I was talking to my sister today and said I had the most amazing, round, light and easy canter on Freederic a few days ago. I was riding in a Pesoa jumping saddle because Julie had been riding him and I was hopping on. I felt like I was perched up on a post. I can not remember ever riding in a postage stamp like this. Amazingly it was so easy to canter in. It seemed my legs might be a little more in front of me and I was more upright.
Carole said Yes, I just had the same revelation when riding Wondermann in the Lassetter clinic. I was riding in a different saddle and when cantering I had to be super strong in my core to be able to do all the geometric exercises and remain in balance. When I got home that muscle memory followed over into my ride with my horse and it was a fabulous ride. I think for you it was you had to be stronger in your core to balance in the jumper saddle. You were more in balance and thus the horse was more in balance.
That's it! Amazing. I have been riding Freederic for a year and this is the canter I have been trying to get. Just think how much a subtle improvement in balance has affected the horse's balance.
Carole's parting statement was "Just think how difficult it is for a horse with a floppy rider."
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
John Lassetter Clinic
Another fun, fabulous 3 day clinic with the Master. This clinic brought together friends and family. We also made new friends with Stephanie visiting from Washington. She rode Freederic the Great for 2 days. She has a Freesian/Percheron at home about the same size.
Carole rode Wondermann and did very well. At certain intervals she was stopping and adjusting her girth and then her stirrup leathers and finally admitted it was an excuse to breath :) The next day John starts out "right, is your girth tight? Stirrups even?"
Ann and Rein Beau really did super and Ann had fun. He was doing Half Pass at canter and canter pirouettes. He worked on Ann's consistent application of the "Symbols". The goal being if she just slightly takes away her leg he will shoot forward with impulsion. If she takes away her leg and he doesn't go forward immediately clap him with both legs and go forward. If he does go forward pat him. "For me the reaction is not good enough. He must become electric off the leg."
Marilee rode Divine really well and they did awesome. I was so proud of Divine.
He had the patience of a Saint with me. It was a humbling experience. The pattern of a middle 20 meter circle with 10m satellite circles in each corner. R counter canter and every slight curve and she did a flying change. I could not counter canter. Prior to the clinic I could counter canter a 15 meter circle and weave all over the arena and was so proud and eager to show John my good progress this last 5 months. I had not practiced flying change as instructed. I really worked hard on better submission and thought I had been doing better. Was I subtly anxious myself? I know Kalae knows John and the loudspeaker system as she always gets amped up and crooked in the past. Sigh!
Kalae was anticipating the change and kept offering it. "You have a huge problem" John says. We kept repeating the R Counter Canter. I am thinking"This is not working". Finally I just said "good girl" at every canter step and she relaxed and we got through the short side. More collection and control in the CC. Chest up and out, arch the lower back, tummy forward so your seat brushes forward with each side. L leg really back, check with the right rein. Allow a little longer frame, more straight.
As a correction to the not wanted flying change "" You have to be clear this is not what you want. You are doing nothing and she just keeps doing it. Halt, kick her with your L leg, rein back really far and now halt. Now it is over, you have forgotten it, start on a new page and try again. When she does it right halt and really Pat her and reward her. She has to wait for your aid or you will never have the flying changes on the aids. "
She started to get a little stuck in the collected canter, too short so he sent her down the long side in the medium gait in a shoulder-fore, then collect and down the center line and back to E or B then CC across the short side, At E or B change into the corner and walk.
"Your homework is to get the counter canter on the 20 meter circle so you could bet $100 and know your would win it 100% of the time. Then flying change. Come down the center line absolutely straight. Get your mirrors adjusted so you can see more. Change and go absolutely straight toward C. You are changing and turning at the same time. You need to be straight. As you canter L lead, have the whip in the right hand to tap her behind when you ask with your L leg so her R leg comes through, it is nearly there, just slightly late. Work on your canter pirouette in the corners.
"It is all there, she can do it. You have to be positive you are going to do it. You are almost at PSG. "
I feel so frustrated, stuck at 3rd level forever. I need lessons more than 2X a year. Do I want to ride like this? It is not in my nature to be a task master. I don't want to punish my horse. She try's so hard for me. Am I doing her a dis-service by not being totally black and white with clear "Punishment and Reward". I am not clear enough? Do I have what it takes to get to GP? "Am I really positive I am going to do it?"
