A post from Hampton

My blog post

By Hampton Charles

My normally very awesome human sayz that because I keep growing out of my clothes and/or destroying them, that THIS is my punishment:

Can you believe she makes me wear this?

I looks like a hippie.

I don't even know who this Jerry guy is, or this Trey guy is that Human always speaks so highly of. But she sayz they would be proud if they saw me in this.

I fear she might makes me wear something called a "hemp necklace" next!

My girlfriend Lilly would never speak to me again.

I meanz, I'm already the tall, awkward kid.

A hippie now too?

Shame. 

Are you seriously going to make me walk back into the herd wearing this?!?

I am NOT leaving dis gate until you change my clothes!

... you wouldn't just leave me here ...

She did. She just left.

She was smiling and giggling at me.

Halp!

Bullet with butterfly wings

It's no secret to my readers that I struggle daily with my employment situation.

Well, I have interesting news today.

A potential new job is sitting on my horizon. It sounds promising. VERY promising. So promising, that I have already researched and found a fantastic barn to move Hampton to.

(Um, 2 indoors and a challenge course? And in my budget? Sign me up!)

It would be somewhat of a lateral move, but I talked to the editor and we really seemed to be on the same page as far as the industry. This company is a family-owned business, and very secure. They have not done any layoffs or furloughs. (I just got news of MORE furloughs today.)

It is located in the southern part of the state - about 2 hours from where I am now. It's quite close to the Hoosier Horse Park (woot!) and my drive to CAF would be about the same. Amy - it would be about the same distance from you. :)

(I say this because she threatened me within an inch of my life if I should ever move away). 

:)

I love how everything in my life revolves around horses. You can see where my priorities are. I haven't looked into apartments or houses or anything, but from what I hear the city is young and growing.

I would, unfortunately, have to choose a closer dressage instructor. This breaks my heart into a million pieces because I love my current instructor. I would also leave a few very special friends behind. A two-hour drive isn't bad ... except in gas it is.

My biggest fear is that they won't be able to pay me enough. I'm sorry but I am worth way more than I am being paid now and I refuse to take a pay cut unless there are pretty significant perks.

And, it would be the same job I am doing now. Like I said, it would be a lateral move (but with potential for advancement, an improvement over my current situation). Would I really be changing anything?

I take that back. My biggest fear is that nothing will really change. New city, new location, sure. But is this the right move? I don't know!!

SO:

Here's what else I have been considering:

• Nursing school.
I love the medical fields. As a daughter of a nurse, I often self-diagnose myself and my friends. I am not afraid of needles or blood (ok maybe a ton of blood), but vomit puts the fear of God into me. Seriously, I think I am an emetophobe. Not sure if that is something I can push through and be a nurse? Or if I will just have a breakdown at the first sound of someone gagging? Also, how in the hell will I ever be able to find the time to go to nursing school? And have a job to pay bills? And ride my horse? If I found a 2 year program, I would be willing to back off on the riding and shows (but still keep my horse!) ... because in the end the sacrifice would be worth it. Now to just find the time ...

• Photography
I need to seriously invest in the right equipment and some classes, but I really enjoy photography and with the right guidance I think I could make a business out of it. I have had numerous people push me in this direction. I also took a really extensive career test a few months ago. Which fields do you think it recommended for me? Nursing and/or photography.

• A master's degree
In journalism? No. Useless until I want to be a professor. And I don't. I've also thought about business, social work and education (I think I may enjoy being an adviser).

• Jumping back into the horse world
I'd love to be a barn manager or breeding manager. I don't have what it takes to be a trainer (I work too slowly for most clients), but I could do a wide variety of things. Lack of health insurance and benefits is the major drawback here, although some jobs do offer this.

• Food
Starting at the bottom of the food chain (bahahaha!) and working my way up to a manager and then owner. Once I reached the owner position, I know that money wouldn't be a problem. (I would have the option to take over a family-owned business) But it's those years I need to start at the bottom ... almost certainly the horse and truck would have to go. Not really an option. Oh and there's the fact that I have no f'ing clue how to run a restaurant.

