A New Season...

[Linda Baia]

uncontrolled blood sugar takes an enormous toll on a body

Oh yes they do !!!! I am sufferer too, it is related to the migraine.

My best wishes for you to feel better.

You write so well. You really ought to write a book.  

[pintopiaffe]

oy veh.  What a week.

Yes, I've been diagnosed diabetic for several years, IR for years and years before that.  Always eaten Low carb/no sugar.  But this is something else entirely.

It's just been too nuts to keep my journal, which is bad--hard to keep track.

Monday we headed down to the big dirt road hill.  Trotted up 2x, cantered up 2x, walked down each time. Walked out and back just over a mile of good hills.  Went about 1hr 20 mins.   He recovered well, and I didn't think I pushed to hard, but the next day he was just tuckered out.

He was spooky as anything.  I just couldnt' figure it out.  VERY out of character for him.  No less than three spook n'spins.  :blink:   Well, HINDSIGHT is always 20/20 and we had a fairly major earthquake that night right around 2000!  4.1 on the Richter scale. (though by the 2nd day they said 3.8 or 3.9 I don't remember.  First reports were 4.2)  At any rate, *I* certainly felt it, it rattled the windows and shook the shelves.  I suspected that's what it was... BUT... then later thought it was an explosion...

I'd gone to bed really, really early, with plans to get up when I woke up to go feed mash (when I go too early I know I'll be wide awake around midnight or after, because of my 'normal' schedule.)  Well, I never really fell asleep... and started to hear sirens.  Hear them coming up, up, up the mountain... then STOP.  Ug.  That can't be good.  At first I'm fearing an abulance call for the elderly grandmother whose land I bought a parcel of.  But then, two more sets of sirens, first one up the mountain, then up the other side, coming from the back way... Uh oh.  Fire.   When a heavy rescue took up residence accross from my driveway to block the road... I got up.  (dogs going nuts)  I put the dogs out--and up the hill to the base of the mountain, the sky was just glowing.    The farmhouse had been empty for about two years... no power to it.  Unfortunately, I'm intimately involved in the investigatoin, for reasons I can't go into.  Needless to say, I did not sleep a WINK Monday night.  Tuesday was back to work a 10 hr shift, having not slept since Sunday night.  -_-

I'm digressing.  But it's part of what made the week so weird.  Back to himself.  So Tues, tried to school, he was just pooped.  Perhaps feet slightly sore?  I truly thought the sandy part of the road was soft enough to trot/canter.  He's barefoot all around (always has been, all his kids are) and it's entirely possible it was too hard.  :(    No bruising apparant on his WHITE soles, so I'm not sure on that.

So we headed up the road, schooling wasn't going to get anywhere.  I'd lunged not more than 10 mins to start to loosen him up.   It was fairly warm too--might've been part of it as he's building a good winter coat already.  He was sound on the pavement, but just a slug on the way out.  -_-  It was BEAUTIFUL weather.  Crisp air but warm, warm sun.  The colours are just stunning.  I adore fall.   It's a little frantic, a little desperate in it's beauty, as you know it's so fleeting, but it is positively spectacular up here and just moves my soul deeply.  Rode just over an hour.

Gave him Wed off in an attempt to rest him, not to mention it was raining anyway.  Thurs schooled a bit, but rode up top, and the footing was still quite slick.  He's SO protective of himself when the footing isn't good.  Had some encoraging work, using about 1/2 the ring, but the footing got worse, and I don't want him sucking back or being hesitant behind... so we hit the road again.  Beautiful weather again, did the whole big loop and ended up riding about 1:10 all together, did as much trotting on the shoulder as we could.  

Meanwhile Tues pm I forgot to bring my shot to work, so missed having it with supper.  I was pretty sure that would mean getting sick again Tues a.m., and I was right on the money.  :ouch:  It's been getting better, but I definitely was sick on Tues after breakfast.  I crashed to bed to get over the most of it.   That was the only day I was really nauseous, the other days I just got tired and very cold.  All of these seem to be diminishing, but it's hard.  I have much hope though--the bg levels have been ideal.   I think I'm starting to have more energy, definitely have more muscle tone.  

Friday was another day off, had to get the truck looked at.  Went to my chiro appt only to find out it was on Thursday.     What a goober.  