Ah Humble Pie!
Positive note: Carole and Ann say they have never seen Kalae so through and looking so good.
Carole rode Wondermann and did very well. At certain intervals she was stopping and adjusting her girth and then her stirrup leathers and finally admitted it was an excuse to breath :) The next day John starts out "right, is your girth tight? Stirrups even?"
Ann and Rein Beau really did super and Ann had fun. He was doing Half Pass at canter and canter pirouettes. He worked on Ann's consistent application of the "Symbols". The goal being if she just slightly takes away her leg he will shoot forward with impulsion. If she takes away her leg and he doesn't go forward immediately clap him with both legs and go forward. If he does go forward pat him. "For me the reaction is not good enough. He must become electric off the leg."
Marilee rode Divine really well and they did awesome. I was so proud of Divine.
He had the patience of a Saint with me. It was a humbling experience. The pattern of a middle 20 meter circle with 10m satellite circles in each corner. R counter canter and every slight curve and she did a flying change. I could not counter canter. Prior to the clinic I could counter canter a 15 meter circle and weave all over the arena and was so proud and eager to show John my good progress this last 5 months. I had not practiced flying change as instructed. I really worked hard on better submission and thought I had been doing better. Was I subtly anxious myself? I know Kalae knows John and the loudspeaker system as she always gets amped up and crooked in the past. Sigh!
Kalae was anticipating the change and kept offering it. "You have a huge problem" John says. We kept repeating the R Counter Canter. I am thinking"This is not working". Finally I just said "good girl" at every canter step and she relaxed and we got through the short side. More collection and control in the CC. Chest up and out, arch the lower back, tummy forward so your seat brushes forward with each side. L leg really back, check with the right rein. Allow a little longer frame, more straight.
As a correction to the not wanted flying change "" You have to be clear this is not what you want. You are doing nothing and she just keeps doing it. Halt, kick her with your L leg, rein back really far and now halt. Now it is over, you have forgotten it, start on a new page and try again. When she does it right halt and really Pat her and reward her. She has to wait for your aid or you will never have the flying changes on the aids. "
She started to get a little stuck in the collected canter, too short so he sent her down the long side in the medium gait in a shoulder-fore, then collect and down the center line and back to E or B then CC across the short side, At E or B change into the corner and walk.
"Your homework is to get the counter canter on the 20 meter circle so you could bet $100 and know your would win it 100% of the time. Then flying change. Come down the center line absolutely straight. Get your mirrors adjusted so you can see more. Change and go absolutely straight toward C. You are changing and turning at the same time. You need to be straight. As you canter L lead, have the whip in the right hand to tap her behind when you ask with your L leg so her R leg comes through, it is nearly there, just slightly late. Work on your canter pirouette in the corners.
"It is all there, she can do it. You have to be positive you are going to do it. You are almost at PSG. "
I feel so frustrated, stuck at 3rd level forever. I need lessons more than 2X a year. Do I want to ride like this? It is not in my nature to be a task master. I don't want to punish my horse. She try's so hard for me. Am I doing her a dis-service by not being totally black and white with clear "Punishment and Reward". I am not clear enough? Do I have what it takes to get to GP? "Am I really positive I am going to do it?"
Ah Humble Pie!
Positive note: Carole and Ann say they have never seen Kalae so through and looking so good.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Transition to Barefoot
Kimo- after trim w/ equi-cast on R foot - Kimo w/reverse shoes before trim.
I was fortunate to find a barefoot trimmer by word of mouth. Amazing how that works. I was planning on bringing a trimmer from the Big Island. I was showing my parents the Pete Ramey book. Later that week my Dad was talking to his neighbor who has horses and told him about the book. He said here give your daughter this card, she does barefoot trimming and lives on Maui.
At the end of August I made the transition to barefoot for all horses here on Maui. Nicole said Kimo, my 33 yo QH would be the oldest horse she has ever transitioned to barefoot. This has been phenomenal for him. He had his front shoes on reversed because of very sensitive toes. His toes tended to grow too long and with the reverse shoe it helped keep it shot by normal wear.
