Everything has been so crazy around here so I apologize for not posting sooner!
Day 52 Sunday
February 24th 2013
Worked on stretching and started to bed just SLIGHTLY
outside to soften Tee’s jaw. In doing this I discovered that the left side of his
jaw is almost always locked so, we incorporated the small bend into all the
movements that we’ve been working on. About halfway through the ride Tee
stumbled from a lack of paying attention and balance and fell to his stomach,
he tumbled for a few steps before righting himself and in the process he
smashed his face off the ground. After letting him walk I tried picking him
back up on the aids but his mouth was super sore so we quit.
We had a lecture/interactive session in the afternoon with
Judy Westlake from Maine about the Balimo Stool. Anyone that would like to
improve their seat should check it out!
Day 53 Monday
February 25th 2013
Day off! But no rest for the wicked!
I worked for Mica once again and also hand walked 2 other
horses from Stillpoint’s main barn!
Day 54 Tuesday
February 26th 2013
Today I rushed Tee a bit in our warm up because I tried to
get him to where he was on Sunday from the very beginning, big mistake! After I
backed off and stretched him Walk/Trot and Canter he relaxed some and we were
able to make progress. Discovered that I ride better/ Like to ride without
stirrups!
In the afternoon we had a lecture with Physiotherapist
Joelle Steyt on Performance analysis.
Day 55 Wednesday
February 27th 2013
Began with stretching because I learned my lesson from the
day before! Once again worked on making him more supple in all of the movements
then schooled canter transitions with the draw rein through the bit because I
kind of let the quality of those slip a bit.
Throughout the day all of us WITees had a “Biocording” session;
it’s a sort of low impact stretching. I recommend looking it up! Also we had a
lecture with Don Later who is a world renowned farrier.
Day 56 Thursday
February 28th 2013
Really worked on getting canter transitions, lateral and trot
lengthenings solid.
Lectures: James N. MacLeod on Stem cell Therapy, discussion
with Olympian Melanie Taylor and EHV-1 FYI with a local vet.
Day 57 Friday March 1st
2013
Instead of taking a hack day a few of us had a jumping
lesson in the field with Melanie Taylor! We worked on adjusting the horses
strides, counting exercises and shifting the horse’s weight forward and back
then did some trot poles and small jumps!
Lecture with Phil Silva on how to handle/do an FEI vet jog
and general horse handling.
Day 58 Saturday March
2nd 2013
Tee was a superstar today! Was very ride able and willing to
do anything I asked. Canter transistions were really great without the draw
rein and the lateral was pretty flawless. Started really working on
Walk-Canters and Canter-Walks!
Lecture with Phil Silva on judging sport horse conformation.
Day 59 Sunday March 3rd
2013
One of the other WIT girls was having really bad back pain
so Lendon asked if it was OK if I rode her mare and she agreed! We didn’t do anything exciting because she
was a lot different from Tee so she took some getting used to. Tee got the day
off!
Lecture with Lisa Schidt who is and “R” judge currently
finishing the “S” program. She talked a bit about the different judging levels
and what the requirements are for each.
Day 60 Monday March 4th
2013
Same routine as last Monday!
