What Do Wednesday: Spurs

I'm going to try not to offend 32 readers like I did with my draw reins post (they unsubscribed, lulz), but this is something worth talking about IMO. There have been several instances of elimination due to the blood rule because of spurs (Olympics most notably & Steffan Peters in 2015) and has generated some talk on COTH too a while back.

As with any training aid, I feel there is a time and a place for spurs and also a level of skill required for such a tool. I also feel quite strongly against using spurs on a horse that needs those ridiculous pads to keep them from rubbing or bleeding. If a horse needs those, then surely they can feel your heel on their side, since they're so sensitive and all.

Also, you look ridiculous

Taking that with a grain of salt, I know FEI dressage tests require them and spurs are usually used for refinement and not abusive tactics.

Usually.

Too often though I've seen spurs put on inexperienced riders with lazy horses which only results in jabbing them over and over due to a weak position. OR on asshats who stab the fuck out of their horses because they apparently cannot train horses to respond normally to aids. Not exactly the smartest decision, but hey, to each their own, I'm not the #tackpolice

I will judge you quietly though.

Just like whips, godforsaken draw reins, nosebands and bits, spurs are a tool and must be treated with that kind of respect. A Dressage TODAY article stated it quite well; using the four R's

Response: Usually the first reason why you may want to use spurs is to achieve a better reaction to your leg. Even with the most competent rider, a horse may become dull to the leg. It is important to remember that most horses by nature take the path of least resistance to some degree. A spur used for response helps the horse notice that the leg has been applied and that you are expecting a reaction.
Reinforce: Spurs can be useful in reinforcing a specific aid. In the case of a dull horse, after applying the leg and getting an insufficient forward reaction, the spur could be used to reinforce that the leg means to move more forward.
Refine: Some advanced riders use spurs to allow their legs to make smaller movements to achieve more precise reactions. For example, during a flying-change aid, if a horse was swinging sideways due to being overly reactive to leg pressure, a quick pulse with the spur may help to straighten him and quicken the change. A spur used in this way allows the rider to use less leg pressure, thereby refining the change aid Reward: In the case of sensitive or more advanced horses who do not like to be ridden with a significant amount of leg pressure, the spur can be used to thank the horse for being so responsive. These types of horses often appreciate the clarity of an aid that a properly applied spur can provide. 

Personally, I think that sums it up perfectly and the response explanation is my favorite. Training horses is quite the fickle endeavor and there are tools at our disposal to help us along the way. Not every horse is the same, and not every rider is the same.

For myself, I tend to ride sans whip and spurs on both horses, though I have been known to slap the roller spurs on occasion. I try to train them with as little resistance from them as possible, because hot thoroughbreds, and I think the absence of gimmicks and training tools are key to that. Generally takes much longer than those people who try to fake training with headsets and fear based training, but whatever. (WHAT, good training take a long time and not a few shorts months or years? WHO KNEW). But I do realize a worthy application of such tools when I see one.

The only spur I'll use

Yankee especially now, since he's been ridden by a green rider with little to no specific application of certain aids, has become incredibly dull and lazy to the aids. Bad pony. Even before then, if we were working a complicated exercise with lots of lateral work and canter transitions, I would put the spurs on for quiet reminders (response, and reinforcement) and some moderate refinement between application of certain aids. 

Sans spurs flatwork circa 2014/I wish I was this skinny still

 "If your seat is stable only because you are gripping with your lower legs and hanging on the reins, you are not ready for spurs"

Yankee has never been a sensitive creature on the flat, but could be lazy and would absolutely ignore the shit out of you if he was not nicely reminded that he is a horse and must horse when asked nicely. Then, for the next ride, the spurs would come off and not be needed again for a few weeks. I like those kinds of tools. 

Applying said spur to said lazy beast

Whoop there is it, the frame we've been looking for

With Bacardi I kept whips and spurs away from him for two years. As an incredible reactive horse to literally anything, I could only assume what type of uncalled for reaction I would get if I utilized them. Not to mention they were never needed, so there was no point in ever wearing spurs or carrying a whip. I still have not once carried a whip jumping with him but have used a dressage whip exactly 3 times on two separate rides as reminders for leg means go.

"the spur should be used to turn up the volume of the leg aid. For example, encouraging the horse to move more forward toward the bit or getting him to step more deeply sideways in a leg yield"

Now that he's older and has the basics down pat and we've moved forward in the jumper ring,  I did experiment with roller spurs on him twice. Most recently (as of two weeks-ish) he's been ever so resistant to turning right. I put on the spurs for the first time ever and barely touched his side and that did the trick, with exuberance. I wore them for one schooling session and the show, and I'm still not sure I have the skills to keep them quiet enough on a horse like him. I honestly didn't need them for the show, and should have not used them.

