All I wanna do baby zoom zoom

Our jumping lesson this morning was ....

A BLAST!!!!

Hamps is one game little poneh. He LOVES the jumping thing and is so clever and smart. And he takes care of me when I screw up. Bless his little heart! (Said in a Kentucky accent).

We started out trotting into a a little one-stride. EB (our instructor) watched us go through a couple of times and said "Uh, you've done a lot of flat work with him, haven't you?"

Why yes!



Guess what?! We have graduated from crossrails! :)



We moved on jump the once-stride, to a 6-stride bending line to a triple bar ... to a scary, horse-eating rolltop. He did stop once at the rolltop, but we went over after that. I mean, it is different looking and also yellow and green. We had a few "creative" jumps over the rolltop, but our last time over was beautiful. At least he was going over!

We continued to add more jumps onto our little course. After the rolltop, we swung around to a 2-stride (planks and a stone wall), then a white gate and then a green and white oxer. Hamps jumped around like a little pro. We have had one flying lead change (on accident). He has never offered up lead changes before, even when careening around jump courses totally off balance.

I was reasonably good with my upper body. There were a few times when I did revert back to my habit of whipping my body forward at his neck. Ugh. I figured out WHY I do this. 1) Part nerves/fear of getting left behind. 2) I do when my lower leg isn't on/solid.

If I kick or squeeze at the base of the fence, my upper body stays quiet and still. I just have make this a habit.

I did enjoy EB's lesson and I think I'll keep riding with her for jumping. She's going to take a little group of us across the road to school cross country soon (the stable across the street has their own cross country course. Bitches.). I stayed to watch her teach a dressage lesson, however, and I wasn't all that impressed. She is a great person and a good rider, but the lesson I was watching was basically a game of Simon Says. You know those instructors, "Walk. Ok trot ..... nice. ..... ..... ..... (silence)."

I need you to be demanding of me! Tell me what I suck at. Give me exercises to improve me and my horse. Make us both sweat and work for it! That is just what I learn best from.

***

I also met the resident GORGEOUS farm boy today on my way back to Hampton's field. I know, I know ... how UN-DQ of me - flirting with "the help." For Shame!! But let me tell you if you saw this boy you would bat your eyelashes at him too. His name is Tommy and he might be the hottest farm boy I have ever met. And I have met a lot of hot farm boys. (ok this is starting to sound bad ... )

Before I really embarass myself, I should stop writing.

Off to Lexington tomorrow to watch Amy and Steady! Pics to follow!

(If I get brave, I will stalk Tommy and post pics for you to enjoy)

Quickie: Equine Ulcer Diagnosis

Just a quick post before my lesson this morning. Here's an interesting video about ulcer diagnosis.

Hanging by a moment

More good rides this week. Hampton gets better and better each ride. Today I ran through all of First-3 (not in the right order, however). Everything felt easy.

I felt like I had "control of the moment." Know what I mean? Do you ever go in to ride a dressage test and you feel like everything is coming up too fast and you basically just get the movement done in order to get to the next?

With my previous horse, T-Bone, every test I rode felt like that. Of course I was in control of my horse (mostly), but never felt in control of the moment. My brain sounded like this:

"Ok trot, wow this is too fast SHIT gotta circle now ... oh dammit he's above the bit ... CRAP walk transition. OK made it happen ... that freewalk was pathetic ... dammit passed the letter where I was supposed to trot ... road trot! weeee!! ... this sucks! shoot me in the face!!"

That feeling is going away and I feel really good about making our First level debut (whenever that may be!). It is well within our abilities. When I ride the test movements, I feel like there is more time to prepare, to set us up for success, to THINK. Today my brain sounded like this:

"15 meter canter circle, lovely ..... ..... .... now prepare for loop ... look for X ...... stay on that outside rein ............."

Make sense? No? Is it just me?

ANYhoo ... tomorrow we have a jumping lesson with the resident instructor. I do not know much about her, but I figured I would give it a shot and go in with an open mind even though I know she is not LAZ. :)

I'm thinking Hamps will get Saturday off because I am going to Lexington to watch Amy and Steady clinic with Peter Atkins. :) Love his teaching and Amy and Steady are OK, too. :) heh heh. I am breaking out my Nikon D70 and hope to get some great photos of them.

I also have a secret agenda do continue on my quest of networking around Kentucky for horse people. I'm not sure I am 100% happy at the barn I am currently at, but that's another post for another time.

In other random news, work has been stressful. Lots of long hours and overtime (6 day weeks for a while) ... which stinks, BUT, I'm taking that sweet OT and buying something nice with it. A new saddle? New dressage coat? Maybe just a cotton-pickin vacation?

:)



In case you are bored with ear shots, here is a BUTT shot.



Ramble on.

Hampton is doing just fine, but I am still adjusting to Kentucky weather. It has been pushing 90 degrees for almost a week and my metabolism just isn't up to speed yet.

He's annoyed that I've tied him up and he can't eat.
But LOOK at his weight!!

The heat has forced me to take it easy with Hampton. (For my sake, I tend to get overheated when summer first starts and I'm not a big fan of passing out on top of a 17.1 hand horse).

We have been diligent in doing our homework - lots of walking, bending, slow trotting, more bending. It now takes less than 5 minutes for him to take a steady connection with me. Before the Houston clinic, it would take 15-20 before we were really warmed up and connected.

Today's ride was extra fabulous. I threw in some shoulder-in and gentle leg yields to see what I had. No problems. After the World's Best Walk-Canter Transition On a Straight Line (I literally squealed with joy), I worked through First-3 canter loop both directions. EASY!!

