Massages and Caring for Equine Athletes

I had a chiropractic/massage appointment for Violet in June, and the vet/masseuse said that Violet was carrying stress in her neck by her shoulder, along her cheeks, and in her tight rear end, especially her left hind.  So, I've been trying to be even more diligent than usual about massage, accupressure, and stretching exercises.  Violet eats it up with a spoon.  As soon as I start the namaste ritual to ask permission to touch her, she begins to visibly relax and get loopy.  She just stands ground tied in the cross ties and lets me massage her.  She'll roll her head, chew, lick her lips, lift her lip and make faces.  She just loves to be fussed over and loved.  She makes me so happy with her happiness!

My Love for Violet

I'm writing this entry on Monday, July 2nd.  Violet's been working really hard.  She's working hard to take on the principles of the deep classical dressage stretch.  She's been jumping sweetly.  She's been darling on the ground.  She's a joy to be around.  So, I decided to give her a full week's vacation, since I'm going home to visit my dad for the July 4th holiday.  And she just cracks me up.  I go visit her in her pasture and she's radiantly beautiful and athletic.  But she'll come right up to me and nuzzle and chat and good around and just want to hang out with me.  I'm the luckiest person.

Cute Jackass Napping on Sunday

On a hot July Sunday morning, I got up early to go to the barn to give some love to Renny and Violet.  And then I came home and had a big lunch and decided to lie down to take a nap.  I woke up an hour or so later and looked up.  My darling Jackass had joined me and was conked out!  I just love him so much.

Classical Dressage and Stuck with Riding

Dressage Clinic Fun!

Here are more photos and video from the classical dressage clinic hosted at St. George -- the clinic that really got me thinking about my herd and life.  I was pretty upset the Monday after the clinic -- I'd called Melinda, emailed my vet, cancelled Renny's show plans.  I was waiting to hear from my vet and Melinda and was in a major funk.  I was upset.  I didn't know why my life was wrapped up in horses.  I was sick of how horrible horse people can be.  And then as I was feeling that funky, I walked into my closet and saw my riding gear.  And I remembered that I love horses, love riding, love my herd...for better or worse.  And the worse of worrying about Renny's back began to give way to the better of knowing in my heart that he's happy, healthy, strong, and sweet!  All good!  I can't help it, but I love riding and being with my herd more and more.

Dressage Clinics and Persevering

Having Fun at Dressage with Friends!

Here are photos from the dressage clinic.  I am proud to be riding Violet and Kelsey is showing off my darling Renny.  But the weekend was sort of rough overall.  The instructor said Renny had a weak back because of my early start with him.  I had to hear someone talk about my herd.  I told a family that Renny wasn't going to show anymore this year.  It was all pretty emotional.  And even though the instructor said that I could make Renny strong again, I was feeling bad.

And so over the next few days, I contacted people I trusted.  I contacted Renny's trainer, Melinda.  I looked at photos of Renny's mom and dad and half-siblings.  I contacted my veterinarian.  And I felt better.  My vet said that I did not start him too early nor did I cause structural damage.  He said the instructor's claims had no validity.  Melinda said that she had a pony whose croup was 2 inches higher than the withers who finished first at the Pony Finals and who sold for a ton of money.  They both said it's simply conformation.  And Renny comes from butt high on both sides.  So, I felt better.  I believe in my heart that I have a pony who is sound and strong of body and mind.  And I also decided that he's mine.  He doesn't need to be improved for anyone other than me.  He's my pony.  He's not going to be an A-circuit jumping pony in the near future.  He's not going to local shows with children.  He's not going to be part of a lesson program for anyone but me.  And I feel good about that.

Weird Conversations and Classical Dressage

A Classical Dressage Clinic Lesson!

So, during the dressage clinic, the instructor said that Renny was an example of what happens when you start a horse too young -- that he has a dip in his back between the croup and saddle which is indicative of a weak damaged back.  I asked whether it could be conformation and in front of a room of people, he said no.  So, I was pretty upset.  The last thing I'd want to do is hurt my pony.  And after instructor said that, he used Renny as an amazing example of the technique -- Renny was soft, round, reaching, lifting his belly.  He was one of only a few horses invited to canter this weekend. He was amazing.

Anyway, later the next day, I was in the viewing room, making a sandwich, and K was chatting to someone.  You will have to ask me in person for the details of the someone.  Anyway, I'm just making a sandwich and I hear him ask K who she rode in the clinic.  And she's telling him about riding Renny and how great he was and how I was nervous because the instructor said his back was weak.  And she started explaining that she doesn't think that could be so.  And this someone starts talking about Renny.  He says that he doesn't think Renny has a weak back and that possibly he just entered the ring with his head and tail high because of interest and enthusiasm and the instructor made an incorrect judgement.

