Shopping Bonanza

My local Tractor Supply was out of Milton feed, necessitating a drive across town. On the upside, the new store had massive Breyer sale. Small in number, but large in discount. Models that originally cost $40 were 1/2 off. Models that cost $60 were $12. Awesome. I’m not the type of person who usually scores this kind of deal.

Bryer TB QH

One of my back burner projects is model horse photo showing [New Book]. Now I have a Thoroughbred and a Quarter Horse, both cantering, for realistic action scenes & Fire for fantasy dioramas [My First Model].

Breyer website: Frankel
Breyer website: Harley D Zip

Bryer PK

I don’t know what to do with one of these, much less two. OTOH, at 80% off, how could I not?

Breyer website: Peppermint Kiss
~~~
The originally scheduled post for Saddle Seat Wednesday has been delayed in transit.

Driven Dressage

How to turn a saddle seat ring into a dressage arena:

letter Feb 2016

Obtain 8 file folders in a noticeable color.
Draw letters.
Measure folders around the fence rail.
Trim.
Fasten with binder clips.
Introduce amenable Saddlebred.
Mix in ADS Training Level Test 1.
Remove when done.
Save for next time.

Greg was brilliant, as was Alvin [Report: photo]. But then, I’m prejudiced on both counts.
~~~
cones feb 2016

We have also been practicing cones. I combined my prize money from Nationals [Report] with birthday money and bought 3 more sets. We can now do a complete, if short, course.

Rodney’s Headgear Adventures

Rodney mustang bridle 1
The day I publicly bragged on how much Rodney liked his new headstall [View from the Top], he decided to protest the way it rode up his nose when I used the reins. We adjusted so that it no longer whacked his cheekbones. He calmed down about it [Progress]. Diva horse.

The headstall was right church, wrong pew. We hit the Internet looking for different pews. The Mustang Bitless Bridle from TackWholesale.com is our first attempt. The reins attach to small ropes that cross under the chin. The trick seems to be getting these snug so they don’t roll around the face.

So far, so good. He appears to like the soft rope construction. Although, as soon as this post appears, he may change his mind.

Rodney mustang bridle 3

n-k,g

Letter Art: Say It With Chocolate

‘

godiva_logo

Labels courtesy of corporate websites. While I was tempted to buy them all to photograph an arrangment, my A1C would not have appreciated the amount of product involved. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Brand Lists
Chocolate Wikia
Wiki: Chocolate

Chocolate Sites
Rausch
Oh Henry!
Dove
Nestlé
Eat-More
York Peppermint Patty
Snickers
Scharffenberger
After Eight
Godiva
Almond Joy

York image from Chocolates And Chocolate Candy

USDF Interview: Susan J. Stickle, Equine Photographer

“Behind The Scenes: Susan J. Stickle, Equine Photographer
USDF Connection
February 2016
United States Dressage Federation

A short interview with an equine photographer who specializes in dressage.
Photo Galleries: www.dressagephotos.com
Photographer Information: http://www.suestickle.com/

Feb 2016 text

Previous Behind The Scenes

Foto Friday: Dash

Dash 10 04 15

Rodney’s Progress

Waiting our turn. Second photo this week of a horse sticking his tongue out. Our horses are either rude or relaxed.

I am committed to telling my story, warts & all. That means admitting to the tiny, tiny steps that count as progress around here.

Rodney’s groundwork has been half-field walks. There is a small hill involved. Otherwise, the loop is short and never out of sight of the barn. It is a ridiculously easy exercise. He grazes farther away than we walk. OTOH, there was a day when this simple effort was too much for him [Aftermath of an Explosion]. The goal is to create a series of small successes.

Our ridden work is equally low-key. After an adjustment to his noseband [View], we did our best set of weavepoles to date. Rodney was slow, quiet, and relaxed. One full circuit looping around three poles. Declare victory. Go home. If I was on for 10 minutes, I would be surprised. This also isn’t much, except that Rodney has had difficulties comprehending ridden weavepoles in the past [Headset].

Festina lente.