This is some of what has been eating at my brain. Feels good to type it out.

The other option is to just do nothing and wait for a different opportunity.

Thanksgiving scare!

My Thanksgiving starting out a little more exciting than I had planned.

The BOs had left for the day to visit family so I was the only soul out at the farm. I'm glad I went to feed and check up on the horses because I found Lilly, my bestie's Walker mare, in the midst of a colic episode out in the field.

Lilly is always perky and miss sunshine. She poops rainbows.

When I walked out to get Hamps, she was lying down in one of the run in sheds. But she got right up. This is not unusual for her, as I frequently find her sleeping. I haltered Hamps and started leading him back toward the barn. When I turned around, Lilly was back down. Hmmm.

I walked over to her and she was lying weird against the side of the shed. She didn't even pick her head up when I walked up to her. This was alarming as she is normally annoyingly friendly and perky.

I had to cluck and wave my arms at her to get her to stand up. She didn't appear to be sweaty or breathing hard. I led Hampton into the barn to feed him. Again, I glance back at Lilly and she is still in the shed holding up one of her front legs. This is something she sometimes does off the farm. I think she does it out of anxiety of stress. I have NEVER seen her do this in the field at liberty.

I feed Hampton, come back out. She is down AGAIN. And is flat out on her side. I trudge out to get her and almost have to drag her in. She is normally one you have to "half halt" so that she walks at your speed. Her head is down and her ears to the side. She looks uncomfortable.

Time to call her owner, who is in the middle of Thanksgiving lunch.

I ask permission to give her a bit of banamine. I spend the next 15 minutes walking her around. She appears a little tight in her back end, but otherwise her vitals are normal and she isn't trying to lie back down.

Finally - poop!! I do a happy dance and report poop to the owner. It looks normal, and I keep walking Lilly. She accepts a treat and wants to eat grass. She started to perk back up pretty quickly.

I suspect a mild gas colic and after an hour or so I let her go back out in the field and watch to see what she does. She goes back to the herd and appears normal. Later in the evening her owner reports Lilly is her normal happy self.

Thanks for the Thanksgiving scare, Lilly!

In better news, Hampton and JJ enjoyed their Thanksgiving apples, sugar cubes and love.

Hampton nommin' while I nervously watch Lilly.

JJ was happy to see his Sugar Momma!!

Choices

Good grief that working student topic blew up didn't it?

But we have a saying in journalism: If you don't piss someone off, you aren't doing your job.

I love the fact that the topic has so many people talking. No matter their opinion, I really enjoyed reading them all - on here, and on Boyd's site and the Chronicle Forums. Also, Kelly wrote a nice related post at Dressage Pony.

I'm sorry if I sounded whiney or "poor me, I haz no monies!".

It comes down to choices. And a bit of luck. And good timing.

I was a working student/groom of sorts for a Morgan show barn for several summers through high school and college. I worked long, hard days. I did get paid ($200 a week), but I was in school and lived with my parents. (And also ate their food).

Then I made the choice to go to the University of Findlay for an equestrian education. I was sure I wanted to pursue horses as a career. I spent 2 years there.

After two years, I made another choice. To transfer to another school and get a "real" degree so that I had something to fall back on in case I got hurt with horses.

After graduating, I made the choice to accept a job at a newspaper. I chose journalism because I like it. I followed my heart and not my brain. I really had no clue how little the industry would offer me. I had ABSOLUTELY no clue the entire industry (and economy) would crash and burn 6 years later.

I made the choice to stick with a newspaper job because of the job security (until recently, anyway), health insurance, benefits and all that good stuff.

In 2009, I chose to sell my horse. Then I chose to buy another one.

The reason I am where I am is a direct result of the choices I have made. I should never have purchased my big truck. I should have never moved out of the original apartment I found when I moved here. Following Phish around in 2009 and racking up tremendous debt on my credit card was the most fun I think I have ever had. But not a wise thing to do. Those were bad financial choices. 


I am really great at being indecisive. And by not making a choice, I make a choice. This character flaw has influenced every single area of my life.

The situation I am in is a direct result of my own choices. No one made me a victim. It's up to me to make the changes. I'm trying!

