The clinic "Ride with your Mind" is this weekend. THIS WEEKEND!! So, since this is my first solo outing as the Equestrian, and not just as a Show mom, I am a bit nervous. You may recall that I did compete twice, but that was because we were already there, and so it was more of a lark. This time I am the only rider, and Pippi has been my project for the last six months. As a part time, here and there rider of the past little was expected, but now that I ride three times a week, and have my own Trainer just for me, well...... I feel a little pressure.
So I decided that I was going to deal with the nerves early. I would channel my nerves into preparing. Miranda normally prepared by cleaning, packing and organizing, but now it all falls on me. My friend trailers Pippi on Thursday, but my car is already packed. Throw in the saddle and I am ready to go.
And you know what, I am less nervous now. So being obsessive seems to have worked.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Lie for me? Will ya?
Four months ago taking Pippi to a clinic seemed like a GREAT idea. Two months ago it seemed like a GOOD idea. Last week it seemed like it might be OKAY. This week it seems like the most addle brained idiotic asinine bunch of horse manure I have ever heard of.
Funny how it take on a new perspective as the event creeps ever closer. Really makes you wonder huh? Makes me wonder if Tequila and Valium is just frowned upon, or really a bad mix. Makes me ponder all kinds of things, like what types of excuses would sound plausible.
Pippi is lame? It could happen. Happens all the time. Sometimes your horse just turns up lame, and all you can do is audit the clinic. Bummer!!
Pippi threw a shoe, and there is no farrier to fix it? I looked at her yesterday and there were no shoes. As a matter of fact I have not seen them since last fall, so that is a problem. (If I leave out that she is barefoot now, this could work). Except, knowing Kara, I would be offered Selena to ride within seconds of such news. Dang it!! Same thing if Pippi was lame, now that I think about it. Oh MAN!!!!
I can't find my saddle? Sounds good, but I bet those "friends" of mine would let me borrow anything that I was missing. With "friends" like that.......(you end up riding in a clinic!!)
The Truck broke down? Oooh-good one. Except it is not my truck, so I would have to get Tracy to lie, and she won't because she is in cahoots with all my other "friends." In times like these TRUST NO ONE!!
Fine, all I can think of is faking illness. What's going around? Clearly I need to call a friend with kids in Elementary school as any conversation with such a creature will lead to a chat about what is going around, with details about length and symptoms of said illness. Now we're talking!!
The only thing is..............what if not going leads to regret? I hate regret! Always reminds of those times when I was a kid and decided to stay home like a big girl when my parents went somewhere. The moment the car left the driveway I would be filled with such regret.
Trying to send mental images to my mom; feel my pain, come back! MOM!!!! Mom???
This mental battle will rage for the next week for sure. Shall I go or shall I chicken out? Pippi will be moved to Kara's for the weekend on Thursday April 18th around 6pm. The clinic is Saturday and Sunday. So by moving early I will have time to acclimate Pippi to the arena and everything. Unless you, my true friends and supporters, can come up with legitimate lies that prevents me from going. Well?
Funny how it take on a new perspective as the event creeps ever closer. Really makes you wonder huh? Makes me wonder if Tequila and Valium is just frowned upon, or really a bad mix. Makes me ponder all kinds of things, like what types of excuses would sound plausible.
Pippi is lame? It could happen. Happens all the time. Sometimes your horse just turns up lame, and all you can do is audit the clinic. Bummer!!
Pippi threw a shoe, and there is no farrier to fix it? I looked at her yesterday and there were no shoes. As a matter of fact I have not seen them since last fall, so that is a problem. (If I leave out that she is barefoot now, this could work). Except, knowing Kara, I would be offered Selena to ride within seconds of such news. Dang it!! Same thing if Pippi was lame, now that I think about it. Oh MAN!!!!
I can't find my saddle? Sounds good, but I bet those "friends" of mine would let me borrow anything that I was missing. With "friends" like that.......(you end up riding in a clinic!!)
The Truck broke down? Oooh-good one. Except it is not my truck, so I would have to get Tracy to lie, and she won't because she is in cahoots with all my other "friends." In times like these TRUST NO ONE!!
Fine, all I can think of is faking illness. What's going around? Clearly I need to call a friend with kids in Elementary school as any conversation with such a creature will lead to a chat about what is going around, with details about length and symptoms of said illness. Now we're talking!!
