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Barn Breakout

11/17/2017

4 Comments

 
Speedy's patience finally ran out on Tuesday. This whole not working until he has some hoof under him finally got to him. He kicked down his gate and busted out.
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Dude!
Speedy's desire to work or play with me can be a bit ... cloying at times. I love that he loves me, but honestly, did he need to tear down the barn?
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Gate is temporarily chained back into place.
Speedy gets at least 12 hours of turnout a day. At dinner time, this gate is chained open so that he can use the large sandy pasture at his will. At breakfast time, his gate gets locked so his neighbor gets daytime turn out. This system works great for me because I no longer have to worry about whether or not my horses are getting enough time out of their stalls.
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Cranky, but secretly delighted to see me.
For Speedy though, turnout isn't enough. Yes, the nighttime walking dissipates his energy, but it's the social interaction with me that he needs to be happy. He has a neighbor who he plays with, but the dude knows I am his person, and his feelings get hurt when he doesn't get enough of my time.
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All was forgiven.
Speedy's been laid up for two months. During that time, I've spent a few minutes each day with him caring for the hoof, looking for any cuts or bumps, and checking his weight. At least one day a week, I bring him out for a groom and a graze on the lawn. In the last three or four weeks, I've also hopped up on him bareback and ridden around the property in a halter. It obviously hasn't been enough.
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After I'd already groomed him!
Even though Izzy hasn't been ridden in three days, I devoted Thursday afternoon to my gray pony. He practically purred. I scraped off as much of the crusted-on dirt as I could, and then led him up to the arena. I still don't have an all-clear to ride, but I wasn't worried about damaging anything with a walking ride.

Speedy was high as a kite, but he was thrilled to be working again. I did a bunch of leg yields, haunches in, and a bit of half pass - all at the walk. When we were finished, I hosed him off while he stood politely and quietly. Satisfaction simply oozed from him; all was once again right with his world.
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Equally funky.
I think he's ready to get back to work, even if it's just at a walk. I know he'll get the go ahead in a few weeks anyway, so if I start by working him at the walk now, he'll be just that much fitter and more supple once we start trotting.

And really? I've missed him just as much as he missed me. Maybe more so.
4 Comments
Tracy link
11/17/2017 06:22:28 am

While his antics are maybe a bit annoying, it's really kind of cute that he loves you so much <3

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/22/2017 08:09:22 am

Yes, but ... :0)

Reply
Melinda
11/17/2017 06:57:08 am

You told me way back when I was getting MerryLegs that speedy had similar blood lines. I was LOLing at this post because I could see her doing this. She LOVES me and wants to work too.

Reply
Bakersfield Dressage link
11/22/2017 08:10:08 am

I know it's an Arab thing, but some are more ... dedicated to their people than others. :0)

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    About the 
    Writer & Rider

    I am a lifetime 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.

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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian
    Email Karen

    About Speedy G

    Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. We're currently showing Third Level for the 2019 show season. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

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    August 2018

    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 schooling and showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2019

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

    National Awards

    • USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
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    2nd Level Rider Performance, 2018
    • USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
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    1st Level Rider Performance, 2015
    • USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
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    Training Level Rider Performance, 2013
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    • CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
    • CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
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    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
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    (c) Clinic
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    2020 Pending …
    ​

    2020 Completed …
    ​10/26-27/19 SCEC (***)

    Qualifying Scores for 2020

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    3rd Level Qualifying
    3 Scores/2 Judges:

    Score 1: 60.405% Atkins
    Score 2: 62.432% Atkins
    Score 3: 

    CDS Championship
    ​
    3rd Level Qualifying
    5 Scores/4 Judges:

    Score 1: 60.405% Atkins
    Score 2: 62.432% Atkins
    Score 3: 
    Score 4: 
    Score 5: 

    Working Towards:

    ​CDS 3rd Level Horse Performance Award
    ​
    3 Judges/3 Shows:
    Score 1: 63.514% Lindholm
    Score 2: 62.105% Lindholm
    Score 3: 63.243% Wadeborn
    Score 4: 60.405% Atkins
    Score 5: 62.432% Atkins
    Score 6:

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

    USDF Bronze Medal
    First Level - 70.179%
    First Level - 72.600%
    Second Level - 62.879%
    Second Level - 61.970%
    Third Level - 62.432%
    ​Third Level -

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