The Insanity in the Middle

"the insanity in the middle" (thanks to Eventing Nation) is the phrase that describes the thrill of what occurs between the red and white flags -eventers know what I am talking about.

It also describes like the last few months of my life...not much to report riding wise as I have had to take time off for my body to heal. But I have learned...that family might not be blood related. And that the friendships you make and keep will see you through. And I am lucky to have the family I do!

I am 2 rides back on Moose and am enjoying simply re-building our fitness. Both of us are fatter and lazier than we were at the beginning of the 2012 season. This was definitely not the plan!
Despite record high temperatures I can already feel winter coming...and can't help but feel the time running out to ride, learn and enjoy. Maybe I can salvage this season. Maybe not.

But enough about these thoughts...I know you all really want to see my baby goat as photos were promised in my last, long ago blog post.

With out further ado, I introduce Carlos!

My Helper

Cuddles

Lap Goat

Sleepy

After a bath

Handsome

Preparing for the New Arrival

Wire mesh Fencing -$500
Goat Supplies- $100
Goat Purchase-$300

Having you very own Nubian= Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 8 years of begging, pleading, and outright manipulation I AM FINALLY GETTING A FREAKING GOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Nubian goat!

So me (and more so the poor husband have been busy).

It was 93+ this weekend and we spent 12 hours fencing.

Goat Fence!

Today I went to get supplies....

OMG! I shopped for a goat!

He comes home a week from today (7 sleeps!).

Picture overload soon.

And the rest of the story... Peter Atkins Clinic Follow Up (With Video!)

Moose and I had a great time in Kentucky training with Peter Atkins. The MooseMan was FABULOUS....I was...ME.

Starting with awesome trailer hitching skills...

Damn.

 I ALWAYS lock up...

If you ever lock your keys in your truck in rural Lexington, simply call 253-OPEN.

Note to self -when you do not have 4WD do not park truck and trailer on grass during torrential rains...

 I always do keep a sense of humor -it's that or cry (constantly).

“If this is the worst thing that happens this weekend, I am doing great!” X4 or was it X5?

And yes, the my mental riding game is on par with my vehicular logistics skills.
(I cannot. ride.my.way.out.of.a.paper.bag.so.I.have.cute.pony.to.distract.you.)

This clinic was sponsored by the HJU Ammie Educational Grant presented by ECOGOLD ( you can read my clinic recap for HJU here.)
 

Now for video!

If you are bored have too much free time need to be amused -oh, whatever- all the raw footage of my flat lesson is on  http://www.youtube.com/user/MyMooseontheloose (Raw file 1, 2,3 and 4). Bonus points if you actually make it through and can identify what clip includes Peter's quip, “this video should be on America’s Funniest Home Videos!”

The lesson begins with Peter explaining to keep it simple. Make it simple for the horse to do what you want (i.e. to give the “right” answer).

This applies as he teaches Moose and I the beginnings of lateral work –only ask for the movement when Moose can respond.

Applying the above lessons:

We then moved to working on pushing the nose forward at the trot (in the video above we also work on this at the walk).

Moose’s nemesis has always been the canter. Peter has us work on counter-canter to improve his balance.

Peter explaining counter-canter:

FINALLY getting it!

I don't have video of jumping but I did come away with my favorite picture ever.

Gratuitous Photo Posting. (I am sure you will see it again.)

In the end we had fun, we learned (about riding as well as trailer safety checks, door locks and the need for 4WD). It was also a mini-blogger convention and I enjoyed spending time with Amy and Steady (from 'Slow and Steady Wins the Race'), Karen (from 'CONTACT'). and Kelly (from 'Dressage Pony.'

Great weekend. Thanks to friends (old and new) and family that helped out. And of course super thanks to HJU/ ECOGOLD!

 

Saddle Fitting Saga- my tale of woe FINALLY ENDS

One of the most popular posts on this blog is “I need to vent. Now, either people are attracted to negativity and want to hear a good rant or horse people share a common issue- saddle fitting sucks.
Throughout the 2.5 years I have owned Moose we have battled the saddle demon- never really finding the illusive “one” (or “two” –I’m an eventer and need a dressage and jump).
We have tried:

Saddle fit horse. Not Moose.

• Thornhill
• Prestige
• Baines
• Devoucoux
• Bates
• Wintec
• Stubben

to name a few.

Incessant googling led me to a new product line –Kent & Masters. I read their spiel. I watched their video. I liked how easily adjustable they seemed.

Features:

• Wool flocked (with flocking slots!)
• Adjustable gullet
• Moveable billets

Perhaps with all of these features they could be made to fit a Moose?

I email Trumbull Mountain tack for a trial.

First up the Kent & Masters S Series Jump.
 
