Ouch!

Well crap.
T-Bone came up lame today. He's always had stifle issues, but it has been manageable. Today I went to lunge him and it was REALLY bad. So I put him in a stall and he's to get bute and stall rest for a day or two to see if that helps. I'm not sure if he slipped outdoors or something, or if this is his stifle problem blowing up in my face. Guess we'll see. In the meantime, I'm going out to ride tomorrow to work with other horses. So, at least I'll get some time in the saddle.

ugh.

It's cold, but that doesn't stop me

Finally got out to the barn today to ride the horse. My plan was to stick with the basics and make everything really easy for him. 1) Because it was friggin cold and 2) because I hadn't ridden him in a week. (Shame on me, but in my defense I had a busy week!).

To my surprise, he started out swinging over the back like a pro! The trot tempo was relaxed, even and fluid. But, I still stuck to my plan and worked on loosening, suppling, etc. with some serpentines, circles, transitions. Toward the end, we were both warm so I threw in some shoulder in and travers. Hell, we even did a nice travers down the center line. I ended up working a little on counter canter too, starting with the loop from First-1 and endding up doing the canter serpentine from Second Level - both leads! Sweet! It isn't perfect, he still tends to get tense in the neck during CC, but I think that now he has the concept down and has gained some confidence, he should start to relax and that will go away. Like most horses, he gets most tense in the neck when you introduce something new or difficult - but has you practice and get better, the "falling down neck" slowing returns. Annnnd it makes the easy movements even MORE easy. :-)

I'm hoping I make it out a few more times this week and maybe we'll start to go back to some more of the diffcult stuff. I have a lesson Saturday as well, so I can get some more feedback.

peace!

My cat.

Today I learned that my beloved cat, T.C. ("The Cat") has a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Bascially, his heart has enlarged and can longer efficiently pump blood through his body. As a result of this, T.C. has also developed a blood clot in his left hind leg. This clot is capable of traveling to other parts of his body at any time.

If he were a human, this condition would require a heart transplant.

Basically this means that my time with T.C. is now limited. The vets have said that because this was caught reasonably early, we may be able to extend his time left. But, in reality, it is still only a matter of months. (Unless he throws the blood clot). He will eventually enter into congestive heart failure.

There is no cure for HCM.

I can't even describe how heartbroken I am. He's my cat you know? We're buddies. He's been there for me through thick and thin, and has always been there to jump on my lap and make me laugh when I'm sad. My job now is to keep him as happy and comfortable as possible (he has some meds to help) ... and be strong when the time comes to make a decision, because no animal of mine will suffer. God bless him.

So, with that, I am going to back to eating unhealthy food and sobbing.

Today I was informed that I won a 2008 Morgan Dressage Association scholarship! $500! That will pay for a nice chunk of lessons. I applied for this way back in August or something, and had sort of put it in the back of mind. Wooooot!

T-Bone has had about a week off due to weather, and the fact that I've been working later and just can't make it out there after dark, when it's cold you know? So this week I'm going to try to be better about that. Even the weekend went to hell because I had to finish moving (FINALLY!) and the fact that I partied like a damn rock star on Saturday night and couldn't function most of Sunday. Yeah, I was that lame. Complete with hiccups.

sooo ... slow news day. Sorry.

