Dressage Show

Hello readers,

Recently, I participated in a  CDS Dressage show.  It was so much fun!  I did Training Level test one and got a 64.something percent, and I did Intro Test C and got a 72.something percent.  I won both my classes, and I got to use Izzy's owner's Dressage saddle.  It was very rewarding, since I was training Isabel from scratch practically for dressage, and now we have come so far.  I was very proud of her.  She did as told and did her best.  My riding school did very well also.  We got plenty of blue ribbons, and my trainer won her Prix Saint Georges test! (The competition was fierce)

The only bad thing that happened was that my boots were squeaky!

LOL

Thx 4 reading!

Snomochan

School

Hello readers,

Summer has come to an end sadly, and school is starting.  But that doesn't mean you can't spend time with your horse!

Here are some tips for how to fit horses in with homework during your day.

-Do as much homework as you can at school.
-Listen to the lesson, so you don't waste time reading the lesson over at home.
-Do homework while in the car.
-Don't get detention.
-Eat a big lunch so you can go a good 4 hours without food.
-If you have afterschool activities, pack your horse gear in your gym bag so you don't have to go by home to pick up your clothes and you can go straight to horses.
-Always have a snack with you so you don't have to pull over to 7-11 and waste precious time.
-Always have water.
-Do priorities first at the barn.  Don't let the first thing you do at the barn be filling in on gossip with your barn friends or texting about how much you hate your new teachers.
-Do things efficiently at the barn and learn how to multitask.  Example:  Rinse the bit and feed bucket at the same time.
-Have a watch.  The moon and sun are unreliable for time.
-Do your homework while waiting for your ride to pick you up from the barn.
-Shower at night, not in the morning.  It winds you down and makes your night more comfortable.  It also gives you one less thing to worry about.
-Pack your backback and lay out your clothes the night before so all you have to do is eat, brush your teeth, and hit the road.  This allows you to sleep longer.
-Try not to wear lots of makeup, as this adds around 20 extra minutes to your morning schedule that could be spent sleeping.
-Always set an alarm for when you would like to wake up.  And make the sound something really loud and annoying.

-Get at least 8 hours of sleep to be well rested for the next day.
-ALWAYS EAT BREAKFAST!!!!

Hope this helps!  If you have any more suggestions comment below please!

Stalls Vs Pasture

Hello Readers,

I'm just wondering.  Which do you prefer?

Stalls
Stalls keep horses warmer, prevent them from getting hurt from the rough and tumble way of the pasture, and makes sure they get all the hay they need, but is an unnatural living style for the horse.  They do not get to socialize and gallop with the herd, which can depress a horse and cause vices such as weaving and windsucking, and in rare cases cause colic.

Pasture
Pasture is the normal way of living for a horse.  They get to socialize, go where they please, roll in the mud, and play with the other horses.  On average horses are happier in the field.  They get to graze also, but they get hay when there is not enough grass.  However, horses can lose lots of weight in the winter, since it is cold out and he might not get his fair share of hay.  They can get more easily injured, since they can get scraped by a tree branch or bruised by a horse kicking him or bitten.  Horses play rough.


What do you think?

Comment with your answers!

Random Grooming Tips

Hello readers!

Today I'm going to give random grooming tips.  Hope these come in handy!

-To get poop and grass stains out, use unscented baby wipes.  Scrub the wipe on the stain until the stain disappears. Throw away the wipe.  I like to use baby wipes because they are gentle, and the stain doesn't trickle down the body in a fluid form since it gets absorbed into the wipe.
-Once a week, spray non-silicone based coat conditioner on your horse's body (Eqyss is good).  It gives the coat a nice shine/smell and repels dirt and dust for the rest of the week.
-Also once a week, spray silicone based coat conditioner thoroughly in the mane and tail and brush it in (Show Sheen is good).  It gives a long lasting shine, prevents tangles, keeps burrs from getting caught in the tail, and spreads fragrance when the tail swishes.
-Don't brush the tail every day!  It will pull out too many hairs.
-To remove sweat stains, curry your horse while rinsing after a ride, or use miracle groom or Cowboy Magic.
- Once a week in the summer, every other week in the winter, apply hoof conditioner.  It gives a nice shine and prevents cracking.
-If your horse has a wild mane you would like to tame, use quic braid.
-Spray fly spray on the brushes often.
-Keep the brushes really clean.
-For a healthy coat, add a pinch of flax to your horse's grain.

These are all I can think of now.  I will have more in the future.
Thanks for reading!

Snowmochan

Dressage Tips Needed

Hello everybody,

I have a dressage show coming up and I have a problem that unfortunately just flared up.  Isabel always falls into her circle and leans against my inside leg.  It's really annoying and I have to kick her really hard with my inside leg and slap my crop on her inside shoulder, which stops her falling in the for the moment, but makes her throw her head in the air.

Does anyone have another idea of how to stop Isabel from doing this?  And I already checked my seat, leg and rein pressure, and my head, but nothing seems to be wrong.

Please comment with your answers, I need them!

Thanks for your help!

Snowmochan

Hello

Hello!

I got first in the Hunter Pace and got first individually and overall in the Pony Club shingdig.

YaY

Snowmochan

The next few days

Hi Readers!

For the next few days, I may not be posting as much stuff on my blog.  This is because I am going to a hunter pace and a big Pony Club shingdig.  When I get back I will fill you in on the details.

~Snowmochan

Chase

Hello readers,

This is my first "Before this blog post".  These posts tell you about stuff that happened before I set up this blog.

This is Chase

Chase was my first lease horse.  He was a 143 liver chesnut gelding Morgan, and 24 years old.

He was so sweet, curious, and kind.  You couldn't help but smile when you saw him look at you.

He had the comfiest canter, and he loved to jump.
When I rode him for the first time, I thought he was so weird, and I think that he thought the same thing about me.

Over time, we grew to understand each other better, and soon we were having so much fun.
I did a dressage show with him.

We were progressing rapidly.
But then, he suddenly couldn't keep up. 

He became dehydrated and sick, and would coilc a lot.
He eventually got better, but his age would catch up to him.
He was getting stiff.  Jumping was too much for him.

Soon, my trainer decided I needed a horse that was younger, more robust, and could jump over 2 feet.
Isabel came along, and I started a lease with her instead of Chase.

I got to do much more with Izzy, and I'm glad I stopped leasing Chase.
But I haven't forgotten Chase.

I still stop by his stall with a handful of hay.  I hear he is doing well. 
I am so glad he was my first lease horse.  He was the best thing for my riding career.  I wouldn't be the same without him
I love you Chase!
Snowmochan

SMB opinions?

Hello Readers,

I was just thinking about sport medicine boots.  Many people say that they are the best all-around boots because they give protection everywhere on the cannon bones, tendons, and fetlocks.  They are fitted to the contours of a horse's leg, so there will not be any rubbed skin, and they provide shock absorbtion.  Other people protest that these boots do not allow horses to move correctly by restricting the leg movement, and therefore can damage the leg.  You can see SMBoots at http://www.horse.com/leg-and-hoof-protection/sports-medicine-boots/593/,

What do you think about SMSs?  Do you think they are the best boots ever, good for only on discipline, or should never be used at all?  Please comment your answer and explain your thoughts. 

Thaks for reading,

Snowmochan