The only thing is..............what if not going leads to regret? I hate regret! Always reminds of those times when I was a kid and decided to stay home like a big girl when my parents went somewhere. The moment the car left the driveway I would be filled with such regret.
NO!!! I want to go after all. Come Back!!!
Trying to send mental images to my mom; feel my pain, come back! MOM!!!! Mom???
This mental battle will rage for the next week for sure. Shall I go or shall I chicken out? Pippi will be moved to Kara's for the weekend on Thursday April 18th around 6pm. The clinic is Saturday and Sunday. So by moving early I will have time to acclimate Pippi to the arena and everything. Unless you, my true friends and supporters, can come up with legitimate lies that prevents me from going. Well?
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
"Oh HELL no!"
How is that for a mindset? "Oh HELL no!!" Might not be the best of language, but when you fill your mind with those words, things happen. Attitude changes and "look out" ensues. Let me explain:
Pippi is a Spookin'Fool horse, as in a direct descendent of the aptly named APHA Stallion "Spookin' Fool" and the daughter of "Spookin' Cody." Whoever named this line knew what they were about. Pippi can spook and fly sideways quicker than a hummingbird, and with as much quiet and grace. We can just be riding a long, and without so much as a snort, a stop, a shake or a blink, we are across the arena, with me cursing at the pain that still persists in my right elbow. Can't imagine why that is not healing faster. Ahem!!
So, Denise the Trainer has now witnessed such an event, and was surprised at the swift change in Pippi. "Wow, really don't see that coming do ya?" Nope, sure don't. Not at all, no sirrey Bob, absolutely not, negatory! It's like trot, trot, trot, HOLY MOTHER of ^$*^#$&*!!! I think you get the picture.
What scares her? Strange sounds of things that she can not identify and/or can not see. That about covers it!
So, what is the plan? Ride calmly, as usual, but when she spooks (note, I did not say "if she spooks") I am to change my mindset from calm/supportive to "Oh HELL no!!" in the blink of an eye. Denise says I have to be louder, scarier and more obnoxious than the thing that spooked her to begin with. Sound easy? It's not because I am a slow little human, without the power and speed of a freaked mare. I have to force her entire attention back to me, whatever it takes.
"Break her neck if you have to!"
In case I actually believed that she meant that, Denise followed that up with:
"Well, you know...... you can't......... actually break her neck? I just want to do what it takes, okay?"
Okay!! This was told to me last Monday evening, and as luck ( ? ) would have it, I was able to practice this new mind set on Wednesday. I was riding along, trot trot trot, down the right side, when Pippi hopped sideways like a deranged equine Rockette. I stated "oh HELL no!!," fine - I yelled it!! Braced my legs, and pulled on the reins. And lo and behold we stopped about halfway across the arena. Stopped and stood.
What? No harm done, but I was in control again. Pippi was back to calm horse, and we continued as though nothing had happened. Awesome!!
Pippi is a Spookin'Fool horse, as in a direct descendent of the aptly named APHA Stallion "Spookin' Fool" and the daughter of "Spookin' Cody." Whoever named this line knew what they were about. Pippi can spook and fly sideways quicker than a hummingbird, and with as much quiet and grace. We can just be riding a long, and without so much as a snort, a stop, a shake or a blink, we are across the arena, with me cursing at the pain that still persists in my right elbow. Can't imagine why that is not healing faster. Ahem!!
So, Denise the Trainer has now witnessed such an event, and was surprised at the swift change in Pippi. "Wow, really don't see that coming do ya?" Nope, sure don't. Not at all, no sirrey Bob, absolutely not, negatory! It's like trot, trot, trot, HOLY MOTHER of ^$*^#$&*!!! I think you get the picture.
What scares her? Strange sounds of things that she can not identify and/or can not see. That about covers it!
So, what is the plan? Ride calmly, as usual, but when she spooks (note, I did not say "if she spooks") I am to change my mindset from calm/supportive to "Oh HELL no!!" in the blink of an eye. Denise says I have to be louder, scarier and more obnoxious than the thing that spooked her to begin with. Sound easy? It's not because I am a slow little human, without the power and speed of a freaked mare. I have to force her entire attention back to me, whatever it takes.
"Break her neck if you have to!"
In case I actually believed that she meant that, Denise followed that up with:
"Well, you know...... you can't......... actually break her neck? I just want to do what it takes, okay?"
