And so it ends, seemingly all too soon. 'Dea hopped eagerly on the horse taxi to home this morning after another building week at Pam's. I would say we were both very sad to leave the Foster Meadow crew but it might just be my feelings. Pam said early on 'this isn't the summer camp 'Dea was expecting!'
Goodbye charm school!
We have our marching orders, homework and to live by's. I have my notes to remind myself of where we've been and where we're going. From this whole experience I feel like a new rider. Not perfect by any means but closer to ideal for us, as a team. 'Dea on the other hand is practically a new horse. We have two new gaits; grown-up canter and a new trot with suspension.
I cannot thank NEDA enough for this opportunity. We have grown by medium trots and canter 10 meter circles. There is not a doubt in my mind that we would not be anywhere near here in our education and abilities without this last month of boot camp. I am immensely grateful for this scholarship, because without it our journey would have most certainly been longer.
I also want to thank all of my recommendation writer's; Donna, Jeri, Ellen and especially Jill for also being 'Dea's chauffeur to/from charm school. I am honored by you all as you played a big part in this as well. I couldn't be more lucky than to have great people around me for support.
As for now we both have a nice day off and then we'll be back to work (in all ways) tomorrow. Our entry is in the mail to Vermont Dressage Days in August where I hope to continue on and improve. And as soon as there are stall openings later this summer I plan on making another visit or two to charm school before they fly away for the winter to sunny Florida.
This morning I hopped on to do an easy work-out with Dea. It turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day, sunny and warm with fast moving clouds and a good wind to keep the bugs away. My friend Charlotte was nice enough to come by to take photos.
We had an incredible ride, Dea just felt so fabulous. Pam was really pleased with how even in the beginning trot she was using her back instead of bracing. Coming back from the show Dea was only at about 80% but wow was it nice. I won't list out stuff for this ride since I spent the most of it floating around smiling. We did some basic serpentines/leg yields at trot then moved to canter. Pam wanted her a little more free because she was almost offering too much sit for what we were trying to do today. She said that was great but we wanted to keep on the side of easy today.
Big smiles and I just wanted to canter forever. Until Pam reminded me that even though it was nice we need to go the other way. We got some equally nice work the other direction with keeping her straight off my outside aids. I took her for a brief stroll around the outside of the arena and called it a day.
It truly was one of the best rides I have had in a long time. Amazing considering we are both a bit tired and sore (at least I am!) coming back from showing at UNH.
For now it is communal nap-time for horse, rider and cat alike.
Without further adieu, a little aka long story about a dressage show.
First test was early Saturday morning, 2nd Level Test 1. This was scheduled for the grass ring, which I expected to result in some lack-luster moments. Highlights were medium trots (surprisingly) and final halt, lowlights were medium canters (remember early morning dewy grass?) and comments about collapsed left side. I was just happy to have an attentive show horse, great experience for the both of us.
Further Remarks: A steady/consistent ride. Horse can be encouraged to learn to stay in alignment and therefore be more adjustable.
Centerline to Halt
Looking for sugars for a job well done.
Second test was 2nd Level Test 3 which while technically more difficult is a slightly easier test for us in general. Highlights were renvers left, halt/reinback (8.0 comment: square halt, nice big steps back) and 7.0 for Gaits Comment: Nice gaits, lowlights were turn on the haunches and a too large 10 meter canter circle (oops!).
Further Remarks: Horse needs to be more supple in topline and have more response to rider aids. Rider need to prepare horse more.
Collected trot
Renver left
Rein back
Then we had just enough time before our freestyle to be waiting in the hot humidity but not enough time to go back to stabling and let her chill. So we found some shade by the warm-up and hunter parked over there until our time. The freestyle went well, once started due to some signaling error. I love riding them, they are so fun. I haven't really had the time to polish this one so I was a bit early to my walk music and kind of ran out of arena. So the lowlight of this would be our free walk and the highlights were the 15 meter canter circles and leg yields. As it seems like it always is one judge likes the music better than the other and I knew having some vocals would be a gamble. Either way it was good enough for 3rd place on a 66.933% combined.
