Ride like a jockey

Quiet ride this afternoon. Should I be saying yesterday afternoon? It is 12:48am, after all...Oh well. It's still "today" to me... ;)

The weather was charging with a cool front coming in, so Toler and I were both pretty wound up. I decided to chance the possibility of rain and ride outside, specifically because it was so awesome out. Note: I LOVE storms. Toler and I couldn't resist some jumping, but I was too lazy to reset any of the jump heights, so the lines on the rails were hardly over 1'8", and the first jump of each diagonal was 2'3" and the second of each diagonal was 2'6." He was pretty good, though, and only knocked down one of the 2'6" because it didn't look much bigger to him and he wouldn't listen to my insisting that it *was* bigger. Oh well. He has a hard time getting the striding on the approaches after turns when we go his bad direction, mostly because he tries to drop his shoulder and stick his hip out so he doesn't have to use his butt. So we worked a bit on that.

And then silly me decided that I'm annoyingly out of shape in my two-point. Can't say that I'm all that surprised seeing how little consistent jumping work I've done since our jumping accident. It got me thinking about how awesome I used to be. Let me tell you, I was a fencer for about four and half years (as in, swords, not the constructed kind). Fencers have thighs of steel. Which was great because being away for college meant that I wasn't completely losing my riding form. At least I had fencing to keep my thighs tight.

So there's this exercise (read: method of torture) to really crank up two-point endurance. A friend at the stable learned it while working with David O'Conner at university (equine sciences). It has thus been dubbed "The O'Conner Exercise" at our barn, but I don't know what anyone else calls it. Essentially, you either raise your stirrups to the highest hole or raise them to the highest hole and then put your feet in the leathers on top of the stirrup iron, depending on how high your leathers run. I much prefer using the stirrup irons because it's hard to get your feet out of the leathers quickly should such action be required.

Here's where every rider's childhood dream of being a jockey comes true. You ride at the two-point, preferably on a horse who can just go around and around without fuss. And let me tell you, if your two-point is out of shape, you'll know it immediately. And possibly won't be able to walk for the next day and a half. It is *intense.* Even twice around the arena at a trot and canter both directions--What? Two minutes total?--made me feel like gelatin. When I was in shape, I could do the O'Conner exercise for at least ten-fifteen minutes. Straight. Ideally you should be able to do this for fifteen minutes while out on a hack over hills. Especially if you're an eventer.

So, needless to say my thighs are killing me right now. Tomorrow will be a "spoil the spoiled" day, I think. Brushing, braiding, a little massage, and some chilling out by the long grass. It'll be nice. And O'Conner-exercise-free. XD

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Come along

I guess it's been a while since I posted about the moose. Things have been going quite well, actually. I've been working on the counter-canter exercises from the previous posts, as well as the third exercise of that series (which I'll get into in a minute). We've been running through Training Level Test Three rather consistently. I only haven't moved on because I kept forgetting to memorize the T4 test, haha.

The other day I did That Awful Thing to him before we rode. (Pulled some of his mane.) Really, that horse. He flings his head up and braces his neck even before I pick up his mane. And I do it so carefully (and correctly, I might add--choosing tiny sections and pulling it closely from the root). There's really no reason for his melodramatic response. Sometimes he even tries to knock me off the stool I stand on. Of course, once I did get on to ride, he was perfect. Even a tad on the sensitive side, actually.

The third exercise in Leslie Webb's counter-canter work is a bit like the trot movement in T4, only (obviously) at the canter.


It's actually easiest to start this one at the trot, just to make sure there are no "You want me to do WHAT?" moments. But, actually, if you've been doing those counter-bent serpentine at all, you should be good to go. A few things to notice first: The dashed line is easiest to work on before gradually increasing the length of the diagonal (and thus the difficulty of the counter-canter work). Second, this figure isn't exactly like the MXF / MXK bend movements, as there is a stride or two of straightness around X.

I was really worried initially that Toler would get overexcited about this and try to do flying lead-changes at every possible opportunity. Luckily, that has yet to be the case. He's been doing fairly well with it, too, although I have yet to get a nice stride or two of straightness around X, mostly because he anticipates and then I just have to go with him so he doesn't drop his shoulder or do the "counter-bend collapse," as I've begun to call it. Going clockwise, Toler can get the straightness if we follow the shallower path, but once we get to the centerline, there's simply not enough room. Partially because, like I said, Toler gets excited, and partially because the indoor arena (the only place I can do these sorts of exercises) is only 20 x 40 meters, which does cause quite a bit of trouble when I start to school the higher tests. Movements are just shorter, and the test is always "rushed" in feeling. Granted, this makes for a wonderful ease and feeling when I'm actually riding in a standard dressage arena, but still. ;)

Going counter-clockwise, however, Toler has quite a bit of trouble. That is his harder way (his left stifle is the problem stifle, this that's his worse hip and canter direction). I generally start out on a path even shallower than the dashed line, and aim for a nice, balanced curve with no straight-aways. He has a harder time coming back for the counter-canter bend back onto the diagonal towards the rail, and an even harder time not collapsing into that section. But we're working on it. He's still getting better on the rail, in terms of that lead's straightness, but he still has a long way to go. We do a lot of medium-lengthening-medium canter transitions on the rail, which helps a lot, and I try to get him to do a stride of collected canter if that goes well in that direction.

I have noticed recently that I have started to lean when we go that direction. Thankfully, I catch myself. That would be an awful habit to get into--and one I never actually had, even as a younger rider. I was lucky enough to find a trainer who does not allow the excuse of "well, that's just what young/novice riders do." FYI, that's the STUPIDEST thing I have ever heard when it comes to learning equitation. In my opinion, young riders are even better at finding center balance than adult riders, so honestly, letting them lean is just a mark of laziness on the instructor's part. Mini-rant aside, I've got things to work on myself.

Ideally, we'll get Toler's stifle strengthened within the next month and a half, and I can start to push him more with cantering smaller circles, and canter-walk/halt transitions. That should really help with his quality of canter in general. I just don't want to do too much where his stifles are concerned.

Speaking of which, we had a very good day with that today. I let him have a day of lunge-work, and we started with walking poles, then I had him trot before and after the walking poles, which was a challenge he took seriously at first. But then it became a game for him to the point where he was leaping over three walking poles just to get to the trotting part again. He thought he was so clever he even had to buck and squeal about it. *Rolls eyes.*

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Of Horses and Gazelles

The heat got to Toler a bit today. By the time I got out to the barn, he was already inside munching his hay, but he was soaked in sweat. And covered in huge clops of mud. I took one look at him--rather, he took one look at me, the kind that says, "Urrrrgjdhisd76rtf3nmbkjh"--and decided we'd work in reverse today.

Hose-off first. The cool water hit his shoulder and he sighed. Poor guy. We stood in front of the big barn fan, and I rubbed his face and braided him. I know what you're thinking: what a life. But as soon as he was dry(ish), I tacked him up and we hit the arena. Especially since he got Monday off.

Dressage saddle, today. We started off with some trotting figure-eights at 15m, then wound down to 10m, and Toler was la-a-. zy. The counterbend serpentine perked him up a bit, mostly because I was determined to make him carry himself through the counterbent middle loop. And to my surprise, he rose to the challenge very well. We had several solid serpentines, at which point I decided it was time to move on.

I warmed his canter up with some extensions down the long-sides, his right lead still stronger than his left, though once he gets going to the left it's nearly the same as his right. The trick is to get him to engage himself at the medium (and collected) canter on the left the way he engages himself at the extended canter. He really does fly, though, and I'm not even talking speed at this point.

His stride just sweeps the arena up, like the sand gets folded beneath him and a meter becomes an inch.

I don't know how I ever enjoyed the canters of the smaller horses I used to ride. It's like a cruel joke now. Somehow I wound up astride a gazelle in horsey clothing and shoes. Sometimes, at least.

We moved into Leslie Webb's first countercanter exercise, which he did wonderfully. He's starting to anticipate moving onto the diagonals, though, so I had to be a bit stronger about his outside aids than usual (he wants to drop his shoulder and just slink into the middle). I figured it was time to move into the second exercise, even if it called for a bit of struggling.


For the next step in working the countercanter, Leslie Webb instructs to start down the centerline at the canter (here, on the left lead), and pick up the diagonal to K from X. Like the first exercise, where the centerline becomes the diagonal is the only place the horse really countercanters. She cautions that most horses have a harder time with this exercise, not only because it moves off the centerline, but because it does so through the countercanter, and many horses will think of breaking, hollowing/tensing, or simply changing their lead.

Toler, however, didn't have a single problem with this exercise. Except for cantering onto the centerline. As soon as I looked at the centerline, he knew where we were going and wanted to just arrive there. So, now I know that we have to work on our 10m squared-out canter turns. Really, because his stifles have been a bit weak and he's still getting straight on the rail, I haven't done a whole lot of circling at the canter, especially circles smaller than 15m. Circles as well as down-transitions are hard on the stifle, particularly at the canter. Plus Toler's a big guy anyway--there's lots of horse to fit on such a small circle. Lots of stride to fit on such a small circle. So, once I feel comfortable with him working his stifles like that, I'll rev up the spiraling exercise.