Okay!! This was told to me last Monday evening, and as luck ( ? ) would have it, I was able to practice this new mind set on Wednesday. I was riding along, trot trot trot, down the right side, when Pippi hopped sideways like a deranged equine Rockette. I stated "oh HELL no!!," fine - I yelled it!! Braced my legs, and pulled on the reins. And lo and behold we stopped about halfway across the arena. Stopped and stood.
What? No harm done, but I was in control again. Pippi was back to calm horse, and we continued as though nothing had happened. Awesome!!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
No more "bit-guilt", "moments for Brilliance!," and more....
Monday night was hands down the best lesson, and the best ride Pippi and I have ever had. No fuss, no pulling, just forward and quick responses. When I tacked her up Pippi was fine with the bit. Never threw her head, never acted pissy, just ready to go.
We have had an issue with her walking the moment I mounted, and that is a BIG NO NO in my book. Horse stands still until rider says go. I want to get situated while at a stand still, not fumbling while horse walks willy-nilly. I found that tightening the girth even tighter fixed that. I bet the saddle shifted and annoyed her, and so she shifted to compensate and started walking. I also mount quicker; gather reins while on the ground, step up on mounting block, and mount right away. If I linger on the block, Pippi gets a bit restless, so this is my compromise.
After mounting fine, we walked a few circles and worked on our bends. Awesomeness!! Did you know that the riders upper body should not be straining at all? AT ALL!! Wowser! I flexed fingers, and Pippi responded by bending. To either side!! The improvement was so marked that I decided then and there, no more Bit Guilt! Quite frankly, my Trainer is right and since it doesn't bother Pippi why does it bother me?
We did our usual work, lots of bending, lots of direction changes and serpentines. And then it happened: Trainer said we "had moments of brilliance," and "it is better than I have ever seen you guys." Woo-freakin'-Hoo!!! Yep. Moments of brilliance. I'll take it. She also stated that i had been right, Pippi's trot can be just at beautiful as I had described it. Way to go Pipster!!
She then asked me to do some sitting trot................
We have had an issue with her walking the moment I mounted, and that is a BIG NO NO in my book. Horse stands still until rider says go. I want to get situated while at a stand still, not fumbling while horse walks willy-nilly. I found that tightening the girth even tighter fixed that. I bet the saddle shifted and annoyed her, and so she shifted to compensate and started walking. I also mount quicker; gather reins while on the ground, step up on mounting block, and mount right away. If I linger on the block, Pippi gets a bit restless, so this is my compromise.
After mounting fine, we walked a few circles and worked on our bends. Awesomeness!! Did you know that the riders upper body should not be straining at all? AT ALL!! Wowser! I flexed fingers, and Pippi responded by bending. To either side!! The improvement was so marked that I decided then and there, no more Bit Guilt! Quite frankly, my Trainer is right and since it doesn't bother Pippi why does it bother me?
We did our usual work, lots of bending, lots of direction changes and serpentines. And then it happened: Trainer said we "had moments of brilliance," and "it is better than I have ever seen you guys." Woo-freakin'-Hoo!!! Yep. Moments of brilliance. I'll take it. She also stated that i had been right, Pippi's trot can be just at beautiful as I had described it. Way to go Pipster!!
She then asked me to do some sitting trot................
Did I tell you just how marvelous we were? We were really doing great there, so I just don't know if it is strictly necessary to ruin this great post with a description of what came next. We had "moments of brilliance" okay? So, let's just end with that!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Milestone reached!
As some of you know, those that have been reading this blog for a while that is, I have cantered before. I have cantered Pippi. Not a whole lot, but I have.
When I started lessons with Denise in early January, she banned me from cantering. I feel strongly, and by strongly I mean I insist, that students should adhere to the rules of their teachers. In my situation, that meant, NO cantering until Denise stated that I was ready. She was looking for balance, confidence and the ability to use independent aides before I was going to be allowed to canter. There was also the less definable "you have to be ready." I trust her. Denise is my Trainer, and her word is LAW! If you don't agree with the overall goals of your trainer, and you do not respect that person enough to follow the rules, get a new trainer. Do yourself and the Trainer a favor, and hit the road.
