tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32042837408959210922024-03-10T22:20:39.348-05:00Wyvern Oaksjenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comBlogger869125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-3926085799269227382021-09-06T17:49:00.003-05:002021-09-06T17:49:41.653-05:00Second level: "Done" and dusted<p>After not attending a rated show since I got my <a href="https://pieceofheaven1951.blogspot.com/2018/12/finally-third-level.html" target="_blank">bronze medal on Taran in 2018</a>, 2021 has been the year of second level. Leo and I actually started showing 2nd at schooling shows last year, but I wanted to get back into the rated scene this year - and boy did we!</p><p>Our first outing was in April at a venue about 30 minutes away. Luckily, they hosted a schooling show the weekend before, so we were able to practice. Leo struggles with new places, and rated shows cause me so much anxiety, so being able to practice at a venue ahead of time is really helpful for both of us.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWboI3l9IX0MwFluf2bZGFwwCViSj4N9MzzBkJqeHOdFkL0P6YJYp_LjfJN3bAhDp3yJCQ9DBdntDVqfPCZIAv5eCFfzqgMmuN4JIa4dyyDtHLDogz4IGMYY3sA91UX-cL-gPnDDYlGo/s1792/IMG_0243.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWboI3l9IX0MwFluf2bZGFwwCViSj4N9MzzBkJqeHOdFkL0P6YJYp_LjfJN3bAhDp3yJCQ9DBdntDVqfPCZIAv5eCFfzqgMmuN4JIa4dyyDtHLDogz4IGMYY3sA91UX-cL-gPnDDYlGo/w400-h185/IMG_0243.PNG" width="400" /></a></p><p>I really shouldn't have worried, because Leo came out ready to show off. We put in nearly flawless tests all weekend and our scores just kept getting better and better. On Saturday, 2-1 earned a 66.757, which I was beyond pleased with since it was an even better score than at the schooling show the week before. Then I went in and rode the pants off of 2-3 for a 67.619. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSgCnJmiWzcadmI3Lrz4TzZMpf2u8qYpSFB7sEbxwFGHeF3odop2Xo-1iHh4j2vrjj-VLJSdcTh-dExNFw-T1OoQ7FHChnVMnb9qPUSOsA5j5qr7VpYR2nY57r5-WSHxZJ09wxF9548U/s1792/IMG_0212.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSgCnJmiWzcadmI3Lrz4TzZMpf2u8qYpSFB7sEbxwFGHeF3odop2Xo-1iHh4j2vrjj-VLJSdcTh-dExNFw-T1OoQ7FHChnVMnb9qPUSOsA5j5qr7VpYR2nY57r5-WSHxZJ09wxF9548U/w400-h185/IMG_0212.PNG" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Maybe the judge missed this super awkward W-C transition?</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">I talked to <a href="http://codexdressage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jan</a> Saturday after my rides and we went over the tests, and she texted me "You know, you can get a 70 at second on this horse." So that was my goal for Sunday - ride everything as big as I could, and really push the envelope. We walked out with 69.054 on 2-1 and a 69.405 on 2-3!!! We would have scored a 70 except I didn't use enough leg on the downward medium/collected canter transition so he broke. SO CLOSE! It was an incredibly successful weekend, as won all our classes, qualified for regionals, and we were champion AA both days. PONY POWER!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CqL0l82NqFG6lATi6K9_Lyfb96BLTJy1W4mV2r4eFnEZ589N9_zr6I7CjUqW6NARgapZvgnZIOKTNYMdFoUMMuDkUvPl7kxV7thguien3dd34r8H2qdCaTQuHzOXHKNbWBsuUAcMNcY/s1792/IMG_0245.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CqL0l82NqFG6lATi6K9_Lyfb96BLTJy1W4mV2r4eFnEZ589N9_zr6I7CjUqW6NARgapZvgnZIOKTNYMdFoUMMuDkUvPl7kxV7thguien3dd34r8H2qdCaTQuHzOXHKNbWBsuUAcMNcY/s320/IMG_0245.PNG" width="148" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">OMG MOM THIS IS SO DUMB</p><p></p><p>Our second time out was rather less successful. I put a lot of pressure on myself because we'd done so well, and because I was showing with/against friends. The brain weasels are really my own worst enemy, I swear.</p><p>We started off with a rather mediocre ride on 2-3 - I just felt stiff and he didn't feel really with me. We had a mistake on the counter-canter serpentine too, which is generally a strong movement for us. We scored a relatively poor 63.452 for a fourth place, nothing like our nearly 70s score just a few weeks before. Part of it was that I'd spent most of our time working on our freestyle, but the pressure I'd put on us didn't help. </p><p>At lunchtime, we went to ride our freestyle... and he absolutely <i>lost his shit</i> when the music came on. He bolted multiple times in the warmup and threw in a few fun moves with his front feet off the ground. Other horses lost their marbles too, including a very seasoned PSG horse, so we weren't alone, but it was definitely not the warmup we wanted. In hindsight, I should have just told him it was OK and moved on, but I didn't ride him confidently enough and he really needs that from me. When we got in the arena, I not only had to deal with my poor flustered horse, but I <i>couldn't hear the music.</i> It was so bad the judge stopped us just after our halt, and by then Leo was such a mess he was rearing directly in front of the judge's stand. I decided that excusing ourselves was probably our best option, and the judge kindly agreed. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdlzgtPLdUlndXSQqEBPOVYKISdTbYA8SFasYri1ZlBW3cIqL1woShypTO8wK9a3E835IlNmCVjhe1IapkEbyaZj87bK9LjANLxqPk5YXelgAZBsttghEuyh_cE3mjnnUnYvXOlbeEoQ/s1792/IMG_3120.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdlzgtPLdUlndXSQqEBPOVYKISdTbYA8SFasYri1ZlBW3cIqL1woShypTO8wK9a3E835IlNmCVjhe1IapkEbyaZj87bK9LjANLxqPk5YXelgAZBsttghEuyh_cE3mjnnUnYvXOlbeEoQ/w640-h296/IMG_3120.PNG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">0% recommend being <i>that rider</i> on <i>that horse</i></p><p>Sunday, I came back with a plan. I borrowed a noise-cancelling bonnet, and I went to the warmup and RODE. We had a very lovely 2-3, probably one of the best ones I've ridden, but the judge didn't agree. Even my coach said our test was better than our score reflected (62.976), so ya know... some judges just don't love some horses, and that's ok. I know not to ride for those folks if I can avoid it. We had a few bobbles in our freestyle warmup reminiscent of the previous day, but I rode him through it and we put in a good show. It wasn't the test I wanted to ride, but we got it done and it was mostly to the music. We got both a freestyle qualifying score and a score toward my bronze freestyle bar (68.467), so mission accomplished there.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM632acWgtGIJo1ULtAtGfGYO6NhoE8w5h7l8Og2mDJy2hHaBsO0-8Dch5Sz4EmS3rJn4NVkvRh95_mvcDTamd0Em191ohZqvi8yHJMScgPkrBVVJHjnh-uYUZLjVvjCS-AkbR6hG9Ko/s1792/IMG_0402.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM632acWgtGIJo1ULtAtGfGYO6NhoE8w5h7l8Og2mDJy2hHaBsO0-8Dch5Sz4EmS3rJn4NVkvRh95_mvcDTamd0Em191ohZqvi8yHJMScgPkrBVVJHjnh-uYUZLjVvjCS-AkbR6hG9Ko/w400-h185/IMG_0402.PNG" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mediums getting better!</p><p>Our last show was in early August, which I normally try to avoid because it's hot AF here in August, but luckily the venue had a lovely covered arena and my ride times were at 8 am. Perfect! Since we'd never been to this venue before, I took a few lessons with the resident trainer so I could let him see everything, and it really paid off. On the day of the show, he was relaxed and workmanlike, a far cry from the first time I brought him there, where he was quite looky and distracted. I keep forgetting that despite being a reasonably competent second level horse, he hasn't traveled much, and I need to do a better job of getting him out into the world.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtijv7Obf_k00Fy5Z7W71L_sI7JcmqSY3Kmge0w41kDbU5N2Xwz838uL_LcZe0_Pd1d2JlIcIgEJ6peJDgLe6UvC6j1DzEzgyNougA-g0NhpEH9kru7kmg05k_FUX6ZZwqlazu3tA3z8/s551/IMG_1189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="439" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtijv7Obf_k00Fy5Z7W71L_sI7JcmqSY3Kmge0w41kDbU5N2Xwz838uL_LcZe0_Pd1d2JlIcIgEJ6peJDgLe6UvC6j1DzEzgyNougA-g0NhpEH9kru7kmg05k_FUX6ZZwqlazu3tA3z8/w319-h400/IMG_1189.jpg" width="319" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">PC Amber Greeson Photography</p><p>I had to time my warmup carefully, since I had back-to-back rides and the warmup arena was a bit deep and tiring. 2-1 was clean but I felt super stiff for all of the trot work, then I got it together for the canter work. Overall it was a nice test but I didn't feel great about it; still it was our high score for the weekend (68.514 and reserve AA score for the day). I took him back to the warmup arena and just touched on what we needed for 2-3 (TOH, simple changes), and then put in what I thought was a much better test, but it only scored a 66.429. Still, both tests were good enough for 1st place and the 2-1 score got us reserve AA champion for the day.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSISsS73kegtVA5IrCdhlFuGGhjX84DfPXQN47CDC_iqXTRFfWc4u69hSu_EFtri1rRHZVQXslk8UHFHssG1X_EqTvk3GSl_QHQ1-kkQARXlM5mzaefvO1dHcurPeVIT4WOIMyiGyoc8M/s2048/IMG_1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSISsS73kegtVA5IrCdhlFuGGhjX84DfPXQN47CDC_iqXTRFfWc4u69hSu_EFtri1rRHZVQXslk8UHFHssG1X_EqTvk3GSl_QHQ1-kkQARXlM5mzaefvO1dHcurPeVIT4WOIMyiGyoc8M/w400-h266/IMG_1188.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">PC Amber Greeson Photography</p><p>Day two went similarly well - 67.432 for 2-1 and a 64.405 for 2-3, and another reserve champion. Despite the good scores, he felt stiff in his neck and body, and he wasn't really in self-carriage as I wasn't riding particularly well. Even so, we got one of the cutest comments from a judge ever: "You got every ounce out of him!" If only she knew how much is still in the tank!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc__MQsGRnSdx2xxJiK0nRCwat3__zeoLOAGpInVO8BpqDRL-TtE1n14N6scfcIuzSE5DD-qXdnTJt3UdvflWftobqtDZ0m26H19VxcubI7mCVkWGSpP_F0uXI9fK0ZoiCuL9CVSdQkBk/s1920/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc__MQsGRnSdx2xxJiK0nRCwat3__zeoLOAGpInVO8BpqDRL-TtE1n14N6scfcIuzSE5DD-qXdnTJt3UdvflWftobqtDZ0m26H19VxcubI7mCVkWGSpP_F0uXI9fK0ZoiCuL9CVSdQkBk/w400-h225/IMG_1019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>On the USDF side, Leo is currently in first place for the 2nd level AA Haflinger all-breeds award, and in 9th place for USDF 2nd level AA. He's also eligible for NDPC awards, but we're still trying to get him correctly measured.</p><p>I know lots of folks don't love second level, but it's been fun and I actually really enjoy it (even if 2-3 is a damn marathon). I think this pic pretty much sums it up: All smiles! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0IP1182AXdBfIWzv5D-klOv3jkoadtz9DJR9TwDCBDtFMlZjYYDuSx4ogAZpbKrt27goUS303-etVejghF4kwUREWRvpk-a3lRnp6lJX_BSJhyphenhyphen3rq12_7UrTHA3p6TvoPPrAj70prBY/s1242/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="827" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0IP1182AXdBfIWzv5D-klOv3jkoadtz9DJR9TwDCBDtFMlZjYYDuSx4ogAZpbKrt27goUS303-etVejghF4kwUREWRvpk-a3lRnp6lJX_BSJhyphenhyphen3rq12_7UrTHA3p6TvoPPrAj70prBY/w266-h400/IMG_1190.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">PC Amber Greeson Photography</p>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-75745251272019225112021-03-10T10:56:00.002-06:002021-04-19T17:17:44.689-05:00English translation of De equo animante, by Leon Baptiste Alberti (c. 1440s)<h2 style="text-align: left;">De equo animante / Le Cheval Vivant / The living horse</h2><p>by Leon Baptiste Alberti, c. 1440s</p><p>English translation by Jennifer Jobst, with French and Latin consultation by Grégoire De Beaumont. Based on the French translation by Jean-Yves Boriaud in <a href="https://www.amazon.fr/Cheval-vivant-L%C3%A9on-Battista-Alberti/dp/2251460179" target="_blank">Le Cheval Vivant</a>.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Translator's notes</h3><p>Leon Baptiste Alberti (1404-1472) is perhaps best known for his architecture, but he also penned several booklets, including <i>De equo animante</i>. Dedicated to Leonello d'Este of Ferrara, it was likely written in the late 1430s or 1440s when Alberti was working on a sculpture for d'Este. The booklet is not based on Alberti's personal knowledge of horses, but is rather a compilation for which Alberti "... gather[ed] together all the possible authors, famous or obscure, who wrote about the horse, and all that I found to be elegant and interesting, I transcribed in my booklet." Alberti handily lists the authors which he included, and readers who are familiar with ancient Greek and Roman texts will note similarities throughout <i>De equo animante</i>.</p><p>This English translation was done for personal interest and should be used with some caution, as it was translated from Jean-Yves Boriaud's French version; however the original Latin text was consulted regularly for clarification and accuracy (the French version is not included here due to copyright, but can be obtained at the link provided above). Nevertheless, the text provides insight into the body of knowledge about horses, especially training and healthcare, available during Alberti's time. Of course, since Alberti wrote this as a compilation of ancient texts rather than based on first-hand experience, whether or not the practices Alberti described were actually followed in the mid-fifteenth century would require validation from other sources. </p><p>If you have questions or suggestions for improvements, please leave a comment or contact me directly. <b>Please remember that this translation is copyright, and cite appropriately if used.</b></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">De equo animante</h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">Introduction</h3><p>To Leonello, Prince of Ferrare,</p><p>Having returned to Ferrara to visit you and present my homage to you, illustrious prince, I find it difficult to say how much pleasure I was seized by to see your city, so beautiful, your citizens, so respectful, and to see you, a prince so distinguished and so kind. I really understood the interest of living in a State where, in peace and rest of soul [or spirit], one is subjected to the best of the fathers of the fatherland, who respects the laws and its traditions. But we'll discuss that another time.</p><p>To this pleasure was added the meeting, here, of an opportunity that was offered to me, an opportunity so pleasant for me, given my custom of exercising my intelligence: I seized it gladly, also because of my regard for you [high esteem in which I hold you]. Your fellow citizens having indeed decided to raise at great expense, in the square, in honor of your father, equestrian statues, before the rivalry which opposed the best artists, they chose me, on your order, me who relishes some pleasure to paint and carve, to arbitrate on their behalf. To examine again and again so many masterpieces done in such an extraordinary manner [1], it came to my mind the idea of reflecting with more attention not only on the beauty and the lines of horses, but on their nature in general, and on their characters [attitude].</p><p>I saw how much the horses lent themselves to all the uses, public and private, of men, to the violence of wars as well as to the pageantry of peace. Should it actually be what is necessary to take from the fields the materials for the construction of shelters and dwellings or what is necessary for the maintenance of a family, or what is necessary to collect onto the battlefield of their greatness of glory and the honor of liberty [2], to accomplish all these tasks, it is of course the strength and work of these animals that men most often resort to using, to the point that, without the help of the horses, it seems impossible to me to ensure safety and dignity. Especially since it is the only animal serves and adorns [embellishes] the gods from above. Phoebus [3], with his chariot of fire [sparks from the tail of a comet], the venerable Neptune, happy to brandish his trident, like a scepter, on the Ocean, and the other gods, all or almost all, seem to have the brilliance that is suits their majesty, and what device best suits their tasks, if the horses were not first harnessed to their chariots?</p><p>This [the horse] is an animal of elegant appearance, where one is astonished to see so much physical vigor and strength of soul [character] combined with such an incredible gentleness, and a spirit that is also placid and docile dwells in such a strong breast [4]. He lets himself be led by a thin strap, he who knows how to crush the chest of iron [i.e. a cuirass]] of the furious enemy. The horse has also learned to advance in the battle, with the whole squadron [of cavalry], at a walk all together [as a group] [so that] they sound like the harmony of vocals [5], to tolerate only a single master to ride him and to him [allow] on the ground, to allow him to return, triumphant conqueror, to his family. It would be too long to enumerate all the services rendered to their princes by horses, services which earned them the offer, by the divine Augustus, the honor which deserves a tomb, by the citizens of Agrigento, a magnificent pyramid, by the dictator Cesar, a statue near the temple of Venus and, by Alexander of Macedonia [Alexander the Great], the largest of the funeral processions with, in the guise of a tomb and epitaph, the foundation of a city of the same name [6].</p><div>These examples and many others of the same kind have come to my mind, and as the matter seemed to me to deserve to test my intelligence, when I realized how pleased you were reading my text and I was myself unoccupied, I decided to spend the time of my stay with you to practice according to my habit, to write about the subject. I applied myself to gather together all the possible authors, famous or obscure, who wrote about the horse, and all that I found to be elegant and interesting, I transcribed in my booklet. These authors, at least those who came into my hands, were either, for the Greeks, Xenophon, Absyrtus, Chiron, Hippocrates and Pelagonius and, for the Latins, Cato, Varro, Virgil, Pliny, Columella, Vegece, Palladius, the Calabrian, Crescenzio, Albert, Abbas and many others, from Gaul or Etruria, obscure but useful and erudite. I even took what the best doctors [veterinarians] what seemed to me to be about the subject.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for my readers, I would like them to think that I did not write for workers or herdsmen, but for a prince, and at the same time a great scholar, and that in writing on this subject, I was without a doubt more plain than the ignorant masses might wish. I would like then, Prince, that when you are reading [my work] you persuade yourself that I have never researched as much, through all the work of my watchfulness [?], what of thee [?] every day, whatever the matter, more agreeable. But let's come to the subject itself.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">To train a horse for war</h3><div>Once educated in these behaviors, it [the horse] must be trained in the other noble arts, to endure fatigue for the honor and glory of the country, to save the citizens, to defeat the enemy and to all the other glorious practices of the same kind.</div><div><br /></div><div>The points to be paid special attention to are the following: that he should lend himself to obedience and discretion to the formation of the line of battle, that he should remain calm in the midst of danger, that he should be quick to launch himself, to know how to slide [avoid, dodge] quickly, to be firm and decisive during the attack, agile for jumping, able to swim for a long time, quick and fierce in the fight, but without excesses, that he seems happy and sensitive to honors in the parade of triumph, and be cheerful and in a good mood.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps the first thing that needs to be addressed is what the Sarmatians do, because they raise the horses so that they can withstand deprivation of food and just drink.</div><div><br /></div><div>To achieve the greater part of these results, we have two excellent instruments: the bit, which, if the horse comes to run inconsiderately and foolishly on the enemy if he does it without the signal being given or in one an inappropriate place, or if, by timidity, out of fear, he flees at random and abandons his post, [the bit] allows him [the horse] to be kept under his [the rider’s] authority; at the same time, we have invented spurs by means of which, if he is lazy and apathetic, one can reverse it and push him to duty.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>The horse must therefore be trained that the hand and the heel of the rider, and in such a way that, if it [the horse] is in a difficult mood, the first cue [push] should be [made with] bare heel [i.e. no spur] and a light rod and then apply these stimulants.</div><div><br /></div><div>If he [the horse] begins to wander in this or that direction, against orders, he [the rider] must, at each step, by acting with the hand on the reins, with moderation and by degrees, chastise the mouth with the bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>But as soon as he has obeyed, it is necessary to stop the action of this stimulant [i.e. using the bit], so that the restive [horse] understands that it is because of this forbidden movement that he has been thus mishandled by the bit. </div><div><br /></div><div>If he begins to take the bit by the teeth, perhaps by stubbornness, it is necessary to remove the four teeth of the lower jaw which fall first and are vulgarly called <cascaliones>. </div><div><br /></div><div>It also contributes to learning discipline if one gives him for companions horses of age [older horses], at their example which he will forget by practicing, day after day, his repugnance and will get used to imitating the virtue of the horses with merits [i.e. well-schooled horses].</div><div><br /></div><div>With them, he will learn to follow, to precede, to go in the middle, so to speak, of the phalanx [squadron], to remain sometimes motionless, and sometimes to embark on steep and rugged terrain, and finally to run [away, i.e. retreat] for a long time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some prescribe to place in his path repulsive and ugly silhouettes of human busts and, for him to recognize what it is, to lead him near and around them, to stop nearby and to sometimes tie [him to it] with his lead [rope].</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>And also throw bales [bundles] of chaff [straw] in his path, to get him used to jumping high and without danger.</div><div><br /></div><div>At last, without striking him, he [the rider] strives to accustom him [the horse] to disdain [scorn] all fears without objection, like that of loud noises [the din] or images.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, using occasionally these practices, we must focus, especially, to watch [guard] the health of the horse, and also avoid that he is not impregnated [become filled/taught] with bad habits or imbued with a sort of insolence [become insolent]. </div><div><br /></div><div>Be careful, too, that he [the horse] does not have the occasion to abuse his liberty. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is what occurs, affirms our authors, if we eternally keep the habit of running or of jumping [or] we go to the same place or if we for that reason, we must one day do a modest race, another a little longer, going up, coming down, by going more often, at one time, from one side, to another, to the other, and being very careful, especially, that, in this fierceness, he does not get more insolent about the situation, [or end up] feeling victorious and triumphant [against his rider] .</div><div><br /></div><div>It is also necessary, in this case, that the instructor masters his own anger, so that the horse, [who is] not much designed for hesitation, can understand well, through his fear, what are the things to dread [be afraid of]. </div><div><br /></div><div>And it must also be ensured that the hardness of the rider's commands does not add an additional discomfort to the terror so created [i.e., the terror created by a battle].</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>And not only we have to watch [make sure] again and again that the young colt appears to be perfectly and excellently instructed on what he will have to use, but you must mostly [above all] pay attention to the work itself, [which can be] distressing and difficult, that you [the rider] make him [the horse] accomplish [the work] with the correction and courage that is permitted by his age. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which is only possible if we could keep it [the horse] in good health.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Causes the most frequent of the bad health in horses</h3></div><div><div>[Things that] Are mentioned as bad for health : idleness, filth, satiety and, conversely, exhaustion, hunger and perhaps the excess of comfort, are harmful to health, because it is obvious that serious and numberless diseases result from them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hunger causes indeed a conflagration of the spirits and a disappearance of the forces; from the weakness, the collapse of the virtues, and the sadness of the mind, also blindness; As the members, emaciated and impoverished, do not assimilate enough of an insufficiently digested nutrients, a boiling persists in the stomach, a burning blood rises in the veins, and a corrosive mood is apparent in the skin; itching, erythema and repulsive ailments of the same kind.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fatigue causes dissolution of the moods, induration and tendon stains, and hardening of the limbs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Idleness, the excess of food, and satiety cause much more harm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thromboses and almost all types of abscess come from excessive concentration of blood in the veins and excessive swelling of the vessels, due to the action of a chyme that bubbles and shakes at the same time inside the viscera.