Clinc Thoughts and Shrinkage

As I have started coming out of my sick haze, I have watched the video and thought about the clinic. One big thing all of us decided was that Comrade prefers the 3 piece loose ring with the peanut vs the egg butt revolver. He achieved softness much quicker and was happier. In our warm up he was nice and long in his neck with his crest softly flopping. The egg butt will move on to Rosemary to see how she likes it.
The other thing I realized after watching the video was how far Comrade has come and how well he reads his rider. Although I wish we were more our normal selves for the clinic, ie not sick for me and not babysitting for Comrade, it was great to see him tone it down to a level he thought I could handle. After all the actual reason for me riding him is for him to be safe for Peggy. This clinic shows he is more than ready for Peggy to get back into riding him. I was a total passenger during this lesson despite how well the instructor thought I was riding while sick. Comrade could have taken advantage of my lack of command, but instead he adjusted and listened.
Finally I noticed nearly each time we turned into the center pole sequence from the right Comrade had to skip to make the distance. The left turns and lines were smoother. I think it is because he leans on that shoulder, but it will be something to watch for in the future. I love the advantage of watching video back.

Just cause its cute :)

Okay enough about Comrade.

Rosemary has been on the Chinese herbs for 4 months now and the changes have been interesting. The sarcoid kept getting bigger. To the point we emailed Joyce again to make sure it was still an acceptable reaction.
So here is some pictures of recent changes:


Sarcoid 1-26-13 (after a cleaning)

Sarcoid 2-15-13



Sarcoid 3-3-13

Sarcoid 3-10-13

Can you see the difference? We have shrinkage!!!
It seems to have finished uprooting and now sags on her lid. When we noticed the sagging we also  noticed the softness at the right side. Soon after the sarcoid starting shrinking. The roundness became more pointed. The girth decreased. There is a big scab on the tip, so I have no idea how much is actually there.
So far the reactions are going the right direction. Mom and I are hoping the size shrinks enough before fly season starts that a mask won't be uncomfortable. It is still too big for her to do any driving since the blinkers would rub, but her bridle can go over so she can still work.
It may be the biology major in me, but I have enjoyed watching the progression. The body is an amazing piece of work.

Clinic Recap

Clinic day finally arrived despite a snow storm and getting sick.

I crawled out of bed and left by 6:30 so we could head to Peggy's. Peggy had the truck loaded and the pony brushed. At this point I was not sure I would be able to ride since as Peggy's husband described I looked like death warmed over. Felt that way too. Well I had a hour and a half drive to feel better. Armed with Ginger Ale we loaded up to go to Morven Park.

We conveniently pulled in just behind the clinician. She was very friendly and let us walk Comrade around the indoor before the first lesson started. He looked around at the jumps and bleachers, but it was the mirrors that really caught his attention. At first he called to the pony in the mirror :) Then he kept looking at himself.



 

 

 

Every time we rode by the mirrors I caught him checking the view. I just laughed. As for the indoor, he was perfectly happy inside. We warmed up in a smaller ring next to the one with the jumps. He was soft and long, which worked for me since I was not all there. After a great warm up we moved into the other ring for the clinic.

Yvonne was impressed with Comrade, size and shape wise when she saw him walking the indoor. She said "I could fit on him." Then she was impressed with his trot. He did have a great trot, but it was not his best. I had already told her about our canter issues and Comrade decided to show her that his right lead is his bad lead by not picking it up. We did eventually get to show canter and get her opinion. She believes he is not balanced or aware of his body at the canter. I agree. She worked a little flat work focusing on fixing my issues which will help him. His actions are causing me to fall into bad habits. For example my inside hand tends to cross the withers when he leans. I really have to recognize when he drags me away from inside leg to outside rein.

As we moved onto a jump exercise, she stressed maintaining my dressage during the jumping. Flat work can make or break jumping. That turned my head. It is a philosophy I have long believed in and learned eventing an older horse. She started simple, 3 nine rails then to a small "X." Comrade drifted but never looked twice at the jumps. She told me to keep him straight and let him figure it out on his own. He surprised me because he did not get excited or strong at all. Quiet and jumping are not normal descriptions for Comrade. He did keep a nice rhythm and took most of the jumps in stride. Nothing horrible, but nothing awe inspiring either.

Comrade learned a big lesson though about wooden poles. THEY HURT! He did his normal lazy jump and took down a vertical. The weight of the wood made him think twice. He is used to the PVC poles at home. Yvonne highly recommended using wooden poles with him so he learns to respect the jumps. We ended with a baby course. The good, bad and ugly are in the video.

 

 

So in the end,
Comrade handled the indoor like he always worked in one.
We found out he likes to watch himself in mirrors.
Comrade needs wooden poles
He needs short correct sessions of canter to get him using his hind end.
She recommends cross rails to help with his straightness
We are on the right track with his training. Her thoughts reflected ours in a way we don't see often. It was refreshing.
And the biggest thing I learned, Comrade was taking care of me. I have seen him do it with Peggy. He was really careful and quiet today because he knew I did not feel well. I was worse off than I thought.

Overall the clinic was totally worth it and Comrade showed a new level of maturity. And even at my low level of functioning we still had a great ride.

What to Wear?

