tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80422278293301336672024-03-13T08:35:23.854-07:00The Semi Feral EquestrianLife of a semi feral equestrian attempting to learn dressage with her Arabians. Humor, science, and doing things in a roundabout way.Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.comBlogger335125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-51286482012840586752022-07-04T17:53:00.001-07:002022-07-04T17:53:06.246-07:00July Clinic: In-Hand<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19ZP8wRiJHHrrI56CQ9miyW4NpJ7dFTBfOSywJzdItDfY01C7kdHggI_IXYj_qSGZ0kaOvheXjLgcfvT7ZQUVi7hQXeEU6HmQHj6Ymjjsg-FRPjK9OMBNC4Zks3PHMeZ30QiMxL20qNgeJacEffk1yc_qeEIEp6yUr7Qn38xrAG_BLOZ0OzBtPCbtaw/s2048/DSC_2850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="2048" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19ZP8wRiJHHrrI56CQ9miyW4NpJ7dFTBfOSywJzdItDfY01C7kdHggI_IXYj_qSGZ0kaOvheXjLgcfvT7ZQUVi7hQXeEU6HmQHj6Ymjjsg-FRPjK9OMBNC4Zks3PHMeZ30QiMxL20qNgeJacEffk1yc_qeEIEp6yUr7Qn38xrAG_BLOZ0OzBtPCbtaw/s320/DSC_2850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The past few weeks have been pretty busy. Some exciting upcoming news, but until then, it's just been work and more work since one of my coworkers left, so we're picking up her shifts.<br /><br />But I was able to get the last slot for a clinic at my barn on Sunday afternoon after I finished work. The last two slots were in-hand lessons with a well regarded area dressage trainer and one of those individuals that's shown a large number of stallions for inspections and all of those things. <br /><br />I first saw him showing some Half-Arabians for another trainer I know and I really liked his style and how effortlessly he showed the horses, so I was thrilled when my barn owner arranged for him to come up and teach.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmb0pI9WcDV1EqfuhEdMDRgK50L7vTL4IMKQT3rJcTdvTcx35ZkdvJzuudZ2bzaX-ijkrHj1Vq38Q2sLqatvQ-WRUMnFD-6hCKun-TwNrXlSvILeUTVXD50rNKO2tWdm28XPs6VXKai-U_c8mqizDlLjjWz0AGCCUAe33HmDLzl2UTAwoS3Og8Qmrfg/s1138/286231746_10102526654647480_5275312726671779788_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1028" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmb0pI9WcDV1EqfuhEdMDRgK50L7vTL4IMKQT3rJcTdvTcx35ZkdvJzuudZ2bzaX-ijkrHj1Vq38Q2sLqatvQ-WRUMnFD-6hCKun-TwNrXlSvILeUTVXD50rNKO2tWdm28XPs6VXKai-U_c8mqizDlLjjWz0AGCCUAe33HmDLzl2UTAwoS3Og8Qmrfg/s320/286231746_10102526654647480_5275312726671779788_n.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Screen shot of an in-hand photo from last month</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think everyone enjoyed the clinic day with K. He was knowledgeable and was able to evaluate our horses and give us some tricks to help best show our individual horses.<br /><br />One thing he noticed with myself and Chili is that I run very close to the triangle and the cones and he wanted to run off of the cones, as in several feet to the left of the cones to give myself more time and a corner to raise the whip to help guide onto the long side for an extended trot. I was taking the corners more as a 90 degree angle and not setting my horse up for the most time to get into a bigger trot.<br /><br />He also suggested folding my reins up into my right hand and just having my guiding whip in my left. Makes sense. Less for me to putz around with. Bigger points was to look up and to go for it. I have big enough strides, but I would often try and look back or down and then give my horse a bit of a "half-halt" in hand and shut down the expression of her gaits. <br /><br />In the walk, he said I especially should hold my hand a little bit higher and a little loose so she could swing through her back more. I have a tendency to be a little tense on the reins since she can anticipate and break into a trot. K's suggestion was that he often will take his right hand and even just raise it and pet the horse a little while walking so they relax. There's no rule against petting them or being nice to them and this will emphasize the difference between the relaxation in the walk and then asking for a bigger trot just a moment later.<br /><br />He also suggested always trying to get my horse's expression up since her neck is a little thick and lower which I know. I think I described her as a "potato". <br /><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9RuKm1-utftGT0v4azAF_paBE1KwX0Gu5SvLt2qfWtiv6k7vyRJvK2IhG-kHm2MtVINx5-wNvzWLjvmV3_2nvaYmdVI2XQI5YGlAT9HbIk43okAfNwqc2KVS3XfLq3LzMBE8p-2S3GmhknhsrPAE9AaSyD6UOZ2FwMrZ-8Ncv6C_Skj4gzWN77BYEA/s6016/DSC_2740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9RuKm1-utftGT0v4azAF_paBE1KwX0Gu5SvLt2qfWtiv6k7vyRJvK2IhG-kHm2MtVINx5-wNvzWLjvmV3_2nvaYmdVI2XQI5YGlAT9HbIk43okAfNwqc2KVS3XfLq3LzMBE8p-2S3GmhknhsrPAE9AaSyD6UOZ2FwMrZ-8Ncv6C_Skj4gzWN77BYEA/s320/DSC_2740.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This horse is definitely a potato</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">On some horses, just asking them to look for the whip is enough or to poke them in the shoulder with the whip. Others may reach for his hand (especially if he's been hand feeding them in the paddock). Chili is pretty wise to most of these games and he suggested the magical thing of sand. Which apparently worked in the clinic. We'll see if we can keep it working at shows, but maybe I'll try and find novel things to school with and attempt to clicker train the reach up and ears forward and get it on cue. Wish us luck, lol. <br /><br />Otherwise, sand in the show ring it is. <br /><br />Other major takeaways from some of the other horses is don't back a horse into a stance. A small circle is better if you need to fix them since most horses will stand hocks closer together while being backed up. A smaller horse could have their front feet placed closer together in their open stance to appear a little bit taller. Sometimes less is more. Stop annoying the horse if the stance is "good enough". Some of the fixing can be done while the judge is on a different side of the horse. <br /><br />Always look at the judge and move to the offside to show you are ready to start their judging. <br /><br />What tricks or tips have you learned for in-hand classes? <br /><br />Even though I've shown a lot, I haven't had an "expert" coach me before so I'm interested to see how these suggestions help! <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-77389381933932544692022-05-20T18:27:00.003-07:002022-05-20T18:27:57.657-07:00A New Spring<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPWVJYdBTKVJKUMzb9u6XE3xQPxBcAxifXq02i8Hw_hFlo15ensjM8noRNZM9euCmM2oGXOXkdp72lEyTZeqAY1HmHiTPO-X3M_-hQWemgZ6DDx2NGEIKfO809EtQzOd4DMfUzfVHyrBa6RPiZmxJM4r3Uwb0C4A9CaRkm_v94F2jFXc9QCENLzDgKA/s6016/DSC_2740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPWVJYdBTKVJKUMzb9u6XE3xQPxBcAxifXq02i8Hw_hFlo15ensjM8noRNZM9euCmM2oGXOXkdp72lEyTZeqAY1HmHiTPO-X3M_-hQWemgZ6DDx2NGEIKfO809EtQzOd4DMfUzfVHyrBa6RPiZmxJM4r3Uwb0C4A9CaRkm_v94F2jFXc9QCENLzDgKA/s320/DSC_2740.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p></p><p>Winter was spent still rehabbing. Chili spent a period of time looking great and then other times starting off the ride extremely sticky on the right hind. I called the vet back out for a lameness recheck and of course, the day of the recheck, she looked absolutely fabulous.<br /><br />But I'm not really sure what changed. I had still kept her working lightly through the points of being sticky on advance of my vets and maybe we finally turned the tide. <br /><br />The past few weeks, we have even reached a point where our rides are getting more strength and steadiness and it's just been fun. Simple things like straightness and a steady rhythm have been hard for her and she just can be difficult when she's bored, but we've been chipping away at it. <br /><br />The current plan is to try and attend a couple of shows this year. It may be a little bit more difficult as one of my coworkers is moving on in a couple of weeks, so I'll be working every other weekend, but we shall see. <br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0H8T0VQaHF4SN8lb89dOkmbPY8-oJDtEEjD5mjVO9FoRG454ldbh7qyWGtY-aIV-J-eJAILRPqPxA1msuxWna_9mFNG-xskhB8uxsbiccHHd8b1IVjpIqayeqd1HkfgPD_vRFk8YPGJwfRzSmAAWYDEj-eRW2eXzBBSLXv-SA0MKVq4xnoKlC0vE_mw/s960/280153899_10102506825739770_8474657267381692235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0H8T0VQaHF4SN8lb89dOkmbPY8-oJDtEEjD5mjVO9FoRG454ldbh7qyWGtY-aIV-J-eJAILRPqPxA1msuxWna_9mFNG-xskhB8uxsbiccHHd8b1IVjpIqayeqd1HkfgPD_vRFk8YPGJwfRzSmAAWYDEj-eRW2eXzBBSLXv-SA0MKVq4xnoKlC0vE_mw/s320/280153899_10102506825739770_8474657267381692235_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>So in some ways, I feel so behind the eight ball. Here she is turning 11 and I have yet to master most of the training level objectives with her. But at the same time, still appreciative of the time I have to still ride her and come back from yet another horrifying accident.<br /><br />What is it with horses and accidents? But her resiliency and willingness to always come back and worth again seems to make it worth it. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkGMYhC0-TX3vsBAfQH4r5DI9KmnfNFyS8-Kn5UcpQiK0nlf61170FnceiNqTRETNYJXaOPq2fwf3WE_iN92pWh5-5O7FfZMTnTNojmvlAwQmjY0_HuB-xj3qdlSV5Fz9tRyLJqXyBEfWUX0uhBtxUJunmWxfRRJ71LRLfD_K59RbKWn4Tky_t0T6tw/s6016/DSC_2731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkGMYhC0-TX3vsBAfQH4r5DI9KmnfNFyS8-Kn5UcpQiK0nlf61170FnceiNqTRETNYJXaOPq2fwf3WE_iN92pWh5-5O7FfZMTnTNojmvlAwQmjY0_HuB-xj3qdlSV5Fz9tRyLJqXyBEfWUX0uhBtxUJunmWxfRRJ71LRLfD_K59RbKWn4Tky_t0T6tw/s320/DSC_2731.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-19524264435134864602022-01-20T18:18:00.004-08:002022-01-20T18:18:58.474-08:00Iceland<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPP8gNHi1OJ0X669XVoJ7gd68NhevYUfnVU78PXL9oPDC6JhIBHIvL9HOHqUKioFxeGGQUdQ4qyqoZCj4h7WbImcxtraL0To4aSQpIB7Tcs_HOwGf4ZB3CcCfP9BdRfabzmnnzwmEpVuj4rrAm70cYS-_IiUuc59WkB6PtIuV-xaE-ADK_V_n4hTdDEA=s6016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPP8gNHi1OJ0X669XVoJ7gd68NhevYUfnVU78PXL9oPDC6JhIBHIvL9HOHqUKioFxeGGQUdQ4qyqoZCj4h7WbImcxtraL0To4aSQpIB7Tcs_HOwGf4ZB3CcCfP9BdRfabzmnnzwmEpVuj4rrAm70cYS-_IiUuc59WkB6PtIuV-xaE-ADK_V_n4hTdDEA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">One thing I am grateful this past year was the chance to go to Iceland. We went in November, which was not ideal summer weather, but seemed reasonable enough. The sun was a little bit lacking though. We saw it about twice the whole time we were there. ;)<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGV2tYP1gikxpq2W3V0sNGvN-5Wsze8oZVwsx7nho2H2zyly1Lhi7YJ0HQBnp_WzGzBNSs9iquSOlu9lKyI3mdiFLLCRDHr9UTL5QvQS09__O15U0k0bHMhJy4q5tybtFIL1yAbyQbulSyRjGYW21Gaxv6prKCKHVdbzI_Gw-WdLSZB4NR98ibmiyxxQ=s6016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGV2tYP1gikxpq2W3V0sNGvN-5Wsze8oZVwsx7nho2H2zyly1Lhi7YJ0HQBnp_WzGzBNSs9iquSOlu9lKyI3mdiFLLCRDHr9UTL5QvQS09__O15U0k0bHMhJy4q5tybtFIL1yAbyQbulSyRjGYW21Gaxv6prKCKHVdbzI_Gw-WdLSZB4NR98ibmiyxxQ=s320" width="214" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc"><span title="Icelandic-language text"><span lang="is" style="font-style: normal;">Þingvellir </span></span>is a national park and World Heritage Site in Iceland and where annual parliament was held from 930 to 1798. A pretty important place. It's also where there is continental drift between North America and European tectonic plates. It happened to be snowing quite a bit when we were there. My husband was the one hanging out in a short sleeved shirt and then later on a rain jacket while all the rest of the visitors looked freezing in an extreme amount of layers. Apparently after life in the frozen tundra, what's a little Icelandic snow? <br /><br /><br /></span></span><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbiZBmXK-wbr1yF89QaQpUFlFzUuwWqAuoSBLhNmdJHvUUEDSYdJWM7GlI8ETI7bqju9ttLbcp7z1kO9yK8fENPeQcApjkn52GaFBTtdEdv6Ja-OFYTjWJSCaBV1x3ZnHdztTR-lemcAaH4vCLgpl9v-vmWamxLT9kXw3rl71KQapAKOjlZUjoSP3gzQ=s6016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbiZBmXK-wbr1yF89QaQpUFlFzUuwWqAuoSBLhNmdJHvUUEDSYdJWM7GlI8ETI7bqju9ttLbcp7z1kO9yK8fENPeQcApjkn52GaFBTtdEdv6Ja-OFYTjWJSCaBV1x3ZnHdztTR-lemcAaH4vCLgpl9v-vmWamxLT9kXw3rl71KQapAKOjlZUjoSP3gzQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The Black Church at Budir. Absolutely lovely, but we were only there for a couple of minutes and it's closed to visitors. <br /><br />Anyone else travel to Iceland? What were some of your highlights? <br /><p></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-36423974469463223062022-01-18T07:13:00.002-08:002022-01-18T07:13:50.556-08:00Is it Dawn or is it Sunset?<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOB7zUaEyuVSoHRcQdauP56mu8xikcgrGtDFHrbbMTkusM5vrEWv3rez4S9L_TF2wfTgfpErZjHYmLgti-l7HzuvJpm5JjF3S1SyqdG3HnHLjCTYBn_x5TXbFzX5wDRF660r-S73VrzRN9-9CvLW0UUypuaDm2PVih90YPnuDUHxDAScq8WBg_gVx6JQ=s4860" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4860" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOB7zUaEyuVSoHRcQdauP56mu8xikcgrGtDFHrbbMTkusM5vrEWv3rez4S9L_TF2wfTgfpErZjHYmLgti-l7HzuvJpm5JjF3S1SyqdG3HnHLjCTYBn_x5TXbFzX5wDRF660r-S73VrzRN9-9CvLW0UUypuaDm2PVih90YPnuDUHxDAScq8WBg_gVx6JQ=s320" width="264" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The first few days home were tough. I have the world's most amazing barn owner and we had a plan. There's a very small turnout pen at the barn known as the "penalty box". It's about the size of a stall and there's a paddock adjacent to it so Chili could go outside and stay calm. <br /><br />My veterinarians at home devised a plan. Stall rest, radiographs, Softride boots, leg wraps inside, and cold hosing. This was to cover the major differentials for her acute lameness. The radiographs taken at the show were extremely poor quality with some artifacts, so several sets of repeat radiographs were taken over the following few weeks.<br /><br />Dwelling on the poor handling of the situation by the show veterinarian, I called the practice manager to share my experience and how I would have improved that interaction. To my surprise, the show veterinarian actually called me back to discuss my experiences. I doubt any of what I said stuck since she ended the call with "Have a good rest of the 2021 show season." OK thanks, my horse is lame, lame, lame, but I'll get right on that.