</div><div><br /></div><div>By a sort of contagion, filth corrupts the purity and the integrity of the humors.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fetid steam of muck in the stable, because it excites the humors by its heat, that its fineness allows it to penetrate everywhere, it softens what it gets wet, is more than anything, a true scourge for the legs and feet of horses.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is especially true when the steam that impregnates a horse from a warm place in the open condenses and hardens cold.</div><div><br /></div><div>And if there is a lot of rain, our authors say that horses are taken by itchiness [restlessness?].</div><div><br /></div><div>From all this comes a very large number of diseases.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let us not omit to say here that we understand then that to remain inactive for a long time, especially in a gloomy stable, every horse becomes absolutely lazy, and, in front of all the sounds, even tiny, and all the shapes that we put under his eyes without him expecting it [when he does not expect it], [he will be] fearful, timid and paralyzed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, naturalists assert that with moderate and suitable physical exercises, the strength increases and consolidates and that the horse is in shape at any age and keeps his good health. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is therefore of the greatest interest to determine the time, place, intensity and mode of these exercises. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The proper moment, the healthiest moment, to put oneself to these exercises, is neither [during] the great heat nor the heart of winter, nor the dark night, but the morning, at the first dawn, when a pleasant and light breeze blows, and in the evening, until sunset, before dusk. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for places, they must be adapted to the type of exercise and the age of the horse who is doing it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Any land is not suitable for every horse, but some to the young and tender foals, others to adolescent foals who are more vigorous.</div><div><br /></div><div>It will indeed be useful to manage to bring the young horses with hoofs still tender to taste the fruits of the exercise. </div><div><br /></div><div>To make this more convenient, here is what is prescribed. </div><div><br /></div><div>We must show the foal his mother, like a boundary, in front of him, at a moderate distance, on a little meadow, moist and green, and separate his mother a little, as if for a flight, but with a moderate walk, her child who follows her, then push him, stimulating him, if necessary, with a light rod, to play at the run, with foals of his age, who will first arrive at a nice fountain. [???]</div><div><br /></div><div>Subsequently, according to their age, it is necessary to bring these foals to bear more significant strain and harden them little by little, by the exercise, but without going to the exhaustion or the last sweat. </div><div><br /></div><div>When one is dealing with an animal with a proud heart and noble bearing, it is necessary, by pleasure and example, by proposing to him an honor to win, to practically put fire in his veins and, keeping this principle at every moment of his education, thus accustoming him every day more to the exercise, by minute additions.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>It is also necessary to choose places and times which offer no danger for the horses when exercising, and are not unhealthy when, at the end of this exercise, they [the horses] are tired and sweaty. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wind are also harmful for horses heated by exercise; harmful also the icy shadow of the night, and harmful especially the rays of the moon. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the exercise, it is therefore necessary to lead the horse not too far from home, nor too far from a place of rest. </div><div><br /></div><div>When he has accomplished this task, he must not be left in the shade of a cold night, nor in a strong north wind, nor should he take risks when he is tired nor add to fatigue the weight of extra work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let us add here that, according to these authors, the horses that we want to stand out particularly for racing, it is necessary to castrate them so that, thus made colder, they do not warm up when their nerves animate them with a lively movement. [???]</div><div><br /></div><div>As for those whom they wish to be more pugnacious and more fierce in the face of enemies who pursue or confront them, every autumn, at the moment when their veins are most filled with seminal fluid, they must be allowed one mating and no more. </div><div><br /></div><div>But in either case, one must take into consideration their age, their strength, and finally their natural physical dispositions in the activity for which it is intended. </div><div><br /></div><div>Do not forget to say that, according to them [the ancients], they [the horses] should not be brought to exercise, in the career [arena or carriera] or on the race track, before they have deposited what weighs down their belly [i.e. defecated], and do not allow them to graze or drink, after exercise, if they have not urinated. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>For fat and overweight horses, sudden exercise, especially if they are not used to it, is, according to their [the ancient’s] advice, harmful. </div><div><br /></div><div>So they prescribe, at the beginning of spring, at a time when, thanks to the growth of new grasses, they renew and purify their blood, when they have eaten their fill for ten days, to cut off their main vein [bleed them from the main vein], close to the belly, because they will have an excess of blood.</div><div><br /></div><div>And likewise [bleed them] in the summer, to prevent the blood from becoming sludge from the heat, and turning itself into poisonous abscesses. </div><div><br /></div><div>And the same way in autumn, to avoid having them succumb to the charm of pastures and new and juicy grains, they do not overfill themselves, and that their too swollen veins do not put them in danger, it is necessary to bleed them from this vein. </div><div><br /></div><div>They give, on this question, a general prescription: do not cut vein on a horse that is tired and thin [skinny]. </div><div><br /></div><div>They add that the amount of blood in the geldings should not be thoughtlessly reduced. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the phlebotomy, they [the ancients] affirm that it is necessary for [the horse] to refrain from eating or drinking for a large amount of hours. They likewise prescribe not to allow the horses to become cold, or [keep them] in a place exposed to wind, or near water. And this is enough for this exercise.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Our authors advise to pay special attention that filth does not cause them any damage. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is how to welcome them when they come back from the school [carriera] and the racecourse. </div><div><br /></div><div>They must first be covered with blankets and walked on a small course, at a slow pace, until they have refreshed themselves in their veins. </div><div><br /></div><div>After that, if they want, let them lie down freely on their straw and roll around a bit. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, with scraper or brush, it is necessary to totally remove the filth on the back, the belly and the flanks. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some people say that when they sweat, they must be completely coated with oil. </div><div><br /></div><div>After that, it is necessary, with handfuls of hemp [straw], to rub particularly, and in full [completely], the head and the legs, but this chafing should be neither too sharp nor too strong, nor too frequent or too painful, [especially] on tender skin, neither soft nor lazy by dint of nonchalance, but apt to drive the filth from the folds of the skin where it is lodged and to get rid of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The effects of friction are interesting because it brings the humors from the muscles to the surface of the skin, and once [you have] removed the filth which, as it dried, had unfortunately absorbed the liquid humors which came out [of the horse as it sweated], it [the friction] brings back the humors and allows them to stay there [at the skin].</div><div><br /></div><div>That done, it is necessary to wash the feet with a lot of water, using the least sandy water possible, because that would damage the hooves. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Finally, it is necessary to attach the horses, in the stable, to a well-washed manger, cleaned of all manure, and rid of any unpleasant odor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, they prescribe keeping them away from conflicts and brawls with their co-inhabitants [i.e. other horses] by means of long poles. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the morning, you must have the same concern for cleanliness, that is to say, to get rid of the filth and clean the hoofs of manure that has accumulated during the night: in short, clean all the impurities that you find. </div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, it is advisable to lead the horse to learn his duty and accomplish his tasks. </div><div><br /></div><div>When he returns, he will be welcomed to the stable with the care for cleanliness that we have indicated. </div><div><br /></div><div>[During] the day, moreover, and especially during the summer, it is necessary to keep [the horse] on a hard ground, which is not strewn with any straw. </div><div><br /></div><div>For hungry and thirsty horses, but especially for those who are too hot, or else when they have cooled, it is necessary to offer, first and foremost, water that is not cold, nor recently fallen, nor thoroughly repugnant and spoiled, but thickened and evaporated in the sun, and lukewarm [i.e. room temperature, normal temperature]. </div><div><br /></div><div>And also, to make them take as much water as possible, it is necessary to encourage them to drink with salt: it contributes strongly to reinforce their limbs. </div><div><br /></div><div>They say indeed that the monsters with gigantic bodies only grow in the sea, because of the amount of salt found there.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Immediately after [working], one must offer each horse not more than three livres [3 US pound, or about 1.5 kilos] of perfectly pure barley, in a deep hole, so that, [in working for] for his own pleasure, he strengthens his forelegs and the muscles on his chest. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, for straw and fodder cut short and clean, they recommend to place it up high, after having shaken out the dust, and to leave it thus in the air, so that by stretching the head, the horse works his neck and become more flexible and finer at the top of the neck. </div><div><br /></div><div>That same evening, when he has drunk well, he must be given three livres of barley and a large quantity of hay. </div><div><br /></div><div>But we must absolutely ensure that it is neither fed to saturation nor fed in excess. When given his fodder, they ask that one is watchful that he is not inconvenienced and is not obliged, to reach for food placed too low or too high, to bend or to stretch his members to excess. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the rest, they all agree that it is very important to offer the horses a little less comfort each day, so that they harden themselves to bravely endure the cold, lack of sleep, hunger, heat, wind and dust. That's why we must also shoe as late as possible: if an incident makes it so they have to get about with bare hooves, these hooves will be used to it, because this ancient practice will have made them callous and hard.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>It is also fitting to remember that horses, for the purposes for which we train them, are, so to speak, part of our family, so that it is absolutely shameful that our impatience, our negligence, our laziness, might cause them the slightest damage. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>And if we ask them [the ancients] what must come first [is most important] in their education, I will say that it is, in my opinion, that the horse is well exercised. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our ancestors in effect wanted their horses not to know days of rest. </div><div><br /></div><div>And second? We take care of the horse properly. Filth rots even statues made of hard material, like ivory or bronze. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the third place? Feed him well. Our ancestors decided that horses should have the place of servants: we must therefore provide them with what they need and command them to what they can reasonably accomplish. </div><div><br /></div><div>All this, they say, cannot be done in good conditions unless one puts the care that a father gives his family. </div><div><br /></div><div>We read in Xenophon this old proverb: the look of the master fattens the horses [the eye of the master maketh the horse fat?]. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is therefore very useful to repeat again and again their advice: always be careful not to make them stubborn by the fault of asking too much and [using] too severe a punishment. Nothing makes them so stubborn, recalcitrant, and lazy as the furious authority of an excessive master.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>I had decided to write something about caring for sick horses, but when I noticed that many ancient authors, and some of the best, like Absyrtus, Chiron, Pelagonius, Caton, Columella, Vegece, but also good and useful modern writers, like Palladius, the Calabrian, Albert, Rusio, Crescenzio, Abbas, and a few others, had dealt with it skilfully and elegantly, I decided that I did not have to waste my time on this business, especially that I understood that I could write or otherwise only the Ancients without losing my dignity, nor like them while avoiding being unfairly accused of plagiarism.</div><div><br /></div><div>Allow me, however, to set forth here some particularly useful warnings concerning the care of horses, and that the Ancients themselves have not mentioned. Here they are.</div></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Some points concerning the maladies of horses</h3></div><div><div>If the horse, in fact, is not well, some signs can make us understand [what is wrong].</div><div><br /></div><div>This will be the case when this horse does not behave according to his old habits, when he used his limbs normally to fulfill his duty. </div><div><br /></div><div>If, for example, he sleeps more, if he is less active, if he eats with too much voracity, if he drinks too greedily, if he refuses with disgust drink or food, if he urinates a little more or a little less, if his stomach is more relaxed or more constipated, if he remains inert, his neck inclined towards the ground, if he is uncomfortable [labored in?] his breathing, if, from his belly, he emits malodorous farts [yes really], if his ears are a little cold, if he is perspiring at rest, if he has bad breath, if he loses weight or swells. </div><div><br /></div><div>All these signs make us understand that the horse is not healthy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Above all, the signs that have appeared, examine them again and again, in their relation to each disease. </div><div><br /></div><div>Compare them most carefully with the possible causes and put all your intelligence to seek the origin of the evil, rather than its nature. </div><div><br /></div><div>And put all your efforts and your application to divert and dry up the source of the disease. </div><div><br /></div><div>The bad force draws it from one noble member to another less noble. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ensure that what has happened does not remain on the spot, that it does not rot that to which it adheres; remove what has rotted, to prevent it from spoiling what is healthy. [talking about proud flesh i think]</div><div><br /></div><div>That which may have been too hard softens, that which burns hotly, that the lukewarm regains its heat, that what is softened regains its firmness, that which, layer upon layer, has grown to excess, decreases, that what has disappeared reappears: watch it!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>As for you, do not hurry to give medicines but, as the horse struggles with its own strength against the disease, meanwhile [you should] provide him with all you can to help nature. </div><div><br /></div><div>And nature, if it has largely begun its work of healing, do not try to rush its work. </div><div><br /></div><div>But if, perhaps, it seems a little slow, do not try to assault the disease, as by violence, with a strong drug, but bring it gently to accomplish its task, that of restoring health. </div><div><br /></div><div>In all this, take heed, [though you may] want to do experiments, not to change treatment inconsiderately, from hour to hour. </div><div><br /></div><div>Choose, for this treatment, what seems most safe, but preferably use that of the most value, verified by experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>Everything on the path to the cure, keeps the rhythms, the ways and even the things which you are used to, during convalescence. </div><div><br /></div><div>This cure should be continued until you have the clear feeling that the root of the evil has been completely removed - it would be to consider the horse as sick for eternity but persevere in the treatment that you have undertaken until that time that you realize that having almost recovered all his strength, the animal does not go so badly.</div><div><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Footnotes</h3><div><br /></div><div>[1] Alberti is surprised by the quality of the masterpiece, which is not common.</div><p>[2] Paraphrased: either a man must provide for his family by working the fields and collecting up materials to build dwellings, or collecting spoils from battlefields. In any case, he needs a horse.</p><p>[3] Apollo</p><p>[4] He seems to be contrasting the horse’s gentleness with his great heart and strength of spirit </p><div>[5] Perhaps Alberti means “keeping pace to the music”</div><div><br /></div><div>[6] These stories seem to be taken from Pliny’s book 8</div>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-82246663510642022292021-02-22T16:14:00.001-06:002021-02-22T16:14:59.065-06:00Snowpocalypse 2021<p>As pretty much everyone in the world knows by now, last week's winter storm was rather rough on most of Texas.</p><p>I'm a rabid weather-watcher, so I knew 10 days out that we were going to be in for some very rough weather. I had hay and extra grain delivered, stocked up on pet food, and made sure our pantry and fridge was stocked (although since the start of the pandemic, I've never let anything get too low, so it wasn't a huge thing). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4orL_P_uZN3Qtqid8M_u3-piEH6fM2tgj4E8oShgpKn7UE5EOHnO7i4dAnDE0Ns876T9L9hr0f6UEgLGsSwGmJaF5wub8Km_bHYBnu7lUCHdmTHJZ-qG4ZMJUm-RWXgwqRS4IK4yWvR4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4orL_P_uZN3Qtqid8M_u3-piEH6fM2tgj4E8oShgpKn7UE5EOHnO7i4dAnDE0Ns876T9L9hr0f6UEgLGsSwGmJaF5wub8Km_bHYBnu7lUCHdmTHJZ-qG4ZMJUm-RWXgwqRS4IK4yWvR4/w400-h185/IMG_9657.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The forecast as of Feb 12. It ended up being worse.</div><p></p><p>With the weather supposed to roll in the night of the 14th, we spent the 13th covering some of our young trees, refilling the water trough, and adding extra layers of wrapping to the pipes. We also harvested everything possible from the garden, and ended up digging up the citrus and olive trees we'd planted in the fall, since we were pretty sure they wouldn't survive the single-digit temps we were supposed to get. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNh8P8kKlVn1h8NsZapGr_BPbz-hScrf5JIQ6RhCFn1JwTYp393Im_wfy5cBe3_Yuvi80QT03OTJu4iiQGxQULMwWubtCnNDkSZBh8iKil4bAC5171gfoqVgYfUQkTWf2iqffvPBzZZ0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNh8P8kKlVn1h8NsZapGr_BPbz-hScrf5JIQ6RhCFn1JwTYp393Im_wfy5cBe3_Yuvi80QT03OTJu4iiQGxQULMwWubtCnNDkSZBh8iKil4bAC5171gfoqVgYfUQkTWf2iqffvPBzZZ0/w300-h400/IMG_9668.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plants relocated to the den</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNihGLTd3-tOQuWyNPchcfhqvsB2FVcQcI1xAtYIfB-MxdYOYYcldmezsFHB9LrREHj4NrmohyfVbiO0GY6yNwrT5on4C9gjfXP75MsdFY-5Xmi98LbTvImZfhH6V8ZihJYnC-DqZnRIc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNihGLTd3-tOQuWyNPchcfhqvsB2FVcQcI1xAtYIfB-MxdYOYYcldmezsFHB9LrREHj4NrmohyfVbiO0GY6yNwrT5on4C9gjfXP75MsdFY-5Xmi98LbTvImZfhH6V8ZihJYnC-DqZnRIc/w300-h400/IMG_2925.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So much lettuce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We spent a nice Valentine's day with some steaks and a bottle of wine, and went to bed feeling pretty prepared.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK23B8AOMi3YdWfhI2DrkEbbKWOrM8oDEwfzzvJVFppJXYb2BlbnHdYUcsGug3RLHjPY6yY8lXFz0jxJEpAImAvS8WMBEi05Boi4EKBVime_nPw2YOe5U-zsAKx8_fPUlWlu31es14rnY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK23B8AOMi3YdWfhI2DrkEbbKWOrM8oDEwfzzvJVFppJXYb2BlbnHdYUcsGug3RLHjPY6yY8lXFz0jxJEpAImAvS8WMBEi05Boi4EKBVime_nPw2YOe5U-zsAKx8_fPUlWlu31es14rnY/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everybody happy and blanketed.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monday morning around 2am the power went out, and it stayed out until midnight Wednesday (almost 72 hours). We woke up to a house that was barely 40 degrees, along with frozen water pipes. There was nearly 6 inches of snow on the ground. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXJE3NKIx8e8AM7lv07NGOFfv7zJSzNoy8aplAxhjqvhJYzBIHmm-a2Y7y8lJEQJy3ORW79oJKRTHvmywwKZS_zZsnwj2epzWLYxabRYUqG_kPOW9NRGwMri3ITsqv_Fwfjo1yylEjg4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXJE3NKIx8e8AM7lv07NGOFfv7zJSzNoy8aplAxhjqvhJYzBIHmm-a2Y7y8lJEQJy3ORW79oJKRTHvmywwKZS_zZsnwj2epzWLYxabRYUqG_kPOW9NRGwMri3ITsqv_Fwfjo1yylEjg4/w300-h400/IMG_9684.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpVNX_DX3z0q8DURi6TUgoE_KMtNn_kr82C5wAmuA7Ma-4LwyLl3VpMRqrsd-DmRqUplTcKmD4SntJudzKP3Id4nIs-F242Oc3Nc3dxq9FOFDn11L31DIwJLZvZwpXp5o6TxBJrq1X-M/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpVNX_DX3z0q8DURi6TUgoE_KMtNn_kr82C5wAmuA7Ma-4LwyLl3VpMRqrsd-DmRqUplTcKmD4SntJudzKP3Id4nIs-F242Oc3Nc3dxq9FOFDn11L31DIwJLZvZwpXp5o6TxBJrq1X-M/w400-h300/IMG_9686.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HFYbzNwXoefoOMDmoHmsv2bM7KXI9qB_tpxgII3tfjUeOc7OQQl8Dxko5LklDyM7w_ervBaW0ZqDJKJE0bKtDgRZJToTZLN9FGnfDGdStsbYx_btz0qW-0MTzBKK-97aCoTHAVyMkn8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HFYbzNwXoefoOMDmoHmsv2bM7KXI9qB_tpxgII3tfjUeOc7OQQl8Dxko5LklDyM7w_ervBaW0ZqDJKJE0bKtDgRZJToTZLN9FGnfDGdStsbYx_btz0qW-0MTzBKK-97aCoTHAVyMkn8/w300-h400/IMG_9695.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had actual snow drifts that were over a foot high.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV6TuhPMAj2MPTQ7k3lk6FcVBgejVlW1KNBejlzE-dYyBPbqHpFuJoDZ1lTbipV-9c0VaNU6zju1-5lPWY-2a83YQDqJtFD95XdydPMG5IiyUAo9Bx7FfW-3xxxSA80bFH9-FdLm5N88/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV6TuhPMAj2MPTQ7k3lk6FcVBgejVlW1KNBejlzE-dYyBPbqHpFuJoDZ1lTbipV-9c0VaNU6zju1-5lPWY-2a83YQDqJtFD95XdydPMG5IiyUAo9Bx7FfW-3xxxSA80bFH9-FdLm5N88/w300-h400/IMG_9692.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I knew there was a reason I owned these really expensive Thinsulate Ariat winter boots. They saved my life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtCNOXJMQrdxhnx1BDB5iVqwofHH6u3I-c1FCjG1IWFR3ci039Tjp1nNhEP3gcNa1IXdVDVCN6r6qtnofZhIAhCbLjOLylmGqOVkzf0KkV_W1zw_Ujb_sC957PbLpa7Z3hivmx7WWFR8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtCNOXJMQrdxhnx1BDB5iVqwofHH6u3I-c1FCjG1IWFR3ci039Tjp1nNhEP3gcNa1IXdVDVCN6r6qtnofZhIAhCbLjOLylmGqOVkzf0KkV_W1zw_Ujb_sC957PbLpa7Z3hivmx7WWFR8/w400-h300/IMG_9689.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This would have been way prettier if it hadn't been 10 degrees out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU1yyID3L8Nsl4g8kUsGXLcho084y-rvZazC0Ojckj0I4S8R2CjOAXHgCUcII_NKw6al1lxqkNvaPMyVZXbsHriZtGoULrE1462mhycYZPSYr9GkoT5pHFcd3KafKZsu5fxqaKMTw0F4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU1yyID3L8Nsl4g8kUsGXLcho084y-rvZazC0Ojckj0I4S8R2CjOAXHgCUcII_NKw6al1lxqkNvaPMyVZXbsHriZtGoULrE1462mhycYZPSYr9GkoT5pHFcd3KafKZsu5fxqaKMTw0F4/w400-h300/IMG_9720.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The intersection near our house. Note that we have no snow plows, no way to salt or maintain the roads at all, so after this we just had a 2 inch sheet of ice for a few days. Folks with no water/electricity/heat had no way to go anywhere because it was too dangerous to travel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdekki-qbcSY7QwuCd3ucn7LsovT8SNaX6ZunYi2-fAI4dd4PxK07bXrh-PfhDEjF692mpOEw96tFNGlCs1CBtrApt4pK4FyfStGa4p05WE7urbwHiPYoeSXPUpOTxsKTAgVKBaV568UI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdekki-qbcSY7QwuCd3ucn7LsovT8SNaX6ZunYi2-fAI4dd4PxK07bXrh-PfhDEjF692mpOEw96tFNGlCs1CBtrApt4pK4FyfStGa4p05WE7urbwHiPYoeSXPUpOTxsKTAgVKBaV568UI/w300-h400/IMG_9727.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Canada can keep their shit weather next time, K?</div></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were so, so lucky to have a gas stove and a wood-burning fireplace, plus almost a cord of wood stored. We were able to share the wood with two of our neighbors, and they shared water. It's really great to have neighbors looking out for each other.