tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72145455332818022024-02-02T08:15:54.776-05:00The Eventing PercheronThis is a chronicle of Brego, a Percheron gelding, and his foray into the exciting world of eventing or combined training. Eventing is a sport often dominated by the über fit Thoroughbred. Brego is trying to show that any horse with a modicum of athleticism can play with the "skinnies".Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-7287330977231879742014-09-07T07:14:00.000-04:002014-09-07T07:14:47.169-04:00The Next Chapter<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">For the past year, Brego has enjoyed semi retirement, ruling the roost on our small farm. He worked maybe once a week, trail rides mostly, and grew quite rotund on our grass. He owes me nothing, and although sound and relatively young, I was quite happy to keep him in semi retirement. But then Brego started to say he was bored, he was done with the life of leisure and he started acting out. It’s funny, when I retired my 24 year old TB mare, she flipped me the bird on her way out to pasture and never looked back. She doesn’t miss work in the slightest. But Brego definitely started to show signs, not at first, but more frequently. He’s quite clever and loves being the center of attention. Things were suddenly too quiet around the farm without his adoring fans everywhere he went.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Earlier this year, I started a new company of my own, and it consumes a lot of my time. The other chunk of time is dedicated to keeping my fitness, having promised my body I would never let it rot for a decade again. And the final slices are devoted to bringing my OTTB along. I have a multi year goal to finish a Training Three Day Event (before they cease to exist, I hope) and he was bought with this goal in mind. It’s been a slow start but we’re well on our way.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">All of this is to say that I knew that Brego needed attention, and I just didn’t have it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Luckily, I had quietly stalked friends of mine in Texas and I saw a comment here and a hint there that yes, maybe, perhaps, they were starting to look for another horse. Their wish list:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Safe, experienced foxhunter, eventer, jousting prospect. Gelding. Suitable for a strong male rider. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Brego was exactly what they wanted and they were exactly what I wanted: </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Good horsemen, kind riders, trustworthy, experienced, not easily intimidated by large horses, favorable to the “off breeds”. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Most importantly, they APPRECIATED Brego. The horse is truly great, and they got that.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So I sent an inquiry. Maybe, perhaps, would they be interesting in a horse like Brego?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After a flurry of emails, they happened to be in the area on vacation and got to ride Brego in a foxhunt and try him with armor. Brego did well for them and, more importantly, he was happy to have a job and attention again. So we finalized plans and away he went.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Brego has been such a huge part of my life and a huge part of my identity that I struggle with the decision to let him go every moment of the day. But in the end, as much as I wanted to keep him close, it is not fair to him to let him get so out of shape and let him get so bored. With his new owners, he will get the best care, stay fit, and get to have many adventures. And when the time comes when he decides he has had enough and is ready to flip the bird on the way out to pasture, my fields are waiting for him, if his new owners so choose.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So ends the Brego blog, but the good news is that Brego’s new owners maintain a <a href="http://pieceofheaven1951.blogspot.com/2014/09/welcome-to-wyvern-oaks-brego.html">blog of their own</a> and update it frequently. So to stay current on all things Brego, <a href="http://pieceofheaven1951.blogspot.com/2014/09/welcome-to-wyvern-oaks-brego.html">please head over there</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have met a lot of amazing people through this blog and although the blog fell silent, I count them all as friends. Thanks for the opportunity to share a little slice of my life and for joining me on this incredible journey.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">All the best,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Daun</span></div>
Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-41064924408836827602012-12-29T14:27:00.000-05:002012-12-29T14:27:12.498-05:00Brego Update - December 2012Wow, it's been over a year since my last update. Another gentle reminder from a reader <strike>guilted me</strike> encouraged me to give an update.<br />
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When we last left our heroes, Brego broke into the Area 1 Novice circuit and about to start an exciting hunt season as an official whipper-in horse. A few weeks after the <a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2011/08/brego-update-august-2011.html">August 2011</a> update was posted, I had an unfortunate fall while hunting. I became unbalanced during our first gone away and, due to my poor position, ended up on his neck. Brego slowed immediately but I still managed to fall face first into the ground and suffered a mild concussion and broken arm as a result. Thus endeth my hunting season debut as whipper in.<br />
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After surgery, I managed to make it back for the last few hunts, but the season ended and we fell back into the slumber of winter.<br />
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By January, I was on the mend, but poor Brego was doing poorly. Nearly a year before, we had a cracked molar removed, but the ensuing infection went relatively unchecked, despite many rounds of antibiotics. Brego competed the entire season in 2011 with an infected sinus and never indicated any discomfort or unwillingness to work. He never went off his feed, never failed to drop his head to be bridled, never gave any indication. I underestimated his generosity, but by January, he was clearly not getting better from the antibiotics and saline flushes. So we took him to get an MRI which revealed that the entire left sinus cavity was blocked with solidified mucus. He was operating at half his lung capacity and must have been in great pain from sinus pressure. We opted for the "flap surgery" in which they cut open his skull beneath his eye and physically scrap out and clean his mucus membranes up into his sinus. It's even more dreadful than it sounds.<br />
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Brego's surgery was a table procedure and despite the good surgeon's intentions, ran longer than the 60 minutes scheduled time. Brego lost too much blood and began to crash on the table and they scrambled to get him closed up and blood pressure restored. It was a tense 40 minutes in the "wake up room", but they eventually got him breathing on his own again and to his feet. Once he was up, his stoic heroism kicked in and he shuffled to his stall. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjh8JNlYkCxsiI5NX2kSnKUY8wWgU-MKLdiC-Q7j9QvZil5Q9hqDHRuARosV0H2EgClb58VvxYFVlQ0QMSIRi9wXZjOTcGyTowcJbjJWriRpJKrU4_vFGMU80atMo2uLKmy7g5Gzp66c/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjh8JNlYkCxsiI5NX2kSnKUY8wWgU-MKLdiC-Q7j9QvZil5Q9hqDHRuARosV0H2EgClb58VvxYFVlQ0QMSIRi9wXZjOTcGyTowcJbjJWriRpJKrU4_vFGMU80atMo2uLKmy7g5Gzp66c/s320/IMG_1256.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less than an hour off the table. The red patch is blood-soaked gauze stapled to his face.</td></tr>
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He stayed in the hospital for four days, each day he was brighter and more himself. By the time he was home, he already felt better than before the surgery and he never looked back. He did his first 12 mile hack of the season just 2 months after surgery, his first show three months, and was back on the Novice circuit by summer. He worked harder, and faster, than ever before, now that he had both sides of his head in use.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCZXkzrfu2BgXuu5qYoRgVs9S1dCnvANtd_76CUhat6QKCiOwNdaftyHPxBHDCEFW4YXFb7YiLnlbDWP_amqECHybXT1SsPL8OomO45jxhorRkJFRzF_Ck9qKmVWTWgPI19BmnjzLWUE/s1600/IMG_1272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCZXkzrfu2BgXuu5qYoRgVs9S1dCnvANtd_76CUhat6QKCiOwNdaftyHPxBHDCEFW4YXFb7YiLnlbDWP_amqECHybXT1SsPL8OomO45jxhorRkJFRzF_Ck9qKmVWTWgPI19BmnjzLWUE/s320/IMG_1272.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A week later. Staples closing the flap clearly visible. The tube in his forehead is for additional flushing.</td></tr>
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A sobering lesson, to be sure, on just how great his will to work truly is. I never knew how bad it was until the very end.<br />
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On the eventing front, we went out four times recognized in 2012. Our first outing saw our very first XC jump penalty at a recognized event, in which Brego locked onto the training level ramp right next to the novice log. I was not forceful enough in pulling him off and he literally ran into the novice log while still looking at the ramp. Complete rider error and took me quite by surprise since he is usually solid. He definitely thought he was correct however, so we do need to work on our communication while on course. While hunting, I expect him to take the lead and make decisions so I can focus on the hounds. On XC, however, he really needs to jump the fences I say and not what strikes his fancy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsEqahXtpvk-0QauPJlab1huP_JyVyv2Pt34pbc_ngOn72qryZrvZwWXioZnIzCj-KN71jAcAfP6wQEbvMEUf_pAVUIJWIGuKmf4G6x21fvoPu71IjfgKanatA74dvvacm8mPV1wUzxI/s1600/IMG_1763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsEqahXtpvk-0QauPJlab1huP_JyVyv2Pt34pbc_ngOn72qryZrvZwWXioZnIzCj-KN71jAcAfP6wQEbvMEUf_pAVUIJWIGuKmf4G6x21fvoPu71IjfgKanatA74dvvacm8mPV1wUzxI/s320/IMG_1763.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stadium warmup - Valinor Farm</td></tr>
