Riding Instructor 's Diary

Photo Movie from various Training Days up to November 2009

2009-11-23T13:46:00.003Z

To book one for yourself or to just check out what is it all about go to:
http://trainingdays-equestrian.blogspot.com/

Odd kind of Day

2009-11-22T22:53:00.002Z

You know those days when you think how much you know about how little you really know? That's my day today...
Thankfully, a fabulous trainer I was contacted by last month seems to want to let me learn from her so I can't wait to grab that chance.
Sometimes it feels like life is too short for what I have planned to do with it.

Someone has too much energy...

2009-11-21T22:55:00.008Z

...and it's certainly not myself. Little Kingsley has so much vigour after being allowed back into the field that I dare to hope he is feeling slightly better. However, if he doesn't stop running around he will probably make it all worse!
Today was his second day out and he spent a lot of the time playing with his field buddy which he hasn't done much of before.
Yesterday, he was way too full of himself and ended up pulling front shoe off. After 20 minutes of walking around the field I found the shoe sitting nicely in mud. Good, one fee less to pay on the list of never ending expenses' list.

The weather was relentless today - rain followed by heavy rain. I feel like responding to one of those adverts looking for riding instructors in Dubai ;)
My today's Training Day rider braved through and had a great day despite being drenched most of the time!

Kingsley happy to be out after 3 days on box rest following injections:

Training Day in The Rain:

Kingsley in his new box being a model for Kiran's stable management session: 'Getting a horse ready for turn out' :)

National Coaching Conference 2009 Summarised

2009-11-19T23:47:00.010Z

The Programme included:

Sports Psychology with Sandie Chambers

Nutrition with Stuart Chambers

Rider Fitness with Jon Pitts

Tim Stockdale's speech

Equestrian Edge with Dr David Marlin

Motion & Performance Centre

The Conference might have just been a perfect day for BHSAI instructors/coaches preparing for their Intermediate Teaching exam and/or anybody training others for those exams. In terms of development or improvement of my own knowledge I wouldn't say there was much I haven't known already. Having said that, there were little things here and there that I either never heard about or forgot about. Additionally, it was a great day in terms of consolidating the knowledge and re-focusing on the bigger picture. It was good and I enjoyed it. I might be wrong but I think it would be great if all the material was presented with plenty of practical examples of using it in every day life or training riders. There have been moments when the info seemed a little too dry and classroom like.

Let's start from possibly the best session in my book: the Jon Pitt's Rider's Fitness in Coach's Perspective. It was perhaps the only lecture that thoroughly engaged the audience in terms of being both educational and interactive as well as fun.
A few scribbles I made during that session:

Equestrian Specific elements of focus for coaches:

balance
core stability
brain: concentration, focus, confidence, memory
co-ordination
brave
reactions
cardio-vascular (CV)
weight
strength
suppleness

Jon Pitts underlines the latter - suppleness - as one of the most important. He also mentioned that suppleness is often misinterpreted as flexibility. Suppleness, he said, has nothing to do with flexibility. Flexibility is for example, an ability to touch the floor with your fingers without bending your legs. The suppleness is the ability to absorb the impact of movement without tension.

Coaching Points:

Quality of Repetition
Simple Steps
How many instructions (human brain is consciously capable of absorbing only 5-9 bits of information at any given moment)

Jon also made us do a very simple exercise to prove how much our brain and body get used to certain movement patterns.
Fold your arms in front of you. Are you feeling comfortable? Which hand is showing? Now, fold your arms so your other hand is on top...feels awkward? Apparently it takes ten thousands of repetitions for the pattern to become comfortable and a second nature. If you always ride with your left hip collapsed a little and right stirrup longer half a hole, centering your position will feel uncomfortable and odd to start with. So persevere.

Jon Pitts: www.jonpitts.co.uk

Tim Stockdale gave a vary amusing and inspiring talk about how he isn't sure whether he really should be joining the BHS ;) He underlined the importance of quality coaching and correct tuition from the lowest of levels and encouraged everybody to keep coming up with initiatives to make the training more productive.
Tim certainly has a talent to captivate his audience with variety of stories, the enthusiasm and very apparent passion for what he does.
His speech focused on:

riding schools, the facilities vs quality of teaching and how it's not always going hand in hand
ways of teaching; he condemned constant bellowing often observed in riding school's arenas
he encouraged to understand the pupils' needs and tailor each instruction making it specific to particular rider
goal setting/progress cards/initiatives to make training effective
college vs qualifications vs experience - Tim wondered why are the colleges and the BHS aren't doing enough to make equine courses/degrees more practical and industry relevant. He compared what is happening in equine education sector to Law graduate becoming hairdressers. More equine students should be prepared/ready/happy to join the industry they trained to work for.

