Time for Change

Nuno Oliveira

Phillipe Karl

Dressage:Equilibrium Through Horses Blog

“starts a revolution”

I’ve recently become aware of the lthorse blog through another blog, Transition To Harmony. Lthorse left this comment on my FEI presidency post:

“I know that Rolkur has been the hot topic of late, but in general, the whole picture of dressage has changed. We have strayed so far from the classical ideals that many folks out there are not really sure what that means anymore. I am doing a series of posts on my blog on this very subject.

I am developing a mailing list of like-minded rider/trainers/competitors who are passionate about preserving the principles of classical dressage. Check out my posts, and if you like what you read, I hope you will help me to promote it. My goal is 100 subscribers initially: http://www.lighthorsefarm.com/LHFBlog/talkin-bout-a-revolution.

I’m happy to help lthorse promote her newsletter and her principles of classical dressage.  Perhaps if we get a ground-swell movement going we can make a difference. The art of classical dressage is in jeopardy today and most importantly the horses need to get back to being treated humanely and ridden correctly.  If you think you might be interested check out her blog today. 

Until next time

Quote for Today

(Copied from lthorse blog post today)

 “Modern training methods too easily ignore the horse’s natural way of moving not without undesirable results (The Walk-The Most Difficult Gait, Dressage and CT, July 1991 by Egon Von Neindorff).”

Dusty's Foot

" signs of trauma where the coffin bone rotated downward toward the sole"

"with pressure the bruised areas leak a bit of blood and serum, but luckily are no longer active or painful"

[picture of cornet band:] our questions about whether this was a recent rotation or an old founder combined with a stone bruise were answered when this deep groove began to grown down from the coronet; the amount of growth corresponds with when her lameness began, and clearly shows a brief period of compromised circulation in the area during the episode.

Our farrier was here on Thursday and while he was working on Dusty’s feet we managed to take some pictures of what’s been going on with her. It’s not a pretty picture but, now that she has her natural balance shoes and pads, her soles aren’t bothering her at all. She is sound and wants to get back to work, to the point that when she sees me she will actually come over to the gate to be caught. 

After her shoeing it was recommended that she shouldn’t be ridden for 48 hours and then only light work on Saturday.  So that’s what we did.  Saturday she walked a lot of patterns, practiced her softening and bending and learned how to turn on the haunches.  We did some trotting of figure eights and called it a day.  Even with an injury like Dusty’s it’s still possible to ride and train, and we went back to easy basics to reinforce her previous lessons.  She was a good girl, as usual, and more than willing to do anything as long as she could get back to work. 

Sunday, she was going to work again but circumstances on my end prevented us from riding.  My son called to say my daughter–in-law was in labor and I went to their home to watch my 2-year-old grandson.  I’m happy to report that we now have another grandson who is a happy healthy newborn.  I may be busy for a few weeks and not able to devote any time to blogging.  Enjoy the autumn weather and I wish many good rides for all my blogging friends. See you soon.

Until next time

Quote for Today
No hoof, no horse!

FEI Presidency Up For Grabs

I just read this article in the NY Times and thought it would be interesting to dressage enthusiasts. After glancing at the web sites of the men vying for the presidency I have no real opinion on who would be best suited for the job. Neither site had any comments on their position on Rollkur or the new LDR that I could find. However,  the candidate from the Netherlands has a letter of reference from Anky herself, so I'm a little suspect of him. The candidate from Sweden has all the usual "change for the better" politics as does the candidate from the Netherlands. Since it's all politics as usual I think it's hard to believe anyone will do a better job than in previous years. You'll have to read the article for yourself and form your own opinions.

My personal preference would be to nominate a man like Philippe Karl, who has demonstrated a commitment to horsemanship that promotes total respect of the horse and rejects the use of force or other inhumane methods.

Until next time

Quote for Today

And He shall come in, riding a white horse...
    - Revelations

Dusty's Most Excellent Weekend

' Dusty '

Dusty and I added some new training movements to her repertoire this weekend and I can only say she was in excellent form.  Where to begin?  Well, the first thing we’ve got to clear up:“will the real Dusty please stand up and identify herself ?”  The new and improved Dusty that was most likely hatched from an alien pod sometime Friday night has been absolutely brilliant this weekend. It could be her new shoes, the new sand footing with no rocks, the stupendous training she’s been receiving or perhaps a combination of all three. Whatever the reason, I’ll take it.

As usual we always start with walking, softening and bending.  We’ve added serpentines and leg yields to her warm up to mix it up and get her focused.  In my opinion, all the softening and bending work we did for months at the walk has really helped her and I think all horses can benefit from this type of work. It takes a long time but the end result it well worth the effort.

Instead of starting with her fast choppy jog-trot she has decided that a longer frame with an even pace is the way to go for her comfort (I’m sure she’s not worrying about mine.)  For the past two weekends she has been softening, tracking up and coming softly onto the bit of her own accord. She feels like an entirely different horse when she’s like this, and I’m told she looks as graceful as a carousel horse.

This weekend we worked on her canter, which is not one of her best natural gaits just yet. I’m happy to report that she got the correct lead in both directions, a big accomplishment for her, especially to the left.

Normally with her left lead, when we try to circle, she will spiral into the center of the ring like water going down the drain regardless of proper steering.  It was time to try a different approach; instead of circling I let her go straight down the long side of the arena.  It wasn’t pretty, but there was no spiraling.  Until she balances herself more, I think we may have to accept her head going to the outside, shoulder inside and butt who knows where. I’m trying to counter this effect by opening the outside rein, using an indirect inside rein behind the wither and pressure at the girth with my inside leg. With more practice I think she will find her balance and her muscles will begin to strengthen and conform to the right way of going.