I spy roller spurs

So with B, I doubt he will ever "need" them, since his sides (and everything else) is already so sensitive and I simply have to become a better rider and not use gimmicks for good, solid training. With Yankee, he does benefit from them on occasion, but I limit use to those occasions when he needs a reminder of his training and I can keep them quiet enough in flatwork on him. I don't think I would let his leaser use them just yet though.

So, if you made it to this point, I want to know if you use spurs and why! If not, why? Do you use them every ride? Sporadically? Why or why not? I must know!

Take The Long

I always find it so interesting the small and vast differences between my two horses. I love hopping on one right after the other, really feeling the subtle differences in their ways of going and response to my aids. I also find it curious that B prefers the long spot, whereas Yankee prefers the short. Getting one to take what they don't prefer is always challenging and I tend to leave it alone unless its absolutely necessary.

So its baffling to me why I kept asking B to take the short this last weekend when he was in his groove and jumping well with the long.

Backing up though, the weekend was nothing short of wonderful. I know it seems silly to celebrate getting on and off the trailer, but I do, EVERYTIME. He also was superb about chilling in the trailer for about an hour and a half while we waited out the rain and storms.

Getting ahead of myself again.

I ended up timing our arrival much better than last show; we chilled for only 2 hours instead of almost 7, HA. I almost didn't even go because the forecast was nasty and I was worried about getting caught in another tornado--this time with no shelter. The plan was to load up, arrive and enter only one class, then wait it out with B on the trailer--that way if I got stormed out I wouldn't lose much money and he would already be loaded.

It DID storm, but only briefly and eventually I unloaded B no worse for the wear and we tacked up and warmed up without issue. It drizzled a little, but it wasn't show ending.

Luckily, best friend L came along and she was a wonderful "show mom", taking pics, holding stuff and helping me at the end too.

Sadly, the storm did scare off most people and there were so few entries in the jumper classes that the organizer called us over and asked what we wanted to do. The jumpers classes were paybacks, and I could tell that she was worried over losing a ton of money if we ran it like the show bill stated. She asked if we would be OK to waive the show fees (um, hell yes) and make up our own courses (literally yes plz) and take best 2/3 (YES).

Me forever looking like a giant even on a 17.2 hand horse...ridiculous

It was literally the most fun I've ever had a show EVER.

I entered the warm-up class, so they let me do that at the 2'3 height. I would draw the course for you all, but we changed it every round and in the warm up I just practiced bending lines and hopped him over the scary brick wall/lattice oxer.

3ft height

I was thoroughly impressed with his bravery over both of the scary panel fences (he hates them at home) and only took a little extra leg to convince him it wasn't going to bite. Over both he popped me out of the tack and I am embarrassed at my equitation, but hey--he jumped them with style so I'm not too mad!

Lulz

3'6 ft

B is forever making the "bigger" fences look tiny with his giant body, and I am super excited for our future in the jumper ring. One day we will get those knees tight, but I am more impressed with his ability to round over the fences and jump BIG.

I digress again.

The organizers jacked a few of the fences up for this one (the oxers and the outside line) and the object was be the fastest. B likes this game and has morphed into one adjustable creature. I LOVE that he can turn n' burn, as well as gallop or collect up--so. much. fun.

Exuberant flying change

I dunno if he cleared it

Round two they moved the oxers up even more, as well as the outside line again and one of the bending lines. Again, he was a beast over this and we also won that round. We had a slight miscommunication over the blue and red panels, making for a giant OH SHIT leap (see pic above), where I again thought the short was the better option and B was like "mum, no we take long".

Round three finally raised the other bending line, leaving only one line of 2'6 fences, with the rest ranging from 2'9-3'6. I loved the variety, and this course was a bit tougher and more windy. At this point too it was our 4th round and I admittedly was getting tired and my back was starting to cramp. The first 2 fences were vertical bending lines and I popped over the first horribly, landing too far forward, setting us up for a terrible takeoff to the second. For some weird reason I thought it would be best to get super duper close and take the short versus his preferred long and we tapped it. Sorry bud. Makes sense, considering I was literally riding like shit and abandoned all knowledge of how my horse works best. Luckily, I stayed extra focused the rest of the round and it ended on a good note, even with one rail.

