“`I want a clean cup,’ interrupted the Hatter: `let’s all move one place on.'” Alice in Wonderland
Milton is a different horse.
Changing his feed has finally addressed the what-the-hell factor that has plagued us since the beginning. To quote Buffy Bourbon [again Patterns], emphasis mine:
“My best guess for Milton might be a soy sensitivity? Most of the extruded feeds like senior are heavy in soy, and some horses just can’t deal with it. From anecdotal evicence i’ve heard that in horses that are sensitive, it can cause just all-over malaise and body aches and just general NQR.” [Feed]
Milton is still young and ignorant and an occasional brat. But now it’s what one would expect from a 7-year-old ex-racehorse. This I can deal with. OTOH, the plan is still for Milton to go an enclosed ring for a cowboy or cowboy-equivalent to ride first. I’m hopeful, not foolhardy.
Can I declare the last six months never happened? Can we start over?
One of the plants we saw was a “rescue”. When a property is to be developed, plant folks swoop in to dig up, transplant, and save the greenery. Plant rescue. Who knew?
~~~
Gratuitous Garden Picture
“Even if you get knocked down, pick yourself and keep trying to be the best you can be despite the odds.”
Joe Fargis
“Follow your dreams even if they seem impossible.”
Mary King
Saturday’s repost [BTE: Planning], reminded me how much I want to ride in the Nutrena USEA Eventing Championships someday. (Reliving the post could have been depressing, but I quickly shook off the dark cloud.) (Ha!) To inspire the troops, I have created a blog feature that counts down to the start date of the 2015 competition: AEC.
I’m not strong enough to put the countdown on the sidebar where I will see the numbers every day. Instead, I have tucked the link up at the top right corner of the screen – or the dropdown menu on a phone – where I will visit it from time to time. A gentle reminder rather than a regular smack in the face.
We don’t make it this year? I’ll restart the counter for 2016. Never say never.
~~~ For Your Amusement
Check out the photo series by Shannon Brinkman of a save when a rider loses her bridle midcourse.
Update. Feature removed in one of my periodic site overhauls.
How different are hunt seat and saddle seat? Last week, I blamed my poor performance at the show on the vast gap between the two styles [Show Report]. Now, I’m wondering.
The photo I mentioned, Doug Shiflet’s 112-008-PA15, isn’t as bad as I thought (not pictured, need to click over). A little forwardness with the torso is acceptable for saddle seat. The rot sets in at the level of my bra strap.
Let’s go to the visuals:
Doug Shiflet Photography
Here I am attempting to line up for the ribbon presentation in the Showmanship class. I am slumping and looking down at Trump.
Doug Shiflet Photography
A moment later, all three of us have snapped to attention and are smiling at the photographer. The only difference in my position is my shoulders.
Outside of the equitation ring, round shoulders would not matter by themselves. Anyone in the horse world has seen brilliant trainers who sit like a sack of potatoes. In my case, the position fault is a symptom of a larger problem. When I drop my shoulders, I set off a cascade of errors. My shoulders go. My head follows. My hands loosen. My reins get flabby. This horse drops his shoulder. I am not in position to request a fix. Thinking that work is over for the day, the horse flops along on his forehand. I flop about in the saddle. While entertaining, this frame is not effective for any activity other than galloping along the trail.
I still blame the leg lessons, but not for reasons previously stated. It’s not hunt seat per se. Rounded shoulders aren’t ideal there either. However, in concentrating on my leg position, I forget all about the top half. At this point, the upper body position is my rate-limiting factor.
In post-show lessons, I have obsessively focused on holding my upper arms/shoulders back and centered over my seat. I visualized a position that would make it easier for the horse to mobilize his shoulder. Both Alvin and Bingo responded beautifully. I could see how elevating the front of the horse could power an extended trot or smooth out a sharp turn in a jump-off. It also didn’t look too bad as saddle seat.
In riding two disciples, I go back and forth. Clearly the two riding styles form a Venn diagram. The question is how much overlap? Last week it was Never The Twain Shall Meet. This week, Riding is Riding.
If you ride in two disciplines, how do they compliment/contrast?
Virtual Brush Box 
