Lessons this week...

This is what Rocket thinks we should be doing in lessons this week. It is hilarious.

If the video doesn't show up for you, try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTfZ8J-0gAk&feature=context-vrec

What we will actually be doing in lessons this week will depend greatly on how quickly my allergic reaction rash responds to the medication I am on. I was told 24 hours, which coincides with my first lesson, so fingers crossed, because as it is now, it feels like I am covered in 100's of mosquito bites. And do you know where most of them are? My usually very while behind. Yes, I have an ass more spotted than an appaloosa. It is driving me CRAZY. Poor Rob, every time he shifted the sheets and they rubbed on one of my spots I wanted to kill him....the same could apply to lesson students who irritate me, so be forewarned!

I think part of lessons will be using the "Educational" hand to improve upon some flat work exercises such as leg yielding, so we will be doing some of that, as well as proper figure eights (circles connected by a change of bend). This means that the change of bend we had a few strides to work on last week, will now be done in one stride. On the upside, the turns will be larger, so easier. Lots of transitions too, working to prepare the horse so that the transition is smooth yet forward.

We may also run through some of the Cadora dressage tests this week as well.

For jumping, we will be jumping on a circle using the Educational hand, and then coming out of the circle making sure we set the horse up to get it straight to ride a nice line. There may be bending lines involved as well.

On another note, we had a new horse come yesterday. His name is Wolfgang. He is a bay thoroughbred that is here for Clare and Kaylee to lease. He is loud. He also has put bays far in the lead in the battle between bays and chestnuts...even if we count Tango and Rocket as chestnut, we now only have 8 chestnuts, to 9 bays.

Karen

I have spots

After teaching yesterday, I noticed the start of some spots on my wrist. They have now spread pretty much everywhere including the soles of my feet. The doctor says it is some sort of allergy and I need to think of what I was exposed to prior to the spots appearing.

So I have scoured my brain for the source of the allergens...trying to think of what was new this week, or what I may have been exposed to in higher doses than usual.

My conclusion: Whining.

My "Educational" hand lessons, combined with the "Square" lesson with simple changes, caused so much whining (although it also caused some much better riding) that my immune system reacted and caused me to break out in spots.

So to test this theory I am going to think up a lesson plan to cause even more whining...what shall it be? Stay tuned...as soon as the medication controls the itching I will be coming up with my new, diabolical lesson plan...it may be wise to be prepared.

Karen

A very true blog about horses...

Just when you think it is safe to get the winter blankets washed...snow returns to the forecast. Is it just me, or does it seem like the Mane Event weekend gets more than its share of nasty weather?

The rain will help the grass green up and grow though. Or at least I keep telling myself that.

This cold weather is also making for some nutty horses outside; the geldings seem to think it is great fun to run amok as soon as I start turning out, which makes getting Mag's halter off before he joins in lots of fun.

Yesterday was farrier day, and I came around the corner from turning Tango out to catch Spencer, what what do I see? Spencer and Rocket both grasping the same Jolly ball in their teeth. This in itself isn't that fascinating, but what made it more interesting was that Rocket's left front leg was right over Spencer's back. Of course they both just stared at me as if to say "What?". I really wish my glasses had a built in camera!

The mares are much more civilized. They just want access to the grass on the other side of the fence.

I have 2-3 spots still available in the Shelley Malbeuf dressage clinic for anyone interested; both private and semi private.

Karen

This week in lessons

This week in lessons are are going to work on changes of direction keeping the horses shoulders and hips in line rather than just getting the horse's nose to follow the path.

I really need to illustrate this, but it I will try to explain in writing;

The horse's motor is ideally in their hind end so that they can push their way around. This means they have a round back for increased carrying power and are "engaged" front to back. Most horses though are more on their front end, with their shoulders and front legs doing most of the weight bearing. This is fine when out in the paddock, but not so good for weight carrying.

Having the horse's engine in the back means they are pushing themselves along like a speedboat and think of how you turn a speedboat; with the rudder right? And where is the rudder? In the back. So with a horse travelling on its haunches, you need to use your legs to balance and turn the horse. Your hands do some work to create the shape of the neck as unlike a speedboat a horse is bendy, and the hind end is not independent of the front....it all needs to work together, but you want to mostly exhert control over the engine end.

Now think of a horse whose engine is mostly in the shoulders...most rider's address this by trying to steer with their hands...but the hands don't directly control the shoulder, they control the horse's nose..and there is a fair bit of horse between the two. This is why a horse can careen around a left hand corner looking right! Reins can, to a certain extent block the shoulder (rein against, but not crossing the neck), or allow the shoulder to move over (openning rein...but not backwards pull when open).

