I have been lusting after a One K helmet in our local tack shop. I could use a better/newer helmet (I have fallen twice in the current one and dropped it several times.) I honestly don't know if I hit my head in the first fall, but the second one I knew I did.
The first fall is actually a funny story, it was in the first month of lessons with S. I was riding Gus who is the oldest and sweetest lesson horse (never dumps kids, just doesn't go forward). He tripped on a ground pole and the grass had dew on it. Needless to say neither of us stayed upright. My ankle was caught between him and one of the ground poles. Hence the reason I don't know if I hit my head or not. I was so busy trying not to swear that I don't remember anything beside thinking I had broken my ankle. Thankfully that didn't happen. So that is the story of how I fell of the best lesson horse in the barn.
The second one was with Stinker which I don't know if it should really count as a fall since I never made it on. I was getting on bareback and flopped on his side which caused him to spook. I thought the ground looked better than the side of the horse, so I tried to drop back to the ground and proceeded to sprain my ankle and skid on the gravel driveway. I know my head hit in the skid.
The bottom line, is I want the helmet, but I am terrified if I buy it I am going to promptly fall off and bust it. They do a replacement program....but it would still be $120 to replace it. I do think that the more expensive helmets offer better protection and I do need my brain to afford my horse. So...I should probably just go ahead and upgrade. But, I am terrified I will jinx myself if I do. And yes with that logic I will mention that I am a scientist and I do see the irony in it. And I promise I don't use this logic at work (much).
So, do I buy the new helmet (considering the fact I am looking for a new saddle also)? Or do I wait and stick with my old one for a couple more months?
One year ago, D officially brought home a certain little Stinker Pony. The funny thing about the whole search, is she only tried two horses for me in the process. Stinker and one other that I wasn't wild about, but he was near Stinker so I had her go check him out too. Needless to say Stinker was the winner.
It seems rather crazy, because I didn't get to actually see him until the beginning of March. Honestly who the hell buys a horse without seeing him and then doesn't see him for another three months? Apparently me. Please note that I don't recommend doing things this way. Luckily for me it all worked out.
From his sales ad
Stinker was also the last present my dog (aka my Chunky Monkey) bought me. In an attempt to make myself not feel so lame one year I bought shoes for my birthday and someone asked me about them, so I said Chunkers bought them for me. I swear my animals have normal names, but I also give them stupid nicknames that I use more than their real names. This continued as a joke, and I actually got some pretty pricy gifts. The one year my car got totaled right before Christmas and I got a car for Christmas. Last year a pony.
First picture D sent me post purchase
It has been a crazy year, and I think D had some interesting times in the three months that she had Stinker. She was very closed mouth about everything, but slowly some things have come out. Like how he liked to kick her leg when she asked for the canter transitions. WTF horse? He tried that once with me and kicked himself. He then got pissed and tried to buck, but that didn't work any better for him. I think that he couldn't maneuver himself as well since I am heavier than D.
In the last year, Stinker went from being essentially unstarted under saddle. He had extensive ground work, but not much riding. D had him going solid walk, trot, canter, and baby leg yields. He came down here we had about a month and half, then the lameness issues started. I kept insisting that something was wrong, but I didn't know what. The vet came, thought it was the hocks and they were injected. The vet came back, thought it was the stifles and they were blistered. The vet came back and decided that it was EPM. Through multiple rounds of treatment and the vet bills...Oh the vet bills... we finally got him back on track.
My first (possibly second) ride on him
At this point, he had lost a lot of weight and muscle (he will always be on the lean side, but this was too much). His lovely topline that D had built up was gone. And he still had some residual hitch in his git up. This eventually worked out and is gone, but that was more vet bills. Are we seeing $$$ yet, because all I saw was -$$$$. Finally, at the end of July I started riding him again. We putzed around and weren't making any real progress. I was only riding him for 10-15 minutes at a time so I couldn't justify paying for a full hour. Enter video lessons.