Stepping back and looking at things, though. I really do live the dream. I do what I love every day (ride horses). I have an amazing horse that I adore. We are both healthy. I still have a job. I have a very different life than many of my friends (I don't have a hubs, kids or anyone to answer to), and that's ok. That's their choice and this is mine.

I still have many more choices to make.

"Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice."

"The history of free men is never really written by chance but by choice; their choice!"

A different league

It's probably clear that I have an unhealthy, stalker-like obsession innocent school girl crush on Boyd Martin.

Imagine my delight when he announced he is in need of a working student - in Aiken!

I could quit my job. Move to Aiken. Bring Hampton. Ride everyday! Stare at Boyd ... learn from Boyd and his crew. Work with great horses. Improve my riding. Get out of Indiana! Start a new life. Steal Boyd from his gorgeous wife. You get the drift.

BUT.

Cost of bringing Hampton would be $35 a day. So, only about $1,050 a month. *FACEDESK*

Oh but there is shared housing, at a cost.

Doesn't sound like the position is paid in any way except for education.

And with the long hours, how the hell is someone supposed to pay for life's expenses? There is no time for a part time job. And let's be real, my current FULL TIME job would barely cover Hampton's expenses alone.

Education is priceless to me, I get it. But there is still REAL LIFE to consider. What kind of person would really be able to accept this position? ... a student who has parents who will pay? Someone with a large trust fund? Even without a horse, how does one earn money to eat?

This is just my bitchfest at working student positions (some of them). They are impossible for me because while I'm willing to work my ass off, I have to be able to still buy a toothbrush every once in a while. You know?

It basically comes down to the fact that this sort of thing is just simply out of my league. *shrug*

Rant over.

'Push away those baby blues'

Thanks to frigid, gale-force winds earlier in the week, I am afraid we have not been very productive in the dressage department. I did ride, but I gave up after 20 minutes and our workouts consisted of just big, forward trot and round. It's difficult to be productive when all I could think about was my frozen face and how awesome a hot shower sounded.

CAF in september.

BUT! This weekend we did some jumping. I set up a single jump consisted of two barrels (on their side, thanks) and ground poles on either side. My goals were to apply leg to the jump, keep my shoulders back, maintain rhythm and turn with the outside aids. Hampton did his part and easily picked his way through the placing poles and over the barrels. I normally do not like to do much jumping without instruction, but I felt this was a pretty simple exercise that I couldn't screw up too badly. It was super fun and I was able to find a nice balance over the jump by actually closing my eyes and letting Hampton jump up to me. He was pulling me to the jump and I praised him for that. He just keeps getting better and better!

... which brings me to more news. Amy and I are once again scheming. This time, a lesson at CAF. I'm pretty amped about this. It's not until December but time flies. I'm hoping to work on grids since that is something that's impossible for me to do at home because we don't have enough jumps.

I have started to teach Hampton how to bow. I know, I know. I have never been a "trick" person but I think that Hampton really has the personality for it (and by personality, I mean that he is a whore for treats) and it will be a fun thing to do to keep his brain engaged in the winter months. Actually, in about 10 minutes of work he has already figured out to lower his head between his front feet while I pick up a leg. So I imagine he will have it down after a few more sessions. It's cute, and also I think it's a great stretching exercise - especially for the shoulders and neck. :)

... and here is some Blind Melon. It's been a Blind Melon day for me. (thus the blog title) So here you go. Enjoy the raw genius that is Shannon Hoon.

Another SDTDEDDA award!

This one will leave you speechless.
Today's Such a Dumbass They Don't Even Deserve a Darwin Award title goes to:

2011 Season Summary

February: We venture to CAF for Hampton's first show. There is some tension, but he behaves and we earn a 64, 64 and 62. And 3 blue ribbons.

It was not warm at CAF in February.

May: Another CAF show. Hampton was tense, wiggly and squirrly pretty much the entire time. Judge says I am a "tactful" rider after Hampton spooks at his own shadow and bucks during canter transitions. I do get an 8 for my rider score!! However, our test score was 61%. 3rd place. Next test does not go much better. 59%.

