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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Let's Hear it for the Walk

3/31/2014

 
The next 6 weeks are dedicated to the walk. For most of us, I think the walk is probably the most neglected gait. Let's face it; it just doesn't have the glam that the other gaits have. There's no suspension, no sense of elevation, and it's really slow. Who can blame us for wanting to do something with more pizazz?

Since I am not supposed to do anything more than walk with Speedy right now, I am embracing the gait and plan to milk it for all that it's worth. For those who are wondering, Speedy came up REALLY lame two months ago, so lame that he didn't even want to walk. After radiographs, nerve blocks, and a thorough lameness exam at one of California's premier equestrian medical centers, it was decided that Speedy either had a deep bone bruise or a collateral ligament injury in the hoof capsule. (I still suspect an abscess.)

Without an MRI to confirm which injury Speedy might have, I decided to follow the most conservative treatment option which was only going to cost us some time. We've finished the 45 days of hand walking and have moved on to 45 days of walking under saddle. In about 6 weeks, we'll be able to add some trotting and then continue from there.

The best news of course is that since the day after we returned from the vet, Speedy has not taken a single ouchy step. This is also frustrating as he is very, very sound. I would love to throw caution to the wind and just get back to full training, but the risk of a repeated injury, whatever it was, is just not worth it. I kind of like this horse and would prefer that he have many years of sound riding in front of him.

So here's my current walking plan:
  • Week 1: bareback with just a riding halter. I had the most amazing rides on Saturday and Sunday and actually felt frustrated by the 30 minute time constraint! We did several minutes of just walking on the buckle, but then I asked for a shorter frame and put him to work. We did 10-meter figure eights, leg yields across the diagonal, shoulder fore, walk-halt-walk transitions, and even a fair amount of rein back. He was sensational!
  • Week 2: bareback with the bridle, although, given how great he has been over the last day or two, I might wait until week three to start riding with a bit. 
  • Weeks 3 & 4: ride in the dressage saddle with no stirrups.
  • Weeks 5 & 6: dressage saddle with stirrups and bridle

He was very happy to be back to work, and I didn't realize how much I had missed the view from between two white ears!
Picture
December 2012 - Photo by Lori Ovanessian
Amanda link
3/30/2014 11:54:19 pm

Love the photo!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/31/2014 12:12:12 pm

Lori is a very talented photographer. :0)

Lauren link
3/31/2014 02:14:42 am

I think my favorite part of this post is " I kind of like this horse and would prefer that he have many years of sound riding in front of him." That's the attitude I have when it comes to this stuff!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/31/2014 12:14:25 pm

Yeah … I tend to be in it for the long haul. What's a few months when you're going to have them for a decade or more?

jenj
3/31/2014 03:28:49 am

Love the pic! What a great moment!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/31/2014 12:15:08 pm

I have a series that Lori shot that are equally as cool. :0)

Katharine link
3/31/2014 08:22:22 am

*claps hands in honor of the walk!*

While I don't have soundness issues, I am still getting my bearings in the trot and canter, and am also a bit nervous about going fast, so we do mostly walk during riding sessions. It's awesome! :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/31/2014 12:36:03 pm

I had a great lesson tonight, and all we did was walk. It was quite the educational experience.


Comments are closed.

    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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    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
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home