Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
We have had freakishly weird weather this spring. First of all, we rarely have a "spring." We get a bit of autumn if you like 92 degree days instead of 102. Then winter crashes into us haphazardly at best before summer plows into us like a train wreck that just keeps on going. This year, we actually had spring, and it even RAINED. In fact, it rained nearly an inch at my house during the first two days of June. Like I said, weird. I am assuming the unusually wet and cold conditions are responsible for Speedy not shedding out like he normally does. It's either that or the Pergolide isn't working. I am going with weird weather as he seems to have finally shed out. On top of that, I am seeing fly bites in places that I normally don't have to worry about. Over the past few days, Izzy's ... ahem ... junk, has been covered with pin pricks of blood caused by some teeny tiny pain-in-the-ass flies. That has got to be seriously uncomfortable. Both Izzy and Speedy also have holes nearly eaten through their bellies by the same little monsters. Last year I purchased my very first tub of Swat; I can't even remember what for. Flies have just never been much of an issue for my horses. A little Pyranha usually does the job of keeping the worst of the flies at bay. Not this year. I am glad I had that little jar sitting around because I've been using it like crazy for the past couple of weeks. A few weeks ago, Speedy's belly erupted into a nasty lump of gooey tissue that was equal parts crust and goo. A daily dose of Swat cleared it up in a week or two. Just as I was starting to think he was over the worst of it, I noticed blood on Izzy's nether regions and the matching lump of ouch on his belly. The jar of Swat now rotates between the boys' grooming buckets. I am starting to wonder if I might actually be missing our typical searingly hot summer afternoons. These wet days seem to be harboring all sorts of weird and wicked insects. I haven't quite decided which is worse - scorching hot or painful bites.
Ask me again in a week or two.
I've got a product recommendation for you - it's Repel-x lotion. https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Farnam_Repel-X_Fly_Repellent_Lotion_For_Horses__Ponies/descpage-RPLL.html 6/18/2019 06:03:30 am
Thanks for the share. I checked it out, and it does sound like a cleaner fly repellant. Swat does attract a lot of dirt. When I place my next order, I might have to toss some in my cart. :0) 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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