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgO1Qd-p6WT9Q-8YJDDhjat06wiTszBIaCvDhYF7s2Av-e_Qppdf7W9N5wr8FZaI0TDwFrMvrjGL2y-916ieWwsJ1z07VbufLuoYk2thOfflEniCoFszO3YHOw30yPLxSpoZvWt7G5Os/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgO1Qd-p6WT9Q-8YJDDhjat06wiTszBIaCvDhYF7s2Av-e_Qppdf7W9N5wr8FZaI0TDwFrMvrjGL2y-916ieWwsJ1z07VbufLuoYk2thOfflEniCoFszO3YHOw30yPLxSpoZvWt7G5Os/" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Literally roasting our toes in the fireplace.</span></div></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">We moved our bed into the den, so we had one "warm room" in the house where we packed ourselves and all the animals. Sadly, our fireplace is not built for heat output, so it was only 48-50F a few feet from the fire. The rest of the house stayed barely above freezing, but our little cottage got below freezing and stayed there (spoiler alert: this did not work out well for the pipes).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKhELi4wmlX4KfLshcqPpCUOXzBzBL6TSbB5G44lvzoZpLB6G3L47pH_OxFyflhfV7MJaQqjaAqDgOGe5Z9tGyu_Zpok_hZaL1UV_NgWy-YzgFauP6exL8wyEAldILV1aauFwg2EuhcE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKhELi4wmlX4KfLshcqPpCUOXzBzBL6TSbB5G44lvzoZpLB6G3L47pH_OxFyflhfV7MJaQqjaAqDgOGe5Z9tGyu_Zpok_hZaL1UV_NgWy-YzgFauP6exL8wyEAldILV1aauFwg2EuhcE/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since our bed was on the floor, the "no dogs on the bed" rule was temporarily rescinded and a certain someone took full advantage.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We almost immediately switched to a "farmer's schedule," up and down with the sun. Turns out there's not a lot to do when there's not power, and staying up past dark meant burning candles or using valuable battery power. For much of the power outage, our phones weren't working because the towers were down. We could occasionally get texts in and out, but no data.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Funny story - at one point on Tuesday I tried to start the truck, since it has an onboard generator (and also heated seats). This is when we learned that nobody down here puts additives in the diesel in the winter, so the fuel had gelled. Internet Frondz (you know who you are) tried to help diagnose the problem, and one helpful suggestion was to light a fire under the truck. Pretty sure that voids the warranty though, so we didn't try it. It started up just fine Wednesday when it reached a balmy 31 degrees.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like many others, we ended up scooping snow for the animals and collecting meltwater off the roof, because there was no other source of water. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUu2XCR1lqiF73hsiJhtRJXrJbtcVBeEx_enBoLpjHpWiWwSMm61gUyBvFvbgSogryqFgCqU8xYclLuakIHmSgxhDBQ3b4EfVyFuxjp-PyHr5kjPTGi9mTsZmy8f3B9ZcfGC-9TnD3jE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="750" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUu2XCR1lqiF73hsiJhtRJXrJbtcVBeEx_enBoLpjHpWiWwSMm61gUyBvFvbgSogryqFgCqU8xYclLuakIHmSgxhDBQ3b4EfVyFuxjp-PyHr5kjPTGi9mTsZmy8f3B9ZcfGC-9TnD3jE/" width="301" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yup.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As of today, much of Austin is still under a boil water notice, but luckily it has been lifted from our part of town.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkl8djYG6PV7Sqg30J-lUi-tyYfJ4F55pukEC0VhUzCvEcmYLFjIDeYRzWmFpQOPWD14pagk5mzD247rv4nINwWqiB8AF9D9FQ06QtjkGK2vrfGEsG7AUXaamqMdJoNpTF7HhwL1_rJs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkl8djYG6PV7Sqg30J-lUi-tyYfJ4F55pukEC0VhUzCvEcmYLFjIDeYRzWmFpQOPWD14pagk5mzD247rv4nINwWqiB8AF9D9FQ06QtjkGK2vrfGEsG7AUXaamqMdJoNpTF7HhwL1_rJs/w400-h300/IMG_9741.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm so thankful for this gas stove, since we were able to have hot food and share it with the neighbors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w2f5a7ImozjiuKcC45wbM8GYP6QWXhHgMJWSFc65U6TEIJCtgFh9k72B9g7soPKNXNZP7dxSzfe4tnE4PfLGRW01F6kIcTQl7c6Iwq8WzuOvJ_85LA8WVqNqlN8DbqQZYBFFlnTc7XI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w2f5a7ImozjiuKcC45wbM8GYP6QWXhHgMJWSFc65U6TEIJCtgFh9k72B9g7soPKNXNZP7dxSzfe4tnE4PfLGRW01F6kIcTQl7c6Iwq8WzuOvJ_85LA8WVqNqlN8DbqQZYBFFlnTc7XI/w300-h400/IMG_9755.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pro tip: If you're going to make hot toddies during a snowpocalypse, use the 32 oz Yeti mug. This advertisement brought to you by a USB rechargeable clip-on reading light, which was SUPER useful to have.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />At least someone thought this was fun.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcJ9Cjb-7vRaJ39kRPgyvZ3hIkow7DYZWPSKlxMzH3_gvL7sg8IKsNLYsXuzd9rpOzxvn2LXHrbNmnACLQprX_OjibTw0s-EjBS9PGHwY9TZGP2gJaR9Y46Bfg1t7nlvgCqSi4USkLPc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcJ9Cjb-7vRaJ39kRPgyvZ3hIkow7DYZWPSKlxMzH3_gvL7sg8IKsNLYsXuzd9rpOzxvn2LXHrbNmnACLQprX_OjibTw0s-EjBS9PGHwY9TZGP2gJaR9Y46Bfg1t7nlvgCqSi4USkLPc/w300-h400/IMG_9693.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">Would have liked to borrow his coat pls.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wT19NKSkN3CVx0t2gS8uamHdl00lPEUKm1JmvPqdBQp96Kaj46FZuSsMGZEXrcNjaUBz6DtjAnbaOpOqkNC9VRLPgfzHHGCPDiPghzKRzV3cdKw_yi4OsIEldTUWmSEyTzHfQSCEgC8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wT19NKSkN3CVx0t2gS8uamHdl00lPEUKm1JmvPqdBQp96Kaj46FZuSsMGZEXrcNjaUBz6DtjAnbaOpOqkNC9VRLPgfzHHGCPDiPghzKRzV3cdKw_yi4OsIEldTUWmSEyTzHfQSCEgC8/w400-h185/IMG_9703.PNG" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, the horses did fine. They kept eating and drinking, despite the frigid water (we had a tank heater, but with no power it was useless). We put a jollyball in the tank to keep the top layer from freezing, and that actually worked pretty well. They got to be out for part of the storm and seemed just fine, although I did discover that my 10+ y.o. blankets that faithfully get washed and waterproofed every year are no longer actually waterproof. We had to play musical blankets a little but everyone stayed toasty. Wednesday we had a little melting and then everything turned into a skating ring, so they stayed in after that. So other than going stir crazy, they're OK.</div></div></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jTYWDhX_4gz9F2FTvBqYxLaQvzb1CO7sQY-Hxyu51b-QwqxYS5uEN_uPykmbaPAtGeMzotpqcfzRvx4dJew_TMUe4oY4pRv6BH4kzkAmWblYI0PVJU5ORzmGYNZKwTmi8xtA_Ux0wMk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jTYWDhX_4gz9F2FTvBqYxLaQvzb1CO7sQY-Hxyu51b-QwqxYS5uEN_uPykmbaPAtGeMzotpqcfzRvx4dJew_TMUe4oY4pRv6BH4kzkAmWblYI0PVJU5ORzmGYNZKwTmi8xtA_Ux0wMk/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We put blankets around the chicken coop to keep the wind out, and took boiling water out to heat up the chicken's water because the entire bucket would freeze solid in a matter of hours. They mostly stayed in their coop for the duration, but were also fine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also played a fun game of "fridge/freezer are too warm and our food will spoil so let's put everything outside but not for too long or else the stuff from the fridge will freeze." The ice cream stayed outside for the duration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJs0NbIhVs56PJLtEorncGM9FvsQ7_KLhi6hO6M7vAfyBGuv2h0BB6s_HXsi5P6HQ-eMTvKAGUoM3LL3h78bp3g6xzSmnCM1RaiVq4qjoyhcL95p11pSIoI7LrR8bI0u3NZDeHzE9dx0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJs0NbIhVs56PJLtEorncGM9FvsQ7_KLhi6hO6M7vAfyBGuv2h0BB6s_HXsi5P6HQ-eMTvKAGUoM3LL3h78bp3g6xzSmnCM1RaiVq4qjoyhcL95p11pSIoI7LrR8bI0u3NZDeHzE9dx0/w400-h300/IMG_9710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We finally got power back after almost 72 hours (I'm sure by now everyone has heard about all the fun with ERCOT and the $10,000 power bills, so I won't go into that). Unfortunately, much of Austin had major water line bursts, so we didn't get water back until Friday, and then we got to play a fun game of "what's broken where." Despite having turned off the water and draining the pipes, we ended up replacing the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and shower faucets in the cottage. We also replaced a cracked galvanized cold water line with PEX line, which was an extra adventure because there are no replacement parts to be had ANYWHERE. We're not great plumbers in the best of times, so jury-rigging replacement plumbing was even more fun. And no, we couldn't call a plumber because there were plenty of folks with problems WAY worse than us (burst lines in the attic) and the response time for plumbers was understandable weeks out. We also blew three spigots, since frost-free spigots are not a thing here. Luckily we were able to just cap those and will fix them later. The biggest loss was our tankless water heater, where the copper exchange cracked. We were EXTREMELY lucky to snag a replacement on Saturday - it'll hopefully arrive on Wednesday or Thursday and then we'll install it ourselves (see above lack of available plumbers). Until then, we're taking showers at my BFFs house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVaKfvSDX6M9JPjk3bJXkCBeCNO7OiN5GKErqHKyaew5SU5ZuHjtskgdt9BQUJDm_KpUqf3pRXbBtXX_pdUbVH2vesBlr0xFejHHEc87CMjgzs3kEjZ0rKpZro5tf7BrbFqNL0Dhn4Qc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVaKfvSDX6M9JPjk3bJXkCBeCNO7OiN5GKErqHKyaew5SU5ZuHjtskgdt9BQUJDm_KpUqf3pRXbBtXX_pdUbVH2vesBlr0xFejHHEc87CMjgzs3kEjZ0rKpZro5tf7BrbFqNL0Dhn4Qc/w400-h300/IMG_9782.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ripping off the back wall of the cottage to get at the broken line.</div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Today the snow has melted and all we have to show for last week's disaster is no hot water. And we are one of the lucky ones - we had some heat, we had a way to cook, we had food and water. Even so, it was exhausting and not an experience I hope to ever repeat. We are for sure going to make some changes around here to be more resilient, because the odds seem good that something like this will happen again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For now, I'm just grateful that it's 80 degrees out and I'm not huddled literally <i>in the fireplace</i> to stay warm.</div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrEAN7GA1y7DETI3E-NnwifGYbzchwOdxDBNBkcIVbf1CPQx-oq4dSaMcGu1mb_th7ZkG64_IUrzlT39nmVKbg3LgLy9BfIcyXLFVG-rXnGz1mLfek96XQFfXP3hSCzdCMaE_K3r5FG0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrEAN7GA1y7DETI3E-NnwifGYbzchwOdxDBNBkcIVbf1CPQx-oq4dSaMcGu1mb_th7ZkG64_IUrzlT39nmVKbg3LgLy9BfIcyXLFVG-rXnGz1mLfek96XQFfXP3hSCzdCMaE_K3r5FG0/w300-h400/IMG_9736.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In summary, 0/10 do not recommend.</div><p></p>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-21208747647384794192021-01-21T10:07:00.001-06:002021-01-21T10:07:27.533-06:00Haffie-pass!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cooLjC7zCTOhUNqGvd288I64MZYX_DTySqP1WrxId7kQf_OPgFsBc8H3LnmKmwFk61bQSbNVIhyphenhyphennFcjv9fGzSrPKHGUfFWDrs0Cfwb8sH3Q-wY7rI6H-5Ik2cPEZ78znQfDyO7GTxBg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cooLjC7zCTOhUNqGvd288I64MZYX_DTySqP1WrxId7kQf_OPgFsBc8H3LnmKmwFk61bQSbNVIhyphenhyphennFcjv9fGzSrPKHGUfFWDrs0Cfwb8sH3Q-wY7rI6H-5Ik2cPEZ78znQfDyO7GTxBg/w640-h360/IMB_3257Tz.GIF" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He's less balanced to the left since he tends to fall on his left shoulder (and I need to use more left leg), but he's getting the idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DI2lBuX4L-LiwKpnTk8z0b9R0o8P4sPPTSrPx_ACG7bfAFCL3hRNpMqsQIYCwCA_CyCy284OQEyfYIUBRr6S8pSz3BWNARiFQhUeXz4_YzwjLKcdyTmjUXXNBQetTNyK_iqyzYQ83Sw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DI2lBuX4L-LiwKpnTk8z0b9R0o8P4sPPTSrPx_ACG7bfAFCL3hRNpMqsQIYCwCA_CyCy284OQEyfYIUBRr6S8pSz3BWNARiFQhUeXz4_YzwjLKcdyTmjUXXNBQetTNyK_iqyzYQ83Sw/w640-h360/IMB_xma4iY.GIF" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Considering that a month ago he really didn't understand the mechanics of a half-pass, I'm really pleased with his progress. There's so much to work on, but the basics are there! </div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-24883592823721440272020-11-20T11:20:00.000-06:002020-11-20T11:20:52.886-06:00Left leg vs right leg - picking apart the biomechanics<p>I know, I seem to be doing a bunch of biomechanics posts of late, but that's where my brain is at so that's where the blog is at.</p><p>Following up on my last post about keeping my legs close is understanding how my right and left leg are different, how that affects my riding, and what I need to do to make them more even. My left leg is the stronger leg, and tends to stay more under me and doesn't brace or swing.</p><p>Let's start with the obvious differences. In these pics, I'm not actively focused on doing anything different with my legs. Let's call this "normal": </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJKrFynX-5qPscxewEZPvG5DMhNRj3ZtuNiVx-KaU2_QomMiI_XLBCqGIyZmbJryhylU0hAhEPsSvpt8pgcYi3DLj1ovYVpLjQ44U1UlVcxo5o7J0EoneRlLOeN8Jd3-MRJec0TZPl7o/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJKrFynX-5qPscxewEZPvG5DMhNRj3ZtuNiVx-KaU2_QomMiI_XLBCqGIyZmbJryhylU0hAhEPsSvpt8pgcYi3DLj1ovYVpLjQ44U1UlVcxo5o7J0EoneRlLOeN8Jd3-MRJec0TZPl7o/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo12wEQr6miokz-YvObY_Y6RJwdv44hBqvXeINb_IMKVjLbq4rn36q3NK5ow_Xi5Wa2_Ww3OdPg3d4_WVV6TkQgf_06TGmbH5wiRxoqRY28-qTn3FchYU47y5lfXG32sA3fhz5e_qrFSM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo12wEQr6miokz-YvObY_Y6RJwdv44hBqvXeINb_IMKVjLbq4rn36q3NK5ow_Xi5Wa2_Ww3OdPg3d4_WVV6TkQgf_06TGmbH5wiRxoqRY28-qTn3FchYU47y5lfXG32sA3fhz5e_qrFSM/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps the most obvious difference here is the angle behind my knee - the right leg is MUCH more open than the left. You can also see that my lower right leg has slipped forward and is bracing on the stirrup - especially obvious because the stirrup leather is pushed forward instead of being perpendicular to the ground. My left thigh is brushing against the block and is parallel to it, while my right thigh is nowhere near the block, and the angle of the front of my thigh and the block are quite different. We could also discuss my pelvis here, which definitely affects the leg, but let's just focus on the leg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next set: I'm actively focused on "keeping my legs close."</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPppk8Y2Bl4aAsV1eFiVgBf4SvyU_fb9aRATUnYhtvk9bbqIr33eNfDmfSbUnw48_hlybpLK-et5LXV0Jqp1384tXZMZzWsG9ReOMmaVynv2pSQx5z_tY7hKM6WPFYnHXy27aOJgPKY78/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPppk8Y2Bl4aAsV1eFiVgBf4SvyU_fb9aRATUnYhtvk9bbqIr33eNfDmfSbUnw48_hlybpLK-et5LXV0Jqp1384tXZMZzWsG9ReOMmaVynv2pSQx5z_tY7hKM6WPFYnHXy27aOJgPKY78/" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lMIICr9k05BdZ4-ueEo1rI-lDcxbPIS92wpsiGjKuFoxN55vCHhpeogw2R1imymMEbwGdry2g2Yr9LQp7hrkfV8_wQnhzO9HyY3fMcxgHJNDlfgDfLwDR_LxA82W3Th1C959pGDFjUo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lMIICr9k05BdZ4-ueEo1rI-lDcxbPIS92wpsiGjKuFoxN55vCHhpeogw2R1imymMEbwGdry2g2Yr9LQp7hrkfV8_wQnhzO9HyY3fMcxgHJNDlfgDfLwDR_LxA82W3Th1C959pGDFjUo/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The angle behind my knee is more even between the right and left legs, but the right knee is still more open than the left and the lower leg is still a bit braced and forward., which you can also see in the stirrup leather still being a little in front of the vertical. There's still a big gap between the block and my thigh on the right leg, but there's no gap on my left thigh (I should note that I don't ride jammed against the block, it's more the feeling of the fabric of my breeches brushing the block). So, keeping my legs close has helped a bit, but my legs still aren't as even as they should be, and the bracing on the right leg is going to (and constantly does) cause problems.</div><br />Final set: I'm actively focused on pushing my right heel away from the horse, bending my right knee, and keeping contact between the fabric of my breeches and the thigh blocks:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQWnTGTa-FdQeDOb-_2V1fJnW-gPqGOTTSalCTmAyTzQsBHhahWKfoNv2DwOWiQj1MYw_dYwRtQNO6rqpFp0Gu1HIK1NaidQ4lB6Uf6xMnRALsTBIyMTW8LFpDqOGKUVUfwhMsP2j0E8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQWnTGTa-FdQeDOb-_2V1fJnW-gPqGOTTSalCTmAyTzQsBHhahWKfoNv2DwOWiQj1MYw_dYwRtQNO6rqpFp0Gu1HIK1NaidQ4lB6Uf6xMnRALsTBIyMTW8LFpDqOGKUVUfwhMsP2j0E8/" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIvn47_aMTBRTHFtfVGIMd5WnMIZg2Z37i_HGuUY6gaGScdoalD1sAQ41vDbHLbHy-MkQJBsU6zvDICK7KIMXKf61mwH2JPmkvlRjiO5yLKcdVAs7-eJfdiwLWujf6csrcCQlj6BgtSg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIvn47_aMTBRTHFtfVGIMd5WnMIZg2Z37i_HGuUY6gaGScdoalD1sAQ41vDbHLbHy-MkQJBsU6zvDICK7KIMXKf61mwH2JPmkvlRjiO5yLKcdVAs7-eJfdiwLWujf6csrcCQlj6BgtSg/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The behind-the-knee angles are MUCH more even here, and the right stirrup is parallel to the ground. The right thigh isn't quite parallel to the block, but there is no longer a gap between my thigh and the block.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwkZV4n_6RIaJSYW2FHv6uDf2ad0yAuCrODAU1bXzrScF8xwwrBKlhlE63qNkRghK4MmjHD7i7dnnGfdxMi95ZrOY1kd2ltQFq58Q-LVca5yN_PFMbZoSVFS1uevwTK2SWaunXmFrQVY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwkZV4n_6RIaJSYW2FHv6uDf2ad0yAuCrODAU1bXzrScF8xwwrBKlhlE63qNkRghK4MmjHD7i7dnnGfdxMi95ZrOY1kd2ltQFq58Q-LVca5yN_PFMbZoSVFS1uevwTK2SWaunXmFrQVY/w225-h400/IMG_9077.PNG" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Buuuut, I'm struggling to keep that position. You can see that my right knee has dropped down and back as I'm using my lower right leg to keep his haunches in line for the left bend. Ah well, it's a work in progress!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The biggest difference I feel when my right knee has more bend in it is that I'm not as stiff in the hip, and no longer pushing my right seatbone out of the saddle. Keeping my right thigh on has the added benefit of making me more stable in the saddle, especially during transitions, which is when I like to brace the most.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which of your legs is stronger? Do you notice an imbalance between your legs, and if so, in what ways, and how does it affect your riding?</div><br /><br /><p></p></div>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-17796997010626769212020-11-12T10:47:00.001-06:002020-11-12T10:47:38.580-06:00Keep your legs close<p>I tend to ride with my leg off the horse. From the hip all the way down.</p><p>This isn't to say I don't USE my leg and seat - I do, but I really have to make a fairly big movement to connect to the horse, especially since I'm pretty tall and I ride smallish horses. My leg has a long way to go to be able to influence the horse.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOC6DRGWKQgc136qQe-pjUzdcNhjf7C8yRUGf3CCdEM0O-cZDgriP6iCqhOhZpnz0rrM92HoElbL_fyO7eiEdof00mREnzZ7FskCf480ryIyWda9ZmeudzIHi7Ir2F5HSf1FRdGGTXUM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOC6DRGWKQgc136qQe-pjUzdcNhjf7C8yRUGf3CCdEM0O-cZDgriP6iCqhOhZpnz0rrM92HoElbL_fyO7eiEdof00mREnzZ7FskCf480ryIyWda9ZmeudzIHi7Ir2F5HSf1FRdGGTXUM/w400-h225/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Legs are in correct position for SI, but outside leg is nowhere near the horse. Inside leg is probably not being effective either given that we should be doing SI but we're definitely not.</div><p></p><p>When I rode with Mary Wanless, it was immediately obvious that my thigh was completely off the horse, as I didn't use it to post and instead posted off my stirrups. Using my thigh - but without pinching with my knee - was a revelation, but also a hard habit to get into. To this day, I struggle with keeping my thigh on (it's especially hard to keep thigh on but hip open in sitting trot!), but my lower leg is even worse.</p><p>Enter the idea of "keeping your legs close." I don't need to keep them ON, because that will just cause confusion. But I need them to be more supportive, like a very light hug, so that when I DO need to cue, I can do so immediately instead of having a time gap between when I start the cue and when it actually reaches the horse.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXdo5IoIUQ5QtHegywbbxylwQyInS9zK0OGblwabdQxo_Mc0ngdMCyZddNkFG2e8_RRbPRh_C01rAMDpgvnNIOW__CrhOMZNZLHpuUJ6rkQVmYkHFSMJ9wYxz2InnwhOh8DCxgtYXk88/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXdo5IoIUQ5QtHegywbbxylwQyInS9zK0OGblwabdQxo_Mc0ngdMCyZddNkFG2e8_RRbPRh_C01rAMDpgvnNIOW__CrhOMZNZLHpuUJ6rkQVmYkHFSMJ9wYxz2InnwhOh8DCxgtYXk88/w400-h225/IMG_9032.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No hug, Leo was easily able to pull me forward.</div><p></p><p>Turns out, having my legs actively (if quietly) engaged is also really helpful in keeping my <i>seat</i> on the horse. In downward transitions especially, or when Leo gets a little quick, I tend to brace my leg forward. This not only takes my legs forward and away from his sides, but because I'm bracing against the stirrups and literally pushing myself out of the saddle, it pops my seatbones off. In that moment, I have no way to influence the horse, either from my leg or seat. It also leaves me in a precarious position, as I am liable to have put myself behind the horse's motion, usually quickly followed by collapsing forward as the momentum catches up with me (stupid physics).</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7bDmzzJ56EOLpofWY1n9ytbFAuYDSwqjMGwQgqgdEYLZPDXQacLrepnR9AqoLaoYh4hF5g5-2KArtXMwuPss7cYZVpDku-b5NVryU8J_3m7DXlS61fIZKYgZqbmFDomeiMA4AAc0MXE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7bDmzzJ56EOLpofWY1n9ytbFAuYDSwqjMGwQgqgdEYLZPDXQacLrepnR9AqoLaoYh4hF5g5-2KArtXMwuPss7cYZVpDku-b5NVryU8J_3m7DXlS61fIZKYgZqbmFDomeiMA4AAc0MXE/w400-h225/IMG_9030.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leo fell out of the canter because my leg was forward and I was behind the motion - you can see how hollow my lower back is (another longtime struggle) and how I'm braced against the stirrups, and he's braced against me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, my job for the next while is to actively "keep my legs close" AT ALL TIMES when riding. This helps my balance (and therefore Leo's), AND it means I can support him more quickly when he needs a bit of help. It also magically fixed his tendency to fall out on his left shoulder when tracking right (who knew a little outside thigh could keep your horse straight??), rescue his haunches when he wants to travel with a hind leg out, and it means I can be quicker when I ask for small changes of bend, a titch more impulsion... all those things you actually need your legs for. WHO KNEW?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMz-Oqwah57QG_BNkjyT9ARu52jt2aNbc5dYlUjovsq2eOuZeer__5t7t9FPLI4CzaNFPmFqRSkbLMinTBM8NM6pZ0ZQTfIrRM5QYvDrBapVGF3mN6eISAf85E3mVxbPvUTydWvlNjRM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMz-Oqwah57QG_BNkjyT9ARu52jt2aNbc5dYlUjovsq2eOuZeer__5t7t9FPLI4CzaNFPmFqRSkbLMinTBM8NM6pZ0ZQTfIrRM5QYvDrBapVGF3mN6eISAf85E3mVxbPvUTydWvlNjRM/w640-h360/IMG_9033.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still a lot to work on, but he was super balanced and light in this moment, and so was I. I want more of this!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, today is the third anniversary of the time <a href="https://pieceofheaven1951.blogspot.com/2017/11/upate-5-of-5-fairytale-ending.html">Taran and I went to USDF Nationals</a>. It's still the highlight of my riding career, and I will never forget the little grey pony who took me so far. May he rest in peace.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZDmg2nAkPCjnkt5A7PP9ce4tMn9aiBe23mHcLQQqsARKmNJ8VQixtdTkxMuwI0Iai0MaXus4w_n6R0BT6lGxcLMDmp2jEVPjwGIiWj1Bd9XIQeA9RSW9IdAe5rvQ75Wp4uo00xme-nc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZDmg2nAkPCjnkt5A7PP9ce4tMn9aiBe23mHcLQQqsARKmNJ8VQixtdTkxMuwI0Iai0MaXus4w_n6R0BT6lGxcLMDmp2jEVPjwGIiWj1Bd9XIQeA9RSW9IdAe5rvQ75Wp4uo00xme-nc/w240-h320/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Victory lap in the Alltech <3</div><br /><br /></div><br /><p></p>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-21415595147273331032020-11-03T11:42:00.003-06:002020-11-03T11:55:55.981-06:00How a piece of bailing twine made my horse uphill (really!)<p>As a short-backed, short-necked drafty breed, Leo isn't exactly the most uphill creature on the planet. While he's not <i>built</i> downhill, he's also not a naturally uphill kind of guy. Plus, we've been working on stretching down and out and relaxing his underneck muscle, which sets him on his forehand. I also have an unfortunate habit of riding him a little (ok sometimes a lot) over-tempo, which <i>also</i> dumps him on his forehand.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVI0kZGmX470WVDDm39ASgwGBbwE8ZqPpKV2LZs3L_xzySNXFED6yIepLB0Nvg0_gqSSi_rya1sN3recFZ_S9eaNSFoJWvQ1eOYYCAvc1taPqfYq_JA-qewNEiXciqO2pmyxrBZGsaWc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVI0kZGmX470WVDDm39ASgwGBbwE8ZqPpKV2LZs3L_xzySNXFED6yIepLB0Nvg0_gqSSi_rya1sN3recFZ_S9eaNSFoJWvQ1eOYYCAvc1taPqfYq_JA-qewNEiXciqO2pmyxrBZGsaWc/w400-h225/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Definitely over-tempo and on his forehand here - the RH is about to leave the ground but the LF is still solidly weight-bearing. Oops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, how to get your horse off the forehand 101? For me that has always been lots of transitions, and usually it works well. But while the result is overall pleasant, it's not enough to make the 2nd level movements consistently easy or get his shoulders mobile enough for the fancy stuff at 3rd. Plus, it doesn't take much for me to get tense and pull a bit, and for him to dump down and not be able to recover without a major reset (think halt-reinback).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RlUUr1UX-Uo" width="320" youtube-src-id="RlUUr1UX-Uo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is pleasant but it's kind of blah.