Team Dea
Saturday night it stormed pretty good and the stalls flooded, but I don't know what's UNH without that occurring. The fabulous Mommy Michaud took care of that disaster for which Dea and I are most grateful. Sunday morning arose to a tired me, ahem driving right past my highway exit, and a very, very tired Dea; nose to the ground hand walk. My parents came to watch and also be photographers in addition to super groom Ellen. I couldn't be more lucky!
First test was 2nd Level Test 3 again. I kept the warm-up short as I could tell Dea had very little gas left in the tank. As I started the test it was very clear to me that we were at that point running on fumes and around movement #12 we just plain old ran out. Unfortunately for us there are 28 movements in that test. I can literally fold the test in half and it's like two different horses. The first half of the test was our best scoring ride yet so I am very pleased that I got to the point of really riding in the show ring. And I know the mistakes that we made later on are not necessarily training issues but team fatigue. So highlights were both medium trots; 7.0! and the shoulder-ins to renvers and the lowlights were everything after the turn on the haunches left. Ha!
Further Remarks: A clear difference in trot/canter work. Encourage some freedom+ground cover in canter.
Tacking up
Off to the warm-up with super groom Ellen.
Medium trot
Shoulder-in
Renver
Nose to the footing free walk
Family portrait with the 'Grandpony'
Needless to say as soon as I hopped off after this test I walked straight to the secretary to scratch our other class. I was very pleased with our weekend overall and more than happy to save my horse for another day. Good work Dea!
Pez power!
Dea had a well deserved rest day today. Looking back over our rides I know being at Pam's has made a huge difference in our riding. In the un-scored corners and short-sides I was working on the connection and powering the gaits along. I felt confident and was able to make better on the spot corrections movement to movement. We will continue to work on our straightness, building up her back and keeping the shoulders up in the canter. Second level it is.
Exhausted much? Just a tad I think. This weekend has been the most fun I've had at a dressage show yet. I am so proud of us as a team and I love that little bay mare.
More teasing I know, I know...
Our goals for this weekend was to 1. Get in the ring and avoid pretending to be a dragon at all costs 2. actually RIDE during our tests. Last time we showed was the summer of 2010 due to the fact of the entirety of 2011 should be known as 'The year of the suspensory rehab'. So it's been a while since our last outing.
Brief overview of accomplishments:
Slight dragon moments Friday before the show but not a hoof put wrong nor a fire-y breathe snort either day this weekend. Woohoo well-behaved submission!
Each test I rode more and more. Like real half halts, useful corners, and poignant whip/spur use where needed. I felt more relaxed and had more fun than any show I've been to before. I was just happy to be out there on my girl.
Bonus points!
1st Level Freestyle score of 66.933% to add for our Freestyle Bronze Bar Award
Two scores of above 60% from two different judges at Second Level for our Bronze Medal Rider Award
A score of above 60% at 2nd Level Test 3 to qualify us to perform a 2nd Level Freestyle
A huge thanks go out to my wonderful friend Ellen who came both days to groom for me. She was amazing and made the weekend go by so much smoother than when I bumble along by myself. Dea and I both appreciated her hydration skills very much, especially Saturday. Another thanks to her for pictures and video to come when I am more cognizant tomorrow.
Another huge thanks to all of the Michaud's for their photos, camaraderie and pez power!
I know having spent the last 3 weeks at Pam's has made that difference. I don't think we would have done half as well without the new skills and improvements we've made.
Now it's off to bed for me because as Ellen would tell you this post took me a seriously long time to write for my brain has left the building after riding memorized tests in my head all weekend. More on that tomorrow, with pictures and video I promise.
Well deserved celebratory dinner of chinese take-out and a cold beer. This was my first plate, no joke.
