My Basement Tack Shop

When we moved house a couple years ago, we went from 2000 square feet to 1300 square feet and from a huge, two-story, 1800s barn to a new 20-by-80, open-sided, pole barn.  We also went from 11 acres to 110 acres, including 8 already-fenced acres of pasture, so you horse people out there can right away see the appeal.  But it meant we had to get rid of a lot of stuff.  A LOT of stuff.  And we did.  And it was so good.

Doesn't know what's coming.

But I DID manage to keep a fair quantity of a particular type of stuff.  Any guesses as to what type? Yep, you got it: Horse stuff. 

So, over the last couple of evenings, as I have prepared for our first show of the year, I was fairly astonished to find that, in those boxes of horse stuff, I actually HAVE the esoteric bits and pieces I need for a show:

• Quiet clippers? Check.
• Hoof polish? Check.  Both clear and black.
• Whitening shampoo? Check.  Lots of it.
• Coat polish? Check
• Show Sheet? Check. Was going to sell it, unused.  Now, it’s a used keeper.
• Western-style show halter? Check.  Had tried to list it on eBay, but satellite internet makes this a multiple-day process, so, luckily, gave up on that.
• Leather lead with chain end? Check.
• English-style show halter, just in case? Check.  It’s a beauty, but no bling.
• Western hat for human for halter class? Check  Both brown AND black.
• Western style shirt, pants, boots? Check. Check. Check.  I wear the boots to work, but they just need a bit of polish. Sister sent me the shirt on a whim, and I love it.
• English tall boots, show shirt, show breeches, show coat, modest belt? Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Coat’s a little loose, breeches a little tight.  So I have to suck in my bottom and puff out my top.
• Favorite gold stock pin that my friend gave me when I was in her wedding 25-years ago?  Check.  It wasn’t designed to be a stock pin, but it reminded both of us of a stock pin, and thus, it is a stock pin.
• Braiding supplies? Check.  I’m using Braideez braiding wire that I bought earlier this year.  I’ll let you know how it works.

The only thing I actually needed to pick up this week was a show pad for my Thornhill AP saddle.  I do, as you might suspect based on the large quantity of little-used horse supplies I mentioned above, have a whole bunch of saddle pads, but not your standard fluffy white one, shaped to fit the George-Morris-proscribed inch around my saddle.  The one I bought (from an extremely strange tack shop in the Binghamton area) isn’t perfect, but pretty close.  I will make a run to the hardware store to find a close approximation to the braiding wires, since I only have black and am braiding a half-white mane.

Oh, and I bought a western show belt, because an English chick just doesn’t get to do much bling, and this might be my only chance in a while.  It’s not as flashy as I would have liked, but I’m quite pleased with it, and it matches Starlight’s halter fairly well.

We will be showing in halter classes to start, and based on the recommendation of a local show judge and trainer, Maggie Johnston, who kindly answered the query I posed to her in a facebook message, I’m going to dress Western style for the halter classes, even though Starlight will be in braids.  Then I’ll don my English clothes for the riding classes.

We’ll do a few classes on the flat, then head home, hopefully, with that sense of accomplishment that makes us feel it was worth all the hoopla!

Twin Tiers Horse Activities, Sept. 13 - 16, 2012

Woah, Nelly!  While last weekend, things were a little bit quiet for horse enthusiasts in the Twin Tiers, this weekend is chock full of all kinds of different activities. 

Starlight and I will be venturing out to her first show under saddle.  I hope you find something fun and exciting to do with your pony this weekend, too!

September 13 – 16 Twin Tiers Trail Riders: Elk County, PA. Need to know how many people will be coming so be sure to make contact with Linda Hendricks, 607-342-3534 or clearview@htva.net

Sept. 15: 2nd Annual Whole Horse Whole Human Holistic Expo, Palomino Acres, Lindley, NY Tentative Schedule. See last week's events for more info, or go to:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palomino-Acres-Equine-Services-LLC/325666623252

Sept 15-16: Empire State Paint Club Show: Sept 15: Paint-O-Rama; Sept 16: 4-judge Youth/Amateur and Fall Futurity Chemung County Fairgrounds, Horseheads, NY. http://esphc.com/show-season/

Sept 15 - Game Show - Day - Sign Up @ 9am Start @ 10 am Way-On Saddle Club; 5763 Clark Road, Newark, NY 14513 http://www.way-ont.com/

Sept 15: Rolelu Show Series: Dressage Show (Introductory through 4th Level plus "eventing" tests), Combined Test (Introductory through Preliminary Levels, dressage and stadium), and Jumping Derby (Introductory through Preliminary level) - Weather permitting, Cross Country schooling (Introductory through Training Levels) For more information and entry forms go to: www.rolelu.webs.com or contact Chandra Wong at (585) 243-0916 or Rolelu@hotmail.com.