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are these nagging problems, like our change of direction in trot tends to be rushed for a few steps because we lose balance. Or the first full stride in the canter transition is huge because we've lost balance. Or I let him get behind my leg and he loses balance. Etc etc etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enter the lowly piece of bailing twine:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEETd001bmry7I449Yevo97AqNrObwKCdGEElijahoSuoGdNmQyov41CdsYoBbpIzYTI2bjLyso7JjPbk6NjmpBaWSstpDvX9btyjvFCJhZnm9Jr_ie2AUMou4MKqEsDlpSLJYTe7sZpo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEETd001bmry7I449Yevo97AqNrObwKCdGEElijahoSuoGdNmQyov41CdsYoBbpIzYTI2bjLyso7JjPbk6NjmpBaWSstpDvX9btyjvFCJhZnm9Jr_ie2AUMou4MKqEsDlpSLJYTe7sZpo/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You too can have one of these super fancy training gadgets!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I swear you guys, this thing is MAGIC. I held it between my middle and index fingers with minimal tension around his neck, and right away I could <i>feel</i> his chest push down and out. Obviously I could see it too, since his poll drops, and I could feel it in my seat as well, but the feeling of the chest going down and out was really something new. All I needed to do was raise my hands up (straight up, not back) an inch or so, and that reminded him to lift his chest back up. It also helped me sit a bit deeper in the saddle in that moment, essentially half-halting with my seat, further encouraging his chest up and his pelvis under. All that <i>without</i> touching his face! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>The first day of the clinic, I used it quite a lot. The second day, Leo came out MUCH lighter in the front with very little help from the twine. My job was to rebalance him every.single.time he got a bit heavy in front - no more "oops" and don't fix it moments. I got much better and faster at helping him, and relied on the twine less and less. By the third day, he was a bit tired but he felt SO much more balanced - more engaged behind and up in front. Moving his shoulders around felt effortless, and I finally got my legs situated so I could control his hind end better (that's for another post though). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are videos of trot and canter each day, for comparison:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WROB0ihhKfk" width="320" youtube-src-id="WROB0ihhKfk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trot progression</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AoZdwWFOnSI" width="320" youtube-src-id="AoZdwWFOnSI"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Canter progression</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hopefully you can see (and hear) when he gets down in front and when he feels more balanced. I think he was best on the second day, but there is a lot to like about the third day as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I plan to continue to ride with the twine to help with feel and balance, although I will likely just start our rides holding it and then let it lay on his neck. It has really been a great teaching tool, allowing me to feel the "chest down" sensation in a whole new way. I need to be 100% committed to NOT allowing him to get his shoulders down, EVER. That also means that *I* cannot get my shoulders forward or look down, because it affects his balance so much. But the feeling when he is truly balanced and uphill is just so incredible and easy, I can't wait until that is our new normal!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cKFooGtcVxVNI_-8sVJx4P2sG3zIL8hDK2JhSsGvCO3728DzAnDsCCgq7x6d7HapY0_8DwJ8ldJMUU5MK_9yQn_03Vutf0TzFgEjvb6dOOtT-NKg_rxEqZ_wwxJMjjnZfHNG7hhkphw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cKFooGtcVxVNI_-8sVJx4P2sG3zIL8hDK2JhSsGvCO3728DzAnDsCCgq7x6d7HapY0_8DwJ8ldJMUU5MK_9yQn_03Vutf0TzFgEjvb6dOOtT-NKg_rxEqZ_wwxJMjjnZfHNG7hhkphw/w400-h225/IMG_8963.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">More of this please!</div></div>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-5250182117466887092020-10-14T11:50:00.001-05:002020-10-14T11:50:09.623-05:00Another schooling show: It could have been worse<p>Our local GMO is continuing to hold safe, socially-distanced schooling shows, so Leo and I did another one last weekend and rode 2-1 twice. It was a new venue, and based on our lack of warmup at the last show, I planned to leave PLENTY of time for him to get comfortable.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln1o7W2K-Gkugf988HOb9Qk4WC61kQhHGpGtlCYlf_m9KRBKtyFDkm8U8fShd3wjiCmQG6LPgVLdFdWFGLKzmdwrPzvzXMM8Sgs9hqQugNktfIh9v9C-qNb4MLU1Q6oQ68MwLl57uTiY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln1o7W2K-Gkugf988HOb9Qk4WC61kQhHGpGtlCYlf_m9KRBKtyFDkm8U8fShd3wjiCmQG6LPgVLdFdWFGLKzmdwrPzvzXMM8Sgs9hqQugNktfIh9v9C-qNb4MLU1Q6oQ68MwLl57uTiY/" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also needed time to do something with this mop.</div><p></p><p>And it's a good thing I did. He was totally chill for tacking and grooming at the trailer, and was good for our 10 minute walk in-hand to look at some things. The arena was pretty scary - mirrors at one end, big judge's booth at the other, pallets and hay bales stacked on the uphill side, and it was away from everyone else. He took exception to a giant smoker outside the arena but was otherwise reasonable. A little up, as one might expect of a young horse on a cool morning in a strange place, but nothing bad.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I_Vh8Y4JPwqTMn82UxDXjlr0JZSHDZhyphenhypheno6WGRI7mizZtUrS7NVxj-OJW4jrF8cR69I5Z0-tAwSmRbWwvKA9xpk_stXoaeuYkHKZJFk5SSSoSPb9eALQ2HwON5VHUkqbYuu3WdbMyOW4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I_Vh8Y4JPwqTMn82UxDXjlr0JZSHDZhyphenhypheno6WGRI7mizZtUrS7NVxj-OJW4jrF8cR69I5Z0-tAwSmRbWwvKA9xpk_stXoaeuYkHKZJFk5SSSoSPb9eALQ2HwON5VHUkqbYuu3WdbMyOW4/w400-h225/IMG_8815.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can we talk about how scary this arena was for a moment?</div><p></p><p>I hopped on and started walking on the grass outside the teeny warmup space. I had planned to do a lot of walking on a long rein, then gradually pick him up, like we do at home. About two minutes in, he did this very odd squeal-and-strike move which he has never done before. I laughed it off and we kept walking, although my husband said, "Well that was weird" as we walked past him. Shortly after, Leo squealed, hopped and twisted, then kicked out. He has NEVER done anything like that in the two years I've had him, so I took the hint and (heart pounding) got off. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-mVqDxLfn6TdJ_zDeoHHg8H-zFB_ixENhEvOGC-4a4BJIhwYoheEtdcQxJtlpu-4J-DPxEBBC8V6HnPNoNvihVQYNVmujp-BagfKJt9q7djjMPx8X-CDeFXcWk3v2Q1_MfujSuoc2ZM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-mVqDxLfn6TdJ_zDeoHHg8H-zFB_ixENhEvOGC-4a4BJIhwYoheEtdcQxJtlpu-4J-DPxEBBC8V6HnPNoNvihVQYNVmujp-BagfKJt9q7djjMPx8X-CDeFXcWk3v2Q1_MfujSuoc2ZM/w400-h225/IMG_8861.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At least our Pumpkin Spice Haffie outfit worked out!</div><p></p><p>Luckily there was a round pen on site, so we went over, I stripped off his bridle, then stepped back and told him to "go play." He took off bucking and squealing, which he continued to do both directions for about ten minutes. I haven't had to lunge this horse in probably 18 months, so this was <i>completely</i> out of character for him. In hindsight, I'm SO glad he was polite enough to let me know he needed some time to play instead of just dumping me (because he <i>absolutely</i> could have dumped me), and I'm glad I heeded his warning. Note to self: pack lunge equipment from now on, because he may need a little time on the line at shows.</p><p>By the time he was done playing, he was blowing and steaming, and we only had about ten minutes before our ride. I re-bridled him and hopped back on to a much more relaxed-feeling pony. It turned out the rider before us had scratched, so we did our warmup in the actual dressage arena. I crammed in as many transitions as I could, and getting him to focus on me. When the bell finally rang, I felt at least prepared if not completely ready.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlALe0dHs4vJJ-U8SscjhI02-hMzx-WQjnuK38fbcLK4eIkzkSOQIy53RBdYm6HZPPTYCTJN8wSwxmugdgMVNx-GcCjh5xRArJajtd-HjJDtRTzGAlZQn-4HLHQkKgeDIT07ClFapMmhE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlALe0dHs4vJJ-U8SscjhI02-hMzx-WQjnuK38fbcLK4eIkzkSOQIy53RBdYm6HZPPTYCTJN8wSwxmugdgMVNx-GcCjh5xRArJajtd-HjJDtRTzGAlZQn-4HLHQkKgeDIT07ClFapMmhE/w400-h225/IMG_8818.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Supposed to be shoulder in. Is definitely not shoulder in. Significant amounts of side-eye though.</div><p></p><p>Annnd we actually put in a focused, mostly mistake-free test? He was not at all collected - between running in the round pen and our lack of warmup, he just wasn't really on my seat the way he is at home, and was heavier in my hand than usual. But he did all the things where he was supposed to more or less how he was supposed to, and did not look at a single thing for the entire ride. Considering how we started the day, I will absolutely take it!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBMV0JWDQ63XhMk3ZuE-4nAz6DEgvs2vC0Wpve0r_hOg14RUMZ76Ze3BwAVaFhtGa9TQrqW1Gsqkt45fiOJfqdS0rdYQvJ6Wqm__5b_ysJvk2_gJ-CRhS-KQRQDUDRpqicj9XEYfgtTQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBMV0JWDQ63XhMk3ZuE-4nAz6DEgvs2vC0Wpve0r_hOg14RUMZ76Ze3BwAVaFhtGa9TQrqW1Gsqkt45fiOJfqdS0rdYQvJ6Wqm__5b_ysJvk2_gJ-CRhS-KQRQDUDRpqicj9XEYfgtTQ/w400-h225/IMG_8817.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I kept trying to rebalance this medium trot but nope. You can see how much he's on the forehand given his RH is almost off the ground but his weight is still supported by his LF. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are so, so many things that need work, and I can't reproduce what we have at home off-site yet. We still don't have the warmup we need to produce quality work, and I have enough problems with my own balance and straightness that I can't help him enough when things go south.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6coquJcsE1RMwtunm5qmyhohga7OTHFmhNDlAFEckLl4l8BCa65NILsv1hm8eaWyAYJurthmFKOIXQjIyqNt1oPOexDxpblSfGmVWrxpPyNobw7Gry-totXezFFnFU2L_B3hba5APio/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6coquJcsE1RMwtunm5qmyhohga7OTHFmhNDlAFEckLl4l8BCa65NILsv1hm8eaWyAYJurthmFKOIXQjIyqNt1oPOexDxpblSfGmVWrxpPyNobw7Gry-totXezFFnFU2L_B3hba5APio/" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like this 10 m canter circle which is definitely larger than 10 m.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVuIVB9EMeGs2FETLdy4HEejLIsRTzdtyoo6BHZsUvLFHjaUX1jiDb-vB7nyNUVe_tHTKP5BoKP3brfjm6d1kZd4RQ8IU5oundJqylGKg_7LZm9Pii5dLIWTyzQgelT3WCnFMP4UjgaA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVuIVB9EMeGs2FETLdy4HEejLIsRTzdtyoo6BHZsUvLFHjaUX1jiDb-vB7nyNUVe_tHTKP5BoKP3brfjm6d1kZd4RQ8IU5oundJqylGKg_7LZm9Pii5dLIWTyzQgelT3WCnFMP4UjgaA/w400-h225/IMG_8860.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Probably because of how crooked I get at times. Lawdy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, the test scored a 64.5%, which felt generous. We pulled some 7s for the canter work and walk work, but he just needs more collection and our mediums in all gaits need more ground cover. I feel like this is something that will get better as he gets stronger - I see glimpses of it at home, but sustained power and balance just don't exist yet. And it's not as if he's got ground-covering gaits to begin with!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did the test a second time, but only had two rides between tests so I kept it to walk work and a few canter transitions. Honestly, I should have just scratched the second one, as he too tired to put in a better effort. We made our way around, but blew <i>all three canter departs</i> (ugh, like the previous show) and he was even more strung out for this test. We finished with a 60.7%, but it felt like it should have been in the 58% range. Oh well, lesson learned, and that's really what these schooling shows are all about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There aren't any more schooling shows this year, but there is a rated show at the same venue in early December with local judges. I'm tempted to go so Leo can experience an overnight show, but we'll see where we are in another few weeks. I'd actually need to like... find my show coat, which hasn't seen the light of day since <a href="https://pieceofheaven1951.blogspot.com/2018/12/finally-third-level.html" target="_blank">November 2018</a>, when Taran and I went third level for the first and only time. Sniff... fond memories. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1c4wcuflqGY" width="320" youtube-src-id="1c4wcuflqGY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Video of the first test</div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-1013079250636405972020-10-05T10:06:00.000-05:002020-10-05T10:06:48.346-05:00A schooling show with Leo<p>While I know a lot of folks are frustrated at having to put their showing on hold for at least part of this year, I've actually enjoyed having no pressure to do anything other than have fun with ponies. This has made my riding kind of sporadic, but it's also given me the time to really pick apart things and slowly build up our skills. I've spent a lot of time working on my biomechanical issues - which, let's be real, those will be forever a work in progress. While I haven't been at all rushed, Leo's training has come along quickly, which I find kind of surprising given my lack of focus. </p><p>Unfortunately, the lack of focus and show goals has left us with some odd holes in his training. He does a brilliant walk pirouette, but our trot leg yield is sketchy at best. His walk/canter is really coming along (I set him up correctly obvs) but the canter/walk is more like a sliding stop because we've never <i>quite</i> gotten over that "big whoa" that was installed during his first 60 days with a cowboy. </p><p>Anywho, our local GMO has started holding schooling shows again, and I had a bit of an itch to do something, so I signed us up. Due to aforementioned training holes, the question was... which tests? 1-3 was doable (with questionable leg yields), but it has SO MUCH CANTERING in it. Leo isn't in the best of shape, plus he's a hairy yak and I knew it would be in the 90s during the show, so getting through 1-3 seemed like a big ask. We did a fairly respectable rendition of 2-1 the weekend before the show, and it's a much shorter test, so I opted to go with that.</p><p>The show was run well as usual (our GMO is AWESOME!), and people <i>mostly</i> followed the mask and distancing mandates. We kept our masks on and showed out of the trailer, so we had no contact with anyone other than waving to a few friends. I gotta say, it was so nice to see folks, even if from a distance. I'm a huge introvert by nature, but apparently after 6 months of mostly staying home, even I am desperate for humans!</p><p>Sadly, I didn't give us nearly enough time for warmup before our first ride. Leo's been such a solid guy at home, I keep forgetting he's 6 and doesn't have much travel experience, so the 20 minutes I'd allotted for warmup was just not enough. As a result, we went into the first test with him not at all over his back due to tension, so we really struggled. He tried so hard to do all the things, but just couldn't given his level of tension. I've never had a test with so many mistakes (cantered in the medium trot, bolted in the 10 m canter circle, missed 2/3 leads in the w/c departs), but we corrected each one and moved on. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqMeL8ncmZp2c6JUGf9Ex1roG1I1HQHbqVOf6aPEoB1wYsfSjlydPtz6Iq4LRVgSHYDzHag3nW5yn4NDa5HcUrd22IsYmWSWuOY51GiR_hNsDJGMSpCvDa2xDKSbJluFr5T5HgdFSrHc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqMeL8ncmZp2c6JUGf9Ex1roG1I1HQHbqVOf6aPEoB1wYsfSjlydPtz6Iq4LRVgSHYDzHag3nW5yn4NDa5HcUrd22IsYmWSWuOY51GiR_hNsDJGMSpCvDa2xDKSbJluFr5T5HgdFSrHc/w400-h225/IMG_8646.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have no idea what caused this bolt, but we got it back together within two strides and finished the 10 meter <strike>circle</strike> blob.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjqOtrKcASBfmT-0HNlJeT7J069PeusFcUkye8Hm5gls4XeK8CKCM2fOr60Zf730m880voP0D9dRsRVh19maHdn2rIrodm5JdjmoZD8MQ92PLZavKuc-J0STMOYflWhXCNJyJ-9ZhXYo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjqOtrKcASBfmT-0HNlJeT7J069PeusFcUkye8Hm5gls4XeK8CKCM2fOr60Zf730m880voP0D9dRsRVh19maHdn2rIrodm5JdjmoZD8MQ92PLZavKuc-J0STMOYflWhXCNJyJ-9ZhXYo/w400-h225/IMG_8653.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When your mum does a craptastic job of setting up for the canter depart and you somehow miraculously rearrange your legs to get the correct lead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FNMif5iaZhP_VepWwl7pUKHubySTbXF0ZIt8sDH4dnaTu7Yd2DDJn8zTMJ5N9E7HMJR1L111A6HfVrm1W2avYUQLofV7yvJGbOGWUMJJQDroHDLiW0Rlctm8EMPlJvQ1Hobl9RCUmG8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2001" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FNMif5iaZhP_VepWwl7pUKHubySTbXF0ZIt8sDH4dnaTu7Yd2DDJn8zTMJ5N9E7HMJR1L111A6HfVrm1W2avYUQLofV7yvJGbOGWUMJJQDroHDLiW0Rlctm8EMPlJvQ1Hobl9RCUmG8/w400-h225/IMG_8655.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our second medium trot was our best one yet! He needs to be more up in front, but he was really allowing his shoulder to come forward, and he stayed super balanced under me. </div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Having got the first test out of the way, we had a few rides to reorganize. I worked on more relaxation and lateral work for uphill balance, then sharpened up our transitions a bit. Unfortunately it was quite warm so we were both running out of steam for the second ride, and it showed in the judge's consistent comments of "needs better uphill balance". We were both much more relaxed though, and the test was mistake-free. Of course we need better mediums all around, but he's a pro at coming back to collected canter, so that scored well. He also got an 8.0 on his free walk, which I will 100% take.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOj6b3KR82A7BjaTKhIzmKrNvRqs5YaezkIGMH3kxfpBE6tWjGq7ID_VU87ntiXhPiDv_WXkGrbxF8dFHRK5qvRVSaKMZ91AdzBlMdpBciDsH255hyaLPATpksVqV9jEbxzFAw_sy40o/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="817" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOj6b3KR82A7BjaTKhIzmKrNvRqs5YaezkIGMH3kxfpBE6tWjGq7ID_VU87ntiXhPiDv_WXkGrbxF8dFHRK5qvRVSaKMZ91AdzBlMdpBciDsH255hyaLPATpksVqV9jEbxzFAw_sy40o/w267-h400/86505581-0V8A9280.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reasonably balanced in the counter-canter. Photo used with purchase.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7N14Kk3yaaAOVO5TOlj9Tamw2-xyrGKsa0s-XPk3GcnTFfX0DMYPqe15BRuPg4krZft2XyBbruoFsLxl1mdrcaaNIyUZOCTYYL-Z0KSJAVxJp4wneFx8CpLUZ8lECOBJHd3v1uSEzHQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1226" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7N14Kk3yaaAOVO5TOlj9Tamw2-xyrGKsa0s-XPk3GcnTFfX0DMYPqe15BRuPg4krZft2XyBbruoFsLxl1mdrcaaNIyUZOCTYYL-Z0KSJAVxJp4wneFx8CpLUZ8lECOBJHd3v1uSEzHQ/w400-h266/86505582-0V8A9223+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were pretty tired by the time we got to the final medium trot (and you can see that my face matches my shirt lol), but we did it! Photo used with purchase.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The judge was extremely generous in our first test, in some cases giving us 5s where a 3 or even a 2 probably would have been more appropriate lol. I feel like it should have scored around 57-58%, but it scored a 62%. Our second test was much more consistent but not as uphill, and scored a 65%, which I still felt was quite high. Still, I will happily take those scores and work on areas where I know we can do better.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Overall, it was a really good learning experience for both of us, and a nice low-key way to get back into the show ring. There's another show in October at a different venue, so I hope to go to that as well to get Leo more experience, and to get myself back into the rhythm of competing. He's a good kid, we just need miles!</div></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-51546276755301591932020-09-18T12:37:00.001-05:002020-09-18T12:39:41.559-05:00Yellowstone National Park photos<p>Geez, it's been a while. Feels like years, and maybe it has been. We're all fine here, I hope you are too, and have found ways to work within the craziness that is 2020.</p><p>I keep writing blog posts in my head while doing horse chores; it's a great time to solve life's problems. The thing is, I never manage to write them down. Maybe this post means I'll get back to blogging, maybe not. No promises.</p><p>In August, after not leaving the house for anything more than groceries since March, we decided to head to Yellowstone National Park. We took our truck camper and everything we needed for the 10 day trip, which meant we only had to stop for gas. In fact, the only time we went inside a building the entire 10 days was to get some t-shirts at Yellowstone and some craft beer that hubby wanted. So as far as socially-distanced holidays go, it worked well. It was also SUPER nice to just get away from our house for a while and do something different.</p><p>So without further ado, have some pictures from Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXd9Mo-U669utItUu_4hXFGwrJZsomaVogiQOCjzZTJqJq6xHJAdwZ9lK_dcw-q5gdQwGZWe9bnDaMCzSCpo5Zb-0BDwuq5hOndVhmxavBaVJ1ZC9xQHj2gjLYRaQVU-hn-qKU7Sw6Ls/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXd9Mo-U669utItUu_4hXFGwrJZsomaVogiQOCjzZTJqJq6xHJAdwZ9lK_dcw-q5gdQwGZWe9bnDaMCzSCpo5Zb-0BDwuq5hOndVhmxavBaVJ1ZC9xQHj2gjLYRaQVU-hn-qKU7Sw6Ls/w400-h300/IMG_8275.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Our first night in Wyoming, we parked in a friend's driveway near Dubois and had this amazing view.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqDy_HmfCAI2Cf7c6plZj_hOuloNhpru5UqypsHvvAAn8AngJiFyFw13P68PNcBXWRcYrzzH4euyPrDSPW7yls6TEzYGFHV4jDLTV_IXHBfUM46FyKWbw_q_1dz8BuXfz0-u1980oKak/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqDy_HmfCAI2Cf7c6plZj_hOuloNhpru5UqypsHvvAAn8AngJiFyFw13P68PNcBXWRcYrzzH4euyPrDSPW7yls6TEzYGFHV4jDLTV_IXHBfUM46FyKWbw_q_1dz8BuXfz0-u1980oKak/" width="180" /></a><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvTlgmpOeen1w9SH7CAns8WKo5mNC6i8XxzZLwiGcmhosfzCOURR_DXVsfj0p6esayLAMKo_lY212t2bSr98DoZXLlx4o4ka_0Yr6FFX79WpsRsvKZ-1plaUXRB6G6_3jAYkgBHjR9T8/" style="text-align: left;" width="180" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jade Lake and wildflowers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujRljBT-_hSIuRAlgrxjsel8tJIKxMZBh5adXDK5ifw0_GP2MK0vKvYzhzfcPBTksImne3aGPgxaLRLIa3lStBBSJ-f6DYYsf4-3xvoFREmkLAZH7aYdG92nYdVq5JddkqCwprnzFZk4/" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grand Tetons from near Dubois</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw8ZXAR2EC2y3P8vlmcEPfiwYFL6y2xAHSVDlGu5AP4OKVTpG3A9s-yVZQffv8XuEG0tDy382yzmiBLEsGbXS2pMa3EQOmm5gBbtx2fRGS6zV3fe325g__jU4gl4LqESWrSzH7WpagsI/" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were SO MANY geysers and pools in Yellowstone, all of which have names, but I don't remember them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovtBcdF_QnFZYhGmEUgdgDl3L-TzR0t1AYphxnCjW4EIbSz2CWtfzgclPDKfmC4SGDt-zIDgxP9bwz8NGWegasXFqfq0M31dsuohZHwllL4WCMawWU5P7aCyTBBBYh3Gtr8GPpCHurHg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovtBcdF_QnFZYhGmEUgdgDl3L-TzR0t1AYphxnCjW4EIbSz2CWtfzgclPDKfmC4SGDt-zIDgxP9bwz8NGWegasXFqfq0M31dsuohZHwllL4WCMawWU5P7aCyTBBBYh3Gtr8GPpCHurHg/w300-h400/IMG_8357.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mammoth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9KEcCFfQX3lQ0rIpcEoiLtEWUgh2jsyoICrlLyUnV17QhaLsqnIuFGlxfD3dMj9lbGFkXkkrsHA6jiyTEHsQngx3sGMITqsKQ4huhpR03mpNzIJ4EWvgol8xy4FU5QvzaNAauaywcPE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9KEcCFfQX3lQ0rIpcEoiLtEWUgh2jsyoICrlLyUnV17QhaLsqnIuFGlxfD3dMj9lbGFkXkkrsHA6jiyTEHsQngx3sGMITqsKQ4huhpR03mpNzIJ4EWvgol8xy4FU5QvzaNAauaywcPE/w400-h300/IMG_8385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfGunY1ZdcdgXpDo9SBSUofNz19E9TqgfHvhtczbdWySzYFnywfwoyARd_7mLVMi-6DD42p2lNhzYe8jwLj4e-xizf44pPs8nJRqgh2aEEuS1WkzRZ-u-DuHX1it5E6zXUDvLHoabvlM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfGunY1ZdcdgXpDo9SBSUofNz19E9TqgfHvhtczbdWySzYFnywfwoyARd_7mLVMi-6DD42p2lNhzYe8jwLj4e-xizf44pPs8nJRqgh2aEEuS1WkzRZ-u-DuHX1it5E6zXUDvLHoabvlM/w400-h300/IMG_8338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08itCkc8F4Q0KID0XPvhuc3mM6yA2PSu0tbv0tS5hCDKXbfWpyaBP9VM6zlZNVF43G3rLSqvDDeElRDF9mqAVoI9CH3FZtKLYMbiywlgc9hafgeyPg7Mkhj_-6IwpF7Fph7edexB6QNw/w300-h400/IMG_8379.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="300" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were really roughing it in the wilds of Wyoming hahaha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6qpAE4pan68xxqg4IvyMsmPZBss-BE31iJXvdq1RGW3XUkDE0MjuRLQpBFLCI_pu24zucke0JbCx5wnlkiiYmxs6ae7VY-oEl09zcR3qtmMds_DIgenEyclRvUJDs6g6XH9L3OctPEA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6qpAE4pan68xxqg4IvyMsmPZBss-BE31iJXvdq1RGW3XUkDE0MjuRLQpBFLCI_pu24zucke0JbCx5wnlkiiYmxs6ae7VY-oEl09zcR3qtmMds_DIgenEyclRvUJDs6g6XH9L3OctPEA/w400-h300/IMG_8347.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGWGybmVtSWsxgWo9qQuSoO7Qc3-l_W9LcVk1i4g3YmsX1Sxf7AM1BrUZJ07P2VcCHJT7yqlHbEiWjU3pNg5zcNR38IDi7ASHcKn3la6B3Y4Vurdflx1M4QIssMmsiXPDcB3kiU5QkFs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGWGybmVtSWsxgWo9qQuSoO7Qc3-l_W9LcVk1i4g3YmsX1Sxf7AM1BrUZJ07P2VcCHJT7yqlHbEiWjU3pNg5zcNR38IDi7ASHcKn3la6B3Y4Vurdflx1M4QIssMmsiXPDcB3kiU5QkFs/w400-h300/IMG_8333.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looks like it's from another planet, doesn't it?