Obedient pony at May CAF show ...

Naughty little &%*^ !!!

June: I drag Hampton to an area 4-H open show. The atmosphere is chaotic to say the least. Hampton does a lot of talking, but behaves. It was his first time in an arena with at least 20 other horses. Maybe 30% of them were in control. We enter a few walk-trot classes against the Wenglish 4-Hers. The next weekend our barn hosts an open show and we enter Hunter under saddle, hunter hack and halter. Looking back, these types of shows are so great to bring young horses to. (Cheap, close and plenty of insaneness to look at). Hampton is pretty much unflappable now.

back to my Findlay hunter roots.

July & August: Lessons & trail riding

September: CAF show and our first attempt at a combined test. I also take JJ, my favorite QH who is a reining horse but moonlights as a dressage poneh. Hampton scores a 65 (a personal record for me at the time), a 62 and we win both the CT and the event derby! JJ also has good scores for his first show and first dressage tests. Good boys!

I love Come Again Farm.

October: Octoberfest at the Hoosier Horse Park. We blow our previous scores out of the water earning 2 scores of 67% and one 64 (I went off course ... ugh). We also win the combined test Green As Grass and make our debut in the jumper ring. Annnnnd it's our first time schooling cross country! Hampton is a super star the entire weekend. I bruise my butt out on cross country but otherwise I think I rode really well - especially in our dressage tests. Hampton meets Steady and they instantly form a Bromance.

Job well done Porkchop!

I have not set any goals for 2012 yet. I think I will just listen to my horse. My goals for 2011 included competing in the USDF 4 year old tests. Frankly, only now do I feel that Hampton is ready to compete in those tests (pretty much 1st level). I could have pushed him earlier in the year to reach that goal of mine, but for what? So that I could say that I did it?

The horse is much happier if I let him develop at his own pace. I'm so thankful I have a happy, sound, healthy pony. I have always tried to be fair to him and I think he has rewarded me for those efforts. So for 2012 I plan to take it one show at a time. And frankly, I really want to focus more of my time and money on education (lessons, clinics, etc.) and perhaps not go to as many shows. But we'll see. My job situation will likely not be the same. I may even live somewhere else.

Yay for uncertainty in the near future! *nervous tick*

Smoke on the Hampton

Hampton was smokin' this afternoon.

He felt 100% better from yesterday. It was just an off day. He is certainly allowed. :)

I did still stick to my plan of only walk/trot even though he started off feeling amazing. We worked on trot -almost walk-trot transitions, leg yields (super!), shoulder-in (sweet baby jesus!), lenthenings (bam!) and some haunches in (improving!). I was so proud of him. He felt like a legit second level horse the way he was trotting around. I almost squealed with delight ... but there were people around and so I kept a lid on it.  I'm pretty sure we have said goodbye to Training Level tests.

I'll test the canter tomorrow and see where we're at.

I have a feeling that Hamps needs his teeth done. He's really been hanging on the right rein lately. I realize this could totally be me, but I've also noticed him dramatically moving his jaw from side to side sometimes when he's eating. You know how when you get something stuck in your teeth and you sort of move your tongue and jaw around to dislodge the offending food? I've seen him do this frequently.

The problem is that due to some barn drama, the previous vet has been banned from the barn. That vet is the one who brings in this fantastic dentist twice a year. Well, I missed Super Dentist for the fall. Banned Vet called the BO and offered the services, but BO said no one here needed it. (I wish she would have ASKED ME) ... So 1) It is partially my fault for missing Super Dentist's visit because I should have been more in charge of Hampton's care instead of relying on the BO who has in the past scheduled dentist visits for boarders ... and 2) Super Dentist won't be back until spring. Meh. I'll also have to take Hampton off the farm to see Super Dentist.

So that has turned into a clusterf*ck. I could always have the vet take a look, but Super dentist is fantastic .. the best I've ever seen and has done such a good job with Hamps thus far.

I guess I'll keep an eye on things. Hopefully he can wait until spring.