The subject that always grabs my attention is Sports Psychology. Unfortunately, the speaker who discussed this subject was simply reading from her notes that discussed very basic information which most PTT (BHS Preliminary Teaching Test - the first exam on coaching ladder) students should know already and she was so monotonous I virtually fell asleep! Sorry!
I'm afraid that from what people were saying during the first break I wasn't the only one who felt like a nap during that lecture. To be fair though it was the first session of the day and I was mega sleepy having gotten up at 4.30am AND there were stars displayed on black curtains behind the screen ;)

Stuart Chambers' Nutrition lecture with his off the notes presentation was way more interesting. I haven't really made any notes here though as most of the subjects were either common knowledge or I have covered them while at Hartpury on Rider's Performance module.

One thing I did note is how to estimate your REE (Resting Energy Expenditure) to then be able to estimate how much calories do you need to maintain basic functions of your body.

Women:
(10xW) + (6.25 xh) - (5xa) + 5
Men:
(10xW) + (6.25 xh) - (5xa) - 161

w-weight
h-heigth
a-age

In layman terms, knowing your REE helps to plan your diet in a way that protects your muscles from being eaten by your own body ;) Muscle tissue is the first one to be used for energy. If you don't provide your body with enough good quality nutrients it will start using lean muscles' tissue to produce more fat.

Another subject that is my personal favourite was:

Dr David Marlin discussed Digital Video Analysis and its usage in equestrian coaching. There are some fascinating software available that allows coaches to see details seriously superior to what you can see yourself in real life with bare eyes.
It is most likely the fact I am very visual learner myself that I have always rated video feedback. However, it is proved that:

Hearing = slow processing of information
Visual = rapid processing

Improvement depends on better retention of information. This can be achieved by:

repetition
reinforcement
physical involvement

The last lecture of the day was Motion & Performance Centre's (MPC) presentation which we didn't stay on as we had to hit the road and go back. I am going to a series of bio-mechanics lectures though starting this Monday so hope I will brush up on whatever I might have missed.

What I think is the best about Conferences like this is the inspirational factor of them. The brainstorming and ideas generating effect it often has on people. I certainly came back with a few more :)

British Horse Society (BHS) Coaching Convention

2009-11-18T23:24:00.004Z

Just a quick one today to say it was a very enjoyable day - proper update either tomorrow or on Friday. I got up at 4.30am today and it's been a busy busy day!
On the amazing note - I came back home to find Ricky bought me a new, shiny, fantastically fast and reliable laptop so I am Over The Moon :) :) :)
Speak soon! X

The spine X-rays later and...

2009-11-16T23:49:00.000Z

Every time I get Kingsley out of his stable I hope for some miracle to happen. I hope to see him moving with no sign of discomfort, loose and supple like any healthy, sound, happy 5 year old horse would. But of course, it's not as easy as that.

After a lot of lost time with previous vets we went for a completely different Veterinary practice and Kingsley is now in hands of a back/spine focused vet.

Richard thinks Kingsley shows very classic signs of Sacroiliac (SI) disease/strain but because of high level of pain in the poll area as well as neck muscles and rather distinct way he carries himself over the back (extremely one-sided) he needed to rule out Kissing Spine disease first.

X-RAYS RESULTS

The Poll

These showed a tiny bone chip just behind the poll, in between the ears. On the image it looked like one of those little cork board's pins pinned onto the bone. Apparently some horses' polls do look like that though and it could be a normal thing to have. However, it could also be a result of rearing and hitting the head and any similar trauma injury. Considering how sore Kingsley is on palpation and the only a very slight abnormality of the x-ray, the vet concluded it is probably mostly a soft tissue problem after an old injury.

We will be treating this with physiotherapy sessions under sedation in about 4 weeks time.

The Back

All his thoracic and lumbar vertebrae look great. There are wide spaces in between them and all looked nice and healthy from radiographic point of view. The sacral area cannot be X-rayed with a portable machine as it's not powerful enough. The amount of muscle tissue in the loins and hindquarters doesn't allow the rays to penetrate deep enough.

