I now have a shiny new car! I am a fairly practical person but I admit to getting a little thrill out of the (comparitive) fanciness of this car! And the new car smell? Yuck, especially since we rust-proofed the undercarriage. Can't wait for that to go away! I'm sure it will be replaced by dog and horse smells soon enough :-/
I am also VERY paranoid about getting hit. It's been like that since the accident anyway and now it's worse with the new car. Hopefully this will go away soon. And hopefully I'll have something real to blog about soon...Brumby has been off with a sole bruise for awhile but he lunged sound on Tuesday so I'll try a ride on Friday. I have questions a-plenty brewing, I think.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
We DON"T Need, or want, Rollkur!
Billie over at camera-obscura has posted the logo and text, and invited us to do the same in solidarity with Dr. Heuschmann and his message at the meeting on Feb. 9th. Please consider adding your voice to this important debate, and adding logo and text to your blog as well.
The FEI is holding a closed-door round table meeting on Feb. 9th to discuss the training method known as rollkur, or hyperflexion, which involves pulling and holding the horse's muzzle to his chest. This practice is known to have many negative effects on the horse, both physically and psychologically. Gerd Heuschmann, the lone voice for the horse at this meeting, has my support and appreciation as he presents his case "for the good of the horse" along with petitions and letters saying NO TO ROLLKUR.
Please take a moment today and again tomorrow to think positively about the outcome of this meeting. It will make a difference.
Rollkur is but one example, in one discipline, of abuses perpetrated against horses in the name of "training" and "competition". All principled horsepeople need to speak out when and how they can against the abuses that exist in their own disciplines.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Time for Fun - Canter Leg Yields!
Thanks everyone for all your comments on my post about the accident. It helped to have a medium for getting that frustration out. I am starting to let go of the anger and fear that came from being at the receiving end of such carelessness. I was lucky; it doesn't look like I will have any lasting issues and no one else was in the car. I know others have been through worse.
I was more than ready to get back in the saddle! It had been 7 full days since my last ride, yikes! We introduced something new - leg yield at the canter. I have never done them before and neither has Brumby. I was surprised at how well it went! He really only messed up when I didn't have myself coordinated properly, naturally.
What an amazing feeling! Wow. It has been awhile since I've felt as though we were really communicating well. For most of the leg yields it felt pretty effortless and was just a whole lot of fun. We didn't always hit the centre line before the turn but I was not too concerned with that, being our first effort.
Definitely one of those smile plastered on your face days. Hmm, maybe I do prefer dressage to jumping...not that I've done much jumping lately anyway!
Be well.
I was more than ready to get back in the saddle! It had been 7 full days since my last ride, yikes! We introduced something new - leg yield at the canter. I have never done them before and neither has Brumby. I was surprised at how well it went! He really only messed up when I didn't have myself coordinated properly, naturally.
What an amazing feeling! Wow. It has been awhile since I've felt as though we were really communicating well. For most of the leg yields it felt pretty effortless and was just a whole lot of fun. We didn't always hit the centre line before the turn but I was not too concerned with that, being our first effort.
Definitely one of those smile plastered on your face days. Hmm, maybe I do prefer dressage to jumping...not that I've done much jumping lately anyway!
Be well.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
In the Hands of Others
It seems that life, on occasion, reminds us that much of our well-being is in the hands of others. I was given just such a reminder this week when a driver rear-ended me. I was stopped at the entrance to a merge lane waiting for a break in the traffic before beginning my merge. I didn't even know what hit me, so to speak, it took awhile before I understood what had happened.
I had hit my head on the steering wheel and bit my tongue. Funny enough, it was my tongue that I felt first. For several moments I didn't even realize I had hit my head. It was very surreal. Of course after those several moments my head began screaming at me in a major way. I admit, I was crying rather hysterically.
The driver who hit me said it was completely her fault (uh, ya think?) and that she wasn't paying attention. Then she said she was actually looking over her shoulder, presumably looking for a space to merge into. But there was no space, that's why I was stopped. If she hadn't hit me, she would have t-boned someone else because she was going way too fast to have stopped on time (police estimate from the damage she would have been going 50-60 km/h).
I didn't have any idea what to do. In 15+ years of driving, I've never been in an accident. My only thought was that I wanted my husband there. He commutes to work via bicycle and I knew he would be nearby. But I wasn't having any luck getting through.
I should have called the police because I was injured. But I was injured and confused; I felt like it wasn't bad enough. I got all the information from the other woman. And, even though I kept saying I couldn't drive and hadn't stopped crying, I agreed when she encouraged me not to call the police. I blame the head injury :)
I drove to a parking lot that was just ahead. My cell rang and I managed to tell my husband where I was. Within 10 minutes he biked up, gave me a huge hug, and fed me electrolyte chews, shot blocks, that I keep on hand because I occasionally have hypoglycemic episodes.
