My first west coast training gig

If you may recall, I have mentioned in previous posts that it essential that I pursue an equestrian career to truly be happy, and I'm pleased to say that Stamm Sport Horse is open for business. While I have done some training back on the east coast, it was always within the context of some larger farm at which I was employed. This is my first time acting as an independent contractor, and venturing out into the often crazy horse world on my own has been very scary.

Last month I started working with my first training horse, Scotchgard G, better known as the goofy and lovable Henri. Henri is an extremely powerful and talented half-Arabian gelding that has the ability to make me laugh and lift my mood when I'm in the foulest of states. He is owned by Gina Bressler, a very talented and very well-respected trainer in her own right who wanted to give Henri a shot at a new discipline, and me a shot at training (THANK YOU!). Gina also owns and manages the farm where I keep my little munchkin (Gentle Oaks Stables), and has kindly allowed me to base my training business out of her farm.

While I was thrilled to get Henri as a training horse, I also felt a tremendous deal of pressure training for someone who I regard in such high esteem. So... First independent training job working for someone who is a fantastic rider/trainer... color me terrified!

One month later, the feelings of self-doubt still creep in here and there, but I am starting to trust myself, and slowly but surely, I am starting to have confidence in my own ability. I couldn't have asked for better horse/owner combination to get started with. I also feel extremely lucky to be at a place like Gentle Oaks. While I don't technically work for the farm, being surrounded by all of the wonderful people there makes me feel a lot less like I'm on my own. Oh jeez.... Now I'm getting teary-eyed.

That's how I roll!

Dressage saddles with giant knee rolls seem to be a requirement these days for anyone wanting to look legit. This trend is something I refuse to accept, and here is my anti giant knee roll manifesto.

I have ridden in saddles with oversized knee rolls on a few occasions and can say emphatically that I don't like them. I understand that they are suppose to keep the riders leg in a correct position, but chances are, unless the saddle was custom made to fit your leg exactly, you will be fighting the saddle to achieve good position. Since I ride a variety of different horses and leg position is never exactly the same from horse to horse, a big knee-rolled saddle seems like a bad option for me.

I have also noticed that riders that choose giant knee rolls have a tendency to brace against them, especially at the sitting trot. While this may be an effective way to stay in the saddle, it is also an equally effective way to interfere with the horse's back.

The two saddles I use are the Neidersuss Symphony which have small knee rolls that suggest rather than command where your leg should go, and...

the Stubben Tristan which lacks a knee roll all together.

I love both of these saddles, and feel that they have a wonderful impact on my riding.

How do you roll?

The musical freestyle and lyrics

My absolute favorite aspect of dressage is the musical freestyle. I love it so much because I feel that it truly has the potential to blur the line between art and sport. It is probably the major reason I choose pure dressage over all other equestrian disciplines. Currently, using music with lyrics, while not prohibited, is strongly discouraged because it is "distracting."

Often times popular songs are redone on synthesizer to create lyric-free versions that sound like circus music at best, and elevator music at worst. How is that not distracting? Other riders opt for classical pieces , which can be very beautiful, but can also come across dated. I mean, it is the 21st century!

Aside from the cheesey sound the is often the product of eliminating lyrics from a song, the sound of a singer's voice, the words they say, and the intention with which they say them can make what was just a pretty melody into an emotionally moving song. Add the brilliant performance of a beautiful horse, and there you have it. Art!

Opinions?

The Handmade Horse

Blogging has been a bit slow for me while the whole thesis writing thing is happening, but I promise I will be better as soon as I am done. If you're in need of a blogtastic horsey fix in the mean time, a friend is diving into the world of sewing her own riding clothes and sharing her experience with all of the blogosphere. My friend will be sharing her sewing shenanigans on The Handmade Horse, so be sure to check it out. She is one funny girl, and her blog is bound to be both instructive and hilarious.

Adventures in baby training: Episode 1- Baby's first hoof trim

Today was a momentous occasion in the life of the young Heliodoro. Today, baby got his very first haircut hoof trim. He was a good boy, relatively speaking... so long as your relative perspective considers the spawn of satan good. It's a miracle that between the rearing up, striking out, kicking the farrier, and attempting to trample all who got in his way, that his feet got done at all. I have to give Jason Peacock, of Jason Peacock horse shoeing, a ton of credit. He was the perfect combination of assertive and gentle. I highly recommend him to anyone with a young horse. He really was wonderful.

The main issue with Helix's behavior is that **** WARNING! APPROACHING EXTREME NERDDOM**** he wants to be an alpha Helix, and in this situation, the beta configuration is preferable (Sorry. I had to.). More simply put, Helix has to learn that people are in charge, and it isn't acceptable to try and boss them around. Towards the end of the trim session, his attitude changed dramatically. While he didn't seem defeated, he was definitely mulling over the pros and cons of putting up a fight for something so silly as a hoof trim. And let me be clear. I never want my horse to feel defeated. I never want him to lose that edge in his personality. That edge is what makes him special, and it's what will make him be great in the future, but I'd also like him to be safe to handle.

I like to think of myself as a strict parent, and seeing as I've only had him for just over a week at this point, I won't go blaming myself for his behavior just yet. This was, however, a bit of a wake-up call to just how dangerous he could be if I let him grow up without demanding respect and obedience.

Helix the Bold!

Helix is not the first horse I have ever owned, but he is the first horse I have owned as an adult, and the first horse that Mom and Dad (thanks for the first three!) did not buy for me. As a result his purchase means that much more. One week later, I feel less like a new horse owner, and more like a new mother. I spend as much time at the barn as possible, obsessively cleaning his stall, playing with him out in the pasture, and spending lots of time grooming his scruffy, baby coat. Mom and Dad as well as Dave's mom are playing the role of the extremely supportive grand parents, asking for updates and pictures of the new baby.

While I quite enjoy babying Helix, it has also become quite clear that he requires a as much discipline, as the love and attention he demands. He is a bold little horse that fears very little, and he likes to remind me quite often that he sure deosn't fear me. Initially, when I began handling him, his attitude toward me was that of a step child telling their step parent "How dare you tell me what to do! You're not my mother!" The tactic I've adopted to handle his attitude is to be annoyingly persistent. Dave employed a similar tactic when initially trying to date me, and I figured it worked for him, so why not give it a try.

For example, the first time I attempted to brush his legs, he responded by kicking me in the back of the hand. After giving him a little tap on the bottom to let him know that kicking was not ok, I placed my hand on the top of his leg and left it there while he fidgeted and gave me irritated looks. The second he stopped fidgeting, I removed my hand and patted him on the neck. After about 20 minutes of placing my hands all over his legs and patting him when he was calm, he became accepting of my touch and relaxed.

Hopefully, over time Helix will get to the point where he doesn't constantly question authority, but until then it's going to take some tough love, and a lot of patience.

kiger mustang auction

The kiger mustang auction is coming up next month, and I am fairly determined to come home from it with a new horse. I'm extremely interested in the kigers because, aside from being beautiful and having obvious Spanish ancestry, they are well known for being extremely trainable. While good conformation is extremely important, trainability may be the most important quality in a good dressage mount.

The one downside to getting a kiger is that the auctions are highly competitive. At the last kiger auction in 2007, the highest bid was $7,800. That being said, there were also 29 horses that went for the minimum bid of $125. Another thing to consider is that the last auction took place before the economy completely tanked. Perhaps low consumer confidence will keep the bids reasonably low.

I have picked out several horses that I would be interested in taking home, and now I'm interested in what everyone else has to say. Visit the BLM kiger adoption website, and vote for your favorite by commenting on the blog (FB works too). Use the horse's ID number when you cast your vote.