Slo-Mo Video

Not much to talk about.  But I wanted to upload our slo-mo trial.  Not bad considering he's free lunging.  Is it just me or does my boy have a short neck?  Can't wait to use this more.... now I just need a videographer....

Sunday Sunday

I had a lesson yesterday!  My first lesson in almost a year.  It was great.  Dexter was awesome, he is so focused in our lessons and tries so hard.  The best part was we didn't loose as much as I thought over the hiatus.  Dexter's back is still there, his contact is better than ever, and his canter is still relaxed.  I need more work than Dexter at this point.  My trainer seemed super happy with where we were at and I'm so glad.  I've been riding for about 5 months now and was worried we were going down the wrong path.  I thought we felt good but I wasn't sure.  Its great to have a expert set of eyes give me that re-assurance.  The best feedback we got was that Dexter's trot work was at a First & Second Level connection, his canter needs some work to get up to First.  But woohoo Dexter! Way to rock the trot! (Sorry that means more canter work).

Also I recently got a camera that does slow motion video.... I am so going to have fun with that.  Look for some video in the future.

Test Calling

When I started showing again last year one thing I noticed was that almost everyone had a test caller.  Even when I went to go see my trainer ride, she had someone calling out the test to her.  When did this become the norm?

When I first started showing (10+) years ago, you almost never saw a reader outside of Training Level, and even then it was for the younger riders. 

For me, I've never shown with a reader.  And its a personal preference to be sure, I find when people are yelling out the next movement its very distracting.  In my head I get disrupted and think "I know I've already planned to turn right at C, thanks."

The way I was trained was that learning your test is part of your preparation and training.  Not necessarily to run the test in the ground, but to practice it in your head, on paper, in your living room, whatever worked.  How can you prepare for a movement if you don't know its coming? 

I get it, there is a lot going on, and with nerves its very easy to forget your next movement.  I know, I have forgotten a test a time or two. And to know you have someone to help you remember the test so you can concentrate on your riding certainly seems like a good compromise, but a compromise none-the-less.

OK.... super honesty time here... I'm trying to be impartial here and see both sides, but to be truly honest, I don't like it.  I think if you are going to show you should know your test.  If you don't know your test, you aren't ready to show.  Show jumpers and eventers have to remember the course, reiners have to remember their pattern and they only learn those moments before they show.  Why are dressage riders different?  We have weeks-months to practice and drill the pattern into our sub-conscious.

Yes, there are nerves.  Yes, its easy to panic and forget the test mid-way.  But its still part of the experience.  Part of learning to show and ride dressage is learning how to focus, tuning out the nerves and just riding your horse.  Having someone yelling at you every 30 seconds doesn't create the serene concentration I associate with dressage. 

I'm not talking about whether or not it's fair that those who remember their test get judged the same as those how didn't.  That's not the issue, that's the same as the sitting vs posting trot in 1st level.  You have the choice of either so you get judged the same, its your choice.  I'm just talking about the professionalism of it.  I guess I'm a perfectionist and unwilling to compromise and I feel that having a test reader compromises the picture I'm trying to create.  And even though it doesn't count against you I can't imagine that it isn't distracting to the judge.

Have I taken hits because I didn't use a reader and forgot my test?  Absolutely.  Is it possible I'll change my mind as the tests I ride get harder? Maybe.  But for now, I just don't get how and why this has become a part of dressage shows.  We strive to be perfect in our movement, training and riding, why muddy the waters because we can't remember 20 movements?

Horses and Cars - Same Thing Right?

Let me start by warning you this post actually has nothing to do with horses, but instead it deals with another 4 "legged" member of my family - My 2003 Mini Cooper.  But I'm finding my feelings for my Cooper are just as strong as my bonds to my horses so I deemed it appropriate for the blog.

I bought my Cooper brand new, actually ordered it from the factory.  And I picked it up on my birthday.  It was my first new car, designed exactly how I want it, bought with 100% of my money.... it was MY car.

