Journey As A Rider

Courtesy of "In Omnia Paratus" (http://liz-stout.blogspot.com/)

Do you define yourself as a rider by your goals or ambitions? Are they inextricably linked to your specific horse? Or maybe instead, your preferred means of deriving enjoyment are defined by the horse you have currently? 

A little bit yes and a little bit no.  I definitely have goals and ambitions and they are 100% part of what gets me out to the barn 5-6 days/week.  As a person, I enjoy having things to work toward.  As a rider, I enjoy the training process of slowly seeing improvements.  All of these things motivate me.

  

But as a horsewoman overall, I enjoy being with horses for the sake of the horses.  When I retired Fred we had no goals but I still enjoyed just going out and being with him.  I love just hanging out with my horse/s; it's probably the biggest thing that I miss being at a boarding barn.  I still do hang out with Mort, but not nearly as much as I did when I was growing up with my horses in the back yard.  I can't wait to be able to do it again someday when we get a place.  

Have you had to make decisions about buying or selling a horse based on its suitability for your goals or purposes?

I have only parted ways with two horses who belonged to me.  Coin and I were not a match on a personality level.  He wasn't a horse who was really interested in being with people and I was too young (13?) to enjoy a horse like that.  I had him for 18 months before I came to that decision.  He was athletic and could have probably been a really nice little dressage horse for me, but it comes back to wanting to be with the horse.  Luke and I parted ways when I went to college.  He was young and athletic and deserved more than just sitting in the pasture.  

Mort isn't exactly built for dressage but I enjoy him.  I know that my current goals are set up for his limitations (to compete through third but continue training him as long as he's happy).  I don't plan on selling him in spite of us most likely not being competitive in the upper levels someday.  If he were not mentally suited for the training at all; maybe then we'd be talking.  Or maybe then I'd switch up my goals.  I've honestly not been put in the position because while I'm competitive, I'm not so competitive that it takes a really fancy horse to satisfy my desires.   

Do you feel like there's something bigger out there, something more overarching in your own journey as a rider, independent of the horses that may come in and out of your life? Or maybe you feel the opposite - that it's less about striving forever for something, and more about enjoying each good moment as it comes?

I feel like this sorta falls back into defining myself as a rider.  I do want to get better and I have a few pipe dream type goals that involve getting all my medals someday.  In reality though, I think it's mostly about the good moments and the fun horses for me.  Those powerful rides in the arena where you and your horse are on the same page every step of the ride.  Those adventurous trail rides that help satisfy some of my wanderlust.  Those quiet moments when your horse takes time from his grazing to come over and bother you while you're reading in the pasture enjoying the weather.  Life is but a string of moments; you might as well try to surround yourself with good horses and good people to make sure the good moments outnumber the bad.  

Have your opinions or thoughts on this matter had to change over time due to different circumstances? Or maybe you've never actually thought particularly deeply about it at all? 

I'll admit I don't usually think deeply about why I define myself as a horsewoman.  My story is like many others'.--I can always remember wanting to be around these awesome animals.  Before I knew the first thing about riding, training, or scooping poop it was just being near a horse.  

When I was younger I for sure had more dreams and goals (and was naive enough to not know how far away from them being real I was).  As I said above, I still do--near and far, realistic and dreamer-type.  The more I live the further I feel from some of these dreams, but the more time I spend with horses the more determined I am to continue to do so in some way for as long as I can.  

I've always wondered what keeps a person in the industry versus falling out of it when they go to college or get rid of a certain horse.  Maybe it's the difference between people who got into it for the horses or for the glory.  Maybe the ones who stick around do so because it doesn't require success for us to enjoy the horse.  I think that to want to stick with this crazy and expensive industry it has to be about enjoying the horses for the sake of horses.  That doesn't have to be the only enjoyment; it isn't for me, but it should boil down easily enough.  

On the other hand, maybe I think that just because it's what keeps bringing me back. 

Musings on a Wednesday

     Last week's rides of concentrating on specific items in each ride really paid off for our ride yesterday.  I went in with a plan to work on lengthening and shortening and maybe transitions.  Mort was a touch on the lazy side (it's getting hot again and Mort is not a hot weather horse) but he was relaxed and listening really well.  I only had to give him one pop with the whip toward the beginning of the ride and didn't touch it again.

