Shake it out

It's finally July, the great and terrible month of the year. 

On one hand Danzador is doing great, he's progressing so much and physically looking like a dressage horse instead of a gawky leggy colt. We finally got his video up and loaded on YouTube, plus a little extra showing his ultra talented half steps in hand. He also has been actively being ramped up to show in August if not under contract by then. Seriously, whoever ends up with him will be incredibly lucky. There's not enough nice words in Webster to describe how genuinely cool he is. 

Flair finally foaled out as well! Couldn't be happier with the results of her first foal- a black/bay colt by Diamond Stud. He's aptly named Justus SSM. For a maiden's colt, he's huge, and shows zero fear. He's a brilliant little mover as well, showing the strengths of the Ferro/Donnerhall blood and the modernity of his dam's sire. Both mom and baby are doing great- Flair is reportedly good spirits, and is handling things in stride. I still can't wait to get the call come fall/winter that she's on the trailer to ship. She's my next long-term project and I feel that she is going to make a good horse. 

I also have investors actively looking at horses for me. It's hard to realize that this is actually happening and I may be flying to some pretty cool places pretty soon. It seems like I've looked at 200 or so horses every week ala YouTube. They're mostly KWPN horses from every direction, but a few from the GOV and other books. 

I found a few that I like, but nothing to really make me jump up and down and scream like a kid in a toy store over a must have. I have a few other personal feelers out there and a few old industry friends are sending me tape on other horses as well, but show and breeding seasons are dominating their schedules, so I get to keep on waiting.  

Then there's the flip side that's been hanging around for a little while now.

After two trips, several blocks, a bone scan and several lameness evaluations, Sinari's intermittent lameness isn't really a outlier occurrence caused by a soreness. 

It's much more serious that involves extensive time off and therapy. The prognosis is more than good, but still we're really looking at a year out. The only way now is to go through rehab and proceed from there.

While I know (and was reassured by several DVMs who have been looking at her case study) there's nothing that could have been done- I still feel like kicking myself. It sucks. I can easily whine how it's not fair, or how karma is cruel or even how hopes/dreams/ect for FEI glory are dashed. It doesn't matter. At this point, I'm relieved that there is a diagnosis and wanting my horse back and sound. If she's going to compete again, we'll approach that hill when we get to it. Right now, it's just one day at a time. 

And I say it's all right.

I have not seen much of my little boy lately. I blame the weather and my other line of work (clinic organizer) for temporarily taking over my life.

The little boy, I'm sure is not missing me much with the all you can eat buffet in front of him.

I think he is looking little less like a yak since he started shedding out a few weeks ago and is still wimpy about in the cold.


For what we have done, he has progressed and improved upon since December.He leads confidently, pretty much goes where-ever, and is coming into his own.

January's goals were more or less met:

Tying
Achieved. We started tying him with a double ended rubber tie. Aside from fiddling like an ADD student in English Lit, he took it alright.

Standing
ADD student all he way. He likes testing boundaries. He has improved to how long he'll stand and where (stall and outside, but not grooming stall), but still has a long way to go.

Relaxing
He's getting there through Endo Tapping. He's more self assured as well.

Stall time
Goes in and out every day now, twice daily. Usually it's short trips in and out to eat, but they are becoming longer. 

So February's goals?

-Standing for the farrier.
-Clippers
-In and out of the arena
-Tying

Baby it's cold outside!

Winter is definitely here, and all the babies are more like miniature yaks collecting frost than the slick young babies from six plus months ago.

Sincere's first winter is going well so far. The young man, like his class are woolly, and fresh from the north wind. You see them occasionally tear around the large fields playing their games.

Unlike his classmates, he is not enjoying the wind and the cold. While fresh, he's wimpy. This 8 degree windchill thing? No Ma'am! Not having it. Living uncivilized in the cold? No thanks. He came jogging today looking for a good scratch and warm mash.

I don't blame him. I'm sounding retreat quickly to the indoors, a hot meal and a warm bath.

Because occasionally I get to work with other foals from his age class, I'm surprised (and rather pleased!) to see how short he is in comparison. In comparison, he's a full hand, to hand and a half shorter. The other foals are already the size of Sinari (standing a stout 14.1), well mannered to boot. 

Yes, not everyone celebrates a short horse.  But I do.

What's even more pleasing is he's just as stout.

December's goals were met with a mix bag:
-Trailer loading
We approached this briefly. He was willing to work around, but no loading.
-Tying
Success. He ties, just is wiggly about it.
-Stall time
He currently lives in at night, and is more comfortable with it.
-Arena
He's been back in one a few times, but nothing major.