From there, he brought me to the emergency room. It felt oddly familiar after my 9 hour wait when I broke my arm last summer! I was much luckier this time, we were in and out in 3 hours.
Aside from a mild concussion, lots of swelling, bruising, and the normal stiffness and aches and pains, I am fine. At least so far. Everyone tells me that it can change a lot over the first week. I choose to be optimistic! I've been very tired and do not have very much stamina but that is not surprising. I am hopeful there won't be any long term issues.
My car is not so lucky, it looks like there is frame damage. I tried to get a picture but only had my cell and I couldn't remember the code to unlock the camera, lol.
The next morning I went to the police station right away and explained what happened. To make a long story somewhat shorter, it turns out the other driver has a long list of prior accidents. The driver was trying to lie to the police officer and her husband (who happened to have the van that hit me) was yelling and arguing with the officer over the phone. Not really a smart idea when you (or your wife) is being charged. It's not up to me whether to charge her, it is automatic in situations like this, which is nice because I would probably feel bad for giving her a record, even though she deserves it.
We are all in the hands of others. So too, the lives of others are in your hands. Use them softly.
I had hit my head on the steering wheel and bit my tongue. Funny enough, it was my tongue that I felt first. For several moments I didn't even realize I had hit my head. It was very surreal. Of course after those several moments my head began screaming at me in a major way. I admit, I was crying rather hysterically.
The driver who hit me said it was completely her fault (uh, ya think?) and that she wasn't paying attention. Then she said she was actually looking over her shoulder, presumably looking for a space to merge into. But there was no space, that's why I was stopped. If she hadn't hit me, she would have t-boned someone else because she was going way too fast to have stopped on time (police estimate from the damage she would have been going 50-60 km/h).
I didn't have any idea what to do. In 15+ years of driving, I've never been in an accident. My only thought was that I wanted my husband there. He commutes to work via bicycle and I knew he would be nearby. But I wasn't having any luck getting through.
I should have called the police because I was injured. But I was injured and confused; I felt like it wasn't bad enough. I got all the information from the other woman. And, even though I kept saying I couldn't drive and hadn't stopped crying, I agreed when she encouraged me not to call the police. I blame the head injury :)
I drove to a parking lot that was just ahead. My cell rang and I managed to tell my husband where I was. Within 10 minutes he biked up, gave me a huge hug, and fed me electrolyte chews, shot blocks, that I keep on hand because I occasionally have hypoglycemic episodes.
From there, he brought me to the emergency room. It felt oddly familiar after my 9 hour wait when I broke my arm last summer! I was much luckier this time, we were in and out in 3 hours.
Aside from a mild concussion, lots of swelling, bruising, and the normal stiffness and aches and pains, I am fine. At least so far. Everyone tells me that it can change a lot over the first week. I choose to be optimistic! I've been very tired and do not have very much stamina but that is not surprising. I am hopeful there won't be any long term issues.
My car is not so lucky, it looks like there is frame damage. I tried to get a picture but only had my cell and I couldn't remember the code to unlock the camera, lol.
The next morning I went to the police station right away and explained what happened. To make a long story somewhat shorter, it turns out the other driver has a long list of prior accidents. The driver was trying to lie to the police officer and her husband (who happened to have the van that hit me) was yelling and arguing with the officer over the phone. Not really a smart idea when you (or your wife) is being charged. It's not up to me whether to charge her, it is automatic in situations like this, which is nice because I would probably feel bad for giving her a record, even though she deserves it.
We are all in the hands of others. So too, the lives of others are in your hands. Use them softly.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Farewell Blue Hors Matine
On January 25, Blue Hors Matine suffered a serious injury while in turnout and was humanely euthanized. Although she was no longer in competition, this is a big loss for all horse-lovers. Not only as a broodmare but I believe she was also an important symbol and icon for what good dressage should be. I don't think anyone can deny that Matine enjoyed herself in the ring.
The story:
http://www.eurodressage.com/news/dressage/europe/2010/den_bluehorsmatine.html
The famous YouTube video of the 2006 WEG Freestyle with rider Andreas Helgestrand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw
~~~~
I am recovering from being hit by another vehicle while stopped at an intersection. I will tell the story soon.
The story:
http://www.eurodressage.com/news/dressage/europe/2010/den_bluehorsmatine.html
The famous YouTube video of the 2006 WEG Freestyle with rider Andreas Helgestrand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw
~~~~
I am recovering from being hit by another vehicle while stopped at an intersection. I will tell the story soon.
