The only Buck I want to Sea……
June 13, 2010
As a trainer and blogger I am occasionally asked to review products that may be of interest to my clients and readers. If the product is one that I would not feel comfortable endorsing than I politely decline the offer. If, after researching the product, I feel it is one that may be beneficial to my clients then I accept the offer with the understanding that I will only write a review if I find the product favorable. If I am neutral or unimpressed with an item or product then I will publish no review at all. If I find the product to be detrimental to the horse then I am obligated to inform my readers of my concerns. Apparently confident with his product, these stipulations were of no concern to Dusty McMullin of SeaBuck Equine when he asked me to try his equine supplement line SeaBuck Complete and publish my results in Tango Dressage Blog.
This project is of interest to me as I believe that people are becoming more interested in natural alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs in their own lives and should follow suit in caring for their horses. According to SeaBuck’s website the seabuckthorn is known as nature’s most balanced fruit. A Holy Fruit of the Himalayas, it has been cherished by native Tibetans for centuries for its incredible nutritive qualities. SeaBuck Complete claims to benefit the horse’s coat and skin (its scientific term, Hippophae rhamnoides, appropriately means “shiny horse”), its digestive system, and its reproductive functioning. It claims to benefit horses with ulcers, and I believe this to be a prevalent problem for competition horses. Please review the benefits of the seabuckthorn-berry and let me know if you have any questions. I will be glad to check with Mr. McMullin for the answers.
My horses have only just begun taking the supplements but the first phase has been a success. Both the gluttonous warmblood and the finicky thoroughbred both love the taste of the product. As it is a liquid that is mixed into the grain, and both horses are on smaller rations of feed due to the rich grass in their pastures, I was concerned that the taste would deter them. On the contrary, they seem to like their feed better with the supplements included.
I will continue to monitor my horses progress with SeaBuck Complete, and if I believe it is a healthy choice and a reasonable value than I will be glad to post my results in three months. Your questions and comments about this product are certainly welcome. I have not used the product long enough yet to determine its benefits for myself, but I believe that by their willingness to open a public dialogue on the benefits of their product SeaBuck Equine is taking a step in the right direction for the health of our horses.
Check out SeaBuck Complete at SeaBuck Equine www.seabuck.com
Say What?
May 20, 2010
Scott Peterson communicates with his horse before the show!
One of the challenges in teaching dressage lies in formulating analogies and phrases to evoke the proper “feeling” between the horse and rider. On the technical side this includes teaching the mechanics of the movements, the relationship of the aids between the rider and horse, and the systematic use of the training scale. More imagination is required on the abstract side, as one must describe feelings. Elasticity, forwardness, throughness and many other dressage terms have either different definitions in the real world, or no application whatsoever.
Many times word selection is pivotal in eliciting the right response from the rider, both physically and emotionally. This obsession with word choice causes some clients annoyance as I use their questions and interpretations of their rides as indicators of their understanding of the training concepts and of their relationship with the horse. An example that comes readily to mind is the common malady, “he keeps throwing his head up!” Although visually this is true, the rider’s choice to focus on the horse’s head leads me to conclude that the rider does not understand that the horse’s head is not the problem, the problem is losing engagement and dropping the back, the head tossing is merely a symptom of this problem. When focusing on the horse’s head position the rider will usually correct the head tossing with the reins. This correction is temporary however, as the problem itself has been left unaddressed. By asking the rider to think and speak in terms of the horse’s back, as opposed the head, it increases the likelihood that he will take the steps necessary to correct the source of the problem, and not patch it up for a few strides with force.
“He keeps drifting out!” Another clue to a misunderstanding. If the horse is drifting, breaking stride, speeding up, slowing down or any other deviance from the rider’s intent it is not “his” fault. If he is doing it, it is likely that the rider is inadvertently asking him to do it. Pointing out this word choice problem is not one of my more popular speeches. It almost always merits an exasperated sigh and “you know what I mean”. The problem here is that, yes, I know the rider is trying to convey the nature of the error, however the words selected indicate that the rider believes the horse is responsible for the failure of the exercise. The same observation worded “I’m doing something that keeps allowing him to break or asking him to break” is more indicative that the rider is taking responsibility for the error, thus making correcting it a possibility.
A client of mine, a young rider that rehabilitates traumatized horses, used to describe resistance by the horse as “fighting”. Although I know that she is not using the word literally, or in any way being unkind to the horse, I stop her explanation every time the word fighting is included. It is important to me, as the trainer, that the relationship between the rider and the horse is one of teaching and understanding. If the rider feels that the horse is malevolent as opposed to confused then the course of action will be disciplinary instead of instructive. The word fighting indicates a combative stance with the horse that is not helpful in the training process. It is the responsibility of the instructor to ascertain the rider’s understanding of the training relationship. To assume an understanding, in spite of terminology to the contrary, can be a mistake the horse must pay for.
After each lesson use your own words to convey your understanding of the concepts addressed by your trainer. Your explanation may illuminate misunderstandings that prevent you from being the partner your horse deserves.
It’s nice to have Connections….
May 1, 2010
It’s no coincidence, the spring weather appeared and the blog posts disappeared! Break’s over now and I’m back with enthusiasm! Much of my enthusiasm has been influenced by two, yes two! awards bestowed upon me by my blogging friend, Bree Nicole at Cavalli Connections. I couldn’t be more pleased with my awards, The Beautiful Blogger award, and The Classical Riding Awareness Award, an honor that Bree will be granting to one blogger every few months that she feels demonstrates compassion for horses, a thirst for equine kowledge and dedication to the classical principles of training and riding. I hope I can live up to these admirable standards. I certainly aspire to.
