Exceeding expectations

Since entering the April 16 show, I've been trying to schedule a lesson with Suzan. I always gain tons from her expertise, but knew that her instruction would greatly enhance our chances for success at the show. Please note that by 'success,' I mean being able to do our two Training Level tests without going off course and staying in the correct gaits while looking like we kinda-sorta belong in a dressage court – ha!

It's been a greater challenge than usual to schedule a lesson. Suzan got some unexpected news which has put even more on her normally-loaded plate. So when she texted me last Tuesday that she could squeeze me in at 8:30 Wednesday morning, I jumped at the chance in spite of the early hour (it got moved to a bit later). We were blessed with beautiful weather, as we have been for all of this winter's lessons. Stella met her first miniature horse on the way to the outdoor arena:

I told Suzan I'd entered a show, so she put us to work. Mind you, the groundwork has been laid; Suzan would never cut corners in training. But she does know when to increase the challenge and raise the bar, and that's what we experienced Wednesday. It was pretty exciting to feel, and to see the images Suzan captured of us!

Suzan called this Stella's 'park horse trot'

— notes to self —

At the trot: shorten reins, keep inside bend, both legs on for impulsion. Do a 10m circle if she's tense or braced, but don't let her spin; bring shoulders around. Same at the canter, which Stella offered when really forward and connected at the trot, and then fell out of when really forward and connected at the canter – too much work! (It was the first time we worked on canter in a lesson.)

Fussiness is a hissy fit over having to work; just wait it out with more inside bend, both legs on; do a small circle.

If she gets jiggy at the walk, trot. If she breaks to canter, work on canter.

Don't throw away the contact; "push the shopping cart" only as she seeks contact.

Continue working on the buckle a LOT. Do NOT let her rush at the walk, though, or 'pacey' gets reinforced.

— — —

The blue riding tights I wore in the lesson were part of a big lot I purchased recently. The same acquaintance from whom I bought the 'Princess Bride' bridle and saddle pad posted on Facebook that she had riding pants and tops for sale. Most everything was my size and very reasonable, so . . . .

I may not need to buy any more riding clothes for the rest of my life!

We have another lesson scheduled for this coming Wednesday, but the weather hasn't allowed for any schooling since our last lesson. Crossing fingers and toes that that changes!

A second, temporary, dance partner

Eeek – looks like I skipped out on posting here at all in April. Thought about it, but obviously didn't act on it. May Day, May Day; better talk about the second partner on my dance card before she leaves!

My friend who came off her horse on New Year's Day with disastrous results is almost back to normal. She has officially finished physical therapy, her repaired clavicle has gotten two thumbs up from her UCSF orthopedic surgeon, and she's ready to ride again. In anticipation of this, last month she asked if she could bring her mare over for a week for me to "take her temperature." I was happy to oblige, so I cleaned out and cleaned up our empty stall and Dinah arrived on April 16.

The boys were very interested. Lance and Dinah are old friends and seem to remember each other; Oliver has been ridden with her once but doesn't know how to behave in polite company. He used to act quite 'studdy' when Breezy was in heat, and thinks he has what it takes to impress Dinah, too. 🤔🙄😖😆

Anyway, Dinah is still here, getting schooled six days a week. (Someone was lunging her for Kate three days a week, so she was fit enough to go back to work.) Kate is open to selling her and looking for something less energetic, so one person has come to try her out and I've sent photos and videos to a trainer friend to show to her clients. And as of this week, Kate is getting back in the saddle, too.

Mare ears and LOTS of mane!

I think Kate could handle Dinah just fine with regular riding and attention to building core strength, but Kate's husband is understandably worried about her riding at all. Why she came off on New Year's Day is a mystery; she doesn't remember Dinah acting up so there's a possibility Kate blacked out momentarily. Needless to say, her future on horseback is still uncertain, as is Dinah's departure date.

This means I'm getting LOTS of saddle time. Even though I was riding Lance pretty consistently, he's now getting 5-6 days a week, as it just makes sense to ride both horses if I'm going to 'suit up' and go to the barn. Even though the length and intensity of our rides hasn't changed, the slight increase in frequency has made a noticeable difference in Lance's fitness. Yesterday we went for a ride through the woods, and he marched up the short-but-steep hills coming home like he hasn't for a long time; yay!

