Works in Progress

Its almost weekly that I either see a posting on Chronicle of the Horse's BB or someone emails me about sacro-iliac injury in the horse. Why do they email me? Usually because they know someone who knows me and thus Ernie's story. They ask for any tips and advice and I write it out generally in a hurry and send off what I can. Its been on my list for some time, but I am officially starting to draft out a blog page that I will post here... or maybe two... about his injury, the diagnosis, the treatment, the rehab and the post rehab road. Its important because there is hope for this injury! Like a lot of people, I was devastated when I realized how bady hurt my horse was and really frustrated that it took so long to get it correctly identified. Given its long standing and chronic nature, I give a huge amount of credit to the vets that helped me on the course of healing it. So, look for that shortly!

The continued progress of Ernie and Philipe.... the BIG half-halt. Otherwise known as the "sit DOWN, NOW" half-halt. They are getting stronger, getting quicker, and there is still work to do on not losing the neck in any way shape or form during the big half halt. Small and sequential half-halts go through well, but they each have some tiny evasions to the big half-halt and we are diligently nit picking through those little spots where the aid doesn't make it through to the haunches.

Lastly, I'm trying to think in terms of being more efficient. Making my point as quickly as possible and getting on to either a different topic or a reward. I have a tendency to go fishing a little as I say. I like for the horses to 'figure out' the answer, but sometimes its important just to tell them the answer then repeat and see if they can find it the next time.

January is almost over and the shows are upon us. I'm very anxious to show, but really want the tests solid. I'm planning to do some test rides over the weekend with video to see where we are at.

Free Forward, Straight, and Calm

I first heard this dictum of horsemanship when I was 20. I'd been riding for a long time, and while all the principles where there, the three concepts spoken in a phrase together had not been mentioned to me. It was an "oohhhh" moment as I sat there in the outdoor jumping arena aboard a gangly dark bay TB gelding that was getting a new career as a jumping horse and new lease on life during a lesson with former Olympic Show Jumping rider Richard Sands. He ran his training operation out of the same stables where I was an assistant to another trainer and he invited me to ride any of my projects in his afternoon groups if I wanted. It was a good deal. The horses got exposure, someone else was setting fences, and he kept me sharp in my skills while challenging me to develop new ones in that awkward time post juniors, big eq, and pre real professionalism.

Sometimes though this phrase is re-ordered. Calm, forward, straight. Or "ride your horse forward and straighten him." Conversely, I've heard it said, "straighten your horse and send him forward." The latter one more rarely. Situationally, the order can vary, but the 3 concepts in total equal a balanced horse. Over the years though, I've realized that for the most part, the original version I heard is the best bet of prioritization when it comes to establishing and maintaining these three qualities.

Very often "calm" horses are only calm because they are not going forward. Get them truly moving off the leg and suddenly they awaken from the slumber that kept them manageable. Even if it means disrupting calm, forward MUST happen. Without some amount of forward momentum, there really isn't much ability to discuss directing that energy into a straighter form. Again, adressing such issues can come at the expense of calm. But, once the horse is understanding of forward, moving freely and balanced by the straigtening aids of the rider they undoubtedly become calmer. The horse lets go with a sigh of relief for the burden of his rider is now a manageable one. They feel brave and they feel successful- the horse gets "happy."

January is half over?

Where does the time go? I have been getting up at 6ish, in the dark and frosty cold to feed, manage a stable of horses who are preparing for a show season, ride through the day, teach a few lessons, groom horses in the evening, and head in after dark. The days start to melt together.

Ernie is consistently schooling his 4's and the rest of the 4 level tests. Last week we tried the half-pirouettes at X returning to M or H, and then maintaining the counter-canter through the corner to a flying change at C. Of course he at first said, "huh?" and then quickly thought it was a brilliant new idea that we could change at the top of the arena too. I realized in my efforts to show him changes can be in all sorts of places, I had forgotten about that one. Fixed.

Philipe is back on full track (abcess, chiro, mom's mistakes LOL), but with a saddle fit issue. I'm not sure why he seems to be upset with the saddle he wore for over a year fine, but he goes far better in my ancient needs flocking P.O.S Wintec. Go figure.

Romeo is maturing! I swear one morning I took his blanket off and it was not the horse I put a blanket on the night before. He was bulky, beefy, and adult in all his Spanish horse glory.... until he started pawing on the stall door and looking all of 3 years old with an "I wunna go OOOUUUUTTTTT!" whine on his face. Then I remind him he can do all his lateral work, and is popping out simple changes.

Breanna is just so refreshing. She has no problems. Life is grand. I've never met a more blissfully innocent creature.

The barn is full of client horses in-training. My days are starting EARLY and thank goodness for more hours of daylight so I can get one more horse done a day. With a 3yr arabian stallion, a 6yr hanoverian mare, and a 7 yr pony sized morgan gelding life stays interesting. They are all adorably sweet horses and enjoy their training so my life is terrifically fun these days.

Speaking of the little arabian stallion, MF Khafaz Fahim or Jr. as he is known, went to his first show with owner Stacy doing a couple walk/trot classes last weekend and I got to see the first ride. He was terrific. You would not have any clue to walk by him that he has been in training for only 30 days, is just turning 3, let alone a stallion. He's greeny weeny so we didn't ask him to be a "show horse," but simply ride around in all the commotion and ride like we would at home. His answer was "piece of cake dude!" I love this little guy.

Now I just have to think to the future and who I want to take where this show season which is literally JUST around the corner. Hmmmmm.......