Another excellent flying change

However, that did bring to light a good point--we need to work on adjustability to fences. The long won't always be available and as the fences get bigger we both need to be comfortable with the short and long, as well as communicate effectively which one we are taking. This is something I want to practice more at home, since it is a fundamental part of show jumping. For the most part I've sat back and let him figure his feet out without messing with him to much. Now that he's growing up a bit, I think its time to really buckle down and practice some harder things. So many exercises I can think of, hehehe.

Attack!

FAV < 3

Overall though, B was great. Minor little miscommunication errors and he still trusted me to jump the jumps and do the thing. We ended up with the blue since we won 2 of the 3 rounds and I was pleased as punch to add some more blue satin to our collection, even with such a unique set up to the show, and learn  few things as well!

Horse show mom L being amazing post show

I am jacked up for our rated debut in November, and also nervous. Those shows are no joke and I know those fences will be extra scary for B. Luckily there are chances to school them before showing, so I will be taking advantage of the $40 opportunity, and hoping that in the next 7 weeks I can be back to full strength and stop getting tired after 3 rounds. We have a  lot to work on, but there is time!

Also, it was really nice to get so many compliments on my boy. One girl even came up to me and asked what breed he was because he looked too beefy to be a TB. That made me proud because I have killed myself trying to find the right balance for him so he could get some bulk. I also got several compliments on my pad, and I love that my hard DIY work is noticed. It just makes me happy, because I love that pad too!

4 rounds, 1 rail, no refusals, 1 blue ribbon= happy girl

Show Prep

I kind of decided "last minute" (as in Tuesday during our scheduled jump school) that I would take the red dragon to one of the last schooling shows of the year before our *swallow* rated debut in November. This show is held at a venue that we've been to hundreds of times (me at least) and is pretty familiar to us, and its fun. The only thing that sucks is the impending storms of doom, so I hope those stay at bay.

B has been brilliant this week, starting with the flat ride that rocked my world and has continued to stay solid. I jumped twice, which by the time tomorrow rolls around is one more day than I like to jump per week, but he had had 6 days off and I kept the courses low (2'6) on Tuesday and then ramped it up yesterday to test him a little. I've been religious about rub-downs and liniment though and it seems to be making a difference.

As a small sidetone, I REALLY feel like B is finally growing up. I know winter will produce some shenanigans, always does, but his attitude has improved tremendously in the last few months. I even got 3 separate compliments yesterday from people at the barn commenting on how shiny and fit he looks. Score!

That aside, he's been great over jumps as well. Much less spooky and actually locking on to jumps instead of questioning them every time. I actually rode like a giant turd yesterday and I HATE when people say this, but he saved my butt a few times. Like, picked the distance and got us over when mahm forgot how to ride.

Not sure if my mental game is slightly off (wouldn't be surprising, given my personal life right now), or that I'm sore, or that my new half chaps from RW are actually the worst things I've ever ridden in. Either one of those could be the culprit. Seriously, I am done with RW. They never have what I want, the size or style and  the quality is poop, AND the shipping this time took 13 days to arrive, c'mon. I don;t know why all y'all have lady boners over RW, but I'll stick with Smartpak, thanks.

Digression aside, its weirdly reassuring to know I don't have to hold B's hand through everything now and I can "afford" to have bad days too.

I played with the same course both days, since I didn't feel like moving stuff around when I already had to mount and dismount to change heights and whatnot. Jumping alone sucks.

Jump 2, 5 and 12 was a super neat jump the barn mates set up on Tuesday that now LOVE and forever will keep in my arsenal. I was super proud of B for negotiating this weird jump the first time, jumping the skinny (5) and the big X (2,12) without question. Fence 1 & 13 also was kind of scary, in that the barrels were set quite close--making the horse legitimately jump through them instead of over them. He usually HATES barrels and tends to snort at them, but conceded to jumping without question with some mild prodding of the spurs.

Both days he was having a slight issue turning right too, but mostly because I was legit forgetting to use my outside leg appropriately in conjunction with half halts, and then we would both get in a weird heated lovers quarrel until I apologized and rode correctly. Still though, hoping there won't be any right handed rollbacks tomorrow, because we ain't gonna be quick about it.

Due to the small issues we were having turning right, I decided to add as many right turns as possible, and that helped. I played around with rating inbetween fences too; asking for major collection and then some gallops, like a jump-off would require. Boy has GOT it guys. He loves this shit.

After a few good rounds through yesterday, I decided it would be fun to play with height and see how handled it.

3'6

Minus me jumping for him by throwing myself forward (why am I like this) he was brilliant. I literally felt like he was barely trying and me raising the bar up and up didn't faze him one second. I really wanted to put the bar at 4ft, but resisted and kept max height at 3'9 since he had already schooled the course a few times.