However, Kingsley is mildly back sore and extremely one-sided and if allowed to stand in preferred position he will always move one or the other hind leg underneath his barrel and if you look at his spine from above he holds himself in a bit of an 'S' letter with a lot of body mass bulging to the right.

A bit like in the below photo but the other way round:

This we will also treat with physio in several weeks time.

The Sacro-iliac/pelvis

To be able to X-ray this area we would have to transfer Kingsley to Vet clinic. The soreness of the area is not a secret (he almost goes down as you prod around the pelvis). He also displays following clinical signs: unlevel pelvis (ever so slightly but still - apparently can be normal but not if pain is present), intermittent hind leg lameness, the stance with one hind leg always propped forwards, avoiding square stance, strong reaction to palpation, unbalanced movement, rushing in all gaits or refusing to move properly forwards, dropping into four beat canter, back soreness, and the list goes on.

The diagnosis

The current diagnosis is: sacroiliac disease/strain, poll and neck soreness due to an old injury and way of going caused by sacroiliac (i.e. front leg unlevelness shows up as a result of a horse compensating for the pain in the back and pelvis).

The sacroiliac problems could have been a result of competition/ridden/field injury in the past, been unnoticed when horse was in rest and resurfaced when horse was brought back into work.

I was also told by someone who exercised Kingsley in between the day of the vetting in Aug to the day we picked him up in Spt that he was always ridden in draw reins and lunged in pessoa. Now, I am not going to get started on both of these but as I have spent a while reading up all I could find on sacroiliac injuries it seems that they do become aggravated by pessoa lunging gadget. If he was sore in the back and pelvis but had his neck snapped down by draw reins could he have developed muscle soreness in the neck in an effort to alleviate the back pain?

The Treatment

Either way, Richard the Vet suggested cortisone injections which are basically steroids injected into sacroiliac area in between tendons, soft tissue and joint. Their role is to kill the inflammation and pain and help the healing process. It seems that even if he was taken to the clinic for bone scan to fully confirm the severity of the problem, the first thing that is being done now in cases like his is to inject anyway.

Injections are basically both the treatment and diagnostic tool in one. If the horse improves, it definitely has sacroiliac strain/disease/problem whatever you want to call it. If it doesn't then the bone scan is the only way to take diagnosis further.

So we went with injections.

However, they are steroids...and some horses might develop laminitis due to injections. That and various allergic reactions too.

The Rehab

So we are now on (providing he doesn't get worse):

3 days of box rest post injections followed by

2 weeks of limited turn out daily followed by

1 week of slowly bringing back to work on the lunge followed by

Richard coming back to assess the level of improvement before walking under the saddle starts.

Providing all goes well with that he should be ready to have more rehab done on his muscles and will have physio work done under sedation on his neck, poll and back.

So I stayed with little man until he was fully awake from sedation, munching on his hay. He's got a dressing on where the mahosive needles went in and it's to stay on for 48h. There is a slight possibility of infection as always with any under skin invasive procedures so I asked friends to keep an eye on him as I am not there tomorrow.

For the smiles

2009-11-15T22:18:00.000Z

I had to pull a couple of horses out of lessons today which didn't seem very well welcomed by the school's owner. Considering there is only a few horses to play with, the team on the yard had rather difficult task to keep everything ticking somewhat. On top of that, the weather is wrecking the arenas and we couldn't do much at all.

It's hard to find an economically viable solution to so many problems that need resolving...for now, I am in it for those smiles:

A-Z of Last Two Days

2009-11-14T23:38:00.000Z

Working outside is current weather is rather interesting. It seems that glorious, sunny and warm October was sent down to make up for what is happening now.

A is for Absorption exhibited by my clothing. Generous of it but seriously unnecessary.

B is for Books read in a hot bath while recuperating after A.

C is for clients. Super Training Day today with a pleasure-to-teach rider not bothered by W, R and H.

D is for Dash the puppy playing an alarm clock with empty bottle of Lucozade.

E is for enjoying the madness of W,M,H and R as well as V.

F is for Farmhouse Yogurt Apple and Cinnamon at 23:16 while writing this post.

G is for achieving goals.

H is for Horses being wet, muddy and not impressed with W and R.

I is for a giant, fabulous, amazing Indoor Arena I dream about having every single winter day.

J is for juggling life, food, mud and manure without losing sanity.

K is for Kingsley's new lycra hood :)

L is for Loving life and Leaves - the wet, soggy yet beautiful autumn/winter leaves.