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Despite our slow start, our next three outings gave us a fourth and two second place finishes, including career best scores of 33.5 (Snowfields HT) and 33.1 (Valinor Farm Horse Trials).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwMw3SUB6bFhAo3Z0eJWKbBl8-rC8vFN8S_B_AmNS60JHrbR8KOMB_LgkQwi-WLaqZ-e4ukiWJ4CEpOJzVLFeOhc9OlyRvy-h8ZsWmoYCziDdFPjSs5qSiMYo_Q5mB1_VGv0SbJPRfZQ/s1600/IMG_1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwMw3SUB6bFhAo3Z0eJWKbBl8-rC8vFN8S_B_AmNS60JHrbR8KOMB_LgkQwi-WLaqZ-e4ukiWJ4CEpOJzVLFeOhc9OlyRvy-h8ZsWmoYCziDdFPjSs5qSiMYo_Q5mB1_VGv0SbJPRfZQ/s320/IMG_1765.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final Fence XC - Valinor Farm</td></tr>
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We wrapped up our show season as hunting got underway in August. This year I managed to stay on (mostly), but we suffered some confidence blows due to poor footing. Despite having evented all summer barefoot and sound, Brego needed better traction for hunting. We had one slip where we both went down and then I had shoes and studs put on him. He moves like rubbish in metal shoes, but there is nothing for it. It's too dangerous to be slipping while in full gallop on a hunt, and as a staff horse, we don't get to pick our footing or our speed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzSXk2JxjyVn4QELbrmM1S9RJApavDjZgvTz0lmyE9jSsQRaUuMDIj5vFX_feUugxKui189eK4tagBZoknsKUCUg0LOeo24UP0RzmW1582ebJjFp5JL6q7QPC2nRsdzq8Uc03skfofys/s1600/IMG_1767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzSXk2JxjyVn4QELbrmM1S9RJApavDjZgvTz0lmyE9jSsQRaUuMDIj5vFX_feUugxKui189eK4tagBZoknsKUCUg0LOeo24UP0RzmW1582ebJjFp5JL6q7QPC2nRsdzq8Uc03skfofys/s320/IMG_1767.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre riding a hunt territory with good friends.</td></tr>
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In studs, he finished the season strong, the most times the hounds have gone out in a season in some time. Of all the things we do, Brego loves the hunt the most. And he loves the hounds, often predicting their actions, or sensing them, before I see it myself. He endured bee stings, he ponied the huntman's horse, he trailblazed after rioting hounds, he tolerated whips and shouting and general chaos, and he did it all professionally and with minimal fuss. Just a good boy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54sJIPbn3eabe5QCmjaNEOH1Tg9IF7hGhB0sy7B2166kLDzlIE4DDoaHyoJ53CSFDrHl0jzACIwbirLpWzUE2wZCHswFtj69vtpFkbsp_W_Vt0I2KibQH3yd5SDc-7AgyE5Js0dHgWTk/s1600/IMG_1796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54sJIPbn3eabe5QCmjaNEOH1Tg9IF7hGhB0sy7B2166kLDzlIE4DDoaHyoJ53CSFDrHl0jzACIwbirLpWzUE2wZCHswFtj69vtpFkbsp_W_Vt0I2KibQH3yd5SDc-7AgyE5Js0dHgWTk/s320/IMG_1796.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cubbing Season</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eRNC875bCfMgLrFKxQV8Y2U7nukTg0z_j5P-upkzs46oNxM8vg6ABKOzuftiCg96h54l5Yg0get-KBCm4h1-cJ8QSwXHkyaj5ST7WKCx9901VtTJlRpwgHFEtuPeMI46pL4WKAaUuJI/s1600/IMG_1804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eRNC875bCfMgLrFKxQV8Y2U7nukTg0z_j5P-upkzs46oNxM8vg6ABKOzuftiCg96h54l5Yg0get-KBCm4h1-cJ8QSwXHkyaj5ST7WKCx9901VtTJlRpwgHFEtuPeMI46pL4WKAaUuJI/s320/IMG_1804.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Formal Season</td></tr>
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I said it last year, and I will say it again: Brego continues to improve. In every way, a now healthy Brego was a force to be reckoned with and far surpassed any reasonable expectation anyone could have of his level of performance and attitude. Coming into his 11th year, he has already done so much and given me so much, he really doesn't owe me anything. At this point, we will continue to push quality at Novice and hunt as long as he loves it. He has so much still to teach me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_SWxBM8ZECLeVqupPg_qTLjzVRM00BYl2ByhBx54NnnUYRDda7HzdTDfuIfG3sPC39OaHrT6jAi69jSVz08P_CY6lLWGLCxoXPKBYzr5nDvN5Z4dhb3u1wwIWvx6poSmsK00SpTOisI/s1600/IMG_1828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_SWxBM8ZECLeVqupPg_qTLjzVRM00BYl2ByhBx54NnnUYRDda7HzdTDfuIfG3sPC39OaHrT6jAi69jSVz08P_CY6lLWGLCxoXPKBYzr5nDvN5Z4dhb3u1wwIWvx6poSmsK00SpTOisI/s320/IMG_1828.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture perfect</td></tr>
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Have a wonderful new year, everyone. Be safe and enjoy your precious horses.<br />
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<br />Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-20601588288025377562011-08-07T12:04:00.006-04:002011-08-07T12:32:03.356-04:00Brego Update - August 2011At the gentle urging of some readers, I have come out of hibernation to give a quick update on the Big Brego. Brego continues to improve, and at a ripe old age of 9, is really hitting his prime.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjct9aiH7tuqVMccSk8o52Pu2huYiYS5Yb-Gl71GayA6Kifg4hc5K0BHfTuZncL99ME1cAbnLZNpQ7kRmcjHpO1ORYBcPauSVnxzu7ewuuAjGW-IUoVMrk-FAgWnSh7zhyphenhyphenbJRZLYVxN7gA/s1600/BregoWarmupFence.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjct9aiH7tuqVMccSk8o52Pu2huYiYS5Yb-Gl71GayA6Kifg4hc5K0BHfTuZncL99ME1cAbnLZNpQ7kRmcjHpO1ORYBcPauSVnxzu7ewuuAjGW-IUoVMrk-FAgWnSh7zhyphenhyphenbJRZLYVxN7gA/s320/BregoWarmupFence.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638151084619604178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>Warm up fence before stadium - Snowfields HT, Main</i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">e</span></i></div><div><br /><br />On the show scene, he has been in the ribbons at every show, schooling and recognized, and just finished his USEA Novice debut in Area 1 in second place, 1 point off the leader. He truly loves to ride across country, but his gallop stride is not quite effortless so Novice is where we shall stay for a long while. Area 1 is quite competitive and the questions are often max height and width, so plenty of excitement. He can make the time without truly stressing his body and the 2' 11" heights allow for rider errors. Of which there are plenty. Rider errors, that is. As has become apparent in the last year, Brego surpasses me in talent, so Novice is a nice place for me to take lessons and hone some much needed skills. :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1W4n0NFgy3gU4uNakaebwkOB9SZf3daUohzKlshxQL4s-499jG6WqMFSV5Lc5wXcayWmPAw9nfgpbVocoWmeTMsc817LVvOa2K76-spnD4PFbLX2a_uE41pt-DSYITLOd-6bmR0PXVYg/s1600/Fence19.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1W4n0NFgy3gU4uNakaebwkOB9SZf3daUohzKlshxQL4s-499jG6WqMFSV5Lc5wXcayWmPAw9nfgpbVocoWmeTMsc817LVvOa2K76-spnD4PFbLX2a_uE41pt-DSYITLOd-6bmR0PXVYg/s320/Fence19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638151300513007218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Fence 19, Novice Course. Who is more tired, rider or horse? :)</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span>As an extracurricular activity, this year Brego will be a regular whipper-in horse for my hunt. He possesses a keen hound sense and, while not bottomless, certainly has the ability to stay with our drag pack. He is also steady to obstacles and with excitable horses, so he is dependable as a lead.<br /><br />Brego's versatility and generally enthusiastic attitude is a huge portion of our success. He absolutely loves his job, he loves to jump and he loves to ride to hounds. He is literally bursting with excitement when we go out on course or in the first gone away. In this way, I am truly lucky, because no amount of training instills love into a horse's heart. I get asked often how I get him to do the things he does. I do not "get him" to do anything. He loves to do it. I just hold on for the ride.<br /><br /></div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-50001116283289923632010-04-02T07:53:00.002-04:002010-04-02T08:09:18.950-04:00And Back To Your Regularly Scheduled BregoOh, what fun! Alas, all good things must come to an end, and so ends the <a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2010/04/brego-on-bookshelf-near-you.html">2010 April Fool's day joke</a>. Good memories.<div><br /></div><div>For those of you who were excited to purchase a book about Brego, I salute you and your complete vote of confidence, not only in my writing abilities, but in Brego's ability to win Rolex AND inspire the single greatest actor of our time (after Harrison Ford, pre 1998 of course).</div><div><br /></div><div>All in good fun, of course, and remember, I do this every year. You have been warned.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, in real life, Brego and I are gearing up nicely for a pretty low key, but hopefully successful season. We've been meeting our 4 rides a week goal and Brego's fitness continues to impress me. I always though taking four months off over the winter would wreck a horse, but he bounces back every spring better and better. He is still a bit shaggy, so until I get to body clip him and tame that wicked mohawk, he will remain under wraps. He needs to be presentable for his public, after all.</div><div><br /></div><div>The big ado is that there is a schooling dressage show at the end of April. Which in itself is not a big deal, since we are very realistic about our dressage potential, but this is a special show because it's being hosted by my fox hunt. So a lot of my good friends from the hunt will be there. And as they watch us go around, amid the jeers and jokes, they just might remember that it was Brego that bounced them off the trail or took that wall in such glorious form, so I want him to do well. You know, to show my hunt. Why? Because.