Lurena Bell clinic at Belle Terre Farm

Ceil's ride on PJ, a 22 year old German Riding Pony:

In canter: even when you feel good jump in the canter, also insist that he sits down. Get him to sit over his left hind leg (in left canter). Bend him in "too much" to get him to hang his neck out of his withers: make him almost over-round on each rein. The outside rein should be soft, while you ask him to bend a little left and a little right. If he speeds up, collect him back into a better balance. The canter should have a "ONE-TWO," "ONE-TWO" beat; you shouldn't hear the third beat. The half halt should make him sit down over his haunches: EXPECT him to SIT DOWN over his hindquarter. He should come all the way back to where you can soften on both reins. Think "piaffe in the canter."

In walk half pass: also sit him back so that he quits using his neck to balance; rather insist he uses his haunches to balance.

In sitting trot: don't try very hard from the waist down, and keep him soft on both reins. Slow your body down so that you only go a slow "one-two," "one-two" beat. Be sure to make everything you do about rhythm. If he gets quick, slow him way down: every step has do be deliberately placed-- no running. Rhythm creates balance, and without balance there is no rhythm.

In medium trot: try it posting trot first, then only do short stints of sitting the medium trot. Strive for balance and softness. Roll your knees in a little to steady your balance.

In canter half pass: the canter should stay the same or improve during the half pass. Left bend or right bend reminds him to develop more balance over his legs rather than his neck.

In lateral work: rhythm creates balance. When he gets tight bend him in both directions both left and right to prevent him from stiffening his neck.

Carrie's ride on Delphinia, a 12 year old Trakehner mare:

In shoulder in: keep looking into the corner. When necessary give a tap with the whip to maintain impulsion. Avoid tightness in your hip and leg. The reins need to be soft. Maintain your position regardless of what the horse is doing.

In trot: Remind the horse to be soft on both reins. It is okay to allow the horse to make a mistake. Be quick with your half halt then be fast on the give. You can increase the repetitions of the half halt then be equally quick with the give. The horse doesn't get to pick the trot; the rider decides the trot. The rider should feel "lazy" below the waist; shoulders and upper arms should allow rider to balance and allow the rider to keep the horse in balance.

In leg yield and half pass: look over to where you are going. Occasionally turn the leg yield into short stints of half pass. Test the outside rein to see if it can soften; don't allow the horse to tighten. You don't want the neck to shorten, but rather be BRIGHTER into the reins. Occasionally surprise the horse by throwing in a short diagonal line from the center line rather than leg yielding over, again allowing the horse to soften. Any half pass, leg yield etceteras is work on a diagonal line: the horse should be straight and soft despite whether the shoulders or haunches are moving. BOTH reins should have equal weight in each rein.

In canter: the rider's hips and legs have to be relaxed in canter, especially in preparing for flying changes. Sit way back- even behind the vertical. Delphi has to let the rider sit back on the pockets; facilitate this by giving quick outside half halts. If the rider's seat lightens, it is because the horse has changed the balance. Rather, the horse has to come to the RIDER's balance, not the reverse.

In canter to walk and walk to canter transitions: In the down trans from canter to walk and especially the up trans from walk to canter, the horse is NOT allowed to pull in the walk. The horse should be in the outside rein to be positioned for the transition from walk to canter. To keep the horse supple, throw in some surprise walk pirouettes during walk to canter transitions. If the horse leans on the left rein, "shake" her off of it. The heavy side can be the slow side. During the turn on the haunches, remind Delphi it's a walk: count "1-2-3-4." Half halt her back and continue the turn into a full 360 degree pirouette. Half halt on the outside rein to prevent the horse stepping out. It is okay at this point if the pirouette is big; you can always tighten it up later. If the horse pivots, then make it a bigger pirouette. Counting the horse's footfalls helps maintain the rhythm.

The rider should be able to move the rider's legs in and out, forward or backward, without the horse over-reacting to the movement of the rider's legs. The rider should set high standards, staying in position regardless of what the horse is doing and EXPECT the horse to conform to the rider's (presumably correct) balance. Even if you have to do 17 walk to canter transitions, so be it.