Sept. 15: Harvest Horse Trials and Schooling Dressage Show to benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute and East Aurora Pony Club. For more information, contact Sue Williams at (716) 772-2707/2957 or wiliamsbrg@aol.com For prize list/ entry forms, go to www.chestnutridgeequestriancenter.com

September 15: Twin Tiers Trail Riders: Reins of Hope - Sugar Hill, N.Y. Contact Kathy Jantzen at kjantzen@stny.rr.com or 607-732-3653. As it gets closer to the ride, Kathy will forward Jeanne copies of the forms or you may contact Kathy.

Sept 16: Pleasure Show - Sign Up @ 9am Start @ 10am Way-On Saddle Club; 5763 Clark Road, Newark, NY 14513 http://www.way-ont.com/

September 16: Dressage Show - details to come Carriage House Arena (607) 387-3422. 25 WATERBURG ROAD, TRUMANSBURG, NY 14886 http://www.carriagehousesaddlery.com/events.html

September 16: Corner Haven Farm Horse Show. Show all day for one price; 125’x 250’outdoor ring, 80’x 158’ indoor ring; great footing, easy in/out parking; professionally designed jumps and courses; no hassle w/adding and dropping classes; all classes open to all riders/horses See www.cornerhavenfarm.com for program; Email-cornerhavenfarm@aol.com 607.387.9557; 6302 Curry Rd, Trumansburg NY

Sept. 16: GVRDC 30th Anniversary Pleasure and Combined Driving Show - Geneseo, NY. http://www.gvrdc.org/calendar.htm

Sept. 16: ​Fall Show​​, Tanglewood Farm, Jamesville http://cnydcta.webstarts.com/calendar_of_events.html

September 16: Team Sorting TBA 176 Kelly Rd. New Berlin, NY 13411. www.purecountrycampground.com, 607-847-9265

Cat Goes Bronc Riding and Headless Horse

Sometimes you don’t have a camera, or things happen too fast for a camera, or, as reality TV clearly demonstrates, sometimes you have a camera but something is happening that needs your full attention, and stepping back to take a photo would be irresponsible.

It was the latter for me, yesterday, so I had to portray what happened through my memory and my childish drawing skills.  Here you go.

You get the idea.

Besides the cat leaping on the horse yesterday, I also experienced what it would be like to ride a headless horse.  Actually, a headless and neckless horse.  

Does anyone else have a horse that thinks it’s a bloodhound?  Both Hudson and Starlight like to sniff the ground as they walk.  Yesterday, it was wet and soggy after the rain, so I took Starlight for a ride on the gravel road.  It had been a while since we went there, so she was fairly up, and also very curious about the new place.  She put her face down and sniffed the road as we walked, but it wasn’t just a quick sniff, it was ten or twelve strides that I was riding a horse who had, from my perspective, no visible head or neck.  She did this several times during the ride and I felt like I was just riding a big horse torso.  

What would a dressage judge think of this?  Is there such a thing as TOO stretchy a walk?

Twin Tiers Horse Activities, Sept. 8-9, 2012

Oops! A little late with my update this week!  But there is still time for you to check out Sunday's events.  

I'm also including an interesting event that will be held next weekend at Palomino Acres in Lindley, NY -- the Second Annual Whole Horse Whole Human Expo.   If I weren't already planning to embarrass myself in a horse show on that date, I would check out the expo.  It certainly looks to be a unique event in the Twin Tiers.

Have fun with your horses this weekend!

Sept. 8 Country Horsemens Association LCHA Open Game Show; Interlaken, NY; Check us out on Facebook! LakeCountry Horsemens; lakecountryhorsemens@yahoo.com

Sept. 9: : Lake Country Horsemens Association LCHA Funtime Pointed Shows; Interlaken, NY 9 am Check us out on Facebook! LakeCountry Horsemens; lakecountryhorsemens@yahoo.com;

September 9: Kindergarten Klassic English Show, details to be announced Carriage House Arena (607) 387-3422. 25 WATERBURG ROAD, TRUMANSBURG, NY 14886 http://www.carriagehousesaddlery.com/events.html

Sept 15: 2nd Annual Whole Horse Whole Human Holistic Expo, Palomino Acres, Lindley, NY
Tentative Schedule. 

The times listed are approximate times. If a presenter needs more time than has been allotted they will be allowed that time. On the other hand if a presenter does not use all the time allowed we will move into the next presentation.