Back to the exercise--while Toler didn't get onto the centerline very gracefully, once he was there he was an angel for me. He'd collect right up, probably wondering if I was going to ask for a halt at X, and supple right into my aids as we countercantered onto the diagonal. The first time our first way (right lead), he did try to break after the diagonal, but as soon as I tapped him with my heel to say, "No, we're not done yet," he went along just fine. Even his left lead was smooth through the exercise.

We'll work on it another session or two, just to make sure it wasn't a "YAY--SHINY" fluke, but otherwise I think he's ready for the third and (technically final) step of Webb's exercise.

We wrapped up the day with an introduction on turning on the forehand, something Toler knows on the ground because of his excellent showmanship skills (I always cleaned house in showmanship), but hasn't ever done under saddle. I'm not quite sure it's necessary, as the turn on the forehand is usually used as a precursor to the half-pass, and Toler already knows the half-pass. (He needs a lot of work on the half-pass, but he loves doing it.) I just thought that since he's doing so well with walking pirouettes, it would be a good additional skill.

The way I know to introduce it is to halt with the horse perpendicular to the wall. (Head first, like you're walking into it--though please don't...) You then ask for jaw flexion, say to the right, and ask for the horse to move their haunches over to the right by crossing in back. Hence it's being a precursor to the half-pass. Half-halts are handy, obviously.

Toler wasn't too thrilled with the notion. For one, he just didn't see the point, and if Toler doesn't see the point in something, then there's really no way I'm going to get him to do it. At first, being the dork he is, he tried to do a walking pirouette in reverse. When that failed (horribly, if I may say so), he pinned his ears at me and just moved sideways. I walked him away to the next rail and tried again, a bit slower. He thought about simply refusing, but ultimately gave it a go. I only got one or two steps of a real turn on the forehand, but it was a good start.

I'll start the next ride with a turn on the forehand from the ground, then ask for it as soon as I'm in the saddle and we'll see if he's more keen on the idea.

*Diagram from Practical Horseman, February 2006, p.60.

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Counterbend and Countercanter

Lately I've been inspired to go through all my old equestrian magazines. A found a bunch from 2005 onward. After finding at least one pertinent article per magazine, I decided it would be an even better idea for me to mark the pages and compile all the articles by scanning them and putting them into OneNote. Really, OneNote is probably the most awesome software in the world. I actually like it even more than I like photoshop or--GASP--Lightroom. (Blasphemy!) Seriously though, OneNote is the Kool-Aid to my water. The ice cream to my cake. All right, I'm going overboard now, but you get the picture.

I've taken it so far as to have a whole OneNote notebook devoted to equine articles. I have a section for health-related, science-related, dressage exercises, jumping exercises, management and finances, grooming and equipment, and even a section to serve as an index--organized by magazine and date, by subject, and even by author. (Plus hyperlinks to take me straight there.) Awesome.

The point of this ramble-tamble is to say that I've been finding a bunch of really good exercises to do with Toler. Strengthening stifles, as I discussed in my last post, was found in an old mag. I also rediscovered Leslie Webb's temporary gymnastic column featured by Practical Horseman. Every month between '05 and '06, she featured an exercise geared towards gymnastic dressage. Her columns were so popular, that Practical Horseman compiled and published them as a book.

I decided to start working on two of her exercises with Toler, especially as I'd already been heading in those directions. The first was a trotting no-change-in-bend serpentine exercise. Develop a three-loop serpentine (20m loops to start with), but continue with the initial flexion from the first loop in the center loop.

I'd actually done this exercise before, with the second horse I leased (just before we bought Toler), a National Show Horse cross named Blue Kalu, but I don't think I'd ever done it with Toler.

Indeed, Toler puzzled over it the first day we tried it, though I had at least thought to warm him up to the idea with a large, slow trotting counter-bent circle. He was stiff at the shoulder and unwilling to trust the idea of my bend. The whole point, for us, of the counterbend serpentine was to work on his balance and maneuverability in a new way. Toler's stiffer side was worst of all. He'd waffle between wanting to rush at the rail in the middle (counterbent) loop or fall off his outside track and collapse into the loop. Some patient half-halts, regular bending circles to remind him of himself, and two attempts later, and he was starting to get the hang of it. I could feel him "open up" and trust my position to tell him where to go even if *his* positioning was in the wrong direction.

And that's the key: In keeping the unchanging bend, the rider must remain perpendicular to the loop through shoulders and hips.

Toler's second day of it (today) was infinitely better. We had one minor disagreement about falling off his outside on his stiffer direction, but it didn't even last the whole approach to the counterbent loop.

The other exercise of Webb's I started to work on was he initial step for developing a better countercanter. This step involves cantering (on the correct lead) on the rail, then following a diagonal to the centerline--the few strides of the diagonal becoming the centerline being the only section of countercanter.


The first day we tried the exercise was a bit of a disaster. Toler evidently thinks reverse psychology will work on me. He insisted that he change his lead at every possible opportunity. Ignoring the fact that I never even remotely asked for a change of lead. Ignoring the fact that in the past year we haven't even worked on flying lead changes. It almost makes me wonder if I shouldn't indulge him and have one day set aside for drilling his lead changes. I really don't think he's ready to work on his flying lead change, though, especially since he's only just starting to develop consistent straightness at the canter. Anyway. I managed to get him to hold the countercanter from H - S and stopped on the quarter line (the dashed, starter track in the diagram). We called that quits so I could get him to do a countercanter along the rail, which he has no problem with.

Today, he did both leads nearly perfectly. I started each side off with the quarter-line version, but he had lovely cadence and was willing to come back on his haunches to straighten out every time, so the adjustment to the centerline wasn't much of a challenge. We'll do one more day of it, where I'll ride both diagnoals to the centerline (H - X - A then from F - X - C), then we'll be on to the next step.

*Diagram from Practical Horseman, February 2006, p.60.

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Stifling stifles

It appears that Toler is once again loosing muscle-tone on his top-line, especially towards his croup. It could partially the heat and insane humidity we've been having. The other day it was so hot they were all just drenched in sweat standing out in the paddock. Toler looked particularly miserable when he ambled up to me and offered his head for the halter--"Mooommmmmm. So many fliessssszzzzz." So it is understandable. Even if we are working consistently (despite our days off the other week). And despite the little belly he has going on.

I did get him a new wedge pad the other week. (The black one.)

I've mentioned it before especially with his weight involved, but Toler has a problem keeping muscle by his withers. Between his prominent, thin Thoroughbred withers and his Hanoverian shoulders, he gets these black holes that totally interfere with saddle fit. I've been using a corrective Mattes pad, which is wonderful and works perfectly, though since he'd gotten a little bit of muscle-tone back, I had wanted a wedge pad to use as well. The Roma pad I got seems to work quite well, too, though it is a but more finicky to put on.

I'm going to do more massage and chiropractic adjustment on him (myself), as per the advice of our trainer, and hopefully that'll help his muscles recuperate and get back on track.

I've also noticed that his stifles could really use some targeted muscle-building. Matter of fact, every once in a while (rarely, occurring maybe once every twenty or thirty rides), Toler suffers what feels like a misstep with his hind legs, like his hindleg gets stuck behind him and he has to "gimp" for a stride. Then he's fine. It happens most often when we're doing a downward transition between the canter and the trot or walk. It's likely that he has a mild stifle-locking problem due to weak stifles.

See, horses often/usually sleep standing up. As a result, their bodies have bio-mechanic "locks" to ensure they don't fall down while sleeping, the primary enforcer being with the stifles. Sometimes with weak stifles, and especially during downward transitions, the stifle can "slip" into that locked position. Some horses have problems with locking stifles simply due to bad conformation of the hind legs--specifically having too straight of a hind leg. Generally there's nothing you can do about that (at least not that I know of). But generally weak stifles are pretty easy to cure.

The best thing you can do to strengthen stifles is walking over slightly raised cavelletti. It's best to set them up like you would for trotting over, but raise only one alternating pole end. (The result looks like very small, broken cross-rails.)

The slower you walk, the more the horse has to hold his hind legs up over the rail as he goes over it. The key is walking--at the walk, most horses don't pick their legs up very high, while at the trot they have a more natural lift and impulsion. Obviously, take it slowly at first, and don't expect any immediate results. Building muscle takes time, especially with stifles. Expect to spend at least a month consistently walking over cavelletti.

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The Moose and the Ditch

Our stablehand got the go-ahead to plant a garden at the stable this year (two gardens, actually). It's a gorgeous-looking garden, and doing very well for its location, which unfortunately is right where people ride to get to the first half of the trail. He did leave a nice path to the side of it, but when the rainfall was heavy earlier in the summer, the need for an irrigation ditch cropped up.

By rights, it's a very small ditch. Hardly five inches wide, I'd say. In other words, just the right size for a hoof. Now, the other horses do just fine by it. Some of them balk a little bit or try to go around it, but the majority of them just step over it. Toler? The largest horse at the stable? Who can literally step over a two-foot vertical? Ha.