The 3-beat gait

This week's award for "most improved gait" : The canter. Do not worry, I still remember the days when T-Bone's canter was rushed, a little hollow and somewhat unbalenced. The difference now is truly astounding to me. He now has a balanced canter reliable and solid transitions. And, in recent weeks we have really started working on collected canter. T-Bone's talent for this just floors me. It took him a mere week to figure it out. Now all I have to do is squeeze with my legs, half halt a couple of times and the horse literally canters on the spot. He is so animated and it's the coolest feeling! Yesterday's lesson we started to introduce the canter-to-walk transition. (this means NO trot steps at all). This is a border-line upper level movement, simply because of the amount of collection required to perform this. I wouldn't say we nailed any transitions that would score a 7 or 8, but for the first tries T-Bone did really well. His best gait is definately the canter and collection comes easy for him. woo hooo! I need to start incorporating more counter canter into my work, so that we can start to prepare for flying changes.
We also worked on more lateral work, which is starting to get more difficult. Travers on the wall is no problem at all - but ask us to do it down the center line - total disaster! ugh. Need to work on that. It's good to see where the holes are now, tho, so they can be fixed and you are better off down the road. He needs to be quicker off my leg for half pass too, we seem to make it to the center line and then it sort of "dies off".
I'm off to ride and work on more of the above. Maybe I'll write a non-dressage post later on. Sure to be much more interesting then lateral work. Maybe.

A creature of habit

More excellent work from T-Bone today. I havn't had a lesson in weeks (been really busy with my work schedule switching around), but I've been working on the same movements and developed a really nice routine. I think having the same routine each day gives T-Bone some comfort and confidence. Shoulder-in especially has gotten much better - rarely does he hollow when I ask anymore. Same with travers (which never really was a problem for him) ... and halfpass is really starting to develop. I love how working on the more difficult movements has instantly improved the easier things - like leg yielding and general cadence. Working on half-steps before doing any canter work helps tremendously with the collection. I have a lesson Nov. 24 and I hope my instructor is pleased with our progress and we can get additional homework to add to the equation.
T-Bone just moved into a new field and is now living with about 6 or 7 other horses. He hasn't lived outdoors in a big group since he was 2 years old. He has a few "battle scars", but not bad. It looks like he'll fit in just fine. He's smart, and knows that the rest of the horses are indeed bigger than him. lol. It's great to see how his attitude has changed since living outdoors. He is so much more laid back (he was in the first place), and rarely has his "trantrums" anymore where he screams and bolts at random times. lol. This could also be due to a saddle that correctly fits now. Or a combo of both. But he has such a good attitude about work now - even when the movements get tough, he just goes along with it and tries his best. It's great. I'm so lucky to have him.
And a mental note: I really need to worm the horse. Geez. A trip to TSC is in order this week for wormer. Must. Worm. Horse.
Peace out!

Time to twiddle the thumbs

In my opinion, a horse is the animal to have. 1100 pounds of raw muscle, power, grace, and sweat between your legs - it's something you just can't get from a pet hamster.

My life feels a little ... static right now, as it's come to that point in the year when horse shows have been over for a little while and I'm now feeling a little useless with nothing to prepare for. This summer was insane ... T-Bone and I went to at least one event (show/clinic) a month, sometimes more. The past couple of months were great to recover and regroup, but now I'm itching to get out again. But I can't ... because it's Indiana. And nothing happens in the winter. Ah well. I think if I went back and rad old blogs I would probably be saying the same thing during November. All I can do is stay focused on reaching our goals for next season (showing solid 1st/breaking into 2nd level). Plus, I guess I have other things in my life to distract me so I that I don't obsess over the angle of my shoulder-in for days on end. Winter is time for me to be a normal gal for once ... you know, and fret over things like boys, my job, friends, and what I'm going to do Friday night. I'm playing more guitar again, which has done wonders in lifting my spirits. Open mic may be in the future - who knows. It's been some time since I've played in front of an actual audience .. that is, if you count peeps at the Silver Dollar (RIP!) an audience. (Which is exactly what made it great). I'm also making efforts to get rid of my debt ... in preparation for the future when I want to purchase a house. I promised myself that if I could pay off at least half my credit card by Feb or March, I would buy myself a used waverunner at the end of next summer. This may be counterproductive, but I consider a waverunner to be a "stable" debt you know, like my truck payments. lol.
Well, I've written a pointless novel here. I do apologize. Maybe more mind-vomit to come within the next few days. Peace!


Today's lyrics:
Run now get away from me
if I can get my grip I'll pull you down
into the hell I call my head
you'll never get away
I sit down in my ugly place
and build walls out of fragments
from my past of all the people that I needed and loved that walked away

Half pass, check.

