Indoor Arena and Manure Spreaders

I love it when someone does your work for free. I have been slowly acclimating to the natural rhythm of this little farm and part of the daily ritual is the March of the Turkeys. There is a rather large rafter, about 12 individuals, that comes through the farm every day. Two toms, three or four hens, and the rest young. Since the turkeys have discovered horse poop, they've been around about three times a day. They scratch and spread the manure in the pasture so I don't have to! Gotta love free labor.

Meet my new manure spreaders

I went for a ride in the indoor across the street. It's a good size, great lighting and good footing. My neighbor is very gracious and is letting me hire it out for a very reasonable hourly rate. I am going to be able to ride twice a week after work and hopefully get to ride on the trails on the weekends.

Brego did very well mentally. He hasn't forgotten anything and his lateral work at the walk was really good. His work at the trot was very stiff, but since it was one of the more recent things we worked on, I was not surprised. He felt pretty even at the trot and I got some nice big stretching trots. After about 25 minutes though, he felt tired so I just cooled him out at the walk. At the canter, he did not feel right at all, so after a few strides we went back to the trot. His leg wound is still open and actively weeping/bleeding. It's not gross or infected anymore, but he's still on antibiotics and it's not close to healing over. I know it still bothers him. I just hope there's nothing more serious going on inside the joint. Since he was noticeably better at the trot today, with only a slight hitchiness in his swing through, I am encouraged that with steady, easy work, he will strengthen and return to normal.

Yes

Yes, yes, and more yes:

Joint Letter from USEF President David O’Connor and USEA President Kevin Baumgardner

Quote:

We are proposing today that within the U.S. the following five initiatives be put into effect:

1. If a horse has a rotational fall, horse and rider are suspended from competing for three or six months
2. If a horse has a rotational fall, horse and rider lose their qualification at the level at which they are competing.
3. If a rider falls off on the course they are eliminated.
4. Open oxers on courses at every level are made frangible.
5. If a horse falls related to a jump both horse and rider are suspended from competing for one month.

I would like to add some additional constraints:
6. If a horse falls related to a jump twice in a six month period of time, both lose their qualification to ride at the level at which they are competing.
7. In order to move up, both horse and rider must complete a recognized event with no jumping penalties on cross country.

Number 6 is because if you are having horse falls regularly, you need to move down. Period. And number 7 is because not all the horses who fall have a history of falling, but have a history of not going clear in other, lower-level events. We have enough events (sorry Area V folks) for you to get that clear round before moving up. Practice until it happens.

Now that should curb the cowboyism that people saw at Rolex. If people have a rotational fall as an "accident" and not human error, then tough. Sit out and learn your lesson. Now let's start the discussion on the format. The Long format might be officially dead, but don't pretend it doesn't have an impact.

I promise to get back to more Brego-tastic posts soon. Jumping training is getting started and conditioning will soon follow...