The first few times we encountered it on a trail ride (marked by an orange cone, so we all know exactly where it is), Toler looked at as he approached, and when he would get to it, he'd have to pause for a moment to think about what to do. Then he'd promptly step into the ditch and "forget" on the way out, much to the continued dismay of his on-board two-legger. This went on for the first six crossings (three trail rides). Every time I would try to get him a little more excited about the idea of stepping over it rather than into it and tripping. And every time he'd think about it and decide that it just wasn't worth the effort.

Until the day before I left town. I hadn't planned on a trail ride, and tacked up in my dressage saddle so we could work on collection and straightness in the outdoor. Plans changed, however, when Toler miraculously peed while I was in the saddle. For those in the audience unaware of our long journey of bladder-confidence, Toler has always been particularly shy about peeing anywhere other than his very-private stall. It's taken two years of whistle-training to get him comfortable with peeing in the arena and occasionally out in the paddock. Since this was only the second time in his entire life that he was comfortable with the idea of stretching out with a rider on his back, it was definitely an occasion to be celebrated. With a nice, relaxing trail ride. And a promise to gallop up the hill, if he wanted.

We started out on the trail, and I began to get him focused on the up-coming ditch. He walked right up to it, looking at it with his usual semi-interested stare, then stopped--like usual. He started to gather himself backward, and I thought for sure he was going to try and weasel out of the situation by backing up, something he likes to do about puddles that he doesn't think are worth splashing in. I gave him a little tap of my heels and an annoyed push with my seat. Then he did something completely out of character.

He folded back onto his haunches, and with one smooth push, all four hooves were off the ground at once.


He landed on the other side--five inches away--promptly stretched out his neck, and sighed. Le champion du monde! Okay, okay, so we're not Spanish dressage masters, but hey, now I know how to teach him the croupade!

Toler's Grand Effort (ditch), combined with his previous Miraculous Bravery (peeing), put him in high spirits for the rest of the trail. We pranced, we nickered at the ladies, we pranced some more, and we kicked our heels up the hill. At crossing number two, Toler started to gather himself up for another Stupendous Effort, but I chuckled and said, "Oh Toler, that's not necessary," with a tsk of my finger on his mane. Discontented, (perhaps I should have played the helpless, foreleg-less damsel again,) he stooped to step over the chasm.

I just can't wait until we come across our very first stream. XD

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Mope, mope--Pout, pout

I left town last week Thursday for a family reunion, having had a very good ride the Wednesday before. I figured Toler would enjoy his time off, as I wouldn't be back until Monday and probably wouldn't get out to see him until Tuesday at the earliest. My father (who was going to be home) even agreed to go out once or twice to give him a treat and feed him his grain and supplements. Two days without his joint supplement would be fine, but I didn't want him to go four days.

Tuesday (yesterday) I went out for my ride, and got there just his paddock was starting to get brought in for the day. Toler stood by the gate, probably thinking that the person he heard approaching with a lead line clinking against the metal fittings of his halter was surely the groom. Instead, *I* came around the corner of the cycle shop into view. [Our stable is also grounds for an awesome Triumph motorcycle shop, which means our horses are super awesome and never spook at vehicles of any kind!]

Toler's ears went flat as I approached the gate, and he was just starting to turn around when I snapped the tip of a carrot I'd brought along as a bribe. Good thing, too. Had I not brought it, Toler would have hightailed it to the other side of the paddock for sure. (He's done it before, after all.)

Toler was grumpy the whole time I was out there with him, just to make sure that I knew how he'd felt about my being away.

In the aisle, he kept moving over while I brushed his side, nearly pinning me against the stalls. I'd shove at his ribs and say, in my stern "mom" voice, "Toler!" He'd freeze, pick his head up, stare at the ceiling a little, then slowly crane his neck around as if to say, "What? Oh. Were you there?"

Picking his feet, he'd snatch each hoof away just as I was about to start cleaning it. Tacking him up, he pretended like I was a boa constrictor wrapping around his middle. And in the arena, he did everything exactly opposite of my cues.

I gave up after only 10 minutes (if even that), and took him to sponge off (as if he'd done anything to get properly sweaty over). And he knocked over my bucket. On purpose--I saw him looking at it.

I tell you. Some horses are such children.


Stay tuned for: The Moose and the Ditch.

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Warm-Up

It's been a relatively quiet week. We had a bit of inconsistent weather--from pleasant and cool to stormy to walk-in oven with humidity. All this makes it a bit difficult to feel motivated to ride seriously, especially with County Fair coming up. (Meaning that the barn gets a bit crowded, especially when the outdoor arena was too wet to ride in, as it was for a while.)

I did a lot of simple days with Toler, either indoor and outdoor. We got in a day of serpentines and counter-cantering, a day of circles galore, and one day of 2'6 jumping. I also did another round of no-stirrup dressage days. The first time was a bit rough, as Toler once again decided it was the perfect opportunity to be stubborn, so instead of focusing on my seat and posture, I was constantly fussing with him. Moving forward, keeping rhythm, not sticking his nose out and dropping his hind end, that sort of thing. The second day I decided I would anticipate his behavior and rode with the German Martingale (at least that's what we call them). It's a leather martingale that goes around the bottom of the girth, through the bit and fastens at the girth under the leg. I leave it pretty loose when I work with it, so it really only comes into play when he tenses his neck or tries to stick his nose up and out. In that way, it's *excellent* for getting him to relax through his back and move consistently, particularly when I'm otherwise engaged, such as concentrating on my sitting trot.

We also had a trail day, which was perfect. The trail hadn't been used much recently, as the grass was long and un-trampled by horse or ATV/dirt bike, which meant it was in perfect shape for doing lots of trotting work down the big hill. I thought about trying a few strides of cantering downhill, but Toler was extremely excited to be outside (especially with the horses in the paddocks running around and nickering at him), so I kept the cantering to the uphill direction.

All right, all right. We galloped. Twice. It was the best gallop we've had in a while; Toler actually kicked it up from hand-gallop for a little while, which he hasn't wanted to do on his own. There's nothing better than a gallop, let me tell you. The wind, the adrenaline, the feeling of stretching along his mane...I can't even describe the exhilaration of the actual gait! It's like coming alive, or breaking the surface of water after an intense swim, or standing out when the rain is so hard you can't feel the individual drops.

I hope to do another trail ride soon, but the flies have been downright nasty out there. Every time I go out there Toler's got another giant welt on him from those bugs. They also like to bite me in the back of the thigh.

More coming tomorrow, I promise!

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Sunday's Ride

Toler's doing just fine after his tummy ache. He was full of mud when we went to see him yesterday afternoon. I was feeling a little too tired to ride (plus, I still have the cold from hell). We brushed him and painted his hooves, gave him his food, and left him to it.

Sunday's ride, as I mentioned I would come back to post about, went very well. I rode him with the curb rein on and worked on dressage. We started with counter-flexing on the rail, interspersed with some 15-10m circles. I must say, he's coming a long way with his straightness at the canter. I've mentioned this before, I'm sure, but just in case. Ever since his stifle incident when he was five or six (seven? I can't remember...), he's had some problems about using his hind end equally. That translated to his chiropractic needs, and has carried on through these years of recovery and retraining as a weakness and very bad habit of keeping his shoulder to the outside. It's most noticeable at the canter because he's so insistent not to use his rear-end-drive.

Back to point, there is a noticeable difference in his strength now. He still has trouble going counter-clockwise, really wanting to stick his shoulder out and four-beat. But, it doesn't take much for me to drive him under himself and pop his shoulder in. Going clockwise, he's wonderful. I can even start releasing a little bit without having to worry about his tracking. His gait is also much stronger in that direction, and the idea of collection and lengthening is coming into play.

We breezed through Training Level Three. Well, we would have. Had *I* not made a bunch of mistakes the first ride-through.

It's been so long since we did Training level, that test three is almost completely different. The beginning with the figure eight at x is still the same, but the test I used to ride did not involve half-circles for the canter-trot transition. It's not a big deal at all movement-wise, but memory-wise, oh man. I kept going on down the straightaway and onto the next diagonal for the transition, then I'd realize I wasn't remotely where I was supposed to be.

Once the stupid two-legger got herself together, though, the test went perfectly. He had a lovely, smooth change in bend for the circles at X, a good stretching trot circle, precise transitions, and he was nice and rhythmic throughout. The only thing we need to work on if we continue to use the curb rein during our ride-throughs is my collecting the reins back up after our free-walk and stretching circles. It's only an issue because the second reins I'm using are webbed with leather stoppers, and I just don't get along with those unless they're my only reins. I have go downstairs and dig through our trunk of extra tack and find different reins to use. No big deal, though.

Toler has been so wonderful on the double-rein, though. I love the extra finessing-control, and we haven't had a problem. It makes me feel like we are ready for a double bridle--really the only reason we wouldn't be ready would be if you looked at it from the fact that we're still retraining. We're not even working solidly at collected gaits yet. But that's not to say he doesn't know how to do a collected trot. We're just training backwards. Anyway, that's what led to my looking around for a weymouth and bradoon--which I still have had no luck finding, by the way.

At the end of our ride, I decided to do something we hadn't done in a long time: half-steps. I introduced half-steps last summer and he was really coming along with them until we had the reaction to the strangles vaccine and he lost a ton of weight and muscle within a week.

