Life in the Slow Lane

One day last week, I went to the barn with the objective of improving our trotting in hand: a) we need this for agility work, b) trot sets/hill work on foot would get my lazy butt in gear, & c) last time I tried this, he stressed about the upshift to trot. So, good thing to work on.

However.

When I went to put on the new, in-hand work, leather halter [Theory], Rodney panicked and ran to the other side of the pen. This was totally unexpected. He’s a pussycat about the grooming slip. You can drag it on one-handed while he pokes his nose over the fence. It didn’t occur to me that there would be a difference. The change in shape? The shiny, jangly metal parts? The new car smell? Who knows.

I have no idea was is terrifying about a leather halter. That is not for me to decide. Suddenly, the lesson for the day was about accepting the new headgear rather than trotting. I put the halter on over the grooming slip. Stood around for a while. Took it off. Lather … rinse … repeat ..

This is why I walk away [Best] if my empathy is not on max.

Halter Theory

New toys: leather halter and extra long lead rope for ground work/agility exercises. Since I am still cameraless, product picture on the Dover site in brown with green trim [Sussex]. The leadrope is a green and white twisted rope with knots on either end with a double ended-snap. I believe in DIY leadropes because a) I’m cheap and b) I don’t see the point of having chain right where I want to put my hand. Green has become Rodney’s default barn color. Convenient for a horse with a “wood” nature. The leather halter is because every horse gets one chance at a fancy rig. If they prove destructive, back to nylon with break-away straps.

In addition to the joy of buying new horse toys, I do have a theory. One of the fundamental rules that Previous Horse lived under was that he MUST behave when wearing a halter or bridle. It was often hard for him to restrain himself, but he understood the consequences. At liberty, he was known to take the occasional flying kick or bite if he thought he could make a clean get-away. (Really, he wasn’t mean, just a grouchy old man. [Dreary]) He knew the difference between liberty and under starters orders. He was good with rules. He was very “metal”. But I digress.

Rodney, hasn’t gotten the liberty/halter distinction. But then, he doesn’t need to. He is easy-going in either case – provided the sky is not falling. Still, I have instituted different gear for different activities:

Liberty – Do as you will. This gets fuzzy as we have been know to lead him around by his nose.

Grooming slip – You must obey the rules of the road but it’s okay to daydream. Stand ground-tied. Used for grooming, massage, generalized horse fussing with. Movement dispensation granted during physical therapy if we do something to which he can reasonably object.

Leather Halter – Pay attention. Learning to be done. Exercises to be sorted. If we ever get to formal horse agility or liberty work, I want tack that says this is not riding but neither is it grooming.

Bit & bridle, currently worn under grooming slip without reins – Hello, we are going to the ring to move our feet about in a way that might someday morph into riding exercises.

Elaborate, yes. I’m hoping to take advantage of the equine power of habit. Of maybe I just like rules. There was a reason Previous Horse and I got along.

Normandie, Non

The horse world is preparing for the FEI Alltech Jeux Equestres Mondiaux 2014 in Normandy, August 23 to September 07, 2014. Of course I’ve thought about going, how can one not, but I’ll most likely be livestreaming from home.

Why does one attend the big events? The obvious reasons are to compete or to officiate. For us normal mortals, there are a variety of reasons, mostly of which mean I’m not going:

a) Getting Away. As currently constituted, our farm needs four hands. None of the work is hard, just endless. Without another person to share the load, the chores pile up like broomsticks conjured by the the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Slipping out for horse shows this spring has meant driving home late at night to minimize my time away. I’m happy to do so. I’ve even been able to sneak in an extra show. However, two+ weeks in France is just not happening.

b) Trip of a Lifetime. I’ve been fortunate attend three big equestrian happenings: two in my backyard (Atlanta 1996 & Kentucky 2010) and one abroad (Rome 1998). Of course I love to seen more, but I certainly won’t feel that my life has been deprived if I don’t.

c) Amusement. You would think I would be happy when surrounded by beautiful scenery, fabulous horses, and like-minded people. In truth, I make a terrible spectator. Sitting is not my forte. I need something to DO. At all three of the above, I both volunteered and wrote. Sadly, 16 days in France without gainful employment would be my idea of hell.