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, after the dressage show, we will have a break while we school fences and get ready for the Groton House summer classic and a two-phase derby. I am looking forward to jumping again, but I am most looking forward to cross country. We've gotten so much rain recently, we've been hacking on roads and the fairgrounds and I can't wait to get out and just ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other highlights include our first solo conditioning set of the season and Brego did very well by himself. He's a brave boy.</div><div><br /></div><div>So far, he's been foot perfect barefoot. We've managed to master his over-winter protocol to keep his feet concave and hard. If you recall, this time last year, Brego was foot sore over rocks. Last week, I did my trot and canter sets on a gravel road because it was the driest place to ride. Not a smooth gravel road, a road with rocks. Brego never took an off step. The secret to our success this year was frequent stalling at night to give his feet a chance to dry out and, no foolin', a heat gun. A heat gun, as opposed to a hair drier, is quick and relatively quiet. You can see his feet drying out as you watch and you get a real thorough dry. Drying his feet kept them from "splating" even in very wet conditions. I am a convert to the heat gun, it has really made a difference this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I get the big man presentable, we will be back to posting pictures. I hope everyone has a great weekend!</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-49195838374131406282010-04-01T00:00:00.001-04:002010-04-01T06:55:49.192-04:00Brego On a Bookshelf Near YouThe past year has been crazy. Not only with the farm work, but also super secret plotting, nay, planning for an ultra-special Brego extravaganza. Today, I am pleased to announce that I have signed a deal to publish a book about Brego entitled: <i>Brego Versus World: From Chub To Triumph</i>.<div><br /></div><div>Part inspirational story, part "How To", and part Sci-fi fantasy, <i>Brego Versus World</i> is just pure fun. I've been working very hard on the rewrites, and tightening up the plot, and of course, the endless photo shoots. My editor, without whom none of this would be possible, is just starting to come up for air. And so far the advance reviews for the back cover are looking pretty good.</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>Brego is the horse I've always secretly wanted. Ever since I bought him from Daun for a six-pack of beer, I've been watching his career as an absentee owner. Now that people realize his potential, I look forward to taking him to the next level. Just as soon as I get him back from Daun. -- Max Corcoran, head groom for Team O'Conner.</blockquote><br /></div><br /><div><blockquote><i>Brego Versus World</i> just gets better and better. Every page has a new, delightful twist on this hard-luck guy beating the odds to win [Kentucky] Rolex [Three Day Event]. Who knew a draft horse could be so compelling? Plus, the recipes are healthy and delicious! -- Funder, of Blog-o-sphere Fame</blockquote><br /></div><br /><div><blockquote>Brego has been an inspiration for me, not only in my acting career, but in my life. When I faced down 10,000 orcs at Helms Deep, I asked: "What would Brego do? How would Brego manage to triumph over grave evil?" This book had all the answers I needed to keep living the Brego dream every day of my splendid life. -- Viggo Mortensen, actor</blockquote><br /></div><div>I am so excited to be able to break this news on my blog, since it is my faithful readers over the years which have kept me writing and exploring just how amazing Brego can be. We are currently working out the logistics of the book signing tour and the commemorative t-shirts, but once those details are finalized, I will of course let everyone know.</div><div><br /></div><div>So congrats to Brego! And, of course, to me! And I hope everyone runs out and reserves their advance copy of the greatest book in our modern age (no, it will not be on Kindle, so stop asking).<br /><br /></div><div>Cheers!</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-64072562602814829952010-03-19T08:23:00.003-04:002010-03-19T08:46:40.769-04:00Gradually, then SuddenlySpring appears to have arrived in her typical fashion, gradually then suddenly. The garlic and other bulbs are up and we're getting sunny, 60 F degree days. Not much to complain about, really.<div><br /></div><div>And so a curious thing happened. I rode Brego two days in a row: a rare feat not seen since last November. And somehow in that time, our rides turned from casual hacks to Working With A Purpose. </div><div><br /></div><div>We rode our first conditioning ride of the season yesterday. As I always do, I assume we start with zero. Brego looks, to my eye, better off than he was this time last season. His feet are much better, more concave and harder, and he's not named Tubby McFatNeck. All good things. So even though I start from zero, my zero is still a work out. We did two 8 minute trot sets and one 1 minute canter set. He recovered in under 3 minutes of walking, so I know I hit the sweet spot. Not too much work, but he did break a sweat.</div><div><br /></div><div>The big goal of this season is conditioning. Last year, he was almost perfect (after treating for Lyme) that the only thing I could ding him for was his conditioning, and that is 100% my fault. So this year, I am mixing things up a bit. I am going for longer duration trot sets first. Last year, I increased quantity, not duration of trot sets, maxing out at a measly five minutes. My final conditioning set of last season was three 5 minute trots and three 4 minute canters (at Novice Speed). This year I want to finish at three 15 minute trots and three 5 minute canters. That ought to do 'er.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am also reevaluating feed. Brego has always been on a high fat, low starch diet to minimize the risk of EPSM. However, a friend passed along an article about feed and performance written by a man who trains Thoroughbred race horses. Brego is not a thoroughbred, by any stretch of the imagination, but he doesn't exactly fit the draft profile either. He's not 2500 lbs, he is not massively muscular and his workload doesn't involve slow, continuous work for 8 hours (which is ideal for the slow burning fats). In every respect -- lifestyle, work level, even body size -- he is a warmblood-ish sport horse. He is only Percheron in breeding, in other words, and so this year I am going to experiment with feeding him less like a draft and more like a sport horse. That is not to say I am going to throw some sugary sweet feed at him, but I am going to up his carbs (for fast burn, high intensity work) and see what he does.</div><div><br /></div><div>My most common complaint last season is he "ran out of gas" at the 4 minute mark on course or in hunts or in conditioning sets. And that is very typical of a horse running out of fast burning fuel. He would recover fine and then we could go again, once his body had pulled in some fat. So I want to make sure he has the fast burning fuel he needs. I might even play with glucose loading before a big show, if I feel like he is doing well. I had him tested for EPSM last fall when we were diagnosing the Lyme problem, so I know he is negative. I will give him a year of eating more like a normal sport horse and then I will test him again in the fall and see how his body is handling the change in diet. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am not planning on a lot of shows this year, due mostly to the farm and work monopolizing my time. But I am shooting for riding a minimum of 4 days a week. We have the first show of the season, a schooling dressage show, at the end of April. I intend to ride the Groton House classics and I hope to meet up with Andrea at UNH in October for our big recognized show. I've schooled there and it's a tough course, in my opinion. Then a fall of foxhunting and a winter of skijoring. We actually didn't get enough snow this year for skijoring, I was only able to work with him twice the entire winter. Oh well. There's one truth in New Hampshire and that is winter will come again. </div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-9817712577079273502010-03-01T08:02:00.003-05:002010-03-01T08:06:37.042-05:00Cross-post: Wind Storm 2010I haven't been doing much riding, but I have been doing MUCH living! Some of you may have heard that New England was hit by a fairly big storm last week. At the peak, 1 million people were without power.<div><br /></div><div>The animals rode out the storm just fine, but my nerves were a little frayed by the end of it. Brego was very brave and sane and for that I am always thankful. Things could have been much worse.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wrote up my experience on the <a href="http://fiveacresenough.blogspot.com/">farm blog</a>. If you want to hear about the closest I have ever come to a full out panic, <a href="http://fiveacresenough.blogspot.com/2010/02/wind-storm-2010.html">check it out</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope everyone else is safe, warm, and doing well. I should be back in training by the end of the month, once the snow goes away!</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-73901831246093015082010-02-07T18:39:00.001-05:002010-02-07T18:39:14.591-05:00He Lives!<p style="clear: both">Where has the winter gone? I am quite ashamed to say that I have ridden Brego a total of three times since the new year. But each time, he is relaxed and fun and as smart as ever. The boy remembers everything, and unlike last year, I am not worried that we will be behind once Spring truly arrives. We will do just fine, with maybe some special care taken to conditioning.</p><p style="clear: both"></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2YuBzbwY-0AElXH6n92SNGE3ZT99R3ttpG5IPMZQM016DqL5tJ0eaQoOKmk4D9IzyfN2at9zHdrtniAYcKM6nJbdnxE4-mVz5KqyuykPg3CbM3CvzL7gmDX9O1XMbObtkfRxSgu9TZ0/s800/winter2010-full.jpg" class="image-link"><img class="linked-to-original" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9Pimff5W9m7Twh9mRJztfWWMOTT28wuMN5eECbBzOOHwFhAXeFw4QAUgDNX1uwfGgNbRg8P33yT-SjdIu7QgJo__EX5CxxLH8b9tw3i2e4O28GqhpVYXv4PvBoAdnqZEy1j6NVw17I4/s800/winter2010-thumb.jpg" height="285" width="380" style=" text-align: center; display: block; margin: 0 auto 10px;" /></a><em>A terrible photo, but not a bad ride, considering...