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bVZcHj1iGk8" width="320" youtube-src-id="bVZcHj1iGk8"></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Video a few weeks after getting home. Significant improvement. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a few weeks and starting to rule other things out, it was a presumed medial collateral ligament injury. I could take her for an MRI to confirm the diagnosis, however, her lameness was improving with conservative treatment, so we opted to skip that and save the money.</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/a/AVvXsEhXeDPl9HgHX_5cCdZZcVH5KXx46ajSuPNXXVuOg6PAJjFV2_ptM6nN1FFuF3fy_v7kKwGM42-pOGdtAeyqIkRFW07Acxehlgn6yVYZbQ3uafumTpmOuWrO3dSbxtFr0EWixiJSjJ04EBH_mgWtYvHxG3t2xlTumgU5gfSouiZsfGR7blfiYq9t8JdC3w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXeDPl9HgHX_5cCdZZcVH5KXx46ajSuPNXXVuOg6PAJjFV2_ptM6nN1FFuF3fy_v7kKwGM42-pOGdtAeyqIkRFW07Acxehlgn6yVYZbQ3uafumTpmOuWrO3dSbxtFr0EWixiJSjJ04EBH_mgWtYvHxG3t2xlTumgU5gfSouiZsfGR7blfiYq9t8JdC3w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Since she has a known spot of hock arthritis from a traumatic injury in April of 2020, I try and maintain Adequan twice a year. It certainly wasn't going to hurt Chili and to support her while she was in the penalty box. It was tricky because the confinement certainly seems to improve the front end lameness, but then the hind end gets sticky.<br /><br />Finally at the end of November, I had the OK from my veterinarian to begin working Chili in straight lines at the walk. No lunging, no turnout, and to evaluate if she maintained the same level of soundness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOPR_a7SrU8uWi1ZTskdqkHgyxfVBXC978-SfPbEzTbpLxUHKmxXT-0zYp6Udmt8nkMh6gT-PItNear5Q3EG7TUxArNDVdjC93ZPNLG69yBrfI4cguZ6NgQAZx9wIJznlzjgYQNt2lSShG0FkAQopyEM02bX2Kvzd6Q6Jo7OJgPymvjBWa1ClwF1_5Ng=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOPR_a7SrU8uWi1ZTskdqkHgyxfVBXC978-SfPbEzTbpLxUHKmxXT-0zYp6Udmt8nkMh6gT-PItNear5Q3EG7TUxArNDVdjC93ZPNLG69yBrfI4cguZ6NgQAZx9wIJznlzjgYQNt2lSShG0FkAQopyEM02bX2Kvzd6Q6Jo7OJgPymvjBWa1ClwF1_5Ng=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of fat and definitely out of condition<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Now, I understand the idea of straight line rehab and the goal to build up her strength before turning out, but has it's winter here, she's a dragon, and she hasn't been turned out in three months. <br /><br />But I've had some amazing barn mates and friends that have been willing to serve as an emotional support human. Our first rides were definitely on the end of a lunge line to ensure she stayed quiet and didn't torque that front right foot. When she's been quiet, we've been able to be let off the line and we've even built up to a little bit of trot now. <br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7XCmfPiEcivNMA2GIgajjOuBKnq2ZYRDLAb62dUAj63JUPt7Pw3GNQg10pAA4x7bWCU0XmCJiuR5tiYT2DATYKmyreW3iz_6ycBIViMgWEx5sIXTcOO9FcZZNVs9ayVwrRwp7qzhqZRQbq6-IYGvkkjhOvw-oOn36Ez2QDvXYCa1eo25RebNcJx0-cw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7XCmfPiEcivNMA2GIgajjOuBKnq2ZYRDLAb62dUAj63JUPt7Pw3GNQg10pAA4x7bWCU0XmCJiuR5tiYT2DATYKmyreW3iz_6ycBIViMgWEx5sIXTcOO9FcZZNVs9ayVwrRwp7qzhqZRQbq6-IYGvkkjhOvw-oOn36Ez2QDvXYCa1eo25RebNcJx0-cw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv5k1QvI33JKSF1ICmmWgJ3tOYAZu6uVUVRue-m0MxKBM3yCACRJfJ9TRsV8ZL7EaE6oDVS13ot3vM2o2WyQfq_z3TLWTRbNC5UUK8P9XN_BqRha87k10Id1N4Qy_cheLx2CSSXunsqh7MzBAeAU-5K99BY6sBc2-yT4kCdSyLQk46vCGtVXFVEJ56xw=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv5k1QvI33JKSF1ICmmWgJ3tOYAZu6uVUVRue-m0MxKBM3yCACRJfJ9TRsV8ZL7EaE6oDVS13ot3vM2o2WyQfq_z3TLWTRbNC5UUK8P9XN_BqRha87k10Id1N4Qy_cheLx2CSSXunsqh7MzBAeAU-5K99BY6sBc2-yT4kCdSyLQk46vCGtVXFVEJ56xw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So while the past few months have been filled with a lot of uncertainty about the future, there does seem to be the dawning promise of a return to schooling and training once again, fingers crossed.<br /></div>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-46716432661036285222022-01-13T07:42:00.000-08:002022-01-13T07:42:00.966-08:00Expect the Unexpected<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLfrket6FN-k7d_13IZqr40dw3XC9mpD7WEWwEkCEoX5u-P6XLQDM_g5Wj3C5n2z5m_DJrVoUjzZvZ2M3GZhyybhdKMnUdQJw8G0e_AoFLuJ5Z72PC77oC7AB71U7E0S3jcULqdPjjEvZeDLigngCs4ArTjw5N31c6nRzTwjtE4A66RKYU3OuE75w7OQ=s4367" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4367" data-original-width="3502" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLfrket6FN-k7d_13IZqr40dw3XC9mpD7WEWwEkCEoX5u-P6XLQDM_g5Wj3C5n2z5m_DJrVoUjzZvZ2M3GZhyybhdKMnUdQJw8G0e_AoFLuJ5Z72PC77oC7AB71U7E0S3jcULqdPjjEvZeDLigngCs4ArTjw5N31c6nRzTwjtE4A66RKYU3OuE75w7OQ=s320" width="257" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">September had started out with a bit of hope, despite the daily drain at my job as a microbiologist. My dad came out from the West coast to help me haul to Sport Horse Nationals which was about a nine hour drive from my barn.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0H-EQXAIdErPCv_o9WtozqB8aJdfwMruICESWJJOQsXTR-N7BS-0KIQun7fYxOEGGGWRN1VxY2ZrgGynnGLwYO_Cz5nQE0KHW5Dd0655QaZo0Ix4RI_f4QoCrbmDhGKpUpTD9HXKmaJjA007j2DbkwaezQrX6YjswTxtiW0gWW07SOOK-xu_DDn12CQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0H-EQXAIdErPCv_o9WtozqB8aJdfwMruICESWJJOQsXTR-N7BS-0KIQun7fYxOEGGGWRN1VxY2ZrgGynnGLwYO_Cz5nQE0KHW5Dd0655QaZo0Ix4RI_f4QoCrbmDhGKpUpTD9HXKmaJjA007j2DbkwaezQrX6YjswTxtiW0gWW07SOOK-xu_DDn12CQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was a bit proud of myself for being able to haul through some busier cities. I am not particularly brave while hauling the truck and trailer as there's a lot of stupid people out there.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcvkwnE21xZDZi7ZG6Wagh4AmDZcjixBGqGjOPwPAUrcNQLspnqQKBwIq-2l5WTCwYIrAbqaGMHgOfrlEXpJknvoAZWhp-XyEWfQOkJDDQ_ppF--l_wIgYmW3vb2n2UV37V6laMoltX2yl0bFGTa69UaR6gu8AdJzVKR4rmYV1Br6NHStDX_lEKiYzpw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcvkwnE21xZDZi7ZG6Wagh4AmDZcjixBGqGjOPwPAUrcNQLspnqQKBwIq-2l5WTCwYIrAbqaGMHgOfrlEXpJknvoAZWhp-XyEWfQOkJDDQ_ppF--l_wIgYmW3vb2n2UV37V6laMoltX2yl0bFGTa69UaR6gu8AdJzVKR4rmYV1Br6NHStDX_lEKiYzpw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The drive seemed well worth it to show at the World Equestrian Center in Ohio. I mean, look at the size of that arena! Unfortunately Chili had a little scrape on her hindquarters from a bump in the journey (I blame the super pot hole filled roads through Indiana and Ohio!) and was a little sore behind.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr7Gb5WwQK8Nia8iCpyhjHd9ybe54jnhPXqYhCSWD9vFsmZR2yD0bGp6wNqyspCUHqVs84Ybre1yD43Eh9RnlRagxUOXo1I14rfc46ZC_T_GHwEmcGOTLrXfrcu6UpnrSPw2gs64wlHMjMYXldSP6UyuRfTE0IjY5U7_J9Z2pDGCYZjfSWlhwXDISKBw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr7Gb5WwQK8Nia8iCpyhjHd9ybe54jnhPXqYhCSWD9vFsmZR2yD0bGp6wNqyspCUHqVs84Ybre1yD43Eh9RnlRagxUOXo1I14rfc46ZC_T_GHwEmcGOTLrXfrcu6UpnrSPw2gs64wlHMjMYXldSP6UyuRfTE0IjY5U7_J9Z2pDGCYZjfSWlhwXDISKBw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Fortunately, there were some people that did Magnawave on the grounds and that seemed to help. Chili's first classes were with my friend who showed her in hand, but unfortunately no ribbons for them. The classes were big--more than forty horses and Chili was still pretty tight behind and didn't move as well as I would have hoped.<br /><br />My dressage test with her was on Wednesday, so each day we went to school in the various arenas at WEC. I have not ever really shown inside with her and certainly not dressage and not these giant arenas. The first few times, she was a very hot tamale. I was immensely grateful that my dressage coach and barn owner extraordinaire came with to the show so she could also ride and help school.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiudEsmzYWwRQbmskv-fauqVGbN6gprHiPXve1NizrvFa9FMZjHxuBw1I9ivBkO2axeKzpJy4krPMgRrvXZV0kNUAZRiuafCNSRqdM6IpWXk05o-H42McBgkXkhO2E1QV5kNGVv09DLZxA70SqK7rOy42NIED7KFZUOQjCiTHgXvLY-jyvw7FOiy7l2TQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiudEsmzYWwRQbmskv-fauqVGbN6gprHiPXve1NizrvFa9FMZjHxuBw1I9ivBkO2axeKzpJy4krPMgRrvXZV0kNUAZRiuafCNSRqdM6IpWXk05o-H42McBgkXkhO2E1QV5kNGVv09DLZxA70SqK7rOy42NIED7KFZUOQjCiTHgXvLY-jyvw7FOiy7l2TQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>It was pretty warm most of the time we were there and I was having issues with not feeling well from some POTS related issues. My electrolytes would get out of wack, I wouldn't eat, and I just felt terrible. Add in a spicy horse and I was pretty convinced I should just scratch my dressage ride.</p><p><br /></p><p>Well, S, my barn owner and coach didn't let me so on Wednesday, I dutifully put on my dressage coat and rode down center line. I had some minor geometric errors (sorry! I know better coaches!) and definitely dashed up some movements with coefficients. Chili was tight at times, but probably because I'm not sure I decided to breath the second half of the test.<br /><br />But you know what? When I went down center line the second time and halted and saluted, I cried. I said thank you for the judge and looked over at the stands where my friends, coach, and my dad were: they were crying too.<br /><br />There's been so much that's happened to Chili, to myself, to the world that who would have thought I would have finally made it down the the center line on a horse I bred, foaled out, trained, hauled, rehabbed, and rehabbed some more. A dog attack, my hip surgery, my increasing physical issues, Chili's fence accident. It all seemed irrelevant at that moment.<br /><br /><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrkGP0UECbt7_6NLqhZFL8HiB9Ha926md8lw9WJeRWOzUXFI9fq7YkXlo4M4mv5H0lfmEAkZpU73t0IHY_HVcGWmG5aD1VsD8tN77pi1-tj5ZJmB5a-M-f6vMmtE7-8hSxBg0YO9lPr8R4t43J6a7hVQlc0W4mSpWo4bWgM3ecG-sIGyuwnN9QzlKoNA=s796" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="796" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrkGP0UECbt7_6NLqhZFL8HiB9Ha926md8lw9WJeRWOzUXFI9fq7YkXlo4M4mv5H0lfmEAkZpU73t0IHY_HVcGWmG5aD1VsD8tN77pi1-tj5ZJmB5a-M-f6vMmtE7-8hSxBg0YO9lPr8R4t43J6a7hVQlc0W4mSpWo4bWgM3ecG-sIGyuwnN9QzlKoNA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqMTonNuATK1jQFBFnln1KBOLTPZtkg_vrMbfLUsF9mGrcjVoKGXrYv30FT3Artr6kSSf323BEQ0hN69PTxCrMrnS7T8dWNbIeF7lq72QR2S8uWT8qkRsnyQOjCse7IJ9ZAlOKsh5wGp6PSZL1PsSbGfMYsVB3n0HMzw1fO4BkjAzpZfRBH9lCF5nrzg=s1118" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1118" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqMTonNuATK1jQFBFnln1KBOLTPZtkg_vrMbfLUsF9mGrcjVoKGXrYv30FT3Artr6kSSf323BEQ0hN69PTxCrMrnS7T8dWNbIeF7lq72QR2S8uWT8qkRsnyQOjCse7IJ9ZAlOKsh5wGp6PSZL1PsSbGfMYsVB3n0HMzw1fO4BkjAzpZfRBH9lCF5nrzg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>And like every good person at WEC, I had to go through the coffee shop drive through to celebrate.<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNYBc_du_QIgfeve0BpTQRDfXKKeYHN2I7S7qYZB1odIqi7CeowwRHfxxqb0ZSt3M_igD79GFd-SV6EmbK0oM8idOL2ODspy9tnUHyRkiB-16lNAd731sJVqkUjslzFmpHEqEVuYdt4VwNRSk3CrNj9Ws-3OZDWosUBhdZHtAbD1iVbvHD_8XlMRLE9w=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNYBc_du_QIgfeve0BpTQRDfXKKeYHN2I7S7qYZB1odIqi7CeowwRHfxxqb0ZSt3M_igD79GFd-SV6EmbK0oM8idOL2ODspy9tnUHyRkiB-16lNAd731sJVqkUjslzFmpHEqEVuYdt4VwNRSk3CrNj9Ws-3OZDWosUBhdZHtAbD1iVbvHD_8XlMRLE9w=s320" width="320" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;">After our dressage test, our next classes together were on Friday and were two in-hand classes. Chili felt good, so I was hoping for better placements than earlier in the week. I was dressed, she was braided, and I led her out of the stall when I felt her slip coming down onto the concrete.<br /><br />I didn't think too much of it until I reached the end of the barn aisle when something didn't sound right. Chili didn't look quite right. I ended up making the heartbreaking decision to scratch. I handed the horse off to my dad and sent my husband to the paddock gate to let them know I wouldn't be coming. I had to run to the show office to fill out the official scratch paperwork. Don't fill out the paperwork and there's a hefty fine.<br /><br />When I came back from the show office, my coach had realized something was wrong and was helping my dad with the horse. Chili was by this point immensely lame and could hardly walk. We cold hosed her and I had to brace her shoulder and help her walk back to the stall. <br /><br />I may have cried. My coach undid her braids and my dad called the show vet. We waited and waited. <br /><br />Finally the show vet came and it was by far the most upsetting experience with a veterinarian I've ever had. The abbreviated version is the vet said Chili had an abscess, disregarded my commentary about how she had slipped coming out of the stall, and then tried to pull her shoes. She was unable to pull the shoes so the show farriers came out, who then wanted $100 to pull one shoe. <br /><br />The following day, Chili was not better and was so lame that we cold hosed her in the aisle as we couldn't even get her down the aisle to the wash rack. Again, we called the show vet. While waiting for the vet, I called my veterinary clinic back at home to discuss which diagnostics should be done to determine if we could get Chili home safely. Nine hours with a three legged horse wasn't going to be an easy task.<br /><br />My dad ran to a local automotive store and picked up a camera which we hard wired into the trailer so we would be able to keep an eye on her. My coach called her coach whose barn was just an hour away. If need be, we could take Chili there until she was safe enough to travel home.<br /><br />The show vet finally came back. I had asked her for radiographs and to block her to rule out a fracture. The radiographs were done and didn't seem to reveal much. The blocking was fine and she did block out about 80 percent sound.