Tag Archives for riding

Do You Ride?

Imagine if you will the following picture as you are walking through the grocery store: before you stands a woman with a ball cap shoved on her head to hide her sweaty, helmet-flattened hair, her shirt is also wet with sweat and has a green smear of something across her chest, her tan pants are close-fitting and also have unidentified stains on them, and she has on a pair of tie-dyed Zocks with her feet wearing a pair of clogs.  As you approach her, there is an intoxicating aroma of horse, sweat, and hay with a hint of leather conditioner lingering in the background.  Do you ask that woman, “Do you ride?”  Really?!  The devil on my shoulder is goading me to say, “why no I don’t, why do you ask?”  The angel on my other shoulder twists my earlobe until I do say, “why yes I do.”  Why else would I  be clad in such odd attire?  Unless I was aiming to get my photo on the last page of Glamour magazine with the black box obscuring my identity, there really isn’t any other reason to look that awful except when you are done riding but desperately need groceries.

Have had two productive rides this weekend.  I have tried to focus on our trot rhythm and my proper timing for half halts.  Sometimes I really feel like an uncoordinated klutz in the saddle.  It gives you a true respect for those riders trying out for the US Olympic team who regularly score in the high 70s at Grand Prix.  In any case, I persevere and continue to practice.  Still debating on whether or not to carry my whip at the next show.  Sometimes it seems to help, but shifting the whip from one hand to the other is another one of those klutz-inspired moments for me.  And then I have to decide where does the whip need to be to make it useful.  I could really use it behind my left leg when asking for right lead canter, but within a stride desperately need it at the right shoulder to keep us from collapsing to the right.  AARGGH.  It will have to be a show day decision and based on how Ike feels in warm up.

We did a practice session with the trailer yesterday.  Ike performed flawlessly.  Phew.  One less thing to fret about.

Ike also is in need of another beauty school day.  It seems like his mane has grown at least an inch since April and he is also sporting a Miami Vice five o’clock shadow.  Put that on the list of things to do this week.  The dry cleaner did manage to remove the slobber from my show coat.  Thank goodness they put the protective plastic sleeve over the clean item…I managed to promptly drop the coat as soon as I arrived at the barn.  Couldn’t even make it the 50 feet from my car to the trailer.  Klutz.

One week from today is our Training Level debut.  I think I’m actually a bit nervous already.  It will be a long and sleepless week.

Anyone, Anyone? Bueller?

Do you ever ride your horse and wonder if anyone is home or if they have left town and headed to the beach for a long weekend?  Today, as I rode Ike in our lesson with Ms. C, I felt like Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off asking questions to the class, “Anyone, anyone?”  I would ask Ike to half halt, and I would ask again and again and again and….well you get the picture, and he would just keep rolling along as if I hadn’t asked.  I could imagine him sitting at one of those high school desks in economic class with his head on the desk with a puddle of drool under his mouth.  The lights were on but no one was home.

Ms. C had us doing exercises to help control Ike’s shoulders – square turns were challenging since my half halts were going unheeded.  “Ask again, be louder!”  My arms and legs started to hurt from my efforts.  I finally had to down transition to the walk in order for Ike to respond to my request and then attempt them at the trot again.  Ugh, I will need to take some ibuprofen before going to bed tonight.  We also worked on my timing since I have a tendency to be a little late in preparing Ike to feed off on a square turn/circle/centerline.  Half halt a few strides before you feed off or turn, not right as you get there.  It sounds easy enough, but as we are trucking along, I get so worried about missing the letter that I forget to do my preparations.  I guess that is why people like me take lessons from experienced people like Ms. C so that they can keep us on track.

We definitely need help with controlling Ike’s shoulders at the canter.  His right shoulder can be very dominant and today was one of those days.  When I ask for the right lead, that right shoulder collapses and our 20 meter circle quickly becomes a 15, 12, 10 meter circle.  To the left, that dominant right shoulder pulls us right so we have those half ovals or full egg shapes.  Ms. C had me carry a short whip in my right hand and keep it at the shoulder to encourage it to stay more upright.  It did help, but I do sometimes have a hard time keeping my reins at the right length, squeezing my fingers and holding onto the whip.  Feel like a klutz.  Thank goodness Ike is so forgiving.

