Building Confidence in Canter

During our most recent lesson with Karen Brown, Delphi and I learned two more excellent exercises to build Delphi's confidence (and mine!) in canter:

The first exercise begins on a twenty meter circle. Before A (or C ) on the short side make an upward transition to canter, from the walk or from the trot, it matters not. Say we've started this exercise in left canter, with the normal slight flexion left. When you reach the long side counter bend the horse to the right, then leg yield away from the long side to the left toward X, maintaining the left lead. At X change the bend again back to the "real" direction (in this case left) and make a ten meter left turn from the centerline to the long side, then ride straight ahead back toward your initial twenty meter circle.

The second exercise seems easier, and probably would be for most horses but Delphi found the first exercise easier than this one. Again you make an upward transition to the canter before the corner (we'll stay on our left lead again for the example). After the corner, turn down the centerline, stay in slight left flexion, and leg yield to the right from the centerline toward the long side. When you reach the long side make a ten meter left turn to the centerline. Delphi became a bit tense in the leg yield toward the long side; turning early at the quarterline in a near volte helped relax her by giving her something to do within all that arena space. Or, sometimes I would do the exercise from quarterline to quarterline, instead of going all the way to the wall.

Both exercises are helpful in building confidence, and the first especially works toward half pass at canter since you are basically doing canter half pass, but bent in the opposite direction to true "show mode" half pass.

Update: Delphi and I have been schooling these exercises the last three rides. Today we finally broke through the tension to some absolutely beautiful, soft, uphill leg yields in canter, using a full forty meters worth of arena without getting nervous or downhill. Progress!

781 Ranch

Delphi's friend Charger entertained us this cold, blustery weekend at her new place west of Bellville, a beautiful 47 acre horse facility; truly a retreat. Delphi can't wait to visit in person.

A view of the house from the barn:


The barn and house:


The barn has a separate feed room and airconditioned tack room, and all six stalls have individual runs:


The turnout paddocks' gates:


Turnout paddock and another run-in shed:


Can you tell I like the barn?


Looking into Charger's stall from her run:


The folks of 781 Ranch will see you coming down their drive long before you reach the house:


Looking out the back door of the house:


Partial view of the hayfield (or riding trails!) brooding in the wintertime grey of cold; that sky on a clear, sunny day would be just as beautiful in a dissimilar way:


Speaking of riding, here's the ~100meter x 120meter arena, overlooking a beautiful yet tranquil hill:


More tranquility; overlooking the pond toward the old racehorse barn:


Charger's "mom" surveying her land:

Adding to the charm and serenity of 781 Ranch, a famous stallion is buried under a tree covered by a mass of tangled vines in a peaceful area down from the pond. The stallion was so beloved by his owners that it's written into the deed that any subsequent owners keep the gravesite and leave the marble stone to quietly remember their once great friend. *sniff* The stone reads
"Counterplay
TAAA
AQHA Champion
Superior Halter Horse
Here Lies a Great Champion
Mar. 25, 1963 - Oct. 8, 1978":

(See the article "One Foot in Paradise" in the HDS newsletter "Collective Remarks" page 7.)

Saddle Trials: the Saddle Triumphant

And the winner is: the Albion SLK Ultima 18" seat wide tree:
a front view of the substantial knee blocks and cutback pommel:
Pros: The first saddle that, on first trial, does not pinch or otherwise put incorrect pressure on Delphi's withers, spine, or back! The gullet and channel are wide, with a cutback pommel that allows freedom of the shoulder and ample room for the withers. The large knee blocks and deep seat provide security. Extremely comfortable to sit, this is by far the most comfortable saddle evaluated. It left an even sweat mark revealing correct contact on Delphi's back.
Cons: it is a tad low in front, so has to be managed by putting a felt pad under the pommel to cause it to sit level on Delphi's back. (However, this extra padding could be removed later to allow for increase in muscle/weight over time so even this feature is potentially a pro depending on how one looks at it.)

Bottom line: the saddle fits with no rubbing or pinching, though it does have to be managed with padding to raise the front of the saddle (if only Delphi's front legs were an inch longer-- but alas!). My trainer Karen Brown has invented an ingenious padding system with a wool pad "insert" that goes under the pommel on each side of the back, but not over the withers or back. The wool is graded so that it gently feathers to a fine edge so the horse does not feel a rim or seam under the saddle. It raises the saddle in front so the saddle sits level. With the saddle's deep seat and those humongous knee rolls it is very secure and comfortable. Most importantly, it is comfortable for Delphi. Lovely!

The padding system Karen Brown created. Near side view (note how nicely it raises the pommel, with no pressure to the withers or spine):
Off side view:
Off side profile:

Delphi's Next Door Neighbor Poder

Delphi and her next door neighbor (heh- "neigh"bor) Poder (pronounced "Potter"):
Poder: gentlemanly and mild-mannered as always; Delphi: keen and interested in her surroundings as always. Some things are sooo predictable.

Saddle Trials, Weeks Two through Five

As a round, plump, muscular horse yet with prominent withers, Delphi is proving challenging to fit.

My barn buddy Angela's 17 1/2" 31cm tree Courbette dressage saddle:
Pros: it fit me well and was comfortable to sit.
Cons: when astride it pinched Delphi's withers.
Bottom line: it didn't fit Delphi.

