Sadly I didn't have the money to attend the Phish festival this year. (tear, whine, stomps foot). I came across this video which is just amazing. I believe the same guy did something similar for Festy 8 in 2009. It is made of all still photos, and music from the event. I would LOVE to learn how to put something like this together. Super rad!
Phish Super Ball IX from Michael Marantz on Vimeo.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Into the Tennessee Walker World
On Saturday, S and I went to watch a Tennessee Walker show. We wanted to get a better idea of what the good and bad look like so that we knew where to go with her horse, Lilly.
The show was a lot of fun and those TWH people are a hoot! This particular organization that puts on the show is not the Walker people who do the "big lick" soring crap. The divisions at this show were:
• Country Pleasure (a division intended for novices, and horses who have little front-end action)
• Trail Pleasure
• Light Shod
• Plantation (these horses wore the most heavy shoes, and even still, they weren't all that bad. Certainly no more than an English Pleasure Morgan would wear)
There were a handful of riders who rode their horses in long shanks, but in reality most of the Walkers wore very simple curb bits with short shanks. A version of the 3-ring elevator bit (seen often on eventers) was also common. I didn't see any horses even wearing chains. The atmosphere was laid back and the horses seemed happy. They sort of just wear what they have. For example, many wore saddleseat attire with a dressage saddle. Women wore fedoras (in Morgans and Saddlebreds, you will only see men wearing these). Hell, some didn't even put a hairnet on! (This made me cringe a bit, I admit.) Even hats are considered optional. :)
We were able to talk to a few pros on what Lilly should be doing - and you know what they said?
Dressage.
Lunging in side reins. Lots of stretchy work. It's ok to let her trot to build muscle. The basics for a good horse are the same across the board. It's only those trainers who are in a rush or are lazy that skip those important dressage principles and end up with a horse "broken in half" - or, hollow and disconnected.
The Walkers do have a bad rap for the very small percentage of the industry who do the big lick shows. But there was none of that there - just good people, nice happy horses and good clean fun. Everyone supports one another and roots for them (loudly!) in the ring. If you get a chance to go to one of these shows, do it. The Walkers are neat and are so well behaved! I even saw a young girl leading around a stallion with no chain. *gulp*
The National Walking Horse Association
The show was a lot of fun and those TWH people are a hoot! This particular organization that puts on the show is not the Walker people who do the "big lick" soring crap. The divisions at this show were:
• Country Pleasure (a division intended for novices, and horses who have little front-end action)
• Trail Pleasure
• Light Shod
• Plantation (these horses wore the most heavy shoes, and even still, they weren't all that bad. Certainly no more than an English Pleasure Morgan would wear)
 |
| A "big lick" Walker. |
We were able to talk to a few pros on what Lilly should be doing - and you know what they said?
Dressage.
Lunging in side reins. Lots of stretchy work. It's ok to let her trot to build muscle. The basics for a good horse are the same across the board. It's only those trainers who are in a rush or are lazy that skip those important dressage principles and end up with a horse "broken in half" - or, hollow and disconnected.
 |
| A much more pleasant pair! |
The National Walking Horse Association
Friday, July 8, 2011
Hampton on the Henneke
Oh boy another post on my horse's weight. :)
I am happy to report that the beast is starting to look really good now. Upon further reading, especially about the Henneke scale, I'm come to realize that he might always show a little rib - even when he is a 4 or 5 on the scale.
Here's the Henneke scale and condition chart.
According to the Kentucky Horse Council, the optimal condition score for an event horse is 4-5. For a dressage horse, 5-7.
Here is my assessment of Hampton as of today (using the Henneke scale)
Neck: Really has filled out within the last 30 days.
Withers: Not obviously thin. Pretty average looking.
Shoulder: Rounded, blends well into the body.
Topline: Back is level. There is no ridge nor a "gully."
Ribs: He appears ribby in certain light, while in other lights you can't see them at all.
Tailhead: Some fat can be felt
Point of hip: Hips slightly pointy, but might be his conformation.
Twist: (this is the arena between the buttcheeks): This area looks excellent - no space, even some fat.
Rating: 4.5 (maybe even a 5 depending on who you ask)
I think we're on the right track. He could use maybe another 20-30 pounds. And you know - why is it that some people think that if you horse isn't fat, that he's underweight? Is a 7 or an 8 on the Henneke scale the new optimal weight?
I am happy to report that the beast is starting to look really good now. Upon further reading, especially about the Henneke scale, I'm come to realize that he might always show a little rib - even when he is a 4 or 5 on the scale.
Here's the Henneke scale and condition chart.
According to the Kentucky Horse Council, the optimal condition score for an event horse is 4-5. For a dressage horse, 5-7.
Here is my assessment of Hampton as of today (using the Henneke scale)
Neck: Really has filled out within the last 30 days.
Withers: Not obviously thin. Pretty average looking.
Shoulder: Rounded, blends well into the body.
Topline: Back is level. There is no ridge nor a "gully."