January's goals:
-Tying
-Standing
-Relaxing
-Stall time

Can't you see what love has done?

The holiday is finally cleared past and what remains of it, I really don't want to touch. Having the long vacation in the middle definitely made things tolerable at work. 

We're back to normal (if you can call it that). 

I'm back to riding full time and looking in at the youngin' when weather is permitting. I'm back to plotting


The year wasn't without loss. I lost my first truck due to its age-related infirmities. I lost a few mounts in July, and subsequently left that farm for quieter pastures. I lost a few responsibilities, membership to KDA, a few pounds and perhaps a few points on the IQ scale when I decided to plan out a number of major clinics for this and the next year. 

While the economy was loosing itself, I was busy finding me, I think I weathered my first bubble out alright. Even started my 401k.


But for the most part, we did well. 

Goal recap for 2009:


Horsey Stuff

1. Final four scores for bronze
   No. I fell short at the last three. Then due to a situation change, I couldn't show for the majority of the year. Hindsight being what it is, I'm more than fine with it. I still want my bronze though.
   
   
2. Foaling/ Find home for May
   Achieved. Sincere safely foaled out, he's now big (but thankfully not as big as his playmates) and May is safely tucked away in Michigan.
   
   
3. Fourth level/PSG schooling
   Achieved. We ran through a trunkated version of the PSG. The movements are all there, just need the strength. We're taking this year out to get her up to par for 2011's season.
   
   
4. More education
   I don't know whether or not I ment formal or non formal. There was plenty of formal education, but the majority I recieved was informal. Experience is the best teacher and she wolloped me soundly. I learned not to take in-kind trades anymore, to get everything in writing, keep your files straight and always be straightforward in your dealings.
   
   
5. Begin L program
   No. I didn't have enough time or have the scores. Still interested in going after this though.
   
   
6. Attend all scheduled shows/inspections
   No. Especially the inspections. I have my eye on GOV Oldenburg book for Sinari next year, depending on cash flow-- but again, it's all about the FEI.
   
   
7. Expand team and promote ponies
   Achieved. I did expand the team. I did promote ponies.
   
   
8. Successful NDPC show (and expand to three rings)
   Achieved in a roundabout fashion. According to the peanut gallery, it was a success. But I don't want credit for it.
   

Regular:

1. 70 mile bike
   Does the thought count? I got on a bike, found a cat and promptly crashed. During the summer we regularly went on 10 miles. But I didn't get to do any of the long distance stuff.
   
   
2. Start school
   Erm. Yes and no. I finally settled on a degree and will be starting summer classes. But didn't get to do much in '09 due to an outstanding bill.
   
   
3. Smile more
   Achieved. I'm overall a happier person. I can thank my physical therapist, a good pair of shoes, the boy and my pony for that.
   
   
4. Better job.
   No. But not for the lack of trying. I was on the final call back for several interviews and even my own company was impressed with me, and is considering something down the pike

 So what's on the docket for 2010?:

Horsey Stuff:

1. Condition and train through I1. Gotta nail them tempi's!
   
2. Continue to teach and train Sincere. Make him a responsible citizen.
   
3. Acquire more farm implements.
4. Successfully execute clinics.
5. Save for Embryo Transfer
   

Non Horsey stuff:

1. Repair credit score, develop more savings
   
2. Go to school
3. Develop more 'me' time.
   

Knock three times

I played hooky from work on Friday so I could catch some late shut eye and attend to what I needed to attend to. In reality, I accomplished very little, and relaxed much.

I also realized that Dressage Pony has passed it's one year mark yesterday with 14 most cool followers and a bunch of other cool things. We're a front page Google search status for dressage ponies. We've received hits from far away as Australia and close as my town. I have email from all over.

I'm chuffed for all the support, it really means a lot. It's connected me to the world far more than I expected. I enjoy hearing from people who post comments here and their experiences. I love reading their blogs and following their herds as well.

What will the future hold? I don't know. But the ponies and I are going full hilt forward and welcome anyone to come and join or follow the team.

Speaking of relaxation. Sincere is learning to chill out and go forward.

We hit a stumbling block from last week. A left over that quickly manifested due to the quick change in weather.

While I thought he lead well, he has grown smarter and quicker. Not to mention larger. The little colt has quickly learned how to manipulate a situation to his favor and this needed to be nipped in the bud. He has two favorite tactics, the stop and plant; and go backwards.  The go backwards is one of my least favorites.

