Month: March 2020

Henry would like to remind everyone that this is his damn blog, as evidenced by the frickin title and the giant banner photo across the top (that the kid already tried to worm his way into). Not cool, bro. Not cool at all.

He went to a show on Saturday and didn’t even get the Monday blog spot, which he finds incredibly offensive. I tried to explain the whole “landmark moments” thing to him with regards to Presto’s first ride but I don’t think he cares. Scratch that, he definitely doesn’t care.

Anyway, yes, Henry did go to a show on Saturday, another one of the small little schooling shows nearby. It’s 25 minutes gate to gate and under $50, which is hard to resist. Nothing has ever been that close to me. Ever. These schooling shows are super laid back and chill, so it’s really just an opportunity to get off the property and go jump a couple courses somewhere else.

Lately no one else has really entered anything above 2’6″, so it turns into more of a schooling than an actual show for me, which is totally fine. I’m not there to really show anyway, just to jump around outside of our home environment. The organizer Paulina is super nice and flexible, so once the smaller classes were done she put all the jumps up for me and I jumped my two rounds before she put everything back down for the people that wanted to school after the show was over. It’s like all the perks of a show but none of that whole stand-at-the-gate-forever-and-wait-for-everyone-to-go thing that I can’t stand. Plus if I didn’t like how I rode something, I can just go back and do it again.

Paulina even videoed one of the rounds for me, too, since she knows the importance of blog media (thank you!).

 

The ground was still a little bit slick from rain earlier in the week, so we kept things on the smaller side and I opted to ride to the quieter deeper distances. He’s not drilled and tapped at the moment, so no studs. He was very chill and rideable, and agreeable to my ideas (not always the case with him, because he’s a diva). After I warmed up I felt like I had a little too much whoa, so I asked Paulina to loosen my hackamore. This facility is getting pretty familiar to him by now, I have pretty much the same horse there as I do at home. I don’t need a lot of brakes.

We did the course for the timed 1st jumpoff, we did the course for the power and speed, I re-did an approach to an oxer that I hadn’t liked the first time, and then we were done. Easy peasy.

I want to start taking Presto to these shows, since they’re so close and easy and cheap. They have one pretty much every month except during the summer. I briefly entertained the idea of taking them both, but I don’t think I hate myself enough to do that alone. Henry has a way of stirring Presto up, as I’ve learned. 99.9% sure it’s on purpose, too.

Presto has been to a couple there before already, when he was a yearling, and I think they’d be good experience for him to continue doing now, especially once he’s broke enough to start riding around. Plenty to look at, but not super busy or overwhelming. It’s a nice first step before thrusting him into the hubbub of a bustling recognized event with hundreds of horses. Plus their classes start at literally poles on the ground and go up from there, so it’s great for green ones, and there’s a little xc course on site with ditches, banks, and water. It’s got Presto written all over it.

It’s pretty much that time again – horse show season is upon us. Anyone else got shows on the horizon?

We did a thing, guys.

Yesterday Hillary and Karen (how appropriate that a group of bloggers was involved, considering this horse was created and raised on a blog) came over to help me put a first “real” ride on Presto. Karen was the official photographer/videographer, and Hillary was my groundperson. Considering I’m not dead and also have extensive video (next month’s training vlog will have more!), they both performed their duties exceptionally well. 

I brushed Presto, tacked him up, and we headed out to the arena. I don’t have a round pen, and the only arena is the dressage arena with it’s low walls, so I opted to use a lunge line for the first ride. We went out, I lunged him both ways at the walk and trot for a couple minutes first to make sure the whoa worked, then I handed over the lunge line to Hillary and climbed aboard.

I haven’t actually swung a leg over him since that one and only time I sat on him last May, but he didn’t seem to care. We’ve continued the mounting block sessions in that time, so the idea of the human standing there or leaning weight over was well-established. I swung aboard and he was like “oh yeah, ok, we’ve done this before.”. Then we asked him to walk off and he was like “Whaaaaaat? I cannot possibly move with this giant lady on me omg how?”. With some encouragement we got him walking, and after a few wobbly steps he adjusted to carrying a human.

Hillary led us for a couple minutes as he got the idea, then we moved on to lunging on a circle at the walk. We tested the whoa (works exceptionally well), the go (much more difficult) and the steering (lol). After a few tries he got the basic idea of squeezing leg = go somewhere (where, who knows, just somewhere), so we took the lunge line off and went for our maiden solo voyage.

Not too bad for a first attempt. 

We wandered around for a while, stopping and going and attempting some steering, then we figured, well… might as well try trotting? So we put the lunge line back on, and with more encouragement and a lot of clucking, we got a couple trot circles each direction. 