• 9:00-9:30 Shari Koval – Tuning Fork Therapy and Animal Communication. Shari will explain how tuning fork therapy works and its benefits. She will also give a demonstration using Arie as her demonstration horse. After she has completed her Tuning Fork demonstration she will do an animal communication. After the demonstration she will be available to do communication with your animals at $5 per animal all donations will go directly to Doxy’s horse rescue.
• 9:30-10:30 Melissa Lohman equine Chiropractor will be discussing how the vertebrae of the horse articulate using a real horse skeleton as well as doing a chiropractic, acupuncture and percursor demonstration. Melissa will be using Camurra as her demonstration horse.
• 10:30-11:30 Ellen Sisco of Infinity Farm is a retired Physical Therapist and will present on the interaction of human and horses kinesiology. By teaching riders how to more effectively use their bodies and aids to effectively communicate with horses Ellen hopes to make riding more enjoyable and comfortable for horse and rider alike. I will be riding Arie during this presentation so Ellen can have a visual to help make her points.
• 11:30-12:00 Shari Koval will explain what Reiki is and the benefits of Reiki. Shari will use Gypsy as her demonstration horse.
• 12:00-1:00 Lunch break and time to chat with presenters. Hamburgers and hot dogs available for purchase. There will be a vegetarian option.
• 1:00 – 1:30 Maggie Lot will be presenting her STS-2 Therapy System. Doc will be assisting her with this demonstration. Doc will receive a total body scan and any trouble areas will be addressed with the ETU unit. This unit produces red light and infrared light that is pulsed at 7 different frequencies changing the frequency changes how the tissue is affected by the therapy.
• 1:30-3:00 Jen Zitkov will explain and demonstrate jEnergetics first on a horse, Sonny will be benefiting from the treatment. Then Jen will also do a demonstration of techniques that you can use on yourself to remain balanced.
• 3:00-4:30 Shari Koval and Tammy Marsh will be presenting and demonstrating their research project, “Round Pen Work from the Horses Point of View”. Tammy and Shari will give an overview of the research project, report on a horse in the study, give an outline of the book that will be published with the results and demonstrate how the experiment was run using two horses Tammy has not worked with before. Doc and Cody will be participating in the research project.
• 4:30 Time to chat with presenters. 50/50 and bucket drawings.

For more info and updates: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palomino-Acres-Equine-Services-LLC/325666623252

 

Progress Notes

Last evening, Starlight and I chased cattle off our property as a warm-up, then worked in our “dressage arena.”  It’s an unfenced bit of hay field, defined by the wooden letter signs I painted and pounded in. 

In no particular order, some thoughts about Starlight’s progress:

• She runs away from me when I approach her to go for a ride, but, once caught and under saddle, she tries to do everything I ask.  She DOES everything I ask, as long as I ask correctly.
• She immediately understood that the little signs represented the confines of an arena, and puts her head up and ears toward me in surprise if I ask her to go outside of them.  If she could color, she would definitely try to stay inside the lines.
• She is too smart for much repetitive practice, such as drilling a dressage test, because she learns the pattern and then she makes the gait transitions herself, without my asking. 
• She goes better in a bit than without one, because she responds well to light hands and I have to be ham-handed with the bitless one.  However, when I teach her to back-up in a pattern, I’ll use the bitless one to spare her delicate mouth. Teaching this type of work will involve some pressure. 
• She is starting to understand my requests for lateral movement, moving off the track and back on it.  She confuses these cues, sometimes, with a request for more speed, but is starting to understand that legs can give a variety of cues that mean things other than "trot."
• She is learning to vary speed and extension at walk and trot.  She is still too unbalanced at the canter to ask for this sort of variety at that gait, but she cracks me up by going from a big extension in the trot to a pokey, Western pleasure jog when I ask.
• She started getting ansty at saddling when I was using the 36 cm Duett, but is perfectly calm now that I switched to Hudson’s wide Thornhill.  My guess is the Duett hurt her back, yet the cheap Thornhill feels OK.  She is the second horse I have who hates the Duett, even though I personally love it, and I don’t like the Thornhill, due to its tendency to put me in a chair seat.  But, of course, their comfort comes before mine.
• I let her hooves grow a touch longer and also use the boots every ride, except in arenas, and she has no more foot soreness. I use Cavallo simple boots and will soon order new ones, as hers are starting to wear out.  I may look into some that fit her a little more closely, but it might just be the Cavallo sport boots, since I love the Cavallos.  I'm also considering the Marquis Supergrip. I also added a vitamin E/Selenium supplement, after learning she was low in SE. 
• I’m planning to show her in the Sept. 14 Empire State PaintHorse Club show, weather permitting. 
• She doesn’t know it yet, but she will soon be learning how to jump.
  

A good horse and her dork.

Saturday Doings

A trip to the Chemung County Fairgrounds was in order today, to watch Foxwin Sherman compete with handler, Sydney Stringham.  Sherman is a Morgan owned by my friend Trish Pierce, and it was his first show.  They competed in a halter class for "other breeds" at the Twin Tiers Classic show.

Sherman and Sydney looked great together!

Team Sherman, with Sydney Stringham and Trish Pierce.  Team member Marty Pierce not pictured.

I had hoped to show Starlight, but with my being out of town half the week, she was not ready.

When I got home, I found my husband was assembling the little jump standards we had cut last night, and I was very pleased with his effort!








And the cat chewed our cow-chasing tool.  

"I ain't afraid of no golf umbrella."

A busy morning, all around.  

Congrats to Sherman, Sydney and Trish for a successful show experience!

Before the class.