Ride IQ

 So my eventer gal friends introduced me to this RideIQ app. 

And Amanda did a more extensive review, too, so check that out!

It is basically like a Pelaton app but for riders. There are a large variety of lessons and warm-ups to choose from, and there are even lessons that focus on specific types of horses. For example, dealing with a horse who is unsteady in the contact. Or a session for a 3 year old.

There are also dressage test read-throughs.

I picked a Jon Holling Orange Level warmup titled "Responsive and supple" since that is always my goal warming up Hampton anyway. I think Orange Level is the most advanced level, but the most challenging exercise it included was canter leg yields so yes that is beyond training level but it really is within everyone's reach.

On that note, being a "upper level dressage rider" (that's a rant for another day as it irritates the shit out of me when riders refer to themselves this way as if they are superior when they are not) MOST CERTAINLY does NOT make me above these types of simple, basic lessons. I rode for a good 35 minutes and I thought it was well thought out, and he had a lot of good instruction there. 

Of course you can always pause it if, say, your 14 year old dressage horse spooks at nothing and bolts into a corner. Not that that happened to me, but IF IT DID.

And sometimes I needed to do a transition within the gaits or a shoulder in. Just because that is what helps Hampton. He needs to stay a little busy because his mind wanders. So of course you can add in what you need to these lessons. But I found it to be excellent guidance and general structure.

I think there is a 7-day free trial, and you do have to go to the website to create and account. Then you can download the app and off you go! 

Define pasture sound

Note: This is not about Hampton - he is feeling good! This discussion came up last weekend and just thought I would bring it to my blogger friends. No one freak out this is NOT about Porkchop! Or any specific horse. :)

But that Porkchop topline tho

How do you define pasture sound?

Say you have a horse that has retired from work for whatever reason that may be. Their option now is to be a pasture friend, companion, pet, etc. 

What exactly does Pasture Sound mean?

For me, that means they are sound at the walk but probably not the trot. They are bright, alert, and eating. And maintaining acceptable weight. They may have aches and pains from aging, maybe an old injury. But their pain is not causing them suffering. I do not count aches as suffering, as we ALL have our stiffness and general days where we take a little longer to get going. So moving and creaking around in a stiff manner is pasture sound. Quality of life is still good, but maybe they move a little slower and don't run and buck with their friends. They can get up and down easily.

Hacking at Flying Cross Farm. What a pity it's so ugly

There is this grey area though between pasture sound and ... quality of life is not acceptable. I think this area probably differs from person to person. How and where to you draw the line?

Over the years there have been a (sad) number of horses I would not have classified as pasture sound.

A mini who had dwarfism and could not get up without assistance. She would thrash and hit her head trying to get up until someone came to help her.

A 30+ year old pony who became emaciated and had pressure sores all over his body.

An old navicular horse who stopped coming up for breakfast with his friends because his feet hurt.

I am sure everyone has stories like these.

What's your definition and criteria for a pasture sound companion horse?

Anhidrosis vs. A Karen

New browband made by a friend!
And you can also see some of his hair loss.

 I feel like it's late enough in the summer than I can write this post without jinxing myself?

Guess we will see.

Anyway, the battle with Hampton's anhidrosis has gone MUCH better than last year. Last year he completely shut down. Like he would be BONE DRY after a ride. Even under the saddle pad. It was scary and there really is no "cure."

This year, I was better prepared. While there have been days where he has not been sweating enough, he has not stopped. He still has symptoms of anhidrosis - such as  loss of hair on his face and chest - but thankfully he has continued to sweat and I have only found him once in the field where his respirations were slightly high. It was a 95 degree day, too. (He goes immediately under the cold hose when this happens). But nothing like last year.

Here is what worked for me. Every horse is different but figured I would share!

April: Started him on 1 scoop 1AC.

 

May: Increase to 2scoops 1AC. Increase Vit E supplement and electrolyte.

June: 3 scoops 1AC, and add in 1 scoop of Let Em Sweat (Maintain this through Sept I am thinking)

On 90+ degree days, I add in a beer. Mostly stuck to dark lagers but the other day I gave him a Fat Tire and he liked that too.

  On 90+ degree days & days he works hard, I also add in tube electrolytes.

So far, this regime seems to have worked pretty well! It also seems to help when temps drop below 70 at night. This seems to help "reset" him.

He has also been getting more frequent PEMF sessions. I am not sure if that has anything to do with his sweating, especially since a lot of it has been concentrated on his front feet but who knows?

He loves his PEMF!

Acupuncture is another option I have read. Hampton has some done last fall when it was cooler so I can't really speak on those results.