Can you guess how we finished the lesson?  Stretch down trot!!  Ike was tired at the end of the hour, so we actually did have some positive moments in our stretch down.  I need to remember to sit tall and to not lean forward as I encourage Ike to stretch more.  That just causes him to trot faster and faster and get out of balance.

We will be back to trailer loading practice tomorrow.  I also need to pick up my show coat from the dry cleaners.  Hoping they were able to get the horse slobber off that right sleeve.

But I’m Hungry

Today was one of those days that Ike’s worlds collided.  I showed up which means peppermints and neck scratches before and after we work, but I showed up at dinner time.  So, what is better?  Me or dinner?  It was apparent today that dinner ranks higher than I do.  I had to drag him from his stall.  When I tried to capture his attention for a photo, the above is what I got, “No, I will not look at the camera or give you my attention.”  Ike just knew that everyone else would be fed while he was “forced” to work before he would get his afternoon ration.  Yes, I am just that evil.  Ike might be joining the dog’s lawsuit sooner than I think.

I left the gate to the arena open while we worked.  It was like a siren of the seas drawing Ike closer and closer.  Correct flexion was next to impossible as we would approach the gate.  Trainers would say it should just take a squeeze and release of the inside rein to recapture his attention.  Ha!  Tell that to Ike’s stomach.  Pretty sure that it was calling the shots for half my ride.  I’d have to open my inside rein and shift all my weight to the inside just to get Ike to be straight at the poll.  I can see a judge’s comment, “too much use of the inside rein.”  Yes, I’ve seen that comment before, but sometimes it is all I have to fight the battle.  I finally gave up and moved to the far end of the arena to get something accomplished.

The half of the ride that I could capture Ike’s attention went pretty well.  Worked on the evil test combo of canter-trot transition-stretch down trot circle-working trot.  It is a shame that the stretch down trot has a coefficient of 2 for the movement.  It is just not our friend.  We are hovering in the score range of 4.5-5.5 and I’m being optimistic.  Too bad that dressage scores don’t have the high and the low marks thrown out before computing the final score – like they do in ice skating.  I’m also still OK with using mulligans like I suggested in a past blog entry.

Our canter continues to improve.  Practiced the T-1 canter movements.  Our half circles in the middle of the arena are sometimes half ovals.  Again, sometimes all I have is that inside rein to save me.  At the schooling show last weekend the judge thought that our canter was a bit too slow.  Really?  That caught me by surprise since I’ve been trying to slow down the Marmaduke canter to something more presentable.  Hoping that at the next show that I get to ride Intro C AND get the test (comments) back before my T-1 ride.  At least then I know what that judge thinks we should be doing and try to show a change in the T-1 test.

Lesson with Ms. C tomorrow.  Betcha we work on that stretchy trot thing…

Selecting a Theme Song

Call me odd, but all of my furry family members have a theme song.  The title of the song captures their spirit and personality in those few simple words.  I shared these a while ago on Facebook, but thought I would share again since I was thinking about the appropriate tune for Ike.

Cigar’s song is Fruitcakes by Jimmy Buffett.  Just because he is a Thoroughbred does not automatically mean that he is crazy, but we are pretty certain that a screw came loose and rattles around that head of his.  Good thing I love him so much.

Holly is my 15-year-old hound dog.  Her song?  Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads.  In her heyday, the girl could hunt down ANY critter that dared enter our suburban backyard – a groundhog (1), opossums (3), a dove (1), a house finch (1), squirrels (too numerous to count), and thankfully, no skunk.  Most amazing part, she never had a scratch on her from any of the battles.