For working on the half-steps, I either approach them through half-halts at the trot, or from "prancing" out of the walk. It really depends on Toler's mind frame of the day. Sunday, for example, he was getting really hyped up at the walk, so I worked on it from the up-transition that day. I collect him up, gather him on his hind quarters, and encourage him to come up from the walk. As soon as he breaks into the trot (really, the instant just before), I back off. At this point, I'm quite light in the saddle and concentrate on exaggerating my legs and hips. Toler finds it easiest if I exaggerate the side-to-side hip swing of a stride (that feeling you get from a free-walk) with just a little push from each heel. All I'm looking for is a shortened stride, a collected prancy-spring, a give on the bit, and three to five half steps. Then I'll either let him come up to a medium trot (or lengthened trot; he really likes to bound forward from it) or drop down into a quiet walk. Again, it depends on his mind frame and where we came from. I do like to mix it up a bit, though, so he doesn't associate half-steps with one particular transition sequence.

He did have some nice half-steps for me, one or two of which were even very impulsive, but it's slow work. He's still building muscle and self-carriage, so I'm not expecting him to develop a passage or piaffe anytime soon. It's all about giving him something new and interesting to do. The feeling of progress.

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What a Night

I was just typing up the last post (my rant on bits) at about 10pm, when I got The Call.

The call asking if I can come out and walk Toler around, because he decided it was a good idea to bolt down the (granted) rich fresh hay they all got tonight. He was among five horses to do so and get cramped up. My trainer/barn manager/etc gave them all banamine shots and started walking them around (with help).

None of them got colic, but it was close. They all got banamine shots, which did a world of good. But it still meant that a few of us were out walking and trotting them around for two and a half hours. Toler had the mild end of it, I think. At least by the time I got there (which wasn't too much later than when everything started), he never showed any interest in rolling, nor did he bite his sides. But he was majorly bloated and obviously not feeling too great.

They all calmed down fine, though, and while he didn't poop, Toler did pass a lot of gas and the bloating subsided completely, as did the tension in his flanks and abnormal gut noise. By the end he was back in his stall getting a drink (and trying to dribble water all over my head) and nibbling quietly. I stuck around while the other horses got fed (Toler got a few oats to help things along and quiet him down). By the time I got back home it was nearly 1 am, so I'd been at the barn slightly under three hours.

Of course, now I'm pretty awake. Just have to wind myself down. I'm both a night and morning person, so if things start to pick up, I'm all too ready to switch gears and just stay up, perfectly alert. That did wonders for long nights writing papers or studying during college, but in this sort of situation it kind of bites. I'll type up my little discussion about today's ride tomorrow (er--technically yesterday's ride later today, haha). Time to go to bed...or at least read for a while.

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Bit of a Rant

Okay, I know I've (semi) ranted about this before on this blog. And I'm sure this won't be the last time.

But.

I am NOT the only person in the world (who isn't sponsored by national teams and tack companies, etc) who rides a large horse in dressage. So. WHY can't I find 6" bits that AREN'T priced for millionaires? I have a hard enough time finding bits I can ride with for jumping, but for whataver reason, 6" dressage bits just barely exist. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

I want this weymouth:I couldn't really care less about the alloys or high quality right now. I just want a 6" version of this 16mm, angled low-port (hardly a port, this is like a slightly warped mullen mouth), shorter 4"-shanked weymouth. The problem? One, it doesn't even come in a 6" (that I can find), and, two, it costs 249 freaking dollars.

Oh, and I want this bradoon:


Again, I wouldn't be too particular about the alloy. But I'd really need a KK-styled 14mm three-link, preferably with 2" loose rings. But no, not even this one is actually affordable. (Better than the weymouth, but still listed at $115.) I should probably tip my hat just for the fact that it comes in a 6 and 1/8" size. I have an 18mm KK like this, but I think it would be way too thick to work with a weymouth, not to mention the rings are humongous.

I checked out the wondrous drafttack.com (which I love and have ordered from several times in the past), but they only had one weymouth and bradoon option, and I didn't like either. Toler really needs a three-link, and he doesn't like actual ports from what I can tell. He works great in his mullen mouth and pretty well in his larger KK, so that's where I'll head for weymouth and bradoon.

But, really. It should not be this hard to find affordable yet decent bits. Evidently, I should have gone into metalworking and welding.

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Leg work, and an exercise

I managed to come down with a cold. In the middle of June. I don't know, either. Anyway. This led to a very important discovery: do not, no matter what, do a no-stirrup day and then get a cold. Achy body + tortured muscles + general ick feeling = Miserable.

Of course, I didn't know I was going to get a cold the night I did the no stirrup work, but whatever. It's still a valid point. Sadly, that ride didn't go too well. Toler decided that he could be a dork and misbehave.

He knew I didn't have stirrups, so there would only be so much I could do, so he was a complete brat. I mostly tried to do rail work, sitting trot work, and at the end--mostly because I was angry at him and didn't want him to think he could get away with things totally off the hook--we went through two dressage tests, one of them twice.

By the time we got to the second dressage test we were both so angry with each other, we reached the point of passive-aggressive obedience. "You want me to trot? Fine. I'll have the bounciest, most supple trot I possibly can. Oh, I'm not moving forward enough for you? Look, now I'm a Standardbred in the middle of a race. How is that? Hmm?"

He got a day off because I was too sick to ride, and the next day (yesterday) I didn't take any chances. Stirrups were back on the saddle, and the curb rein was back on the curb. And he was perfect. He was round and supple, light on the bit, and moving forward well into my aids. I was riding between two lessons, so I mostly did rail work, some bending, and then went over the exercise that had been laid out:

Put two trot poles on each diagonal (raise them off the ground if the horse is comfortable/efficient with trot poles). Trot over the poles (yellow crayon) and canter around the corners and into the approach (blue crayon), so that you're transitioning to the trot just before the poles. At first, it will probably be a stride or two before the poles, as the horse needs to have a nice, consistant trot by the time they get to the poles. But as you progress in the exercise, the horse will get the hang of it and be able to transition right in front of the pole into a steady, impulsive trot. After the pole, cue the canter again.

This exercise is perfect for working on canter-trot transitions, especially for horses who tend to "fall" into the trot. It teaches them to make clean, crisp transitions, and pick up a good trot right away and pay attention to their feet. As they get good, I like to increase the number of trot poles. Depending on how big the arena is, you can have four or five on each diagonal.

Off to hold Toler while he gets his feet trimmed!

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Toss and Turn

I was out of town for a week, so the moose got the week off. Granted, my mother went out and brushed him and fed him every day, which made him happy I'm sure. She did try to lunge him as well, but let's just say that Toler never lets her lunge him. He thinks it's a game with her, so he'll just pivot in a circle and make her run around him. It's really quite funny to watch.

I got back in town Friday and went out to lunge him proper, and gave mom a little lesson with it. She does know how, she's just a little too timid to get aggressive with him and tell him "No." rather than "...no?" and it usually only works out when I'm there and Toler knows he'll actually get into trouble if he tries his tricks.


Saturday was a nice light ride. We worked on transitions in the quite wet (but not puddle-strewn, for once) outdoor arena. He was full of energy. I do think he's got a little more cover over his ribs from the new feed, but it's probably too soon to tell. Yesterday I helped out with the Hometown Days Parade, which my trainer took six horses to. It was pretty fun, though we did get poured on by the end. I always think Toler would make an excellent parade horse--he loves to prance, for instance--but riding on concrete makes me nervous. Toler would be the horse to slip and land on his knees, too. Um, haha...

I'm thinking today will be a jumping day. Probably.

Also, two weeks ago I did a photoshoot with Toler. I'm still going through images (when it comes to Toler, I take obscene amounts of photos) plus now i have a ton of images to go through from last week as well. Anyway, go look at my new favorite photo, "Son of Icarus," and keep your eye on Soulstrings for more photos from that shoot. =)

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Enter at A

It has been a fairly relaxed week thus far.

We've had a few short but fun trail rides, a day of easy jumping (a few at 2'6", but mostly 2'3"), and two dressage days.

I started to enact my dressage test ride plan, which has been going smoothly. It has also been addressing exactly what I wanted it to, which is a huge bonus. The first test (Training One) was pretty sloppy--Toler was having a slightly off day, and he hasn't ridden through a test in so long he forgot the expectations and pace of doing one--even one as simple as the first training level. The second ride-through was much improved, though it still pointed towards some training needs.

We had to work through a few halt at X impatience issues, both at the beginning and end, and while doing the trot-canter transitions between K&A and H&C, I realized that lately I do most of our transitions on the straightaway or on a circle; certainly not in/out of crisp dressage corners which I'm being really (read: overly) picky about. So, we had a few goes about that as well. For the most part, however, he's doing the tests well. We're achieving good relaxation, forward movement, precise 20m circles, a very nice and swinging free-walk, and an ever-straightening center-line. There were a few hiccups with maintaining a constant rhythm through some parts, mostly when I ask him to turn onto or off of the center-line, which is a problem I'm going to continue to address.We also needed a few reminder sessions about walking as a movement (i.e. he needs to stay focused so I'm not fussing with him), and I'd like to get a bit tighter about collecting him from a free-walk. He generally collects up within 3-5 strides, but there is always a step of tenseness in his neck and back.

