When an article hits home - "No impulsion - no horse"

 Today was one of those few times when I felt like "I can do this". Sounds strange, I know, but as riders (especially dressage riders) we always search for that perfect harmony and "one-ness". Today things just clicked, and Remy felt amazing. I was not only "riding the wave", to quote Vanessa, Remy and I were together. So when things go south (which they invariably will) I can draw on those moments and know: Yes, we can do do this! 

I follow Col. Christian Carde (former chief rider at the Cadre Noir in Saumur, and former national dressage coach in France) on FB. Today I read a post that really hit home as Remy and I recently have come close to Col. Carde's definition of impulsion:

"No Impulsion, No Horse Impulsion starts with the inner attitude of the horse to listen to the rider. In this early phase of retraining the feeling of the rider is of exceptional importance: He has to listen to his horse and only focus on the quality of the reaction and the forward going.

In equitation the development and cultivation of impulsion is the most important thing which a rider has to achieve. „No impulsion, no horse“, recognized one of my most famous predecessors at the Cadre Noir, General Alexis L’Hotte, in his legendary opus „Questions Equestres“ which had first been published in 1906 and is part of the French doctrine .

I want to define this term which many riders correlate only with the physical procedure of the forwards-upwards stepping hindquarters more precisely. In the equestrian tradition of my country impulsion begins with the inner attitude of the horse to listen to his rider and to react promptly and willingly to his rider's requests. This intrinsic motivation to provide his forces to the rider then leads to this energy which the hind-legs generate. For that reason I prefer speaking of „activity“ instead of „impulsion“ because this term includes the mental as well as the physical procedure within the horse." 

The entire article was first published in KAVALLO magazine, Switzerland, issue 10/2017, page 48-52.

                                            

Careful what you wish for - the "unloved relative" to winter lurking around the corner

 Well, we got what we wished for: Warmer temps. Today we were in the 40sF, which seemed like a heat wave. The snow and ice are melting, and the "unloved' relative" to winter is just lurking around the corner: Mud and Shedding Season. Ugh. I've curried about 1/2 a muck bucket full of hair off Saumur yesterday, and that's just the beginning. And don't me get started about the mud... but hey, in the big scheme of things, it's an improvement. We don't have to lug hot water to the barn several times a day anymore, or break ice, shovel snow, etc. etc. And I can work without turning into an icicle. 

A scene from our daily life

Speaking of work, I truly enjoy my volunteer time at TRI (Therapeutic Riding Inc) in Ann Arbor. It is also a center for Para-Dressage. The horses and people are amazing, and I always leave after the sessions feeling very happy. Win-Win all around.

Spin Doctor is a former Arabian race horse, trained to 4th level dressage, and now preparing for a new career in para-dressage. 
The yawning is a sign that he is relaxed and releases tension. (I am working on some tight spots in his scapula area.)

I also did my first KT (Kinesiology Taping) on JP's knee. He swears it feels better - so let's just hope he doesn't scream when it comes time to pull the tape off. (It won't hurt, of course, but you'll never know..😉).

A study in contrasts - and using the 'off time' well

 And the deep freeze continues... at least until this afternoon, where the forecast predicts temps in the 20s F. Yay! Of course, a far cry from the 18C in Germany. 

Outside
versus
Inside

It was too cold for equine bodywork in the last couple of weeks, but a good occasion for studying. I started a certification course in Equine Kinesiology Taping, which I find very interesting. An added bonus is that a section on Equestrian Taping is included.

Yesterday I was able to see three clients, which made me realize how much I missed it, even though the 'off time' wasn't too long. Liz very thoughtfully surprised me with  the most delicious pastry from a French bakery (Chez Pierre et Genevieve), and that about made my day. I always carry tea with me and the combination hit the spot. Recently I discovered Fraser Tea, a family owned company in Michigan. I'm definitely addicted to the Pur-erh Organic Chocolate Chai.  

I have also signed up to "Yoga for Riders", and now one of the bedrooms sports a yoga mat and all the accoutrements (blocks, blanket, etc.) needed for the practice. Four sessions a week plus meditation and horse home work. A bit ambitious for me, but the yoga sessions are only 30 minutes - perfect for my short attention span - stilling my mind is not one of my strong suits😊. 

The boys are on an on-again / off-again work schedule. JP and Chambord had a great lesson with Lisa on Friday (I missed out because my phone died and of course the only appointment available at the store was that time). Remy and I will have a lesson with Vanessa this afternoon, and I am very much looking forward to it. Let's hope the forecast is right and we won't resemble the icicles in the photo above. 

Nightly Betthupferls - and "Action beats Anxiety"

Some things just don't translate well - so what is a Betthupferl? It is a night time treat, literally something to "jump into bed" for. Often children were offered a special snack at bedtime as an incentive to go to bed. 

The boys don't have an issue with jumping into bed but Saumur, Remy, Chambord, and Teddy still whinny for their Betthupferls.  So, like clockwork, every night at 9 p.m. JP and I trudge to the barn through the snow, carrying warm, soaked alfalfa pellets, carrots, and also hot water. We pick out stalls, top water buckets with hot water, replenish hay bags, and dole out the Betthupferls. Not a bad gig, being a horse at our barn!

