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

The Honeymoon is Over

2/3/2015

 
Yep. Let real life begin. Or, more colloquially known as Boot Camp. Yeah ... that's where ponies go to get their heads on straight. Speedy spent years in boot camp; he wasn't much of a yes, ma'amer as a youngster (not much has changed!).

Even though Izzy is six years old, training wise, he is very clearly still a four year old. After the screaming and hollering he did on Saturday's hand walk, I made the decision to let the real work begin. Sunday morning was warm and sunny which meant our heavy fog had cleared up which made keeping an eye on an isolated horse much easier.

As soon as I pulled into the barn, I put Izzy in his rope halter and walked out and around to the back side of the arena to a particularly large, and sturdy tree. I tossed the lead rope up and over a thick branch, tied a slip knot, patted Izzy's neck, and walked away.
Picture
It looks farther away than it was, unfortunately.
To my surprise, he was pretty unconcerned about being left out in the middle of nowhere alone. He could see the barn, of course, but really, all he did was circle around a little bit trying to figure out the situation. I left him there a good twenty minutes while I groomed and tacked up Speedy. When I was ready to ride, I untied Izzy and escorted him to the other end of the property.
Picture
I could still watch him while I rode.
I kept my eye on him as I warmed up, but he didn't whinny, and he wasn't fussing. I left him tied up to my trailer while I rode and later untacked. Once Speedy was back in his own stall, he started hollering to Izzy (bad pony!). It was only then that Izzy started to call. My plan was to let him holler all afternoon if need be, but Speedy actually gave up the fight rather quickly which meant that Izzy did too.

When I went to get Izzy, I saw that he was quite sweaty and there were some hoof prints in the dirt. He was obviously stressed about being alone, but I suspect his previous owner worked on standing tied because Izzy never challenged the lead rope. And for those are worried, I only tie with a Blocker Tie Ring. If something had happened, he would have been able to pull himself free, but he would have had to pull back pretty hard as I had the Tie Ring set on the second tension level. 
Picture
Some nervous sweat and some pacing around, but not too bad.
Since the day was so warm, mid-sixties, and he was pretty sweaty, I walked him the long way around to the wash rack. Speedy hollered immediately, Izzy kept it together and remained quiet (rock on, superstar!). I gave his front end a quick hosing, but I was very careful about not getting his hind end wet for fear of inadvertently spraying the bandage. And then, since I could, I made him stand in the wash rack for another twenty or thirty minutes.

In total, he stood tied for the better part of an hour and a half. He got moved every twenty to forty minutes, and I could always see and hear him. Considering he was so goofy about being off the property the day before, I was quite impressed with he handled being alone. He could see the barn and other horses, but at a clinic or a show he'll be able to do that too. I didn't want to torture him, but I did want to help him build some confidence. 

There will definitely be more of these kinds of days over the next month. At the end of February, Speedy and I are heading back to the Ventura area for another two-day clinic with Dr. Christian Schacht. Izzy needs to be able to see us drive off without panicking. A few more days of this kind of work and he should be a bit more confident.
jenj
2/2/2015 10:21:08 pm

I LOVE how you're preparing Izzy now for situations he'll encounter later. It really, really sucks that he got injured, but it's good that you have the time (or are forced to take the time?) to build his education on the ground while he heals. What a superstar!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/3/2015 09:27:48 pm

I always teach my horses these types of things, especially since I travel with them a lot, but it does sort of suck that he got injured too. It does take some stress off that I am not doing THIS and working him under saddle. When we get to the under saddle part, I am pretty sure it's going to be a piece of cake.

I am already having him stand next to the mounting block while I lean across his back and pat his croup and belly. He's been backed, of course, but now he gets to feel and hear and see ME up there. I am getting closer and closer to wanting to toss a leg over his back. :0)

Dom
2/2/2015 11:00:38 pm

I will admit I was pretty worried about this until you got to the blocker ring! It seemed unlike you. A good lesson for him to learn, for sure. Boot camp will do him good.

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/3/2015 09:24:38 pm

Yeah ... I am not a fan of hard-tying without something that will give safely. :0) Being tied to a trailer specifically seems to create more opportunities for disaster, but it's worth teaching them to do it safely, especially if you want to trail ride or show or go to the vet ... :0)

Cathryn link
2/2/2015 11:26:09 pm

Maybe this whole injury thing was a blessing in disguise? Sounds like he's getting some major miles at home with you!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/3/2015 09:29:32 pm

I always try to find the silver lining! So when things don't go as planned (like my horse slicing open his leg), I always try and shift gears and make whatever wait time I have count for something. All of this had to be done at some point. Now is just as good a time as any. :0)

Lauren link
2/3/2015 12:07:19 am

I know a certain almost 9 y/o horse that probably needs you to work with him like this :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/3/2015 09:31:39 pm

After Speedy, I said I would never buy another 3 year old. And then after Speedy turned 4 and then 5 and then 6, I insisted I wasn't buying anything under 7 again. Apparently, there is no magic age. Maybe I'll shoot for an 11 year old next time. Speedy will by 11 in April, and he's finally about "broke."


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