New Years Resolutions? No. Only Applying the "Black and White" Rule

Nope, no big resolutions that won't get carried through anyway. But thoughts about the next year, and setting goals for the work with the boys.

I was rather surprised when at a Christmas Eve party with mostly horse people several women could tell how many days till the first show of the season. Really? The thought of counting days hadn't crossed my mind, I'm more concerned on how to get through the Michigan winter without freezing solid onto a horse. Actually, for me, the danger is more falling off the horse. When the temps drop too far, my blood pressure seems to drop accordingly and I had to have several 'emergency dismounts'. So... show season..

Sandy and I talked about looking at the dates, I have to do it soon so I can hopefully avoid too many clashes with my travel schedule for work. Especially the shows farther away, i.e. Ohio and Kentucky, are more problematic due to the time involved. OK, goals -- for me: "Black and White", no grey zone while riding. Sandy has been on my case quite a bit lately (rightfully so) because I am not quick and assertive enough, and I tend to wait too long before making corrections. As an example, when Saumur is running through my half halts, and I think I'll fix it 'eventually'. Obviously, I am not doing us any favors and it certainly won't give us good scores. I think technically Saumur and I will be ready for 4th level, it's the mind that needs to get with the program.

That of course also applies to my work with Remy, if I am consistent with "Black and White", our work together will be much clearer. With him the focus will be on the basics, good consistent connection, straightness. I am also planning to take him to places to he gets exposed to several things. Hopefully there will be another Young Horse Clinic in the Spring at Lost World Farm, I'd love to take him there because it also includes free jumping.

And then there are JP and Chambord... these two I gladly turn over to Sandy for goal setting. Hmm, come to think of ... the "Black and White" rule could certainly improve life with either of them. A quick half-halt when he is running through my aids might do wonders (and I am not only talking about Chambord) :)

Having fun with a year-end shopping trip

What's the favorite place for horsewomen to shop? Not the mall, at least not for me. We decided to have a 'girls day' today. Sandy and Linda came to Milford, where after breakfast we dropped by an important place: the horse blanket laundry. From there we went to the local tack store. Conveniently, they had the year end sale, and the place was packed.

It's amazing how much time (and yes, OK, money) one can spend at a tack store. While nowadays a lot of horse stuff gets bought through the catalogs, the social aspect of going to the store is huge. There are a lot of people I hardly ever see outside the shows - except at the tack store. Today I got to catch up with several people from the past, for example Claudia, a woman I used to blaze trails with (and blaze we did!), a long time ago. And it turned out one of my former H/J instructors is now working at the store.

And it's just fun to browse, checking out things you never thought you needed (a brush cleaning foam, really? What's wrong with shampoo?). We were pondering coolers, saddle pads with matching wraps, gloves, leather cleaners, and a myriad of other things. Then my gaze fell on a stunning Pikeur vest, fitting perfectly. So JP bought me another Christmas gift (which he didn't know until I came home tonight).

Remy got a cooler, which was actually the reason I went to the store in the first place. Good thing I can blame the shopping expedition on the boys - after all, they can't go shopping for themselves!

Happy New Year everybody!!

The Benefits of a Grumpy Old Man - Following the school master

Remy (aka the Energizer bunny) is making steady progress and is coming along nicely. Yesterday Sandy suggested we take the opportunity of Linda riding her 'old man' Desio and use them as a lead. Sandy's arena is huge, 20 x 60m, and it's a long way around for a youngster. Desio is an upper level dressage horse, who at 27 (!) still is fit and works. That shows what great care and regular work will do.

I was really happy with how well it worked having Remy follow Desio. Remy stayed with me, didn't try to overtake, listened to half halts, but clearly had fun working with another horse in the arena. At the end we rode next to each other so Linda and I could chat at bit. There was no bickering between the horses, which was great, as Desio usually tries to assert his status and Remy is not exactly the meek kind, either. That ride just made my day! I told Desio I forgave him for charging me when I come to get Saumur out of the pasture - at least for yesterday, if I am getting run over today it's a different story!

A blog about a blog

This is blog number 102, and so far the blog was accessed over 1400 times.

I have so much fun writing it, and I find it extremely satisfying to chronicle the daily life with our horses. It truly gives me joy. I wish I could write for a living! The articles I wrote about my journey with Saumur got published in the USDF connection, the USDF yearbook, and newsletters of the Midwest Dressage Organization and Morgan Dressage Organization. Pretty cool, but unfortunately not exactly a living. The "starving artist" road is clearly not an option considering all the mouths to feed, backs to dress, shoes to buy... All three had 'pedicures' yesterday, Saumur needs another turnout, Remy could use a different sweat sheet, Chambord is on bute due to a sore foot... the list goes on, and not to mention board, lessons, and all the groceries. I better stick to my day job!

This week I feel so fortunate being off work and therefore able to really take my time with the boys at the barn. It sure is a difference driving there without haste, working with them during daylight hours, as opposed to rushing after work in the cold and dark. A lot of years till retirement... but only four months till Spring!

The Power of the Voice - and learning from mistakes

After a whirlwind trip to Europe I made it back in time for Christmas. It was wonderful spending my birthday with family and friends in Germany, and it was sad to leave. Nevertheless I am very happy to be back with JP (I am sure he's glad to read this!) and all our critters.

It's great to come back and find the horses have improved in the meantime - thanks, Sandy and JP! Saumur had a visit from the 'French Stylist' (aka JP) and now sports a beautiful trace clip. Saumur obviously loved getting 'styled by JP' and didn't budge during the whole clipping procedure. Obviously, those two work well together and don't need me to meddle with unsolicted advise ("a bit higher maybe").