Straight Lines and Flexions

We schooled a wonderful exercise in our lesson this week in further preparedness for flying changes and (eventually) tempi changes: in (let's say left) canter from the short side turn down the quarter line. Ride the horse completely STRAIGHT, being sure that the horse is aligned between your aids and the haunch is neither in nor out; this exercise lives and breathes on keeping the horse ABSOLUTELY straight in canter; focus on an object on the distant horizon (a tree, fence post, whatever) to facilitate the straightness. Keeping the horse's body straight in a straight left lead canter, do flexions (NOT changes of bend per se, rather changes of flexion) left and flexions right multiple times along the quarter line maintaining the same (left) lead. At the end of the quarter line, turn left along the short side then turn left down the next quarter line and repeat. After a couple of theses straight lines Delphi is very collected, we're both organized, and the flexions are light. Once this amount of harmony is achieved, rather than turning left and coming onto the next successive quarter line, rather turn left at the end of your straight quarter line, ride along the short side wall into the next corner, then come across the long diagonal still in left canter while again maintaining the ABSOLUTE straightness (LOOK UP THE STRAIGHT LINE where you're going). At this stage in Delphi's training, before x, flex right as if you were continuing the straight line exercise, then immediately follow with the aids for flying change. Swish we got several perfect flying changes as polite as can be! You can also ask for the flying change along the quarter line, but ask before the E X B midway line so that you can keep riding straight in the new canter lead, then you must make a volte-type turn in the new direction off the quater line onto the closer wall (to the right in our example). Of course school all exercises in both directions equally. Further along in the training, one could use the same exercise to school the tempi changes along the long diagonal. This seemingly simple exercise REALLY helped me in establishing the straightness and flexions with harmony to prepare for changes that started and stayed balanced and uphill.

Santa, if you're listening...

This is my trainer's new Brenderup trailer. I want one of my own one day. Oh and I like the Baron TC model Santa. And Santa, here's a link to the Brenderup Texas dealership.




One more thing Santa: a Toyota Tacoma crew cab V6 4x4 pickup truck to tow it with would come in handy. I like white, but you know, I'm easy to please so black would be fine too.

Happy Hanukkah

As seen in my neighborhood this week:

Change is in the Air

Or maybe "Changes in the Air." We schooled the elusive flying changes in our lesson this week and have been slipping them into our schooling sessions as well.

Begin in a very balanced, collected canter, we'll say starting on the right lead. From the long side, turn down the center line in your regular right lead canter and half pass to B (or E) remembering to keep the canter balanced and uphill with half halts and by keeping the hindquarter moving toward the rail. Remember to keep the canter straight with very little bend to the right. At B (or E) still in right lead canter, move the haunches even more toward the wall and counter flex to the left by balancing the outside rein and raising the (new left) inside rein. Remaining on the wall, ask for the change by quickly changing your bending and weight aids to the new left direction with the new inside leg giving a decisive nudge into the left stirrup at the girth and at this early point in her training I remind Delphi to change behind at the same time by a bump with the outside (right) leg behind the girth and even a tap behind my right leg with the whip. All of the above aids for the change are given in a single moment.

The first few I had to just cowboy through as Delphi would either change late, or anticipate, or get strong (that's a nice way of saying bolt) so I had to bring her RIGHT BACK to a nice, polite, collected canter immediately, even when the change wasn't perfect.

The key is in the initial half pass to the wall-- her haunches must come over so that her hindquarter is underneath her, and I must ride her straight along the wall before, during, and after the change (don't change then immediately turn: that just allows the hindquarter to swing out and Delphi loses her balance) to keep her balanced behind.

Columbia University Online Study

Contribute to the universe's knowledge of the human dog interaction by participating in Columbia University's research project. It says it takes 30 minutes but it took me much less. You don't have to be a dog-rotic like me to participate; you don't even necessarily have to own a dog!

Go to http://www.columbia.edu/~msw2111/online.html to take the survey.

Assistant Dressage Coach

And guardian of the mounting block!

Photo and captioning courtesy of Marlene. Unbearable cuteness courtesy of Nefyn.

Alphabet Soup with Stars

Delphi and I want to compete at the HDS upcoming CDI* Y/J show April 29-30 2011. Just so we're clear, here's a breakdown:

CDI is an acronym for Concours Dressage International, a dressage competition recognized by the FEI.
"W" suffix means world-cup qualifier.
"O" suffix means Olympic qualifier.

CDI*:
-INVITATIONS: No restrictions.
-LEVEL OF TESTS: Up to Intermediate I
-JUDGES REQUIREMENTS: At least three Judges (two FEI Judges)(one national allowed, one Foreign Judge optional)
-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Competitors living abroad may compete in events of their host country, with a license of their host country. Competitors competing in a foreign country require an official FEI passport for their horse. If competing in their own country, this is not required. NF approves schedules. GR Art. 154 (only Appeal President, i.e. active or retired FEI International Dressage Judge, required).