Leading is a fundamental requirement of any domesticated horse. It's one of my pet peeves when a horse cannot or will not be lead from the shoulder without fuss. So, we (meaning Giacomini and himself) addressed this issue in an effective manner: he learned to go forward through lateral work.

Unusual way to do it, but pulling a horse forward causes them to stop and lock, moving laterally however, allows them to mentally and physically unstick themselves.

From there he worked on a micro lunge session with someone who is far more experienced with foals. While Sincere resisted at first- he relaxed through insistence. When the session was over, he nearly loaded into the trailer, but could independently have his legs tapped and when asked, went yielded to the contact. When I took the shank over, I just lead him around to different points in the paddock.

He had minor blowups, which is to be expected for a baby, but with the new dialog in place, I could quickly resolve issues that cropped up. In between, he was stood up and tapped. He's trusting his relaxation much more now, and finding reward in not being so busy. It was pleasant to be on good grounds with him again.

Because of the messages I've received over Endo Tapping, what it is (not to be confused with Endo Spink's  TAP), what it does and how it relates to young horses, I've send word along to Giacomini, asking to tape sessions with young horses, the methodology behind doing this and what the long term effect with following this kind of scale.

I would like to hear further thoughts on this, especially from those who have bought into the NH/Lyons/Roberts stuff but found unable to apply it to their situations.

Tomorrow is the big day, he's weaned and May leaves. We shall see what happens.

It's funny how the night can make you blind

I haven't updated in more than a week, and a lot has happened.

I ended a couple affiliations in the past week, hopefully for the better. I also experienced some physical drama that left my body feeling like it went through the ringer.

I'm still riding despite this.

Sinari is going along, but having that "I'm building to the upper level blues". She's gained muscle, but occasionally becomes sore from what's going on. Even now, as a 10 year old, she looks different every once in a while, blame it on the hormones and the development. Her last two weeks have been on and off, due to my crazy schedule and obligations.

Her willingness though hasn't changed, the mare now throws clean changes on demand (thanks to my PT guy who has straightened me out), does a really educated looking half pass and (finally) cleaned up that turn on the haunch. Played with half steps. The haunches and shoulder in went back to being a mental concept and the half halt went out the door a few days ago, but they seem to be making a return.

Otherwise, really pleased.

Sincere is already bigger. I also think I screwed up along some of the lines of initial training. I scared him fairly decently the other day, so it's back to square one as far as catching and leading is concerned. He still does everything I ask plus extra when it comes to standing still and tolerating it.

I'm still getting a kick of photographing him. This photo was taken about three days ago in the midst of having his own party.

Like Sinari he's changing, but quicker. He's already much larger, much more filled out, but without loosing the legs or apparently the ears. I swear I didn't breed to a donkey! His routine is simple, nurse, sleep, run around like mad for ten minutes, rinse, wash repete.

He also stands around pretty damn cute:

I really need to get new photos of Sinari in action before she catches wind of him.

Sincere

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
Anatole France

Redemption songs

After a drama fueled week of ups and downs, the pinnacle of it came yesterday evening.

A perfect young man was born without complication and opinionated. A leggy chestnut, with a fat blaze, three high white stockings. Miniature Farbenfroh.

Right now everyone is tired and we still have a while to go.

Pictures to follow very soon.

Hold it in

You think waiting for a foal would inspire more posts, but strangely, my time has been really occupied with other things to do.

If you haven't guessed: no baby yet.

Despite weather change, moon waxing and waning, sunken hips, loose vulva lips and a bunch of other things, no four-footed addition yet. It's giving me and everyone else fits.

So we're still sitting around watching, trying to figure out how to entertain myself during the wait. Namely it involves a very thick book, editing and many other ventures.

Thankfully, Sinari is there to keep me from going 100 percent bonkers.

Sinari has had good days and bad days this week. Being in flaming heat, she's distracted but not naughty.

Her work is coming along quickly, we experimented with more baby half steps, worked more half pass from various angles and gaits. Good at the walk, alright at the trot, not happening at the canter quite yet. Zero half halt probably because of the humidity and the fact her mind is also on reproducing with the stallion across the way.

I've begun shopping for a medium-sized bucket of Summer Games by KER. It's the only electrolyte that I know of that doesn't really offset their calium/potassium balance and isn't straight sugar. Plus it's a local company who I can go to and ask the usual rounds of questions.

With all the training, I've been debating about the next show, the Majestic in June. I'm not even sure I want to go, waiting to spend the extra dollars on the NDPC and Cinci Traditions to finish off my one remaining second level score and move on to third at the end of the year. This will give us time to clean up the changes, half pass and turn on the haunch without pressuring her too much.