Today was just stunning.  Pretty much peak colour and weather.  High 50's, bright sun, clear blue skies.  Just exquisite.  Drove out to the central part of the county for grain and hay... enjoyed the drive completely.  

Kicked the mares and foals out of the nursery pasture to ride in the late afternoon sun.  Just sheer bliss.  

Himself was really, really good.  Really.  I was riding a second level horse again.  Very consistent.  Not perfect--not strong enough yet to be 100% consistent in his frame and balance, but definitely correct more often than not.   Working on adjustibility of the stride in trot... smaller, more sit... longer, more reach...  we were challenged when the mares & foals all came down to spectate.  I did spend a few minutes being completely distracted by Luke and Noah playing. Everyone looks SO good.  Just glowing, with copper and gold coats.  Kat's holding her weight... in the golden autumn sunset, how could you not be distracted?

Half pass at trot the shoulders get too far ahead.  Shoulder's in is hard right now.  I think the bigger, more through steps are easier, and he doesn't want to sit even *more*.  We'll check that on Monday.  More likely than not something *I'm* doing wrong.    I really felt like he was responding quite well to leg and seat though, and balanced between the aids a *lot* of the time... other times I did feel like he was blowing through the hand more than necessary... (I know, I know... add leg, add seat... :P  )    Played a little with the movements from the highest 2nd level test--one is just great, si to demi-volte, hp back to the rail.  In third 3 it goes HI to medium accross the short diagonal.  They are great to play with.  

I have some trouble with him always wanting to reach into medium-starting-to-extend on the uphill longside closest to the barn.  We come out of that corner and he wants to LAUNCH.  Now mind you, they are good luanches--lots of sit, lots of uphill... but when I try to *not* do the lengthen there, he gets a bit resentful and fussy and hollows.  Add back and seat and he hollows more.  Add hand, he hollows more... need to work on that.   We have almost mastered the Towards the Something In the Woods corner though!  Patience and tact.  So I know we can master that long side, and use it to my advantage, I just have to REMEMBER to.  :lol:

The canter work was good.  Counter canter is actually better than true. ! ? ! Whassup with that?  Did a wee canter half-pass both ways, it's easier at canter than trot, but both times I tried it on the downhill (duh) so it was harder than it needed to be, and of course, got faster and more downhill.   More leg keeps him more collected.  Imagine that?

Did manage a pretty amazing 10m circle but now I can't remember if it was to the right or left!  HAH!  Senility is awful, isn't it?   :blush:   But it was really easy, beacuse he was balanced and uphill.  Can't even manage a 20m circle when he's not.  My teacher said it's all in the preparation, when I mentioned the canter is either completely there and amazing, or completely chaos... what I'm not sure is if he meant preparation--as in the entire warmup, or as in the transition.  Or both.     We'll begin more counter canter work.    :lol:  I think canter is where my size really bothers him more than anywhere else.  So I'll keep working on that along with everything else.

Went a very full, very demanding hour.  I was just tickled with the work.  Really.  Felt great.  I can't wait for our lesson.

Oops--editing to add Poor Young Master Irrenaeus!  I can't remember which day, but I lunged him once midweek, and he was SUPER.  He's gotten the idea of staying out.   At the end he even started reaching into the side reins somewhat.  He was really brilliant.  It's never more than 10-15 minutes tops... but he's getting it.

Tonight lunged him again... it was getting dark, Papa had gotten HIS grain, and the girls were all being silly, and Rain was fabulous.  Hard to pay attention--but he did.  He's rushy and on the forehand,  VERY forward, but too forward.  He has to slow down and relax to balance.  When he does, *wow*.  He's hotter than I expected.  To work him on the ground he's just the most level headed, accepting young boy.  On the lunge, he's ready to GO!   If all goes well, he's coming for his first lesson on Monday too, I need a second set of hands to start him longlining, and who better to help me start him RIGHT.  I'm excited.  Will be his first trip away from home other than his surgeries.  

[pintopiaffe]

I guess I'll have to start a winter journal soon... Well, can we just chalk up October as a month I’d really rather not do over?  :(

I can’t believe I haven’t posted since my lesson.  (I have checked in on the forum here and there!)   It was good… The Young Master Irrenaeus came with for his first lesson.  He was BRILLIANT.  I was so proud of his manners and aplomb.  I was also madly proud of Papa for setting an absolutely impeccable example.  

