Dressage Peacock

Pink Peacock Clinic!!!! with the correct date!!!!!

2011-07-07T07:46:00.001-07:00

UNIQUE CLINIC OPPORTUNITY

SPOTS STILL OPEN!!!

Eastvale Equestrian (formerly Hidden River Ranch)

8:30-12:30 July 9, 2011

This is a very unique opportunity to learn new ways to use your body for riding!

How many times have you been told to use your seat leg and hand? How many times has some one told you HOW to use them? Which muscles do you use to control your aids?

Kendel Pink and Susan Hoffman Peacock combine their unique knowledge and skills to give you useful and proven techniques to utilize biomechanics in your everyday riding!!

This is an unmounted clinic!!

Kendel will show you how to use your body and build symmetry.

Susan will share unmounted games to let you practice your new skills!!

YOU WILL NOT FIND THIS KIND OF CLINIC WITH ANYONE ELSE!

Location: Susan’s home
8312 Grapewin St.
Eastvale, CA 92880

Cost: $112.00 includes lunch

Please reserve you spot right away!!! 909-227-6404 Suzie

Calender

2011-05-28T16:27:00.000-07:00

Where is Suzie…

June 12, 2011

Pink Peacock Clinic @ Hanson Dam Equestrian Center –CA

Susan Hoffman Peacock teaches dressage and rider Biomechanics while Kendel Pink teaches Body awareness and Symmetry. These two great instructors have been working together designing the perfect combination for riders of all levels. A MUST CLINIC!!
Contact Erin Blazick 707-953-1227

June 26, 2011

Pomona Chapter Dressage Show
Both Susan and her students will be showing at this competition

July 2-3

PA Clinic at Silvercrest Farm
This clinic still has openings and stabling is available.
Contact Audrey 724-612-3860

July 9,2011

Pink Peacock Clinic at my home in Eastvale CA!
ONE DAY Clinic with Kendel Pink
Visit My Farm and work on Biomechanics.
Contact Suzie Peacock 909-227-6404

Aug 7,2011

Pomona Chapter show
Both Susan and her students will be showing at this competition

Aug 13-14

RAAC-Del Mar CA
My students and I will be showing

Aug 20-21

Hanson Dam Dressage Show
Both Susan and her students will be showing at this competition

Aug 27-28

PA Clinic at Silvercrest Farm
This clinic still has openings and stabling is available.
Contact Audrey 724-612-3860

Sept. 1-14

UK Clinics

Kettering Michelle Peers-Ross info@apmsambulance.com

Somerset –Clinic Organizer Cath Howes (Equine body worker/therapist-AWESOME!) cathhowes@hotmail.com

Northern UK-Pendle Equestrian Clinic organizer Lynda Rigg (Amazing Acupuncturist and body worker!)))lynda@solawayholistics.co.uk

Sept 16-18

Ohio Fall Dressage Camp at Grand Haven Stables Jefferson Ohio

Resume

2011-05-28T16:26:00.000-07:00

Susan Hoffman Peacock
dressagepeacock@gmail.com
Dressagepeacock.com
909-227-6404
8312 Grapewin St.
Eastvale, CA 92880

International Clinician specializing in her own method of Biomechanics for Riders and Dressage Horse Training.
Currently teaching USA and UK Clinics

First So. California Trainer to earn USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer;
Training-2nd Level
2nd-4th level (highest offered)

Owner and Trainer Eastvale Equestrian in Eastvale, California
Training all levels of riders and breeds of horses; Est. 1999

Currently competing in dressage through FEI Levels

Successful Dressage Trainer Apprentice Program

Featured Instructor on horsehero.com

Winner of multiple USEF HOY Awards

Popular Guest Lecturer including Presenter at 2000 USPC - SPURS (Susan Peacock Ultimate Riding System) Program

Recipient of The Dressage Foundation Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship in 2000 for training in Germany

It never moved!

2011-04-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

My last blog never moved to Horse hero.com!!! I'm at the Conrad Schumacher Clinic having a Great Time! Updates to come!!!

So Here it is again!!!

Blog

April 20, 2011

I am overwhelmed by the incredible support and compliments that my video clips on horse heroes have been receiving! A huge Thank You to; Sally for being a wonderful and generous student, her father for once again allowing me to teach at his amazing Kingfisher, to Cath Howes (Fabulous UK Equine Therapist) for the introductions and to Fiona and her staff for the opportunity to work with such a professional crew.

