Another Lesson

The rainbow filler.

Last jump is our first stone wall. 

We went to a new barn to try something different.  They have a cute lot for xcntry practice.  It had a slight slope and the footing was a mix of dirt and manure w/ lots of uneven spots.  The arena was hard and had very little give.  I am not an arena snob, but when steel shoes slide on top of the base, I know it's too hard.  If I fall on that, I know I will break something.  At first we thought she was off, but after a round pen flat lesson we couldn't find the issue.  Not sure if I need to change the pads to thicker ones or chiro work.  I really think she hates working on cement footing. She is very willing and forward to the jumps.  She was never forward before the pads, but after we fixed her feet she is so much happier.  We worked on adding a stride and then removing it between jumps.  Then we worked on the rainbow filler.  It was moved around the front of the jump until it was placed in the middle.  Ivy just popped over it.  I need to work on my eq.  It was a good lesson, but I really disagree about jumping horses on cement (hard footing).  I was told that event horses have to jump on all surfaces.  I get that, but there are limits.

Big Lesson Weekend

On Saturday we had our lesson with Heidi. The weather was very warm so I decided to just hop on. We rode outside and there were lots of things to spook at.  Ivy held it together.  Ivy has about 5 different trots and they aren't good.  She can get rushy or lazy.  She can look like she has four square wheels (not good). Heidi told me to pick her up (shorten the reins) and kick her butt, but also keep her from rushing on the front end (half halts).  We got it!  Lots of abs, and get in and out w/ leg aids.  We then worked on travers and shoulder in.  Shoulder in was spot on and I had to do it posting ( very hard for me).  I thought our travers was correct, but Heidi said that the angle had to be greater for the judge to see it.  By this point we are working on sitting trot.  I really didn't think I could sit the trot, but Ivy gave me a spot.  I am not a pretty rider and I know I give Ivy way too much busy information.

We leg yielded down the rail almost perpendicular to it, then straightened the shoulders (and mine) on the rail to exaggerate the travers. I then worked on canter and collecting it.  We had haunches in going left and worked on straightening that out.  I totally forgot to think of shoulders in.  Finally I did a clean change for Heidi.

Sunday was a jump lesson.  Ivy was very tired, but did everything I asked.  We jumped all the jumps and even made it over some barrels.

Lessons and New Saddle

Love the new saddle.  I find it really puts you in a perfect balance position.  Half seat is a breeze.  We have also been working on aspects of the second level test.  Canter walk and counter canter along the wall.  We also have our changes.  I mainly use those in jumping and only practice them during the jumping lessons.  Ivy loves changes too much now.  She is telling me when to change.  I like to ask for my change on a straight line before the corner. I was told to skip second level test 1 because of the 3 loop canter movement.  I don't want to loose the changes by drilling counter canter.  Some horses find changes harder if they are drilled too much on counter canter.  Now I have to teach her counter canter is what I want.

Her pads are still doing the trick and I limit my jumping to one day a week.  I work on pole work and dressage.  Looking forward to the first show and will have 2 clinics w/ Heidi Gaian to see a judges opinion on our progress.

New JRD Jump Saddle!

Just got my new saddle.  It was used, but you can barely notice it.  It's a monoflap by JRD.  Love the blue trim.  First ride tomorrow and I will see if I can stay on.  Long billets so I won't have buckles under my legs.

New Feet!

It's been four weeks since I put pads on Ivy and pulled the shoe closer to the tip of the frog for a faster break over. She is a different horse.  I see a lot of stuff online about no shoes, pads.... Go natural!  When I brought her home as a 3.5yr old, I kept her barefoot.  Biggest mistake of my life.  I suppose if I lived in an area where the ground was soft things might have been different.  Her issues are caused by impact on hard ground.. All those trail rides in the hills didn't help. Well, she is sooo happy now.  She is much more willing and her shoulders are free.  I feel awful knowing we could have fixed her issues sooner.  Our first show is in March and I will attempt first level again.  Not ready for second yet but now I think I will go for my medal.  Why not! Oh, and I will go to a HT too. OK, intro level..

Video of Ivy @ Fresno HT

 

 

Proof that Ivy went to a HT!!!!

 

 

 

 

Another Vet Check

Since I have now decided to breed my mare for my next low level event horse, a vet check was in order.  I have always battled with connection issues and Ivy seems to go better in softer footing.  Bells go off, "Do her feet hurt?" I learned a lot last week about feet.  Apparently not all people get a vet check on their mares before they breed.  The vet told me that you want to rule out any foot issues that could be passed on.  Now I have seen some pretty ugly broodmares and I know they wouldn't pass a vet check, so why breed them?  I love my mare and I want another one just like her.  Sassy, hard headed, big heart, and very smart.  I love chestnut mares!!!!  I think mare people are truly special people.  We know how to negotiate, and never pick fights that will end badly.

Now I had a full vet check a year ago and flextions were all neg. but I never xrayed the front feet.  New vet last week and he could not see anything out of the ordinary.  After the images were taken, we could see she had an issue.  In her lft front she has pedal osteitis.  That's it!  I know some people would freak out, but I live in California and the ground is very hard.  Ivy was raised on it and the breeder never put shoes on her. When I brought her home, I trail rode her for 6 months over the same hard hilly ground.  Vet said, no big deal and that her feet looked super.  Nothing there that could be genetically passed on.  I wonder if part of her connection issues were from her foot.  Pads are in our future.