     He was so on my aids and listening that we definitely did more than just what I had planned and it was still a shorter ride because he was so good.  We worked on trot/halt/trot.  We did a good number of leg yields and played with shoulder-in to half pass (at the walk).  We did some more figure eights sometimes starting or ending in leg yields.  He was just really game to be messed with in all the ways.

     I've noticed lately that I am actually enjoying his left lead canter more than his right.  I always thought this would happen eventually because he has a better stride this direction, and I'm glad that it's starting to since we've been struggling with its balance for so long.  He's more naturally uphill this direction and stays straighter.  Now that we're getting good left lead I need to start focusing more on the right lead again (and counter canter).

     I also noticed last night that sitting trot tracking right is fairly easy for us.  He maintains the bend and can compress and extend as well as when I'm posting.  But, this doesn't hold true when we're tracking left.  We're getting really consistent bend when I'm posting but he doesn't seem to be quite there yet sitting.  His pace and balance are also not as good sitting as posting.  I'm not sure if this is a strength issue from him or a seat issue from me, but either way something good for me to know.  If we're really struggling I can easily start posting and it will most likely solve the issue.  I can make sure to sit for shorter periods of time (both directions so we don't get too uneven) and reward more often for the effort.

     Overall tracking left is really coming along and I couldn't be happier.  I think once that inside leg to outside rein is there consistently making the jump to second level won't be too difficult at all.  I still plan on first level for our show in July and the recognized in October, but maybe some of the fall schooling shows will involve second level (not to get ahead of myself or anything...).  We'll see.  Right now I'm just happy that we've gotten out of our slump and we're both improving again.

Good Rides

     Mort and I have been plugging away at our dressage-ing.  He had a long weekend last weekend while the husband and I visited some family out of town.  He was a little off behavior-wise (aka feral pony) Monday so I lunged him then just played a bit bareback.  In spite of it being very casual it was not very successful.  Mort and I were both unfocused and inconsistent (both my fault because it's my job to focus him).  Just a 'meh' ride had me trying to think of a plan to fix it.

     My big plan was to pick a few things to really work on each ride and focus in on that.  Revolutionary, I know.  My lack of direction in a ride leads me to riding to fix whatever problem just arose as opposed to actually training him and pushing us to bigger and better things.  In all of these rides I've been touching upon some of the first level test elements since we've got another schooling show coming up in July.  I signed us up for First Two and Three, so steeper leg yields, ten meter circles, and counter canter loops here we come.

     Tuesday we worked on having him really jump off my aids.  I'd quietly apply some leg pressure (or whatever) and if he didn't respond immediately I'd back it up with a tap from the whip (or whatever).  It only took a handful of taps before he figured out that I was serious the first time I put my leg on him.
   
     I think a lot of his dullness (he's not that bad, I just appreciate a horse who doesn't require much) comes from when we're trail riding.  I still ride with my legs but I don't always make him respond as specifically as I would in the arena.  For example, if I want him to move sideways I'll put my leg on for a leg yield.  But instead of a proper leg yield he'll maybe just kinda fall sideways bulging his shoulder or bending too much around my leg.  And trail-rider Jacki thinks that's good enough, so Mort thinks that's good enough.  Obviously this leads to disagreements in the arena.  It's on the list of things to work on.

     Thursday we worked on transitions.  It built well upon jumping off of my leg from Tuesday's ride.  We really focused on trot/canter and canter/trot transitions trying to maintain the forwardness in the transitions without losing suppleness.  It was moderately successful.  We had good and bad transitions and Mort was definitely working hard for me.  Overall it was a good ride that just showed more things that we need to focus on--throughness in the transitions.

     A storm Friday morning blew in the most wonderful cold front.  We're talking temperatures in the eighties with low humidity in the end of June.  It was a darn miracle.  We took advantage of the perfect weather and the perfect footing to do some conditioning on the trails.  The focuses for this ride were straightness and adjust-ability.  I had an awesome, forward and uphill horse and it was a super fun and successful ride.  Straightness out on the trails is much easier for us as he's not busy anticipating where we're going to turn next--I always appreciate what the straightness is doing for his muscling.  I thought the lengthening and shortening was going to be a challenge (because woohoo we're cantering away forever), but he listened really really well to my half halts and stayed with me.  We both worked hard and came away feeling good.

     I ended up giving him Saturday off.  It marked my first long training run for another half marathon this fall.  So my morning was busy running around (and enjoying the wonderful weather) with Emma pup.  After that I decided that I would clean the house instead of go to the barn.  The husband and I haven't had a free weekend at home in several weeks so we had some catching up to do.  After all that we had a couple friends over and cooked-out.  It was a good day, even though it had no pony time.

