Dressage Tack

Mom bought us some dressage tack about two months ago to help us in the best form possible for our dressage work. After trying out a couple options, Mom decided to get us a super comfortable Marcel Toulouse Aachen saddle. It's been working out great so I thought I'd post a picture.

My Thanksgiving Day Poem

Wind in My Mane

Moon-tipped treetops covered rolling hills painted over by whinnies echoing from afar. The crisp evening air twirled the dark flocks running above my dapple-grey neck.

My deep, round eyes whispered, “I’m a gentle spirit, yearning to please” as a childish bewilderment blanketed my regal physique; I am a colt in horse’s clothing.

Like a puppy, I had rested my head in her lap after those caring hands groomed my growing belly, all the while I licked my droopy lips in response to her soft-toned praises.

Then, when tepid silence befell the twilight-swept pasture, encouraging slumber in its arms, I called to the herd in shrill-pitched searches for my four-legged sentries.

Finding them, I sighed and turned her way to say, “I’m thankful you brought me here to shed past pains and sleep every night with the wind in my mane.”

Proud of Myself! (Training Update)

After One of Our October Lessons

OK, I don't like to brag, but Mom and I had such a great ride today and it really made me want to share our progress with everyone...

For the last month or so, Ms. Jean has been trying to help me get "on the bit" or "between the aids." Basically, this means getting me collected so that I lower my head and neck and raise my back so that I can better engage my hind end for impulsion. Not only do I look better because I am more rounded, it also feels so much better to stretch down and use my back muscles.  This will help me properly carry my rider.

Ms. Jean really has been seeing and feeling my progress, but she wants to make sure that Mom can help me with it and feel it herself. Mom has been trying really hard to learn this and getting better each time we ride. Today we had a lot of great moments. Mom was feeling it. I was getting it. She was praising me and I was just so proud of myself that I couldn't help but stick my tongue out and start licking and chewing! Ms. Jean told Mom to mark this day on the calendar so I just knew I should blog tonight!

A quick shout-out to Lancet, our new friend at the barn. Thanks for this photo! 

Journey to a Healthier Me

Sorry for not posting in a while! I spent part of the last month recovering from a bought of lameness, but at least it gave me the idea for this blog post. :-) I am very thankful that Mom and Ms. Jean have helped me with several issues so that I can be the healthiest horse possible. I want to keep a list of what they've done. So, here are the things they've discovered so far and what they are doing to help:

• High-level of strongyles parasites || Deworming treatments
• Underweight, Weak Immune System || Specialized diet with alfalfa and rice bran supplements
• Significant weakness, lack of muscle || Consistent and progressive workout plan under saddle
• Sharp teeth || Teeth floated by Dr. J (see one of my previous posts!)
• Melanomas || Twice daily doses of Cimetidine
• Ulcers? (assessing) || For now, Pro-CMC before rides
• Mild arthritis? (assessing) || Weekly Pentosan injections and a daily dose of Prevecox for a month

They've also worked with my farrier, Chris, to make sure I am properly balanced with the best type of front shoes and hind trims for my flat hooves. Plus, Mom makes sure I get all the preventative vaccines I could have so that I don't have to worry about coming down with something. I'm a very happy horse!

A Healthier, Happier Me!

Comparison Photos - 2 Months!

I don't have much to say because the photos say it all. Dang, I'm lookin' goooooooood!

4 July 2012

9 September 2012

My Family Tree!

Mom was doing some research online and look what she found! My full pedigree chart goes back to my great, great, great grandparents, but only part of the chart would fit nicely on my blog so I had to take out a generation. Click here for my full chart.

At first glance, it looks like I am British-French-American. That is a lot of red, white, and blue running through my blood... Mom says she understands now why I've got such handsome coat colors. I've got gray, roan, brown, dark brown, and black-coated family members. Mom says she is going to try digging a little deeper for information and she might be able to come up with some pictures.

EASTOVER COURT (USA) gr/r. 1991	SEATTLE SLEW (USA) br. 1974 [BC]	BOLD REASONING (USA) dkb/br. 1968	BOLDNESIAN (USA) b. 1963
			REASON TO EARN (USA) b. 1963
		MY CHARMER (USA)* b. 1969	POKER (USA) b. 1963
			FAIR CHARMER (USA) ch. 1959
	HEAVENLY CAUSE (USA) gr. 1978	GREY DAWN (FR) gr. 1962 [BI]	HERBAGER (FR) b. 1956 [CS]
			POLAMIA (USA) gr. 1955
		LADY DULCINEA (USA) gr. 1963	NANTALLAH (USA) b. 1953
			SHY DANCER (USA) gr. 1955
MO CHUN (USA) gr. 1989	FEEL THE POWER (USA) dkb/br. 1982	RAISE A NATIVE (USA) ch. 1961 [B]	NATIVE DANCER (USA) gr. 1950 [IC]
			RAISE YOU (USA)* ch. 1946
		DAVONA DALE (USA) b. 1976	BEST TURN (USA) dkb/br. 1966 [C]
			ROYAL ENTRANCE (USA) b. 1965
	MOST BEAUTIFUL (USA) gr. 1967	DONUT KING (USA) br. 1959	DETERMINE (USA) gr. 1951
			STRAYED (USA) b. 1945
		MLLE. SOMEBODY (USA) gr. 1956	OIL CAPITOL (USA) gr. 1947
			EYES OF BLUE (USA) gr. 1943

(A) Bit Confused

Miss Jean and Mom have been trying to figure out what bit to use with me after switching to the English gear. I like to grab the bit sometimes (what can I say...we all have stubborn moments) and I am much softer for my riders when I have a curb chain so the double-jointed elevator bit isn't doing the trick. They tried a double-jointed Kimberwicke with a roller but didn't really like it and it was a smidgen too big for me anyway. A Waterford, which has many joints on the mouthpiece and would make it very hard for me to grab, would be perfect except there is normally no place to put a curb chain and no additional shanks on the side to give extra leverage like in the elevator bit. Miss Jean mentioned it would be awesome if there was such a thing as a Waterford Kimberwicke...but there isn't. Mom went online and did a lot or research though. She found a British company that makes some innovative bits and they have a "Waterford Universal" bit that might just be what we need. It has the Waterford mouth piece, an extra ring on the bottom for more leverage (like a half elevator bit), AND a place to put a curb chain. It wasn't inexpensive, but it sounded perfect so Mom went ahead and ordered it. I'll let ya know how it goes. Click on this link if you want some more information about the bit => Neue Schule Waterford Universal Bit.