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

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

A Moment to Reflect

4/14/2016

 
That sounded so much better than "a whiny moment." I try really hard not to whine as I really am an optimist. I look for the good in a situation first, and I usually find the silver lining. I don't let myself feel victimized, and I don't blame anyone else when life goes awry.

Even so, there are days when things just don't go my way. Yesterday's ride was one of those times. It was so bad that I came home and hugged the crap out of Tobias, our 90 pound black lab. That dog is the most tolerant, long suffering animal on the planet. I sat on the floor, wrapped both arms around his considerable girth, and buried my face in his shoulder. I breathed deeply and felt much of the disappointment and frustration of the day seep slowly from my body .
Picture
His nemesis is on the left.
I don't know what went wrong during the ride. Well that's not exactly true as everything went wrong; Izzy was a ball of unrelenting tension who also thought his ass was on fire. I'm pretty sure he was also hearing voices and seeing dead people. I just don't know why it went so terribly wrong.

It started the moment my butt touched the saddle. I did nothing but walk for the first 15 minutes in an effort to soothe him and get him thinking about me being up there. I should have quit right there, but I proceeded to work for another 30 minutes at the trot thinking going forward might dissipate some of that tension. I half halted every stride but he simply would not or could not soften his body.

When those 45 minutes yielded nothing. I took him on a hack around the neighborhood; 30 minutes later, he was still throwing a temper tantrum. By that point, I knew we had to at least try to end the day with at least one right answer, so I put him to work certain that he would finally take a deep breath and give it up. Nope. 

As a last ditch effort, I tried to school a few halts. As soon as I patted his neck and said good b... - he tried to bolt, and not for the first time if the day. Holy cow. When a horse can't even stop (I gave up on a halt) after an hour and a half, it's time to hang it up.

I pulled his saddle in the arena like I usually do and watched as he cantered and trotted along the fence line. When I went to get him a few minutes later, I did some easy ground work - walking at my shoulder and then backing a few steps. I desperately needed him to feel successful about something from the day. 
Picture
A selfie from before the ride. My hopes were high.
I don't mind a setback, especially if I know what has caused it. In this case, I am baffled. We've had more than a week of fabulous rides. I had a haircut planned for this afternoon, but I've already cancelled it. I really want to get back on him this afternoon and see if we can do a quick see I told you you can do it ride. If he'll give me anything that resembles normal work, I'll call it a day.

And if not, there might be a for sale sign taped to his butt. Horses ... sheesh!
Carol
4/14/2016 06:32:21 am

I'm so rooting for success for you. I'm just tossing ideas out.
Maybe change his feed? I know grass hay is hard to get in CA.
Maybe less work ? Sounds counter productive , but more ground work days with hand grazing to reduce stress.
Feed a little hay before saddling to reduce acid in his stomach ?
Maybe he has ulcers?
Whatever you decide, it will be the right decision for you . best wishes

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/14/2016 06:48:03 am

All good suggestions, Carol, but I am using most of them already.

1. He gets alfalfa/oat cubes with a non-alfalfa hay free choice. There is food in front of him all day.
2.My usual plan is ride one day followed with turnout and then just turn out the next day. He does better with daily activity. If he goes two days without a ride or turnout, he gets fussy. In this case, he got turned out on Monday after three days of good work and nothing on Tuesday (I had a FULL day with an after work meeting).
3. He gets hand grazed almost daily.
4. I would be shocked if he had an ulcer. My vet doesn't think so either, but we havens't checked.

For the most part, he does great. We just have those occasional blooper days.

Hannah link
4/14/2016 07:04:15 am

Ugh, I'm sorry. I hope the next ride is better. I think sometimes there isn't a reason; sometimes they have bad days just like us.