Monday, January 25, 2010
A Simple Sandwich
Sometimes, there is nothing more satisfying than a simple sandwich. Today's offering was nothing more than a basic tuna, with a small amount of mayonnaise and dijon mustard mixed in and topped with local organic pea shoots.
On the side, I have a salad comprised of cooked kamut lightly dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette and topped with a mixed variety of beets lightly coated in olive oil. These beets were boiled and were the most lovely colours when they were peeled. They practically glowed. Leave the beets whole with skin on to cook, then peel after (if desired; we often eat the skin of beets like this).
I am totally in love with kamut. It is an ancient grain and related to durum wheat. It is, overall, more nutritious than common wheat as it has about 30% higher protein, cotains more riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and Vitamin E, and is higher on 16 of the 18 amino acids found in wheat, to name of few.
I haven't figured out the details of its history but kamut is also a registered trademark of Kamut International, LTD. I find this odd for a grain! I believe it is something to do with the family that preserved this ancient grain. Kamut is naturally hardy and has not been genetically modified which makes it excellent in organic farming practices.
On the side, I have a salad comprised of cooked kamut lightly dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette and topped with a mixed variety of beets lightly coated in olive oil. These beets were boiled and were the most lovely colours when they were peeled. They practically glowed. Leave the beets whole with skin on to cook, then peel after (if desired; we often eat the skin of beets like this).
I am totally in love with kamut. It is an ancient grain and related to durum wheat. It is, overall, more nutritious than common wheat as it has about 30% higher protein, cotains more riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and Vitamin E, and is higher on 16 of the 18 amino acids found in wheat, to name of few.
I haven't figured out the details of its history but kamut is also a registered trademark of Kamut International, LTD. I find this odd for a grain! I believe it is something to do with the family that preserved this ancient grain. Kamut is naturally hardy and has not been genetically modified which makes it excellent in organic farming practices.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Just Another day at the Barn
Sunday I set out to the barn in good spirits. It was a lesson day. My husband also offered to come and take video. I think he felt bad that he was leaving that evening for the week :) That's ok, I'll take an extra pair of hands any way I can get them! So, with the dog walked and breakfast had, we set off nice and early. Finally, I wouldn't be in a rush before a lesson!
Sounds good, doesn't it?
On the way there, we were interrupted by a 10K run that closed off the only roads I know to get to the barn. That's ok, I had lots of time, so we had an impromptu tour of the nearest little town. Once at the barn, I caught Brumby and set my husband to duct taping the ginormous hole in his heavy rain sheet (mentioned in the comments to my previous post). He took the blanket to the heated tack room at the far end of the barn and I started grooming.
With Brumby nice and clean, I swept the floor and was just setting the broom against the wall when Brumby stepped sideways. Unfortunately, the barn cat was cuddled next to his hoof and he stepped right on the cat!
All I heard was this weird, muffled, cat-like yowl and I turned to see a Grey fur tornado flailing around Brumby's right hoof. I almost had a heart attack right there but I'm fortunately pretty good in a crisis so I immediately flew to his other side and pushed his shoulder. Big lug dutifully moved away from the pressure and the poor cat literally flew to his little house, just around the corner.
At this point, I think I yowled myself and tried to coax the cat out to see how bad he was. He wouldn't come out. I decided I should get backup to get him out. If it was really bad, I knew it would be better to have someone else around. Sure, if I was alone I would have coped with it. But I happened to have the best person I could ask for in a crisis right there (aka my husband), so I went to get him.
I walked down that aisle. Since when was it this long? I started out upset but in control. With every step, I crumpled a little more. By the time I reached the door to the tack room, I was a blubbering mess. Good thing my husband speaks blubbering mess, he understood immediately "auuh, huh, huh, Brumby..ahuh...stepped on.ahh...ah the caaat, ooohh aww" [hand shaking, arms waving].
We booked it back down the aisle (magically shorter, this time) and now joined by one of the barn staff who heard my commotion. We coaxed the cat out of his little house and...he looked great. Wait...great?
Honestly, that cat looked so happy for all the attention being focused on him (finally). I was still crying and saying how it wasn't possible, he was caught under the hoof of a full-grown Hanoverian, I saw it! I was still crying as the cat walked about and even ran a few steps, then came back for some pets.
I took a few deep breaths. This wasn't possible. But it was, he didn't look like he was in shock, even several minutes later, he seemed...normal. He was giving the horse a wide berth, but that's it.
I'm guessing Brumby knocked one of the nine lives off though. Clearly there is no other logical explanation :) Judging by the look of that cat, it wasn't the first.
Whew. I now had 10 minutes to lesson time. (I did tell the barn owner about the cat and to keep an eye on him for the next few hours especially). I guess I was fortunate my instructor was a little late due to the mini-marathon.
