That Horse

I don't want to curse myself but I think that Carmen is becoming 'That horse' (*hurries off to knock on wood*).

You know what I mean.

That horse that you can leave for a week and then ride.

When the weather changed from hot and humid summer to brisk and cool autumn.

Without lunging. Even though you consider it. Like seriously consider it and then decide that it's too much work.

Although to be cautious you do some ground work first and you walk around the ring to check for trolls. And find potential trolls down by the trees and grasses blowing in the wind.

But you shrug and get on anyway.

Not because you're crazy (the voices assure you that you are fine).

But because you know it will be fine. Not necessarily spook free but still you believe it will be fine.

So you get on  and as soon as you settle in the saddle you smile. Because you're home. Where you belong. Riding That horse.

You spend some time at the walk just getting things loose and supple. There's a spooky spot but it's not that big a deal. You can feel that your horse is on edge and could go either way. Which way is up to you. So you sit up and ride. And as you work you get into the feel and rhythm: is the hind foot reaching under? Are we too bent on the leg yield? Can we lengthen a bit? How about a canter depart? Oops that nasty piece of grass totally tried to grab you- let's go back and show it we're not afraid.

And then, because enough has been done in the ring, you drop the gate not really sure that you are going to do it. Like really- it's been a week and it's blowy and cool and still you are thinking that going into the woods would be a good idea?

But Carmen knows and letting her choose she goes to the right towards the woods and around the field. And then to the right into the woods. Just then a bunny hops across the path and she stops- uncertain as to whether it's safe. Or whether we should go back. You let her collect herself and then ask her to walk in because 'it's a bunny and mostly harmless'.

And you walk into the woods and along the trails that you have cut out of the woods- mostly around deadfall, through some mud, by the old spider shed, old wagon and manure pile, out to the fence and back up to the barn. Going uphill Carmen lifts her back and powers up, coming to a halt outside the barn.

You dismount. Still smiling.

Because you have 'That horse'.

Bit Review- Stubben Golden Wing

I have been away since Friday which is why I have not been blogging. I was travelling to Toronto for a conference and used the opportunity to go and visit my sister and her family as well. I rented a car to get her place and I have to say that travelling on the 401 through the middle of Toronto is not for the faint of heart.

Anyway, I had been planning to write this review for a while and now seems like a good time since I don't have any riding to report on.

Let me start by saying that no one would consider me a tack collector. I use the same bridle for schooling and showing (although I switch out the brow band). FYI, for those who say 'But Teresa, you have an awful lot of saddle pads don't you?';  forget it-  I have decreed that saddle pads don't count.

I don't tend to change up bits unless there's a problem. For a long time I had been riding Carmen in a jointed, loose ring bit with a peanut in the middle. She was going well in it but I was wondering if the loose ring part was exacerbating some of her issues. Essentially what was happening was that Carmen would spook and/or run out of the bit and it would pull through her mouth and create more issues by pinching. I was looking for a 5 1/4 double jointed egg butt but only found ones that were lots of money. Did I mention that I am frugal? I will spend money to get what I need but I couldn't understand why the size I wanted was always over $200.

I then won a gift card from Riding Warehouse. Looking at their page I found the Stubben Golden Wing:

It looked like it combined the flexibility of the loose ring with the stability of the eggbutt. I did a bit of research and the Stubben website claimed:

• 100% pinchless.
• Wings position the bit correctly regardless of head position.
• Cheek plates bear on the sides of the mouth providing an indirect rein effect to correct resistance to the direct rein.
• Sweet copper promotes better acceptance.
• No nutcracker effect and no palate pressure

I figured that the gift card made it much cheaper and if i didn't like it I could always sell it. I also double checked to make sure it was legal for dressage.

I've ridden in this bit for a few months now. Carmen seemed to like it right away and there was far less fussing with the bit. I liked the shape of it and it curved to conform to the horses mouth. At times i have found it to be almost too mild if she's in a mood to take the bit and go but that rarely happens anymore.

And it looks fancy. I get a few comments when I'm out at clinics and shows- people are curious about it.