<br /><br />With this information and working in conjunction with my wonderful clinic at home, we thought we would be at least get her home for additional diagnostic work and rehab.<br /><br />We wrapped her up like a Christmas present, backed the trailer back to the end of the barn aisle, and were grateful that I had a ramp on my little two horse trailer. Chili handled the standing wraps, the Softride boots, and hopping in the trailer on three legs like a champ. The whole way home, we anxiously watched the camera and were impressed that she wedged herself back up against the wall and divider and rocked back off her front feet. Somehow, she managed to keep balanced even through all the traffic and turns and came of the trailer more comfortable than she went on.<br /><br />At least we were home where we could create a plan and then assess what to do next.<br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-60494418243901260082021-08-21T18:18:00.001-07:002021-08-21T18:18:15.556-07:00August Clinic: Quit Overthinking<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f07jPN4hDzU/YSGitlGdBLI/AAAAAAAAKv8/mSiEUPxdCGw_TjcwEEdSC1uDoFXBL1K0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/untitled-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f07jPN4hDzU/YSGitlGdBLI/AAAAAAAAKv8/mSiEUPxdCGw_TjcwEEdSC1uDoFXBL1K0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/untitled-7.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />Another month, another clinic weekend that I was fortunate enough to be able to fit into my schedule.<br /><br />There's a few miscellaneous topics I need to create separate posts and catch up on, but the low down is that I am also riding and showing a friend's half-Arabian gelding while she is pregnant. I feel very privileged she asked me to ride him for her. I struggle a lot with imposter syndrome, so this has been a great way to boost some confidence.<br /><br />But onto the clinic! Saturday, I rode Chili. Since the previous clinic, we had changed her bit back to a thicker three piece boucher. Part of J's thought was that a slightly larger bit would help stabilize our communication with each other. I also have spent a lot of effort in trying to minimize my reactions to whatever Chili is doing half the time. The horse is wiggly, I'm hypermobile. One of us is going to have to find some stabilization.<br /><br />So the good news is that I didn't need a full recap of last month's clinic theme. The theme of this month was quit thinking.<br /><br />My coach wanted the clinician to evaluate my struggle with 3 loop serpentines. A judge at the last show focused a lot on how they needed to not have a straight line and that my circles were occasionally too flat. <br /><br />I'm a scientist. I get frustrated because I understand the dimensions of a dressage court and I theoretically know what a serpentine looks like. I can draw it out. I can walk it out. But why the heck can't I ride it?<br /><br />Well, the dissection that took place in my lesson was a couple of things. One, Chili has an obsession with just staying on the rail. That's probably my fault. I like to ride on the rail because I'm afraid of running into people when I cross lines or do circles because I can't hear what's going on. Two, the more people start discussing circles, serpentines, and everything else I start overthinking. When I overthink, I stop riding.<br /><br />That part I probably knew. Only because I overthink everything.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAqpsIv6f_8/YSGlEd72CkI/AAAAAAAAKwE/KrYOmsHsbd8-plvknxOzroeK1goyMtjrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_7415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="2048" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAqpsIv6f_8/YSGlEd72CkI/AAAAAAAAKwE/KrYOmsHsbd8-plvknxOzroeK1goyMtjrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_7415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The next day when I rode my friend's gelding Max, I tried the 3 loop serpentines again. The clinician said she would give them an 8 and promised to leave me alone. We had plenty of other things to work on.<br /><br />But it's nice to have some outside perspective and that in some cases, less is more. Overriding and overthinking is a major struggle for me.<br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-30896913463555200412021-07-13T17:58:00.001-07:002021-07-13T17:58:16.439-07:00July Clinic<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeAcT45W5No/YO4wPj2qXzI/AAAAAAAAKtU/qxWMi9HHth8zr1XToyS53kVjQRr_JqhdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_7359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeAcT45W5No/YO4wPj2qXzI/AAAAAAAAKtU/qxWMi9HHth8zr1XToyS53kVjQRr_JqhdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_7359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />The other weekend, over the 4th of July weekend, I had the opportunity to ride with one of the coaches that comes into the barn.<br /><br />Clinician J's point of emphasize on balance of the pelvis, the structure, and how to use it to influence the horse. A lot of Saturday was spent in the walk and off the horse. At one point and time, the coach actually had me feel which muscles and the tilt of the pelvis she would use to influence the horse in the walk. Nothing like being up close and personal! <br /><br />She had me stay in the walk at first and utilize my pelvis to influence the stride and speed of her walk. She felt that often I was letting Chili drive and that I often maintain a passive pelvis that is the source of some of our inconsistency. <br /><br />She also emphasized keeping a steady quiet contact, no matter what the horse was doing and if she was winging her body around. I was right and the horse was incorrect in her response, which is probably true.<br /><br />Usually our rides go like this:<br /><br />Me: Please take this contact<br /><br />Chili: For only one stride, then I want to swing my haunches in<br /><br />Me: <i>Put inside leg on</i> <i>and probably pull on a rein I wasn't supposed to. </i>Please stop swinging your haunches in.<br /><br />Chili: *loses contact and goes above the bit* Huzzah. I win.<br /><br />-rinse and repeat-<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">By trying to maintain a soft contact and having me actively ignore Chili's running commentary, I actually had a proper working walk with minimal inconsistency in contact and less work evasions. It didn't really matter if I was going straight as the initial point of the exercise was to maintain the rhythm from my pelvis and to accept and carry the bit.<br /><br />On Sunday, we started off reviewing Saturday's lesson, then moved into keeping me busy. Clinician J did correctly surmise I like to override my horse and annoy her as well.<br /><br />At one point and time, she alternated leg yields, shoulder in, and various circles and diagonals to keep me busy. After a few laps of the arena, she stopped me and told me her intentions (which I had guessed) were to keep my mind busy enough that one, the horse was kept to the task at hand and two, I stopped annoying my horse by overriding and usually either shoving with my pelvis or wandering off with my right hand.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWhgLBU26q4/YO40SqB6Y5I/AAAAAAAAKtc/EI4qPvnHan0okaVMK7sYcfvx8jsR2ayZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_0311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWhgLBU26q4/YO40SqB6Y5I/AAAAAAAAKtc/EI4qPvnHan0okaVMK7sYcfvx8jsR2ayZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0311.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I was pleased that she did let me know that would have scored one of my shoulders in a 7. It sounds silly to hope for a 7, but it was nice for a few strides to have her really feel connected inside leg to outside rein and to just side and ride. I wasn't really doing much besides just thinking of the movement I wanted and it happened.<br /><br />Then I overrode it next time I actually thought about what I was doing.<br /><br />At the end, the clinician had us working on shallow canter loops on the left lead. Our left lead at times has been tricky as I haven't always prepared her very well and she just prefers to pick up the right lead.<br /><br />But she picked up the left lead well and it was a good lesson for me to keep riding the canter, sit back, and stop being so passive. If I ended up being passive, she would come down to trot. It is tricky to me to slowly reformulate my thinking of having an active seat/pelvis and not shoving. I don't know where I picked up that habit along the way, but I would prefer if it would please disappear.<br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-35655738388934611202021-06-13T13:16:00.001-07:002021-06-13T13:16:19.022-07:00Gone West<p style="text-align: center;"> Gone West</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />Good news, is that it didn't stick and we didn't die. ;) <br /><br />In this case, my husband and myself went to Southern Oregon and Northern California to spend time with my family and to do some of the touristy things.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fO4iF1WiUJg/YMYz3EE0oRI/AAAAAAAAKoM/ayLrdC8pOFIutIS0tRCE7iVNA8q7KQT_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_8152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fO4iF1WiUJg/YMYz3EE0oRI/AAAAAAAAKoM/ayLrdC8pOFIutIS0tRCE7iVNA8q7KQT_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_8152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The theme of the trip was rocks, trees, and water.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RipiamL0kCw/YMZmNs-_SlI/AAAAAAAAKpA/Ip5RdsvauNs_ZeODZXPvXVVY7EzKKtSkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_8083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RipiamL0kCw/YMZmNs-_SlI/AAAAAAAAKpA/Ip5RdsvauNs_ZeODZXPvXVVY7EzKKtSkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_8083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxgr0OImsWU/YMZl-qFmQfI/AAAAAAAAKo8/3ql_IzU1uHk4J_Kmso84Ji04CBKBQ6JqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_8036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxgr0OImsWU/YMZl-qFmQfI/AAAAAAAAKo8/3ql_IzU1uHk4J_Kmso84Ji04CBKBQ6JqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_8036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kj-oV1M3JrY/YMZluwwsbpI/AAAAAAAAKow/ZKaSO3BEy7kAP--QtzEHeBqpHczsXEemgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_8020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kj-oV1M3JrY/YMZluwwsbpI/AAAAAAAAKow/ZKaSO3BEy7kAP--QtzEHeBqpHczsXEemgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_8020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4_DNnZq89w/YMZlhf6qljI/AAAAAAAAKoo/AeyaWKYNm0M_XNq0WW9kuQZHTV4XltSxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_8008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4_DNnZq89w/YMZlhf6qljI/AAAAAAAAKoo/AeyaWKYNm0M_XNq0WW9kuQZHTV4XltSxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_8008.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I00xXyIidCw/YMZlQZ5D9rI/AAAAAAAAKoc/4MiBxq6UQ4wQFNFsSxOKqQAREc1HewPQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_7987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I00xXyIidCw/YMZlQZ5D9rI/AAAAAAAAKoc/4MiBxq6UQ4wQFNFsSxOKqQAREc1HewPQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_7987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Zd9RfYaT7Y/YMZk-kACapI/AAAAAAAAKoU/i1OBxa70mDollxC-EUpjGSjVu3wNiDzwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_7985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Zd9RfYaT7Y/YMZk-kACapI/AAAAAAAAKoU/i1OBxa70mDollxC-EUpjGSjVu3wNiDzwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_7985.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXw3eZGSQPU/YMZlUaCWbOI/AAAAAAAAKog/7uQInYsz3V86t3mqN3g2CEbt3tlgEAkDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_7972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXw3eZGSQPU/YMZlUaCWbOI/AAAAAAAAKog/7uQInYsz3V86t3mqN3g2CEbt3tlgEAkDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_7972.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Sorry for the deluge of photos. Some of our favorite highlights included Crater Lake in Oregon, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Redwoods in Northern California, and various parts of the Rogue River near where my family lives.<br /><br />Where are some of your favorite places to travel? Where should we go next to find some fun trees, rocks, and water? :) <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-37619150177677939722021-06-11T11:47:00.000-07:002021-06-11T11:47:05.253-07:00Bucket List: Riding on a Beach<p style="text-align: center;"> Ever have some ridiculous bucket list items?<br /><br />I certainly do. One of them is riding a horse on a beach. I blame The Black Stallion for that one. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n44uO0LBSAQ/YMOsLsX9fVI/AAAAAAAAKno/UwAUePle0P8uNbnWTtdnYv4pOs24MSTxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/kelly-and-cass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n44uO0LBSAQ/YMOsLsX9fVI/AAAAAAAAKno/UwAUePle0P8uNbnWTtdnYv4pOs24MSTxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/kelly-and-cass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Well, at the end of May, I traveled back to Oregon and Northern California to visit family. I had mentioned to my dad that I wanted to ride on the beach and at one point and time, he drove past a stable on the beach in Oregon. He looked up the number and booked a ride for myself and my grandmother.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBP4RtVKyhs/YMOsm-BgjvI/AAAAAAAAKnw/bndTaDbvNOkcst6iczx9NFkwnH9Ml59TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/beach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBP4RtVKyhs/YMOsm-BgjvI/AAAAAAAAKnw/bndTaDbvNOkcst6iczx9NFkwnH9Ml59TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/beach1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>The horses were fairly well kept with equipment that seemed to be fitted. The manure was all picked up out of the holding areas and most of the horses had shade over their pens which was nice to see. There was a little gazebo and a restroom to use before the ride started and the staff went over everyone's riding experience and comfort level.