M is for Mud. Bloody mud that makes me slip and rip my favourite Gore-Tex coat on a barb wire!

N is for Never enough sunshine

O is for Overtrousers. I am loving my Toggi Extreme.

P is for Pub meals while rain is pouring outside.

Q is for Question that needs good answers.

R is for Rick's jokes and for Rain, bucket load of it!

S is for Staying over at my dear friend's house when it's too rainy to go back home

T is for Too many soaking wet numnahs, rugs, boots and bandages

W is for Wind. 70 miles per hour or it. Not. Nice.

U is for Underwear & Pyjamas shopping because of S.

V is for lack of Visibility when cantering in W and M and R.

X is for ...who knows. eXtraordinary events some time soon?

Z is for Zzzzzz - sleep needed.

Thursday Words of Wisdom

2009-11-12T23:31:00.001Z

The one thing all famous authors, world-class athletes, business tycoons, singers, actors, and celebrated achievers in any field have in common is that they all began their journeys when they were none of these things.

Yet still, they began their journeys.

~Mike Dooley

Day Off

2009-11-12T21:43:00.003Z

My teaching was cancelled today, one of the things that are rather unsettling when you freelance, especially that the cancellations very often come day before and not much else can be arranged for in such a short space of time.

I thought it would be a good idea to do some resting but I am not convinced one day of rest is so beneficial. I actually feel my bones and joints more! Must be ceasing up. After half a day leisurely in bed I played a very very good housewife and spent good few hours spring -winter cleaning the kitchen and catching up with washing. Things I never have time for.

I am now trying to draw a site map of the website for riding academy I am working on so Rick can have an idea what needs to be built and how extensive it will need to be. I am aiming at a decent amount of content which will include not only the information on the actual services I and the others in the academy team will provide, but also various interesting articles on horse and rider training. To give you an example, one of my riders is a professional fitness trainer managing his own studio and I am roping him in into writing a series of articles on how to work on different muscles to aid riding progress.

I know it's going to look great. And it must do as I have some more plans connected to it.

Horses...who would've them...The saga continues...

2009-11-11T22:16:00.006Z

Whoever is responsible for heating in my office is doing a really bad job! The winter is here and surely this should now be taken care of...there is also a lot of mud and rain and cold. Hmm.

First, some jolly things so I don't sound too grim throughout the entire post. I had a fab time at my darling crazy friend's birthday, laugh therapy is certainly one to go for. We also ran a rather hilarious 'Have-A-Go' day today for some uni students who have never ridden before. I thought I was going to roll on the floor laughing, it must have been some post bad news trauma release! Either way it was funny.

Now, onto the bad news.

Kingsley. I wanted to give you an update yesterday but I was so tired and so upset by the results of physio and vet's visit that I thought I'd better leave it for today and write it all down without feeling so emotional and too dramatic about it all. Especially that we are still awaiting the diagnosis.

So here we go. The physio found no improvement after a month of TENS and walking. He is still oddly uneven in trot on all 4 legs really. She suggested the symptoms make it look like some sort of neurological problem that might improve via rehabilitation of movement patterns. She suggested a series of exercises and rehab programme to follow to aid balance and improve motor skills.

However, my gut feeling was that there is something seriously wrong as since I got to know him more now I can tell there is a lot of things about the way he moves that are way out of normal. The chance had it that one of the other liveries needed a vet for some quite dramatic back problem and was going to have a vet specialising in such I thought it was wise to share the visit. After having a chat with P., the owner, she agreed it really was the time to get a totally unconnected vet to have a fresh look at the symptoms and take it from there. The vet came yesterday and unfortunately he was rather concerned about little Kingsley.

Looks like he is uncomfortable to varied degrees along his entire spine, from the poll to the tip of his tail, the poll and sacroiliac joint being the hot spots.

He will now have his poll, back and sacroiliac x-rayed on Monday to make a proper diagnosis a little bit more possible. If X-rays don't show anything, then he will be referred for MRI.

I really am trying to stay positive but hearing about cortisone injection in a 5 years old just doesn't make my day. That little horse is ever so lucky to have such a fantastic owner like P. who will do all there is possible to fix him.

And I am very lucky too that she has this wonderful attitude as the entire situation makes me feel dreadful.

So we are now waiting for the results of the X-ray and hope that whatever it is it's not the end of the ridden life for little man.