Betthupferls for the four boys

Due to the cold the boys had quite a bit of time off, I did longe Remy in the snow a couple of times, but nothing remotely strenuous. On Friday we tagged along to JPs and Chambord's lesson, and clearly, it was not Remy's idea of a good time. He felt tight as a tick, and sure enough, he threw in some -minor- bucks. We both like to be on the move, and waiting for our turn is not always beneficial for our respective -overactive- brains. 

I happened to come across some posts from Karl Greenwood (a British trainer), and he nailed it with this phrase: "Action beats Anxiety". I love it, it's so true. If you are focused and have a job to do there is no time to wonder "ob in China ein Sack Reis umfaellt" ("if a bag of rice falls over in China" - German metaphor for something unimportant happening).

Case in point: Today with Vanessa Remy was concentrated, listening to his rider, not bothered by the shenanigans of another horse in the arena. Not a whiff of anxiety in the air. And now it is clear to me why I have to move so much - it alleviates my anxieties, too. My mind usually goes 100 miles an hour (at least), so the body has to follow which is not always easy. It's slippery ground out there...

Bittersweet memories - and discovering a new way of movement classes

 Yesterday was Emil's birthday, quite a bittersweet day. It's been two years, and I still miss him a lot. It is also a special day because I introduced JP to my family at Emil's 60th birthday. Lots of people that were celebrating that day are no longer with us, but will be in my memories forever. JP was a very good sport that day, a French guy, not speaking German, not a hunter -- Emil and his friends (most of them knew me since I was a little girl) were really 'sniffing' him out. 

After moving to the States we tried to make it to the special birthdays, and it was always a great time as Emil and his friends sure knew how to party (they made us feel old!). The fun part was that JP and I stayed at the Hunting Lodge, a bit rustic - but oh so cozy.

JP and I in front of Emil's Hunting Lodge

 

Today it was way too cold to do anything with the horses, our thermometer never climbed above 8F. They still were turned out (as there is shelter) and we made sure the boys didn't run out of hay and warm water. 

Good morning, sunshine: It's -22C

Exercising horses in very cold weather (about 23F to 14F)  is damaging to the lungs. When a horse is forced to exert himself, he inhales quickly and deeply, and the body doesn't have time to warm the cold air. The thin layer of fluid that lines the airways evaporates faster than it can be replaced, effectively drying them out, causing inflammation and constriction. 

Speaking of exercise: I discovered a fun system today I had not heard of before: GYROKINESIS® for Riders. It was presented by noted physiotherapist and author ("Balance in Movement") Susanne von Dietze-Pollack. I had met Susanne at a clinic in Wellington two years ago, attended her lecture, and found her amazing. 

The zoom classes on GYROKINESIS® for Riders are focusing on spinal motions and breathing (today was the first in a series of 4), and did not disappoint. Good news, Remy: There might be hope for your tight rider after all!

The old boy is giving us a scare - and "forced hibernation"

 Sunday evening we noticed that Saumur wasn't eating or drinking, and seemed overall listless. When he refused a horse cookie I knew we were in trouble. I gave him Banamine paste, but that didn't improve anything in the 30 min. or so it usually takes to kick in. His temp was normal, but he obviously wasn't. So, a call to the emergency number at the vet was in order. Luckily Dr. DeWitt called right back and came quickly. She thought it was gas colic, and the exam revealed dry manure in his 'pipes', so out came the long tube, up his nose it went and then oil/liquid got pumped into his stomach. It took a bit but then Saumur was interested in nibbling on hay again. 

We suspect that the large doses of SMZ (antibiotics) he receives after the dental surgery upset his system. Tonight is his last dose, whew! I tried to counteract the effects with pre- and probiotics, but obviously it wasn't enough. Saumur is still not into anything but 2nd cutting hay and soaked alfalfa pellets, but at least he is eating this. And he does love "German Horse Muffins" (thanks, Andra!), they are soft, easy to chew, and smell yummy. 

It's interesting to see that the other two, Chambord and Remy, started to pick on Saumur, chasing him away from the hay bags (there are five for four horses). It's like nature kicks in, and the weak is getting kicked out of the herd. Luckily we have a good set up: Saumur has a turnout area connected to his stall, so he can go in and out. He can see the others, but eats in peace. After lunch he joins them for a few hours. 

We are at the beginning of a cold spell that will last until the end of next week (gasp!). We will be lucky to see the teens (F). JP was one frozen tractor driving snow removing barn manager today. Needless to say, I canceled all my bodywork appointments, as well as our rides. Even though Berwyck has an heated indoor, trailering on those treacherous roads is too dangerous (and never mind getting the horses ready, hooking the trailer, etc. etc.) Looks like we will be forced into some kind of hibernation for the week. 

The good part is that it gives time to review plenty of educational programs. I attended a webinar on Muscles and Fascia (Gillian Higgins) that was excellent. Loved her exercise to show a human how hard collection is for a horse and that the strength for it has to be carefully build up:

Go into a squatting position and then jog (staying in the squat). Uff! I have a new appreciation for Remy's dressage work. 

Both Remy and I have been working very hard on our respective areas of improvements, especially knowing that we will have periods of 'hibernation' this winter. We both are happy in the challenging work and are making progress: