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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

I Need a Lesson

3/20/2016

 
It's a good thing I am getting a lesson on Tuesday; I really need one. I am hauling Izzy down to Simi Valley to meet up with Chemaine Hurtado, my trainer and fixer of all dressage problems. When I saw her last, she helped me finally get a right lead canter on Izzy. I shared a great video of how she helped make that happen; here it is again.
That lesson was just about a month ago, and during that time, I've been able to pretty consistently pick up both a left and right lead canter and ride them without any flying changes or cross cantering in the rear. Sounds great, right?

The problem is that Izzy is getting really opinionated about having to pick up the lead that I am asking for. He has started kicking out as soon as I send my outside leg back. After he kicks, he's tries to bolt into the lead and gets really pissy when I give a strong half halt and insist that he roll or jump into the lead rather than bolt or fall into it.

I need a lesson with Chemaine because I am not 100% sure I am reading the situation correctly. It feels like he's being sassy, but in my experience, if something isn't going correctly, I am probably doing something wrong. I need her to point out where my mistake is. On top of that, I have finished treating Izzy's sarcoid, but man does his sheath look ugly. I haven't posted an update because I am waiting to see if it is going to heal up soon or need to be seen by the vet. 
Picture
Gross and sweaty post ride photo: opinionated or ouchy?
​It's definitely looking better each day, and the swelling is gone, but the skin still needs to heal. He lets me wash it and poke at it, so it's not like it's too painful to touch. In fact, the other day, he let me pull a pretty big scab off. He flinched at the final pull, but then he want back to grazing.

So, is his sheath so uncomfortable that cantering is painful? It could be, but he's working at the trot just fine, and when I turn him out, he bucks and gallops and whips around enjoying his freedom. Once he is cantering under saddle, he works just fine.

​We'll see what Chemaine has to say.

lytha
3/20/2016 10:07:55 am

As an endurance rider in my former life, I love the look of a soaking wet, lathered horse. Work it, Izzy!

After the kicking incident I'm hesitant to clean sheaths. *sigh* cuz it needs it. I even keep the oil warm in the house....Oddly, I'm more confident while leading my new horse through scary neighborhood obstacles than I am doing a simple deep grooming. My still-unhealed thumbnail remembers that kick. I cannot even untie my shoes with that hand.

Your balmy weather blows my mind, I cannot go outside without wool gloves on, and I have to scrape ice off the car every day. The idea of eventually giving my filthy gross horse a bath is a dream. The Golden State has its advantages.

BTW, your horse is enormous.

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/20/2016 06:14:20 pm

Yes, Izzy is rather large. My best friend's husband calls him B.A.H. - big ass horse. ;0)

My vet told me last year that one good thing about Izzy's leg injury was that he would quickly become "vet broke." He was right. Izzy lets me do pretty much anything to him. He doesn't always like it of course, but he tolerates it. He also trusts me/humans to rescue him when things are scary or he's hung up. I like that about him.

And yes, California does have nicer weather than most parts of the country. While it does get "cold" where I live, I can still find days all winter long where I can hose my horses off.

Unfortunately, when Izzy gets THAT sweaty, it means we've had a bad ride. He does sweat super easily though so sometimes it's more because of that. In this photo, he was tired and worn out from fighting with me. Poor guy. :0)


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    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I 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.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy 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.
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    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 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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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
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    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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