Some links to various resources on Sacroiliac Pain and Injuries in Horses:

1. Understanding Sacroiliac Pain

2. Back Pain and the Sacroiliac Joint in Horses

3. Sacroiliac Injury

4. Sacroiliac Pain

5. Current Therapy in Equine Medicine: Sacroiliac Disease

Hunting in Ireland and religion...

2009-11-08T22:35:00.005Z

...got summed up to me in one sentence today. I taught this American woman who told me how many years ago she went for a hunting trip to Ireland. I asked her what she thought of it and she said:

'You know, if you are not a Christian in the morning of the hunt you definitely are one in the evening!"...;)

I had a weekend from hell travelling wise with ALL my tube lines' options out due to engineering work. I spent considerable amount of time walking vaguely towards home from the train station because I couldn't be bothered waiting for overcrowded buses.

Then today I must have had a ride on board of about 8 buses and I am positively worn out.

Kingsley is being reassessed tomorrow at 12pm. All the hope in the world that there is some improvement...

2010 Radio Show Episode 63 - The WEG Equine Village

2009-11-06T23:04:00.001Z

A number of guests join us to speak about the Alltech 2010 World Equestrian Games. We take a look at the 2010 WEG Equine Village, get and Alltech update and hear about the natural Tennessee Walking Horse. Listen in...

2010 Radio Show Episode 63 - The WEG Equine Village:

Hosts: Samantha Clark and Glenn the Geek

Guest: Susanna Elliot, PR Alltech, gives us the latest on Alltech's preparations for the Alltech 2010 World Equestrian Games.

Guest: Andrea Ohnstad of Silver Phoenix Ranch speaks to us about the Natural Tennessee Walking Horse demonstration that will be held at the 2010 WEG. Visit her blog at http://forthetnwalkinghorse.blogspot.com.

Guest: Kathy Hopkins, Director of the Equine Village, speaks to us about all the activities and entertainments planned for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

News: Professors at Georgetown College are manning the phones for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, making sure volunteer applicants have done their homework in French and Spanish. Called Language Proficiency exams, every language service volunteer applicant must complete these tests in order to become an official language specialist for the Games. Language Specialists are expected to facilitate communication for officials and athletes in more than 12 languages during the Games.

News: Colorful, creative benches will appear again on the streets of Frankfort in the summer of 2010 as part of an effort to beautify the community for tourists attending the World Equestrian Games. The project - “Horsin' Around Frankfort” - is one of several designed to make the city more attractive, enliven cultural activity and increase tourism to the capital before and during the games at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Please support our sponsors because we would not be here without them:

________________________________________

Listen Now, Download or Subscribe:

Bonfire Night and Horses don't quite go hand in hand. Or do they?

2009-11-05T23:22:00.008Z

It was rather unusual day for me today as for one reason or another various clients didn't make it to their lessons and I spent most of the time on the yard. I also did a Birthday Party which was rather amusing as I had to "employ" mums as leaders as had no one to help me (where are all the helpers when they are really needed?! ;).

Did Kingsley boy at lunch time and as our RDA group uses indoor school I had no choice but to do his 10 minutes walk outdoors. He behaved impeccably but was much more on his toes than normal. I tried my best to feel whether his walk is any better or worse but it seemed just fine to me. No odd steps or "dipping" the hind leg, his strides felt confident. Whatever was causing unevenness in walk seemed to have improved but the truth is that the worse unlevelness showed initially in trot so that's what we will really have to wait for.

The physio is coming on Monday for reassessment but as it's also my friend's birthday and I am staying overnight at hers I will update you all on the outcome on Tuesday. Keep everything crossed that there is at least some improvement.

The only lesson I taught today was a late evening one and we had a spectacular view of multi-coloured fireworks popping up on the black sky like lights on a Xmas tree.

Kingsley was a little unsettled by the noises so I took him outside for his evening groom and amazingly he just stood there watching bonfire display like hypnotised. I normally have to make sure there is nothing around he can chew, throw, step on or get entangled in but he stood like a sculpture.

He was so still I tidied up his mane, did his feet with hoof hardener, gave him a brush all over and he didn't budge totally starring at pinks, reds, blues and greens splashing all around him.

I managed to tear him away from this sparkly movie, tucked him into his new warm winter pyjamas in which he reminds me of Santa and set off back home.

Received my ticket for the BHS Coaching Conference today, one I wrote about some time ago and I am very much looking forward to going. One of the Centres I teach at paid for my ticket which I am very grateful for as would certainly not be able to go otherwise. Topics will include sports psychology, nutrition, rider's fitness. I am especially interested in presentations by Equestrian Edge ("an Equestrian Performance Analysis Training and Consultancy company that provides expert world class training courses and services in a number of modalities relating to Equine and Rider Performance.")

