Pony Massage September 24, 2008
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Tigger got a massage today. It’s funny how I will carve nearly 3 hours out of my schedule for Tigger to have a massage, yet not for myself. Hmph.
I must say Tigger did really enjoy his massage. If you are in Western Washington (the state, that is) and are looking for an equine bodyworker, shoot me a line. She’s good.
I have to take oldest daughter to her allergy appointment (peanut allergies suck) and then go to work, so no riding tomorrow. I have my lesson on Thursday though. I can’t wait for that.
Another gym date with Kristi at the butt-crack of dawn. I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet. I’m sure yawning will be on the agenda. 
To Gym or Not To Gym?… September 17, 2008
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It will all depend on what time I wake up Thursday morning. I’m going to TRY and go to the gym. Just a really easy run. Maybe a mile or two? I’ve been super tense lately and I know that exercise will help that out a lot. But it’s hard starting over. Part of me fears what it will be like. Will I even make it a mile?
I’ve decided to try the yoga again Thursday night too. This time I will stay awake at LEAST until the third pose.
I’m finding I’m thinking about when I can ride Tigger again a lot. He’s been good for me lately.
Yoga for Equestrians and Narcoleptics September 16, 2008
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I have discovered that Yoga is a great way to take a nap.
I have this book called “Yoga for Equestrians” by Linda Benedik and Veronica Wirth which I’ve been flipping through at night trying to formulate a “yoga plan” to complement my riding. Realistically, I figure that a little stretching out of the saddle will help relieve the pain in the saddle (enter tight and seldom-used butt muscle). I actually had a little time today before dinner to squeeze some in. So I started with the basics:
Step 1: Mountain pose. Nice deep breaths. Inhale… Exhale…
Step 2: Child’s pose. More nice deep breaths. Inhale… Exhale… Zzzz…
Yup, fell asleep on the second pose. I am not kidding. That is so sad. And the bad part is I did one of those “jerk-awake-oh-my-I’m-falling” things and tweaked my neck. Then I had the joy of trying to fix dinner in a fog.
Stupid yoga.
I’m not even going to log the time I spent on it.
Pffffttt!
Bad Karma Saddle Pad September 14, 2008
Posted by kimayars Ramblings, Uncategorized
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It’s time to share the story of Bad Karma Saddle Pad…
Once upon a time, Sherene and I were shopping at one of two only English tack stores in our area when we stumbled upon the coolest saddle pads ever: The Cavalaro by Moxi. It was this gorgeous washable suede with a sherpa fleece lining. It was time to splurge, so we took the plunge. Sherene bought the green for her chestnut, I bought the blue for my bay:
I couldn’t wait to try it out. Tigger would look, in my humble opinion, absolutely stunning.
A few days later, while the farrier was out, I dressed Tigger in his finest. He did look dashing in the saddle pad, and it fit well under the saddle. I was glowing. I led him to the arena for a short ride, knowing that we were quite a pair. I had, after all, bought the matching polo wraps…
A mere few moments later, I was lying on my back in hogsfuel while Tigger ran hell bent for leather around the arena. Just seconds after I had mounted, I was dumped: the only time I have fallen off Tigger.
I put the saddle pad away for a few rides. I will admit, I secretly blamed the saddle pad. Yes, it was stunning, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that evil lurked somewhere in that luxurious sherpa.
During this time, Tigger and I continued to have our mounting problems. But it seemed that every time I brought out what was now know as “Bad Karma Saddlepad” (BKS for short) I had a particularly bad ride.
The day Zandee colicked, we needed something for his head when he went down in the arena. I went to go grab a saddle pad and quickly realized I didn’t want to use the saddle pad that was my main squeeze. I couldn’t grab Sherene’s pad, so I grabbed BKS. I know, poor choice. Not only was Zandee eventually put down, but during one of his more uncomfortable moments, he stomped and pawed on BKS. Even he seemed to know.
Last Monday, I put BKS in the trash. It’s a $50 saddle pad, but I couldn’t force it’s bad karma on anyone else. I agonized at having done this, but I knew I could never use it again without wondering what it would do to me next.
Today Sherene and I visited aforementioned favorite tack shop. And there it was… A new Moxie Cavalaro saddle pad… In red…
Tigger will look stunning.
Sometimes I Like to Watch September 11, 2008
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I had a lesson scheduled with Paige today, and it was a gorgeous day to boot. Sherene went first, and I was to follow. I tacked up Tigger, popping back and forth to watch excerpts of her lesson. She was doing ground work with Shazam, and things were looking good. While I was putting on Tig’s boots, I heard the thundering of hooves and muffled swearing. Never a good sign.
Shazam is super quick, as most Arabs are. But Shazam seems quicker than most. He can reverse directions at a canter so fast that you can’t even begin to think about how to correct it. Shazam did just that…with Paige. You never want to do that with Paige.
When I came to the arena to check out what had happened, Shazam was getting a lesson on “whoa”. He wasn’t really enjoying it at all. After he came around to Paige, Sherene stepped in and schooled the same thing. It’s about this time that my lesson would have started, but Sherene still had work to do with Shazam. I went back, grabbed Tigger, and brought him to the arena to eat some grass while I watched. Paige told me to go ahead and put the bridle on him and start warming up. Instead, I suggested they continue their work. With much hesitation, they did. Sherene knows that I love lessons from Paige, and have really loved riding my horse (lately). But more importantly I wanted Sherene to finish what she started.
So I soaked up some sun, hung out with my horse happily munching grass beside me (and occasionally snuffling me for treats), and watched Sherene’s work continue with ground handling. To be honest, I had a really great time. Besides, someone has to be the peanut gallery.
I did take away quite a few things that I need to apply to Tigger:
- I need to be more consistent in my ground-handling with him. I need to make sure he’s out of my space, but still within my aids. It’s not fair to him to have the rules engage some days, but not others. He needs the consistency.
- I should use my voice and body more when doing ground work. Paige mentioned that horses key in on your body language first. Paige also suggested doing it with style, but I don’t think I’m ready for that. She did remind me that my voice can be a half-halt. Given Tigger’s reluctanct to take contact forward, using my voice as a half-halt would be much easier on him than using the line.
- Eyes on me. Or at least an ear. He can not blow me off. End of story.
- Control the shoulder and you have the keys to the kingdom. On the ground, it’s appears to be a very key component to establishing a bend. Since I SUCK at getting a bend while lunging, I will definitely have to work on this.
So overall I had a great day even though I didn’t get on Tigger. It reinforces my theory that just spending time with him is good for both of us.
The weekend is supposed to be fabulous weather. Hopefully I can get some extra Tigger time in!