I find that Carmen is very willing to take up contact with this bit and it seems to stay very stable. I am  not a gimmicky person but I think that this is well designed and made. I can see where it would be a great bit to start a young horse. If you are looking at bits I would seriously consider this one- the price is very reasonable as well: US: Riding Warehouse for $83.95, Canada: Bakers Saddlery for 84.95 (the only place I could find with the 5 1/4 size and not the 4 in 1 gag). 

Changing Patterns

If you've been reading along you will see that I have had a lot of 'wins' with Carmen this season.

We have had a successful show season and each clinic I went to added a bit more into our training.

definitely doing more of these clinics next year

Having regular lessons with Shanea has been invaluable. I do believe that to progress you need to have a consistent trainer so that things build slowly. 

If I had to think about who has changed more this year - Carmen or me, I don't think that I could choose. I have had to be more conscious about it for sure. 

It's hard to change patterns though and it takes serious mental effort on my part to not fall back into tensing and grabby hands when I feel that she's a bit spooky. I have been determined to not break my left wrist and put the rein against her neck when I feel that she wants to fall in. At times you will even hear me say that to myself over and over. Putting the rein against her neck was a temporary solution for when she would bolt to the inside. Now it just encourages her to drop her shoulder and not carry through the corner. 

Interestingly enough our bigger issues continue to be our ring. Which makes sense given that's where we had really set patterns of behaviour. I am finding it easier and easier to not tighten and grab when she tightens. When I do I catch myself and relax my seat. I inevitably find that she relaxes when I do that. 

see- no trolls here

Changing my mindset about troll corner has been a real turning point. I don't think I would have seen the pattern if I hadn't taken her off property and encountered the same issues in the same corner. Knowing that has helped me to ride more boldly and clearly into it and expect that she will carry on. 

Not that she does always. Last night we were cantering up on the right lead into the corner and then we were going to the right and sideways (canter half-passes are not going to be an issue). I didn't tense or get upset but I don't let her choose the way we go so I pulled her around to the left to go back. Somewhere in there she did a flying change (good girl)  and we cantered back to the left. My mindset/tension never changed. It was just a blip- oh where were we? 

Our rides are not exciting or anything to truly write about. We're working on our first/second level stuff and the only thing that's a bit of struggle is the trot lengthens. Last night I felt she sit back on her hind end and lengthen a bit in the trot. It was't a big one but she received lots of praise for it. 

Our rides are short and easy these days. I try to get a few things established and then end. We go into the woods on a regular basis. Even when she's more excitable (like last night with the breeze and cooler weather) she is still trying to listen and figure out what I'm asking. Rarely do I get the sense that she's completely tuned me out. She may be distracted but will come back with a leg aid or my voice. 

Changing patterns is hard. But it is possible. We're living proof. 

Out And About

The lesson with Shanea was not the only fun thing I scheduled. Saturday I had made some special plans to meet up with my friend Nancy. Let me back up.

A few months ago when I was struggling with Carmen, Nancy had sent me an email suggesting that we get together and ride the trails are the place where she boards. Her horse, a big beautiful warmblood named 'Bo' was a great companion horse because he was just always so calm. I contacted the owner of   Coveside Stables to see if it was okay with her that I haul in. I used to ride a horse there a long time ago and she remembered me. She couldn't have been more kind about letting me come.

I really wanted to take her up on but with one thing and another it didn't happen. Last week I sent her an email to see if she was free Saturday and she was! The owner was also okay with me coming and so it was all scheduled.

In the morning I loaded Carmen on the trailer. Actually she loaded herself and I had to hold her back - as soon as she saw the trailer she was all 'let's go!'  and did not take kindly to my telling her that she needed to wait for me. The ride was short and I pulled into the gates.

the view leaving the property

Coveside is probably the most beautiful facilities I have ever seen. It overlooks the Chester Basin so the views are incredible. There are rolling hills, many rings for dressage and jumping. They have a large barn and attached arena plus extra barns and buildings for storage. Every year they put up temporary stalls for their shows. And best of all they have built miles of trails. All impeccably groomed and only for horses. I didn't take a lot of photos but check out their website and you will see what I mean.