The right lead (her good one) was much more confident, balanced and comfortable. Of course, coming down the long side she was picking up speed and I’m thinking she may have decided a nice gallop was in order. Or she may have been trying to terrorize Molly, our Australian Shepherd, who decided to park herself on the rail and refused to move for the entire lesson.  In any case, after we had a conversation about this she relented and came back to a normal pace. We didn’t over-do the canter, just once around in each direction.

Dusty was also introduced to lengthening her trot today. First we started by having a nice even pace at the working trot. Then by opening the inside rein to take her head gently to the inside, she would soften and relax her neck, lower her frame and come onto the bit; from there I’d simply ask for more trot while allowing her a little more rein and she lengthened beautifully.  After a few steps, I’d use a light half halt on the outside rein and bring her back to the working trot. She got it in both directions.  Smart girl!

My philosophy is:  if you get it mostly right, end on a good note for that exercise. I don’t believe in drilling a horse over and over until I’m satisfied; there’s always tomorrow and I like to reward a good effort right away, leave my horses feeling good about their accomplishments and give them time to think it over.

We ended with that; I dropped the reins and let her meander around the ring. She took herself over to my daughter for a treat and then she circled the arena once, marched over to the mounting block, parked herself there and looked back at me, as if to say, “That’s it, you’re done for the day.  Get off!”

Until next time

Quote for Today

Correction does much for the horse, but encouragement does more.

Pedigree Adoption Drive

Pedigree Offers Food

For

Shelter Dogs

I’ve just read a post by Carson at the 7msn, (which I've shamelessly copied, I hope you don't mind Carson) but I wanted to get it in under the deadline.

Pedigree® is sponsoring an Adoption Drive – they are donating a bowl of dog food for every "like" they get on their facebook page. If you go  "here" and "like" them, one more shelter dog will get a bowl of food. But that's not all.

For every blog that mentions the Adoption Drive between Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 19, Pedigree® will donate a 20-lb. bag of food to a shelter. If you've got a blog, there's still time to write a post and help a dog. Enter the link to your blog post "here" to participate.

Having had a dog or two from rescues I feel it’s a worthwhile cause and hope you decide to participate.  I feel it’s up to us to be responsible for our own dogs and to try and help the dogs that people either don’t want to be responsible for or can’t because of unforeseen circumstances.  If you’ve ever seen some of the sad faces of these animals in TV commercials, it’s enough to bring a tear to your eye. Through no fault of their own they’ve been cast aside and have no one to love them. This is one way to help these needy dogs.

Until next time

Quote for Today
A home is not a home without a dog

'Sami '

' Sami '

Seems our little boy, Sami, is growing up. When he came to us two years ago he was a mistreated five-year-old stallion.  Now that he is a big boy and gelding of seven, his school days have started in earnest. September seems to be the month for the start of new challenges for children going back to school. Sami is no different; he’s starting kindergarten, a little late I know, but he needed time to adjust to his new surroundings. And he has in a big way; he’s the most obnoxious youngster I’ve ever seen in our paddocks.  There is never an end to his antics and they aren’t the least bit endearing to us or the other herd members.  The constant play fighting is causing a lot of physical damage to Grady, who is the only one who will participate in Sami’s games. For a little guy, 14.2 hands, he rears and kicks and bites and has managed to do a lot of damage to Grady who is 18 hands.  It would be easier if we could separate them, but the paddocks are configured in a way that it’s virtually impossible to do that efficiently.  Every one in the herd has to go out together and get along.

We’re hoping that perhaps with a program of training and consistent work he may stop acting as if he’s still a little stallion and vying for the position “king of the hill”. We’ve hired a trainer to come in and put him on a regular program.  I know we could do it ourselves but with a farm to run and other commitments, it’s a hard proposition. My daughter has a full time job, traveling 3 hours a day. In addition, I’ve got grandchildren who require babysitting a few days a week, making our free time a bit sketchy. Another consideration is that my daughter feels she is too tall to ride him. At 5’10” her feet would practically be dragging on the ground and there is no way I am throwing a leg over an untrained horse at this stage of the game. We just don’t have the hours to devote to full time training of this little hellion. He has had basic groundwork with saddle and bridle but he does need someone to sit on him and finish what was started. Also, on a selfish note, we’d like to ride the two horses that are actually functional now that the weather is getting cooler. So Sami will be going to school, starting yesterday.

On a fun note Sami has found a new friend.  Our neighbor’s young daughter recently lost her pony and has been coming over to groom Sami and hand graze him. This girl and Sami seem to get along with each other famously.  He enjoys the attention and is very well behaved with his new friend, grooming her and falling asleep with his head resting on her chest.

I’ll be posting periodic updates on how kindergarten is going and whether or not he’s getting gold stars or time outs.

Until next time

Quote for Today
What the colt learns in youth he continues in old age.
    - French Proverb

My Sincere Thanks

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to comment on Sweetie’s Final Journey.  Your kindness and sympathy was greatly appreciated.

This is an amazing time we live in. Communication via the Internet is worldwide and it seems to bring horse communities from all over the world together.  Even though no one knew our little Sweetie mare personally, I find it remarkable that so many horse lovers felt her loss.  She will not be forgotten because her story touched so many lives.  Thank you again for your heartfelt sympathies.

Sami and the rest of the herd are doing well. I’m sure they miss Sweetie and wonder where she is, but they are resilient horses and adapt well to change.

On another note, I will be taking a break for a little while.  We are going on a short vacation and I don’t think I will have Internet access.  See you all when I get back.  Good riding to you all.

Until next time

Quote for Today
The love for a horse is just as complicated as the love for another human being...If you never love a horse, you will never understand.