It's not you, it's me

Notice really how enormous Hampton is ...

Lately I have been having trouble with the right half pass. Hampton would get stuck, not really bend, not bring the haunches, go rein lame, you name it.

I was starting to think that maybe he really does need a major vet workup because the left half pass is FINE. Lovely, in fact.

Remember this for later.

....

Back at a schooling show in May, I threw my back out. Like, I had to stop riding and catch my breath. That sort of thing just never happens to me. Throughout this year, this same pain has been chronic - on and off. It is the left side of my lower back.

My when my back hurts all the time
Or, Buckley when is food bowl is empty.

Over the past month or so, it was getting to the point where it was difficult for me to even put my socks on in the morning. Or sit in the car. Anytime I put weight on my left leg, my back would spasm. Anytime I bent over. Even at sometimes random moments. Cantering Hampton would become painful - and thus I would brace and that didn't help anything.

After 3 visits to the chiro, and 2 massages from 2 different people - I was no better.

What the hell.

So on Tuesday I saw a physical therapist. She worked on me for well over an hour. She explained that my SI joint AND pelvis were pretty torqued up and to the left. It was so bad, that even my collar bone was up on the left. My entire body was affected.

While she was working on me, she said "You know, this type of injury I have seen from people who have jumped off something. It is an impact injury."

That's interesting, I thought. What tall thing do I jump off of on a daily basis?!?!

The guilty party

So after seeing the miracle worker, and one pill of Tramadol (a narcotic. I sure did not feel any pain the rest of the day but it made me feel AWFUL! How do drug addicts function?!) ... I felt only a few twinges the day after, and today I have been pain free.

So no more jumping off Hampton for a while. That's ok, he will stand by the mounting block while I climb down. Sorry pal, your human is getting old.

I guess if you own a 17 hand horse, maybe be more careful dismounting and don't just plop down like you are 15 years old again. That is the lesson here kids.

.....

When I rode Hampton in my lesson, guess what.

Right half pass no problem.

The coffin

My wonderful fellow bloggers I need some advice.

Here's the deal.

Here is the current situation of my tack trunk:

My trunk is lovingly referred to as "the coffin." My dad purchased this baby for me A LONG time ago when I was a student at the University of Findlay. (ummm damn near 20 years ago holy shit)

He customized it a little with wheels and a put saddle rack inside. It has made the trek with me to college, numerous barns, 3 horses and a shit ton of tack. It has trapped a number of barn cats (all lived to tell the tale), and has been well used over the years.

When I was working on the Morgan breeding farm, one of the very ornery barn boys would constantly tell me I "had a nice chest." After smacking him repeatedly, he pointed at my tack trunk and said "NO -- THAT CHEST!" .... hahaha, so after that it was named "the coffin."

Anyway. I simply have outgrown the coffin. For right now, I have two additional tubs I keep next to it. But my space looks disorganized and cluttered, and it's sort of making my eye twitch. My bridles hang on a hook and constantly get dusty from the barn aisle. But the bigger deal is that my saddle does not fit in the coffin. The cantle is just too tall. I was riding huntseat when I first got the coffin, and of course those saddles fit in it perfectly. So as it is, I can't really lock it and I would really like to be able to lock it. I don't really want to just stuff my saddle down in there. I would rather have it on a rack, seeing as how it is my saddle and all. And I love it.

So, I have been thinking about retiring the coffin to just a storage contained for blankets, saddle pads, random stuff I don't use that often. Medical supplies, etc. etc.

Which means I am going to need an upgraded track trunk/locker.

At first I was all like "Oh hell no I am not spending more than $200 on a BOX." But then I realized that I could maybe really save up and invest in something nice, because it will last a really long time. Just as the coffin has.

At first I looked to Dover, which had this handy thing on sale:

But then I saw the price and about choked. No. ($700+ ? are you high, Dover?)

BUT!! Then I remembered someone posting about Stable Lockers. (Hillary? was that you?). These things are AMAZING! And the small version is about $485 which I think is well worth it. It has everything I need, and is sturdy and strong for barn use. I'm not so sure I really need the tall version, although that would be nice.

Does anyone else have any recommendations? I am just looking for something organized, that can be moved if need be, has a saddle rack, bridle hooks and will lock.

Then the coffin can retire.

Family Tree

Old photo from our eventing days.

Love all the family tree posts!

Hampton is a very elite breed called an Indiana Warmblood.