Made it through first show day with lots of smiles and laughs. 2 medal scores met and 1 2nd level freestyle qualification achieved. Full show updates w/pics and freestyle video to come...
So it's been burn your face off hot the last few days. Even today that was supposed to be the start of the cool-down in temperatures was around 95 degrees. I headed over to Pam's this morning bright and early to have one last lesson before the show and Pam heads off to teach a clinic.
Key points for today:
When she bobbles in the contact move hands wide and add leg to increase the trot. Then just do it sometimes because you can.
Turn from the outside aids on the serpentines to work both sides supple.
Leg yield FORWARD w/sideways. Ride the base of the neck straight, don't overbend the neck either way. PS: Forward.
After walk break (did I mention it was hot?) at the walk turn on the haunches. Ride from shoulder out position, walk don't spin. Get the shoulder out then turn using outside leg pulsing, it keeps her from stepping out.
Walk to canter right: This was much better than monday (thank goodness) I really worked on keeping her straight, lots of body focus. Ran through some serpentines, keep the canter the same, same, same all the way. 10 meter circles, keep the jump and turn from the outside leg. Don't just look up but look through her ears, this really helped to make a better circle.
Walk to canter left: ride the haunches in on the 10 meter circle but out on the straights. Don't let her ride herself to haunches in where-ever she wants. Widen hands to drive her to the bit.
Trot: She MUST be taking you somewhere. Must, must feel like she is thrusting you along. Get the trot don't just go through the motions. Several trot-walk-trot transitions, from your seat not from the hand. Leave the hand alone in the down transitions, e.g. trot to walk and canter to walk. Don't slam her into the transition, hold her with your seat into it gently.
Phew, we were both a sweaty mess after that. And it was barely 9am when we were done!
After that it was a daze of trailer packing, traveling, trailer unpacking and set-up at UNH. After letting her settle in a bit we went for little hack to check out the rings and warm-up area. 'Dea walked quite nicely to and in the warm-up. Then as I took her over to walk around the outside of the rings a truck with a garage style back door showed up to bring stuff to the show office. There was much metal banging and otherwise frightening noises from the trunk. There was much high level movements (piaffe and caprioles mostly) from 'Dea. So after grabbing mane and steering her from thinking running across the grass field would be a grand idea, we trotted. I had planned on just a bit of walking around but that went out the window. She was much more settled trotting and we just made sure to trot both directions around all of the arenas.
A little more work for her than I was thinking of doing but we weren't out there too long. Hopefully she'll still have plenty of gas for tomorrow.
It has been a quiet last few days. 'Dea's riding mentor has worked out a system and they are getting along quite swimmingly now. She did some really good work last week and is coming along very nicely in the contact. Which is making just about everything else easier.
I've been to back to work and hitting up the gym to keep from slacking off. Being a Super Senior chemist isn't easy, but I've been working hard these short weeks.
A view of my bench space
My nickname at work is appropriately Seabiscuit, or just biscuit for short. It became 'Mrs' when I got married in 2009. But no work for me today as we have a lesson!
Today's work:
Position thoughts: lower leg off but thigh on, hips in front of elbows, bend elbows to sides. Carry the tray, stand over stirrups. I had a much easier time doing the test of changing diagonals by standing at the trot today.
At the trot ride the base of the neck straight, shoulders must come up and out and forward to the bridle. The horse must take you. No squeezing, kick for forward and then lower leg off. Keep asking yourself, is she taking me forward?
In the trot to walk transition do not allow her to stab into the ground. Ask for the transition from your seat do not pull back on the reins. We worked a bit on this until we got a good transition. Transition immediately back to trot if not good.
Shoulder-in is from the shoulders not the neck. Shift hands to the inside, do not move inside leg back keep it at the girth. As always ride FORWARD in the shoulder-in.
Shoulder-in to renver: change the bend, open the inside hand slightly to allow the contact. This helped improve our renver. Ride FORWARD in the renver.
