going charlie's speed

I'm not gonna lie, it was kinda nice taking a little time off. The key, I think, is to fully and completely relinquish all feelings of guilt - really be unencumbered by the feelings of "I really ought to do this..." or, "I should do that..." or, "Charlie really needs me to do that other thing."

Bc it's all kinda... bs, right? Charlie's fine, he lives at a full care boarding facility. He gets a ton of turn out with his friends every day, he gets food and water every day, and so far hasn't managed to actually drop dead if I go two days in a row without seeing him.

be sure to look both ways before spooking at nothing!

And meanwhile, while we both sorta recovered slowly from our own minor maladies, I just focused on spending my barn time enjoying Charlie's company -- maybe for nice grooming sessions, or little hack-abouts. Or ya know. If I didn't feel like making the drive? Eh, then I just didn't do it. Nbd, really.

The big benefit to this approach and attitude is that now that we're getting back to it, we both feel reasonably refreshed even tho the physical fitness is seriously lacking.

mikey cat!

It's still not entirely clear to me what was going on with Charlie to make him feel nqr, or whether it was really anything specific at all in the first place. But we took a couple steps to hopefully remedy that. In addition to the time off, he had another chiro / acupuncture appointment a few weeks ago. 

Plus we did another box of adequan. Somehow we sorta ended up on a fall schedule for joint injections but.... Eh, that's really not ideal imo. So considering our workload is so light right now, with no immediate plans to change that, Charlie's vet and I discussed seeing if we couldn't push his routine maintenance out to next spring. 

Ideally, the adequan course will be enough to tide us over. Tho if he ends up getting hock-y before then, nbd, we'll just take it as it comes. 

oh hey look, it's stabby jabby season again

For now, tho, we're basically getting back into the swing of things with my own imagined interpretation of the "couch to 5k" program, but for horses. 

Our rides are meticulously simple: a walk warm up, 2min of trot in each direction (broken up by another walk break), a lap of canter in each direction, then ta-da!, we're finished.

spooky season around the farm is the absolute best <3 <3

The devil is always in the details, tho, right? And by that, I mean, we might be doing very very limited work right now, but I want it to be good work, and reasonably correct. Channeling the "Stringent Criteria" a la Doug Payne.

As always, everything starts with rhythm -- and you better believe I'm still riding with our trusty metronome tick-tocking away in my pocket (at 77bpm, natch). This device continues to be one of the most illuminating independent training aids I've ever used. 

For example: tracking right, I can easily hold my post to the metronome - no problem whatsoever. Tracking left, tho, we're much likelier to lose the rhythm. 

just normal barn stuff

Also notable about the metronome: it's my distinct impression that it forces both me and Charlie to be stronger in our relative positions. 

For instance, when either of us loses our balance, the easiest result (path of least resistance) is to disrupt the tempo - either by scooting forward a bit or shuffling or whatever. But with painstaking attention paid to that unwavering Tick-Tock! in my pocket, we end up actually working harder and, not coincidentally, better. Or at least, that's how it seems to me.

mikey being helpful with tack cleaning

I've also lately kinda stepped back to reevaluate entirely how I'm approaching riding Charlie on the flat. You might recall that I've jokingly said over the last few months that we kinda "gave up" on dressage, which is sorta true, but sorta not. 

The reality is.... I'm just so freakin tired of constantly chasing this horse forward. And he's tired of it too, I assure you. We get into these rides where it feels like I'm just constantly getting after him and running him off his legs, and he's coping by just getting more and more tense, and hollow across his topline. This whole cycle was basically epitomized in the test we did at our last show.

wishing mikey would be more helpful with mouse exterminating.... UGH

So.... We're going back to basics. I went way wayy back in the archives to the first real turning point in Charlie's education on the flat -- which happened to also be his first riding lesson with erstwhile coach Dan. 

Every single trainer who has ever seen Charlie go (and most judges too) have wanted him to go more forward, more energy, more faster, more run, Charlie, RUN!! Except Dan. He's the only one who has told us to slow it down, but way down. Still focusing on activity and crispness, but slow and with purpose. 

And.... Honestly, I think Charlie likes that approach and does better with it. He doesn't get as stressed out by me constantly chasing him along, and it feels like he can take stronger more 'pushing' steps. We can also stay much rounder using this approach, which makes me feel like Charlie's using his whole body, and especially his back, more effectively.

it's ok buddy, you're still cute. also, fwiw, having this spray bottle of lexol saddle soap in my locker has finally helped me get into a better habit of routine leather care. it's not my favorite soap in the world, but it works nicely and the convenience of quick wipe downs without having to deal with water can't be beat!

So, I figure, if it's working for us, why not just run with it? Right now my only goal is to just slowly and carefully put on more condition and fitness (for the both of us), while keeping the work short enough that Charlie can give it his all without feeling punished or souring. 

Because that's kinda what winter boot camp is all about anyway, right? Who knows... maybe there'll be hope for us yet in the dressage ring LOL! 

Anyone else going back to basics now that the season is winding down? Or taking some time off? Or maybe you've got your own tips or tricks for favorite exercises for building strength and fitness in your horse?