Otherwise, it's been quiet, uneventful type of week that dragged on indefinately. It will probably be the same NEXT week as well.

Sitting, waiting, wishing

Watching mares is a frustrating job.

One day it's all systems go, and the next hour it's wait and see. But beyond the frustration and the anticipation is the amusement.

The foal is incredibly active and as a few people say, is a pisser. It gives May hell every chance it gets. Why she holds onto it at this stage of the game, is beyond me. However, it's amusing to watch it shift about, lay left or right, push and tumble about. I have a feeling it will be a bouncing bundle of something.

Looking at May's behavior, I have a feeling she'll sneak the foal. She likes quiet times on the farm, and being the consummate southern matron will lay down minutes after everyone has left. She isn't an aloof mare, she willingly shares space and seeks out humans, but she is seeking out a time for herself. I think it will be born, about a week from now, in late afternoon to early evening when there are one, maybe two people on the property.

We're also apparently at day 323 (not 312 as I had initially thought).

Sinari is working under tack wonderfully. Between yesterday and today, we worked seriously on straightness. With the reminder of that work, the changes came clean again, the half pass work cleared up and she's overall more fluid. Today is her lesson, tomorrow I'll gallop out if the weather is alright. She's due for a trim.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

May went from due to impending in about 24 hours time.

She's bagged up, flaccid across the croup and pulling the strange nighttime behaviors that impending mares do.

Normally, I wouldn't be as worried, but it is my first production and its a large baby coming through.

It doesn't help that there's a tinge human drama surrounding the entire thing as well.

While I can hear the opinions of breeding a larger stallion to a small mare (I've been called inhumane to greedy to stupid this week), it was done purposefully and with consideration of the mare in mind.

I'm not going to defend my position here, and I'll let people think what they will think about the match. However, breeding large to small, small to large, or similar to similar is go guarantee on the outcome of the of the birth.

Complications occur in the very best and worst of facilities and with the best and worst of matches. A person can cite studies and experience until the cows have come home and been milked. But it boils down to this: birthing is a risky, not-for-faint-of-heart process. As my animal's steward, I signed on to that liability and knowingly took that chance.

Because of the risk, I authorized and went through the what ifs and possible scenarios, which were incredibly heartbreaking to do, but it needed to be done.

Truth is, I'm not in the right financial position to spend the amount of money it would need to take to do a cesarean. Nor do I want to. While cash plays an issue in it, it's not the entire issue. It comes down to what's fair. If May fails in labor, is in pain and there is no hope of getting out, then it's my job to end it.

It doesn't make me any less a horseman, nor human. I love the mare, and I care deeply for her, and the last thing I would want is to take away the quality of life that she would have otherwise.

Eventually we all come to this moment, we all hope that we never have to think about it.

But we have to. We have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. It's all we can do.

So, I ask anyone out there, irregardless of denomination, to please keep us in your thoughts for a successful, undramatic, uncomplicated birth, a healthy, conformationally exceptional foal, a swift recovery and a stiff drink.

Here's to the best, and may it be the best.

Purple people eater

Greetings from Rolex!

Despite traveling the "great" distance of 20 miles or so to the Kentucky Horse Park, every year I go it feels like I've been transplanted very far from my backyard.

For the last two days I've played hooky from work, but for the last four, I've been working behind the scenes helping take care of the infamous four-star course. I was graciously volunteered for course planting and covering. To give you the scope of the course- it's (I believe) 25 jumping efforts with 5 or 6 complexes. 18 to 20 of those jumps have perennials which can wilt. Because of the bi-polar weather going from 50 to 30 and then from 40 to 70, the flowers needed to be covered every night.

Which took four to five hours. In the rain and cold.

It wasn't so bad. I enjoyed it and the company.

Rolex is also the one time out of the year where I loosen the wallet and shop for myself. This year's deals include a pair of Equissentials full seats (purple!) and 18 dollar stubben reins. My double bridle is complete, and we can start hacking out on it.

I also exposed the boy's mother to all things equestrian. I think she had a good time.

Aside from being distracted for three more days than I wanted, we went back to riding. Yesterday worked on three surfaces, and today we had a lesson. It was easy in comparison, but we worked on thoroughness, which for Sinari can be hard.

Bella also made her seasonal start today. Both biological and physically. She's into her second day after being off of work and on the ground. She's an interesting horse, with physically talented enough to do third level, but recalcitrant enough to be considered part cow. When she's on, she's really on and I think from the time off, she matured, but she, like Sinari is in raging heat. Which bites. So we deal for now.

