tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post4056272167107349784..comments2023-06-30T04:21:06.756-07:00Comments on Diary of a Young Horse: Don't criticise the horse!Suziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18404367535441835295noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-72595318597951175412008-12-28T10:52:00.000-08:002008-12-28T10:52:00.000-08:00Hi! Cool blog. :)Hi! Cool blog. :)Jessica Burkhart https://www.blogger.com/profile/01392565903843981091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-28111788704420733472008-12-25T13:52:00.000-08:002008-12-25T13:52:00.000-08:00Checking in to say hope you're having a great holi...Checking in to say hope you're having a great holiday!Rising Rainbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04239592070775412669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-87626477619952952002008-12-17T03:56:00.000-08:002008-12-17T03:56:00.000-08:00It is better to have higher aspirations than to se...It is better to have higher aspirations than to settle for something less.. even if you don't make the grade you will have had fun trying and until you try you never know how good she will be.<BR/><BR/>Have a great christmas.Sagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01005047450040559399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-69332446216639104742008-12-15T16:16:00.000-08:002008-12-15T16:16:00.000-08:00I agree with you - riding is a journey and unless ...I agree with you - riding is a journey and unless you want to compete at the elite levels then I truly believe those of us with project horses get a higher quality relationship in the long run. My horse is all heart and wants to anything for me. The challenge for me is being clear in the asking. Some days I love the challenge more than others but EVERY day I love Now Voyager.Kathleen @ ForgingAheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03898474543669255082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-79906673058074426582008-12-14T07:52:00.000-08:002008-12-14T07:52:00.000-08:00i agree with you and other posters here that there...i agree with you and other posters here that there is absolutely no reason why you can't achieve your goals with echo. i think all horses can do dressage, and she's a lovely horse. besides, i always think the rewards are greater when the odds are a bit against you - it makes even the small achievements count. <BR/><BR/>i took the hard road too, and i don't regret it for a minute! i got the same kind of criticism when i was showing equitation; my trainers said i would never win on a paint (very unfashionable) and wanted me to sell my horse and buy a bigger fancier one that was sure to win. but i stuck up for my horse and worked hard, and we ended up beating all of those fancy horses! in fact, most of the horses i rode were those no one else believed in, and it made me happy to give them a chance to prove their critics wrong!<BR/><BR/>so stick with it and don't let anyone tell you your horse isn't good enough so long as you are willing to work hard and accept her limitations with her abilities.<BR/><BR/>on a separate note, i agree that using the leg, unless you are prepared to use it in front of the girth, probably won't help position the shoulder. but an 'indirect rein of opposition in front of the wither' used momentarily as a corrective rein on the outside might help you with that left shoulder, without having to increase the contact on the left side artificially until she is ready to take it. also, watch that you aren't inadvertently asking her to pop her shoulder with the positioning of your right hand/rein aid. just a suggestion... the instructor in me can't keep her advice to herself ;-)<BR/><BR/>good luck!jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-52664143272487593162008-12-11T06:56:00.000-08:002008-12-11T06:56:00.000-08:00I love reading your blog. I bought a six year old...I love reading your blog. I bought a six year old unbroke QH mare this year and have her started under saddle with similar hopes as you have. I can feel the same attitude in others as you talk about in your blog. I love the development of a horse from no training to being obedient, calm, forward, supple and a willing partner. I am glad to read that others are going through the same things.ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05029390347118823043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-51744544779535506812008-12-07T00:54:00.000-08:002008-12-07T00:54:00.000-08:00I share the same opinion as you that any horse as ...I share the same opinion as you that any horse as long as it is well schooled, balanced and straight is very capable of performing a medium test. You have a wonderful horse who you have produced and can be very proud of. I'm sure John didn't intentionally mean to offend you or put Echo down in any way. You have alot to work towards, but you will get there and achieve this goal, just like you have achieved all the others.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01308864538519315769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-25092889381117904352008-12-07T00:45:00.000-08:002008-12-07T00:45:00.000-08:00I share the same opinion as you that any horse as ...I share the same opinion as you that any horse as long as it is well schooled, balanced and straight is very capable of performing a medium test. You have a wonderful horse who you have produced and can be very proud of. I'm sure John didn't intentionally mean to offend you or put Echo down in any way. You have alot to work towards, but you will get there and achieve this goal, just like you have achieved all the others.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01308864538519315769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-68654845529143675002008-12-05T13:38:00.000-08:002008-12-05T13:38:00.000-08:00My trainer told me a couple of weeks ago that she ...My trainer told me a couple of weeks ago that she felt sorry for me after I bought my mare. Of course, she didn't tell me that then, but now that my horse is going well she did, lol. She definitely wasn't taken with my horse when I bought her, but she likes her now, hopefully your instructor comes around too, even if it's not until you're doing a Medium level test, you'll show him!Dressage Nomadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03547664899091391963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-14544156769501625012008-12-05T08:31:00.000-08:002008-12-05T08:31:00.000-08:00Thank you for your nice comments - I'm gald I stuc...Thank you for your nice comments - I'm gald I stuck up for her too!<BR/><BR/>Heidi - I'm not sure whether I'll show again - it was fun as it was in hand but I'm not really into showing - too subjective for me! Dressage is more my thing really. Having said that, if there's a show very locally, then I'd think about it!Suziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18404367535441835295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-10806922764476959282008-12-05T06:19:00.000-08:002008-12-05T06:19:00.000-08:00Wow! Your plaits (braids :-) look awesome! Two hou...Wow! Your plaits (braids :-) look awesome! Two hours seems not bad for how many you had to do. Do you think you'll show again next year?Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098723884511551091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-7597708657084029162008-12-04T05:52:00.000-08:002008-12-04T05:52:00.000-08:00As long as you are enjoying Echo and she is happy ...As long as you are enjoying Echo and she is happy with her job, go for it! I am not the bravest rider either, so I can totally relate to wanting a horse that you can trust and feel safe on. Even if that means they are not the flashiest horse, I'm happier that way! It's obvious you love Echo so I'm glad you defended her :-)Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098723884511551091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-63311514225261458362008-12-03T14:54:00.000-08:002008-12-03T14:54:00.000-08:00The journey may have been easier in some ways with...The journey may have been easier in some ways with a different horse, but then there would have been other difficulties. I think it's important to remember that it's NEVER an easy road! You've chosen a horse that you love, and love working with, and that's what's important. You say you'd like to get to Medium level, I'm sure you will! It may take a little longer than it theoretically might have with a different horse, but does that really matter, as long as you enjoy the journey?Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03192051252843685177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3646588157055965553.post-12338671284526065972008-12-03T14:14:00.000-08:002008-12-03T14:14:00.000-08:00Dressage is for all horses. I'm sure she will do v...Dressage is for all horses. I'm sure she will do very workman like medium tests! I used to get a hard time for Connie being an Andalusian X but they have strated to shut up now lol! Better the horse you love than the horse that will always win I think. It's great that Echo is making real progress.Beckzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114970876099684280noreply@blogger.com