The Smoking Mouth

You may have noticed that in pretty much every single picture I post of Courage (including the fancy dressage ones), his mouth is open.

(Noted: I'm pretty selective about editing, so maybe you don't see it as much as I do, but let me assure you, it's a thing.)

Fall

Summer

Could he be more good looking?

You may also notice that I'm not doing a hell of a lot about it. Yeah, his bridle has a flash and I own a figure eight and I certainly know how to mechanically remedy the situation.

But here's the thing--according to both S (biomechanics) and C (dressage), it's far better at this point to let Courage express his tension by opening and closing his mouth than it is to tie it shut and force that tension to show up another way.

You may be sick of this pic. I'm not.

And you know what? The more comfortable and confident Courage gets working though his back into contact, the more often he starts closing his mouth of his own accord.

So I'm not saying I'd never put a flash on him--I have before and I'm sure it will happen again. It's just that for where we're at right now, I'd rather he open his mouth and release his topline than close his mouth and invert.

Because let's face it, that tension is coming out somewhere.

2015 Goals.

Technically taken last year

I hesitate to even set goals after failing at pretty much all of them last year. That said, I love goal wrap ups and a huge part of blogging is taking snapshots in time so progress is more tangible... so here goes.

Things I think I can achieve in 2015 with my green OTTB, limited time, short funds, so-so bravery, and a deep and intense hatred of showing green horses, but I still think need to be done in pursuit of a useful and well-rounded horse to have fun on:

1) Compete at two dressage shows (schooling shows count) with Courage. Me riding. Don't care what level. Complete test and stay in the ring.

2) Attend two jumping shows with Courage. Don't have to compete. Do have to hack around warm up.

he thinks we could do this right now

3) Comfortably jump around a 2'6" course at home, including oxers and spooky fill.

4) Pop over the occasional 3' (or better) single.

5) Get out on the trails. Courage is brave and willing. I want him comfortable solo and in groups.

6) Ride bitless. I dunno. Just want to try it and have an english hackmore, so might as well.

7) Take 1-2 lessons a month so I'm not just stalling out without help.

8) Travel to one out of state show to see either upper level eventing or grand prix showjumping.

this is hot

Reach Goals:

9) Jump double clear around a stadium course at 2' or better in a show.

10) Score 65% or better on a training level dresssage test.

Bonus Goal:

11) Ride in either of the H/J shows at the end of the summer.

Instead of setting big achievement goals, I wanted to break it down this year to more incremental progressive goals. I want to avoid checking in at the end of the year and being like "wow, yeah totally didn't even think about these things". I want to focus on doing the things that make the horse I want to ride.

So yeah, even though I hate showing green horses, I'm going to do it in pursuit of making a less green horse.

but our dressage is getting kick ass

You might also notice that is is way less performance oriented than in years past--I haven't called out specific shows or levels or even anything that seems way out of reach. Part of that is me wanting to attack the mental aspect and get really happy and comfortable and part of it is realistic--I'm not working consistently with a jumping trainer right now and I have other personal goals I'm working towards this year that realistically limit the horsey $$ at least for now.

It's so us

I want to tie this all together more holistically, so look for a sidebar or new tab or something in the near future. Maybe I will also get my shit together and (gasp!) migrate to my own domain here soon.

I'm Back! (And I have new toys)

My apologies for scattered auto-posting, but I've been out of town for most of the past week. It was a non-horse-related trip, but I still wheedled my way into a trip to a fantastic tack store. Plus met another blogger. Plus got my secret santa present. PONY TIME ALL THE TIME.

Plus has my initials on the other side

First things first. I got a note from the post office on Christmas Eve that there was a package I needed to sign for. It was late in the afternoon and I was tired and the name on the note was a person from whom I was expecting a Christmas card, so I opted to wait until after Christmas to go get it.

THAT WAS NO CHRISTMAS CARD. Well ok, T Meyers did include a card in which she wrote a really nice note, but she sent me a personalized Ogilvy baby pad. It's beautiful and perfect and I love it.

Hands off, ladies.

ALL THE PRETTIES

Next up, my mom (may her name be blessed) decided to get me a Christmas present on said trip.

I wandered the tack store and touched all the things and hemmed and hawed. I knew I didn't need more strap goods (we don't need to discuss how many bridles/breastcollars I have right now). I'm not really all that in to clothes.

I did almost cry when the Tredstep tall boots on clearance for $100 were a half a size too small for me.

Also the orange saddle pad. Obvs. Best mom ever.

And then I found it: THE BOOT AISLE.

Now you might be saying, "SB, you have SO MANY BOOTS SRSLY QUIT BUYING THEM."

And you might be right.

But that means you've never gotten to handle the new Majek Equip open front memory foam boots. I loved how they felt. I loved the price point.

And if I bought the fronts, my mom would buy the hinds and...

SOLD.

Because I'm a dork who takes pics of EVERYTHING

And then since the point of my tip to 70f sun and paradise was to watch my alma mater stomp a power 5 conference team into the desert dust, I trooped off to the game.

Whilst out and about tailgating, this nice girl walks up and is all "Hi, what's your name?"

AND IT WAS TOTALLY JODI (from Racing to Ride). Ha!! Super fun to meet her and bonus, she's just as nice and down to earth in person as she sounds online.

Sad to say, I left 70 and sun behind and am now back home in 18f weather that won't let up, but you know what?

I have an INDOOR. It's on, people.

PROGRESSION POSTS

Ok, yeah, I'm working on a lesson wrap up and I have tons of great pictures and there is so much to talk about, but I haven't done an honest-to-goodness progression in a while. LET'S DO THAT AGAIN. Instead of doing a multi year sort of thing, let's just look at this summer/fall:

July 2014

August 2014

December 2014

All photos by Alyssa.

