Porkchop the conundrum

Since our dressage is THE SUCK right now, Hampton and I have been going back to our roots. Before big goals of PSG and Silver medals got in the way. We've spent the entire week enjoying quiet rides together. Out in fields, on the trails. NO arena. 

His attitude has made a complete 180. He has been back to the normal, mellow and curious horse I love and adore. No anxiety. No grinding teeth. No spooking and bolting. 

Someone has put on some junk in the trunk. And it's not me.

The rein lame issue is a mystery. I have had him evaluated by numerous professionals, both trainers and 2 vets. No one can seem to figure it out. I've got a few more ideas but ... if this becomes a permanent problem, there is no reason to keep trying to show Hampton in dressage above First Level. It would be a shame but if he is not capable of the lateral work, then he is perfectly capable of other careers that is for sure! Trail riding being one of them, he is the bomb!

Kentucky is so disgusting. I mean how do I handle this life?!

Ears up the entire time! My happy Hampton is back!

Could be rounder maybe ... but I love that he is going to the bit and uphill!

Is there anything more fun than cantering in a big open field?!

So that is where we are at the moment. I am still aiming for a show in August. Unless our next vet check shows something, I will probably enter him in First level and maybe a Second Level test. It's a waste of money to show Third and keep getting low 50s. Plus we risk getting eliminated for lameness. But I'd still like to show him and work on ridability.

We've got a couple more evals with area professionals this week ... and a vet appointment within the next week or two. We may take X-rays depending on what he finds. Unfortunately, my budget is very limited so something like an MRI or bone scan is totally out of the question. But, I will do what I can.

We can always tap back into the eventing scene, too!

My photographer may have been drinking.

Hampton looks great. Too bad his rider is slumpy Mc Slumperson.

New fence on the left, old fence on the right

The best at creek stomping!

I'd also love to get into some competitive trail ... anyone know anything about that? Sort of like the extreme cowboy challenge stuff?

Lady's Story Part 6: 30 Days

I wish I had better news about Lady, but right now things are not looking good.

Last time I posted, Lady was starting to look better. She seemed to be gaining weight, and was bright and cheery. I thought for sure she would really start to plump up with the lush green grass.

Well, she didn't. In fact, she started to get worse.

Despite the fact that I would brush her almost daily, she still would not totally shed out. She kept getting fungus (worse than the normal little rain rot spots that sometimes happen). She started to have a dull look to her face.

I started giving her even more food. I added alfalfa cubes and oil. I gave her extra hay on top of the grass she was out on 24/7. She ate alone so was not getting chased off her food, and she would eat all of her grain.

... and then the shit hit the fan.

The "rescue organization" that was "handling her case" decided to put her in a long-term foster situation. Which is what I thought we were but ... I digress. She left last week. Then the so-called leaders of this rescue basically insulted my BO and myself claiming we "threw her out in a field" and never cared for her. That what she needed was a clean stall with shavings, THEN she could recover. I was personally insulted that someone would say that about the BO or myself, as I cared for that mare as if she was my own. We felt it was best she live out in a field (once winter left) because of her excessive urination. (it was impossible to keep her stall clean). Plus outside she had a large water tank to drink out of. She drank so much we had to refill 2 buckets in her stall 4-5 times A DAY. And of course we felt as much grass as she wanted was a good thing (after her initial re-feeding period of course). I do not think it was neglect to have her out 24/7. She was eating 3 or 4x as much as any other horse on the property.

Anyway, after this "rescue" evaluated her (oh by the way, they never once came out to check on her for MONTHS while she was at our place) ... it has been determined that she likely has terminal problems that will prevent her from recovering. Likely liver failure, kidney failure or some kind of cancer.

More tests are being run, and she will be on steroids for 30 days. If, after that, she shows no improvement she will be euthanized.

I did email one of the leaders to say that I DID care for that horse, she was not neglected. And she was very nice and said it was no one's fault, she should have "checked on her." ... ok, but you are still implying we are not competent to take care of a malnourished horse. ANYWAY.