<br /><br />I was given this kind of rangey looking grey gelding named Renegade. He was a little impatient in the holding corral, but moved off of leg well enough and was responsive so that's not too bad for a hack horse.<br /><br />We rode through the dunes at first, then headed out to the beach, where we were told as long as we headed North, we could spread out and not be nose to tail, so this was my view.<br /><br />When everyone had arrived towards the end of this section of the beach, the staff helped people turn their horses around and then took the obligatory horse against the ocean photo.<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14ocJdV2BK4/YMOta6-vXZI/AAAAAAAAKn4/oXRuI_a0Hpks68yo_muokQZKP_xWlIDaACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14ocJdV2BK4/YMOta6-vXZI/AAAAAAAAKn4/oXRuI_a0Hpks68yo_muokQZKP_xWlIDaACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/beach.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm not photogenic, but apparently neither is Renegade<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRd--t4kdaI/YMOtaz8FMKI/AAAAAAAAKn8/Du5NF5RWjEAtQ-fkPhjQJQUMZcShadIXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/beach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRd--t4kdaI/YMOtaz8FMKI/AAAAAAAAKn8/Du5NF5RWjEAtQ-fkPhjQJQUMZcShadIXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/beach2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we reversed and began heading home. Another horse ended up trying to kick a staff horse and was spinning in a circle who then bumped into Renegade who was startled into a crow hop. Nice to know the horses still are horses. ;)<br /><br />The staff did let the horses trot back towards home and Renegade was not incredibly impressed with this plan as he was a gelding on a mission. At that point, I pretty much appreciated his tie down and asked him to settle down and walk because I think his only two speed options were angry prancing or run-back-home. The staff, unfortunately, were quite interested in talking to each other rather than managing a few other horses and rider related issues, but I was fine with dealing with Renegade and his problems. I just felt that enforcing his walk was going to be important to whomever had to ride him next time.<br /><br />Regardless of some slight naughty behavior, I had a great time. The horses really handled themselves well as the wind was very brisk, it was quite chilly, and I hadn't realized how loud the ocean really was there.<br /><br />How about you? Which horse related bucket list items have you accomplished?</div>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-29320957823627325082021-06-06T18:16:00.001-07:002021-06-06T18:16:14.949-07:00May Clinic <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01mSZTRp5ZQ/YKRRb5xzCfI/AAAAAAAAKlw/xbvEvd1c06AP49ja3QmC1W9RG-5EOSORACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_7533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01mSZTRp5ZQ/YKRRb5xzCfI/AAAAAAAAKlw/xbvEvd1c06AP49ja3QmC1W9RG-5EOSORACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_7533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">May has been somewhat of a busy month. While I keep hoping things will be simplified at work, they aren't quieting down. There are still significant supply shortages so I spend a number of hours each day trying to track down reagents, sort out ordering issues, and find alternatives to keep my laboratory trucking each day.<br /><br />So, I'm late posting this, but it happens.<br /><br />I had a chance to clinic with a well regarded "S" judge. <br /><br />She was very patient with my somewhat feisty, red pony mare. She declared she knew how to speak chestnut mare. :)<br /><br />One of my biggest takeways was committed to a decision once I made it. Once I made the decision to ask for the canter, to marry that decision, and to canter. Don't ask for canter, waffle on it, ask again, and waffle. It just irritates the horse.<br /><br />Makes sense, but somehow I still manage to waffle. <br /><br />One of my other takeways was how to approach and ride each part of a circle differently. She emphasized on how often horses will bulge out on the circle closest to the gate or exit and it's OK to have different aids or strength of aids depending where you are in the circle. <br /><br />On the horse front, she did have me keep busy, which sounded very counterintuitive and difficult for me. I want to be a kind rider. However, my little red pony takes full advantage of that and either quits, inverts, or stops using her back. So "S" wanted me to go ahead and think about the strength of my aids. When she was being steady and quiet, think about being a 1 or 2 on a scale and when she was being looky or needed to be kept busy, to emphasize aids up on a 5 or 6 level. Not saying, she meant to be harsh on the horse, but in Chili's case, it ends up being more tug-of-war if I completely release rather than keep half-halting or keep her mind busy with soft hands and something to do rather than leaving her to her own devices.<br /><br />So all in all, a good lesson, despite having to move inside halfway through as it started raining.<br /><br />Our first schooling show of the season is next week so it will be a good barometer to see where we are at at and to gain more feedback.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0GkeiSbcGs/YL1zDnAo73I/AAAAAAAAKm4/eaWMyV1F6fYxpzMxnQ5grN0bmWor1bvewCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_7439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0GkeiSbcGs/YL1zDnAo73I/AAAAAAAAKm4/eaWMyV1F6fYxpzMxnQ5grN0bmWor1bvewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_7439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-28710585254136759192021-05-04T17:27:00.002-07:002021-05-04T17:27:37.930-07:00Hot and Sweaty<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpMZGwRywwI/YJHbl0FomQI/AAAAAAAAKks/RYk94qC5lSk7h359uES6Wf0qEpmqPexgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/easter-1-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpMZGwRywwI/YJHbl0FomQI/AAAAAAAAKks/RYk94qC5lSk7h359uES6Wf0qEpmqPexgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/easter-1-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Some of our rides have been more exuberant at times about canter departs. I have probably permitted Chili too long to be a little too crooked in her canter, not take the right rein and not always use her hindquarters as she should.<br /><br />So for a while, especially on the left lead canter, she would be a little too offended if I used too much left leg on her during the canter or careen into the canter instead and then any time I actually asked her to stay on the right rein, she would break. <br /><br />My fault. I babied her because of so many past injuries and would just let her have a somewhat wild canter at times because I figured it was better than no canter and then coupled with my left sided weakness, I couldn't really insist on much better.<br /><br />So, that's been a focus now to ask and slowly put together all the pieces and Chili thinks it sucks.<br /><br />Canter forward in a quality gait on both reins while using her butt. <br /><br />Poor Princess. Such offense. <br /><br />It's slowly getting there and we are chipping away at it. Winter it was a little bit harder because it was easier to maintain and have enough time to have a quality canter in the large arena and the indoor is good sized for the Midwest, but certainly not big enough for our liking, plus filled with spooky corners. <br /><br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLPjhZm4YHQ/YJHfrH6kZSI/AAAAAAAAKk0/rBveY9myv-QuaymFBy_vNfpvn-r1473hgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1308/180055929_10102256650812330_6606114283566263442_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLPjhZm4YHQ/YJHfrH6kZSI/AAAAAAAAKk0/rBveY9myv-QuaymFBy_vNfpvn-r1473hgCLcBGAsYHQ/w157-h320/180055929_10102256650812330_6606114283566263442_n.jpg" width="157" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brave chicken? Stupid chicken? Who knows<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Last week, it warmed up to about 80 degrees F. Pretty warm for this area and despite it was kind of windy, I went ahead and rode in the big(ger) outdoor arena. Slowly been trying to put together pieces of a more quality canter and so I was happy that both ways, we cantered in a civilized manner and then on the left lead canter, which is typically her weaker direction, we made it about a lap and a half of the 200 meter long outdoor arena. We do have a ways to work on keeping up her conditioning, but considering a year ago she was <a href="http://semiferalrider.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-accident.html">injured</a> in a paddock accident and it took until late fall to have an appropriate diagnosis, I can forgive her lack of condition.<br /><br />My lack of condition, not so much. ;)<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> She behaved well with no lunging, despite having most of the week off, did well at the canter, and so we called it a day. <br /><br />I noticed her saddle sitting a little bit differently than it did previously, so I also tried a different half-pad as I usually ride with a Thinline half pad with shims, but the last ride I just rode in a regular fleece half pad on top of my typical saddle pad and the sweat marks seemed to be better. I imagine as she continues to regain condition, we will keep tweaking her saddle fit. I took a photo of the sweat marks (thanks warm day!) and sent them off to the saddle fitter who agreed that we should probably try switching some of the shims and she could take a peek at the saddle later this month when she was in the area again.<br /><br />I feel like I should end this post with some major takeaway or revelation, but the reality is that I'm just happy that I had the chance to ride my horse again, canter a good canter for more than a 20 meter circle, and then realize how dang lucky I am that I didn't lose her to that fence accident.<br /><br />The sweat on our faces at the end of the ride was certainly worth it. Here's to hopefully many more. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-75028896713937771972021-04-24T08:16:00.002-07:002021-04-24T08:16:40.321-07:00Clinic Recap<p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hV2L-nIqXLw/YIQlmdwamjI/AAAAAAAAKiw/iGK0Fb-wdvUqnw_F-tolx235cdqQPvCuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/easter-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hV2L-nIqXLw/YIQlmdwamjI/AAAAAAAAKiw/iGK0Fb-wdvUqnw_F-tolx235cdqQPvCuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/easter-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Last weekend, I worked, but I managed to allow myself to be talked into riding with the clinician after work on Saturday. The clinician, Jennifer, is a dressage rider with a focus on biomechanics and the rider's seat. <br /><br />I thought that what did I have to lose, so I signed up. I had the last spot of the day, so that I would have enough time, factoring in always possible work emergencies, and recruited my friend to come down and help get my horse ready. Part of my chronic illness is realizing that having a little bit of help pays off.<br /><br />The clinic was running a few minutes behind schedule when I arrived, so I was able to watch a few minutes of a lesson, except it was somewhat windy and we were riding in the outdoor arena, so it was a bit difficult to hear.<br /><br />My friend helped catch, groom, and tack up Chili while I sucked down some more electrolytes. After meeting with a cardiologist last month, he pointed out I need to greatly increase my electrolytes and wear compression socks (among some other things), to help mitigate my symptoms and to improve my quality of life. Now, if only I can remember to do this at horse shows when it is blazing hot and I go hours without eating or drinking properly.<br /><br />Post-electrolytes, I felt much better. Chili seemed pretty relaxed and not in dragon mode, so I hopped on her in the indoor and walked and trotted a little bit. <br /><p></p><p><br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ0sNrXyM-Q/YIQyH_LVPfI/AAAAAAAAKjI/-ghBaXZpvgUmctcJ8Pr4K8VYub7Ir4GNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/175401287_10102244580830670_6313814568420367478_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ0sNrXyM-Q/YIQyH_LVPfI/AAAAAAAAKjI/-ghBaXZpvgUmctcJ8Pr4K8VYub7Ir4GNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/175401287_10102244580830670_6313814568420367478_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chili deciding to bow for grass<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Jennifer watched us warm up for a few minutes and then we discussed where we were currently at in our training journey. I am quite self conscious in feeling that I negatively affect the ability of my horse with my physical limitations, so I discussed this aspect and how my left hip is very difficult to use compared to my right.<br /><br />The first thing Jennifer had me do was decide to have Chili learn to live with my leg on. I have always heard the saying to have a hot horse live with your leg and Chili isn't hot in the zoomy sense, but rather the offended dragon sense. However, I think the goal with having the leg sort of snuggly was to not to offend her by having it on, then off, then on without a lot of prior warning. <br /><br />It did take Chili a while to learn to live with this. It's different. She is wiggly and is by far, the most mobile horse I've ever ridden. Putting the parts together, especially while I am myself hypermobile, is not an easy job.