I feel like sitting out on the street corner with a can and a sign that says, Will scoop poop for hay.  June was a killer month for bills.  I did two shows, sent my boots in for a repair, replaced my helmet after my fall in May, and had my saddle's flocking adjusted to more suitably fit both boys.  That stuff is rather expensive.  I also spent a bundle on my truck.  Unfortunately, that also included tires which will be paid for in July.

Thankfully, Speedy's little tummy ache only cost me the price of a tube of Banamine, under $40, which will also be paid for in July.  I hope to get through July without quite so much damage to my checking account.

If you're just joining this series, you can read about the first five months of the year by clicking this link.  Click images to enlarge.

I know I say this every 6 weeks or so, but it is the truth.  Jaime Osbrink is simply the best.  And as always, it's not just his farrier work that is so great.  He's an all around great human being as well.

I rarely get to see him in person as he usually does his work while I am also at work.  The summer visits are about the only ones I can actually be present for.  During this visit, I found out that Jaime is waiting to take his Journeyman's test for the American Farriers Association in October.  Jaime is already a Certified Tradesman Farrier.  

This is really a big deal.  The American Farriers Association (AFA) offers four levels of certification: 1. AFA Farrier Classification 2. Certified Farrier (AFA CF) 3. Certified Tradesman Farrier (AFA CTF) and 4. Certified Journeyman Farrier (AFA CJF).

As a special note to Val over at Memoirs of a Horse Girl, I asked my farrier about his experience with the hoof stand.  His response was that it takes practice.  He also disliked the sling and only uses it for draft horses.  He uses the stand for all the work and just repositions the hoof so that he gets the angle he wants.  He also rests one of his feet on the stand to keep it from toppling over.

When he was out on Tuesday, I managed to snap a few photos of the job he does.  I didn't think about the camera until he was finished with Speedy G so all of these picks are of Sydney.  Click images to enlarge.

If you are reading this expecting something not show related, I apologize.  I know I said that I would have something else on Thursday other than score sheets, but Speedy's little tummy ache on Monday night threw off my blogging schedule.  If you're bored with score sheets, stop right here and come back tomorrow, or go back and read about Speedy's tummy. 

The second test of the day went about the same as the first except we actually cantered when we were supposed to.  I didn't earn any 8s, but there were no 3s either.  In fact, one of the few 5s was for the ... anyone, anyone? You got it - that bloody stretchy trot.  I promise you, we WILL get the stretch.

I was quite happy with the overall score: seven 7s, six 6s, and only three 5s. The collective marks were also good.  We've worked really hard on getting more activity from behind and the judge noticed.  She commented that Speedy was "nicely forward."  He "often braces through the neck" as well, but we can work on that later.  One step at a time!

Our final score was 63.214% (177 points) which was good enough for a second out of four riders.  The first place rider scored 178 points.  She beat me by one point out of 280.  How close is that?  Click images to enlarge.

Let me first attempt to climb over the mountain of self-doubt that is sitting in front of me.  

I am already trying to ditch an elephant named Fear.  Now I find that a ginormous mountain has actually been blocking my view.  How have I not recognized that there has been this mountain in front of me?  You know the song, We're going on a bear hunt.  We're gonna catch a big one.  Uh-oh!  A swamp!  Can't go under it, can't go around it. Guess we're gonna have to go THROUGH it!  Splish, splosh, splish splosh ...

That's how I feel about Mt. Self-doubt.  Can't go under it, can't go around it. Guess I'm gonna have to go OVER it!

It is so much easier for a perfectionist like myself to believe the scores of the more critical judges.  Sure, change that 6 to a 5.  That 7?  No way, must be a 6 at most.  Heck, it's probably closer to a 5.  That 4?  That's probably right on the money.

I am making it my goal right this very minutes to accept the good scores as readily as I do the low scores, and this particular test might finally be proof to myself that the judges are truly marking it as they see it.  Judge Carolyn Doran gave me a 3 and an 8 on the same test!  Was she overly critical and overly generous in the same 45 seconds?  I don't think so.

First piton in position ...

So here is how I felt during the test.  We came in at A straight, and halted fairly squarely (7).  The trot off wasn't the best, but it was okay.  Trot circle felt good (7), and the canter transition happened much better than usual (6). The stretchy trot though was hit and miss (5).  Free walk was a little pokey (6).