I won't name any names, but I wasn't happy with the handling of that situation. And I certainly won't be supported that organization ever again. Christ.

Thank you to those who donated money or items for Lady. It was so appreciated, especially since she was eating so much food! :)

I just wish the best for Lady, whatever that is.

One her Lady's babies!

Skoolin.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions and support on the whole rein-lameness deal. I have been bouncing ideas off my friend at the barn, and we seem to be figuring things out. It's so great to have a ground person!

Anyway, I believe the rein lameness originated because Hampton was not totally through in the half halts. It was made worse when I started teaching him passage and would half halt him UP way too much. He started to lift his neck, yes, but would back off the half halts and ping pong off the contact. It's not his fault, he just isn't strong and loses his balance a lot. So because of this, he developed this "hip hop" move when he thinks I want passage (because he isn't strong enough to push evenly off both hinds yet).

In addition, his right hind leg is weaker so when that leg has to take the weight (like in right shoulder-in, and left half pass especially), he evades using this little hip hop move and then I try to half halt, and then it turns into this cycle because he interprets the halt halts as "Oh, you want passage! I hip hop for you!" and then his loses his balance and... and .... rein lame.

But our flying changes are SUPER these days! Jesus I thought I'd never see the day. Check out this one (it's at the very end of this schooling clip):

So basically I have been riding him SUPER even in both reins lately. And keeping him straight, and through. I have to really be sure that the half halt is backed up by lots of LEG. He is not allowed to back off the half halt anymore. Forget about passage. It's in there, he needs some basics reinstalled.

Twinkle toes McGee

Funny thing, is that today I did all the lateral work on a circle and he was 100% even and sound. But the rein lameness came back when I tried to go down the rail.

Gosh he could almost pass for an FEI horse here!

I think this is a developmental phase, and we need to work through it. He has moments where he looks like an FEI horse. But he is still very much a Third Level horse in progress. He needs much more strength, balance and suppleness. The movements are not the problem. He knows everything through 4th level easily!

Hampton can be so tricky because he can range from totally behind your leg, to SO HOT to your leg that you feel he will explode if you put your leg on. He needs to accept the leg always, and then the contact is right there. I also touched him with the whip on his right hind today to ask him to please step under and he bucked and bolted on me. Really not acceptable, and I got on his case about that and then he was fine about it. But it just goes to show he has to accept the aids always. I need to constantly check my aids and make sure he is listening and obedient. He is so smart that he has trained me to avoid things at times. I need to outsmart my horse. It's more difficult than it sounds with Hampton. haha!

People are not kidding when they say dressage is all about the basics. Then the movements come easy!

I'm loving his muscles these days.

Since bloggers love progress shots, here's one of Hampton as a raw young horse. He is proof that dressage can totally change a horse, in my opinion.

And here is a photo from 2013 - our Second Level debut. Gosh we have both changed so much in just 2 years even!

oh lord.

For shits and giggles here is a groovy slo-mo trot video. He has moments where he sometimes will lose his balance in his big trot. Totally ok. It truly takes a lot of strength and balance to maintain this type of trot. He sure does try though!

We still sometimes play with some half steps, too. It's really great for loosening up his back, activating his hind end and encouraging him to lower his croup. Plus he gets quite uphill without me having to do much of anything. We still need to be much more on the spot for it to be piaffe, but it's coming along.

Plans for this month include a small little schooling show and hopefully a long trail ride or two! Other than that we will just keep doing what we do. 

Rein lameness

You get old photos for this post

So I mentioned in my previous post that Hampton is struggling with some rein-lameness within the lateral work.

It is most pronounced in half pass (especially left); shoulder-in (especially right); and haunches in (pretty much both ways but worse to the left). He is 100% sound going in straight lines, circles, tight circles, on the lunge, on trails, open fields and free out in his pasture. Sand or pavement.

So my little project now is figuring out exactly what is causing this issue, and how to fix it.

