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
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Goals
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
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
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Helpful hints expanded
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
#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
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday idea-SPURS
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!!
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!!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday Idea! SPURS
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?
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?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
What I'm up to....
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.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
SPURS Thought for the day 8
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!
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!
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