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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Still on the How

9/10/2013

 
I hate to even say it for fear that the Jinx Monster will rear its ugly head. But here goes: riding Speedy is FUN!

I am genuinely enjoying schooling him in the dressage court. I don't think I've ever felt like it was fun before. Tootling down the trail is fun; showing him is usually fun; camping with him was always fun; but schooling? It has felt more like a constant struggle.

On Sunday, I saddled him up and laughed at his goofiness. Yes, he fussed when I tightened the girth, but I just walked off and left him to think about it. When I asked him to step closer to the mounting block, he took one of those teeny tiny baby steps that doesn't actually accomplish anything. Uh, well, I guess you did step somewhat closer. How 'bout we try that again? Again, no big deal.

Once we were walking around, I started right away with asking for flexion to the inside while sending his shoulder here and there, and then I changed the flexion while still moving his shoulders around. I am discovering that Speedy likes to be limbered up before he begins any trot or canter work. Flexing his neck and moving his shoulders around is guaranteed to get some happy-happy snorts and sneezes.

All along, our trot work to the right has been a struggle. I am finally realizing that it is because he doesn't want to be on the outside rein. Or probably, he doesn't want to really step under with his inside right leg. That's the leg that has the smaller butt cheek. This photo is from September 2009; I really need to do a new one to see if the right cheek is getting bigger or stronger.
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Four years ago ...
He shows his resistance in the corner by flinging his head up, hollowing out his back, and hopping in a not-quite-canter stride. In the past, I would have fought with him and repeated the corner over and over. Now, I know that it's better to prepare him for the corner by not riding it too deeply. I also make sure he is flexed to the inside as we approach, and I send his inside hind leg deeper as we approach the corner, supporting him with the outside rein.

If I really focus on the quality of the bend, he can do the 20-meter circle so much more balanced and happy. Again, by focusing on the how, we get where we want to go in a much happier frame.

My rides now consist of a variety of exercises. On Sunday we did a lot of work down the centerline as making the ten meter turn helps Speedy be better balanced for the right lead canter. I also asked for more left leg yields as those seem to help him balance for the left lead canter.

And best of all, we worked on counter canter both ways. My court is a bit short so the loop is even harder to get because I don't have much distance in which to make a gradual loop. Instead, I have been making the loop very shallow, maybe just to the quarter line instead of to X. If I ride it like the test shows, my loops are deep which are harder for Speedy to do. I am fine with baby steps.

What I am loving about his canter right now is that he is definitely much, much lighter in front. I don't feel like I am riding a bull dozer anymore. He is listening to my half halts which makes turning a million times easier.

I definitely can't wait for the Christian Schacht Clinic in December.

After our ride, I was hosing Speedy off and noticed that the gray pony is getting a bit wide through the middle. Can we just call it a well-sprung ribcage?
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Tubby belly!
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I think we're just preparing for winter.
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I think I have two pretty happy boys!
Lauren link
9/10/2013 01:00:54 am

I don't think he looks tubby! He looks great to me but maybe I'm used to fat hunter horses :)

Karen
9/10/2013 10:21:56 pm

He's not exactly fat, Lauren, and I like my boys slightly round, but in person, he is getting a tiny bit tubby! :0)

Austen link
9/10/2013 03:03:59 am

Great insight on Speedy's reluctance possibly being tied to his weaker side. I'm interested in seeing a comparison photo.

"Well sprung ribcage" I'm stealing this for my lil' fatty.

Karen
9/10/2013 10:23:38 pm

I am definitely taking an "after" photo this weekend. I promise to share. We've suspected all along that his asymmetrical butt reflected a weakness. And at times, I've sported a well sprung rib cage myself! :0)

Amanda link
9/10/2013 03:16:19 am

Greys are so pretty when they are wet and the grey skin shows through! Two beautiful boys!

Karen
9/10/2013 10:25:12 pm

What I like to see, when he's wet, is that he has white stockings. When he's dry, you just see white hair, but you're right, when he's wet you can see his black skin and white skin.

Dom
9/10/2013 04:46:22 am

So glad to hear you're having fun with him!

Karen
9/10/2013 10:28:06 pm

Me, too! He and I have been pals for a while, and while it's been fun for most of that time, we had arrived at a not so fun stage.

Karen link
9/10/2013 05:39:06 am

Arabians are supposed to have a round full tummy. At least the Egyptian Arabians Ashke comes from have them and Ashke's is pretty round especially when he is in the field. I have noticed that he tightens it up when we are working.

I too have had issues with the right hind. We know he had a hamstring hip injury there and we are still rehabbing and strengthening the area. Ashke has a real issue finding any smoothness going to the right at a canter, in part because he compensated with his right shoulder and left hip for so long. Along with strengthening his right hip, we have also had to work on his left wither, since it is underdeveloped due to compensation.

I have no easy solution. Lots of working in that direction and lateral movement in the direction of difficulty. I can also say the cavaletti help as well.

Karen
9/10/2013 10:33:33 pm

HI, Karen! Speedy has had this asymmetrical muscling since probably birth. I bought him from his breeder as a very green broke three year old with no history of injury. We had his butt cheek examined and did an ultrasound which revealed no history of injury. Both vets said to keep an eye on it, but it just appears that he has a weaker side. I think all horses do to some degree. That's why dressage is so helpful - we can "gymnastasize" the weaker parts of the body. Best of luck with Ashke.

Val
9/10/2013 07:58:07 am

It is good to hear that you are having fun with both your boys. I am adjusting to a new school year with baby and trying to find time to ride too.

Karen
9/10/2013 10:34:29 pm

I can't even imagine, Val. This is my 20th year in the classroom, and I am coming home tired and cranky. :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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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    National Rider Awards

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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
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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