Tim is my terrier mix therapy dog who hates getting wet in the rain or muddy and refuses to have anything to do with Holly when she is prowling for critters.  I selected YMCA by The Village People for him.  It just works.  Trust me.

Spencer is our 3-year-old All American Mutt.  He was and still is a whirling dervish; the 1980’s classic I Want to be Sedated by The Ramones seemed all too appropriate.  The only means of taming the zaniness?  Three days a week at doggie daycare.

And finally what you’ve all been waiting for….(sound of a drumroll)…..Ike’s theme song is Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bob Marley.  Ike rarely gets grumpy and is always happy to see me.  Yes, he can be excitable in the cold wind, and hates being out in the elements, but his overall persona is one of peaceful  contentedness.  I wonder what he’d look like with dreadlocks?

Hoping to hop aboard for a ride tomorrow.  A little over a week away from the next dressage show – guess I should make sure I have memorized Training Level Test 1.  Oh, and um, yeah, we need to work on that stretch down trot.

Baby Huey Wants to Pump You Up

Can you believe it?  Big boy might have slowed in the vertical direction, but there is definite muscle mass development occurring in every other direction.  There might actually be some muscle definition.  Who remembers the Saturday Night Live skit of Hans and Franz, “We want to pump you up, yah, wake up and smell the muscles.” (all said with an Arnold Schwarzenegger accent)  Classic SNL.  I sometimes think that Ike is sneaking out of his stall at night to hit the gym.  I can see him curling dumbbells and chugging protein shakes with the oiled up muscle men.

There is definitely some fat and muscle on that loooong back now.  Ike will now let me sit the trot for longer periods of time – patience dear girl, he is still only four.  The boy needed some fat on that gawky young frame to make it possible – no fun to have me bouncing on skin and spine.  We have slowly adjusted his daily feed ration over the past 10 months.  Currently it includes the Pennington All-Phase Balancer Pellet, Whole Oats, Alfalfa Pellets, and Purina Athlete.  I discovered Purina Athlete years ago when Cigar was having trouble keeping his weight.  I tried one of the regular weight gain supplements, but Mr. Picky said, “No thank you.”  Corn oil would have worked but it is messy and can go rancid so quickly in the heat.  My veterinarian recommended Purina Athlete as a supplement/top-dressing to his normal grain ration.  Purina notes that it is a 14-15% fat and 14% protein feed for performance horses (http://horse.purinamills.com/products/athlete/ECMD2-0033779.aspx).  I can tell you that it does wonders for getting weight on and then helping the horse maintain the weight even in the winter.  We’ve adjusted the quantity depending on the work schedule (or lack thereof for Cigar these days) and usually after consulting with the vet to make sure the change isn’t to drastic.  The side benefit of the Athlete is that the coat is glossy and shiny without the need for shine products.  There is nothing on Ike’s coat in the photo above.  Would you believe it if I didn’t tell you?

Ike enjoyed his day off yesterday and supervised while I cleaned tack and tidied the trailer.  I’m still waiting for the day that one of my horses decides to help with all the clean up.  Was able to hop on for 30 minutes today.  Had to fight for a connected trot, but I finally achieved it after I rode in two point for a few minutes.  I have found that it helps Ike find the connection if I stay off his back and then quietly go back to rising trot.  We worked on maintaining our tempo on circles – that was one of the judge’s comments from Sunday – we have nice impulsion on the long side, but we lose impulsion on the circle.  She is right, but at first I had to slow down or we would drift out as centrifugal force would take over.  Now that Ike is finding better balance, we are less likely to drift into another orbit and we can bump up the impulsion on the circles.  We will get there.

p.s. this post would have been up 30 minutes ago, but a laptop glitch caused me to lose all but the first 6 words of the post. #$%&*$$

Another Successful Day

So we survived another dressage show.  Ike has two more ribbons to add to his collection – a blue one and a red one.  I could not be prouder of my big boy.

