Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Here is a big for Josie's sake stepping onto the soap box now topic. As a lover of the beauty and power of horses, I am appalled by the Blue Tongue World Cup Eponatv YouTube video. How can a rider of any caliber ride a horse in hyperflexion for nine minutes. It was said he rode this way for a couple of hours but the video length was nine minutes. The horse's tongue was blue, protruding and hanging lifeless. The horse was tense and not ridden from back to front - what is the benefit. I am sure the horse was settled and listened to the aids after that, with every muscle trembling and thinking be good so he doesn't do that horrible thing to me again.

Here is the link. It wouldn't let me do it correctly so either this will work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hIXGiV4N4k or try doing a find for Blue Tongue World cup.

I feel very strongly about this so I signed a petition in regards to Hyperflexion or Rollkur. Here is the link http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/antiHF/index.html

I added the following:

Please stop Hyperflexion or Rollkur! A lifeless blue tongue! How appalling not to mention you can see how upsetting this is for the horse. There is now way that to be ridden continuously in this position is not harmful. Think of how you would feel if you had to hold something up for an hour - you couldn't do it and would stop. Most horses only want to please. In this position they can't see, it is not natural for them to move this way. I hear only those experienced should perform this technique - NO ONE should. To see the eyes of these horses, spooking as the horse is scared by not being able to see and kicking out as the horse speaks in the only way they can. Will you not listen?

While they may be able to prevent it during warm-ups at competitions these people will still do it when training. You shouldn't do anything you wouldn't do if someone was watching. Well, that doesn't cover it as it is amazing what some will do even if someone is watching. I have said it before and I will say it again I am so glad I grew up when I did. It is getting hard to put up with all the political correctness, the entitled and the things people do to animals - shooting a horse grazing in a field because they were bored. PUHlease!

There is nothing that puts more joy in my heart as to call Josie and have her head swing up with nostrils fluttering and hearing her nicker to say "You are here! I am happy to see you". I can see how she is feeling in her eyes. They brighten when she is happy and can smolder in anger if she isn't pleased. Let me tell you I try to avoid being on the receiving end of that look.

Josie does everything she can to understand, and I likewise, especially given our language barrier. I listen as best as I can and speak softly. Do what I can to be consistent in all respects. I feel it is true harmony that I have with Josie. She trusts me to keep her safe and to ask what I know she is capable of. I think back over our time together and the progress we have made - simply amazing. We both have increased our strength and overcome our balance issues. The trust bond intensifies daily. I know I sound like a sap but I so love her. I wouldn't trade her for an Olympic champion. She is MY champion! Just like with the pups, I hope that I can be as good as they think I am.

I always look to myself, my position, etc. to see where I am at fault. Mare tries so hard. Soooooo anyhoo . . .

I didn't do my exercises before riding as I had planned. It was sunny with clear blue skies with no so bad a temperature either. I bolted for the barn after puppy care and loading up Coal with the necessary gear.

The pups and I followed along for chores. Wyatt didn't move out of the way of the 4-wheeler and I thought for sure he had a tire impression on his hiney. Thank goodness J is an excellent driver and I don't mean in the Rainman way.

I noticed Josie had wandered to the distant feeders and was prepared to pull out the mud boots. She looked up so I took a chance and called to her Jooooooooooooosie! Come on girrrrrrrrl! She started making her way avoiding mud and mean horses. Treats for you girly-girl.

Our ensemble today featured our Albion K2 saddle. Slowly but surely we are getting it broke in. I had planned to ride in two point and give Josie an easy day but traffic in the arena was a little dense. With her building winter coat even with the door open I knew we would both get sweaty. She very much wanted to canter tonight . . . your leg is back . . . and pop into a lovely canter . . . transition her back down and pop back into canter. My seat is nicely following this most expressive movements. Oh, Mare! No, not what I mean. I check that I am making my aids clear, she gets it correct. Go figure! When it was time to canter I try to make a point of exaggerating my leg so she knows this button means canter. My what lovely strides you have little Mare . . .

Life was really good today!