lessoning at new heights

Our lesson this week went pretty well. Isabel's been doing great under saddle, despite our concerns about her current physical state. We obviously want to keep it that way - and help make sure she's feeling 100% well so we don't start seeing any new issues. 

jump 3, one stride to jump 4, five strides to jump 5

But as it is, Isabel is at a place right now in her riding where any mistakes made are mostly my own. If I stay out of her way, she's more than likely gonna get the job done correctly. This makes me just so so so happy!

jump 4

Isabel flatted really really well. I focused almost exclusively on my upper body position - meaning 'LOOK UP, Emma.' Geez. This helped get my shoulders over my seat, and my arms hanging in the right spot. It also helped my core/seat be more effective in regulating pace, rather than using so much rein. P wanted my pace slow enough that I could feel Izzy's hind end coming up underneath, but not so slow that she's sleeping on the job. So we needed *energy* - while not just bombing around. 

jump 5 - monsters inc

P had a pretty neat course set up using essentially everything in the ring. We went through all the lines individually at 2' - 2'3" first. We did ok, tho I was maybe a bit conservative. Isabel had to remind me over and over again that *she* knows how to count perfectly fine, thankyouverymuch, even if I apparently don't... 

jump 6 on the rail, three strides to the uber colorful jump 7

The 6-7 outside line on the rail was three strides, but I kept getting a questionable in jump that made me expect to add a stride... Same goes for the two stride line on the other outside rail. Isabel was wise enough to ignore me and get the correct striding all on her own. Good mare!

jump 7 - the rainbow brite or 'easter' jump

Once we'd been through everything individually, the jumps went up - all the way up to 2'6"!! I've jumped Isabel at that height once or twice, but it's generally a bit beyond my comfort zone. The highest I've ever really jumped was 2'9", and that was eight years ago on Lad, who I still feel comfortable enough with to hop around 2'6"... But Isabel is just different. Maybe it's her size? Her way of going? Idk, for whatever reason bigger fences just make me nervous with her. 

yes, i think we made it to the base lol

But she's been making it perfectly clear that she can handle - and maybe even *wants* - the bigger stuff. So I put on my game face and went for it: nine big fences, with optional bending line from coop to roll top at the end. (The roll top was actually backwards, disguised as a white gate - and therefore *much* less scary for me lol)

disguised roll top is disguised. haha brain, tricked you!

Our course wasn't perfect: some questionable distances, per usual, and some inconsistent rhythm. But it was really fine. Isabel took the initiative in a few places when I kinda just froze up. And after it was all said and done, all the rails were still up and we had made it over everything. And I felt GOOD about it. 

Like, ok yes, I have work to do. Lots. My lower leg was swinging around all over the place, my eq is ick, and I still have no real release (at least I hold the mane like it's my job...). Plus, I really need to understand that Isabel can do the strides even if we get a questionable in jump - I just need to help her move up (rather than trying to hold for an add... it just doesn't work). 

video of our first ever 2'6" course for your viewing pleasure 

And P wants me to think about 'exhaling' in the last stride or two before the fence - to help me loosen up a bit and relax, rather than grab grab grab. 

But over all, I felt safe and not over-faced. And Isabel clearly enjoyed herself - so I can really focus on improving my own self without needing to worry about her. She's got it covered! So. 2'6" - we did it! :)

saddle fit... or ulcers?

Isabel and I participated in five shows in the past two months. It was AWESOME. 

one

two

three

four

five

But also, maybe a little much. 

Isabel has been a little off her game since our last HT - in a way that I can only describe as 'fragile.' 

She's been stressed. Uneasy and fidgety. Pooping 3-5 times in a single grooming. Not wanting to get on the trailer, after hopping up on the first try for six months. Not pleased if I'm anywhere close to her flanks, and very unhappy about being saddled (thus my never-ending search for the perfect padding/shim combinations).  

Under saddle she continues to be a rock star... but her ground manners have had me perplexed, and at times, admittedly, beyond impatient. 

Finally, a post from A Filly's Best Friend struck a nerve and I decided to discuss with my trainer. 

