December 14, 2014

Saturday

Yesterday I got out to see my crazy animal for the first time in a week.  Thanks, work.


We tried on his new Toklat pad, acquired for a completely reasonable $22 during Riding Warehouse's sale, and because I have no self control where anything dark purple is concerned.

I also stood around and admired his dapples. Wowowowow.


But we actually did get some riding done too.  I focused on keeping both legs on his sides.  The hardest thing about being bareback on him is that my calves hang ineffectively low on his comparatively narrow barrel, and I have to use my hip flexors to draw them up a bit so that they're against his sides.  That's hard, because the hip flexors are tiny little things that wear out quickly.

However, it made a big difference in his straightness and impulsion.  I'm willing to bet that I haven't been "riding each hind leg", especially since switching to bareback.  Because I'm still afraid of friction, we worked at the walk, bringing it back to my trainer's recommendation to halt straight "500 times" last winter, and back to the "halt from my seat on a square with shopping bag elbows" exercise from last summer.

Also somewhat amazingly, I did not get tossed when there was a graveside service in the cemetary across the street that featured over 100 cars and trucks, a several gun salute, and 75 motorcycles that appeared to rev their engines in a salute as well, despite the horses in their fields being on red alert.  Thank goodness Connor's gotten over his motorcycle thing...

Labeled once again, thanks Halter Tags.

21 comments:

  1. I've always wanted a leather halter with a nameplate.

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    1. I like the look, and things tend to stay where you put them when they're labeled! Not that I have that problem at this barn.

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  2. Cute pad and a nice nameplate, count me in as another who wants nameplates for her halters! Good boy for keeping it together as well - he really sounds like he's matured so well!

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    1. A barnmate just commented on that yesterday, how calmly he was standing in the aisle. He's still sensitive, but has definitely matured in the way he sees the world.

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  3. Connor looks quite regal in purple :-)

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    1. They are crazy! I wish they were visible with a coat too.

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  5. Replies
    1. I know, they are insane. I want to see them all the time.

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  6. STOP THE PRESSES JEN PURCHASED A SADDLE PAD!! Love that color on him... maybe an XC alternative to the green!? I love reading your dressage ride recaps... I've gleaned so many great little tips that have helped me with my own sportpony!

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    1. I know, right? I figure now that I have publicly outed myself, and there was actually a reasonable price for a good quality pad in my favorite color, I better go for it.

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  7. Wow, I think I would have gotten off for that funeral procession.

    Or maybe not... I have the laziest OTTB ever.

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    1. Haha. There would have been a time when Connor forcibly removed me from his back for that. It was intense.

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  8. I love riding warehouse! Also-those dapples are fantastic!

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  9. Glad to know I am not the only one who will put purple on a male, though I do prefer the dark purple like you have. It is my favorite color too!

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  10. nice bareback pad setup - hope it eases off the friction issues!! i also need to practice halting straight 500 times... why is it so hard??

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    1. Because the horse is shaped the way Dr. Deb described in her videos. ;-) I know that was a rhetorical question, but I had to, for a fellow Dr. Deb convert. Haha.

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