With the clinic coming on Saturday, fingers crossed the weather does not screw everything, I needed to figure out what saddle Comrade would wear.
When I jump him at home, I just use the Wintec Isabell. I am not jumping mountains so no jump saddle needed, just shorten the stirrups a hole or two. It helps my legs are short.

At the hunter show last year, I used Dottie's Wintec Wide. So I brought her saddle this weekend to make sure it would work. The first day I used a thin pad. Comrade had no problem with the saddle, but it did keep shifting right. Drove me crazy. The next day I used my sheepskin pad. Much better shifting wise, but still a little was happening. I soon found that my right stirrup was a half hole shorter than the left, making me step on it more causing the shift. I solved that by switching the stirrups around. I am still a little torn on using the Wide saddle, but Comrade was great in it and I won't look like a crazy person riding in a dressage saddle for a jumping clinic.
I remember doing dressage tests on Barry in my Pro Trainer event saddle and no one looked at me funny. I don't think I would get the same result jumping in a dressage saddle. Our sport is unfortunately one where image is judged.
I have also decided to put Comrade back into the 3 piece loose ring for the clinic. First because we have worked longer in that bit and I know he likes it. Second because it will show me if he likes one bit better than the other. I won't know unless I go back to the first bit.
The other thing I have to figure out is whether or not to wear the spurs. They really help me remind Comrade to bend and to supple him when he gets spooky. I don't ride in them all the time at home, so I may ask Mom whether to wear them or not.
Decisions, decisions.
Oh, well we shall see. At least I managed to clip Comrade's head and ears. No more bearded winter pony look. Now to find my paddocks and britches...

Taking A Leap

All winter I have been looking at clinics listed in our area. Jumping, flat, lateral, you name it there have been clinics. Work and weather have made going to any impossible...before.

Yes, that's right next month Comrade and I will be going to a flat/jumping clinic.

The clinician, Yvonne Lucas, is an unknown for me so we shall see how I like her. I have been fortunate to have awesome instructors in the past which raises the bar for new ones. When I contacted her about setting up the lesson I mentioned I would be riding a Welsh Cob. She answered that one of her boarders has a Cob who she loves. Small world, huh. Anyway she sent the necessary forms and waivers for me to fill out. As I was filling out my info about my experience it was very sad. Over ten years have passed since I last competed in eventing. Where has the time gone? I don't feel like I have been away that long.  Ah well, hopefully between Comrade and Roscoe I will get back there.

For this clinic:
It will be Comrade's first time in an indoor. Fun times.

Hopefully we get to do some fun gymnastic work.

We will get feedback about flat work from experienced eyes.

I told her about our bucking problem at canter, so the door is open.

Good time to work away from home with out the pressure of a show.

My leap ought to be interesting and hopefully will work out better than my last leap with a well known dressage rider. Mom and I loved the rider's books, but were sorely disappointed in her actual teaching.
Forms are in the mail, let the countdown begin. 13 days to go. Now if only Comrade could stay clean...

Pleasant Surprise

Like many equestrians, Mom and I have slowly been watching the George Morris clinic. Although I have heard of him over the years especially his critiques of jumping pictures, I really did not know his methods or beliefs. Now I can say I am impressed.

"Carry your hands"
He promotes the French style of hand carriage and explains why in such a way any one can understand. Low hands can cause pressure from the bit on the mouth. By carrying the hands you relieve that pressure and have room to give and take with the horse. George also addressed hand position over fences, which I admit is a pet peeve of mine. I really hate seeing people doing a huge crest release. His correction was to follow by releasing downward, the same way the horse's head goes. Some of the riders really took his advice and a difference could be seen in the horses.

"Don't pull the inside rein"
A fact we all know, but sometimes bad habits die hard. Nice to see riders at their level having the same habits. Always got to remember inside leg to outside rein.

"A martingale is for safety"
I was glad to see him have a martingale removed because it was too short. He stressed that martingales are for rider safety if a horse throws its head. If it is adjusted too short it can cause pressure on the horses mouth.

"Impulsion does not mean more speed"
George asked the riders to get their horses moving with more impulsion. He was quick to slow the riders going fast. Impulsion is forward energy contained with in movement. When a horse goes too fast the energy is lost. In the case of these horses the lost impulsion could mean the difference between making the distance to a jump or through a gymnastic.

Mom and I had to laugh when he talked about having the horse listen and work for the time he rides because the horse has 20+ hours to do what what he wants the rest of the day. Clinton Anderson made almost the same comment. The horse world is such a small place.

In addition to what George teaches, I was impressed with his guest speaker Dr. Deb Bennett. She helps people understand how to read the horse's body and improve their training. I recommend watching her sessions as she has a great way of explaining and describing what she has learned over the years.

Finally I have to say one of the rider's surprised me in a good way. Out of all the rider bio's I looked at, one rider stated her personal achievements were how she rehabilitated and competed her horses. I sensed that she really was happy how her horses have improved. It was refreshing after reading so many others achievements that were show ring successes. Riding is so much more than the ribbons or money won. A happy horse at the end of a day is the highest level of success.

We have a few more sessions to watch, but that will take a little bit. One big thing I can say after watching...I hope I ride as well as George when I am in my seventies :)