May is in her final countdown, and bagging up. No veins yet, but getting there with a sagging croup and extended vulva. Still having trouble with S names. Added to the list: Synonym, or Synonymous. It will probably change by next week.

Otherwise, still cleaning up from the show, and it promises to be a very busy week for Derby.

Moving on up

I haven't posted much lately because of my current schedule.

This week and weekend is show time. On top of that it's been a crazy schedule trying to get everything together.

My personal goal is to earn the second level scores for my bronze, and I'm half way to meeting that goal.

Despite schooling well all week, Sinari faced and still faces a bunch of hurdles and I faced more drama than usual from the peanut gallery.

The first being the footing.

Normally I don't complain about footing. It is what it is for the area. Most people around here don't do it correctly to begin with, let alone know how to take care of it. But this was beyond deep and unacceptable. It was riding in quicksand.

So I changed the plan. Instead of pulling out the stops and gunning down the test, I rode it as conservatively as possible. Especially around the S corner. It was just too deep to the point where I was worried about pulled suspensories.

The first score just broke 60 percent under a very tough, but fair judge. I saw where I was lacking and will make the improvement for it.

Second challenge being the weather. It went literally from 50 to 70 overnight. It sapped the poor pony of her energy and it was all I could do to keep her energy up and flowing throughout the day.

She pulled a good test, despite weather and footing.

Tomorrow looks better since they moved the arena and scraped the surface by one to two inches. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, people's issues will die down and life will move on.

20 something days until bundle of joy.

30 Days

According to the little ETA monitor at the bottom of the blog, we passed day 290.  We're now down to 28 days with drama ensuing. 

This week has particularly been busy at the barn. I finally got hay (a gorgeous 40 bales of second cutting grass), 10 bags of feed, vet visits, farrier visits and cleaning out my ultra-dirty show trunk for the upcoming weekend. I still need to clean all my tack, pay some bills (with now non-existent cash) and get the rest of my gear cleaned up and organized. 

My schedule hit a high gear as well. I have no less than three articles due out, a few press releases and web updates. Since I've been slightly neglectful of my Director duties, I put that in to gear as well, searching for sponsors and getting the breed organization to participate. On top of it, it was time for PT, and I was very in need of it. 

But at least Sinari was organized...

Sinari pulled consistent rides throughout the week, and with the new added energy of McCauley's Finisher 14, it's like riding a rocket pony again. She pulled a clean run through of second two on Wednesday, it's just about cleaning the details up at this point. Prior to this week we were working on developing steady extended trot, cleaning up the changes and slowing down the half pass. 

May however is a different story, I get the call on Saturday she's not eating or showing interest in her grain after the last rounds of shots. It doesn't mean she's completely off feed, still loves the hay and grass. Still shows normal behavior too. 

This is my first broodmare and thankfully, isn't a maiden. Otherwise both of us would be on a ship with no course. Thinking it was a reaction to the last couple of shots, I called a few friends in the industry up (there are perks to living in Kentucky) and confirmed this is normal, just as long as she doesn't completely go off food and start signs of distress. 

I have a feeling that this baby is going to be running on time, which from watching mares in my short experience, is like the IRS sending your return back a day later. 

Speaking of... I need to send that in. 

And the weather has been horrible. Between rain and gale winds, I'm surprised we're not in Oz at the moment. It crashed a few computers and shorted out a number of systems the other day, and I spent the majority of my Saturday chowing on Easter chocolate trying to fix a website. 

Today, probably the final lesson before the show, doing a massive load of laundry (and ironing) and generally packing up. My house needs cleaning, my budget needs re-organization and I need a Martini. 

Down but not out.

I remember when I was little, a sick day was something to have. You sat at home, parentals would manage your comfort and watch TV. However, being an adult and being ill is not only distinctly miserable, but the fun lies in the negative regions on the scale of fun stuff to do.

If you haven't gotten the hint- I'm ill with whatever little bubonic plague carrying cow workers' offspring passed along. Normally I don't get sick either, but the huge stress of what was going on at work and lacking sleep over last weekend, I think it just accumulated. I hate killing off the eight hours from work because I want to use the time more constructively... like going on vacation, or enjoying it while not suffering from virus-inducing coughing fits. It needed to be done. Such is life.

But not all is wasted sitting at home. I ordered her full bridle bits from across the pond. It was a sweet deal too- 60 US for both bits. I'm looking for an extra set of reins for the snaffle bit, the bridle came with plain, sewn reins and I can't working with a set. So I ditched one pair (gave to a friend) and I want something with stops and preferably rubber. I also talked to Enter at A Jewelry (local girl who also rides) and I'm having her make Sinari's browband.

