June 2nd, 2009
Well, talked to Kathy via Facebook and she’s trying to figure out when she can come up to give us a lesson (hopefully monthly), this makes it a lot easier on us and especially the horses. I’m just so excited!!! Penny and I have a lot of work to do before she comes up!
Warning below is a big VENT!
My opinion regarding the German Equestrian Team Olympic Scandal is I feel no pity for them, they should have know that eventually they would get caught than they had such a bad attitude about the FEI’s decision. Here are so quotes from the DressageDaily article and my response.
German dressage rider Isabell Werth stated, "my horses belong to Madeleine Winter-Schulze. What I give or not give to my horses only concerns me, the owner and my stable crew."
Well, when it becomes a factor in rather or not your team is evolved in a Olympic doping scandal and you are an international Olympic level athlete it becomes everyone business. Since it makes the playing field unlevel and cheating is wrong. Plus, you should know what is prohibited and what isn’t by the time you are at this level.
The whole debate reached a boiling point last week when leading German show jumping rider Ludger Beerbaum stated in a German newspaper that "in the past everything that could not be detected was allowed." He further disagreed with the log which should be kept by German team riders. "You run the risk that a buyer of a million dollar horse wants to see all the information in the log."
Well, if you don’t give your horse any prohibited substances than what is the problem? My point, exactly. If you follow the rules than you can show the buyer the log without any problem. Plus, I hope someone would only buy a horse that hasn’t been treated with a illegal substance(s).
March 16th, 2009
Action: The baucher has an eggbutt-like ring at the mouthpiece for the rein, with an upper cheek that has a ring at its end, to which the cheekpieces of the bridle are attached. The mouthpiece does not slide on its ring (which would have put the bit in the gag bit category instead of the snaffle). This bit lies flat against the horse’s face, and is quite fixed in the mouth and concentrates pressure on the bars. However, contrary to common belief, this bit does not create poll pressure.
Advantages: will not be pulled through the mouth.
Mouthpieces: All types.
Uses: Not a common design, most often seen in eventing, during the dressage or show jumping phase. Also sometimes used by dressage riders. May be used in preparation for the curb bit. Is never seen in western riding, where it is illegal for show.
- NOTE: the Baucher is commonly misused in an upside-down position (seen here [1]), with the cheek containing the smaller ring hanging below the bit, as if the reins were supposed to attach at that point. However, the small ring on the cheek is intended for attaching the cheekpieces and not the reins. Improper positioning makes the cheek into a short bit shank and behave somewhat like a curb bit without the curb chain. However, this fitting is illegal in competition; it is both illogical and potentially unsafe to use a bit in a manner contrary to its design.
From Wikipedia article “Bit ring“.
I also read the same thing about poll pressure in Dressage Today. I’m wondering if it has the semi-effect of the curb?? Trying to find a snaffle my horse will respect. She does wonderful in a double bridle, but can’t use it below Third Level.
Anyone ever used a baucher bit?
March 11th, 2009
Found out about a cool new How To video site that was posted on Dressage Daily called Horse Hero, the description as taken from their site:
Horse Hero is a video website which shows how top equestrians look after their horses at home and for competition. We film at leading yards, often with high profile riders, so we get a rare glimpse into their lives and find out what they are really like away from the limelight. We also meet ‘horse heroes’ and do some fascinating yard tours. High quality video sets the site apart. Horse Hero combines education with entertainment.
Horse Hero videos are presented by a team of young, up and coming riders including Laura Bechtolsheimer, Harry Meade and Louisa Brassey alongside Managing Director, Fiona Price. New videos are added regularly and you can rate them to keep us on our toes! The site uses state-of-the-art technology enabling you to take the learning right into the stable by downloading ‘how-to’ videos onto your laptop, mobile or a handheld device. Key points are attached to most videos and some have self-tests. You can also show us how you do it by submitting your own videos.
And there’s more! Horse Hero has a mass of biographies of top riders and leading figures in the sector, along with photos of them, their horses and families, and their words of wisdom. Some also have blogs (web diaries) so you can keep up with what they’re doing and post some comments youself. A few also have video diaries. We have our own Horse Hero blog and video diary to give you the inside track on Horse Hero filming and the business of running a website! There are also discussion forums so you can post questions on a range of horsey topics.
All the riders are from the UK, the site is also FREE to subscribe to and you can even upload your own How-To videos and Horse Humor videos. I am “nicoledm” at the website. The URL is http://www.horsehero.com .
May 8th, 2008
I’ve been official accpeted into Western Dakota Tech’s Agriculture Resource Technology Equine Management program to start in August of this year. I’m sending off the confirmation letter today and hope to hear from financial aid soon! The whole program is done online!!
I’m also trying to figure out how to do Jane Savoie’s A Happy Horse Home Study Course. Since that would usually give me roughly 8 lessons with a trainer, will give me 20 lessons via the course.