And then Speedy took a deep breath and sighed.  Uh-oh.  It wasn't a sigh of relaxation.  It was more of an I think I'm done sigh.  My next trot circle felt labored (6) and I knew we were in trouble for the canter which ... just ... wouldn't ... come (3).  Right then I remembered some good advice: ride each movement.  If something goes wrong, focus on improving the next movement.  I know that our trot up the centerline is always solid so after we transitioned out of the canter between B and F, I sat up, put my leg on and nailed the turn at A.  I kept my eyes up and on the judge and smiled as we trot up the centerline (8)!

We scored a 62.500%.  The only other rider in the class scored a 64.167%, 4 points higher.  So while we earned a second place, we weren't too far off the winning score.  Click images to enlarge.

Hey!  Where are the score sheets she promised yesterday?  And what's this about watermelon?

Sorry.  Yes, I know I was planning on writing about Sunday's show, but something came up last night.  As you can see from the title it has to do with a summer treat.

Yesterday, I went to the barn in the afternoon instead of the morning since our weather has been so cool.  All was well.  Both Sydney and Speedy G got a handful of watermelon rinds over which they smacked their lips in delight.  I gave them their beet pulp and came back home knowing that my boys were safe and and happy.

Less than three hours later, the phone rang.  RM, the barn owner, was calling to say that Speedy wasn't looking well.  He was pacing and pawing and didn't want his dinner.  Uh-oh.  I told her I was on my way.  I live less than 10 minutes from the barn.  When I arrived, RM was walking Speedy in the arena.

I listened to his gut - nothing.  I watched his flanks for his rate of respiration - higher than normal.  I tried to check his pulse, but he was too agitated to stand still.  I asked for the lead rope explaining that I wanted to see how quickly he would lay down and once he did, what would he do.

Speedy rolled, but it wasn't violent.  He also groaned a bit and then got back up.  Yep.  It was a belly ache.  RM continued to walk him while I put in a call to my favorite vet, Dr. Blanton of Bakersfield Vet Hospital.  

Speedy had just passed a nice pile of poop and obliged me with another pile as I was talking to Dr. B.  When he pooped though, he did a bit of a squat, very unusual for him, and grunted.  He also gave his flank a very suspicious glare.  I related his odd pooping behavior to Dr. B as well as described his desire to lay down.  He didn't really want to roll, just lay on his belly.

Her quick diagnosis was that he had a gas cramp most likely caused by the watermelon rind.  (Hmm ...  I've been feeding watermelon for years.)  She prescribed a dose of Banamine which RM had waiting for me.  I was to call back in an hour to see if that did the trick.  Dr. B also confirmed that if a horse wants to lay down, let him.  As long as he isn't hurting himself by rolling, it's okay to let them roll or just lay there.

I gave Speedy the Banamine and let him walk beside me around the arena. When we got to the far end where it is nicely shaded, I stopped to see if he would lay down.  Sure enough, he plopped down and laid his head down.  I tucked my feet under his back and leaned over to rub his belly.  I also rocked his belly back and forth by pushing on him with my legs.  He quickly lost the pained expression that was on his face and he started to perk up a bit.  RM had come down to keep me company and we just sat and chat about nothing in particular.  It was clear that Speedy was enjoying the company.

We sat in that position for about 15 minutes: Speedy resting on the ground with me rocking him back and forth.  With a relaxed look on his face, Speedy stretched his front legs out in front of him, and I knew he wanted to get up.  And that was it.  I took his halter off and hung out with him for another half an hour.  He shuffled around the arena looking for stuff to eat while occasionally head butting me to let me know that he wanted back in his stall so that he could start his dinner.

I called Dr. B back and gave her a run down on his current condition.  She advised that he get only half his dinner, and if all looked well in the morning, he could go back to his regular schedule.  She also admonished: if it comes from your kitchen, it's not horse feed.  Apparently, watermelon is the most sugar-filled food you can give a horse.  She also discourages the use of carrots and apples.  Bummer.  Speedy loves watermelon and enjoys it as a summer treat.  I think I'll stick to official horse treats from now on.

Wicked, wicked watermelon!

You all must be the best well wishers of all time.  If you'll remember from yesterday, I asked you to wish me well in the following areas: no tire blowouts, no getting bucked off, no off course errors (real or imagined), and no scores under 60%.

We managed to avoid every single thing on the list!  So thank you very, very much!

The show went well.  I'll post my score sheets starting tomorrow.  If you find them boring, just come back on Thursday when I'll probably have something new to talk about.

A few comments about the day ...  

I met a blog reader (Hi Angela!) which was really fun.  If you live somewhat locally and you know that you and I are going to be in the same location, please, please, please introduce yourself! You're not bothering me, and I genuinely love meeting new people.  I love to hear about your horses and your equine journey.  If I ever give a friendly hello a cold shoulder, someone PLEASE take a moment to b*tch slap me back to reality!