I am back in the States working hard to catch up on all here at home. My apprentice, Greer did a wonderful job in my absence. All of the clients are still happy and the horses are well schooled. I am just about ready to head up the state (7 hour drive) to Clovis for a riding clinic with Conrad Schumacher. I have been fortunate to ride in his clinics for almost 10 years now. Wow! He is incredible!!! I will be riding Fenian and Erin Blazick (apprentice graduate) will be taking Darby. Both are Prix St. George horses that I train here at home. I will be taking LOTS of notes so I can share what I learn!!! Watch out, lessons are always tougher when I return from my training sessions!! :)

Vagabond, aka; Hobo (my big pinto) is doing great! He tried to convince me that no one gave him cookies while I was away. I don’t believe him one bit. I give him extra anyway!! We started working Tempi changes this week. There was lots of flying and lots of changes, if you know what I mean. He really enjoyed the work and obviously was proud of his new skill set!!! LOL!!!

I’m trying to schedule my return to the UK for September 2011. I will keep everyone posted on how that is progressing.

Thank you for making me feel right at home at horsehero.com!!!

Where's Suzie

2011-03-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

So many people have been asking where to find me while teaching and showing that I thought the blog spot might be helpful!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO KATHRYN MAYO AND GREER BARSNESS ON A GREAT SHOW LAST WEEKEND!!!!

This weekend Jeff and Jill Shirley's Fenian and I are going to show at Hanson Dam Equestrian Center

Sat.9:33AM PSG

March 27-26 I'm in PA at Silvercrest Farm

March 29-April 13,2011 I'm in The UK

April 2-3 Northamptonshire

April 4-5 Sommerset area and filming for Horse Heroes!!!!

End of April I get to ride with Conrad Schumacher in Clovis at Renee Johnson's!!!

Please Email me if you are interested in finding me!!!! dressagepeacock@gmail.com

April 8-10 Dumfries Scotland

2010-12-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

Attention!!!!

James Shaw is not coming to my farm this Sat and Sunday Dec.18-19, 2010!!If you were planning on auditing the clinic you are welcome to come by to see me teach from 9-12.

Please rsvp 909-227-6404 so we don't miss you!!!

After 12:00 we will be holiday shopping.....

LOCATED IN EASTVALE,CA at Eastvale Equestrian formerly Hidden River Ranch

2010-11-30T09:43:00.000-08:00

I am still at my original location no matter what the search engines say!!!!

I am located in the new city of Eastvale, CA. (We used to be a section of Corona but we just became a city!!!!)To celebrate city-hood we are changing our name to Eastvale Equestrian from Hidden River Ranch.
Call me at the same old number; 909-227-6404-suzie

We are located in between 4 major freeways;

91 FWY (Corona) is South of us

15 FWY (Norco) is East of us

71 FWY (Chino) is on our West

60 FWY (Ontario) is just North of us

I have never been located at Hanson Dam!! Erin Blazick one of my wonderful Apprentice Graduates is located there though! If you are in her area look her up! She's great!!!
Erin Blazick 707-953-1227

Sorry for any confussion

2010

2010-11-21T14:50:00.001-08:00

The year of 2010 has brought so many exciting opportunities that I feel like it just started and it is almost over.
Teaching has been amazing!!! I spent the whole year focusing on sharing my views about bio-mechanics. The result has been stupendous!!!!
First I would like to thank my students who have put up with my over enthusiastic style and helping me to make sense of my ideas. I have been teaching in The USA and The UK. I have found the same issues everywhere. The biggest request was to steal me and not let me go home...thanks for returning me(and letting me out of the tack room in Somerset!!)The next was for me to finish writing my book and or DVDs.

Second I want to acknowledge that there are far more people who wish to ride dressage because they genuinely love the horses and want to do the best for them than there are riders who place their emphasis on winning prizes. When the judges reward horsemanship and happy animals, we all win!

Lastly I want to say that the last few years have brought ambitious apprentices. Erin Vallarino Blazick is a graduate of my program and is USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer with her thriving business in the L.A. area. Erin Morris is about to relocate to Ann Arbor, MI. after graduating my program. She is looking to finish getting her show scores so that she can also participate in the USDF Certification Program. Greer Barsness has recently arrived at my farm and is quite an asset to my program. Her greatest asset is her ability to make everyone smile ( including the horses!)

The irons that I have in the fire are burning hot!!!!

