Christmas Eve Dressage Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the farm,
Only one horse was stirring, the brown one in the barn,
The only one to hang a stocking from his feed dish that night,
Hoping that Santa would come, and fill it just right.

The other horses were settled quietly in their stalls,
While their dreams were of horse treats, candy canes and riding halls,
And the cat in the hay barn and the dog on his mat,
Had just snuggled in for a long winter's nap.

When out in the dressage ring there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the arena I flew like a flash,
Pulling on my boots and jacket in my mad dash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the luster of mid-day to the dressage letters below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But eight little elves riding eight tiny reindeer.

A small round man, dressed in red and white, looked just like Santa,
And called out to the reindeer, as an instructor might.
His shiny black boots reached up to his knees,
His pants looked like breeches and even had a full leather seat!

"Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen, come Comet and Cupid,
more forward Donner and Blitzen,
Keep the voltes round, elves ride those reindeer through,"
It was Christmas Eve reindeer dressage,
Under the moonlight in the snow so blue.

by Mary L. Brennan, DVM

A modest wish fulfilled and more

It's been awhile! I did order those long lines from Dover, and they arrived. Russell was cleared to start work again, but I didn't get in too many work-outs with him before we were sidelined again. No, not another injury; leaves! Rick spent one long Sunday in October cleaning leaves out of the arena; because of the uneven surface they wouldn't "blow," so he had to rake them all. Then he dragged the arena smooth and instructed me to keep the horses out until the trees had shed all their leaves and he could do a final clean-up.That lovely expanse of sand, and I can't ride in it! Reminds me of the saying, "Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink."

Brian and I did go on one "road ride" together this month. Russell only has front shoes and Brian's pony is barefoot, so we have to be careful how much we do that. I also used Russell in the "Hippology" class I taught during the fall term for the homeschooling co-op; I led him and gave all the kids the opportunity to ride at a walk and a trot. Then the rains started and life got even busier than usual, and Russell has been just hanging out, turning into a big fuzzy marshmallow. When we got back from our recent trip to Kentucky (check out my Boulderneigh blog for photos of some fine horseflesh!) the leaves were finally all down, but it has been raining like crazy and now Rick is laid up for awhile after a hernia repair, so he won't be blowing leaves any time soon.

So my wish for today was very modest. After church and lunch, all I wanted was to go to the barn and give Russell a thorough grooming; you know, spend some quality time with my horse. It was brisk outside, but dry. Dry! Hmm, wouldn't it be nice to go for a mosey down the road and into the woods? Rick was amenable to the idea and Brian wanted to hang out with dad, so off Russell and I went! It was wonderful to be in the saddle again, and enjoy the world from my favorite vantage point. Russell is very soft indeed; it will take much time to get him back into working shape. With the weather and my crazy life, it will take even longer, but the journey is more important than the destination. Right?

Inspiration going nowhere - for now

Last night our local dressage chapter's meeting was a demo by my friend and wonderful instructor Suzan on long-lining. She has worked a bit with me and Russell on long-lining, and last night served to inspire me to do more of it - once Russell is done healing from his splint. I need to get some of Dover's long-lines, which Suzan recommends for their quality, design, length and price.


When I first arrived at the venue there was still enough daylight to capture a couple scenic images. I thought the groom (holding up a broom; how appropriate) was picturesque. This sheep really drew my eye, though; such a pretty thing! Later, I found out he's going to be dinner.... :-(

Out of the saddle and into the classroom

The local Christian homeschool cooperative that we are involved in starts Wednesday. I signed up to teach "Hippology" to two different groups, 15 3rd and 4th graders (combined class) and 16 5th and 6th graders (combined class). I plan to take Breezy (Brian's pony) and/or Russell as often as weather and time permits, because things like conformation, gaits, color and markings are ever so much more interesting to learn on a real, live horse. (The church where we hold the co-op has a large grassy area beside the back parting lot; I have permission to use that area for the "real horse" parts of class.) Since Russell is so good on the lunge line, I had planned to use him to show the kids walk, trot and canter, but I'm going to see how Breezy lunges and use her if possible. If she's not sharp to voice commands, I'll put Professional's Choice Sports Medicine Boots on Russell's front legs and use him.

I know I'll have some students with horse experience, and a lot with NO experience. I hope I can make it fun and interesting for all!

The sun has set on our show

Actually, this was sunrise. This morning. My camera washed out the colors; the sun was really blood-red. Maybe it was a sign.

Russell and I were headed out for our very first lesson of the year. First thing this morning was the only time my instructor and I could coordinate our schedules, so off we went.

When she arrived while we were warming up, Suzan asked me to continue circling at the rising trot so she could see how Russell was moving. She asked how he felt. I mentioned that he had been tenderfooted last weekend on his bare left front foot. She noted that it was the opposite front that seemed a bit off. I stopped him, and she asked about a little bump on that leg, high on the inside. I had noticed it, but since it was small and he didn't seem off, I hadn't given it much thought.

I need to insert here that my instructor, Suzan Davis Atkinson, has the most amazing eye on the planet. Not only can she see and relate what a rider needs to do to get the optimum performance from her horse, no matter the breed or ability, that woman can spot any discomfort or unsoundness in a horse, and usually where it originates from, better than anyone else I know. My husband, an equine vet with extensive training in advanced lameness work, has brought her in to consult on cases.

We worked a little longer in both directions so she could confirm that Russell was indeed slightly off on the right front, although she could also tell he was a bit tenderfooted in the left. Since I was fairly certain the little splint had just recently "sprouted," she told me to have Rick check it, and pressure wrap it to keep it from getting bigger. And definitely stay off him, and don't show.
Rick doesn't believe in the benefits of pressure wrapping but humored me after injecting the site with steroid to help calm it down. To keep the pressure where it needs to be, he had to wrap the entire lower leg; looks like Russell tried to sever it or something!

So last weekend on our horse-camping trip, when these shots were taken, is the last time Russell will be tacked up for awhile. As often as this has happened with this horse, you'd think I'd get used to it.

Not....