Hi. My name is __________

Talk less. Listen more. That’s good advice for journalists, life partners, and especially those who live life with privileges and want to understand a hurt that is not only of this moment but is systemic and centuries in the making.  -- Dan Rather

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Recent trail ride at Deam Lake

I have been quiet on recent events. Partly because of my job (I have to be careful what I post on social media sites), but mostly because I am listening. 

It has been very telling, and alarming, to read what friends and even family have to say about racism, and Black Lives Matter. 

I come from privilege. I have recognized that for a long time.

FFS my name is literally Karen, and I grew up in one of the most affluent, white suburbs in Indiana. It's so white, in fact, that the mayor recently made national news. Carmel is a nice place to grow up, but I long quit telling people I was from there. Because it's embarrassing.

Privilege doesn't mean you have not had struggles. It doesn't mean I am rich. It doesn't mean I have never been discriminated against for anything. It's astounding what people truly cannot see and fail to grasp. Even more alarming is watching folks turn racism into a political stunt. 

Loving the ShooFly boots

Here's what else makes me privileged:

• My parents were never divorced
• I grew up with a father figure in the home
• I had a private grade school education
• I never had to help my parents with the bills
• I didn't have to pay for college
• I never wondered where my next meal would come from (but I have as an adult)

I have been handed opportunity after opportunity. Those are just the basics. Let's not forget growing up showing horses. I mean geez. Yes, I have worked my ass off to have a horse. Made sacrifices, struggled. Worked some more. Still privileged. Those who suggest people "get a job" or "work harder" are so tone deaf and missing the point entirely. 

While I struggle as an adult, I do still consider myself privileged. I ride my horse in the rolling hills of Kentucky people. If you get to do that, YOU ARE PRIVILEGED.

I mean ....

So in a sense, I have felt like I don't get an opinion on racism. My job is to listen, learn, check myself. You know it's a problem when you suggest to a friend that maybe they are tone deaf, and I get called a libtard.

It runs so much deeper than we know.

I was going to spout off some more about the newest pedophile to be banned from Safe Sport but I think I'll sign off for today.

Peace.

Tildren, tempis, TRT

Who doesn't like a man in blue?!

Hampton has completed his round of Tildren and handled it like a champ. So the company recommends administering the drug via IV over a 90-minute period. However, our vet dilutes the solution 3 times and then gives an IV shot every other day for 3 days. He said he has had tremendous luck with this protocol and thankfully Hampton did not break his streak.

The most common reaction is colic and that's because the drug messes with their calcium pretty much immediately. Reactions are sometimes within 3 minutes but the website says to keep an eye on the horse for up to 4 hours. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this helps the Porkchop out. Sometimes it can take 2 months for results to really be noticed so we will see! 

In other news, Hamp is remaining sound (knocking on wood) and his back feels much better. He seems to have suddenly had a breakthrough and we can do 6 one-tempis! His piaffe and passage or almost show ring ready (I just have to smooth out the transitions), and we are starting to build the blocks for the GP zig-zag. (He is not the problem here, it is MOST DEF ME) 

I mean what?! How did this happen?? 

Since there aren't any shows on the immediate horizon, we just keep schooling as if we are going to do an I-2. My I-1 freestyle has been on the back burner. I kind of lost motivation to work on it. I'm not sure why. I just am not feeling it this year. 

I have also recently become rather addicted to the TRT method of training. So much so, that I have now designated Saturday's as our TRT day. Poor Hampton.

So far Hampton has learned Spanish walk which I think is really good for him. It's nice to have a day where his body can rest, but he still has to use his brain. muuwahahahaha. I am really enjoying how Tristen really understands the horse, and how they think and learn. Hampton responds really well, other than giving me looks of "WTAF now, lady." I know some people probably think of TRT as some glorified natural horsemanship, but it's really quite good.

We may go schooling of the property next week so maybe I'll have better media. haha!

Hoping everything is doing ok. Look at all of us - surviving a pandemic. Go us!! 

Tricky tricky tricky

Happy to be reporting back with GOOD news.