I am going to schedule 2011 during the first week of December. It look like it is going to be a really busy year!!YEAH!!!Please e mail me to schedule dates in your area.
dressagepeacock@gmail.com

Well I'm going to keep working on the book and DVD stuff. They will be available on my web site.

The Bridles that I designed are available from S.W.Foy Harness. They turned out Beautiful!!!Conrad Schumacher gave them his approval!!!

Polo shirts and T-Shirts with unique dressage quotes will be available through my web site very soon.

The amazing clothing line that Kendal Pink and I have been working on will be done VERY soon. Pink Peacock Equestrian Workout Gear is on its way!!!!

Life is Good!!!!!

Thanks to my sponsors Eous-Grand Meadows-Superior Saddlery-Footings Unlimited-Triple Crown Feeds

Goals

2009-12-03T20:26:00.000-08:00

We all need to set goals in order to reach them!

I want to help more riders in 2010 and I need your help!!

Please e-mail me with ideas for Blogs, Seminars at Hidden River Ranch and Retreat/Camp dates!!!!

2009 ROCKED!!!!!!!

We can make 2010 even better together!!!

Suzie
dressagepeacock@gmail.com

Helpful hints expanded

2009-10-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

I know that there are a million short cuts and simple tricks to running a training barn and tese are a few more of my favorites....

#1 Putting a small amount of mouthwash in your bit wash water and dunking your bit in it EVERY time you take the bit out of your horse's mouth. This not only cuts down on the scrub time for regular cleaning, but it keeps plaque from building up on the bit!

#2 Brush your horse with a dryer sheet wrapped around your body brush to take static out of your horse's coat.

#3 Tooth paste shines german silver spurs and bits.

#4 Wash your horse's dressage boots inside out and velcroed together for a better clean.

#5 Clean your own boots with water only, never use soap if you want them to shine.

#6 Polish your boots with boot cream then buff with a soft towel or old sock inside of a knee high/nylon for a high gloss shine!!!

#7 Clean your crystal browband with Windex then condition the leather with a bit of balm.

#8 Cover your saddle rack in carpet to keep from scratching the pannels.

#9 Use magneted stall signs so they can easily move when your horse changes stalls.This works great if you have a metal barn. If your barn is made of wood, use 3 large headed nails or brads where you want to hang the sign.The magnets will hold to the nail heads. Always check with the barn owner/manager first!!!!

#10 Use electrical tape to secure the ends of your stable braids (Hairy horse breeds like Andys, Freisians etc. who want to prserve long manes)instead of rubber bands. I find that there is less damage to the hair and it stays in for days.

#11 To keep track of your whips use a piece of PVC pipe with an end cap on the bottom. Just mount it to the wall with a couple of screws or tie wrap it to a post near the groom rack or arena.

Email me your helpful hints and I will post them!!
dressagepeacock@gmail.com

Tuesday idea-SPURS

2009-02-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

Today I will pick one lateral movement that will encourage engagement because it is early in the week. Later in the week I will combine lateral movements into one exercise to make it more complicated.

Shoulder-in or variations of shoulder-in; shoulder-fore and position-in, are the exercise that I'm picking (Use the book Advanced Techniques of Dressage page 46-54 as a reference). I am going to work on shoulder-in before I do transitions between trot and canter to improve the engagement and carrying power throughout the transitions.

I am going to use simple school figures at the trot and canter to finish my work out-Cool down. This will give the horse a chance to enjoy the new balance and athleticism that they have gained during the work out phase without being challenged by complicated figures. The idea is that the horse should never struggle through the cool down period. They should find the cool down easy and then it will build confidence in the horse. We all like to do things well and ending the work out while the horse is enjoying the new found balance is a good way to promote a happy athlete!!

Let me know what you decide to do today!!!
Write a comment or a note even if it is not Tues for you!!

Monday Idea! SPURS

2009-02-22T22:07:00.001-08:00

My horses had yesterday off or they had a really easy day with their owners so today is all about suppleness. Our work today will consist of bending lines like circles, serpentines and figures of 8. On those figures we will do transitions to make our horses obedient to the aids. Most of the horses will do leg yields to stretch the long muscles of the body. The youngsters will not do leg yields they will focus on 1/4 lines instead.
We will focus on our rider's position so that we are giving very accurate aids and helping our horses find their balance.

You should walk your horse for 10 minutes.
The warm up should take 10 minutes.
2 minute break
The work out should take 18 minutes.
The cool down should take 5 minutes.