For our next dressage day, I am going to move onto Training Two, and probably progress on through Training Three and Four very quickly after that. There's not really any reason to stretch it out.

In unrelated news, I recently switched Toler's supplemental feeding. I give him a little something after every ride (I also give him his dose of joint supplement and yucca at that time) to really keep his weight on and muscle up. I've been noticing steadily over the last several months that his usual mixed amount of Nutrena Empower and Nutrena LifeDesign Senior just weren't doing the same thing for him anymore. He's not losing weight, but he's not putting on the muscle quite as much as he should be, and for the amount of calories he's getting, his energy level is pretty low. After some research, I discovered Nutrena (and Purina) reformulated their feed last fall and a lot of people have been unhappy with how Empower (in particular) has been performing compared with how it used to.

Rather than continue to increase the amount of food I was giving him, as I'd been doing slowly since winter, I decided it was a time to switch it out. So, he's now getting roasted soy beans (with hulls) and Purina Ultium. I really wanted to stay away from Nutrena/Purina brands, but guess what, if I want to buy from a nearby feed store, that's pretty much all they carry (that isn't grain-grain). I've heard a lot of good things about Ultium, especially from people who have weight/muscle-touchy TB's and TB crosses. So, we'll see how it goes. He was pretty happy with the first feeding of it--there was definitely a higher level of contentment in his licking and munching. He's definitely getting more fat and protein out of this new supplement feed mix, so here's to hoping I see a bit more on his top-line, over his ribs, and some mooscle support. =)

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Trace the spine

There's not a whole lot to report. It's been disgustingly hot out recently, and particularly humid. I personally cannot tolerate such weather even if it is acceptably within the season, but this? Oi. Toler has been pretty miserable about it. He's naked outside (no fly sheet), and I was an awful two-legger and forgot to take his box fan out right away.

See, Toler's such a big guy he gets a box fan for his stall in the summer. He has one of the cooler stalls in the barn, but he still needs the fan. And he LOVES his fan.

Matter of fact, as soon as that fan gets switched on, Toler presses his rump against the stall door in front of it, and lets the air travel up his back. (Pretty good taste, really. Nothing better than cool air tracing your hot spine, right?) He prefers it that way, though on occasion he will stand with his face in the airstream.

Anyway. I did finally take his fan out and put it on his door with bungee cords. Toler, just in (and sweaty) from the paddock, immediately assumes his position as I turn it on high. Toler was so excited he had to put his head over the wall and share his news with his neighbor via a playful nip on the neck (who was slightly less enthused).

The heat has meant I haven't done much of anything with him since last Saturday. Tuesday, after putting up his fan, I did do some free jumping with him, though he was a complete dork about it. He knew it was too hot for me to want to run down the line with him, so he would carefully cut the corner of approach off, making me stand there to keep him aligned, then would skip the last jump because he knew I couldn't race down there in time. He was very pleased with himself.

It should cool down soon, though. Yay for riding weather!

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The Birthday Moose

It's Toler's birthday today!!! My little moose turns 11 today. It seems like only yesterday he was a gawky 3-year old with coltish ground manners. Who squealed. A lot. XD


As a birthday treat, I baked him some carrot cake muffins. =) We gave him one yesterday (he's very picky about new/different treats, so he needed a pre-birthday taste for approval), which he was rather puzzled over. He ate almost all of it and decided that was all he could tolerate (hee hee, get it?) at the time. Today he'll have a baby carrot "candle" in it. Maybe two or three. They're small muffins, so we'll see what fits in there. XD

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Round'em up

Yes, it's been a slow week for posting. In my defense, we've had very "blah" rides all week.

One day I decided we would devote ourselves to circles and circle-like arena figures (serpentines and figure eights). Toler, on the other hand, decided that he was going to spend the day finding creative ways to drop his inside shoulder and make me work at least twice as hard to do a simple 15m circle. Then he insisted that he had no idea how to circle at the canter. He must be bored at canter work lately, because he tries to offer (very bad) flying lead changes wherever possible. Even if I'm not even remotely asking for any. "A circle? But I could switch directions and throw my legs around with no coordination whatsoever!"

Another day we gave up trying to focus outside over 2'3" jumps and hit the trail instead, which went fine for the most part. We even had to negotiate past a Monster. (Riding lawn mower. Note, Toler barely batted an eyelash at it.)

Later on in the week we had a nice jumping day over 2'6". He'd been warming up very lazily and I really didn't think either of us was going to be able to pull it together, but he jumped. And came back wonderfully between the lines. I'm really quite surprised at how well the mullen mouth is working for jumping. I'd expected it to be terrible. Granted, the way I'm using it makes it act like a kimberwicke, which probably helps, but still. Happy mouth, happy horse. =)

Then we did two days of dressage work. Both rides started out horribly. I felt like I was all over the place, and Toler was barely shuffling along. Neither one of us could focus, much less at the same time in the same way. Finally, towards the end of the first day we pulled it together after some cantering, and we ended the session with some excellent work on medium-collected-medium and medium-lengthening-medium at both trot and canter. The next day was a bit tougher to pull together, but towards the end I decided we would just ride a made-up dressage test just for something more complicated to do. Besides, I figured riding a pattern/test would get us both to concentrate on the same thing and "snap out of it."

Worked like a charm. Which has led me to decide that for the next few weeks, all my dressage work days are going to be centered on riding through tests. Just to be thorough, I'll start back at Training Level Test 1. I'll ride each test during three separate sessions, working on what needs to be addressed as we go and adding it to a final "list" that we'll return to. Great diagnostic tool and motivation driver! (Should perk Toler up nicely.) I'll only be riding tests we've shown at before (which puts up into Second Level, though I can't quite remember which test we left off at).

Tomorrow is going to be a free lunging day over jumps, I think. Mostly because I have to track down my tests to start memorizing. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't ridden through an actual test in *years.*

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Stubborn is as stubborn does

Because it makes me laugh:


I took Toler out behind the arena to eat the long grass after our ride (the same day I took those photos of his braids), and he practically gorged himself. As soon as the grass (and clover and alfalfa) was in sight, he bee-lined.

I let him stand out there a good long while. Especially since I was busy being a shutterbug. So, when it was time for him to go inside to his supplement grain and hay, I gathered a handful of grass (to bribe him with; he gets to eat it when he's back in his stall) and started to lead him out.

Well, that is he started to walk forward, waited until I was walking confidently that he was following, then planted his feet and threw his head up with his ears flat. Then came the pouting. And the five-year-old-like whine of, "Nooooooooooo...."

He refused to move for a solid two minutes. And believe me, if he decides that his ~1700 lb body isn't going to move, there's pretty much nothing I can do about it. So, I snapped this photo. Then laughed at the absurd porportions of him and his pouting eyes and temper-tantrum-ish pinned ears. Complete with more grass than can actually fit in his ginormous mouth hanging out to the side. What a child.

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Antics

I'll have to do some catch-up posts. It came to my attention I didn't have much on here by way of Toler's antics. He is quite the goober, so there are plenty of tales!

Lately, I've only been using one cross-tie in the aisle, if I use one at all. He stands by himself and doesn't get into much trouble (though that depends on your definition), so if I'm the only one there I don't mind letting him chill by himself as I groom or tack/untack him. Usually I position him by the tack asile so I'm right there. Plus, that means there's just so much to explore. He thinks it is particularly adventurous to take a step into the tack aisle, where he can reach my tack box. He has already discovered the exact location of the container of treats in the box. He's very keen on making sure I have it closed properly. Haha, yeah right. He mouths at the lid and you can just tell by his concentrated "seriouz hoers" expression that he's figuring out how best to open it without my catching on.

Being slightly in the tack aisle, he has also discovered a favorite sleeping spot of Shepard, one of the barn cats. Toler LOVES cats. And dogs, but cats more because they don't try to lick his nose. I usually hold a willing feline up for him to nuzzle at, which he thinks is the best thing in the world. He's even had nuzzling sessions with them in the arena when they perch on the mounting block, namely the cats rolling onto their backs and him nuzzling at their belly while they purr. Well, the other day he noticed Shepard sleeping at the newly discovered tack-aisle location. He sniffed very delicately at the air near the sleeping cat, then his eyes got really wide. He knew Shepard was sleeping, and was torn between not wanting to wake the cat up and wanting to nuzzle it. (Could you imagine being woken up by a giant nose breathing on you? LOL) He was so torn his lips started to twitch. At which point he looked from me to the cat several times and tilted his head. "...Mommy?" I moved around him into the tack aisle, effectively waking Shepard. Toler's nose was by him in an instant, snuffling his head and belly. After a moment, Shepard stretched a paw out onto the top of Toler's nose and started kneading. Toler's expression was priceless--a perfect mix of surprise and joyous contentment. It was adorable.

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Manly Braids...

...or so I tell Toler. ;)


The forelock braid, which needs a bit of work for evenness, and it was a bit crooked though you can't really tell from this angle.


