Really, I meant to post about how the first show of the season went, but then I got reading Horse & Rider, and that got me up on my soapbox, and then, well.... you can read for yourself below.
The SBRAA Spring Show in Lexington, VA went well. It stormed almost everday, but we saw some sun everday too. (That is, if you went outside) I miss the green-ness (is that a word?) of that area already, but frankly, I can do without the red clay.
Skip'N did very well in Hunter In Hand, and Hunter Hack. 1st, 4th, and 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, respectively. Linda was high point 35 and Over NP. She and Skip'N also really "cowboy'd up" for the trail class and put in their best performances to date. Cruiser, the handsome boy that he is, already is generating a fan club. (ooooohhh.... how CUTE!!) and is proving us right, pulling an 8th in Open Keyhole, his first time out.
Oscar was his usual, charming, steady self. (you would never guess how laid back he is if you watched him in the pasture- barrel horse in the making?) Schooled him bridleless even a little bit. His idea of that pen down there- "Whoa. That is a Looooooonnnngg way down to the other end. Better conserve my energy". He got some nice ribbons in the Trail, with 3 blues and a red.
Emmy was the mini miracle of the weekend. Talk about a quick study and a horse that really stepped up to the plate. Not only was her behavior impeccable (a miracle in and of itself) she performed at a level well above where her training time would dictate her to be. (making the qualifies and placing in Poles) Way to go Mary and Emmy!!
All in all, a good way to start the season. Now, to keep it on a roll.......
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Peevish
I have to laugh. Really, it's almost cosmic. That's cosmic, not comic, I promise, it wasn't a typo. I have a number of pet peeves, most of which I can't generally recall, but every so often one or two surface at a time, and set me to grinding my teeth in frustration. Around about then I get my monthly issue of Horse & Rider magazine.
Now mind you, I don't always read it. About half the time, I'm too busy with the bookwork end of the business, not to mention the physical work end, and then there's the regular, everybody has it,.. housework (ugh!). In those instances I let my other half read it (somehow he has more down time than I do. I can't figure) and bring any interesting articles to my attention. The other half of the time however, I do make the time to sit down and browse. Here's where the cosmic connection comes in- without fail (and I've been getting this magazine since my age was in the single digits) there is an article or a blurb regarding EXACTLY whatever issue has been plaguing me of late. It's almost eerie.
This month there was two sections that really got me. The first was by Editor-At-Large, Jenny Meyer, titled "Upping Those Odds". The gist was about doing everything in your power to ensure that your horse performs, and behaves, as well as possible every time you ride. If that includes a few minutes of longing, so be it. If there is one thing that I CAN NOT STAND, it is a rider that refuses to take the time to insure that their horse is physically and mentally ready to perform. Be this either because they are too lazy to longe, or too lazy to do their homework. Invariably, that sort always blames their horse. Usually, too, it's the ones with the greenest horses. These, by nature, require the greatest time commitment. They may take their horse to their first show (or any show) and then blame either horse or trainer, because the horse acts up. Everytime I hear the phrase, "Oh, he'll be fine", I nearly choke. My first response is usually- "Does this person have a death wish?" Maybe I'm over cautious- a couple of trips to the hospital has been known to do that to a person- usually they are right. Perhaps God takes care of those too stupid to take care of themselves?