I pulled up to the barn and unloaded Carmen. She walked behind me into the barn on the rubber pavers and into a large, beautiful stall and looked around as though to say 'finally'.  I turned around to get my stuff but it was already out- Nancy and one of the workers had unloaded my saddle, bridle etc for me. I then parked the trailer in the parking lot and came back to the barn. 

barn and arena

Nancy introduced me to the guy who helped and then to Rose- 'all grown up'. I knew Rose when she was young it was great to see what a lovely young woman she had grown into even though I can't believe all that time had passed. 

After a brief chat we tacked up the horses, went into the indoor, mounted and walked out of the indoor (red door in the middle of the photo above). I didn't walk her around or lunge her. I just got on and off we went. 

And we hit the trails. Bo and Nancy were perfect companions. They ambled along in front of us at a nice steady walk. Carmen was amazing. She was obviously looking around and a bit excited but normal horse excited. Not stiff or spooky at all. 

those ears- one was on me at all times

I let her have a bit a rein and we just walked. I loved the woods trails- they were so varied in the type of tress. Some had a lot of ferns others were mossy and still more with strewn with pine needles. I told Nancy that I expected to see a hobbit at any moment.  My inner 12 year old was over the moon and kept giggling. There were numerous wooded bridges and I wasn't worried. The first one she was a bit spooky once she realized that there was something underneath. By the third one she was all 'meh' a bridge.  At one point we came close to a public trail and Nancy called 'hello' to a couple walking above us (most likely to warn the horses). I called hello as well and Carmen didn't even blink. 

Nancy took this with her phone. I wore my vest to be safe

We went up and down hills which was a great way to work her hind end. There were some rocks along the path that Carmen looked askance at but, again, it was just normal horse ('are these okay? I will go by but will keep my eye on them in case they turn to be rock trolls' ) behaviour. 

We then came into a huge field and the hay had been cut so it was free to use. Part of me wanted to go for a gleeful gallop but I restrained myself. Next time I told myself, this is all about making it low key and easy. Nancy and I chatted the whole way. We both agree that riding out is the most fun part of riding. Her little West Highland Terrier kept us company- occasionally going off to hunt squirrels. Carmen was completely not bothered by this little white terrier popping up in various locations. I loved watching her run around being all terrier like. She was definitely less white when we were done. 

and then with my phone. Pretty sure this was my expression the whole ride.
Carmen "could you calm down please, it's embarrassing'

We ended up coming out near the front gates and by the dressage court. We headed back into the woods and came up to the barn. I think we were gone between 60-90 minutes. I put her back in the stall. Nancy hosed Bo off and turned him out while I went to get the trailer. Carmen was not too impressed when I came back My friend! Where's my friend? But settled as soon as there were people around.  The ride home was uneventful. I hosed her off at home and turned her out to catch up on all the grass that she missed. 

it's not fancy but it's my slice of heaven

 As I was cleaning out the trailer Ed came up and said "How was it?"
"OH MY GOD I HAD SO MUCH FUN" I may have been squealing. I was definitely grinning.

He smiled and said "you have been saying that every time you come back. You are having a great summer with her and I am glad. You earned it".  This is why I love this man.

It may sound silly that I was so excited about trailering off property, riding out and then returning. I know lots of people do this all the time. But two years ago I considered it a good ride if there were fewer then three bolts in a ride. Last year we spent hours on training to get her rideable. I will be eternally grateful to Royce and how he helped us. This year I wasn't even sure I should show and look at how that turned out. I will be eternally grateful to Karen, Johanna and Shanea for getting us ready for that. Last year I would not have believed that I could have done something like today without a lot of lunging and 'managing' of Carmen. Yesterday I hopped on and said 'let's go, this will be fun'. And she believed me.

I am finally getting to do all the things I love on a horse that I love and for me that is truly special.

Thank you Nancy for taking me and Jackie for letting me enjoy your beautiful property.

My Zen Unicorn

Carmen's mellowness is continuing and while I am enjoying it I am also struggling to figure how to ride her.

