Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Since we started Izzy on the new grass hay, he has been struggling a bit. At first, his poop got pretty funky, but only off and on. Then there was that lesson where I knew he wasn't feeling his best. It took about two weeks for the loose poop to disappear, but over the weekend, I could tell that he was just a bit off. He was more whoa than go which is not his normal MO. On Monday, when he was still acting lethargic, it occurred to me that while his poop was once again looking great, his tummy might be a bit sour. The last time we went through this type of thing was actually two years ago in February. Whether the time of year has anything to do with it or not, I don't know, but I have started Izzy on the Gastro Elm again. It worked wonders for him in the past - until I overdid it. He got the first dose on Monday, and with just one dose, he felt like he was back to normal. I still gave him another dose, but I have now learned that the Gastro Elm can be too much of a good thing, especially for Izzy. With that in mind, I am only going to give him just another couple of doses and then wait to see what he does.
We have some pretty dramatic weather on the way for the next few days, so I don't know whether I'll have a lesson or not. I am not even sure I'll get to ride him. If I don't get to ride, I'll view it as an opportunity to let his tummy settle back down. If I do get to ride, I'll be able to judge how he feels. This time, I am searching for the Goldilocks effect, a just right amount. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI 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. About Speedy GSpeedy 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.
About IzzyIzzy 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.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
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
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