Let me know what figures that you do and how it worked for your horse. Did the time limits help your efficiency?

What I'm up to....

2009-01-29T16:17:00.000-08:00

Well we are getting ready for the Equine Affaire!! Erin Vallarino and I are getting the horses and trailer ready to go. We are going to be demo riders for our good friend James Shaw. We can bee seen at the outdoor arena on Friday at 6:00pm and Saturday at 4:30pm. I am hoping that everyone can come and watch us ride.

SPURS Thought for the day 8

2009-01-25T21:46:00.000-08:00

SPURS Thought for the day 8

Rhythm and regularity

Each of the horse’s gaits has a particular number of beats to the footfalls. This is the horse’s rhythm. The walk has 4 beats, Trot- 2, canter-3 and the gallop has 4. The beats are counted when the feet hit the ground.
Let’s just think of the paces of the horse are different songs. The walk is Mary had a little lamb, the trot is Row, row, row your boat and the canter is Itsy bitsy spider. I chose those songs only because most people know them and I’m not a musical genius! How fast you sing the song is the tempo.
The gaits are considered irregular when the footfalls are not consistent or the tempo is not steady. The relaxation of the horse can directly affect the rhythm and regularity of the horse’s gaits. (Read SPURS- Thought of the day 7)

For today we are riding the 20-15-10 circles. Place 4 cones as circle points on the circle. Count your horse’s steps on each of the ¼ers of the circle. The number of steps should be the same. If the tempo is irregular or the horse lacks the balance to maintain a round circle, the number of steps will vary. Document the average number of steps your horse takes on each size circle at each gait. Keep track of this as you develop the horse’s gaits over the years. It will be interesting!

Next exercise is to count your breaths on the circles. Breath through your belly like a singer or like in yoga class. Your horse can’t be expected to have more regularity than you do!

SPURS thought of the day 7

2009-01-25T18:46:00.000-08:00

SPURS
Thought of the day 7

Relaxation

The thought of riding a relaxed horse is appealing to most of us. In fact, anyone who has ridden a horse that is both relaxed and energetic will understand the point of good dressage.

Let’s concentrate on encouraging our horses to develop relaxation while we work. We can do this by designing our lesson for today around a few simple principals.

1. We all like to do things that we are good at.
Start your ride with simple exercise that your horse can perform easily. Execute this exercise 5 times each direction.

2. When we are bored with our work we do not perform to our best ability.
Introduce a more difficult version of your exercise and execute it 4 times each direction. Take a short break and let the horse walk. Repeat the exercise one time each direction and expand the exercise a little bit more and repeat 3 times each direction. You should finish your work with a simple cool down that includes walking on a loose rein.

3. We all get anxious when we are required to do something that we are unclear about.
If your horse gets anxious at any time during the work, go back to a simpler version of the exercise until they are relaxed about the work.

Your homework is to write back to me about your lesson plans including the figures or exercises used. Tell me how things went and what you will change in the future.
Feel free to e-mail me directly at dressagepeacock@gmail.com.

SPURS Thought for the Day 6

2009-01-13T21:06:00.000-08:00

SPURS 6-Thought for the day

We have been doing a lot of suppling work so we should be ready for engagement. Shoulder-in is the first lateral movement that engages the inside hind leg. Look in the book Advanced Techniques of Riding; the German hand book on page 46 for the aids for the movement.

Your warm up needs to include straight lines, the bend of a 10 meter circle and moving the horse away from the inside leg. These are the prerequisites or the components for the shoulder-in. I like to warm up first by doing the usual 20 meter circles and straight lines and then becoming more specific. I execute 10m voltes at A or C. Then I proceed on quarter line. I leg yield to the track. I do this in both directions.

For the work out phase I execute the 10 meter volte in the corner and proceed down the track in shoulder in. I only do the shoulder-in ½ way down the long side and then I ride across the short diagonal ending with a 10 meter volte in the corner. This volte should be used to rebalance the horse. The first few times that I ride the exercise I ride the diagonal in collected trot. Then I ride the exercise and proceed across the diagonal in medium trot. If you ride the diagonal in medium trot on the diagonal every time, the horse will learn to run or quicken the trot across the diagonal.

You can add asset of canter after you have done the exercise 3 times each direction. The canter work should be simple as it is not the difficult part of the work out. I would suggest riding one 20 meter circle at B or E. Then immediately ride a 15 meter circle. Then ride a 10 meter volte. I end it by making a transition on the 10meter volte before coming back to the track.