When I began Tango Dressage Blog in December ’09 I’m not sure I even knew what a blog was. It seemed like a good way to overcome anxieties about writing, a problem I have sufferred from since childhood. I didn’t realize that I would grow to enjoy the process and the people associated with it. I have come to believe that the blog format will bring about a sense of honesty and sincerity in journalism. The blogs I enjoy are not only as informative and well written as any magazine articles I read, they are generally less wordy, and less biased by advertisers (since there usually are none!).
If you haven’t already, please check out Bree’s blog, Cavalli Connections and the others I have listed on the right margin of this page under Blogroll. They are all excellent blogs written by people that are so passionate about horses they are willing to put the evidence up for the world to read. You may even want to start one of your own. As a condition of my Beautiful Blogger award I must pick some beautiful blogs to bestow the award upon. I don’t think this will be a problem, there are so many I have grown to love. There will be a post listing them shortly.
Before I sign off to rest up for the horse show tomorrow I want to thank Bree once again for her kind words and thoughtful consideration. I greatly admire her writing and passion for horses and consider her recognition of my blog a real honor.
Check in tomorrow for some horse show blogging!
Taken out of Reference….
March 29, 2010
On occasion I receive calls from prospective schools or employers wishing to verify the integrity of a current or previous student that has me listed as a personal reference. These calls are usually unremarkable, a few sentences verifying how long I’ve known the applicant and a couple of obligatory questions regarding their work ethic. Earlier this week I received one of these reference check calls regarding a student I have known for ten years, Lindsay Hildebrandt. The business owner calling me was Linda Miller from Elkhorn Ranch in Montana. Ms Miller’s warm sense of humor and sincere desire to hire the right person for her ranch made this call anything but unremarkable.
I have never been to Elkhorn Ranch but have many times thought I would like to take a summer off from teaching and spend it as a guide, or wrangler, taking people out on horseback treks through mountain passes, and enjoying horses without the pressures of daily commutes or the underlying intensity of competition training. Unfortunately, however, Ms. Miller didn’t call to ask me out to Montana to be a wrangler for the summer, but instead to find out if I thought Lindsay Hildebrandt might be right for the job. “You would be crazy not to hire her”, was my initial reaction, and I stand by it still.
Elkhorn Ranch, Montana
I assured Linda that Lindsay was nothing if not determined and hard-working. Anyone that has ever met Lindsay’s horse, Prophet, can testify to that. As charming and talented as Prophet is, I have never met a more challenging or difficult horse to train and Lindsay has persevered on him through the years, training him as a showjumper. I’m sure there won’t be any horses at Elkhorn like Prophet, but if Linda needs any help with training horses for the trails, she’s getting her money’s worth with Lindsay.
A talented artist, Lindsay has designed logos for me, given me drawings and paintings that I cherish and created a beautiful wire sculpture of my horse, Wango Tango. Before the advent of blogs I recruited Lindsay and her best friend Amber to write and illustrate my first newsletter, Hot2Trot. It was a lot of work for the kids but they did a great job! If Linda is as sneaky as I am, Elkhorn may have some new signs and artwork before the summer is up!
Wire Sculpture of Wango Tango
I could go on and on about traits that make Lindsay a great candidate for Elkhorn Ranch but I’d rather let Lindsay update us herself. She’s leaving in June and staying for the summer. I have a great feeling about Linda, she seems like a genuine person that cares about her guests, her horses and her staff. One day Nickel (Wango Tango) and I hope to make it out to Montana to meet her and her horses.
Lindsay, good luck at your job and have a great time. You have been promoted from Hot2Trot illustrator to blogospondent for Tango Dressage! Send us updates and photos from your trip and put in a good word for me, I’ll be a wrangler one day soon!
Meet Mr. Smeets….
March 22, 2010
Ron helps Lauren with the connection
Ok, ok…It’s hard to think of a catchy title that rhymes with Smeets! That’s what I have to work with however, as it was the second day of another great clinic with international rider and trainer Ron Smeets from The Netherlands. Anyone that has visited my website, Tango Dressage, knows I am a big fan of Mr. Smeets. He travels to the U.S. on a regular basis in order to maintain a consistent training program. I try to ride with Ron every opportunity I get, however, unable to ride this weekend I observed from the sidelines as several of my students took advantage of his expertise.
This is the forty-fifth post I have published on this blog and several times leading up to the weekend of the clinic I felt it would boost rider entries to post an article about Ron and previous clinics, however, these attempts remain unpublished as I have come to realize that if the intentions of my posts are anything other than my sincere feelings or opinions at the time of writing than they are nothing but advertisements and advertisements are always biased to favor the advertised.
Sincerity is the trait that I admire most in Ron’s professional dealings. When you ride with Ron it is evident that he cares if you understand what he is trying to convey in the lesson. This is not just true of upper-level or potential horse purchasing clients. Ron routinely spends as much time and energy as is necessary to make sure even more novice riders understand and benefit from their ride, even if his lunch break or rest breaks are depleted by doing so.
The same sincerity that conveys concern for the rider’s education also puts the rider in the hot seat at times. Don’t expect phony compliments or platitudes from Smeets. His concern is with the education of the rider and the welfare of the horse and if a mistake is made and repeated, expect to hear about it until it is corrected! He is never unkind or condescending but instead determines what a rider is capable of and pushes them to meet that mark. It is a quality in a clinician that I greatly admire as so many clinicians I see under-challenge or placate riders, as they wish to maintain a loyal following, but platitudes do not make a Grand Prix rider.
This is the last day of Ron’s clinic and I look forward to riding with him when he returns in June. His dressage knowledge and teaching style make him an excellent trainer. His sincerity and candor make him an exceptional person.
Click here to visit Ron’s website R.S.D.H. in the Netherlands. He has exceptional dressage horses for sale and is available for training at his new facility.