So, I just keep making my sandwich, feeling that they'll likely move on to another topic when that someone keeps talking about me and my herd.  He says that both my horses are great.  That most of the time when he gives a horse back to its owner after 30 days, the horse moves backwards.  But my horses are always moving forward.  That Renny is consistent.  It doesn't matter who he sees on Renny, Renny looks great -- whether it's me, K, or a little girl he's seen riding her.  He said that most people are lucky to have only 1 good horse, but I've got two.  And that he thinks that I prefer Violet, but that he'd keep Renny.  He says Renny was easy to train because of all of my training - I gave Renny to him ready to learn.

I got uncomfortable and nervous because the conversation wasn't brief, it was extended.  I couldn't believe that my herd was being discussed.  More was said -- all strangely good -- and I couldn't take it anymore, so I interrupted.  I told someone that I was worried about what the instructor had said about Renny's back because we had started him at 26 months, but that I knew he'd gotten a good start from someone.  This was the first conversation since Hailee went to auction.  

And someone said that he'd learned a lot since he started Renny and that he would only rarely start one so young now.  But that he wanted me to know that in many ways Renny was more consistent and could make people look good, better than his own stallion.  He said that he could ride his stallion and it would look good, but if someone else got on, they wouldn't look good.  But Renny is so consistent, he makes everyone look good.  

I heard that.  I said my piece.  And then I turned and walked away.  It was one hella weird dressage clinic, let me tell you!

Renny's Fangs

So, at the end of this dressage clinic weekend, I decide to give Renny a massage.  And he starts his little sneer thing that he's been doing.  So, I open his gums and what do I find?  I find two fangs, one on each side of his lower jaw -- two big big fangs.  My poor little guy has been having teeth come in.  I feel so rotten that I haven't been keeping up with paying attention to his needs.  I have a call out to the veterinarian.

Renny's Back and Other Disappointments

Here I am before my dressage clinic, getting my little pony together.  He doesn't look enthused, but he was getting ready to work hard!  Anyway, the clinic was mostly fun, but it started out with a bitter hurtful disappointment.  I started Renny under saddle at 26 months.  That was way earlier than I wanted to start him by a full year, but I listened to the advice of others and I moved forward.  At the clinic, Mr. Faeber said that Renny showed the signs of a weak back associated with a too early start.  I asked if maybe he was just a little butt high because of a growing spurt and he said firmly no.  I've hurt my guy.  I asked him several separate times whether I could help Renny recover from this bad start.  And he said he felt confident about it through the back-strengthening routines.  So, that disappointment led me to decide that Renny won't go to any more shows this year nor be in any lessons with anyone other than Kelsey and me until he's moved forward from this setback.  I love my sensible adorable creature.  And I'm so proud that he performed beautifully at the clinic -- and always.  He's a decent fellow who deserves the best.  I'm sorry about what happened at his start, but I am trying to do my best by him.

The Classical Dressage Clinic

Over the weekend of June 23-24th, I attended a classical dressage clinic hosted by Cheri and Baker with the schooling expert, Will Faeber.  Sarah kindly made my horses beautiful and Kelsey agreed to ride Renny.  On the day of the event, the place was filled with people, a big giant speaker for a sound system, a video camera, and lots of noise.  My horses chose to behave beautifully.  Violet was willing elegant sweet.  She didn't really understand how to lean into the bit and stretch along her top line, but she tried and she was sweet and obliging.  Renny was awesome and wonderful.  He could stretch his back, be light and soft, and he was one of the few horses of the entire weekend who was permitted to canter!  I was super proud!

Chillaxin' After the Show!

So, Renny's first show this year was a little stressful for a number of reasons.  But we learned that even when he's under the weather and has many different riders, he will always bring his best heart to his work.  I'll never be able to describe how grateful I was to have him home before 6pm that Saturday after the show and to fuss over him in his pristine wonderful stall.  And I'll never be able to convey the great waves of relief when I visited him the next morning and saw that his stall had a large piddle spot and his poo was back to normal.  I was so happy to bring him out to his pasture to relax with his pals.  Here you see him, the day after he won second place out of 22 horses.  He's happy and relaxed.  And he's got his pretty little show mane.  And he's such a loving soul that he even takes time out from eating and hanging with his pals to come to the fence line and say hello to his Grama.  He is a good sport!  That day I had a million things to do, but I was so relieved after seeing this calm happy little healthy face that I just went home, put on some girly lounging clothes, and napped.  It was delicious!