Hampton is sound after his injection, which I am seeing as a very good sign. I'm still going to do Tildren here in the next couple of weeks. I am so happy he is back to feeling ok!

He does have some lingering back soreness. I suspect from compensating from that painful foot. But, each day he gets better and better. Some massage, magnawave and stretchy, easy rides will hopefully resolve the back soreness.

On Monday, I tried the #toiletpaperchallenge that's been circulating lately.

After not really schooling for ... uh ... weeks ... I was like Hey Hamp, can you just do a canter pirouette and by the way I'm going to do it one handed while holding TP.

I challenge anyone to do a more slow, labored, rocking pirouette than this one! hahaha. Now you see why I am constantly working on adding RPMS in the collected canter.

But whatevs we got it done! Fun day to just have fun with my horse and friends. I've got mad respect for people who jump courses while balancing TP. This was difficult enough.

I plan to pick up Hampton a couple of times this week and see where the work is at, but other than  that it'll be stretching and a couple of hacks. He can tell me when his back feels totally better and then we can go from there.

In other news, Buckley is handling lock down well.

Porkchop sees the vet

I found the shoe! In his big ass field. Oh I was pretty proud of myself.

Hot Mess Express was out in full force for Hampton's vet appointment.

Not only was he off on that left front, but the day before the appointment he ripped off his right front shoe. Also did something to his face around his eye and had a couple of small scrapes.

JFC.

Horse is malfunctioning. Danger Danger.

---

Anyway, even without the right front shoe he was still quite lame on the left front. It had gotten worse over the past few days even. I would monitor him by watching him trot up for breakfast in the morning and could tell right away. I'm really glad I had made the appointment when I did. In fact in hindsight I wish I had called sooner (then his appointment got pushed back 4 days because SOMEBODY had to have an emergency root canal. Not naming names but it's the bitch who rides Hampton)

I am SO lucky to be in an area with a world class vet. Possibly one of the best in the country. He works with Derby horses every year and is highly regarded in the sport horse world as well. (he is also an FEI vet).  I also have a top notch farrier who also knows his shit. Without them, I am not sure what I would do. Proper shoeing is so so important.

We went ahead and injected Hampton's coffin joint. And when he got the needle in, fluid squirted out like a fountain. Hampton was clearly in pain, even when drugged and twitched. He is normally a stoic guy, so I cannot imagine how much pain he was in.

After his injection, he didn't even want to put weight on his foot anymore. Yikes.

He definitely has a lovely case of distal interphalangeal joint synovitis. 
(Also called degenerative joint disease, or DJD. Aka osteoarthritis). Once the world gets back to "normal," my next plan is to take him to Lexington for updated rads and a look over from their lameness vets. It's a complicated disease and it's about protecting him from further damage at this point. According to this research, the most common DJD areas of dressage horses are the coffin joints, navicular bones, and hocks. So there we go.

So this was more than just typical navicular heel pain. And I promptly felt like a total asshole for putting off an injection in hopes a simple shoeing change would help. This also explains why Previcox was also no longer doing shit. It was so bad, that the vet could actually feel effusion in his coffin joint just by palpating it.

We also discussed giving him a treatment of Tildren. Once I get my stimulus check, I will be moving forward with this. I'll have to do a more detailed post, but my vet has a method of administering this drug that gives great results and also minimizes the chance of colic. I think it's a good idea for Hampton, and he deserves it. Did you know Tildren used to cost $12,000 for a treatment over in Europe? Fun fact of the day. 

Spotted this blue heron in Hampton's field while our searching for the shoe.

To complete Hampton's day, my awesome farrier came out and tacked on the other shoe. Hopefully my humpty dumpty horse will be put back together again.

Hampton will do 3 days of doxy (vet does this for all coffin injections), and some bute again tomorrow. He also has a massage and magnawave scheduled for Thursday. I think Friday (That'll be 4 days post injection) I might tack walk him and go from there. There is no rush on anything. I just don't like my dude being in pain.

