Gram of the Day

If you follow #HorseNation on Instagram, you may or may not 

recognize this pair on today's Gram of the Day. :)

2015 Goals

Oh hey real winter has finally arrived. Thankfully no snow here in northern KY yet. I will take it. There are some people that seem to have forgotten the absolute frozen hell we were sitting in this time last year. I can handle 16 degrees. There is a small (very small) part of me that is sort of happy that the gobs and gobs of mud have frozen over. So anyway ...

Goals for 2015

{{Keep Hampton's happiness and health AND my happiness and health the No. 1 priority}}
... there's that.

{{ Show Third Level, qualify for Regionals }}
In order to reach this goal, we need two scores of 60% or more from 2 different judges (and I believe 2 different USDF shows). We hit this goal last year, so unless something horrible happens I see us reaching this relatively early in the year. *knocks on wood*

{{Score a 65%+ at Third Level}}
This might be a stretch - but we scored a 64%+ at our last rated show in 2014. So I feel like this would be a cool goal to aim for. It would be for everyone who ever wrote Hampton off. A big "F U" if you will.

{{Create and show a Third Level Freestyle}}
I actually set this goal for 2014, but we needed to be more solid at Third before attempting this. In order to show a freestyle, you must have scored about a 60% at the highest test of that level. We have those scores now, so we can proceed. However, I really had no idea how complicated this process would be. First of all, it is insanely expensive to have someone (a professional) create a freestyle for you. I am talking $600 for the bare minimum. My money situation is not good these days, so I am going to probably have to create this on my own or with very little help. The good news is that I have some excellent resources both in the music industry and obviously in the dressage department. So, we'll see if this comes together.

{{Improve and continue working on my position}}
I have a few flaws in my position that 1) distract from a pretty picture and 2) impede Hampton in certain movements. I'd like to work more on my own equitation this year. My current instructor is pretty good about picking on me correcting me, but I need to remain diligent when I am working on my own, too. For one, I need to shorten my reins. And keep them there. I tend to "give" my opening my fingers, thus letting the reins slide of my hands. Stop it, Karen. Just stop. Two, I collapse my left side during lateral movements. This is because Hampton is not quick enough off my leg and so I try to "scooch" him over, thus collapsing and actually stopping his sideways movement. And three, I have a habit of drawing my heels and knees up. This is also a result of Hampton not being hot enough off the leg, and so I support him waaaaaaay to much. This is going to change. Once I drop my heels, I find I have better control over the weight in my seat bones, and I sit up straighter overall. I am sure additional habits will develop this year as I work to improve the current flaws. Because that is how it works. :)

Who is this girl? She really needs to open up her left side and quit collapsing!

{{Develop more reliable flying changes. Develop the 4s and 3s}}
I'd like to get to the point where we can do quality changes at any point in the ring. The situation at the moment is improving - Hamps has decent changes on a good day but I still have to really set him up for success. And he still anticipates quite a bit. It's coming along, but I'd like to really iron these out. And we all know the real issue is not the change (he knows what I want), it's the quality of the canter in between!

{{Debut at Fourth Level}}
I am thinking that 4-1 is within our abilities at the moment.(The only "hail mary" movement is the line of 4s at the very end) I'd like to try that test early summer maybe. Hopefully at a schooling show. Maybe take it to a rated show late summer or fall. But have you guys looked at 4-3? I mean holy shit! I'll be avoiding that hot mess.

Hampton's reaction to reading 4-3 test.

{{Show at 3 rated shows}}
This will be totally depending on money. I am hoping that my other part time job will pick up soon and I won't be living paycheck to paycheck anymore. If not, there will be no rated shows for us next year. Just not possible. But schooling shows would probably still be do-able. I'd like to do a late spring/early summer show, another show in the summer and another in the fall. The fall show MIGHT be regionals if we qualify, and IF I have the money. I'd like to at least get out to our local schooling shows.

{{Attend one clinic}}
Again this will totally depend on money. I'd like that clinic to once again be JJ Tate. It seems I just need to win the lottery. haha. Don't we all?

{{Develop canter pirouettes}}
Our work these days involves a lot of development of the pirouette canter. We have some good steps in between moments of flat canter, or too fast or lack of rpms. It's ok, it will come. I think Hampton will be quite good at it once he gains the strength and balance.

{{Take more photos}}
I feel like I didn't take enough photos this year. One of the things I love about photography is that is forces you to see moment by moment, to see what others miss or ignore. This is more of a personal goal, but seeing that about 98% of my photos involve horses, I'm including it here.