</em></p><p style="clear: both">I've been battling a virus myself, so getting back in the saddle today was a good test of my own abilities. We went across the street to the indoor for the first time this season and did some walk/trot/canter. Nothing too crazy. We finished with some nice simple changes. Brego is definitely not as strong as he was at the end of last season, lurching a bit into the canter, carrying himself a little low, but his brain was sharp and his overall fitness was good. No heavy breathing, no sweating, soft jaw, plenty of go. He really is so much better since his Lyme treatment, both mentally and physically.</p><p style="clear: both">Only a couple more months until we begin our training for real. Hopefully, we will get some snow to cover the frozen ground and we can continue our fun rides. He's been doing well with skijoring practice, but no photo evidence exists, unfortunately.</p><p style="clear: both">Until then, we'll just muddle through and every ride this winter will be a gift.</p><br class='final-break' style='clear: both' />Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-83671263276495848062009-12-24T07:53:00.000-05:002009-12-24T07:55:29.724-05:00Holiday Cheer'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the farm<br />Not a creature was stirring, trying to stay warm;<br />The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,<br />In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; <div><br /></div><div>The horses were nestled all snug in their beds,<br />While visions of mango slices danced in their heads;<br />And having finished the chores, I in my cap,<br />Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.</div><div><br /></div><div> When out in the field there arose such a clatter,<br />I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.<br />Away to the window I flew like a flash,<br />Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. </div><div><br /></div><div>The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow<br />Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,<br />When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,<br />But a giant draft horse seeming to float in the air. </div><div><br /></div><div>With his big fat belly and enormous toes,</div><div> I knew in a moment it must be Brego.<br />Released from his stall and dashing in the snow<br />He was running and bucking and looking to show.</div><div><br /></div><div> More rapid than eagles his hooves they came, </div><div>And he snorted, and neighed, and I called him by name; </div><div>"Now, Brego you are too big to call this play! </div><div>You scare me I will be crushed where I lay! </div><div><br /></div><div>When you leap in the air and jump the wall!<br />Now settle down, before you kill us all!"<br />Then Brego stood still with a twinkle in his eye<br />And he answered me back before leaping to the sky.<br /><br />"All our time together, you have wanted to run<br />And jump and play and have so much fun.<br />Now I enjoy going fast as much as you do<br />and jumping so high to the birds we flew.<br /><br />So why now do you get way too scared?<br />It seems like just now, we've finally been paired.<br />So relax just a little and in time you will see<br />I am an equal partner and you can trust me.<br /><br />Just now I was practicing to be light as air<br />So I can win at dressage with little care.<br />And the running is good for building my heart<br />Remember how boring it would be to pull a cart."</div><div><br /> His eyes -- how they twinkled! his big goofy ears how merry!<br />His coat was all dappled, his nose like a cherry!<br />I smiled to myself, remembering the time<br />He saved a jump distance, a mistake that was mine.<br /><br />And then there was the time, he took care of my dad<br />carrying him softly with all the skill that he had.<br />And of course, he saved me when I hurt my back,<br />moving carefully home to keep me in the tack.<br /><br />"You are right, my big man" I said with a shout.<br />"You've taught me so much, you are the best mount<br />For all my adventures, I am sure that is true.<br />And there is no doubt, how much I love you.<br /><br />But get thee to bed, before we miss St. Nick.<br />And in the morning, you will have a special gift.<br />We will play together in the driven snow<br />And package our adventure with a giant red bow."<br /><br />Then with glee, he turned 'round in the snow,<br />And I lingered at the window to watch him go.<br />He had a broad face and a giant round belly,<br />That shook, when he played like a bowlful of jelly. </div><div><br /></div><div>He sprang to his stall, with a neigh loud and clear,<br />I am so lucky to have a horse so dear.<br />But I heard him exclaim, ere he dove out of sight,<br /> "<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.</span></b>"</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-49932182680864398862009-12-18T08:03:00.007-05:002009-12-18T08:49:11.184-05:00See ya, 2009! Don't let the door hit ya on the way out.<div style="text-align: left;">What a year. What a freakin' year. I am going to be so happy to see 2009 in the rear view mirror, and pray, dance, and sacrifice to the rain gods that 2010 is drier and we see the beautiful sun. Remember that 80% cloud cover in June? Remember that record precipitation in June, July, September, October and now December?</div><div><br /></div><div>What a freakin' year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>When we last left our hero, Brego had just had his first, and hopefully only, set of shoes pulled because he wasn't adjusting to them. The leading theory now is that the equipack was too hard and hurt his sole. If I try shoes again in the future, it will not be with a pack.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Regardless, Brego snapped back to normal within a few days and we ended up going clear at the Groton House Fall Classic and placing 4th after a fairly disastrous dressage ride. Bucking in the left canter does not endear yourself with the judge, but he was foot perfect cross country. Despite the heavy rains, he did not slip on course and I felt like our stadium round was the most even and "hunter-like" to date with good distances, nice tempo, calm and easy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We started foxhunting and Brego continued to improve foot wise, to the point that I would take him to almost any of our fixtures and not worry about it being too hard on him. He was sound, sound, sound and very happy to be following the hounds again. Too happy, it seems, because at our opening hunt, he was so explosive in his, er, exuberance that I had to retire early for fear of endangering the field. He bucked me out of the saddle (although I managed to stay on), bolted and almost ran over my field master. He was just out of his mind in a scary way that I've never seen in him before.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>His Lyme titer came back borderline positive (like most horses in New England), but after that display of athleticism, I decided to treat. Unlike Andrea, who is either brave or stupid, I do not <a href="http://eventing-a-gogo.blogspot.com/2009/12/does-this-saddle-come-with-seatbelt.html">laugh when my horse rears</a> (nothing but love, Andrea, but you are crazy!). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>During the month long treatment, I was galloping Brego one Wednesday on an old carriage trail, about a 1/4 mile around, nice and cleared and good footing in all weather. It is a 30 minute walk hack through the woods from my house. I do carry a phone with me for safety, but my SO was away working with the fox hounds that morning. Anyway, we did our two 5-minute trot sets and had just started the first canter set and I suddenly felt very sharp pain in the middle of my back. I fell forward and couldn't breathe for the pain. I managed to utter "whoa" but was otherwise largely unable to gather my reins, steer, or sit up. Brego came back to a halt immediately and stood (fresh out of a gallop). I determined my back was not getting better after a few minutes, so I laid on his neck and asked him to walk home. He walked the 30 minutes home perfectly, picking the right turns in the woods, with zero input from me. He carried me home as gently as you could ask, navigating a stream and some steep hills without a single trot step or jar. When I got home, I lined him up to a stone wall and he stood perfectly while I took 2 minutes to get on the ground, hanging on his side. I put him away and went to the emergency room. Lumbar sprain and muscle spasm. I was riding the same way I have for years. Brego did not trip or slip or pull on me to cause it. I did not hit the back of the saddle or anything else. Who knows? But Brego's maturity and calmness during the whole ordeal showed me that my boy was back. And since the treatment, he's been nothing but a very fun, safe horse.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ykrSlJmAkdy0J7a1CvspdsyamXuI9g7BkO2kykoHGJIOfYNbuk7sC9XrQfQ2BSyHvyB9TQkP_xN4wXS5eFMmOhYvanTdAi9A-nSQldSIN87MB2rfs30YzyyKEyVvHT-HREFO_n7pXGc/s320/4046581129_30f199baae.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416570643980416482" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Not the best picture, but it makes me laugh. I call it "Air Brego" (top rail is 3'3") and I secretly wish that my ass looked that small in the saddle. Maybe in 2010...</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>While I was injured, I asked Andrea to ride Brego in the New England Hunter Trials. She already wrote up her <a href="http://eventing-a-gogo.blogspot.com/2009/11/lady-gogos-bad-romance.html">very polite comments</a>. What she failed to say was that Brego started warmup like a complete cow and she had to literally whip him into shape. She didn't say it, but I know she was thinking that *I* was the crazy one for wanting to event this slow, lazy, fat, pompous fool. But when she finished the ride, after 12 minutes on course, she was all smiles. Watching someone of Andrea's ability ride my horse was the best thing that could have happened to me. She handled his minor challenging outbursts like a pro and from the ground, I could see them for what they were: minor. He *feels* huge when he gets all humped back and high, but he is not really doing much more than breathing so it helped me relax that my death was not impending. She also gave me some very honest tips and appraisal of where Brego was and where he needed to be to compete Novice. Although they did not place well, I am eternally grateful to Andrea for that gift.