In the last nine years of owning the Cooper we have lived in 3 states, worked 3 jobs with 2 different companies, bought 2 horses, married one man, moved an entire dining room set and hauled many other things no one would ever think a Mini could handle.  When I get upset, or bored, and I don't have a horse to ride, I often drive.  So during my equestrian hiatuses, me and Mini explored a lot of Missouri and Texas.  We've even made it up the Colorado mountains in the winter for a ski weekend. 

There have been a few bumps in the road, during a particularly nasty storm in Texas I underestimated a puddle and we ended up with a new engine.  And after a long 12 hr shift I unfortunately dazed off and rear-ended a van resulting in a cracked bumper.  The point being we have been through a lot together.

But, sadly, as of yesterday, my Mini is no longer mine....  As much fun as it was to drive and as great as it was on gas, 2-door Compact cars and rear-facing child restraints don't mix.  There is just no room in the back seat, and if there was there would be no way to get Alex in, so as he outgrew his infant seat, we outgrew the Mini.  And I am having a seriously hard time with this. 

I know its just a car, but people say its just a horse too, right?  This car had a lot of personality, it was cute, small, but tough and efficient.  Maybe I'm having a hard time because the only other thing I've ever owned for that long is my cat (lets not even think about what will happen when she leaves me).  Or maybe because I bought the Mini when I was single amdjust moved to a strange city all by myself so it was me and Mini against the world.  Or maybe the act of having to get rid of my "single" car for a "family" car is reminding me once again how much Alex is erasing my old life. 

I'm guessing a combination of all.  And no resentment towards Alex, its not his fault.  But as I try to cling onto the woman I was before I became a mom, getting rid of one of my possessions that I've used to define me for so long was a big blow.  I'm not a Mini owner anymore.... I'm a sedan owner (no hate against sedans). 

I'm not afraid to admit I get a little teary when I think about it.  It really does feel like I sold my horse (maybe not quite as bad, but close).  I've given a dear friend to a relative stranger and can only hope they will treat him as well as I have.  But unlike horses people would think you are crazy to call and check up on your old car.  Plus I traded it in, so who knows who will end up with it.

But, what am I so upset about.... its only a car right?

Not Much

Sorry Blogs have been few and far between.  Sadly, me and Dexter don't get a whole lot of time together.  And if I'm too busy to ride, then I'm too busy to write, as if I have any spare time I rush out to the barn, not the computer.  But here's some pictures of Alex's third time meeting Dexter.  His first 2 he was pretty young and didn't really know what was going on.  I can already tell they are going to be the best of friends!

Ooooh, so soft!

Dad and Alex. No sure why Alex looks petrified.

Grrr...

In the words of Jim Davis.... AAARRRGGGHH!

Last weekend it was finally warm enough and dry enough to ride.  My sister in law was in town so she and my husband were baby-sitting Alex so I could go ride.  I get to the barn and as soon as I get on the owners light a trash fire right next to the arena.... thanks.

Dexter isn't a fan of fire and I'm totally fine with that.  I want him to have a healthy fear so if his barn/pasture starts a-blazing, he's smart enough to run the other way.  Ok so we can handle this, we decided to just stay on the other side of the arena.  Dexter wasn't super happy but he's listened for the most part.  We just had to cancel any canter work we were planning.  Probably for the best as neither of us are in all that great of shape.

So then the owner comes out to work her horse, sees the fire and says "Oh Sh**, there are spray cans in there."  Really? Really?!?  You have go to be kidding me.  Who does that??  So I ask how many (so I know what I'm up against).  She says 3, (I looked later, it was more like 6.)

As soon as she says that, one goes off.  I don't know how many of you have been around exploding spray cans (I'll assume not many,because, who burns spray cans?) but it sounds like a shotgun going off.  Dexter jumps ans spins but doesn't take off.  He does pretty well actually, but isn't going to calm down for the rest of the ride.  "Some thing's burning and now someone is shooting at us and you want me to practice bending to the left? No thanks mom." 

So our first ride in almost 3 weeks is cut short.  The owner's husband went and raked the remaining cans out of the fire, but the damage was done.  I was pretty irritated because its irresponsible regardless who's riding, but its not my decision to make. I was called a "chicken" for getting off and not riding through it.  Oh well, I rather be a chicken in one piece than a broken hero.