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0tL6r13mIjtDKK53Xg4d5JK9LrlDs-FxRwx3jnti_yfUldsI_PF3rQHMO65lO729dJe8krFtnTxTs-y1au6Z7mYL5SUpLTQ82-sQgXcUii94kPfMRHo3JnEp4swQJ9QL9GyjZi0w5G4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0tL6r13mIjtDKK53Xg4d5JK9LrlDs-FxRwx3jnti_yfUldsI_PF3rQHMO65lO729dJe8krFtnTxTs-y1au6Z7mYL5SUpLTQ82-sQgXcUii94kPfMRHo3JnEp4swQJ9QL9GyjZi0w5G4/w480-h640/IMG_8394.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one looks bottomless</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-lynWuF3pDXGdRGrBnJTzfk90yNyT7qVdEenRztQeZm1kOTHAiHTYvJ0AxGZrHXOZ5qWWVweR_ptGWQFlf8LhFcaGDojap48Vg1td0SUXoP2rOGtikVVbPu4qoz64VmQBfFLaDeQXms/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-lynWuF3pDXGdRGrBnJTzfk90yNyT7qVdEenRztQeZm1kOTHAiHTYvJ0AxGZrHXOZ5qWWVweR_ptGWQFlf8LhFcaGDojap48Vg1td0SUXoP2rOGtikVVbPu4qoz64VmQBfFLaDeQXms/w400-h300/IMG_8399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The different color rings are formed by different bacteria that live in the scalding waters.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwG0dTZ_FPmcamaJrMBS7ufIpr27Y0vX8XArDPUR4EgF04ZgB73BkYZ9NJqU1Tx_18GZX7W5A2brxmaUj6zEpU7bT5eOlBKDbzKrZTxo-e2AS-XIfDbn41r_WW72l0qEzODU76RGhyphenhyphen0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwG0dTZ_FPmcamaJrMBS7ufIpr27Y0vX8XArDPUR4EgF04ZgB73BkYZ9NJqU1Tx_18GZX7W5A2brxmaUj6zEpU7bT5eOlBKDbzKrZTxo-e2AS-XIfDbn41r_WW72l0qEzODU76RGhyphenhyphen0/w400-h300/IMG_8408.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The blue/white pools are the hottest, near boiling.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-6GdS-Jy8QWNbTvahMbLoxGSIyqexu5vt-lMQkDk5m7p19F3pzvTVFPAzgJez3ZaQ4bEpnB-S8S3n_FOD54l8u1rvT9AVJCDoCMj34XY1brgThhF86DBnN_L9RnQaJsnNMxDXZ1s6Yk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-6GdS-Jy8QWNbTvahMbLoxGSIyqexu5vt-lMQkDk5m7p19F3pzvTVFPAzgJez3ZaQ4bEpnB-S8S3n_FOD54l8u1rvT9AVJCDoCMj34XY1brgThhF86DBnN_L9RnQaJsnNMxDXZ1s6Yk/w400-h300/IMG_8406.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dissolved silica sometimes builds a little "rim" around the pools</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3yLhUcjf4ZUOgP2kKCts19R1aP-ILK25xSYvcBD4kv3IxtLt6Ui8VJxQPxmuXX1nwL9cKXaNQo_X3UN4MmRnKWpKnaNE5hvKJQaaIe7ewQspqHSejANQcs1U71zUTtBzNtlvlAGe2pI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3yLhUcjf4ZUOgP2kKCts19R1aP-ILK25xSYvcBD4kv3IxtLt6Ui8VJxQPxmuXX1nwL9cKXaNQo_X3UN4MmRnKWpKnaNE5hvKJQaaIe7ewQspqHSejANQcs1U71zUTtBzNtlvlAGe2pI/w400-h300/IMG_8433.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Geophysicist hubby watching geophysics happen</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCux4t5KgrNZR6OFHufu6IZzzJJGtfPdVfgv1KXcXlrwRUqK9UwDGWGsXpXphC3SxEmmPHyvz3S4PgG6Zs_aCCOkkscD5xWDJBx10hHiB22YfMUDRt09EREVcyc26QcEs8vInDsY4KwFU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCux4t5KgrNZR6OFHufu6IZzzJJGtfPdVfgv1KXcXlrwRUqK9UwDGWGsXpXphC3SxEmmPHyvz3S4PgG6Zs_aCCOkkscD5xWDJBx10hHiB22YfMUDRt09EREVcyc26QcEs8vInDsY4KwFU/w400-h300/IMG_8443.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grand Prismatic Spring </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyUjCvER3sYEa6wPirisHZO5Iy-cS4qU-1DXcniIjScXmF3SznOJq7xEIcS5LPQ5UmQULWZGHDfvAJ-QrZjJfJN39FkMitfLiNWzTugT_43e-UEfnYpfE22wDAEsxYLa5CWWqPBjIU68/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyUjCvER3sYEa6wPirisHZO5Iy-cS4qU-1DXcniIjScXmF3SznOJq7xEIcS5LPQ5UmQULWZGHDfvAJ-QrZjJfJN39FkMitfLiNWzTugT_43e-UEfnYpfE22wDAEsxYLa5CWWqPBjIU68/w300-h400/IMG_8447.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another "rough" meal - including fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies - after a long day of hiking </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqW6MM2oU7TQeoonHWrvbr3CFKRQ_dYYZ9ANxZjfNn6_AtZiN5zec3bP8AeNP4qtWOrD78QitYuTrckAlkpA535fFEP00ApWbNv_mWJtiWKgSivs8nIfauB1qDwbJvbOXW6bejCQLJPo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqW6MM2oU7TQeoonHWrvbr3CFKRQ_dYYZ9ANxZjfNn6_AtZiN5zec3bP8AeNP4qtWOrD78QitYuTrckAlkpA535fFEP00ApWbNv_mWJtiWKgSivs8nIfauB1qDwbJvbOXW6bejCQLJPo/w360-h640/IMG_8673.PNG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also yes we did see some buffalo rather up close and personal (sorry about the bug splats on the windshield, I was not about to get out of the truck to get a better picture)</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrBRB3gzkMtujbVd9YRZnZCppoP_u0nwJgDe4YbrHb5BDTlC8V97m_Flx3K3CY8QlSvv9moikKmE3jZIOlMjd5X0XN5ppkpm063954aF9jqaAh5fHQcA2XSUb5Q-zKTWvFVw3DVNvhCI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrBRB3gzkMtujbVd9YRZnZCppoP_u0nwJgDe4YbrHb5BDTlC8V97m_Flx3K3CY8QlSvv9moikKmE3jZIOlMjd5X0XN5ppkpm063954aF9jqaAh5fHQcA2XSUb5Q-zKTWvFVw3DVNvhCI/w400-h300/IMG_8470.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grand Canyon of Yellowstone</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias2w4jzFZ-MSTF9IdO0jiHUepM8E1EYZCTkvz850UlGxss2R7KPOkKgD_TqJ1C1Hx-4j2Rs06hCIwjW31cdBqjNUCO5WKOOGqGCUYseo-Il1IqZCvLtq078hGBOQofKVn_5LQd_40270/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias2w4jzFZ-MSTF9IdO0jiHUepM8E1EYZCTkvz850UlGxss2R7KPOkKgD_TqJ1C1Hx-4j2Rs06hCIwjW31cdBqjNUCO5WKOOGqGCUYseo-Il1IqZCvLtq078hGBOQofKVn_5LQd_40270/w300-h400/IMG_8477.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More Grand Canyon of Yellowstone</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq8XS1sKn8_AEV_0oUCQ5KWn1gRbqDYIhkPdCqs0N5-B8PFFU0iwJqHhMQWAS-IXOHKaLxrM2tjm2vr2tROqto8rJDHPqKaVOBd0RyZmqp-Ngel24TjmIrWpSf6-CzX_NQhf2Sjvz0Jg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq8XS1sKn8_AEV_0oUCQ5KWn1gRbqDYIhkPdCqs0N5-B8PFFU0iwJqHhMQWAS-IXOHKaLxrM2tjm2vr2tROqto8rJDHPqKaVOBd0RyZmqp-Ngel24TjmIrWpSf6-CzX_NQhf2Sjvz0Jg/w225-h400/IMG_8524.PNG" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The one and only Old Faithful</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D9J9xiOWmTQrxbbH5qG6UhtfqalG4ehaoCcyyY2aFslmQgA0-9JIHNRfEpbZuWr55NGIdIMLW3AUhpkhSymN0NQCWrTR_AM3JsqpghyIAeiXL4I0rIcbbJMMX9JmAnfiVjC4azO5Dps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D9J9xiOWmTQrxbbH5qG6UhtfqalG4ehaoCcyyY2aFslmQgA0-9JIHNRfEpbZuWr55NGIdIMLW3AUhpkhSymN0NQCWrTR_AM3JsqpghyIAeiXL4I0rIcbbJMMX9JmAnfiVjC4azO5Dps/w400-h300/IMG_8484.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunrise over Lake Yellowstone. The lighting was incredible</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw0773iCb9iVTboslS3puMDbRDmOpdd0nl5Pe6Wt6XJwVz43vjYCp2uGQCSmZwxPlncChwDFFqYl-gIEmo9LnPuzjT2WI97W-OKkYJ0qdlWISVODj427VM2lnDpIB7-P_YWvgJts54VI/w400-h300/IMG_8490.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Really wish I'd had a better camera<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyc9Yb3XnkqcTT7ecFW8UNCLv7q7z-y7bFo_a8rKgz8uy2IyVR34pIsKlH8VXvZD-BL45dwjvH3LQl5H4uEqVo_sXWzt4_iEyQQGXD2rhAhed6vw2C3xh_g6n8Hm-22zADuMgwajUqDM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyc9Yb3XnkqcTT7ecFW8UNCLv7q7z-y7bFo_a8rKgz8uy2IyVR34pIsKlH8VXvZD-BL45dwjvH3LQl5H4uEqVo_sXWzt4_iEyQQGXD2rhAhed6vw2C3xh_g6n8Hm-22zADuMgwajUqDM/w400-h300/IMG_8497.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tiny geyser on the shores of Lake Yellowstone, with grebes paddling by</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLHuKb5NHyHX8TqzGR1kcwuws85PwRDyiNhexTxoL0WImC5H4EhgkE4db-_fSshH_22-jrEZDj9rGzy6kBE5YryWctv2QWtYZrpcq1wLoE6wqNdJ6TZ7diS9RPn9RZd5ZJF6ZMzR91VU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLHuKb5NHyHX8TqzGR1kcwuws85PwRDyiNhexTxoL0WImC5H4EhgkE4db-_fSshH_22-jrEZDj9rGzy6kBE5YryWctv2QWtYZrpcq1wLoE6wqNdJ6TZ7diS9RPn9RZd5ZJF6ZMzR91VU/w400-h300/IMG_8507.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grand Tetons</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms__1a161HK6aAlr9DsqhPm0uXdUkeR2MMwIlxGgWnDzN477hyn0zhOXRBe9i5ZEiNcx6OhdhKpjkz_r6JjNE1mwHvMed-8bxQXs25N28Aor_ERTgz1XUlhYoMra4KOwbEu6DH3pqC6M/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms__1a161HK6aAlr9DsqhPm0uXdUkeR2MMwIlxGgWnDzN477hyn0zhOXRBe9i5ZEiNcx6OhdhKpjkz_r6JjNE1mwHvMed-8bxQXs25N28Aor_ERTgz1XUlhYoMra4KOwbEu6DH3pqC6M/w400-h300/IMG_8516.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A carefully-timed and -placed picture to make it look like we were the only ones at Grand Tetons (we weren't, but honestly none of the parks were very crowded)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy10CEZ77KFoflelz9sriXfh6nPjOsPkfTuurHo6F5pnl4fwLMAOIu0o-M833zZamqSsGcXUGe-a3O2Yr2FOA4n0aJg47XFMllhisTNLlFuzz5ehmb8_dULM4zchxanoen-2aqT2UsoA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy10CEZ77KFoflelz9sriXfh6nPjOsPkfTuurHo6F5pnl4fwLMAOIu0o-M833zZamqSsGcXUGe-a3O2Yr2FOA4n0aJg47XFMllhisTNLlFuzz5ehmb8_dULM4zchxanoen-2aqT2UsoA/w400-h300/IMG_8518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dillon Reservoir outside Frisco, CO (on our way home)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope this blog finds you and yours well. Please know that I still read y'all's blogs and keep up, even if I'm not posting or commenting much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also... HI MOM!!! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PS. Maybe next time I'll write something about the horses.</div></div></div></div>jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-38456509614425322732020-02-14T14:03:00.000-06:002020-02-14T14:03:26.241-06:00Sometimes massive research projects start with a single Google image (the story of a 16th c. book on fighting from horseback)Sometime in late summer 2019, I was looking at Google images of medieval horses, and came across a sketch that I hadn’t seen before.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<ghisliero sketch=""></ghisliero><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUZU9yGaOcKxQzFV_VNfbWwlpQbQx8tBfUC07pCsyHtD6c3aFanN2Ghz0FSI7OTo3kXwEanUi8NTAVVqwpEaSkNNiXoRBfKIwO39X8OG2T2WV3YmvkDfwZVA3o9U3JYdp9XUz9R-Se-g/s1600/ghisliero+ring+joust.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUZU9yGaOcKxQzFV_VNfbWwlpQbQx8tBfUC07pCsyHtD6c3aFanN2Ghz0FSI7OTo3kXwEanUi8NTAVVqwpEaSkNNiXoRBfKIwO39X8OG2T2WV3YmvkDfwZVA3o9U3JYdp9XUz9R-Se-g/s320/ghisliero+ring+joust.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
16th c. guy on a horse? I'm intrigued.</div>
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A little digging led me to the source, <i>Regole di molti cavagliereschi essercitii,</i> by Frederico Ghislierio, published in 1587 (<a href="https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1518476n/f184.image" target="_blank">online facsimile available from BNF Gallica</a>). Although primarily a manual on Bolognese fencing, there were three chapters in the back that had to do with horses - and while the text was in Italian, I could pick out enough words to know that I really wanted to read it.<br />
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Naturally, I couldn’t find an English translation of the book. However, I know a bit of Italian, and I’d recently spent some time translating a couple of medieval French texts, so I figured I’d give it a shot. I’d “translate” a sentence, check it against Google translate, and look up anything weird on Wiktionary. Some sentences were pretty clear, but without a true understanding of Italian or fencing moves, some sentences were barely discernible. I also had a terrible problem with determining whether “he” referred to the rider, the horse, the rider’s weapon, the rider’s opponent, the opponent's weapon, or the opponent’s horse. Clearly, I needed help.<br />
<br />
Enter Mattia C., a wonderful scholar - and native Italian - who I met in July 2019 at the International Medieval Congress. I reached out and asked him if he’d be willing to help with the translation, and he agreed. Over the course of the next several weeks, we met online and, line by line, refined the translation. Luckily, Mattia is an Historical Martial Arts practitioner and has a deep understanding of the fencing moves in the text, so he was able to fill in many gaps. We were also able to piece together the somewhat awkward descriptions of riding maneuvers such as turn-on-the-forehand and turn-on-the-haunches and how they were used in combat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV3PvZ3ekDHpW5-3QOL10GkgxUMSOSzzkzyvHX70wfSqIZIGASYyJ7pSULQwWR_RRanrdsqZqssEgA1l7DP5_z6W7m0cylhIlNxg7pYTMwrTUoA8r1xLd9CXdIvessAUzDA88XoTBNKg/s1600/ghisliero+toh.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV3PvZ3ekDHpW5-3QOL10GkgxUMSOSzzkzyvHX70wfSqIZIGASYyJ7pSULQwWR_RRanrdsqZqssEgA1l7DP5_z6W7m0cylhIlNxg7pYTMwrTUoA8r1xLd9CXdIvessAUzDA88XoTBNKg/s320/ghisliero+toh.png" width="320" /></a><br />
Notice what the horse on the left is doing with his hind feet, and note the circle inscribed on the ground by his front feet.</div>
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Several sections of the text included measurements for things like the length of the jousting lane and countertilt, the length of jousting lances, and the height of the ring for practicing targeting. Measurements were given in feet and inches, but exactly how big was a Bolognese “foot” in 1587? Apparently, different city-states in Italy had different units of measurement into the 19th century when the metric system was adopted, and did you know there are <a href="https://ilcapochiave.it/2019/01/15/antiche-unita-di-misura-tra-medioevo-e-rinascimento/" target="_blank">medieval and renaissance measuring stones built into Bolognese buildings</a>? All interesting, but not particularly useful for solving my measuring problem.<br />
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Somewhere along the way, I obtained a copy of a 1572 Bolognese fencing manual by Giovanni dall’Agocchie (<a href="https://archive.org/details/dellartediscrimi00agoc/page/n4/mode/2up" target="_blank">original Italian version is available through the Internet Archive</a>). Luckily, dall’Agocchie’s work has been translated to English by W.J. Swanger (<a href="http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/jherek-swanger-and-giovanni-dallagocchie/the-art-of-defense-on-fencing-the-joust-and-battle-formation-by-giovanni-dallagocchie-paperback/paperback/product-23737371.html" target="_blank">you can purchase a copy here</a>), which is how I learned that Ghisliero’s chapter on jousting is nearly an exact copy from dall'Agocchie's book... which means that <i>the measurements in the two books should be the same</i>. And, on page 66, dall'Agocchie includes a lovely a diagram of a “half foot,” complete with dividers for inches. All I needed to do was measure the diagram!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbZqIz3H_3hr6mb1sIvaHCsp1JMRMAIE6mbrY7KPA79xn9zh-E3DIu8ZGcqEb7BQDdR-vx-hnhPiw02WE97LlWorafYUqT8mkfdvtiIep7EufSs3QQnMp3ZvYjGQ1psSXn8oGhOfNC2w/s1600/half+foot.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbZqIz3H_3hr6mb1sIvaHCsp1JMRMAIE6mbrY7KPA79xn9zh-E3DIu8ZGcqEb7BQDdR-vx-hnhPiw02WE97LlWorafYUqT8mkfdvtiIep7EufSs3QQnMp3ZvYjGQ1psSXn8oGhOfNC2w/s320/half+foot.png" width="156" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A beautiful diagram! Less helpful than one might imagine.</div>
<br />
Alas, measuring the diagram was easier said than done. At first I thought I might be able to deduce the measurements based on the size of the original book, but none of the online facsimiles included the page size of the original, so that option was out. I tried to schedule a field trip to see the book in person, but the nearest copy is over five hours’ drive from me, and they wouldn’t allow me into the collection anyway. In desperation, I reached out to an equine scholar friend, who put me in touch with Kathryn R., whose university has a copy of the original 1572 dall’Agocchie print. She was able to make an appointment to see it and measure the diagram. It's a bit hard to know whether we are supposed to measure the distance between the lines for an "inch" or to include the lines, but overall the "six inches" is 188 mm, making an "inch" about 31 mm. Therefore a "foot" is 37.6 cm or 14.8 inches!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibk97VJnVtm7cwdo81_v-0QPEQgA7z9xmw0F0dSM7cAlSGEMmQLJVAiSEoV5W4qbP8mf0V-5WO0WdQb_4-Z1hKxPWEqDwFtI8U72KXkqzeIoMxfVvIe5ws7atcx4MVBNNZKwKi1L-kUwg/s1600/dall%2527agocchie+measurement+1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibk97VJnVtm7cwdo81_v-0QPEQgA7z9xmw0F0dSM7cAlSGEMmQLJVAiSEoV5W4qbP8mf0V-5WO0WdQb_4-Z1hKxPWEqDwFtI8U72KXkqzeIoMxfVvIe5ws7atcx4MVBNNZKwKi1L-kUwg/s320/dall%2527agocchie+measurement+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FINALLY! Photo and measuring expertise courtesy of Kathryn R.</div>
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Apply these newfound measurements to Ghisliero's text, we get:<br />
<br />
<b>Regarding where to locate the ring to practice tilting at the ring:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
…you will put therefore put the Ring away from the line of the carriera three feet (1.13 m, 44.4 in) of measure, and to the left hand of the Knight that will run [the carriera]. Moreover, raise it [the ring] above the ground six feet (2.26 m, 88.8 in, 7ft 5in).</blockquote>
<b>Regarding the length of the lance:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A lance will have to be long in all ten feet (3.76 m, or 12 ft 4 in), at the base up to the handle will be made one foot long (37.6 cm, 14.8 in), and a fourth (94 mm, 3.7 in): so that he is comfortable. Finally the base [of the lance] will be made so big, so that its circumference around the handle is six inches (18.8 cm or 7.4 in).</blockquote>
<b>Regarding how to set up a tilt and counter-tilt for jousting:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For this exercise of quintain one will have to plant the list: which will be made two hundred feet long (75.2 m, 246 ft 6 in), and five high (1.88 m, 6 ft 2 in): you will also make the counterlist, which will be made one hundred and fifty feet long (56.4 m, 185 ft); and two [feet] high from the ground, and a half (for a total of 94 cm, 37 in); and it will turn in towards the list: so that one does not strike one’s self on it [the counterlist], when the legs spread out, to strike the horse; that is; it will be done, that the distance above is three feet, a half (1.32 m, 52 in); and below is four (1.5 m, 59 in).</blockquote>
Thus brings to a close my months-long (and rather long-winded) quest to figure out the modern measurements used for 16th century jousting. There is still lots of information to analyze on fighting technique and horse footwork, but that is for another day. As always, more research is needed!<br />
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Special thanks to Mattia and Kathryn for all their help. Without them, I could not have assembled all the pieces!jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-14367129210545801812020-01-31T12:30:00.003-06:002020-01-31T12:30:56.702-06:00Suspensory injury: How not to start off 2020When I picked up riding Griffy again in late October 2019, I noticed that he'd occasionally take a weird step here and there. Sometimes he wouldn't do it for several rides, sometimes he'd take a few funny steps in a row. Most often it occurred when tracking left.<br />
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I had the vet out, and she saw something very subtle in the RF. He was slightly positive to hoof testers (we've been struggling with thrush), but only came partially sound when we blocked the foot. Flexions didn't make him worse, but radiographs showed a <i>very</i> thin sole (5-8mm), so we decided to start with the easy stuff and throw sneakers on and start him on hoof supplements.<br />
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The sneakers improved his foot comfort and landing tremendously, and let him use his shoulder more - but there were still some funny steps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIyOj0VySVmK1uYDlw08WWznF-GZPxuxhTVdNmHRhx__psC2pAHspgBaNghUhUZ6YK7DdELi5Pho0dN0NLlfHhK0L50BQabAvAA4NNwoFV5S9Wgy_VZ86XyRFRLsy9CXCzowd29jPYd0/s1600/ctds-12-14-1912142019_0819.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIyOj0VySVmK1uYDlw08WWznF-GZPxuxhTVdNmHRhx__psC2pAHspgBaNghUhUZ6YK7DdELi5Pho0dN0NLlfHhK0L50BQabAvAA4NNwoFV5S9Wgy_VZ86XyRFRLsy9CXCzowd29jPYd0/s320/ctds-12-14-1912142019_0819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tracking left, apparently OK for the moment.</div>
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Fast forward to our clinic last weekend, and I could <i>definitely</i> feel it at times going left. My trainer agreed. I called the clinic Monday, and Griffy went in for diagnostics on Wednesday. Here's what my vet had to say:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
His blocking pattern today, combined with ultrasound findings yesterday result in very high confidence that we are dealing with a primary suspensory issue. It is hard to say whether the small lytic area in the 4th carpal bone is real or artifact and if it is directly associated with the proximal suspensory issue. We would only know if this is playing a role by doing MRI and/or monitoring it radiographically during his rehab period. If it is clinically causing an issue it should change radiographically. If it is not it will stay static. If it is an artifact, it won't be seen consistently on follow-up radiographs.</blockquote>
Basically, he has chronic damage to his RF suspensory, high up behind his knee. There aren't any lesions, but the suspensory is enlarged, and there's a lot of scar tissue. We suspect he got it either whilst playing with Leo (he likes to rear up and put his legs over Leo's back, often getting one leg stuck for several seconds), or in one of his patented rear-and-put-your-front-legs-over-the-stall-door moves. He's rarely stalled, but it happens occasionally when we travel, and he gets anxious if he can't see his traveling companion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDK5M7O3gxpqkWM7kIEs1gAQhbegte03TbtWBDGXsWlIqX8DTap2AZ3u8hrjGGGf_SRphiiEGuqFn0eHad8hcmbELANhnNtdVsnrVJ0Iio0QQk2MqjJG4XKMvVGWVWwythVg3OZdHdXk/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDK5M7O3gxpqkWM7kIEs1gAQhbegte03TbtWBDGXsWlIqX8DTap2AZ3u8hrjGGGf_SRphiiEGuqFn0eHad8hcmbELANhnNtdVsnrVJ0Iio0QQk2MqjJG4XKMvVGWVWwythVg3OZdHdXk/s320/IMG_1076.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Right on right, left on left.</div>
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Unfortunately, chronic injuries are more challenging to treat than acute ones, and have a lesser chance of recovery. Treatment options include:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Shockwave therapy - The mainstay for treating PSL, but it works best in the acute phase of injury.</li>
<li>Laser therapy - Uses a high-powered Class 4 laser, better for chronic injuries. Some very promising research (you can read up on it <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325872174_Short-_and_long_term_follow-up_of_150_sports_horses_diagnosed_with_tendinopathy_or_desmopathy_by_ultrasonographic_examination_and_treated_with_high-power_laser_therapy" target="_blank">here</a>) and my clinic has had good success with it.</li>
<li>Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy - less useful for chronic injuries, and injecting the site can cause additional inflammation.</li>
</ul>
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We opted to go with laser therapy since it seemed like the best options for his type of injury. We started today, and will be doing a month of treatments three times per week, and then reevaluate. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HGJPg9BMWj4MAf7OFA7Ge5xak6mOWJiNJLvCRkcZLCfL3k9tvzQ84bAIofh4HdyPI2BRZH3HX9r3rbfVtsghJ_0YtJUFjAuzqWgqmaLK7wiXhsDdaQY3Ve3qkwjr6xBRMMz4dGCwLaw/s1600/IMG_7346.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HGJPg9BMWj4MAf7OFA7Ge5xak6mOWJiNJLvCRkcZLCfL3k9tvzQ84bAIofh4HdyPI2BRZH3HX9r3rbfVtsghJ_0YtJUFjAuzqWgqmaLK7wiXhsDdaQY3Ve3qkwjr6xBRMMz4dGCwLaw/s320/IMG_7346.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Safety glasses are required during laser treatments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9LLlUkx6WD5ZoClMr8-bVOGOo7Qox6ytJag7m1W9ms7-KaMvewTYyqwdXwRZTmTRtOKut6WuCV27lDWS41gAYMMUK5aPd7soJcA4IeJyGeEFKFpIebBMsNUZRyqD0bqccBJRDk-RIw4/s1600/IMG_7349.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9LLlUkx6WD5ZoClMr8-bVOGOo7Qox6ytJag7m1W9ms7-KaMvewTYyqwdXwRZTmTRtOKut6WuCV27lDWS41gAYMMUK5aPd7soJcA4IeJyGeEFKFpIebBMsNUZRyqD0bqccBJRDk-RIw4/s320/IMG_7349.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Hopefully this is magic.</div>
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The prognosis is guarded, and we're looking at about a 6 month recovery period. Still, I've got everything crossed that this little guy will come back. He reminds me so much of Taran, and we've made so much progress in such a short time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIijlrCfoYKHI47yKGxibNKZ0qOaqKx8KSozULweOdSEQic4u5BzLLKYGr36EfI58XKw5yM7tvfXmUG7myQW3wcMaBk_4Uq04RhvBWCewCoBRFyVzghHMqbq5KWt_M60E33DMRXX7RoZs/s1600/IMG_7356.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIijlrCfoYKHI47yKGxibNKZ0qOaqKx8KSozULweOdSEQic4u5BzLLKYGr36EfI58XKw5yM7tvfXmUG7myQW3wcMaBk_4Uq04RhvBWCewCoBRFyVzghHMqbq5KWt_M60E33DMRXX7RoZs/s320/IMG_7356.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
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Like this one tiny pretend step of canter pirouette.</div>
jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-39452584234044022602020-01-21T13:23:00.001-06:002020-01-21T13:23:52.977-06:00Apparently I'm running a B&B for LeoAnd by B&B, I mean "Breakfast in Bed."<br />
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The Haffies keep a strict schedule around here. Breakfast is served at 6:30, then everyone snacks on hay until about 8:30, when they pause for morning naptime. Bitey face is from 9:30-10:30, then the hay is polished off, and by 1 or so it's afternoon naptime. After naptime there's browsing for leftover snacks, then more bitey-face from 3-4:30 or so, then everyone waits in the barn for me to serve dinner between 5 and 5:30.<br />