And P thinks: ulcers. 

Isabel is out 24/7 (only in for dinner and severe weather), so I thought she wasn't really at risk for ulcers. But P says that any horse who travels regularly is actually especially prone. 

She also noted physical changes in Isabel to support her hypothesis. Namely: Isabel's spine as it meets the dock of her tail slightly protrudes above her hindquarters. P says that given the work we're doing, we would expect more rounding in the muscling there. 

So P outlined a simple (read: $$) protocol for addressing the issue, with a long-term view of management via supplementation. 

However, Isabel's owner was more comfortable getting the vet's opinion. The vet's protocol is a little more aggressive (read: $$$$), but is more likely to resolve the issue. 

I will let you know how it goes! 

enclosing the stock trailer - DIY

My tastes for trailers may vary from others, this I understand. But let me tell ya - when I first decided I wanted to haul my horse around, I really wanted to do so in something like this: 

spotted at the MCTA Jenny Camp. #jealous

These euro-style vans just seem so simple - but also kinda luxurious (that thing was HUGE). And there's actually a place nearby that converts old ambulances into horse vans... but it was not in my budget. In fact, pretty much nothing was in my budget, without financing. And if I was going the financing route, might as well buy new (but still affordable!). 

And thus, I found my Calico stock trailer. I've officially had this getup since April. The freedom to travel (even if only for lessons and little schooling shows on my own) has been revolutionary for me, and it makes me so happy. Even more so because the enabling funds were a modest inheritance from someone who would have been tickled to see me tooling around town in a big ol' truck and trailer. 

i luv you!

But stock trailers have their drawbacks. Namely: the wind sheer factor in cooler temps. So enclosing the trailer has been a priority - particularly after two of my last three drives have been cooolllldd!! (one day was rainy, one was windy, and the third was actually fine, but dawned icy). 

Everything I read on the google (which would never ever lie to me) said that stock trailers typically have these little grooves so that you can just cut plexiglass to size and slide the panels in. Easy in easy out. Sounds great, right? Except, my trailer had no such grooves. 

My next best idea was to drill holes in the plexiglass and use zip ties to hold them in place. 

And this is where I give a huge shout-out to Larry D from Lowes - dude THANKS! I took my trailer to Lowes hoping that a rep would be willing to give it a looksie, and Larry was game (turns out he used to have horses too - awesome!).

He took measurements and optimized my order (needed 6 panels) based on the various dimensions of the plexiglass in stock, and the max length that their cutting tool could handle (as demonstrated above). 

Once the pieces were cut, a very capable friend drilled the holes. Plexi is a funny thing to drill into, and the escape door panel ended up cracking. It's fine for now, but will likely have to be replaced sooner than the others. Fortunately, I have a scrap piece that can be cut to size.

And the zip tie idea definitely worked. Plus it'll be super easy to take 'em off again come spring! 

I removed the protective film on the interior side of the plexiglass (so ponies can't chew or ingest it), but left it on the exterior. This will supposedly help the plexiglass last longer. And it diffuses the light a bit for a neat effect. However I reserve the right to change my mind about this at any time lol.

Interior:

notice that the seam between panels is hidden behind the upright bar

still a lot of open space around the rear door, but that's less of a concern than the sides

escape door has extra packing tape on it to reinforce the cracked area

Exterior:

close up of the zip ties. they actually worked really well and got a close, tight fit. the closure is on the exterior to avoid any sharp edges or chew-able pieces inside. 

So the total cost for this project was just materials (about $175) and some good credit from a friend who's handy with power tools. Not too shabby - hopefully it holds up!

friday festivities: happy birthday!

Today is my birthday! Yay me :)

no clue why i chose this particular clip art, but i kinda love it

For various reasons, I've already had most of the celebratory dinners (chicken cacciatore with the family, calamari vesuvio with linguine at a pasta bar with friends - yum!). But it *is* Friday, so ya know, probably still a little more fun coming my way. 