Mac’s lesson went alright.  I’ve developed a very bad habit of hanging on the left rein.  I felt like V was very frustrated with me.  I think sometimes he remembers how I used to ride before my accident, and doesn’t understand why I’m so much less skilled now.  He wasn’t unkind, but just a bit exasperated.  However, that meant he got on—and I got to see some glorious work.   When I mounted again, I had the oxymoron of needing to bend him more left without hanging on the left rein.  Sure you say, leg & seat… but… you’ve got to use *some* rein and I was pretty leery. :blink:  :lol: DOH!

But V was pretty happy with the progress, he said he’s becoming much stronger and steadier in the connection.  He looked fabulous.

Then we longlined Rain.  It’s a little different than the ground driving I’ve done in the past.  Getting used to the longlines being buckled together was hard—not getting tangled in them.  He had a few tantrums—the reason why I wanted an extra pair of expert hands… and we worked through them.  V liked him a lot.

So, loaded up to go home… the long ride home the Young Master Irrenaeus again was fabulous (Mac even traveled better with company) and when I arrived home, I unloaded the baby first, and went to take off his boots and sheet… I hear some commotion in the trailer, but then nothing more… Put Rain out, went back for Mac… and he was outside the *people* door.  :phr34: Still tied.  :ouch:  I tripped over the emergency brake for the trailer on my way to him pulling/breaking that… he seemed fine.  But… :ouch:  I couldn’t find any blood or bumps or bangs… put him out for the night and gave him a bute with his mash… Buted him the next day and gave him several days off… he has a scrape on his hip where he pulled the hair off, but his neck seems NQR.  Trying to hook up with a Chiro for him.

I’ve had about three really excellent schools since then… he was completely reluctant to bend to the left at all the first one, locked up… when given a free rein he was bending to the right completely… I schooled him in hand a bit, and that did help.  But he’s started out stiff each ride and really needs to see a chiro I think. :ouch:   Remarkably, he seems pretty comfortable in his back, and willing to come through, but I just can’t see how he couldn’t have screwed *something* up in that gymnastic feat.  (he just had to test the 'escape' door, one never knows if one might need to USE it someday.  :blink: )

Unfortunately the month was fraught with both family illness & my own illness, and when I *was* home and around, knee deep mud.  Sigh.  I’m very frustrated and depressed as it feels like we were really *getting* there and now have come to a screeching halt.  

We have had a semi-revelation in that he likes the dropped noseband with the snaffle and reacts almost as well to that combo as to the Pelham/double.  The judge I scribed for the beginning of the month and I were talking about 3rd level no longer allowing the double, and I said how I was disspointed as Himself likes the double so much better, even with the curb reins tied up… she asked what was *different* from the double to the snaffle… after a bit of thought I realized in the double, the bradoon is much more stable in the mouth because of the curb chain.  A drop has a similar effect in that regard.  It’s not tight at all—he doesn’t need it for opening his mouth—but it just sits below the bit, in the chin groove, and adds just that extra bit of stability.  Interesting.  Or, it could just be that he’s coming through his back enough of the time now that it doesn’t matter *what* is in his mouth.  <shrugs>  

I’m pretty down with the lack of work and let down of condition.  We’re at the point were it’s 90% building muscle and only 10% movements.  I feel like winter is here and not only is progress stopping, but we’re regressing because we’re loosing condition and reduced to just walking on the road.    

[shoveltrash]

firstoff, let me just say how relieved AND excited i was to see you post again!!!!

i have worried  :unsure:

your frustration is understandable.....all i can offer is sympathy.  however it sounds like Rain is doing remarkably!  and the *training* will always be there (in Mac), you may just lose the conditioning.  

I’ve developed a very bad habit of hanging on the left rein....I had the oxymoron of needing to bend him more left without hanging on the left rein. Sure you say, leg & seat… but… you’ve got to use *some* rein and I was pretty leery.

interestingly, i myself have been dealing with this too.  on the RIGHT rein.  my RI has me use a rein correction coupled with the seat/leg aid for bend, then a full 'give' with that rein. to repeat as necessary.  it seems to be making a difference - whereas when i simply hung on the right rein trying to get him to bend he just got stiffer.
the 'give' allows him a reward, and allows him the chance to carry himself.

just my thoughts on that!  what works for one horse/rider doesn't always work for another.....but you never know   .


thanks again for posting!  we miss you  :blush:
 

[Linda Baia]

Hello Jaeme,

I was too wondering where you were    I am glad you are okay and back.

after a bit of thought I realized in the double, the bradoon is much more stable in the mouth because of the curb chain. A drop has a similar effect in that regard.

