Don't let me down

Until today, it's been the frozen tundra of the south.

I can't complain too much, I have an indoor. And, while I wish I was in Florida, sipping Mojito and eating fine Cuban food, apparently they got smacked around just as hard. So no hard feelings there.

The time off allowed me to do a bunch of things I was meaning to do. Like set up plans, catch some extra sleep, run errands, and be very, very, bored. 

We returned to work today, if briefly.

Saddle is due back in one week. Not a minute sooner too.  Sharon, in the meantime, has graciously lent me her's to give a shot with. Hopefully-- I won't love it too much (Steffan Peters Custom). Today we just lunged and did a bit of housework. My tack is filthy.

The lack of variety has finally taken it's toll, on fitness. While we are able to work gymnastically, we aren't used to the lack of roads and tracks. Sinari looks like a wee butterball. It be on hold due to rain and the melting snow. There is a strict no divot policy on the polo field.

Other than that, there are usual plans in the works. Would just like to get my house in order.

Blast from the past

This was posted on the YT not too long ago. The owner doesn't give me credit for riding, but oh well.  It was the mare's first time going down the centerline (Snowbird Schooling show) and was a wiggly worm. Looking back on it, it's not such a bad test, some good points, some low points (the frock was new and was more like a straight jacket) .

I wish the best for whoever ends up buying her. 

White powder

No. Not that kind. A few more rounds with the camera with the baby in his first winter with his nifty, soon to be outgrown blanket:

He of course, stood still while his herdmates worked hightailed it around the field.

Snow day!

Playing approved hookey from work never felt so cold! Due to the saddle being in for the reflock, we've been grounded until that glorious piece of black leather makes an expensive reappearance. Until then I'm taking full advantage of the two inches that fell on us last night:

It's not a hill, it's a mountain

We're back from break, and just in time for the negative temperatures and indoor seclusion.


While I'm appreciative of the indoor, it's a breeding ground for boredom.

Over the spring and summer, unless the weather is slick and wet, we go outside and work. We spend a little time in the actual indoor (three days at most) the rest of the time is split between conditioning sets, working in teh polo fields and work in the giant outdoor.

We are indoors and while the intensity hasn't diminished the variety has. It sucks. So we're becoming much more clever.

I'm started to school more in hand to produce better collection and to break things up. I want to try my hand at long lining again as well.

I've began to teach tricks such as Spanish walk and bow. There are days were all we do is loosening work. Something I didn't think I would resort to-- ever. But I'm desperate.

The dropping barometer also gives us an excuse to take off and address other issues.

Like saddle fit.

I'm sending my year-old saddle in to be reflocked and fit. It started bridging, and while it still theoretically fits, it needs to be redone, she's not as forward and not as willing to bend through the rib cage. Which is unlike her. 

Facing down January, reminds me of December's goals, which were met with success.

Three on the spot steps of piaffe

Achieved. The idea to make her quicker and take short steps from the halt or reinback produced a more together piaffe. She also prefers the double in working in this.

Clean changes when asked for:

Achieved. She's smart at these. Too smart. Upping the ante to straight changes.
Lateral work

Progressive. But needs to be stronger. We're working through the zig-zag exercise to produce an active hind end.
Relaxation

Progressive, but still fairly tense due to saddle fit.
Condition 

Improved, but not 100 percent there. Normally I would resolve this out by conditioning hacks, but no go on that one.

January:

Medium/Extended work

Reaction

3 very collected steps of canter

Lateral work

The adjustable outline

Flexibility

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

101 things: Number 100 Anatomy

Let's face it, we ride in a sport that is mostly anatomically involved.

It's a sport about developing the maximum potential of the horse's gaits through correct, consistent training.  While dressage horses are first mentally developed, but along the same lines they are co-developed physically for optimal performance.

So, it comes as an unfortunate surprise that most people cannot tell the difference between a stifle, gaskin and hock. Or what parts of a gymnastic exercise develop and impact the development of their horse. Or how if the lattimus or longissimus dorsi is preventing the Trapezius muscles from lifting and allowing freedom in the topline.

In the same vein, how or anatomy impacts performance. 

Point is, learning anatomy, equine and human, not only helps you but develop your horse more thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Do you need to run out and memorize Saunder's Anatomy, attend a necropsy or earn a PhD in Bio-Mechanics?

No.

But do learn the basic muscle and skeletal groups you'll be working with consistently and how they all work together to perform the gaits and the movements throughout the levels.

There are several hundred books on the subject, but the classics never go out of style:

Horse Anatomy: A Coloring AtlasThe Equus Illustrated Handbook of Equine Anatomy, Volume 1 and Volume 2
The Anatomy of the Horse
The Dynamic Horse A Biomechanical Guide to Equine Movement and Performance

The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Advanced Horsemanship B/HA/A Levels