I started the video lessons with D in mid August. This finally got us on a positive track. I learned how to ignore his BS legs (this is still in progress at times), and he started to figure out that I wasn't going to kill him if I was on him. It has been a long and slow rode, but we are on an upward trend and I now have him back to where he was when D brought him down to me.
So that has been the year of the Stinker Pony. It has been an interesting ride with its ups and downs, and I can't wait to see what next year has in store for us. Hopefully, more interesting things than YAY my pony walked. But hey it is all about the little victories.
This video was pretty rough for me (Ignore the first four minutes I was having video editing issues). I was struggling with my confidence (Long story short, someone cracked a joke about Stinker needing a professional ride and while I knew it was a joke, my feelings were hurt and my confidence took a hit). I always struggle with having confidence in my riding, which is why I am so dependent on lessons (and careful about who I ride with). They give me the boost that I need. Needless to say D gave me the boost I needed with this.
The List:
The list went out the window, because I was firmly on the struggle bus. But what is on the list is below: 30 Minutes Total 15 Minutes Trot 4 Three Loop Serpentines with 15 m circles at the midline 4 Lengthen Trots on 20 m circle (lengthen one half bring back other half) 1 One Loop Serpentine each direction 1 Leg Yield Each Direction at the Trot 15 Minutes Canter Canter entire arena with 20 m circles at A and C and 15 m circles at E and B 4 Canter to Trot Transitions on the diagonal with the transition at X
My Thoughts: As I mentioned above, this ride was pretty rough (I almost didn't post this lesson, but in the interest in full disclosure I am sucking it up and posting.) I felt like we only had choppy mode or canter mode. Everything just felt horrible and I wasn't riding well. So feel free to skip the video (I am really hoping you do). :) I was not able to follow the program, but I did try to keep my reins shorter and give him a ceiling with the draw reins. I think I did on ok job on that. I also think I did a fairly decent spilt between the canter and trot work. I have been struggling with the trot. My thoughts on why I have been struggling are: A) He is no longer happy in S's dressage saddle (I am quite confident this is an issue now). B) He has decided that cantering is easier than trotting. C) It is something that I am doing that makes him think I want to canter. I did notice that when I was on the incorrect diagonal, he wasn't trying to canter as much.
D's Thoughts: This might be a little disjointed, because we did more back an forth than usual. The summery of our conversation was I am a chicken shit. Not really, but I need to not be afraid to canter when he gets like this. The more I try to trot the more frustrated he gets. And I need to remember to just keep riding and to have faith in myself. I am so worried that I am going to create bad habits that I do nothing and it is actually worse than anything I do. D encouraged me to let him canter it out. I don't totally agree with this, because he is the freaking energizer bunny and just keeps going and going. Every time I try to do this, I end up with a horse that is drenched in sweat and still trying to canter. I do agree with I need to get him forward and then bring him back and then forward and back, until he gets his head in the game and is willing to play with me. It all comes back to the mental game with him. Another thing that D pointed out was the fact that he was completely locked on the right side. I never noticed it (oops). In my rides since then I focused on loosening that up and I think it has helped greatly. I also really need to work on my half halt and remember to breathe. I have a tendency to tense and stop breathing. This makes him anxious which feeds into the cycle I am trying to break with the half halt. If I tighten my core and continue to breathe, he will respond as desired. Another big point, was I need to get over my fear of making mistakes. They are going to happen no matter what and I just need to take a leap a faith and go over the cliff. And right now the only way I am going to learn is if I make some mistakes. (Damn overachiever side of me cringes at this.)
Updated List:
Everything listed at the beginning is still on there, but I am also to add in spiral in and out on circles. I really need to focus on the out part and use this to help supple him. I can bring him back into the slow trot (almost a walk) for this if necessary. The goal is to get him heavy in my outside rein. When that happens I can take him off the circle. As soon as he starts to get heavy on the inside, he goes back onto the circle. Despite my initial frustration with this ride, we did have our good moments. D pulled this picture out of the video and I love him in it. Yes we do have improvements to make but compared to where we were I love it. Although as one of my non horsey friends said when she saw the picture, "Dat ass!" I really need to get my butt in line and not do my weird perching thing. PS sorry no gifs, because I still mostly want to pretend this video didn't happen.