Do you ever have those days when you finally put together all the little pieces of work from the past few months and it actually works?
Today I did.
T-Bone was in such good frame of mind today, that I could basically work on anything I wanted. After warming up and doing some collected canter, I worked a little on half steps. We had only been asking for a little bit up until now, and of course it was confusing - I mean basically you are telling the horse to stop and go at the same time. Well today, he did it! It finally clicked! It's still just in the baby stages, as I have to ask him for half steps by doing turn on the haunches in the trot - this sort of forces him to collect and trot on the spot. But it was way cool!
I decided to leave half steps alone after that ... and moved on to half pass. (at the trot) I always start out doing shoulder in, circle at E, then travers to warm up. After I feel the lateral movements are going well, I picked a long side ... started shoulder-in and then I asked "Would you move sideways?" (with the appropriate aids of course, wouldn't it be nice if you could just vocally ask for the movements? haha!) ... and he did! I was watching in the mirror and was astonished to see a lovely half-pass. I only asked him to half pass from the wall to the quarter line, immediately dropped the reins and said "good horse!" and finished on that. My instructor happened to be watching too and was so tickled. I was so proud of my horse. I still can't believe what progress we've made since August.
That's all me gots for today. Peace!

Over the river and through the woods

Finally, I have a few moments to reflect on Sunday's trail ride. This week has been SO busy that I havn't been able to wrap my mind around much.
Anyway, the state park we went to was about an hour drive from the farm. We packed 7 horses into the trailer and off we went. T-Bone was an angel and loaded right up, having never been on a trailer of this size before - especially not one full with other horses.
We arrived safe and sound and unloaded. I went ahead and tied T-Bone to the hitching post thing "just to see" ... and was really impressed that he stood there like he does this everyday! I was expecting him to be nervous, looking around, ancy ... nope. A couple of people commented on how quiet he was. If only they could have seen him two years ago! His confidence and serenity now is a result of putting all that mileage on him. Finally, it's starting to pay off.
Once everyone was tacked up, we walked around for a bit and T-Bone was right off the bat incredibly relaxed and mellow. For a second I thought maybe I had the wrong horse. haha! And off we went into the woods. The scenery was gorgeous, and while we did spend a good time walking and enjoying the park - I'd say we mostly trotting and galloped like hooligans - scaring other trail riders off the trail and resulting in VERY tired horses at the end of the ride. All the hills I am sure made for a good workout for the horses. It's pretty cool how your dressage training pays off on the trails too. Our horses were by far the most obedient bunch, and during our galloping rampages - sometimes you had to make sharp turns around a tree or whatnot. No problem - just half half, add some leg, and T-Bone bends around the tree without a hitch. It really makes you feel a lot safer knowing that your horse is able to listen to you and not just fling himself around trees. Oh - we jumped a few logs too! Perhaps T-Bone has some eventer in him? He was afraid of NOTHING.
Even tho the other horses were all draft horses or draft crosses and larger than T-Bone, we not only kept up with the group but ended up way out in front for a while with a couple of other "speed demons." It was pretty cool. We were both tired at the end, and I've given him Tues, Wed and Thurs off to let his muscles recover.
Well I'm off to go ride now ... I think I'll make it an easy day. Peace out!

**
Today's quote: "It seems only yesterday I used to believe
there was nothing under my skin but light.
If you cut me I could shine.
But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life,
I skin my knees. I bleed." -- Billy Collins

By the way, the rest of the videos for Randy Pausch can be found at YouTube

The last lecture of Randy Pausch 1

Another video not horse or dressage-related, but truly nspirational. This is Randy Pausch, and he is dying of pancreatic cancer. This is his last lecture he gave to a university class. Watch it, it's worth it.

Trail ride!