He was bred and born in the town of Lebanon, Ind. Probably best known for its meth problem than horse breeders. (I'm not kidding, I lived there for a year and a weirdo came to my door asking if I wanted any "ice" and he was not talking about frozen water.) But anyway!

Favorite movement: Free walk

I have posted about Hampton's heritage a few times before.

PEDIGREE GEEKS UNITE

ABOUT HAMPTON'S PEDIGREE

HAMPTON'S HERITAGE: MY KING

Hampton is technically 3/4 Thoroughbred, and does have some decent sport horse bloodlines in him.
Unfortunately, I only know his dam's TB side. His grand-dam on his sire's side was half TB/half Clyde and I do not have any idea what those TB lines are. No clue about the Clydesdale lines either.

His grand-dam is named Bonnie Bloom. She was born in 1996. She is all all-breed pedigree.com but it does not have her sire and dam. Bonnie was a big girl, solid red bay with a beautiful face.

He most certainly does not have an ugly face.

He's got some nice Hannovarian lines that I talk about in the above links, including My King who was a GP dressage horse AND a GP jumper.

Click on the links above for photos and more details.

Anyway, some great TBs he has in his lines include:
Never Bend
Proudest Roman
Nasrullah (*links to him several times)
Red God (the sire of Blushing Groom)
Sir Gallahad

He also has some Irish and English TBs back in there, too, through a stallion called Double Jump.

Perhaps that is where he gets some of his stubbornness? And his stoic nature?

Grade A Dork.

Some year-end recognition

Despite our somewhat short show season, Hamps still managed to win a year-end award from KDA (Kentucky) this year!

I know it's just a measly fifth place, but I think it might be the first GMO YEA I have earned?

Fifth place in AA Fourth Level. And for what's it worth, KY is a rather competitive region and at the Region 2 Championships in Ill., the TOP 4 finishers in AA fourth level were all KDA members. So, to be amongst company like that is nothing to be ashamed of! Several were also in the top 5 at Nationals!

We also earned a high score achievement plate, too, which is being mailed to me. I think you have to get so many scores over 60%? I can't remember how we earned it, but I will take it. ha!

Good boy, Porkchop!

I missed out on any IDS (Indiana) awards because we did not go to enough shows.We did not qualify for any USDF or All-Breed year end awards because I did not renew my PM membership, thinking that it would be a waste since I wasn't going to try to qualify for regionals. I just have a GMO membership but you need a PM membership, too. USDF sure likes to take your money!

I'm usually not that big of a point-chaser, or YEA ribbon-ho but it is rather nice to be recognized for a year of hard work and accomplishments.

I'm off to start renewing memberships for 2017. CHA-CHING! *vomit*

By the way, here's a photo of my cat sleeping in a box.

Before and After

I love before and after posts. I may or may not post a lot of them.

Welp, you are getting another.

First time trotting under saddle. My goodness.

Same horse and rider. I swear.

Spurred on by a current bloghop, and some recent reader comments on how they cannot believe Hampton is a grown up. Don't worry, some days I can't believe it either.

Baby Hamper! (2007)

Now ginormous.

For all intensive purposes, he is a made horse now. No, he isn't some Grand Prix dressage horse, but he is "made" in that he is a solid citizen, pretty much anyone can ride him and not die, he does pretty much whatever you ask (with the exception of clipping his bridlepath ... whatever, horse.) , safe on the ground, has tons of miles, solid at shows, just a general all around good citizen. The dressage is just his "master's degree."

As a 3 year old his signature move was to buck and get squirrely in the neck.

Uhh. ... Still does this as a 9 year old.

Pats after showing Intro level

3rd level. Same show grounds.

Rangey, weak topline, no muscle (but still cute) ... to ...

damn, son.

I think he was just 4 here?

Still my main man!

Don't worry, he comes with his own set of quirks. Some cute, some incredibly annoying. But it has been an absolute pleasure to raise this horse. I wish I could clone him.

A wish list

Oh I have grabby things for so many items. But my lowly media job barely keeps my and my horse fed, so it takes creativity to purchase anything special.

No, I am not stripping or working the corner.
(However stripping has crossed my damn mind on numerous occasions. The places your mind goes when you are desperate!)

Here's what's on my wishlist at the moment:

Total Saddle Fit Stretch Girth | $170+
I've been saving up for this incredibly expensive piece of leather that straps my saddle on my horse's back. But I feel like it would be a good investment, and have heard good things about it. And I might as well get the elastic version.
Status: Currently have about $40 saved. Late Christmas gift to myself hopefully?