CDI**:
-INVITATIONS: No restrictions
-LEVEL OF TESTS: Up to GP, excluding GPS + GP Freestyle
-JUDGES REQUIRED: At least three Judges (two FEI Judges), at least one Foreign, one national allowed (Art. 437 applies)
-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: See conditions above for CDI*

CDI*** (including CDI-W):
-INVITATIONS: At least six countries with min. two riders each must be invited (An OC may never invite more home than foreign riders)
-LEVEL OF TESTS: Up to GP, including GPS and GP Freestyle
-JUDGES REQUIRED: Europe: five FEI Judges, at least two Foreign, recommended three; Other countries: See Art. 437 CDI-Ws: three foreign judges required
-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Competitors may only participate under the jurisdiction of the country from which they hold their passport. Official FEI passport required for horses whether competing in CDIs*** at home or in a foreign country. FEI approves schedules GR Art. 154 (only Appeal President, i.e. active or retired FEI International Dressage Judge, is required).

CDI-Y/J:
-INVITATIONS: No restrictions
-LEVEL OF TESTS: Young Riders and Juniors Official Dressage Tests
-JUDGES REQUIRED: Judges: at least three FEI judges; one must be foreign. At Championships, five FEI judges; three must be foreign.
-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Competitors may only participate under the jurisdiction of the country from which they hold their passport FEI horse passport not required if competing in their home country (see Senior CDI**). Nevertheless, horses should be required to have a proper identification document, including FEI-type diagram and the required vaccination certificate. Only one Appeal President (active or retired judge) required.

CDIO**/*** and Championships: According to existing Rules

Lift, Lighten, and GIVE

In our lesson this week, we re-visited the all important give. Each time the rider does a half halt, or raises the horse's neck Jeff Moore style, or makes corrective or purposeful flexions and counter-flexions, one most follow up with a GIVE.

Let me define what Give means by first defining what it is NOT: 1) a give is NOT an offer to stretch (aka the stretchy down circle) where you keep an "elastic contact" with the rein. 2) A give is also NOT a mauling hang on the rein, with your hands "relaxed" but still pounds of weight on the rein.

Let me now define what a Give IS: at this point in Delphi's training, 1) a give IS at least 3 or 4 heartbeats long. This allows her to find self carriage; if she falls apart, drops to the forehand, raises her snout, or any other mistake-- OH WELL. She must still be given the chance to FIND SELF CARRIAGE which is why we have the GIVE in the first place! 2) A give IS a complete loop in the rein. This can be the outside, inside, or even both reins at the same time during certain movements to allow Delphi to lower her neck (think relax- the neck is still arched in a perfect world). Before the give, a half halt or lift should be accompanied by leg aids. One can always activate the inside hind or even reinforce the leg aid with the whip if needed.

We also schooled turns on the haunches at walk. Start the maneuver with a nicely marching walk, then begin by cuing for haunches in as though you were starting half pass in walk. When I feel Delphi's hindquarter stepping over and crossing, I then turn my body and look where I want her to go to allow her to turn around a small but marching walk circle with her outside hind leg crossing over and coming around the inside marching hind leg to describe the small circle. DO NOT dwell (that's a nice word for HANG) on the outside nor inside rein. If the outside rein is too firm (mauled upon) it will stop the outside hind from stepping around. If the inside rein is too firm you risk bending the neck too much to the inside (at best) or the horse just stepping out or the shoulder falling out. Rather than the reins, use your body to cue the turn around the haunch, which Delphi does quite nicely when you start from the established haunches in/half pass cue.

Moral of the story: it is the longer moments of harmony with the horse and lightness of the aids, especially lightness in the forehand, that I must now continually seek and reinforce as Delphi continues to improve in self carriage.

Delphi made the ATA Homepage!

Heh heh heh. Princess toes was cited on the "News From the Show Circuits" American Trakehner Association web page for her test under dressage judge General Burton at Windy Knoll Farm.

Check out the link by clicking here.

The Trakehner Totilas sold to Paul Schockemohle

The Web site of the Trakehner Verband reports (October 15, 2010) that the dressage WEG triple-Gold Medal winner TOTILAS (by Gribaldi, out of a Dutch mare) has been sold to Paul Schockemöhle, former German Olympic jumper rider and top horse breeder and dealer, for an undisclosed price that is rumored to be in the double digit million Euro range. It is not clear whether Schockemöhle intends to compete the stallion or use him strictly for breeding.

