tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32658465610059615142024-03-05T03:19:28.113-08:00I Will Jump Sweet Jumps- A Horse BlogA blog about the exploits of myself and my horses, as we compete in showjumping and other equestrian events in NZ.Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.comBlogger404125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-29453319112860208112017-11-27T20:54:00.000-08:002017-11-27T20:54:05.228-08:00Oh Humble Pie (Warning has a picture of my ass)How nice to meet you again. It's funny how even at my great age I make stupid mistakes that end in accidents. Firstly, China doesn't really buck so you never really expect that. So thunder started rumbling and I was in a rush to get him worked because I have a clinic tomorrow. So I was like I'll rush over and get it done. So 1. I was rushing him. 2. Giant storm brewing. 3. I went to jump of him off the mounting block and he walked off which is pretty normal, but I duffed my vault and landed at the back of the saddle with no reins and no stirrups and gave him a fright. So I really was asking for it.<br />
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He took off I couldn't get my reins and then he did two big bucks and buried me on the gravel. I flew through the air like a very flightless bird. It was like extra strong gravity or something. Anyway, grazed arm, skinned knees and a big old haematoma on my thigh, sticks out a few inches even. Its a doozey. And it was all my fault. Got back on after he ran around for 10 minutes and finally let me catch him. Better this time but such a tense horse and then went and did some very tense flatwork for 15 minutes before it started to rain just huge drops and then there was a giant thunder rumble and I was like yea we can go home now. I actually led him back to the stable and as we went it just unleashed a torrential downpour. Gear off cover on and back in the paddock, though I'm planning to go back out and ride him tonight. Sigh I feel a bit chicken now.<br />
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Mums dog hiding from the storm<br />
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And that is my second ever fall off of China. Hes just a bit of douche.</div>
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<br />Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-71978589302292590652017-11-26T23:23:00.002-08:002017-11-26T23:23:35.240-08:00Still here and still kicking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think its been a year since I last blogged?? Which is long. And what a year? Oh man. What a year. I don't think I've ever learned as much about myself as I have this year. And to celebrate my finding of all this strength I designed and got a large phoenix tattoo on my leg, as I reminder that I have unbelievable resilience. So lets ignore the negatives, and lets focus on the positives.<br />
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I got into vet school!!!<br />
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Which is totally epic and amazing but honestly like you work so hard just to get in and then you get in and its honestly quite hard. But so so amazing. It's a nice feeling to be exactly where you are meant to be in life.</div>
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I still have Chinaman, formerly shown as Fried Rice, but now Shanghai. Which is better. He continues to be one of the most complicated horses I have ever worked with but is really starting to operate over a fence. Hes difficult in the mouth and just recently we tried maybe twenty bits and the one he strongly disliked on the flat he actually jumped well in. You have to bit him really softly and accept you have less control for him to then allow you some control. A shadow roll and no flash helps. Hes jumping 1m again and I'm looking to move him up in the next month or so if I get brave enough.</div>
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Hes rocking a sweet roached mane now and I honestly love him even if he very much suits the moniker of wanker. He is however a terrible traveller and getting worse now he is having to travel by himself. It turns out he had an accident once so it makes sense he doesn't travel well but it certainly makes life hard ans anxious. I'm going to try him without the partition to see if the extra freedom makes him happier. I just want a solution for the dude so we can go further afield. </div>
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I'm on my summer holidays at the moment. and I'm hoping to get lets of riding in and have a long hot summer like when I was a kid with lots of adventures and recover from year one of five in vet school.</div>
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Hope everyone is well xxx</div>
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<br />Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-22586522244148009352016-12-27T22:45:00.001-08:002016-12-27T22:46:48.796-08:00Didn't WannaI've been having a pig of a time to be honest. Very slowly getting depressed again and just generally struggling with life. Massive shout out to the significant other who has been a rock and a safe place and everything I could have needed. So what's been happening? A lot of stuff. I had a really cool job working at the vets for three months as a large animal technician<div><br></div><div><img id="id_3ebb_3e9d_c326_76ca" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaZzZ52OGpzkAZ5bjiqTDrq13yqI9pdQt-uY_4AriSp0qCcVtWh53vPjwPJq_PuQG9ua8foIvzN3O8Idud5DqAZto3FjygOmUniVKMnZTBFwlOl_Aqr-iBmmt0enlk7kuHlUlwhMTEuxg/" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>That's a very cute sedated highland calf I had just debudded so it wouldn't grow horns. It's been amazing and a huge and exciting learning curve, working with an absolutely incredible group of people and as a result I'm heading to vet school at the end of feb. Whether this means I sell China I'm not sure yet.</div><div><br></div><div>China has been an absolute donkey at times. He's been rushing his fences something wicked and I would have used probably twenty different bits and five different bridle set ups, trying all sorts of things. The problem isn't in the bridle though it's in his head and not much was holding him when he decided to go. It was frustrating that for months I just couldn't get through to him. I've never felt so stuck with a horse before. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c4ad_17f4_7ae0_ff7f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX0Vh0EnbOad_4qnumJXssgi9sHFwuf7III_mdoNXo0SvWXo70y1PWvMRkJP5Qhj5zIIXb7Fnt5SmelaAi0DreY0F712kPSeottoTmmsHzs1U5WjGNHcEnY70trrQrfOOZHQSjShIFhIr/" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>Sweaty dripping mess cross country schooling. I took him to feilding show and he was an absolute nightmare. Leaping and reeding and just basically unrideable. I was definitely that girl at the show that probably shouldn't be there. The whole thing was pretty heart breaking. And completely demoralising. The very next day he jumped at a local event and did a beautiful double clear in The eighty cm class and just two cheap rails in the 90cm class. I didn't warm him up over fences at all though because that' starts the wind up.</div><div><br></div><div> Then I went to have a lessons and he was mad again. Thank goodness my trainer whose been injured has been feeling good again because she was like give him to me to ride. And in literally two rides reset him into the horse I thought he was. He relaxed and dropped the rushing and started to jump in some shape again. And basically all it came down to was that I needed to keep more contact and more connection to help him feel secure and not give him the room to start winding up. I'm</div><div>Softening too much at the base and panicking him by unbalancing him instead of keeping the contact and a smooth following hand. </div><div><br></div><div>In the mean time I've been having lots of adventures with him to make him a more versatile little guy and to get him travelling. I'm hoping this helps when we go back to a show because maybe it will all unravel there again.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9033_12f1_fa1d_7095" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH7eQcGEg_IIkTazhQ4YfpX1qK0llJ9a4Sz3ZEjd2oJAbqkZwGuW1FpxKyDHtWXzV_TlyqoSW-HGot-LYudQGUkuMSDYMPsoT5cu-gzTpLcyA2R8S7PuhY_q_5gmEdH4srlb0yXgHi4hC/" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a328_bbcd_a802_699a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1XB0wuCFUkxW2eGIx9UP2iWYISeJBnN8V0cWMBGTp85eHXy6cKGLBK6h-M2zt3JJQ8uOMKGBz7OtFTcwrLcnzAxiMiX4vWLFBdnFAz8epkjUL_xKZdvtNTT_0sVGuv5Jka7IQjoTMeBS/" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><img id="id_d172_169d_b606_49f8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYjgw4TPfvhPvWXI9ubiOVMO_lp2j5aSJWTY-ouETUbaqVKdT4y5wlY0JrZWtZDYyOb2Xs9v0LOfHTY5uxvc0AJKuhUog-rjZ1Fp3QzCrJIXiC8qI2dDFy7rfW1cqALoPY8O4UblCznLi/" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>Still he's</div><div>Worth persevering with, he's super nice. When he's nice, though when he's horrible he's super awful. Lesson tomorrow I'll try get some video <br><div><br></div><div><br><div> <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-21899974726822005842016-10-19T02:10:00.001-07:002016-10-19T02:10:18.434-07:00just all the things<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6xSCLEr8HTE-6yinE0si5U8B3kvz-Xpauw0yiyNhwZBQ2uzEi-TiuT7aosqB7Psncouq4fbdYfIE43RzilyNzIuiga0hc7Qy1KQoRWmDOQFeM3AABgCGqdgeqc7EbV0INx1rYOhE7Lky/I/photo_532755.jpg" border="0" class="bloggoimg"></div><div><br></div>It's been a hell of a month to be honest, this is gonna be a long post. I have plugged away at the plan and have had some really interesting outcomes. Firstly the treatment for ulcers led to a much more relaxed horse. Still a goon to ride but heaps happier in the yards and paddock. Less flinchy and angry. So that was positive.<div><br></div><div>Under saddle the disputes are on going. He's lovely to flat school, but as soon as jumps come out he's a monster. You know how as you go through life you sort of develop rules you live by that suit yourself. And you're happy with those guidelines and ethically they work for you? Well China man has managed to destroy all of them. We have been on a reboot strategy and it started with one of my super solid never to be broken rules. Don't jump in draw reins. </div><div><br></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F3t8WBJzxYTEz99PY4NKUCOD11DbkXCb09Gc3yY08anuxt5NhasUXUT-x3NR_5TbkK6fLGBZEE-7oL9yqasuhrnZBlOUQRczrUGaAmsR3K_o-HE-aGR19EcuCslYQh3Jd3V61bfAoWyU/I/photo_535764.jpg" border="0" class="bloggoimg"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">It works. That's the pig of it. My trainer was like just try it because you're at a point of having nothing to lose. They are run up inside his martingale to prevent hooking a front leg and they are long. Just an outside boundary to help explain to him there's another way. He throws his head up and runs and as soon as he does that, mentally he's gone. And it's the same trick he pulled on the track. So basically he hits the draw reins when he throws his head and it's easier for him to just soften and not rush. I honestly both hated it and was terrified but it made a huge change in his ride ability and the. His jump improved because he was keeping his relaxation. It's nothing over two foot and it's only at home under trainer supervision (very strict!) and honestly if it works to create a new dialogue and makes it easier for him to get that there's an easier way then we will keep at it. I know it's probably a bit of a shortcut but it really made a huge difference. Instead of fighting me he's fighting himself more. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJQUegBHNyshvGUCZGP7mMZFwRmM8u7D3ga-TWtbi1VYgHfjFODsaKtSk84MKWZeqb_EBz6peEuVZc0R4aREeFsr4LKJ5Co-rRcqLQKwt9_HvdIGlDR12Qel5PBk7gKd_Lf4bBwJc9gPa/I/photo_947653.jpg" border="0" class="bloggoimg"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">That monstrous looking contraption is a mikmar combination bit. It goes against my other rules of using simple bits (preferably snaffles) until competing at higher levels that require more finesse. This is his current show bridle and he can't work it out. It spreads the contact to different parts of his face and to be honest the second rein which is on the rope is mostly very very lose. I jumped him in the 90cm at foxton in it and he was like a very different very rideable horse. Though I literally can't use any leg on him in front of a fence and just sit there quiet as a little mouse. But he stayed soft and rideable and that in itself was an absolute miracle on the back of the rounds we have been having. It's not forever, it's just for now to help reset him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">But then because all of the blog horses get injured he managed to get tangled in his rope the morning of a show and threw himself not once but twice. So now he's a very sore hip and stifle China missing all the lovely local shows. Oh horse. Mentally he takes a huge toll out of me. Though someone told me all the Chinese Dragon offspring should just be shot so at least he's better than that. He's coming right with rest. It's just we were finally making great progress and then splut here we are. If I really pushed he probably would have been ok for this weekend but it's not worth it. I have time he's only six. It was definitely huge to have him so rideable at a show and have him turn up and play the game. Horses. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03MvTDRw2UBz7CKtEhv-rpjRx46ztkNLQ-0RbS8bYdkW-OTVc3gQ5ENj-7x__XPuRPvrstlKVRFadHWMkzdUXiYXvq26Pi7XM5_P2KiD7QVcprKkBkU5pC-k7FzUilJOE2PebwXbheMC_/I/photo_14390.jpg" border="0" class="bloggoimg"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's still paradise on a warm Spring evening. </div><br><br> <br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><br><br> <br></div><br><br> <br><br> </div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-52719925887915402822016-09-27T01:43:00.001-07:002016-09-27T10:46:45.844-07:00Scrap the plan, the plan sucks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb0qX40qbLJKsqOo_3EuzfWwAGRZJmWFbLSIGwmtQ4c-bq-RznA1CgnjiQXbWfRHp8Nn4qrVvujiClV4yTsi9zxFPZ78yglAs65qonugJ6YoGtl3WIq22ws8SCJeFsFLIVGcTiZDP0NbF/s640/blogger-image-1935400337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb0qX40qbLJKsqOo_3EuzfWwAGRZJmWFbLSIGwmtQ4c-bq-RznA1CgnjiQXbWfRHp8Nn4qrVvujiClV4yTsi9zxFPZ78yglAs65qonugJ6YoGtl3WIq22ws8SCJeFsFLIVGcTiZDP0NbF/s640/blogger-image-1935400337.