     Yesterday my focus was on change of direction and bend.  We did several canter/trot/canter transitions both in prep for First Three and because they're good for us.  We muddled along for a little while but eventually we really got on the same page.  I had his outside shoulder and had his inside hind stepping up underneath.  I did a few figure eights at the sitting trot and called it quits with how wonderful he was listening and waiting for me.  We took a short walk on the trails to cool-out.

     I just need to remember the more I push myself to be a better and more aware rider the better Mort is.  It's sometimes hard for me to gauge how hard I have to work to dressage, but it's always worth it.  Today will just be a lunge day because I've got other stuff to accomplish on the home and running front.  I need to sit down and hash out a schedule like I did last summer so that my rides have more direction.

Clinic Re-Cap

Mort and I both adventured to a clinic at Riverside Equestrian Center this weekend with Britta Johnston.  We rode Saturday and Sunday and I spent the day Saturday auditing.  It’s a lovely, friendly facility and I love when they host Britta. 

Day One:

I think the major take-away from our first lesson was to step-up my game in the upper body department.  While I know that it is my major downfall as a rider, it is still really hard for me to be on top of it at all times.  But when there is someone there to break it down into individual body parts and I get to see how it affects Mort’s way of going it really drives home.  I think this lesson will be a good kick in the pants for me to focus even more on how my riding affects Mort.  We’ve all heard of a horse’s “self-carriage” but she said that we need rider self-carriage as well if we are to expect it from our horses.  It makes sense and I need to just do it. 

We worked on our centerlines.  Mort and I definitely need to practice more of these.  We come into it really strong but then when I ask him to trot away it all falls apart for several strides.  I simply think that more halts into trots will solve these issues.  We worked on quality of gaits and me keeping a ‘hard core’ (I thought the wording was funny)—especially in the transitions.  Overall a good lesson with an uphill and attentive Mort. 

Day Two:

                We worked on running through First Level Test Two.  Britta wants us to break 70’s and earn our first and second level scores toward my bronze within the year (training and skill-wise I think possible, but we’ll have to keep an eye on the budget).  In the two shows this year Mort has earned mid-to-high 60’s.  Running through the tests looking for brilliance had Mort giving me brilliance—in both good and bad ways.  Britta pointed out that if I don’t ask for more I simply will never get the quality of gaits that brilliance requires.  I’m often cautious to ask him for more, because asking for a lot takes away from our suppleness and relaxation, but at this point I need to just get over it.  Staying within our comfort zones will never be as fun as pushing to the edge.  It’ll also never produce as good of scores.

                We ran through the test three times.  She pointed out that if I want to be a good test rider then I need to practice riding tests (something I don’t do often).  Mort will never be the flashiest mover or have the best extensions but I need to run through tests to know where else we can make up the points.  He has a good canter.  We can improve our transitions, etc. 

                So day one was showing me where I need to improve in my body.  Day two was giving homework and setting goals.  I am really happy that she thinks we should easily be showing second level in the next year and that we should be able to do well at recognized shows at first level very soon.  I told her that my long-term goal for Mort was to earn my bronze medal on him and she said that it shouldn’t be a long-term goal at all but rather something within the next couple years.  Obviously a lot of this will depend on his soundness (and my monies), but it’s all very motivating.  I love coming out of clinics with renewed ambition and motivation.  Mort and I have lots of fun things in the future.  

I Like Lists

     So, as most of you know by now, Mort and I have a clinic this weekend.  Yesterday was spent going over the planned schedule.  I am a dressage rider and Type A human so I really really like everything to be planned out perfectly and I always side with more time rather than less.  My BM may hate me for making her wake up too early, but here is the plan.