I had one of the best rides on Saumur, he was on the aids, with a light, even connection, and a great collected canter. However, it seemed that Remy used my absence to test the waters -- meaning he was pushy with Sandy and the girls that did the daily turnout. I was pretty astonished, as he's fine when I lead him, but typical adolescent that he is he needs to push the envelope to see what he can get away with. At Sandy's place - not much. Manners are written in capital letters and Remy is quickly getting with the program.

It's been years since I worked with a youngster and it's a good reminder that especially for the 'Greenies' things have to be either black or white. For example, longing. I tend to keep the modulation even and speak in rather soft tones. That doesn't help Remy, the 'walk', 'trot', 'canter', 'whoa',  and 'good boy' need to distinction, in order for him to get the difference. Sticking with one language makes it more difficult for me. But the result is immediate when I clearly make the difference between the commands for the gaits.

Sandy also reminded me that I should learn from my mistakes (mistakes, huh?). Yeah, OK, this tendency to drop the reins as soon as the horse does something well is not good training. I pretty much have it under control with Saumur (thanks to plenty of reminders from Sandy) but wouldn't you know it, I started it right up with Remy. Or, another example, the "Good Boy", associated with stop and sugar. At one point Saumur would put in a dead stop to whatever he was doing when I said "Good Boy", he then craned his neck and waited for the sugar to come. With Saumur's previous fragile state of mind it made sense. Better stop for sugar than bolting halfway across the county! Luckily for both of us, this is ancient history.

Hopefully, with Remy, we won't need the sugar to stop the runaway train... I'll work on my voice so the 'Whoa' will do the trick.

Leaving the 'kids' - and the importance of a great support system

Well, off I go again. This time to the French Alps for meetings with the new owners of the company. Then on Saturday I'll take the train from Geneva to Stuttgart, to spend my birthday with my family and friends in Germany. The first time in 21 (!) years. Too bad that JP has to stay behind.

We went to see the boys last night. Sandy had already worked Saumur, who is doing REALLY well with the transition to working indoors (no shying!) and his changes. I longed Remy with side reins while JP was riding Chambord. Remy is still trying to find out the connection to the bit, and I don't believe in 'cranking' him together. I want to encourage him to seek the contact, not force him. Both Remy and Chambord worked really well.

Every time I leave town I get nervous, no matter how often I do it (doesn't matter that I am one seasoned traveler). But I am so fortunate to have a great support system: I can trust Sandy with the boys 100%. I never have to worry that they will be mistreated, not fed or watered, not getting turned out, or having dirty stalls with not enough bedding. Years ago we boarded for a couple of months in the winter at a private barn until I found out that the barn worker didn't like Saumur and 'forgot' to feed him hay on numerous occasions; or yet another place where we found out that Crissy was beaten into the corner of her stall so the owner could clean while she was in there.

It sure helps that the boys, especially Saumur, have 'god-parents' in the form of Linda and Don. JP, of course, will be riding while I am gone, so the boys won't lack attention and a steady supply of love and treats is guaranteed :).

So here I go, leaving plenty of instructions (as if they were needed) and carrots behind,  feeling secure that all four boys (JP included) will be well taken care of.

Hairy issues and decisions

It is winter in Michigan, all right. Judging from Saumur's hair growth it will be a hard one. He looks like the woolly mammoth - seems that growing up in Northern Michigan will set you for life. Every year I ponder the same things: When is the right time for a hair cut? How much to take off? And then all the hassles with the blankets, he shouldn't be too hot, nor too cold... Nature did a good job with 'built in climate control'. When we as humans mess with it it's usually not that easy. The problem with working horses is that the heavy coat makes it difficult to cool them out after work, and as somebody so aptly put it: would you want to do a Zumba class in your winter coat?

So, as soon as I get back from Europe that French Stylist (aka JP) will be called into action. JP has been doing a great job trace clipping Saumur, and actually Saumur loves it. With all the issues Saumur has, you'd think clipping would be a big deal, but from the beginning Saumur enjoyed it. It must be JP's magic touch!

Chambord, OTOH, has the finest hair I've ever seen on a horse. He must think we'll move to Florida. Perhaps he can read my wishes?? As a 'true blonde' (Palomino) his hair is very fine. He will get to sport his snazzy winter coat very soon. With Remy we'll have to see, I don't plan to work him too hard this winter, so he can keep his pretty hair. Nevertheless, he also got a nice winter coat for those really pesky days.

I've been moving coats and blankets around today - and realized I could have bought myself a great designer coat (or two) for what the boys will wear to tear up during play time.

A sad time at Southview Farm - and the boys are off to college

It's been a sad time at Southview Farm, Sandy's dad, Lloyd Brown, passed away on Friday. He was a very quiet and gentle man and we will all miss him. Even while already very sick he always tried  hard to come to the barn, and the shows and clinics to see Sandy ride. We all have heavy hearts and feel for Sandy, Francis, and Esther.

I was hesitant to move the boys at such a time, but Sandy and Francis encouraged it. So, on Saturday Chambord and Remy joined Saumur for the winter months at Southview Farm. Packing the trailer was quite the chore, one tends to forget how much stuff there is involved besides saddles and bridles. It felt like packing for kids going off to college - which is not too far off, after all, they go to Southview to learn! And party... judging from the state we found them in yesterday. All three were absolutely caked in mud. No wonder with all the rain we are having. But they are horses, and deserve to have fun. At least there is no alcohol involved!

It seems Remy fit right in, he and Chambord are turned out together with another playful guy. Saumur is in a different group, he's close friends with Hopper and Sandy is very mindful of the social structures.

Last night Stacy, the saddle fitter, came to adjust Remy's and Chambord's saddles. We are good to  go!