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Actually maybe the plan doesn't suck. But this weekend I've learnt a lot about my horse. I think. Parts of the plan are good. I have in my car ulcer treatments to start tomorrow, though horse is currently sans two shoes, which should be sorted tomorrow. I spoke to my vet and while he's missing the classic signs of ulcers ( which is picky eating, though China would need his head removed to stop him eating) we discussed the ramped up cribbing, the girthiness and the just unhappy angriness I'm getting from him. It could be another source of pain also so if a week of treatment doesn't help well try a few days on bute. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My trainer was saying a lot of the horses coming to the arena are pretty Spring mad, and I know from the trouble with magnesium staggers at work that the grass is very low on mag. But he is getting plenty of this. I might try a toxin binder but there's already one in his feed and I don't like to throw on too much in the way of additives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The riding part of the plan sucks. I have a new riding plan. China was a shambles at the XC open day. Luckily, I was late and my group went out without me which left me free to play on my own. He wouldn't have coped with the hurry up and wait of group work. He started running really hard at fences so we went back to the trot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LTc88O3ktGU30-pKTgZiT3HAc34F5dDTBXPO6XPcEqpm65pQIz33C2zN5RstkLx__IpEV9t0ADg9NpEUFI3eKHDcPW5OUQGds8T9pUrmxloeDRvTJVLztwHWgVT1FSuiTE7pmf5I7RsK/s640/blogger-image-1129131763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LTc88O3ktGU30-pKTgZiT3HAc34F5dDTBXPO6XPcEqpm65pQIz33C2zN5RstkLx__IpEV9t0ADg9NpEUFI3eKHDcPW5OUQGds8T9pUrmxloeDRvTJVLztwHWgVT1FSuiTE7pmf5I7RsK/s640/blogger-image-1129131763.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This helped him to settle and the Dutch gag have me a little control but not too much. My sister was there which was good and she was like huh this is terrible ( this is a massive oversimplification) and she could see that the trust was gone between as. We were all out of sync. She was just like I think you just need to jump until he settles and get to the bottom of him. Which was a great plan. We started trotting in. We could then canter I'm as long as we were heading away from the gate and would still charge the fence down in that direction. So we went round and round over various up to two foot fences. He was cute at the tiny bank because he couldn't figure out how to get down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWk32lY-X2xRL5bJ9HnqFV9J6m16D9Z5QTs1Qx2_K6dkEvJAfvFEw1Ihq22X5O7zMJwTvkbsdc4_5-jtL6wGzj11XkVMYjrngbjBRGaera1UOqNyY4MUouAHRCjQLOE7kSbAV_qHj2Iz9/s640/blogger-image--2121343059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWk32lY-X2xRL5bJ9HnqFV9J6m16D9Z5QTs1Qx2_K6dkEvJAfvFEw1Ihq22X5O7zMJwTvkbsdc4_5-jtL6wGzj11XkVMYjrngbjBRGaera1UOqNyY4MUouAHRCjQLOE7kSbAV_qHj2Iz9/s640/blogger-image--2121343059.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Defensive grabby elbows! Yuk! And we jumped and jumped and jumped. He was certainly super brave and looked at nothing including the little trakhener. Eventually we got to the point where he had settled enough to drop to the trot of his own accord in front of the fences he was so relaxed. I made no effort to place him, just let him bumble over if the distance was bad. I even walked over some fences at the start when he was so diabolical. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyJuTAhVgPtl2iEFbEg28NPaiqsEfsji0Hr-BXhRUFtrja8N-ylWFVdKm1DqGjRBWA2UWI5YDyzVESVAVkBbObK68RVT4A7gjrIgSPr1gO63p1eucOlq7AMGDoKA47bP9wu5O_Tl7hL_Q/s640/blogger-image-1779983932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyJuTAhVgPtl2iEFbEg28NPaiqsEfsji0Hr-BXhRUFtrja8N-ylWFVdKm1DqGjRBWA2UWI5YDyzVESVAVkBbObK68RVT4A7gjrIgSPr1gO63p1eucOlq7AMGDoKA47bP9wu5O_Tl7hL_Q/s640/blogger-image-1779983932.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yep that's how sweaty he got. And that foamy sweat on the neck and shoulder is normally stress. I would have cantered and jumped nearly solidly for more than twenty minutes and it worked. We started to feel less disconnected and more in sync. I started to trust more and he started to soften and not run and sort of break the cycle. I'm not super sure what's led to all this but I can see some very small jumping classes that I trot in our future until we are a team again. I just hope I can get him back to where we were. It's pretty humiliating to spend the whole day jumping tiny fences on a clearly unhappy horse while everyone else is cruising around over bigger stuff. Until I get these basics right this is my life. He's got to learn that there is a soft easy way and I have to show him that with out trying to be forceful and overly bossy because it gives him something to argue against and he likes that. I need to work around the problem. Had a good jump school on Monday. Starting to see a little glimmer of hope.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-88159629174954377512016-09-22T13:08:00.001-07:002016-09-22T13:12:04.295-07:00Post pity party: progress plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5F0LuAIZ23kBzrPTisV88B_WaCvL1TFVRFOeA1BdjyJNCDiGFEXr5eJLdzM3FlTliAT9dQILJRR7kU2wE67TbvqnO6Ti7H29klZ5SV7gWtd8F_V6S91a9t7bF7cFC_y_8ipWTtT9oK_s/s640/blogger-image--348770491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5F0LuAIZ23kBzrPTisV88B_WaCvL1TFVRFOeA1BdjyJNCDiGFEXr5eJLdzM3FlTliAT9dQILJRR7kU2wE67TbvqnO6Ti7H29klZ5SV7gWtd8F_V6S91a9t7bF7cFC_y_8ipWTtT9oK_s/s640/blogger-image--348770491.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Right so I've had a little time now to process things and calm down. Definitely ordered the thoughts a little and backed away from the failure cliff edge. I know in every horse/rider relationship the honeymoon period ends and the real work on forming a partnerships starts. I still believe it takes more than a year to form a true partnership.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's spring and the grass is bolting from the ground, full of sugar and protein and virtually no magnesium which makes for savagely hot spooky horses that are slightly unreasonable. Thus the first prong of the attack is to axe his calories. I've cut the oil, the muscle and shine and halved his low GI. I'd put him on a sugar free beer pulp as well but I have a whole drum of the sugared version and I'm poor. He's also getting double the magnesium and salt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Prong two is try different things until you find something that works better in terms of the bitting situation. If I have more control I will be more relaxed and then he will be more relaxed. He is definitely feeding off of my tension. Creating a fun fun fun tension spiral. I get tight, he runs, I fight, he runs more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used draw reins for my pole work tonight. I know they tend to polarise horse people but to me they are just a tool I use to set the outer limits. It really helped too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ0VKTSs318W5pEO9WYlgeyA7eFdjOpMypdawv0MYRTsgght6nIsjFiMtm57HAEYcmNKot-2kUdJpxHcuw9uZ9UxxrZMWlMPBM7MDblZyJ54eyspRa3QZoITqGrCSWUJ3Zk4iZ76fitoV/s640/blogger-image--309734890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ0VKTSs318W5pEO9WYlgeyA7eFdjOpMypdawv0MYRTsgght6nIsjFiMtm57HAEYcmNKot-2kUdJpxHcuw9uZ9UxxrZMWlMPBM7MDblZyJ54eyspRa3QZoITqGrCSWUJ3Zk4iZ76fitoV/s640/blogger-image--309734890.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLoAAJThTFfbUa_9qDk44YCopgSjYEXgusNbUSK_oKSjWifevN6TRyF7EGvatV7untoOJuuFIpVMXLOTe2nxUwubH7a95RhnTn9e6-UQUtzp_ZKzi_YevrBW3GKB2EI9jhu2a42S1YRP_/s640/blogger-image--1657938829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLoAAJThTFfbUa_9qDk44YCopgSjYEXgusNbUSK_oKSjWifevN6TRyF7EGvatV7untoOJuuFIpVMXLOTe2nxUwubH7a95RhnTn9e6-UQUtzp_ZKzi_YevrBW3GKB2EI9jhu2a42S1YRP_/s640/blogger-image--1657938829.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have a neat video of the improvement too but of course blogger and my phone remain at media logger heads. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r7jm9gh7jUhqvkIqLH50_LrAuUm7Br8rxLOPjocdTVdJAfSuQvdPLxCZK1Pg674vFdtu8vWbaPXI23fD-OeitnmDuDuStDhfbWzb_CtbHKiBdrPr6kcb5U-TC8CztXtDrrPIaFANQqLA/s640/blogger-image-522822908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r7jm9gh7jUhqvkIqLH50_LrAuUm7Br8rxLOPjocdTVdJAfSuQvdPLxCZK1Pg674vFdtu8vWbaPXI23fD-OeitnmDuDuStDhfbWzb_CtbHKiBdrPr6kcb5U-TC8CztXtDrrPIaFANQqLA/s640/blogger-image-522822908.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wouldn't usually use a martingale with draw reins but I had a little jump afterwards minus the draws of course. Which was a horribly mixed bag. At one point he went to run out and we ended up hitting a wing stand. Which was good because he's not sure how I made the wing get him but he wasn't interested in running out after that. He did settle eventually and do some lovely jumps. I'll get there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3Lz6jh0sUnwqiBg7lsqfP2Ja41tFOPfk3xIbdR_exLwak9phwWtl6IreohAXSzZujTTGtnAQCVjAGE-oPYk7Xz2UwjpGUhcz1sV4P9El2wQ57VHe4Mj-Fi8mIzRGyIEQYnoFHKV-8Z9A/s640/blogger-image-1320469291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3Lz6jh0sUnwqiBg7lsqfP2Ja41tFOPfk3xIbdR_exLwak9phwWtl6IreohAXSzZujTTGtnAQCVjAGE-oPYk7Xz2UwjpGUhcz1sV4P9El2wQ57VHe4Mj-Fi8mIzRGyIEQYnoFHKV-8Z9A/s640/blogger-image-1320469291.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The plan going forward is to have a play at the XC open day this weekend and just jump what I'm comfortable with and can do relaxed and then hack for the early part of the week before maybe having a jumping lesson. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Exciting stuff. So tomorrow I finish work late so I'll just have a play with some bits and make sure I have something that will work XC.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Prong three is to treat for ulcers seeing as he has been quite obsessive about wind sucking lately, and quite sensitive through his girth. Worth a try anyway. So between these three things I think we can get it sorted.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-36394444493736106992016-09-20T02:28:00.001-07:002016-09-20T02:28:13.412-07:00Just shoot me now<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbWtlIlpaX8pwpTrN_IIICg30slDZOtXKE1kZy6WAirAMFL2dh4DB0Gp-dOWugjEtAiBUg_t4POnZ8UY3BQjSsHqbxtH-pFljDmYy-2QRyHbED71wXFxExxrDypV9Hur7BCPTCc5813ON/s640/blogger-image--899614725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbWtlIlpaX8pwpTrN_IIICg30slDZOtXKE1kZy6WAirAMFL2dh4DB0Gp-dOWugjEtAiBUg_t4POnZ8UY3BQjSsHqbxtH-pFljDmYy-2QRyHbED71wXFxExxrDypV9Hur7BCPTCc5813ON/s640/blogger-image--899614725.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm not sure where I've fucked up here but I really have. Though to be fair we can now canter through the poles and then go back and then trot them. I'm nt sure how I've got from jumping 3 ft courses easily back to trotting poles. And the more poles I trot the more scared j am to jump. Bollocksy bollocksy bollocks. I give up. Until tomorrow anyway.</div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-17519904789496286482016-09-17T03:51:00.001-07:002016-09-17T03:51:14.460-07:00Head to head<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_aDgelYUUtAouXulEPMpdxNcctg3S_eTjvxpR9VuJfy43tVtmN6N4iRDqXEc6TYVkQ3s00mHJNQ4mxkG-hXA09JosQIx9RxpVziFk2nNKhk3VepnyHCulPUIHYgRVGAT5YVW12ppkeNa/s640/blogger-image--691616695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_aDgelYUUtAouXulEPMpdxNcctg3S_eTjvxpR9VuJfy43tVtmN6N4iRDqXEc6TYVkQ3s00mHJNQ4mxkG-hXA09JosQIx9RxpVziFk2nNKhk3VepnyHCulPUIHYgRVGAT5YVW12ppkeNa/s640/blogger-image--691616695.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I first got Chinaman he was blown away by how straight forward and easy he was to teach. He ate up new information and so quickly and happily adapted to being a sport horse. Sure he was on the forehand and he fell out but he was so trainable and I knew these things would come. He was a little lean and it's hard to build muscle on a lean horse so it's taken me a long time to get him up to weight and remuscling but he's really making progress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtr_cnZECW3l9z6T8NsXoYkGeB44HU4fJ3dwmWfGuOIyYeMpC28g_7ZaU4JkGizT9k8jf-EqLAEN3-2mnPZuHFqJL4O20YKW_CTGauF4IDgg-cxJlYAZVpL5_taqhVXTeec3y3tf1JhpZ/s640/blogger-image-507113957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtr_cnZECW3l9z6T8NsXoYkGeB44HU4fJ3dwmWfGuOIyYeMpC28g_7ZaU4JkGizT9k8jf-EqLAEN3-2mnPZuHFqJL4O20YKW_CTGauF4IDgg-cxJlYAZVpL5_taqhVXTeec3y3tf1JhpZ/s640/blogger-image-507113957.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not the best picture I have managed to hide the ribs quite well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCM-0SylayhGDMLnmKWcaoTfpVqxm85c3FNsaqYFCfXvGQaHc5GhGM3aqqVBSiqtLHLg8KsHNMeYZ1NB9JpLJycflij-5vl_B70Eyb2sfuv4yRlk_PO_vmiG7aDFU5ltZIzJWPHa9woz5/s640/blogger-image--1250156816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCM-0SylayhGDMLnmKWcaoTfpVqxm85c3FNsaqYFCfXvGQaHc5GhGM3aqqVBSiqtLHLg8KsHNMeYZ1NB9JpLJycflij-5vl_B70Eyb2sfuv4yRlk_PO_vmiG7aDFU5ltZIzJWPHa9woz5/s640/blogger-image--1250156816.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He got poorer with more work and I really struggled to get weight on and hold it. Now he's up to weight he's holding really well, and mostly it's due to feeding Dunstan muscle and shine which is an incredible product.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuP_sPMCClCr6cArbXVPJxPtPnbY1lmjoS3oatpBYDNvgWR7_xegZgdthaXh8GXWZIa79F9ywDtFyXUg7_TS_vdyLrLcYQ19bf4f6pZCsq7ALVukAtmGxktC0iVGFwAOEwOyP6KCG2dOG/s640/blogger-image--1494550071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuP_sPMCClCr6cArbXVPJxPtPnbY1lmjoS3oatpBYDNvgWR7_xegZgdthaXh8GXWZIa79F9ywDtFyXUg7_TS_vdyLrLcYQ19bf4f6pZCsq7ALVukAtmGxktC0iVGFwAOEwOyP6KCG2dOG/s640/blogger-image--1494550071.