I have skills to ride spooky Carmen, zoomy Carmen and even resistant Carmen.

But lazy, Zen Carmen is confounding me. Don't get me wrong - I have ridden lazy horses and I know how to ride them. However, I don't want to teach Carmen that her mellowness is wrong. Getting after her seems to be not quite the right thing. So instead I am trying to build her forward out of the mellowness. It sounds good but I am really just making it up as I go along.

So the lesson I had today was perfectly timed. When Shanea arrived we were just getting into the ring. I explained about how she's been lately- mellow, not-spooky and lazy. As we chatted Carmen stood there looking like she was having a nap.

We started off working on leg yields- first towards the rail and then adding in zig zag lines. It helped me to understand how to use the outside rein for straightness- I have a habit of over bending her and then trying to get her to go sideways. Part of that was to keep her from looking out and then spooking. But I don't need to do that now.

Shanea also set up some trot poles on one side and a single pole on the other.  What I like about Shanea is that she's all about being correct and she insisted that I set her up for the poles about three strides out and then let her go through but I wasn't allowed to be 'floppy'. All of this is true but as Carmen began to use her hind end and lift her back it was a lot of movement.

Did I mention it was hot? Carmen and I were sweating. But we weren't done.

Shanea had us pick up a canter and once that was established canter over the single pole. By this point Carmen was forward and energetic. She was also, not spooky excatly, but starting to look around. I just kept riding her forward and worked on keeping her up in the bridle. The nice thing was that she was taking the bit and moving into the bridle.  We then cantered down towards the pole. The first time over I was all look at us- we're JUMPING over the pole. This is so much fun! But what came out was more like 'squeeee'. Shanea laughed at us. We kept practicing coming up. Shanea said that it was cool because at first Carmen was a bit unsure and then her ears came up and she was having fun.

umm, there's a stick in our way

whee

It was a fun lesson. I love working with Mellow Carmen. Part of me is thinking that adding some jumping into our routine would be fun. Not that we'll be doing anything big. At least not on purpose.

Who is this Horse?

Sorry- no recent media so I used this photo from my last lesson in August

Since I h our last show about how Carmen I've been taking a more laid back and relaxing approach to riding. I've been focussing on enjoying our time rather then accomplishing any specific goal. I think that Carmen has been enjoying the down time and she's responding.

Yesterday I came home from work and tacked her up. It had been a bit of a stressful day and there are no signs of it letting up until November. I had no agenda in mind- I just wanted to lose myself in the rhythm and enjoy being outside.

When I headed up to the ring I could hear a loud metallic clanking and banging but couldn't see where it came from. I texted Ed to ask if he could see it but he said he had no idea. After the first spook Carmen seemed okay so I mounted and we walked off. As soon as we started walking she began to blow- a sign of her relaxing herself. I have spent a ton of time getting her to blow and here she was seeking it right away.

Troll corner was a non-issue. She had one spook and I don't even know what it was. As she spun away I simply said 'Oh dear did something scare you?' We circled back and it was not problem. I am doing so much better with riding relaxed but not passively. Which seems to be exactly what she needs.

We did about 40 minutes of walk and trot. Carmen was not excited or hot. In fact she was positively sedate. At some point that may also be an issue but for now it was just what I needed.

I walked her over to the gate and she stopped while I reached down to pick up the board. She walked forward 3 steps as I directed and waited for me to drop it. I then backed her up and moved it some more. She waited each step for my direction and then we walked out.

Instead of heading to the barn I turned right and went around the fields and into the woods. This would be our second solo hack. I took my time and chatted to her the whole way. That was mostly to warn any wildlife that we were coming. She was definitely alert but not tense. We did a couple trails and then went around the bottom of the field and up the hill. The only thing she looked askance at was the garden. It's almost done and the dead plants were piled up.  But she still walked by it.

I dismounted and just then a huge dump truck piled high with garbage pulled out of the woods across the street.  Phew. It was quite the sight going down the road.

