Yep - I signed us up for a local Pony Club/Horsemasters XC clinic. They said I was welcome to sit there and observe if I felt the need....in other words, its ok if I'm a total pansy.
I decided I'd better try on the old close contact saddle and at least trot over some crossrails in preparation - so that's what we did last night! I could tell Skate was a little confused by my position in the cc saddle. There's no way to ride as tactfully as you can in a dressage saddle due to the need to keep your legs a little tighter over fences and your seat out of the saddle more. It was funny, I had a lot more trouble getting him to stay in the canter w/out using my seat! That's the only thing that works...more leg just gets him pissy and can sometimes cause him to break to a trot. Plus, I've been working SO hard on staying centered that I fear that this might get me back into my hunter perch tendencies.
He's a good pony over fences...easy to trot up to them b/c you know he's going over. Sometimes he can get a little exhuberant afterwards, but I'd attribute that to lack of practice. I set up a tiny little crossrail and just trotted back and forth over it until we cantered away quietly. Maybe tomorrow I'll set up a little 2 fence gymnastic so I can work on my position.
I also forced him to walk through the pond at the end of the ring in anticipation of water complexes. He always puts up a little fight when i ask him to do this...by fight I mean that he tiptoes right on the edge of the puddle until I can get him off balance enough to sorta stumble into it! Once he realizes its not a bottomless pit and gets tons of praise, he'll slosh right through it.
Anyway, it was fun to try something new with Skate. I'm really excited about being out on a XC course; even if I only manage to trot a couple eensy jumps - its more than I've done thus far in my riding career : )
Off topic - I am a little concerned with Skate's recent weight loss. We noticed his ribs were showing a couple weeks ago...about a month after switching him to straight alfalfa pellets, along with his vit/min/jt supplement. Of course, it also coincided with a significant change in how much he was getting worked and his turnout situation, which went from the small winter paddock with constant hay to the huge hilly pasture with moderate amt of grass. His bloodwork looks ok...so it's not likely to be something serious. I'm going to have the vet do a fecal count to make sure he's not wormy...and I've put him on 2 cups of rice bran/day. Hopefully we can get him back into shape.
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That sounds like so much fun! When is it?!?! I might be able to come and take pics!
I'm sure he'll get back into the swing of jumping in no time.
Sorry to hear about his weight loss. I was at the Troutman sale this past weekend and was asked to try a new product that is supposed to keep horse's weight up and keep them slick. They had some impressive pictures and I was given a supply to try out. They want me to be a dealer if I like it. I'll let you know what the verdict is in 30 days!
D'oh, sorry about the weight loss. Kate can definitely sympathize with you on that though. The XC schooling sounds like a lot of fun. Doing something like that where they have no issue if you wuss out seems like a lot of fun. Going out and just jumping some logs seems like a fun time :)
So exciting!!! We need some more pictures of him jumping, and make sure you post pictures of your XC clinic!
Ah weight loss...you and me, both. :P Gayle suggested I take out Pro's BOSS and rice bran, and add Envision or Ultimate Finish to go along with his ration balancer and Mg. It's so difficult to find that right balance!
Kate - I've heard of both of those supps, but they both include vit/mins and I already have Skate on Reitsport, so I'd be messing with his already balanced diet.
My other option was just straight oil, which is higher in fat, but I've heard it can cause some stomach upset.
Alex - its this Saturday at Hillcrest Farm in Mocksville. The group is made up of mostly Yadkin Valley Hounds Pony Clubbers and a couple old farts (including me) from Horsemasters.
Oooo, I so wish I could get into Horsemasters in time for this! That canter in the field the other week did me good! We could encourage each other!
I feel your pain about the weight loss. It is a hard time of year for these TB's. I put Jay on oil...just switched from corn to veggie as I hear it is "better" for horses, and beet pulp. I am not entirely happy about the beet pulp, though, as I have found out this week that my feed help is not as reliable as I would like. I am going to have bloodwork and a fecal count done, too.
Anyone else struggle with the irony that we work so hard to put weight ON our horses and OFF ourselves at the same time?! :P
I wish each horse came with their personalized owners manual: feed this, don't feed that, ride this way, etc!
Kate - if I got worked hard for 45 min 4 days a week, my arse would be needing some extra calories, too! He he he...
SERIOUSLY KATE!!! I Have already had that thought many times! I have reached another milestone for myself, though...30 pounds! YAY! Now I just need it ON Jay!
What time are you starting? If you want I can come up after 12. I have kayaking lessons first! Just email me info.
That is GREAT news Christie!!
Congrats, Christie!!! Awesome progress!! :)
XC schooling sounds like a blast. One of my goals for the summer is to get Tango going calmly over small fences so I can go play on a XC course :) Have a blast, and be sure to post pictures!
ps, CONGRATS Christie!!
Thanks guys! :)
I would love to come watch too...
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