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>My back healed 100% and the rest of the season involved twice weekly foxhunts, a lot of drinking from my flask, and farm work. Brego completed enough hunts to earn his "Hunt Horse" certificate so now he's the Real Deal. Or something like that. :) Brego's feet continued to improve and now I think I've got the right maintenance routine for them to handle the climate here in New England (did you see me knock on wood there, because I just knocked so hard I think I broke my hand). I intend to compete in eventing barefoot. Next summer will be telling as to whether I can keep him comfortable for foxhunting as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa6lWzPBeJM-1gkxTQNTitwvyRSFaUDmBZ3F94_53rlYROsRVXpEoiqTBHG5PVpdYu704CbE2zKqjdnAygi3t2LWT7CW0oW9OWQmTgYaBkBuP8YBc7N9OtlgkOJbQnYGHuA0nuMBrgiA/s320/HandsomeBoy.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416569837249557362" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Brego in the snow. Not pictured: His manly "Ruby" blanket.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, under the first foot of snow, Brego will have all of December off. My goal is to not let him get as out of condition as last year so I will being skijoring work with him January. I am also going to work on ground driving again, with the ultimate goal of getting him safe in harness again. We have logged the back acreage, and so after a couple of years, he will have better turnout and grass most of the growing season. My money is still tied up in the farm, with the need to buy lime, seed, and fencing for those new pastures ($$$), but I intend to get to some recognized USEA shows next year, and I want to compete in one jumper show as well (for grins).</div><div><br /></div><div>I am not going to formalize any goals, however, because 2009 taught me that sheer will is sometimes not enough when the weather, the farm, and the job pull you in 10 different directions. Brego and I will just work to improve, have fun and make every outing the most it can be. </div><div><br /></div><div>What a freakin' year. At least I learned a lot and Brego and I are none the worse for wear. My horse is a gift and the big lesson of 2009 is learning to appreciate him even though things don't work out the way you planned. Good boy, my Big Man.</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-87753516154350205472009-09-18T07:07:00.005-04:002009-09-18T07:43:17.434-04:00The Search for the Perfect Hoof (Solution)Since I have gotten some excellent leads on good hoof products, I thought I would write up what I already know or have researched. My readers can then extend the search, armed with data.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDFPH78rRF9_2g96JcK8nG3Ep2qXbFzl2LbtYD5YsjrkspO8xCYmACkeo246JFGUKSfwtckLKXgD2ZifQrIc55xAZ_e3pf6491TCS4CnrLIVXaon-R7EmQ7G8BfO8MRmgbKf5T_Xg89c/s1600-h/brego+right+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDFPH78rRF9_2g96JcK8nG3Ep2qXbFzl2LbtYD5YsjrkspO8xCYmACkeo246JFGUKSfwtckLKXgD2ZifQrIc55xAZ_e3pf6491TCS4CnrLIVXaon-R7EmQ7G8BfO8MRmgbKf5T_Xg89c/s320/brego+right+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382769511073268962" border="0" /></a><br />This is Brego's right front foot right after we pulled the steel shoes. You can clearly see the nail holes in addition to his enormous and quite healthy frog. (An old barefoot trimmer I cliniced with once remarked while looking at Brego's foot: What do you call a frog that's bigger than a frog? A toad!) Brego's foot measures 7.5" to 8" across and it is wider than it is long, which is the challenge to fit. Most conventional hoof products (boots, shoes, etc) are longer than they are wide. Right now, Brego would wear a size 8 shoe. That is a tremendously big shoe, and very hard to find in "sport" models.<br /><br />We live close to <a href="http://www.meadersupply.com/">Meader Supply</a>, which is one of the foremost suppliers of Draft and light horse farrier supplies, so we have access to a boggling array of options. Unfortunately, most do not fit. The most common draft shoe is called "<a href="http://www.willlent.com/images/die1welded.gif">Scotch Bottom Shoes</a>" and they are falling out of favor in the driving community and are completely inappropriate for sport. They encourage big hitch action and not the kind of movement I need for eventing or hunting. My current farrier calls them "archaic". The biggest challenge is understanding not only the needs of a big foot, but also the needs of a sport horse, who must have a comfortable breakover, minimal weight swinging on the fetlock, and excellent traction. In short, I need a performance option for a light horse, in a big horse package.<br /><br />As for boots, I have tried all the major names. The following boots do not come big enough, or they have the wrong shape for Brego's feet (longer than wide): Renegades, Easyboot Gloves, Easyboot Epics, Marquis, etc. Brego does fit in a pair of Boa Boots, but they are bulky and he tends to slip. They are for walking only.<br /><br />The following composite shoes do not come big enough: Eponas, Smoothwalkers, Flex Step. I ordered a pair of Hoof-Its and they were too small, but there is a larger size to try, so we may be ok there. If Brego fit in Eponas, I would buy them in a heartbeat. I love the traction options and the mesh insert is perfect to prevent balling in winter.<br /><br />I have also tried Super Fast glue epoxy, glue on pads with Adhere, Sole Guard, and other "pour on" options. One tube (at $30) is enough for one foot for one fast hunting ride, so they quickly get expensive.<br /><br />However, Brego has been sound barefoot for 8 years and now that the incessant rain has stopped, he is sound once again. I rode him at a rocky fixture at a hunt on Wednesday and he was fine. I pulled back to hilltop after the stirrup cup to save his feet, but he finished the ride just fine. After a long, foot-tiring ride, I do pack him with Magic Cushion and put him in his Davis soaking boots, which do thankfully come big enough. So there is a possibility, with correct conditioning and cooperative weather, that Brego can work over most of the terrain in New England.<br /><br />I have written up a <a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2008/01/trimming-xxl-feet.html">post including his original feet</a> when I bought him and described the trimming philosophy before. I also have <a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2008/01/inner-side-of-brego.html">xrays of his front feet </a>to show what's going on inside.<br /><br />That does not mean there is not more to do or to learn. Brego has sported a pretty significant "splat" flare since I bought him at 3. It is one of the things that you can't really get ahead of without doing something drastic, like rasping a lot of his hoof wall straight. And every time I have done something drastic, he is uncomfortable. I think for his long term health, however, we need to get his foot more upright. This will lead to more concavity of his foot and allow him to be even more comfortable over rocky terrain. So, each winter, while he is resting in soft snow, I will work on the flare. This year, it has already gotten significantly better, with continual treatments of "White Lightening" to sanitize the white line to help it grow in tighter, pulling his foot up stronger. The 60 days of rain really set us back, but the hope is to get his foot nice and tight, and not wider than it is long, by the end of next year. That would probably put him in a size 7. Still too large for most products, but I think better overall.<br /><br />The CBC came back completely normal, so we can eliminate EPSM, Anemia, and other horrors from possible causes of distress last month. The Lyme titer should take a week or so to get back.Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-3846781359431651462009-09-14T18:11:00.003-04:002009-09-14T18:23:48.480-04:00Quick UpdateI am not immune to the tremendous outpouring of support. I really appreciate each and every comment. I have a quick update on Brego, since so many people have pinged me privately to ask if he is ok. I am relieved to say that he is doing very well!<br /><br />We pulled the steel shoes and found close nails on both fronts. The farrier came out that evening, was very professional, and helped us to glue the shoes back on to see if it was the weight of the steel or if it was a close nail that was making him look strange. There was some question because normally being quicked causes three-legged lameness and Brego was just not lame. Anyway, he did much better with the glued on steel shoes so we feel like it was the nails that were causing the issue. The farrier was floored at Brego's pain tolerance, but I was not surprised. That horse has tremendous heart.<br /><br />The steel shoes fell off after a single ride, but I got the evidence I needed so I didn't mind the cost and effort of gluing them back on.<br /><br />Since his steel shoes were off, I took the opportunity to order him some composite shoes. It was hard to find some that came in his size, but I found a brand and ordered them and lo' they are too small. So, I've been riding Brego barefoot and over the course of a few days after the shoes were removed, he was back to 100%. To finish up the investigation, I had a chiro out and he passed just fine. She did not find any issues up front. His left his is a bit sticky as always. I am going to up his lateral work to strengthen that left hind.<br /><br />On Wednesday, I am getting a blood panel drawn and a Lyme test just to finally and conclusively say it was his too-tight nailed shoes. I rode him at the hunt barefoot on Saturday over a less rocky fixture and he was foot perfect, keeping up in the gallops, jumping 3' coops and even leading the field twice over fences when the master begged off. Such a star!