Schockemöhle had also acquired Totilas' sire Gribaldi earlier this year but lost him when the stallion died unexpectedly due to a torn artery.

Jeff Moore Clinic October 16-18 2010

Doesn't matter if she gazes at the sheep:

Jeff raises Delphi's neck:

There were uphill moments:

Delphi raises her back:

Round AND uphill:

Jeff had this to say about Delphi:

Concerning raising the neck and keeping the horse light in the hands, we learned the following from Jeff Moore:

You can raise the neck with the reins in light fluffs or when necessary when the horse crashes down loading the hands with weight, with a firm heave-ho up standing in the stirrups (always followed by the critical release with hands back down in normal position). You can get the horse tall and ugly (above the bit) with the neck raised up out of the horse's comfort zone to create experimentation. When the horse is working correctly, the bottom of the horse's neck becomes concave and the neck topline becomes convex. Raise the horse even higher than its version of above the bit until it decides on its own to drop its snout and yield to the bit.

She IS allowed to drop her snout down, but NOT allowed to load the hand with weight. I'm correcting her for the terrible down pressings, but I'm NOT trying to force her head down. I'm just saying "If I keep you in this kind of icky place, would you care to try an experiment or two?" And she says "Okay, how 'bout down crash-- it's my best trick!" Eventually there is a tiny glimmer of putting the nose down without putting pounds and pounds into my hand.

I want her to raise her back up and find my butt, so I keep a slightly lighter seat to encourage her back to come up. When the nose drops, it should be just as light in my hand as when the neck is fluffed up in the air. She has to be easily raisable any time whether she stays on the bit or not, MUST stay light in the hand.

The way to get her to experiment: first tell her the down smashing is NOT okay, then she floats around unsure of anything, then I raise her above her comfort zone even if it's above the bit and ugly. It is LIGHT, and ALIGNED, and higher than she'd like to be. Then I wait for her to experiment: she'll get tired of this and bored with this and start to press down and I'll say "NOPE, that's not an experiment I can accept." By keeping her higher than her comfort zone she'll start to experiment in other ways that might make her life easier. If I allow her to go around with a low neck, she'll be perfectly comfortable for 20 years!

So keep her higher than her comfort zone and then experimenting is allowed but NOT down crashing. She can slowly learn that it's okay to lower the snout but not to load the hand, and NOT to lower the chest and back. Then bit by bit we come to an understanding when she figures out how to stay round without getting heavy. I'll stop keeping my hands high and put my hands back down to normal.

For Delphi, at the moment, turning only on a polygon (with straight lines after each turn) and counter-flexion will help keep her straighter and keep her shoulder from falling out in the so-called "bend" of the neck. Don't necessarily think "bend" rather think "straight."

On the lengthening on the diagonal, at X do a soft, lifty, puffy bringing the neck up and back up with a tall fluffy rein back so the horse anticipates the lengthening as a preparation for a fluffy up rein back. Also do a fluffly rein back at the end of the lengthening.

Try dainty fluffy lifts up first; if the horse crashes down you can stand in the stirrups and heave the horse up. It is okay if the horse tosses her head up. Keep the horse way up high and dainty until the horse decides on its own to drop its snout.

The horse can lower its neck as long as it is not leveraging down into the hand. You teach the horse when you flutter the reins and raise the horse the horse collects under you. The complexis muscles should be seen in front of the middle and widest part of the neck; be seen the entire length of the neck; and be vibrant and alive.

Work Toward Lowering the Haunches

Day 1 Cimetidine Treatment

Day 1 of Delphi being on cimetidine for the treatment of this benign tumor under her chin.

The treatment regimen is five 800mg capsules twice daily for ten days, then five 800mg capsules daily for two months. I crush the tablets with a mortar and pestle and top dress her feed.

Time will tell if the cimetidine shrinks the melanoma.

