All Things in Balance

Yeah, it sounds like it could be a horsey post, but it's not; I'm not talking about half halts and your upper body. I'm talking about balance in life. It's something that I think can easily get away from you, especially if you're in the all-consuming horse business. I know it got away from me, but the funny thing about balance is it gets away from you, then comes back to bite you in the butt.

We've all heard the saying "don't put your all your eggs in the same basket", and even though I always understood what it meant, I didn't realize the implications. Going all in isn't bad. Like if you're chasing your dreams of running your own business, have done your due diligence, and you and your family have dedicated themselves to it 100%... that's not bad. But, in this example, allowing your happiness and how you feel about life to depend on the success of this one thing, that is what is not good.

What prompted me to write this was actually a friend's facebook status post. And I'm going to share it with you because I think he sums it up SO well:

One thing a lot of people do not realize about life is that Balance is key. We have so many people that put all their eggs in one basket and when something fails or they falter they are devastated and left with nothing. You hear about it all the time.. a balanced diet, a balanced approach, but in all honesty you have to think about it like when you have the old school scales. Something gets taken off one end of the scale it is going to instantly sway to the side with weight on it. (real scientific eh?) I take pride in making sure that I am balanced in my life. My Career, My family, My friends, My faith and my fitness are the 5 concentrations that if something falls off one end I have other factors to help keep me from falling off one side. I suggest you take a look at your life and think Am I balanced? if you are concentrating on one aspect of your life to try to succeed more than all the others then you could be losing out on love and friendships, or a job. It is not easy to say no sometimes but you live life for YOU and no one else. If you fail you need friends and family to hold you up so in no circumstances do you put them aside for a job or fitness. Set goals and achieve them but always keep in mind that you want people around to celebrate when you reach them. You neglect that well then it will be a lonely life. Have a great day and tell your fam and friends how much you appreciate them today. Its a start! One Love!

After re-reading it myself, I'm actually having a hard time coming up with anything better to say! Seriously though. I cannot say it enough: BALANCE. What happens if your entire life is based on riding, and one day, you have a freak accident that leaves you unable to ride? You laugh at me, but my co-worker had this happen to her. She can only do groundwork now, and even that is against doctor's orders. What if you've pushed everyone away, so you could chase your riding goals? What if you've been blowing off your friends, school, work, family, to get closer to a new guy or girl? What happens when people or your dreams fail you? Who or what are you left with? 

This past winter has been a reality check for me. I was not balanced. Being unbalanced is the easy way to be, but it's also the fast track to unhappiness. When the heaviest weight on my scale disappeared, I went off the deep end for a little while. I'm lucky enough to have supportive friends, family and boss, who were there for me, even though I'd pushed them away. But it wasn't easy. Friends don't like it when you only reach out when you're hurting. And your boss will only accept "I need a personal day" so many times before getting suspicious.

Life is hard. Relationships, whether they're with your family, friends or significant other, are NOT easy. They take real hard work to be true, to be the kind of relationship you know you can turn to in trouble, and one that the other person feels the same way about. To be honest, I don't think I've ever been very good at balancing my life. I think it takes practice and a conscious effort. Even now, I'm becoming so busy with work, I don't know when I'll be able to hang out with my friends next, but I know I need to make time, because it I ignore them and work slows down, those friends may not be there the next time around. Thus, I will practice balance. 

Life is hard, but that doesn't mean it cannot be fun and amazing and passionate and spontaneous. Relationships are NOT easy, but the good ones are worth it. They're worth every failed one before it, every hour of sleep lost, every tear that has fallen and will fall. And your career choice can either be the icing on the cake, or the thorn in your side.

So go ahead and ask yourself: Is your life balanced? If not, what can you do about it? It's a question you'll never regret finding the answer to.

Apologizing in Advance for this Rant

I read something on twitter this morning, and I must say, it really hit a nerve. This person was accusing a large group of horse people, of which I am part of, of "buying their way into the sport". And it made me MAD.

Sure, there are definitely people in the group who are fortunate enough to have extremely supportive parents, the ones who get to live at the shows, the ones who get the new "in" show coat each year (month?!) and get the expensive horses (and these people still had to work hard to be successful, but that's besides the point). But, I can guarantee you that not everyone had everything handed to them, as that is certainly not the case for me.

I'll admit, I wasn't the kid who had to work in the barn every evening in hopes of getting a free lesson on someone else's horse. I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm and with my own ponies and then horses. We always had decent horses, but they always had a "catch" that made them affordable for us. We (me, my mom and my sister) had to learn to really ride to get results. We did the best we could with what we had. And, for the most part, that was pretty well.