Both Pippi and I are learning, and growing, and we are thrilled. We both are happy to be where we are, and we have progressed to canter stage. I can now stand at the Trot without supporting with hands, and I can even use aides while standing. So Denise said that we were ready. I was so proud, and that is yet another reason to set goals and benchmarks like that. I can see progress in chunks this way, and know exactly what I am working towards. Not just the overall goal of being a better rider, but to get to canter (or whatever the next goal is).
So we tried to canter. I am not used to the longer stirrups at the canter (dressage saddle vs. Hunters previously), and kept losing them and thereby bouncing Pippi down to a Trot. She is quite sensitive to balance, and when I lose mine Pippi slows right away. Good girl! Right when things were starting to come together, Pippi flew across the arena like a devil was after her. Seems something outside was super scary. That "Spookin' Fool" bloodline, I tell ya! So since I had been riding for two hours at this point, my legs were shot, and now that she had yanked my elbow with the spook (tendon still an issue that I mostly ignore), we were done. So we calmed her down, did some more work with the turn on the forehand, and halts, but the canter trials were over for the day.
So tomorrow, I ride on my own, and now that the Canter is allowed, guess what I will be doing? I am so EXCITED!! I would like to find someone to go with me for safety though.......any takers?
When I started lessons with Denise in early January, she banned me from cantering. I feel strongly, and by strongly I mean I insist, that students should adhere to the rules of their teachers. In my situation, that meant, NO cantering until Denise stated that I was ready. She was looking for balance, confidence and the ability to use independent aides before I was going to be allowed to canter. There was also the less definable "you have to be ready." I trust her. Denise is my Trainer, and her word is LAW! If you don't agree with the overall goals of your trainer, and you do not respect that person enough to follow the rules, get a new trainer. Do yourself and the Trainer a favor, and hit the road.
Both Pippi and I are learning, and growing, and we are thrilled. We both are happy to be where we are, and we have progressed to canter stage. I can now stand at the Trot without supporting with hands, and I can even use aides while standing. So Denise said that we were ready. I was so proud, and that is yet another reason to set goals and benchmarks like that. I can see progress in chunks this way, and know exactly what I am working towards. Not just the overall goal of being a better rider, but to get to canter (or whatever the next goal is).
So we tried to canter. I am not used to the longer stirrups at the canter (dressage saddle vs. Hunters previously), and kept losing them and thereby bouncing Pippi down to a Trot. She is quite sensitive to balance, and when I lose mine Pippi slows right away. Good girl! Right when things were starting to come together, Pippi flew across the arena like a devil was after her. Seems something outside was super scary. That "Spookin' Fool" bloodline, I tell ya! So since I had been riding for two hours at this point, my legs were shot, and now that she had yanked my elbow with the spook (tendon still an issue that I mostly ignore), we were done. So we calmed her down, did some more work with the turn on the forehand, and halts, but the canter trials were over for the day.
So tomorrow, I ride on my own, and now that the Canter is allowed, guess what I will be doing? I am so EXCITED!! I would like to find someone to go with me for safety though.......any takers?
Monday, March 18, 2013
My Feline Entertainment
Monday, March 11, 2013
Snotty McSnottsnott
I have the mother of all colds. It just keeps coming back. I think I am over it, and then my sinuses fill, headache ensues, body aches follow and the drainage makes me super queasy. Sleep evades me, and I get a terrible case of the grumps.
Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, with temps in the 70's. I felt great, went for a walk with a friend, and did some minor things outside. Then in the afternoon, YUCK!!! All evening I felt horrible, and ended up laying in bed hoping I would not need a bucket. Today I am at work, hoping the same thing.....
On Saturday March 2nd a new horse moved into the stall next to Pippi. When I arrived on Monday, she was giving me the look. If you have a mare you know this look. The Satan has taken my sweet mare look. Ears look like horns, and nostrils flaring. I took one look at her, and said "so, it's a gelding huh?" Peeked next door, and yep, there he was, the creature that took Pippis' sanity and replaced it with a mare in heat. He was tied up in his stall, which told me that this fella was in need of some patience training. When I walked Pippi out, he let up quite a racket, kicking, pawing, and yelling loudly. I think it was something like "Don't take the girl!! I love her." This continued the entire time she was with me. Poor fella. Pippi took it all in stride and we had a decent ride.