He tried to get a little “naughty” the second direction by snaking his head around (which was really just his attempt to stop, because whoa is his favorite) but we kept asking him to go forward through it. Definitely never any consideration of bucking or bolting or anything like that. His main motivation is clearly laziness. Next time we’ll use a lunge whip. I opted not to for this first ride because every once in a while it can make him a little over-enthusiastic, but clearly I don’t think we’re going to have any issue with whoa.

Despite the ground driving we’ve done he’s remained fussy about the bit and steering. The wolf teeth are out and the dental is up to date, so at this point he just has to get used to it. It’ll come with time. His attention span is also approximately 3 seconds long, he’d be concentrating on what we wanted and then look off into the bushes or trees or across the pasture and completely forget. Nothing reactionary about it, just gawking at things that are clearly far more interesting than we are. 

He is definitely very narrow at the moment, much like his mother was at this age. It feels good to sit on him though, and actually ride him a little. I definitely think a summer of trail riding and hacking will be just what he needs to help him figure out his legs and his balance and get a little stronger in his body. Hopefully I can get a handful of rides on him in the next couple months and get the forward/steering established enough to be ready for some summer adventures. 

And with that, Presto is officially a riding horse. For a first ride I think it went really well. He was a little confused but certainly never worried or upset at all, and I think he’ll learn quickly. He got an extra cookie last night, because the horses that get ridden (ok Henry, it’s always just Henry) get an extra cookie at night check as a thank you. He still seemed skeptical as I gave him his second cookie (and Henry was mad to witness this) but I’ll buy him over to my side sooner or later. The “working” life has it’s perks.

Many many thanks to Hillary and Karen for helping out and documenting the occasion. It takes a village! 

You guys have heard me talk about Henry’s fitness on here a lot. Probably to the point of annoyance sometimes, because I do believe it’s really important for ANY horse, but especially for an event horse like mine who has a heat intolerance and some lung issues. Keeping him fit, and knowing exactly how fit he is, is absolutely vital to his health and well-being. And there’s no better way to measure that than via a heart rate monitor. Enter: Hylofit.

First of all – why is it so important to know and have some standard of measure for a horse’s cardiovascular fitness? For me personally:

1. Safety. A tired horse is a horse that makes mistakes, and mistakes are dangerous. The last thing you want at the end of a cross country round is a horse that’s out of gas and struggling. Same goes for the rider – a tired rider becomes a passenger, and that can be just as dangerous. I love that the Hylofit also measures rider fitness in direct correlation.
2. Performance. Aside from making dangerous mistakes, you can also make costly ones when a horse and rider are tired, particularly if you’re showjumping after cross country.
3. Injury Prevention. Fatigue injuries are a very real thing. On the flip side, you also don’t want to be getting a horse so over-fit that you beat up their legs unnecessarily in the day-to-day work and end up with an overuse lameness.
4. Recovery. You want a horse that recovers quickly, not one that is absolutely knackered for hours or even days after an event. If they are, you haven’t prepared them adequately. You could even argue that as a horsemanship/welfare issue, in my eyes. Being able to easily measure how fast a horse’s heart rate is recovering can help you evaluate whether or not they’re prepared for what you’re asking.

So if your goal is a fit, safe, sound, happy, well-performing athlete, it makes sense to have some kind of method by which to measure and track your progress. Equine heart rate monitors have come a really long way, especially in the past couple years, and Hylofit is one of the leading brands, I think for good reason. It measures the horse’s heart rate, the rider’s heart rate, is simple and easy to use, gives speed data, zone data, mapping, and even weather information like temperature and humidity. You can even overlay video to see exactly what you were doing when the heart rate went up and down (Doug Payne has some really cool integrated videos that are pretty neat to watch).

This was especially helpful to me over this winter as I’ve been bringing Henry back to regular fitness. If you don’t know where you’re starting from, and it’s not measurable and quantifiable, how do you really know where to go? For instance, these metrics below, from one of his first rides back, are from some shorter trot sets. It was super helpful to give me an indicator of where he was at with his base fitness just coming back from his bad foot bruise, and give me some direction so that I could plan out his program to start ramping back up to peak over the following months.

I was admittedly a little bit wary of relying on a heart rate monitor at first. My experiences with them in the past had been a little bit hit or miss as far as accuracy, reliability, and ease of use, but the Hylofit has been a much more positive experience. The only time I’ve had inaccurate readings was that one time I forgot to tighten my girth… because the electrodes sit underneath the girth, it needs to be held snug against the horse to get accurate readings. Since my horse was a little bit hairy this winter, I’ve also been opting to use an electrode gel just to make sure it’s getting optimal contact. I already had some from my Microsense unit, but you can also pick some up for $3 on amazon if you wanted to use it. You don’t need the gel, you can also just wet the electrodes instead, but I figured I’d use it just to make sure I’m getting the best possible readings through the longer winter coat. If you use the gel just make sure you clean it off after every ride to avoid any buildup interfering with readings.