Keep the helmet, ditch the Tux…
March 17, 2010
“Dress is at all times a frivolous distinction, and excessive solicitude about it often destroys its own aim.” Jane Austen
Understandably there has been a lot of controversy lately over the possibility of mandatory helmet rules for dressage competition. Although personal safety should be an individual’s choice it is difficult to defend the decision of not protecting one’s own head.
The main concern for not mandating helmets seems to lie in the fact that helmets are not as visually appealing when worn with the customary dressage attire, particularly the shadbelly jacket. A top hat, which offers little to no protection at all, is far more appealing when wearing such an outfit. Recently, as a possible alternative to helmets, companies have been designing “hard-hat” type top hats as they have for cowboy hats for western rider’s safety. These hats, while safer to ride in, are bulky and clumsy, thus negating the point of having a visually appealing hat.
Although this suggestion may upset some classicists I believe it may be time to consider embracing the helmet and updating the attire. Yes, that means quit competing in tuxedos. Tuxedos are certainly classy outfits for weddings or the opera but not necessarily clothes that inspire athleticism. Many other athletic events require helmets and maintain a dignified but athletic turnout. In addition to being visually compatible with safety gear, more athletic attire can be manufactured with fabrics that are more conducive to sports functionality. Wearing a blazer and an Ascot with leather boots while participating in an athletic event in the deep South in September seems somehow non-sporty.
While I have a deep respect for tradition and believe that the principles of riding and training should be passed from generation to generation, the time may have come to consider updating the attire of the modern equestrian. Athletes in every sport benefit from advances in fabrics and modern technological design for comfort and performance, why not us? If we want the rest of the world to respect our sport as an Olympic discipline we may have to suit up looking like the athletes that we are.
The Longest Walk….
March 16, 2010
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France
Today I was both greatly honored and deeply saddened as I, along with other friends, supported our dear friend Nicole as she walked the longest walk any horse owner will ever know. After a year of tireless efforts to heal her beloved horse Ben’s injured tendon sheath, Nicole was advised by the veterinarian that the most humane path for Ben would be euthanization. This is undoubtedly the most difficult and unselfish act an animal lover is forced to make.
This is a difficult post to write because as much as I want to convey the tragic loss of a promising horse, I want to celebrate the life of one of the finest characters in a horse I have ever known. As much as I want to console my friend, as she lost her companion after a year of daily hand walking and bandaging a stallbound three-year old; I want to show my amazement at how she always did these tasks without complaining, in fact turned them into workout opportunities. As much as I know that he was bound to be a champion in the competition arena, I know that for the time he was here he had as many admirers and as much love as any Olympian alive.
My humble words cannot describe the admiration I had for this gentle, loving horse. I hope he understood this before he left us. I know he knew how much Nicole loved him, we could all see that. Today was a difficult day, the walk was long and sad but I was honored to know this noble horse. Sleep well tonight Ben and wake to green pastures. We will always love and remember you.
Don’t flip-flop about it…..
March 15, 2010
Four ibuprofen down the hatch as my right foot throbs! Another job related injury! The names of the parties involved have been changed to protect the victims, wait a minute, I am the victim!
I teach a lovely lady we’ll call “Bonnie” that owns a small riding facility at her home several miles from the barn in which I board my horses. With a show a couple of weeks away it’s time to trailer the horses over to ride some tests while also getting them used to traveling off of the property. Horses arrive, check out the place, walk into washracks, everything is fine. Here’s where things take a turn.
The horse Bonnie is going to ride tacks up without incident. My process does not go quite as smoothly. My ride, we’ll call “Bernie” has a girthing issue, that I should have remembered, as I have tacked him up at his own house many times. This is where I erred, as Bernie is one of several horses I have known over the years that if girthed too quickly will buckle at the knees. This is exactly what happened. I didn’t ratchet it up, however, there are certain horses that must be girthed very slowly to prevent such a reaction and care must be given every time.
I confidently put on the saddle, buckled the girth and walked out of the washrack to grab the bridle. When I turned around with bridle in hand Bernie’s legs buckled and he collapsed on to the mats of the washrack. The fall frightened him, causing him to flip and thrash around in the crossties. Luckily the crossties have quick release connections and one of them gave way. After a couple of seconds that felt like hours, Bernie settled down and laid (lay, laid) down in the washrack, confused. He was still enough that I approached his head and unclipped the crossties on each side of his halter and backed up so he could get back up on his feet.
I got two steps back when he launched himself up off the ground with his hoof pointed like a ballerina’s toe slamming straight down on top of my foot! Wham!!! My entire body got hot with adrenaline, followed by a cold, clammy sweat! Yes, Yes, Bernie was fine! However, my foot felt shattered. I was lucky to be wearing my riding boots at the time. I know this incident is not uncommon. We have all had hundreds of foot smashing, toe stepping incidents but it brings up a conversation I have every summer with students concerning barn footwear.
Invariably , every summer I will have a conversation with at least two or three different students who will show up at the barn for the day with flip-flops or sandals on. I always say “you probably need to wear something more substantial, you might get your toes cut off”. The reply that follows usually sounds something like ”I’m not going to get my horse out of the stall, I’m not even going to lead a horse”.
This sounds fine, in theory. However, you never know what might happen that you may have to become involved in. If a horse gets loose and you have to help catch him, you are suddenly leading a horse. If a horse gets tangled in a wire and needs immediate help, or falls in a crosstie, or a hundred other emergency scenarios and you are needed to jump in and help out, it is not practical to be wearing footwear that will compromise your feet.
Even here in the hot and humid South, and even as cute as your sandals are, and even if you are wearing shorts, sturdy boots or shoes are your best choice if you are at the barn for any period of time. Dont fret, your Facebook pictures will look cuter with you with boots on than with you on crutches anyday!