I CANNOT WAIT! Eight of us from the barn are piling into a trailer and driving to a nearby campgrounds for a day of trail riding on Sunday. It has been years since I have been on a "real" trail ride, and this will be T-Bone's first experience out with a group of horses. We trail ride around the farm and stuff, and of course we've been to shows - but I don't know how the whole galloping in a field with 7 other horses is going to go. :-) I'm really amped about it tho, and I hope the weather holds.

Now I have to go shopping for bug spray. And bell boots wouldn't hurt either.

Around and around we go

So today was an amazing lesson. After warming up, we started working on shoulder-in down the long side, 10 meter circle at E or B, and then haunches-in (travers) when we got back to the rail. Lateral work is getting MUCH easier for T-Bone and altho it isn't perfect yet, every day gets better.

We moved on to some turns on the haunches at the walk - our best movement by far. After a couple of times each direction, my instructor (Jen) says to trot and think turn on the haunches at the trot. At first, both T-Bone and I were confused (it's a difficult movement to do), but when we did nail it - wa-lah - HALF STEPS! We didn't spend too long on this, just enough to let T-Bone know he was on the right track and that he was making good efforts. Canter work included some colelction exercises - including "think push his haunches out" at the canter, almost as if to make him cross his back legs. Well this resulted in a really uphill, collected canter. And when Jen said "think turn on the haunches in canter", it was as if we had been doing canter piroettes all summer ... ok, it wasn't as tight as it should be, but be nailed a very nice schooling half piroette. T-Bone's best gait is the canter and he has no problem sitting and cantering in a very collected fashion. It's so cool! Trot lengthenings will be a different story ... it's not his strong point, and never will be. We'll have to make everything else awesome in order to make up for a lack-luster extensions.

Toward the end, we did more shoulder-in down the long side, and half-pass off the rail to the quarter line. Our first steps of half pass! We did this at trot and canter. Half pass to the quarter line, then go straight. I wanted to make sure T-Bone knew what he was doing was correct, so I didn't push it any more than that. He was such a good horse today, what an amazing work ethic he has.

The horse gets vaccinated tomorrow (Tuesday) so I won't ride him again until Thursday. I can't wait to work more on my own on this exercises. What's really awesome is that by increasing the level of difficulty, all of a sudden the easy stuff gets SO much easier. My homework from Jen was to work on the counter canter loops that appear in Second Level Test 1 as well. Counter canter is a little difficult, and he needs to be more supple for sure. But it'll get there.

**

In other news, I'm going to need to find another form of exercise over the winter to keep myself in shape. Now that softball is ending, I won't have that extra hour or so of exercise. It really helped my riding and I'll definately miss it. Maybe yoga or pilates will be a good choice.

THE ELMS, "Promises"

Wow. Not horse related or dressage related, but worth posting.

THE ELMS, "Promises"

It's 92 and it's October

Saturday's lesson was fantastic. My 'rents came out to watch and I think were impressed with how far we have come in a month. They were also amazed at how hard both of us work (didn't make things any better that it was 92 degrees). Horse and I were both drenched in sweat by the end.

We started out working on changing the bend within the trot. We did shallow loops on and off the rail and then loops on the centerline. This was followed by work on shoulder in and leg yielding. This is clearly not T-Bone's favorite movement, and I think he still is insecure from the bad experience back in March during which we spent and hour leg yielding and pissing him off. Ugh. But, it's getting better. It's just a matter of time and practice. What we do well, tho, is turn on the haunches. I've never really worked that much on this movement with the horse, but both of us have a real knack for it. So much infact, that walk piroettes are not far away. TOH really helps lighten his front end as well. The lesson ended with more canter work - this will be the horse's strong point. He is incredibly talented and able to sit down on his haunches and damn near canter on the spot already. This is after maybe 2 weeks of asking for just a little more collection each day in the canter. It isn't perfect, he still tends to get tense in the neck and stiff in the jaw, but I just have to work through it.

Anyway, the photos are from yesterday.

Tired human and pony!

