tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-202670262012-01-27T08:42:48.690-05:00The musings and pontifications of a would-be dressage rider in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-84634095098889068972011-12-26T10:36:00.004-05:002011-12-26T17:49:22.725-05:00

For years Ian has had a jekyl and hyde personality between summer and winter. Although I had chalked it up to "horses are more wound up in the winter" I still tried to find ways to prevent it, as it's annoying as hell to me and must be uncomfortable for him.It starts predictably at the same time of the year every year. He becomes uncomfortable in his own skin- spooking while standing out in the

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-84963410371608169702011-11-01T19:37:00.003-04:002011-11-01T19:50:04.743-04:00

Ever the frugal horse owner I scoured the internet looking for a good homemade electrolyte recipe, hoping to save myself some cash. I found one I really liked.26oz (1 canister) non-iodized salt22oz (2 canisters) lite salt (salt/potassium chloride)2T epsom salts (magnesium sulfate)Mix thoroughly, feed as you would any other electrolyte. I mixed up a few batches and fed them out, utterly proud of

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-36673044798159044442011-09-30T09:35:00.003-04:002011-09-30T09:50:54.873-04:00

Being a fan of using ration balancers as a base of every ration for my horses, I face a dilemma during the winter months, or any time the horse needs more calories than a ration balancer can provide.Most companies offer this system to use with their products:Ration balancerif horse needs more calories...Ration balancer plus top dress of high fat product if horse still needs more calories...Switch

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-5914387938508953742011-06-11T19:43:00.007-04:002011-06-15T19:22:21.442-04:00

Stages of competence and their relation to confidence in the rider....Unconscious Incompetence- The beginner. Isn't aware of what they don't know. Confidence can be variable, either the beginner is overconfident and unaware of their lack of skill*, or fearful because of the lack of skill. Ignorance is bliss! Conscious Incompetence- Through some facet of learning (via an instructor or hitting the

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-35907365170578852452010-11-16T09:14:00.006-05:002010-11-16T10:22:37.415-05:00

I have to say that there are a few companies that start to address my whims by offering ration balancers, but none that seem to finish the job in that they do not provide a balanced feedstuff for additional calories. Most suggest the feeding of oats.I'm not a big oat fan. They tend to be dusty, the digestibility is poor, they're not cal/phos balanced...etc. Every once in a while I'll feed them

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-79137891540614030732010-06-30T20:22:00.004-04:002010-06-30T20:56:01.706-04:00

As I've been driving around on the mail route it's been unescapable to notice how beautiful people's gardens are around here. Artistic, lush, poetry of herbery- I have been envy with green!So I decided to put some hope into my Gardens of Despair. Some positive thinking. Well, as postive as you can be commiting genocide among the weeds.And it was making me feel good.Until about 11 this morning.

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-37912543445277893092010-04-22T21:05:00.010-04:002010-04-22T21:43:56.689-04:00

One would think that my city mouse horse would have turned into a country mouse horse after all these years. *sigh* The turkeys he can almost bear to look at. Deer are a slightly more welcomed species- we once cantered down the road while a deer ran in the field beside us. It was an exciting moment, but not too exciting.Ah, but the moose. I often wonder what words Ian would use to describe

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-3667680085664168312010-01-15T13:40:00.003-05:002010-01-15T13:42:01.747-05:00

Check it out! The first few are slow and often repetitive, it gets better as they go along.http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=RidingAcademy#p/u/11/IZNG7RIbGU0

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-12103936054738383622010-01-13T10:18:00.001-05:002010-01-13T10:20:28.733-05:00

I'm still watching this, but so far I'm loving some of the lameness statistics...http://useventing.com/blog/?p=7481

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-76490908201226437532009-11-03T14:19:00.000-05:002009-11-03T14:20:44.597-05:00

http://horseandcountry.tv/episode/carl-hesters-fantastic-elastic-masterclass-crofton-manor-episode-1

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-86114843066083055402009-11-02T18:59:00.003-05:002009-11-25T20:01:51.870-05:00

(This comes as a response to the recent report that Patrik Kittel was threatened over the Blue Tongue video.)If you haven't noticed, we're trying to have a society here. So that means, contrary to your belief, that you can't go about enforcing your personal laws on other people. If you're going to be angry about the Blue Tongue, then please direct your angst towards the governing body of

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-49492912591049685322009-10-30T18:48:00.003-04:002009-10-30T19:07:29.231-04:00

Intriguing to say the least! Here is Australian jockey Paul Williamson, who lives and works in Japan.http://www.hybrid-horseman.com/His specialty: Rogues and young horse starts. His method: The TAP.Even he doesn't know what the TAP is. Originally it was thought to be an endorphin release. Some speculate that it's a vasovagal response. No matter- in the hands of the experienced horseman I can

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-68007776111197126122009-10-26T12:56:00.002-04:002009-10-26T13:05:18.172-04:00

