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Fri Oct 18, 2024 1:58 pm

Tanga, glad you are a little bit better. I really hope it continues. It's frustrating when you feel like your doctor is not really trying to help you. I hope the show goes well and don't overdo it!!

Chisamba, have gotten that question about lessons before. I love your answer to them!!

Well yesterday I had big plans and discovered Lynx had wacked his left hind. It was tad bit swollen. He did seem a little sore on it but not overly lame. I did do a walk only ride just to see if some movement would kind of help the swelling. Fingers crossed when I got there this morning that it's not blown up!! We have things to do so I hope he's not trying to squash this progress lol.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby blob » Fri Oct 18, 2024 2:13 pm

well, speaking of lessons, I had my lesson yesterday with the new trainer. She is an S judge-- so in addition to being a good rider/trainer, it's nice to get that POV.

Last time she saw us RP couldn't canter, so this was a big improvement. We focused mostly on really getting serious about collection. She started me on a circle at the walk doing shoulder in on the circle and making RP really have a fast response off my leg. Then took that to the trot--this time doing a couple steps of really moving off sideways every couple of strides and then back to regular circle. Then we took all of this to SI. She had me doing a longside of SI, change directions and back down the long side the other way. So that we were making sure we had the adjustability and change. She wanted me to have a lot less angle than I've been having and really focus on keeping his inside hind under the midline of the belly and his frame up into the hand. Then we took the circle exercise to the canter. She wanted him MUCH slower than I've been asking and really in SF the whole time on the circle. On the right lead I was able to do it right and get what felt like really really collected--uphill, light, connected canter. On the left lead it was much harder for both of us to coordinate our bodies. For homework more of the above, but also really focusing that in w-t transitions he doesn't leap forward into the bigger gait and that instead i really keep him on his butt, even if that means a tiny/crawl transition. It was good, hard work, but clear homework that feels actionable and not overwhelming. And i was proud of RP for really trying hard even though this was a BIG challenge from what I have been expecting from him.

Today we will do a light hack to get his body moving. But give him a bit of a break. Sat + Sun we'll work on some homework and then i'll give him Mon/Tues off.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby exvet » Fri Oct 18, 2024 3:18 pm

That's such good news Blob! LSP - geesh horses, ya know? Can't bubble wrap them.

Well, I'm back in Scottsdale. Met my farrier this morning to get regular foot work done. He really likes Troy. Of course, being a farrier, he marveled and wondered, "Lisa (thick Mexican accent) how is it your horses always have such great feet and this one with all whites" as he winked. "It's in the genetics. Stick with Welsh Cobs (though mustangs that are clearly government remount stock and morgans aren't far from them in stature and build) if you don't want to have to call your farrier more often than the regular schedule," I responded. He laughed and remarked on how I got a 'pretty one' again. Miguel is a huge fan of the Welsh Cobs and has been since we first met. He updated me on Morgan, the stinker pony since he just did his feet last week. He said that he doesn't look a day over 5 and shook his head when I let him know that he's 22. He says he looks real buff and has a great top line. I know my friend isn't working him at all. He just hangs out with Clyde, the Clydesdal,e and her herd of mini donkeys and lamas. He showed me a picture on his phone and I think Morgan is still the prettiest pony.

On the note of young horses, Chisamba, I was not only proud of how well behaved Troy was for my farrier this morning, I was RELIEVED that he loaded right on the trailer last night after I got off of work. This was is first time back on the trailer after I brought him home from Colorado, a 7-hour trip. So, several milestones for Troy this week - wore a saddle for the first time, got back on a trailer and hauled 2.5 hours to Scottsdale, and had his feet trimmed with my farrier and I at the helm. It was obvious when I first brought him home that he had not just been well handled but was used to having a rasp on his feet. My farrier 'feels really good' that Troy is level headed and won't give me any problems when I back him. Hopefully it all goes as well as the last several.

Junior is going to get body-clipped today though thankfully there's finally a break in the heat down here. Actually it's raining at both my houses (Scottsdale and Prescott). I have a lesson tomorrow so I don't want him to get overheated and then there's the recognized show in 2 weeks. I'll find out tomorrow if our tempis are progressing in the right direction. Looking at Junior's bulk this morning compared to Troy's 2 year old frame it's clear that Junior is putting the muscle on in all the right places.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Tanga » Fri Oct 18, 2024 11:35 pm

Chisamba
I have someone on Reddit who's been asking me for advice, and is one of the people that inspired me to make the disappeared Facebook page. She's looking for a horse and I think she's in New Jersey from the horses she's looking at. I don't think she has much experience and really needs guidance. I told her she needs to come on this board, and maybe she's in your area and you two can hook up. I think she needs a common sense person for lessons and help in everything. A lot of people out there people know about are doing things at a cost level beyond most, and not really getting good horsemanship training. Maybe it will work you can help her.

She's waiting on the confirmation email, she is “larvaontheroad”

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Chisamba » Sat Oct 19, 2024 2:17 am

Tanga, I'd be happy to help, although Jersey is chock a block full of fancy trainers and the more down to earth variety. But having said that there is a huge divide , everyone south of hwy 80 seem to have stupid money. And everyone north of 80 sometimes has to choose between eating Ramen for a week and paying the vet bill.

My email is chisamba@yahoo.com if she wants to reach out.

Tanga have you tried immune boosting probiotic. I admit i am a better living through chemistry type, ie doctor not supplements, but if it works on my animals a try it myself . And I like immune boosting anti I flammatory probiotics.

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Re: Labor Day through the Hunters Moon

Postby Tanga » Sat Oct 19, 2024 2:49 am

Chisamba --She should be on as soon as she's approved and she can let you know, but I think she's on the ramen side. If nothing else, she could use some people she can trust locally.

I am with you on seeing how to live better. I have used probiotics when I have been sick to make sure my flora is up. Is it something beyond that? Do you take it daily? I will look into ANYTHING at this point.


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