On a more Serious Note…
March 13, 2010
I usually try to avoid news related topics, as news is more accurately reported on news sites, this forum is generally based on my opinion but it seems pertinent to address the recent tragic accident of America’s Olympian Courtney King-Dye. If anyone is still unaware of the accident she was riding a young horse in warm-up at a competition when the horse slipped and fell, fracturing Courtney’s skull. Courtney is still in a coma at the time of this writing. Horse Channel.com has an article with more details on the accident and an address to Courtney’s Facebook page as well as a mailing address for well wishers. I will include them at the bottom of this post as well.
This accident has stirred a lot of debate in the dressage community concerning mandatory use of helmets at competitions. I received a letter from my local GMO yesterday requesting feedback from members of the equestrian community, as horse show organizers are fearful that if they alone enforce such mandatory regulations they may suffer loss of entries to shows that do not enforce the safety measures. While I understand that entry money is what makes horse shows possible, hiring judges possible, etc. I am saddened that cash flow is the determining factor in most every decision that arises anymore. It seems that competition dressage should now be termed commercial dressage.
As those who know me can testify I rarely, if ever, wear a helmet. I am certainly not bragging about this, just stating the facts before someone else does in my comment section!! In fact, I was forced to purchase one to ride while schooling some riders on a cross-country course a few years ago and in mock protest picked one with a picture of Mickey Mouse riding a horse on it. After that day, I wore it very rarely. It is not that I consciously disagree with the use of helmets, I wore them when riding as a child and when I used to jump. I believe I am of the age that safety was not as stringently observed and regulated as it is now. Seatbelts were not mandatory and I’m not sure many people used them when I was young. Nobody wore helmets when riding a bike, or skating as they do now.
I was, however, bucked off a horse a few months ago that was startled by my swishy jacket (see my first blog post!). The next time I rode the horse, I removed my jacket! and asked the owner if I could use her helmet. She had a Charles Owen helmet and it fit me perfectly. The horse behaved wonderfully and luckily I didn’t have to test the helmet but I must admit I did feel safer and rode less apprehensively wearing the helmet. After the ride I examined the construction and realized they have come a long way from the Mickey Mouse helmet that was little more than thin plastic over egg cartons.
Ever since riding with that helmet I tossed around the idea of purchasing one of my own. Oddly enough I bought one the day before Courtney’s accident. It is still not a natural instinct for me to grab it and wear it every time I ride, but I did yesterday and I do see the value in it. I don’t yet know where I stand on mandatory helmet rules. This opens up more questions like wearing protective vests or break-away stirrups. I am coming around myself, however, to wearing the helmet, both for my own safety and as an example for the kids I teach. As for the adults, that is a decision they can make for themselves.
I sympathize greatly with Courtney and her family and wish her the speediest recovery. Please send her your well-wishes on Facebook or by mail. Every acknowledgement and intention of well-being goes a long way in helping the recovery process. She is a great rider and an inspiration to all dressage enthusiasts. It is an unfortunate reality that no matter how many safety regulations are enforced, there is always a risk of injury when riding a horse, no matter how accomplished the rider or how quiet the horse.
Check out Behind the Bit’s post today for some interesting information on head injuries.
We’re all rooting for your recovery Courtney, get back in the saddle soon.
Courtney Dye
2442 Muir Circle
Wellington, FL 33414
comebackcourt@gmail.com
Anyone wishing to donate to the Medical Assistance Fund can make checks payable to:
Courtney King-Dye
c/o Lendon Gray
25 Lake Ave.
Bedford, NY 10506
Horses are Welcome too!!
March 10, 2010
Me and Sam in England '75
Me and Sammy in Germany '79. Ponies make great teachers!
Saturday promises to be exciting as I am spending the day with some of my best friends, Ponies! The Atlanta Pony Club is meeting me at Foxberry Farms in Dallas, Georgia for a full day of dressage lessons.
This is not my first time teaching the ponyclubbers and I hope I will be invited again. Having started riding in England I had a short brush with the
British Pony Club and have a great deal of respect for the organization. Any rider that has earned the rating of “A” ponyclubber is not only qualified to be a professional rider but has proven to be an expert in horse and barn management as well. To check how you measure up click here for the United State’s Pony Club’s Standards of Proficiency for H-B, HH-A Levels (the horse management section of the “A” level). The Dressage Specialty Riding Test is no walk in the park either!
As riders “rate” through the system, starting with the fundamentals of horsecare and riding, they prove their skills through testings. These are no easy tests! Safety and the integrity of the ratings are a priority and much preparation, instruction and hard work goes into preparing the riders for their ratings. Rallies are held for concentrated coaching before rating sessions and the ponyclubbers must work together with a team in all areas of barn management. To make sure the kids are focused and learning the information themselves, parents are not allowed in the barn area at rallies.
Don’t get the idea that Ponyclub is all work and testing! Ponyclubbers learn while having fun! Jumping, gymkhana, eventing, foxhunting, all types of English riding opportunities abound, both at the local and national level. Scholarships are even available for hard-working applicants. If you are a young rider or if you have a young rider in the family I strongly recommend Ponyclub for a well-rounded horseman’s education. It’s a well-known fact, no one can teach you more than a pony!
It’s About Time….
March 8, 2010
“If your early you’re on time, if you’re on time you’re late, if you’re late you’re left behind.”
A successful competitor prepares ahead for the next exercise!
Despite the less-than-cooperative weather we’ve encountered this winter the competition season is upon us. Time to start navigating through the tests and working out the geometry of the arena. Just the mention of test riding has a paralyzing effect on many riders. It may be more productive and less fear inducing to think of it as a demonstration of your training rather than a “test”.
