Love & Horses Blog Hop: what pets do you have?

NBOHL from Love & Horses wants to know: Other than your horse, what pets do you have?

Well. I have cats. Two of them, right now. Probably so many more eventually lol. 

I adopted Martini this past spring. He's 2, and was more or less homeless before bouncing around between a few shelters and foster homes. He's a good boy - very bold and likes company, but a tad rough around the edges. 

He loves to play - but plays kinda rough. It was clear that he needed a friend of his own to occupy him (my ankles needed a break!!). 

'plz to have real friend!' - martini

Neighbors found OG as a 7 month old stray and posted pics of him online. I was immediately taken, and brought him home a few days later. My primary concern was that he'd be big enough and have the right personality for Martini - who we've already established is a bit of a bruiser. 

Because it turns out that OG is kind of a huge cuddle bug. 

I shouldn't have worried tho. They hit it off immediately, and have been pretty much inseparable ever since. Yay for cute kitty friends! 

Isabel's Charm

I recently reached out to Isabel's owner to see if there's a proper show name that I ought to be using. Turns out, her breeder showed her as "Isabel's Charm." I kind of love it, and think it suits her wonderfully. (plus some context: Baltimore is known as Charm City)

But Isabel's owner went a step further and passed along these photos of Isabel as a baby through to her first show! Look at her - already looking like a seasoned veteran with some nice ribbons at her first outing! 

this could practically have been us three weeks ago, except that's not me and the pic is probably 5-7 yrs old

already looking sassy lol

Her owner also told me that Isabel's sire was Admiral, a 1994 chestnut stallion owned by Ann McKay. According to google and Ann McKay's website, Admiral Harnly is the grandson of Aazrak, a renowned sport horse and the 2007 Maryland Stallion of Distinction. 

Aazrak apparently did hunters, jumpers, dressage, English & Western pleasure, pole bending, stock and trail horse, harness classes, and all the Arabian and all breed shows over the East Coast. Plus endurance. So, uh, there's a LOT of versatility in there! 

And it is believed that Admiral is the heir-apparent to Aazrak's legacy of exceptional Arabian-bred sport horses. 

Admiral Harnly

source

Admiral Harnly - i totally see it, do you?

source

Just some quick googling shows that quite a few horses that trace their roots to Admiral or Aazrak (or Ann McKay's breeding program) are currently eventing in and around Maryland! So apparently Isabel's just been waiting to do this all her life. How cool! 

But let's take this one step further: I've taken a handful lessons with Dan Clasing, and he seems to have a more or less favorable impression of Isabel. However, according to this article, he's a former student of Ann McKay's and moved into her old barn when she packed up shop. So it's actually possible that he knew Isabel's sire! Random, no?

(more context: Baltimore is also known as Smalltimore. This is a perfect example why lol)

ww - feeeeed me!!!

helloooooooo in there, can anybody hear mee???

oh yes, hai. i, uh, noticed that you were feeding some of the other horses

plz to feed me too???

windy hunter trials

Sunday was another cold day - dry but WINDY. The game plan was to participate in a Hunter Trials event at a nearby farm that hosts a variety of different shows (including a jumper series, hunter shows, and horse trials), but that Isabel has never been to before.

There were two courses - one with 2'6 and 3' options run over a 1/2 mile course, and another with 2' jumps run over a 1/4 mile course in an enclosed field. I obviously chose the 2' course because, well, just because. 

course map

The obstacles were natural and solid type fences (the stone wall was literally stone and concrete) that you might encounter out on a hunt. In fact, the show was held in conjunction with a local Hunt Pony Club, which seemed kinda cool. 

These pictures don't really do the obstacles justice, but there were coops, roll tops (but only 2' - definitely inside my safe zone, phew), logs and log piles, the aforementioned stone wall (concrete is decidedly NOT in my safe zone...), stacked railroad ties, and gates, all with plenty of brush and terrain. 

My whole idea for this outing was to sneak in a few more miles that would essentially amount to xc schooling. I planned to ride in three consecutive classes: Adult Hunter, Novice Adult Hunter, and Green Hunter. And maybe, if we missed a class or wanted another go, Open Hunter. 

The wind obviously had me a little concerned (it was GUSTING), and my fingers were so numb that it took approximately 15 minutes to button up my blouse (and screw the collar, ain't nobody got time for that). But Isabel seemed pretty content, and warmed up nicely. She really looked around on our walk from the trailer to the warm-up ring and flinched a bit at the PA system, but got straight to work and jumped the three warm up fences beautifully. 

pre-show noshes

I thought we were running late (and have apparently been spoiled by a summer of assigned ride times), but were actually early. They were still finishing up the Family/Pairs/Teams class when I got over there. 