More links to the Conference info:
1) http://www.bhs.org.uk/Training_and_Qualifications/Training_Events/National_Conference/BHS_National_Coaching_Conference.aspx2) http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/Your-Horse-News/Search-Results/Event-diary/August-09/Aug-12-BHS-National-Coaching-Conference-NOV-09/

I am now further brainstorming myself on the content of Academy's website and enjoying the warmth of the indoors.

Visual memories

2009-11-03T00:19:00.003Z

I'm searching for ways to create slideshows/videos from the Training Days and I love this site I've stumbled upon: animoto.com.

Here's a test video. I don't like the fact the quality of the photos goes down (you can keep the quality if you go for paid service) and I am still to get the hang of all the settings but I think someone had done a fab job creating Animoto.

So what do you think? Would you like your 30 Animoto - seconds of your Intensive Training Day memories?

Just some waffling thoughts on the month that passed

2009-11-02T14:28:00.001Z

To write or not to write? That's the question of the passed month. I've had so many thoughts in my head I was sure my cells would just burst at the start of one of the gorgeous sunny mornings of which we had plenty in October.

Writing this blog has become such a giant habit for me, one that I really enjoy and I'm glad it helps some of you to stay in touch with me, allow some of you to have an insight into a struggling life of a riding instructor, lets others of you learn on my mistakes and maybe avoid some stupid decisions that I've made too often.

Those decisions and those crammed thoughts were the reasons I haven't been posting as much as I used to. That and immense tiredness...the tiredness that I could normally overcome with equally immense work satisfaction but I have been a little short of that...

You know that saying which goes, if you don't have what you like you better like what you've got? Well, I've never quite learned to go with that advice!

The most precious gift I have ever received from my parents is the inexplicable belief that I can do whatever I want in life. This is not to say, I think I can do anything I want well. This is to say, I have every confidence to try to live the life I want to live.

Some people might call it arrogance. Some might call it naivety. To me, it's the most powerful protection I have against the depressing, samey conformity.

Blind obedience to certain conventions irritates the hell out of me but I seem to be less emotional about it as I get older.

I get annoyed with myself too if I lose the courage to make changes necessary to keep planting the right kinds of trees.

Making one's mind supposed to be the start of decisions making. Some time over this past couple of months I realised I have made up my mind indeed.

Following that, I also needed to make further decisions for the future. As if on cue, life came up with events that always seem to happen to me when I turn the right way.

So, the time has come to change some of my teaching arrangements, leave some places, join some, be brave and try to jump up a level.

I was delighted to hear again from a lovely rider whom I taught at my Intermediate Teaching exam in the summer. She is coming with her horse to train with me for 5 days of hard work so I need to organise the ins and outs of it.

Hmm, if only I could find more riders up for that I would be rather happy!

A lot of materials I had ready for the Academy's website got lost when my computer went on strike but I have kept enough of scribbles I did old fashioned way on paper for it not to be too much of a tragedy.

Sunday consisted of a lot of laughter and some displays of determination on part of my riders. It's been driving with rain most of the day.

Seeing some of the riders were in less than fighting spirits I had no choice but to waddle through the mud with them and encourage them with my usual repertoire of demanding strictness ;) Amazing what a drop of nagging brings out in people!

Sometimes I must admit, I give up to the natural elements and can't really find much enjoyment teaching in impossible conditions but less severe meteorological distractions spur me into making the riders work for the goods...

We did a little of theory on flexion and bend under the roof after rider's hoods had filled up with several inches of water and visibility had gotten worse but other than that we braved through.

One of my Sunday riders made me my No.2 favourite cake - a tiramisu! I have to say, I am cake total and if I didn't like to make sure I eat more or less healthy I am pretty sure I could easily survive good few weeks on apple pies and tiramisus!

Today is sunny. At least at the moment. I am off to do Kingsley, then back home to do some washing, floor cleaning, hoovering and all the jobs I wish I had a herd of friendly gnomes to perform for me. I could even get them a few gnome size ponies as a reward...surely there must be a poniesforgnomes.com?