After that we stretched out and walked back out to the field.

I'm hoping to pop over some jumps this week to reward him. And hopefully trail ride out to the creek and waterfalls. I'd prefer some company since I don't know where I'm going and ... you know, in case something goes wrong.

Speaking of which. GUESS who got himself cast/stuck after rolling too close to the fence today?

Won't name names, but his initials are HAMPTON.

a 30+ acre field and you roll into the fence Hampton?

I had just grabbed my leap rope to go rescue him but I stopped and watched him.

Horses who get cast typically do 1 of 2 things.

1) Panic and hurt themselves or break something.
2) Lie there and wait for help.

Hampton didn't panic. And he didn't just lie there. He very methodically scooted his neck and shoulders away from the fence until he was able to pull himself forward and then get his hind legs under him.

It was incredibly intelligent and clever. Not a scratch on him, although I'm going to get the chiro back out here next week as he needs another chiro round anyway. I'm sure this incident didn't help. He seemed fine, though. He got up, turned around, proceeded to buck, and galloped off to his friends.

I'm also starting to scope out a few small, local shows in the area.
And of course more lessons. :)
My goal is to hit up some rated shows this fall and HOPEFULLY get my first 2 scores toward my USDF bronze medal. :)

For sale: Sports boots

I bought these awesome boots (Pegasus air boots) less than a month ago.

Hampton has only worn them once. They are vented, but Hampton wasn't a fan. Infact, he tried to literally scrape them off his legs. He crossed one front leg over the other and tried to scrape them off. Clever pony, but a clear message to me that he doesn't like them. He is fussy and sensitive about his legs getting sweaty and itchy, but these are super nice boots and would work well on a less ... quirky ... horse.

I am asking $60 + shipping for them. Message or email me for more info. :)

They are one size fits all, but I don't think they would fit a small pony regardless.

Here is the description from the website:

Pegasus EquiCare created a fully breathable, high quality horse boot that "really was" easy to use.  After a series of seven prototypes and extreme testing, the result was a completely revolutionary design:

Breathable

Pegasus AirBoots are constructed of the highest quality, closed cell neoprene available, PERFORATED for cooling breath-ability.  The ventilated material allows excess heat and moisture to dissipate.  Microorganisms that cause fungal diseases, thrive in warm, moist environments.  Excess heat can cause break down of skin tissue, as well as discomfort.  Excellent for medicinal use, offering gentle protection while healing takes place under a veterinarian's guidance.

The fully adjustable wrap extends 10 mm of protection from the delicate splint area to the exterior of the leg in

 a unique, conforming overlap. 

Upward support is provided to the fetlock area by an extra wide strap in a traditional bandage style... No slippage occurs when wet, making PEGASUS AIRBOOTS of particular interest to 'Eventers' and 'Endurance' riders.

I do not have gout, dammit!

You know those ads that appear on your Facebook page? They are supposed to be filtered according to what you post about and whatnot?

This one has been appearing for days now:

• I don't have gout!
• I do not post about gout.
• I don't want the gout.
• I don't know anyone with gout.

You're killing me Smalls! :)

On finding an instructor

Other than leaving my iPhone in Lexington, and developing an odd eye twitch, my time in Kentuck has been fabulous so far. This weekend was especially fun.

I was very worried about finding an instructor who both Hamps and I click with here in Kentuckeh.

I think I may have already found one ... in the form of James Houston. Honestly, I had never heard of the guy until Kelly from Dressage Pony contacted me about participating in one of his clinics. Having participated in numerous clinics with a variety of names, I went in with an open mind and an eagerness to learn. I know that everyone will tell you something a little different, and that is OK. It's finding a system that works and sticking with it. What got me so frustrated with T-Bone (my Morgan), was trying to attend way too many clinics, which left me confused and annoyed.

Anyway, I found Houston to be just a delight. He brought us down to basics and we SO SO SO needed it. Hampton, while very well behaved, was tense and locked in his back and jaw. This has been going on for a while, and I blamed in on the spring stupids. Kelly and Houston were able to pick up right away that it was a physical issue.

Hamps has been uncomfortable for a while now because his jaw was displaced, and he was also out in his back/butt. *FACEDESK* ... Why I didn't pick up on this I don't know. Maybe because I trusted the professionals I was working with. THEY said he was ok, that these were training issues, or my issues, and so proceed.

I have to say that I LOVE the people I worked with in Indiana. BUT ... the caliber of horse professionals in Kentucky is a different league. That much I have found in less than a week living here.

What infuriates me is that I have spent hundreds of dollars and been quite diligent with chiro appointments for Hampton (back in Indiana) because his comfort and health is #1 to me.

Turns out, he has been out of whack for a while. He was adjusted at the clinic (many thanks to the chiro who was so wonderful ... and Kelly for arranging this). And I noticed an immediate difference, not only in his back, but also in his attitude. There was a calmness about him that I had not seen for a while (again, I was blaming his snarky attitude on the spring stupids). I am starting to wonder if that right-hind-hitchyness was due to his butt being out all along?

trying to unlock the back ...

I rode him again today back at home and he was even better. Far less squirrly in the jaw and his back felt more ... boingy? We are sticking to basics for this month and back to Houston for more homework in May. And by basics, I mean simple circles working on getting that falling-down neck. Asking for softness and inside bend. Changes of direction. Lots of stretching. He needs to rebuild those muscles that he wasn't using before because he was out of whack.

Hampton knows the lateral work. He's a well-trained pony. We don't need to drill anything right now, we need to get a soft neck and quiet mouth. He was great today so I think we'll get somewhere.

:)