The second article, and the one that makes me want to jump up and down and say, "SEE, SEE, I'm not an obsessive, overbearing, ogre!", is "To Your (Horse's) Health" by Bob Avila w/ Sue Copeland. One line in particular, stands out. "...My client will probably pay close to $2,000 for us to get the horse back to decent condition when it costs less that that to take good care of a horse for an entire year. Where's the sense in that?" (discussing a filly that came in in such poor condition as to be unrideable for the first few months)
Often times, Kenn and I recieve positive comments on how busy we are, or how the barn is always full and we have a waiting list. People are telling us how we're getting rave reviews. Recently I let a few people in on a little secret- Yes. We work hard. Yes. We're full and busier than heck. However, the majority of horses we get in are "problem horses"- "re-dos" as we call them. They're head flingers, run aways, buckers, rearers, the list goes on. 99.9% of the time we immediately start addressing health issues, things that are tantamount to neglect in my book, such as dental, chiropractic, lameness, poor or improper nutrition, etc... 99.9% of the time that and a little bit of riding, resolves the issues, and suddenly we're miracle workers. They've just paid me a couple months of training, and I worked magic, just by doing what they should have done in the first place, and could have done much cheaper. I personally think they're a little um... a few fries short as the saying goes, but then again, who am I to complain, since it's paying my bills. The truly aggravating part is knowing that you've poured time, and in some instances, blood, sweat and tears, into this animal to get it into top condition, and when they go home, it'll all go straight to rot, for want of a couple dollars, a little more attention to detail, or just a little more time & effort.
Now mind you, I don't always read it. About half the time, I'm too busy with the bookwork end of the business, not to mention the physical work end, and then there's the regular, everybody has it,.. housework (ugh!). In those instances I let my other half read it (somehow he has more down time than I do. I can't figure) and bring any interesting articles to my attention. The other half of the time however, I do make the time to sit down and browse. Here's where the cosmic connection comes in- without fail (and I've been getting this magazine since my age was in the single digits) there is an article or a blurb regarding EXACTLY whatever issue has been plaguing me of late. It's almost eerie.
This month there was two sections that really got me. The first was by Editor-At-Large, Jenny Meyer, titled "Upping Those Odds". The gist was about doing everything in your power to ensure that your horse performs, and behaves, as well as possible every time you ride. If that includes a few minutes of longing, so be it. If there is one thing that I CAN NOT STAND, it is a rider that refuses to take the time to insure that their horse is physically and mentally ready to perform. Be this either because they are too lazy to longe, or too lazy to do their homework. Invariably, that sort always blames their horse. Usually, too, it's the ones with the greenest horses. These, by nature, require the greatest time commitment. They may take their horse to their first show (or any show) and then blame either horse or trainer, because the horse acts up. Everytime I hear the phrase, "Oh, he'll be fine", I nearly choke. My first response is usually- "Does this person have a death wish?" Maybe I'm over cautious- a couple of trips to the hospital has been known to do that to a person- usually they are right. Perhaps God takes care of those too stupid to take care of themselves?
The second article, and the one that makes me want to jump up and down and say, "SEE, SEE, I'm not an obsessive, overbearing, ogre!", is "To Your (Horse's) Health" by Bob Avila w/ Sue Copeland. One line in particular, stands out. "...My client will probably pay close to $2,000 for us to get the horse back to decent condition when it costs less that that to take good care of a horse for an entire year. Where's the sense in that?" (discussing a filly that came in in such poor condition as to be unrideable for the first few months)
Often times, Kenn and I recieve positive comments on how busy we are, or how the barn is always full and we have a waiting list. People are telling us how we're getting rave reviews. Recently I let a few people in on a little secret- Yes. We work hard. Yes. We're full and busier than heck. However, the majority of horses we get in are "problem horses"- "re-dos" as we call them. They're head flingers, run aways, buckers, rearers, the list goes on. 99.9% of the time we immediately start addressing health issues, things that are tantamount to neglect in my book, such as dental, chiropractic, lameness, poor or improper nutrition, etc... 99.9% of the time that and a little bit of riding, resolves the issues, and suddenly we're miracle workers. They've just paid me a couple months of training, and I worked magic, just by doing what they should have done in the first place, and could have done much cheaper. I personally think they're a little um... a few fries short as the saying goes, but then again, who am I to complain, since it's paying my bills. The truly aggravating part is knowing that you've poured time, and in some instances, blood, sweat and tears, into this animal to get it into top condition, and when they go home, it'll all go straight to rot, for want of a couple dollars, a little more attention to detail, or just a little more time & effort.
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