A Summer Bath for Wonder Pony!

Here is my handsome pony right after his bath...and 10 minutes after his bath!  Love my grubber!!!

The Reward

Here's a classic example of why Renny adores Kelsey and is never stressed or worried or confused with her.  She rewards him and makes him feel proud and satisfied.  She rewards him and encourages him.  And she does it clearly and effectively, so he knows right away on the instant when he's done something correctly and well and pleasingly.  Look at that pat on his neck.  Look at that happy pony!

Beautiful Girls!

A friend of ours, Lizz, took photos during one of our Thursday riding lessons.  Here's one of me and my girl having fun over an oxer.  Love my big red girl!

Arcangelo likes Apple!

Here's a goofy little photo of my darling Arcangelo leaning against the screen on my new MacAir!  I wrote an internal grant to get some pilot data collected. And among my funding requests was a new 64GB iPad and a tricked out MacAir.  I'm delighted with both of those items!  Just thrilled.  And, of course, as always, delighted by Arcangelo, sultry creature that he is!

Thelma Likes the Bird Bath!

I've really enjoyed working in my garden this Spring -- every day I weed the perimeter, weed a few rows, weed the yard, and weed a little rough.  I managed to reclaim some of the rough and transplant perennials and hostas to try the slow work of developing shade gardens.  But one morning while I was working, I glanced over and saw Thelma taking a sip of water from her bird bath.  So nice and cute!

My June 12th Garden!

So, just yesterday I posted a photo of my garden 2 weeks after I planted it.  And then just 11 days later look at it!  Now it's a week later and even more verdant and thriving.  Here are my girls helping me look at our green work!

Spring Garden 2012

Spring Garden 2012

Here are some photos of my garden taken on June 1st.  I'm writing this on Father's Day, June 17th, and you would not recognize it!  It has been cleaned up and beautified and the vegetables are bursting at the seams!

Learning the Warm Up!

Violet during Spring Break 2012

So, here in this photo and video, you can see Emily working with Violet in such a soft quiet loving manner.  She's helping Violet get softer and more supple.  And she's helping me learn how to ride with a more active seat.  Anyway, in May or June, I can't quite remember which one now, I told Emily that I was worried that maybe Violet was stiff with me not only because of my heavy unforgiving hands, but also because she had something going on in her neck or poll region.  So, Emily gave her a really long quiet schooling session where she helped Violet wrap around her leg, lift up her belly, get soft soft soft. Emily and Kelsey both reported back to me that by the end of the long session, mostly done at the walk, Violet was practically a wet noodle and would bend any direction with ease.  

So, then Emily gave me a lesson about how to get that from her.  How to get her truly straight.  How to get her soft and give her the reward.  How to use my legs first.  How to really feel her with just enough contact and not an ounce more.  And then I got to ride her bareback and feel the same thing.  It was an amazing session and one of Em's and Kelsey's friend who was visiting from college said that she could see the difference. I was pretty proud of our hard work.

And then just recently, I talked Kelsey into a half-and-half lesson to show me how to do a polite effective warm-up.  It was awesome!  We had a cool evening in late May and she got on Violet who behaved beautifully and calmly and sweetly.  And then I was able to get on and do the same thing -- light soft hands, active legs, wrapping Violet around my leg, rounding her through the barrel.  Violet loved it.  It has made a big difference in her willingness to connect with me, her attentiveness, and our ability to set communication for our other tasks.  And her softness!!!  I'm learning a lot from my many teachers!!!  Violet, Em, Kelsey, Stacey...the list goes on and on!

My Dearest Girl!

Beautiful Violet in March 2012, Enjoying Spring Break

Again, here's a photo and video from Em and Violet's  Spring Break schooling session.  My life with Violet is super happy.  I am so happy that she's pleased to see me.  I'm happy that she peeks out of her stall jealously, if I'm petting on Renny.  I'm happy that she expects me to take good care of her and love on her.  That she's quiet and relaxed and calm in my company.  I'm proud to be hers.  But then every once in awhile, it comes upon me like a little bolt of lightning -- she's the granddaughter of royal champions!  I am loved by Count Fleet's and War Admiral's living relative.  I'm loved by a royal princess.  And I'll walk a little taller and sassier and prouder.  Which I know isn't a good thing, but it's an honest thing.  I'm honestly proud to be part of her royal history through the privilege of caring for her.

Violet and Em and Charming Strength!