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Definitely a little more booty and a lot more bloom in the coat. But now he's looking and feeling stronger, he's such a dick. He just knows every bloody thing and I have very nicely been training him and being slow and soft. The last few weeks I have been so stuck in a flatwork rut. Honestly, I have put schooling on a lot of young horses. I can ride a little and have never felt so much like I was getting no where. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7g4K55c27mcwTrT_3-Xg2Htmjq7No6E8MSp0L6_duIYqrPEUwiwBd3s8k3Bl93KO8w5egjfHPpQXJu7tZCa90vb9d1tG6oRxwWKx7eXPKN3Gu_RTJO1JqYpfakVBhiG_2KkgnlfZb931/s640/blogger-image--754136859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7g4K55c27mcwTrT_3-Xg2Htmjq7No6E8MSp0L6_duIYqrPEUwiwBd3s8k3Bl93KO8w5egjfHPpQXJu7tZCa90vb9d1tG6oRxwWKx7eXPKN3Gu_RTJO1JqYpfakVBhiG_2KkgnlfZb931/s640/blogger-image--754136859.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>He's a massive faker. He's quick to drop at the poll but he's still tight in his back and base of his neck. When he softens his back, he feels so good underneath me. I can hardly stay with his trot it's so lofty. But I have to make sure I get him all the way relaxed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNth5SBDI5LefRjmzQbzJnQR3-PKdGaqTpNlfxR6Mn186Ayb8Jj1NM7fyP9lss2_sjMlh5evXiyVQJXWuuywxbXWPWSZYW7jeK1lKbl5R94fFQCAPjas8_qwHzwXdkF9i35KpUwddRgKEr/s640/blogger-image-1025905766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNth5SBDI5LefRjmzQbzJnQR3-PKdGaqTpNlfxR6Mn186Ayb8Jj1NM7fyP9lss2_sjMlh5evXiyVQJXWuuywxbXWPWSZYW7jeK1lKbl5R94fFQCAPjas8_qwHzwXdkF9i35KpUwddRgKEr/s640/blogger-image-1025905766.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">See I've been practising for ages!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGP3ZyRPI6nW9qFgOGqLHabZcrD34-kshZddKWCfp9mvjDBHRt_HNa1ebSdiY-frhquw5G8EBS5J4sFuyJNYq-UXZMGvh2Fu2VuHQ-SM8DgeLbbxXRMDztZPSI8JZ6AHGleQkbmPG-t_Av/s640/blogger-image--783567384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGP3ZyRPI6nW9qFgOGqLHabZcrD34-kshZddKWCfp9mvjDBHRt_HNa1ebSdiY-frhquw5G8EBS5J4sFuyJNYq-UXZMGvh2Fu2VuHQ-SM8DgeLbbxXRMDztZPSI8JZ6AHGleQkbmPG-t_Av/s640/blogger-image--783567384.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Connie was amazing to ride. So soft and adjustable. So well schooled! So I know I can produce a horse. So why am I so stuck with this one so easy, so trainable horse. I have to say I have left a gaping hole in his training, in seeking softness and relaxation, I have sort of failed on training the brakes. Which hasn't been such an issue because he was easy, but now he's testing me some it's reared its big ugly head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As a rider I will always reward the try. I don't mind if it's minuscule, but the smallest soften, sideways step or half halt will get a soften. Obviously as you go on you expect a little more and now I do ask a lot more of China. I want him to stay relaxed and soft at all three gaits, to respond to a half halt, travel straight in his body and start shifting more weight onto his hindquarters. It's fair for his level of training. If he Gets unbalanced that's ok, and I would rarely ride for more than twenty minutes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This week has been a debacle though. He's a lot weaker to the left which is understandable because he has an old SI. Injury on that side so it's harder for him to load the right hind. And all horses tend to be one sided. So the walk and trot work was pretty good and I thought I'd just work on the left canter and call it quits for the day because it was getting dark. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then I find that whenever I half halt, or steady him, or rebalance, or simply change pace within the gait, the reaction I got was a crossed jaw, head thrown up and him bolting with a locked neck. Awesome. Which is of course not ok. So we ended up having some head to heads, times where I circled him off the straights quite hard, and circled until he stepped under and unlocked his jaw, and also had to pull him to a halt a few times. I really really struggled not to lose it and I made sure to reward the try every time even if it was less than I wanted. It was so frustrating when I really felt like he was past this level of disobedience. Then of course it gets harder because he starts to get tired as well, but eventually he gave me two lovely soft circles and stayed soft and in the bridle down the long side without taking off and I called it a day. It was well dark by this time and he had gotten worked a lot harder than expected. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next day I knew I was going to have go back over it, but I started with the right canter after I warmed up because it's so much easier for him. He bucked his first ten transitions and was as bad as the day before when I worked on his weaker rein. I really really hate it when I horse just absolutely blows through the bridle, at least try to steady. Even if you break to a trot try show some obedience. So we had the same argument on a different tein with plenty of flailing and falling out the shoulder and rugged as <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">half halts. Te pressure being lifted until I got the right response. Finally got him working and listening, staying soft in the circles and the long sides and coming back to me after a little lengthen. Picked up the left canter and he was really good so I was able to stay really soft on him and I called it a night. Again it was a long ride and we were both knackered. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I messaged my trainer in absolute despair. And she was pretty encouraging.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMc1BsDaDb9YVarVCSu8PeBNYiMok75ywef1fw1Q79YzDjZWvl0jJ4ZgcfKjm3MRMijGeNahKhIN7bFqCsOcN1aIvXRKOTNvUZXv5NOeadqPGmEDvpL1F3vBReCHKzja7kl5jY-gc_hEu/s640/blogger-image-562383289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMc1BsDaDb9YVarVCSu8PeBNYiMok75ywef1fw1Q79YzDjZWvl0jJ4ZgcfKjm3MRMijGeNahKhIN7bFqCsOcN1aIvXRKOTNvUZXv5NOeadqPGmEDvpL1F3vBReCHKzja7kl5jY-gc_hEu/s640/blogger-image-562383289.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And she's so right he does have to respect me. I've been really soft on him but he needs to come to the party a bit more and not throw his toys and run when it gets a bit hard or doesn't go his way. He just has to try. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The third night I turned up to do battle and he was gorgeous. Stunning leg yields, beautifully over the back and cantered quietly and round on both reins with good response to the half halt at the end of the lengthen down the long side. So I did ten minutes max and then took him for a hack an have myself a good pep talk. I'm ok I still got this, I'm not going to ruin him.</div><br></font></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-91428241726084000252016-09-11T03:47:00.001-07:002016-09-11T03:47:06.461-07:00HumphSo I am struggling a little with the change to working 8-5 because I used to work 5-11 and then 2-5 with maybe some day work if something came up which left the middle of the day for ponies. Now harder to do ponies because I'm tired at the end of the day. Apparently naps are frowned upon and naps were a staple of my life. <div><br></div><div>Anyway Wednesday I catch my horse to get a ride in before the coming polar blast and he's lame walking in. So I trot him to confirm and yea he's hella lame in the off hind. And then I felt like a jerk because I saw his shoe was twisted and the quarter clip embedded in his sole. Good one Bex. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOH4dgao1GVZxSIoY-rQs_rltJmhzAx559_BPDqPKfIj6IQMZHZ0z6lC1h8RR1s1hM52aSYVojoCwzUQx9q2YnZQfKnLKMqdpECLmGk8z-iHgqkS1OOvxiBJXAdurFFkK4HC2RPM_DrXNm/s640/blogger-image-1218861152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOH4dgao1GVZxSIoY-rQs_rltJmhzAx559_BPDqPKfIj6IQMZHZ0z6lC1h8RR1s1hM52aSYVojoCwzUQx9q2YnZQfKnLKMqdpECLmGk8z-iHgqkS1OOvxiBJXAdurFFkK4HC2RPM_DrXNm/s640/blogger-image-1218861152.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I took the shoe off with a hammer and chisel and then wrapped the foot. And even managed to get a farrier sorted for the next day to put the shoe back on. Not a lot of foot left though, so if he loses it again I'm a bit screwed. Then the weather deteriorated into icy winds, rain and hail and it was suddenly easy to give him a few days off. The weather was good all weekend though but I wanted to give him more time off so I rode one of my trainers horses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He was very lazy but is a really lovely boy. It's taken over a year to undo the damage caused by earlier owners but he's become such a sweet forgiving horse as long as you don't mind using a lot of leg. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Show next weekend I was wanting to go over to for a day so fingers crossed China is ok when I work him tomorrow night. Horses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://7c3ab9c5-37a7-44bf-81e4-ecb69aa59dea/imagegif"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-39990722492209736102016-09-05T01:55:00.001-07:002016-09-05T01:55:42.657-07:00Injurance (technically ctr)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz5FQfiAHNHjgXbJe5SPDg1Un2ZuL4RUDjQGlf48d-2UvSwOppl3BkRfFLUVud9Sqnu5KAbwBnsYhoaAqwN55UCcx0ac_YR0lWCGMtkjoCfTyFbDigqW4paxPrRKzamC50ZaKH82jRG6f/s640/blogger-image--1819946075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz5FQfiAHNHjgXbJe5SPDg1Un2ZuL4RUDjQGlf48d-2UvSwOppl3BkRfFLUVud9Sqnu5KAbwBnsYhoaAqwN55UCcx0ac_YR0lWCGMtkjoCfTyFbDigqW4paxPrRKzamC50ZaKH82jRG6f/s640/blogger-image--1819946075.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So Sunday they held a Novice 10km CTR which basically is some sort of race judges on your ability to arrive exactly on time with a low heart rate. China mans starting heart rate was 54 so we were out basically before we began but that wasn't the point. Mostly I wanted an outing where there wasn't much jumping and galloping and just something different for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He was really good going out and wasn't spooky or strong, the Pelham has definitely helped his brain make some connections. He jogged heading home a lot especially when the pony we rode out with got further and further ahead but it was so good for him. Had a nice gallop across one paddock and he pulled up easily for him anyway. He was in a loose ring French link snaffle. He even stopped jogging for the last km. And even when he was getting himself worked up he never pulled or tried to bolt, just jogged.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeGdm8bFU-vi_zgQWS2rAPmoEgF3EQ8BbXklBItPo6amPSE6ES-aT86Ne4t7mGiqiZasrrupkVvaRwxyFAqgxbsB2X6PtJQdbEUVCVgsgQM4yw8AgRAfLP2Rk-v2E2R6ETgNyL28EDIay/s640/blogger-image--1827279105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeGdm8bFU-vi_zgQWS2rAPmoEgF3EQ8BbXklBItPo6amPSE6ES-aT86Ne4t7mGiqiZasrrupkVvaRwxyFAqgxbsB2X6PtJQdbEUVCVgsgQM4yw8AgRAfLP2Rk-v2E2R6ETgNyL28EDIay/s640/blogger-image--1827279105.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">His starting hr was 54, it was 69 when he came in and it was back to 50 when we did our final vet thirty minutes after finishing. Kate in the other hand was incredibly chilled about everything and had hr of 30,50 and 40 respectively to win the class for my sister.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also I just a full time job as a large animal tech and it's making riding really hard. But yay no more milking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-24038556864248237572016-09-03T02:26:00.001-07:002016-09-03T13:07:40.643-07:00Bits!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDXoEVdvie7NgPLWrdhky5nail-MSouZKTM4Qb0mBpMmSFgkWquSdXpevfsxu-3Mcg3tQdrVKUpdThmg6Njrsu47X6X-G7_YTIDU1LluGD3eM6r0BDKQG49JcTGOxcufH6Xxtm-d7Ncin/s640/blogger-image-91372001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDXoEVdvie7NgPLWrdhky5nail-MSouZKTM4Qb0mBpMmSFgkWquSdXpevfsxu-3Mcg3tQdrVKUpdThmg6Njrsu47X6X-G7_YTIDU1LluGD3eM6r0BDKQG49JcTGOxcufH6Xxtm-d7Ncin/s640/blogger-image-91372001.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally getting some good condition and muscle tone. Needs his mane tidied up though. I love riding this horse, his movement is so light and effortless and when he's soft and listening he's an absolute dream to ride. He's also a bit of a dick but if I can get him on side and with the program as it were, he's going to be quite talented. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So I have a plan with my trainer. I have always sort of known that China wouldn't be a true snaffle horse. The reality of The situation is here is a racehorse who couldn't be held by what are pound for pound the strongest athletes in the world, so if a jockey can't chances are I won't. I guess to because I'm mostly in jumper land using a variety of bits doesn't phase me and I'm always of the opinion it's better to bit up and be light than to fight constantly in something milder. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So stage one was a flat ride in a Mullen mouth Pelham with a wrapped curb chain. He definitely didn't love it but he threw his head some at the start but he softened into it really nicely. I rode with two reins too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTsr0yegrP1bD1sePbjSEJsbxGYjCHi9dlu3D8DLPrj5SLZM7wViZFf_F02gmoQhnrGN-A-S0iOEzba5O-xH7-iY0ZNF-aJkKXP5yupBYN-cs-0PNMyDeSJ7IkAt-dTATIGf3st57bscc/s640/blogger-image--13562083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTsr0yegrP1bD1sePbjSEJsbxGYjCHi9dlu3D8DLPrj5SLZM7wViZFf_F02gmoQhnrGN-A-S0iOEzba5O-xH7-iY0ZNF-aJkKXP5yupBYN-cs-0PNMyDeSJ7IkAt-dTATIGf3st57bscc/s640/blogger-image--13562083.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Only the snaffle rein goes through the martingale. Today I had a jumping lesson in the same bridle and it was night and day from the horse I rode Saturday at the show. I was able to add a stride in the line and get him really quietly to the base of every fence. In my last lesson he was jumping in and racing down the line and when I asked him to wait he just locked his neck and threw his head, and blew me off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We probably schooled a course of about 60cm if that high, really working on smooth canter to the base. It was underpowered for a competition canter, but it was amazing being able to close my hand slightly and have him wait nicely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stage 2 is jump in the rubber Pelham, because he was a little light in the metal. Maintain the quiet and relaxation. Take him to a show and jump my first class in the Pelham and see what horse i have.