I had already ridden, so some pieces were getting a little loose. But that's still pretty good considering I didn't use QuicBraid or anything. =)


Look at that coat! *beams* All thanks to rosewater. The only thing I don't like about braiding this way (under under) is it's harder to grab mane in consistently-sized chunks. I kept grabbing a piece and snagging extra when braiding it in. Granted, it's hard to tell unless you're looking at this angle, but because Toler is tall, you can't see his mane from this angle unless you're on him. (Or he's eating.) Mwahahaa.


And one shot to accentuate the sloppy. ;) And, yes, I take too many photos.

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Wiggling

Well, I'm glad I started to braid Toler before nearly every ride. And I'm glad today, of all days, I decided to braid his forelock. Why? Well, I'm fingering it and trying to remember exactly what method works best with his forelock and I notice a little fleck of dirt. I pluck it off, think, that was weird to be hidden under his forelock like that... And then it wiggles between my fingers. Yep. A tick. I looked at it long enough to make sure it was whole, then brought it swiftly to its end. Which reminds me that I should really have a little matchbook somewhere just for such occasions. Or at least a lighter and something to heat. Alas, I didn't, but anyway. Ew. At least it was a little dermacentor and not a deer tick. All ticks are nasty, yes, but deer ticks make me cringe like whoa man. XP

Anyway. His forelock turned out pretty good. As did his mane, though I had to do it twice. I even brought my camera and took pictures, because I'm a dork. I've been taking pictures with my phone every time I braid just so I can see my progress in terms of tightness/etc. I did start to braid his mane differently, in terms of now I'm going under-under for the running braid instead of over-over. And wow, what a difference under-under makes--tighter, easier, so much better on my hands (I don't feel like they'll explode if I don't stick them in cold water), and I think it looks better because the braid "sits on top." Really, it'd be easier to show with pics, so, stay tuned. ;)

Tick excitement aside, we had a good ride. I decided today would be a jumping exercise day, so I initially set up a 7-stride line on one rail and two close diagonals to create broken lines with straight line. (Broken lines were five-strides.) Unfortunately, when I got him and warmed him up, he had already decided that 2'3" was too boring and wouldn't put any ompf to it at all. *rolls eyes* Matter of fact, he hobble-stepped over the first one in the line, and I had to stop him just so he wouldn't barrel through the second fence. Oi.

But I'm determined and sometimes rather cunning. The straight line became a short four-stride oxer combination (still 2'3") and I made a 2'6" vertical on the other side with bounce-ground poles on either side. And, just because I wanted him to wake up (and haven't been on him to jump 2'6" in a long time), I made him free-jump both directions.

You could just see him perk up when he noticed that the 2'3"s weren't as simple as before. He even rounded over the 2'6" and did a happy little squeal. Silly, silly, horse. When I got back on him he was in much better spirits, and while I had to let him go over the 2'6" (confidence building for me), he was very good about collecting and coming back to me for the oxer combination. I did jump in the mullen mouth, though I still haven't decided if I'm going to continue to or not. On one hand he goes well on it, doesn't throw his head over the jump (a bad habit we were working on, though I'm starting to think it was bit-related as he hasn't done it since changing away from the 3-link elevator). On the other hand, I'm finding it harder to keep his energy up at the canter--he wants to relax into it--and while I still have good control, it is easier for him to be strong on the bit between lines making it harder for me to keep him steady. So yeah, we'll see.

More importantly, I have to figure out how to break him of his 2'3" vertical = no effort needed deal. I really don't want to be doing complex exercises over oxers or 2'6" (at least until he's--er, I'm totally ready for it).

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Dressage Attire Rule Change (A bit of a rant)

USEF recently made a rule change concerning appropriate dressage coat options. I'm not going to go through it all, but I picked up on it from Behind the Bit's blog post on the subject, so I'm just going to link back there. She did a pretty good job of going through it.
Just for highlights. Essentially any dark color is allowable under USEF rule. Plus the following (quoted from Behind the Bit):

• Now contrast colors and piping (collar, cuffs, pockets) are allowed (my personal favorite rule change).
• Now you can wear colored shirts (so long as they're solid) when coats are waived. Pinstripes and subtle patterns are okay. No t-shirts -- shirts must have collars.
• Cooling vests may be worn under the coat or vest.
• Solid vests may be worn if coats are waived. This is a big deal for people who don't like to wear shirts tucked in.
• Up to 2 small logos can be worn on the torso.
• Hats, stocks, ties, gloves and riding boots may be the same color as the coat.

The essential rule change looks something like this (again, from Behind the Bit):

Now starts my commentary...

WHAT?! Dressage is apparently no longer dressage. Sure, they'll ride their tests and horses like dressage riders and dressage horses. But in my opinion, this is just the Western showman's need for style inevitably infecting all of equestrian competition. I knew the classic, eloquent dressage look was doomed the moment they started putting rhinestones on bridles. (Which is SOOO tacky and unnecessary, in my opinion.)

Dressage went from looking like this:

To looking like this:

Hello? Does this say HUNTER to anyone else? How can any judge or spectator take a dressage rider seriously if they ride in looking like they just got done with their 2'3" Low Hunter Class. I don't care if the coat cost $800, it is NOT DRESSAGE.

When did everyone get so concerned about "fashion in the show ring"?! Who the frak CARES about fashion? That used to be the English-to-Western all-time put down: "We don't need bright pink shirts with rhinestones and silver plated saddles to win." What are people thinking? Any rider knows that a good rider and a good horse stands out because they're GOOD. Not because they have a good fashion sense. Sure, neatness of the horse's braids or how shiny your field boots are might be tie-breakers, but fashion has no place in English showing.

I was talking about this with some of the gals at the stable. Now, in our opinion, the only riders who should break from the classical look (be it dressage, show jumping, or hunter discipline) are those riders who have earned the coat. Especially in dressage and show jumping, certain coats and looks are status symbols. Not in the "Oh, I drive a Hummer" way but in the "I'm part of the US Olympic Team" or "I served our country in the armed forces" way. (And, really, in my honest opinion, military uniforms on riders look GREAT, and in dressage and eventing, the military look is even more classic because dressage and eventing sprung from historical horseback military training.)

The coat becomes a symbol of achievement, of dedication, of honor and courage and service and strength. Bringing in Ms. Pinstripe with Beige, to me, is a slap in the face to every rider who has earned the right to break classic.

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When the moose is happy

Had an excellent ride yesterday. Started out in the outdoor arena, and Toler drew the attention of a middle-aged couple whose daughter used to take lessons at the barn (just before I did, I think), and they hadn't stopped by in a long time. Anyway, they thought Toler was amazing and rubbed his face for several minutes. I swear, they could have told him he won a year's supply of grain-coated carrots, and he wouldn't have been happier. He knows when he's being fawned over, and he loves it.

The 2'3" jumps are officially "too small" for Toler's proper consideration. We went around the jumps set up outside, and he just barely jumped them. By which I mean his front end would go over, touch ground on the other side, and he'd pop his back end over. It's his way of going, "jump? What jump?" I'd really prefer to see him riding the lines perfectly, on the bit, and rounding over everything as an indication of Too Easy. That would be too straightforward for Toler, however. He has been jumping 2'9" in the arena (free lunging) beautifully though, so I'll start to set up some challenging 2'3" lines and see if that peaks his interest before we move up in height. There are quite a few jumping exercises I just haven't been able to do yet, and now would be the time. =)

We followed up the "oh-so boring" jumping with a trail ride. Toler was perfect. He didn't have any trouble with his feet, and not because he was focusing on them a lot, but because he actually just went. If that makes sense. We even did some trotting down hills with perfect balance, he cantered well up hills, negotiated the steep bad-footing downhill sections without making me feel unsettled, and still got to neigh at his ladies. (Who run along the paddock fence when we ride by, making Toler feel like a god.) We did have one minor stumble, but it was because there was a giant chunk of rock hidden in tall grass that neither of us saw, on a segment of trail that was already steep and usually not rock-laden. Toler recovered perfectly, and I didn't even get the situational panic of falling. Progress! Soon we'll be cantering downhill like we used to. =)

Toler's reward was drinking from the hose as I was washing him off, and eating long grass as he dried off. (He saw that grass and practically dragged me to it.)

I think we'll be doing jumping or free-jumping inside today. It's rainy out, and normally like I like to do dressage on rainy days because we zone together really well, but I'm rather excited about jumping exercises right now. We'll see.

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Coming Together

I've ridden in Toler's new bit three times now, and it's been wonderful so far. The first day I took things really light. We warmed up on the rail inside, then I took him to the outdoor arena to see how he'd fair, as I hadn't ridden with the bit outside yet and it was especially windy that day (Friday). He was a little strong on it at first, but I attribute that to the wind--like most horses Toler hates wind. But hey, he's from Winnipeg area so he should be more used to wind anyway. lol We also went over a tiny jump, hardly 1'8," which Toler actually jumped (to my surprise). He seemed to do very well with the jumping, didn't tense his neck over it, or evade the bit before or after it, and he did actually round considering it was a small jump. Then again, it was small, so it's not a good indication at all as to whether I'll be using the bit all the time or just for non-jumping things.