3'9

3'9

I wish he wasn't so goddamn lazy with his lower legs at the higher height, but I am hoping eventually he will learn to snap those up. I was filming myself by propping my iPad on a jump standard, and then a barn mate came out and I swopped upon her demanding asking if she would video me please #doitforthegram

I probably should have asked her to stand a little closer, but at least its a pretty screenshot! Also because B is an actual giraffe and is like 9 ft tall, he completely dwarfs all fences, making everything look super unimpressive, but I double checked and that was definitely 3'9.

So that gave me hope. I still pee my pants a little thinking about jumping a 3'9 vertical (why, why are those more daunting than a wide oxer??) so that height in competition will come in time. However, 3'3-3'6 is totally doable next year and I am hoping to show more rated now that he's not *as* spooky. We absolutely need more experience, but this winter is FULL of indoor rated shows and I intend on showing in at least 1 per month until spring.

Also update, V had to scratch Yankee from Flying Cross because her ride fell through, whomp whomp.

Regardless, look for social media updates on the Red Dragon and myself this weekend

XC Schooling

FINALLY getting to this recap, and now it will be a titch lackluster since its been over a week in my brain and said brain is being stuffed full of medical law and billing at the moment.

At least there is media and pretty ponies to look at, so at least this post has that going for it.

Yankee is the man

Last Friday was literally a perfect day for riding, even though it was still early September. Cool, breezy and sunny. I hardly even broke a sweat! The point of this excursion was to school some XC and see if the park had the banks open (they didn't, sadly), so that V and Yankee could school those before her move up to Novice at Flying Cross this weekend.  Despite those elements being closed, she still got some solid work put in with the Yanks and it was a rather good day and learning experience.

Pretty substantial fence that used to be on Prelim courses

I jumped it once, years ago

V schooled almost everything at the park that day, save for the absolutely massive full coffin combination. I jumped it once two years ago and it was legit terrifying and a tricky ride, so we stuck to the more basic approach's.

this....

...was terrifying. Didn't get a pic of the C element but it was equally as giant and scary

 I allowed her to school some of the larger fences because Yanks can easily jump them on his own, and I wanted her to feel what its like to ride over bigger fences, especially because Novice apparently is the new Training and there are fucking corners on Novice these days.

Yankee's best talent is making a liar out of you, as he did with me often on XC. If you're even slightly not sure about it and don't give him the go-ahead, he will question you and sometimes, if you're really not sure, he will refuse. Not often, but I have jumped a few fences with my eyes closed (safety first everyone) and he knew it and would land with a buck to remind me that all I had to do was actually RIDE instead of sit there like a lump on a log (or casually refuse the next fence to see if I was paying a attention)

Novel idea.

Yeah my eyes were definitely closed & I almost shat myself

Anyways, we worked on approach to the fences and keeping leg there (not on, but present) to let Yankee know that yes, we were jumping bigger fences and to maybe pick up your knees a little and maybe try.

Nah mahm I just jump higher instead

The cool thing about Yanks is that he clears shit easily, everytime. The bad thing about that is that it makes him incredibly lazy, knowing he can clear it, hanging his legs or jumping sloppy because he can just jump higher rather than snap his legs.  Its even worse at BN in stadium because he literally just hops over fences and looks ridiculous. C'mon Yanks, stop being an old man. SMH.

Regardless, it was a good school and Yanks did his job. V learned what a good approach was, and what a bad approach was. She also learned how fricking fun he can be on XC. Slowly but surely she's gaining those eventing skills! I compiled a video of their efforts HERE.

Bacardi got to join in on the fun a little bit too!

This was actually like a baby trek. with a small ditch in front and below the log

turn n' burn baby

As you all probably know now, I am a long time eventer turned jumper because mysteriously and without cause sometime about 3 years ago I woke up with this  horrible fear of solid jumps. Like trembling, heart racing, sweating, unexplainable fear. Anything higher than 3ft makes my heart palpitate and I actually have zero interest in jumping anything substantial these days. Call me less crazy, HAHA.

No scary ass giant fences for me fam

However, it is still fun to pop B over a few of the lower fences while we are there. He was having a ball too! First time he's ever felt completely relaxed and interested in jumping, rather than spooking at the fences...it was lovely!

It was pretty fun. I still have zero desire to ever return to eventing, unless its on Yankee at like BN, but it was still fun to pop around and let B gallop a little. Plus, like I said earlier-- he was actually WANTING to jump, almost dragging me towards them, which was a cool feeling. This versus where he used to eyeball the shit out of them and I would have to drive drive drive to each fence. 

Baby growing' up.