The other quiet excitements of our ride yesterday:

The only native dogwood I've ever seen on our hill.

Zoomed in. Just downhill from the NE corner of our lot!

Be still my heart; we found a clump of wild iris. 😍

I think this is my favorite flower; exquisite!

Here are some April photos of Lance that I shared on Instagram.

The horses are now getting a little time each day to graze on that green grass – not just gaze at it – since it's heading out and the days are warm and dry. We have such a short window of good pasture time between when it's shooting up and loaded with fructans and when it's overly mature and infested with pokey foxtail awns. Ah well; everyone enjoys it while they can!

Airs Above the Ground

Fitting for a Lipizzaner, no?

Yesterday I took Lance out for a hack down the lane. Stopped and dismounted to visit with some snowbird neighbors I hadn't seen since last year, and typically-antsy Lance was surprisingly good during the wait, settling in with his muzzle in the middle of my back while I leaned over to visit through the car window. They left, I remounted, and we kept moseying (he was being EXTRA conservative with his energy).

An approaching vehicle crested a hill in front of us, a small SUV towing a very rattly little trailer. When Lance's head shot up, I jumped off. The driver slowed, then stopped (bless him) as Lance, eyes on stalks, channeled his ancestry at the end of the reins in the plowed field beside the gravel lane. I thanked the driver and waved him by, leading Lance on in the direction we had been headed and the vehicle had come from. The trailer resumed rattling and Lance leaped again, but by now we were on the gravel. His feet slipped out from under him and he landed hard, BAM, flat on his left side!

We didn't immediately head home; after he scrambled to his feet, I led Lance to the end of the gravel lane and back, remounting on our side of the intersection with the paved road. He had more energy than when we started out yet at the same time seemed a bit subdued. I gave him a gram of bute to help with body soreness; he has a little road rash but otherwise seems fine.

Where do these fears come from??? I think my horse needs a shrink!

Finding jewels in the woods

Lance and I headed out for a ride through the woods this evening, but had to get by the mountain lions first. The two neighbor boys were hiding in the trees on their property across the lane from ours; when they decided to climb a tree, Lance went from high alert to high-tailing outta there! Our electric gate hadn't closed behind us yet, so he spun and bolted through it for the barn. I managed to get him stopped, then we turned to face the danger once again. We ended up riding back and forth by the tree several times (I got them to talk a little, which helped), and Lance even held it together when they jumped down again. I was proud of him!

Our ride on the lane through the wooded ravine was pleasant but uneventful at first. I was half watching for wildflowers even though it is too early, when there at our feet was my favorite, the wild iris:

Then I spotted the first of several wild pink-flowering currants,

and a LOT of trillium down by the creek. I couldn't get close to the trillium because there wasn't safe access for Lance; I had to settle for low-light zoom shots.

Rides like this feed my soul. :-)

Not quite a knight in shining armor

Lancelot was more than a dressage horse on Friday; he was a little princess' steed. The neighbors finally brought their granddaughter up for that "pony ride" they asked about in November; it was the first day the weather and our schedules cooperated. Just in time, too; as the girl and her mother are flying home to France this weekend.

Before the visitors arrived, I schooled Lance. Even though he is an energy-conservor, I figured it was still good risk management. When I changed saddles to give the girl a more secure seat, Lance thought he should be DONE. I practically had to drag him back to the arena and around at a slow walk. But his motor-mouth made up for his reluctant legs; he was busy-busy-busy trying to grab the reins, grab my gloves, grab my jacket. (Suggestions for quieting his busy-lips tendencies welcomed!) Still, the visitors all seemed thrilled with the ride, as you can see from their smiling faces. (You can also see Lance nibbling on Grandma's fingers in the first photo, and reaching for the mother's pocket flap in the third photo; ha!)

I love the little girl's hand progressively reaching forward to touch his neck. ;-)

Meeting neighbors

This afternoon I rode Lance awhile in the arena (even trotted a bit with the vet's okay!) and then headed out for a little road ride. I could hear a chainsaw to the south and wanted to see what was happening, and figured a little hill work and a change of scenery would do Lance good.