Tonight will be chilly and the arena might still be wet from yesterday's rain, so the intended birthday ride may not happen. It's cool either way tho - Isabel's been charming all week (see what I did there?), and tomorrow is lesson day. So nbd if she's off two days in a row. 

card from my stepmom

Meanwhile, let's take a little looksie at some of the horse-related goodies that have found their way to me for my birthday. My family is decidedly non-horsey, so the ponies don't usually get much from them, other than gift cards. So some of this stuff is my own treat to myself:

An Irish knit cooler! That actually (mostly) FITS! And - more importantly - the right COLOR!!

disregard the monogram. it's 'pre-loved' lol

A bareback pad!! Oh the adventures we'll have... (Isabel is clearly thrilled).

also pre-loved

Effax Lederbalsam Cream

smells sooooo good

A trailer update... that you'll have to wait until tomorrow to read about lol. 

Mango Bay belt!! And purple! This one was actually a gift - well done, mom :)

Plus there's also the birthday $$. Not a ton, since I received some very generous non-horsey gifts. But enough to entice me to window shop a bit. In no particular order, here's a little wish list:

SmartPak Solstice All Terrain Waterproof Winter Boot

Higher Standards leather soap in rosemary mint

Majyk Equipe cross country boots

Brown tall boots. not overly picky here, but these are nice

And what the hell, it's my birthday - let's dream big: 

Antares Flash Noseband Bridle

County Saddle

And, ya know, a pony of my very own (don't read this Isabel!!)

all the scope. ALL of it. 

jumping in the dark

We had one final night of fairly balmy temperatures (mid 60s!) before the rain ushers in a cold snap (low 40s, boo). Obviously, we had to capitalize on this. 

And I was far from the only one feeling this way: quite a few folks were also out riding, including the trainers (you can catch glimpses of my friend's new Hanoverian in the video... FANCY!), other boarders, and students who had earned free rides. Some people were even riding later than me, which is SUPER rare. 

And, extra special bonus - there was already a course set up in the arena from earlier lessons, so all I had to do was reset the height (mostly around 2' - 2'3" and an X that might have been lower in the center). 

But first, I wanted to dig into our flat work a bit. Thanks to everyone who commented on my post 'on the forehand?' - your feedback was super helpful and insightful! My biggest takeaway is to focus on rhythm and balance. 

To this end, I tried to do some transitions within the gaits (mostly at the walk, but some trot), and worked on stabilizing my hands in a fairly neutral position and adding leg leg leg. 

And Isabel responded beautifully. We have so much work to do... just so so much. But when she's in this kind of mood, it's work that's easy to enjoy - and makes me think that we're eventually going to get somewhere really cool.  

We took lots of walk breaks, tho, bc it really was pretty warm-ish, and Isabel heated up quickly. I also didn't want to drill. Maybe this is the double edged sword of Isabel's good moods: they're so nice and relaxing that I don't want to mess it up. So I keep it easy, when maybe I should be seizing the opportunity to push our boundaries a little. 

But whatever, I still feel like it was productive flat work. And I wanted to pop over the fences to see if I could get some improvements from our Saturday lesson. On Saturday I felt like my eye was just way off, and instead of letting Isabel get to the fence on her own, I just picked picked picked and we got some stupid ugly chips. 

So for this ride I tried to remember previous lessons (particularly with C and Dan) wherein I just set up Isabel's pace then sat still to allow her to move up (or not!) as she felt appropriate. I've really got to give this mare credit: she's taken our education this spring/summer to heart and understands so much better how to get herself to the jump. I really can trust her now. 

And this ride was *really* interesting, in that Isabel was TAKING me to the fences. Not out of control, and not rude. She was getting herself to safe distances. But she was also seriously moving herself up to them. It was kind of awesome :)

You can see it in the video - she was just cruising around, and I was more or less a passenger. Exactly as she likes it for jumping. But you can also see - for the last jump in the last course, she still listened to me when I asked her to balance a few strides out. Good mare! This is exactly what I want for cross country: a horse that knows how to put itself in the right place for a jump, but still tunes in to me. Now if only we can get past changes of terrain lol...

enjoy video of isabel rocking out in the dark

no shave november? <3