Not much is going on in Ben's world this week. His eye is healing nicely. Thursday and Friday he got longed, and today was his first day back out in turnout.
Given this little intermission, I was able to go watch a real show down at Donida. It was so inspiring yet so depressing. While on the one hand I wanted to rush to the barn and ride, I also realize how far we have to go before we will look respectable in public.
Tomorrow we're back at it, and boy do we have some work to do.
Oh yea and I guess I should turn in my entry for the June 30th schooling show...
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Recovery Day 1 - Groundwork
Ben is on stall rest for 4 days while his eye is being treated. That means that I have to get my butt out there and get the dude some hand walking time.
Last night I did just that. The weather was so junky- we started off walking the barn's wrap around driveway, and I had interested in walking him on the track - alas, the weather was just too gross to bear. It was that spitty heavy drizzle that makes it hard to even keep your eyes open.
So after 15 minutes of that, we went back into the arena.
In order to keep things interesting, I did more in-hand type work - walk/halts, backing up, and then moving parts of his body over laterally. We then worked on trotting in hand - which was kind of funny, but also enlightening.
Ben has a long stride and really can't adjust to a slow trot. I've felt this under saddle, and have felt like my half - halts were going unnoticed, so I assumed I was doing them wrong. My trotting in hand definitely revealed that #1 Ben doesnt know how to trot slowly (either by physical limitation) on his own, and #2 he's not tuned in to me, at all, even on the ground.
So we worked on it. I lengthened my stride to meet him half way. He'd definitely respond to the pressure on the lead rope- he'd be a jumble of pace-to-trot-to quit. Hmmm. The more I worked on it, the better he got - and by the end, he could trot with me. We went around the arena and did 20 m circles, and on both sides. I was huffing and puffing, but it was good exercise.
We also worked on standing still. Funny things I noticed- when asked to do nothing, Ben's mind wanders. He gets mouthy, wants to explore his environment, and then realizes how itchy he is. He simply could not stand still without wanting to scratch himself, or nose something. So we worked on actively standing still - at attention. It was hard for him, but a good exercise.
Last night I did just that. The weather was so junky- we started off walking the barn's wrap around driveway, and I had interested in walking him on the track - alas, the weather was just too gross to bear. It was that spitty heavy drizzle that makes it hard to even keep your eyes open.
So after 15 minutes of that, we went back into the arena.
In order to keep things interesting, I did more in-hand type work - walk/halts, backing up, and then moving parts of his body over laterally. We then worked on trotting in hand - which was kind of funny, but also enlightening.
Ben has a long stride and really can't adjust to a slow trot. I've felt this under saddle, and have felt like my half - halts were going unnoticed, so I assumed I was doing them wrong. My trotting in hand definitely revealed that #1 Ben doesnt know how to trot slowly (either by physical limitation) on his own, and #2 he's not tuned in to me, at all, even on the ground.
So we worked on it. I lengthened my stride to meet him half way. He'd definitely respond to the pressure on the lead rope- he'd be a jumble of pace-to-trot-to quit. Hmmm. The more I worked on it, the better he got - and by the end, he could trot with me. We went around the arena and did 20 m circles, and on both sides. I was huffing and puffing, but it was good exercise.
We also worked on standing still. Funny things I noticed- when asked to do nothing, Ben's mind wanders. He gets mouthy, wants to explore his environment, and then realizes how itchy he is. He simply could not stand still without wanting to scratch himself, or nose something. So we worked on actively standing still - at attention. It was hard for him, but a good exercise.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Scratch
So yesterday I was waffling as to whether or not to ride Ben after our weekend extravaganza. On the one hand I wanted to give him a day off before the trainer's ride and my lesson - because Sunday did go a bit longer than I had expected (thanks to his behavior). I was feeling a bit guilty about it, and really looking forward didn't want to be souring my young horse, who is only 4, after all. But then, the more I thought about it, well, he has 22 hours in a day to do as he pleases. And really, if he did work hard (and he wasn't even all that sweaty), he could use a long walk light trot to loosen up those muscles.