It's definitely a long, slow process and there's more to do. What I'm seeing is Courage learning to really relax his topline and use his hind end. I know he's 9, but this is completely contrary to his race training.

I can't wait to see how he looks in the spring!

Everybody Loves Lessons Photo Dump

warm up

Can we just agree this is pretty?

so pretty

hellz yeah

my horse has great hair

mmhmm

I need to do a full lesson recap at some point, but just absolutely thrilled with the progress Courage has made in only two lessons with the new trainer. He looks great, he feels great, and we just keep improving.

Pony Presents!!

What Christmas looks like

I frequently whine that my family thinks I'm some sort of addict and won't buy me horse related presents. I love my family and they are great, and OMG I have the best barn friends ever. The Musketeers (TM) got together for a fun pony gift exchange. You already know Redheadlins, Alyssa, and Micaylah, plus our final member who goes to school in another state. (wtf who does that). And my BO from our last barn gave me a present, because she is the best ever.

Anywho. It was a really fun night with lots of laughs. I am the worst friend because I'm doing Valentine's Presents this year (ugh so poor need to space presents out right now), but no one cared and I feel guilty for all the incredible presents I got.

Quick rundown:

Sparkle bell boots, omg! Not only are they blingtastic, but they also make Courage look like a fancy dressage horse. It's an all win situation.















You've all seen my trunk before, but the stickers are new. Specifically, you're probably noticing the Dapplebay sticker which (YESSSSSSS) came with the matching OTTB Dapplebay shirt.

It is a short sleeve shirt, so it probably won't see a lot of wear until spring, but I love it and wanted it and never would have bought it for myself.

Oh, and I'd link you to their website but it's acting super weird and I have no clue. Just google if you want it.

I need to get a pic of this, but also the super awesome "under control" shirt with all the bits on it. Because bits. It's perfect.

ALL THE PRETTIES

Ok truth: I have wanted one of those thermoquilt stable blankets FOREVER. I never could justify one and I don't really think it would fit into my blanket round up at all, but I love the look and the material.

Oh, and then the ever-wonderful B got me a quarter sheet out of that material for Christmas. :-D

So thrilled. I love it. Perfect weight, super soft, just right for those in-between days.

Makes me want to clip C-rage EVEN MORE.

AND. AND. I adore navy and silver and the OTTB Designs swag. They JUST came out with navy and silver and I drooled all over it, but the $$$ were not happening and WHOOP WHOOP OMG super awesome present.

in all it's unedited glory

Yikes. So many nice presents I feel like some sort of embarrassing brand 'ho or something horrible, so I'll leave off with two things:

1. I seriously have the best friends a girl could want.

2. Spot the super cool present in this picture that I haven't mentioned yet:

Merry Christmas/Your Holiday of Choice (I like presents!)

Best wishes to all from us here at SprinklerBandits!

PS Yes, I always have amazing hair in Christmas pictures.

Teach Me Tuesday: Holidays and Horses

His face is cute

I wasn't sure what I'd think at first, but I'm really loving this series. (Also I think I'm bringing Ammy Hour back neck year. Woo woo!!). Anywhoodle.

It's the time of year wherein we are occasionally socially obligated to do non-pony things, such as "travel" and "spend time with family". Now if you are smart like me, you combine both of those with "GOING TO THE FIESTA BOWL BITCHES" and just watch football in the warm sunshine, but it leaves the same thing behind:

A pony.

Not me riding

So what do you do with your horses when you travel? Time off? Turn them out? Trainer rides? Barn buddy tag team time?

I'm on the fence here. I have a few more days to make plans and part of me thinks Courage would do well with downtime. The other part would kill for some solid training rides and I'm not sure what will make the difference for me.

Barn Visit in Pictures

Step one: tie wet horse in stall with cooler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step two: hang blanket to dry in tackroom

Step three: get goodies out of my awesome trunk

Step four: leg protection!

Step five: admire how awesome horse looks

Step six: ride

Step seven: gratuitous sexy ass shots

STOP LOOKIN AT MI BUM

Po' Folk

rocking the free halter

Welp.

A local trainer is hosting a seminar for riders that is sort of a holistic wellness/riding goals/financial planning thing/nutrition counselling thing. There's a cost to attend (obviously), which rules us out as attendees. Instead, Redheadlins and I made a list of things to say to the financial planner just to bring her joy:

• Um well, I try to pay my bills usually, but it's a mild panic if I have to take a sick day.
  
• If my bill is printed in red, I know I should pay it first.
  
• I pay board before my car payment because I have my priorities.
  
• The only thing I put on credit is vet bills and tack.
  
• If I have enough cash for coffee, creamer, butter, and popcorn, I feel my groceries are covered.
  
• My idea of a night out on the town is cooking dinner at a friend's house.
  
• Do English Tack Trader and Craigslist sales count as income?
  
• If I have more than half a tank of diesel, I feel financially secure.
  
• When I'm depressed about being poor, I eat cookies and ice cream. If I can afford ice cream.
  
• My biggest financial goal is to buy a saddle that costs almost as much as my car.
  
• Savings for a new car? My hay barn is full.
  
• I use sauve shampoo to save money so my horse can get the cool stuff.
  
• When things break around the house, I pretend it's Little House on the Prairie and go without. 

priorities

It was all a very hilarious gag until we got an offer to attend the seminar for free. 

Soooo I'll keep you posted if we actually say any of those things to said financial planner or (heaven forbid!) the nutritionist. In the mean time, anything to add to the po' folk list?