Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
If you show at all, you're familiar with US Equestrian's rule requiring Flu and Rhino vaccinations at all US Equestrian licensed events. The way I understand the rule, it is only at US Equestrian-rated shows that the vaccinations are required. I normally do our spring vet visit in March, but since my first show of the season is in March, I decided to get everything done a bit early. The first show of the year is only CDS-rated, but I like to be covered. For the first time in forever, I didn't have three million extra things for the vet to treat. Nobody is lame or has a sliced up leg or has any weird bumps. Although, Izzy tried to get extra time with the vet with his shenanigans from the week before. Dr. Tolley gave Izzy's dried up cuts and scrapes a glance, but it was obvious that they were nearly healed. Try again, dude! While Izzy had to wait out in a stall, the gray pony got a once over by Dr. Tolley. Speedy has a "thing" in one eye that Dr. Tolley likes to check, and I wanted him to see where Speedy's hoof was in terms of growth. Everything checked out normal. Even though Speedy gets his teeth done annually, Dr. Tolley had to do quite a bit of work on his mouth. Speedy had developed some sharper edges that needed to be smoothed out, and his canine teeth had some plaque. That was a new one for me; I didn't know horses got plaque. Dr. Tolley explained that it is probably because a lot of saliva gathers around those canine teeth. After giving Speedy his spring vaccinations, he was done. Izzy got the same once over, but I had Dr. Tolley look more closely at the two sarcoids that he has on his sheath. I explained how the upper sarcoid has been disappearing over the past few months. Dr. Tolley explained that sarcoids don't go away by themselves. He agreed with my hypothesis that an immune response had probably been triggered by twice treating the first sarcoid. He likened it to immunization - by using the Xterra paste the first year and following it up with cryotherapy the second year, Izzy built up enough antibodies to the virus that causes sarcoids that he was able to fight off the second one on his own. Izzy's teeth had fewer sharp points than did Speedy, so his dental work was very minor. And with that, he was done. With both boys still feeling a bit drugged, it was a super quiet trip home. Normally, there's a lot of screaming and hollering when the first one gets on or off the trailer, but not on Monday. I think both boys could use a cocktail now and then. They're pretty friendly drunks!
3/10/2018 05:01:27 am
Well, I am happy to see that you are taking care of your horses. They are the ones who bring success in equestrian, that's why it is just right that you take care of them. By the way, I can see that Izzy is in a very good shape right now. That's good! She is ready to be in a competition anytime, and eventually slay all the competitions she will join in the near future. I wish nothing but the best for Izzy, but for the whole team as well! 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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