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zac40kKH1TQ/YIQzY8l6a9I/AAAAAAAAKjQ/xh2dRWSBhuAF7W3IR7heb600huo96RBYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/175681409_10102244580885560_2604213076102421674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zac40kKH1TQ/YIQzY8l6a9I/AAAAAAAAKjQ/xh2dRWSBhuAF7W3IR7heb600huo96RBYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/175681409_10102244580885560_2604213076102421674_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to live with my leg</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Jennifer's next suggestion was to try and ask me to ride her a little bit "deeper" and to focus on keeping all of our parts still. Keep my leg on and quiet, keep my hands quiet, and to just ask her to be a little bit lower, but not behind the vertical. What I found out was that my perspective of being "deep" was closer to correct and then encouraging her to stay there by being quiet made us both happy. <br /><br />In the canter, she can be difficult sometimes about filling out and taking the right rein, so she encouraged me to go back to schooling her like a baby horse in that sense. Encourage her to take the entire bend with her body and it if she broke or tossed her head, to be sure I kept an equal level of contact by widening my hands. All basic things I have heard before, but I find I need to hear the explanation different times in different ways. <br /><br />Chili has had a number of injuries, so it can be tricking to comb through what is a true evasion she has learned (and I permitted), or what evolved from pain related responses or a combination thereof. Jennifer encouraged me to think of it more as physical therapy for the horse and that at times, it may be a combination of all these different techniques to find what will work for her and what will be fair (also known as to keep me from picking at her while she is trying). As one instructor has told me, "Don't be a greedy bitch". <br /><br />So while, in some aspects, it seemed like a basic lesson, it was nice to have an opinion from a well regarded clinician. She did emphasize to me multiple times that she believed I was a much better rider than I was giving myself credit for, that my leg lay in a good spot, and that Chili's issues were mostly her issues and that I was not creating them or making them worse. <br /><br />She also emphasized to keep working Chili in hand and having her be soft and reach into contact when I picked up the reins and walked and to not permit her to pull or evade. It's hard. I probably have neglected the walk (and the halt) and her response for too long. The walk is extra wiggly for both of us, so while walking, I find I need to focus more on having a soft contact through the back of my elbows and to relax my hand. Sounds counterintuitive, but once again, I tend to hold too much tension in my hand, since my joints (and especially my elbows) are so unable.<br /><br />But since starting physical therapy, I am appreciating the awareness of how to bring my elbows into a neutral posture and to be aware of how to engage different muscle groups to stabilize the joint itself. Hopefully this will continue to pay off in the saddle! <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6WiTh-A2ro/YIQm8Be58hI/AAAAAAAAKjE/Fi0WFBg5M28lQFGRIE28pqQgijHHbyw4wCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/easter-1-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6WiTh-A2ro/YIQm8Be58hI/AAAAAAAAKjE/Fi0WFBg5M28lQFGRIE28pqQgijHHbyw4wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/easter-1-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I do look forward to riding with Jennifer again in the future and demonstrating progress. She thought Chili was super talented and once we put the pieces together, she will rapidly move up the levels. I can certainly hope and keep chipping away at the goal. <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-31508132891413072842021-04-11T06:34:00.002-07:002021-04-11T06:34:27.899-07:00Happy 26th Birthday!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djtN5hnELIk/YHL6Q27Co9I/AAAAAAAAKhQ/Dg6y7qijEZUsl4Q1NH6dbbJ26mzK0W9rgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/easter-1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1395" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djtN5hnELIk/YHL6Q27Co9I/AAAAAAAAKhQ/Dg6y7qijEZUsl4Q1NH6dbbJ26mzK0W9rgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/easter-1-4.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The 9th of April marked the Semi-Feral Mare's 26th birthday. I try each year to take birthday photos of my horses. It is sad to see as they age. Toplines drop, Donni has become much furrier due to her Cushing's disease, a few more lumps and bumps, but at the same time, I am glad they are with me.<br /><br />Here's to another year to the toughest horse I've known. How many horses have lacerated arteries, displaced colons, survived aspiration pneumonia (multiple times!), had Potomac Horse Fever, and more... The one, the only, world's most expensive Semi-Feral Mare. ;) <br /><br />But at least those soft, sweet eyes make up for it. Mostly.<br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-17714805777980425742021-03-30T08:36:00.002-07:002021-03-30T08:36:52.915-07:00Behind the Magic Curtain<p style="text-align: center;">Like the 52 Thoroughbreds in need of a home, certain things tend to make the rounds on social media.<br /><br />One example of this is the supposedly long lived Arabian mare Magic.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0hv8R-SUds/YGNCsK5UYQI/AAAAAAAAKfY/Kk4zLOE5qgg1k2sMDBwa8mCKQ4Xg5TD-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/magic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0hv8R-SUds/YGNCsK5UYQI/AAAAAAAAKfY/Kk4zLOE5qgg1k2sMDBwa8mCKQ4Xg5TD-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/magic1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Magic has made several newspapers and is pretty routinely shared online as being the "world's oldest Polish Arabian". Her owners have shared that she was supposedly born June 15th, 1969 and died in March of 2020. <br /><br />Unfortunately, this isn't the truth. A number of Arabian enthusiasts, including myself, looked into the heritage behind Magic when her owners shared her supposed registered name of Bint Suteza. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EC-uv1kefGQ/YGNDp83fF0I/AAAAAAAAKfg/jSkadYtQYz0eq7fzkyA69ZCjX8WLMGjoACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/magicpapers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EC-uv1kefGQ/YGNDp83fF0I/AAAAAAAAKfg/jSkadYtQYz0eq7fzkyA69ZCjX8WLMGjoACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/magicpapers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8-PIJOiPZM/YGNDv1tftDI/AAAAAAAAKfk/R_GTJUFYw6cWYlWy7N20SeZPAkLznA12QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8-PIJOiPZM/YGNDv1tftDI/AAAAAAAAKfk/R_GTJUFYw6cWYlWy7N20SeZPAkLznA12QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/magic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately the papers don't match up. The Arabian drawing above is taken from the registration records of the markings of the horse and doesn't record any white leg markings. Her color is also listed as a grey mare. While occasionally colors are recorded incorrectly, Bint Suteza had a grey foal by the bay stallion Rainpool Toro. This foal was confirmed to have been grey, so the grey gene had to come from Bint Suteza. The grey gene is dominant and thus is always expressed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So this information was presented to Magic's owners who have entirely disregarded it and have continued to promote their stable and facilities with this knowledge.<br /><br />Also random sidenote. Bint Suteza isn't Polish. Why do people always think all stocky Arabian horses are Polish? So strange. ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8Js8vc_DCE/YGNFBaMKhVI/AAAAAAAAKfw/fvDYH6lYrzoTLxMwZe4CfU1zsNFast8vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/magic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1881" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8Js8vc_DCE/YGNFBaMKhVI/AAAAAAAAKfw/fvDYH6lYrzoTLxMwZe4CfU1zsNFast8vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/magic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is supposed to be Magic at 44. Anyone else think this looks like a gelding?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So when this story inevitably makes the rounds again, you can know the truth behind the Magic curtain. While she looked like a wonderful mare, she was not Bint Suteza, not Polish, and invariably the age they claimed she was. </div>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-63963141137626512342021-03-28T18:10:00.001-07:002021-03-28T18:10:38.209-07:00Remaking an Equestrian<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OcjYa4-K6fE/YGEenEHMunI/AAAAAAAAKfI/jHeLvo5S3U4-lJcW_TuAtSmW-Oxu5ntmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/newcolor-368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OcjYa4-K6fE/YGEenEHMunI/AAAAAAAAKfI/jHeLvo5S3U4-lJcW_TuAtSmW-Oxu5ntmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/newcolor-368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Part of my realization these last few months is that I have been neglecting my own health. At first, I just thought it was my mental well being and obviously my occupation and the drag on those involved in the medical industry was pretty taxing.<br /><br />But then I started to realize that I was putting off my own physical health. My hip pain after my surgery in October of 2018 had been worsening. It's been to the point that when I get on the horse, I usually spend the first five to ten minutes in two point just to relieve some of the stretch and pull on the affected hip.<br /><br />I finally pulled the trigger and saw the orthopedic surgeon again who thought that I was overusing the hip and to take it easy. OK then. Probably not that then.<br /><br />However, I did see a new rheumatologist since my previous one is retiring. This new provider was the first one that I felt like has really seen "me" in a long time. She thought that no, being pain free is not a realistic goal, however, she thought that a referral back to physical therapy was a good idea. She also had a textbook she was going to bring to my laboratory with a physical therapy regimen for others with Ehlers-Danlos like myself. <br /><br />True to her word, she did drop off the textbook and I have dutifully begun my physical therapy sessions again. I have been in physical therapy off and on for twenty years, but for the first time, the whole goal is to stabilize the whole person and an emphasize on the body mechanics and knowing where the expected range of motion is. <br /><br />One of the highlights from that first PT appointment is that I stand wrong. I apparently have always hyperflexed and locked my knees to stand instead of stabilizing with my quadriceps. I practice at work being mindful of this while standing around and I have to admit my quadriceps are sore! Who knew that actually standing correctly is difficult? ;) <br /><br />The other major takeaway is that my elbows are very unstable and so I have always used the grip of my hands to stabilize what the elbow should. This makes sense as I often struggle with too tight of a grip on the reins and being inconsistent in the contact. I soften with the hand, but I cannot maintain connection through the elbow: there's been no tension since the collagen and connective tissue is way too lax and I haven't properly strengthened those muscles to try and help stabilize the joint itself.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1lMYULBr1s/YGEoLj4D3xI/AAAAAAAAKfQ/pM-aeWMwHRYV1ir68-UDF6tR-4EebspEACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/untitled-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1lMYULBr1s/YGEoLj4D3xI/AAAAAAAAKfQ/pM-aeWMwHRYV1ir68-UDF6tR-4EebspEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/untitled-53.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">So I am looking forward to more of 2021. I am working on establishing treatment plans with my physical therapist and have been feeding this information back to my riding coach (who has a strong interest in biomechanics and as a former nurse, knows anatomy!). Together, we have started making some different plans on how to continue to strengthen what I have and to improve communication with my horse. <br /><br />Semi Feral Equestrian 2.0 coming right up in hopefully in six to twelve months of this PT plan! <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-65115638359159051152021-03-23T17:51:00.001-07:002021-03-23T17:51:21.489-07:00The Longest Year Part II<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMFp9cxDyCw/YFqAvdFMZmI/AAAAAAAAKd4/mNaRTUyHg0IbJCXLy2MAtGubCjA00HlqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_2352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMFp9cxDyCw/YFqAvdFMZmI/AAAAAAAAKd4/mNaRTUyHg0IbJCXLy2MAtGubCjA00HlqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_2352.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More random vacation photos</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;">Part two of the longest year recap. By this point, I had made it past <a href="http://semiferalrider.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-accident.html">Chili's accident</a> but I still didn't really have any answers on why she was not really sound. <br /><br />The laboratory was encountering shortages on a daily basis. Microbiologists grow bacteria on various agar plates (think petri dishes with special bacteria food). A lot of these are manufactured in specialty locations and ended up on month long back-orders. Bacteria can be picky and so on a daily basis, I made decisions on how to best serve the hospital and make sure critical results and testing could still be performed. <br /><br />Sterile pipettes ended up on back-order since the increase in testing worldwide demanded sterile pipettes. Makes sense, but sterile pipettes are used everyday in other applications. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing supplies became unavailable since production facilities were focused solely on the COVID situation, which fair enough, except the rest of the world doesn't stop turning just for one disease. In many circumstances, STI testing isn't critical, but sometimes it is (as in for pregnant moms). Another chance to be nimble, greatly restrict testing, and once again, I became the gatekeeper of testing for the hospital. (I'm pretty sure there are a number of physicians and nurses out there that have my name on a dartboard somewhere for how many times I told them "no".)