I guess you are using a loose ring. Have you tried a more stable cheekpiece like an eggbutt? It is still dressage legal.
But it is interesting that the flash noseband helps .

[pintopiaffe]

Linda, I use baucher snaffles or fullcheeks.  I pretty much hate looserings.  They almost exclusively NEED a flash or drop to help keep them stable, and on a horse with as fine a head as mine, they can actually begin to develop some gag action.

Currently he's in a NS comfy contact baucher which has been his favorite.  Bradoon is a JP baucher.

The drop is definitely legal.  I prefer a drop to a flash in most instances.  The flash has it's place, but the drop is my favorite.  

[Danni]

What is it about the loose ring you dislike?  I like the one I've been using on Q but I do find, in my experience and very humble opinion, it lets you get away with not-so-perfect hands.  What you say about nosebands makes so much sense though, I mostly ride without a noseband but the loose ring was becoming downright dangerous.  Just asking as bitting is something I am trying to figure out more and more.

Quadi's favourite is also the Neue Schule bit you're using, still haven't found the perfect pelham for him  Not sure I ever will.

Great to hear from you, hope you are still managing to juggle life, horses and work with ease!  Understand your frustrations, winter's no fun over here never mind what you have to deal with  

[thecatsmother]

We have had a semi-revelation in that he likes the dropped noseband with the snaffle and reacts almost as well to that combo as to the Pelham/double. The judge I scribed for the beginning of the month and I were talking about 3rd level no longer allowing the double, and I said how I was disspointed as Himself likes the double so much better, even with the curb reins tied up… she asked what was *different* from the double to the snaffle… after a bit of thought I realized in the double, the bradoon is much more stable in the mouth because of the curb chain. A drop has a similar effect in that regard. It’s not tight at all—he doesn’t need it for opening his mouth—but it just sits below the bit, in the chin groove, and adds just that extra bit of stability. Interesting. Or, it could just be that he’s coming through his back enough of the time now that it doesn’t matter *what* is in his mouth. <shrugs>

We use the eggbut snaffle (KK Ultra) with a drop noseband for Chocky's dressage for the very same reasons - he likes the stability and I think the stimulation to the chin groove feels familiar and has a good effect for relaxation too. Like you, we don't have it tight as it's not to stop him opening his mouth, just to keep things steady and consistent for him.

Nice to see you back posting    

[pintopiaffe]

What is it about the loose ring you dislike?

Hm.  Good question.  I used to have quite the collection.  But these days it seems like most are too thick for the horse's mouth, and I know all my horses are somewhat related (well, except for Kat) so perhaps it's genetic, but the darn things just don't fit comfortably.  As I said, on a fine muzzled horse, they even begin to develop gag action.

But as recently as August I had two horses in lessons that I just thought would go better in a more stable bit.  And sure enough, riders changed to eggbutts, and horses were much happier.

I *think* I used them much more when I also almost uniformly used a drop, flash or figure eight as well.  They just have too MUCH movement for my tastes these days.  I will always have a few different ones on hand, hollow, heavy, thicker, thinner, french mouth, irish... but I just don't USE them anymore.

Today we had a nice, albeit short ride.  I taught the last two days and it about kilt me!  lol!  :blink:  I don't know if it was the cold or what.  (very raw) I taught 8 hours yesterday and was incredibly sore this a.m.  Only rode one horse on Sunday, so it's not that I was *riding*.  At any rate, felt like crapola and went back to bed.  <sigh>  waste of good weather.   It might well have been a migraine starting that I did nip in the bud.  Rx helped, I got up the 2nd time and did manage to get on for a half hour or so.  Footing was too slick to really work, and I was in no mood for the road.  We did 1/2 hour, with 15 minutes steady trot work.  Fair, I think, to both of us.  

Himself was lovely.  More through to the left, which was weird, because he does NOT want to bend to the left at all.  To the right he is natrually a little flexed (this is not normal--a result of testing the escape door in the trailer! :ouch: ) and yet wasn't coming throguh as well.  