Speedy got a great compliment from a gentleman in the bleachers.  As we left the dressage court after riding our first test, he approached and asked if Speedy was all Arab.  I smiled and answered, yep, he's the real deal.  The man was just certain he must have been only part Arab since he looked so BIG in the arena.  He also called us elegant and lovely.  Speedy gets a lot of compliments from volunteers and onlookers.  I've blogged about that before, but it's still nice to hear.  As I walked away from him, I heard a woman comment to her group that Speedy was the nicest horse.  I smiled at her, too.  What a great day!

I watched some of the Western Dressage.  It was quite interesting.  Most of the competitors looked as though they were getting ready to work cattle. There was very little bling, which I had expected, and lots more leather, chaps, and plaid shirts.  Most wore helmets, but not all.  Here are a couple of snapshots of one rider whose test I watched.  Click to enlarge.

I showed you Speedy's forelock braid yesterday.  Here's how the French braid came out.  The loose hairs at the bottom are hidden by his show pad so I don't usually bother with them

I am so tempted to say that the judge was generous, but I am NOT going to say it.  I am just going to grin happily at my ABOVE 60% scores and accept that this judge thought we did better than satisfactory tests. Check out that second place at Training Level Test 2 - we were ONE POINT away from a tie.  So close!

We had a great day!

Yep.  We're off to another show (CDS-rated).  This is number 6 for the calendar year, but number 8 for the CDS show season.  And two of them were two-day shows.  We've been busy!

We're on our way to Tehachapi.  It won't take us too long to get there as it's only about 55 miles.

I spent Saturday cleaning tack, loading the trailer, and bathing Speedy.  I did a very nice job braiding his forelock and wanted to show it to you, but Speedy was being very uncooperative.  In any case, here are a couple of pictures that I did manage to snap.

So ... wish us luck: no tire blowouts, no getting bucked off, no off course errors (real or imagined), and no scores under 60%.  That last one's a biggie so you might have to wish really hard.  See you tomorrow!

I have a tiny confession.  Do you remember that I JUST wrote about not having to deal with fear anymore with Sydney?  Apparently I jinxed myself because the very next day after posting that, Sydney and I had a less than perfect schooling ride.

To his credit, it was a problematic day to ride.  The gardener was there weed-eating the perimeter of the arena.  The weed-eater is loud and spooky even to me.  

The back corner of the arena is scary.  On the other side of the fence there is a chicken coop, a travel trailer, a jeep, and a lot of large trees and bushes. It's a cozy little corner of the neighbor's property that generates all kind of spooky sounds.  Most of the time it's okay.  We've learned to deal with the noises that come from that corner.

But.  On Thursday, the neighbor (who I adore) was doing some work with a ladder.  I even jumped at the weird screeeeech sound that shrieked across the arena.  Sydney almost jumped out of his skin.  I was able to get keep him under control, but there was a lot of squirting to the side, an occasional squeal, and lots of high headedness.

To say I wasn't a bit nervous would be a lie.  I held it together though and continued working, but after a few minutes I knew it wasn't worth it.  We had put in some good work before the shrieking ladder so I felt it was okay to call it a day.  I was disappointed though.

All was forgiven on Friday.  I had a great ride on Sydney.  My recent lesson on Speedy has given me even more tools to use with Sydney.  I am really using the idea of water skiing at the walk.  I know I am testing Sydney a little bit with the increased contact, but he is accepting it and working with me.  Yah!

We spent our time on Friday working on big circles, first at the walk and then at the trot.  I asked for more forward and actually got it without the sense of an imminent bolt.  Again, yah!  I kept the image of a water skier in mind and sat back and squeezed when I felt Sydney try to drop the contact.

I am really pleased with where we're heading.  I am also totally digging the opportunity to use my toolbox with him and see positive results.  This is starting to get fun!

Tobias: our little puppy is no longer little, but he is doing great.  He made it through the Parvovirus and has finished nearly all of his vaccinations.  In two weeks he gets his rattle snake booster, his dew claws removed, and he gets neutered.  He'll be six months old.

It is ridiculously hard to take a picture of him because he's either got his crazy on, or he's sleeping and looks dead.  Here's a super quick video from last weekend.

California Barn Life: It's been kind of hot lately.  Last Sunday, the temperature was around 110℉ (43℃), depending on where you live in Bakersfield.  Thankfully the temperatures are heading way south of normal. The next five days should hover around the high 80s.  