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But Leo has added a special step during morning naptime, when eating hay whilst standing becomes too exhausting. So he lays down for a bit of breakfast in bed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yW58MOMh1JvM2y2a81uHVKLtF_ecOE1mlI8YvqYe9cahhK17Dm14zHAqOvjsoBMtqSoL84oMK8KSmJ7MjoaMHocHRWBQxoIRabTHpzg_8HEQ7Y_1LLfWJaQtCC2TZlz0zuIF4Jy7B68/s1600/IMG_6971.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yW58MOMh1JvM2y2a81uHVKLtF_ecOE1mlI8YvqYe9cahhK17Dm14zHAqOvjsoBMtqSoL84oMK8KSmJ7MjoaMHocHRWBQxoIRabTHpzg_8HEQ7Y_1LLfWJaQtCC2TZlz0zuIF4Jy7B68/s320/IMG_6971.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eating or napping? Why do one when you could do both? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfKziEC0E5rAJkxu7WXPzjmQgiktFQ8e3YLtPP82-rh13UfRjEKcJjJ1VZzWatovWRFocLhfZacWrZHCPSgvFMNwyG69bzaZH5AiSFhRg0pg2AdIKEzRDr_Jq5ay8I0w85_2K7Zr5hhE/s1600/IMG_7253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfKziEC0E5rAJkxu7WXPzjmQgiktFQ8e3YLtPP82-rh13UfRjEKcJjJ1VZzWatovWRFocLhfZacWrZHCPSgvFMNwyG69bzaZH5AiSFhRg0pg2AdIKEzRDr_Jq5ay8I0w85_2K7Zr5hhE/s320/IMG_7253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes the neighbor's donkeys join him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVlrsOPTSIE8GAxtFgx8RvgvpARVLdhm1b85-if6_d_WjMS4jKwbTI44Fkgwg1zZijnL4N0XvTdBZRmJ_o_pOr98tfqMk7DHIoGavxL-BlNdd_UsHYHgvylZiGtuIUWVBK12_gvO2MTU/s1600/IMG_6970.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVlrsOPTSIE8GAxtFgx8RvgvpARVLdhm1b85-if6_d_WjMS4jKwbTI44Fkgwg1zZijnL4N0XvTdBZRmJ_o_pOr98tfqMk7DHIoGavxL-BlNdd_UsHYHgvylZiGtuIUWVBK12_gvO2MTU/s400/IMG_6970.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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But sometimes you just gotta stay in your plaid jammies and have breakfast in bed.</div>
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Anybody else have one that does the eating and napping thing?jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-28708179995582134612020-01-15T10:39:00.001-06:002020-01-15T10:39:19.784-06:00Why bending left is so hardStrangely enough, Griffy and Leo both have the same problem: bending left is hard. If I’m completely honest, Taran had exactly the same issue.<br />
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It's almost like the problem isn't with them?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjWyTXuyxoMTEo1na-8UhetUyoZ7QETI6cETnGHtGlndcKqxyU9SrkcRTmonW2tauV1cvvsr1L_BD5E01qiV3KSQ8xgeCL5LWMqHLxOVGRhP8NtJo7GksbVD-BLJGSVT3-hw3I7vWgtA/s1600/IMG_7158.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjWyTXuyxoMTEo1na-8UhetUyoZ7QETI6cETnGHtGlndcKqxyU9SrkcRTmonW2tauV1cvvsr1L_BD5E01qiV3KSQ8xgeCL5LWMqHLxOVGRhP8NtJo7GksbVD-BLJGSVT3-hw3I7vWgtA/s320/IMG_7158.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spoiler alert, it's <i>me</i>. </div>
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Of course, it’s not just a matter of pulling on the left rein and applying more left leg. No matter how tempting it is (or how many times I’ve tried to do it), pulling on the inside rein for more bend just shuts down the hind leg on that side. Applying more left leg SHOULD, in theory, move the horse into the outside rein, but guess what?<br />
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<ul>
<li>I have almost no contact in my right rein when going left. Applying more left leg gets them to move sideways, but not push into the right rein.</li>
<li>When I think I’m straight when tracking left, my horse’s shoulders are actually to the outside (stupid mirrors don’t lie and I hate them).</li>
<li>My left stirrup has more weight than my right, as does my left seat bone. Right seatbone is often MIA.</li>
</ul>
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Compound that with the fact that Griffy’s right hind is his weaker one, and that his right long back muscle is also weaker, and our imbalances complement each other in exactly the wrong way. Leo is more even (ah, to be young!) so his strengths compensate some for my weaknesses, but that's not an excuse for me.<br />
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I’ve been focusing a lot on keeping Griffy’s shoulders about 10 degrees to the inside when tracking left, pushing them over with my outside thigh, and holding a tiny bit of counter-flexion. When I do that, he’s actually straight, even though from the saddle it looks like I’m doing shoulder fore. To the right, I’ve been riding a slight haunches in at all gaits, and then taking that shape towards the quarter line and back out again. In the canter especially, this is HARD for both of us, and Griffy would really prefer just to swap leads (he uh, has a clean accidental change from right to left). He’s trying though, and all this body contortion stuff is new to him, so I’ve been pleased with our progress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aM9wKlkwgOlPjqI3jxMsgCZKZqAQQGTPa0fUYK9tzgcxJaFfmUUf3mwqNvMMFFr5c8K2cXuwlTb4QBrUHldR4NsdTivjb5yix7lXAwvAhyphenhyphenbhKxd2FZ73LwYnjcARZQpQUrHSL4Y01YA/s1600/IMG_7159.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aM9wKlkwgOlPjqI3jxMsgCZKZqAQQGTPa0fUYK9tzgcxJaFfmUUf3mwqNvMMFFr5c8K2cXuwlTb4QBrUHldR4NsdTivjb5yix7lXAwvAhyphenhyphenbhKxd2FZ73LwYnjcARZQpQUrHSL4Y01YA/s320/IMG_7159.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see how far his shoulders are to the outside here - and I'm actively trying to ride them in!</div>
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I’ve also been very lucky to ride with a biomechanics instructor who has worked extensively with Mary Wanless. On Griffy, I can’t sit on my right seat bone in part because there’s no back muscle underneath me. We talked a little while about how to sort of “suck his back up” into my seat bone, and I have to say the words didn’t really resonate with me. But as we walked to the left, I played around, trying to find ANY increased contact between my seat bone and his back. I finally figured out that a combination of slight counter-flex, nudging inside (left) leg, and lengthening my right side muscles, plus pushing my right hip a bit forward (I naturally sit/stand/exist with it rolled a bit back, I don’t know why) got my seat bone in touch with his back. It was challenging and took a lot of focus to keep the contact, but we both got better over time.<br />
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When we switched to going right, it immediately became apparent that “bending” right actually caused his right back muscle to drop out from under me, and I collapsed my right side muscles as well. So much complementary fail there! Pushing my right hip a bit forward while being careful to keep Griffy’s body straight ensured that his back muscle and my seatbone stayed connected.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBw1l9GUpbPEXSCR1s4pPEQZJ7mgxykx2Lzk5Z0a31CrWxaclRUGH7taCxdyrsI4MUsJ3ko8iKdfRKWImznGrTpG8a5BAoUut_Qoc5rDJjaovQ-3TkDyYsheVLh41_EwTAYYsWKIieeeg/s1600/IMG_7157.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBw1l9GUpbPEXSCR1s4pPEQZJ7mgxykx2Lzk5Z0a31CrWxaclRUGH7taCxdyrsI4MUsJ3ko8iKdfRKWImznGrTpG8a5BAoUut_Qoc5rDJjaovQ-3TkDyYsheVLh41_EwTAYYsWKIieeeg/s320/IMG_7157.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pretty dang obvious why my right seatbone doesn't make any contact... sigh.</div>
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As ever, so much to work on. It’s hard to change habits and body positions, and I find it challenging to focus on one thing without letting all the other things fall apart. At least the boys are patient!<br />
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What are you struggling most with biomechanically (for either you or your horse) right now?jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-11030267260570789502020-01-06T09:29:00.000-06:002020-01-06T09:29:15.252-06:00Fancy 'flinger fotosI didn't do much showing in 2019, but I did manage to get both Leo and Griffy to a local schooling show mid-December.<br />
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Griffy is sort of a surprise on the dressage scene - I really hadn't ridden him for the last year, since hubby was busy jousting with him. Then Griffy decided he was done with jousting (he never really loved it, then decided he would just rather <i>not</i>) so after many discussions we decided to find him a nice dressage-only home. After all, Leo was my dressage pony and I really cannot campaign two horses (famous last words). We took Griffy to some lessons with the goal of making a sales video, and while riding for the video I did all of 1-3 and most of the second level movements... so I uh, now have two dressage Haffies?<br />
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For this show, I rode Griffy in 1-3 and 2-1. Griffy has an odd issue with drag stripes (it's almost like they make him dizzy?), so naturally we were slated to go first after the arena had been dragged. This made for some rather <i>interesting</i> movements, especially our drunk centerlines with our salsa halts. Otherwise the tests weren't too bad, considering I'd been riding him for less than 3 weeks, and he had not shown in 18 months. We certainly need a lot of refinement, and more of everything, but the bones are solid and he tried hard. We scored in the high 60s on both tests, which I felt was super generous, especially in light of quite a few mistakes.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/L1404her5e4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L1404her5e4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Griffy 2-1</div>
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I rode Leo in Training 3 and 1-1, which was kind of a stretch for him as he's going through a growth spurt and his balance is kind of a hot mess. He was SUPER good in warmup - there was construction going on right outside the arena, which made Griffy really anxious, but Leo ignored it completely. The geometry in the tests was pretty questionable in places (losing the shoulders will do that), but overall they were much smoother than our previous attempt when we showed in September. Both tests also earned scores in the high 60s, which I again thought was overly generous.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vtA39EQARbs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vtA39EQARbs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Leo 1-1</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">All fancy 'flinger fotos courtesy of Wellman Photography, used with purchase.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpGYYIWadwlSxsBIIZwpGnU4-3qjIvxg3r34DRQTjaVKBWaCsllmhGK26LCQhfViE0h6HWtopWK-BWN_PMcZOy5zvxeOOvniwGJbaKuTEkTQpo19E04BTR4AZnGvVC_c9J73YmChzPcE/s1600/ctds-12-14-1912142019_0819.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpGYYIWadwlSxsBIIZwpGnU4-3qjIvxg3r34DRQTjaVKBWaCsllmhGK26LCQhfViE0h6HWtopWK-BWN_PMcZOy5zvxeOOvniwGJbaKuTEkTQpo19E04BTR4AZnGvVC_c9J73YmChzPcE/s400/ctds-12-14-1912142019_0819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So fancy! Much trot. WTF inside hand?</div>
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<img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=1a858ae132&attid=0.1.2&permmsgid=msg-f:1654482374697931159&th=16f5e6f43703d197&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ-_685Cgxrv9OVp6ctd58NQbrHBqVu8QzzDxMmrvHflzDtive2n41OVa6sb6NUaDlIRwaMm1A5ulJIrNltI5UgpFa18cvbY_GsDtxDxiwLC-RqDkrvwBdzvA6M&disp=emb" /></div>
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That hair tho...</div>
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<img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=1a858ae132&attid=0.1.3&permmsgid=msg-f:1654482374697931159&th=16f5e6f43703d197&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ_SWhtjog5qlnPExjGLucO452PQBrehdr7bVlY_oMImcQU6IjxprVmCfvoI8C3Cor58jv3zdUabRuHJwerKhW2X_kuut6lVQh-B1Upj6fbmmdEl0vvoifTMKDk&disp=emb" /></div>
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I absolutely love pics taken after the final halt where riders are petting their ponies. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDlP3ee_BIF-dofPS7ohK7rFGWHLqvnVJzcW8Hx_bDU8gaB3_oxOFHN5_vjLx8r2-nZNA2JHr_liMkAcGho2y_i1oGDyp0hSAsnisPeNU2GGgAhmSu191NnJIiwMmxUIayjHFFDdh4PI/s1600/ctds-12-14-1912142019_1670.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDlP3ee_BIF-dofPS7ohK7rFGWHLqvnVJzcW8Hx_bDU8gaB3_oxOFHN5_vjLx8r2-nZNA2JHr_liMkAcGho2y_i1oGDyp0hSAsnisPeNU2GGgAhmSu191NnJIiwMmxUIayjHFFDdh4PI/s320/ctds-12-14-1912142019_1670.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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Speaking of hair... Leo is giving his big brother Griffy a run for his shampoo commercial.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq6uX1NsjQHQZ7pZTw59WseqMXiXE_p0gul_8hJ4uoPeszNoA75EnfylEJUEKdvPa8B7GugWTvYQ4kCd1_5AHmYR-7JT-f11OaW6Nu-_CU_evhoJYP3cO6oIPIidGW9CXotOT85NOKr8/s1600/ctds-12-14-1912142019_1886.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq6uX1NsjQHQZ7pZTw59WseqMXiXE_p0gul_8hJ4uoPeszNoA75EnfylEJUEKdvPa8B7GugWTvYQ4kCd1_5AHmYR-7JT-f11OaW6Nu-_CU_evhoJYP3cO6oIPIidGW9CXotOT85NOKr8/s320/ctds-12-14-1912142019_1886.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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That hind end almost compensates for the escaped shoulder</div>
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<img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=1a858ae132&attid=0.1.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1654482374697931159&th=16f5e6f43703d197&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ-1Zx7eoGNcgdFOsa8cPndQSrTHFWqYCbZnJGx0oYibfkE5zru6TdGjhhA3v5smBBTS2M0gf4AJKvyqh_q0f8at4cNWkDNZUlr9dhVFy5nBAM_LuowQ6LiLz9M&disp=emb" /></div>
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Almost square-ish!</div>
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Massive shout-out to MC for being the #1Haflinger Holder for the entire day - the boys are unfortunately herd-bound enough that she had to stand in the warmup arena holding one whilst I rode and showed the other. jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-10354588716584401312019-12-30T12:24:00.003-06:002019-12-30T12:24:53.852-06:00A decade of Wyvern OaksI keep thinking about closing this blog down, because let's be real, I've been a terrible blogger for the last few years. But every time I try to write that final post, I just can't quite do it. So here we are...<div>
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November of this year marks a decade of Wyvern Oaks - both the blog and our little farmlet.</div>
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<b>2009</b>: We bought the place the weekend before Thanksgiving, hole in the roof and all. We knew we were up for remodels of just about everything on the property (and we were not wrong), but we couldn't pass up 2 acres just 6 miles from downtown Austin. </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3yjsfGCaIEOBr_BZBCZhBUBartFpZbjsrsJLylf2a0Q3YLbFvgN8bNwzozC7xXS7s2wBM3UIfv8HMvmOzgXKKA6Ejf5We1Lef3ivrWzSm7frFixfi5o02h6tIryZng4VcFr1IEouhSW-/s320/IMG_0233.jpg" /></div>
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The <i>fabulous</i> pink bathroom was the first thing to go in the remodel.</div>
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<b>2010</b>: We mostly focused on <a href="https://pieceofheaven1951.blogspot.com/2010/11/one-year.html" target="_blank">getting the place liveable and workable</a>, for both us and the critters, so we didn't get much riding in. </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie591iLUt26doJ7THVy-2lv3ThpHvNQ-oG3WRHGpk_EZ6wm93Evod7wBP7D-3P5dyxmGSGoygk8eOxe6H19U9PF0__LxpbAUy3DrH6WbO_xfyN3KHvKPmwg3jedvjBi6_j14Vk8RyAOi0u/s320/Sunset+Valley+with+a+smile+003.jpg" /></div>
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Basically the one riding post I did for all of 2010. That's me on Saga and hubby on Reddums.</div>
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<b>2011</b>: We built the barn and brought all the boys home, Taran put a nail through his foot, we went foxhunting, hubby did one of his first jousts ever, and we experienced the worst drought in 50 years. </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sDDj-QcNP4JghB-TP__n9YJ6g-nddzOiSZq_7jm1ft-SSBAwsLzOWrAI2Ox6eIxCfYEaEewWYjKPzNJ_29aloVI-EFymK4mwT078knMMJj05enNb28OKlU_7t34rjGUNAHx6pCb52slD/s400/Reddums-joust.jpg" /></div>
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Lysts on the Lake 2011</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z34T-ujK7S9skSK7sOjvN7vsVZi0sXIk2w_HNGqaiqP7606vKB3iFJk_JJE5BF0gXe9z5JfbgJZ7aM-r_dPUPH3ihhnuYo1Zwr6pYvv4e1LLsB2nRIxf4pDlksifbMV8B9v4QHfcB_t4/s400/IMG_2798.JPG" /></div>
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Left to right: Taran, Reddums, Saga, and Cash</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrLql59yE2uThbwVWTPkLOocmxy23HdfX9il_Vysc-EjXkJ-WcVMQ-NA3Cqtp2IdSjchwBxoCGUsykkNo7rUvrQJe9dDE__KAKkTrnLvjvCthlMdyjk4VsvJDMsGhm8cnsrxgp0XjtSs/s400/IMG_3839.jpg" /></div>
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Foxhunting! I really miss this...</div>
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<img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cbs35104zwmh_GncWfpmBoaRyyAr4_x75fi5NoPzOQADkEsgbUfbk1dgIhuxp6Yg-v4vRdT5kMKy5z64daBB-VJbwEXYSc965e-xuDa3QGlbVJWif3KvGDqaBcrO9GuuidTEDmE2g7Y/s320/IMG_4303.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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We bought a semi-load of hay from Canada and managed to cram it in our barn.</div>
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<b>2012</b>: Saga started off the year lame and ended the year even more lame, and Oberon came into our lives as Sean's new jousting horse. </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKJ_oU5DuYu6PxLzcKumqQqr6GDRpGa2zhJVxk2GtD5lEKQwEhooYWa50BrCj-nup6YVcjXsBVgD2rZ_bqou6DJmkmQfUgId_FFENqBr7xUszo90MtGq2V_AgHxTpH5XIaFaqY7GCCx4/s320/IMG_5919.JPG" /></div>
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Oberon was such a hunk.</div>
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<b>2013</b>: This was a sucky year. We lost Saga in January (bone cysts), Oberon in June (colic), and Echo (who I'd gotten in February, but he had terrible headshaking) in September. I swore I wasn't getting another horse, but a certain enabler friend told me I needed a Haflinger and Paddington came to live with us, thus starting my obsession with Haffies.</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW2VTlfHktBWcMvBRHav-c4MRmKOr2TTzbJxaFR7QT44qhstCRreDG2oBeIYX1Zwv01SioW1G0shLR2k4JqcHb_0LrXu3UN1yi_egQc9As897UXU1GRgBpvuovc5nPwrWzghebEIgxfA/s320/IMG_8719.JPG" /></div>
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Still in love with this face</div>
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<b>2014</b>: Paddy and I try our hand at dressage and do okay, but mostly we bowl for dressage letters. Brego comes to live with us.</div>
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<img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTEN2DxZGmwdRlOENS_orszMBlCdFJYyTs1WZWE5cCigqrwMTDHuIgZx427ije6kifne8DSpfcwQqXmgB18XbYJsZkia4RfY_Sd8xC5LB5Qgz7QumPzK2vTxuFUeTsZV_QJuy9q7Kgqk/s320/IMG_2248.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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Yes, <i>that</i> Brego!</div>
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<b>2015</b>: Paddy and I do some USDF rated shows and go to Regionals for the first time. We suck but I have a lot of fun getting back in the ring. Paddy makes his debut as a jousting horse because Brego blows out a massive abscess and can't joust, but then Paddy damages himself and I pull Taran out of the pasture because I'm desperate for something sound to ride. </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjED7kinf5BbsSD2bb_J3eb9OjzPv65tkIX4f_nRH_A2tvnkBpzOv-Kwxx1n2ObSvqbxc9OJXyO5himVfqwVPMdBUBOZDeZK4IbAvJYmVyQFQNdU2jxkUkkzs5g0XKSrYcwoWpcuTmUU6Y/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-10-11+at+5.57.34+PM.png" /></div>
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Padding looking fab at Regionals</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuViHoTfI6PEF-rDxJYO7adocnxRU-xnhVogH_mRrQutMbRMpFqu6VsHMv32gN_3KtlW5dOc7Aw05MOHItb0-5axXBniToSNZH2Oo5O7sViG7EPrhAVDUvFMEj4fvX-6Kja0zODkwncf8/s320/IMG_4222.JPG" /></div>
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Jousting Haffieeeeee!</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVwXqjepsAhct06NI4kCLgerbYWfi-D5E4H4qJjtwzVR0fUwe-4l8D2RYhgUsXIHRrn33g48HJndi03Om5svNBWdCgbAlZhebK-ihDVRNB1LrnsuZdRVuYPFPdyDuPNOIurk4bVnAPEk/s320/IMG_3809.JPG" /></div>
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The giantest abscess ever</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HLz3IU09kfsPQCbSnCEzZEDA92JAzCUPM9dvwdt0MSwMzoEfIXvUxmQsH0q3G0arcvNyfgpnaEDyeKtSGVTSA9umlc_NeoabuaLO4-uM5sqJtXZckeVavaiJkp5YuBDGjT22WjlpLN0/s400/20151223_181219.jpg" /></div>
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Can you believe this horse eventually got a Bronze medal???</div>
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<b>2016</b>: Taran and I start showing, get our first Bronze score in March, and are schooling 2nd by the end of the year. Brego's recurring abscess turns out to be a deep P3 bone infection that runs up into his pastern, and there's nothing we can do but let him go. We lose both Brego and Cash in October. </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKadrmxFHOLVBE5eapjoBa0UMF9l8e08sK0xYDIMSEveH0b4IFMSbXPezulVsdu5KYy5roV_C57WvpJ5UpWJMo5UQRcRVNC46wryy82vziz-glrbLO8RhC347rsxhQFtYP1ngfnNMx0U8/s640/Brego-joust.png" /></div>
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The bestest Brego</div>
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<img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UNV14S45gNs6FDrVKxp9Ymz_1HwEfCF8Ky0Jb6y1pu4K6EmV7ILAp3pYFzKlyo6gia7rkVfNUXBuixxpubvprZWibSrxTAlLmFdavn1K9Xb23pei598uJ9p3DoPBKEwGqalelQ1fKf0/s320/13839356004_b3835b3780_b.jpg" width="213" /></div>
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My first pony</div>
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<b>2017</b>: Taran and I got our 2nd level bronze scores. Despite Taran being diagnosed with Cushings in October, we qualified for USDF Nationals and came in 9th in the 1st level freestyle. Griffy came to live with us because one Haflinger just wasn't enough.</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MWcuDFM9bNoOC92qQyIuj_j75fIIbwTHEDToOXKShR1s1XU6NHKLG3vsSn7bdy1epmFRj-cidiiYrNgDZ3htjBwFyG9J_nicAuU_rOip1OIiNj51QAgcrSMCvQvN4oO1x4QijYqBMnU/s320/T-alltach.jpg" /></div>
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I only cried a little on our victory lap in the Alltech</div>
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<b>2018</b>: I rode Griffy in the spring (in between hubby jousting on him) and went to one rated show, where we did really well at Training. Taran and I focused hard on 3rd level, while struggling to manage his Cushings. We made one outing in November, and completed the USDF Bronze medal requirements with a 67+% and a 64+% on 3-3 (despite our "interesting" changes). </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8E7pe7i7VBzCwUEQqSVSi6opEYV31hWZUjivNK5Prj_-oZfktoxnrsXrW6oOLTmIqMMa_L9f0IZjcVK5MIsKRtzr-X4ho6KLHcu_1IARR4pi_Ly-8pvt1l3pvrXIyCFkt2OOdXWaiSA/s400/extended-trot.jpg" /></div>
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I wish there had been pro pics at this show, but this extended trot got a 7.0!</div>
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Leo came to live with us in September, because hubby was jousting on Griffy and Paddy, and I was pretty sure I'd need someone new to ride.</div>
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<b>2019</b>: Taran stuggled with ongoing health and soundness issues related to Cushings, so we retired him in the spring. Sadly, we lost him colic in September. I didn't blog about it and I really still can't talk about it. I miss him terribly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkQv1m9JGdFwq72CdXrCJqXrX4ro-7R56ABGVfBzyNnfxb263V-d9kzhbIF3JjGDESBOOcln9JZ8VOxq3YCjJBNUq3aEhTx3S-YlAPS9ZZK1J8fwcLb7s-cGmQ-DA9zla-uQhyphenhyphenJ2iFsM/s1600/taran-finals.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkQv1m9JGdFwq72CdXrCJqXrX4ro-7R56ABGVfBzyNnfxb263V-d9kzhbIF3JjGDESBOOcln9JZ8VOxq3YCjJBNUq3aEhTx3S-YlAPS9ZZK1J8fwcLb7s-cGmQ-DA9zla-uQhyphenhyphenJ2iFsM/s320/taran-finals.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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The bestest wonderpony ever.</div>
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Griffy decided he was no longer interested in being a jousting horse, so we were going to find him a nice sandbox home. However, while we were making the sales video we did most of 2-3 so we decided to keep him. I did 1-3 and 2-1 at a schooling show in December and walked away with a 68+% and a 67+%.</div>
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<img height="250" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=1a858ae132&attid=0.1.3&permmsgid=msg-f:1654040112928778979&th=16f454b81f5deae3&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ9LOCPny1vOyKKtFfSrWFajDfSLuflSC4sTn1TH9WBKm7aMNr7ft8lh1unWhROhpotKKiz0A5MwzdT4D8Er1MmxTl9TWEUK-KnlhhIw4OzGKALQMFiOplyyX98&disp=emb" width="320" /></div>
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Apparently I had a fancy dressage horse in my backyard and didn't know it (PC: Erika Coleman Photography)</div>
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Little brother Leo is also fancy but is only five, and sometimes does not love adulting. He's a big fan of violence though (jousting and mounted combat, and also biting his brother's kneecaps), and hubby has been riding him regularly. </div>
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<img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=1a858ae132&attid=0.1.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1654040112928778979&th=16f454b81f5deae3&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ91K_ziKFkwakiocb_Cno0tJKvW8vDxaZO84tr3LnPGOxS0brCh6YBq_dALBQdyjkziLc4whK08_TFhIW1y0SfUITYiG0YljRI3eeQAnbcNJojfv6IrvcCHaco&disp=emb" /></div>
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Also Leo has fabulous hair (PC: Erika Coleman Photography)</div>