Its starting to warm up so maybe I'll have more drama-free opportunities to ride now... let's hope.

Dear Dexter - Revisited

Dexter,

I just wrote a raving review about how great you are being and how patient you are with your limited rides... and now you are making me look like a liar.  Whats the deal?

I know the weather makes you feel good and you have a lot of energy built up, so I understand a little buck hear and there.  But the bolting every time we go a certain direction and the rearing you did this weekend are really unnecessary.  Can't we use the energy in a more productive way?  You look so good when you get round and elevated, lets do that (without the buck).

I really don't want to lunge you before every ride, I unfortunately don't have the time and I know you hate it.  Plus you are so out of shape by the time you get into a good rhythm on the line you are pooped.  I'm not sure what we can do but we need to figure something out that works for both of us.  I know you don't hate our rides  You seem to enjoy getting out and getting some exercise, we just need to find a way for you to blow off steam between rides.  My time with you is supposed to be fun and calming, but when I feel like I'm on a shaken can of soda ready to pop, its a little unnerving.  I'd love to half lease you out, but there just isn't anyone around interested in dressage. 

For now I will have to do my best to carve out some time during our rides and between to get you some additional exercise, sorry to say it will probably be on the lunge line.  But anytime you want to settle down and get to work you let me know.  In the mean time, I will work with the horse I have and hold on.

Dear Dexter

Dear Dexter,

Thank you for being patient while our riding time has been put on hold.  Thank you for continuing to get excited the few times I come out.  Our visits have become very special to me, even if its a few minutes to check you over and give you treats.  Somehow your soft nose and warm body have a way of grounding me.  Reminding me that even though times are stressful now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and as long as I have you, I have some serenity in my life. 

Thank you for taking care of me as we start to ride together again.  For slowing down when you feel me loose my balance, and for picking up right where you left off even if I have a long way to go.  I appreciate that you did not forget you were a working horse and never offered to buck (yet) during these first few rides. 

Thank you for keeping your canter slow even on the straight aways.  I promise we will graduate out of the small pen and into the pasture soon.  The small pen is more for me than you.  I still need the security of it.  And thank you for pushing though with me as I try to get us both back in shape.  I know you've enjoyed your time off, but I can tell you are happy to go back to work.  And I can say I am happy to be working with you again. 

I know right now with the weather, and the baby and work we dont' see each other much.  I promise as Alex gets older and the weather gets warmer we will see more of each other, to be honest not as much as we used to, but we will make it work.  We will still ride and learn and show, I won't let all our hard work, your work ethic and talent go to waste... I promise.

Back in the Saddle!

Ok, some of you may have noticed I've been gone, and some may have guessed that the reason was because the newest member of our family has arrived.  You are correct!

Introducing Alexander Louis -

He is two months old now and I feel like I am just now getting my head above water.  FYI, babies are HARD work.  I wasn't able to even think about Dexter for the first month or so.  Now things are settling in and I've gotten to ride a few times.  Dexter has picked up right where we left off, maybe even a little better.  I on the other hand have completely forgotten how to ride.  I fall all over the place.  Poor Dexter tries to keep up, he stops or slows down every time I start to loose my balance.  It makes for quite an interesting ride. 

I've finally realized I won't be able to keep up my normal routine now that I have Alex.  I was hoping to find a day care open late enough that would still allow me to ride after work.  But reality has struck and a) there are not day cares open that late, and b) I realize that won't leave me much time to spend with Alex in the evening, and before he arrived I didn't really care about that, now I do.  I'm thinking I'll have the weekends and maybe one or 2 days a week I can swing it to go out and ride, not exactly the competition schedule I was working on last year (before I got pregnant), but we will have to make it work.  I am committed to continue riding as it is the only thing that makes me feel like me. 

Dexter meeting his new little brother.