Yummy! :)

Rollkur or Riding Deep...either way, where is the sports horse training heading to? :((

2009-11-02T12:13:00.002Z

Rollkur explained: http://www.sustainabledressage.com/rollkur/how.php

Feng Shui wouldn't do it better

2009-10-31T21:29:00.005Z

My computer decided that he was overworked. He packed up and refused to cooperate so I had to have it wiped out clean and delete ALL my files, programmes and documents. I bet some Feng Shui consultant would be over the moon with such de- cluttering but I am feeling rather lost. The good side of it is that it seems to be working OK now but I am yet to remember what I deleted.One of the files had written training programmes for three of my riders, that's gone. Will have to write it all over again.

I am not going to cry too much about it, as long as it's working I am fine. I can't be without this machine for too long, it connects me with the world I can't reach otherwise.

Very enjoyable day running Training Day for Kiran who is now back into riding after a few months break. She got to meet Kingsley and learn how to do his TENS therapy as part of her Stable Management session.

More pictures from Kiran's Training Day: www.trainingdays-equestrian.blogspot.com

Name Day (Imieniny) and thereabouts

2009-10-30T23:34:00.007Z

A few weeks ago my mum asked me what I would like for my Name Day. See, in the UK there is no such thing like Name Day, and as nobody here either knows or remembers when mine is, I forgot too. I actually had to ask my mum when it was. In Poland (or Italy, or France and other countries where Name Day stands), you only need to check the calendar to know someone's day as all the names are written in. Easy.

So my Name Day is on the 29th of October. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's just like another birthday. You get gifts and people call you to say hello ;)

On my Name Day, on the 29th October 2009, I worked all day. And it wasn't too great a day. In fact, it was pretty bad for reasons that will most likely pass quickly so no point of airing them.

The good thing was hearing from my friend and knowing she got through one of her check ups with all clear again. It's quite paralysing to know that your life can turn all the ways round depending on what you get told one sunny afternoon. So every time I am willing any sort of god into right kind of news.

My brother phoned me while I was waiting for a lift home in a tack shop at work and I ended up in fits of giggles as we tend to.

Today, Ricky bought me a super breakfast and a divine hot chocolate with Baileys Irish Cream - delicious. I had the longest sleep since I remember. I had a scented bath in the middle of the day and read books and magazines while scenery behind the windows did not move. A day away from trains. I had some lovely restful time and I am looking forward to running a Training Day tomorrow :)

Next Station Stop: Upupandsmile

2009-10-26T22:03:00.007Z

Having been in and out of trains and buses and running in between yards and towns today I am very much enjoying the evening at home - just finished watching yet another Attenborough's documentary and I am sitting here munching my well deserved apple and cinnamon cake. Nature programmes, cakes and tea are firm part of my definition of cosy.

In fact, that's what I really like about winter. The evenings when you can wrap up in warm scent of sweet spices, the hot cups of tea. Back in Poland, my friends and I used to meet up after riding and watched some training videos trying to warm up after being out in -20C for hours. I miss those times. I certainly don't miss the cold and I am loving the English October this year.

Following a little lie in I went to do Kingsley in the morning. We had a show at the yard and as I didn't have anywhere quiet to ride him I decided against doing so. It's probably better for him not to engage into any gallops under saddle and as quiet as he is I doubt he would not react to the commotion of the show. Darling boy destroyed yet another haynet, he seems to have a knack!

Kingsley done I set off to the yard of someone I used to work with and who offered for me to come and ride her event horses. Now, that was an opportunity not to be missed especially that I am planning to take my Stage IV in summer next year so really need more hours in the saddle.

I really enjoyed riding all four but totally fell in love with a little chestnut, I could take him home there and then! I am convinced that horses are just so built that they either suit the way you are built and the way you ride or they not. I guess you could compare it that great pair of boots, which although new, just feels right. Or a pair of perfectly fitting gloves. You put them on and they feel like second skin from the word go.

With horses, those that fit you, ride as if you've been riding them for years even though you have just sat on them for the first time. I am hoping to make some time to be able to ride them all again in a couple of weeks.

As fabulous as it was I am so unused to schooling for so long anymore that I am now rather exhausted! It's been ages since I'd been riding several horses a day and I can tell you my muscles are aching. In the same time though it feels great to have a sit on some competition horses and although I am sure I didn't really do them justice they coped with me well :)

On the life front, thanks to my Dear Man and a very generous friend I have sorted a few money problems. I love my job but god, it does need to pay more :(

Small miracle - my dad found a way for my granddad to have a life saving operation and he is now back home recovering well.