<br /><br />To help him with the increased load from hunting, I've added electrolytes to his breakfast and I just finished a full body clip. That horse has a lot of surface area!<br /><br />Tomorrow we go cross country schooling, Wednesday it's back to hunting, and there may be a show or two before the end of the year. I am still willing to try properly fitting and nailed steel shoes to help with the rockier fixtures for hunting, I just need to coordinate with my farrier whom I still respect and trust.<br /><br />Whew, now we're all caught up. I am still slow on the blogging, but I wanted people to know that Brego is doing very well and to thank you for your well wishes, thoughts, and prayers. I have learned a ton through this experience, both about Brego and myself. Brego continues to be challenging to fit, but he is willing to work and has so much heart. He amazes me daily.Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-29408404734606340612009-09-02T09:47:00.002-04:002009-09-02T10:04:28.053-04:00Once AgainOk, once again I am in the position to defend my actions and decisions regarding Brego's discomfort. I urge everyone who reads this blog and thinks they know the whole story to reconsider.<br /><br />Jennifer and others, please do not think my decision to take my matters private have much, if anything, to do with you. It's totally acceptable to challenge, it's not acceptable to make assumptions. I get emails every day from people who say more damning things than asking if my horse is rearing because he is uncomfortable. For whatever reason, people think some pretty horrific things about my character because I have the audacity to ride my draft horse as a sport horse. And I get to hear about it. All the time. So much is said outside of the realm of this blog, and that's the price you pay for having a public presence. Which is something I mean to correct. Out of respect to my readers, I wrote the last post letting them know I was working on some issues and that I would be out of contact. I did not just fade away and let people wonder if Brego is ok. I decided to be honest.<br /><br />Secondly, Brego is not chronically sore. He is not suffering sitting in my pasture. He is not moving as well as I know he can. Which is not OK, but there's a big difference between where he is and *suffering*. And please do not assume I have given up. The implication that I am not pursuing treatment due to not wanting to spend money is beyond ridiculous. I have spent more on this horse than some people make as an annual income, getting custom tack, custom treatments, all to make him happy in his work. I have an appointment with a chiro, xrays are planned, I am working with my farrier whom I trust. I have looked into draft farriers and been worried about the "big hitch" shoes. Walking and trotting in a straight line, Brego is totally fine. How many farriers in the US can claim they shoe drafts for sport?? Do you really think that someone who shoes the big hitches in scotch bottom shoes understands the breakover at a gallop, the twisting of tight turns on the hunt, or the impact of jumping? Do any of my readers live in the area, have interviewed draft farriers and know what kind of expertise is available to me? <br /><br />I obsess over ever detail of my horse and his way of going. His current situation is so subtle that most people would not see it, which does not make it right, but I think should lessen the hysteria that I am doing nothing but letting him rot in a field.<br /><br />I am being very active to make Brego feel 100%. I am just not doing it publicly anymore, because no matter what I say or write, I cannot win. And again, this is not directed at the people that have the courage to sign their names to their comments, but those who attack for no other purpose than to erode my confidence in my ability to care for my horse. I find it quite remarkable that when we are doing well and winning, I hear nothing but positives about my care and ability to maintain my horse. But when he gets foot sore due to a ridiculous year which is affecting thousands of horses in the area (read COTH or Equisite sometime), then all of a sudden I am too cheap, stubborn, ignorant, vet-hating, quitter, etc, to care for my horse.<br /><br />A little benefit of the doubt goes a long way.Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-42191476698622067382009-09-02T07:54:00.004-04:002009-09-02T08:03:17.646-04:00No ProgressAfter almost three weeks, Brego has not adjusted to the shoes. He is not lame per se, but not comfortable striding forward and is reluctant to hold the canter. I have been away for work most of the time, so I am relying on my SO to ride, longe and report back.<br /><br />We've decided to pull the shoes asap and reevaluate. Although Brego was perfectly sound on turf barefoot and would have been fine at most eventing venues, he was not sound over rocks which means hunting was uncomfortable for him. I am now concerned that because of the aggressive trim to fit his hoof to a shoe, he may not be comfortable even for eventing until his foot can grow out. I can keep him comfortable around the farm in boots if need be, but there's a high likelihood that hunting, and eventing, are done for the year.<br /><br />There are a couple of options I may investigate, such as nail-on hard plastic shoes, in case it is the hard concussion of the steel that is bothering Brego. I am also looking into a hoof casting material that will work as well as the epoxy but have more longevity.<br /><br />Regardless, this is a devastating time for me, to have come along the entire year and not been able to keep him comfortable barefoot. And now, even shoes are a problem and I am frankly nearly out of options. If he cannot stay sound barefoot in the North East for whatever reason, I have some very hard choices ahead.<br /><br />As a result, I have decided to stop blogging for the near term. The hard choices I face are very personal and I am loathe air them publicly. No matter how much I try, people always misunderstand and I don't need projected guilt added to my own.<br /><br />Thanks so much or your warm wishes and for being great readers. I hope to return in the spring, a new, drier year, with much better news.Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-11060900065111731632009-08-23T12:38:00.001-04:002009-08-23T12:38:43.392-04:00Progress<p style="clear: both">Today I rode Brego in the arena before making any changes to his feet. I wanted to see if I could feel what I felt <a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-hunt-of-season.html" target="_blank">yesterday on the hunt</a> in a controlled environment. I was really dismayed when we fired up the trot and it was there: the rocking, the stiffness, the unwillingness to go forward.</p><p style="clear: both">I took Brego back to the barn and rasped the breakover on the shoe more to the outside. I didn't do a complete job (hard work on a hot, humid day), but I did enough so that if there was a breakover issue, I would be able to tell.</p><p style="clear: both">I headed back to the arena and asked for a trot. He was much improved! What a relief!! His right fore seemed to be back to normal but now his left was wonky. He also was able to soften down and didn't feel like he was jackhammering his legs. Whew.</p><p style="clear: both">So now Brego will get a couple days off and his breakover will be improved in my absence by my incredibly dedicated SO. It's back to work out of state for the week. When I return next weekend, we have another big hunt day. I am sincerely hoping that his shoe issues will be resolved, that I am not torquing his legs with every stride, and I can enjoy the rest of the hunt season without incident!</p><p style="clear: both">Tally ho!<br /><br /></p><br class='final-break' style='clear: both' />Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-89626008456997551852009-08-22T14:54:00.002-04:002009-08-22T14:57:36.092-04:00First Hunt of the Season<p style="clear: both;">Today was my first hunt of the season. The cubbing season officially started on Wednesday, but I was out of town for my new job. As a result, I had not ridden Brego all week. In addition, Brego was shod on Tuesday and the farrier put Equipak on his soles. I was a little nervous to see how he would be in the shoes, without work, and seeing the hounds for the first time this year.</p><p style="clear: both;">I was right to be nervous. The first 20 minutes of the hunt were filled with squabbles and fights about how he should listen to me and not just run up through the pack. I was keeping a tight hold on his face and he finally reacted by rearing straight up. Not a levade, a full fledged rear. Since we were on the side of a hill and in the midst of the pack, I stayed centered and let him come down. He never felt out of balance or I might have taken more drastic action. As it was, I had three long seconds to think about how completely surreal the whole experience was.</p><p style="clear: both;">He had one more outburst and then we hit our first open gallop. After he blew off some steam, he settled down and I stopped holding onto his face and he stopped retaliating. The rest of the ride, he did very well, but it was very hot and humid and he tired quickly. The rest of the horses tired as fast so we all retired early. He jumped well and honestly and aside from his mental resistance at the beginning, he was otherwise a good sport. He is a very dominant horse, and I was wondering if a week of not seeing me would go to his brain. I don't tolerate rearing, so I am hoping that this is an isolated incident.</p><p style="clear: both;">As for the shoes, I have mixed feelings. He felt off, not right, not striding forward at all. Of course, riding at top speed in a hunt over crazy terrain is not the best way of assessing way of going. I am going to ride him tomorrow in a more controlled environment and see what I can feel. He felt like he was rocking from side to side at the trot, and over exaggerating his action, like he was trying to move with flippers on. The farrier put the breakover on the shoes in the middle and he likes it on the outside, so I am going to see if I can rasp/wear in a breakover for him where he is more comfortable. I was also riding him in bell boots for the first time in his life and he might have been objecting to those floppy things as well. I will ride without tomorrow and see if he is improved.