Nicole applied equi-cast hoof cast to his front feet. It is a flexible 4 inch wide roll of casting like material which you wrap around the outside hoof, then fold it over on the inside sole. It dries very quickly. Kimo now stands with his front feet wider apart, not so toed out and is walking every where. Now you have to watch out because he will be right on your heals, walking briskly and kicking up his heels. After 1 month he has worn through the casting but is still walking great.
I purchased some easy-boot gloves to help in transitioning. Nicole will help teach me. I have been touching up with the rasp, making the mustang roll. Some of the nail holes will have to grow out. I have learned about apple-cider vinegar 80% w/ 20% H2o for soaking. Tea tree oil for funky spots on a daily treatment sprayed on the bottom of the hoof.
There is so much to learn!
A great barefoot trimming magazine http://www.thehorseshoof.com/
Info on equicasting. http://www.equicast.us/
Omega 3 antiinflammitory hoof and coat product http://www.rohan-nutrition.com/
Pete Ramey site w/ many articles: http://www.hoofrehab.com/
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wondermann Jumps
A young teenager came out to try Wondermann on Sat and Sunday. Wondermann is such a good boy! He just turned 10 years old. He is referred to as the LOH "Large Orange Horse". We had Tiamo jump him for his first go around. Trotting and cantering. Tiamo said "No problem he didn't even look, give him a few weeks and he will be fine." I only rode him once during my 2 week stay as a fever had a hold of me for over 3 weeks and I had no energy. On returning home I looked at Wondermann's pedigree and although I knew he was well bred for dressage. Numerous stallion of the years, Stallion of the Century Wetmeyer, Bundeschampion and Reserve Bundeschampions. I was surprised to see 2 foundation Hannoverian jumping sires in Pik AsXX and Pik Koenig. His mom was a A Circuit Hunter in Calif. Wondermann also has in his pedigree 4 Top 100 TB sires. #1= Man O'War, War Admiral, Nasrulla and Nearco. From 1997-2008 a prestigious Arc de triumph race in France has been won by Nearco off spring. Performance breeds performance.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Plastic Bag Success!!
Yes, The plastic Bags touched Rupert's shoulder on each side and he stood!
How long has it been? 8 weeks? Oh it was only since July 18th 4 weeks - even better than I thought, it seemed like forever. I thought we would never get to this point.
He was still spooky and trotting in a big tight circle around me with his body having a nice arch as he was trying to get away from the bags. I just thought OK - "Bag on, Bag off, Bag on, Bag off"
I would touch him briefly and remove it. Before long he was standing , licking his lips and saying "Sheesh is this all you wanted?" Silly goose.
Also able to lay on him from the top of the round pen rail. Wave my hands all around too. Stand up on the top rail and do the sending exercises.
How long has it been? 8 weeks? Oh it was only since July 18th 4 weeks - even better than I thought, it seemed like forever. I thought we would never get to this point.
He was still spooky and trotting in a big tight circle around me with his body having a nice arch as he was trying to get away from the bags. I just thought OK - "Bag on, Bag off, Bag on, Bag off"
I would touch him briefly and remove it. Before long he was standing , licking his lips and saying "Sheesh is this all you wanted?" Silly goose.
Also able to lay on him from the top of the round pen rail. Wave my hands all around too. Stand up on the top rail and do the sending exercises.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Trail access changed
Today was absolutely stunning. Vivid greens and blues as we headed out for a trail ride. Freederic's first in quite a while. Oh No! A big berm sprang up overnight between the vacant lot and the pineapple fields. Quite a few people walk though the lot with their dogs or just for a afternoon stroll in the Pineapple fields. Motorcyclist also use this access. Freederic stood on top of the berm a few times but always backed off. he wasn't to sure of the step down. From horseback it looked Giant! :)
Jessica said she could get him over. "But how am I going to get back on him?" He finally hopped on over. I put my leg up to chest level and climbed up into the saddle. "You would be a good mountain climber".