A quick work on motherhood - I mentioned a few times my trepidation with becoming a mom before Alex arrived.  I've never felt like a mom nor have I had the desire to become one.  Everyone reassured me that I would magically fall in love with him as soon as he arrived.  This was not exactly true.  It is hard to love something that demands so much and returns so little regarding emotions.  I'm not saying I hated him, but I wasn't head over heals either.  For the first 6 weeks or so he was simply "my responsibility".  It was my job to keep him alive and happy.  I had a strong deidcation to him, but no emotional attachment.Then as he started to get a personality I started to bond a little more.  Now I do love him and enjoy the time we spend together.  I still enjoy my time away as well.  I don't feel defined as a mother, I am still me, I just now have an new characteristic to add to my identity.  Not sure why I felt compelled to add this to the blog, maybe because the "non"motherly are so under represented.  Everyone seems to think once you have a child you are a mom and that's it, that's all you want to talk about.  And I want to represent those who still want to be seen as an individual, not just "Alex's mom".

The "Horse Gene"

I know there are many of us out there who are the only ones obsessed with horses in our family.  A lucky few have grown up around them with their family, but it seems a lot of us got the horse bug and it never went away.  It makes me wonder where the "horse gene" gene comes from. 

Most little girls are fascinated by horses.  But for some of us, about the time our friends are packing away their "My Little Ponies" we are slipping on our jodphers or chaps.  Its not enough to read books and watch movies, we NEED to be around these animals, to touch, smell and just interact with them.  Even if it is walking around in a circle at the fair.But why, what compels us towards these animals?  As an adult I appreciate the incredible bond and trust that comes from working with such large animals, but was I that wise when I was 7?

For me, no one in my family ever rode horses or ever had the desire.  All I know is that when I was 7  I started to ask for riding lessons.  My mom said sure, but I'd have to give up tap/dance.  I don't remember thinking twice about it.  It was an easy decision for me.  I think my mom thought it might be a little girl phase, but it wasn't.  After 5 years of taking lessons in some lady's back yard my mom gave in and got me legit riding lessons and a horse.

And in all the years of watching me ride and compete the bug only bit my family once or twice.  My mom tried to take lessons when we switched barns, but only lasted a few times and always made me pick the horses feet.  Not because she's a pre-Madonna, I think she is just genuinly afraid of the size of the animal.  My brother rode my new horse once.... the day we got him.  And my dad bravely took a lesson once after we had my first horse for a while... My point is they all tried.... and still didn't get it.  So out of a family with no interest in horses how did I get obsessed? 

I don't remember the first time I ever rode a horse, I've been told it was a pony at a fair.  I was 4, he spooked, I fell off.  Not the best begining.  I do remember my first lesson.  It was on a 19 yr old Paso Fino, I was 7, all we did was walk.  But I got to steer and I was in control.  And I remember feeling so powerful and so free being on top of this huge animal and having it do exactly what I wanted.

And I know there are certain traits I have inherited that steer me towards Dressage, the need to be perftect and always have a clearly defined goal.  But my brother had those same traits and used them to become an Eagle Scout and later compete in rowing.  We have always been an animal freindly family (other than the horse we always had cats) but never an animal obsessed.... so what's my deal? our deal?

I don't really have an answer, I just find it facinating that so many of us come from families with no horse history.  And so many of us are deeply devoted and intrenched in the horse world.... so where does it come from??

My Kind of Maternity Pictures

First off, I've never understood the "maternity picture" thing.  Of course I've never understood the getting pregnant thing either, but that's my own issue.  I get the fact that its a magical time in your life that only lasts a few months so you want to capture it.  What I don't get is the fact that almost every maternity picture I see looks awkward and/or creepy.  And I know there are those out there with great pictures where the mom-to-be looks comfortable and the dad isn't doing something totally weird, but for every good one I've seen 4 bad ones.  Still family members seem to want to see pictures of me all fat and round and since they threatened to fly out and visit if they didn't get them I figured I'd comply.

So rather than just take the "I'm standing here , here's my big ol' stomach" against the wall picture that looks more like a mug shot, I drug the husband out to the barn and took some there.  Tell me what you think.

First the "good" ones. 