You can do this exercise on young horses by making it a bit more simple. The circles can be bigger. The shoulder-in can be done as shoulder-fore or position in. The medium trot can be simplified to lengthening in the trot. The canter can be executed only on the 20 meter circle.

If you are training a really young horse you should omit the shoulder-in and simply ride on the track flexing the youngster to the inside a little more than usual while maintaining the contact on the outside rein.

SPURS 5-Thought of the day

2009-01-13T11:24:00.000-08:00

SPURS-Thought of the day-5

Today we are focusing on the contact with the outside rein.

The out side rein is known as the controlling rein. I t gives the horse help with balance and gives them support. The contact with the outside rein is established by pressing the horse at the girth with the inside leg in a diagonal push towards the steady outside rein. The inside rein is used to lightly massages the inside corner of the mouth to encourage softness.

Let’s ride on a 20 meter circle to start and progress to a figure of 8 then a 3 loop serpentine then a 4 loop serpentine and finally a 5 loop serpentine.

On the 20 meter circle establish the contact on the outside rein by alternating between true flexion and counter flexion. When you counter flex the horse be sure to only flex one inch to the outside so that you don’t encourage the horse to collapse on the inside shoulder.

Once you can maintain the even contact on the outside rein one direction, change direction and establish the new outside rein. Now you can start alternating between the figures from above. It is very important to maintain even contact on both reins during the change of bend then establishing the outside rein contact a little stronger while on the bent lines.

While on the serpentines, ride transitions between the gaits. Always maintain the outside rein during the transition.

Spurs 4-Thought for the Day

2009-01-10T19:04:00.000-08:00

SPURS-Thought for the day- 4

We have had some bad weather so our horses need to get back in the swing of things. That means we are going to do a suppling day.

Suppling exercises are bending lines, straight lines and leg yields. Shoulder-in, Ranvers, Travers and Half pass are NOT suppling exercises they are engagement exercises. Transitions can be both type of exercises because you can do them before, during and after movements.

I don’t feel very creative today… Let’s do decreasing and increasing circles also called the Target. The old stand by. One of the best exercises ever.

Do this both directions the same number of times.

Start on a 20 meter circle Let the horse establish the balance of that circle before you make the circle smaller. Once you have the best balance that your horse can do on a 20m. circle then make it smaller by turning the horse towards the middle of the circle and riding to a 15m. circle. Repeat and make the circle a 10m. circle. Be careful not to stay on the 10 meter circle too long as it is difficult for the horse to do many rotations at that size.

Now you need to leg yield out to the 20 meter circle. The best way is to pause on the 15m. circle for a full rotation of the circle then continue to the 20m. circle.

After you do this exercise 4 times at the trot; add a canter transition after you leg yield out to the 20m. circle. Lower level horses just canter around the 20m. circle a few times.

The first part of this exercise can be your warm up to supple the horse when you are going to have an engagement day the higher schooled horses. You can spiral in at the half pass and out in leg yield. You can also do this at the canter. Horses that are 3rd level and above can spiral down to an 8m. Volte/ small circle. Horses that are schooled to PSG and above can canter the 8m volte in haunches in as a working pirouette.

Make sure that you let the horse stretch on the 20m.circle both directions at the trot ( Like in the first level tests) and if your horse is capable at the canter. You do this to release the lactic acid build up in the muscles. It’s very important!

SPURS3

2009-01-07T22:20:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day-SPURS 3

Today we should focus on the lateral work because we focused on the contact yesterday.

The turn on the forehand is the most simple exercise to start with. Use your reference material for the aids for the movement. Make sure that you are very clear about the aids before you start.

The figure for the day is the 20 circle with the turn on the forehand at centerline and away from the rail (not near the track).
1. Walk the 20m circle
2. when you get to the centerline away from the track halt then make a ½ turn on the forehand away from the inside leg. Ending the turn in a halt.
3. Proceed at the walk.
4. Repeat

Do this same exercise from the trot, to halt, to turn then halt/trot transition.

Make sure that you are suppling the horse at the halt before you make the upward transition.

If your horse is news to the turn on the forehand or is tense about this work then do a walking turn on the forehand. Just slow the horse to a shortened stride in the walk instead of halting before the turn. This will help them understand that you are not trying to trap them. An extreme reaction when feeling trapped in the turn on the forehand is to rear. We don’t want that ever!