The heat has been a bit of a pain because I've been on poop patrol for the last two days.  I start by dragging the sprinklers out to the arena.  While they're going, I clean stalls and spray down the barn aisle.  Once the stalls are clean, I saddle up horse number one.  Before I can actually ride though, I have to go and turn the sprinklers off and recoil the hoses.  By the time I actually get on, I'm a bit wilted.

This is just practice for July when I will be doing poop patrol/barn duty for two solid weeks.  Toughen up, Sweaney!

Trailering: I forgot to mention that as I was coming home from the Clovis show a few weeks ago, I noticed that my truck was handling really poorly.  I knew it had to do with the tire rotation.  I took it in to the tire shop on Monday morning and was horrified to see the reason for the rough ride. Chunks of tread were missing from one of the front tires and the others had weird bulges and cracks.  Yikes!

The tires had fewer than 12,000 miles on them, but they were at least seven years old.  Trailering tip ... keep a better eye on your tires, and drive the posted speed limit.  The technician said that had I been speeding, I would probably have had a blowout.  Needless to say, I now have a new set of tires.  That's going to raise my spending total for next month - better that than a blowout.

Showing:  Speedy and I are heading to a show on Sunday where we'll continue showing T1 and T2.  We have good times (10:32 and 11:08).  The show is in Tehachapi which is only a little over an hour away.  I can sleep in a bit, and we'll be home in plenty of time for dinner.

Like I said - just a little of this and that.  That's all!

Speedy and I have been flirting with an elastic, steady connection for a while now. Sometimes we have one, often times we don't.

The lack of a truly elastic connection is the reason we can't get the stretchy trot.

I had another Game Changing lesson on Wednesday, and it included water skiing.  No, silly, not real water skiing. Metaphorical water skiing.  As in are you water skiing?  Is he pulling you along?  Let me explain.

For some time now, Speedy has fooled me into thinking that we had a good connection.  I could feel him evenly in both hands and his neck was staying round with his face mostly on the vertical, although often times dropping behind the vertical.  But.  On most of my recent score sheets, the judges have remarked that we need more activity behind.  So, a few lessons ago, JL had me ask for more activity from Speedy's hind end.  A problem was revealed.  Speedy doesn't like to engage his hind end.  It's hard work.  We spent a full lesson playing Race Horse - I put my leg on and you better move it, buster!

Speedy got the point.  I squeeze, and he knows that he better react or he's only going to have to work harder.  Now however, he has tried to find a new way to avoid working and that is by doing this hippity-hoppity thing with his front end as he tries to evade going forward by cantering or jacking his head up into the air.  So, during our lesson, Speedy learned how to let me water ski.

Have you water skied?  If so, you know that if you tilt too far forward, you're going to fall.  If you go too far back, you're going to fall.  If you let there be slack in the line, you're going to fall.  So how do we stay up on water skis? We keep tension on the line by leaning back, bending our elbows, and allow the boat to pull us along.  This is also how to maintain a steady and elastic connection while riding.

Hmmm ...

I finally understood the concept during walk to trot transitions.  In a moment of inspiration, JL instructed me to let Speedy pull me up into the trot.  Not with his front end, but rather I was to think of that sensation of being pulled up out of the water while skiing.  I instantly leaned back, squeezed with my legs and held steady on the reins.  I didn't let Speedy pop his nose up as he made the transition.  Instead, I kept my hands still and steady and kept revving him up from behind until he had enough in his engine to push forward while "towing" me up out of the water.  AHA!  

From that point on, all JL had to ask was are you skiing?  And just like the girl in the photo, I kept the line taut and let Speedy "pull" me along.  This is not the same kind of pulling that you feel with a horse on the forehand.  If the reins sagged, the connection wasn't elastic.  All I had to do was lean back and add leg to reestablish the connection.  And it was a glorious feeling.  Speedy was carrying us around the arena.  I had the wonderful feeling of a gentle tug in my hands, and he was zooming along, wonderfully balanced.

We did figure eights and halts all with a lovely connection.  We did walk to trot to walk transitions which really helped me feel how to maintain the connection.  And we did a stretchy trot.  If you keep the idea of skiing in your mind as you let the rein out, you'll feel right away if you have a connection or not.  If he doesn't reach for the connection, it's just like letting there be slack in a water skiing rope: you're going to fall.

I can't wait to practice this more on my own.  It may take us a while to get it while riding on our own, but now that I know the feeling that we're trying for, it's going to be a whole lot easier.

Who needs a boat when you have a dressage horse?