I also have a guardian angel to thank. You know who you are. :)

And I hope everyone is doing ok. My cats are close to filing harassment charges against me.

Finally, Carole FUCKEN Baskin. :) 

Stay the path

When you are lame on the left front, but lost your shoe on the right front - you might
get excused from work but you are NOT excused from photos.

Right before the shit really hit the fan (back in March), I took a virtual lesson with an instructor who had a long and impressive list of credentials. I was really hoping to keep the momentum going from Aiken and the instruction I got there (plus my fabulous coach at home).

So my barn buddy and I took a lesson right after one another and were able to video each other.

The whole virtual lesson thing worked out great I thought. The only thing is that our indoor has crappy lighting so sometimes it was hard to see the rider, but we made it work.

Unfortunately, this instructor was not at all what I expected or hoped for. She was a huge disappointment to be honest. I won't name any names but she just did not work for me.

I think everyone is going to encounter this in their dressage journey. There are hundreds (millions?) of roads on this path up the levels.

What I have learned is that the most important thing is that you stick to one path. Yes, take tidbits and tools from various teachers and programs, but in general stick to one road. If not, you and your horse will end up confused, frustrated, lose confidence and possibly regress.

For example, one of the huge takeaways I have been working on is to GIVE my reins. Lauren really got after me about this, and that theory continued on with Jeremy and Sarah in Aiken. Since I have become more diligent about this, Hampton has developed better self carriage, is lighter in the bridle, more supple in the neck, and his back end comes through to the bit so much better than it ever has. He poll stays up much more reliably now, too.

Pretty much how I feel right now

Well. This instructor - we will call her M - right out of the gate tells me to shorten Hampton's neck at the walk and do not give with my hands. I have NEVER in my life been told to shorten Hampton's neck. FFS I have always thought that I already ride him too short in the neck. BUT, I am a good student and willing to try.

He got wiggly. He tried piaffe. He got lateral. She said he was "figuring it out." But my gut said ... ah, well this is how you make a horse's walk lateral.

Sometime during our trot work, she got rather snarly with me that I was "throwing him away" all the time and that by doing so, I am driving him down on the forehand even more. I got defensive and said, "Well, I've been told to do this so yes it is a habit." Which M answered with, "Well how's THAT workin' for ya??" ...


.... actually lady I thought it was working well for me.

Old photo

But like I said, I continued to try what she said. Eventually, he started getting irregular (rein lame) at the medium trot which he has NEVER DONE NOT ONCE IN HIS LIFE  At this point I knew this was not the instructor for me.

She did have some good pointers that DID align with my road:

Bounce with your seat like you are on a ball into and out of collected canter
Ride canter piros like a half pass
More inside leg int he half pass (someday I this will get into my brain)

But for the most part it was the complete opposite of what I had been told from my own home coach, Lauren, Jeremy, and Sarah (plus a number of other clinicians over the years).

Is she wrong?

I don't k now. I think there's different theories and ideas and programs. Her basic concept of keeping a rather firm contact at all times probably works for a lot of horses. But I can tell you that Hampton is more than happy to  lean on your hands all the live long day. He gives zero shits. He will lean on side reins FFS.

Selfie time! Sorry Hamp that is what you get.

It's the giving that makes him light and "uphill" (he's never uphill and won't ever be but you get my point). I have to give his hind end somewhere to power to and if I have a hold of his mouth, it will drive his front end down. Maybe I am wrong. She has much better credentials than I do. I'm just an average AA dressage rider with a grade horse.

But I think I'll stay the path.

___

Monday (today) Hampton sees our top lameness vet to see if we can help him be comfy again. Fingers crossed.

Build a show!

Miss jumping Mr. Hampton. He loves it!

I'll come up with some actual blog content soon but here's a shameless plug!

If you are able to ride currently, or even if you have an old video or show video there is a neat little virtual show hosted by area peeps. Anyone can enter since it is online.

(Search for Shorty's Virtual Build a Show on Facebook for additional information)

The info:

Be a good steward of social distancing all while getting valuable feedback from judges and a fun chance to stay connected with the rest of the equestrian community! Beat the flatten the curve blues and join us for a virtual horse show! Send videos of rides BEFORE April 18th at 12 noon to be judged.