Canter left felt great. Stay in the box and the horse must take you. Ran through some serpentines, do not let the canter change. 10 meter circles ride from the outside aids and keep the jump. Outside leg frames the horse to the circle.
Canter right was a bit of a mess. We had an okay walk-canter transition and then we went to crooked town where her canter falls apart. Back to the shoulder out, move the haunches in and she must look left on the circle. Get the base of the neck straight. There was a bit of shenanigans that when I kick her with my outside leg she must answer, and bucking to flying change is not an answer. Then once re-sensitized to my leg and perhaps some grunting from me we got some real canter back. So much so that I was able to get a real canter to walk transition to stand up about. So yay for that!
We talked about how I'm too much of a follower type rider, which I totally get. I need to get out of the mindset of not wanting to rock the boat and instead being the leader. Once I'm the leader it really does make things better, I just need to keep at it.
'Dea is with her girl for the next few days and then we have another lesson early Friday morning before Pam leaves for a clinic. Then it's off to UNH for the June Dressage Show. Ride times are posted and all of our rides are in the morning, which will be nice if it is hot.
We start off the freestyles with our ride at 11:45am on Saturday. I just finished my music and did some brief run-throughs on Sunday during our light ride. Have a pretty good idea of our choreography but might have to wing the end of it. I haven't had the chance to really ride through this one as much as I did the year before last. I love freestyles, it should be a blast!
My morning began early with a farrier visit. Considering the amount of wear and tear we've put on the current shoes in the last week or so, it was time for a new pair.
Try walking in my shoes
I was feeling lucky that I have a pretty darn sensible mare. As what you can't see in this photo is a tractor trailer arriving on the other end of the barn behind her, attempting to set up an elevator to deliver shavings to the loft, said elevator stopping and starting unreliably and then said elevator breaking making horrible grinding noises and dropping bags until someone was able to unplug it. Then trying to unload the remaining amount of shavings into a stall behind her, involving numerous bumping/crashing wheelbarrows and leaping shavings bags. As I sat there watching her on the cross-ties I laughed as she did not even so much as flinch during this entire hub-bub. It must be that too much energy is needed to even flick an ear.
On to the riding! Today I rode and was assisted by the working student of Pam who is working with 'Dea. It was really great to get a ground perspective from someone knowledgeable that has also been in the saddle and ridden what you are working with.
Today's gems of wisdom:
Connecting to the right rein: going on the left rein she needs to almost look right. Use the ice cream scoop motion with right rein and especially in the corners use that and the outside leg aid to mold her through the 'quarter circle' corner. By doing this you will think she's counter-bent but she is actually straight. Tricksy! This was verified by riding to the mirrors.
Going to the right same sort of thing w/right rein. Hands must be even in all directions, side to side, up to down etc. Shoulders back, elbows absolutely to the sides and carry the tray. Give room for the trot to happen, forward always. Don't allow her to slow once connected, push her to it.
She must work for her walk breaks! Don't allow her to fall on her face in the transition to walk, ease into it with hind legs under.
Canter work both ways was better. Thighs ON, calves off and carry the tray. Touch elbows to your side at all times. Kick and she must go and keep going don't let her suck you into carrying her with your lower leg. Canter right I really worked on moving my seat bone over and being as straight as the other direction. It really helped to think about using the outside rein/leg in the corners to set her up for success. We went inside to see this lead in the mirrors and I was/felt much straighter/even.
Transition back to some trot and WOW. Beautiful steady forward thinking with I dare say it a powerful hind leg action. Keep the reins, elbows bent/touching sides and using the outside aids so as not to lose it, but oh man did it feel great.
That end trot just felt so nice. I don't think I've been this excited about riding after my rides in a long time. Both my mare and I are putting some great effort in and having some fabulous results from it. Not to say it isn't difficult and we have our ugly moments. Ahem, me focusing on the outside aids through a corner and 'Dea almost leaving over the dressage fence as that's where I was pointing her. Oops! I promised to steer after that.
