Another Clinic

We had another clinic a couple weeks ago it was such a beautiful day and boy did we learn a lot.  Well at least I did.  I'm hoping Razz did too.  We started where we were last time in getting her to give and relax and we did a bit more on the ground and then time to ride.  Char got a bunch of pics of me they are awesome!

(Ugh I need to sit back!)

We worked on more of her getting to be balanced at a trot and eventually a lope but we want solid trot first.  She learns easy at a trot, always has and he says lots do you need forward momentum and many walk just plodding along. 

(Look at the hind leg going right underneath her :) )

We were getting through so much so I just asked a bunch of questions, one was her back up is stiff and I want it softer so we worked on that a bit, I was standing there and he said how hard do you pull and so I picked up my reins and she lifter her front end and was all weight on the back end.  Hes like YES!  THAT!!!  That's what he is looking for when riding and backing.  And she just done it :)  She's so cool.  And expressive, her ears are always on the move when we are doing something, its easy to see when I am asking wrong or weird or she doesn't get it.  But she always tries.

We had our own session in the morning and then after lunch we all rode together, did a few obstacles, jumped walked over a weird camo tarp and the bridge.  Razz did all with ease.  Then he brought out a tarp on a rope and we followed it then he handed it to me and I drug it and they all followed me.  It worked well.  I wasn't too worried about that we have carried a flag before but this was a bit different.  Then he had us lift it up and pretend to use it as a coat.  I'm uncoordinated and it drug over her butt and she didn't care, I've done that before. 

Then we headed out into the field across the road and practiced the same things we did in the arena.  That was cool, Razz was just trotting along minding her own business then I asked her to give and relax and it took a couple asks but she did and was so nice!  She really elevated when I ask a bit its super cool.

(Scott took this one it was so pretty there)

All in all a good clinic.  We were supposed to go again tomorrow but it sounds like cold and rain so we postponed.

More Learning and Riding

I went to Calgary Friday I had booked a dentist appointment and me and my sister were gonna go shopping and then play video games all night long.  Then in the morning I had another Energy Equine seminar.

Well I went and we went for lunch and got visiting and next thing we knew it was dentist time.  I had 2 small cavities and they were gonna fill them both.  Well turned out I had a third he couldn't see so he did that one as well and I had a tooth I was making a decision on. I decided the best choice was for it to be pulled he thought a root canal with a post and a cap cause there wasn't much tooth left.  I was suspicious how long that would last and so I just said remove it and so he did it that day.  That wasn't in the plans but now I guess I don't have to go back for a year so that's a good thing.  But I wasn't really up to a lot of shopping although it didn't really hurt was just not there lol.  We went to Costco for a few things and Walmart and then got supper and back to sisters house.  We ate then played more Diablo, we found out how to play with 3 players so her boyfriend plays too it's fun.  Then finally at about 1:30 we were all yawning and rubbing our eyes and decided we should quit.  I remember playing all hours of the night I guess we all got old.

Saturday the seminar was great again.  It was on the shoulders and the neck and that is what Jess needs so much so I paid lots of attention.  So much to take home and use on her it will help a ton I'm sure.  They had a sweet barrel mare named Honey and she was really sore but she sure tried.

Then it ended early and so I stopped by Irvine's but they had no one that wanted to help me so didn't get what I wanted, may have to order online.  Then home.  Still got home by 5 and we had a virtual moonlight ride planned and since it was niceish out I figured we should join in.  I went out at 6:30 when there was still a little light left and tacked up Jess and we rode down the road and back up and down and back up and finally the moon peeked out. It wasn't as big as I thought it would be and it was really dark out but I got some pics anyways.  I finally used the flash when we got back so she's actually visible.  Then as I put her away in the pitch black I was cold.  It was about -6 and didn't seem bad when riding but after when I was on the ground again it was cold.

Came inside and couldn't resist getting another moon pic, this time with the real camera.

Equine Seminar 1

On Saturday Energy Equine had a clinic at their vet practice and it sounded super good so I wanted to go and so I did.  Its a vet who is really trying hard to get vets, farriers and bodyworkers to work together.  So he is putting on clinics of everyone to get info out there.  It was 2 bodyworkers Saturday, one talking about the SI Joint and the other the Stifle.  Mainly focused on performance horses but talked about others as well.

I thought was very interesting as I have trouble with my SI Joint, I say hip/back cause no one knows what the SI Joint is and its just easier.  But my ligaments are too long and they don't hold everything together like they should.  But horses are different of course they walk on 4 legs.  They had a sample horse Posh and she was having a little trouble but nothing really serious and so it turns out her bones were quite unlevel and she said it probly caused the horse to push her hip out one way on a circle and the other had trouble not falling in, they asked the owner and that was happening.  She also showed us a bunch of stretches we could do and in her tummy tuck she saw no movement in the lower lumbar area and spasms in the SI Joint so said to get a vet check to make sure no other issues there and then she would work on it said was common and wasn't hard to fix.

Then we had lunch and visited and then Sarah talked about the Stifle joint, they are both in the same lecture cause they are quite often related in injuries.  She did a lot of the same stuff and showed us bad issues and how to keep them strong as well.  Then the talk kinda morphed into conditioning cause she said that is a big issue the horse seems fit but they ligaments and tendons take way longer than lungs and muscles do to get into condition.

The vet jumped in and said he agrees a horse takes 90-120 days to get to fit performance level.  A lot longer than most people give.  I had heard that before as well just not for a long time.  He also said he doesn't think horses (besides babies) should have more than a week off.  He says lower their work level but otherwise it takes too long to get back.  And I thought pasture would be good work and he said it is but wearing a saddle and carrying a rider is like weight lifting and they sure don't do that on their own.  I feel like I should be getting Easy in already yikes!

One other comment he made which sounds easy till you think about it was.  "We get fit to do the sport not do the sport to get fit"  Which I understood for my horse but I was doing the opposite for myself, gonna have to change that I guess.  Another one of Feb 11 on the neck and shoulder, I am already signed up.