I am so impressed with this change in how she and I are working together. I think that last puzzle piece fell into place at the last show. You know- the show I was freaking out about. Competing has forced us out of our comfort zone and drilled down to specific issues. Each time I travelled off-site for a clinic or a competition I learned something new. I feel that I'm no longer trying to convince her to listen to me. Instead she's looking to me. Obviously she still have opinions- she is Carmen after all but we are feeling more like a partnership.

I am getting comfortable saying that Carmen is a horse who can have a big spook but she's not a spooky horse. I hope that makes sense to you but it does to me.

Who is this horse? She's mine.

Country Life

I stayed true to my word and backed off the training this week. Instead I focussed on catching my breath and enjoying life on the farm.

The siding was completed a few weeks ago and I am thrilled with how it turned out. I have wanted the siding done since we moved in and it's nice to see that task completed. I just need to pick a striking colour to paint the door.

I have been spending time with Guinness and working on our obedience. He's feeling much better and back to enjoying life.

being happy is what they do best

We are signed up for an 'Urban Dog' course. It's to help dogs be civilized in public settings. Since Guinness is becoming barky at strangers I'm thinking that is will useful but we may end up in remedial class.  

But in other ways he's becoming the companion dog I was looking for. I've been going into the woods and working on more trails and he's been keeping me company. 

I am happy with the trails that we have. There are now four short paths that join up with each other at different points.

the path to piece

There has also been a young porcupine that has moved into the woods. I am fine with co-existing but Guinness not so much. The other night I had a text from Ed: 

"how can I get a porcupine out from under the deck?"

"How did it get there?"

"Guinness chased it"

"Leave it alone and it will leave when things quiet down."

An hour goes by and I get another text: "how do I get quills out of Guinness?". 

This time I phoned and talked Ed into how to remove a few from his chin. 

Today I was down at the manure pile and Guinness was quite excited about something under the shed that is down there. I call it the 'spider shed' because it's overrun with giant wolf spiders. "If you get grabbed by a giant spider you are on your own". I wasn't worried because I figured whatever it was would stay safe under the shed. I heard him get more excited and when I came over I saw he had quills stuck in his nose and muzzle. 

Sigh. I brought him up to the house and grabbed some needle nose pliers. Fortunately Amanda was home and I figured she could help. I used one of Ed's ties to make a muzzle but Amanda and I couldn't hold him. He weighs over 70 pounds and is strong. Just as Amanda and I were sitting on a heaving, panting dog Cynthia and Andrew walked in. Their faces went through numerous changes while they understood what they were seeing. Cynthia joined in and with three of us we could just hold him long enough for me to get the quills out. Poor Guinness he was howling - I think the ones in his nose hurt. 

I hope that this convinces him to leave the porcupine alone or else I will have to catch it and re-home it farther away. 

Remember I said that I might take two weeks off without riding? 

Yeah. Well I made it to today. Which, you have to admit, is pretty good for me. 

I do enjoy riding this mare

Cynthia came out to join me and we headed up to the ring. Carmen was very very good and I worked on us having a  relaxing ride. Suddenly I heard Cynthia calling my name. Irish had a bee in his bonnet and was having a bit of melt down. Carmen and I stood in the middle and I called instructions to her. However, when Irish refused to go forward and threatened to rear. He can't rear but I worried that he might try and fall over. I dismounted Carmen and handed her to Cynthia and then mounted Irish. Within 10 minutes he was much calmer and settled. Every fall he gets himself worked up and then settles. I dismounted and got back on Carmen to finish our ride. We decided to not go in the woods given Irish's mood. 

I'm just going to let that sink in for a minute.

The horse that I have spent countless hours of blood, sweat and tears (not to mention money) was the calm one. The 'been there/done that' 17 year old semi-retired horse was a snorting, spooking fool.  

Carmen is a puzzle for sure. Irish's antics didn't affect her in the least. I have noticed that in the warm up rings at the shows too. The only time got upset by another horse and rider was when a rider was using a whip rather harshly. That upset her. But otherwise she's not fussed by another horse being agitated. Birds however are an entirely different story. 

Life here might be quiet but it's never ever dull.