Forecast is rain tomorrow... we'll see.  If it's not too wet I'll try for a road ride.  Thurs is a double at work.  <sigh>  

[Linda Baia]

Hello Jaeme,

How are you? what are you doing? How is Mac and your herd?

I wish a wondefull   :xmas:  and  a great New Year.

[shoveltrash]

yes ditto!  
'been wondering how you are!


hope you have a wonderful Christmas/Holiday!!!!!!!!!
 :rudolph:  :santa:  

[pintopiaffe]

well, I suppose it's only appropriate to close out this journal on the Solstice.  The end of another season... the start of another season.

I can only hope that as the light starts winning the battle again tomorrow, so things will get brighter.

I have ridden three times this week.  Sadly, that is almost a record since before my last lesson October.  

I have never felt quite so disheartened or discouraged.  The weather has been the main factor.  A foot or so of rain in three months, at a time when we barely average 2" a month.  Dark, cloudy days, and when we did have the occasional sunny day, the muck was still hock deep.   I ended up sacrificing one of my pastures, as I simply could  not keep the mares and foals in the paddock that was just straight mud.  Now I will be down 1/2 my grass next summer.   I've lived up here for 15 years, this is my 7th year on this farm.  We've never had anything like this.

Many days the cold rain or fog meant I could not even ride on the road.  I did occasionally though, here and there, but nothing to speak of.

I haven't kept up the journal, because to see how long it had been since our last ride was just too discouraging.  We were going great guns this summer and into fall.  And now... just nothing.  A screeching halt.  I feel like I have neither the heart nor the discipline it takes to get there.

Other things seem to all have crashed wrong during that time too.  A buisiness venture which I had tremendous hopes for freeing me from one or two of my PT jobs fell through, with myself being blamed, and feeling very disillusioned and out quite a bit of time... felt quite used and discarded.   My Dad was in and out of the hospital.  Getting used to my new 2x/daily shots and the side effects was challenging to say the least.  Work has been... :puke:  No police work at ALL since October due to budget.  Basically laid off from that job until Jan. 1.  Not even details.  

Himself is happy.  No horse died wishing they had done just one more 20m circle, or finally nailed that piaffe... He has a fuzzy winter coat and has put on a few pounds.  (2 girth holes each side! )  When we have gotten to trot a little bit, it is astounding to me, the trot is very correct and soft in the back.  He "remembers" even if we don't have the fitness and strength.  He reminds me how incredibly BLESSED I am to have a horse--a stallion no less--that I can get on having not been on for weeks, and never have a second's thought for him misbehaving.  Not nappy, nor spooky... just not fit.

We trailered 2x to the indoor arena after Thanksgiving and the first week of Dec.  The last 2 weeks I've opted not to spend the time and money as I haven't ridden in between.  It's not fair to him to ask him to work 1x/week.  We might go next week since I've been able to get in some shorter, legging up rides this week.  Then again, more weather on the way, and a double to work on Monday.

I am praying that the 'time off' is behind us and I can now start to build him up again.  Road work is increasingly dangerous with traffic.  It terrifies me.  OTOH, I have a new reflective vest with "POLICE" written in large letters which I plan to wear.     I have done some research into trotting some one the road, adn believe it might be one of our only options.  I *think* I've done the long, slow distance work in the past few years to build up his bones and tendons accordingly, and of course will not start without at least 2 or 3 weeks MORE of legging him up on the pavement.

I have trouble with the cold now--a side effect of the Rx.  Problematic given my lattitude.  :alien:

Trying to come up with some sort of compromise saddle for lessons.  Have a Passier on trial which Himself is ok with--maybe not at canter, but that's impossible to tell with the lack of work--but my knees point east and west instead of both north.  Lower leg hangs off him.  FINALLY rec'd my Trekker Master that I ordered back in April to try.  It's interesting.  Jury is still out.  Again, Himself seems ok with it.  Not sure my teacher will be any happier with it.  I am, of course, happiest and most effective in the Fhoenix.  But, if I want him to ride--I have to have a compromise that we can all agree upon.  And I *DO* want him to ride still.  Not quite there yet where   I feel like I can do this alone.  