Now here I am, trying to make my way in hunter/jumper land. I freelance. Sometimes I work 7 days a week, which is fine. Great, actually. And you know what would be easy? Or what would have been easy? If my parents had bought me a super nice horse from Europe, and sent it for training board with a BNT, so that I could step into the 1.30m/1.40m and quickly make a name for myself. But that never happened, and it likely never will. Instead, I have a half TB, homebred little mare that I am training on my own, and hoping to at least hold my own in the Baby Greens.

And you know what? That's just fine. When I get where I'm going, I know it's going to be because I earned it. And that will be a fantastic feeling.

I know there are many people in this group who are in the same boat. Just because we show, does not mean it is done so with ease. You don't know how many times that Eq rider got bucked off her horse, or that that children's hunter champion has had a summer job since she was 13 so she could show, or that that adult amateur jumper couldn't go out for dinner for six months, so she could afford board and lessons. Until you get to know someone, and really know their story, you just don't know.

So, even if you see that girl in the ring who looks like she has it all together, reserve your judgment. For all you know, she's maxed out every single credit card just to be there (coughMEcough).

What. A. Week.

No really. These times be crazy!! How to even catch you guys up... well, for one, I haven't posted for a while, because I used this blog as an application to become a Dapple Gray Ambassador, and didn't want to draw attention to it while it was posted. I was, however, lucky enough to be chosen! Weeee!! So, everyone, please visit her facebook page and like it! You won't regret it. The products she carries are not only top quality, but in general, completely drool-worthy.

These, for example.

I can't wait to take a drive up there. She has a lot posted on her online store, and even more on her facebook page, but I think this is something that must be experienced :) I need to get up there soon, though. My want list is only going to get longer.

Other than that, Flora has been going SO WELL. Like, honestly. SO excited for show season, it's unbelievable. I'm having my first lesson with my new trainer this week and I CANNOT wait!! I expect to have at least one red-faced moment, but I guess that's nothing new for me. I will update y'all on how it goes, soon rather than later. Promise :)

forward, Forward, FORWARD!

Forward. This is not new information for anyone who has had more than 2 riding lessons. A forward horse is the foundation on which everything else is built. And just to be clear, forward is not fast. Forward is a horse who is tracking up to the point where its back begins to swing. Ya, I made up that definition, but I feel like that's the best I can describe it to watch. To feel it, a forward horse is going the speed you dictate, *with ease*, and be able to move to different speeds with minimal effort from the rider. A truly forward horse is also "on your leg" - willing and able to collect, extend, go faster, or go slower, all at your own discretion.

The more I work with young horses, the more I realize the true importance of teaching a horse forwardness from the very beginning. And not only forward, but to be ON your leg, listening and reacting to every squeeze. A forward horse encourages loosening of the back, and, when ready, a light contact will often result in an easily-suppled horse.

You shouldn't ever have to kick your horse. If you feel like you have to, you should be using your spur or whip instead: ask, tell, DEMAND. Forward is oh-so important, and lightness to the leg is part of this. If you feel like taking contact slows your horse down, your contact is either too harsh, but it is more likely that your horse is not truly forward. Of course, this has to be trained - taking contact and using a light leg support, or a whip if necessary to teach them forward must always be maintained. However, if, with even a normal contact, you feel like you have to push and push and PUSH your horse into your hand, lighten the hand and just work on FORWARD.

On my own young horse, I made the mistake of taking too much contact, too soon, and I have been paying for it. It is so much easier to do things right the first time, but it is never too late to correct your mistake. I spent much of the summer huffing and pufffing, and sweating, and panting, pushing and tryyying to keep Flora moving even somewhat forward. Sure, she looked good. She was in a "frame". But could I collect to any extent? Not at all. Could I extend her stride without pumping my legs on her sides? Nope. Did she stay connected and in that "frame" if I even tried? Heck no. Did I feel like my leg was connected to my hand. No way.

I've spent all fall, and a lot of the summer fixing this mistake. As a previous blog will tell you, the George Morris clinic really helped me. But watching a few young horses I've worked with has solidified my position on this forward issue. Watching them with a rider who is trying to pull them into a frame, as they are barely jogging along and she is exhausted because she is pushing, pushing pushing... watching them go from walk to halt and dive onto the forehand... wow.

Sure, everyone knows their horse should be forward. But I'm not so sure they understand why, nor what the implications might be of not. A horse that is behind your leg, or not just not forward, stops much easier at a jump. It is more likely to be hollow in its back, causing soreness to its back and hind end. Asking for any type on movement on the flat becomes a complete chore. Finding and making distances to a jump becomes next to impossible.