As you can see I decided to braid albeit not my best even for cheater braids.  I placed the braids in on Saturday morning while Ike stood patiently in his paddock with the lead rope draped over the fence.  I, of course, forgot to bring the Quick Braid out with me and was too lazy to go back to get it, so we forged on without it.  The braids were a little worse for the wear this morning, but rolled them up, picked hooves, ran a brush over Ike’s back and onto the trailer he went.  My husband was in shock at the transformation in Ike’s attitude toward the trailer.

Turns out we were the first ride of the day just like at the last show.  Ike was a bit uptight not having a lot of company.  There was one other horse and Ike decided that they were going to be buds.  Whinnied and worried whenever he could no longer see it.  I could feel the tension building and the trot getting more and more choppy – asked for canter so he could free himself from that nervousness.  It helped to some degree, but then he was alone again for our first ride.  Intro C – 63.8% – we had high points and low points.  Ike nailed both our centerlines.  We had a small spook right after our first turn which got us the comment “drifting on and off the line.”  No duh.  Ike almost picked up the wrong lead, but a quick half halt and we saved the right lead canter circle.  We lost impulsion as we would feed off onto our trot circles, but I feared he would break into canter if I pushed for more.  High point for me was our left lead canter…7!  Yea for us.  Progress.

We only had two riders in between our rides, so we just chilled at the competition arena.  Intro B was up next – 70.3% – go Ike!  I could feel the lack of tension as we rode the test and knew that our score would be better.  Everything was more fluid including our circles.  Just one giraffe neck moment as we made the turn at the judge’s stand.  High point this test?  Centerline:  8 for the entry and 9 for the final line.  Call me silly, but I still remember the first time I ever got a 9 in a dressage test;  I think I even still have that test saved somewhere.

Need to thank Ike’s Fan Club for coming to cheer him on today.  We appreciate all of you taking the time to come support us!!  Thank you as well to the owners of Lucks Glen Farm.  Lovely facility and great dressage schooling show.

Ike is taking the day off tomorrow, but Mom will be hard at work cleaning tack and the trailer.  Two weeks until we head back to Commonwealth where we will make our Training Level debut. Hmm…

Lesson Part Deux

I opted for a second lesson this week since we are headed out into the wild blue yonder on Sunday.  Had to fit the ride in between the early morning thunderstorms and the expected storms this afternoon.  It was very humid which means that the bugs were particularly voracious.  When they are this bad, I have found that the fly spray is almost a waste of time and money.  I resort to smearing the clear formula Swat (http://www.bigdweb.com/SWAT-OINTMENT-CLEAR-6-OZ/productinfo/9320C/) in strategic places to keep the flies at bay for the duration of the lesson.  It does a dandy job and is pretty impervious to sweat.

Ms. C had me school the various test movements as well as tell her each test each test  to make sure I know where each movement starts and ends (Intro C, halt at G..).  Ike’s right shoulder can be dominant some days, so I use my right thigh to combat the “push” I feel against the saddle.  This works against us on centerline because he then overcorrects and the left shoulder falls left which equals crooked halts.  The other problem we were having is Ike’s right flexion.  This was the issue of the day.  Somedays, today included, it is like wading through partially dry concrete to get that flexion.  If I fight for it too much on centerline…left shoulder falls left, right hind is to the right and we have the start of a “crab trot.”  See the May 29 post for the explanation of the crab walk and trot if necessary.  Free walk was adequate as was Ike’s walk.  Trot transitions were hit and miss.

The boy was also fired up today for some reason.  Maybe it is the unstable atmosphere due to the storms.  In any case, he REALLY wanted to canter.  So we didn’t.  He needs to learn to wait for the cue.  Of course, that being said, I’m sure at times I inadvertently shift my weight and he hears canter transition.  Today, he wanted to be in charge of the gait we were riding.  He got one past me, and it took all my strength to shut him down; he used that massive giraffe next against me.