Therefore, until a media outlet dangles a press pass and lucrative assignment in front of me, I’m out of the high-end horse game. Who am I kidding, the assignment doesn’t even have to be lucrative. Just hand me a press pass and a license to ask questions. Otherwise, I’ll be at the barn burning up my data plan.

Are you going? Would you if you could?

Horse Hunt, 2 of 2

The second Quarter Horse was older, less fancy, but full of can-do spirit. He didn’t have pin-up conformation but moved better than he stood. He could trot out briskly or shuffle along at a jog. We asked the rider to take him over a pole. He a) was able to adjust and b) seemed to look forward to a challenge. Probably would enjoy jumping, at least to the extent one can extrapolate a course of fences from a pole on the ground. Not the type to set the world on fire, but would motor happily around the lower levels of dressage, eventing. and local hunters.

Except.

He had the most enormous hunter’s bump. It looked as if a chestnut weasel was taking a nap on the top of his butt. The lump was so large that the line from the point of the croup to the top of the tail was almost concave. It didn’t appear to affect his way of going, although it was more pronounced at the jog than at the trot.

I flagged it as Do Not Pass Go but don’t know that much about the condition. I’ve heard that it is conformational, muscle strain, and/or a problem/not a problem. I figure why start with an issue?

Still, this horse and yesterday’s horse [1 of 2] were both priced sensibly and I would have given either one stall space if fate had sent them trotting up our driveway. That’s an improvement from some. We have seen trop cher horses that I would not have touched for free. I don’t understand horse selling, I truly don’t.

What think you, did I make the right call re the hunter’s bump?

Horse Hunt, 1 of 2

Went to look at two horses. Activity if not progress. Didn’t ride either one. Why ride once I’ve seen a deal-breaker?

The first horse was a gorgeous palomino Quarter Horse. Not just yellow but a beautiful gold with flashy chrome. Not that I’m influenced by color, not in the slightest. Long legs. Nice build. Lots of Thoroughbred influence.

He was billed as a hunter. He was a fabulous hunter for Palomino Hunter Under Saddle. He had forward reach with his front feet, a lovely rounded neck/head carriage, and the hind end of a peanut roller. He will go to his National Show and beat all comers. As for the “real” hunter ring, not as suitable.

I’ve seen the same thing in saddlebreds. Initially, I though ASB Hunter Country Pleasure would be a fun niche for me. Now that I’ve seen several HCP classes, I realize that they do not want a hunter rider nor do they want a hunter horse. They want a saddleseat rider in long boots and a ASB in hunter tack. There is a slight change in head position from a full-on, three-gaited horse, but a far cry from the daisy-cutting feet and forward head carriage of a classic Thoroughbred hunter. The only place my specialized knowledge would come in handy is to organize a neckful of hunter braids without cutting the flowing three-gaited mane. I’ve braided worse.

On one hand, Breed Hunter Under Saddle. On the other hand, Hunter/Jumper Hunter Under Saddle. Both fine and lovely. Not at all the same thing.

Any experience with hunters in non-hunter venues that you would care to share?

Tomorrow, Horse #2.

Booie

Another one from the archives. Circa 1979, or thereabouts.

This was at my first off-the-property show. I was 16 years old. I was leasing my second horse. I thought I was the cat’s meow. Since Booie could be strong, I spent most of my class galloping in a small circle around the judge. I may have been less slick than I thought.

Red Flags

Seller: He’s never done that before.
Buyer: Thank you for your time.

My horse shopping adventures continue. Why is it that the only horse trainer who has shown ongoing enthusiasm for my horse hunt is involved with a breed that isn’t popular for jumping? I refer of course to the saddleseat lady. If I had been absorbed by the collective and had decided to go three-gaited, I’d have a horse by now. Or, I certainly would have looked at dozens in the last few months. Unfortunately, I still want to jump. At least, I think I like jumping. It’s been a while.

What red flags have you encountered, with horses or in life?