The Hylofit comes with some additional velcro straps to help stabilize it to your girth, if need be, but mine sits perfectly and has never shifted, so I haven’t had to use anything other than the main strap. The shape is very simple and flat, so Henry doesn’t even seem to notice it under the girth and since it sits in front of my leg I’ve never felt it either. The human heart rate monitor fastens around your rib cage, under your bra line, and stays in place without being annoying or uncomfortable. Being able to see my own cardio data has been really interesting, especially when it’s in comparison with Henry’s. If my own fitness is lacking, I need to know that too.

My favorite thing about the Hylofit though, especially compared to other systems I’ve used, is that it’s easy and simple. Hylofit has detailed set-up instructions on their website, as well as a video tutorial. It wasn’t much of a learning curve to figure out how to use it, and the app is very user-friendly and easy to navigate, with all the data displayed for quick and easy interpretation. It’s all saved by date and the type of ride it was, so it’s fantastic to be able to quickly and easily look back over past rides and see how you’re trending – again, it helps you plan your program. The zone training feature also, IMO, makes the whole thing much more simple and easy to understand for people that may be new to using and measuring heart rate data.

I also really like that you can see the data in real time. The transmitters talk to your phone via Bluetooth (and can also display on your Apple watch, if you have one) so I can always pull my phone out on a walk break and see the results of the last set or if he’s recovering in a timely manner. If I had an Apple watch I could look down at any given time and see the data… legit the only time I’ve ever found myself wanting one of those. Still, even with just my phone it gives me the ability to tweak the ride as it’s happening, rather than just seeing all the data afterwards.

I haven’t been able to play with the video merge feature yet, as I almost always ride alone, but I’ve been using the monitor itself for over 3 months and have found it super helpful even just from a pure data perspective. I also really like that you can share your data with others, like your trainer, so if you’re a little bit unsure of what it all means, you can quickly and easily get some input. I would have LOVED to have had this thing back when I was prepping Henry for our Classic 3 Day. It kind of makes me want to do another one…

At $250 for the full system (rider monitor and chest strap, horse monitor and girth strap, and the app) which is on the lower end for a complete system like this. The real value for me is in the design (so unobtrusive), the app (way better than others I’ve seen/used), and the “support” (it’s an American company run by fellow equestrians, so there are no language barriers, lingo issues, or time zone problems if you have questions). There’s a lot of good information on their website and useful tutorials, videos, photos, and Q&A’s on their Instagram as well. You can buy the complete kit or also just the horse or human systems separately in the Hylofit store – use code 900PONY20 for 20% off! It’s also carried at some other retailers too (like Riding Warehouse), for those of you who might have a gift card burning a hole in your pocket or if you have a favorite shop that you like to frequent.

If you want more information on measuring heart rate and using heart rate data, there are some good articles here:

Why Training with Heart Rate Matters

Peak Fitness

Training Smarter

I also very highly recommend listening to the new Equiratings podcast series “The Hold Box” – there is some FANTASTIC data and information in there about using heart rate and how it relates to overall fitness, and why all of this is important for the sporthorse.

I think it’s safe to say that horse people tend to be a bit of a superstitious bunch. At the very least most of us tend to at least be believers in luck, or karma. 

I had never really realized just how prevalent this was until I started listening to the Major League Eventing podcast, and they always ask each interviewee if they have any good luck charms, rituals, or superstitions. Damn, I had no idea how many people are having to put their left boot on first at shows. This was a new one to me, yet so many people have said it. Where does that even come from?

There are other seemingly common things too, like lucky socks/underwear, a lucky whip, not wearing anything new at a show, having to listen to a certain song, put things on in a certain order, or folks who insist on having an even number of braids. And of course we’ve all heard that it’s unlucky to change a horse’s name, or the old

One white foot, buy him.

Two white feet, try him.

Three white feet, be on the sly.

Four white feet, pass him by.

While I don’t believe that one at all, and I am not into such level of detail as which boot I put on first (lets just be glad I remembered to put them on at all, and that they’re hopefully on the right feet), I do have a few little things that I admit to doing.