As far as his diet, he is pretty much grain free. The "grain" he does get is Hallway FibreEnergy which is a grain free, beet pulped based feed with low NSC.

Now if it would just RAIN FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY in Kentucky that would be great.

Stay hydrated everyone!

Make sure you bring champagne

I am SUPER ANNOYED that Blogger seems to have disabled its reading list. So I am trying to find other ways to read everyone's blog without manually scrolling through I dunno 30-40 of them. C'MON BLOGGER. Suggestions welcome.

--

Anyhoo.

Canter transition

I was lucky enough to ride in a LS clinic again here in town. Only had the funds for one day but honestly I get so much out of her lessons that's ok.

Hampton was a really good boy, and we touched on firing him up, turning in passage, working on a little bit of Spanish walk to help lift his shoulders, and then ran through the entire Grand Prix and picked a few weak spots and touched on those. 

She is just such an inspiring, no-nonsense coach. She makes me want to ride better. However, I think the big take away for riding a GP test in the ring is that I need to BREATHE and SLOW TIME DOWN. I paid for my time in the ring, so take it. Hampton and I both get to running and that is bad for business. 

oh look your knees CAN come up higher

Here are my notes from my lesson and a few others that I caught.

• Horses (and humans) don't tend to stretch well in the first 5 minutes. Unless they have a reason, don't start out long and low. Start picking them up and engaging their brain right away
• Keep horse short from tail to ears
• Even though rulebook says horse lengthens their frame in trot lengthening, they should not! That results in pulling with the front feet. Think power off the ground.
• "My grandmother could out trot you and my grandmother is dead."
• Build build build the trot, then canter
• "love him less"
• Accountability and honesty live in the transitions
• Let him live in fear of your leg
• Trot to rein back (for a horse who's legs are sticking to the ground in piaffe) Do a few of these then try piaffe

• When turning the passage, turn horse like a wheelbarrow. This really helped me!
• BREATHE
• Breathe in the corners. Take your time. Organize
• Try the one-tempis in medium canter
• Trot, then right into a 360 degree turn on forehand. Also unsticks the hind legs. Do these a few times, then piaffe
• Piaffe pirouettes help unstick the front legs
• Passage: Suck his withers up with your thighs 
• Passage lives in the ribs
• Transition in/out of passage is a dimmer switch. 3, 2, 1 .... not BAM
• Hands forward
• Think wheelbarrow a little bit in canter zigzag (for me and Hamp within the changes)
• Ride with my aids off. If I apply at a level 2, and he doesn't flinch then he gets hellfire
• BREATHE
• Don't support him so much in passage. Hampton relies on me too much
• BREATHE
• Bring champagne to my first GP. lol

When worlds collide

 I am writing a series of guest posts over at Virtual Brush Box.

It has been really fun comparing dressage and the saddlehorse world. They are so different, and yet similar all at the same time. I do not consider one right or wrong, or better than the other. It is a different way to enjoy horses. And each industry has its practices I don't agree with.

Anyway, pop on over and check out my word vomit! 

Me and Wilson, a super cool Morgan my family owned 
in the early 2000s.

Fall forwards

 "Do you have the guts to fail? If you don't fail, you aren't even trying… To get something you never had, you have to do something you have never done… Don't be afraid to fall, but fall forwards, not backwards" -- Denzel Washington

Adventures in kittysitting

Wearing Uncle Buck's tie

I haven't felt totally ready to add another cat back into the household after the dramatic and heartbreaking losses of Hunter and Ralston, but I thought maybe I should give fostering a try. That way I can help a cat in need, get Buckley some exercise, but not be committed to vet bills.

My first resident was Willard - an ADORABLE grey floof. About a year old, with gorgeous green eyes and a huge personality.

Lap kitty while working

He made himself right at home straight away. Enjoyed all the toys I bought for Buckley but he never plays with. Ate everything in sight and quickly learned to be a lap kitten too.

I had him just 11 days and damn near kept him he was so cute. I do need to start seriously looking for a roommate though and I think it might be easier with just one cat. But I am sort of playing it by ear. I will foster again for sure! I loved having a kitten around. They are like squirrels on meth! haha

Uncle Buck and Willard

It was a really great experience through KY Humane Society. They checked up on him, gave me a bag of food and were super to work with. It was quite sad for me to drop him off but he will be ok. He is young and cute and healthy. He's not up on their site yet but I'm keeping an eye out. Unless he got adopted today which is totally possible. Looking forward to helping another furrball!

He actually fit in my cat condo! (unlike Buckley)