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And last but not least, a new face in town: Mago! He's a baby Lusitano, and we'll see where the future takes him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOHvpS6ttOhyphenhyphenfAy_BFxN6WtV9ymdrMFjGkl1_stCWBqwroi99oVN88-zNuCA_t-Py3Hz6VVZlTe-NkUsNJNRoGzrBl2hbKFi5igTivKQpejVVLA0xHGAceo9bocUQwhMJOiYhzRRvElU/s1600/IMG_6341.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOHvpS6ttOhyphenhyphenfAy_BFxN6WtV9ymdrMFjGkl1_stCWBqwroi99oVN88-zNuCA_t-Py3Hz6VVZlTe-NkUsNJNRoGzrBl2hbKFi5igTivKQpejVVLA0xHGAceo9bocUQwhMJOiYhzRRvElU/s320/IMG_6341.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Herro!</div>
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<b>To the future and beyond</b>: Whew, it's been quite a rollercoaster with some pretty high highs and some very low lows. Oddly enough, we're just about to start another remodel (bathroom and kitchen) so... I guess the new decade will be starting in the same place as the old? I don't know that there will be another decade of this blog, but I've met so many wonderful people through blogging, and it's been a great way to keep track of memories. I wish everyone the best in the new year and new decade!</div>
jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-75832649983942311702019-04-04T10:23:00.002-05:002019-04-04T10:23:29.602-05:00Aren't you supposed to be lame and retired???<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzPc4Q2Ws6_MzCiv2o9u-ZLnHSCsFplU1OMwCm5azLK6cLVFg5T2RKOkKLxkz7BRuR-e513-LuTuCHd6xqdw7_ox041KiCor0lvsot68MWq_qeyyx0khPZlxETjwstdJBrqqjYBctTM8/s1600/IMG_5041.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzPc4Q2Ws6_MzCiv2o9u-ZLnHSCsFplU1OMwCm5azLK6cLVFg5T2RKOkKLxkz7BRuR-e513-LuTuCHd6xqdw7_ox041KiCor0lvsot68MWq_qeyyx0khPZlxETjwstdJBrqqjYBctTM8/s400/IMG_5041.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So sassy. Much leaping.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25_2ZjfbSi3qUQVSEe8TWVtAsajqGC5ew6oS6sk_N01PKigOKHRnipzBjAcX9S4opjN9rCWJ3EcfhwOE47OAvhOQjm1JffjZrO2SdGQmM5yPP8wo97WssgCvzxJwy_BiHFF-v4zYooTo/s1600/IMG_5097.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25_2ZjfbSi3qUQVSEe8TWVtAsajqGC5ew6oS6sk_N01PKigOKHRnipzBjAcX9S4opjN9rCWJ3EcfhwOE47OAvhOQjm1JffjZrO2SdGQmM5yPP8wo97WssgCvzxJwy_BiHFF-v4zYooTo/s400/IMG_5097.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Four off the floor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBRnkiJIXYxfus5yGyhp9nB-Ck7N-TaB1v5iX1t8DZLUjS9x8ObuUCgiO36ovRX-5zhkReL7RzyJjyjQIJvpx1axucGgJTTzTsWxi0XPtTCYdpHRF9YMa0jmvipfVORAgNJ-iuF3Um5I/s1600/IMG_5092.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBRnkiJIXYxfus5yGyhp9nB-Ck7N-TaB1v5iX1t8DZLUjS9x8ObuUCgiO36ovRX-5zhkReL7RzyJjyjQIJvpx1axucGgJTTzTsWxi0XPtTCYdpHRF9YMa0jmvipfVORAgNJ-iuF3Um5I/s400/IMG_5092.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Clearly practicing for his debut at the SRS</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHSXnnMgPV2y1GtMZdGhB9rQdTM9Ct9CBoMl_fJ0pe0RHBLlQntbndk2X4lZEx7dCaDxmdiCyZvRCUDF433T1LsBkmZSJivV5S3TSk-S3EtWpbHmcCbFPn-AoyxYcSypmtC_LwJGsgK0/s1600/IMG_5040.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHSXnnMgPV2y1GtMZdGhB9rQdTM9Ct9CBoMl_fJ0pe0RHBLlQntbndk2X4lZEx7dCaDxmdiCyZvRCUDF433T1LsBkmZSJivV5S3TSk-S3EtWpbHmcCbFPn-AoyxYcSypmtC_LwJGsgK0/s400/IMG_5040.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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That trot doesn't look very lame, does it?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J8fvoAmg8RqH1_ijHbVxBUSS2O-hF2D8t6zObleIqs6f48yUQzPVwfRgmz6u2Tl2_1JMcGuIHKLw9cHswuwahKCoxE5aePj5AsFwErfMsMfz8R2EC8L7QwJRlsXibSOZFcatQrGy2Mg/s1600/IMG_5096.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J8fvoAmg8RqH1_ijHbVxBUSS2O-hF2D8t6zObleIqs6f48yUQzPVwfRgmz6u2Tl2_1JMcGuIHKLw9cHswuwahKCoxE5aePj5AsFwErfMsMfz8R2EC8L7QwJRlsXibSOZFcatQrGy2Mg/s400/IMG_5096.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Good rounding and use of hindquarters</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_t9cx0OH1wZOfz3cDgf-JcLA70Y8XscMMLTyn1YfXaWOARqa-z9qpkkL0L84vNAE8UDvagesYsLut0wNXeCjHoEbNBX7aPFvsO53DNsVO7rXkRijbPEqZJTHRqeAJK_dwKBZlMc7_aI/s1600/IMG_5102.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_t9cx0OH1wZOfz3cDgf-JcLA70Y8XscMMLTyn1YfXaWOARqa-z9qpkkL0L84vNAE8UDvagesYsLut0wNXeCjHoEbNBX7aPFvsO53DNsVO7rXkRijbPEqZJTHRqeAJK_dwKBZlMc7_aI/s400/IMG_5102.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Practicing his reining moves maybe?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlSCyOYiMl2GDvDkT087TCm1KOcirgRxqxRzRLX4zekJ-GEb-dy39e0SrersQruFSlMyMk9EW37ItaPNiI024_UjHHuZw4QR2YkjTu83L3bdNpvGKy7tBIwDJSXHKjr0-k9Kr-S2Gt6I/s1600/IMG_5099.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlSCyOYiMl2GDvDkT087TCm1KOcirgRxqxRzRLX4zekJ-GEb-dy39e0SrersQruFSlMyMk9EW37ItaPNiI024_UjHHuZw4QR2YkjTu83L3bdNpvGKy7tBIwDJSXHKjr0-k9Kr-S2Gt6I/s400/IMG_5099.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I believe the judge calls this "croup high"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31EGNiEG_WAjhjPh1isuWJr2ij2nFGZuj3l0LV9Y_GT27oJk4T35mL0uRzHkOU5CDQVMwG5Xq6EH4717gcsS3jtKvaxUXjoP06VJbMBHcO9AgGV6jcCCUOQtTOMo4U7SndeKk4688AVc/s1600/IMG_5038.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31EGNiEG_WAjhjPh1isuWJr2ij2nFGZuj3l0LV9Y_GT27oJk4T35mL0uRzHkOU5CDQVMwG5Xq6EH4717gcsS3jtKvaxUXjoP06VJbMBHcO9AgGV6jcCCUOQtTOMo4U7SndeKk4688AVc/s400/IMG_5038.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Showing off the TB half</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgU0o6lzX2EHZguOoZUx01qMvu83u8eZa3uC8FApbJaeZTz3xdiHsun4MUt4hx2y63XxshmmoXsqwYO1lSa_1WBjt3Hl4Lvgi0UzqS7iASGsA8o8rN80EKiOy5zifq4bq-fJ6qu0u8yY/s1600/IMG_5104.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgU0o6lzX2EHZguOoZUx01qMvu83u8eZa3uC8FApbJaeZTz3xdiHsun4MUt4hx2y63XxshmmoXsqwYO1lSa_1WBjt3Hl4Lvgi0UzqS7iASGsA8o8rN80EKiOy5zifq4bq-fJ6qu0u8yY/s400/IMG_5104.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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That talio tho...</div>
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Don't call it a comeback yet, but we've been doing some light riding - and by "light" I mean maybe 5-7 minutes of trot and canter (with LOTS of walk breaks) every other day. He feels really, really good, and really, really sassy. He's out of shape cardio-wise (and so am I jeez), but he feels strong and solid. I'll probably never know what caused the lameness over the winter, but time is, as always, a great healer. I still have no plans for him, other than keeping things light and fun, and we'll see where that takes us. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMexQh5GJ4M32sg_nkPe0ZMgKDwc-dva_gYiJrZXlYOVPrPUHWmqIL4omLro9nJ2NZ1_YH2kILfW3W7XH4-GyhRNLy6Chb5qecKyctIwaKOnbWUG198VmVKsMze_il6j4mrcVgEFG1sS0/s1600/IMG_5034.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMexQh5GJ4M32sg_nkPe0ZMgKDwc-dva_gYiJrZXlYOVPrPUHWmqIL4omLro9nJ2NZ1_YH2kILfW3W7XH4-GyhRNLy6Chb5qecKyctIwaKOnbWUG198VmVKsMze_il6j4mrcVgEFG1sS0/s400/IMG_5034.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So fancy! Also so not lame...</div>
jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-66274241826551770592019-02-28T08:59:00.000-06:002019-02-28T08:59:01.246-06:00TBT: Freestyle video from USDF Nationals 2017I was going through some random USB sticks the other day and found the one with our freestyle video from USDF Nationals in 2017. I'd actually never seen the video, so it was a nice surprise!<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tUWLg84p4cM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tUWLg84p4cM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Sound on for Star Wars!</div>
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Watching this is a little bittersweet - Nationals was such an amazing experience, and I wish we'd been able to go back. I think about how far we've come since then, and how much I wish we had been able to do a second and third level freestyle. I had the music all picked out and the choreography sketched out too. Sniff.<br />
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All this is just to say, create wonderful memories and cherish them (like I will never forget that spook at A, because REALLY TARAN???). Do the things you want to do with your horse <i>now</i>, because you just don't know what tomorrow holds.jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-47627521468441649362019-02-26T08:35:00.004-06:002019-02-26T08:35:51.435-06:00R+ training the humans is going wellOne of the problems with R+ (clicker) training is that your critters become very treat-motivated, and start offering all kinds of behaviors unasked for.<br />
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Of course, our animals have been trained carefully and correctly and would never, <b><i>ever</i></b> do this. Hahahahaha.<br />
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Let's take Leo for example. He's gone from a reactive baby horse to one who actively seeks out humans doing weird things. Which is good, I guess, but makes it a little challenging when you're actually trying to do things.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgJ7qHsaYFXVrLtfkyD5e1Yqfb4xkprwMN7nM7FD6YyC0Vz2alY8aYn1q6I6vccPLId-dGhBFsUDeRwrGQMreNx4vawPLSaO2nPGks5oNLvdxTV4ZifhAjjWzl6_Q2xYm8pZH1h7U89U/s1600/IMG_4733+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgJ7qHsaYFXVrLtfkyD5e1Yqfb4xkprwMN7nM7FD6YyC0Vz2alY8aYn1q6I6vccPLId-dGhBFsUDeRwrGQMreNx4vawPLSaO2nPGks5oNLvdxTV4ZifhAjjWzl6_Q2xYm8pZH1h7U89U/s400/IMG_4733+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Guy in clanky metal stuff carrying stabby thing might have cookies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlwZ6oJvGLEScIwSYR1G0h-JRRxBRorwuyLT3TmNzNJ0AdrsWFOnCNwG2acsA8EDSPoPmbdZ4ilkntZRMJp-nSFFME1qfW3_brz4J5cJhVCtZwZVL2J0CxSCCmAta_F2goxSPp6uZm0w/s1600/IMG_4854.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlwZ6oJvGLEScIwSYR1G0h-JRRxBRorwuyLT3TmNzNJ0AdrsWFOnCNwG2acsA8EDSPoPmbdZ4ilkntZRMJp-nSFFME1qfW3_brz4J5cJhVCtZwZVL2J0CxSCCmAta_F2goxSPp6uZm0w/s400/IMG_4854.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This guy is wearing EVEN MORE clanky metal stuff but who cares, he might have cookies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWiQbDvMKmiLBQL4zPfiMB64qdJwaFHZBhyXx6YtgGOElUqN8bSg0wDQBBy5eAXCtJR3t0dVp69NPEggsFV49IMtA1UUrmWEi-3E8iok55cNHrj4wXhr6ugTkHbi0nH_sOkTso_2PRaw/s1600/IMG_4838.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWiQbDvMKmiLBQL4zPfiMB64qdJwaFHZBhyXx6YtgGOElUqN8bSg0wDQBBy5eAXCtJR3t0dVp69NPEggsFV49IMtA1UUrmWEi-3E8iok55cNHrj4wXhr6ugTkHbi0nH_sOkTso_2PRaw/s400/IMG_4838.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also we should stop and check to see if this guy wearing weird clothes and standing on a mounting block with a stabby thing has any cookies, even if we are supposed to be walking past him.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Then there's our barn cat Charlie. She has trained us to give her canned food when we go for a walk. Here's how it works:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GqYAPEuwlS5_G3LYeL4R_3rdQ7e-Qphc9Yc1hyBee9dS0et9TSa7renRxpHs1WIqwbowY3EeAqWUzew7CnP6lqoah9j0BQFemHjjjCKPIUNqdeg1iqWIw2It2QAFXyVXl1J1WqAW_no/s1600/IMG_4862.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GqYAPEuwlS5_G3LYeL4R_3rdQ7e-Qphc9Yc1hyBee9dS0et9TSa7renRxpHs1WIqwbowY3EeAqWUzew7CnP6lqoah9j0BQFemHjjjCKPIUNqdeg1iqWIw2It2QAFXyVXl1J1WqAW_no/s320/IMG_4862.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Charlie knows that if she follows us when we go for a walk down the street, we will abort our walk, scoop her up, bring her home and give her a can of food. This distracts her long enough so we can make our escape sans kitty. </div>
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Our husky, Logan, has figured out how to rest his chin on things and lay his ears back so that he looks <i>completely adorable</i> and irresistible and you <i>absolutely must pet him <b>immediately</b></i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJckn5Bq9rKU_zntSvIvTj3MmKY5ea9OpJmjzygDg1ZIpqk8E9ualQE0f41wO0mlLW-K8DKj_Vt6HicNPOPmkKb81fu4FJwLnGd-wyF6roLusGw8RUfUGB4c3cL6k5WwCP63-IvA3kgXE/s1600/IMG_4387+2.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJckn5Bq9rKU_zntSvIvTj3MmKY5ea9OpJmjzygDg1ZIpqk8E9ualQE0f41wO0mlLW-K8DKj_Vt6HicNPOPmkKb81fu4FJwLnGd-wyF6roLusGw8RUfUGB4c3cL6k5WwCP63-IvA3kgXE/s320/IMG_4387+2.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
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Can you resist this? No you cannot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgUUh1QLDmuutoPNzDHWRjCS4FFI8b01YFhfFl01-Orv072VTt6Rx5mLcc2IJ8uCYCdA4pHZxw-Fjm5IH4s0t8ZcIYNlF6njb7Si7AA8Kz-MNTEsH6eAUJk1QQml4jC-QtIZPRddVRP8/s1600/IMG_4777.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgUUh1QLDmuutoPNzDHWRjCS4FFI8b01YFhfFl01-Orv072VTt6Rx5mLcc2IJ8uCYCdA4pHZxw-Fjm5IH4s0t8ZcIYNlF6njb7Si7AA8Kz-MNTEsH6eAUJk1QQml4jC-QtIZPRddVRP8/s320/IMG_4777.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Or this. I just want to pet the picture it's so cute. Clearly we have trained Logan very well so that he does extremely cute things to be petted. Or something.</div>
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And then there's Paddy, the original human trainer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWuyNYYVjtren6pksTlD8X4hnscuzmBnrJgiHxCBQk26uFzy98gnE6sYKbmusx8vxLH-8B_-lJSvv0EqPmHuk9vyTY44XP_SHrizyGpUbkfdHKqfVw_HRxrK0iTgQzQIL3YpuD9YSdZw/s1600/IMG_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWuyNYYVjtren6pksTlD8X4hnscuzmBnrJgiHxCBQk26uFzy98gnE6sYKbmusx8vxLH-8B_-lJSvv0EqPmHuk9vyTY44XP_SHrizyGpUbkfdHKqfVw_HRxrK0iTgQzQIL3YpuD9YSdZw/s320/IMG_4818.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's even trained this unknown human to give him cookies by looking cute.</div>
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Sooooo.... how's that R+ thing working for you?</div>
jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-81007040852321117842019-02-19T10:47:00.000-06:002019-02-19T10:47:44.859-06:00How to win at bitey-face (by Leo, in pictures)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipy6R484fecJ59L4Li9pZdS111AnNL-uIZKP80Qd61Kf-BYUidTh7oYitjdDKhhr3zJbFEqqltCc_8vgZ_ToJCousAXz4VvimNXQBJe9NbpEHOvtnC9dMbuZPclpbqtOz8XhX-S68C7U8/s1600/IMG_4692.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipy6R484fecJ59L4Li9pZdS111AnNL-uIZKP80Qd61Kf-BYUidTh7oYitjdDKhhr3zJbFEqqltCc_8vgZ_ToJCousAXz4VvimNXQBJe9NbpEHOvtnC9dMbuZPclpbqtOz8XhX-S68C7U8/s640/IMG_4692.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Approach unsuspecting opponent sneakily and show your teefs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LWctfFwgMuPP55-4V-H1GzMsrsfxdcij1qziDR7_o5L_L3163AHXed_REfRwmDaaudNnuU7N94r5yb1MX133i8VnuKG30wEX2ovZKa76fpv2YHJh-aJyJmhCxIzHh7H1G6ed6WC__Sc/s1600/IMG_4701.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LWctfFwgMuPP55-4V-H1GzMsrsfxdcij1qziDR7_o5L_L3163AHXed_REfRwmDaaudNnuU7N94r5yb1MX133i8VnuKG30wEX2ovZKa76fpv2YHJh-aJyJmhCxIzHh7H1G6ed6WC__Sc/s640/IMG_4701.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If he's not impressed, try a shoulder attack.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebNTPVvDJnTI9lh2MdJqo1NpWM48Rxeu4MUT-GOkcf4HckRxefjV6c5L9X2RCZb9KxYIOkrAjs7Fjdyh2OelNYMJ-8KW_z1XbAUIGVfgYHTcAojy-HRjCSwIsnCe8SsN9TP-aNgoMutU/s1600/IMG_4703.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebNTPVvDJnTI9lh2MdJqo1NpWM48Rxeu4MUT-GOkcf4HckRxefjV6c5L9X2RCZb9KxYIOkrAjs7Fjdyh2OelNYMJ-8KW_z1XbAUIGVfgYHTcAojy-HRjCSwIsnCe8SsN9TP-aNgoMutU/s640/IMG_4703.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Act surprised when he retaliates.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH3VrL388Zl1rTTjPPDHr9EcTHMWoRy4KvuQ6rbeb285Q6JINM9Q_BchlIJf3S7qAQ63zBNqhQ6q_QQZwchNEZSDLoyKQCmV61z5ztzc-FL9VAT2YDdrDcKFA0d21fjJou5lGa3R7SKo/s1600/IMG_4699.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH3VrL388Zl1rTTjPPDHr9EcTHMWoRy4KvuQ6rbeb285Q6JINM9Q_BchlIJf3S7qAQ63zBNqhQ6q_QQZwchNEZSDLoyKQCmV61z5ztzc-FL9VAT2YDdrDcKFA0d21fjJou5lGa3R7SKo/s640/IMG_4699.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go for the ears on the counter-attack.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6IVFxbguRLr1ec0FlMRRgQwyhF7RwJoeOGawxQRb_5NG-9IecOEo6TqQAAKsAABlVSIH_dgpl1HUZLHH0alRqn51lAVqFszy8L1lMLBngpm0UCX4b_p-AhMZ6gqlgmJ3qtGk6BZ97vI/s1600/IMG_4694.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6IVFxbguRLr1ec0FlMRRgQwyhF7RwJoeOGawxQRb_5NG-9IecOEo6TqQAAKsAABlVSIH_dgpl1HUZLHH0alRqn51lAVqFszy8L1lMLBngpm0UCX4b_p-AhMZ6gqlgmJ3qtGk6BZ97vI/s640/IMG_4694.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lure him into an attack by sticking out your tongue to taunt him.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXqiO_SSVTOvpew5FIdIgX0-Bzccbgc24o3_PPwR74JhyDE_jd7MlXYli4fob4xAq9z2uEIDgcA47hr2a479OuLl7O7MPdj9ao7cSyx0iCHAhTDruqVoVlRAJVTZNShfFya7xLbZztKs/s1600/IMG_4700.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXqiO_SSVTOvpew5FIdIgX0-Bzccbgc24o3_PPwR74JhyDE_jd7MlXYli4fob4xAq9z2uEIDgcA47hr2a479OuLl7O7MPdj9ao7cSyx0iCHAhTDruqVoVlRAJVTZNShfFya7xLbZztKs/s640/IMG_4700.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you opponent is annoyed enough, he may strike swiftly. Defense maneuvers can be difficult when your opponent lacks any bones in his neck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVsRuaMyQ4AH8-fj4EGH5HaTbEhKpjt4umzMQ6SQOcHRu0e0iRd0V3D6QXkOmf_Mk5A2GZG9fe6_X_OO-vUVc-sKMefHPNHgY5p8My3Sa9D0kfGpeP7lS8_ZT-noAJ7mir4mAmzeUcmc/s1600/IMG_4695.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVsRuaMyQ4AH8-fj4EGH5HaTbEhKpjt4umzMQ6SQOcHRu0e0iRd0V3D6QXkOmf_Mk5A2GZG9fe6_X_OO-vUVc-sKMefHPNHgY5p8My3Sa9D0kfGpeP7lS8_ZT-noAJ7mir4mAmzeUcmc/s640/IMG_4695.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your opponent may also be taller than you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6U2EiARIA5HcYIsbTOqIi9hkEVfGbKNYNcgsVk3DqKjNvvE718ve3bCmk4fhWe9JumyMDYLjYvagK7Td8VFuXlsCay5aPwaV9ue4-GcVzHV_WknNPT5JNCS3fo8kxZDa-9sodgvXY80/s1600/IMG_4747.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6U2EiARIA5HcYIsbTOqIi9hkEVfGbKNYNcgsVk3DqKjNvvE718ve3bCmk4fhWe9JumyMDYLjYvagK7Td8VFuXlsCay5aPwaV9ue4-GcVzHV_WknNPT5JNCS3fo8kxZDa-9sodgvXY80/s640/IMG_4747.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But you can show him.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwToC2JiXBE2hlDTHstqo96JArnIv5Nfi0M0krYQGTr1XkU1u4ZZ4z5bdZES4CqR61X0ERmi3bON9zDafsI4yHn2tDFcMxEJQc8EtAxJ29j2jry_fd8fyhb5fvkuKY7ZZiDOVOv2pErwk/s1600/IMG_4753.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwToC2JiXBE2hlDTHstqo96JArnIv5Nfi0M0krYQGTr1XkU1u4ZZ4z5bdZES4CqR61X0ERmi3bON9zDafsI4yHn2tDFcMxEJQc8EtAxJ29j2jry_fd8fyhb5fvkuKY7ZZiDOVOv2pErwk/s400/IMG_4753.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Except that he might squash you if you're not careful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9za5BVkOxHZ91Lb_yf4dRCPK6rEEdnRet6NLi_y48zUNsZVsTTJkA8hU5_N8gMfeRuM1oXuE951uNNV_E0Ll7UKC7AGOX4tJdVXtK3yvFiZufLDFvwJ04yVY32dfE30s0BD_hX-QJOgQ/s1600/IMG_4757.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9za5BVkOxHZ91Lb_yf4dRCPK6rEEdnRet6NLi_y48zUNsZVsTTJkA8hU5_N8gMfeRuM1oXuE951uNNV_E0Ll7UKC7AGOX4tJdVXtK3yvFiZufLDFvwJ04yVY32dfE30s0BD_hX-QJOgQ/s400/IMG_4757.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Always remember that it's OK to run away so that you can play again later.</div>
jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-22289819571525127102019-02-14T11:51:00.000-06:002019-02-14T11:51:12.363-06:00Too lame to ride, too obnoxious to retireAs you might have guessed from the lack of Taran posts, things are not going quite as well as we had hoped after the ProStride injection in his RF coffin joint.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCUZbd6ejuEsYFkqx20XzvauS9k9UM4-qrsmcURBgcuiFoWd_zfF0nAC7fGazh-YR0Ec-ykAvRVgkFdvyj6QJx72xYvMBvVC1QInRM-f-lPVYdRxJUpcBGL2dK8KdDzvW6LBiz6uZ_Yw/s1600/IMG_4741.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCUZbd6ejuEsYFkqx20XzvauS9k9UM4-qrsmcURBgcuiFoWd_zfF0nAC7fGazh-YR0Ec-ykAvRVgkFdvyj6QJx72xYvMBvVC1QInRM-f-lPVYdRxJUpcBGL2dK8KdDzvW6LBiz6uZ_Yw/s400/IMG_4741.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm not even sure how this horse did what he did.</div>
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We gave it a full month to take effect, but... he's not sound. Or I should say, not sound enough for much other than walk work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAA5h_9PpOIqlJ5bMAfnpickcGhvee_XuMEsFdgeZn1KjBFv7KH55ECl9e6ylPseGk8wYIDXWJFlh1MfIgcEFM_3EpY8OfYhuvXHHK1T-y5f5_SFBAR4Z9lQ6W1rPGvEOXTNdgCE2aQW4/s1600/IMG_4740.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAA5h_9PpOIqlJ5bMAfnpickcGhvee_XuMEsFdgeZn1KjBFv7KH55ECl9e6ylPseGk8wYIDXWJFlh1MfIgcEFM_3EpY8OfYhuvXHHK1T-y5f5_SFBAR4Z9lQ6W1rPGvEOXTNdgCE2aQW4/s400/IMG_4740.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The haffies hate it when he goes for hand walks by himself.</div>
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So... we've been doing some tack walking to keep him from going stir crazy. Except, last week when we went out he took off at a MONSTER (lame) extended trot, stuck his nose on his chest, and took off bucking. I stayed on, but it was a little sketchy there for a minute.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6euM1v2UDTFGuz7sYYaRoPOswD_DMHrA91ecjr_Gfv09HxtG-vjFB7fQgRP1hwgQJXe9IdfdmKpJB4xDCe1BPuez0e1ISpkDWQGYcyY3tUdXJWtVbdDJVk7RV46wlrnl59aBFTBfeDE/s1600/IMG_4590.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6euM1v2UDTFGuz7sYYaRoPOswD_DMHrA91ecjr_Gfv09HxtG-vjFB7fQgRP1hwgQJXe9IdfdmKpJB4xDCe1BPuez0e1ISpkDWQGYcyY3tUdXJWtVbdDJVk7RV46wlrnl59aBFTBfeDE/s320/IMG_4590.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
EARZ ON HIGH ALERT OMG (I risked my life for this pic, normally his ears aren't anywhere this near my face)</div>
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The other day I put the boys out to graze for a few minutes while I was doing chores, and when I called everyone in for dinner, Taran gave me a big old EFF YOU. The haffies all came running for food, but T just... well, ran. Like an idiot. Bucking, spinning... clearly whatever is bothering him isn't bad enough to stop him from doing dumb stuff on his own time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-WOuVWjT7Zu6Nzan33W9_idBVH-noD0kvHFNg9hSInqwPLkDZVC-ghh8KSk2UNesPtKHuBlRQcJKEbnREbOfAsO_ZCeUsjKxwlRicBqrgpdjm3cBaRBtQV9lvjgUEiwi7tpgL8ZkDg8/s1600/IMG_4635.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-WOuVWjT7Zu6Nzan33W9_idBVH-noD0kvHFNg9hSInqwPLkDZVC-ghh8KSk2UNesPtKHuBlRQcJKEbnREbOfAsO_ZCeUsjKxwlRicBqrgpdjm3cBaRBtQV9lvjgUEiwi7tpgL8ZkDg8/s320/IMG_4635.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Admiring yourself in the mirror seems like a much more reasonable occupation SINCE YOU'RE LAME.</div>
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He's driving the other horses absolutely bonkers, because he gets everybody all riled up and then they just run and run. For some reason, he especially likes chasing Griffy, who is not super excited about Taran's attentions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVSOO6i6QztLIVJQrtQCly7WltzhFwlHTWoay3Ygb4Kb_sTi_q4iHBdp2wicPubGvgJWpyiufp_6-LqMrT_8I7v4hcQ1a6N7fwvaa2H4KJ1RSEP6DPXCIX4BOtKg0QbXD6iBrr8dkNpA/s1600/IMG_4723.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVSOO6i6QztLIVJQrtQCly7WltzhFwlHTWoay3Ygb4Kb_sTi_q4iHBdp2wicPubGvgJWpyiufp_6-LqMrT_8I7v4hcQ1a6N7fwvaa2H4KJ1RSEP6DPXCIX4BOtKg0QbXD6iBrr8dkNpA/s400/IMG_4723.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is fine. Everything is fine.</div>
<br />
Unfortunately, T seems going back to his bullying ways, I think because he's not getting as much attention and exercise as he is used to.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQcZwYTh0HQ9A6y9KJaxzE6T08crTDquaD5dh4UIXq7m-QRERVVG2kTQ2FzQEQ8hslKS0J8dM25tP3yBxWTR_9I6Oi4XQOy1RG8EqIorscAZOJkEC1jFdnQCQPojUQoHVXe9EQicUyAA/s1600/IMG_4718.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQcZwYTh0HQ9A6y9KJaxzE6T08crTDquaD5dh4UIXq7m-QRERVVG2kTQ2FzQEQ8hslKS0J8dM25tP3yBxWTR_9I6Oi4XQOy1RG8EqIorscAZOJkEC1jFdnQCQPojUQoHVXe9EQicUyAA/s400/IMG_4718.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also he never gets any cookies anymore.</div>
<br />
We discussed options with the vet, and at this point we would need to have MRIs done of both front feet to really understand where we're at, and then formulate a treatment plan. And... well, based on his history (nail through coffin and navicuar bursa in 2011, super-thin soles, ongoing struggles with Cushings, etc), we've made the decision not to pursue additional treatment options.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1al6MlpWOxEvoFvuS7U_umoIVTs-rOhuNN2i1kYeXRxfJ3_jEg-IgfdmIjlLeyxEhE_G3Wtre3io3gImJjxkR_2ZjO_mdpOjXYz-kiZkAWOhLfgfo7SXVTlONOvxdrFiiv9IA1h_ZsQ/s1600/IMG_4639.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1al6MlpWOxEvoFvuS7U_umoIVTs-rOhuNN2i1kYeXRxfJ3_jEg-IgfdmIjlLeyxEhE_G3Wtre3io3gImJjxkR_2ZjO_mdpOjXYz-kiZkAWOhLfgfo7SXVTlONOvxdrFiiv9IA1h_ZsQ/s320/IMG_4639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Haflinger companions are an excellent treatment option. Also moar cookies. </div>
<br />
So technically he's retired, in that we're not going to be pushing toward 4th level or any other sort of goals. When/if he's sound, I'll do more with him riding-wise, and when/if he's not, we'll just tack walk. I have no agenda and no schedule for him. If at some point in the future, he's 110%, maaaaybe we'll think about legging him back up for competition. Maybe not. We'll take each day as it comes.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLmgheAR7jctydtDNn5hGrWcrxQv9UlUtGOegtbAemND_FRDOGpDFYByJn570IL-az3ZGJ_oUTS210dXwEaontmBVqZ6DuNG8PG7xMqeB7dSx1m9rjTSrsGLxjRC6G7BdyBDE9Cy5YRs/s1600/IMG_4730.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLmgheAR7jctydtDNn5hGrWcrxQv9UlUtGOegtbAemND_FRDOGpDFYByJn570IL-az3ZGJ_oUTS210dXwEaontmBVqZ6DuNG8PG7xMqeB7dSx1m9rjTSrsGLxjRC6G7BdyBDE9Cy5YRs/s320/IMG_4730.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Honestly this is fun too, when he's not spinning and bolting away from the terrifying bunnies.</div>
