Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Izzy's coat is the most beautiful in early spring and early fall. By late summer he fades to what many would call a buckskin, and by late winter his coat looks like a grizzly's. Right now, his dapples are just starting to show, and his coat hasn't yet started to fade. #1 His RPSI Brand I know Izzy hasn't fully shed his winter coat until his brand starts to show through. I can almost see it now, but it will be another month or two before it's visible without a miscroscope. #2 Dapples While they'll get more pronounced as his coat begins to fade, his dapples are also just beginning to show. He doesn't have them with his winter coat, but when the light hits just right, you can see them appearing. #3 The Shiny Gene Izzy has the shiny gene; Speedy doesn't. It's short lived though. Once his coat begins to fade, the shine goes with it. I've learned to appreciate it while it lasts. #4 Itchy Skin Along with a beautiful coat, early spring also brings out the itchiness. Izzy's mane has finally grown back so that it is at least long enough to braid. I doubt I'll get to though as he has already started rubbing it out. I've tried a variety of steroids, shampoos, topical ointments, and more, but nothing seems to help. We live too close to the river and the biting, itchy no-see-ums. #5 Hock Sores As soon as it warms up, the ground also turns hard. Izzy's paddock is sandy and warm, but that combination seems to be the perfect formula for hock sores. He sleeps on the same dry sand all winter long, but his coat must be thick enough to protect the thin skin on his legs. Without that extra hair to protect his skin, he gets small sores on his legs. This weekend I started using coconut oil to help keep his skin more moist and elastic. After just one application, the sores already looked better. Horses' coats require different maintenance depending on the season. There might not be any mud to scrape off in the spring, but having such a thin coat means their skin needs a lot of love. Hopefully summer will take its time arriving and won't overstay its welcome.
Izzy's skin and coat would sure appreciate it. 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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