DeNiro shiney boots | $949
Yes I want the shiney ones. I want a pair of shiney dress boots dammit. But at this price? Let's file them away in the not-in-a-million-years category. Anyone have a more affordable shiney dress boot option out there? Halp.
Status: Admiring from a far and wallowing in my first world problems

20x60 Double Bridle | $298.95
This is the Prades bridle. With patent leather noseband, a browband that will knock your socks off and a clean, elegant look. I sort of promised myself that I could get a new double for Hamps when we reach PSG. And since that is approaching reality now ... I'm putting this on my list. His current double bridle is OK, but the cavesson pinches under his chin - even with extra padding or no padding at all. I think it's just too small.
Status: Hoping to save and purchase before 2017 show season

New river boots | Depends on brand. Goal: Under $200
My faithful Dublins kicked the bucket this summer. While I'd love a pair of Dubarry's, they are way out of my price range. So I am eyeing the Dublins and other similar brands.
Status: Putting on Christmas list




Thinline half pad | $233
Seriously the prices on half pads are asinine. Right now I have a cheap ($50!) memory foam knock off that does just fine. Feels just like the other memory foam pads, and has shims. But I really think Thinline is where it's at. I used to have one, but sold it to pay rent years ago when I was on furlough. Now I want it back.
Status: Keeping an eye out for a used one



DSB boots white || $44
I already have a patent silver set (they are awesome!). I have been so pleased that I want to add a white set now. That way the silvers are not constantly getting the abuse. And also, white boots look so sharp on Hamps. The price is reasonable, and worth it.
Status: Keeping an eye out for sales. Odds are purchase are high. lol



Back on Track mesh sheet | $238
Now this I have flip flopped for years about buying. This is really only something I would use at horse shows, or before clinics. Since Hamps lives outside, there isn't a lot of opportunity for him to wear this on a daily basis. He also runs hot, and since most showing is done in the summer - would putting this on him (even overnight) - make him too hot? I do have a BOT saddlepad, which I like. But I'm still undecided on this sheet.
Status: Still flip flopping. Wish horse could contribute to decision.




... and of course there is always breeches, gloves, etc. that I can always add to the list. It's never ending!

And do feel free to click on any of the amazon links. If you end up buying something, it kicks back some change to me. Told you I was being creative on creating some cash flow!

Although I dunno ... you sure do make some serious cash as a "dancer."

Parachute

It seems to me that maybe more people in this country should own horses.

Yes, the election stressed me out. I work for the media and of course it seems that if you work for the media you are a dirty libtard with an agenda. I saw a photo of a man wearing a shirt that suggested journalists should be lynched. What a nice fellow. 

As you can imagine, Tuesday was not a fun night at work. And I certainly am not going to get into politics on this blog.

But I will say one thing.

When I went to the farm Wednesday morning - exhausted, numb, shocked. Hampton was there, as cheerful as ever. He greeted me like he always does. He gave zero shits about what had just happened. He gave me so much peace, because no matter who was elected - the horses still need fed, the stalls need cleaned, water buckets filled. We have to kick on.

Porkchop

Meanwhile, we have been training training training. I haven't been to any more clinics or shows because I am flat broke. I'm not sure how I will show next year, but I always figure something out. 

What's been on our plate lately?

- Making him hotter off the leg. 

- Softer connection

- Right bend (it has gone to shit lately. Which in turn has destroyed the right half pass. Please right bend, come back!)

- Challenging him in the collection

Half steps

- Developing the pirouette for the show ring

- Half pass zig zags

- Tempi changes

Yes ... we now get clean changes 95% of the time. Now we have to start learning to count.

FINALLY.

No stirrup November!

- Riding without stirrups.

(and by that I mean I did so .... ummm ... one day so far)

- Enjoying our morning hacks/warm up walks

- Body clipped!

He looks so good. So shiney and well muscled right now. I am super pleased with the feeding program at this farm. His cribbing also seems mostly under control with the collar. I did just pull his hind shoes for the winter and he seems to be just fine with that arrangement. He gets to keep his front shoes, but at least I'll save a little cash.

I wish I had more exciting news to report .. or at least better photos. Booo.

Bloggers - is there anything you want to read about in my blog? I need post ideas! 

___

Sun comes up and goes back down
And falling feels like flying till you hit the ground
Say the word and I’ll be there for you
Baby, I will be your parachute