{{Be better at money/budgeting}}
This is an ongoing issue, but I am going to try to be better with budgeting this year.  This coming from the girl who JUST bought a new saddle. In my defense, I used the money from my old saddle to buy the new one ... but still. I'd like to have a cushion in my bank account so I am not in a panic every other week on how I am going to eat or buy gas for my car.

Super secret "it's a big maybe if all the stars align" goal:
 Debut PSG in the fall. ssshhhhh, this one is the big ambitious goal!

The 10 Most Fascinating Horses of 2014

(This is a blatant rip-off the Barbara Walter's special. hee hee)

10. Trading Aces

This is one of Boyd Martin's lovely 4-star event horses. I think a lot of people were rooting for Trading Aces this year. But things never quite lined up for him, as much as we all hoped they would. He went to WEG with the amazing Phillip Dutton and ended up having a stop on cross country and retiring He is facinating because he was so well set up for success, and just could not pull it off. Why? Because horses are not robots and Trading Aces is here to once again remind us.

9. Cozmic One

Cozmic One is Zenyatta's first born - a colt by Bernardini. He is now in training to maybe be the next most awesome racehorse. Even those who are not in the racing industry are intrigued by this colt with the most royal of bloodlines. Will he live up to his heritage? Or be a dud?

8. The Carriage Horses of NYC

The carriage horses of NYC were once again under fire this year. With groups of people - specifically animal rights groups - demanding that the city get rid of carriage services. Many are fighting for them to stay. I have no idea how these horses live, but it seems to be that they have a pretty easy job. Walking around for an hour or two is not a bad life. Some are claiming their stables are in horrendous condition, but I have no clue. What is the truth? That is one of the reasons the Carriage Horses of NYC are so fascinating this year.

7. Brunello

This smooth-moving hunter derby horse has won the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals two years in a row. He has a signature style and scope for miles. What a lovely, lovely horse. In 2013 I believe he was USEF National Horse of the Year. He has earned his owner and rider a boatload of money and his consistent wins and unique style make him one of the most fascinating horses of 2014.

6. Twisters Enola Rey

This cute little QH earned The 2014 Farnam Superhorse Award - a top honor at the AQHA World Show. It is awarded to the horse that earns the most points in three or more events in two categories during the show. His points were earned in junior tie down roping and heeling. I love this that workmanlike, real ranch horse earned his owner $25,000 and additional swag. 

5. Macadamia

Talk about a hingy show horse! This fellow won the 2014 Three-Gaited World's Grand Championship for the saddlebreds. This is a pretty big title. It comes with a lot of pretty silver trophies and cash. What's more, Macadamia is only 4 years old and was undefeated in 2014, certainly making him one of the more fascinating saddlebreds! Wonder what he will win next year?

4. Valegro

I could not forget this amazing dressage super horse. Multi-world record holder, Olympic Gold, WEG gold, they have won everything there is to win in the land of dressage. They are always a pleasure to watch and he goes by the name Blueberry in the stable, which is adorable.

3. California Chrome

He won the 2014 Kentucky Derby. Then he went on to win the Preakness. Then there was some controversy over the nasal strips he wears. People were hoping for a Triple Crown winner but he could not pull it off. He was tired. Then his class-act owner went on a rant on national television, bashing the format of the Triple Crown. Chrome is a good race horse, but he was never a GREAT one. He raced in the Breeder's Cup Classic later in the year and wound up third. Supposedly he will race as a 4 year old next year.  *Edited to add: Yes, I am aware Chrome got stepped on breaking from the gate at the Belmont. I still don't think he would have won, nor do I think he is a great race horse. He was a good race horse, but not a legend.*

2. Sapphire

The amazing Sapphire has a list of wins that could probably fill a book. She was the anchor for multiple US show jumping teams and was a gold medalist.

But the reason she makes the 2014 most fascinating list? She died. (colic) Her death stirred up not only memories of her great show days, but discussions of her two clones. Yes, she has two clones: Kidjaz BC and Kara BC. They turn 3 this year. Her heirs apparent. What's more, one of the clones was bred to a stallion for a 2015 foal.

She also produced two foals via embryo transfer.

1. Verdades

Talk about a cinderella story! While this horse seemingly came out of nowhere to land a spot on the WEG team and BEAT Steffen Peters at the WEG, really these two were working diligently leading up to the KDA CDI show where they snuck in their qualification for Gladstone. At the WEG they finished FIFTH in the freestyle. Laura has trained this horse from a foal, which makes the story even cooler. They are so fun to watch and I would root for them every time. I see a medal in their future! 