Ribs: He appears ribby in certain light, while in other lights you can't see them at all.
Tailhead: Some fat can be felt
Point of hip: Hips slightly pointy, but might be his conformation.
Twist: (this is the arena between the buttcheeks): This area looks excellent - no space, even some fat.
Rating: 4.5 (maybe even a 5 depending on who you ask)
I think we're on the right track. He could use maybe another 20-30 pounds. And you know - why is it that some people think that if you horse isn't fat, that he's underweight? Is a 7 or an 8 on the Henneke scale the new optimal weight?
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| April 2010 |
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Bloopers
Happy hump day.
Enjoy these blooper photos!
Enjoy these blooper photos!
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| How lady like. |
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| "I wanna go home!" |
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| I am not about to puke. Sure looks like it tho. |
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| Squirrly bucking on 20m circle! |
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| Grover plotting my death. |
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| Is this thing on? |
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| PSA: Do not wear a black, polka dotted bra under show shirts. kthanx |
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| WTF with my legs?!? |
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Hooked on a feeling
I was happy to find that Hampton was not lame on his right hind today and that minor swelling on his fetlock was pretty much gone. Whew. So, I rode.
He felt so ... trained today. So grown up. For the past few months, I have been finding moments of true connection with Hampton. But our rides have been mostly 30% "through" and 70% "still an unbalanced baby who ping-pongs in the contact." Today, he was only a bit wiggly during the warm up. After I booted him forward and did some leg yields, our ride because 60% "through, connected." Of course we still have moments when he comes above the bit a little, or loses the bend, or trips, or whatever. But I really noticed today how if you just make a little bit of progress every day, after 30 days look where you are. Some pretty significant changes!
When we "get it" ... it's truly amazing. I feel like I am carrying his mouth like I would carry a tray of roses. His stride becomes longer, and suddenly sitting the trot becomes effortless. I get the feeling he is carrying me, instead of me just flopping around in the saddle. Our shoulder-in and leg yields were smooth and light. So easy. Nothing is forced, braced or held. Even the canter - both leads - was excellent today!
We even got a couple of good lengthenings! Yay! I feel ready to tackle another dressage show after today. We'll probably aim for CAF in August at least. And hopefully I can find something else to go to. I think trail riding and goofing off at open horse shows has really done us both some good. :)
... and I'm trying to come up with some plans for us to begin jumping lessons, too. Otherwise, things are chugging along. Have a good week everyone!
 |
| A bit nervous and tense at the May show |
When we "get it" ... it's truly amazing. I feel like I am carrying his mouth like I would carry a tray of roses. His stride becomes longer, and suddenly sitting the trot becomes effortless. I get the feeling he is carrying me, instead of me just flopping around in the saddle. Our shoulder-in and leg yields were smooth and light. So easy. Nothing is forced, braced or held. Even the canter - both leads - was excellent today!
We even got a couple of good lengthenings! Yay! I feel ready to tackle another dressage show after today. We'll probably aim for CAF in August at least. And hopefully I can find something else to go to. I think trail riding and goofing off at open horse shows has really done us both some good. :)
... and I'm trying to come up with some plans for us to begin jumping lessons, too. Otherwise, things are chugging along. Have a good week everyone!
 |
| soon to be us? :) |
Monday, July 4, 2011
Still waiting
No word on the job front. I figured they'd make me squirm through the holiday weekend. :)
Hampton gave me some great work last week and has had the weekend off because of the heat. Yesterday, there was a squabble in one of the run-ins and the horses actually took a wall down. I suspect Hampton may have been involved. He has a very minor scrape on his cheek and his right hind fetlock has a swollen area that looks like it may be a bruise or something. I haven't lunged him to see if he is lame on it or not, but I may do that tomorrow. He's sound at the walk and it isn't tender.
So here are a couple of photos I recently took. I call them "Throwing safety around horses out the window in the name of art." heh heh
Hampton gave me some great work last week and has had the weekend off because of the heat. Yesterday, there was a squabble in one of the run-ins and the horses actually took a wall down. I suspect Hampton may have been involved. He has a very minor scrape on his cheek and his right hind fetlock has a swollen area that looks like it may be a bruise or something. I haven't lunged him to see if he is lame on it or not, but I may do that tomorrow. He's sound at the walk and it isn't tender.
So here are a couple of photos I recently took. I call them "Throwing safety around horses out the window in the name of art." heh heh
Friday, July 1, 2011
Trail video
Here's a video I shot from our trail ride last weekend. :)
We were walking along, everything is quiet, peaceful. The birds are chirping, the wildlife is singing. So peaceful.
Then ...
fffffffffffttttt.
Lilly farts.
And we bust out laughing. So mature.
(Watch it on Yube Tube here in case it doesn't embed right in my blog)
We were walking along, everything is quiet, peaceful. The birds are chirping, the wildlife is singing. So peaceful.
Then ...
fffffffffffttttt.
Lilly farts.
And we bust out laughing. So mature.
(Watch it on Yube Tube here in case it doesn't embed right in my blog)
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