Thanks for all the kind comments and suggestions from my whiney blog post about Simon’s rehab process. I’m feeling a bit better now that I have a plan. Should have my Ace from the vet today, am ordering GastroMax 3 to treat/prevent ulcers, and I’m going to talk to my trainer about more hay and any slow release calming agents she’s had experience with. All of this will just seem silly when he’s sound and walk/trotting again in two months,…
I am not a thin and svelte person, and although I’m in a campaign to lose weight… I know I’m never going to be a size 0. Or a size 2… or if we’re being realistic a size 4 and who knows what else. So traditional rise breeches with a relaxed cut in the hip (like the old Tailored Sportsman Pro Hunters) are my friend. You know what is not my friend? Low rise. Seriously, why? I know these aren’t as low…
In my brilliant youth, I have ridden without a helmet. Like, a lot. At first it was because I got a western saddle for Elvis, and “western riders don’t need to wear helmets.” Of course, that rule should get thrown out the window when you get really smart and start jumping around in a western saddle. But now that I am older and slightly less stupid, I always wear a helmet when I ride. I’d like to say that it’s because…
No doubt I’m an equestrian. No doubt you’re an equestrian reading this blog and my continuing patronage to ponies. Proof of my unfettered equestrianism? Why, see below! You know you’re an equestrian when… Your favorite accessories are equestrian inspired. You have more breeches and barn jeans than nice pants. You have an addiction to cheap, colorful satin. You get high tech devices to watch free USEF network streaming instead of cable. You can’t see this commerical without tearing up. How…
Gimmicks. I hate gimmicks. Specifically, training gadgets to get a horse’s head down. I hate it because I feel like I lived it, although no one would have ever accused me of rollkur or tying my horse’s head in the stall or anything like that. German martingale? Used it. Draw reins? Used them. Different bits? Oh sure. I never abused my horse, but I am guilty as charged for using training gadgets improperly before I was taught properly to ride leg to…
Had a good lesson last night. I rode Winston again, the small but angry OTTB. My trainer gave me some more insight to his extreme head tossing and aversion to contact, so we worked on him moving just off my leg and keeping my hands low and quiet. Once he trusts his rider to not rip his face off, he actually settles down quite nicely for cross rails and 2′ type stuff. I had an enjoyable ride, and want to…
My blog got severely hacked on Friday night, so it’s been pretty interesting around here. I had to delete a ton of plugins and stuff, and it’s not 100% up to snuff yet. There’s no security risk for any visitors though, so don’t worry about that. I’ve also installed a bunch of security stuff to WordPress, which means it shouldn’t be happening again. Ah, the life and fun times of a web designer. Now today’s challenge might as well be…
Rode a new school horse at the barn last night. He was owned by one of our riders for several years, but that rider decided to lease a nicer jumper and couldn’t have both… so Winston, a ~6 y/o OTTB is owned by my trainer now. He was actually very good for me to ride, because he is completely opposite Simon. Very behind my leg, short strided, and upsidown. Acts like he’s never been ridden leg to hand, and severe…