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is because he needs to learn that being out doesn't mean going fast. All other work to be in his long cheek French link.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stage three is go back to the snaffle and but snaffle I mean dig into my trainers amazing bit box and have a play in there. From</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There I'll just play it by ear. I want to event so the bulk of his work will be in dressage legal snaffles and just finessing the but for jumping. Also his bandages are amazing <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75Abd7EWfeGkco2dFdtuM7NKCSdp9OSftqbP7p8D3-ejNDaClYjZtG6WvriQOWfaH11tZe2uIVR-Q8OnREhOpdtakYr99i6BX5iY9NOsQTp6gs2lbraoOsLVjsdcjShegQn54V17SdXnf/s640/blogger-image-1563434908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75Abd7EWfeGkco2dFdtuM7NKCSdp9OSftqbP7p8D3-ejNDaClYjZtG6WvriQOWfaH11tZe2uIVR-Q8OnREhOpdtakYr99i6BX5iY9NOsQTp6gs2lbraoOsLVjsdcjShegQn54V17SdXnf/s640/blogger-image-1563434908.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And after years of coveting I finally got my Ogilvy pad when it came up secondhand in my town of all places and it's actually amazing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilN_VM8qAiJAuOLMKFziO-SVryhx6bmwk-aMeIsNFXo_0Z8DVu078PfZ2smRUHEJUBoOT1MVk9psmGgM4kr-FGtDKxHobCDITul21MzPX196owwphYIB5GJvKCOl9ukOUjxycqn5xTnS_e/s640/blogger-image-730680509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilN_VM8qAiJAuOLMKFziO-SVryhx6bmwk-aMeIsNFXo_0Z8DVu078PfZ2smRUHEJUBoOT1MVk9psmGgM4kr-FGtDKxHobCDITul21MzPX196owwphYIB5GJvKCOl9ukOUjxycqn5xTnS_e/s640/blogger-image-730680509.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-53104639005252071522016-08-31T20:38:00.001-07:002016-08-31T22:56:16.441-07:00Final Winter Recycled Ribbon Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1n6a78YjZOjQ0NRQJAy0hyqFQ9-Z5RGBjvTyjGEONbmWfGOyGtrVumYHkQGx3OUTkv4c3_rH-0jYRkKayITqySLxTp3GyE7CdxTBvkpx2VlICwx2fmFSplTAtq30cgInwGP5vyCzM9F7/s640/blogger-image-1301180965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1n6a78YjZOjQ0NRQJAy0hyqFQ9-Z5RGBjvTyjGEONbmWfGOyGtrVumYHkQGx3OUTkv4c3_rH-0jYRkKayITqySLxTp3GyE7CdxTBvkpx2VlICwx2fmFSplTAtq30cgInwGP5vyCzM9F7/s640/blogger-image-1301180965.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So last Saturday was the final of the winter series for the recycled ribbon days run by our local Showjumping group. It was a kind of a frustrating day to be honest. I worked that morning from 5.15 to 8.15 and got to the Showgrounds around 9.30. I wasn't in the first class, for the first time I was going straight out in the 90cm on both of them. To be honest it was a bit of a monster track, and it would either ride well or not depending on how you rode.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One line of a tall upright four strides to a pretty beefy square oxer was causing lots of problems as it was backing the horses off. Didn't even walk long but people were struggling to get down there. I went to warm up China and he was an absolute dick. He was so adamant he knew all the things and wouldn't listen at all. The first cross rail was scary the second was terrifying. He bounded two strides out and ate into the distance so we ended up right in the base of it and he sort of went to stop and I was part way up his neck and then he did jump and luckily we stayed together and that is why I prefer the European style deep seat because I didn't get spat out. I got him to settle some but everytime I checked him instead of slowing not he would throw his head up and lock his neck and go sideways or bound, which of course meant I pulled harder and we got into this ugly tug of war. I know it takes two to pull but I'm also not prepared to just be run at jumps either. I have ridden plenty of strong horses but this completely wooden lack of response is not pleasant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure I'll get a few comments about flatwork and the like but he is beautiful to ride on the flat at home. Very soft and rateable, If anything a little lazy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiSDPp-LKtfSgGsTJgwO7Gqa_bR0Kh4LdBkCYT9Wg5BOYL4MhdtGha8r4FZFznq6Z6ywQoCqKlRPwpBPJMiLI8fxlDMV1hfm288Ywncr6OAbSV9wDz6hl4C0GS6BHLwEKIKmZpfNqONzq/s640/blogger-image--394558347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiSDPp-LKtfSgGsTJgwO7Gqa_bR0Kh4LdBkCYT9Wg5BOYL4MhdtGha8r4FZFznq6Z6ywQoCqKlRPwpBPJMiLI8fxlDMV1hfm288Ywncr6OAbSV9wDz6hl4C0GS6BHLwEKIKmZpfNqONzq/s640/blogger-image--394558347.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Definitely It's very mild and a little like Spring has sprung so the grass is starting to get a little rich and low in mag. Which makes for hot spooky horses full of beans and both of mine definitely felt a little like that. We went into the ring and we had some nice jumps but mostly he wouldn't listen. We got a nice shot to te line at 3 because I had heaps of room by the time I had hauled him around the corner and he'd paused because we were turning away from the parking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi946Uk_AaGhuJleYCnmIjYKVfjfw1kjVDD2Dq9Fq_jx7n2OP_49MM-qLyLyI8cPIgFeVf9jhFnAqzOY9mCKYs3x5Fn3ANQCLXV0hu96AoqifkQeW95D_s-r3EJz0UD9sxiHNtabSKPkMgV/s640/blogger-image--1432777723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi946Uk_AaGhuJleYCnmIjYKVfjfw1kjVDD2Dq9Fq_jx7n2OP_49MM-qLyLyI8cPIgFeVf9jhFnAqzOY9mCKYs3x5Fn3ANQCLXV0hu96AoqifkQeW95D_s-r3EJz0UD9sxiHNtabSKPkMgV/s640/blogger-image--1432777723.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When he stayed relaxed he was super but he also did some ugly flat jumps and I had a rail and a circle. Then I let one horse go and I went again, because I wasn't going to let him go be tied up to te float after such a wild ride. It was not worth rewarding. He was better the second time, had another rail but no circle and jumped a few more fences on a better shape but still a little manic. I went back in for a third time and he was even more settled though quite strong still and also a bit tired so he didn't jump as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's just so frustrating because he's so much more relaxed at home and then we go out and his brakes seize up. Which is clearly a product of having been a racehorse that was impossible to hold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Still the jumps he did well he jumped amazing. Here is the last fence three times. No shortage of scope. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiKSag9gJWG4g7ExeJgU8y8Dl7TjcuJtrKeC8_OgPzy1n1Y-Wv2G2u2l2ocW8IxC3GdtMs4NGhis0HvUF8qbWOIPqf8gH-X5OeZTeXu4Tg_yvamTFGl2lqTbniSN15xe35C9xQYdBDTvO/s640/blogger-image-223824387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiKSag9gJWG4g7ExeJgU8y8Dl7TjcuJtrKeC8_OgPzy1n1Y-Wv2G2u2l2ocW8IxC3GdtMs4NGhis0HvUF8qbWOIPqf8gH-X5OeZTeXu4Tg_yvamTFGl2lqTbniSN15xe35C9xQYdBDTvO/s640/blogger-image-223824387.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1lNrD4zsAdwIR1sK91udC9AMmSdPkzoNJqHp_HhoDBVcfnerPFmNA6t9f1_RP_kh4RLQjlszFOGUU9ukYs3hUkYvx7hXQqZ49ONsP4tIHpY1CdxiRM1l5XqPTl2KE0_xeAPYTboVKfPq/s640/blogger-image--1201218762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1lNrD4zsAdwIR1sK91udC9AMmSdPkzoNJqHp_HhoDBVcfnerPFmNA6t9f1_RP_kh4RLQjlszFOGUU9ukYs3hUkYvx7hXQqZ49ONsP4tIHpY1CdxiRM1l5XqPTl2KE0_xeAPYTboVKfPq/s640/blogger-image--1201218762.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Ep3f8kXkpgfz7sSbsDEW1OKGBK4__xaKDiUY3twgWwcxNCjfIs3-u5KLoWyhzvL130NEtvqLWk7aCXB1byVq5efTwJsJXdE9_sCs17NlN5lq-JFGESG9Sm4bW1jnPT_XPpntPeAdQB3/s640/blogger-image-1073142184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Ep3f8kXkpgfz7sSbsDEW1OKGBK4__xaKDiUY3twgWwcxNCjfIs3-u5KLoWyhzvL130NEtvqLWk7aCXB1byVq5efTwJsJXdE9_sCs17NlN5lq-JFGESG9Sm4bW1jnPT_XPpntPeAdQB3/s640/blogger-image-1073142184.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Honestly, I was completely stuffed by the end of that and still had to drag out Bob. Bob jumped super for one rail but tried really hard. A little hesitant jumping into his lines but really pleased with him </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJeJWDluad0yZB4f3p6NTm5d6v19zs-Lex8fkjN74Qbjr9SYiD8rzRo-igsLdCUIjKHe3wY8c74dQ6kip9a6h8WJP0k0HumzpapE78yFhH8lI5BHeJhHVhu7S7VEEBGsqV7plxP_v7JXP/s640/blogger-image--456993388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJeJWDluad0yZB4f3p6NTm5d6v19zs-Lex8fkjN74Qbjr9SYiD8rzRo-igsLdCUIjKHe3wY8c74dQ6kip9a6h8WJP0k0HumzpapE78yFhH8lI5BHeJhHVhu7S7VEEBGsqV7plxP_v7JXP/s640/blogger-image--456993388.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The front end needs work and v rails to tighten up but as such a big horse he probably needs a bigger fence. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvAskUrtSn1JBqocic5T26ZJ3J_7vLwmUQo4SgRvfQFOYTuJ8QFBgpATLNXODfpAy9no6By6-OE4UXmjSWEM9W8y1MPHijdj1bV-8_E9dohnRKEiviX2kcccZmpLML43v-ohWiFLddDd7/s640/blogger-image--623051268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvAskUrtSn1JBqocic5T26ZJ3J_7vLwmUQo4SgRvfQFOYTuJ8QFBgpATLNXODfpAy9no6By6-OE4UXmjSWEM9W8y1MPHijdj1bV-8_E9dohnRKEiviX2kcccZmpLML43v-ohWiFLddDd7/s640/blogger-image--623051268.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't know why my right leg is so wayward. That needs working on. When did this happen?! Bob needs to tighten up in front and peak over the fence instead of beyond it. China I don't know really. I need to break the cycle of arguing . I need to sit on him more quietly And I really need some control. Though I never feel unsafe on him. Horses</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-38153373869742567182016-08-24T01:05:00.001-07:002016-08-26T22:48:20.905-07:00Channeling the inner 10yr oldI've mostly been an minimalist when it comes to turnout. Brown leather, white saddle blankets. Maybe a little stitching detail but nothing to flashy. I did get a sparkle browband that didn't get a lot of use because it didn't suit butches face. Bob however was born to wear sparkles! <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hIywCuhqauNKt260deDthgHenVY4qA7a4sK0jwXqb5f8xCto5AEVYtJVocrem3mAkb9KUsqMJQMp_M3te4BTKDy4hDXfCwBXkoEqrcOJVjxKespRMY-pqBxTiX1cVO0lYnUuDScsShrM/s640/blogger-image--1564394347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hIywCuhqauNKt260deDthgHenVY4qA7a4sK0jwXqb5f8xCto5AEVYtJVocrem3mAkb9KUsqMJQMp_M3te4BTKDy4hDXfCwBXkoEqrcOJVjxKespRMY-pqBxTiX1cVO0lYnUuDScsShrM/s640/blogger-image--1564394347.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think the use of sparkles has broke something in me. That and second hand internet shopping because I have been buying stuff all over the place dressing China up like a princess pony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These bad boys are on their way</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2IgdbLS-vsIjo_jFEU_JrHBS4S9kETQC4JPGBgyp0h9GEcazpPYfS40O4W1QxH37YtusCEmQqwDpFAXuHgLCt-2Ap37R5y5BgOeOVz_WTmdV_-UDgVxn3DwcZ_ihpdlVm_fxgqJvuYpF/s640/blogger-image--1264875787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2IgdbLS-vsIjo_jFEU_JrHBS4S9kETQC4JPGBgyp0h9GEcazpPYfS40O4W1QxH37YtusCEmQqwDpFAXuHgLCt-2Ap37R5y5BgOeOVz_WTmdV_-UDgVxn3DwcZ_ihpdlVm_fxgqJvuYpF/s640/blogger-image--1264875787.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Amazing right!! And I got him this super thick and squishy bad boy </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9sjG1ju-6kaGiMcf6q4ymg-UxTTRUJmAG3HVNkFf_EmSBN5Q9yArL9OznVShjYL3caizWA3Zp0xXzW96zjE5o2NA41AGHjmmexKWIqikVDmoz652w6iHijY8xVAcaNvtKKt_JpJzOQdf/s640/blogger-image-501978051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9sjG1ju-6kaGiMcf6q4ymg-UxTTRUJmAG3HVNkFf_EmSBN5Q9yArL9OznVShjYL3caizWA3Zp0xXzW96zjE5o2NA41AGHjmmexKWIqikVDmoz652w6iHijY8xVAcaNvtKKt_JpJzOQdf/s640/blogger-image-501978051.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm struggling internally about with it would be wrong to buy gold glitter hoof polish but surely not right? Maybe pink? China can pull it off anyway </div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-3965255371537276172016-08-18T01:40:00.001-07:002016-08-18T02:31:31.960-07:00Great lesson, great show.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-QeyBLBIuBCv5PJgH8ecSI-W7D5wKG4qUtOflJotOQDmcl0zmCmYTkH32kysEvBfYHFZfi6ZUsX_CADcSDBf6Y9vEeArqqsrQj6kWjdS80gi5FoweLOXef1kz0Hsspmq1Z1ttY9P98SB/s640/blogger-image-41569496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-QeyBLBIuBCv5PJgH8ecSI-W7D5wKG4qUtOflJotOQDmcl0zmCmYTkH32kysEvBfYHFZfi6ZUsX_CADcSDBf6Y9vEeArqqsrQj6kWjdS80gi5FoweLOXef1kz0Hsspmq1Z1ttY9P98SB/s640/blogger-image-41569496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">China finally well covered over the ribs after 6 months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>So the day before the next jumping day I had a lesson on both China and bob. China was once again a difficult know it all. He was fine jumping down the related line in one direction but going the other way would jump in and run at the next fence. We did some pull ups where I jumped in and halted him which just added to his stress levels and he refused to give it up. Normally you halt a few times and then jump in and sit up and they come back to you anticipating the halt and you go pat pat pat good pony good learning.<div><br></div><div>China took it as something of a personal affront and was like human why are you ruining this for me. I would have done it ten times and he was still looking to run down the next fence. I think I need to add circles in my related lines instead of the halting. Still he settled in the course work and whenever he got hot or silly I would just circle and we got our canter a little more dialled in and he relaxed and started to give me more shape over the fences.</div><div><br></div><div>Bob we had a real epiphany with though because I've been softening at the base of the fences on both of them to give them the room to jump in a relaxed way but of course I've been taking it too far and letting bob fall in his forehand and then lengthen that last stride which effectively throws all our impulsive into the toilet which results in rails. Firmer contact at the base and he really started to jump with more power. With China too I need to do this at least for a while because he's getting flat on the last stride as well. Though give it three weeks and it will change again. Having two very different green horses to ride is really keeping me on my toes.