Sunday I joined three friends on a trail ride. We warmed up inside first, and I'd moved the reins down to the curb ring on the bit because Toler tends to be extremely strong on the bit on trails. He's good about it and listens to me well anyway, but, it has definitely been a problem I've never satisfactorily resolved. Even with our Mikmar bit (looove that bit), he'd be a bit too far above the vertical and rather heavy on my hands. As I was warming up, though, I noticed Toler was extremely light on the bit--almost touchy. I added a second pair of reins, and that was perfect. He went fine (as usual so far) on the snaffle rein, but on the trail I did have to use a little pressure now and then on the curb. But he was wonderfully collected for the whole ride. Save one little uphill cantering stint where he felt he was being left behind and spazzed out. Even then, a little pressure on the curb and he was right back in my hands.

Oh, and the pheasant incident (not a duck). There was a pheasant hidden in a bush right next to the trail, but of course it didn't move until Alex and Charlie were nearly on top of it. Then it must have gotten stuck in the bush (really, I have no idea how it fit in the tiny bush anyway), because suddenly the bush was shaking. Poor Charlie probably thought it was attacking him, he shot forward to a safe distance just as the pheasant flew out. Toler, on the other side of Charlie and back a little ways, just looked at it like, "What the frell?" (Yes, yes, I'm a geek. My main mode of explicatives involves sci-fi shows and a word of Norwegian.)

I rode two-reined again yesterday in the outdoor arena. It took us a while to get going. I didn't even think of the fact that Toler's not used to my having two reins, so I didn't warm up to the contact, which caused some confusion. Once I slowed it down and started with the snaffle only, letting the curb rein be slack, Toler was perfect. I love his turning with that bit. He actually listens to my body and balance. If only I could use it for dressage. I don't even need the curb rein. I just can't find any other mullen mouth bit in 6." (Weymouth aside, as I could find a good 6" mullen weymouth and 6" three-link KK bradoon combination for like $250.) Oh well. I've got a year at least before I'd be able to show again, considering I don't have any show clothes anymore.

Today I think I'll ride with the bareback pad and do actual lateral work.

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Just Wanna Have Fun

I was super pumped to ride with Toler's new bit today (it came yesterday afternoon while we were at the stable, just as I knew it would). Sadly, plans were totally derailed.

He must have recieved a glancing blow to his left shoulder while out with his chums, because he had a bit of swelling just in front of his shoulder. It didn't seem to bother him at all and wasn't very warm to the touch, which was good at least. Then his right foreleg was hot and swollen (not terribly) with a tiny nick on the inside of his cannon. I guess they had a bit too much fun out there. It was a bit odd because in the past few years, Toler really doesn't involve himself in the fights. He's alpha and wards off challenges, but most of the horses know better than to test him. Especially since he can easily kick them when he's out of their reach. But, maybe the mares were in heat or something and they got all riled up.

I tricked him into eating some tablets of bute from my hand (with butterscotch treats). He didn't realize my cunning until he was almost done chewing the last one. I could see "the wheels turning" as he was eating them, fully aware that his treat nibblets didn't taste like they ought to. He pouted at me after trying to slobber the last bits out of his mouth. Poor pups. (Yes, I frequently call my horse "pups" or "puppy" or "pup-dogger," and yes, I do realize that he is in fact not a canine. But, I also call him my moose, so you'll just have to get over it.)

I put liniment on to ease the ouch, and wrapped his leg with a standing wrap for the night, then put a pair of support boots on his stall to be put on when he goes out tomorrow. He was still moving fine, so I fully expect him to be back in riding form for a workout Friday with the new bit. =)

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Spoilage & Joint Health

Toler got the day off today, and he'll get tomorrow off, too, probably. I did stop out to give him grain (*ahem* his joint supplement *ahem*), which meant I also had to give him a carrot. Yes, he's so spoiled that I can't even stop out to feed him without treating him. Rough life, eh?

He was full of dried mud, of course, and actually sighed when I didn't put his halter on and instead produced his pre-mixed supplement food to dump in his bucket.

Toler gets grain morning and night in a usual ration (it's actually quite a bit). I also give him ~5 oz of Nutrena Empower and ~5 oz of Nutrena LifeDesign Senior feed after every ride, with a scoop of Farnam MaxFlex XR and a scoop of powdered Yucca mixed in with a splash of water. I used to have to mix it with molasses or he'd either refuse to touch it, or he'd spit the supplements out. I slowly weaned him off the molasses and onto the water, which makes me feel a little bit better in the spoiling department. XD Toler keeps like the typical Thoroughbred. His weight and muscle fluctuates at the swish of a tail--especially his top-line, which creates a lot of problems in the saddle department. As it is, he eats a ton of food (even for his body mass) and I still think he could use more weight on his top-line and over his ribs.

It took me a long time to decide on a joint supplement for Toler. I wanted to put him on something now that I'm no longer away for college and work him pretty much every day. We also thought it would help with his hip(s) and overall comfort, considering he's a big boy. Remember, bigger horse doesn't necessarily mean denser bones! I actually did quite a bit of research into the key ingredients of actual joint supplements.

There are a lot of marketing ploys out there--especially where equine joint health is concerned. A lot of people these days are hopping onto a bandwagon of using Omega 3 oils as the sole joint supplement. Omega 3 oils mostly supports skin, coat, hooves, internal tissues, etc. Yes, it does play a role in healthy joint tissues, but as far as my research has turned up (I could be wrong, after all, as I am neither a vet nor an equine nutritionist), Omega 3 isn't specifically geared for joint health. Just because you play football doesn't mean you're the quarterback. (And I can't believe I just made a football analogy...)

When I was looking into local products (I really didn't want to be buying things online every month), I focused the "key players" (in my opinion--again, me =/= expert):
+Yucca: Helps inflammation and joint pain & is safe enough for everyday dosage (note, you do have to be careful if you need to start using Bute/etc for a few days).
+Glucosamine: Helps lubricate the joints and maintain healthy cartilage.
+MSM: Provides sulfur, which is a vital building-block for joints, cartilage, coat, hooves, and many biochemical processes.
+Chondroitin sulfate: Helps joint lubrication and maintain/repair healthy connective tissue.

My breakdown/thinking process:
+I really wanted to give him once-a-day supplements. That way I could add it to the grain that I give him as supplement. Twice a day means that I have to rely on someone giving it to him. Yes, I trust the stable and the people there, but it's easier to just deal with it myself.
+Dosing: Toler is a BIG horse. I usually end up adding an extra half or whole dose just because the dosing instructions on most labels are figured for the weight of an average horse. Toler is not an average horse in any way, shape, form, or, especially, weight. (Toler generally weighs in at 1700 lbs. Average dosing is made for a 1000 lb horse, usually.)
+I liked the idea of buying the individual ingredients and balancing them myself. I wanted to get him on something with MSM, Chondoirin sulfate, and Yucca. It seems to me that Glucosamine and Ch. Sulfate do the same thing, but Ch. Sulfate seems to be more highly regarded as it plays more of a role in the repair as well as maintenance field. I might someday break it down further and buy everything separately and mix it myself (which actually might be more cost-effective).

In the end, I thought it would be fine to go with the MaxFlex XR and add in my own Yucca--it is locally available and more cost effective considering the range of ingredients. MaxFlex contains a balance of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and MSM. My other top contender was Absorbine Flex Plus, which contains a balanced amount of MSM, Glucosamine, and Yucca. The problem with the Absorbine was that it was more expensive, and dosed to be given twice a day, not to mention it has 3 ingredients whereas MaxFlex has 4 (and I add in Yucca). I did initially give Toler twice the dose. Most joint supplements advise a "loading dose" for four weeks to get the supplements readily available in the system, then lowering to a "maintenance dose" to keep things in check. MaxFlex didn't indicate anything like that on it's own label, nor did they indicate what weight their dosage was calculated for (which still annoys me), but I assumed an "average" horse of 1000-1200 lbs. I kept him on my own calculated loading dose (two scoops) for about a month and a half, then lowered it to 1.5 scoops for about a week, and finally down to 1 scoop where he's at right now.

I have noticed a change in Toler since he's been on the supplements--which started Feb. 1st, as we had to wait for him to recover from a Strangles vaccine reaction (which I will post about someday). His hocks creaked less when I was warming up, he seemed to warm-up faster/smoother, he had a bit more spring and power to his step, he did generally seem happier, and he was more willing to work at lateral movements and other more joint-stressing movements. There wasn't a miraculous change, but it was noticeable to me, and my trainer has commented a few times that he's moving more freely.

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Ideas of his own

I didn't ride in the mullen today--I was worried that the one I have was starting to pinch his mouth a bit too much. I ordered a 6" one last Thur/Fri (when I finally found one) and it's supposed to arrive tomorrow. =)

Unfortunately, we were back to our same-old with the three-link KK. It wasn't until the end of the ride that we stopped "fighting" over the bit and came together. With the KK I feel like I have to ride every stride so much more than I should--he also leans on it more than he does with the mullen. It doesn't help that my spur strap broke the other day. I don't even use the spur much when I'm riding, but he knows exactly when I *can't* use it and takes advantage. Lazy, lazy.