</p><p style="clear: both;">We did cross one rocky stream and he was fine, so the shoes are doing their intended purpose. But I am not thrilled with how he feels in them. Maybe he is getting used to him. Before the hunt, I rode him on a polo field (i.e., very soft ground) and he felt like he was trotting on concrete, very harsh, no suspension. That worries me, but it's too early to really say. I should know more after my ride tomorrow.</p>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-11928990050290410342009-08-15T16:28:00.001-04:002009-08-15T16:28:44.551-04:00The Turning Point at the Pace<p style="clear: both">On Friday, Brego and I had a jumping lesson in the neighbor's jump field. He was a bit naughty, running and bucking, but he has an excuse. For the last week, we've been stumping and grading his pasture, so he's been in a tiny pen. One thing I have learned over the years is that Brego needs his turnout to play and the way he plays is by kicking up his heels and running. If he doesn't get his turnout, he plays under saddle, which is a lot less fun for Daun.</p><p style="clear: both">Anyway, he jumped very well, very strong, even overjumping the smaller fences. He was perky to the fences, forward, ears forward and then would blast off the ground. I've said it before, but I really think he <em>enjoys</em> jumping. I got some good instruction on my leg and my balance and riding from a safer position, but mainly the lesson was to get him out and jumping before....</p><p style="clear: both">Today we went to our second hunter pace. The course was over 10 miles long and very rocky, as in mind-blowing rocks everywhere. I put the epoxy shoes on Brego plus some sole guard to cover his soles from all the rocks. When your foot is 8" wide, there's still plenty of exposed sole to get poked by a protruding rock, even with protective "shoes" around the perimeter. The whole epoxy and sole guard application took about three hours to apply and cost $90 in materials (I did the labor myself). Ouch.</p><p style="clear: both">Brego started strong, but halfway through, he lost the sole guard from his right foot. Then he lost half of the epoxy border from his left hoof. And then it all went downhill from there. We were five miles from home, in the deep woods, and we were suddenly barefoot in the worst terrain we have ever ridden at speed over. Brego was a soldier and we got home safely and he even jumped gamely two hours into the ride, but I could tell he was foot sore and I was really upset. We finished with the slowest time and dropped our team to dead last. That is unfortunate, but the worst part is how bad I felt asking Brego to work. He was never three-legged lame or gimpy, but I can feel him and he was uncomfortable. </p><p style="clear: both">Riding a foot sore horse is NO fun, and it's unfair to ask him to work under those conditions. So I have resolved to put steel shoes plus a sole pack on him for the hunting season. I have a good farrier, whom I trust, that works with Hobby and she's never looked or moved better. Three months of not worrying about Brego's feet during the hardest work of the year is worth the money to me (and shoeing a draft is twice as much money as my Thoroughbred).</p><p style="clear: both">The plan is to get him shod this week and see how he likes shoes. This will be the first time he has worn them his entire life. Then we will pull them for the winter and reevaluate in the spring. Maybe it was the record rainfall and less than ideal pasturing situation. Maybe he really can't stay barefoot in the North East. Maybe he can't stay barefoot with the increased workload. I don't know, but I do know that he is too good a horse to keep gambling with solutions that can come off at any time. Boots don't fit him and I have tried the synthetic epoxy route, so now it's time for shoes. It's not a decision I make lightly, but I think it's a good one for what he needs to be comfortable as he works.</p><p style="clear: both">On Monday, I start my new job. I will be out of state for four weeks for training before I start working out of my house. I will be back on the weekends to hunt and tend to the farm, but I will miss riding during the week. And I will miss Brego. </p><br class='final-break' style='clear: both' />Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-70944727708348113602009-08-11T08:15:00.003-04:002009-08-11T08:21:08.370-04:00Dressage Show Videos - Arabian ShowI have finally uploaded the videos from last weekend's dressage show. I appreciate your patience as it takes over 2 hours per video to get it downloaded from the camera, edited, rendered, uploaded to Vimeo, etc.<div><br /></div><div>In rewatching the videos, it appears that by the second test (four warmups and an hour of waiting), Brego is moving forward per say, but he's really strung out and needs to be better balanced. He's a good boy, trying hard for me, but I was wrong to ask him so much, when instead I should have focused on the quality of the work instead of go, go, go. It's a good lesson to learn, and if I had stopped chasing him so much, my position would have improved and I would have been able to ask for more balance.</div><div><br /></div><div>The judge astutely commented as such in the general remarks: "Lots of activity but needs more half halts for balance." I interpret her notion of half halts as "balancing" instead of "go and whoa".</div><div><br /></div><div>Regardless, enjoy the videos, and good boy Brego for giving such an amazing test considering the circumstances! There's almost a stretchy trot in there in test 3! Woot!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6042479&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6042479&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/6042479">Dressage Show Training Level 2 Test</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user549534">Eventing Percheron</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /></div><br /><div><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6048673&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6048673&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/6048673">Dressage Show Training Level Test 3</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user549534">Eventing Percheron</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /></div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-57291741742216932092009-08-09T20:23:00.000-04:002009-08-09T20:24:15.490-04:00Brego and the Arabs<p style="clear: both">The Arabian show at the fairgrounds was a big success. The dressage classes were small and had a variety of competitors, from Friesians to Thoroughbreds to Arabians. There were a lot of last minute cancellations and most of the volunteers were running the Arabian Breed classes at the same time, so we ended up without a ring steward for dressage. And that's where things started to fall apart.</p><p style="clear: both">After the third rider, the ride times were abandoned since there were so many time gaps. So people scrambled to go early, but there was no well defined order of go. And without a rind steward, people were forced to ask the judge when they might go, and since she was overwhelmed with, oh, judging, things sometimes got out of hand. Couple the timing chaos with a horse that flipped out and needed to be aced, but no one was sure if it was legal (albeit not advisable), so there was an ensuing argument with the judge. Sigh.</p><p style="clear: both">The good news is that Brego won his Training Level 2 test with a 67.1%. We scored three 9s for trot work, a definite first! Brego was forward and relaxed, but I felt like we were not well put together, like we ran the pattern, but didn't show a good presentation. Then for Training Level 3, I ended up warming up four (FOUR!) times before we actually got to go. By that time, we were both hot, thirsty, and sick of dressage. I was on Brego's back for 1.5 hours!</p><p style="clear: both">Brego put on a brave face and was definitely forward through the test, but I was really frazzled. The Training Level 3 test is always bizarre, but I managed to make it not flow at all. Brego broke in the left lead canter, most definitely my fault and then I blew the halt at G. We were riding the training tests in a long arena and I halted at I. Yea, I. As in, I didn't know that letter existed, as much as I live in training level and the short arena. Oh well, it was only 2 points for an error, coupled with our 4 in the left canter. We ended up with 61.7% which is a completely decent score, regardless, and placed 2nd.</p><p style="clear: both">I will get the videos up soon. It was not my nicest riding, but I can't fault the big boy for not going forward. He was a very good sport to put up with the confusion and the constant warm up, now sit for 10 minutes, warm up, now sit. He was very tired by the end and we still had to hack home, a 30 minute walk from the fairgrounds. </p><p style="clear: both">Brego will get lots of rest and I am going to bump his feed back up. He's in pretty consistent work now and can use the extra calories. </p><br class='final-break' style='clear: both' />Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-18871950601908670832009-08-07T18:53:00.001-04:002009-08-07T18:53:50.587-04:00Flying<p style="clear: both">I just had to share. Green horses don't stay green forever. Even acknowledging that fact, progress often catches me by surprise.</p><p style="clear: both">I went down to the fairgrounds to do a short gallop to loosen up the big boy and get him into a "forward" mindset before tomorrow's show. I went by myself *gasp* so I was a bit nervous. Brego was looky for his mare-friend, but otherwise perfectly behaved.