Bakersfield Dressage
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

A Busy Barn

2/13/2015

 
Thankfully, not mine. Dr. Tolley came out for the neighbor's horses. It's always great to see Dr. Tolley when it's not one of my horses that needs to be seen. He's a pretty funny guy, and he's always willing to answer questions. 

For this visit, the neighbor's mare had a tooth problem. Apparently she gets VIOLENT if you try to load her in a trailer or do any kind of medical procedure. She's an older gal though, so her owner and Dr. Tolley leave her at peace unless there's something really bothering her.

When her hay consumption changed dramatically, her owner knew something was wrong and put in a call to the vet. Since the mare is so difficult to treat, Dr. Tolley knew he'd have to put her out completely, which is what he did.  
Picture
She's fine, just knocked out!
I hadn't ever seen a dental done like that, and Dr. Tolley explained that he would rather not do it this way, but sometimes it's necessary. During his exam, Dr. Tolley found a cracked molar that was loose which he had to pull. Had she just been sedated, the mare wouldn't have let him extract the tooth, so it was a good call to knock her out. It proved to be safer for her and Dr. Tolley. 
Picture
The tarp was used to reduce the glare so that Dr. Tolley could use his head lamp to see inside the mare's mouth.
Even though Dr. Tolley wasn't there to see one of my horses, he did a make a delivery and pick up. I had phoned early in the morning for a bag of supplies which he happily delivered. I needed more of BVH's White Lotion, some telfa pads, and some Dormosedan (a sedative) to help Izzy through his next shoe job.

Not only was Dr. Tolley kind enough to bring the stuff to me, but he willingly took a poop pile in exchange. I put Izzy's "donation" in his truck's refrigerator to be examined back at the hospital's lab. When we checked Izzy two weeks ago, he had a positive egg count. It was pretty low, fifty eggs per gram, but Dr. Tolley wanted him dewormed and then a follow up exam two weeks later. Happily, the tech called me back later that afternoon with the news that Izzy's latest sample came back negative, so yah! for effective dewormers.

Dr. Tolley also did a sheath cleaning and a fetlock injection during his morning at the neighbor's place. Since I knew it was Austin's sheath that was getting a lube job, I got out to the barn early to ride him first. I've been so busy during the week that it's been two weeks since I last rode him.

I had a really nice ride on him the day before and wanted to follow it up on Monday since I had the day off. We've had some really warm days this past week, like 85℉, so Austin was nicely forward. Cold, damp days are harder on the older guys. He was a real sweetie for both rides.
Picture
He doesn't look nearly so tall when he's untacked!
One of the things that our trainer wants me to do is help him build some cardio fitness, so we canter around my whole area twice in each direction. I ride in his owner's tack which is definitely not a dressage saddle. Cantering in two point puts a burn in my thighs that I can't get schooling my own horses in my saddle.

The other thing that I was able to work on is dropping my heels. In two point, it's much easier to lower my heels than when I am doing a rising trot with a longer stirrup length. Once I really got my legs under me, I found it was easy to drop my heels and just go with his rhythm. When I really wanted him to stretch out, I planted my hands in his crest which helped take some of the burn out of my thighs. 

When I told JL about riding in a h/j saddle and how weird it feels, she just laughed and said that it's good to work different riding muscles. I agree. I rode Austin again last night, and I am looking forward to getting on him again this weekend. 

Saddle time is saddle time; it's all good!
Dom
2/13/2015 12:54:49 am

These are some epic photos! What a cool procedure to see... if it's not on one of your own!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/14/2015 01:50:28 am

It's definitely not fun to watch one of your own fall to the ground, but thankfully, she went out gently and came to just as quietly. :0)

emma link
2/13/2015 01:06:20 am

Austin sounds like a fun horse - and it's nice switching things up every now and then

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/14/2015 01:51:23 am

He's definitely fun to get to play around with. :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
    Third Level: 63.514%
    Third Level: 62.105%
    Fourth Level:
    Fourth Level:

    2023 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    2023 Show Schedule
    TBD

    ​2023 Completed …
    Pending

    2023 Qualifying Scores 

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    Qualifying Training Level
    3 Scores/2 Judges/60%:
    Score 1:
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    Archives
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home