The walking turn is good for all horses. It can be used whenever you want. Once your horse is good at the turn on the forehand from the halt and the walking turn you can try the turn at the trot! You have to trot, shorten the stride at the trot, slow the forehand and push the haunches around the forehand then trot out. Let the turn become larger in diameter when trotting!

Don’t repeat these exercises too much. Quality NOT Quantity is the name of this game!!!!

SPURS 2

2009-01-07T22:19:00.000-08:00

SPURS Thought for the day 2

Let’s focus on the contact today!

Establish the contact by picking up the reins to a working length while your horse is standing. Ask them to yield to light vibrating pressure to the left and to the right approx. 1 inch. One rein must always be still or you are sea sawing the bit in the mouth and that is wrong! Once you achieve this you may walk on.

Now the focus work of the day is to work on this concept of yielding to the inside rein and holding the outside rein steady before every change of direction and every transition upward or downward.

Work on figures that are appropriate for your horses’ level of training or below. This way you can work on increasing the quality of the work with out putting too much pressure on the horse.

Let me know what level you are working and which figures worked well ad which ones where challenging!!

SPURS1

2009-01-07T22:17:00.000-08:00

A daily goal should be both specific tasks layered onto a general topic.
RIDE WITH SPURS- Susan Peacock Ultimate Riding System

Today let's focus on riding with rythem and regularity.
Count your tempo on straight and bent lines.
Stretch tall through your crown and breathe.

Let me know how it's going with your riding.
It takes at least 2 lifetimes to learn dreaage if we combine ours won't we get farther?

Small spaces

2009-01-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

Winter weather brings its fair share of compromises. One of them is riding in small spaces.Often we are limited to small indoor arenas or the only dry corner of the outdoor ring.
Riding on the grid is the only way to continue on with your goals.
The grid is when you divide the dressage court into a grid pattern by establishing the rail, quarterline, centerline, 2nd quarterline and the far track. You also mark the arena where the 20 meter circles at A,B/E and C touch the track and where they cross centerline. Riding on the grid is for the dressage rider what practicing on the balance beam is to the gymnast.This is where the horse and learn the balance and develop the strength for more advanced work.
One of the most useful tools will be the small road cone. In a small space the larger cones just take up too much room. I place one cone at each circle point of the 20meter circle.I also place a cone on the track 6 meters from the corners and if I have enough room I place cones 12 meters from the corner cones. This way I can practice transitions at the cones in the same spacing that the dressage court has letters. I also can practice my corners by using the cone , 6 meters from the end of the long side, and know how much space I have for the dressage corner.
When I practice like this in a small space I can carry over the lessons into the larger dressage court with no interruption.
If you practice like this all the time you will learn to ride accurately and make dressage easier for you and your horse(s).

As an aside;In 1991 Major Anders Lindren told me that I could charge my students $5.00 for each cone that they run over! I always charge, NEVER collect!!

I purchased my cones at Linda's Feed in Norco, CA. 951-371-3330 reference Susan Peacock at Hidden River Ranch They will be happy to order some for you!!!

Goals

2009-01-04T22:07:00.000-08:00

It starts with having a plan. A goal is a destination where you want to go or get to. What is it that you really want to do?

This is similar to using mapquest. You start out with where you are and you add in where you want to go. Mapquest sets out your goals and you follow them until you get there. Your directions are a series of small goals that must be followed in order or your destination won't be achieved. Simple? right!

Where are you starting from?

What are your assets?
(Mapquest assumes you are in a car that is in good running order or they would include auto garages along the way!)
Horse, trainer, clinicians, tack, transportation, books, mag., DVD, symposiums.....Money...Time.....Detication

Small goal
Small goal
Small goal
Small goal
Small goal
Small goal

Where are you going/Achieving?

Fill in the first line then the last line. Go back and fill in your assets. Then fill in what small goals you need to achieve and the skills that you need to master.

NOW DRIVE!!!

Sheepskin Saddle Pads

2008-12-18T07:57:00.000-08:00

You all know that I can hardly resist a good soap box so....

Saddles should fit. Good I said that right off the bat . The reality of life is that as we train our horses they gain muscle, change muscle placement, gain weight, lose weight and just plane change shapes. When this happens you have to do something to help the saddle fit until it can be re-stuffed. Paul Selvey owner of Supierior Saddlery is the main man in my opinion. I ride in his saddles and most of my clients have Superior Saddles. He is local to us and can make stable calls to help us out. Paul is also my sponsor.THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

When the horse changes and I have to make do I often reach for the Sheepskin to help out. This is most helpful when the saddle is just sitting a bit too close to the spine and it need to be lifted up and have more padding.