</div><div><br></div><div>The morning of the show was disgusting, pouring with rain and cold and I was really tempted to A. Pull the pin or B. Just take Bob because he's the client horse and needs to be getting out because he's on the market. However, I put on my Big girl pants and went despite being super late and there being low entries. I basically got there, got on China, learnt the course, jumped three warm up fences and went in. The course was really weird with only two jumps on the left rein and no related distances bar the combination and no fillers. The front part of the oxer into the combination was just two rails which wasn't bad at 80cm but it was hella ugly at 110m. So China had one rail in the 80cm when I let him run at it a little. But hugely improved from his last competition because I didn't have to turn with both hands on one rein and he was a lot more settled.</div><div><br></div><div>Bob came out and just leapt out of his skin at the practice fence and jumped a double clear round in the 80cm. Apparently he really likes contact at the base. Even my little sister was like wow he learnt a lot yesterday. Bonus was he won the class which is nice.</div><div><br></div><div>I just stayed in the ring and rode first in the 90cm. He jumped clean again and I had put my stirrups up a hole and felt like I could stay with him a lot better. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHY_nvTa33DZGKXkljbFsRYSd5kxK0-3CF_E9jAtpt9pLp33MMVwvIQ2eWn7hg9Bwxi0ebwAnRqmNRdWaTV3occ8RqNH4C3B9iicpie5S8Dam_ojW1nPObTQGh2hhujV9CmcfHeXiLfZ4/s640/blogger-image--1431333924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHY_nvTa33DZGKXkljbFsRYSd5kxK0-3CF_E9jAtpt9pLp33MMVwvIQ2eWn7hg9Bwxi0ebwAnRqmNRdWaTV3occ8RqNH4C3B9iicpie5S8Dam_ojW1nPObTQGh2hhujV9CmcfHeXiLfZ4/s640/blogger-image--1431333924.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">China too was very good. Jumping well from the base and very listeny for him. Just buried him at the base of the first fence of the combination when my eye wandered through the fence. Focus woman! So he had a rail there but still uber happy with both of them considering the weather was so bad. Didn't even put breeches on just rode in my polar fleece pants </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITEkhBQXPi4LEjaCSflX1G70FJ85_HJVEuZ2oIF-ts_iTQaIkGre8uvnmhWEA_V7-31Ch_z7TcZutZ4WceBoZxntKX1E-B1-xn4kVYGe2uSEXrDNe-5I4_FvaBubXiuMvBnTKGCwJlvjk/s640/blogger-image--1445414140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITEkhBQXPi4LEjaCSflX1G70FJ85_HJVEuZ2oIF-ts_iTQaIkGre8uvnmhWEA_V7-31Ch_z7TcZutZ4WceBoZxntKX1E-B1-xn4kVYGe2uSEXrDNe-5I4_FvaBubXiuMvBnTKGCwJlvjk/s640/blogger-image--1445414140.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">China I feel is going to be one of those quite talented but a bit difficult ponies. Though changed his noseband to a figure 8 and though he didn't like it he did give me some good work. Lovely and responsive </div><br></div> </div><div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-12086750295947629192016-08-11T03:27:00.001-07:002016-08-11T12:22:01.021-07:00Ambition rampage<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3Ac5sAkDbcxa7mH7YJEktD_-x61OpZjtemJDCxzSRGwFG94gaSsmKyMl4rEF2annYrgxAjqQEN-ptEtn1QSd3QSQTLlYlzq2Sqf2Q0nwAoUsnroSuX__klTWiwraqHEslDqg45-_Ql67/s640/blogger-image--1272292074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3Ac5sAkDbcxa7mH7YJEktD_-x61OpZjtemJDCxzSRGwFG94gaSsmKyMl4rEF2annYrgxAjqQEN-ptEtn1QSd3QSQTLlYlzq2Sqf2Q0nwAoUsnroSuX__klTWiwraqHEslDqg45-_Ql67/s640/blogger-image--1272292074.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't know what's been with me all week but I have been absolutely fuming. Churning and grinding in this terribly frustrated mindset. I feel like on both the horses I'm not getting anywhere. Just flailing around in the sand and getting no where. Current progress has been pretty limited though I do realise that's normal with young horses, especially once you get past that initial stage where turning stopping and travelling at the desired speed are the win. Now that I'm asking for a lot more the progress is in smaller increments. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't know if it's the backdrop of the Olympics where dreams are coming true and being shattered and all that malarkey but honestly I think it's mostly the daily bombardment of equine memes all selling the same Coolaid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGKlO7BvT4Y8mYdRl5dGRh0g3KsRXhMTff4LkltRldV9s4bjhyphenhyphennuhMq93jODf-OXRr7dGPCehw_jfAdLFV7DcEcYsyoYx-Lj0OQkaCjwUqbsfwRaEOsX339Il4T1ERgoTuTGTpAXQk_TA/s640/blogger-image-299708624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGKlO7BvT4Y8mYdRl5dGRh0g3KsRXhMTff4LkltRldV9s4bjhyphenhyphennuhMq93jODf-OXRr7dGPCehw_jfAdLFV7DcEcYsyoYx-Lj0OQkaCjwUqbsfwRaEOsX339Il4T1ERgoTuTGTpAXQk_TA/s640/blogger-image-299708624.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love horses, I love riding and I love jumping. I always thought growing up that it didn't matter what stood in my path, if I tried really hard I could be it. I'm pretty confident that I was confident I'd be jumping World Cup by now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnGF5P8JG0Q_WvNfdOM4VqjCfKvsycT0QBlYV9bXtqXoqH-TZKi5T1WN8Kan6qkDc4QkMn0UVz7WHzGfDP706z8cvB1lo0ZI77dwQfg2-stqNoJ0HiimjbMcFdv50uV2t5JoqHO67JNUX/s640/blogger-image-1303201278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnGF5P8JG0Q_WvNfdOM4VqjCfKvsycT0QBlYV9bXtqXoqH-TZKi5T1WN8Kan6qkDc4QkMn0UVz7WHzGfDP706z8cvB1lo0ZI77dwQfg2-stqNoJ0HiimjbMcFdv50uV2t5JoqHO67JNUX/s640/blogger-image-1303201278.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It didn't matter that I didn't have a lot of money, it didn't matter that I lacked in horse power. I would work my guts out and overcome the odds and attain all my goals. Because this is what we are fed all day long. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbp2mg1VbFx_bVtLivdaWk2s9sEKxoMx1r0fEsytpNislUrreiN4rSXOM3r5gBwfNuu51_fZHS0NbfdDHXdI7cnY_19_0kqfni9wDRk3haZvk77CKgldOqBnIQEAT7nBj3t1xdnsFrofJ/s640/blogger-image--1020310749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbp2mg1VbFx_bVtLivdaWk2s9sEKxoMx1r0fEsytpNislUrreiN4rSXOM3r5gBwfNuu51_fZHS0NbfdDHXdI7cnY_19_0kqfni9wDRk3haZvk77CKgldOqBnIQEAT7nBj3t1xdnsFrofJ/s640/blogger-image--1020310749.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have worked really hard. I've educated myself in a lot of different aspects of horse care, I've trained under some amazing international riders when I got the opportunity. I have diligently (and still do) applied what I have been taught. And I'm a nice rider with good feel. My eye to a fence is pretty good and I can follow instructions. But still I have never come anywhere close to the dreams I used to have. I say used to, there's definitely still an ember burning that just wants to jump a Grand Prix. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU4EHPsjW9g1Few-CJEnFgW5Y28BiyObnfV-SbaTMcIPwRbGzz7twfW9PQoc8Hpt0OZ2hNXLmtsFWs1PN3I7kpHnZCIiDN19vU8IKmbmaOnZjut3TJkRu53k188F3ZZh41Nyo_HjHT1Ks/s640/blogger-image-1049106226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU4EHPsjW9g1Few-CJEnFgW5Y28BiyObnfV-SbaTMcIPwRbGzz7twfW9PQoc8Hpt0OZ2hNXLmtsFWs1PN3I7kpHnZCIiDN19vU8IKmbmaOnZjut3TJkRu53k188F3ZZh41Nyo_HjHT1Ks/s640/blogger-image-1049106226.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Realistically though following my dream led to some pretty bum life choices. It's been cool jumping all over the country and chasing the series, but becoming a working pupil really was eye opening. The sheer number of horses you need to go through to find a super star is boggling. If they have the jump they don't have the attitude and visa versa. And then you still have to keep them sound and sane which is no easy feat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And let's be honest the horses with the talent and the attitude are quite frankly dicks and often not very fun to deal with anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can put in the sweat, and the tears and the blood. You can put everything you have into something until you are running your car on $5 gas a time. It takes more than that though. You need luck, support and money and even then with horses that's no guarantee. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh853O92QPldEfVBEa1FfaXefZdrDnwGrJaxGDOiK9msyn91XWrhK2aDZKJydH3CG5cvkr8rUO1OTh_27F0g1D-kFz9JVMVAWrgcUNKYRLv8J7Jt6Evdd56ctLPbQFxqEZSESiZtgv8IUce/s640/blogger-image--1095188219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh853O92QPldEfVBEa1FfaXefZdrDnwGrJaxGDOiK9msyn91XWrhK2aDZKJydH3CG5cvkr8rUO1OTh_27F0g1D-kFz9JVMVAWrgcUNKYRLv8J7Jt6Evdd56ctLPbQFxqEZSESiZtgv8IUce/s640/blogger-image--1095188219.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So I guess what I'm trying to say is dream big beautiful mental dreams, fan the ember of passion and ambition. Believe in your ability to achieve. Don't carry failure solely on your own shoulders. Know that it takes more than just talent and hard work. Don't let your dream cloud your vision so you can't afford to keep riding. Accept that you have to do a million miles of basics on every horse you have and that luck and life will make you feel like all you do is put the basics on and never get to progress on. It doesn't matter where you start or how long it takes you to get there if you get there at all. What matters is that you start. Love the horse, develop that relationship because really the ribbons are just the icing on the cake of being lucky enough to even have a horse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sorry late night stream of consciousness. Will sleep now. Thanks guys. Be brave. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-52403553462945123582016-08-06T00:41:00.001-07:002016-08-06T00:42:29.701-07:00Stuff and stuff<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGSaqf7LHle9RzDfk4MFW_k6bcjAO6fNODyYy9T7_CB7-SDIKq5QfbofNGrE_jMPgndmQi8IgxSZTLv1UWuMr-TiRVQKeyiH9TDzVp2p0BZKqHf0sARmqB5E8Cn1ejusVguHHqeKjg7no/s640/blogger-image-948499626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGSaqf7LHle9RzDfk4MFW_k6bcjAO6fNODyYy9T7_CB7-SDIKq5QfbofNGrE_jMPgndmQi8IgxSZTLv1UWuMr-TiRVQKeyiH9TDzVp2p0BZKqHf0sARmqB5E8Cn1ejusVguHHqeKjg7no/s640/blogger-image-948499626.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I can't promise interesting content at the moment that's for sure. I'm mostly flailing around with a fog like brain napping where I can. Calving has starting with a roar and a hiss and my life had gone from cruisey to insanely mental. I'm in the bath at the moment and my eyelids are getting heavy. It's 6.41pm on a Saturday night. I'm such a wild child. So a massive storm has blown up from the South And it's freaking cold. The wind is so bitter and it's been absolutely pouring. My poor baby calves are arriving so cold and wet. It's amazing what a bit of milk can do though. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7xz7FnlTkUYU6OVT8Av981j0BBpev2utB0PFxDADqvC2M634YS59eImWfolhhfoA4_-LytGtFVmKD8NRzQ4XB5p-1TgT906ygmVidZEy9qIxpdeSHrBemmkdP5_UdjeRbsRAb5lwNikR/s640/blogger-image-2144719716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7xz7FnlTkUYU6OVT8Av981j0BBpev2utB0PFxDADqvC2M634YS59eImWfolhhfoA4_-LytGtFVmKD8NRzQ4XB5p-1TgT906ygmVidZEy9qIxpdeSHrBemmkdP5_UdjeRbsRAb5lwNikR/s640/blogger-image-2144719716.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Such unexcited ponies to work. You can see the rain clouds building to the south. To be fair though both worked really well though which was nice because it was cold and I didn't want to invest that much energy. They are both such lovely boys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I thought to if Bob is still around in a couple of months I might do some saddle hunters on him which is sort of like an American flat class based of type movement and temperament. He does dish a front leg but it should be a hoot even if I know nothing about it really. I'm told I have to do the working hunters as well which involves a jump so shit should get interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpsE8eP5n3vetI0BmU1M0K7Bh-zhfbcNQGHy5FtX0vWp1fCqFhBZYk82BYpvRnIH1CK5NYyyKR79N62WrUH8KaetX7ThWXgjG8pdPNQKMVzPFpAFokxyQSDSZruiwtbTrOzmbSVwxIA19/s640/blogger-image-104275301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpsE8eP5n3vetI0BmU1M0K7Bh-zhfbcNQGHy5FtX0vWp1fCqFhBZYk82BYpvRnIH1CK5NYyyKR79N62WrUH8KaetX7ThWXgjG8pdPNQKMVzPFpAFokxyQSDSZruiwtbTrOzmbSVwxIA19/s640/blogger-image-104275301.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Apparently they are looking at getting jousting into the olympics so maybe I should aim Bob at that. In other news my trainer hurt herself which means yay lots of ponies for me to play with and boo responsibilities at an already insanely busy time of year. Gah I'm not even sure what my point is. I'm still here I guess there's jumping next week and I'm very very tired. And cold it's also cold </div><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-85368662662970686352016-07-27T02:45:00.001-07:002016-07-27T02:53:43.119-07:00Show pics, thoughts and a super fun day<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nNLqAA8NTL3ak_OwVqSmgloCGnN1aVgySge1YLXJ4WSO92wKYRfs49h4UpzyR8QTlBYKwskSq5oS5KbCSI6Lm8Qv8W3pkBUYs_3GnDQvj-ILfEwPEo7TzqHontiGtAHdAgwDUbEsNesK/s640/blogger-image-1813251913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nNLqAA8NTL3ak_OwVqSmgloCGnN1aVgySge1YLXJ4WSO92wKYRfs49h4UpzyR8QTlBYKwskSq5oS5KbCSI6Lm8Qv8W3pkBUYs_3GnDQvj-ILfEwPEo7TzqHontiGtAHdAgwDUbEsNesK/s640/blogger-image-1813251913.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bob in the 80cm, probably a little small</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For the big guy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsnzbsQxYWej0s4gfPYgi_ZD9VxdlhGafkno3FcE0FZ5f1p-bRZ45vB5lbLkROcUidxJdLAiieafLD9I43GEIP2UxHlng2TrN-K-oMDAsGcBKoyIhuFvHFgsCKpg2WGFEZcFXggNSqOdH/s640/blogger-image-1478934144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsnzbsQxYWej0s4gfPYgi_ZD9VxdlhGafkno3FcE0FZ5f1p-bRZ45vB5lbLkROcUidxJdLAiieafLD9I43GEIP2UxHlng2TrN-K-oMDAsGcBKoyIhuFvHFgsCKpg2WGFEZcFXggNSqOdH/s640/blogger-image-1478934144.