A ride in front of a judge, (as well as at home for that matter) should always demonstrate the rider’s understanding that maintaining and/or improving the horse’s natural gaits are the top priority. A quality transition ridden a stride late is more acceptable than an abrupt, unbalanced transition ridden precisely at the marker. While riding the diagrams accurately is always important, the test is designed to demonstrate that the rider has an understanding of the correct fundamentals of the level being shown. Of course, an accurately ridden figure is ideal, but never sacrifice the balance!
Preparation for each movement is the responsibility of the rider. This is what the corners of the arena are made for! There are two opportunities (corners) before each movement to make sure that the horse is forward, engaged and on the rider’s aids. The set-up for the next exercise should be done in the corner before it is performed. If the rider fails to utilize the corners to adequately prepare the horse, resulting in a movement that is marred by a loss of rhythm or balance, the price will be paid in the rider’s collective marks.
Several times before the show, have someone videotape your test ride. It is not uncommon to feel that the horse is clipping along in a forward fashion, only to see the ride on a video later and realize it was actually painfully sluggish. The opposite is also true, I have ridden many tests that I thought were nice and steady only to see them on video and realize I was rushing the horse off his feet. Ride the rhythm of the gait and work the exercises around it.
In the end, nobody, including the judge, is expecting perfection from your horse. The show is designed to demonstrate that your training is progressing correctly to continue through the levels. Ride your horse proudly and be forgiving if he is less than perfect. Even if there are errors in your ride, a tactful rider that is grateful for the ride is a winner in any good horseman’s eyes every time.
And the Winner is…..
March 6, 2010
It’s always exciting when I receive feedback from readers of the blog. Today’s comments brought an extra-special surprise….. An Award!!!! Yes, a fellow blogger, The Literary Horse, has bestowed upon me the coveted “Beautiful Blogger Award”!! I’m very flattered as her blog is brilliant! If you haven’t already started following her blog it is linked under my blogroll on every post. Why she is doing her blog for free when I would gladly buy her writings if they were published is beyond me, but I’ll take it while I can! There are fifteen other recipients of the award listed on her site, some of them I have read previously and some I have just found today but will be following from now on.
The award comes with two stipulations. I must list seven things my readers may not know about me (hmmm..scary!) and I must choose fifteen blogs in which to bestow the award. The seven things I can manage. The fifteen blogs will be a little trickier, as I have only been blogging a couple of months and haven’t had time to build a large base of other blogs to follow. In order to provide the links I will post the links of the other recipients, as I have previewed them all tonight and they are all great. As a matter of fact they are so good I am afraid I will lose my readers to them, but I greedily want to post my award so I will do it, and add one that I like as well!
OK. Seven things nobody knows (or not many people anyway!)
1. I have a tattoo of my late Malamute, Samson’s, paw print and name on my leg.
2. I went to bartending school, but never tended bar.
3. My Mom washes my show clothes and mails them back to me because she gets them the whitest.
4. I don’t own a television- hence the blog!
5. I still think I’m a teenager, but my license says I’m 42.
6. I once hiked 300 miles on the Appalachian Trail.
7. I tilt my head at a ridiculous angle when I teach and can’t stop no matter how hard I try! (What’s the deal with trainers and head tilting?)
The Literary Horse’s Beautiful Blogger Award Recipients:
In addition to Jane’s blog I would add Retired Racehorse as a recipient. Natalie is a frequent blogger with a great site heralding the Thoroughbred. Her posts and her comments on other’s posts are always insightful and funny. I will post more recipients as I commit to reading more blogs.
Sincere thanks to Jane at The Literary Horse for reading and acknowledging my blog and congratulations to the other award recipients! I consider myself in fine company. I encourage everyone to check out the links to the other award winners that Jane honored. There is a lot of pertinent information and positive energy being exchanged on these forums. If you are so inclined you may want to start a blog of your own. Everyone’s point of view is important and you never know, you might even win an award!!!
Anything worth Doing….
March 3, 2010
“Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly!” Zig Ziglar
Goodwood the greatest schoolmaster of all let me make lots of mistakes!
One of the biggest obstacles to overcome when pursuing dressage is perfectionism. This is a problem especially pervasive to the adult amateur. Most young riders seem content to attempt an exercise repeatedly, with no apparent doubt that eventually they will get it right. This is generally not so with adults. It is not uncommon for adults to worry if the first or second attempt at an exercise does not “feel” right. This worry is usually a result of erring on the side of kindness, as the rider expresses concern for not confusing or “messing up” the horse.
I believe that one cause of this confusion is that many of the classical dressage books are written from the perspective that a rider will be learning on a horse that is more educated than the rider. In this case, when the proper aids are given, the results will be consistent. Unfortunately, in this day and age, particularly in America, this is not so common. Frequently an instructor is training a horse and rider combination through the levels together. It is a lucky rider that has access to schoolmasters in which to learn the exercises properly before attempting them on their own horse.
Another aspect of perfectionism that inhibits a rider’s learning process is the reluctance to show imperfections in front of spectators. When others are watching, particularly those perceived to be negative in nature, many riders become very distracted and unwilling to attempt new or difficult exercises. This is problematic for the trainer as a productive training session should revolve around exercises in which the horse and rider are having difficulties. A minority of the lesson time should be spent covering exercises that have already been mastered.
So, keep in mind that it is fine to make mistakes, the horse will forgive you and you will never get it right without working out all of the possible errors. If it were so easy to perfect the exercises in one or two attempts we would all be riding Grand Prix in two months! If the people watching don’t understand why you are incorrectly riding that half-pass over and over again, be patient. In time it will be perfect and you will have the scores to validate your efforts. It is not important, or likely that everyone will understand. Give yourself a break and go out and do it poorly! It’s worth it!