</p><p style="clear: both">We got to the big open field and I did some trotting in circles to check the brakes, steering, and balance of my ride. All checked out, suspension felt good, so I asked for the canter and headed out over the 20 acre front field. Brego settled into a nice open canter and I found myself relaxing.</p><p style="clear: both">No leg, no pulling, perfect self balance, he kept the same tempo in this steady, glorious canter. There was no squeak from my saddle, no huffing and puffing from either myself or the horse. I am finally strong enough to keep myself up in two point without touching the saddle, letting my legs, hips and back absorb his huge stride. There was silence. No, not quite. I could hear each individual footfall. ba-da-dum ba-da-dum ba-da-dum.</p><p style="clear: both">Normally, Brego requires riding in the canter. He requires leg to keep going, or hands to slow him down, seat or chest to balance. It's a lot of work. But today, he required nothing from me but to enjoy the flight.</p><p style="clear: both">It was. Flying.</p><br class='final-break' style='clear: both' />Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-79949441709067053902009-08-07T14:36:00.003-04:002009-08-07T14:45:37.293-04:00Repost: The Brego IdentityI ran across a thread in an online forum which pondered whether Brego was in fact a full Percheron or if he was a Thoroughbred cross. The implication is, of course, that his talent is the result of the light horse cross and I was glossing over that fact to promote him (and myself, I dare say). I got a good chuckle from the debate. Anyone who has seen Brego in person has no doubt of his lineage.<div><br /></div><div>In the interest of full disclosure, here is a repost of my original discussion Brego's breed:</div><div><a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2008/04/brego-identity.html">The Brego Identity</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of note, is the fact that when that was written, Brego was some <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2355925658_b04ed4561c_o.jpg">kind of crazy orange/brown</a> from the sun in Texas. Since moving to New England, he looks like any other black horse, which is consistent with the Percheron breed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a post where I show <a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2009/05/extraordinary-hunter-pace.html">pictures of his feathered feet and hooves</a>. And here's <a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2007/08/ugly-is-as-ugly-does.html">a conformation shot</a>, showing his plow horse-like short canon bones. If anyone has any light to shed on the Big Boy's history or background, I would love to do more research!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks!</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-58448158277162166002009-08-07T14:22:00.003-04:002009-08-07T14:36:24.696-04:00Dressage Lesson 11: Bring on the PainWe've been blessed with sunny, warm weather all week. I think it's been almost 7 days since it last rained. Unheard of!<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, I took advantage of the dryness and took another dressage lesson. It was warm and the humidity was low, but Brego was not engaged. It felt like we've had a major regression where he was heavy in front and he felt like he was about ten feet behind my leg. I wormed him on Wednesday morning and I wonder if he was feeling a little under the weather.</div><div><br /></div><div>So instead of working on the tests for tomorrow's dressage show, we just worked on getting him thinking forward. It ended up being a marathon dressage lesson, just over an hour, and we only took one walk break. The rest of the time was trotting, transitions, canters, halts, turns on the haunches, shoulder ins. I was amazed that instead of getting tired, Brego got softer and more forward. I was exhausted, however!</div><div><br /></div><div>We ended with some really nice canter work and then I had to call it a day. My trainer was very impressed that Brego even knew some of these moves, even though we did not execute them to perfection. I told her that I have schooled turn on the haunches from the beginning because it disengages his locked shoulders and gets his weight back. The exact exercise was performed trotting a 20m circle. At twelve and six o clock on the circle we reversed direction by transitioning to a walk and performing a walking turn on the haunches and then trot off immediately. Brego did exceedly well at this exercise, with nice crossing over in the front on the turns. I thought it would be too much to ask on that sized circle, but he did very well and it got him stepping up under himself nicely. We also did lengthenings on the long side of the arena and collecting to a volte in each corner. All the transitions worked their magic and we ended up with nice work.</div><div><br /></div><div>My homework today is to take him for a short gallop to get him thinking forward and then the show is tomorrow. I will not be riding the tests in advance, unfortunately. I will watch videos and try to visualize our ride instead. The ultimate goal is forward so I don't want to drill the tests. I will be tweeting our progress through the show.</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-54026890815808992632009-08-04T19:12:00.002-04:002009-08-04T19:13:21.220-04:00Big News #3 (Con't): USEA Article<p style="clear: both;">Great news! In addition to <a href="http://eventing-draft.blogspot.com/2009/08/big-news-3-brego-in-eventing-usa-useas.html" target="_blank">USEA publishing an article about Brego</a>, the author has graciously sent it along and given me permission to post it on this blog!</p><p style="clear: both;">So without further ado:</p><p style="clear: both;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4aW8bPehacJNTNiZDc1MmUtNzE3YS00NjI3LWFmYTctYjI4NTJhZmJhMGRk&hl=en" title="Fame!" target="_blank">USEA Eventing Percheron Profile</a></p><p style="clear: both;">If you enjoy the article, please <a href="http://www.useventing.com/aboutus.php?&id=11" target="_blank">contact the USEA</a> and tell them they are doing a great job!</p>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-44578411132505629332009-08-04T10:08:00.004-04:002009-08-04T10:18:24.515-04:00Big News #3: Brego in Eventing USA, USEA's MagazineA dear reader found the article before I had a chance to post this, but the Big News #3 is now out in the wild.<div><br /></div><div>Brego is profiled in the United States Eventing Association's full-color, glossy magazine: Eventing USA. Those who are members of USEA will receive the July/August issue as part of your membership!</div><div><br /></div><div>Three cheers for the USEA for their heartfelt work to promote the lower levels of our sport as well as putting together a beautiful article on the Big Boy. It was a distinct pleasure to work with them through the process. If you enjoy the article, please make sure you thank them for all their hard work!</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7214545533281802.post-25532985900378854082009-08-04T08:22:00.003-04:002009-08-04T08:50:21.020-04:00Prepping for Dressage ShowThis Saturday, Brego and I will be competing in the Open day of the Arabian Horseshow across the street at the fairgrounds. I can't tell if I am excited because we haven't shown in awhile, or because we will likely be facing off against Arabians (the very mental image makes me squeeeee with delight!). Lest someone read too much into that comment, please realize my beloved childhood horse, Ben, was a purebred Arabian. Regardless, I am excited.<div><br /></div><div>Coupled with a week of sun (unheard of!), our rides have become downright joyous. We've been practicing on the turf of the fairground's parking lot (the best drained field in all the land). Sunday morning we had a nice dressage ride, working on the left canter transition. Yesterday, we just hacked, trotting and cantering around the 50 acre field. Brego was feeling good and strong, and I wanted to let him stretch out between our dressage sessions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Someone asked in the comments what I did to keep Brego interested and willing in work. I've thought long and hard on this topic, and I think there's a couple of things at play. First, I am lucky enough to have a bright, intelligent, playful horse with no previous abuse history (that I can ascertain, anyway). Brego, himself, is always up to something. While my old TB mare can stand around flatly in a pasture and just enjoy the sun, Brego is always getting into something, exploring or destroying, depending on his whim.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I take that observation with me under saddle. I try not to do repetitive tasks, but take a little bit of progress and then move on. I keep my rides relatively short, aside from necessarily involved conditioning rides. If he's good and on the aids, we're done in 15 to 20 minutes. Usually, our rides are 45 minutes, but we walk often so I can scope out my SO riding. He gets rewarded for short, dedicated periods of focus. Also, as a ostensible eventer, we also switch up what we work on. Some days we hack and go fast, some days we jump, some days we work on dressage, some days we play, some days we longe, some days we swim, some days we skijore(??). I think this variety keeps things fresh. Personally, as a rider, I like the variety for myself. After a week of nothing but dressage, I start to pick apart Brego and myself, looking too much for that perfect transition or that perfect cadance or what the hell is wrong with my hands?? I need to clear my head. Finally, due to our current farm, I have to hack out to every arena or riding area. Even the neighbor next door requires a short hack through the woods to get there, so there's always a period of down time, on the buckle riding, warming up and cooling off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Riding is the hardest thing I have ever tried to master, and I will never master it. However, as an adult amateur, riding must, first and foremost, be fun. Brego is a very fun horse to ride, if I give him an opportunity to be himself and enjoy his work with me.</div>Daunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13051134715306832694noreply@blogger.com