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kim in the background on Kate </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTZdFMaEg-fMlrZZq8rJMchbeAyxD1Jn0-CrJ3zLUbM5rjM6zlY34OR_qUcD9IBwCZx6dLHxMuyUvRO5_L_Y1wP_AkQhvzw5lmCq9Jt1AcI6NSGPE6lb1T6OhyWwtY5iOapRi2RQ92uBF/s640/blogger-image--1331229046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTZdFMaEg-fMlrZZq8rJMchbeAyxD1Jn0-CrJ3zLUbM5rjM6zlY34OR_qUcD9IBwCZx6dLHxMuyUvRO5_L_Y1wP_AkQhvzw5lmCq9Jt1AcI6NSGPE6lb1T6OhyWwtY5iOapRi2RQ92uBF/s640/blogger-image--1331229046.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think he is such a cool looking horse. He's a such a big didonk. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think you can kind of see I'm struggling for air. Anyway, it's been an interesting few days. After two days of doing the bare minimum required and slowly dying, my immune system has rallied and I'm a lot better which is good because I'm an awful sick person. Very complainy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anyway, I was riding China yesterday and he was trucking along quite nicely and he had his neck nicely arched and he's such an impressive mover he felt pretty good but there were a few tiny things that started to make my head tick. Every so often he would throw the inside shoulder in, or lug on the bit before turning and get heavy. And then I kind of clicked and was like you clever little clogs. He's been faking me out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I did my favourite exercise of small circles in the corner, flexing around the inside leg with a very quick release of the inside rein when he softened. Then once they are lovely and buttery you go down the long side, little lengthen keeping the softness by using flexion and leg. Circle in the next corner until really soft again and the maintain the pace on the short side and circle in te next corner and so on ad nauseum but it just makes it a lot easier to get them really round. The release on the inside rein is key and pushing them into the outside rein with the inside leg and maintaining correct bend. And low and behold his whole back and jaw let go more, he was moving better and straighter in his body.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bob is in a bit of a strength boot camp and I have noticed the same thing a in him. Rather than just throwing the shoulder, he also has a brace and run being quite reactive to the leg. And overbending. But doesn't lug on the turns. So I guess the epiphany is that it's time for both of them to have a bit more pressure on in their flatwork to make them work more correctly. It's easy when they are young and green to let things slide some but at some point they have to come to the party. It's so much easier to instill the work correctly at the start and not let the bad habits sneak in from the beginning. Shows will always make a horse revert to their old ways. For China that means blowing through the Aids, and for Bob falling in on the left rein and running. So that's ok we just work on this. Bob and I had a really productive ride tonight and I'm curious to see what that feels like next schooling session.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Te best part though! Trainer friend let me have a jump on her two good horses. One I ride quite a lot on the flat because he lets me work on myself and he has all the buttons so he's quite fun. The second I would be lucky to have ridden twice. The jumps were tiny like 60cm but they were still tricky enough to ride she makes them look so easy, but one is a bit chicken and the other is full of opinions and was most offended when I missed him. I thought he was going to bury me on the landing side! It was kinda cool to get my eye in a bit more and jump different horses and also to ride horses that are you know adjustable. My guys are getting there but they don't have the same level of collectibility. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The hunger is coming back. The flutter in my stomach and that drive to jump. It's been gone a long time, but for the first time in a long time I'm excited spring is coming. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-39530500067678199912016-07-26T02:20:00.001-07:002016-07-26T02:23:08.641-07:00Feilding A and P Winter jumping day<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_UgFerPrSRGgLlSSZl4BjJ4EhCMJ1_SlfjaFKf9ytRWEQz2Lq4259ZdUnlL-hwnuso-GaeNLht1mua4pwJbCD4GURGTVM8Ke376iTBc_C5sE9jXxnIYwrS4Od4CA_9SseFDrH4Ahlc8N/s640/blogger-image--1335244407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_UgFerPrSRGgLlSSZl4BjJ4EhCMJ1_SlfjaFKf9ytRWEQz2Lq4259ZdUnlL-hwnuso-GaeNLht1mua4pwJbCD4GURGTVM8Ke376iTBc_C5sE9jXxnIYwrS4Od4CA_9SseFDrH4Ahlc8N/s640/blogger-image--1335244407.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Or alternative title- when the entire world conspires against you and maybe you should just give up. There is media coming, just waiting for the show album to be sent.<div><br></div><div>So Friday night a very grumpy version of my BF was finishing the floor of the float and I use the term finished loosely because there's still a part to be redone. So Friday I'm a bit drained and starting to feel ill. The forecast is for gale force winds and torrential rain. China doesn't get worked and I haven't even jumped him so I pull the pin on him and get Swap Kim into his entry on Kate. My trainer pulled out because she had plans and they changed the schedule making it not worth it, she would have had to miss classes to get back in time. So that left Kim and I with bob and Kate. I leave at 6.30am to go get Kim and the float ramp won't close. Much bashing with a hammer later (sorry neighbours) I got it closed. Get to Kim and Kate and struggle more with the door. Notice the air seems to be lacking oxygen because I'm feeling seriously weak. </div><div><br></div><div>China man has of course escaped his paddock despite a brand new solar unit (he's one escape away from the banishment paddock at this point). Catch him and return him and catch Bob lead him down meanwhile Kim has put my stuff in the car but somehow we manage to forget a whip. I said to Kim while gasping for air that if we couldn't close the door straight away I was giving </div><div>up. </div><div><br></div><div>I add a sideways twist and it closes straight away. Ok. So we go! So begins</div><div> an hour and 45 minute trip with a toilet break. And stopping for fuel. The conversation was excellent though. Horses boys politics state of the world racism sexism horses horses horses. </div><div>We got there with plenty of time to spare and watched the class before ours because we were last to ride. Luckily the weather stayed amazing the whole day. Them about eight o'clock that night all hell broke lose and it got seriously windy!</div><div><br></div><div>The warm up was a little rushed but that suits me- no time to get nervous. And in we went. I knew he would struggle some because he's never been in an indoor before but he coped mostly really well. Obviously wobbled some especially in the combination but tried hard to be clean and had two green rails. One coming out of the double when he spooked at the judge and trotted and then at the last when the rail pickers walked out behind the fence. Kim had an awesome double clear for second place.</div><div><br></div><div>The next round was set quite big and I was a bit iffy about starting. I felt really weak, the was like half the normal</div><div>Amount of oxygen, he felt odd walking over, and he gets tired quite quickly and the footing had gotten really deep. Turns out he lost a shoe in the warm up as well. I shouldn't have started. I rode like a monkey. I made poor decisions, and even when I made the right choice the smoothness of excecution wasn't there. </div><div><br></div><div>He did awkward helicopter jumps </div><div>as well as taking rails, which is his go to when he's tired, he sort of forgets his back end and I didn't help by providing no sort of canter support. Sigh. I really wasn't well enough. Still first long trip, first indoor start and first proper outing so I'm still calling it a win. The owners were happy too so that's a bonus. I'm just a bit frustrated by the second round so he needs to get a lot stronger. Kim laid down another lovely clear for third and ended up winning the points prize! It was totally worth the effort to see Kim ride that well.</div><div><br></div><div>The drive home was long and when I got back I had to feed the trainers horses as well which took me a while by </div><div>myself. I had to keep stopping to sit down and rest. Sunday I did my morning job from 6.15 to 9 and then went back to bed and watched movies and cried about how sore my head was and how weak I was. Good times! But progress of sorts. Another couple of rounds under our belt. </div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-61449413202068405132016-07-21T01:47:00.001-07:002016-07-21T01:50:22.216-07:00Lesson recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp9dXS7sX0lu1CohCJDPi-JQzGSgkn8sFmcYXYXimZ5LM9aGIIvTmrCUbBxehaPHQIfYJRGnMm1sWoyppIbpEnf3HwDcgWMA4G0too0b8B08jC43zEfswo-OzGlNNqcCSV7DOsNfA7Cfe/s640/blogger-image--2046585977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp9dXS7sX0lu1CohCJDPi-JQzGSgkn8sFmcYXYXimZ5LM9aGIIvTmrCUbBxehaPHQIfYJRGnMm1sWoyppIbpEnf3HwDcgWMA4G0too0b8B08jC43zEfswo-OzGlNNqcCSV7DOsNfA7Cfe/s640/blogger-image--2046585977.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My little sister on Bob whom is looking so well and a lovely genuine horse. I'm surprised he hasn't been snapped up to be honest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bobs been back for a week after a three week holiday and has four jumping shows in the next five weeks which will be so good for him. The one this weekend coming is in an indoor though so hopefully he copes with that. It will be a good learning curve for him. He's very bold to fences and likes to do what he's told but can get a bit overwhelmed by the surroundings, like at the one arena where he doesn't cope with the white advertising board. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He's a little bit reached the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">no everything stage where they don't listen so well but they all Go through it. It will pass. Anyway this doesn't recap the lesson at all so far. Basically he was a little strong but if I sat on him quietly and softened at the base he was jumping out of his skin and trying really hard which is great progress and for effectively 9 weeks work he's come such a long way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He's the sort of horse that it's so easy to brace against though, he sets his head and neck and so it's easy to get hard against him and rely too much on te hand and forget the leg. I have to say I was really nervous as well because I hadn't jumped for three weeks, but my eye wasn't too bad. I did get told off because when he gets tired I let him run on and take the cheap distance. Go for the long one instead of keeping him compact, staying tall in my upper body and making him work and be more correct. Basically ride more correctly. Shorten my reins.do less and trust my own training. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mental side note to myself! Count you dork, it's so much easier when you count . Keeps me a little braver and more relaxed. China's entered for the show too but my float is still mostly sans a floor so maybe we won't be going anywhere . Either way he's stuck at the turnout paddock. So I just rode him there. And he's such a dick. I know he's had three weeks off but my word he has so many opinions. On the plus side he feels good and only bucked a bit. He's also stacked on some condition which I'm rapt about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He's just in this teenage rebellion stage where I go try and he goes make me and I'm hoping it will pass. Did I mention it's the first time I've shown out of the area in like two years 😳 keep breathing Becky </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxg_QmlsJwW29KUugKY1QPllInJYn-lObXH1t6mWEPtcPC42AWqzwDIYDGKt4P4oxhycYclI5kdY2H8vTkZh6y0exHNALzymAqCw5wm3lHwT2WPGp8BBrx0rtsrXKSop6n7UfUuUhCRSV/s640/blogger-image-319724892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxg_QmlsJwW29KUugKY1QPllInJYn-lObXH1t6mWEPtcPC42AWqzwDIYDGKt4P4oxhycYclI5kdY2H8vTkZh6y0exHNALzymAqCw5wm3lHwT2WPGp8BBrx0rtsrXKSop6n7UfUuUhCRSV/s640/blogger-image-319724892.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-19738956839095909042016-07-18T19:57:00.001-07:002016-07-18T20:21:08.347-07:00Blog hop : F*%k Yea!I'm going to try a blog hop because I was thinking about it today. And horse riding is so hard. Like you know those hard days where you're lying on the floor so depressed and haven't been able to pick up your left canter lead on any horse for days and for some reason your left hand won't stop clamping on the reins and refuses to soften and do what it's told and you feel like you'll never be good again. But you are good and there have definitely been times when you were like omg I am such a gangster at this. And I wanna see those pictures. The ones were you looked at them and went f%*k yea I am a bad ass horse rider. <div><br></div><div>I don't care if it's the first time you trotted your horse, the first time you hit a jump well, your first ribbon, or the first time you rode without white knuckles. Tell me the story of why those pictures remind you that you are a hardcore boss riding gangster. Because it's important to remember that fact. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh9EvLihPRECjaUFbNp7ynJNm9_y7CglkJCsed4sgbBtRQ4ImXhJpjB8wCMFI9_d1drICke5ClsVbDez7h8uwFFibQijcu39RzYbI1ONxWA5XYUqME6zGZLcv8hkKNrwHFa3rLy-0AVL0/s640/blogger-image--1828158322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh9EvLihPRECjaUFbNp7ynJNm9_y7CglkJCsed4sgbBtRQ4ImXhJpjB8wCMFI9_d1drICke5ClsVbDez7h8uwFFibQijcu39RzYbI1ONxWA5XYUqME6zGZLcv8hkKNrwHFa3rLy-0AVL0/s640/blogger-image--1828158322.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Giant grid day on Kate, just rocking down to a big 1.25m oxer like it ain't no thing. Such a good scopey mare, makes it seem so easy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw40VoBCJlhO5F-FGxwWvEYbasv0TQEfpdAj2YAQDRH73pMtWY-wn6cOCzQEKLjaOLokkSsQZw9DSEsVfmRG4zVp_AMswJFJ11MAzS-88ORLZDb-uM1E_KljBDDmdQSxTbsEGiR-dNKhBu/s640/blogger-image--554275659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw40VoBCJlhO5F-FGxwWvEYbasv0TQEfpdAj2YAQDRH73pMtWY-wn6cOCzQEKLjaOLokkSsQZw9DSEsVfmRG4zVp_AMswJFJ11MAzS-88ORLZDb-uM1E_KljBDDmdQSxTbsEGiR-dNKhBu/s640/blogger-image--554275659.