Dressage: Behind the scenes, and life

Since my barn-mates have been at regionals all weekend, the barn has been basically a ghost town. This suits me just fine, because the first thing I do is turn the radio on to a very inappropriate level. (The arena has surround sound - pimp, I know.) And it's fabulous having an entire arena all to yourself. Horse and I worked on our leg yielding, which is starting to improve but we still have a long way to go before it will be acceptable for First-4 (our goal for next season). Here's the problem: If I focus on getting excellent leg crossing, he gets tense and comes above the bit. If I focus on keeping him round, his legs don't cross as well as they need to be. I need to figure out how to put the two together. Shoulder-in is also improving, and travers is just about second nature now. The winner for most improved gait is the canter. In one month, we have gone from a rather quick, unbalanced Morgan canter to an almost-appropriate-for-third-level collected canter. It still needs more sitting quality, but it is MUCH improved. With that, trot to canter transitions are also much better. We've also begun some half-step work, which confuses the hell out of T-Bone at the moment. Teaching piaffe takes years, so we have to start now with very simple steps. I think my parents are going to come out and watch a lesson next week, so perhaps I can get some updated photos. I just remembered, I need to worm the horse soon. Especially now that he's been living outdoors.

The other great thing about riding alone in a large arena blasting music so loud my horse had a hard time hearing me talk to him, is that it really clears my head and relaxes me. Over the past 2 or 3 years I have tried really hard to try and connect with people more. I have always been shy and not one to open up, but lately I've been finding it easier and truthfully, pretty rewarding. I think allowing myself to be vulnerable (to certain people, mind you), is scary but also allows me to grow and bond with people who are open to that. The past few years have not been easy for me, and I've been through some situations I would never wish upon anyone - but its during these times you find out who your real friends are. It's sounds so cheesy and cliche, but it's true. For almost a year I was isolated from having any friends at all, and I have never felt so alone and sad. But even after I was able to escape that, they were still there for me. Now I am so much more aware of the qualities I want in a friend and how to seek out people who have those qualities. I will never let anyone treat me like shit ever again - friend or otherwise. I don't deserve that - no one does. Plus, there are so many other amazing people out there who are so selfless and compassionate. I mean seriously, in the past few months my faith in the human race, and more specially, in men, has really been restored. I was never bitter or hateful, but I was seriously weary. Ok sure, I may still have bad timing with boys but I can handle heartache. There are WAY worse things, I have learned. I just reflect back on when I was 23 ... intoxicated with this certain person to the point where I had tunnel vision. That period of struggling with myself and my heart taught me a lot - most importantly, if I can get over that kind of angst, I can get over ANYthing. I was convinced I'd "never meet another one like him." and that he's the "one who got away." ... but you know what? I was wrong. Yes, wrong. And this is one time where I was thrilled I was wrong. But at least I know what I want now, and I know that if I can meet more than one guy like that - than surely, there's one out there for me. Surely. Right? Right? I'm just going to wait here for him. One of these days my timing will be right.

Well this blog has turned into pointless ramblings. Somedays I don't even know how to verbalize what goes on in my head. So, sorry if you actually made it to the end. What a trooper. Anyway, I'll close with some dressage humor.

What dressage is really about:
A dressage test is a test of your skill against another competitor's luck.

Dressage is about achieving a harmonious working relationship with your horse, whose only idea of harmony is eating grass in a field.

If you want to end a drought or dry spell, wear a new jacket and Patey hat to an outdoor arena.

Untalented, difficult, aggressive horses have robust health and long lives.

Talented tractable horses are accident prone.

You will ride the best test of your entire life just prior to being disqualified for not wearing your gloves.

Horses do not improve their paces because you are wearing expensive German jodhpurs.

If you chose a disco theme for your dressage to music test then the judge will not be less than 90 years of age.

The less skilled the rider, the more likely they are to share their ideas and advice on riding a test.

If you are considering the services of a horse clairvoyant to help you with training then you have reached the point of total desperation - try the German jodhpurs instead.

If you fall off your horse in the arena you will have paid to have the test videoed.