Trakehners at the 2010 WEG

The following full and half-Trakehners competed in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky:

Dressage:
EXQUIS NADINE by E.H. Partout, out of Charites (KWPN), rider Hans Peter Minderhoud, The Netherlands – 10th after Grand Prix, 22nd after Grand Prix Special

HALBGOTT, approved stallion by E.H. Partout, out of Hatari by E.H. Consul, rider Marco Bernal, Colombia – 63rd after Grand Prix

MOORLAND’S TOTILAS by E.H. Gribaldi, out of a Dutch mare by Glendale (KWPN), Rider Edward Gal, The Netherlands – Individual Gold, Team Gold, Individual Gold in Freestyle

PRINS 32, Russian Trakehner, rider Susan de Klein, Netherlands Antilles – 39th after Grand Prix

SEDUC by Induc - Go On Then xx, rider Anne Troensegaard, Denmark – 47th after Grand Prix

Eventing:
JAKATA by Abdullah *Pg*E*, rider Piggy French, Great Britain – 24th after dressage, 12th after cross-country, 16th final

OPPOSITION BUZZ by Fleetwater Opposition, out of Jungle Bee xx by Java Tiger xx, rider Nicola Wilson, Great Britain – 42nd after dressage, 20th after cross-country, 15th final

OSTLER by Juror xx, out of Ostka by Jaskier, rider Lukasz Kazmierczak, Poland – 52nd after dressage, 54th after cross-country, 49th final

So, this moves Kobra von C and Kougar von C right to the top of the potential husband list for Delphi. Not that I'm looking, of course...

It's Always Something

In preparing to introduce Delphi to the double bridle, and as a useful training tool we are using a kimberwick bit on Delphi:
Delphi goes wonderfully in the bit and I am learning to develop more feel. However, Delphi has an ~10 centimeter benign melanoma right under her chin:
So when the kimberwick chain is not in action, it rests directly on the tumor:
Under her veterinarian's orders, we are starting Delphi on oral cimetidine to reduce or hopefully eliminate the melanoma. There is always the option of surgical removal, but I strongly hesitate to create a wound where there is otherwise nothing open. We'll see what happens on the cimetidine.

Gryphon Gives a Lesson

Some photo highlights of a Centerline Training lesson I audited this week:

Pleasant connection:

Good jump in the canter stride:

This tall Trakehner has a huge canter stride that Crystal does a nice job organizing:

More lovely connection:

The bounding canter:

More elastic trot:

What a good boy!

Photos from Windy Knoll

Active hindquarter:

Tom Poulin "S" in green at C:

There were moments of uphill tendency and suspension:

Nice braids:

At 59.2 our score wasn't quite there, but we're almost satisfactory at second level. Keep on striving!

Ye Ole Kimberwick

Our trainer has once again come through with another brilliant training aid. While a kimberwick bit is not legal for dressage competition, we are using it as a training tool.

Wikipedia defines the kimberwick as "a bit that offers the rider a slight curb effect and provides a bit more control than a snaffle."

We tried Delphi in a kimberwick this week. For my part, I like it. It allows me to take my focus off of constantly testing for throughness (by allowing me to keep Delphi more through with less effort) long enough to focus on things like my lower leg position or transitions without being distracted by the constant effort to keep Delphi relaxed.

When Delphi and I go back to our dearly beloved pattern of maul and pull, stiffen and yank, brace and tug (a pattern we've worked hard at these last five years), the kimberwick interupts the behavior-on both our parts-allowing me to feel how much more or less to half halt and release more clearly and allowing Delphi to self-reward and/or self-correct if she juts her head up in an effort to brace or get heavy. By interrupting the unwanted behavior and reinforcing the desired behavior, the kimberwick has become a good training tool for both Delphi and me.

At Journey's End

Actually just starting the journey. Team Delphi earned the first score toward our USDF bronze medal at Windy Knoll Farm's show September 25, 2010. We couldn't have done it without our trainer Karen Brown and the dedicated equestrian, technical, and emotional support from our groom Ceil and her assistant Marlene.

One for the scrapbook; I got a "fairly good" from General Burton on my RIDER score:

Other good scores:

• Both halts: 8, "straight."
• 10 meter circles and both leg yields: 7, "accurate" and "supple."
• Canter trans: 7, "balanced."
• Change of rein through trot at X: 7, "fluid."
• One loop maintaining counter canter: 7, "active."

The collective remarks from General Burton were: "Well done. Need to ask for more in extensions. More zest and enthusiasm."

We can certainly add more zest and enthusiasm now. After getting a score of 62.1 at first level from General Burton we truly are zesty and enthusiastic. Well done indeed, Pumpkin Pony!

Update: For a fun photo of General Burton, click here.

Delphi Schooling with Karen Brown

Braids Triumphant

The button braids won for our final practice before the WKF show:


And don't worry; I shaved those fuzzy ears today.