___

I hope you enjoyed the 10 most fascinating horses of 2014 according to Karen!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Shake it off. Shake it off.

*Note I am NOT ... repeat NOT a fan of Taylor Swift in regards to the title of this post*

*Also, this is just my independent review. Theraplate has not asked me to write this. However Hampton would make an excellent ambassador!*

It is pretty awesome that our barn has a Theraplate available to the horses. Our barn owner offers a per-use fee, or a monthly fee for unlimited use.

Hamps has been on a Theraplate once before - early in May at the KDA show there was a Theraplate vendor who was offering free treatments. He stood OK on it, but never really relaxed.

We hit up the Theraplate vendor on our
walk back from the show ring.
Not a bad life really.

The first time I put him on the Theraplate here at home, he danced around for a few minutes.

"Ummm hey guys!! The floor is vibrating!"

"Does anyone else feel this?"

"Ummmmm"

He was so funny and the uncertainty was written all over his face.

But after about 5 minutes, he started to lick and chew. Then his feet stopped moving.

Then he lowered his neck. 

Ever since then, he has walked on this thing and stood like a broke cow horse. Neck lowered, relaxed, quiet. Anyone who knows Hampton well knows he has a very busy brain, and is quite stoic. He will rarely just stand quietly for you without at the very least trying to chew on the lead rope, or frisking you for treats,

Except on the Theraplate. I can literally walk off and he will stand on it. There is nothing to really keep him in place.

Pony is so skeeeeered of the Theraplate!

The Theraplate has different frequencies, and it also came with a little booklet that recommends "treatments" for different ailments. Everything from colic, to tendon injuries, to EPM, to general soreness. I have been using the plan for warmup and general back soreness. It goes like this:

2 minutes on 30Hz

3 minutes on 50

5 minutes on 70/80

3 minutes on 50

2 minutes on 30

I use that little routine pretty much before every ride. The lower settings are pretty comfortable for humans, too. I like to jump up and stand on it with him when it is around 30 or 50. If I stand on it too long above 50, I will get dizzy and almost feel drunk. Perhaps it makes all the blood rush to your head? I'm not sure what the settings are for the human Theraplate, but the horse one goes up to 100. I have not turned it up that high for Hampton yet. I am afraid if I stood on it at that setting my eyeballs might pop out or something. 

zzzzz

Some days Hampton will relax so much on this thing that he will start to fall asleep. His eyes will close and he will start swaying back and forth. It is hilarious. I have never seen him react this way to any other "luxury" treatments he sometimes gets such as massages or chiro work. He is always very stoic.

Some days I will also throw him on the Theraplate to "cook" after our rides as well. In this case, I do something like:

5 minutes on 70

3 minutes on 50

3 minutes on 30

2 minutes on 10 or 20

I have found these treatments so be greatly beneficial to Hampton - especially in our warm up. On cold days, he will every once in a while have that little "hitch" behind that has improved greatly over the years but sometimes shows back up when we first start trotting. I have not seen it AT ALL since Theraplating. His warm up trot has been far more swingy and loose. And his newly found Second Gear Fancy Trot has starting to really bloom. I do credit Theraplate for some of this. It has really made a difference in Mr. I Love to Have a Tight Back. 

These things aren't cheap though, but hey they do offer financing! 

Overall I do think the Theraplate is quite beneficial. I can see how it would be good to put a horse with maybe just a mild colic on it, as WITHOUT FAIL Hampton poops and/or farts every time he steps off the thing. However, that said, the realist in me suspects that some of what Theraplate touts may be voodoo. I for sure believe there is a calming effect, but as for magically healing injuries? I think it probably is best used in conjunction with therapies your vet recommends.

There are a couple of horses in the barn who are ultra sensitive to the "energy" the Theraplate has. They are OK at a low setting like 10, but get nervous and even bolt off the platform if you try to turn the dial up. Just a warning if you have a delicate flower!

(Our aquatread is almost up and running as well! Can't wait to make Hampton a victim .... err, participant in that!)

One more year in review post :)

Here's a neat little Flipagram thingie I made from 2014 photos.

I promise I am done reviewing 2014 now. haha. 2015 goals coming right up!

Swirlology

Time to check out some swirls!

Thank you to everyone who sent in photos and descriptions.

Check out this "whorlology" article for more information and some theories on what kind of whorls mean what.