Big confession – an upside-down horse shoe (heel pointing down) bothers me juuuuuust enough to where I compulsively have to turn them all right side up. The saying is that if they’re upside down, all the luck will fall out. Granted, there is also another saying that if it’s the other way, all the luck in the shoe falls out onto the owner. I dunno about y’all but I want my horses and barn to keep all the luck, and for some reason that dumb thing I heard as a kid has wormed it’s way deep into my psyche to where I will absolutely flip a shoe the other way if I see it. I can’t even help it now. 

I also definitely do have lucky socks, at least for cross country. I used to get a new pair every year, themed juuuuust the right way (like my “carpe the fuck out of this diem” socks or my “thou hast balls” socks), but for the past few years I’ve been wearing my Henry XC face socks. Those are pretty great, albeit looking pretty worn by now. I’ve already thought about the fact that I’ll have to get new lucky socks for showing Presto, because he needs his own special magic, and yes I am aware of the fact that this makes me a lunatic. 

I don’t have lucky socks for lessons or the other two phases, but I definitely will avoid socks that I think might have the wrong juju. For example, my “ringmaster of the shitshow” socks… they have never, and will never, be worn to a lesson or a horse show, lest they prove to be true (we will ignore the fact that a shitshow has occurred on more than one occasion even without the socks being involved). 

I also don’t like to use anything new at a show, and if I do find myself in that position, I will touch said item to the ground. Like… new whip? It’s gotta touch the ground first. New gloves, same. New anything. This makes no logical sense except in my own mind, but I know I’m not the only one that does this. And the one time I forgot to do it, I fell off, which clearly just confirmed my psychosis. It’s like if the item has already touched the ground once, it won’t be in such a hurry to get back there again? I don’t know, I can’t explain it because it’s not logical. I know it’s not logical, but I can’t stop myself from performing the act anyway. Because, ya know… 

I’ve definitely got a little bit of the crazy in me. I feel like horses do that to most of us, sooner or later. I know the things I do are ridiculous and really do nothing but make me feel like I have some extra measure control over a situation’s outcome, but just on that .000001% chance… I gotta try. I also do a lot of knocking on wood. Because horses have beaten down my soul. If luck is a thing, I will take what I can get.

What about y’all… any superstitions or rituals either at shows or at home that you find yourself doing, or “lucky” pieces of equipment/clothing? Please tell me I’m not the only one. 

It has become a little bit of a game to see what kind of new stuff I can come up with to entertain Presto. Ok maybe it’s me, maybe I’m just entertaining me. But I swear I do have actual reasons for doing all these weird things to him, which I’ll talk about more in depth on his next vlog. I’m not just a crazy person.

This past Saturday, he met a tarp for the first time. 

Yeah, he was just as terrified as he looks.

We started with it folded up on the ground, which he just pawed into oblivion, and then I opened it up to full size on the ground, which he again just pawed into oblivion until he was standing on a wadded up ball of tarp. Well ok then, lets up the ante.

Over his back it went, first folded up small, and then unfolded to full size. No reaction. I flopped it, I flapped it, I waved it around in the air behind him… yeah nah, that’s just a boring tarp, ma. Ok fine then. I fashioned him a cape (securing it in front with a hair band, so I could quickly yank the whole thing off if needed) and sent him out to walk and trot around me.

And that’s how Presto became Captain Unimpresto, the superhero. He just needs a mask or something spandex to complete his outfit. 

I then completely ruined his newfound awesome alter ego by cruelly forcing him to stand tied up at the barn the entire time Henry got new shoes put on, even though he’d already gotten his trim. I might be first on his list for vigilante justice.

It was good for him in lots of ways… having to stand there for a long time, watching Henry get hot shod (“um.. bro… did you know you is on fire?”) and the farrier’s kids had tagged along and were running around so he kind of got a glimpse into his own level of chaos, just in tiny human form. Presto was mostly just irritated and stood there glaring at me most of the time. Clearly I was ruining his Saturday, he could be out like, fighting crime or something.

Henry jumped on Saturday (which was kind of a mess on my part – remember how I said my eye was coming back? HAHAHAHAHAHA I cursed myself.) so on Sunday I opted for an easy tackless ride in the field. It’s been a while since I rode him in just his neck rope. His brakes and lateral work are pretty good off of just leg and seat, but the steering leaves a little bit to be desired sometimes, especially out in the open like that. And I don’t think it’s because he doesn’t know what I’m asking, because he most certainly does, I think it’s because he’s got a demonic Thelwell living in part of his brain and he just can’t resist being at least a little contrary when given such an easy opportunity. 

My legs and core were definitely feeling it the next day. I can’t wait for my bareback pad to come in so I can get at least one solid bareback ride in every week, it’s nice to have bareback work back as a semi-regular part of the repertoire, I find it really helpful. 

What were you guys up to last weekend? Anyone else raising a baby superhero? Maybe we can start a support group.