Thursday (tonight):

• 3:00-3:30 Run with Emma
• 3:30-4:00 Drive to barn
• 4:00-4:25 Groom/tack
• 4:30-5:15 Ride (focusing on basics and transitions)
• 5:15-6:00 Hose/Groom and clean saddle while he grazes

Friday

• 3:30-3:45 Groom/tack
• 3:50-4:30 Work Mort (lunge or trail ride or light arena work)
• 4:30-5:00 Bathe 
• 5:00-5:30 Clean bridle/girth while he grazes
• 5:30-6:00 Gather all needed hay/buckets/fan/etc. for our trip

Saturday

• 5:45 Wake up
• 6:15-6:45 Drive to barn
• 6:45 Get to barn 
• Help with morning chores
• Load trailer
• Bandage Mort
• 7:20-9:00 Drive
• 9:00-10:00 Unpack and settle in
• 10:00-10:30 Groom/tack
• 10:30--11:30 Lesson 
• 11:30-12:00 Cool-out and hose
• 12:15-12:45 Lunch
• 12:45-2:45 Audit
• 2:45-3:30 Hand walk, wrap, feed
• 3:30-4:30 Drive home

Sunday

• 4:15 Wake up
• 4:45-5:15 Drive to barn
• 5:15 Get to barn and help with morning chores
• 5:45-7:15 Drive
• 7:15-7:45 Feed and hand walk
• 7:45-8:15 Groom/tack
• 8:15-9:15 Lesson
• 9:15-9:45 Cool out/hose
• 9:45-10:30 Pack up trailer
• 10:30-12:00 Drive home
• 12:00-12:30 Unload and clean trailer

Packing List

• Tack
• saddle
• bridle
• saddle pad
• half pad
• bell boots
• polo wraps (white)
• halter/lead
• whip
• Misc.
• grooming bucket
• fan
• chair (optional)
• leg wraps
• tail wrap for shipping
• fly mask for shipping
• fly spray
• leather sponge/cloth
• Food
• bale of hay
• buckets
• Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast
• salt lick
• gatorade (for me)
• granola bars/pop tarts (for me...mostly)
• broccoli salad for pot luck Saturday
• Clothes
• breeches
• belt
• polo shirt
• ankle socks and boot socks
• dress boots
• sneakers
• shorts
• tank top
• ball cap
• helmet
• riding gloves
• deodorant
• hair brush

You can probably guess with all the forethought that I am very excited.  I'm also sure I'll end up forgetting something but hopefully nothing too important!

Favorite Exercises

A blog hop from $900 Facebook Pony has been going around and I thought I’d join in the fun. 

Mort and I continue to struggle with straightness and him carrying himself properly while tracking left (he’s pretty convinced dropping his shoulder and swinging his butt in is easier—sometimes even in counter bend).  One of my go-to exercises to combat this starts with a diamond (exactly like a square but with the corners not lined up with the wall so that I can’t use it as a crutch).  This makes sure that he’s up in the shoulder and moving off of my outside aids.  Once this is established I like to throw in turns on the forehand on the corners.  Sometimes I’ll even leg yield on the straight side, turn on the forehand, leg yield, etc.  Obviously this can be more or less complicated depending on where you and your horse are in training.  Shoulder-in and haunches in or out could easily be incorporated.  Make sure you don’t end up drilling the exercise because that is definitely something that I can get drawn into. 

Mort and I had a really wonderful moment last night due to this exercise.  We finally got an entire 10-meter circle tracking left where he was pushing his inside into my outside aids and listening to my outside aids to direct him.  This sounds pretty damn fundamental (and it is) but usually when we track left about halfway into the circle he tries to take over gets lazy with his inside hind.  Mort likes to anticipate, so him quietly listening got an immediate drop of reins and taking a trail ride.  I love this exercise for us right now.

Another favorite exercise requires a buddy or a creative, active brain.  I call it “Simon Says” and I bet you know where this is going.  Essentially do not let yourself (or your buddy doesn’t let you) go more than a certain number of strides without changing something.  This lets you count strides and work on keeping your horse from anticipating.  My favorite number of strides right now is seven, but that could be more or less depending on what your horse needs.  The changes don’t always have to be between gaits, they can involve bend, tempo, lateral work, stride length, posting versus sitting, two-point, etc.  This is where the creative brain comes into play.  It can be a lot of fun. 

The final exercise I’ll go into today involves poles.  If you have read my blog for any length of time you’ll know these are not Mort and my strong suits, so we haven’t done this one yet but I’ve really liked it on other horses.  On one side of a circle set up 3-5 trot poles; the other side should have 3-5 canter poles.  The premise is very simple, sometime between the two sets of poles you do a transition.  It challenges you to properly prep you horse for the poles and transitions.

I’m a dressage rider, so I feel like my entire riding existence is some form of different exercises.  I’ve gotten some really neat ones from clinics when I was riding a higher level horse that I cannot wait to try out on Mort when the time comes.  I hope someone likes these and I have really enjoyed reading other people’s favorites!