Side note: if I ever do another show like this I DEFINITELY want to do the pairs thing - it looked so fun! The teams rode the jumps together (so if one refused, the other had to circle back and stay with them), and the final fence was jumped abreast. So cool. 

post-show noshes

So we stood around for a while - plenty of time for the chill to set in again. Tho I'm pleased to say my new RJ Essentials wool coat did a nice job blocking the wind, despite its light weight. Because the wind was just gusting away - to the point where some pipe fence sections (think temporary or round pen fencing) that were leaning against the rail actually blew over right behind Isabel. Thank god I was holding the neck strap or I would have been a goner - she LEAPED out from under me lol. 

Poor thing. Isabel's funny tho - just kinda turned around, gave everyone a look that said 'that was RUDE,' and went back to eating grass. Lol.  

'nope - can't pose, must eeet' - isabel

Anyway, Isabel was great and pretty much got us started on a really nice pace. She moved up to the longer spots when I got her to them, or adjusted for a tighter distance when I was holding. (I had to constantly remind myself to LET GO, since she really can set a good pace herself)

She looked a bit, but a little leg was more than enough encouragement. Otherwise she pretty much gobbled up everything on course. Sure, some of our distances were questionable, but we took the questionable long spot more often than the super awkward chip stride. Her rhythm was very steady, and she easily came down to trot for all our simple changes. I was very pleased!

We were the last to go in Adult Hunter, and I asked to go first for Novice Adult Hunter so that I could go right back in. Trip two was pretty much identical. Good girl!

despite my shitty braiding skills, she still gets those cute curls

I decided to just finish on that. Isabel had two nice, consistent trips, and there wasn't really anything I felt needed to be 'fixed.' Plus it was shaping up to be our shortest outing ever (at this point we had been on the grounds for an hour and a half), compared to the HTs that were lonnnnnng days for Isabel. 

Got Izzy all untacked and situated at the trailer with her hay before running back to the office to turn in my pinny and pay (holla for the most inexpensive show we've ever done!). Turns out they had already placed Adult Hunter (our first trip) - and we were first!! Yay Izzy! 

There was a Master's Class later in the day open to first through third place winners, and I thought briefly about sticking around for it... But decided not to. My objective for the day was a fun, positive experience, and Isabel had accomplished that in very short order. Plus, we'd have to wait through five more classes - a few of which promised to be very large (pony and junior divisions) - and it was just too cold. So why push it? 

'omg - guys, the floor! it's WET! guys guys!! water = danger! danger!! must paw furiously so the whole world knows!!!!' - isabel the desert horse

'wait - why is everybody laughing at me??'

So I got Isabel back home around 11-11:30am, which seems like a criminally early end time for a show day - not that I'm complaining! Mare was very happy to be home, and danced and pranced and pawed around until I finally got her back out to the field. 


Update: Learned from show management that we actually won both classes - way to go Izzy!!

cold wet day = first lesson indoors!

Lesson day dawned rainy gray and COLD. Brrrrr. Nothing worse than being freezing and wet. 

I saddled Isabel at her barn to avoid standing around in the rain at OF (there isn't really any indoor space for us to tack). My chiro recently vetoed the shims I was using for Isabel's saddle because they were independent pieces (held together by a strap) that distributed weight differently. 

But that still leaves us with some saddle fit issues. My bio-mechanics trainer recommended a rolled up towel under the pommel. This is a decent interim solution (bc it works), but the look is definitely a little odd lol. 

some judicious trimming will fix this up in the meantime

I've heard of others using those big quilted standing wraps. And my OF trainer suggested foam anti-bow bandages. I'll probably try those options out (or just trim the towel so it's hidden...), but figured I'd see if any of you have other ideas??

'it's eeeeting me!!!' - isabel

Then it was off to the lesson. Naturally, since I'd had such an easy time working with Special on and off the trailer, Isabel decided that she suddenly forgot what was up. Sigh. I suspect that she didn't like feeling the too-long cooler around her knees when stepping onto the trailer... But she's gonna need to get over that pronto. 

'ooh let's go talk to that pretty mare!' - isabel

Meanwhile, I recently watched a recorded lecture by bio-mechanics pro and anatomist Dr. Deb Bennett from the George Morris 2013 Horsemastership clinic on USEF Network, at the recommendation of Jen from Cob Jockey. The big gist of her talk was raising the base of the neck to improve overall balance for optimal conditioning and training.  

So I tried to keep this in mind while flatting. If the horse is lifting from the base of its neck, it will stretch or push its neck out - thus getting the long round look - with break over at the poll (and the vertical head set is just a byproduct of gravity). 

I've been thinking about drawing her nose *in* and compressing the neck, when I should be thinking of asking her to lengthen it - but from the base. Interesting food for thought. And I think we got a few moments of a more correct way of going - where Isabel reached out to the contact, rather than getting stuffed into it. 

Then it was on to jumping. The exercises were kind of simple, given the size of the arena. Simple - but still important. Exercise one had verticals along the KXM and HXF lines, and we were instructed to mind our corners. Isabel and I pretty much nailed them (including landing on all our leads!!!!!). But then they were raised and my eye left the building. Oops. At least Isabel still jumped 'em. 

Exercise two was an 18' one-stride line up the center line. My eye rejoined the party and we were fine to finish on this. I think the earlier distance problem was from picking too much at the pace - running forward then holding at the last second.... One day I'll learn to just leave her alone. 