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Pete Ramey and Natural Barefoot Trimming
I just got "Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You" by Pete Ramey from amazon.com. A must read for all horse owners. I am going to transition to barefoot. Last shoeing I removed Darlene and Fressia's shoes. So I have 3 barefoot horses, 2 in full shoes and 4 in front shoes. I had been really worried about Freesia's front hoof which was contracted with a tiny shrunken frog. In a few weeks it is amazing her hoof has widened behind and the frog has doubled in width. So I was doing some research about barefoot trimming, heard about the "Mustang roll" and came across Pete Ramey. http://www.hoofrehab.com/ I ordered his book. Then on Clinton Anderson's site I learned he transitioned to barefoot 2 years ago and his horses have been sound, their hoofs are great and he will not go back to shoes. He only shoes the rear of his reining horses so they slide. Clinton has 2 video's of Pete Ramey discussing and showing his trimming 2 of Clinton's horses.
I am ordering Pete Ramey's 10 disc DVD series "Under the Horse - Hoof Rehab".
In 85' I went to horseshoeing school in Oklahoma for 2 weeks. Time to brush off the tools and start doing this myself. I will just keep the feet touched up regularly. I am going to order some Easy boot epic's for the transition. Then I am going to loan my DVD series to all the horseshoer's on island that are interested and hope they watch it. Maybe I should have video nights for all interested horse owners too.
IMPORTANT POINTS: Steady maintenance is the heart and sole of Natural Hoof Care. Trim every 4 weeks. Touch up in between.
1) The sole is the primary guide to hoof trimming. The outer 1" band of the sole
is an area which should be almost never touched. After the 1st trim you almost
never trim the sole except for a 3/4" band around the frog forward of the bars.
2) Solar concavity is built, never cut. Leave the sole at the toe alone.
3) If you leave the calloused sole at the heel alone and lower any hoof wall
standing above the sole the heels will lower on their own. Never cut the heels
lower than the widest point of the frog. usually 1/4-1/2 inch heel above.
4) Never leave the quarters higher than than the heel or toe. In the Natural hoof
there will be a hollowing at the quarters so it doesn't touch the ground when on
a flat surface.
5) The entire hoof capsule is a blood pump, The frog is not!
6) Mustang roll is a bevel at approx 45 degrees along the wall outer wall. This
keeps the wall off the bearing surface. It helps prevent cracks and flares. It
starts the process of callusing.
7) Use boots to transition successfully from shod to barefoot,
Thrush treatment: New:http://www.hoofrehab.com/Thrush_treatment.htm
or
80% cider vinegar w/ 20% water. You can soak the foot for an hour in a soaker boot. Can spray this on hoof after cleaning if you see signs of thrush.
I am ordering Pete Ramey's 10 disc DVD series "Under the Horse - Hoof Rehab".
In 85' I went to horseshoeing school in Oklahoma for 2 weeks. Time to brush off the tools and start doing this myself. I will just keep the feet touched up regularly. I am going to order some Easy boot epic's for the transition. Then I am going to loan my DVD series to all the horseshoer's on island that are interested and hope they watch it. Maybe I should have video nights for all interested horse owners too.
IMPORTANT POINTS: Steady maintenance is the heart and sole of Natural Hoof Care. Trim every 4 weeks. Touch up in between.
1) The sole is the primary guide to hoof trimming. The outer 1" band of the sole
is an area which should be almost never touched. After the 1st trim you almost
never trim the sole except for a 3/4" band around the frog forward of the bars.
2) Solar concavity is built, never cut. Leave the sole at the toe alone.
3) If you leave the calloused sole at the heel alone and lower any hoof wall
standing above the sole the heels will lower on their own. Never cut the heels
lower than the widest point of the frog. usually 1/4-1/2 inch heel above.
4) Never leave the quarters higher than than the heel or toe. In the Natural hoof
there will be a hollowing at the quarters so it doesn't touch the ground when on
a flat surface.
5) The entire hoof capsule is a blood pump, The frog is not!
6) Mustang roll is a bevel at approx 45 degrees along the wall outer wall. This
keeps the wall off the bearing surface. It helps prevent cracks and flares. It
starts the process of callusing.
7) Use boots to transition successfully from shod to barefoot,
Thrush treatment: New:http://www.hoofrehab.com/Thrush_treatment.htm
or
80% cider vinegar w/ 20% water. You can soak the foot for an hour in a soaker boot. Can spray this on hoof after cleaning if you see signs of thrush.
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