Despite recovering, I am still riding. Sinari went back to work Tuesday with a hack on a long rein, the proceeded to turn in two very good works on Wednesday and Thursday. The pony came back fine from the show itself, seemed less tired too. She's just a super star in the making.

With this month-long lull of no shows/no events, I've re-started the changes (which she seems to get at the moment), cleaning up the half pass, and working on the uber-collected (canter on the spot) canter to micro pir's. Definately cleaned up the left side "I can't do straight" senario and the mediums which are strengthening now that she's back on home turf. By the time Meadow Lake rolls around, she'll be good to go.

May is almost down to a month (April 10th) and I'm getting scared and excited and the two emotions have become increasingly mixed. I'm not scared of the foal, I'm know the team I have in place does an excellent job and has a super post-natal care plan in place. I'm sure the thing will pop out with all the parts in all the right areas. I know I can handle the ground training, and getting everything initially into the right place.

What I'm scared of is the unknown. I have been for a long time now.

I'm more concerned three years down the line when my ambitions start rearing again. I make no qualms that, if I still have the foal when it turns four, then I want an FEI young horse candidate or, in the very least, an FEI candidate.

I'm horribly scared that the thing will be 17 hands and have THE worst behavior. That it will distinctly HATE dressage and be a candidate for Fugly Horse of the Day. The Tennessee stud nightmares have stopped, but I think they've been replaced with more realistic ones. Which, in my opinion, are worse.

The even weirder thing is that with Sinari's impending embryo transfer, I have more solid feeling about the results than the current scheduled bundle of joy.

I think it stems from riding my gelding, who I bought as a three year old, backed as a four year old and sold him when he was five. On paper and tape, he trumped Sinari, and was ironically something that I orginally wished for (big, black and excellent potential). I bought him privately with money I regret spending from my trust account.

In the end though, he trumped me by ditching me a few times. He hated dressage, hated contact, hated using himself. I wanted him to be my FEI horse very badly, he wanted to be anything else. But, in the end, he went to a fox hunter's home in Virginia, and we were all happy.

I learned a lot from him, and from my first pony, Jammie. They taught me upper-level dressage (and the sport in general), isn't for every horse. Yes, while you can incorporate the principles, and the exercises, competitive dressage, just like any other sport in it's pure form, is tough and takes a specific individual to do it. In other words, three quarters of the game is mental and if you don't have an individual who has that brain- forget it.

So while there is a bottle of prosecco and ice wine up for grabs I'll be doing hard shots of something when I have to step into the irons for the first time.

Big mamma

I had my local farrier come out the other day for a trim on Mamma-to-be May.

While I wasn't there to hold (my farm team is excellent), but the farrier was a little more than amused when she came waddling in from outside, looking nothing more than the typified cartoon-broodmare: all body zero legs. He dubbed her: midget mare. Seriously, her belly is twice the width of her normal size.

With less than 50 on the calendar for countdown, things are heating up on our end for final preparations. Starting next month, she will probably start being in the stall during nights, the mare alert system will be implanted.

Speaking of things to be done, after the show yesterday, I've made a list of stuff that needs to be purchased (aside from fixing the car) over the next few weeks to make my life a little easier on the road.

Clothes:
-Breeches (Full seats, I couldn't get a grip yesterday in my old Mt. Horses)
-Polo shirts, black with logo on them.
-Extra show shirt

Horse clothes:
-day stable sheet (I'm coveting a matching Newmarket sheet with the quarter sheet I have, but I really want a traditional wool one).
-Bradoon and curb bits

Storage/portable items
-trunk
-hanging hooks for bridle, saddle and h20 buckets
-multi-use garment bag (one that stores everything in one shot)