Is Dexter sniffing his brother-to-be or the treat I have in my left hand? You decide :)

The relatives got a huge kick of the second one and I admit it is super cute.  But if I'm being honest with myself I know Dexter is only going for the treat.

And some out-takes... its hard to get a horse to cooperate when he knows dinner is on the other side of the fence.

Yes, I get it, you're tall.

A good head rub makes it all worth it, plus all the treats.

So, overall I think not too bad.  I still look big and uncomfortable, but no akward husband (by the way, he has no interest in being in the photos... I've asked) or weird bare belly.  Just me doing what I do, hanging out with my horse.  They do still looked posed, but what can you do.... we were posing.

I thought about hopping on for a picture but thought that might be pushing it.  Don't need to stir up any controversy this far into it.  Maybe I'll take one of those later just for myself.

Good Luck Everyone!

I know there are quite a few fellow bloggers out there planning on heading out to shows this weekend, some the first time this season, some the first ever.

Good Luck!

May your horse be focused, the weather be nice, and the ribbon be blue (or red for our Canadians).

I'm looking forward to reading about the adventures come next week!!

Dressage is Taking Over Eastern CO!

Ok, so not really.  But I did get a call from someone this week that lives in my area and is starting dressage.  I've been out here by my lonesome for so long, I never imagined I'd get to have a dressage buddy.  Now she's just starting dressage but has been doing hunter and all sorts of other riding so I imagine she is going to pick it up quickly.  She mentioned something about being 2nd level ready. 

I'm just happy to have someone to compare notes with and maybe even get to watch ride without driving an hour.  My brain is already turning on whether or not she would be able to ride Dexter for me every now and then.  I've kept him in pretty good shape with the lunging, but it still helps to have someone on him now and then.  And while I still hop on him every so often, its only for walking and trail work.  But we will have to get to know her first.  As I've mentioned a few times before, I"m pretty picky on who I let on my horse.

Oh!  And maybe I'll have someone to go to shows with next year!  But I'm not getting ahead of myself. :)

OT - My Cat the Hunter

This has nothing to do with horses, but it does involve one of my pets.... my cat- Pengin.  One afternoon a robin was taunting her through the window.  This is after about an hour of just sitting and watching when she decided she couldn't take it anymore and had to at least try to get at it, the robin is unphased.

To be fair, she is actually a decent hunter, better than I would like.  She has recently figured out the doggie door and likes to bring us mice (sometimes still very alive) at 2 am.

Not a Bad Season

This is me and Dexter's haul for the season. 

Granted some of these ribbons are technically "last" place, but some aren't so that's ok.  Some of the blue ribbons are even legitimate, as in more than one person was in the class.

Over all, be it a short one, it was a good first show season for Dexter and I (first for Dexter, first in a really really long time for me).   There were some disappointing moments (the last show we took a few large steps back).  But some pretty awesome ones too, like our 2nd schooling show where he was already over the hype, even enough to win Training Level 3, a test we hadn't done out yet, and with 4 other people in the class.  I think that's the ribbon I'm most proud of. 

My family was able to come and see me get back in the game.  And by the end of the season (again ours, I know for others its just beginning) we were such pros at the whole thing, we didn't even have to drag the husband along.  Sometimes the scores were ok, sometimes they were better and sometimes they were bad.  But we got there, we didn't fall off and in the end, shows were routine for both me and Dexter and I think that was the first step. 

Next year's goal.... a year end award.

A New View

This weekend I loaded up Dexter for my long line lesson with Trainer.  To my disappointment she suggested we start with lunging, but I know how to lunge (at least I thought I did.)  She made some good points so I went along with it.  Long lining can be cumbersome and require a lot of walking and some jogging.  And until we know Dexter is going to be obedient on the line and not freak out, its safer to work with the one line rather than 2.  Picturing how Dexter currently likes to buck and throw a fit when I ask him to canter on the line, I agreed.  But I did make her promise to let us start trying the long line if he progresses well on the lunge line.

But I still learned more than I thought I would.  I had been lunging him at home, but don't have a whole lot of training tack so it was mostly to keep him in shape, with no particular frame.  So the first thing trainer pulled out was a surcingle and side reins, the kind you loop through the bit and attache back to the surcingle so there is some play on how low he can hold his head.  She explained this will act as reins so he will always have that constant outside rein to work with.... first light bulb of the lesson.