Divisions:
Dressage Test of Choice - $20, $10 per additional test
ride ANY USEA/USDF test
Show Jumping Round - $15, $10 per additional test
A la cart Combined Test- 1 Dressage and SJ Round for $30
-divisions will be combined or divided as entries warrant

Awards:
Each division placed 1-6th - local ribbon pick up OR pay postage for ribbon to be mailed
If division has over 20 entries, winner receives CASH prize!!!

How It Works: DRESSAGE TEST
* Enter ONLINE via our website, flyingcrossfarm.org -note which test you are riding
*Set up a dressage arena at YOUR barn! This can be a makeshift arena using jump rails or a real dressage arena - use what you have! No need to have actual letters - use cones, flowers, a well behaved dog, etc as place holders on the sides of the arena if needed!
*Bribe a friend with tacos to video your ride! TIPS: make sure video is taken in LANDSCAPE mode; have video person stand at "C", zoom when possible while keeping entire horse and rider in the frame
*Send us your ride before April 18th via email or as a YouTube link to be judged!

How it Works: SHOW JUMPING
*Enter ONLINE via our website, flyingcrossfarm.org - note which level you will be jumping
*STAY TUNED for posting of SJ course WITH video tutorial on setting your course, proper striding, and a virtual course walk with the judge!
*Set up your course at YOUR barn using the above course and tips!
*Bribe a friend with chips and guac and have them video your round!
*SJ round will be judged on clear round AND style points 1-10 of overall impression of horse and rider during the course

ADDITIONAL RULES:
*Helmets must be worn AT ALL TIMES
*Videos must be of one seamless ride - no crazy editing so you get that perfect distance or transition!
*Jumping video must be of your first attempt of the course - honor system here!!
*All USEF tack rules apply - ie no martingale or boots in dressage, illegal bits or bridles etc ; jump saddles are a-ok for dressage :)

Dumpster Fires Everywhere

My toilet smoking.

Well, shit.

What are you all doin'?

Let's see what's been going on here.

A) Well, we've got a pandemic. Everyone is dealing with this the best they can. I keep reminding myself that during times like this, the only way to the other side is through it.

B) Then, I got furloughed from work. One week for each month of April, May and June. The good news is that the days will be scattered (ie 2 days on one paycheck, 3 days the next paycheck). So the hit won't be quite as awful as an entire week of no pay at a time. The bad news is that disqualifies me from any unemployment, and means I will be on a spending freeze. At first I was like, Oh that'll be fine there's no horse shows or anything. But then ..

C) Hampton's soundness has been on and off for the past few weeks. It's the left front again. Likely his navicular acting up and/or progressing. He ranges from sound to head bobbing at the trot. After talking with my farrier, we decided on pour-in pads with his usual bar shoe. $$$$$ He was sound today (Monday), but was pretty lame yesterday. I made an appointment with the vet for a week and a half from now (he is still in Florida this week), which I can of course cancel if he does continue to improve with these shoes. I can probably do another injection if that's what the vet thinks, but we are getting close to my financial limit on treatments I can handle for his navicular. (Yep he's already on previcox). I hope this hasn't deteriorated to that point, but it does cross my mind every time he has these lameness periods. I'd like to take him to one of the big hospitals in Lexington (Rood n Riddle or Hagyard) but you know ... current state of affairs really makes that impossible at the moment. And also furloughs. Keeping my fingers crossed that these shoes keep him comfortable.

I don't even own a pair of shoes as expensive as these.

x

Otherwise Hampton is happy and healthy and fit. And of course still handsome.

D) My cats are getting real tired of me bothering them and making tiktoks with them.

E) TIGER KING is the best thing to happen to us this spring and I am watching it for the third time now because I keep missing weird moments. (Where is Carole's first husband??? She has TWO missing husbands??? And let's speed past that little moment where that one guy burns up and chops up an ATF informant on his property!)

F) Everyone hang in there!