The hot topic in competition dressage this week? (or any other week for that matter)Rollkur. LDR. Hyperflexion.Whatever you want to call it.A bit of an oops moment caught on film recently...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hIXGiV4N4khas led to quite a stir amongst the dressage riding crowd. Consider the FEI statement regarding rollkur "The FEI does not permit excessive or prolonged

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-60677162352950675192009-10-10T06:48:00.003-04:002009-10-10T06:53:07.049-04:00

http://www.usef.org/_iframes/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/dressagetestmov.aspxDiagrams of the movements= printable!http://www.dressage.net.au/natestdia.html#usefdiagrams

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-64836622031066025302009-10-02T12:32:00.004-04:002009-10-10T06:55:59.432-04:00

www.dressageclinic.comwww.horsehero.comwww.dressage-academy.comwww.horsesforlife.com

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-58147850315051601242009-09-27T09:55:00.012-04:002009-11-21T08:10:43.056-05:00

http://www.trumbullmountain.com/http://www.pelham-saddlery.com/http://www.bcsaddlery.com/http://www.straffordsaddleryshop.com/http://www.saddlesource.com/http://www.stcroixsaddlery.com/http://www.usedsaddles.com/http://www.middleburgtack.com/index.cfm?pagesID=1http://www.hobsonschoicesaddlery.com/used.htmlwww.tacktrader.comhttp://www.allthebestusedsaddles.com/http://www.equestrianshop.com/I will

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-767843983498408022009-09-24T08:48:00.004-04:002009-09-24T08:52:09.956-04:00

I love New Hampshire Chronicle- I think they do a great job showing off what goes on in their state.http://www.wmur.com/video/21089028/index.html

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-26693608251119235432009-09-23T19:00:00.001-04:002009-09-23T19:17:49.473-04:00

Isn't this pony a saint!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FP5NrrJGvs&feature=player_embedded

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-3938532920151742292009-09-23T07:44:00.003-04:002009-09-23T08:04:53.062-04:00

For the past several years it would have necessitated living under a rock to have missed the rollkur controversy here in the US. Team coach and prominent vet touring the country speaking out against the method, accusations flying, riders condemned. Lots of fun. About a year ago I noticed a horse rider combo flying up the ranks, their videos being posted in various forums with accompanying oohs

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-85520621844108602782008-11-10T05:14:00.009-05:002008-12-04T05:55:34.433-05:00

A few articles to peruse.First this:http://mysite.verizon.net/rfwilliams37/images/Straightening%20Crookedness%20Article%202005.pdfThen two sites that contradict one another.http://www.hoefkatrol.com/Webstite%20Engels/default.htmhttp://www.balancedstep.com/What%20goes%20wrong.htm

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-45337218216008916362008-10-23T11:12:00.004-04:002008-10-23T11:34:09.033-04:00

Soon to follow "'Are We Having Fun Yet?' The Pressures of Perfection"1- Be clear to yourself about two things. a. What any rider would need to do to achieve your goals b. What you are currently doing to achieve your goals.Evaluate the difference. Note where you may be falling short in your efforts to achieve your goals. Are there shortfalls under your control that you can improve? If so,

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-85466907470641628982008-09-29T13:31:00.000-04:002008-09-29T13:32:01.302-04:00

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-63230303471355614072008-09-29T13:23:00.003-04:002008-09-29T13:31:32.298-04:00

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-64563761586178332362008-06-15T09:45:00.005-04:002008-06-15T09:51:44.879-04:00

Years ago, a farmer taught me a way to stack bales so that I could get exactly 50 bales in my 8' pickup truck bed. No need to count, and it has proven to be a pretty stable method of stacking with the use of two ropes as tie downs.The bales shown aren't exactly to scale, and the second layer extends out the sides of the bed a little. Happy hay season!

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-38232371105139520512008-06-07T23:34:00.003-04:002008-06-07T23:46:23.097-04:00

So much for getting pics from a video!

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-77059094658012136932008-05-04T18:30:00.002-04:002008-05-04T18:33:48.861-04:00

Now and then. Left hind shoe. Shoe on left= 2008, shoe on right = 2006.

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-78172374479894016252008-05-04T18:22:00.003-04:002008-05-04T18:29:59.565-04:00

Then and now. Right front. Left shoe 2008, right shoe 2001.