Overall, he did well when we schooled each test.  He did get to canter the two circles of Intro C.  Quite the expressive right lead canter transition.  Some might call it explosive!  There were moments of our 8 trot and 7/8 free walk.  I wouldn’t complain with straight 7’s.  Would you?  Can’t guarantee that we will find it on Sunday, but that won’t stop me from trying.

Have my ride times.  They are only 20 minutes apart.  Awesome.  Only have to have one warm up.  Intro C is up first followed by Intro B.  Tomorrow will be a short barn visit with some tidying of the whiskers, mane, and tail.  Still debating braids or no braids.  Come back Sunday and find out!

Hijacked!

Hi everyone, it’s Ike.  I have hijacked Mom’s blog for the day, so that I can get a few words out there for everyone to read.  Mom tells me all the time that she is so very happy that I am part of the family.  I think she means it, especially after what Cigar tells me what he used to do to her.  I really do try to listen and do what she wants.

The trip from Florida to Virginia last year took two days, but I had a traveling companion who was headed to New Jersey to keep me company.  We traveled at night because it was August and it was hot during the day.  We stopped in North Carolina to stretch our legs and get some rest before the final leg to my new home.  My home is a very nice farm in rural Virginia.  Besides my best buddy Lady and brother Cigar, there are 5 other horses that live with me.  Most of them are nice enough, but this one chestnut mare makes mean faces at me every time I walk by her stall.  Don’t know what I did to make her dislike me so much!!

I’m still not sure I like the cold winters in Virginia.  That funny white stuff on the ground was certainly odd.  I tried to run fast and hover above the stuff, but as soon as I’d stop, it would touch my feet again.  Everyone tells me that I should see what it is like with a lot of the white stuff on the ground.  No thanks.  I will make Mom take me back to Florida for the winter if that is the case.  After all, I do have a cool new trailer to ride in now and hopefully by next winter Mom will know how to park the truck so she doesn’t tear the side mirror off.  Ha ha.  I’m still not telling what the nice gentleman whispered in my ear that got me over my fear of the trailer.

Ms. C and Mr. D take good care of me.  I always get extra goodies in my feed bucket and a pat or neck rub when they come to the barn.  They have the most delicious hay; Ms. C is very particular about what she buys.  I think it is because she likes me so much that she only wants the best for me and the others.

Mom tells me that we are leaving the farm again this weekend to go to another dressage show.  The last one was fine.  The horses in the barn area made me very nervous with all their neighing.  Thank goodness Ms. C was there to help me since Mom was too nervous.  Mom likes the ribbons we received.  I’m not so impressed since I can’t eat them.  The coolest part was that I had my very own cheering section telling me what a good job I did.  I hope they come see me again.

I was a good boy under saddle today.  Got over my weekend funk.  I’m entitled to a bad day every now and then right?  I really like to canter, but Mom made me work on my trot today.  She says we are going for an 8 for our trot work.  Don’t know what that means except that I won’t be cantering.  Bummer.

Cigar tells me that the dogs have a pending lawsuit against her for crimes against canines (something to do with not enough treats being dispensed and the fact that they are expected to sleep on dog beds rather than her bed) and that they are waiting for the SPCA or The Humane Society to help their cause.  I have to say that I’m pretty happy with my life in Virginia, and at this point, do not see the need to put my name on any legal paperwork….yet.

I’ll borrow the computer again soon.   Ike

Time-Efficient Braiding

What great weather day to end the month – can’t believe 5 months of 2012 are already behind us.  Ike and I are quickly closing in on our first anniversary.  Time flies when you are having fun, and isn’t that what riding is supposed to be about?  Fun?!  Looks to be a nice weekend as well for all horse related activities – high 70’s and lower humidity.  Going to the Strawberry Hill races at Colonial Downs Racetrack (http://www.colonialdowns.com/) to tailgate and bet on the ponies on Saturday.  The dressage schooling show is on Sunday at a nice farm 30 minutes from the farm.  Probably, no certainly, I am glad that it is just a schooling show which means I don’t have to braid if I don’t want to or if I don’t have the time.