So with the engine in the front horse, if you pull the head to the left, but don't control the shoulder, the engine is going to push the horse's body to the right and make the horse bulge out. Kind of like what happens when someone backs up a horse trailer...the truck pushes the trailer in the opposite direction the truck is being steered. Unlike the horse trailer example though, rider's can work to control the shoulders and haunches with their legs.

So for a basic turn, you want to approach the turn with your eyes looking around the turn and your inside hand asking the horse to flex and soften by sponging the reins. At the same time your inside leg bumps the horse to ask it to bend at the ribs and to step up and under further with the inside hind. Your outside rein needs to more or less stay put; if you give with it then the horse will likely over bend, and if you bring it up or down, the horse may twist its head. (the exception to this is if you are riding in a curb...if so you may have to give on the curb). The outside leg has to be behind the girth, but for the most part it can be quiet...it just has to be ready in case the horse wants to swing wide with its hips to avoid engaging behind.

Something else that happens that messes up a correct turn is that the rider allows the horse to speed up. A horse speeds up to evade using its hind end properly. Or to evade moose. But rarely does a horse speed up for a good reason. They can lengthen out to make a jump or pole on the correct stride, but that is not the same as speeding up. Always pay attention to your rhythm, and correct any speeding up immediately.

This week we are working on changes of direction with correct/square turns, so rider's need to complete the first turn, then get their horse straight with both legs down at the girth, and hands equal, then rebalance (half halt) while changing diagonals if posting, looking in the new direction with your eyes, and moving your aids to the new bend.

Being stiff through this exercise will result in stiff horses who aren't going to be able to bend, so we are also going to work on having a following hand on the flat and over jumps. Having a stiff or taking hand can limit how comfortable the horse is to use their neck on the flat and in the air. Having a straight wrist and maintaining a straight line from elbow, wrist to bit while taking on the reins is crucial. One exercise we will do to help cement the idea of having a folling hand is to hold the reins so they come out at the thumb rather than at the ring finger. This small change can make a big difference in how you take and hold the contact.

For jumps...not sure yet. If we are jumping outside at all it will be a grid/simple exercise. Inside though...not sure. It will be something to help work on lead changes still, and likely involve lots of changes of bend with oppotunities to balance back. It will be a course though, with a combination of sorts.

Karen

Apparently I need to pay attention to the news...

I am usually in bed or out teaching when the news comes on...not to mention how depressing evening news is...so I had NO clue we were also supposed to vote for up to 3 possible Senate representatives. So I opted to decline to vote for that, and just voted for my local MLA.

Where were the road signs saying "vote me for Senate"?

I wonder how much those little road signs actually affect the vote. Fenske certainly marked her territory around the Brookville polling station with a dozen or so signs...is the theory that people think more signs = more popular? I can only see that being logical if the signs are on various yards not all in a clutter. Or maybe the repetition of signs sinks into the subconscious so when you get there you recognize some names more than others.

Either way, if I was given the power to do so, I would ban the things. Not only are they ugly, non-informative, litter, and a definite distraction, I don't like that people may vote just based on the number of signs they see, or who is displaying them. I also think it must be horribly depressing to be the one to take the loosing ones down the next day.

I would also hand stamp people who vote...maybe this would increase the number of people who actually vote, vs the ones that just say they did. Peer pressure can be a positive!

Karen

What a lovely Sunday! Such nice, sunny, wind free weather. Rob spent much of the day with a work related project, which meant that I was able to ride both my lovely mares. Well...one was lovely...the other seems to be challenged by adolecence. I am sure many a parent has wished their child would hurry up and get past this stage as well...when you aren't sure to pity them for the struggles that the hormones bring, or shoot them. Although if Coregel breaks anything else before she figures out how to behave I am pretty sure I know which one Rob is leaning towards.

It was so hot out today that we removed all the rain sheets as the horses were all starting to sweat...well all except Brassy who seemed just fine in her rain sheet and liner. She reminds me of those frail old ladies who need sweaters in Florida to stay warm...aka: me.

Justice was the only one who was tricky to unblanket. Rocky and Dexter had made their way out back to enjoy the start of green grass, but Gody was apparently too chicken to go with them....so Justice was frantically running back and forth between grass and Gody. He was very stinky by the time we convinced him to let us catch him! The fascinating part was watching Gody though...apparently he has all sorts of energy when he gets upset; all sorts of hand galloping and lead changes.

The flip side of this means be prepared for the first dusty/muddy horses of the year as I am sure they will be enjoying plenty of good, long awaited rolls.