I've always tried to be honest on this blog, and I want people to know that we are not perfect. This is a real problem that has most likely been brought about by incorrect riding and likely pressuring Hampton beyond his ability. He is a sensitive fellow, and very emotional. But before I go blaming myself, let's discuss what causes rein-lameness (sometimes caused bridle lame).

May 2014

What is it?
Rein lameness typically indicates the lack of symmetrical movement.

Possible causes

• Crooked
• Horse forced or "trapped" into a "frame"
• Use of draw reins (see above)
• Too much riding front to back (pulling on reins too much)
• Too severe bit
• Braced or heavy in the bridle
• A defensive behavior as a result of anxiety (protecting one side)
• Being pushed beyond ability or balance
• Over reactive to rider's leg, so rider does not use the leg to properly align the horse
• Rider does not have independent seat/bumps horse in the mouth each stride

Hampton is unique in that most rein lame horses can be "ridden sound" by straightening them through lateral work. Hampton is sound otherwise, but goes lame in the lateral work.

Of course he would be the special one.

Where to start
I am starting to address this problem from head to toe. First, I need to make sure there isn't any true physical pain going on. So, Hampton has an appointment with an equine dentist AND the farrier on Monday. We will see how those go, and if need be our regular vet will come out for a lameness evaluation to see if he can see something I don't. I also may try the bute test and give him bute the morning of a ride and see if the problem improves. If it does, then it's probably real pain somewhere and not a balance or tension issue.

Solutions
Once physical pain has been ruled out, then it's probably safe to say this is a mechanical problem. It's probably a learned behavior and/or habit, and may or may not be fixable. By nature, Hampton has a rigid neck and tight shoulders. Plus he gets anxious about hard work sometimes, and had a tendency to brace. That right there is a recipe for rein lameness. Throw in a rider who has no clue what she is doing in dressage land ... well, we were doomed already.

Other notes

•  I have had two other "professionals" ride Hampton and he was rein lame in lateral work with both of them as well.
• He currently has 4 shoes on 
• Saddle has recently been reflocked and fitted by a master saddler
• At dressage camp he was mildly rein lame on Friday (they day he was a nutjob), but was perfectly sound the other two days and we did many half passes and shoulder in
• The rein lameness only appears at the trot
• He lives outdoors 24/7
• He gets Theraplate treatment almost daily
• He is on Lubrysin

This horse! Always teaching me something. Sheesh.

Donuts in the sandbox

First show of the season is in the books!

I wish we had had the chance to get out to a schooling show first, but it just did not work out that way. Hampton was a LUNATIC the week leading up to the show. I thought about scratching because I just could not control his behavior. But I decided to suck it up and see what happened.

Turns out, he magically turned back into quiet, normal Hampton at the show. When we schooled on Friday he was a bit hot and squirrely, but not bad. By Saturday he was calm and collected.

A good boy!

Our first test was Third 1. I am just going to give up on this test because we ALWAYS bomb it. He was actually well behaved, but there was some rooting and tension. The judge was generous to give us a 59. 

Unfortunately, Hampton is quite rein-lame in all the lateral work (shoulder-in and half pass).

This can come and go at home, but all weekend it was very pronounced. It pretty much slaughtered our tests. I have no doubt we can pull a 65% at Third if we can just fix this "unevenness." He is totally sound going straight. I believe it is an issue with locked shoulders and a locked neck, and lack of engagement behind.

A tad above the bit, but that's OK when it's Hampton. I will take it!

Early morning graze

Our next test was Third 3, far more difficult. It went pretty well and we scored a 62% - giving us a qualifying score for regionals. He was more ridable in this test, but still not very supple. And still rein lame. But many good moments.

Left half pass in where he is most rein lame (on the left front)

Please excuse my show clothes. They are HUGE on me and I look sloppy.

I had a weird breakdown in February in which I lost 20 pounds and did not eat for DAYS. Obviously I can't afford brand new show clothes so I am hoping these will fit again soon.

