I know some of you are wanting a Speedy update; I am, too. He was still sore on Thursday evening, but he is improving. I should know more this afternoon. In the meantime …
I was looking through some older photos of Speedy G and found three where we are in the same trotting position in each one. Speedy's right foreleg is reaching forward in all three shots and we are traveling in the same direction. I thought it would be interesting to compare them.
I was prepared to see some major improvement in Speedy's frame and way of going. Overall? There is definitely improvement from the first photo to the second photo, but then … I am not seeing as much of an obvious change as I was expecting.
I was looking through some older photos of Speedy G and found three where we are in the same trotting position in each one. Speedy's right foreleg is reaching forward in all three shots and we are traveling in the same direction. I thought it would be interesting to compare them.
I was prepared to see some major improvement in Speedy's frame and way of going. Overall? There is definitely improvement from the first photo to the second photo, but then … I am not seeing as much of an obvious change as I was expecting.
This first photo was from our first season schooling and showing dressage. He did most of a 55 mile endurance race a few weekends before this. Speedy has always had a nice, ground-covering stride. Working on the endurance trail no doubt helped developed that aspect of his way of going.
July 2010 - 6 years old (Arabs mature rather slowly!)
I "quit" endurance riding in June of 2010. In this next photo, we had been schooling dressage exclusively for 11 months. His frame has obviously improved.
May 2011 - 7 years old
In the third photo, I think his stride is longer than in the previous photos, his neck is definitely thicker, and I think he has more articulation in his hocks (when compared to the middle photo). I want to say that his back looks more lifted in this photo, but that could just be wishful thinking.
In the first photo, Speedy looks so small! He could easily be mistaken for a pony. By the third and fourth photos, he has started to look more like a horse. I think I must be doing something right!
In the first photo, Speedy looks so small! He could easily be mistaken for a pony. By the third and fourth photos, he has started to look more like a horse. I think I must be doing something right!
April 2013 - 9 years old. REALLY?
Although this last photo doesn't share the same angle and direction of travel as the first three, I wanted to include it because it shows where we were at the end of the 2013 show season. His stride is definitely longer and more reaching here than in any of the other photos, and he looks happier. Maybe I am more giving with my hands? I also like how nicely developed his neck appears and he's not behind the vertical, something we struggle with.
What do you see? Anything different (aside from the faults; I see those already)?
What do you see? Anything different (aside from the faults; I see those already)?
July 2013