On to the lesson.
We've been doing some jumping but have gone back to flat for a bit. I needed to work on a number of things (um, breaks, anyone?) before the jumping would be worthwhile. At the canter, Brumby is either a)being held up and looks pretty good but isn't holding himself, b)rather high-headed and fast, or c)curled behind the bit. There is, of course, option d, which I get sometimes but want all the time.
Lately, the biggest issue I've had is fixing 'c', namely that I want him to stop coming behind the bit at the canter. Of course, curling his neck in also means I don't have the breaks off the seat that I want and half-halts are practically non-existent. This is partly due to his old habit (he was always held up) and partly because my timing isn't perfect with the softening.
I'm leaving a lot of stuff out, so feel free to ask/comment/question. I can't believe I'm posting these on here!
Here, we are just working on trotting a square. This has also been a tough spot. I have a hard time getting a good bend with him. (note: there is another rider with us, so the comments at the beginning are directed to her and her mare)
Here we are working on canter-trot transitions off the seat. So hard!!
There. Enjoy the laugh :D
Sounds good, doesn't it?
On the way there, we were interrupted by a 10K run that closed off the only roads I know to get to the barn. That's ok, I had lots of time, so we had an impromptu tour of the nearest little town. Once at the barn, I caught Brumby and set my husband to duct taping the ginormous hole in his heavy rain sheet (mentioned in the comments to my previous post). He took the blanket to the heated tack room at the far end of the barn and I started grooming.
With Brumby nice and clean, I swept the floor and was just setting the broom against the wall when Brumby stepped sideways. Unfortunately, the barn cat was cuddled next to his hoof and he stepped right on the cat!
All I heard was this weird, muffled, cat-like yowl and I turned to see a Grey fur tornado flailing around Brumby's right hoof. I almost had a heart attack right there but I'm fortunately pretty good in a crisis so I immediately flew to his other side and pushed his shoulder. Big lug dutifully moved away from the pressure and the poor cat literally flew to his little house, just around the corner.
At this point, I think I yowled myself and tried to coax the cat out to see how bad he was. He wouldn't come out. I decided I should get backup to get him out. If it was really bad, I knew it would be better to have someone else around. Sure, if I was alone I would have coped with it. But I happened to have the best person I could ask for in a crisis right there (aka my husband), so I went to get him.
I walked down that aisle. Since when was it this long? I started out upset but in control. With every step, I crumpled a little more. By the time I reached the door to the tack room, I was a blubbering mess. Good thing my husband speaks blubbering mess, he understood immediately "auuh, huh, huh, Brumby..ahuh...stepped on.ahh...ah the caaat, ooohh aww" [hand shaking, arms waving].
We booked it back down the aisle (magically shorter, this time) and now joined by one of the barn staff who heard my commotion. We coaxed the cat out of his little house and...he looked great. Wait...great?
Honestly, that cat looked so happy for all the attention being focused on him (finally). I was still crying and saying how it wasn't possible, he was caught under the hoof of a full-grown Hanoverian, I saw it! I was still crying as the cat walked about and even ran a few steps, then came back for some pets.
I took a few deep breaths. This wasn't possible. But it was, he didn't look like he was in shock, even several minutes later, he seemed...normal. He was giving the horse a wide berth, but that's it.
I'm guessing Brumby knocked one of the nine lives off though. Clearly there is no other logical explanation :) Judging by the look of that cat, it wasn't the first.
Whew. I now had 10 minutes to lesson time. (I did tell the barn owner about the cat and to keep an eye on him for the next few hours especially). I guess I was fortunate my instructor was a little late due to the mini-marathon.
On to the lesson.
We've been doing some jumping but have gone back to flat for a bit. I needed to work on a number of things (um, breaks, anyone?) before the jumping would be worthwhile. At the canter, Brumby is either a)being held up and looks pretty good but isn't holding himself, b)rather high-headed and fast, or c)curled behind the bit. There is, of course, option d, which I get sometimes but want all the time.
Lately, the biggest issue I've had is fixing 'c', namely that I want him to stop coming behind the bit at the canter. Of course, curling his neck in also means I don't have the breaks off the seat that I want and half-halts are practically non-existent. This is partly due to his old habit (he was always held up) and partly because my timing isn't perfect with the softening.
I'm leaving a lot of stuff out, so feel free to ask/comment/question. I can't believe I'm posting these on here!
Here, we are just working on trotting a square. This has also been a tough spot. I have a hard time getting a good bend with him. (note: there is another rider with us, so the comments at the beginning are directed to her and her mare)
Here we are working on canter-trot transitions off the seat. So hard!!
There. Enjoy the laugh :D
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