She started the session out lunging him showing me how to half halt with the line and whip and wouldn't you know it he was in a frame in less that 5 minutes.  She kept saying how good he looked.  Knowing my history of thinking I got it when I actually don't I decided to speak up - "OK what are you looking at specifically, I agree he looks good, but why?".  She explained a little about elevation and muscle movement.  I need more - "OK so what muscles are you looking at, how can I tell if he's in a frame"  So she pointed out his back and ab muscles... OK I think I got it now.  Second light bulb of the lesson. 

She showed me how to use the whip to get him to move his rib cage vs how to use it to get him going more forward.  (BTW when I say "use the whip I don't mean beating my horse with it, just shaking and pointing it at him to get him to move.)  Along with some other tricks to make lunging as close to riding as possible.  All things that seem obvious now.  I think I was just being lazy when I lunged him before.

So now I have some new tools in my belt.  We've had some sessions at home and I think its working, although I'm a little paranoid that I don't actually have it.  I've also decided to switch things up a bit with some free lunging and tricks so he doesn't spend the next 3-6 months on a 20 meter circle.  I'm thinking of teaching him to bow and smile... what do you think? :)

Withdraws

Due to being pregnant, weather, and other life events getting in the way I haven't been able to see Dexter nearly as much as I want.  And when I do have time I usually lunge for a while then get on.  I ride until its uncomfortable, which is usually about 10-15 minutes. 

Show season is over for me so I don't have a whole lot of goals to work towards.  We were working on half halts and collection, and due to my useless abs at the moment that's not really happening, so when I do ride I don't really have an objective.

All of this is really affecting my mood.  I feel listless and useless.  It's funny how much of my self worth and self image is ingrained in my riding.  If I'm not riding, who am I?  If I'm not working towards something then what am I doing?  I've found myself lately in just an awful unpleasant mood.  I assumed it was hormones.  But the more I think about it, the last time I felt like this was when I took a 2 year hiatus from riding in college.  As soon as I started back up, I felt better.

Do I have any reason to complain?  No, there are a lot of people out there in worse situations.  Wonderful people who have wonderful horses  and for whatever reason can no longer ride, yet they find joy in just being around their animals. I strive to be like them, but for now, I just want to feel a little sad for my temporary loss.

This weekend I'm taking long line classes with my trainer (last time I tried it on my own and me and Dexter just got horrible tangled).  I'm hoping this will give us more to work on than the lunge line will.  And I can at least keep Dexter progressing if I'm at a stand still.

Better Late Than Never...

I know its been a while since the last show, but here are some pictures from it.  Thank my husband.  the prior shows he wasn't taking enough pictures.  I told him the "magic" picture is almost impossible to get, so you just have to keep taking them in hopes one turns out right.  He's such a good listener :) I got to sift through 400+ pictures looking for the magic one.  Let me know what you think :)

Can you tell it was a bit dreary?

Dexter keeping an eye on us from his stall.

It may just look like a walk, but you try to get Dexter to relax in the middle of a test.

Proof that there is at least one moment of magic in every test.

Dear Non-Horse People

Do not judge what you do not understand.  This is my life, my decision and my risk to take.  I do not judge you for the decisions you made when you were pregnant, please give me the same courtesy.

So here's the deal, I was thrown a baby shower this weekend (not my thing, let me tell you!), with about 20+ non-horsey people and 3 horsey people.  So 90% of the conversation was all about the baby, was I excited, was I ready, how many do I want (lets see how this one works out first.)  And there was one question I could tell everyone was afraid to ask "Are you still riding?"  I know they wanted to know because every once in a while when the conversation would stray from the pregnancy and horses would get mentioned some brave soul would ask, and everyone around would perk up.

To the non-horsey people my answer was this "I've weened myself off, I still go out and work with him but from the ground."  To the horsey people, they got the truth "I'm still weening myself off.  I don't do a lot but I still ride when I'm feeling OK and he's feeling OK. But it is really really hard to quit hopping on, even if for a short walk."  I hate that I chicken out like that, I just don't want to deal with the opinions and advice.