The horses would also like me to let you know that there is some green grass on the south side of the barn/arena. Coregel, Izzy, Lily and Brassy all got some time on grass today and they seemed pretty happy about it. Hopefully the pastures will green up and grow so we can get the horses on summer turn out soon.

And....Rob harrowed the outdoor ring so it is rideable! Lease rider's should wait until they have had a lesson outside before riding out there for the first time as sometimes the horses are a little peppier in the outdoor the first couple times. I will be starting to teach some lessons out there starting this week, although I think it is too early to be able to teach the 7:30 lessons outside, so we will still be jumping inside for the most part.

So this week will be in part about getting outside again, but also continuing on with riding nice clean turns, and being straight out of the turns. We are also going to be working on keeping the horse's body straight through changes of direction. As some found last week, learning to ride the horse straight helps with flying changes, counter canter and compressing/lengthening the strides in a better manner.

Karen

You know you are old when...

You know you are old when:
- You spend your birthday taking care of medical appointments...and consider it a day well spent.
- When clothes shopping, your primary concern is comfort, and the models displaying the clothes have grey hair.
- You chief concern when considering getting some home renovations done is that you won't be able to nap while the work is being performed.
- You no longer see the point being tactful when being honest takes less time and less energy.
- You wear long underwear well into June...

Do  you realize when I grew up:
-K-way jackets were cutting edge and cool?
- Nobody had a cell phone. I got my first cell phone when I was in my 20s. ay phones were everywhere and cost a dime. Yet now I panic if I realize I have left home without my cell phone...
- Computers were new, printers were dot matrix, disks were floppy, and there was so such thing as spell check or "Word". I did my university essays on a type writer...
- I can remember when bus fares for kids were a quarter.
- Mini vans were a new and exciting invention...station wagons were the go to family car. SUVs weren't a thing yet. Fake wood paneling on the sides of station wagons was actually a thing. Because everyone wants a fake wood car.
- I spend much of my childhood without a microwave or a dishwasher.
- Our TV did not have a remote. Our garage door didn't either.
- There was a war between Beta and VCR. Fortunately our family sided with the winning side; VCR.
- Kids shoes did not have velcro.

Yep, I turned 39 yesterday.

Karen

This week in lessons

This week in lessons we are going to be brushing muddy horses...oh, and some riding I suppose.

We are going to continue working on more precise corners, but instead of just working on square ends, we are going to work on a complete square. The benefit of working on a square rather than a circle is that it makes the horse (and rider!) work hard for a short period, with a little break, then another tight 1/4 circle then a break and so on. Each 1/4 turn needs to be a 1/4 of a 6-10 meter circle to really get the horse flexing and using its inside hing, and stretching its outside rib cage. By doing so, you should feel your horse start to "sit" a bit more behind and elevate in front of the withers.

In jumping, we will be jumping a single fence on a square, and we will also be doing a bit of a grid. The grid is Nicole's idea. Whining does pay off apparently.

Also this week, I am recruiting a cast for a Hillside promotional video to try to attract some new tween/teen students to replace those of you that are going away to school, or just getting too old to be fun...kidding...sort of...but really, Rocket needs a new rider, and so does Rocky, so I need some kids! Hoping to film as soon as it is less muddy. Payment is...well...nothing, but you can put it on your resume! Ideas for the video are welcome.

Funny video....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnF2ROKtdMY&list=FLjhIsw3qV0FmPf115NGfuYA&index=1&feature=plpp_video

From the internet...

A new goal for Charlie: http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh269/equestriancdr/dogjumping.jpg

How you can tell you are a sinner:
http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/feet-of-hail-northwest-texas_2012-04-12?role=
Pretty sure 4 feet of snow is a pretty good sign you pissed someone off....

Karen

So this is why our horses sometimes argue...

We don't have blue bits!

Not sure how making it blue makes the bit with the two rings attached to the center link make it more welcome to the horse. Yee gads.

Karen

Shelley Clinic Sign up!

I am posting the sign up sheet for the Shelley Malbeuf Clinic on May 12-13. Rates and times are the same as last time. Let me know (or sign up) if interested!

Karen

picture

Picture of my first ride on Izzy:

My leg feels fine on her, but when I got on Coregel right afterwards, it became how different they are in the neck! Izzy's ears are right there whereas Corey is so much longer.

Izzy is obviously unfit, and her training is such that she doesn't have a lot of fine tuning leg wise, but she is very steady in her gaits, soft in the mouth, and smooth....which is exactly what I was looking for!

Now I just need to take it slow to get her back in shape...and convince her that the end "man" door is not going to attack....

Karen

This week in lessons...