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yea whatever, I can ride a legit racehorse and two year old tbs straight off the break. What a boss. Though track work is so hard and tiring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vdvJzpy4fjCgtB-6FwhJlb7mcqKB8KvOnfXCLGobIXAlgllQZ8bcPpUkqkaXnouXd1O6u4l6MYcYdm1T48e3tftTSNGFvVhGgcOn251aFryRLD2tHv1G203k5HZhySHg5LD6cEV75X42/s640/blogger-image-19044961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vdvJzpy4fjCgtB-6FwhJlb7mcqKB8KvOnfXCLGobIXAlgllQZ8bcPpUkqkaXnouXd1O6u4l6MYcYdm1T48e3tftTSNGFvVhGgcOn251aFryRLD2tHv1G203k5HZhySHg5LD6cEV75X42/s640/blogger-image-19044961.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yea I can totes jump clear rounds at four foot on my long awkward cooked horse and look like we are flying. I got this shit!! Only good picture of him over a jump ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got this guys! We are horse riding bossanovas. So let's do a blog spot for the days when you go like this and feel like you'll never ride well again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiJm4lqm7PyrS56Sjp9tVJH3KGK7I0XaQ32MO7JsxHt8L7pTzC4xMzDeFe8kOAYi4g6-48pmJwaYBSz09ZJWcKhS2Y6Bdt4ZYEJx-0zrNT42vJbvNqLdMmYPooJXKCeFyCP2JCZghTDcY/s640/blogger-image--824945714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiJm4lqm7PyrS56Sjp9tVJH3KGK7I0XaQ32MO7JsxHt8L7pTzC4xMzDeFe8kOAYi4g6-48pmJwaYBSz09ZJWcKhS2Y6Bdt4ZYEJx-0zrNT42vJbvNqLdMmYPooJXKCeFyCP2JCZghTDcY/s640/blogger-image--824945714.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-9122489021289925382016-07-13T21:18:00.001-07:002016-07-13T21:51:42.381-07:00Ten Questions<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sorry this is so borrowed but on the back of the last post I don't have a lot to say. So L Williams is basically the reigning queen of blog hops, and used to do these monthly "10 Questions" posts, well, every month. But it's been a while. She <a href="http://suenostomanvuelo.blogspot.com/2016/07/10-questions-for-july.html" style="text-decoration: none;">recently busted out the topic again</a> for July.<br><br><br><b>1. Do you actually always pick the horse's feet? Always? Really?</b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Honestly basically never, unless I'm</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Treating thrush, tracking abscesses, competing or doing studs. Packed dirt is like a poor mans sole pad surely. <br><br><br><b>2. What is the biggest obstacle/reason preventing you from becoming a professional or competing full time with ease?</b> </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have dabbled as a professional being a working student for while and still now I picked up the odd schooler or paid ride. I found it wore me out though and made me cynical. Doing what you love for work can make what you love just work, and I lost a lot of the passion for it. I also found it really high pressure riding horses for other people, and mostly they weren't great horses and I'm too old for that. So I'd say The biggest obstacle is that I just don't want to devote my whole life to horses.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguur3HtR55ueAvtGI5FFlzjVKyxhyvxRu0W5Se6M7iD84hHakshM2BtGcvIKvdotg4BvKXWBBdrDe6boPwNUW2pwtIxU2gCJoJEr8vdkOY2uBroH7RomHzs3OcvqzdSiCB-XYi0ZXRkLA0/s640/blogger-image-2122424442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguur3HtR55ueAvtGI5FFlzjVKyxhyvxRu0W5Se6M7iD84hHakshM2BtGcvIKvdotg4BvKXWBBdrDe6boPwNUW2pwtIxU2gCJoJEr8vdkOY2uBroH7RomHzs3OcvqzdSiCB-XYi0ZXRkLA0/s640/blogger-image-2122424442.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="padding: 5px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; position: relative; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><b>3. Do you think it will ever not be about the money?</b> </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nope, no way, not even a little. You can buy your way to the top and even a pasture puff is hella expensive to take proper care of. <br><br><br><b>4. Was there ever a horse that you loved and really wanted to have a connection with, but it just never panned out? </b>Often often often. Particularly with horses you can tell would do better with a more one on one approach and not the team setting. I loved this mate I rode for a while but she took a long time to build up strength especially as I wouldn't just slap draw reins on her. A bit slow but hella scopey. </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FYPcAJu9k9_yWNRXbJDdlBAiM7l4zJZkgZsrxwj6LF5YjYVImgf6wAl0DVbJcSr7xGHyZ5ovItHTP5DTumDkGxdkkzmqLKV1tTPXf7yXjWsoZxtj6bPWJFoLu14mPnBnoOwmns-ov8lM/s640/blogger-image-549221263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FYPcAJu9k9_yWNRXbJDdlBAiM7l4zJZkgZsrxwj6LF5YjYVImgf6wAl0DVbJcSr7xGHyZ5ovItHTP5DTumDkGxdkkzmqLKV1tTPXf7yXjWsoZxtj6bPWJFoLu14mPnBnoOwmns-ov8lM/s640/blogger-image-549221263.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seriously those ears!! Also I wish I could have brought Butch as a seven yr old because it would have been epic. I'm pretty pragmatic about it. They aren't Pokemon you can't catch them all. </div><br><br></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="padding: 5px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; position: relative; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="padding: 5px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; position: relative; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>5. What is one weakness in your riding that even your trainer doesn't pick up on, only you? </b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Umm probably that jumping scares the shit out of me. Though I think she knows. I've created lots of coping mechanisms though. <br><br><br><b>6. What is the biggest doubt/insecurity you ask or tell yourself in your head? </b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That I'm simply not good enough not ever will be as a rider.<br><br><br><b>7. There is a barn fire. You are the first person to discover it and see that the roof is collapsing in slowly, and you can tell it's going to come down any time. Do you call people first or head straight in to save the horses. </b>It would depend on the situation. I'm pretty good in a crisis. I have had this happen on</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A calf shed and while my ex raced off to save the calves, I got the shed hose. He hit a steel fence and knocked himself over and I put the fire out. Panic doesn't help. And cell phones right.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br><b>8. What is one event in your riding career/horse/anything that you're still not over, even tho you might tell others you are?</b> I'm not over Fred. That horse definitely took the best of me and made me really cowardly. The most ungenuine, unforgiving horse ever.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X-NZDmpujIE9G3dW1PbSYh093HzURLr9iwssOSHbmRkjZonZEJxFn63Z8uUCeZ8A2srORPSiQzS3sTqLFfiscTRuh3LlsGkKQ0MZrbpGNeUXVJt9sAlNPMd52hOnqjSYxUEF-7jw6GK3/s640/blogger-image-1355296246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X-NZDmpujIE9G3dW1PbSYh093HzURLr9iwssOSHbmRkjZonZEJxFn63Z8uUCeZ8A2srORPSiQzS3sTqLFfiscTRuh3LlsGkKQ0MZrbpGNeUXVJt9sAlNPMd52hOnqjSYxUEF-7jw6GK3/s640/blogger-image-1355296246.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="padding: 5px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; position: relative; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>9. If you could tell off one person you just don't like, what would you say? </b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6527622510318225103" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; line-height: 1.3; position: relative;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Horses are not a commodity to be replaced once you have fried their brains. It's not normal to go through horses like old pants.<br><br></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="padding: 5px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; position: relative; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;"><br></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><b>10. Have you ever seen questionable riding or training practices, but let it go/ignored it? How do you feel about it in hindsight?</b> Endlessly. Mostly when people have lost their temper. I've done it myself and it's so shit. In hindsight I feel like I don't say anything because people will be like who is this no body. <br>***<br><br>What about you?</span><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 20px -2px 0px; padding: 5px 10px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238);"></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-90444901225136517082016-07-08T16:00:00.001-07:002016-07-08T16:02:41.026-07:00Making the hard calls and living with it<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsa09FQVDOpyVWofTAWRUpXELxO9VFsFuBZpNLwRP9ikrZVk1afammOtXdLajaa6Gr92oGglYuvad0g3PzPy853LyKPxSW8egP3fgz45XN84MsBt2zQ2gaVJoSLktDjoStZh5qT34tOTN_/s640/blogger-image-1776898130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsa09FQVDOpyVWofTAWRUpXELxO9VFsFuBZpNLwRP9ikrZVk1afammOtXdLajaa6Gr92oGglYuvad0g3PzPy853LyKPxSW8egP3fgz45XN84MsBt2zQ2gaVJoSLktDjoStZh5qT34tOTN_/s640/blogger-image-1776898130.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div> I've always been really lucky in many ways that the majority of my horses have been super sound and I haven't had to make tough decisions regarding there welfare. Just as I was starting to wonder what I was going to do in the long term with my first hack Bob, she keeled over of some sort of an aneurysm out hunting with my little sister at the age of twenty. Going out fast and clean and in her own way was very much the way of the Bob and I was glad I didn't have to watch her age and weaken. <div><br></div><div>The thing is now there is so much intervention you can do to prolong life and maintain soundness it's become cloudier and cloudier where the lines are. It used to be clear cut if you went out and your horse had a broken leg, now the ability of surgeons has changed the life sentence that used to be. It's now for the owner to decide how much suffering the horse goes through, and whether it's worth it. </div><div><br></div><div>I saw on the internet recently a horse had been 'saved' by a Brazillian surgeon after a tourniquet type injury by amputating from the fetlock down. I had a picture but honestly you guys don't need to be haunted by it like I am. The caption reads something like how it's not a death sentence and she gets to live now while the three legged horse is a rack of bones and covered in pressure sores. I don't think amputation is ever ok in large quadrupeds. Yes they can get around on three legs and a prosthetic but they can't tell you what their daily level of comfort is and horses are meant to run. Like really be able to run and play. </div><div><br></div><div>If your horse sloughs it's whole foot capsule off, realistically is the pain of regrowing it for the next 9-12 months really worth it, or is this a selfish choice because you want your horse around. Obviously these are two extreme examples but because you can does that mean you should?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5-WN6ZNBPl6FaXxT3vTabN0DKtgKFBf_6BQxwRgF-FIxg1GpmyuzHsuZg22RWnVLCSsRkBFNdqtGbbKz0mJX750fVRLZGbHO06cs6oRDXi_52YJY0nl0xZr4bSLB_Xi9ZoHHT1IWS7MD/s640/blogger-image-695506779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5-WN6ZNBPl6FaXxT3vTabN0DKtgKFBf_6BQxwRgF-FIxg1GpmyuzHsuZg22RWnVLCSsRkBFNdqtGbbKz0mJX750fVRLZGbHO06cs6oRDXi_52YJY0nl0xZr4bSLB_Xi9ZoHHT1IWS7MD/s640/blogger-image-695506779.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have found myself recently making the tough call with my last two horses. Realistically I would love to have rehomed both of them as paddock mates, but two main reasons stopped me. They are both high maintanence horses- ie must be shod, hard fed, rugged. And once you move them out of your hands it's very hard to ensure they stay well looked after. They get passed on so easily, and as both were functionally unsound they could easily have fallen into the wrong hands. Tsar, in particular, being only ten and a beautiful type of horse who seems sound through the winter months on softer ground would be hard for someone to resist bringing him into work. His stumbling was getting worse and the last time I rode him he felt like an old horse. Prior to that he had a big stumble and nearly went down and then jacked up and just buried me so obviously he was one uncomfortable hombre. This was after a joint injection that should have really helped. At the end of the day I had a choice to make and yea I feel bad about, of course I do. But he's safe. He had a dignified end in good health. He's never going to show up on my fb feed as a rescue case.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40DHefw2_RxCMln1g2TorJ50O7u9fgVGjkZ0g_0j2Sjn0q2H2B97Q5G01pelZdugS1hRMWdfXllKAwb_h5uIMjlSALjXraZCXcNXUy3Cur9b-hZ4IimO-EgyQ_DoXPKti0WX5jBsYxmts/s640/blogger-image-1699043926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40DHefw2_RxCMln1g2TorJ50O7u9fgVGjkZ0g_0j2Sjn0q2H2B97Q5G01pelZdugS1hRMWdfXllKAwb_h5uIMjlSALjXraZCXcNXUy3Cur9b-hZ4IimO-EgyQ_DoXPKti0WX5jBsYxmts/s640/blogger-image-1699043926.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In all honesty it was harder with Butch, maybe because that was the first time I had to make such a call. I'm still haunted by it. I know in my heart I did the right thing by him but I still miss him in every corner of my dark little heart. I woke up thinking about him again and I think that's why I felt I had to write this. He was as sound as he had ever been when I put him down. Fatter than ever, mentally the most settled. But there was no foot for the next set of shoes and we needed to go to glue ons which are expensive as well as having a coffin joint issue and a messed up back. I can remember one day even though he was feeling good he came around te corner to the 2foot wall and jacked up and I thought he isn't that comfortable on his body anymore. He died loved, fat and mostly as sound as he could be. Far from the horse he had been as a seven yr old the first time I rode him, people had somewhat let him down and I wasn't going to let that happen to him again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0oXcxrjmrDCKnE6RX3AyVjHdAeWtWf11U8vo6-mmHe15GumVSUdlbeghD2qzyby7ZFYU4833f5GmjPYp18YOFtqLKp7W8UtjrLpRRx6Wo0dvHMcYOebUXl0ySnbftDnd-MwyITKPj3zI/s640/blogger-image-1928838403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0oXcxrjmrDCKnE6RX3AyVjHdAeWtWf11U8vo6-mmHe15GumVSUdlbeghD2qzyby7ZFYU4833f5GmjPYp18YOFtqLKp7W8UtjrLpRRx6Wo0dvHMcYOebUXl0ySnbftDnd-MwyITKPj3zI/s640/blogger-image-1928838403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's people that are scared of death. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give an animal is a dignified end. It sucks and it's sad and it's so so so so hard. We are the keepers of these animals and they are so stoic and so strong and just so beautiful in every way it can be so hard to let go of that. I'm sure some of you probably think I have been hard hearted, that I could have done more, that I so quickly moved onto other horses. Honestly I'm totally ok with that. I made a decision for both of them that ensures they can never suffer again and I can live with that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUzHMT12xyf6nM6p3k5Ijsvxt9TX338PCryHFrf4nlk5Q9jLUQUYiweksHT9dVvHGgNGY3MTYa_cjp-fkXxDwUFobM-RzQ2TSvFq615jj1X_pXB31STIh6Kholu3K_rO-9Yk8OjWtT5D-/s640/blogger-image--2139992596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUzHMT12xyf6nM6p3k5Ijsvxt9TX338PCryHFrf4nlk5Q9jLUQUYiweksHT9dVvHGgNGY3MTYa_cjp-fkXxDwUFobM-RzQ2TSvFq615jj1X_pXB31STIh6Kholu3K_rO-9Yk8OjWtT5D-/s640/blogger-image--2139992596.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div> </div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-17194106352818097392016-07-06T23:16:00.001-07:002016-07-06T23:17:40.609-07:00No horses, no drama<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRyFUJX3BqdhQEpCWbP_hN-OptLCNQ9JICIctq9uVLtXereXZaqSOlamB0fXhDLfQHuqB298fxmad_coASlR79Ma2Aez9Gdm_KKSoVEQHPTlWXGEWUhRVJ7hK4w1kiWIWhMNLharpYj08/s640/blogger-image-1060639035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRyFUJX3BqdhQEpCWbP_hN-OptLCNQ9JICIctq9uVLtXereXZaqSOlamB0fXhDLfQHuqB298fxmad_coASlR79Ma2Aez9Gdm_KKSoVEQHPTlWXGEWUhRVJ7hK4w1kiWIWhMNLharpYj08/s640/blogger-image-1060639035.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Roger has the key spot for sunbathing while I ride.</div><br></div>It's weird having both horses out at the same time, but luckily I can help my friend ride when I have spare time and frankly next week there isn't going to be a lot of that. And then the week after that we are back into it. China is still getting fed and with adlib pasture I'm hoping he'll come back in, in good flesh.<div><br></div><div>I'm lucky enough to be riding a big track horse, just on the flat and it's so good for my riding because I can really work on myself and my position because all the buttons are so installed. </div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile I have pulled the floor out of the float. One row of bolts was basically rusted through and all the frame work needed to be dressed and the painted with rust converter slash primer and now I need to put a layer of galv zinc on and the we'll put a new floor in. It's hardwood and has lasted thirty odd years without any maintanence and was only just starting break down at one end of the boards. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqmXn670PIGRUUW9bvcIJmjeLALR9jqLl2X0dTimvLA8sXIHrYm7DLA0rZxg29cLwOmNPxlc01p6ZbXXw1_cg8AqW2l7gBG7nkItEXWwjOdHpJWV66M_gmoN653GttjXKl8uIHk_OW7Dv/s640/blogger-image-1069864711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqmXn670PIGRUUW9bvcIJmjeLALR9jqLl2X0dTimvLA8sXIHrYm7DLA0rZxg29cLwOmNPxlc01p6ZbXXw1_cg8AqW2l7gBG7nkItEXWwjOdHpJWV66M_gmoN653GttjXKl8uIHk_OW7Dv/s640/blogger-image-1069864711.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9qFLzRNxU3pvsGlFl8yY5AaL2HuVEaVjsUep3tQ6iINPK2EfAEewWj9cjnS6bMtfEcanzv797hGA_xWPlmaE1mcVV18hCMlfVQSwIqUnwrmck3_oGC7Z4Uk5_8ROH49OaYAPFx5gXVg8/s640/blogger-image-932166824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9qFLzRNxU3pvsGlFl8yY5AaL2HuVEaVjsUep3tQ6iINPK2EfAEewWj9cjnS6bMtfEcanzv797hGA_xWPlmaE1mcVV18hCMlfVQSwIqUnwrmck3_oGC7Z4Uk5_8ROH49OaYAPFx5gXVg8/s640/blogger-image-932166824.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Actually so glad we have done this now though, it definitely needed doing. Good job for tomorrow morning </div><br></div><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-89226101659882155172016-07-03T02:10:00.001-07:002016-07-03T02:14:43.675-07:00Lessons in humility<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwyvh7NtDdJSzKLzTLeFHoc3j3Yfw6Sif2TsNqo1qfL_mUOm-3Z50zCFq0TIONbDKxaIXrgPFayM_ZBZl_S8_n-fVX_8_YwDwAEnG1E8Gifv7RApR1PCr_rXrpHtiYXHg82Pxq_SA3G_c/s640/blogger-image-2044560090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwyvh7NtDdJSzKLzTLeFHoc3j3Yfw6Sif2TsNqo1qfL_mUOm-3Z50zCFq0TIONbDKxaIXrgPFayM_ZBZl_S8_n-fVX_8_YwDwAEnG1E8Gifv7RApR1PCr_rXrpHtiYXHg82Pxq_SA3G_c/s640/blogger-image-2044560090.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's a reason we pay money for other people to stand in the middle of the ring and yell at us, and mostly it's to see what we can't. It's weird to call her my trainer because she's more my best mate, but she's an absolute genius. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">China has been going so well. So loose in his back since his physio that his saddle pads needed adjustment because he got a rub under a panel and in the last week he filled out along his top line. Had a fantastic jump school on Tuesday were he was adorable. Quiet to the base, soft in the air and really rhythmical in his canter. He's pretty consistently jumping around the 90cm/3ft mark and starting to show more and more promise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then on Saturday we were supposed to have another winter jumping day which was axed at the last minute so instead I had a lesson. And it was a hum dinger. I kind of had this idea it would go really well and I'd get a big pat on the back and be told how great I am basically, which honestly is a shit attitude to take into a lesson.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">China turned up to play with a bad attitude. Running at the fences, failing to turn, super fussy in the bridle. We jumped the treble about seven times using placer rails and v rails to get him to start thinking and slow down and to be fair the last time through he was actually awesome. Really got up into the air. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Went to the course work and for the first time in a super long time I actually had a bit of a mental break while jumping. I have been really confident and really good with focusing on the quality of my canter, and mentally counting my strides to keep the rhythm. When I get really obsessed about my take off points it all kind of goes to bits and I do really struggle with nerves. I've been good on China because he's so brave and normally very easy to see your strides on. On Saturday though he was falling out in his corners and fussing and I pulled up part way through the course and was like I can't do this. We discussed if the bit was too sharp and switched the thin loose ring sweet iron French link for the long cheek thicker French link and honestly he was way softer in it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I got him around the course ok the second time. Mostly got him to the quieter distance and when he was soft at the base he really showed some promise and we jumping ok down the hard bending line. Hogs back oxer five strides to a giant cross to a stile all on a right hand bend. It's actually a four to a four but because he wanted to run we went wide on the curve to do the five, and then let him roll on to do four to the stile. I still felt slightly panicked the whole time we were jumping and like I was moving to much in the air and lacking balance. I wanted to do the last line again but this is why I pay my trainer money. She wouldn't let me. She was like he's done it really well and maybe if it went ok that would be fine, but it was a good note to end on and if it didn't go well then it would be opening a huge can of worms. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then she said he probably needs a break. And it was like oh yea he totally does. Did I mention he was bucking his canter transitions? Classic sour horse. I couldn't see the forest for the trees. He's only five, he's gone from being only able to canter wildly on a forty meter to balanced and round fifteen meter circles, lateral work, jumping courses, and hacking all about the place, in only five months. Of course he needs a break, of course he's mentally exhausted. The worst bit is I got on Bob and was like man this horse is tired and needs a break. Couldn't see it in my own horse. The next day I took him and an old broodmare to a block of land and just let him go to hang out on five acres for at least three weeks. I'll just feed him and being away from the yard means i won't be tempted to ride him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB7sZ7ZWE5m55MGEET68PKP6IIDX6LeFHAzgbShZLv1rwivkPOTsIKb1r-77b5_0JAMrUda5Qyj19Fjm9s61c36L9HcCywjbkJ1315GMmWxGi0adnmRwFUsgCpnpVvbVYhedt7E3fNdo9/s640/blogger-image--59314823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB7sZ7ZWE5m55MGEET68PKP6IIDX6LeFHAzgbShZLv1rwivkPOTsIKb1r-77b5_0JAMrUda5Qyj19Fjm9s61c36L9HcCywjbkJ1315GMmWxGi0adnmRwFUsgCpnpVvbVYhedt7E3fNdo9/s640/blogger-image--59314823.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265846561005961514.post-60665980585246354312016-06-29T02:25:00.001-07:002016-06-29T02:30:48.512-07:00Quietly progressing<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOkk7c2tBtjXF_vfDEj5mEX8gnCQ8ZhaWcvdYQwnfYrJ7QScAKXHLN5AazF4l3GtokwfFJ6_22VPXlI4boT6gbOtaZr2hutamvGuZ041spw6_mSiuE5qOtvxFIURxrL7IVNNbIG9obyy4/s640/blogger-image--1681034921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOkk7c2tBtjXF_vfDEj5mEX8gnCQ8ZhaWcvdYQwnfYrJ7QScAKXHLN5AazF4l3GtokwfFJ6_22VPXlI4boT6gbOtaZr2hutamvGuZ041spw6_mSiuE5qOtvxFIURxrL7IVNNbIG9obyy4/s640/blogger-image--1681034921.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have been making an effort to get the boys out more to go hacking and they have had a grid day which was interesting. Good for China who wants to take over to train himself to back off. It was set a bit short for bob so it was hard work for him and he isn't as careful once he gets tired but he tried really hard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-IlTwdbGvWhUWrz88HyI3sFjtExVFahd6gVxqjb32ZY3BOpOHRnN45nJsHC-8O6mg6qCrV3r43pGaK4ejZ8PncwVfCT9Q9CFwNGUEHpwqjnejRuboviw4eK0CThXRfHZssnnmU2Ojwzf/s640/blogger-image-888568939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-IlTwdbGvWhUWrz88HyI3sFjtExVFahd6gVxqjb32ZY3BOpOHRnN45nJsHC-8O6mg6qCrV3r43pGaK4ejZ8PncwVfCT9Q9CFwNGUEHpwqjnejRuboviw4eK0CThXRfHZssnnmU2Ojwzf/s640/blogger-image-888568939.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">China is really starting to learn to get soft and operate over fences. Rounder and softer in his back and better behind. When I get to the base softly he's amazing but I have to do nothing. And I find it hard. My eye thinks we aren't getting there but he's actually covering the ground ok and I have to trust the canter. And he doesn't lock on hard so I feel he hasn't seen it but if I stay soft he's beautiful to ride. He's not spooky and he's super brave so he doesn't need a lot of supporting leg beyond maintaining a really high quality canter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX9NUAXT4xE9vWLU0CjFPLMoB39HiC54EsLsXaxWxKwIgXYcOAT5DePu0bftYmdgFy9afuN6I94-Jr1Qburn4Rd90nf0Sloeaa9PvtPEHSQqbPr-NmkbgQRqTq9rxrGQINXk8hr8F2NCZ/s640/blogger-image-2072408234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX9NUAXT4xE9vWLU0CjFPLMoB39HiC54EsLsXaxWxKwIgXYcOAT5DePu0bftYmdgFy9afuN6I94-Jr1Qburn4Rd90nf0Sloeaa9PvtPEHSQqbPr-NmkbgQRqTq9rxrGQINXk8hr8F2NCZ/s640/blogger-image-2072408234.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My friend who owns the arena is away in Vietnam so I'm looking after her horses as well and of course when the owner is away this happens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULsB5AyrBdwsVQTFXLECF0GilAuuZDOPH1w0xG949IB98w3j8zRbNyVEJ9VVxQjbPhycsZcILsB0JNHb1gVJ0HRr1CrfqlW59rYlan3y38lSWidyd4-YgTcb_XNaTzHApgE8u9K0Q2K4L/s640/blogger-image--87031113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULsB5AyrBdwsVQTFXLECF0GilAuuZDOPH1w0xG949IB98w3j8zRbNyVEJ9VVxQjbPhycsZcILsB0JNHb1gVJ0HRr1CrfqlW59rYlan3y38lSWidyd4-YgTcb_XNaTzHApgE8u9K0Q2K4L/s640/blogger-image--87031113.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Too old to stitch but cleaned and bandaged and he's on box rest. Prognosis is really good, just needs time and Manuka honey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Took the boys to the farm and Kim rode Bob and I rode China and did two days of hill work though the first day was very ordinary weather wise. I'd made the trip though so had to suck it up and ride in the rain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvUtIvX4UzRdaO_pUL7ggpJXMkdjWJoviHjE2V5Jyo-pMkRjTU_7oUwPkPEoEaBqGgqORqvTVYZWVelhPG9RtBoegO0eZDfBt_4vSLnyfdlPA6bXFIsJZwNAq2qK5dclVXUI0dZi3pbrT/s640/blogger-image--272919319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvUtIvX4UzRdaO_pUL7ggpJXMkdjWJoviHjE2V5Jyo-pMkRjTU_7oUwPkPEoEaBqGgqORqvTVYZWVelhPG9RtBoegO0eZDfBt_4vSLnyfdlPA6bXFIsJZwNAq2qK5dclVXUI0dZi3pbrT/s640/blogger-image--272919319.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next morning when we headed out Bob wasn't interested in another farm ride and was reluctant to get going. Then I was popping over a small ditch and China stood on his front foot and basically fell over. He was ok though and even let me open all the gates off of him. Then he got tired at the top and got worked up and jogged nearly all the way down the hill with a few sideways flails into a long suffering but now enjoying his farm ride Bob. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kim had a little jump on Bob tonight because she's a bit in love with him and he was good and it was good for her because she wants to do too much. Kate requires a lot of support at the base because she'll chicken out. But it just rattled Bob. Showjumping this weekend then Bob goes home for a three week break. And I'm not sure what the plan is for China. I know my mate wants to travel to a clinic so maybe will be able to afford to jump on that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Beckzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com3