Sit the Trot

As riders we all have parts of our body that don't work as well as we would like them too. When we are beginner or newer riders, it feels like none of the parts of our body work very well. Our balance is all off, our legs and hands have a mind of their own and we even find things like our butt and shoulder muscles randomly chipping in when they aren't really needed! Then we progress, over the years we find more control, we learn to balance our own bodies and stop veering backwards and forwards, and side to side. We learn how to take our legs on and off, even one at a time if needed. Our hands begin to have an independence that is needed to have (and keep) a horse properly on the bit. Our hips learn to move a little more freely, following the horses bouncing motions. This post isn't about learning how to ride, it isn't about learning how to use your body in the right places to sit to the trot (riding is so damn hard), it is about another component, the athletic side of...

This week I noticed a few scabby areas on the back on Axels hind heels. Nothing much, but enough to be aware of the suggestion of scratches. I have seen some pretty bad cases over the years so I wanted to get on top of it asap. The first thing I did, was check in with my amazing vet 'Dr Tom Walters'. He was headed up to our barn in a few days time anyway as he was seeing another horse so I asked him to peek at Axels scratches (mud fever) whilst there. (He did, and giggled at how almost non existent Axels case is hehe). In the meantime I investigated treatment. Thankfully his turnout is now bone dry so I needn't worry about keeping him in a stall until it has gone (mud fever tends to need keeping dry to get better). After much googling I found an approach I liked and began treatment. It meant I had to go shop. Bring it on local Pharmacy. Swaggering down the aisle of Walgreens I knew what I was looking for, a tantalizing basket: full of Hibiclens (antiseptic wash), Vagi...

Today my friend Angela and I headed off with our horses and children an hour and a half north to see Philip Himanka, our equine barefoot specialist. Now of course, not in a million years would I be traveling that far for a mani for myself, but for Axel (and Lola) we gladly made the road trip. It is school holidays here now, so that meant that Ethan and Sam (Angelas little boy) had to join us too. Before we set off, we knew that Thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon but wanting to make the trip a little more worthwhile we planned to stop on the way back and take the boys for a trail ride at Barr Lake (a Bald Eagle nesting ground and bird spotting area). It was great to get Philips expert eye on Axel and Lola again, he truly knows his craft, science and biomechanics and I feel he is key to keeping Axel barefoot in such a tricky climate as Colorado. He was really happy with how Axels feet looked and it even seems he has managed to help Angels rid Lola of white line disease t...

My wonderful boy continues to improve all the time! The last few weeks have been a little more intense on his training as he is now feeling fit and strong enough to do a little more in the school. We seem to have got a little stuck with our canter leads. When he arrived it really didn't seem to be an issue but as his muscling and responsiveness have changed, as did quite a few things under saddle. Firstly when he arrived he seemed to have a weakness or asymmetry that was quite obvious under saddle but not so much to the eye. On the left rein he would dive a little on the inside shoulder and you had to work to keep him straight especially on a change of rein. Since his neck injections, magnawave from Tina and some good work under saddle he has started to even out, I have almost forgotten about the diving in. But the connection into the bridle and the canter leads have also changed. So, next is connection. He has a tendency to sit behind the vertical. For anyone not boring enou...