Plus I really wanted to try to canter a bit, just to be able to tell my trainer I did it, just like she told me to (although I am pretty sure she meant canter during every ride...but oh well).
I had the plan all figured out. I'd get out to the barn, take him for a long walk, do some real quick trot work, and then focus on canter - get it a few circles on both reins, and then let it be - maybe go back out for a long walk on the track.
Perfect plan, right?
When I got to the barn I pulled him out of his stall, and saw his eye was swollen shut, and everything around it wet with tears. Crapola. I've seen this movie before- in fact, I'm pretty sure all of my horses have hurt their eye at one time or another.
Some people wonder if this type of this constitutes an emergency vet call. I say it does- especially if you have a young horse in work. Yes, he might've just bonked his head, gotten a piece of dirt in there. But he could've also had a piece of something in there, or he could've done serious damage to the eye- only to make it worse. If left untreated, that can scar up and cause sight problems. So, the call was made.
Vet came out, sedated him, inspected his eye, could not find any debris. He then did the contrast dye stuff that turns the eye a bright green - which will also show any scratches caused to the eye - the green dye sticks right to it. Low and behold, Ben did have a corneal ulcer- aka a scratched eye.
He's on pain/antinflammatories for the next 5 days, he's got some eye medicine, is sportin a fly mask, and my checkbook is a little lighter.
Work resumes on Friday/ Saturday, and in the meantime we're going to bond while hand-walking.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Not Your Average Ride
Wow, today was a doozy. I went to the barn expecting to get a short ride in before the usual Sunday lessons start. What ended up happening was nothing short of exhausting.
To start off, a gal I ride with on occasion was there and asked if I wanted to go out on the track. Of course I do! We also decided it would be a fine day to set up some trotting poles- you know, get the children nice and tired and then our walk around the track will be a breeze.
Its the thought that counts, right?
So, I fetched Ben from his pasture (thank you for being so good to catch, buddy!), tacked him up, and proceeded to do my long stirrup warm up. My friend was already well into schooling, so she was basically just waiting for us. I will say that this was my best day yet with the longer stirrups - I didn't feel as though my hips were going to split open at any moment.
I shortened my stirrups, popped through the poles a few times, and then off we went into the wild.
Things did not go nearly as smoothly or quietly as they did before. For one, all the horses were turned out, and their paddocks flank the track. Additionally, I decided, probably stupidly, to try going in the opposite direction from what we did on Wednesday. That meant we got to walk alongside all the horse paddocks and then had to walk away from them as the track curved. Ben was pretty sure he'd rather stay by the paddocks, and that everything on the curve was spooky. He got a little "up" but also grew roots. I waited him out, and nudged him on. His buddy was equally spooky.
We had a couple more incidents just like that but on the opposite side- one big spook at lord knows what. All he did though was look, shiver, and halt. Good boy.
We made it round, and my friend had had enough excitement- her pony was a little spookier than my guy -so we headed back to the barn. Ben, already habit forming, thought we were done when we got back on the grounds. I decided to change the plan and walk around the barn back to the indoor arena, and walk him in there a bit, just so he'd not expect the track walk routine.
Once in there another friend of mine was just getting on her very green horse, while she was doing her ground work, I gave Ben a break while we watched another horse longe. When that horse was done, my friend got on her mare. She has been having problems making her go forward consistently- the mare will balk a little. So instead of setting her up for that, I had her follow me around the arena at a walk and trot, which turned out to be a great excercise for the mare.
Ben wasn't exactly thrilled with my idea. As it turns out, he decided that far gate through which we exit to ride out to the track was calling his name. He definitely got stickier and a little sour himself. So we rode through it - he even kicked out at my leg a couple of times! That just made me a little irritated than I normally get, so I made him go over the poles again too, which we hadn't made much use of prior to anyway.