Soft and Light, Spring 2012!

Here's a photo and video from their Spring Break training session.  I love this photo.  You can see Violet working toward being soft and sweet and strong.  

Taking Care of My Best Girl!

My Beautiful Hard-Working Violet and Her Friend

This photo and video were taken during Emily's Spring Break, during a session when Violet would jump 3' for the first time in her life.  She did so well. I was so proud.  She's been a hard-working girl since I adopted her 6 years ago when she was just 3.  We've gone through a lot together -- all fun.  We've done Parelli together.  Learned how to long-line and drive together.  Learned basic dressage.  Learned to jump.  We've developed a good relationship.  So, I've been wanting to start taking better care of her.  So, this week, the week of June 11th, I had a chiropractor and massage therapist come and work on her.  She says that Violet is stiff in her neck and her rear and so we're going to work on that slowly over time with stretches, massage, and chiropracty.  Violet is so intelligent that I can just tell that she understood that we were trying to take care of her and give her a treat -- she had Jackie, Allison, and myself, loving on her and giving her a massage.  Some things caused discomfort, but she was very sweet and funny when something felt delicious or good.  She'd make the happiest little faces.  And yawn and lick her lips.  Jackie said she liked working on Violet because she was very communicative and responsive.  And that is the stone cold truth about my girl.  She has a big big heart.  In fact, several times a week, people will tell me that they entered her stall to clean or do some errand and she comes over to greet and love on them.  Violet is a serene good girl!

My Soft Speedy Athlete

Spring Break 2012 Beauties!

So, this photo and video are taken in early March.  You can see my two red sweeties, relaxing on a Sunday.  Violet was about to get schooled by Emily, so she's just chilling until that time.  Anyway, it's been 4 months since I've blogged, so there's lots to write about Violet, but it's just sort of hard for me to remember it all!  We've worked at being more obedient by the gates, jumping bigger, jumping quiet and soft, working on dressage.  We've been getting help from Stacey, Emily, and Kelsey.  And we're now confronting a problem of my making.  I've sort of taught Violet to surge and dash through lines.  One day while we were jumping early in the Spring in the outdoor arena, she was just galloping through the outside lines and boldly HUGELY jumping the overs exuberantly.  So, we're taking it back to basic principles.  We're learning how not to be rushed.  How to wait.  How to have an even pace.  How not to surge.  How to be sweet and quiet.  And it's beginning to work.  I am working hard to develop a soft feel in my hands rather than a snatching quick yank.  And through all of this endeavor, Violet is still my trusting team member!  This past week while I had a chiropractor out to get her a massage, Beth came up to her and petted her and said that Violet loved me.  I think that must be true.  She certainly gives me more care and affection and kindness and good heart than I deserve!

Violet Jumps 3' -- BadaBing!

Violet Jumps 3'! Like Butter!!

So, Violet's young friend and trainer is Emily who has been working with kindness and laughter to help Violet be soft and supple.  I appreciate their work together and really enjoy seeing Violet's sweet nature.  She's smart and wants to please.  And she has a natural grace and athleticism.  Anyway, this photo and video was taken in March when Em was on Spring Break.  She was getting ready to return to school, but was going to put a quick little training ride on my beautiful girl.  In this little effort, you see my beautiful girl jumping 3' for the first time -- with elegance, grace, and a thoroughbred heart!

My Folks!

I went home in May to visit my mom and dad and see his new nursing home.  It was so nice to be home.  Zelia had a great time walking, enjoying the lake, visiting family.  And she really liked my mom and dad's dog, Lucky.  Mom and I planted flowers, got pedicures, ate good food, visited dad.  It was a really special trip.  Namaste.

Renny Loves His Team!

In early June, Team Renegade started to really take shape.  He needs to learn how to be a show pony, a trustworthy true blue show pony for children, so Sarah began working with Kelsey to train him.  Here you see a picture from their first lesson together.  Sarah is his Show Rider and little friend, her mom, Michelle, Kelsey, and myself.  I just am so humbled by the thought of all the wonderful people Renny has drawn into my life.  This little pony has made my life so much richer and happier, not only through his own perfect little self, but also because he just has the easy relaxed ability to draw friendly kind intelligent loving people into our world!  Anyway, here we are, Team Renegade 2012!

Renny Jumps an Oxer!