It fit well statically.

But moved around during the ride :(
…ahh but remember the adjustable billets?

http://www.kentandmasters.co.uk/Changeable_girth_straps.html

I re-watched the fitting video and moved the billet configuration rearward. Success! It fits! It does not move! And I LOVE it! If you want a comparison, the balance feels just like the older Albion XC saddle.

Kent & Masters give us wings!

Next was the Fairfax Monoflap Dressage. Very pretty. I petted it.

Ooh it seems to fit Mooses.

 Humpf it does not fit Amys

Fat Ass

I tried to make it work. I really did. But it seems I need an 18.5 (which they do not make) to avoid fighting the blocks. So…NEXT!

We then try the Kent & Masters dressage model. I asked for the same gullet I had in the s-series jump saddle (medium-wide)…but it was too narrow (Moose definitely let me know). The very helpful Nancy from Trumbull immediately mailed the wide gullet. After having a Bates I was dreading putting that thing in…but it was actually easy! Wow! An adjustable gullet saddle you can adjust without cursing, crying and finally begging the gods for that last centimeter of space!

But it moved when I rode and I was not comfortable 100%...but with adjustable billets (I changed them to the ‘point’ configuration’ and velcro knee blocks (took them off) the saddle stayed in place and I was comfortable.

Don't be jealous. I have TWO saddles that fit! (neener-neener).

They also come at a good price point (~$1500).  And if you buy from Trumbull you get free shipping and $85 towards the first flocking adjustment (WINNING!). I have to plug them -Nancy was a huge help looking at 100,000,001 photos (does this fit? is it in the right place? isn't my pony cute!?) and answering just as many emails.

Off to ride!

We're Back!

Moose and I are back in action (it is now officially after Annual Meeting).

While I had fun slaving away in California it is great to be back in the saddle literally and figuratively.

Despite the photographic evidence (Note: these are not real! Who would have guessed?!) I never saw the beach or Hollywood.

I DID go to the Peter Atkins Clinic at Champagne Run (sponsored by the HJU/ ECOGOLD Ammie Educational Grant).

Read the clinic recap on Horse Junkies United. Then go buy an ecogold pad and tell them Amy sent ya ;)

PS -submissions are open for the next grant. Go get it!

Doing Work! (just not the horsey kind)

The last few weeks I have been working like a boss...just not with Moose. It's for my J O B (i.e. the real world). I have been made to understand that "others" do not understand what is meant by "after the Annual Meeting" as in "Can we have that lesson sometime after Annual Meeting" or "I would love to come over but can we get together after Annual Meeting" or "would love to go to that show/ clinic/event but I cannot schedule anything until after Annual Meeting".

So what is this Annual Meeting I speak of? It is the 103rd AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo. Basically it's not quite as bad as being the organizer of Rolex....but a few steps above being an AEC Horse Trials organizer. Speaking of Rolex...the Annual Meeting conflicts EVERY YEAR.

I must love my job need a paycheck.

So not much to report Moosey wise. Still looking forward to the Peter Atkin's Clinic at Champagne Run in May (this happens "after Annual Meeting"). So if you are desperate for horsey writings check out a blog post I wrote for Horse Junkies United:

"Do You Remember Your First Rolex? I Will Never Forget Mine…"

Do you remember your first Rolex?
The first time you saw your heroes in action?
The first time you truly felt the thrill of cross-country at its finest?
The first time you maxed out your credit cards at a trade fair?
I remember my first time. It was definitely “a first” in many ways.

• My first time seeing an advanced horse trial

• My first time seeing a three star (or any “star”)

• My first experience with the long format

• My first time attending (a USCTA recognized) horse trial

• My first time as a groom

Did you catch that? Yes, my first Rolex was all of those things…. and I was going as a groom.

Read more here.

Catcha after Annual Meeting!

The Horse | Understanding Equine Sleep Deprivation

The Horse | Understanding Equine Sleep Deprivation

Dellaire and Ruckebusch, estimates that in a day horses fulfill approximately:

• Two hours of diffuse drowsiness (during which the horse stands with full weight on both front legs and one rear leg while the other rear leg is cocked, or "primed," to kick if necessary);
• Three hours of slow wave sleep (at which point the horse is either lying down in lateral  or sternal recumbency [lying flat on his side or lying on his chest, respectively]); and
• Less than one hour of paradoxical sleep (during which the horse is commonly positioned on the ground, but the body is upright with head tucked to a side--normally toward the stifle). This allows for better respiration than being on a side.

(Read more.)

I think Moose may have a sleep disorder. This basically says horses lay down to sleep fours hours a day. Huh? Moose gets more like 8-10. Maybe he needs it for his beauty sleep. He is really cute.

He even sleeps during class