I have been struggling a bit lately. Not just with the Stinker, but with work and life in general. But in light of the holiday tomorrow, I started thinking about all thing things I have going for me and I honestly don't have any reason to complain. Sure work sucks sometimes, but I have a job that lets me afford my pony, which makes me very happy. It is challenging (sometimes a little too much), but that is better than being bored out of my mind.
I am also incredibly lucky to have amazing people in my life. I have an amazing family and friends that are essentially family. While, I am far away, there is this amazing thing called a cell phone. I have wonderful barn people and amazing trainers (D and S). D may be far away, but she always makes time for me. And S busts her butt all day every day and always has a smile on her face.
I also have this amazing pony (just under a year ago). He may frustrate the hell out of me (this last week is a case in point), but I love him to death. I may call him a little Stinker, but he is such a fun horse. Crazy talented (if I figure out how to unlock it), tons of personality, and so willing. He is such an over achiever that it causes problems sometimes, but I love that he wants to try and cares enough to try to anticipate what I will want next. Not to mention he is super smart.
I hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving filled with good ponies, good food, and good people. Ponies obviously come first, because I have my priorities in line. ;)
PS I fixed one of the pictures and made it all out of whack for the order...oops blogger fail.
I finally got the photos from the Sinead Clinic. Here they are starting with the proof it really was Sinead Halpin. PS Just look at Pongo. He is >>>>>>>> cuter than me. :)
It is a little early for this, but whatever. It is my blog and I do what I want. First let's review the goals I set for the final quarter in 2015.
Goals for human: I will sum this up with a big fat nope...
Increase core strength so I can ride a certain little Stinker Pony...
Ride in 2 point at least twice a week on my own. S typically makes me do some during our lessons but I have to wait until my ankle is stronger.
Be able to run (aka slow jog) 5k by the end of December.
My core strength might have improved a smudge, but not to the extent I was aiming for. The two point was a massive fail, mainly due to focusing on dressage and I can NOT two point in a dressage saddle. People tell me you can do it, but I can't to save my life. The "slow job" (typo oops) hasn't happened due to my ankle. I still have a gimp at anything faster than a walk. WTF ankle get better already.
Goals for Stinker: This was actually a success.
Stay healthy!!!
Continue to work on relaxing and rhythm.
Work on stretching.
Gallop once a week.
Left bend!
I didn't gallop once a week, but everything else is on track and I am pleased with our progress.
Goals for Pongo: This was also a success.
Continue to work on consistency.
Focus on bending through the rib cage
Jump at least once a week (this must wait on the ankle)
Ride the high side to continue to work on loosening the right hind
We did lose some consistency when the number of rides got reduced, but he is getting much snappier at coming back to where we were at. It doesn't take an entire ride to get him to soften and push from behind. The bend is making progress and we nailed the jumping. My highlight was how positive Sinead Halpin was in regards to him. I haven't been having any issues with the right hind, so I am calling that a win.
2016 Goals
Year Goals:
Training level dressage at a schooling show late spring or early summer.
Horse Trial at a schooling show late fall or early winter.
Solid First level work at home by late fall or early winter.
Quarterly Goals Human:
Walk at least 10,000 steps per day (15,000 if riding one horse; 20,000 if riding two horses).
Yoga three times a week to get the hip flexors back in working order.
More two point (I should have a jump saddle in January so NO EXCUSES!!!!).
Quarterly Goals Stinker:
Get dressage saddle figured out (This needs to happen ASAP, because I feel terrible that I think I have ridden in S's saddle more than she has).
Continue to work on rhythm and relaxation in all gaits.
Get more suppleness at the canter (aka take that freaking neck away).
