Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
If you've been reading about Izzy for any length of time, you might remember that he loves his toys, there was the big ball - which didn't last very long, and the barrel - which he still has. Those things provide(d) some entertainment, but his true love is digging. There doesn't seem to be a reason for the digging other than boredom. He lives on nearly a quarter of an acre with various toys scattered around, and he gets ridden 4 - 6 days a week. That's about all of the entertainment that I can provide. The digging was a problem at the last place we boarded, but at the ranch, it's no big deal. Reggie works at the ranch and takes care of things that need fixing. Unfortunately, Izzy is constantly finding things to break which then need fixing. I hope Reggie sees it as job security. One time, Izzy dug so far down that he uncovered a water line. I am sure Reggie was thrilled by that one because it was instantly decided that the water line had to be relocated for Izzy's safety. All eyes immediately turned to Reggie as he's the fixer of all things. I made myself scarce that day as I didn't want anyone remembering that it was my incorrigible horse causing all of the trouble. While I rode, Reggie brought in the tractor and filled in the holes. Afterwards, he dragged things smooth again, hiding where the holes had been. Before he started working, we had joked about how long it would take Izzy to remember where his holes should be.
Our running joke is that Izzy's either looking for a way to escape or simply hunting buried treasure. Reggie and I have agreed to split whatever he uncovers. If Izzy doesn't find something fast, I'm going to have to get Reggie a case of beer to thank him for all of his hard work!
Marlane
11/14/2018 03:02:22 pm
Every day I fill toys with treats for two of our three horses. The third is an old man at age 32 and not interested. I have empty milk bottles gallon and quarts put large hay pellets in them. Plus two non destructible toys that I fill as well. Because the pellets are large then they can be picked out of sand or dirt. Sometimes I just throw pellets around the very large ones that come in cubes. The extra cost is negligible and I feel as if I am doing something to help with boredom.
Marlane
11/14/2018 03:03:58 pm
I forgot to mention slow feed hay nets. We feed lunch to ours, but others have used them successfully to keep their horses busy longer. 11/20/2018 07:49:35 am
Oh, boy, have I done all of that too. He almost always has hay in front of him, and he has toys scattered all around. He just gets bored easily. After lunging AND riding, I saw him go stand in one of the holes and lazily dig a bit. He did this all while watching me of course. I think I just need to wait for age to catch up with him. :0) 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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