... lastly, remember to hug your horses. Catherine Haddad lost her Grand Prix horse, Cadillac. That's two great horses gone this week. So sad. :(

I'm such a jerk.

It has been months since Hampton's right hind has acted up. When I rode him this evening, he wasn't off, but he wasn't quite the same bouncy warmblood he has become this summer. He felt like he was pulling himself along with his front end instead of pushing from behind. He felt flat.

I blamed it on the terrible footing in the arena right now. It hasn't been worked in .. I dunno ... months. I would be happy to do it myself but women apparently aren't allowed to use the tractors/drag. I wish I was joking.

Anyway, our trot work was actually outstanding. Shoulder-in and leg yields were effortless and easily show ring quality. I was easily able to supple him and put his head and neck where I wanted.

His eggbeater canter however was back in full force. I could not get the rhythm back no matter what I did. My usual standbys (counter flexion, move the shoulders in) were not producing results. And he kept breaking back into the trot - repeatedly.

So that's why I feel like a total, utter, useless JERK for swatting him on the butt after he broke for the 5th or 6th time. I've been pouting about it most of the evening. I feel awful.

It finally occurred to me that his leg was probably bothering him. Thus the eggbeater canter and breaking of gait. UGH.  I thought he was being disobedient, when really he was just trying to tell me that he was uncomfortable and could we please trot now

I think tomorrow we will just do trot work and see where the canter is on Sunday. This issue really seems to show up when the weather gets cold. So maybe I'll put his magnetic hock boots on before we ride tomorrow. If anything, they'll warm up the joint.

He's such a good horse to put up with me.

11.11.11

Spinal Tap is easily in my Top 5 Favorite Movies Ever.

I missed 11:11 a.m. this morning because my boss was talking to me. So much for that epic wish.

Maybe I'll remember at 11:11 p.m.

No unplanned dismounts this time trail riding

First, I was stunned by the news of Hickstead's death yesterday.

He collapsed while leaving the show ring in Italy. Very sad. :( Here is his last round before he died.
The video of his death is on YouTube. It's pretty disturbing.


Now for some better news
Hampton has been smokin' lately in the dressage department.

The other day I stole a movement from Second Level. Shoulder in to B, then 10M circle, then travers when you get back to the rail. On the left rein, we nailed it. Travers is still a bit sticky on the right rein. I totally blame myself for this. I think it's because my left side is my weak side, so my left aids are not as supportive as they need to be. He also dislikes bending right which just adds to the issue. But we'll get there. I see the light.

I wish someone had been there to see our canter-walk transitions on Saturday. I didn't even use the fence this time for help. To be show ring ready, Hampton will need to be just a tad more round. But he's got the concept and I'm starting to nail the timing of the aids more consistently. Holla!

Sunday was such a pretty day and I wanted to reward Hampton with something different to do so I forced asked nicely if JJ and his human would like to make a trip to Tippy State Park for a trail ride. We were up there in the spring with Lilly the Walker and her human. I like the trails because most of it is sand and it makes for an easy ride.

Hampton was a little bit of a shithead. Because the trails are so easy, we decided to do some trotting and cantering. Hampton thought cantering behind JJ meant Wild Goose Chase and decided he would buck instead of canter nicely. I had to check him pretty hard in order to keep him between me and the ground. Sheesh. Bad poneh! Then he bit JJ in the face. He also managed to poop all over the back of my trailer during our ride up there. As if this wasn't enough, after we dropped JJ off at his house, Hamps managed to paw and tear up the bale of hay I had sitting at the front of the trailer. Half of it was underneath him when I went to unload. Great.

We must have rode for 3 hours. I thought for sure the beast would be tired but when I unloaded him he was rude and would not stand still for me to take his bellboots off. Then when I turned him back out and took off and tore like a bat outta hell back to the herd.

I'll cut him some slack though. It was a long day and he did for the most part behave just fine. We even found a few logs to jump. :)

I'm hoping I'll have the cash to have a lesson or two after I get paid next. A friend of mine just bought a OTTB and I think we might take semi-private lessons together which would really cut down on the costs.

Brilliant:

Blame it on the rein, rein, reining!