I'll start with a large bay gelding some of you may be familiar with.

The Porkchop!

It is sort of hard to tell in this photo, but Hampton actually has 2 swirls. The top one is very circular, and the one below is long and "feathered" looking. They are high swirls, with the feathered swirl almost directly inbetween his eyes.

According to the article:

High swirls are associated with a more active mind. Hampton without a doubt has a very busy brain, but sometimes a lazy body. He is always thinking and his feelings are almost always written all over his face. 

Multiple whorls indicate multiple personalities. The horse might be difficult to clip or trailer; might be petrified of ‘unreasonable’ specific things; might be fine several days in a row, then explode out of the blue. This actually describes Hampton quite well. He can be the most solid of citizens in many situations but you CANNOT under any circumstances: 1) clip near his ears or 2) hot shoe him. He loses his shit. He also had random days where he spooks at seemingly nothing and becomes nearly unrideable. But the next day is back to his wonderful, workmanlike self.

Double (or more) whorls will not take the pounding and criticism that many single whorl horses will endure. One must be fair and just in all requests. This 100% applies to Hamps. You cannot manhandle him, and you cannot get mad. He will accept fair, and quick corrections, but he isn't one you can just "kick his ass" and expect him to submit, because he won't.

Now let's check out what some horse owners of blog land have to say/

Nicole who owns Murray has this to say about his whorls:

"Murray has, as far as I can see, just the single, centre, not-too-high whorl.  He's a complicated guy: spooky, not initially trusting, but actually very sweet.  Really smart, and good under saddle as long as you don't ask for something that blows his mind too much.  He's super cinchy, and definitely not "uncomplicated", but he's a good boy deep down."

How cute is Murray?!

Mule alert! Oliva sent in this photo and description of Nilla's whorls. Check our her blog at http://diyhorseownership.blogspot.com. Here's what she had to say:

"Nilla has a lower swirl. However, she has a very active mind. As a mule, she's very smart, figures things out quickly, and is always observing her surroundings. Her swirl is not focused - it's quite large and flowing. Part of having an active mind is that she's always paying attention to everything not just the one thing that she should be. It is a single swirl. I have a different mule every time I pull her out. Some days she's calm and quiet. Some days she's pissed and throwing temper tantrums."

Nilla. So adorable!

Austen - the super awesome human who belongs to Guinness - sent in this handsome photo of her awesome dressage pony. Here's what she said:

"You can see his single whorl high above his eyes. Apparently his high-super focused whorl means he has an active mind that is capable of high amount of focus. I am going to go ahead and agree that he has an incredibly active mind, but I don't know that he is capable of intense focus. Maybe average to slightly above average focus? For a thoroughbred? He certainly requires a high amount of variety in his schooling, lest he get bored and stop caring."

Pig!

Lauren who belongs to the adorable Simon, writes: "He is pretty affectionate, super willing to work and always wants to please.  Nervous/anxious guy overall though I'd say."

That face!

I'm not sure we have proven or dis-proven any whorl theories here. But it's interesting. And plus I love looking at the cute faces of everyone's pony.

Happy Holidays to those who celebrate them. If not, Happy Last Couple of Weeks of 2014! And if you don't celebrate the new year, then you must be some sort of communist and I don't know what to say to you. haha.


 

2014 Year In Review

Keep sending in your whorl photos!!
I'll compile them and publish them next week. :)

But now ... dun dun dun ....
______

Time for my annual Year In Review post!

Of course, if you've been reading this blog all year you already know what happened. But here is a summary anyway.

JANUARY

Managed to find a photo from winter 2014 that DOES NOT have ice or snow in it!

- If you believe in Hell, then it would have been frozen over because the ENTIRE MIDWEST was so cold ... and frozen ... and icey ... and snowy ... and just horrible, horrible wintry hell. So, we weren't doing a whole lot. I spent my mornings hammering ice out of buckets, thawing snaps and cleaning frozen poo out of stalls.

FEBRUARY

- The arena is till basically an ice skating rink so we don't get a lot of work done this month either.

- There are a couple of warmish days mid month that give us some time to get back to the arena. Then about 4 inches of snow arrives. My sense of humor vanishes.

Hampton is all like "WHAAAAAT is THAT?!"

- A little rescue pony named Moses comes to the farm to learn how to be around people. Eventually he gets started under saddle, too! 

MARCH

 - I start working more consistently with OTTBs and find I really enjoy it.