And I must come clean, my braiding skills are not the best.  Yes I can take three pieces and plait them together and stick a rubber band on the end, but as for sewing in braids.  Forget about it.  Yes, I know there are purists out there who swear they can braid a mane in 20 minutes using traditional methods.  I have never been one of them.  I tried and failed miserably.   I am now well known for my “cheater braids” as my friend Amy dubbed them years ago.  I call it being efficient with my time, after all, I am not competing at Devon or Gladstone.  I promise that if we ever qualify for the Region 1 GAIGs or the BLMs, I will pay someone to braid Ike’s mane for the championship class (Girl Scouts’ honor).  For now, I will continue my time-efficient method.  Would you like to know my secret?  I call it Hairdini for Horses, but Dressage Extensions sells them as Easyplait Braiders.  (http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=14985)  They don’t actually require any braiding for them to work – there is a hole in the middle of the “velvet” covered wire.  You stick the mane through the hole, squeeze, and roll it up like you are putting in a curler.  You then bend one end over the other and TA-DA!  A button braid!  The photo below is Ike showing off our “braids” the day before the April show…we did a test run with the braids and bridle number.

 And here we are at the show…

Just squint a bit and you won’t be able to tell the difference.

Since you have made it this far in the post, here is my helpful hint that helps the Easyplaits stay in place better – spray a section of mane with Quick Braid, braid the mane and rubber band it with two rubber bands.  I usually do this step the day before the show and leave them in overnight.  The next morning at the butt crack of dawn, all you need do is stick the end of the braid through the holdein the Easyplait and roll it up.   You are now ready to head down centerline!

Back in the saddle tomorrow.

More than just Walk, Trot, and Canter

When shopping for a horse, we all spend time looking at the quality of the horse’s gaits.  Does the walk have a clear four beat rhythm?  Does the horse track up at the trot?  Is there range in each of the gaits?  Can I ride each of the gaits including sitting the trot?  (I could not even find a decent rising trot on one horse I rode when looking…I knew I’d never be able to sit that trot.)  Ike has rideable gaits and I’m finding that the trot is very comfortable to sit now that he has the beginnings of a topline.  But, I have discovered that there are additional movements within each of the gaits that are like finding an extra prize in the cereal box.  Ike’s gaits also include:

Crab Walk – Usually seen on centerline when we are supposed to be absolutely straight.  The body is held in a crescent shape as we attempt to stay on centerline.  Ike’s brother perfected this walk and added the tail swish and boot biting options for extra flair.  Advanced horses will also perform this at the trot while biting the rider’s boot (note: judges are not impressed.)

Hunchback Walk – a stilted walk with the back held very tightly, the croup high and tail raised.  This walk typically precedes a 20 pound poo.

Stiff as a Board Walk – not to be confused with the preteen sleepover game of Light as a feather, Stiff as a board.  This walk comes out when Ike decides he does not want to work and listen to my leg, seat, hands, or voice.  Usually accompanied by jerking of the reins from my hands.

Scooby Doo Scramble – can be performed at the trot or canter.  Legs are swiftly moving, but there is no forward motion.

Race Horse Jig – a rudimentary attempt at a collected trot.  To date only seen at the one horse show Ike’s attended.

Giraffe Trot – Fairly rhythmic trot, but neck is stretched long and tall, and attention is given to something invisible on the horizon.

Eventer Gallop – never experienced under saddle, but the boy can cover his paddock in about three strides…talk about a lengthening.

Great Dane Canter – All four legs are moving in an attempt at a three beat motion, but there is no communication between the legs that splay in any and all directions.  Not sure what the usefulness of this canter is except in auditioning for the role of Marmaduke’s big brother.

I doubt any of these gaits will make it into any textbook, but I know they are real.  Productive ride today.  Ike was back to his normal, willing self,  Practiced Intro B and Intro C for Sunday (reminder!!!  Intro C, final halt at G.  I’d better not mess that up again.)  Ike was a star with the trailer…let us hope Sunday goes as well.