No kidding. That's what the dressage judge wrote on our first test.

I just about choked when I read that, mostly because we had just been eliminated from show jumping portion, which actually went better than expected, but he was the antithesis of 'willing and obedient'.

The dressage scores were good -- mostly 6 and 7, with a couple of 5 - overall 58%, which isn't bad for a first effort. He's done about 60% in all his previous tests with his old owner and now I know what we have…

A helpful Q&A from SmartPak for those with similar challenges:

I have a 26 year old TWH that has chronic diarrhea. He had vet work done last year, when it first started, with his blood work coming back normal, fecal exam okay and teeth are okay. No feed or hay change. Actually, his stool will be somewhat normal, not firm apples but has some substance to them, for most of the time then about once or twice a month it gets loose to the point of liquid. I had him…

Gone in an instant

This has been a very sad time in my family’s lives.  My father’s cancer has gotten the better of him.  He is very weak and hasn’t been able to walk in a month and a half.  He lives in his bedroom—either on the bed or the recliner.  Someone has to be with him all day.  Since I live with him, I get the bulk of it.  I am getting help from my sister and my brother’s family.  He doesn’t want any outsiders helping him.  We do have hospice assisting…

Hi guys, 

Hope everyone has been soaking up lots of sun during their rides this week. To all the riders preparing for Will O Wind Horse Trials this weekend, best of luck! Reminding everyone that the Peter Menet clinic is this Sunday, July 15th; going to be very educational and fun, you won't want to miss it! 

This week's blog is going to be focused on ways to improve rider position from having the proper tack fitted to both you and your horse. At Baker's, we have extensive…

I was recently looking for information on fly masks and sheets for my old girl and came across a helpful article here on the importance of protecting your horses from flies and other biting insects. Did you know that flies transmit serious diseases such as anthrax?…

Every few weeks, I receive an email from Barnmice member and veterinary equine dentist, Geoff Tucker with stories of his practice and travels.  He has kindly allowed me to share this very touching story, as well as others as they come around. Enjoy.

 …

Well it seems I am meant to once again be breaking open boundaries and doing things that no one else is doing!  I should be used to this by now, after all I have always been a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.  Last week I lost my old grey mare Silver at the age of 21, and of course I cried rivers.  However, it was she that came to me in meditation and told me what her gift to me was, and quite frankly, I was blown away!!

Silver has offered to help me from the world of…

It is cooler down here this week, instead of the temperatures going up to 105° F they have been only getting up to 99° F.  Next week we will finally cool down to normal, the upper 80’s, a cold front is due to come through.

Wednesday, for my lesson, Mick started off really stiff.  I have been giving him massages with my little hand held roller massager before I ride, he really enjoys the massages but they don’t seem…

Hi guys,

This week's blog is going to be based on equine fitness. In any equine discipline, keeping your horse in top shape improves their performance and health. It is extremely important to do weekly conditioning to increase fitness in your horses for competition. In eventing, having a fit horse is crucial for x-country, and having the energy to complete all three phases safely and successfully. A great way to time yourself while doing your canter/gallop sets is to where the Optimum…

We couldn’t cross the river on our ride last night—too high.  I rode with a friend, Julie, who was on Kevin’s horse, Starry.  We went up and down the hill 3 times.  We trotted on the level parts.  Starry didn’t see the point in it all.  Cole thought trotting was great fun and Julie said that he was floating off the ground.  Yes, Cole can truly trot.  That was his extended trail trot.  He has a bunch of trots, but that’s the one that just eats up the miles.  It seemed like it would take only…

Hi all! This is a GIFT invitation for 4 Free Discovery Sessions offered by Cathy Rivers, a.k.a. The Confident Equestrian Coach. I'm posting this because an "equestrian" lifestyle can be costly and having a successful relationship with money is key! We all know that! 

Here's the info:

Offered by Cathy Rivers of Big Horse Dreams, Inc.…

During March of this year, 2012, I had fun presenting a clinic of this title at the Can Am horse expo along with notable hunter judge, BarbaraMitchell and again with reining judge Gary Yaghdjian. We fed of each other’s energy as we highlighted various mistakes judges note on their cards and how to prevent them. I asked riders to look beyond the usual fixes,…

Sunday July 1 2012 106th Ride. 

We played for a few minutes indoors while waiting for another boarder. Then we walked out to the outdoor arena without any snorts, nice and calm. We walked around the edge of the arena doing squeeze game, falling leaf and circles. We stopped in one corner so the managers little 1 year old some could pet Cooper from over the fence. Cooper stood quietly and looked like…

My riding has been sporadic and abbreviated since we have been taking care of my Dad.  I didn’t get out at all on Saturday, so my sister-in-law took pity on me and said she’d start her shift a few hours early on Sunday so I could get a longer ride and be able to spend time with Kevin.  I jumped at the chance.

I took Cole up to the show ring trails.  It is the first time since this whole thing started that I could ride somewhere different.  It is only the second time I rode…

First, my deepest sympathy to all the people and horses out West dealing with the wildfires and heat, as well to the people and horses in the Mid-West and Mid-Atlantic regions after the horrible wind storm.  My prayers are with you.  However bad it is here in NC, it is much, much better than what you are going through.

I didn’t get to ride much this week, in the earlier, cooler part of the week our minivan was at the repair shop so I could not get my lesson. …