Noah went to his new home last week.  A hard decision in some ways, not at all in others.  It's a great home.  Luke is...  Luke is my light.  Right now he's a living , breathing stuffed animal.  Like those fancy German stuffed ponies.  All fluff and brightness.  He's so BRIGHT and full of life and joy. A rascal at times... but such a love.  Hence the decision to let Noah go.  Luke will stay.  He is Heir Apparant.  To have two colts the same age would be a disservice to both.  I'm sure Luke will take all the time and energy I can muster when we get to that point.    ^_^

Kat is hanging in, holding weight well, but having trouble with the mud and now frozen mud.  :ouch:   Dann was checked safe in foal last week--much to my amazement, I was sure she'd reabsorbed.  

The Young Master Irrenaeus has been sat upon a handful of times, and actually managed to walk and chase the barn kitty last time, (he is fine with mounting, dismounting and sitting, but really can't quite figure out how to MOVE with me up there. :lol: ) but it's been as horribly sporadic as work with Mac, and you can't expect a greenbean to have any sort of reliable progress when it might be 3 weeks between working.  Not his fault.  He's VERY bright, and slightly over eager.  He's insanely jealous when I take Papa out to work, and adores the attention.  He's a pretty damn slick mover too, and shows promise... now just to find the time, weather and footing--all on the same day.   :blink:  He's also still a good few inches higher behind, so it's not a huge problem that he's starting late.  

I check this board every morning just to keep up... these days I find I don't have too much to say.  I've a feeling the really good discussions are carried on behind closed doors now, and that is funding I just cannot justify when my students don't necessarily know where their next meal is coming from.  Tonight is a special night in our state: the longest night of the year is set aside to remember those homelss people  who died over the course of this year.  Two were murdered, simply because they were homeless.  It's very sobering.  Especially during a season rife with excess.

I'm having trouble reconciling the drive and dedication, time and money needed to get those stallion scores with the original purpose of my riding and teaching... I've a few students at the moment reminding me of important things.  But then sometimes I think that's a cop out too.  I *should* be able to do both, if I am dedicated adn disciplined enough.  I'm just not sure I am.

So, I'll close this chapter. What an amazing, incredible ride it's been.  Started the year with the improbable gift of three months at my teacher's... finishing it with two months off.     I normally plan for 6-8 weeks of rest, though it's *supposed* to be from Christmas to mid-Feb.  I am just hoping that since we've already had it, we get some sort of break and I can start working him again, even if it's just conditioning.  Instead of looking forward to my few weeks of guilt free down time, I'm fraught with guilt over loosing this fall, and stressing to get all the rides in I can during the worst 2 months of the year.  I guess I can only hope winter is kind this year.  

 

[epona]

Hi Jaime

Sorry things have got on top of you - you sound really sad :(   This time of year is always so stressful, what with Christmas, dark nights, MUD     and no time for riding which is a bummer in itself :(

All I can say is things will start to get easier soon with the better weather and lighter nights just around the corner.  I hope you continue with your diary as I for one am always inspired by your thoughts, I LOVE the way you write and I learn such a lot by reading your journals :blush:  I dont always post a lot on your journal as most of the time I dont feel I have the adequate knowledge, but I'm still an avid reader  I know this may sound daft, but sometimes a good rest is beneficial to horse and rider -when I had time off riding when I was pregnant, I read a lot.  When I came back to riding I felt much improved - less fit!  but improved from a knowledge perspective.

I check this board every morning just to keep up... these days I find I don't have too much to say. I've a feeling the really good discussions are carried on behind closed doors now,

Im sad you have nothing to say Jaime - I can tell you now that the main board is still the widest used and the society board tends to be more of a 'personal' place to post rather than general discussion.  I do feel there is perhaps not so much academic discussion as there used to be when I first came here but I still find many discussions thought provoking and it is such a nice and supportive place to be.  I look forward to your 'Spring' journal

Merry Christmas :xmas:      

Vicky xxx

[shoveltrash]

somehow i missed your last post PP -- must've coincided with my 9 days of mother visiting (non-internet compatible   ).

WE MISS YOU!!!

so happy that you found Noah a good home, and i love love love to see some piccies of Rain!

i hope 2007 will be a wonderful year for you.  i look forward to hearing about your progress    .  things WILL improve.
roll on spring!


 

ps - have you seen the dvd, "The Secret"?