The most important issue is that if your saddle is fitting too tight in the front/wither area DO NOT put more padding under your saddle!!!! This is just like buying a pair of shoes that fit with thin socks and then wearing 2 pairs of thick athletic socks. Ouch of course that would hurt! Now if the saddle is just sitting too low on the horse's back that sheepskin will help. If it is sitting too low in the front it will help a lot. Because of the shape of the withers the more pads you put on the wither area the wider that you make them. This extra padding will lift the front of the saddle and change the balance. If this is your intention you will be happy if not...You will be sitting in the back of the saddle in a chair seat constantly trying to pull your legs back while the sturrip bars are pulling you forward. I call this the push-me-pull-you seat!

Some of these pads have shims that can be added and taken out ass needed. I have not found one of these pads that I like. They often have areas that make pressure points on the horse's back. This is not OK. You can tell where there are pressure points by the DRY patches on the hair. The horse does not sweat where the pressure is too great.

OK back to my original idae that started this blog....

The sheepskin pads are made out of sheepskin because of the benifits of using natural sheepshin next to the horse's back. That means if you really love your horse you will put that sheepskin pad directly on the horse's back. Most people, including some of our top riders, put saddle pads under the sheepskin to keep the sheepskin clean. That is like wearing your underwear on the outside of your pants!!!! The lesson here is to do your laundry!! You can use a horse brush on the saddle pad everytime that you are done with the sheepskin and let it dry sweaty side up then brush it again before you use it again! You can wash them in the machine on gentle but I do not use the drier, I air dry them. I have not been pleased with Fleecework pads.They are made from patchwork sheepskin and they fell apart when we washed them and caused pressure issues where the patchwork seams came together. Mattes is my favorite brand as they hold up really well to washing and are longer than my saddle from front to back. I also LOVE their sheepskin girths. (I'd LOVE to have them sponsor me!! Anyone got a connection?)

There are saddle pad available that have the sheepskin built in. The sheepskin is sewn on the bottom of those pads. Do you think that the manufacturers are trying to tell us something?

Bits and pieces

2008-12-16T20:38:00.000-08:00

Hey these are a few helpful hints that help me keep it going. Really I'm lazy and I need some helpful tricks to keep life simple.

Every time that I take a bridle off of a horse I dip the bit in a bucket of water with a good glug of mouthwash in it! This not only helps to get stuck on goobers off of the bit it also just about eliminates plaque from depositing on the bit. This keeps the bit smooth and looking new.

My favorite saddle soap is hand made goats milk soap from the Sitkum Soap Co. My Aunt Marlene makes it and it is wonderful!! I even use it on my own skin to feel soft and silky!!

I condition my tack with Effax or Passier leather balm about 2 times a month or whenever I accidentally wash the leather with the bit wash water. OOPS! Remember one bucket of clean water for the leather and a separate bucket with mouth wash and water for the bits. Having 2 different colored buckets helps when you are tired!

Tough times

2008-12-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

This blog was handed over to me on a day that I am thinking about heavy thoughts.Times are tough for everyone right now. I want to thank everyone who is trying so hard to stay positive and keep on chugging. I have put into effect a new pricing that I am calling The Economy Sucks Pricing. I'm hoping that this will help everyone take advantage of having some quality time with their horses. This way when life gets easier, we will all be better and ready to show and/or meet our goals.
There are a lot of horses who are looking for help right now. I know of 2 really nice dressage horses that are either for sale or for lease because their owners are having such a hard time. I have already helped to place 5 horses in new homes in the last 2 months.
For the holidays my students here at Hidden River Ranch and my satellite barn at Pepperglen Farms are going to be supporting the ASPCA/humane society instead of exchanging gifts with each other. My mom always says "If you feel badly, then help someone else until you feel better!" She is the most incredible woman on the planet!

Enter At "A" ...

2008-12-04T09:57:00.000-08:00

Well, after giving the idea of a traditional newsletter a great deal of thought -- I decided to be more contemporary and go with, you guessed it ... A BLOG!

Okay, actually my web mistress is typing this as you read ... but once she hands it over to meeee, there's no telling where the blog will take both of us!