<br /><br />My area did reach critical capacity once in the summer and I held my heart in my throat. Fortunately, hospitals in the area were shifting patients around to ensure critical care needs were met, but having every single room in a hospital filled made me wonder if we were going to become the next NYC.<br /><br />My blood culture instrument reached maximum capacity. This had never happened before. What on Earth was going on in my life? <br /><br />I gained twenty pounds. Not at all what I intended and a bit mortifying, but I am sure it was probably a few too many rum and cokes in the evening so I could finally sleep each night. <br /><br />I decided to move barns so that I could see my horses on the way home from work. I didn't have the energy to drive an hour each way to and from work, then another 25 minutes out to the barn when I wanted to spend time with the horses. <br /><br />In addition, the new barn provided a bit more specialized care so as things continued to unravel, I was at least certain my horses were alive. <br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNH2F1qCXbw/YFqDMIQrouI/AAAAAAAAKeA/eeNW6VbrC0klcdBRGNgIjAfgLJWHUYrbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_1979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNH2F1qCXbw/YFqDMIQrouI/AAAAAAAAKeA/eeNW6VbrC0klcdBRGNgIjAfgLJWHUYrbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_1979.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I attempted to take some time to myself and socially distance at a horse show. Chili still wasn't sound, so I handled a few horses in hand for a friend and rode this cute Fjord under saddle.<br /><br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4H9cIP_PvWo/YFqD0orx7fI/AAAAAAAAKeI/kd6e7yo7xlsgVmMKuFYIC9aTBlAnENpWACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/HP-055-6_copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4H9cIP_PvWo/YFqD0orx7fI/AAAAAAAAKeI/kd6e7yo7xlsgVmMKuFYIC9aTBlAnENpWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/HP-055-6_copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He may have bucked once too in a different class, but we won both classes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, during this show, my new barn owner called. This was the beginning of my experience with <a href="http://semiferalrider.blogspot.com/2020/08/phf.html">presumed Potomac Horse Fever</a><br /><br />Hospitals have to undergo inspections to retain accreditation and the same is for laboratories. During this time with Donni's illness was the same time my laboratory was inspected. My barn owner was amazing since my horse had daily IV antibiotics, fluids, and bloodwork being done while I was in an office with multiple inspectors pouring through every piece of paperwork imaginable from years prior. <br /><br />I came through the inspection with flying colors and so did Donni.<br /><br />Headed into fall, I ended up bringing Chili to the university and we finally had some advanced imaging done. A hock injection later and she was able to be put back into full work. <br /><br />By October, I was exhausted. My husband and I booked a cabin for a middle of nowhere escape in my state and we left for a week, complete with our princess (also known as the poodle) in tow.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KAMzCPilA4E/YFqF6NRy1mI/AAAAAAAAKeQ/QCW7AYddBc0p63O4ajVleY30mOGdTS7PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_0596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KAMzCPilA4E/YFqF6NRy1mI/AAAAAAAAKeQ/QCW7AYddBc0p63O4ajVleY30mOGdTS7PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0596.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't she look like a princess?<br /><br />We spent a week just hiking various trails and seeing waterfalls. It was just plain bizarre and I spent way too much of my time still checking work emails and worrying about if my coworkers were surviving. <br /><br />October had another dramatic twist and Donni choked. She has choked before and her grain is wetted down, however, who knows what happened that time. The choke itself was fairly easy to clear, but she ended up aspirating and developing pneumonia. This is why after a horse chokes, I am always so fixated on taking a horse's temperature the following few days. If it spikes, it's probably pneumonia! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />So for the second time in less than six months, Donni faced dire odds. Her bloodwork was actually more abysmal than her bout with PHF. An ultrasound wasn't promising either, but her attitude was still bright and she was eating. Most days, I was able to administer the IV antibiotics myself which made it still an extraordinarily expensive, but less than daily vet call level care of expense. She made it through once again.<br /><br />What a tough, expensive animal. <br /><br />Work life continued on. The situation in my state was still precarious. Then finally, the numbers began to relax just enough that we could start to catch up on work. I implemented more testing in the laboratory so I now had four analyzers capable of running COVID testing and had a system sent to send the majority of non-critical tests up to my sister laboratory an hour away, where a massive analyzer could run about 1200 specimens a day.<br /><br />So much paperwork and things to catch up on. The administrative desk I used to sit at is still covered in papers from last winter. The projects I had intended to begin to implement still shelved in folders off to the side.<br /><br />My day to day desk is my "work bench", where I actually work up cultures and the routine important testing in a hospital. I attend often five or more virtual meetings a week, while working and reading plates at the same time. Administrative days seem like a thing of the past. The new normal is keep soldiering on, no matter what. Finish the most critical projects and find alternatives when something else is now back-ordered or discontinued. Answer the always ringing phones.<br /><br />Christmas Eve I received my first vaccine. The end of the year was marked by death of several family members close to my coworkers, but fortunately, my laboratory remained standing. My anxiety was always elevated as we are close knit and some things are so intricately tied into my job that it would be hard to be quarantined or worse--ill and unable to assist. <br /><br />And now here were are almost at the end of March. It's been more than a year since I've seen a positive influenza in my laboratory. COVID is still a very daily thing, but the numbers have declined along with the frequent deaths. <br /><br />The political games still drag on and the moral is often low. I have had other employees in the hospital, clearly with a poor understanding of laboratory testing in general, ask how I can change influenza results to positive COVID ones instead. How did I end up being the villain in a field where I have given up so much this year to help others. I am faceless. People in a hospital will never know who I am or my contribution or the long hours I have spent trying to make sure they make it home to their families. <br /><br />If only they realized that the reimbursement for COVID testing is a fraction of what private insurance pays for influenza testing. I follow the science and the answers. I have no expectation of what I will find. Social media is often difficult. I can no longer expend energy on trying to correct people or even educate those who don't care to hear on how testing actually occurs in a laboratory. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8j1D0t7ShYw/YFqMl2_5ovI/AAAAAAAAKeY/NMHtmyCqYw0VeZvEChSFNhyX-EErDj61gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_2081-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8j1D0t7ShYw/YFqMl2_5ovI/AAAAAAAAKeY/NMHtmyCqYw0VeZvEChSFNhyX-EErDj61gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_2081-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am hopeful that 2021 will continue to be better. I am tired. My coworkers are tired. But I have finally realized that while I put my life on hold and gave up much of my good energy, health, and resources to supporting my work in 2020, 2021 is the year that I need to find myself again.<br /><br />It truly was the longest year. <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-90757107219536503182021-03-22T18:44:00.004-07:002021-03-22T18:44:41.285-07:00The Longest Year<p style="text-align: center;"> Most of this post won't be about my horses, so sorry!<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1_aysZbh0E/YFlCQwvev2I/AAAAAAAAKdQ/MOnCS7DDliMjzBZQNhndNKn1KY_D6CMHACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_2073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1_aysZbh0E/YFlCQwvev2I/AAAAAAAAKdQ/MOnCS7DDliMjzBZQNhndNKn1KY_D6CMHACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_2073.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My attempt to find peace in 2020. Stayed at a cabin on a lake.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">My day to day gig is as a hospital microbiologist. I was inspired by <a href="https://suenostomanvuelo.blogspot.com/2021/03/one-year-in-global-pandemic.html" target="_blank">L. William's</a> One Year in a Pandemic post and wanted to share some incredible things.<br /><br />I was cleaning off my administrative desk a couple weeks ago and pulled down a notification bulletin from the state laboratory that I had dated to January 22nd. That was the first time that I had made notice of the novel Coronavirus. I had printed out the bulletin, hung it on my push board, and carried on like normal. Within a couple of weeks, I realized that I needed to make additional preparations. Like many hospital laboratory staff, I began attending webinars, started trying to gather supplies while being swept under in a wicked influenza season. My staff and myself were being overwhelmed by the volume of influenza testing and the escalating positivity rates.<br /><br />One of the first confirmed positive cases in the country arose in a county nearby. At this point, I had implemented fairly aggressive cleaning and preparation practices in the laboratory. We had PPE, but almost no swabs to collect specimens. Ironically, as China and then Italy shut down, the precious viral nasopharyngeal swabs and viral transport media was no longer being produced. How was it that the countries that made these items were being most affected?<br /><br />Every single swab would be accounted for and daily inventory taken for more than the next year. Every request logged so I could ensure there wasn't hoarding or inappropriate usage. I didn't realize that I would end up being the keeper of all testing and supplies in short order.<br /><br />The second week of March 2020, things became very difficult. Hours of paperwork and samples were pouring in. I did not yet have testing in my laboratory and everything had to be funneled to the state. Every result was called. At times, various references laboratories opened testing and within days, would be swamped and shut down again. The phones never stopped ringing. Each day, counting swabs, controlling inventory, and trying to play referee in a game I never imagined.<br /><br />My state then entered into a safer at home order in the middle of March. What happened next I never expected. We had been battling two fights: one with nCOV-2 (now named SARS-CoV-2) and one with influenza. The side-effect from the order was that influenza spread dropped dramatically. Testing decreased and supplies could finally be adjusted towards declared pandemic. <br /><br />Mid-April, I was able to bring testing in-house. Safer for the staff who continued to soldier on, seeing a crushing amount of patients. I have never brought a test online in less than twenty-four hours. I wrote almost sixty pages of documents to bring this test in. Every test in a laboratory has to be validated, have samples run, a plan, a procedure, training, and so on. It was an incredible rush, but we are feeling exhausted. <br /><br />I had originally planned on visiting family in May, but that vacation time was rescinded. While I had initially been hopeful that people would continue to hunker down, it became clear that something else much more sinister was lurking under the surface.<br /><br />People died. I wish I could share their stories. I'm just a microbiologist, but I know their names. I have some of the specimens forever frozen, others sent for genetic sequencing and surveillance. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhJR2b9Uj_Y/YFlHPmJNXPI/AAAAAAAAKdY/keuWZImvsboYypioPujtHW1mIvKPynqQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhJR2b9Uj_Y/YFlHPmJNXPI/AAAAAAAAKdY/keuWZImvsboYypioPujtHW1mIvKPynqQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did find some time outdoors in October<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">I realized about this time in May that things were not going to quiet down the way that so many scientists had hoped. I had the sinking feeling we had tipped past the point of no return...<br /><br />Time to gather my feelings for the second half of the year. <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-58917704217813205462021-03-20T18:51:00.001-07:002021-03-20T18:51:07.091-07:00Happy Spring!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgsnSSqySq0/YFamNDJbTrI/AAAAAAAAKdE/Pp4x8zM3iYAZxNc_919PFpQKVQ760adDACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_1587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgsnSSqySq0/YFamNDJbTrI/AAAAAAAAKdE/Pp4x8zM3iYAZxNc_919PFpQKVQ760adDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_1587.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It certainly felt like spring today, compared to some bitterly cold weather earlier this week here. The sun was out, but it was still a bit cool with the wind. <br /><br />But happy spring! I am enjoying the longer daylight hours and hoping to ride outside again for the first time this year. We shall see!