The changes we are making are small but to have a large impact. I am changing. She is changing. It's coming together, bumps in the road and all.
About where we are at, forming our cocoon of change. Isn't it cute?
Finally after a week's worth of unseasonable cool temperatures and rain, rain, rain we are finally getting some real summer weather again. I'm not sure about the whole state but we may have rivaled Hawaii for the number of rainbows in the past few days. I sure have seen more than I would have expected for New England.
The silver lining of constant downpours.
'Dea worked well on Friday aside from a slight disagreement about mounting. Hard to tell if it was part of the huge cold front about to come in or normal mare selective tendencies. I wish I could have gotten a picture of the pea-sized hailthat fell at our house that evening but the deluge of rain immediately following washed it away. Bummer. At any rate once mounted she was much more business-like and continued her work towards bettering the contact and making a real horse canter.
Yesterday, Saturday, I stopped by United Shoe Repair in Concord to pick up my boots. Thankfully they were able to repair the worn stitching and not alter the fit and/or zipper. My boots were beautifully cleaned and repaired in a short time-frame for the purse-breaking price for all of $10.00. My boots will live to see another day!
I then made it over to Foster Meadow to do a light ride with 'Dea. I definitely felt her tired in the neck at the trot, which is to be expected with stepping up her expectations. I did just a little bit of canter both directions. There was an obvious difference in adjust-ability and shoulder lift. I felt it best to just enjoy that little bit and then leave it alone until our lesson on Monday. The outdoor arena is just gorgeous with the majority of the views out a large field to mountains on the long side. I didn't have much trouble looking up and ahead out there!
Hopefully 'Dea rests up well today on her day off and is ready to start all over again on Monday. In just two short weeks we will be heading over to UNH to do our best at their June Dressage Show. I'll be working on finishing up our freestyle music in the next couple of days.
In a twist of fate, last night's fortune cookie read as follows I thought it quite fitting.
Unfortunately for me it's been back to work for the rest of this week. While it is fun to pretend to be a woman of leisure for a bit I do actually work a full-time job to support this mare of mine. So back in the lab and back to science instead of the dressage ring and half-halts.
Science!
Back at the ranch 'Dea is no rest for the weary with Pam's wonderful working students. I pit-stopped by after work to see how things are going. Not to sound like a total mother hen but I can count on one hand how many people have been on her in her entire life the few handful of times. And well, she is a bit of a mare. Other than the normal 'come to jesus' moment that I completely expected to happen things are going well. They have a handle on her quirks and are very positive about her work. There is some musical bits going on, which I have done in the past but am interested to get some different perspectives. I don't think I've seen anyone with more bits than them! Can you fill a Rubbermaid container with bits?
Improvement was made between yesterday and today within the canter and general going toward the contact. My guess is now that they know each other a bit tomorrow will be even better. The rain had momentarily stopped enough that they took a stroll outside to the outdoor. If this monsoon weather ever stops hopefully we'll get out there more often.
I am really pleased to have someone knowledgeable work with her. From backing her to being her primary rider for the past 5 years we definitely compensate for each other. Perhaps in some good ways but mostly bad I think. One of my goals for this experience is: stop being a reactive rider to becoming a proactive one. I want to be able to fix things for the better instead of just trying to cover for them.
'Dea was a bit tired after today's work, I had told her boarding school was going to be tough stuff. Luckily she is no stranger to naps and I'm sure she's taking advantage of her nice big fluffy stall there as she does at home.
Amazingly today I remember about the construction disaster that is our road and took the scenic roundabout detour on my way out of the house.
In today's lesson I really tried to take what we talked about the day before into practice. Most importantly to it all is to have her absolutely forward to the contact.
In all gaits: must have a feeling of being pulled along, lots more forward and funnel it to the contact (solid contact please). "Working trot is just that, work!" -Pam
Once ticking start with the haunches in to leg yield to haunches in exercise from yesterday.