Forward is the first step on the dressage training scale, and it's there for a reason (ok, so it says "Rhythm", but with "tempo and energy"- it's the same thing!). You cannot build without a solid foundation, and that is a forward horse. There should not be a such a thing as a lazy horse. If your horse is lazy, it's because it was not trained properly, to be sensitive to the leg, or you're not using your leg and external aids properly. And hey, don't take offence. I'm still fixing my mistake ;)

How George Morris Changed My Life

Two weeks ago,  I attended the George Morris clinic held at Iron Horse Equestrian. Now, a little background on me and George Morris. When I was younger, I tried reading his famous 'Hunt Seat Equitation' book, but I'm more of a pictures kind of gal, and reading about riding has never been my thing. My friends and I were obsessed with his column in Practical Horseman, and would quote his famous sayings, like "this rider is jumping ahead of their horse and has allowed their lower leg to slip back", and so on. I always dreamed about sending a picture in, but I never had one that I felt 100% confident sending- apparently he will call you out for dirt on the soles of your boots! And then, when I was a working student in New Jersey, the trainer at the farm I was working at promised me a lesson with George, as he was supposedly only 10 minutes away. Obviously, that never happened.

So, when I heard George would be coming to teach a clinic that was only half an hour away, I jumped on the opportunity. Riding was not an option; not only did I not have $800 to spend on a couple of lessons, but Flora and I did not progress quite as much I had hoped this summer, and our fitness level was not nearly up to snuff.

I should have known George would start before the actual starting time. And, I won't lie: I squealed when I heard his voice. Like a little girl getting a dollhouse (or a toy barn, in my case) for Christmas. Like a keener, I brought my scribbler and pen, and started writing, because although I knew what he said would make sense at the time, I wanted to remember everything he said.

I should have known George would answer all my questions. For many, many years, I have struggled with the two point vs sitting question. When do you sit? When do you get up off their back? Is the answer discipline-related (hunter vs equitation vs jumper)? George explained that there was with the motion, and behind the motion- hopefully never ahead of the motion. With the motion was 2 point, and also 3 point. Now, I always assumed 3 point was the same as just sitting deep in the saddle, but it is not.  3 point is a way of sitting where your crotch has sunk into the saddle, and your base of support in your heels, inner calf, knee, and thigh- contact distributed evenly from calf to thigh, weight in heel, not seat. The two point is different in that your base of support becomes only your heels and calf- not your knee! He also pointed out that the upper body does not change much from 2 point to 3 point. He stressed getting forward in your 2 point, so you could balance yourself over your base of support. Leave it to George to be precise: "your upper body should be approximately 30 degrees in front of the vertical".

An interesting point for me was that your upper body should be the same in two point as it would be when you post the trot. George also stressed posting low to your horse and not "standing in your stirrups" at the 2 point, something I am most definitely guilty of. In George's opinion, 2 point was the jumping and galloping position, a very positive type of riding. 3 point was for "slow work" (flatwork, collection) and for sinking a few strides in front of a larger fence. George agreed that sitting (behind the motion) was useful in situations where you might need to  really push your horse to a fence (like jumping a spooky liverpool).

A quote that also has changed me: "The first step to going forward is getting off their back and letting go". There have been times on Flora where I get so frustrated in her sucking back at the canter, that I get in the back seat, hold my hands like side reins, and drive her forward. Sure, she'll go forward, but she's none too happy about it. Her canter is so big, and she's so weak behind, though, that this isn't really getting me anywhere. She needs to WANT to go forward, so what I've figured out is that I need to get off her back and just make her GO. Only once she's forward and in front of my leg can I begin to ask her to go forward into my hand and then relax into it.

George was also very against "rubber-necking", the over-bending that has become very prevalent in most English disciplines. I found that I was also guilty of this. Even though we all KNOW about inside leg to outside rein is how things are supposed to go, we sometimes make exceptions and ride completely off the inside rein. Totally guilty here. George demonstrated keeping your hands together ( contact = straight, steady, definite, supple) and moving them together to move the shoulder with the hind end. For example, he showed that in the corners, instead of opening your inside rein to create a faux and over-bent horse, to move both hands to the outside (inside hand not crossing over the neck, though), and pushing with your inside leg, keeping your outside leg slightly back to balance.

This looked like it would work, so I tried it at home. What a difference!!! I'd been having trouble with Flora tilting and twisting her head, and getting very crooked, and could not figure out why. I now realize I'd simply been asking for too much and incorrect bend- through the neck, instead of through the ribcage, as I should have been. Since I've been concentrating on NOT over-bending, I've had a much straighter-in-the-neck, more-bent-in-the-body-when-told, more supple and happy horse. Really incredible. Likewise in the corners, he should how when circling, you move your hands to the inside, together (outside hand not crossing over the neck), push with your inside leg, and you end up with this nice bend around the circle, as the outside hand blocks the should from falling out and the inside leg bends the ribcage. If you keep your hands the proper space apart, your inside hand comes just enough to the inside for the neck to properly flex.