The next item on order to test ride is the Jaguar by Harry Dabbs 17 1/2" seat wide tree XKC deep seat dressage saddle: Pros: deep seat, relatively large knee blocks and buffalo leather provide security; wool flocked panels that sit away from the horse's spine since the saddle is wider through the gullet; higher, wider pommel to accommodate the withers
Cons: unknown commodity English-made saddle so am wary of the quality; if horse changes shape saddle can't be adjusted due to no interchangeable gullet system
Bottom line: the wide channel cleared her spine well, however when seated in the saddle the flocking under the pommel pressed into the muscling on either side of her back causing pressure to her spine behind the withers. It's possible that some of the flocking could be removed from the panel to adjust fit, but I dislike the idea of digging into a brand new saddle that does not fit from the outset.

Saddle Trials, Week One

The process of choosing, fitting, and finally purchasing a new saddle is proving to be a great learning experience.

Fitting a saddle to the horse:
Place the saddle on the horse's clean back, two fingers width back from the shoulder, without a pad and without girthing the saddle.
*If the saddle is high in front, it is narrow
*If the saddle is low in front, it is wide
*If the saddle is level, it could be the right fit

Generally speaking, it is better to be slightly wide than slightly narrow. A narrow saddle can potentially hurt (or injure) the horse, while a slightly wide saddle can be used with extra padding (such as a sheepskin pad) to fit properly, and also allows for future widening due to growth or gaining muscle. Placing your hand under the saddle's pommel then "wiggling" the saddle (either from the ground or even more telling while mounted) allows you to feel any pressure points on the withers or spiny processes of the horse's back. The channel along the horse's back should be wide enough to allow a small fist between the rear gullet; this displaces the right amount of weight over the horse's back, rather than against the spine. Widening the gullet will cause the saddle to sit slightly lower on the horse's back, therefore the horse fills out your legs so you may want to lengthen your stirrup leathers a hole, and the same girth will fit a hole or two shorter.

The Wintec 500 Dressage saddle with Cair panels and interchangeable gullet, the saddle I currently own (size 18", wide tree):
Pros: As far as fit goes I like this saddle just fine, I recently exchanged the medium for the wide gullet to allow for Delphi's growth and muscle gain, and the Cair panels do a good job of distributing the weight over Delphi's back.
Cons: It's plastic! After three years of use the billets are cracking and need to be replaced.
Bottom line: while the saddle is functional and fits fine I prefer a quality, leather saddle.

The saddles I will be evaluating this week include
the Stubben Maestoso, size 17.5", wide tree:
Pros: Stubben's craftsmanship, quality vegetable tanned comfortable leather, smaller knee blocks for freedom of movement, traditional wool flocked panels, optional larger knee blocks and optional Biomex spine relieving seat.
Cons: Biomex seat is new and unproven, even the larger knee blocks aren't as large and therefore as secure as some other saddle models.
Bottom line: while the 32cm tree fit her withers properly, the too-narrow channel put pressure points along Delphi's spine therefor not fitting her.

The Bates Innova with Cair panels, interchangeable gullet, and extended blocks, size 2, wide tree:
Pros: largest available knee blocks seem to provide extra security and maintain correct rider position, interchangable gullet allows you to change tree size as your horse changes shape or if you ride multiple horses, Cair panel can also have traditional wool flocking added if desired, wide channel to distribute weight evenly over horse's back.
Cons: giant knee blocks look funny and seem like "cheating" on your seat since they hold you into the so-called "correct Dressage position," suede on knee blocks will eventually become smooth over time and will have to be managed when it gets wet, sizing is 0, 1, and 2, with 1 being 17" to 17.5" and 2 being 18" to 18.5" so 1 is a hair small and 2 is a hair too big for my body (a 5' 8" 125 lb pear shaped female).
Bottom line: even with the wide gullet it sat too high on her withers and put pressure where it doesn't belong, yet with the pommel still being a tad low.

Stay tuned to see what Delphi has to say concerning the trial saddles. Already she's happy that I've correctly fitted her ever-widening and muscle-gaining body with a wide tree from the medium that came with her current saddle; her withers and shoulders felt better immediately and she is less tense after only two rides with the wider gullet.

Blue Fox Farm Christmas Show

Wizard, down centerline/ Nefyn/ Karen schooling Wizard previously


Dean, Karen, and Judge Karen


Allerhand & Poder/ Delphi/ Wizard

Nefyn

Allerhand/ Pas de deux pair Delphi and Alli

The show on Sunday December 14 was great fun! Delphi was first to go, starting with first level test four then settling into second level test one. Wizard was up next and did a great job in spite of the spooky, windy conditions. Alli and Delphi tried on the basic quadrille for size and discovered it fit rather nicely. Poder is feeling better already and was trotting 'round his paddock and playing with General this morning. Congratulations to all who rode and thank you to our impromptu judge, Karen Brown! Thank you Teri Bludworth and Blue Fox Farm for hosting the show.

Ritter Dressage Link

Click to go to Artistic Dressage, Dr. Thomas Ritter's website dedicated to classical dressage.

All in the Family

The following is a montage of the photos I have of Delphinia's family.

Her sire, Adelssohn:

Her grandsire Mendelssohn (Adelssohn's sire):

Her dam's sire Topas II (her dam Dahlia's sire):

Here is what a quality breeding to Delphinia can produce- Daydream, Delphi's 2004 filly by Onassis:

Delphinia's full brother from 1997, Danny (photo from www.slrpix.com):

Jeff Moore Dressage Clinic

'Twas a beautiful day at Lurena Bell-Stanley's Belle Terre farm for the Jeff Moore dressage clinic November 3, 2008. For detailed clinic notes, click here.
Jeff Moore trains my trainer Karen Brown.