If you are feeling confident before a show then three of the British team and one leading eventer will turn up to give their young horses some "experience."

Your horse will perform its best piaffe ever when you ask for extended canter.

No one cheats at dressage because no one has worked out how to.

It is surprisingly easy to end a test with a perfect square halt once you have scored a four for every other movement.

***
Lyric of the day: "Come up to meet you, Tell you I’m sorry, You don’t know how lovely you are. I had to find you, Tell you I need you, Tell you I set you apart Tell me your secrets, And ask me your questions, Aww let’s go back to the start" (Coldplay)

Dressage cancelled

Horse and I have been working so hard this week that I made the executive decision to just screw off today. So, while everyone else was focused on their work in the arena, T-Bone and I went outdoors and flew around the farm with no regard to many dressage theories at all. I did fit it some actual work at times, and worked a lot on cantering on a straight line. Worked on collected canter, collecting the trot and many transitions. But, it was so gorgeous out that the rest of the time we spent trotting and cantering around the farm just as happy as can be. If the weather is as nice tomorrow, I'm planning on the same. Maybe a little more work this time ... but it's great, just me and the horse doing our own thing - galloping through meadows, down the driveway, around the fields. It's amazing how we have developed this bond and mutual understanding over the past 3 years. He always waits for my go-ahead to gallop, and obviously has a great go-button, but once I sit back and say "easy" he comes back immediately. He's so trustworthy. There is nothing like galloping down a grassy lane with your horse on a day like today. As dweeby as that sounds. What can you expect.

Injury

Wednesday's lesson wasn't very pretty. T-Bone was fresh (the weather had suddenly changed and it had gotten to 40 degrees that night), and so the entire lesson I spent mostly on relaxation. He just would not wear down - I trotted and trotted, cantered, galloped, changed directions, all to no avail. It was just one of those days. He did have moments of brilliance tho, which I was quite pleased with. We started work on half-steps, which didn't last long due to his mindset. We also worked on collected canter which is improving quite a bit.

What bothered me was that he was getting so irritable during lateral work. Teeth grinding, locking his jaw, slinging his head at times. This is totally out of character for him - even on a fresh day - so I was getting a little concerned. Was I doing something wrong? I checked the bridle, his tongue was not over the bit or anything. So, we just ended the lesson on a good note.

It was after I had untacked him that I noticed what the problem probably was. Right on the inside of both of his hind ankles were two big gashes/rubs. They were fresh and bloody and about silver dollar size. He had been hitting himself the entire time! Gah! I have never had to wrap or boot his hind legs, but you bet I will be now! So I am giving him a couple days off so that those can heal a little bit. Poor guy! We have been started a lot of difficult movements which includes much leg yielding and shoulder in so I bet in his efforts to balance himself and try to place his feet right, he's hit himself. Its boots or wraps from now on!

A critique

Something cute and funny for this blog. It's a psin off of Lisa Wilcox's column:

Photo 1 – A Recipe for DisasterPooh writes that though he has been friends with Eeyore for many years, he got tired of listening to Eeyore’s self-pity binges, so decided to saddle him up and give him something to cry about. While it appears that some effort was made to improve the appearance of both donkey and rider, I’m afraid they have a lot of work to do. The first thing I notice is that Pooh is not wearing any breeches, or underwear for that matter. Proper, good-fitting breeches are essential for a polished picture as well as adding to the comfort of the rider. His jacket is ill-fitting and has short sleeves. Also, Eeyore’s bridle lacks a browband, and it appears that the noseband sits a little too high – it should not interfere with his eyes. I am also very concerned about that fact that your donkey appears to have no hooves. This is either a horrible case of abuse and neglect, or you have some serious trimming of feathers to do. Pooh’s position leaves a lot to be desired. He holds his legs way too far back to give an effective leg aid. It appears that he needs to open up at the hip and roll his thigh inward so he is riding with the inside of his thigh on, not the back. In the photo, his foot is about where his knee should be (if he had a knee), giving the appearance of a “chair” seat. I recommend a lot of stretching and suppling exercises for Pooh, as well as investing in some surgery to have knees constructed. Eeyore suffers from a variety of conformation issues, such as a low-set neck (from all that woe-is-me stuff) that would make it hard for him to achieve an uphill, or even round, frame. He could also benefit from a more vigorous diet and exercise program. And Pooh has the worst possible body conformation for a dressage rider: short stubby legs, a long chubby torso, and short, chubby arms, all of which make it difficult for him to use supple, fluid leg aids and allow Eeyore to reach into his hand and make the most of his sad conformation. Pooh also needs to close his big, sappy mouth and balance his head over his spine.Pooh, I understand you wanted to teach that mopey little ass a lesson, but I have to say, I’m the one who is crying after seeing your photos. Best of luck to you both, you losers.