Don’t miss the Rest of the Show…
March 2, 2010
Auguries of Innocence William Blake
Lots has been said of the horse’s life at a barn. Studies have been made to translate what each twitch and gesture communicates to the rest of the herd. An equal amount of less scientific study has been done to analyze the human residents at the barn as well. Most of these are comical in nature. EquineInks post yesterday is one of these studies that shouldn’t be missed!
It is a sad thing indeed, however, if while at the barn one gets too concentrated on the discipline of riding and the social opportunities at every washrack to enjoy the abundant nature reserve they’re visiting. A few silent moments is all that is needed to appreciate a conversation between the birds in the trees or the rhythm of the water in a creek. If you don’t have time to stray from the barn there is still plenty of wildlife all around you. Now is the time the barn swallows are building their nests preparing for spring. Some barn owners consider them a nuisance and go to efforts to discourage them from nesting in the barn, but I enjoy seeing the baby birds poking their heads out of the nests high above the stalls until they are ready to fly on their own!
Several barns I visit have barn owls which are more difficult to spot during the day but have made the occasional appearance, and their “hoot hooting” is unmistakable. Blue Herons are one of my favorite residents at barns that have bodies of water to host them. Care must be taken, however when riding by them as their sudden flight may startle a horse. Still worth having them around!
When catching your horse from his paddock, check the fence line for hawks, they sit very still and wait for mice and other small animals to move in the field before snatching them up and flying off for dinner. I have seen them carry away small snakes. These birds are but a few of the ones you can see and the hundreds you can hear if you slow down, listen and observe what’s already there.
Slow down when you have the chance and listen to the wind, the gossiping birds and the horses happily snorting and stomping. Experience life at the barn as your horse does, you won’t miss much if you take one less cellphone call to do it. Don’t let the pressures of everyday life hurry you into missing all of the glimpses into nature’s conversations that we are privileged to by virtue of our horse’s friendship.
Don’t let the Ads fool you…..
February 26, 2010
1 Connemara + 2 shows = 1 Bronze Medal
Almost everyone in the dressage community can tell you the bloodlines of the horses winning in topsport dressage. Breeding programs in the United States have become increasingly popular and successful. Almost every page in dressage magazines boasts advertisements of well-bred, super athletic, descendents of top scoring dressage horses. If the price is right it is even possible to purchase a clone of one of these world-renowned athletes. With the availability of these super athletes burgeoning every year there are only two questions left to answer. Can I afford him? Can I ride him?
While it is true that to place successfully in dressage, a warmblood of quality breeding is the most obvious choice; however, to show successfully or to ride successfully, a top-bred warmblood is not the only option. In fact, depending on the experience and athleticism of the rider, a big, fancy moving horse can be intimidating and frustrating. This is fantastic for the professional that needs a horse to compete, but can be heartbreaking for the amateur that would really like to participate in more than just paying the bills.
This is not to dissuade riders from purchasing warmbloods, I am a big fan and, in fact own a Contango baby myself. This is instead to encourage owners of other breeds to continue in their pursuit of dressage, and to encourage prospective buyers not to rule out other breeds when selecting a suitable horse. Whether you have chosen dressage for competition or just to enjoy the ride, most all breeds can be successful and fun.
As the sport evolves the trend is moving towards the lighter boned, more elastic warmbloods that produce extravagant gaits. This is evidenced with horses like Totilis, a big moving warmblood that is setting world record dressage scores. While some fault his gaits, there is no denying he is influencing what is considered ”popular” in dressage today. In order to refine the once heavier warmbloods breeders have skillfully introduced bloodlines of more “hot-blooded” horses. The result of this selective breeding is horses that display much more fluid, dramatic gaits; however, with these extravagant gaits comes the hotter nature of the lines that are bred in.
As an instructor of riders of all levels I would rather teach a person how to improve the gaits, and master riding on a horse that they are physically and mentally capable of handling. If that horse is a warmblood that’s great, it makes showing a lot easier. If it’s an Andalusian, Connemara, Thoroughbred, Appendix, Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, POA, Arab, whatever, bring it on. Don’t let the advertisements scare you, when you can improve the gaits of any horse and promote the relaxation that the old-style warmbloods are known for, you are in the running. See you at the score board!
That sounds Farrier…
February 24, 2010
Some of the most interesting barn conversation I have ever had has come from farriers. I could write a whole series of blog posts on farriers I have known and the stories they have told but I wouldn’t want to be excluded from future stories, they’re too great! Both horses had to be shod yesterday so Farrier and I had a long time to talk. As horse professionals in the same community the experiences we have with different horses, owners, vets, barn owners and other members of the community parallel each other.
We were talking about toe clips and side clips and the effect of each on different shaped hooves and he recounted a telephone conversation he had with a young farrier that had called him to ask a few questions about shoeing. The young fellow had asked how he felt about toe clips, and the response was that he would have to see a picture of the hooves in question. The question was, of course, hypothetical so the young farrier asked “just on the average, everyday horse”. This is once again, an unanswerable question as the “everyday horse” varies widely depending on the individual’s clients and even among those clients the hooves will not be the same.
This is a question that mirrors one that I think about in the training process from time to time, especially when it comes to training horses that have come to a trainer with previous baggage or are horses non-traditional to the discipline in which they are being trained. Many strict classicists write that there is one way to correctly train. I am not disputing any of these techniques, they are all proven effective. It is presumed in most writings, I believe, that the horse has been started correctly and that it is of an “everyday type of horse” that the author is used to seeing. It would be difficult to write a book addressing every type of previous training issue or every approach for different breed types, but I contend that horses must be treated as individuals, and a classical approach should be the desired standard but allowances must be made for the individual.
