nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429 
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Post by nhg on Nov 6, 2015 18:12:55 GMT
We're having a clinic at our barn on November 29. I've been wanting to get into this for so long but wasn't able to before between my business and my health. Yay, I'm finally going to be doing a clinic! So excited! There will only be four or five of us so lots of personal attention. I pasted an intro into western dressage. I hope it works. www.youtube.com/watch?v=biZei-ieLH4 |
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Post by horselady on Nov 7, 2015 1:08:24 GMT
How exciting that you are finally going to a western dressage clinic. and hope you gain some insight to it. it is fun to learn and to teach the horse to be supple and collected. no matter if it is english or western.. oh and you need to remember to post those photos or videos of your day.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 7, 2015 20:09:51 GMT
Lucky you....  Enjoy and please share what you did and learned.  |
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Nov 16, 2015 22:14:31 GMT
Apparently Zippy has become my new western dressage horse,..,who knew??!!  Have fun and looking forward to hearing about the clinic! |
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Nov 24, 2015 4:55:01 GMT
Less than a week away. So excited!!
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Nov 24, 2015 12:08:26 GMT
Less than a week away. So excited!! NHG, I was recently introduced to this saddle for western dressage,.., now I really want one. graphics-3d-smileys-082254 Super comfortable, built incredibly well, and designed to fit the horse's back properly, placing the rider correctly. Very nice saddle! westerndressageridinggear.com/harmony-western-dressage-saddle1.html |
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 25, 2015 0:31:01 GMT
Interesting, Red. Reminds me of a gaited horse saddle or a Tucker or trail saddle. With the new saddle I have I'll never look for another one again.
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Nov 25, 2015 2:51:00 GMT
Interesting, Red. Reminds me of a gaited horse saddle or a Tucker or trail saddle. With the new saddle I have I'll never look for another one again. I don't need another saddle either. I actually have a Textan trail saddle, but these saddles ^ are built to actually position your leg much better. My TexTan trail saddle ^ pushes my leg too far forward and it rolls on Zippy's back,.., does not sit on his back properly. I've recently gone back to riding in my old, old (20 years) TexTan western equitation saddle.
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Nov 25, 2015 15:24:23 GMT
Sometimes the old ones are the best. But often they're heavy buggers.
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Nov 25, 2015 15:28:54 GMT
Sometimes the old ones are the best. But often they're heavy buggers. That saddle is actually lighter than the trail saddle. I think its a nicer saddle than the newer one  I actually 'missed' riding in the old one ,., it feels more comfortable than the new one I bought. i've enjoyed riding in it again, and plan to possibly sell the newer one. |
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Nov 30, 2015 3:40:58 GMT
Had the clinic today. I'm exhausted and ache everywhere. So not used to riding for such a length of time. Prince was good but was getting tired of it by the end. He's a good boy and tries but he gets cranky learning new things. He'll do it a time or two but then thinks he gets it and starts to get annoyed if there's repetition. Or he'll start thinking he already knows it and will do what he thinks is right and then get snarky if I make him do it the right way. He's Mr Smarty Pants Know It All and doesn't appreciate being told what to do. But he was better behaved than some of the other horses.
I learned some things and have things to work on later and focus on as well as some things I didn't realize I was doing such as holding my breath when I ask him for something. I do it a lot. We did some centred riding exercises before we rode and it was really enlightening as to how detrimental it is to not hold your breath and to not stiffen up and even to have 'soft eyes'. I also learned that when I ask him to stop by pushing my pockets into the saddle I roll my back backwards. There are so many things to pay attention to it's hard.
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Post by lorddaxter on Nov 30, 2015 15:43:30 GMT
Had the clinic today. I'm exhausted and ache everywhere. So not used to riding for such a length of time. Prince was good but was getting tired of it by the end. He's a good boy and tries but he gets cranky learning new things. He'll do it a time or two but then thinks he gets it and starts to get annoyed if there's repetition. Or he'll start thinking he already knows it and will do what he thinks is right and then get snarky if I make him do it the right way. He's Mr Smarty Pants Know It All and doesn't appreciate being told what to do. But he was better behaved than some of the other horses. I learned some things and have things to work on later and focus on as well as some things I didn't realize I was doing such as holding my breath when I ask him for something. I do it a lot. We did some centred riding exercises before we rode and it was really enlightening as to how detrimental it is to not hold your breath and to not stiffen up and even to have 'soft eyes'. I also learned that when I ask him to stop by pushing my pockets into the saddle I roll my back backwards. There are so many things to pay attention to it's hard. Interesting re the breathing, also you roll your back backwards, isnt that natural, its to prep for the stop surely, eespecially if you're going fast?! |
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Dec 1, 2015 5:25:47 GMT
I've been doing a lot of work with Prince like getting him to stop when I push my pockets down and I do roll my back. I don't think it's going to stop. It's what I see high end reining riders do all the time so it can't be that bad. I can't be a perfect technical rider. I'm not athletic enough and I slouch terribly now after the blood clot. I was so weak that I slouched all the time and it's going to take time to get a straight back again and strengthen my core. It's not that long since I started walking without a limp so sitting properly is down the road a bit. I noticed yesterday that I'd started jamming my left foot in the stirrup again which is an old habit I'd eliminated. It's like I'm learning to ride again. I am not saddle sore at all, though, after riding so long in my new saddle. I thought I'd really be hurting today.
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Lipizzan
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Europe, Croatia
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Post by Lipizzan on Dec 1, 2015 9:48:40 GMT
I would love to see some pictures of you and Prince. Nhg, I don't know why you worrie so much, I mean you survived so much and you are already on a horse?? Talking about some strengt there. I admire you. ou are doing better then you give yourself kredit for.
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Dec 1, 2015 21:26:05 GMT
Thank you Lip. There aren't any pics. There was a Go pro set up but we have to get the videos.
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mistersmom
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Abita Springs, LA
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Post by mistersmom on Dec 2, 2015 0:49:15 GMT
I'm glad you had a good time. I audited a clinic the other weekend with a very famous event rider and there was horse a lot like Prince. The clinician would only let the rider do a particular exercise twice - the first time would teach the horse how to do it, the second time reinforced it. If they did it any more than that, the horse would start acting like a no-it-all and would get cocky. So you're not alone on that.
I also know what you mean about so many things to work on. It seems that I am telling myself 4 different things while approaching a jump and still forgetting 8 other things. There's only so much your mind can focus on at once. :-)
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Dec 2, 2015 5:24:10 GMT
I can see us competing at a low level but not a high level. They have virtual shows so we might get into some of that. It's nice to have the comradery at a real show but spending a weekend at one is expensive and probably not doable with the dogs and my hubby's shifts. Still, it gives prince and I some things to work on instead of just going around the arena with no focus.
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hugs
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Post by hugs on Dec 3, 2015 0:21:49 GMT
Focus on the journey Janice, I know you're thankful that you are on this particular journey. I think it's absolutely wonderful that you have all these training challenges; it means you're able to ride, learn a new discipline, you and your horse are learning to communicate ever more effectively and you're both learning about the pace each of you picks up new skills, that is particularly exciting to think about, that partnership. I'm very very happy for you.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Dec 3, 2015 3:11:51 GMT
Thank you  ! You're the best! |
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! You're the best!