Off in the distance we saw a couple walking toward us around a bend in the gravel road. When they stopped and looked back like they were calling something, I expected to see a dog, but instead two fluffy pygora goats ran up to them! Lance snorted explosively, then marched towards them – until the blond goat started walking toward US. Ha! Eventually we gathered in a loose group to introduce ourselves. I didn't think to take pictures until after saying good-bye, so I doubled back to rectify that –just for you. ;-)

Lance has one ear toward the wife on our right.

It's always nice to meet fellow animal lovers! They will be bringing their granddaughter up for a "pony ride" over the Christmas holidays....

Riding and reading

Last week all my rides were in the arena, so this evening I took Lance out for an hour walk around hill. I figured it would be good for him mentally and physically, and was hoping it would help my mental state as well – I was in no frame of mind to school after a tough day of parenting.

We're heading back up to Mt. Adams Horse Camp again soon, this time with a properly fitting saddle and a more comfortable horse – yay! I'm also taking along a new book I received recently to review. The Riding Doctor looks perfectly suited for this middle-aged rider who wants to ride for another 40 years or however long the good Lord gives me on this earth; I'm looking forward to all the help Beth Glosten can give me.

Here's some questions and answers with Dr. Glosten to wet your whistle (and mine):

The Riding Doctor: A Prescription for Healthy,   

      Balanced, Beautiful Riding, Now and for Years 

      to Come by Beth Glosten, M.D. 

     ISBN: 978-1570766640

     Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books, June 2014

     $29.95

     www.riderpilates.com

     www.amazon.com

     www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com

   

     Frequently Asked Questions

1. What inspired you to write The Riding Doctor?

I want to share with other riders the discoveries I’ve made about what it takes to ride well and in a pain-free, healthy way. I want to provide riders with a logical system to keep track of themselves in the saddle. So often we are only thinking of what the horse is doing without asking ourselves if we are doing our best to contribute to riding and training success. Finally, I present a system that will hopefully minimize wear and tear on a rider’s body.

2. The Riding Doctor is a follow-up to your first book, Ride in Balance: Expand Your Riding Skills with Body Awareness and Pilates Exercises. How are the two books different? 

The two books have a great deal in common. I self-published the first book, and as such, struggled with getting it out to riders outside of my geographic region. By republishing the book through a publishing house, I hope for much wider distribution. The new book has a new title (obviously!), and has some new content about rider pain and injury issues. The book is in color and there are many new photos – the layout is beautiful. 

3. In The Riding Doctor, you include a concept known as The Rider Fundamentals. What are these and how do they help riders keep track of their position and function in the saddle?

The Rider Fundamentals include: Mental Focus, Proper Posture, Body Control – Legs, Body Control – Arms, and Understand Movement (how your horse moves at each gait, and how you should move with it). The Fundamentals form the structure of the book, and each chapter includes a discussion of relevant anatomy, exercises to illustrate this anatomy, why the Fundamental is important to riding, common rider problems with each Fundamental, and finally exercises to help improve the Fundamental. The Fundamentals are an on-the-fly checklist of a rider’s position and function in the saddle. A rider can ask, during execution of a movement: Am I focused? Is my posture correct? Do I have control of my arms and legs or are they gripping or tight? Am I moving with my horse in rhythm?  

4. The Riding Doctor includes 50 step-by-step exercises geared toward helping riders develop their skills. Can you describe some of the exercises and explain what makes them unique?

The exercises in the book draw upon the Pilates system of exercise. My instructions are designed such that each exercise or movement has relevance to riding skills. For example, in Chapter 2: Proper Posture, there are some very basic awareness movements to help you find your correct posture. Then, there are simple movements that show you how to control the position of your pelvis and rib cage; important determinants of posture. Finally, there are exercises that challenge correct posture in the same way that it is challenged in the saddle – using a single rein aid, a single leg aid, or even just turning. I use an exercise ball and other props for the exercises. Balance is an important theme, as balance is key to success in the saddle.