100 horsey things

100 Horse Questions
Share-Please complete this and tag me so I can read about you and your horse.

1. How old were you when you first started riding? Three.

2. First horse ridden: ponies at Snowbird, but my first real memory is riding at Desidario.

3. First horse trotted on: Pony's at Snowbird

4. First horse cantered on: Equalizer

5. First Horse fallen off of: Miss Muffit

6. Most recent horse fallen off of: Sinari

7. First horse you trotted over poles with: Equalizer

8. First horse jumped with: Miss Muffitt

9. First horse who ran away with you: Merlin (in a waterford gag no less)

10. First horse that scared the crap out of you: Jamie

11. First horse shown? Merlin

12. First horse to win a class with: Equalizer

13. Do you/have you taken lessons: too many to count

14. First horse you ever rode bareback: Jamie

15. First horse trail ridden with: Grenada (in Vermont/NH at camp)

16. First Barn: Snowbird, but really it was Desidario

17. Do you ride English or western? English

18. First Horse to place at a show with: Jester

19. Ever been to horse camp? Yes, at Roads End Farm

20. Ever been to a riding clinic? Yes, Tom Poulin, Chris Hickey

21. Ridden sidesaddle? No

22. Horse you hate the most: Didn't hate her, just didn't get along: Jamie

23. First horse owned: Jamie

24. Highest ribbon in a show? High Point

25. Ever been to an 'A' rated show? Yes

26. Ever competed in pony games/relay races? Yes, graduated C-3 Pony Club

27. Ever fallen off at a show: Yes

28. Do you ride Hunter/Jumpers? I did

29. Have you ever barrel raced and done poles? Yep

30. Do you own a horse trailer? What type?: At one point

31. Favorite gait(s): Extended canter

32. Ever galloped bareback? yes

33. Have you ever done dressage? Yeah, a lot

34. Have you ever evented? yep

35. Have you ever mucked a stall? Gajillions

36. Ever been bucked off? Yep

37. Ever been on a horse that reared? Yes, by accident and during Levade.

38. Horses or ponies? Ponies

39. Do you wear a helmet? yes and no

40. What's the highest you've jumped: 4'5 with 5'0 spread

41. Have you ever ridden at night? Yes

42. Do you watch horsey television shows? yep and youtube. Supposted to get RFDTV next month.

43. Have you ever been seriously hurt/injured from a fall? yes, dislocated both shoulders, concussion.

44. Have you ever ridden without anything (no saddle, bridle, halter etc.): no

45. Do you ride in an arena or ring? five days a week

46. Have you ever been trampled by a horse? No

47. Have you ever been bitten? Yep, but by accident most times

48. Ever had your foot stepped on by a horse? Several

49. Do you clean your tack regularly? Well....

50. Ever showed at a breed show? Yes, Arabian and Welsh.


*YOUR HORSE*-or if you have many pick your favorite (I'm cheating here I have my obvious favorite but you know).

51. Show Name:

• Bro A Bryn Siwrnai
• May's Diamond Nine
• Castleberry Chianti
• Bella Breeze DHFK (Owned by Deer Haven)
• Fibonacci K.

52. Barn Name (in order):

• Sinari
• May
• Chianti
• Bella
• three-quarters, Fibbo, Fibbers

53. Any nicknames (in order)?

• Po-nay/the mare
• May-bay/Mamma
• Chi-Chi
• Boo-boo
• .75

55. Goes english or western:

• English
• unbroke broodmare
• unbroke
• English
• unborn

56. Sex?

• Mare
• mare
• mare
• mare
• undeclared

57. Age?

• 9 years
• 7 years
  
• 8 months,
• 6 years
• 3/4's born.

58. Primary Discipline(s)?

• Dressage
• producing babies
• undetermined
• dressage
• unborn

59. Show experience:

• Dressage to second level (schooling third/fourth)
• none
• none
• dressage (intro)
• unborn

60. Good on the trail:

• Yep
• dunno
• dunno
• sometime
• dunno

61. Did you train this horse yourself? With help (all)

62. Vices?

• None
• herdbound/baby bound
• none
• herdbound
• none yet

63. Spooky?

• A little
• a little
• probably
• can be
• not yet

64. Is your horse able to be ridden bareback:

• Yes
• no
• no
• no
• maybe haven't tried
• not even out of the womb.

65. Does your horse come when you call? all of them except the blond Austrian child who is too busy eating her way to china.

66. Is your horse good with children and other horses:

• Does not like kids
• loves babies (equine variety), likes the occasional human
• curious about everything
• very good with kids
• is a kid.

67. Is your horse worked regularly: All are worked on various schedules.

68. Ever a lesson horse? Hell no.

69. Does your horse like treats? Yep!

• Peppermints
• carrots
• apples
• sugar cubes
• black licorice
• Water melon
• Banana bread
  

70. Do you take lessons on your horse? Yes regularly

71. Is your horse easy to work around?
Can be, but most of them can be pushy

72. Has your horse ever escaped from it's stall? Attempted, the rest live out.

73. Do you feel safe on your horse?

• Yes (Sinari)
• yes (Bella).

