Ad Critique

What exactly is going on in this photograph?

Page 43 Architectural Digest, June 2015
Page 43
Architectural Digest, June 2015

From context, I assume they are aiming for a high-end effect.

However.

The rider has a dressage saddle, a shadbelly coat (I think), and white gloves, all of which indicates upper-level dressage.

However, the horse has a snaffle bridle, which indicates lower-level dressage; martingale stops on the reins, which says jumper; and a bad braid job, which is just laziness. That’s not even considering why the rider is posting, what the rider’s hands are trying to achieve, or why the browband is falling over the horse’s eyes.

With all the money spent on this ad, you’d think they could find a find a decent photo. But then, I am not their audience. Architectural Digest does not feature houses where the primary design themes are mud and dog hair.

Arch Digest cov

Gold Stars All Around

Milton
Trailered over to Stepping Stone Farm. Longed in covered arena. Came home. Easy-peasy.

Rodney
Has grasped the concept of couch. For those of you who don’t ride, couch is a complex maneuver wherein the rider and groundcrew converse while the horse impersonates a piece of living room furniture. For those of you who do ride, you know how quickly most horses pick up this idea. Rodney, not so much. I ask. He halts quietly for a few moments, then rolls forward like a car in neutral. Ask. Halt. Pause. Roll. Ask … Not fretting, but not sticking the landing either.

This weekend I could sense the little LED light go on: ‘They talk. I stand.’ Aha moment.

Variables

Why are we certain that feed [Comparison] was the reason Milton was NQR [Cups!]? The improvement could have come from many avenues: different hay, warmer weather, a change in routine of which we aren’t even aware. So why are we so sure? Because we screwed up. I mean, beyond the baseline error of misfeeding the poor horse for months.

One night, the dinners got swapped. Two days later, Milton was as cranky and bumpy as he had been last summer. Two days after that, poof, all better. We watched the effects of that one meal pass through his system.

We are in the process of getting the senior feed out of the field. Sweet feed is not the ideal choice for Rodney, given his history of gastric issues [Aaaah]. However, the risk to Rodney is for a possible problem over time. If Milton gets any of Rodney’s current feed, the consequences are drastic and immediate.

So, Rodney does not have the most sensitive digestive system in the herd. Didn’t see that coming.

Other Writing: Brooke USA, USDF

May 2015 cov

“Behind The Scenes: Cindy Rullman, Brooke USA”
USDF Connection
May 2015
United States Dressage Federation

A short interview about working for an equine charity.

May 2015 text

© 2015 United States Dressage Federation. Used by permission. Reproduction prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher.

Previous Behind The Scenes

Feed Bag Comparison

While we were at Auburn [Clinic Report], we asked an ag instructor about Milton. She was unconvinced on soy as the cause [Clean Cups!]. She asked for scans of the feed tags. In the event anyone else would like to float a theory, here is the nutrition information:

Dr. Jekyll

bags P100 front

bags P100 tag

Manufacturer’s page: Purina Omolene 100

Mr. Hyde

bags TCS front

bags TCS back

Manufacturer’s page: Triple Crown Senior