In the meantime - looking forward to drier weather! 

trailer practice + schooling progress

A friend wants to join me for our weekly OF lessons with her leased green OTTB. She thinks the mare's ready to step up her training, and that regular travel will benefit her brain. I'd have to agree, as Isabel seems to enjoy our little routine. Plus it'd be great to have company :)

But first things first: does Special load? I am too new to trailering to comfortably take a horse anywhere without feeling confident about getting it back on the trailer at the end of the day. 

"no no, that's much too difficult. must nap instead" - special

So. Must investigate. 

Honestly, I expected the horse to be pretty good, considering most OTTBs have done their fair share of loading and unloading. And Special didn't disappoint. 

We spent about 20 min total using the method taught to me by the pro who got Isabel loading last spring. Ask for forward with rhythmic taps, and reward even the slightest lean. The trailer is almost incidentally in the way of forward progress. 

Izzy learning the ropes

My trailer is a step-up, so we get them used to getting off at the same time they learn to get on. "Two feet up: good girl! Now back out. Two feet off: well done, nice effort, go eat some grass. Rinse, repeat. Four feet up: yay, chill and eat some of that hay in there. Now back out, good good, ok let's do it again real quick and then get some moar grass. Good girl." Etc etc.

We'll have a few more quick practices until I can send her in from the ground. Right now she's on the passenger side so I can walk in with her. But she's bigger than Izzy, so we'll ultimately haul her on the driver's side. Still gotta make sure she's good with the butt bar and closing doors etc, and take a few quick trips around the field. 

If she's calm and will still hop back onto the trailer after all that, I'll be ready to deem her road-worthy. 

This might seem like overkill to some people. But I have zero interest in towing a horse that doesn't belong to me, only to run into problems off property. Zip zero. 

Anyways, after the short but sweet practice, my friend and I rode around for a little school. Isabel was a total rock star. She was in what my bio-mechanics trainer refers to as a 'learning frame of mind' and was simply ready to work. 

I combined approaches from C and Dan into: firm contact from shoulder through hand. My hands are extremely stabilized, but not tense or braced. Then push push push Isabel into it. 

At walk: we bring the pace wayyyy down, but maintain rhythm. At trot: regulate my seat to get an appropriate pace where Isabel is pushing from the hind end, but not running through my hands and wasting all that forward energy. But also not 'stuck' and stalling out.

We also did some 'leg yields' (if they can be called that yet) down the long sides at walk, with Isabel's nose to the rail. The goal was three good steps of cross over then either straight again or off onto a circle. C says moving your horse laterally is critical if you ever want to get beyond novice. Whether we even get to beginner novice or not, it's still good practice, and Izzy is figuring it out. 

By the end of the ride, Isabel actually had the faintest hint of foam around the bit - the first time ever outside of a lesson. Yay mare!! Werk that bit :)

october review + november goals

Ok. So let's try this whole goal-setting exercise again. I was a little more on top of my game this month, and it resulted in getting more things done. Or at least, the things that were in my control.

October Evaluation:

1. More no-stirrups work (no balancing on hands please!!!) and at least 2 bareback rides AND: Two Pointober

-We did the two bareback rides (complete with photographic proof), and some two point, tho not nearly as much as I expected. Ya know, that road being paved with good intentions and whatnot.... Not so much no-stirrups stuff either. 

But I did place 2nd in a flat class that called for 2point and no stirrups posting, so that's gotta count for something, right? No?? Well, ok. Fine. Goal unmet. 

yea this goal is unmet until i can keep that right leg stretching *down*.... ugh

2. At least 1, ideally 2 dressage lessons. 3 jump lessons at OF and 1 lesson with D.

-Couldn't connect with dressage trainer MP. I really like her, but we have conflicting schedules so I might need to look elsewhere. Perhaps the new trainer C can fill this void? In any case, we did 2 jump lessons at OF, one with C, and one with Dan... Close enough.


3. Bio-mechanics lesson with particular focus on Izzy's right hind and my ineffective leg aids

-Check and check: must work on lateral balance


4. Chiro appointment to investigate some of my concerns re: Isabel's hind end

-Yep, see above.

5. Gymnastics! with a BOUNCE!! (perhaps can be requested during a jump lesson?

-We definitely had some fun with this, and want to do moar :)


6. Investigate possibility of local jumpers or dressage shows. Want more miles!

-We did even better than I expected: a fun schooling show and another full horse trial :)

isabel could run away from water all day long

7. Make a decision re: ST

-Still haven't decided. I guess I'm kinda cruising in limbo. Not getting back on the schedule until I *want* to, and if that doesn't happen, that's ok.


November Goals:

1. No-stirrups November? More 2point? Anything to get that right leg uncurled?

2. Aim for 5 lessons (there *are* five weekends, after all), 4 is ok

3. Moar grids plz!

4. Improve lateral suppleness. For real.

5. Any last events before the winter sets in?? Hunter trials Nov 2?