Ride Times and Forecast

My ride times for the WKF show Saturday September 25 are as follows:

• 8:11am- Second Level Test Two in Ring 2 (Judge Tom Poulin)
  

• 4:44pm- First Level Test Four in Ring 1 (Judge General J. Burton)

The weather forecast is: 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

Update: Delphi will be going over to WKF Friday evening since I now have a stall due to our early morning ride time.

Keep Testing for Throughness

During our lesson today (the first in three weeks- woot woot!) we worked on "accordion horse" with an emphasis on keeping Delphi supple and through the aids. When I remember to apply the suppling aids before during and after the transitions, especially the transitions within gaits from collection to mediums and back to collection, Delphi stays much more through.

Keeping my legs back with a soft knee helps Delphi to come under from behind. I must focus on keeping my lower leg back on her side behind the girth: Karen suggested thinking of my lower legs as a paintbrush that lightly sweeps the horse's sides hanging from my relaxed knee.

Concurrently with the the leg (and whip as needed) aids, I should keep Delphi's jaw and poll relaxed. Do this with flexions and counter-flexions, even over flexions, then GIVE somewhere to let the horse stretch down, then do flexions and counter-flexions again. Same idea with half halts: half halt strongly, but then GIVE somewhere.

Never maintain a mauling pull on the reins if the horse gets strong. Especially when returning to collected gaits from medium gates: it's okay (and necessary) to half halt strongly, but remember after each half halt there must follow a give, and the half halt must be concurrent with leg aids behind the girth, then repeat as necessary and keep repeating in all gaits and paces to keep the horse through and supple.

Sound!

Delphi got a clean bill of health and the go ahead from Dr. Jordan to continue her training and showing. These are Dr. Jordan's notes from Delphinia's exam at Waller Equine Hospital:

"Delphinia presented for swelling of the left hind limb. The swelling started approximately three weeks ago. It will resolve during activity but the following day after being in a stall it is noted to swell from just below the hock to just below the fetlock. The horse has been sound.

On presentation there was no swelling noted in the left hind limb. There was no pain on palpation of the flexor tendons or suspensory ligament. There was an old scar over the hock and a newer scar on the lateral aspect of the proximal 1/3 of the cannon bone. The horse was sound on lameness exam and flexion test. There was no hoof tester sensitivity.

A radiographic series was performed with a lateral view and a DLPMO [the palmaro/plantarolateral and dorsomedial surfaces of the carpus/tarsus] view. There were no abnormalities noted on the radiographs.

I recommend continuing to train and show the horse. You may consider putting that limb in a standing wrap while in a stall. If she can have paddock access this may help to limit the swelling.

I suspect that the swelling may be associated with decreased lymphatic drainage related to the old scar however I cannot determine the exact cause of the swelling."

Which is vet speak for, "I don't know what's wrong with your horse, but turn her out and keep her out, continue riding her, and if you force her to stand in a stall, which you shouldn't, but if you do then put the leg in a standing wrap."

Well, duh.

Oh how I wish wish wish she could be agisted at grass 24-7, but it's just not possible at a traditional boarding stable. I'm thankful for the ~10 hours per day of turnout that she currently enjoys. Still and all I'm glad I got the green light to go ahead with her training and showing.

Leg Support Update

In an earlier post I mentioned I've started Delphi on the joint supplement TriSport. On continued research, I've decided to add three key ingredients (in addition to glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane [MSM], vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid [HA]) in order to support not only the joints but the tendons and ligaments as well:

• Collagen, a primary protein found in tendons and ligaments.
• Silica, a trace mineral that is essential to resilient connective tissue.
• Grape seed extract, an antioxidant that promotes the repair of connective tissue and inhibits the enzymes that break down collagen.

The supplement SmartFlex Repair contains all of the above ingredients (glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, vitamin C, HA, collagen, silica, and grape seed extract) and is available in pellets so you can avoid the powder cloud or the horse leaving any powder stuck to the bottom of her feed bin.

Day 19

Delphi's fat leg (the fetlock strain she acquired presumably from schooling quarter turns) is getting old. My patience is wearing thin so we have an appointment day-after-tomorrow with Dr. Jordan to hopefully find a definitive diagnosis through exam, ultrasound, and x-ray as needed.

The WKF show that General Burton will be judging is 11 days away, and Delphi has not been in work for three weeks now. Grrrrrrr.

Blast the show, however; I just want my pumpkin to be okay. The good news is that she hasn't taken a single unsound step. Hopefully this is just a case of professional worrying on my part.