Keep the forward, do not let trot slow
not too much sideways at once, forward in the sideways
slight flexion and keep the contact
Walk break: do not stab her legs into the ground in the transition, allow the transition or bump her back into trot immediately and try again.
Canter right first today: again shoulder-out on the circle but also utilizing some long strides to ride the straight and up then back to circle. This way in canter I sit too much left, the mirror never lies.
Canter left: Much improvement with shoulder-out! Put right leg on and bam! haunches go in. A little too much even! Tone it back and keep the forward (more forward and more forward) Same this direction to work the circle then try and keep some on the long-side and ride it more straight. Do not pump at the canter, kick her off your leg and sit up.
Back to nice walk transition and big pats. I was quite shocked with the great reaction to my right leg in the left lead canter today. I was certainly not expecting such a response to my aid and I don't think Pam did either. We were both pleasantly surprised! I can see what we're working towards and I very much like it. It's going to be work, and it's going to be tough at times but I think both 'Dea and I were able take instruction from the previous day and expand upon it. That is what I'm most excited about, the change in both of us as a team.
I can tell you what I'm not excited about, my tall boots.
Not cool.
This would be my left boot which can be ahem, smidgen small at times. Due to the stress of that and the fact that stitching does not last forever, this happens. It has happened at least one before and they were able to stitch it back together. After a short hissy fit of can this seriously not be happening right now, I prepared myself to take them into Concord to United Shoe Repair to see if they could fix them. And if they could fix them by oh you know, Saturday. Yes, this Saturday...please?
Thankfully they will try and restitch them, and yes after pleading I should be able to have them by Saturday. Phew! Ah the crisis that is dressage.
'Dea is in the faithful hands of Pam's girls for the rest of the week. Which is good since my boots are out of commission for the time being. I will be hitting up the gym on my own. We'll be back to a light ride and a rest day this weekend and then back at it with Pam on Monday.
A little bit of rain cannot dismay my excitement for our first lesson but those who know 'Dea know this is not 'Dea weather. With an estimated high of 52 degrees and much rain this is not conducive to a soft, supple 'Dea to start with. An 's' word that does come to mind would be sproing-y.Weather that makes for a happy 'Dea is hot, very hot with perhaps a light breeze to keep bugs away. Either way the hotter the better. Which is why I choose to do our training in June, with the expectation of mostly good weather to work in.
How do we get through the winter you ask? Several things, the first and most important would be the heated indoor, without that I don't think my butt would be in the saddle from late November to April. Then comes the electric blanket (on high) to heat up her back/hind end muscles as much as possible while I groom and get ready. Finally a quarter sheet to ride in and a Back on Track saddle pad. Next horse I get I will definitely be trying in the winter. Way too much work!
'Dea has several
I arrive at Pam's at a semi-reasonable time for my lesson after having to wait on my road due to construction. Which looked pretty much like this for 10 minutes.
Hey, um guys can I get through?
It is as cold and rainy at the barn as it is at my house. 'Dea appears in good spirits as I walk down the aisle she is completely covered in shavings from the tip of her forelock to her tail. Apparently after having her stall cleaned she promptly laid down for a good snooze. We tack up and it is into the indoor for our getting to know you's lesson.
I'm actually really glad I decided to blog this because it will be a great way to (hopefully) keep track of what we worked on. I'm not sure the best way to document the exercises so this might change. I'll list out what we worked on chronologically in the lesson.
I will do my best to describe what we worked on/talked about but I am in no way a trainer so enter at your own risk!
At the trot to the right: off the rail, always to keep her honest to the left rein.
At the trot to the left: slight haunches in but keep the shoulders straight with the right rein, all the way around the ring no cheating on the short sides.
Down centerline in trot in slight haunches in to leg yield off the left leg to the rail then keep the haunches in position. Shoulders to lead with more forward, get the trot cooking. KEEP the haunches in at the rail! Repeat until shoulders come up and trot gains lift in front. Change direction and repeat to the right.