Pats for the pony

What Do Wednesday: Routine

I might have touched on this before, but I know I have a few new readers and I actually love talking about this subject.

If you know me in real life, you know I live by my planner and routine and thrive on scheduling everything to a T. 

My Favorite holiday week besides Christmas

I hate it when people make me late, I do the same thing every day, almost every week and I DESPISE when people expect to me drop everything and come do X with them unless its scheduled out in advance and then get pissed when I say no. Most of my friends are aware of this now and plan accordingly, bless them. Yes, I am one of those people. I even have B’s rides scheduled out for about a month at a time.

My world changed when I took my new job back in May because I had been  working until 9PM 2 nights a week and then coming right back the next morning at 7AM, all while trying to Crossfit, spend time with SO, ride and do grad school work…AKA no sleep for me. It was horrible and I was miserable, even boarding at a barn with an indoor and lights.

Now, I am able to juggle my life a bit easier (thank the lort I don’t have human child) due to my incredibly flexible work schedule and badass bosses. They made it super easy on me and I can work from home if I want to, or come in extra early and leave early—it’s the best for pony time, gym time, sleepy time and homework time.

pony time always best

Normally my days look like this during the work-week:

5:30-wake up, eat my eggs, drink my coffee, get ready for work
6:15-leave the house
6:45-arrive at work
10AM-eat my oatmeal and almonds, drink second cup of coffee
11:45-run for 20 minutes outside
noon-12:30-ROMWOD (Crossfit yoga) & slam lunch
3PM-Drink my protein shake and eat my snack
4-leave work
4:30-Crossfit

5:30-leave gym for barn
6PM-8PM-BARN TIME

8:30-get home, pack lunch for next day, eat dinner, shower, etc
9:15-get in bed
until 10:30 sometimes 11, doing HW then I try to fall asleep

Sometimes I also might interchange a 5AM wake-up for Crossfit and THEN go to work around 7:30 AM, and get off at 6, and then go ride, but most days look like above.

& That is my day. Almost every. Single. Day. Weekends are for extended pony time, house chores and friend time. Usually though I am a work/gym/riding hermit and NEVER go out/stray from that routine. Having been an insomniac for years, having a set bedtime has helped, with the addition of whole body Cryotherapy. (Legit shit, btw.)

-178* baby

Pony time is needed, and even if I don’t ride I go to cuddle the boys, clean tack or watch lessons. My mental needs it. Gym time too, especially now that I’m almost fully healed, I enjoy feeling strong and fit again. So Crossfit (or at least a run or ROMWOD) is also needed.

lift heavy shit

Sundays are generally meal prep days and even though I swayed from that tradition for a few weeks, I am about to get back into it a bit more.

Equestrian at Hart and If The Saddle Fits posts recently inspired me to finish writing this draft that has been chilling for weeks, so I won’t feel offended if not many of you answer, but scheduling and routine mean a lot to me (obvs) and meal prep is part of it. I joked in my comment on ITSF blog that I’ve eaten the same thing for breakfast everyday…but I’m being serious. I count my macros and I figured out what worked and I pretty much stick with that. I also generally eat the same thing for lunch/dinner each week and just change it up week to week. This week is standard for me; lots of chicken boobs and veggies.

For noshing this week I’m diving into:

Breakfast-  strawberry overnight oats; 1 cup strawberries, 1/3 oats, 1/3 cup almond milk, 3 eggs+ 1 oz shredded cheddar and 9 almonds

Lunch- 5oz. Strip steak, cut into chunks, 4 cups lettuce/spinach, 2-3TBSP salad dressing with half an avocado

Dinner- 4-5oz chicken, 3 cups green beans, 1 cup of rice

Snack- 3oz tuna, 1/2 TBSP mayo, cup of applesauce
Shake: Beverly Hills UMP Protein

--sometimes if I’m short on macros or PMSing something fierce I’ll have Cheez-It grooves as a late night sinful snack

**also a shitload of water, nearly a gallon/day

Prepping ahead of time saves so much time later in the week so that I CAN do all my homework, workout, work my day job AND sleep a full 7ish hours and most importantly, RIDE! I consider food-prep the most critical factor in my overall well-being actually. Good nutrition is key!

The point of all this is to ask what you all do special do squeeze in that riding time! I used to hardly ride at all or would try and get it in early early morning right after 6AM crossfit, before work at 10AM. UGH, awful. I love my job now.

So, dear readers, what do YOU do to streamline your lives so that you get all your pony time? Do you not get much pony time :( ? Is there a certain time a day you always ride, or do you squeeze it in when you can? Tell me your secrets!