Bakersfield Dressage
  • 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

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Still MORE Trail Riding

7/12/2015

 
This horse is going to be broke. And it might even happen sooner than I had originally planned. These trail rides are doing absolute wonders for Izzy's brain and body.

Thursday was unseasonably cool (66℉ in July????) with dark billowy clouds and a chilly breeze first thing in the morning. When I first hopped on, I was pretty sure he was going to be able to get me off. He was higher than a kite and vibrating with energy. He was at his very worst.

Izzy did everything he could think of to explode out from underneath me, but I stuck it out. Over the past week, I've learned how to diffuse or channel his energy while still riding him. I moved him back and forth with my legs, and I played with the rein so that he couldn't quite get a solid purchase on it. KG's gelding was also a tremendous help as he very patiently tolerated Izzy crowding him from behind and the side.

The first day we rode out on the river trail, Izzy was pretty tense for an hour. The second time we rode, it took him forty-five minutes to relax. As wired as he was on Thursday, it only took him fifteen minutes to let it all go. We spent the next hour and a quarter having a grand old time.
Picture
KG aboard her Arabian gelding, Taz.
Once Izzy's brain clicked back on, he seemed to get it. He was still a little nervous here and there, but for the most part, he marched his way down the trail. He led nearly the entire way with a big swinging stride.
Picture
We have excellent trails for schooling green beans - lots of open space and sandy footing.
While on the trail, Izzy did so many things right. When he stepped on crackling branches or on the irrigation hoses, he gave little spooks, but they were really small and he stayed in place. He gave fluttering plastic bags a bit of a stink eye, but it didn't occur to him to run off. At one point, we passed some waterlines that were under repair. There was a big ditch with bright red caution flags fluttering in a group. Izzy stopped, asked to back up, but then just stood there while we waited for Taz to go first.

I am okay with that kind of stuff. That's just a young horse trying to build some confidence and screw up his courage. Stopping and thinking about something scary just shows that he has a brain, and he's using it.  

The trail work is helping both of us. I know how to get a tense and anxious horse down the trail, and I can already feel him responding to my confidence. When we've gone back into the arena, I have a better sense of how much I can "push" him. There aren't a lot of choices on the trail - he doesn't get to run off wherever he'd like. Letting him do that would endanger not only us, but my riding partner and other trail users. So when he acts up on the trail, I have to ride him through it. And so far, he's trusted me enough to listen and try. Having an equine buddy helps immensely of course.
Picture
He's learning to be really well behaved at the trailer.
We've done this trail in a clock-wise circle each time which means we finish up by passing through the same opening in the fence. There's a large rock right near the opening as well as a gate that swings open with a horrible squeal. Both times we passed through the opening, Izzy balked and insisted that Taz go first. For this trip, Izzy gave everything a good look, but then he marched through the opening by himself without needing Taz to lead the way.

I was really proud of him and thrilled that he was using the thinking side of his brain. When we walked up to the trailer, he immediately dropped his head so that I could pull his bridle. He also drank and munched away at his hay. While he was aware of the hay and water before, he was still too tense to really enjoy them.
Picture
It's all gone dude - you even licked it clean!
KG and I spent a good thirty minutes sitting at her trailer letting Izzy hang out. Taz was sound asleep - lip hanging and hind leg cocked. Izzy was very relaxed, but bored. He played with his water bucket, nibbled at his hay, and tried to peek around the back of the trailer and into the windows. 
Picture
I think he saw his reflection! He's also showing some lovely dapples on his shoulders.
Again, KG loaded Taz first. Izzy gave a good holler, but then he quickly settled down and seemed to ask when he could get in. He loaded without the butt rope and rode home quietly. These short, but frequent trips are helping him get some trailering confidence, too.

When we got home, I turned him out and did some more free lunging. Since it was still so cool, he had a good amount of energy, and for the first time in a while, he wanted to gallop around. Once he was quiet again and following me around, I put him away.

KG is sticking to the Tuesday/Thursday trail day, so Izzy should get quite a few rides over the next four weeks - I go back to work in mid-August. I'm hopeful that he'll be solidly green broke by then!
Judy
7/12/2015 01:55:58 am

Izzy is doing so well! He sure is filling out beautifully, very handsome!

Val
7/12/2015 05:09:56 am

I love this plan for a young horse. Definitively part of a well-rounded education.

Teresa link
7/12/2015 10:18:32 pm

this post makes me happy. :)
and jealous.
but mostly happy.

Bakersfiedl Dressage link
7/12/2015 11:27:06 pm

Don't be too jealous. Those first 15 minutes were absolutely terrifying, When you say, "a fire breathing dragon," that Izzy plus some. Even KG was a bit concerned for me! It was weird how he simply switched gears almost instantly. One moment he was hissing and spitting, and the next moment he simply took a breath and exhaled. And that was it.

For the rest of the ride he was a good boy with a few moments of tension, but I rode him on the buckle without a single moment of concern.

What you said the other day about knowing what they'll do, really helped me. I keep expecting something more or bigger, but I think he might have shown me all he's going to do. I've ridden him with that mind for the past several days, and it took away some of my own anxiety! :0)


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.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    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.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

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