I had one of those days with the young dog last week. A friend texted and asked when I was planning on taking him for his first hike. "Right now," I replied, "I am planning on skinning him."

jenj
4/14/2016 07:05:53 am

Man, I'm so sorry. I know how absolutely crushing rides like that can be, especially after lots of good rides. I don't have much advice other than to hang in there and keep on keeping on, it WILL get better! Oh and have a PB&J or some mac-n-cheese. :)

Lauren link
4/14/2016 07:57:05 am

I have absolutely no wisdom to add here, only will say that looks like the perfect kind of dog to hug and that riding is such a mentally and physically tough sport (which I know you already know).

Desirea
4/14/2016 08:34:17 am

Sometimes a horse just has to let it out. No purpose, no worries.. just be a horse. I know it sounds out of character but sometimes relaxation can only come from letting it all out.

Did you see that article on facebook about horses doing better when they have more breaks? Over the past 2 years, I've had issues where I couldn't ride because of work or illness. Each time I've come back to Coco she's been better. She likes vacations. Maybe Izzy just needs a short vacation. With Speedy out, you've been concentrating on him a lot. He hasn't had those breaks that he was getting while you were working Speedy. Give him a day or two to just be a horse.

Horses have bad days just like people. Don't blame yourself.

SarahO link
4/14/2016 01:03:04 pm

Sorry to hear you had such a bad ride, here's hoping it was just a blip in the journey and not part of a larger issue.

I'm glad you had Tobias to hug after. Horses are great, but it can be hard to beat a house pet when you need comfort after a bad day. I don't have a dog (yet), but my cat is great at snuggling when I need him.

Claudia
4/15/2016 06:32:54 pm

Hi Karen: sorry you had a difficult ride. If this is uncommon for this horse, I might look into the possibility of ulcers. No one can tell you he doesn't have them unless he's scoped, so you may want to treat him just in case. Having a few horses in training that have had them, the behavior you described could certainly be ulcers. I've treated with Omeprezole 30 days and then one week per month. There are various other treatments available as well. Also make sure your saddle fits your horse perfectly. Good luck!

Mia
4/15/2016 07:33:02 pm

Bad rides always leave me feeling rotten the rest of the day/night.
Sometimes horses have bad days too.

Forget about it, regroup, tomorrow start with a clean slate.

If i had a dollar for everyone of those "WTF did I just ride" days...


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
    Email Karen

    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 Second Level. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
    Picture
    October 2020

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!

    National Rider Awards

    • USDF Bronze Medal - 2020 
    Picture
    Lapel Pin
    • USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    • USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    • USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
    Picture
    State Rider Awards
    • CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
    Picture
    Ruby Rider Award, 2018
    State Horse Awards
    • CDS Third Level Horse Performance Award: Speedy G - 2020
    Picture
    3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    • CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award: Speedy G - 2018
    Picture
    2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

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

    2021 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    (Q) Must Qualify
    2021 Pending …
    3/27-28 SCEC (***)
    4/10-11 SCEC (***)
    5/16-17 El Sueño (***)
    5/23 TMC (*)
    6/12-13 SB (***) OR
    6/19-20 El Sueño (***)
    6/27 TMC (*)
    7/3-4 Burbank (***) OR
    7/17-18 El Sueño (***)
    7/25 TMC (*)
    ​8/14-15 RAAC (Q) (***)
    8/29 TMC (*)
    ​

    2021 Completed …
    ​10/24-25 SCEC (***)
    ​11/7-11/8 SB (***)

    2021 Qualifying Scores 

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

    Score 1: 60.610% Bhathal
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    CDS Championship
    ​2nd Level Qualifying 
    5 Scores/4 Judges/61%:

    Score 1: 
    Score 2: 
    Score 3:
    Score 4:
    ​Score 5: 

    Stuff I Read

    • A Horse Crazy American in Germany​
    • Avandarre in Dressage​
    • BB Quarter Horses​
    • Go Pony​
    • She Moved to Texas
    • Stubborn Together
    • Tales From a Bad Eventer
    • Your Dressage

    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
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    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
    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
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives

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