Happy Evening

So, I'm writing this entry on June 17th and this past week was a doozy!  On Thursday, I got up and spent a beautiful cool sunlit morning working in my gardening -- weeding, tending to plants, thinning seedlings, transplanting perennials to make a shade garden.  Then I went to get a pedicure and take a nap.  And then I went out to the barn for my Thursday evening lesson with the ladies and Kelsey was there.  She was in a good mood, as usual, and she casually mentioned that she rode Renny over his first oxer.  An OXER!!!!  My little guy jumped his first oxer like it was nothing!!  She said that the first one he jumped, he wanted to take long -- so I can just imagine him sailing through the air.  But then she said he got it like it was nothing and was very relaxed about the whole thing.  I am so unbelievably proud of him!!!  And her!  What a great training team.  She is bringing out the very best in him!

Renny's Natural Lead Changes

Happy Evening

Renny has always been handy with lead changes.  I'm writing this entry on Sunday, June 17th and Kelsey has been working with Renny for a little over a month in his second year of formal training with her.  She's been able to get lead changes out of him and on one especially fun day, I got to team ride with her -- she on Renny and me on Violet and we were just jumping the same jumps together, so that I could have a fun chance to relax and feel soft and help my girl move slower through her lines.  It was just the coolest evening.  I had a blast.  I had set up the course so that there were verticals on the diagonals and outside lines.  It was going to be his first time on verticals with Kelsey.  And she was thrilled with him.  He kept a nice soft quiet pace through everything.  He permitted her to tweak the speed or distances to fences.  And he consistently truly gave flying lead changes in each direction.  And then he went through this one outside line in perfect form.  Bounced quietly into the first and cantered sweet smooth quiet evenly step by step all the way to the second and bounced over that one as sweet as you please on the correct lead!  Happy pony!  Happy trainer!  And Violet and I had fun too.  We were getting nice quiet paces and she was offering up lead changes herself.  In fact, she consistently offered up lead changes on the diagonal.  We did rollbacks twice and I was proud to say that even as we worked on polishing up the rollback, she gave a relaxed natural smooth lead change after each effort.  It was probably one of my finest days of riding ever - just a relaxed fun time working on tasks with friends!

Renny Enjoys Bending Lines!

Beautiful Evening for a Happy Pony

Here's a May 14th photo from Renny's first training session with Kelsey for Summer 2012 and then a video from the sunset evening that he was learning how to jump bending lines.  He was very cute because he wanted to rush the first time through -- knowing that he's talented -- and he wanted to jump long -- one of his favorite sort of flying sports.  So, by the end of his exercise, He was cantering evenly true and quietly over the first and through the second and giving flying lead changes over an exiting ground pole. He's so handy and smart and obliging.  It was just the most wonderful thing to enjoy that cool quiet evening at the barn with Kelsey and him, as he worked hard in the setting sun.

Renny's Second Training Year!

Jumping into the Sunset!

I'm writing this entry on June 17th, Father's Day, and this photo is from May 14th and the video from May 29th.  The photo is from my first day back, after visiting my father in Rhinelander.  I went to the barn to see Renny's first official day of training with Kelsey as he begins his summer of learning how to be a wonderful fabulous true blue heart pony.  He was so charming in that lesson.  He rode in a lesson with some little kids, including Reaghan.  And he just listened to carefully to Kelsey.  He looked so good that Stacey said he looked wonderful.  He was quiet about his transitions and smooth about jumping.  And the video is from a gorgeaus beautiful sunsetting evening where Renny was learning how to jump bending lines for the first time.  He's just so sensible!

Renny Adores Kelsey!

Renny Starts Summer Training 2012!

In May, I went to visit my mom and dad.  On a beautiful Spring day while we were by the lake in Tomahawk near dad's nursing home, I got a polite phone call from Kelsey, asking if she could start riding Renny.  I felt so cheerful to think of her and Renny working together and bonding while I was gone.  They had a week together before I got back and this photo is from May 14th when they began their second official summer together training.  Kelsey is going to work on developing his lead changes, smoothing his gaits and transitions, improving his jumping in terms of distances, pace, and height!  I just feel very blessed.  I've taken a full four months off from blogging, so I've missed many many stories to record, but over the next few weeks, I will try to record some of the more wonderful ones.  This photo is from a wonderful day.  Renny is glancing at me with love, as he gets ready to work with his favorite person!

Soft, Soft, Soft at Lieway!

Here are two photos of Renny with his favorite person and trainer, Kelsey.  She is schooling him at Lieway on the Friday of his first show of 2012.  can you see how soft, round, happy, and free-flowing he is?  Can you see him with his happy little belly up, his straightness, his trueness, his work ethic?  Can you see the good sweet heart and trust and talent that Kelsey is giving him as a gift?  Lucky lucky pony!