At the trot to the right: ride a square keeping the left rein close to the base of the neck, open the right rein in the turn asking with your right leg to step the hind legs out. Change direction and repeat to the right.
Once 'squares' are good, ride a leg yield off left leg 3-5 strides into the school then turn right using 'square' aids. Move the shoulders and use that right leg to move the hind legs out in the turn.
Canter left lead ~18m circle (ie get the heck away from the rail missy!) haunches in/shoulders out from the right leg. Forever, no breaking. This was incredibly hard.
Canter right lead ~18m circles shoulders out a bit easier since she wants to travel with her haunches to the right naturally.
Transition back to the trot (take your time) and enjoy your fleeting longside of lifted shoulders and front end moving out. Keep in shoulder out off the rail!
Phew! I tried not to act too exhausted but it probably didn't work. We (and by we I mean I) was working really hard. Canter is the bane of our existence and Pam talked about how we need to get her front end up so she stops somersaulting over herself. 'Dea gets blocked at the base of her neck so there is a definite disconnect there. Pam says she's got a good set of kickers we just have to get her powerful hind legs to work with the front instead of just running out to Texas. Cantering in haunches in/shoulders out position will help by getting the push off leg underneath her body that will in turn lift her up through the diagonal pair and the lead leg/shoulder. I could definitely feel it in the easier direction to the right but it was much harder to the left as she'd much rather break to the trot then manipulate her body that way. We did get it to the left but only for a few strides or so.
I was told to eat my Wheaties and we'll be back at it tomorrow. After my lesson I took 'Dea out to walk around the outdoor. She was fairly good after announcing to the bench that she was a dangerous fire breathing dragon. After a time or two she decided it was much better to do her western pleasure impersonation so she could sneak bites of grass.
In case you were curious this is what the quarter sheets do in their off-season. As modeled by our cat, Calamity aka the friach.
In the beginning we were just a girl and her mare.
I figure it is best to start at the beginning. We are the very fortunate recipients of a NEDAscholarship to pursue training in order to advance our dressage education.I am looking to achieve better Second level work through our month of training. My overall goal with my
competition partner, Medea is to train her doing the vast majority of
the riding myself from ‘haltering to half-pass’. We’ve come a long way from the tumultuous days of
leading, haltering and learning to eat hay.
I purchased Medea in 2006 as an untouched 3 year old from her breeder, she came with a halter on her face and that was about it. She is a registered Canadian Warmblood with Hanoverian/Holsteiner breeding. She isn't the first rough youngster I have worked with but the first of my own. The first few weeks were spent acclimating to New Hampshire and being a horse. Hay didn't seem so bad at first, grain was questionable for about 2 weeks until she finally figured it was edible. Treats on the other hand? Oh no, it was a good month or so of shoving sugar cubes in her mouth to melt then she'd spit them out. Eventually after what seemed like forever 'things' were deemed tasty. She wasn't on the wagon with apples until she watched me take bites out of one and then decided it might be worth a try.
Here's a picture of her first night in a stall ever.
Hello ragamuffin!
After much introduction to all manner of things including long-lining, tack and vocal commands Medea was successful backed and was roughly walk-trot-canter the winter of her 3 year old year. We did light rides a few days a week and a lot of walking trail rides. In hindsight
backing her was much simpler than what we are learning now!
That winter I moved her to Twin Ridge Farm where we graduated from 'baby horse' to emerging dressage pony.
Happy 4th Birthday! Yes, those are ribbons in her braids.
With my knowledge of how to
train and instill the basics and under the watchful eye of my
instructor, Jerilyn Nieder 'r' we have bumbled our way to where we are now.
This morning Medea (aka 'Dea) and I arrived at Foster Meadow to begin training with Pam Goodrich for the month. I am very excited to begin a new phase in our dressage journey and hopefully my experience as an adult amateur can be of insight to others.