Today we rehashed some straightening exercises, mostly extending the area width through the leg-yield. (Ride on the quarter line, then leg-yield to the rail.) It's very important to maintain straight, forward motion after the leg-yield if you're working on straightening. Toler was excellent at the trot for both directions, though going to the right was a bit stiffer at first. We'd still been fighting over the bit during this phase of the work-out, but he would settle down once we started the leg-yield. We haven't done leg-yields in a long time, so it definitely had that "new and shiny" attraction.

The canter was another story. Toler is a very thinking horse and likes to build associations. Sometimes he associates something we've never even done before. My asking him to canter down the quarter-line, for instance, evidently felt like I was asking for a flying lead change. You know, despite the fact that my legs, seat, and reins were quite clear about keeping the inside lead and slight flexion. He's been rather gung-ho about offering flying lead changes (and botching them) lately, but since I know he's not going at a nice, "true" canter, I don't want to even touch flying lead changes yet. He does them so nicely on the rail while free-lunging, though, so I know *he's* cantering true. There's just something going on while under saddle that brings out his crookedness.

After the first few attempts to keep the inside lead down the quarter-line, I would bring him back to the trot and do a 15m circle to the inside and ask for the canter again. As soon as he kept the lead for two quarter-lines, I gave him a pat and switched directions. The other way was much better. Toler had caught on that I wasn't looking for anything fancy, so after three good quarter-lines I asked for the leg-yield. He really came together for it. After each yield, he would collect, and I could really feel him thinking about keeping his shoulder off the rail.

Usually we do counter-bending to work on our straightening, which is fine at the trot because he's very comfortable and allows me to make little adjustments with his shoulder. But at the canter, he tends to bunch and tense through his back and neck. If I release for the rail (which always helped) he wouldn't come back well for the corner and we'd end up losing our frame for the following rail. In the end we'd come together, but I felt like the point of straightening always got lost when we counter-flexed at the canter. In that regards, I like the leg-yield much better.

We also tried some shallow loops (K-X-H) at the trot, but after the lead-confusion I wasn't going to tackle it at the canter today.

The rest of the ride was devoted to moving off from the haunches. I got him thinking about it with some walking pirouettes, which were *very* rusty. The initial ones really had no right to be called pirouettes. They probably offended pirouettes greatly. Anyway. From there came a few halt and rein-backs, then halt-trot & trot-halt transitions, and finally halt-canter & canter-halt transitions. Toler was a little all over the board for them but did get progressively better as we went. He gets very excited when we do halt-__ transitions to the right, which means he never wants to settle into a nice, medium canter, much less come back to a halt. I can also feel his weakness much more at the canter-halt (as is to be expected).

I hope we don't have to do a whole lot of transition from the 3-link to the new mullen mouth in terms of lateral work, but I know it'll definitely be a bit of a process. It'll make him really sit back and listen to my seat and legs, which will be excellent.

We need to hit some serpentines hardcore. And figure-eights (trot: 15m and less; canter: 20-15m).

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Massage Day

I was feeling particularly unmotivated today. It was also rather gloomy outside--dark with clouds and lots of fog, though since I LOVE storms and rain, that had nothing to do with my mood, but anyway... So, I decided to make today "massage day," something I do not nearly often enough (in Toler's opinion) but that happens usually once a month.

I spent an extra while grooming Toler, as he's still shedding a little bit. Today was extra light; I didn't even need the "Slick Brick" shedding pumice stone (miracle tool!), but I used it anyway because it makes him so soft. =) His coat is really starting to shine. A little over a month ago I started using Premiere Equine's Rosewater conditioner, a *miracle* product my barn discovered last year and I have finally caught up with. That stuff is amazing. If I use one day, I won't have to condition his mane or tail (or coat, for that matter) for up to three days and I'll still be able to slide a comb through it. They say it deepens their coat color (two or three shades) but I haven't quite noticed that. Then again, he's still shedding out and I've only been using it for about a month. His coat looks 50% shinier (which is amazing as Toler has always been a particularly shiny-coated horse), and his mane/tail is definitely stronger and healthier. Plus, it makes him smell *great.* Hee hee.

I also braided his mane in a running braid; I've been practicing as often as possible, mostly because I need to develop the hand strength. I have arthritis and tendinitis, which while currently under control, definitely makes my hands weaker. By the time I get halfway down Toler's rather long neck, my hands are throbbing and I can hardly grip his mane. Which makes it hard to explain why (so far) the bottom half of his mane always looks better than the top half...

I do like massaging better when Toler's mane isn't in the way. Contrary to popular tradition, I do NOT have Toler's mane pulled to four inches. Nor do I ever intend to pull it again, even if I someday show dressage at 4th level or above. Toler has a particularly sensitive mane and totally freaks out when I go to pull it (once he tried to squish me). His reaction is so bad that I really just can't bear to be the cause of it. Plus, I think he looks better with a longer mane, and I also think other braid types can look just as good (and just as elegant/professional) as button braids. And, really, if some judge doesn't place us where we deserve to be placed simply because of the braid in his mane, then they are unworthy of an opinion. That's just stupid. It's not like I'm not going to braid him at all or go into the ring with stains on his rump and belly.

I do have a rather unique style of massage. Frankly it's a bit hard to explain. I use trigger point massage on myself, especially during tendinitis flares. I also have to curb usual massage techniques simply because I do have tendinitis/arthritis. I'm simply incapable of using my hands like that for extended periods. Considering that Toler is an 18.1 hand Han/TB, he has a LOT of surface area. ;)

My style is actually a merging of: 1) Trigger point massage, 2) Equine (sports) massage, 3) Equine acupressure, 4) JointYoga (a unique system developed by Toler's chiropractor), 5) EFT, and 6) Equine chiropractics (I use a few hand-manipulated techniques shown to me by Toler's chiropractor). Plus a giant measure of energy-working, intuition, and guidance by Toler. He LOVES it. I make no claims to be above amateur level, and I wouldn't work on anyone else's horse. By the end, I'm always exhausted and Toler looks blissful.

I did happen to notice a cluster of four little bumps on his back that I'm taking to be bug bites (he had a similar one on his belly a few days ago). There wasn't any heat to them and he wasn't sensitive to them, but they are right where the edge of my saddle's kidney panel would go, so I'll have to keep an eye on him. The spot on his withers is finally starting to heal up (his turtle neck rubbed him raw at the base of the withers at the end of the winter), which made me happy. There's no sign of hair growth yet, though. I'm afraid it'll grow in white. =( Rosewater to the rescue!

Tomorrow Toler gets the day off, which will be a nice feel-good day for him after the massage. It may not be a deep-tissue treatment, but he sure does get that blissful state of total relaxation for a day or two after the work.

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Bit Rental

You know what the best idea is since sliced bread? No, really...

Bit of Britain--already my favorite equine store--now offers a bit rental program. It's specifically with their Herm Sprenger bits, but maybe it'll grow.

Essentially, you can choose one of their featured rental bit models, and a mere $15 (plus 5.95 flat shipping rate if you're only getting the bit) and it's yours to use for 14 days. You heard it right. You can RIDE with the bit and still RETURN IT if you want to. If you love it, call'em up and they'll charge you for the bit minus the rental fee.

Awesome socks? Sharpies in a blender YES.

And don't get your riding tights in a twist, they do say that all returned rental bits are cleaned and sterilized after each rental.

See? I don't lie. Best thing since sliced bread. Now if only other stores would do that...

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Spirals are Good for the Soul

I thought I'd share my absolute favorite exercise to do. It's a rather simple one, and probably already a staple if you do much dressage, especially for initial work with collected gaits.

This is great for doing as a warm-up for stiff horses, too, which is when I started using it a lot. You start out in a 20-meter circle at A in either direction. Ride it until the horse is supple and responsive, then spiral down into a 15m circle, keeping the "fixed" point at A. After the 15m gets good, spiral down into a 12m (if your horses needs the extra graduation), then into the 10m. For the initial down-spiral, don't worry about how many circles you do at each level. Concentrate on the horse being supple and round, moving forward well with consistent rhythm and impulsion. Only later on after they've done the cycle twice or so should you think about trying to run through the spirals. Anyway, now that you're comfortable with the 10m, go ahead and spiral back out through the 12m, 15m, and 20m, again focusing as you need to in order to maintain consistency.

Now, on the 20m, go ahead and change rein at X, starting out with the 20m on the other side. Just like before, spiral down to the 10m, and back out to 20m when you can change rein. I like to do three whole cycles at both the trot and the canter--it tends to be just enough that Toler's very consistent by the third cycle, but not too much that he gets cranky with boredom. I'd stick to simple changes at the canter, unless your horse is quite sufficient with correct flying changes (Toler definitely is not).

This exercise works wonders for Toler when I'm encouraging him to maintain his impulsion while slowly collecting his stride. Toler tends to have the common problem of losing momentum and impulsion at the collected trot and canter. He still associates collected:slow and extended:fast, though he's getting a LOT better. Thanks to spirals! The other day I was even able to get him to extend on the rail without moving faster. He was a bit above the bit, but he got lots of praise for not acting like a Trotter.

I also do tons of spiral work when I lunge him on-line, especially when I'm using the balance system (the topic of a forth-coming post).

Simple and consistent wins out every time. Swear by it.

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