A Bit of This and That ...

3/14/2012

I just realized I forgot to mention that the Louise Caccese clinic for this past Saturday was cancelled. There weren't details as to the cancellation, but I suspect it had to do with an insufficient number of riders. The whole thing was kind of a bummer because the timing of the clinic worked as a great schooling opportunity for the LAEC show coming up in two weeks. And since I'm taking a couple of weeks off with my trainer, Speedy G and I may not fare as well as I had hoped we would.

But then again, we might! I have been having some really good rides on him. My next lesson is on March 21st and I'll have a another one the 28th, just a few days before the show. I haven't decided whether to focus on Speedy G at the lesson, or resume with Sydney.

And on that note, I have also been having some very good rides on him. Yesterday's ride was one of the best we've had in terms of relaxation. We're still not cantering, but it's okay since he is getting more relaxed and he's really listening to me. There hasn't been any bolting or rearing since my last lesson.

I also forgot to mention that I purchased my very first ear bonnet. If you would have told me two years ago that I would be using one of those things, I would have burst out laughing. Seriously. Here's my explanation: last summer, the gnats drove Sydney bonkers while we rode. He could barely concentrate and no amount of fly spray would dissuade the gnats from their attack. At the time, I had no idea what else to do. Over the winter, I did a bit of searching and realized those bonnets are pretty cheap and easy to use. The gnats have already started to appear so Sydney got to use his fly bonnet. I think he's kind of cute!

Judy

3/14/2012 12:09:02 am

Oh how cute! Altough he looks slightly Mule'ish.....ha!

Karen

3/14/2012 11:32:43 am

The ears were definitely longer than his own ears. I thought the same thing!

sandy

3/14/2012 06:02:35 am

This might be a dumb question but im such a newbie at dressage that I'm going to ask anyway :). What is white pad called that is directly under his saddle? Is it a therapeutic pad? And how do u decide you need an extra pad?
Love the bonnet! Cute!

Sandy

3/14/2012 11:44:24 am

Oh, Sandy, you do not know the half of my own idiocy! I had never ridden English before I started my dressage lessons so I spent a HUGE amount of time learning the "vocabulary" of English tack. I didn't know what ANYTHING was called! It was like taking a course at school: I literally studied every book, website, magazine article, or TV show I could find. So your question is NOT dumb. I am happy to answer any tack questions as I spent a LOT of time learning the names of everything!

The white pad underneath is called a half pad. It is also referred to as a numnah. I recently spoke to a distributor of half pads who was horrified that so many riders use them on top of their saddle pads. They can be used without the larger pad underneath, but since they are harder to wash than the traditional square pads, most people place them on top of the square pad.

Square pads come in two basic styles: all purpose and dressage. The all purpose pads are generally rounded in the front for jumping and all purpose saddles. They also have a slightly shorter drop than the dressage pads. They are generally fairly thin, nothing like a western pad, so the half pad provides bit more cushion.

Dressage pads are built more square with a longer drop. SInce Speedy is so small, I ride him with an all purpose pad, but Sydney gets a traditional dressage pad (the black pad you see). The all purpose and dressage pads aren't padded which you can tell by the photo.

My show pad looks like a traditional square dressage pad, but it is really a half pad combined with a square pad. That pad sits directly on his back without any additional padding. you can see it on Speedy G over on the side.

Hope that answered your question. :0)

Karen

Dressage saddle cloths link

3/1/2013 06:34:41 pm

I just came onto your post and found it quite interesting. I am also associated with Head collars ,Lead ropes,Haynets,BOOTS AND BANDAGES,Sheepskin girth sleeves ,Gp saddlecloths,Fly masks,Dressage saddle cloths,HORSE WEAR and love to enjoy the stuff on the same as its rarely found on internet. Thanks again for writing such a good post.

Tony Stewart link

4/15/2013 08:19:26 pm

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