5. How has your background as a physician helped you in developing the concepts behind The Riding Doctor?

I was involved in clinical research as a physician, so when faced with the question, what does it take to ride well and in a healthy way, I approached it the same way I would a clinical problem. What do I know? I know human anatomy and function. How do effective riders use their bodies? Answering this question took some observation and “data collection.” As I watched good riders, I learned that while they look “still” they are not. They are moving at the right places (usually the shoulder joint and hip joint) at the right times, and are stable and steadily balanced throughout (relying on their core muscles). My personal experience of improving body control confirmed my observations – my rides were much better after a mindful exercise session.

Finally, I use my knowledge of the human body from medicine and teaching Pilates. My system for riding well is consistent with how the human body works, which diminishes unnecessary tension and confusion and helps riders move efficiently and effectively.  

Thank goodness for the coastal breeze!

It's gotten HOT! I thought about getting up early yesterday morning to get a ride in during the coolest part of the day, but didn't figure Lance would appreciate working before breakfast. So I rode last evening. Thankfully, we usually get a stiff coast breeze most summer evenings; which brings the temperatures inside and out back down to a reasonable level. The wind makes for dusty rides, but also keeps flies and mosquitoes (and heat) from annoying us; I'll take the wind!

Before riding him last night and again this morning, we worked on trailer loading. (I conveniently left the trailer hitched, since we have another lesson tomorrow.) Lance doesn't load like I like my horses to load, which is to say I open the trailer door, throw the lead rope over his back, point him at the opening and let him load himself. So I'm using patience, food, and corrective backing if he takes even one backwards step. Most often, he just plants himself at the back of the trailer; if I wait him out (the patience part), he eventually gives up and walks on. But there may come a time when loading quickly is of the essence, so we must get past the balkiness.

This morning I cut Lance's mane before turning him out for the day. I think his new haircut gives him a cute, preppy look – which is totally at odds with his dweeby, center-part, "Alfalfa" forelock!

I love my "little rascal"! (Some of my readers are waaay too young to get the reference! heh)

Unexpected company

Whee; I managed to school Larry three days in a row this week, starting with Sunday! (Spent yesterday in the hospital with my son; hope to get back on today.)

As I led Larry into the arena on Tuesday, I saw a small dark spot in the sand – then it moved. I walked closer (this is why my camera is almost always slung around my neck), and saw it was a mole.

It didn't act well. I got a manure fork from the barn and gently moved it into the grassy strip between arena and barn, where it promptly headed into the leaf litter – then it stopped. It was still there at the end of my ride, motionless in death.

Peeved but prepared

Around noon I dashed out to take advantage of a break in the weather and get in a short ride before leaving on an errand, and the zipper of my left paddock boot failed. I wasted valuable minutes trying to fix it, and then trying to at least move it enough to free my foot. I love Ariat paddock boots, and the zippered ones are so fast and easy and never come untied in the middle of the ride, but doggone it, the zippers fail long before the rest of the boot wears out! For quite some time I've been wearing mismatched boots thanks to the blessing of the right zipper failing on my second (black) pair, and the left zipper failing on my third (grey) pair, but I knew they were on borrowed time. So awhile back I started looking for a deal on eBay, and scored a new-in-box pair (sans zippers) that have been waiting in the wings. At least they coordinate with my current mount.

Where we've been

Russell and I aren't getting a lot of time to dance - and I must admit that not having a show in our sights takes away the urgency to school, or even get in proper condition to school. But I do ride when I can, and since conditioning is the main name of the game right now (and the sand arena is SO dusty in the summer), most of our riding is out and about on our hill.

This morning we rode through the neighboring vineyard (straight rows make good places to practice shoulder-in, renvers and travers):
and checked on the local peaches (they'll be ready to put in our freezer soon - yum!):
Sometimes we stay on the roads - of course we always watch for traffic:
It has been "the year of the snake" around here!

We have a horse-camping trip coming up the weekend of August 21 & 22. This will likely be our last one of the year, since the next one is scheduled for the same weekend as my grandma's 100th birthday celebration. My grandma and I have always shared a love of horses; her father was a horse trainer and she was quite the horsewoman herself.