Whether you are talking about hooves, horses or students a philosophy or program must have a sound and proven structure. But the professional must be able to see the client as an individual, with a history of its own, in order to determine if inherent or learned traits must be addressed in a manner that humanely directs them back to the classical structure. The goal is the same, the path must always be humane but the history, conformation, or psyche of the hoof, horse or client must be taken into consideration if a classical result is to be achieved.
The Bandit Strikes…
February 19, 2010
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- Me and Col. Axel Steiner, and Ollie
Hopefully, when reading these blogs you are clicking on the title line so that the comments from other posters are visible. Frequently, the comments are better reading than the blog! I encourage everyone to feel free to post their perspectives, as I believe everyone posting, no matter the experience level, can add to the discussion and hopefully a better understanding of every barn’s integral players can be established.
Yesterday’s blog dealt with my observations that one must trust their trainer in order to progress (for more detail see post No Used Cars Here…. I thought this post generated some great replies from riders of different backgrounds. Several of these came from fellow bloggers and each of them are appreciated. Please read the comments they supplied at the end of the above referenced blog. (One was my Mom so she might be biased!) Each one has a great comment with a twist from their own experiences. This is what makes this style of journaling so eye-opening. If I posed these questions only to the number of people I see in a day, I don’t believe the responses would be as candid or as varied.
The comments come from riders and trainers of all backgrounds. Sabrena is a talented dressage coach, and great friend, in Columbia, South Carolina. Many of the comments were from blogs I read daily. The Literary Horse is now one of my favorite authors, her posts are hilarious and when she comments on other’s posts her perspectives are original! Retired Racehorse is another name I love to see comment. Natalie is a champion for the Thoroughbred. She loves the breed and her background is extremely varied so she has a lot of experience to draw from. Sprinkler Bandit is a student chronicling her experiences backing her six-year old Oldenburg mare. All of these blogs are so well done they give me a lot to aspire to! Thank you guys for encouraging me. Each one of their responses have inspired blog topics for me, and today I will use Sprinkler Bandit’s comment, and my response, as a blog, as I believe the point she addresses is one that others may feel and relate to. Here is her comment and my reply.
SprinklerBandit Says:
February 19, 2010 at 6:35 am
I think the “now” issue has to be balanced, however. We have a duty to our horses to educate ourselves about them. Otherwise, a well meaning rider who responds “now” to an incompetent trainer may find him/herself in a much worse situation than they ever were before.
So, I agree, as long as the trainer is trustworthy. That said, if I was uncertain as to whether or not I trusted a trainer, I’d audit a lesson or clinic before signing up for instruction.
And my Reply:
I am so glad you posted this as I think it gets to the root of the problem. A relationship between a trainer and a student is like any other relationship. A trainer must first observe the student, over a period of time, and evaluate their abilities. An experienced instructor will never ask the student to perform an exercise or give an aid that they do not already know the student is capable of executing, and the horse is mentally and physically able to comply with. In my case, if a horse is not schooled in an exercise I will ride it myself and teach the horse as the student observes. This gives the horse the foundation so when the student applies the aids, the horse has an idea of what action is needed. It is never good training, or good for the student’s or horse’s confidence to be asked to perform something they are not capable of. I saw a lawyer show on TV once that put it best. The lawyer said “Never ask a question you don’t already know the answer to”. Knowing that the rider and horse are at the point in their education to succeed in an exercise is something a good trainer must be able to assess. Neither horse nor rider should ever be overfaced.
The breakdown in trust is probably a result of the lack of certification needed to instruct riding. I believe even yoga teachers must certify, but not people teaching other people on large animals. This is why you are correct in that when looking for a trainer you should find one that has been teaching, and producing quality riders for a reasonable length of time. There should be a resume’ of sorts, that will give a substantial history of their riding and teaching experience. It is easy to make an impressive website with no real content. Don’t be afraid to ask for references. A good teacher would love to have you talk to a few of their clients. And, as you stated, watching clinics and asking to sit in on the trainer’s other student’s lessons are good ideas. Once you begin training with an instructor, you should feel challenged, but not afraid.
Then, once they have earned that trust, let them do their job and you will find that your goals are easier to reach. Thanks again for posting- I think you brought up a point that many people, that may be afraid to ask, might like answered! 
No Used Cars here……
February 17, 2010
I try to help, Samson looks a little indifferent
I enjoy and appreciate the comments and discussions that have been contributed to the blog thus far. The readers of the blog seem to represent a wide variety of viewpoints from the horse owning community. Barn owners, trainers, adult students, young riders, parents and other bloggers have been kind enough to read, and help share perspectives on this forum. Thanks for that, I hope it can help to build mutual appreciation for each of the positions, as they are all inter-related and our horse communities are more positive when every person’s contribution is acknowledged, and each person’s concerns are validated.
A fellow trainer related a story to me the other day of a client of his that had recently bought a new horse. The trainer had helped pick out the horse and it seemed a great match for the young rider. As the horse settled in to the routine at the trainer’s barn, it became obvious that the reduced pasture time was causing some difficulty for the young boy at riding time, as the horse still had too much energy. When the trainer suggested additional turn-out for the horse, the father of the young rider declined, citing concerns for the horse’s stress level. The owner also did not care to have either the trainer or another rider work the horse in addition to the child’s lessons.
Empathizing with the trainer, I asked why he thought the owner was reluctant to follow any of his advice. His response was one that made me think of several students I have taught in the past. It seems this particular horse owner had come to this trainer directly after leaving a trainer he felt was very controlling and overbearing. I do not know the circumstances of that situation, so I do not know if this was in fact true, but it was the belief of the horse owner.