There was one comment that really got to me and sparked this post.  My mother-in-law was one that got the courage to ask "You're not riding anymore right?" And I gave my non-horsey answer, then another family member announced to the room "OK we can all breath a sigh of relief now!".  You know what??  Screw you!  You think I'm putting my un-born child's life in danger without knowing a thing about it. 

Did I tell you I thought you were an idiot when you let your dad buy your 2 yr old son a miniature horse, knowing none of you knew a thing about horses, or tack or equine safety?  No, I came down when you asked and gave you a lesson on how to put your child on the horse and lead it around safely. Would I ever put my child on a horse that young, not knowing a thing about it, no, but that's not my decision. 

I think what gets me the most is that horses are still seen as dangerous to the outside observer.  Is there risk involved? yes.  But for those of us who have been around them for years and know their equine partners better than their own family members, the risk is small.  I think I even get a little offended because people assume Dexter is dangerous.  For me that's like saying my child is dangerous.  You've never even met him. 

The reality is, I know the risks.  I'm not in denial, I know there is a chance I could be sitting on Dexter one day, something spooks him and I fall, and God forbid, hurt the child.  But I've wighted the risks and decided its one I'm willing to take.  To not be around and ride Dexter as long as possible is not an option for me.  But you can't tell them that, they don't understand.   "It's just a hobby".

All I can say is I'm glad I have an understanding husband in all of this.  He sticks up for Dexter and knows I won't push my luck.  He's even learning how to pick Dexter's feet for when I'm too big to do it myself.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to horses.  I know there isn't one of us that would readily admit we have an "ugly" horse.  But if I were to be totally honest with myself, I know Dexter has big hips, and hocks that turn in a bit.  But he also has great legs, a gorgeous mane and tail and the cutest face Ive ever seen, and because of his personality and gates I thing he's beautiful!  I'm sure to an outsider he's just a lanky bay.

And I also know my L.E. was not the prettiest horse when we got her.  Her chest, face, stomach, mane and tail were all rubbed raw due to some mite or fungus that cause her to itch all the time.  She was slightly U-necked and just a little chestnut quarter horse.  By the time we had to sell her you couldn't tell me she wasn't the cutest horse in her class, it helped that all her hair had grown in. 

Which is why I try to be as mute as possible on the subject when someone insists on going on about how pretty their new purchase is.  A friend of mine is often buying and trading "project" horses that I just don't see the value in, but she knows they are going to be great.  For her it all comes down to the head.  "Doesn't he have a pretty head?!".  (For the record I know she thinks Dexter's head is big and ugly, I love it.)  And all I can think is - Yes, nice head, but the short roached back might be a problem.

Her latest purchase was a "black" 6 yr old Arab stallion.  I put black in quites because I'm gonna guess he's actually a dark bay.  She has been telling me about this horse for a while now, so I know she's super excited to get him.  She wants to ride him and breed him to some of her mares.  And of course  until he showed up I had images of "The Black Stallion" dancing around in my head.  That is not what showed up.... in my eyes I saw a scrawny, scraggly bay pony with a crooked tail.  He does have a cute, be it, tiny head.  But for 6 he's pretty lean and small.... maybe 13.2H.  And I know Arabs are petite but he just looked more like a 2 year old to me.  I know it sounds like I'm picking on this horse, but I'm just trying to illustrate the whole "eye of the beholder" thing.  This is not my dream horse, nor a horse that I would consider buying just because he doesn't fit my image of a dressage horse, that doesn't mean he's any less of a horse.

To my friend, who has been dying for a black stallion forever, he's elegant... "petite" with a pretty head.  And "beautiful movement"  She keeps telling me he moves so beautifully out of the shoulders, which is hard for me to understand since I've spent the last year trying to get my horse off his shoulders and onto his butt.

It is just a reminder that the horse world is so big and everyone is looking for something different.  My dream horse would never work for her and vice verse.  But we both love horses and couldn't live without them.