Sunday morning was again Third 1. It actually went ok. No major bobbles except one late change.

This judge gave us a hilarious 54%. The rein lameness destroyed us. Also, I think that I am going to have to accept that some judges just are not going to like us. Hampton has a "unique" way of going, and sometimes looks like a stiff QH. Some judges just are not going to score him well.

Extended walk looking pretty good

Pretty uphill for Hamps!

Can we talk about the dapples on his butt?! :)

Sunday afternoon we did one more Third-3 and it rode quite well. My coach said we were still very crooked, and I felt like Hampton was not very supple. We got dinged again for rein lameness, but had many 7.5's. We ended up pulling out a 62%+ and also reserve high point AA Third Level for the day. (The judges were scoring very low all weekend).

So we are all qualified for regionals!

Good effort from Hampton, but we still have occasional moments where he dives down.
Once he can maintain the balance, his mediums are going to SMOKE the ring.

So overall, a good show. The scores don't really reflect that. I had my moments where I thought maybe Hampton has topped out.

If this rein lameness cannot be fixed, he can't move up. It would be a shame because he has talent with changes, and the 3 Ps. But we are just going to keep working at it and see what happens. I suspect he is just going to need much more strength and suppleness due to his conformation.

If anyone has suggestions on how to fix rein lameness within the lateral work, I am all ears.

His uphill balanced has improved, but still isn't 100% consistent in the ring (see above photo). He is still searching to find in balance a lot of times, too. Sometimes I forget that he doesn't even turn 8 until the end of June. He is still young, and big, and still has awkward moments. And it's ok. 

In other news: I got really drunk with Austen from Guiness on Tap, and also hung out with Jen from A Cob Jockey. These two gals are AWESOME. 

Austen had really great rides as well, and is in general a total badass. Guiness is such a nice horse and they are going to do great things. I was bummed I missed her rides but they were smokin' from what little I saw in the warm up rings. I am really going to miss her around the show circuit. 

And Jen is about the nicest person ever. Because I was white-girl wasted (well, for a 35 year old. haha), she let me crash on her couch. She and her hubby also cooked dinner which was probably the reason I wasn't as hungover as I should have been on Sunday morning. I was amazed I was able to sit the trot without yakking.

Than you ladies for such a fun evening! I felt like I was in my late 20s again. Until I drank too much wine and quickly waved the white flag.

So ... what's our plan now? More lessons, and more schooling shows. I need to be able to really ride him in the ring. Sometimes we both "walk on eggshells" in the ring and it just results in tension.

It will probably be a couple of months before another rated show, so hopefully we can improve our scores. :)

Porkchop update. Pre-show activities.

Our first show of the season is next weekend.

I've been polishing things, but mostly focusing on forward forward forward and pretty much living within transitions.

We've also been doing a lot of this:

Spotted LLAMAs, deer and a possum on this ride.
No problem keeping Hampton's pole up! ha!
So much snorting going on here.

The trails here are so awesome. Hampton is QUITE fit. We were out on the trails for over an hour the other day and by the time we returned home he was still prancing and wanting to play and buck a little bit. He has recently discovered the joy of leaping up banks out of creeks and bucking after. I laugh at him, but perhaps I should put a stop to that. I just love his enthusiasm!

So no more slacking off! Time to get into show horse mode.

Lady's story part 4: Slow and steady

Sweet Lady is doing quite well!

I have been grooming her every other day or so. She is now living outdoors 24/7 and loves it. She can be a little shy to catch at first. Her interactions with humans have probably not been the most pleasant in the past. But I have been giving her a treat every time I catch her and she is coming around. I will turn her into a treat whore in no time! :)


She is shedding out (finally!) and is still very perky with a good appetite.

She is still skinny, as you can see. But I do think she is gaining weight especially in her mid-section. The topline will be the last thing to fill in, but I think she is looking better!

I have had several people ask if they can help lady. If you would like to contribute to her care, below is a link to her GoFund Me account. Any little bit helps.