No, I'm not going to pull an Anky.

Hmmm should I ride dressage today?

No, maybe I'll do reining now.

But I do love reining. Maybe because it is somewhat like dressage and some of their goals and basic training are similar, if not the same.

An area barn just down the road from Hamp's hosted a reining demo this morning. I love all things horses and it was free.

It was interesting, but I was somewhat perplexed by the dude giving the demo. First of all, he does not train his own horses. He sends them away to a pro. There is nothing wrong with that - but, anyone can give a demo on super trained horses. *shrug* I had hoped to see him work through some training issues, not just show me that his horse can slide and spin.

He did have a few interesting things to say. I did not know it is illegal to touch your horse during a reining competition. However, unlike dressage, you can use your voice.

Dressage and reining horses both start out working their horses with their head and neck long and low and their back up - like an arc from nose to tail.

Reiners want to stay that way. In dressage, we eventually add more weight to the haunches until the poll and front end lifts up (with the ultimate goal being collection and the "3 P's")

Check out these two with similar outlines.

*DROOL* Me want.

Lower level dressage horse.

Both disciplines like their horses calm, submissive and obedient to the leg aids. In reining, the horses are behind the bit but in an effective way.

Reiners sure like to toss their horses' hips around. We do use travers (haunches-in) in dressage, but most of our exercises focus more on controlling the shoulders and asking the horse to put more weight on his haunches.

When you start to get more advanced, that is when you start to really see the split between the two.

For example, flying lead changes.

Reiners achieve lead changes by, once again, pushing the hip over. An ideal flying change in reining is quiet, smooth and almost invisible.

For example, say you are on the right lead and want to change to the left at X.

As you approach X, you would press your right leg near the girth cinch and move the haunches to the left. Like dressage, the horse should be quick enough off the leg that you don't actually end up tossing the hind end around and end up fishtailing.

Here are some nice changes:



In dressage - the flying change must also be clean, smooth and prompt. BUT you also have to be straight and the more jump the better. The end goal is the one-tempi changes:



My instructor once said to me, "Flying changes are like sex. It is very personal." ... What she means is that the training and the aids for flying changes are unique to each horse and rider as far as timing, pressure and speed. ... Thus the sex comparison. :)

I'll admit it. Sliding stops are cool. And you can really tell those who have worked their horses over the back, vs. those who do not:

Beautiful! Horse is stretching his neck and rounding his back.

Um, no. Hollow back, open mouth.

If I had more money and could tolerate a western saddle, I'd get a reining horse. I especially love how some of them have these gorgeous long manes. I would get a reining horse with lots of hair so he/she could fling his/her mane around during spins.

so much hair!

But since I am broke and can't afford another horse, I'll be sticking to dressage. :)

***
Edited to add

This blog title was a shout out to this greatness from 1989. :)

More contests! (and grooming tips)

Hampton: April 2010

I love blogger world because of all the awesome people who give away free stuff. :)

One of those people is Laz's Mum over at Sweet Horse's Breath. She is giving away this awesome product:

I was a groom for several years for a top Morgan/Saddlebred show barn. Horses were clipped and groomed to an annoying level. But I did learn a lot. I'll be happy if I never have to sand and hoof-black another hoof in my life though.

But here are some grooming tips anyone can use, especially if you show.

• If you keep your horse's tail braided up, or if you horse just has a kinky tail, dip the tail in a bucket of water. Then slowly hand-pick the tail. This will get the kinks out. Spray with show sheen.

• When clipping ears, put your thumb in the ear and press softly. This helps soften the buzzing sensation for the horse.

• Clip white socks. I usually clip all 4 legs regardless of color up to the knee or hock, but it works especially well for white socks. A clipped sock is way easier to keep and make super white. At a show, scrub white socks with soap until you can see pink skin. Air dry. Apply baby powder. BOOM. White sock.

• Clean your horse's nostrils with a warm, wet towel. Many people forget to do the "other end" too. Wipe under the tail (warm, wet towel) and remove crustys (mares especially) and dirt. You'd be surprised how much more polished your horse will look.

... hmm maybe I'll do a grooming series this winter.