In a way I think I probably brought this on with doing too much in one day - but it was also good to see what happens to his ethic when he's tired or thinks he's done. I don't want to make a habit of riding a young horse too much, but I also don't want him to think he goes for a set period of time and can be a jerk if we ride over that limit.
In the end he worked out of it- once I had him soft, changing directions at a trot, doing 20 m circles (all with our friend following us), I called it good.
So - once again no cantering today. Tomorrow, cantering will come tomorrow...
To start off, a gal I ride with on occasion was there and asked if I wanted to go out on the track. Of course I do! We also decided it would be a fine day to set up some trotting poles- you know, get the children nice and tired and then our walk around the track will be a breeze.
Its the thought that counts, right?
So, I fetched Ben from his pasture (thank you for being so good to catch, buddy!), tacked him up, and proceeded to do my long stirrup warm up. My friend was already well into schooling, so she was basically just waiting for us. I will say that this was my best day yet with the longer stirrups - I didn't feel as though my hips were going to split open at any moment.
I shortened my stirrups, popped through the poles a few times, and then off we went into the wild.
Things did not go nearly as smoothly or quietly as they did before. For one, all the horses were turned out, and their paddocks flank the track. Additionally, I decided, probably stupidly, to try going in the opposite direction from what we did on Wednesday. That meant we got to walk alongside all the horse paddocks and then had to walk away from them as the track curved. Ben was pretty sure he'd rather stay by the paddocks, and that everything on the curve was spooky. He got a little "up" but also grew roots. I waited him out, and nudged him on. His buddy was equally spooky.
We had a couple more incidents just like that but on the opposite side- one big spook at lord knows what. All he did though was look, shiver, and halt. Good boy.
We made it round, and my friend had had enough excitement- her pony was a little spookier than my guy -so we headed back to the barn. Ben, already habit forming, thought we were done when we got back on the grounds. I decided to change the plan and walk around the barn back to the indoor arena, and walk him in there a bit, just so he'd not expect the track walk routine.
Once in there another friend of mine was just getting on her very green horse, while she was doing her ground work, I gave Ben a break while we watched another horse longe. When that horse was done, my friend got on her mare. She has been having problems making her go forward consistently- the mare will balk a little. So instead of setting her up for that, I had her follow me around the arena at a walk and trot, which turned out to be a great excercise for the mare.
Ben wasn't exactly thrilled with my idea. As it turns out, he decided that far gate through which we exit to ride out to the track was calling his name. He definitely got stickier and a little sour himself. So we rode through it - he even kicked out at my leg a couple of times! That just made me a little irritated than I normally get, so I made him go over the poles again too, which we hadn't made much use of prior to anyway.
In a way I think I probably brought this on with doing too much in one day - but it was also good to see what happens to his ethic when he's tired or thinks he's done. I don't want to make a habit of riding a young horse too much, but I also don't want him to think he goes for a set period of time and can be a jerk if we ride over that limit.
In the end he worked out of it- once I had him soft, changing directions at a trot, doing 20 m circles (all with our friend following us), I called it good.
So - once again no cantering today. Tomorrow, cantering will come tomorrow...
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Bumper Bowlin- err, Dressage
I set out today to resolve an issue I've been having. While we can do a 20 m circle, a 10 m circle, getting our collective self down the centerline in our arena is ridiculously tough. IF we can actually make a turn, we end up somewhere between center and the far quarterline. Not good.
So I had the brilliant idea to set up a wide run way, well, at least 2 poles length, to attempt a visual for me to see if I could at least aim us closer to the center.
At the walk- no problem, we hit that sucker dead on. At the trot, everything is faster, more strung out, my timing sucks, and well, we're lucky if we make it. But we did. And one time we had quite a nice line. I plan to do this excercise tomorrow.
We also worked on transitions. Our upward transitions were nicer.
I also rode the entire time with my stirrups on 7 and 6. I felt like my pelvis was going to crack open at any moment, but it got better towards the end of the ride.
No canter, no outside ride...tomorrow is another day.