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I rode him last night WTC both directions for the first time in two months, since he was feeling pretty good (a little NQR here and there, but overall good). We worked on straightness, balance, and self-carriage (fortheloveofgodineedtoletgooftheinsiderein), which honestly are things I will always need work on, but it felt good to work on ME and not have to worry about riding a baby. It was also kind of amazing to have power steering and brakes, and remember what a horse who is truly over his back feels like to ride. Not to mention feeling his biiiig, powerful, rolling canter under me again, even for just half a circle. (Ok I know it's not <i>that</i> big in the grand scheme of things, but it feels light-years different from Leo's flat unbalanced racy baby canter.) Oh, and the bucks were nice too.<br />
<br />
So that's the state of things in Taran-land. He's retired, sort of... but maybe not really?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgxyUhgzU94UY7PZ7FXFyNcHSvZpJIUC7m3G8rkBYhOZLgEZvc2MOMBYskoSU8lacNAUnPJHUb8Kr7wW35o6VYlDIJNzKj-YaomyBT0YcDCDnQbKcFUl6t-cTUN4cKSlGMubqL2e4xZQ/s1600/IMG_4728.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgxyUhgzU94UY7PZ7FXFyNcHSvZpJIUC7m3G8rkBYhOZLgEZvc2MOMBYskoSU8lacNAUnPJHUb8Kr7wW35o6VYlDIJNzKj-YaomyBT0YcDCDnQbKcFUl6t-cTUN4cKSlGMubqL2e4xZQ/s320/IMG_4728.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA10Odl9RzHTQbG1kM_MviHFQpSXg9AwrrvmETmxstm5P-MFpxAVVPeeDURl8a3DLQVBUM2ThoUfo9Zm1N9b1CZOUWfMojfFOH1q6u4JPqhA6_5JPdeyRBwbci3Gz92KWCAclUOf-rCM/s1600/IMG_4742.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA10Odl9RzHTQbG1kM_MviHFQpSXg9AwrrvmETmxstm5P-MFpxAVVPeeDURl8a3DLQVBUM2ThoUfo9Zm1N9b1CZOUWfMojfFOH1q6u4JPqhA6_5JPdeyRBwbci3Gz92KWCAclUOf-rCM/s400/IMG_4742.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yeah buddy, I feel the same way. </div>
jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-26855018782557639462019-02-11T10:09:00.001-06:002019-02-11T10:09:23.623-06:00Leo's opinion of his first dressage showLeo and I went to a local schooling show this weekend, his first one ever. We'd signed up for Intro A and Intro B, because I wanted to keep things super low-key and make the experience very positive.<br />
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Late Thursday night, we had a cold front move in, so it rained and sleeted all day Friday and I don't think it got over 35F.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44b8tNRRadTgDHKCX9a7t-8t74eodPzEfAH8pumjhU_Grc4E8QnvSk7-xb2VymACAbESQ5oS9pLZ3EnsMw1BpcRaiDlrba7jW2iOlK5plvzDnIHIpoznx7bQWIRWk1KyYdZUrA9jKQ0A/s1600/IMG_4650.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44b8tNRRadTgDHKCX9a7t-8t74eodPzEfAH8pumjhU_Grc4E8QnvSk7-xb2VymACAbESQ5oS9pLZ3EnsMw1BpcRaiDlrba7jW2iOlK5plvzDnIHIpoznx7bQWIRWk1KyYdZUrA9jKQ0A/s320/IMG_4650.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is enough to make me want to crawl into a blanket fort in front of the fireplace and not come out for a month.</div>
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Saturday morning wasn't much better, 34F and raining. Warmup was in the outdoor and tests were ridden in the fairly dark, spooky indoor.<br />
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As I tacked up in the rain, Leo got a bit anxious tied to the trailer as we were nowhere near any other horses. I've mentioned that we've clicker-trained Leo to target the plastic swords we used to practice with, and there happened to be one in the trailer. Hubby had the brilliant idea of doing some target work, and Leo immediately focused on the fun task and hand and calmed down. Another win for R+!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8QnFl1W_-SZ7oatdw4oX2OXehlY4BYVJRz8yAJFTjFfCXt_7rLWIFQfEigCoaF3NGjgO_UnYxuBnEOb4tDEQKt8xMwLuQXoevTUMIMpDUlyM-hWw8J7pYQrUv4-ddmxiGTYsOKgaUF8/s1600/IMG_4659.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8QnFl1W_-SZ7oatdw4oX2OXehlY4BYVJRz8yAJFTjFfCXt_7rLWIFQfEigCoaF3NGjgO_UnYxuBnEOb4tDEQKt8xMwLuQXoevTUMIMpDUlyM-hWw8J7pYQrUv4-ddmxiGTYsOKgaUF8/s320/IMG_4659.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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TOUCHY THA THING!</div>
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I ended up hand-walking Leo all over the grounds, just to check everything out. He was interested in sightseeing but overall really chill. The only thing he looked at was a tarp covering a trailer hitch, but he marched over to it and touched it anyway.<br />
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I got on with about 30 minutes until our ride time, and did a lot of walking before gathering up the reins and doing some trot work. We focused on staying relaxed, straight, rhythmic, and in front of the leg (all of which is like... super hard). He was actually really focused and soft, considering the wind chill and driving rain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0Nuf8UVEIyrd2OPkfHS_X72gp08Jzk9pPN17mEtuMR-o_DLqLG3FxUfzba_bWYqxbXOwbKifk-gjXU7ZBbKgkFNJwzJs9KjMh3oGTMbD1kK0XjEN8mknn_lFkexUxxhmqiFt_eqQcwI/s1600/IMG_4662.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0Nuf8UVEIyrd2OPkfHS_X72gp08Jzk9pPN17mEtuMR-o_DLqLG3FxUfzba_bWYqxbXOwbKifk-gjXU7ZBbKgkFNJwzJs9KjMh3oGTMbD1kK0XjEN8mknn_lFkexUxxhmqiFt_eqQcwI/s320/IMG_4662.jpg" width="274" /></a> </div>
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This looks fun, right?</div>
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The show was running a bit behind, so we ended up taking more walk breaks than I had intended. Eventually our turn came, and we headed over to the arena and went in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGx8UOXpmO6pRLj2P-rNCBBs_hExvvnsQ7YVYx4jIxYoqHRwvr9pGXkuQ7_aNFK6xOnop2WpuO5mSerXIp9NUW0Th6quJhMYtJodlDyFZT1ICLazj_9mGD0RfnpllktgR904wIzPq3Pxo/s1600/IMG_4665.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGx8UOXpmO6pRLj2P-rNCBBs_hExvvnsQ7YVYx4jIxYoqHRwvr9pGXkuQ7_aNFK6xOnop2WpuO5mSerXIp9NUW0Th6quJhMYtJodlDyFZT1ICLazj_9mGD0RfnpllktgR904wIzPq3Pxo/s400/IMG_4665.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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CHARRRRRGE!!!</div>
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And... he was absolutely stellar. Sure, he called out once or twice, our transitions weren't all perfect, circles could have been rounder, etc. etc. But he stayed focused, soft, and relaxed, which was everything I could have asked for. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh3KOJe6sI9tFdXKRITIdmZIikdnObRhNu48M2cyV9pN7pXwgXHkKl67I8NtOQIHcgAP-VwRiqjg1PdsQEgBmQwUBKJqQoI6VqIGakLvwtb2qwkAxvj6UTmUnWIQTdsb5nsl0IrLeaMI/s1600/IMG_4673.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh3KOJe6sI9tFdXKRITIdmZIikdnObRhNu48M2cyV9pN7pXwgXHkKl67I8NtOQIHcgAP-VwRiqjg1PdsQEgBmQwUBKJqQoI6VqIGakLvwtb2qwkAxvj6UTmUnWIQTdsb5nsl0IrLeaMI/s400/IMG_4673.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was this one part where he tried to exit stage left... someone's outside leg wasn't actually doing anything, apparently.</div>
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We had some super fancy moments that are a hint of what might be to come:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV-6-tKy4oJwQGVkMFoQFwM9rzf5EjHJChO5Ju5uhSOsKsoILxmmS-KIDcJKowiamZ0z2RdWouSGEgzkuMoQQHgq7CluEao59SWHEkbABUxP4CgXSkhvU5Ad2CUDSPyEV8WvjETta5RM/s1600/IMG_4670.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV-6-tKy4oJwQGVkMFoQFwM9rzf5EjHJChO5Ju5uhSOsKsoILxmmS-KIDcJKowiamZ0z2RdWouSGEgzkuMoQQHgq7CluEao59SWHEkbABUxP4CgXSkhvU5Ad2CUDSPyEV8WvjETta5RM/s400/IMG_4670.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Engage hind leg!</div>
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Annnd then we had a few awkward baby moments:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5mE852R2VhyPYUtmCxxi704iWJk-rcqeY7CqkE72oWf1Y8EJZWpdPvhUWIyFMkHH849S0bxxAEnJ1KWg1r9DsSQdfKYuFCIU2mEJDlmNs0QnwxSpEIahnrG0V9ipHx8-CYd9JFSr_bg/s1600/IMG_4672.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5mE852R2VhyPYUtmCxxi704iWJk-rcqeY7CqkE72oWf1Y8EJZWpdPvhUWIyFMkHH849S0bxxAEnJ1KWg1r9DsSQdfKYuFCIU2mEJDlmNs0QnwxSpEIahnrG0V9ipHx8-CYd9JFSr_bg/s400/IMG_4672.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lookit the thing over there!</div>
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We had a couple of rides before Intro B, so we mostly just walked around and practiced some halts. Unfortunately, by this time I'd been on him for an hour, and he was pretty much done. We went back into the arena and got the test completed, but he was sucking behind my leg and we had some sticky spots. It wasn't really ugly or anything, but it definitely wasn't as smooth as our first test. Still, he didn't look, only called once or twice, and generally did what I asked.</div>
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Intro A, minus the walk part at the end because hubby's phone bricked due to the cold.</div>
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Our final scores were a 71.5% on Intro A and a 69+% on Intro B, which was very generous. I have no idea how we placed, since we left right after we finished - but really, it doesn't matter. He was a super kid and there were no shenanigans. For our first outing, I'd call it a success!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuid7_siEZO3qjdV_OOt4DhvCJntiAQ5JrdF4yp55W1S2gyz9BdhsAcVMj3V2TZKiEwY-P6feLfrwOwbUQq1WrIy1hRau7JwVDw_cEDgVgdi6MMk9xg9pHWVkXVYWo5Q1Kn9kaCAoCE8I/s1600/IMG_4656.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuid7_siEZO3qjdV_OOt4DhvCJntiAQ5JrdF4yp55W1S2gyz9BdhsAcVMj3V2TZKiEwY-P6feLfrwOwbUQq1WrIy1hRau7JwVDw_cEDgVgdi6MMk9xg9pHWVkXVYWo5Q1Kn9kaCAoCE8I/s400/IMG_4656.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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For some reason, Leo seems significantly less excited that I was... :D</div>
jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-42005325641207282142019-02-05T10:39:00.000-06:002019-02-05T10:39:01.602-06:00Keeping the waterfowl in a linear arrangementAfter Leo's minor meltdown on Saturday, we had a plan for our Sunday clinic ride to keep reduce his anxiety so we could get some work done. This involved parking Griffy <i>in</i> the arena with a haynet while I rode Leo which... was pretty much the magic bullet.<br />
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Unfortunately, hubby had to take a work call so I have only a tiny bit of media for my ride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5C5o6aKdkHY_9mXWP17LrPbpxOqq-s73ELdsGq4zc0IAaBIOmXhr0hrv2Qx6qxUtWqD9Z_UW-hEZEx3rgWe9mMI2NwAVwgXeO_bxHU7UFftYxKxUVUX5pDtRmT4QuBC2dmvXKwyoYD0/s1600/IMG_4612.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5C5o6aKdkHY_9mXWP17LrPbpxOqq-s73ELdsGq4zc0IAaBIOmXhr0hrv2Qx6qxUtWqD9Z_UW-hEZEx3rgWe9mMI2NwAVwgXeO_bxHU7UFftYxKxUVUX5pDtRmT4QuBC2dmvXKwyoYD0/s400/IMG_4612.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have a random picture of us trotting. And yes I promise never to pair those breeches with that saddle pad ever again, you're welcome.</div>
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We worked a lot on keeping a steady tempo, using very small corrections with my seat (and keeping my damn thigh on when I'm posting, that helps LOADS). When we had small steering issues (aka me pulling too much on the right rein), a small step in my outside stirrup straightened him right up underneath me. A moment of me riding off my hands rightfully resulted in a great deal of protest from Leo - he may be the horse that finally teaches me to ride with my seat instead! </div>
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Because Leo spent 60 days at a colt starter before we got him, he has what is fondly referred to as a "huge stop". What this means in reality is that he might drop onto his forehand and slam on the brakes when asked for any sort of downward, which puts me in jeopardy of going off over his ears. He likely also spent a lot of time backing up immediately after a halt, so he tends to stop with his hind legs splayed out to either side, resulting in kind of a wobbly drunk-looking halt, often immediately followed by him backing up a step or two. We worked on stepping UP into trot-walk transitions, continuing the forward motion and staying in front of the leg. This is quite a challenge for him, but when I had everything organized and asked very softly, he was right there for me. And having the R+ "YES!" bridge available to me was a huge help too, because I could tell him when he had done it right.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ55Zq80-2Dgz25PlDusroTVZU9z5Tw8-9mgkYglI2sBaTFqGHcok-uDEGF4GRcHLzG-1dv9L8OZZ-Dq055wx2s3XqwBXWqQGPB_UGSAhBu7By3c64z8psSX_3RiRSnkObP-TujOi2nCE/s1600/IMG_4613.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ55Zq80-2Dgz25PlDusroTVZU9z5Tw8-9mgkYglI2sBaTFqGHcok-uDEGF4GRcHLzG-1dv9L8OZZ-Dq055wx2s3XqwBXWqQGPB_UGSAhBu7By3c64z8psSX_3RiRSnkObP-TujOi2nCE/s400/IMG_4613.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Getting a little more relaxed through the back and over the shoulder, let's not talk about my stupid inside hand.</div>
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Since he was working so well, my confidence was high and I felt organized enough to canter. I had warned my trainer that she wouldn't like it much because it's on the forehand and lacks suspension, but actually our right lead canter felt quite good! We only did a few strides before asking him (softly, so softly, just exhale and NO HAND) to come back to trot and rebalance, and we did that several times each direction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyb9Sp9TWhNrphQSMaHQoO6kdFrfYSH0MuIOUm1pULD7U4fxB4gtRvilR5VicMafAS7zKd8kit5bE3DtHh-yXpFDvH-TVKz5RuOLP9eNsX69tcPYoIM3Xg_DGz5filBlC-xuHszEy26g/s1600/IMG_4615.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyb9Sp9TWhNrphQSMaHQoO6kdFrfYSH0MuIOUm1pULD7U4fxB4gtRvilR5VicMafAS7zKd8kit5bE3DtHh-yXpFDvH-TVKz5RuOLP9eNsX69tcPYoIM3Xg_DGz5filBlC-xuHszEy26g/s400/IMG_4615.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Looking pretty good</div>
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Trainer's comment was he's simply unbalanced in the canter because he's young and got a fairly big stride for his size. For now, my homework is to do lots and lots of soft transitions to help him find his balance, but not to canter in endless unbalanced circles. Given the quality of his walk, she thinks the canter will improve some with time and training.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4Sqta6utZqvIMHhmgMGjWsSHC110by9xW1qWmZyI7i4HiaKxR0ZqM5TvjWxcZhQJ8EeVDOkvFONch3DB8pxvEWinOfyKUsJKPDF6FTwO6yeJ3buwb2ZkyGhA8ov9tojqCampEzQtUmw/s1600/IMG_4618.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4Sqta6utZqvIMHhmgMGjWsSHC110by9xW1qWmZyI7i4HiaKxR0ZqM5TvjWxcZhQJ8EeVDOkvFONch3DB8pxvEWinOfyKUsJKPDF6FTwO6yeJ3buwb2ZkyGhA8ov9tojqCampEzQtUmw/s400/IMG_4618.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also he will improve if I sit my butt in the saddle and stop pulling him onto his forehand</div>
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Bit of a long video, but it's a good example of where we're at now. And no shenanigans, sorry!</div>
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I clearly need to do a lot of work on my core in sitting trot - it's just up there wiggling around. The funny thing is, I can be really quite strong with it, but it's almost like it's either on or off. Isolating body parts is hard, but thanks to <a href="https://aenterspooking.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a>, I've got some ideas of things to work on. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenjkziG-w2-Ytp7xEo0jR9Qq9zbYF_UuiQm1e8DZO6ELf7c8yDb8uL6gzAOxn79hxt-i6g-0IQp6pnoCK6Fyei0qng1G2hRcePmYrUx4-7MMaPTki5vbF4KkVEcA71Jg8dgXSBcJ9i58/s1600/IMG_4621.PNG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenjkziG-w2-Ytp7xEo0jR9Qq9zbYF_UuiQm1e8DZO6ELf7c8yDb8uL6gzAOxn79hxt-i6g-0IQp6pnoCK6Fyei0qng1G2hRcePmYrUx4-7MMaPTki5vbF4KkVEcA71Jg8dgXSBcJ9i58/s400/IMG_4621.PNG" width="400" /></a><br />
How Leo feels about my riding, probably.<br />
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The session ended on a really good note, especially considering where we stared on Saturday. My trainer actually really seemed to like him (I'm sure the floofy forelock and cute personality helped) and basically told me to keep him and see where we are in a year. Which is good, because I've already signed us up for a schooling show this coming weekend!</div>
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jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-841540875650672382019-02-04T10:50:00.002-06:002019-02-04T10:50:37.977-06:00Leo's protest are... kind of interesting, actuallyThis weekend was Leo's first clinic with GP trainer that comes down from VA once a month. It was the first time she'd seen him, and I was anxious to hear her opinion.<br />
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We'd bought Leo as a second jousting horse for hubby, but it became clear pretty quickly that he likely wasn't going to be stout enough to carry the weight. He's the same height as Paddy, but about half as wide - definitely more of a sport model. So then the question became, do we keep him or not? The little guy has really grown on us in a few short months, despite all his challenges.<br />
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Proof that he really *does* follow you around when you're riding another horse. Yes I gave him a cookie, how could you not with that adorable face?</div>
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Leo and I started the session with usual walk around the arena in-hand, then did a little ground work in hand before I hopped on. He'd never been to this venue, and seemed a little anxious despite Griffy being in a nearby stall. The moment I got on, we started having problems that I thought had been addressed. The steering quit working, even at the walk. He sucked behind my leg and slammed on the brakes randomly. Our walk squares, which at home have been very evenly paced with a smooth quarter TOF at each corner, were more like wobbly squiggles with questionable careening at each corner.<br />
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CANNOT HORSE TODAY, TOO BABY</div>
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We worked on slowing him down from my seat, with tiny tiny corrections here and there. As trainer put it, even stepping a bit in my outside stirrup was a HUGE DEAL to him, so I need to scale way back (completely opposite from Taran). Eventually we moved on to trot, but the anxiety levels continued to escalate despite lots of pats, cookies, and "good boys," so we went back to a 3 loop serpentine at the walk.<br />
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And then he decided to protest in earnest:<br />
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Here's the highlights if you don't want to watch the video:<br />
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I swear to you, I had just VERY GENTLY asked him to trot.</div>
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Nothing like hearing your trainer laughing hysterically after this move (to be fair, she did ask me if I was OK before she started laughing) </div>
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She did seem pretty excited when he tried this:</div>
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I WILL PROTEST WITH HALF STEPS SO THERE</div>
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About this time, hubby came in to warm Griffy up for his session, and it was like someone had turned a switch on Leo. All the tension left. Steering returned. The hamsters that had fallen out of his brain all returned of their own accord, and we were able to go back to work.</div>
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And he was effing brilliant (of course I have no video, you'll have to trust me here). We worked on 20, 15, and 10 m trot circles, a little leg yield at the trot and shoulder in at the walk, lots of transitions, big trot/little trot, you name it. It was super fun to ride, I almost didn't want to get off! </div>
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So much better! Probably would also help if I quit staring at his ears.</div>
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Based on Leo's behavior, we decided that for day 2 of the clinic, we'd keep Griffy in the arena during Leo's ride. It's weird, when we haul solo to our weekly lessons, Leo seems just fine. When Griffy is in the arena away from home, that's also fine. But I guess we cannot horse (for now) if our support haffie is not directly visible when away from home. Clearly need to do a lot more traveling with this one!jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-28404445995985699842019-01-29T10:25:00.002-06:002019-01-29T10:25:22.913-06:00Throwing down the gauntlet on R+ trainingWhen Leo first arrived, he was incredibly reactive and distrusting. The first time I got on him, he tried to bolt away from the mounting block. Heck, even getting him TO the mounting block was a challenge. Because I wanted to build a positive relationship (and didn't want to get hurt), I decided scale things way back and start from scratch.<br />
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So I started with R+ (aka clicker) training. It's not something I've ever really used with horses before except to play a little with Paddy, but look, they clicker trained a PUFFER FISH to identify shapes, and surely Haffies are smarter than puffer fish?<br />
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Puffer fish starts in at about 1:20.</div>
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R+ was originally developed to work with large marine mammals, because let's face it, you cannot force a killer whale to jump through a hoop if it doesn't want to. The concept is simple though - you create an association between a stimulus and a reward (click and treat).<br />
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One of the first things you can do with R+ training is to teach the horse to touch a target with their nose. The target can be anything, but I started with a glove because that's what I had handy. The first two or three times, I pointed to it and said "TOUCH!" When Leo went to sniff it, I kind of gently bonked his nose with it, said "YES!", and gave him a treat. I used "YES" instead of a click because I can use it anywhere, even say it under my breath when riding and he gives me a behavior I want.<br />
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After about the third bonk, the lightbulb went off, and he was like a glove-seeking missile. I put the glove high and low, even on the (scary) mounting block, wherever, and he'd touch it with his nose and get a YES! and a treat. This session literally lasted maybe 5 minutes - it took him no time at all to catch on to this new game. Take that, puffer fish!<br />
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We then started working on touching whatever I pointed at instead of just the glove... paper, the wall, a brush, a blanket, a towel... anything I could find. Leo though it was super fun and started touching anything he could, even when I didn't ask. I did not give affirmation for those tries, and eventually he learned that he only got a reward when I asked. This is a common problem, where they start offering a behavior because you *might* want it - simply don't acknowledge it, and they'll stop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry4SIpZvcWTZ9me4j9WCRjc__v-gXjKy_dnwrV7PoQXLiQZ0Ggp-crpUjzOiqn0i7teILW4KKOm15PFzTKRRYrwZPpL3D1So_f6uRxjp2egR9Fu8JaLRtLUFOl5Lzrg93WjSbMqVB4sE/s1600/IMG_4327.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry4SIpZvcWTZ9me4j9WCRjc__v-gXjKy_dnwrV7PoQXLiQZ0Ggp-crpUjzOiqn0i7teILW4KKOm15PFzTKRRYrwZPpL3D1So_f6uRxjp2egR9Fu8JaLRtLUFOl5Lzrg93WjSbMqVB4sE/s400/IMG_4327.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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When we were out trail riding (solo) one day, Leo stopped to stare at this scary pile of leaf bags. I waited about .002 seconds before he took a deep breath and marched over to touch them so he could get a cookie. It was all his decision - no kicking, clucking or anything on my part. This stuff works, y'all.</div>
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Leo isn't a fan of loud noises, and since hubby sometimes rides Paddy and Griffy in armor, I wanted him to be more comfortable around that. So, we started touching a metal jousting gauntlet. At first I held it still and he touched that, but eventually I started clanking it a bit. Within one five-minute session, Leo went from extremely tense about the clanking to this:<br />
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Literally cannot wait for me to throw the gauntlet so he can touch it</div>
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We've also used R+ training when hubby is out swinging swords around. At first, we'd stand and watch, and Leo would get a cookie for being relaxed. Eventually, he'd get a cookie if he would come up close while hubby was actually swinging the sword. Then hubby started giving him cookies while swinging the sword and poking me with it (rude).</div>
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Here Leo (center) is taking a nap while hubby (right) and RH (left) are stabbing me with plastic swords. Way to save your rider, buddy. </div>
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The only downside to all this is that Leo now expects anyone swinging a sword to give him cookies. Hubby was out doing sword work with Griffy the other night and Leo was literally chasing him around going "Hey Mister! Hey Mister!", absolutely convinced he was going to get a cookie if he could just get close enough.</div>
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Dangers of R+ training = attack haffies</div>
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Have you ever used R+ training and if so, what for?</div>
jenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com24