Leg Yields!!! I love leg yields because they are one of my favorite training tools (it might change once I have more tools), but right now I am very confident in my ability to teach a horse to leg yield.
25 Minutes Total
3 One Loop Serpentines Each Direction at the Trot
1 Leg Yield Each Direction at the Trot
1 Canter Entire Arena Each Direction with Circles at A and C
1 Lengthening
The Results: 25 Minutes Total 3 One Loop Serpentines Each Direction at the Trot 1 Leg Yield Each Direction at the Trot 1 Canter Entire Arena Each Direction with Circles at A and C
1 Lengthening (I did not try this because I never felt like I had a good trot)
1:50 Right lead canter
6:59 One loop serpentine (left 1)
7:24 One loop serpentine (left 2)
7:45 One loop serpentine (left 3)
8:20 One loop serpentine (left 4)
9:09 One loop serpentine (right 1)
9:45 One loop serpentine (right 2)
10:33 One loop serpentine (right 3)
12:14 One loop serpentine (right 4)
12:48 One loop serpentine (right 5)
13:38 One loop serpentine (right 6)
17:54 Left lead canter
22:08 Leg yield (left 1)
25:22 Leg yield (left 2)
25:48 Leg yield (left 3)
27:25 Leg yield (right 1)
28:33 Leg yield (right 2)
So cute (him not me...ignore me)
My Thoughts:
This ride did not feel very good. Everything felt choppy. In hindsight, I should have taken the time to fix the arena back to the large size, but he was already impatient and annoyed with me, so I didn't. I have two thoughts on why we were so choppy and it is probably the combination. One, my hips have been super tight (to the point where my back has been hurting) and he is very sensitive to this. So I think the tension in my hips are making him antsy and that makes him choppy. Two, he is anticipating the canter. Circles used to be his happy spot to relax, but now I am feeling him get more and more antsy when we circle. I think he is expecting to canter and I need to spend part of the time just going back to walk trot and not canter. I didn't try to lengthen, because I never felt like I had a trot where it was good enough to push for forward.
Thoughts on me:
I am doing the weird lean forward thing again. I think I am doing it when I want to get him to stretch forward and down. I was also struggling with an effective half halt. It seemed like the majority of turns he would try to rocket out of them, and I couldn't half halt him in an effective manner. My leg needs to come back about six inches to be in the correct spot. I also seem to be getting dumped off the left side.
Legs out front, butt out behind, leaning forward, elbows not bent...
Thoughts on him:
I felt like I could never get him to just drop his head and relax. We would get a few strides, then it would be back to head up bulging under neck. I don't know if on days like this, I should just scrap the plan and really work on getting him to relax. Or if I should just try to work through it and keep encouraging him to stretch down and continue with the plan.
D's Thoughts:
D was super impressed with our left lead canter (actually both ways, but the left is harder). And she thought we actually looked more confident in the canter than in the trot.
She also wants me to use the draw reins more on days like this. He was more up and I was a little off, the draw reins are supposed to set a ceiling for him, but if I don't shorten them up he never hits the ceiling. She isn't worried about me abusing them, because I never really get them activated in the first place.
I am supposed to shorten my reins (about half the length) and be more proactive in the trot. When he gets tight, I need to take his neck away and let him know this is not an option any more. I am also allowed to do more canter and sit in the canter instead of my crappy two point in dressage saddle attempt.
I also need to have confidence in myself and my ability to ride him correctly. I get tight and tense and that compounds onto him. We get in a vicious cycle, and I need to have confidence in myself and break this cycle.
New Checklist:
30 Minutes Total
15 Minutes Trot
4 Three Loop Serpentines with 15 m circles at the midline
4 Lengthen Trots on 20 m circle (lengthen one half bring back other half)
1 One Loop Serpentine each direction
15 Minutes Canter
Canter entire arena with 20 m circles at A and C and 15 m circles at E and B
4 Canter to Trot Transitions on the diagonal with the transition at X