I realized I have been too easy on Flora, when it comes to forward and reactive. She is neither, and it is completely my fault. After watching and listening to George, who insisted on a forward and reactive (to your leg) horse, I realized my problem. He had a couple different ways of dealing with a lazy horse, and kicking was NEVER an option. When a student who had been standing in line, waiting their turn to jump, had a hard time getting their horse to move from the line, he would have them hold the reins in one hand and use the crop strictly behind the leg, at the halt. Let me tell you, they would be raring to go after that! He also had riders use quick jabs with their spurs as an "attack" to create more impulsion. If you didn't get a reaction after you asked nicely with your leg, you were to jab with the spur or use the crop. After adopting this with Flora, I have significantly more energy under me as I ride, and personally, more energy after I've ridden ;)

George was really incredible, and the last thing that has really changed my riding, was his theories on contact. Ideally, you want the horse to stretch, accept, and seek the hand. Of course, this is not always the case when you begin, as George demonstrated on a couple of particularly stubborn AA hunters that really quite enjoyed poking their nose out on a loose rein. For one, George hated anything that was not a steel bit, because it meant the horse did not truly accept that you would ever even use the bit.

When George asked for the horse to come into the bridle, he first used his legs. He made sure to be straight, steady, definite, and supple with his contact, and if the horse came up against the bit, he would increase his leg, raise his hands, and close his fingers more tightly around the reins. It sounded so simple, and most horses quickly gave in. Obviously, I thought he was genius as a rider. However, when I went to try this myself, I discovered how easily it worked! My automatic reaction to a horse coming above the bit would be to lower my hands, like draw reins. This reaction, though, is much more effective and correct.

It's not like any of this is revolutionary, right? I mean, we've all heard "outside rein, inside leg" and to ask then demand, in regards to your leg. But when you put it all together like this, it's really quite amazing. I've dug up my mom's old Hunt Seat Equitation book, and am definitely going to read it this time. I can't get enough of George, because he's truly changed my life :)

I'm Baaaaackkk!

I kept telling everyone that I would be back, and, finally, I am! A whole season later... but better late than never? So much to update y'all on, but 11pm on a Saturday night is not the time for it. Slash I don't want to write 50 billion pages all at once. Now that I have internet at my NEW HOUSE, hopefully it stays that way and this turbostick thing behaves better than it has tonight. So, this is it for now, but I promise to be back SOON and with something hopefully interesting to read!

Much love <3

Essentially, My Pony is Amazing

Oh lordy, it's been a month since I last posted a blog. WHOOPS dropping the ball, just a bit. And, truth be told, I am completely defying what all my english teachers painfully tried to instill in me, and writing without a clue as to where it will end up. Ah well.

So, I think I left off at waiting for the Waylon clinic. Short version: Flora is actually amazing. I don't know how many times I can say it. She jumped bending lines, in and outs, and even the liverpool, no problemo. I always thought she'd be a hunter with her movement, look and attitude, but after the clinic, it was quite clear she was talented to do whatever I/she wants. SO PUMPED! I posted some pictures of her below, all courtesy of GRS and Emily Martin.

Afterwards, I started looking for shows to bring Flo to, and planning a fitness schedule for her. As my luck would have it, not only was the truck (a somewhat important part of the truck-and-trailer duo) stuck in Nova Scotia until June, but Flora decided she liked giving herself an excuse to shop for shoes. Aka pulling shoes like nobody's business. And THEN, I went on "vacation" for a week, and by vacation, I mean a visit-for-two-days-then-get-put-to-work-painting-and-cleaning-cation. Needless to say, Flo and I are less than ready for show season. Sigh.

I got home late last night and was wayy too exhausted to ride (plus, hey, what's one more day after 12?), so I put off my first ride back on Flo until today. It was realllly hot, at least for me. Thirty degrees is a bit above my comfort level in breeches, but I figured I may as well ride and start getting used to the heat. Miss Flo seemed to enjoy the attention of grooming and was even good for her bridle (she can be a bit a princess sometimes). I almost didn't lunge her, but figured that if I didn't want to die, that I probably should. I threw her on the lunge for all of about 3 minutes, which consisted of me chasing her into the canter, and her promptly breaking back into the trot, before deciding it was probably safe to get on.

No, seriously? How did I get such an amazing horse?! She wasn't just quiet, she was... like, pleasure hunter quiet. When I let her, she stretched her nose all the way to the ground and trotted around on the buckle. Then, after some nice canter work, I felt it for the first time... a REAL connection at the trot! FOR REAL!! And when I asked for the walk... she didn't raise her head and tighten her back in protest. Serious progress!! Let's hope it keeps up all summer... and maybe we'll make it to a few shows after all :)