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-65190500102929833432007-11-24T09:30:00.001-05:002007-11-24T10:06:36.486-05:00

"Ration balancer"= Feed designed to be fed in small amounts (1-2# daily) to compliment high roughage diets. A grass hay balancer would typically contain 30% protein, 2% lysine, 2% fat, and very low in starch and sugars. (Range from 13 to 23%, depending on manufacturer.)30% protein, what's the deal with that?!!Well, this is why. The 2007 NRC requirements of the working 1100# horse are 768g

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-21420584288070636422007-11-23T17:28:00.000-05:002007-11-23T17:31:18.725-05:00

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-57555870169545712622007-11-11T16:05:00.000-05:002007-11-11T16:29:50.501-05:00

Almost done! One door is on, you can see it slid to the middle here. The other door is still being built. There will most likely be no more good weather to apply stain, but at least some of the wood stained for protection, on the sides and rear. The floor is in, rubber matts for the bay to the left, and a raised wood floor for the hay in the middle and right bays. Whoohoo!

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-52923197505568883522007-10-02T17:30:00.000-04:002007-10-02T17:32:48.134-04:00

How revealing it is to have pics of a lesson. Ugh! In the last pic, Ian is saying "WOMAN! No matter how much you flap yer elbows I AIN'T GONNA FLY!"

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-90415542712031879942007-09-16T13:58:00.000-04:002007-09-16T14:24:56.548-04:00

Roof strapping going on! Next is to order fill to bring everything up to level- which sounds backwards, but we find that it works well to put the posts in first, brace the structure, then put the fill in. Level will be to the top of the horizontal logs at the right of the photo.

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-9820750115898976292007-09-06T17:52:00.000-04:002007-09-06T18:35:25.579-04:00

I think I can see the heartbeat!

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-90638810555154352882007-08-30T17:41:00.001-04:002007-08-30T18:17:13.691-04:00

And so the fun begins! Our hay shed in it's embryonic stage...

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-2670590310895902692007-08-19T19:19:00.000-04:002007-08-19T19:59:23.919-04:00

If horses are the air that I breathe, than the sea is the blood that runs in my veins. pic taken in Portland Harbor of a young man aboard the Wendameen

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-34501329165923738632007-08-01T05:46:00.000-04:002007-08-01T05:55:25.137-04:00

I can't believe it's August 1st. :( I never want to think of summer ending.My evaluation of hoof quality at this point is that I believe I've seen an improvement. The horn looks darker than the older hoof, but otherwise there has been no change. Hoof growth (which is so variable anyway) has not increased or decreased.The most impressive change has been his attitude towards life. He's much

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-42900302412845268662007-05-06T18:12:00.001-04:002007-05-06T18:12:56.459-04:00

Heck, why should I go through all the work of googling when I can just post this link to lots of funny, cute horse stuff.http://www.rightlead.com/Humor/Humor%20Frames.htm

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-42895789497562392732007-05-06T17:55:00.000-04:002007-05-06T17:57:09.651-04:00

more funny stuff found on the net...Quarter Horses: Definitely jocks. Strutting around flexing those muscles, showing off their butts. Not real bright. But get passed on since they are responsible for all the trophies in the glass cases.Thoroughbreds: Preppies. They are athletes, never 'jocks'. Monogrammed blankets, leather halters, Nike eventer shoes, the latest custom trailer and

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-5239028875062926302007-05-02T06:00:00.000-04:002007-05-02T06:02:32.510-04:00

On a Hoofblog related note- I did order more PN- Ian is still doing well and I've now started Gelin on it also.Now for some comic relief...Which One Are You?THE HUNTER RIDER: Is skinny and trying her best to achieve the conformation of a 17-year-old male in case she ever has a clinic with George Morris. Field marks include greeny-beige breeches and a baseball cap when schooling or mud colored

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-62065307106207605282007-04-20T11:38:00.000-04:002007-04-21T05:59:08.153-04:00

I went to take pics on April 15th, but was unable to note any difference in hoof quality. All new growth in the past three weeks is still under the flap of the coronary band.I'll re-evaluate hoof quality on May 5th.One change that I *think* I've noted, and could be the result of other factors, is that as of late he's been using his hind end better- more power, more flexiblity, and more balanced.

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-38308859228939963262007-03-24T12:09:00.000-04:002007-03-24T12:24:44.860-04:00

Right FrontLeft FrontAs of March 25th, Ian will be completely switched over to Progressive Nutrition. I will take follow-up pics on April 15th and May 6th.

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-4582350723746029282007-03-11T08:11:00.000-04:002007-03-24T12:27:35.107-04:00

In pursuit of better hoof condition, I've decided to feed Ian a different type of grain using a different approach to better address his protein levels. He's a 12yo Anglo/Trak gelding, with a body condition score of 5.5, and has been slowly gaining weight.Ian is currently on Triple Crown Lite, 2.5# daily, TC Senior to maintain condition (max 2.6# daily), and 1/2C of canola oil. Grass hay fed as

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20267026.post-1140875665387858012006-02-25T08:47:00.000-05:002006-02-25T08:58:00.880-05:00

This picture perfectly captures the essence of the quality of work I have been doing in the saddle lately. (Courtesy of a brave chap who decided to streak an Olympic curling event.)

CheryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02544042882920653047noreply@blogger.com0