<br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-54127951355296140872020-12-15T10:01:00.002-08:002020-12-15T10:01:14.958-08:00More Recaps<p style="text-align: center;"> I'm a few lessons behind, oy.<br /><br /><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxfuKPE5KpE/X9j2hh6CbSI/AAAAAAAAKV8/Xi22LXZj1K0HueP4nz_J4DJ8NnSJ4EWegCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/124261485_10102089546715280_9065190697569895550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxfuKPE5KpE/X9j2hh6CbSI/AAAAAAAAKV8/Xi22LXZj1K0HueP4nz_J4DJ8NnSJ4EWegCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/124261485_10102089546715280_9065190697569895550_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tongue sticking out! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I've managed to squeeze in a few lessons the last few weeks. As my work life continues to crush me, my once weekly lesson seems to be at least an encouragement to get in the saddle and forget about work for an hour. <br /><br />My most recent lesson was one that was much more of a struggle. Chili was a little offended at the request to work on a smaller circle, maintaining bend, and accepting my inside leg. One of the things I struggle with is using my outside rein properly and riding more leg to outside rein. Chili is not entirely sure about this whole idea and upping the game plan. The last ride, she would just suck behind my leg while I was asking her to bend softly around it.<br /><br />My instructor suggested asking her to bend properly off the leg and then if she sucked back, showing her the bend by cheating a bit by using the inside rein. If she complied and did as we suggested, then I rode her forward and let her move out as she wanted and waiting out the drama if she wanted to resist the contact, suck back, or any other bit of her antics. In some ways, she is a bit of a pony and my coach laughs and said she had to go through her rolodex of evasions before settling down and realizing the actual work was easier than the evasions.<br /><br />One of the things I am guilty of is while she is often fussing, I have historically fussed back. More leg, adjusting the reins too much, or something similar and that would just feed into a cycle where Chili would fuss more back. Doing less is so much harder than doing more! <br /><br />One of the previous lessons I think was one of Chili's favorites as it was starting to compress and lengthen her gaits. I am not always 100% convinced that Chili won't use her canter for evil once we teach her to lengthen much more in the canter and as she builds up strength, but trot work is always good too.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jCiO24F1AA/X9j4hoBgoDI/AAAAAAAAKWI/R114-p36mhQUctJQafuHhfYSGFUua7KYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/127828274_10102111591507340_7716047373576001732_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jCiO24F1AA/X9j4hoBgoDI/AAAAAAAAKWI/R114-p36mhQUctJQafuHhfYSGFUua7KYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/127828274_10102111591507340_7716047373576001732_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">The suggestions were very simple ones, but always good to have the feedback as we were going along. Compress (usually on the short sides) and then work on building up a lengthen on the long side and finding the sweet spot in where she can still maintain strength and balance without running away. I do always have to remember that she is coming back off of a series of injuries and for myself, I need to figure out how to precisely balance and clean up my aids to communicate lengthening compared to a change of gait, since I am so much weaker on my left hip and calf than my right. It all seems to come back to using my core and seat aids to clarify my intentions! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIByGYbgMWw/X9j5H6687aI/AAAAAAAAKWQ/3oMeHgPNrNsc8eO09wu92-4d-zOMlp7yQCLcBGAsYHQ/s913/127272058_10102111591582190_4805044282737582419_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="913" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIByGYbgMWw/X9j5H6687aI/AAAAAAAAKWQ/3oMeHgPNrNsc8eO09wu92-4d-zOMlp7yQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/127272058_10102111591582190_4805044282737582419_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">Chili seemed to enjoy this work much more than all of the stupid tight circles because she is so much tighter on one side of her body as well, but it's all a balance between the fun things and the physical therapy for the both of us!<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1gE0ut1VeS8/X9j5ZWkGPmI/AAAAAAAAKWY/qT6dFwU4vsE06CoVZ6udYiXBvy9OZxHTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/127096670_10102109043703160_2379546570742242966_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1gE0ut1VeS8/X9j5ZWkGPmI/AAAAAAAAKWY/qT6dFwU4vsE06CoVZ6udYiXBvy9OZxHTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/127096670_10102109043703160_2379546570742242966_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">I did find out that the national championship horse show has qualifications waived, so here's to setting lofty 2021 goals and to see if I can put myself (well ourselves) together enough to warrant showing on the national level at this horse show. She already has four national titles in-hand. Should probably work on fulfilling some of that potential now.<br /><br />Twenty twenty has been such an obnoxious year that by hopefully setting some lofty goals, I can maintain the drive to a better 2021!<br /><br />Anyone else setting lofty 2021 goals or still planning on sticking close to home?<br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-12861614326710000032020-11-29T07:15:00.003-08:002020-11-29T07:15:25.755-08:00Lesson Recap <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Go0NSKIcMg/X7SyhyKKPtI/AAAAAAAAKSM/P3z1_mgUyHsEG84qnKwfEzfjeRzBp8T_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_0367-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Go0NSKIcMg/X7SyhyKKPtI/AAAAAAAAKSM/P3z1_mgUyHsEG84qnKwfEzfjeRzBp8T_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0367-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ever have days that feel like this?<br /><br />Life has been complicated, but one thing I've been trying to do is to take time for myself. Scheduling lessons has given me drive and focus when life keeps getting a little more chaotic.<br /><br />Last Thursday, I squeezed in a lesson. It was a lovely day as far as Midwestern weather goes. So strange to be riding outside in late November!<br /><br />We started off the lesson on playing around with my straightness in the saddle. I am tight in my left hip flexors from a previous hip surgery and can often twist in the saddle, but ironically enough, my shoulders are straight. Some of this subsequently is reflected onto the horse as Chili often wants to track crooked as well and I'm sure part of that is myself and part of that is Chili's own previous injuries.<br /><br />What my coach and I have been discovering is that I need to tighten my obliques a bit while riding to also correct some of the hypermobility issues I have elsewhere.<br /><br />At the trot, I have been working on almost "bouncing" from one seat bone to the other while being cognitive of my obliques. Chili is very expressive and so it does become clear what she approves of and disapproves of quite quickly (thank you mare ears!). The goal of the "bouncing" is because I can't really open my left hip to have a way to send energy and shift my seat while essentially bypassing a blocked joint. <br /><br />This was most evident while I was working on spirals on the circle a couple weeks ago. While spiraling with my left leg on the outside, Chili was having a difficult time maintaining the bend until I went a little rogue and had my left hip a little more forward than one would traditionally have it and then used more of the idea of the bounce to maintain forward impulsion and then had the right leg asking for the lateral movement. I'm hoping one day I can get video to share what I mean!<br /><br />This also has come into play at the canter. I have long been overwhelmed with the great canter discussions on if the canter lead should be picked up from the inside leg or the outside leg or a combination. One stallion I rode for a while was definitely off the inside leg, while of course, many others I've ridden were off the outside leg. Some off both simultaneous.<br /><br />One takeaway from the lesson was Chili absolutely did not appreciate the canter coming off both legs. I think there was too much of a squeeze and the tight hip blocking her from really moving into the canter fluidly. When I worked on moving the left hip out of the way, canter coming off the right leg and then more of a "scoop" on the left seat bone, she seemed much more fluid about picking up the lead and without extra "expression". <br /><br />One canter exercise we began working on was pretty simple, but I thought it was useful, since most of our canter work at this point has either been on straight lines or on a 20 meter circle.<br /><br />I started on the 20 meter circle, then went to the diagonal at X. While on X, straighten the horse and go straight while in canter. <br /><br />Chili is still gaining strength in the canter and still at times, not quite sure about accepting the contact and changing reins while in the canter. She swapped leads once and broke to the trot a couple of other times while starting to ask her to straighten, but all in all, it is a good exercise for me to think about just continuing to work on straightness and I'll begin teasing apart what I need to do to help her. It just takes a little outside the box thinking!<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">It is somewhat promising to see progress. Chili is a talented horse, smart, and creates her own games. Some of it has been while she's had time off from injury as well. But I feel like some of our stalling has been because she hasn't followed the logical progression that dressage said she should. I also am realizing I may not be able to ride in the exact fashion that people say is "proper." We all have physical differences, but it is hopeful and a little bit inspiring to work with someone who can think outside the box on how to help both of us progress in our skills. <br /><br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-80931792468183948382020-11-15T14:43:00.002-08:002020-11-15T14:43:45.384-08:00Farnam Giveway<p style="text-align: center;"> I like to enter some of the random drawings on Facebook. I'm not particularly lucky, but here's to hoping right?<br /><br />Well apparently I got lucky and won the Farnam End of Summer Giveaway.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UylnFYUh8d0/X6SqnttT0-I/AAAAAAAAKQg/iGp9bkSnkh4TmocySHt0A_pb1GmIVCvjQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/122329576_10102072770245460_8825934065924755359_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1371" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UylnFYUh8d0/X6SqnttT0-I/AAAAAAAAKQg/iGp9bkSnkh4TmocySHt0A_pb1GmIVCvjQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/122329576_10102072770245460_8825934065924755359_o.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">It was very exciting and very unexpected. The box contained a nice variety of products I am excited to try including Leather New Total Care, Equi-Spot Tick and Fly Repellant, Dual Defense Fly Spray which is for both humans and horses (how handy!), Next Level joint supplement, Sand Clear, Laser Sheen, a couple tubes of electrolytes, some wound cream and spray, Sand Clear, and a couple tubes of electrolytes.<br /><br />Definitely a fun variety of products and some items I wouldn't have purchased on my own, but I am very curious to try and see if they help. Laser sheen which is a coat shine spray has never been in my lineup but I'm always game to see if it's better than my preferred products!<br /><br />Anyone else been lucky lately or won a drawing like this?<br /><br />Any favorite Farnam products that are always in your lineup?<br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-61490505319691733692020-11-08T18:23:00.002-08:002020-11-08T18:23:59.656-08:00Lesson Recap<p style="text-align: center;"> The weather outside has been stunning and very unlike normal weather here in the frozen tundra in November.<br /><br />I have been trying to take advantage and riding outside. The only negative is with daylights savings time and the fact it is now dark at 4:30.<br /><br />Friday, I left work about an hour earlier than my typical end time. I've accrued a bit of overtime just from normal "everyday" crisis things occurring now. The great thing about leaving is that I made it out just in time to squeeze in a ride before pm chores. Chili is still easily distracted and can be kind of an idiot if there is too much going on for her little peon brain to handle at one time. Show environments, she can be better if she doesn't go over the threshold, but at home, she has a particular routine and she doesn't care for it to be adjusted.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqdRl5wcrU8/X6idYMKuhfI/AAAAAAAAKRA/h3FTk0bCqVszp9nMzNEydIoxNAluz7IwACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/124261485_10102089546715280_9065190697569895550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqdRl5wcrU8/X6idYMKuhfI/AAAAAAAAKRA/h3FTk0bCqVszp9nMzNEydIoxNAluz7IwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/124261485_10102089546715280_9065190697569895550_n.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">I lunged her in the outdoor arena for a few minutes. We have sometimes had trouble in the outside arena with sticking and worrying about horses running in turnouts right adjacent to the outdoor. However, she seemed pretty quiet about the whole affair so we had a pretty nice ride.