Sunday, January 18, 2015

contrived confo+ other occurrences

Is this what they mean by misleading conformation shots? 


Like, if I wanted to make Isabel look taller and more uphill, this would probably fit the ticket. Lol. (that's a child holding her, fyi)

I hoped these harsh shadows could be mitigated by dialing up the exposure in my editing app.... but that didn't really work, plus it reduces the quality of what's already not-a-very-high-quality photo so... yea, no. 

no one to hold her, therefore she won't stand

In all seriousness tho - every time I think to take updated conformation shots, either the lighting is all wrong or I don't have anyone on hand to hold Isabel (she doesn't really ground tie or even stand haha). 

...aaaand even with someone (me) holding her, she won't stand. lol

Oh well -- one day we'll snap something a little more illuminating! 

Meanwhile, freezing temps = limited to no riding outside of our lessons. Boo. So how else can I fill my time??? Buying all the things!!! Reading!

A few bloggers have already written about each of these books, and I call you all enablers bc now I have them too... 


Haven't delved too deeply into 101 Exercises yet bc it just makes me depressed that I don't have anywhere to set them up yet... 

But I'm nearly finished reading Denny Emerson's book - and I gotta say, the hype is justified. Reading this book helped inspire me to stop sniffling, put on my big girl pants and get those saturday chores done despite the cold so B and I could get to our lesson on time. 


I'm pretty excited about this next thing too: a full set of Majyk Equipe cross country boots. Riding Warehouse had a 20% off year end blowout sale and I couldn't resist - as these boots have been on my wishlist for a loonnngg time haha. 




I need to take pics of how they look on Isabel tho. The mediums fit pretttty good - tho maybe a titch long on her cannons. They also seem a little odd around her fetlock, leaving the most vulnerable spot unprotected... so maybe I have them on wrong? (they were on the correct legs as far as left-right is concerned). 

Trainer P took a look and readjusted them a bit (after they had been on warming up for a while), so maybe there's just a learning curve?  


But yea, this is what I'm doing during this time of limited riding.. visualizing all the super cool exercises we'll eventually do, and shopping for the appropriate equipment to do so lol. What about you? 

18 comments:

  1. I love my majyk boots! I am also wishing for better arena footing, so sick of snow and ice.

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    1. the ice and snow really bum me out.... but now that the days are getting longer i'm SO eager to get out and about!!!

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  2. I've been reading, watching training videos, and generally wishing for better weather. I need to buy Denny's book!

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    1. do it - it's a great (and fast!) read! and really, any distraction helps in these dreary months :)

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  3. Those boots are definitely funky to put on the first few times, but when put on correctly they SHOULD protect her fetlock. Did you have the Boyd Martin label on the outside with velcro pointed back? That's how I orient my trainer's when I put them on.

    I'm still riding, but I'm also visualizing exercises and cajoling assistant trainer at my barn to let me set courses so we get to do the exercises I want! Mahahaha.

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    1. i had them on with branding out and on the right legs, and there was this weird overhang of the strike pad on the *outside* of her fetlock, and a blank, unprotected spot on the inside. i need to take pics... i LOVE the boots tho and want them to work, so maybe i'm just doing it wrong?? lol

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  4. I have that book too! It's great!!! I was supposed to be at the barn this morning but my car slid on ice and landed in my neighbor's yard. So yeah..no horse time for me today gah! Reading horsey books too ^.^ Stay safe!

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    1. yikes - hope both you and car made it out relatively unscathed!!! ice is definitely NOT the greatest.... can't wait for warmer weather!

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  5. Agree with T, I need to get my hands on Denny's book. Can't wait to see the boots on Miss Iz.
    I hope the weather picks up for you asap & that all went well with the saddle fitter

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    1. it's worth it!! i can totally see how other bloggers read it over and over again - it's a great read! :)

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  6. Can I put in a request for a post on izzy's beauty shop days wherein you braid that pretty mane again?? Love that running braid on her!

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    1. aww thanks!! and i did it again just for you - stay tuned for pics!!! (unfortunately the braid only looked good for a few minutes before izzy tried to shake if off a la taylor swift lol)

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  7. Izzy is so pretty even when she doesn't want to stand! :-)

    Nice boots! Those are on my wish list too

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    1. aw thanks!! she insists on being the star of the show lol. and the boots are everything i hoped for construction-wise, just need to figure out the placement on her!!

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  8. Yay Majyk Equipe! And that Denny Emerson book is awesome. Yes, you are on the right track with conformation shots. I actually taught a class on taking them once. There is a "right" way to take one, and then there are ways to subtly change it to make a horse look taller/shorter/more uphill just by the way you take the photo.

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    1. i'm pretty excited about these boots lol. and the confo pic thing is kinda funny - it's SO HARD to get a good shot of her, so i got a kick out of the shot that makes her look 'better' than usual lol

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  9. Reading Denny's words are such a good kick in the pants. Just ride, just jump the jumps over and over and over and when you've mastered them, raise them. But practice, practice, practice. There's no quick way to being good - I love reading that because it moves me away from feeling like I've got to be good at everything now and lets me rest in the journey that riding is.

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    1. i agree completely - part of what i love about the book is his insistence that talent alone doesn't cut it (and perhaps natural talent isn't even the most important factor!) - but that determination makes all the difference. definitely motivating!

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