So I had the brilliant idea to set up a wide run way, well, at least 2 poles length, to attempt a visual for me to see if I could at least aim us closer to the center.
At the walk- no problem, we hit that sucker dead on. At the trot, everything is faster, more strung out, my timing sucks, and well, we're lucky if we make it. But we did. And one time we had quite a nice line. I plan to do this excercise tomorrow.
We also worked on transitions. Our upward transitions were nicer.
I also rode the entire time with my stirrups on 7 and 6. I felt like my pelvis was going to crack open at any moment, but it got better towards the end of the ride.
No canter, no outside ride...tomorrow is another day.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Catssage, USDF's Etrak, and a Thousand Other Ways in Which to Psyche Myself Out
Have I mentioned yet that I'm planning on taking Ben to his very first dressage show on June 30th? As it turns out, my barn manager has offered to haul 8 horses down (thats 2 round trip trips for her) to a local saddle club. I've been to this place a handful of times, and the shows are always quiet and perfect for first time outings.
Nevertheless, I have found ways in which to psyche myself out. In consultation with the trainer, I am (right now) going to ride Training 1 & 2. Of course that means I've found a reason to completely obsess over memorizing both tests, and have gone so far as to lay out a dressage court in my living room.
In addition to walking the tests over, and over (and over and over and over), I've also begun watching an endless number of Training 1 & 2 videos on youtube. Watching other beautiful, or not so beautiful tests prompted a few questions - of which I started researching on USDF and USEF. Then, it happened. I somehow stumbled upon USDF's new site, E-trak. Chock full of free materials on how to make correct geometry, 50 ways to get eliminated in your test, and most importantly, judged rides WITH commentary.
Listening to a judge commentate a ride was probably not the right thing for me to hear. Suddenly, I started comparing my own riding skills (or lack thereof) to those riders in the video, and somehow have deduced that I completely suck. All I can picture is the judge shaking her head and saying "well here is one that should've stayed back in Intro." Okay, Little Voice In my Head- you win. I'm not worthy of Training Level. I won't let you down, we'll do it your way - Intro power!
It has taken approximately, oh, all day, for my friend and riding partner to convince me otherwise. She made very valid points - the main one being that our trainer, also a judge, would likely have told me to enter into Intro if she believed that I belonged there. Hmm, pesky details.
Nevertheless, I have found ways in which to psyche myself out. In consultation with the trainer, I am (right now) going to ride Training 1 & 2. Of course that means I've found a reason to completely obsess over memorizing both tests, and have gone so far as to lay out a dressage court in my living room.
In addition to walking the tests over, and over (and over and over and over), I've also begun watching an endless number of Training 1 & 2 videos on youtube. Watching other beautiful, or not so beautiful tests prompted a few questions - of which I started researching on USDF and USEF. Then, it happened. I somehow stumbled upon USDF's new site, E-trak. Chock full of free materials on how to make correct geometry, 50 ways to get eliminated in your test, and most importantly, judged rides WITH commentary.
Listening to a judge commentate a ride was probably not the right thing for me to hear. Suddenly, I started comparing my own riding skills (or lack thereof) to those riders in the video, and somehow have deduced that I completely suck. All I can picture is the judge shaking her head and saying "well here is one that should've stayed back in Intro." Okay, Little Voice In my Head- you win. I'm not worthy of Training Level. I won't let you down, we'll do it your way - Intro power!
It has taken approximately, oh, all day, for my friend and riding partner to convince me otherwise. She made very valid points - the main one being that our trainer, also a judge, would likely have told me to enter into Intro if she believed that I belonged there. Hmm, pesky details.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The Ladder of Progress
Knocked me off its rungs last night.
Gah, I hate when that happens, and it always does, just when you are cocky enough to think it can't ever happen again.
Last night was lesson night. I was so happy with Ben's progress over the last few days, I just couldn't wait to show my trainer our work. Yes, dear trainer, I'm not just a slug in the saddle, I am teachable. I can learn. I can make things go better.