Explaining his dilemma with the situation rang true to me. Many times when a person leaves a trainer that they feel is over-controlling, or unwilling to allow them to make even small decisions, they tend to overcompensate for this indignity with the new trainer. Every decision the new trainer makes is immediately subject to scrutiny for signs of control or deceit. This is an understandable response, if there were misdeeds done by a previous trainer, but it makes the learning progress difficult and possibly dangerous.
Many aspects of dealing with horses rely on faith and confidence. Learning technical information can be done by reading books. Most progress with riding happens once the rider believes that they are capable of making it happen. A good instructor must be able to explain the technical aspects of riding. A great instructor must convince the rider that they can persuade the horse to do it! Horses are not apt to follow the apprehensive. If a rider is skeptical of his trainer’s advice, the lack of confidence and committment will result in a failure to convince the horse to accept his aids. Success in this situation is doubtful.
In addition to making progress slow, safety must be a priority. Many times when I was growing up taking riding lessons in Europe, where the teachers seemed particularly scary, I wondered why the trainers always seemed to bark commands and refuse objections. ”I can’t”, or “I won’t”, was not tolerated. Anyone uttering these words was dismissed immediately. Having taught for many years now, I understand the rigidity, and I wish I could thank them all for their intolerance. When you are responsible for someone riding a large, powerful animal, the rider must be conditioned to follow directions quickly, without hesitation, in the event the horse becomes frightened and shows signs of bolting, rearing, or any other behaviour that could be dangerous to the rider. A quick movement, with relaxed confidence in a trainer’s ability, can mean the difference between making the situation safe, or causing more fear and escalating the danger.
This is not to belittle the indignity and condescension that some have fallen victim to at the hands of an overzealous trainer. But I like to believe that most people who get into this occupation do so in order to share their love and passion for horses with other people. Don’t let one bad apple keep you from learning what so many others are eager to share. Whatever the experience level, we all love the horses the same!
Don’t forget your Wellies….
February 16, 2010
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- I should’ve lunged him!
Even in the temperate South, this winter has been the most frustrating riding season I can remember. All of the paddocks are knee-deep in mud. The arenas are almost always closed to protect them for future riding. The perpetual rain makes turnout, for many horses, rare. On top of the weather, the economy is putting the pinch on everyone. If we are to make it, as a unified equine community, we must put our complaints aside, and hold out a little while longer for the sun to appear. These conditions call for optimism on a unprecedented level.
On days that inclement weather prevents your horse’s turnout, it is a good idea to get to the barn and lunge or ride him anyway. If the arena is unavailable, because of same inclement weather, hand walking will suffice to get your horse out of his stall for a while. Horse’s digestive systems were not made for them to stand around for long periods of time. This is not a reason for you to call the barn and ask someone to do this for you. When the horses are in, stalls must be cleaned more often and the workload is heavier. Go to the barn with your raincoat! It will not hurt you and your horse will be glad for the outing!
If you decide to ride, don’t be too proud to lunge your horse for a few minutes before mounting. Even a generally quiet horse can be feisty when he has been stalled for long periods of time, or when the wind is whipping or howling. It is not a sign of bravery when someone refuses to lunge a horse that has not been ridden for some time. It is a better training decision to get the horse settled in to a working attitude on the lungeline than to risk an adversarial confrontation.
After you’ve seen to your horse’s exercise there are plenty of rainy weather chores that can be caught up on. Tack cleaning can be fun if you do it in a group, maybe watching some horsey videos. I’m sure your tack trunk or closet could stand to be cleaned and organized, as could the horse trailer you keep putting off. Rainy days are a good day to wash and sanitize your horse’s brushes, as the muddy season brings with it lots of fungus that is hard to get rid of later. If you are feeling particularly benevolent, you could clean out the barn’s break room or bathroom. Someone will love you for it.
Remember that the weather and economy have made the job of caring for horses harder on everyone this year. Barn Owners, Barn Staff, Trainers, Boarders, Farriers, everyone has faced challenges this winter. Hang in there and try to stay optimistic for the final stretch. Pitch in and help to get through the last of this inconvenient weather. It’s been a tough winter, but the end is in sight, and soon the same people who muddled through the cold, wet, muddy winter will be the ones riding alongside you while the sun shines warmly on your backs.
Twinkle, Twinkle you’re a star…
February 12, 2010
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- Me on Twinkle, England 1975
After decades of studying Europe’s breeding philosophies, America is holding her own in breeding quality, competition horses. This is an accomplishment in a country where breeding restrictions are unheard of. In the years to come, America will be producing horses with the athleticism and talent comparable to Edward Gal’s Moorlands Totilas or Anky’s Salinero.
Every year there are impressive ceremonies celebrating breathtaking freestyles and record-breaking Grand Prix rides from horses that are bred to be more expressive and athletic with each generation. However, the only ceremony that has actually brought tears to my eyes was on a video I watched of Britain’s Horse of the Year Show. This is an incredible horse show, where riding of all types, and horses and ponies of all breeds are revered. I’m not sure what year this particular ceremony took place, but after all the prize givings for the top competitors were complete, two well turned-out older horses were led into the arena.
As the two noble horses paraded around the arena, adorned with roses around their necks, the announcer explained that these horses were there to represent all school horses, worldwide, that have selflessly taught the most accomplished competitors to the most passionate pleasure riders. The two “representatives” were then offered as many apples and carrots from huge silver bowls that they cared to eat. Everyone in the coliseum was standing to applaud these generous horses that offer so much, to so many.
I have been lucky to have known so many great horses in my life. I will always be grateful to every horse that has taught me on my journey towards a career and life with horses. But a special thank you is in order to the patient ponies and horses that carried me about while I tried to figure out this thing called riding. Much love to you all…Fred, Twinkle, Piccolo, Sam, Bayboy, Young George, Cadbury, Ushi……(and all the rest!)