On Wednesday I was sick and spent the day in bed, only to get THE Text message from Denise. Pippi was hurt, nothing serious, but I may want to bring some Bute. When she heard I had the flu, Denise banned me from coming out and assured me that Pippi was fine. She had had a moment of mare crazy out in the field, by herself mind you, on Tuesday, and they had noticed some swelling on her right hind fetlock. Nothing major, just seemed to favor it a bit, but was putting weight on it. Seems her sliding stops, and general shenanigans caused some discomfort. But what is a mare to do when her BadAss Boyfriend calls to her from inside. They would give her some Bute paste, and keep me informed. If I could have made it to my car without passing out, and had any chance on moving without throwing up I would have. (I tried, and made it to bathroom before considering just sleeping there. Even went as far as looking at the towels for warmth, before staggering back to bed, and........you get it)
Son on Thursday I dragged my butt to work, and felt better. Stopped by barn on my way home with w new tube of Bute to replace Denise's and was able to check on Pip. She had some swelling, nothing too severe, and they had given her Bute that morning too as she was a little stocked up. We decided to keep that up for a few more days. I hand walked her, and she was fine. She allowed me to palpate the leg, and I even cleaned out the hoof. She had been out walking in the arena earlier that day, which seemed to reduce swelling. Not really lame, just swollen. I stopped by again Friday, and she was better. I put on some topical liniment, and she was less hesitant to let me handle it. Not lame at all that day either.
On Saturday, with the promise of getting some dinner, Hubby went with me for the first time to the new barn, and Pippi seemed even better. Still a bit swollen, and again I put liniment on. Hubby loved the new barn, really liked Claude, and felt that I "had finally found the right barn."
I was to have a lesson today, but i postponed it. Will be going out after work, but I doubt I will mount up. We have nothing my time, Pippi and I, and so we can wait until she is better.
Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, with temps in the 70's. I felt great, went for a walk with a friend, and did some minor things outside. Then in the afternoon, YUCK!!! All evening I felt horrible, and ended up laying in bed hoping I would not need a bucket. Today I am at work, hoping the same thing.....
On Saturday March 2nd a new horse moved into the stall next to Pippi. When I arrived on Monday, she was giving me the look. If you have a mare you know this look. The Satan has taken my sweet mare look. Ears look like horns, and nostrils flaring. I took one look at her, and said "so, it's a gelding huh?" Peeked next door, and yep, there he was, the creature that took Pippis' sanity and replaced it with a mare in heat. He was tied up in his stall, which told me that this fella was in need of some patience training. When I walked Pippi out, he let up quite a racket, kicking, pawing, and yelling loudly. I think it was something like "Don't take the girl!! I love her." This continued the entire time she was with me. Poor fella. Pippi took it all in stride and we had a decent ride.
On Wednesday I was sick and spent the day in bed, only to get THE Text message from Denise. Pippi was hurt, nothing serious, but I may want to bring some Bute. When she heard I had the flu, Denise banned me from coming out and assured me that Pippi was fine. She had had a moment of mare crazy out in the field, by herself mind you, on Tuesday, and they had noticed some swelling on her right hind fetlock. Nothing major, just seemed to favor it a bit, but was putting weight on it. Seems her sliding stops, and general shenanigans caused some discomfort. But what is a mare to do when her BadAss Boyfriend calls to her from inside. They would give her some Bute paste, and keep me informed. If I could have made it to my car without passing out, and had any chance on moving without throwing up I would have. (I tried, and made it to bathroom before considering just sleeping there. Even went as far as looking at the towels for warmth, before staggering back to bed, and........you get it)
Son on Thursday I dragged my butt to work, and felt better. Stopped by barn on my way home with w new tube of Bute to replace Denise's and was able to check on Pip. She had some swelling, nothing too severe, and they had given her Bute that morning too as she was a little stocked up. We decided to keep that up for a few more days. I hand walked her, and she was fine. She allowed me to palpate the leg, and I even cleaned out the hoof. She had been out walking in the arena earlier that day, which seemed to reduce swelling. Not really lame, just swollen. I stopped by again Friday, and she was better. I put on some topical liniment, and she was less hesitant to let me handle it. Not lame at all that day either.
On Saturday, with the promise of getting some dinner, Hubby went with me for the first time to the new barn, and Pippi seemed even better. Still a bit swollen, and again I put liniment on. Hubby loved the new barn, really liked Claude, and felt that I "had finally found the right barn."
I was to have a lesson today, but i postponed it. Will be going out after work, but I doubt I will mount up. We have nothing my time, Pippi and I, and so we can wait until she is better.
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