Hmm, well, to say the lesson was a disaster would be an overstatement. The truth is, it was still a good ride, but it just wasn't AS good as I had had on Sunday and Monday. So I was a little bummed about that, but then again, as my barn mate told me, Its better to have crappy rides while under the keen eye of a trainer, because you can then fix things on the spot. This is true, though, had I ridden better, I doubt those things would've been around at all.
Looking back, my head just wasn't in the game. I was more focused on wondering why things werent going as well as they had days prior, instead of buckling down and riding the horse I had in front of me. And the reality is, when your head is in the clouds you miss time, misjudge, and miss opportunity.
Stupid.
The good parts: better walk, better trot transitions, better circles.
The bad parts: shitty canter departs, shitty canter downward transitions, and loss of connection, shitty half halts.
The good news is that we still got done what was needed, and I can say that all of our faults were entirely my fault, which means, if I can somehow get myself together, we can actually have good rides.
I was also reminded that I need to be schooling him over poles, and that I cannot ignore the canter...because in fact, not working on something makes it worse, as evidenced by my lesson. Grrr, fine.
After the lesson we did have a milestone achievement: we cooled out on the race track. Ben had only been out there a couple of times which was about a year ago. I've been wanting (and my trainer has been hounding me) to get him out there, in the bigger space, and start working him. That's all well and good - but I didn't want to take him out the first time alone. So as it turned out, it stopped raining, and I was able to take him out there with a barn mate who also wanted to get her horse out.
Ben was a complete and utter slug. He clearly feels as if he has nowhere to be, and you may as well slow down and enjoy the scenery. If he knew he was on a racetrack he computed that to showing his rider that he had no desire for speed. I actually loved it- he was a solid citizen out there, he had a super small skin-shiver type spook at some barking dogs next door, and that was it. Good boy!
Gah, I hate when that happens, and it always does, just when you are cocky enough to think it can't ever happen again.
Last night was lesson night. I was so happy with Ben's progress over the last few days, I just couldn't wait to show my trainer our work. Yes, dear trainer, I'm not just a slug in the saddle, I am teachable. I can learn. I can make things go better.
Hmm, well, to say the lesson was a disaster would be an overstatement. The truth is, it was still a good ride, but it just wasn't AS good as I had had on Sunday and Monday. So I was a little bummed about that, but then again, as my barn mate told me, Its better to have crappy rides while under the keen eye of a trainer, because you can then fix things on the spot. This is true, though, had I ridden better, I doubt those things would've been around at all.
Looking back, my head just wasn't in the game. I was more focused on wondering why things werent going as well as they had days prior, instead of buckling down and riding the horse I had in front of me. And the reality is, when your head is in the clouds you miss time, misjudge, and miss opportunity.
Stupid.
The good parts: better walk, better trot transitions, better circles.
The bad parts: shitty canter departs, shitty canter downward transitions, and loss of connection, shitty half halts.
The good news is that we still got done what was needed, and I can say that all of our faults were entirely my fault, which means, if I can somehow get myself together, we can actually have good rides.
I was also reminded that I need to be schooling him over poles, and that I cannot ignore the canter...because in fact, not working on something makes it worse, as evidenced by my lesson. Grrr, fine.
After the lesson we did have a milestone achievement: we cooled out on the race track. Ben had only been out there a couple of times which was about a year ago. I've been wanting (and my trainer has been hounding me) to get him out there, in the bigger space, and start working him. That's all well and good - but I didn't want to take him out the first time alone. So as it turned out, it stopped raining, and I was able to take him out there with a barn mate who also wanted to get her horse out.
Ben was a complete and utter slug. He clearly feels as if he has nowhere to be, and you may as well slow down and enjoy the scenery. If he knew he was on a racetrack he computed that to showing his rider that he had no desire for speed. I actually loved it- he was a solid citizen out there, he had a super small skin-shiver type spook at some barking dogs next door, and that was it. Good boy!
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