- I buy a new saddle, and spring starts to finally show up. Hampton and I start getting more rides in and spend quite a bit of time hacking up and down hills to help rebuild fitness.

APRIL

- There is a thief who makes a visit to our farm and steals blankets, bridles, saddles and actual farm equipment. We become paranoid and put locks on everything. (some of the bridles were found and returned to the owners, but as for anything else, I'm not sure. Also unsure if an arrest was ever made)

- I question the abilities of the Hamper after someone tells me he probably won't make a Third Level horse. Thankfully, I shake it off and keep moving forward.

- We attend the JJ Tate Clinic which BLOWS MY MIND. If I ever get the chance to lesson with her again, I would sell an ovary. I would sell both of them actually. Both Hampton and I are a changed pair after two days with JJ.

- I also get out to Rolex where I meet up with some fellow bloggers, enjoy the shopping and get goosebumps watching cross country.

MAY

so downhill. My breeches were soaking wet, I'm shocked you cannot see my pink
legs through them.

- We attend a small schooling show for our Third Level debut. It's cold, pouring down rain and the first time either of us has attempting this test at a show. It was not quite a disaster, but it was certainly not a great show. The judge is kind and gives us OK scores of 57% and 58% - and that was with Hampton LAUNCHING into the air during what was supposed to be a flying change.

- After that "confidence builder" (not), we head off to the big KDA show at the KY Horse Park for the same tests. Our first test was, for real this time, a CLUSTERF*CK. It was a disaster. Hampton totally fell behind my leg and shut down in the ring. I later realized I did not warm him up correctly, and the "instructor" I paid to help me stood silent on the sidelines and instead insulted my horse and tried to shame me. Thankfully, I realized what the problem was (I need to warm him up to be sharper and BUST HIM if he falls behind the leg), and our other tests were much better. But I left that show knowing I needed some real help if we were going to keep showing.

- I earn my USDF Bronze Medal!

JUNE

- We take a road trip back to Indiana for some lessons with my favorite instructor. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. I explained our issues to her, and what happened at KDA. Her answer was "I have a prescription for that." Finally! Someone who knew what to do! It got a little ugly, but I faced our issues and rode him through it. The bucking in the flying changes immediately improved, and rarely happens these days.
- We start teaching Hampton a little passage, and I ride her Grand Prix stallion to feel what the "tricks" are like.
- Hampton turns 7 years old.

JULY

- We keep working on our homework from June.

- Hampton decides he wants a week off and comes down with a rather nasty case of cellulitis.

AUGUST

Chicken arms!

- We continue our dressage homework, but take a little break mid-month when I decide it would be fun to take Hampton to a hunter pace. He loses all control of gerbils and rears straight up in the air. I abandon the jumping group and join the trail riders and end up enjoying myself instead of fearing for my life. I make a mental note not to take Hamps on any more hunter paces.

SEPTEMBER

- We make another attempt at a USDF rated show at Harmony in the Park. It's a total success. We end up with scores in the 60s, plus Reserve Champion High Point AA at Third Level. Hampton is wonderful and does not give me any issues. Which was a good thing as I had a stomach virus that week and was running on fumes.

- Hampton and I move to a new barn.

OCTOBER

Weird moment in time, but not as downhill as May!

- We get out to one last schooling show. It goes pretty well - we get more scores in the 60s and Hampton feels fantastic.

- Hampton gets his toe nails done by a new farrier who basically traumatizes Hampton to the point where he can no longer be hot-shoed. It was a terrible incident.

NOVEMBER

- We keep plugging away at various dressage homework.

- Hampton's passage starts to really improve. We start to work on canter pirouettes more seriously as well as the canter zig zag from PSG.
- We take a quickie road trip to school a little bit off the property. It was a local schooling show, but I did not enter because I'm not a fan of the judge. (He was one who judged us in May and had nothing good to say at all. So, blacklisted.)
- I get yet another part-time job to help with money matters.

DECEMBER

(not from December)

- Here we are.
- The weather, while gloomy and nasty, is not bad enough to keep us from working!
- I start riding a local schoolmaster type to help me learn the movements I need to teach Hampton.
- Hampton gets daily treatments on the Theraplate. (I should do a post on this, as the results have been interesting!)
- I am done Christmas shopping. Boom.

So there's 2014.

It was a year of learning, for sure.
Learning about dressage.
Learning about my horse.
So much learning about dressage.

Learning about myself.

Pretty thankful that both me and my awesome horse are happy and healthy.

Looking forward to 2015!
(goals to come)