74. Is your horse hard to worm? No. I can do every one of them without halters.

75. Is your horse good for the farrier/vet?

• Yes/sometimes
• yes/needs to be twitched
• yes/can be a wimp with jabs
• yes/yes
• don't know yet

76. Have you ever won a class with your horse? Yes

77. Have you ever had a moment where you feel really connected to your horse? Yes.

78. Does your horse like hay? LOVES it and they can be picky. Ponies, go figure.

79. Does your horse have special feed or supplement?

• Sinari: Joint/Glazen, 14 percent and alfalfa cubes, mult-vitamin, v. E.
• May: Mare/foal supplement, M-30
• Chi: Hay, M-30
• Bella: Would like to put her on a hoof supplement, Glazen, M-30
• .75: Gets whatever May gets

80. Does your horse often have a very messy stall?

• neat only when she has a window and is deeply banked
• rest: lives outside

81. Does your horse use any special tack? Lots of it, Sinari the most. But everyone has a Qullin's turn out and show halter and shank.

82. Do you use a whip and spurs?

• Yes/no
• yes/yes (bella)

83. Does your horse like to run?

• Yes,
• yes,
• yes,
• no,
• Mummy makes him/her do it

84. How many times a week do you ride your horse?

• Every day
• Every opportunity (Bella)

85. Does your horse have markings?

• Blaze/snip/2 socks,
• blaze, 3 socks,
• Stripe, 2 socks
• Blaze, four socks
• fat blaze, four whites (alright I'm hoping here)

86. Do you braid your horse for shows? Yes and for school when appropriate

87. What color is your horse's halter? Brown leather

88. Does your horse follow you? Usually

89. Can your horse backup? Yes

90. Is your horse's trot easier to sit to or post to?

• Sit (Sinari)
  
• Sit (Bella)
  

91. Have you ever dressed your horse up for halloween? I think I would be dead

92. Describe your horse in one word:

• Talented
• Sweet
• Bouncy
• Spoiled
• Active

93. Has your horse ever produced offspring?

• Not yet (ET in 2010)
• Yes (this will be her fifth)
• No
• No
• No

94. Do you and your horse have "colors"? Green/black

95. What is your horse's favorite treat?

• Sugar cubes
• Dumore cookies
• carrots
• carrots
• whatever mum gets

96. Do you normally lunge your horse before riding?

• no, unless it's an entire session
• no, unless it's an entire session

97. Has your horse ever given a pony ride?

• Yes, she was understanding
• Yes, she enjoyed it (Bella)

98. How many people owned this horse before you?

• Including my mother? six.
• two
• one
• none
• none

99. Does your horse get dirty easily?

• yes, and I encourage her
• very clean for having that much white
• mudball
• can't tell if she's chestnut or brown
• mum makes him/her stay clean

100. What's your favorite horsey memory? Currying and talking to them.

I tag everyone who reads this blog.

Dream on

It's getting cold, and the days are growing shorter, and I'm retreating back into my indoor more and more these days with the odd gallop out on the crisp, indian summer afternoons.

The season is over and I'm breathing a temporary sigh of relief until December when we begin all over again. This temporary sigh includes remastering the freestyle, redoing a few websites and getting through second level.

Not to mention catering to my "real life". You know, significant other, potentially going back to school and J-O-B.

No one said being an amateur was easy, no one said the sport was a cake walk either.

Don't get me wrong, I love to compete. It brings something different to the table every year. But by Regionals time though, I'm ready to call it a done deal. This year wasn't any exception. I competed two under saddle for the first time, next year I might have three to four at various levels.

It also leads me to re-assess my goals. Everyone has a laundry list of stuff that they would like to accomplish short and long term, and I'm no exception.

Next year:

• I would like to earn my final scores towards bronze (just four away!). Be schooling/showing fourth level.
• I would like Bella to be confirmed first level.
• I would like May's foal to be going to the MSEDA breed show (preferably beating up on all the warmbloods;-)).

Long term:

• Confirm piaffe, passage, changes with Sinari.
• Condition Bella for second level.
  
• Qualify for the two year old jack pot with May's baby.

Then there are the lofty, perhaps unattainable, such as going after the Brentina Cup. Yes. I said it. I have the odd ambition to qualify for the Young Adult class. I know, I have sucker for punishment written all over me.

Unfortunately, due to rules, I can't qualify with the pony (no ponies or mules allowed) and I don't have a Grand Prix (or I2) horse. So I have a stick horse's chance in a fire so far.

Compounding the problem: you need to qualify via three (3) competitions with an average of 62 percent or better, and I think they need to be CIC* or larger. Luckily, there are two in my area, Paxton and Kentucky Dressage Association. The third international would be in Lamplight, a solid EIGHT HOURS away.

Like I said, it's a huge reach, but for some reason my crazy ambitions have a way of turning out.