Here we go again

I have no business buying another new saddle. I've been through two already, both failures. But I tried a saddle of the exact same size and type and it fit both me and horse quite well. So I went ahead and found a used one online and it will be arriving for a 5 day trial soon. Then, I'll probably buy it. I can't afford it. (Rent, board and truck payments leave me with nothing) ... but that is what credit cards are for. A saddle is very important and I want to be able to keep making progress with T-Bone. Not be held back by a saddle.

Move your ass over. (a.k.a. Travers)

<----- A straight horse. Wednesday's lesson focused on developing the lateral movements with T-Bone, and primarily travers (haunches-in) in preparation for half-pass. Typically, horse's with short backs and similar confirmation to T-Bone's are not quite as flexible as the lanky-er warmbloods. But, T-Bone is a Morgan. And with that comes the ability to contort himself in any way possible. The instructor was very impressed with how fliexible he actually is, although travers was difficult for him and ended up being hard work for both of us.

Horse's prefer not to travel sideways. They are built for forward, straight impulsion and one would never find a horse free in his pasture performing a half pass. That, I am sure. :-) T-Bone's shoulder-in has improved immensely since beginning lessons and the travers is following close behind. I did have trouble getting him off my leg tho, and next time I'll have to use spurs. I know he knows what I want, he just chooses to ignore it. When I ask again (this time with a THUMP with my leg), he comes above the bit in protest. Finally, after a few wallops and a discussion with the whip - he moves his haunches over. It is imperative that he be light off the leg in order to move on any further with the exercise. You cannot beat the daylights out of your horse in the middle of a dressage test.

"Move your ass over you son of a bitch!" ... -2 points for speaking during the test.

So that's one homework exercise for the week. So, why do we want our horses to move sideways? Well, it's fun for one. Half-passing feels like you are gliding. And I like the feeling of being able to put my horse's shoulders, ass and neck anywhere I want at anytime. Travers helps supple and collect the horse. This movement will be VERY helpful down the line when we want to collect the canter.

<----- Now compare the straight horse, to the one in travers. (haunches in) What really fascinates me is that the aids for right lead canter, travers to the right and right half pass are all the same. How does the horse know which one to do?
Your weight.
Gold star if you answered correctly.

These movements are all building blocks for the future, which looks fantastic.

My instructor said her goal was to have T-Bone and I soild Prix St. George in two years.

I almost cried.

And so to finish out the lesson we worked a bit on developing the trot and this will be T-Bone's major weakness: the mediums and extensions. He needs some major stength building in his stifles and this is why we are starting now to develop this so that we are not totally screwed up shit's creek when we want to show.

That is all for today!
___

Today's quote: “There are easier things in life than trying to find a nice guy...like nailing jelly to a tree for example”

Introduction

Here ye, here ye.

This blog's primary purpose is for me to document, analyze (otherwise, overanalyze) and review the training and progress of myself and my horse through our dressage journey.

However, be warned it may include off-topic subjects such as life, dating advice, work (or what I do when I'm not riding) nonsense about my cat and why I enjoy TV shows like "Rock of Love."

I do not expect anyone to read this, but if you do - you've been warned.