This week in lessons we are working on riding deeper corners and using the corners to get the horse to step up and under with its inside hind. Corners are a good way to rebalance a horse and increase weight bearing behind.

I am using poles set at the "C" end of the arena to mimic a dressage court and to make sure rider's are supporting their horse with the outside leg through the turn, as the encourage the bend with the inside leg active at the girth, and the inside hand active and back towards the rider's inside hip.

Each corner should be thought of as a 1/4 circle; with greener horses and riders doing a 1/4 10 meter circle, and more advanced horses/riders doing as small as a 1/4 6 meter circle.

In jumping lessons, we are also going to be focusing on the turns and corners, and riding very controlled through the ends. This will help lead to getting flying changes consistently, as the horse will feel balanced between the inside rein and the outside leg.

Karen

What lovely white snow!

Just in time for all the people who were looking to get away for the weekend! Mother nature has such lovely timing.

But from my vantage point (on the loveseat with a cat on my lap) the snow is absolutely lovely!

The horses even seem to think it is great fun and are being very silly today.

I hope everyone is safe on the roads today....sounds like it will be very melty tomorrow!

Karen

April fools comes a day early to Hillside...

Happy April Fools Day everyone! The snow and wind is lovely isn't it?

For Rob and I had a fun March 31....it was SUPPOSED to start with a horse arriving in the early am, so I had trouble sleeping as I was worried the rig would come early, and as our drive is a little tight for big rigs, we had to meet them at the end of the drive, so my subconscious was keeping me at the ready ALL night.

But morning came, and no horse, so I texted the hauler, and now they weren't expecting to be here until 6pm, so that is fine.

Meanwhile we also had round bales due to arrive shortly after I finished teaching, but 1pm came and went and no round bales...so we get a call from the hay guy, and his truck is broken down, but he is still going to try to make it out, but will be late. So of course Rob and I start to worry that the horse and hay will come at the same time.

We needn't have worried. Hay truck didn't make it until after 7pm, and only after Rob drove out to meet them with some oil. We then unloaded it, and Rob helped drain the oil, and the now very ill hay truck is resting in the parking lot until they can come back out to fix it.

Meanwhile the horse...supposed to be here at 6. So at 7 I text the driver, and now due closer to 9:30, driver was going to call when he was an hour and a half away...so when 9 pm came and went I texted agan...and he was stll south of Hanna....which I thought was 3-4 hours away. I was wrong.

Finally get a text at 2:30 that she is close...or would be if the driver didn't take highway 14 unstead of highway 16....it wasnt until 3:30 am, in the dark, and in a light drizzle that she arrived.

Now let me back up a bit, when I was originally told the horse was coming in the morning, the dispatcher said we wanted to make sure that "THIS" horse was unloaded in the daylight, and before the hauler unloaded her, he asked me if I had ever ridden the horse (I had not) as she was, in his words, a "wing nut" and had been a little difficult to deal with unloading and in her stall, I was a little worried about having to lead her from the road, past the house, to the barn in the dark.

So he opens the trailer, moves a mini out of the way, and I finally get to meet the "wing nut" who is standing there all innocent with her giant ears. As far as I can tell she just doesn't get trailer ramps and felt she had to jump over the ramp rather than put one foot on it. But after a few cookies from Rob, she walked very politely all the way to the barn, with the only other issue was having to jump the puddle before the barn.

After checking vitals we put her in the arena to stretch, and she enjoyed mugging rob for cookies and prancing around. She wasn't as keen to be put into her stall, (understandable after 6 days of travel) but settled down enough that Rob and I could get a couple hours of sleep before it was time to get right back up and do chores!

So without further ado, I would like to introduce "Izzy"

Izzy is a coming 7 year old mare, that joins us from New York State. She is destined to be my new dressage prospect. She hasn't shown dressage, but has done hack classes and her training looks to be in line with basic dressage training.

Her real selling point is her big ears which have to be seen to be appreciated. Her nose is about 1/2 the circumference of Coregel's!

On the downside she has even less tail than Rocket due to tail chewing incident.

She is just little at 15.1 hands, but as my legs get shakier, the happier I am to be close to the ground ;) And she is pretty wide.

In case you couldn't guess based on the tiny nose, long mane and long bridle path, she is a half Arabian...and the other half is...Dutch Harness horse. And if you don't know what that is, you are not alone...I had to google it too!

Last night was my first time seeing her; I had only seen videos, but when we had her in the arena she had a pretty cool trot. She hasn't been ridden for a few months (6) as her former owner was away at school, but this actually works well for me as now I can restart her like I would a baby horse so that she and I are on the same page training wise.

Karen