<br /><br />I have been super tight, tense, and sore, so our usual routine starts with a bit of two point, since that's about the only thing that doesn't make my tight hip clamp against her in the saddle which just quite frankly, irritates Chili and causes her to jig and be annoyed. <br /><br />After our usual warm-up routine, we just did some basic walk, trot, and canter work and then trying to work on leg yields on the spiral.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSUZw5xii-A/X6idYQppSZI/AAAAAAAAKRE/7bGoCm3tDhofTq_HNAO1_8Au_lxlN0pYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/123959285_10102090595273960_4516911986139528521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSUZw5xii-A/X6idYQppSZI/AAAAAAAAKRE/7bGoCm3tDhofTq_HNAO1_8Au_lxlN0pYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/123959285_10102090595273960_4516911986139528521_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Saturday, I had a lesson. The weather was once again very nice and warm, but quite windy. I couldn't decide if I wanted a jacket and risk overheating and dying or just a polo shirt. I ended up with unzipped jacket, but that's how it goes.<br /><br />We started off the lesson with my usual warm-up routine of two point and variations on that to try and regain some mobility in my left hip. Once I was feeling a little more comfortable and Chili let me know that she was ok with my status, we moved into work. She was feeling rather lazy, which is often quite unusual for her, especially with sometimes strong wind occurring.<br /><br />My instructor had me working on keeping my body straight on the rail with minor jaw flexions left and right until it felt Chili would take both reins evenly. She has such a flexible neck that she can often evade and resist taking one rein.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Once the flexions felt better and we had a little more power at the trot and quit jog trotting, we did some spiral leg yields. I have often struggled with nagging her. One thing I can often do is turn my heel into the horse which annoys her. My instructor wanted to play around with some concepts to see what Chili would respond best to in the current circumstances. While going counter-clockwise, my weak and tight hip was on the inside. Instead of just putting my leg on and trying to send her over, I played around with the idea of almost picking up and "bouncing" my inside seat bone while sending my energy from the inside seat bone to the outside oblique muscles. I had also dropped my left stirrup and kept my right one to try and see if gravity could help correct some of my muscle memory and postural issues.<br /><br />The difference in Chili's ability to comply and understand was pretty profound. We practiced this on the quarter-line a few times too and had some very nice crossing over front and back. Historically I had always struggled with her being so crooked, but now looking back, I wonder if I never really gave her back enough space to swing up, through, and over. <br /><br />The other direction, going to the rail left, means that my hip is now tight on the outside. I have usually been much better on spiral circles this direction, but as always, struggle on the quarter-line. <br /><br />What we ended up finding that worked better was to have my bad hip just a little bit forward that what is ideal. Too far back and my hip locked and Chili was resistant to moving over and neutral was a fairly similar effect. It's hard for my brain to process sometimes what is proper equitation isn't going to work for myself as a rider and secondly, what feels correct usually isn't anyway!<br /><br />We had some really nice leg yields with good power and it seemed like such a strange feeling on her. Her rideability and my ability to sit comfortably just improved as soon as I could tweak it to have her accept the outside rein, not block her with that seat bone, and to try and not pick at her. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uIgOmuk32Y/X6idYZfHLTI/AAAAAAAAKRI/4SoT05GHi3QMkhMdnbpsR4-1xaAgYyGFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/123713295_10102090595318870_3827635097563037267_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="764" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uIgOmuk32Y/X6idYZfHLTI/AAAAAAAAKRI/4SoT05GHi3QMkhMdnbpsR4-1xaAgYyGFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/123713295_10102090595318870_3827635097563037267_n.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">We finished out our ride with some canter work. My instructor wanted us to begin exploring the idea of balance in the counter-canter so while on the rail and on the circle, asked to flex her to the outside, straighten, and bring her back on the correct bend. Baby steps. Chili wanted to break to the trot if I was changing bend a little too quickly as I was also disrupting her balance. I practiced a little more today with the concept and she seems to be catching on. </p><p style="text-align: center;">All elementary things, but to be honest, it's nice to have her be so willing and sound so that I can work on having instruction to keep filling in some of these gaps.<br /><br />I rode with a couple other people in the arena the past few days which was also excellent exposure. Chili has been a little too coddled at times with not always having riding companions and in our past, we almost always rode alone so she gets frazzled when other horses are doing things. Plus, it was nice to hear from the other riders on what a nice moving horse she is. 😁<br /><br />Hopefully work will keep itself in check and I'll be able to schedule another lesson shortly. Here's to hoping! :) <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-81942503106823388512020-11-05T17:48:00.000-08:002020-11-05T17:48:14.066-08:00The Good Things<p style="text-align: center;">Sometimes it can be hard for me to take a break and realize there are still good things.<br /><br />This year, by far, has been incredibly stressful. I'm a microbiologist by trade and this year, have been plunged off the end of the universe. What I originally thought would be a couple month endeavor in terms of Sars-CoV-2 testing and so forth, has now been an almost 9 month marathon. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I remember being a little flippant back in February, long before it was on most people's radar, while talking to an infection prevention nurse. He asked if I was really concerned and I said no, not really, as long as the person in charge could actually keep his act together.<br /><br />Well...<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gM-HA8o9Jo/X6SnCfhYHXI/AAAAAAAAKQQ/wcYVHMFPyk8jAARn94IB_215w0gdLnsCACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gM-HA8o9Jo/X6SnCfhYHXI/AAAAAAAAKQQ/wcYVHMFPyk8jAARn94IB_215w0gdLnsCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0265.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Now back to the positive things. I'm hoping to expand on a few of these topics soon enough if I ever have a few minutes to catch my breath.<br /><br />First of all, I was absolutely shocked I placed second in the <a href="https://suenostomanvuelo.blogspot.com/2020/11/2ptober-2020-winners.html" target="_blank">2ptober challenge</a>! I only rode a handful of times due to work and my older mare having pneumonia. <br /><br />Second, I was quite surprised when I won a basket of Farnam items! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UylnFYUh8d0/X6SqnttT0-I/AAAAAAAAKQc/NtN2OhfnysQ6i4cHb55Mj6qd-XZO6GdMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/122329576_10102072770245460_8825934065924755359_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1371" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UylnFYUh8d0/X6SqnttT0-I/AAAAAAAAKQc/NtN2OhfnysQ6i4cHb55Mj6qd-XZO6GdMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/122329576_10102072770245460_8825934065924755359_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">One of my work supervisors surprised me and paid for my coffee the other day. I also received a small bucket of Halloween candy while I was at an area hospital doing some training work. :) <br /><br />So hurray for free coffee and excessively sugary snacks.<br /><br />So what good things have been happening to you lately? <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-78588348516546271562020-10-25T09:44:00.004-07:002020-10-25T09:44:58.163-07:00Where have all the Morgans gone?<p style="text-align: center;"> Where have all the Morgans gone? <br />Also known as a discussion on breeders subsidizing their products.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZS0V_7JQ5E/X5Wo-HG2JaI/AAAAAAAAKOw/X9P5rM2VRYwnvJnOMwUEDfynoCKVjvNlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/245JustinMorganWC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZS0V_7JQ5E/X5Wo-HG2JaI/AAAAAAAAKOw/X9P5rM2VRYwnvJnOMwUEDfynoCKVjvNlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/245JustinMorganWC.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I see this discussion come up quite frequently on social media as well as in-person for people looking for specific horses.<br /><br />One common breed I see discussed quite often is the Morgan. There aren't many Morgan breeders left in the United States and there are not many foals registered each year. Many of the Morgan breeders left are breeding foals for the Saddleseat type market or are Amish type breeders looking for a flashy road horse.<br /><br />This has lead to many people that frequently post on groups lamenting on the loss of the historical old style Morgan. <br /><br />My personal opinion is that many of the historical type Morgans were overfed and underworked and that a fit, sport type Morgan could be almost all "historical" bloodlines, let still look different. <br /><br />But also in addition to that what I have found is that people looking for a sport or classical type Morgan rarely want to pay what it costs to put a foal on the ground. Ten years ago, I bred for my first and only foal and my costs were more than five thousand dollars at the time, not including the cost of the mare and so forth. Some of my costs could be reduced if I had done more of my own veterinary type work, skipped ultrasounds, and so forth, but let's admit that to breed horses with a level of personalized care without just throwing a mare and a stallion together in a pasture, there are certain fixed costs.<br /><br />I have yet to find someone that wants to pay the costs for someone to produce that foal, let alone a little bit extra to keep a breeder going in years of unexpected expenses. <br /><br />Thus, why would a historical type Morgan breeder keep producing foals at a loss? <br /><br />I have also encountered a number of breeders that can produce foals relatively inexpensively (perhaps using aforementioned pasture breeding), but there is still lack of capital to put these foals undersaddle, show them, or to market them to build a market. These horses still don't reach their target market who want that well broke, historical type Morgan.<br /><br />I don't blame breeders that create Morgans for the saddleseat or show market that actually sell. It makes financial sense. They can continue to reinvest in their animals and take care of the stock they have. <br /><br />I personally wish more people would understand the costs that go into producing a young horse and that to find a well broke XYZ breed at $1,000 meant that someone(s) have taken a substantial loss. <br /><br />Please feel free to replace Morgan with any particular breed of your choice. This is just a common one I've seen recently.<br /><br />What are you thoughts on this? Should there always be the expectation for breeders to do this for the love of the breed and take a loss? Should historical breed type preservation be a bigger priority and how should it be accomplished?<br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042227829330133667.post-31003582089259809122020-10-22T18:24:00.002-07:002020-10-22T18:24:14.669-07:00Rehabilitation<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIHccSv9Eig/X5ItnC1S8DI/AAAAAAAAKOA/uu7n2IsroqUn8fxM0juynKrhGdK-IQDkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/122101789_10102075438363530_5642775679901677880_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIHccSv9Eig/X5ItnC1S8DI/AAAAAAAAKOA/uu7n2IsroqUn8fxM0juynKrhGdK-IQDkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/122101789_10102075438363530_5642775679901677880_o.jpg" /></a></div><br />Donni has been improving day by day. I have been somewhat impressed with my skills to administer her daily intravenous antibiotics. While I had previously utilized my skills to draw blood, it's been years since I've done it with any regularity. <br /><br />Donni has been less than enthusiastic about being a pincushion after her stint two months ago with Potomac Horse Fever. Fortunately, my barn owner was able to help and we were able to get Donni to cooperate. The intramuscular injection was met with much more protest with her rearing up and at one point trying to sit on me, so we ended up using a chain on her with a towel over her ears in the arena to get that done. <br /><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoZ-UZtJBMU/X5IvWY0Y0OI/AAAAAAAAKOM/V4v7fX6Nj-8PbXHCfht2w2dDWbEmbHVnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/121658687_10102067879052450_302916445040176089_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoZ-UZtJBMU/X5IvWY0Y0OI/AAAAAAAAKOM/V4v7fX6Nj-8PbXHCfht2w2dDWbEmbHVnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/121658687_10102067879052450_302916445040176089_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Chili had her right hock injected in all of this as well. Since her left hock showed clean on the bone scan and the CT scan, the vet decided that we only needed to address the problem. At about the two week mark, Chili looked markedly more comfortable. <br /><br />Too bad I'm headed into a miserable Midwest winter ahead, but I am looking forward to trying to get into a regular lesson schedule once my finances have recovered a bit. <br /></p>Semi Feral Equestrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06493371693401268792noreply@blogger.com2