On the work front - I can now tell you that my little project, which will be called Aspire Equestrian Riding Academy, should be going life before the end of this year. Initially I was waiting for more opportunities to get it going but overlooked the one I had under my very nose. The Intensive Training Days I've been running since January and which were to be an integral part of Aspire Equestrian's programme, will now be the main part until I put all the other elements together. As I mentioned before, as much as I enjoy teaching beginner riders I need to add some quality to it all as otherwise I become demotivated and uninspired in my work.

Things won't happen overnight but I am doing a lot of prep work in the evenings (or nights more like) and slowly slowly the puzzles of random ideas starting to slot together.

Very long working day tomorrow as doing Pony Day AM, then teaching as usual PM till late.

Hyperflexion: Blue tongue World Cup video. How bad is bad for the Dressage World???!

2009-10-24T22:08:00.003+01:00

PLEASE NOTE: This video is protected by copyright. If you are worried, it will suddenly disappear from the surface of the earth, don't fret. It won't. So no need to download to keep it for posterity. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to emai us at info@epona.tv or check out www.epona.tv/uk - thanks for respecting our copyright. Luise & Julie, Epona.tv

KWPN Stallion Watermill Scandic ridden by Swedish Patrik Kittel during a two hour session of various degrees of hyperflexion at the World Cup dressage qualifier in Odense, Denmark. Early on in the session, the horse's tongue has turned blue and limp and flops out of the stallion's mouth. Stopping the horse, the rider leans forward and fixes the problem, using the hand furthest from the camera. After this, the session is continued for a minimum of 90 minutes in the same way. This pair is trained by Dutch chef d'equipe, Sjef Janssen, who was present at the warm up arena.http://epona.tv/uk/news/show/artikel/...

First day of walking under the saddle

2009-10-23T22:11:00.002+01:00

Kingsley: 1st Day of Walking from Wiola on Vimeo.

Kingsley doing his Physio programme. 10mins of walking for 2 weeks. This is first day.

Women's Horse Industry Conference 2009

2009-10-21T22:06:00.006+01:00

If you are a woman working in Horse Industry you may want to have a look at the below email I received yesterday:

"I am writing to let you know about the really cool conference coming up November 3-4 in Louisville, Kentucky for Women Working In The Horse Industry.

The conference is being hosted by the Women's Horse Industry Association and has an exciting array of speakers, panels, exhibitors etc.. The theme of the conference is MARKETING AND MANAGING YOUR HORSE INDUSTRY BUSINESS.

The WHIA now has over 550 members and growing more each day.. We are a business networking group covering all of the U.S. with chapters starting in Canada, UK, Germany and Australia. Should you wish to join our group, please go to our website and click on "JOIN". The annual dues are only $50.00 and if you enter this promotional code 71000, you will receive a free Member's ad for three months. ( a $150.00 value). This offer is good until October 31st.

If you would like to know more about the conference or the WHIA, please visit our website at http://www.womenshorseindustry.com.

You may also call me directly at 615-730-7833.

Have a great day!

Catherine Masters

Executive Director"

Pic.above: Kingsley: "I'll just pass this bottle to you, OK?" Cheeky fellow, he just can't stand still without getting his teeth into something! :)

I feel overwhelmed by the amount of novice/beginner riders I have to teach at the moment. I don't want to sound like I don't enjoy teaching the basics, because I actually very much do, but dear oh dear, it's a bit of a numbing process if it's experienced on daily basis.

No treats for Kingsley!

2009-10-19T23:33:00.006+01:00

I discovered today that little Kingsley just can't be given ANY treats as he becomes the biggest bully ever! Give him nothing and he is as gentle and respective of your space as you would wish but one little treat and he is in your pockets, on top of your head and climbing up to get more. Bad boy.

The sun was so bright and the light so good that I tried to get a good photo on Kingsley but he either followed me so closely I couldn't focus the camera or he would stand in the most unflattering stance there is. Hence the pictures are as they are!

Two more days of walking in hand and then 2 weeks of walking under the saddle. I am not looking forward to sitting on him after 2 months of doing nothing and he can throw a hell of a buck too so I am just hoping he feels weak and not bothered to play up ;)

If I am totally honest I can't see any marked improvement in the way he walks BUT he certainly is much less sensitive to touch around his sacroiliac and back.

Apart from seeing to Kingsley I've been rather good to myself and tried to rest as much as possible. Cosy evening with Rick, hot chocolate, apple strudel and always amazing David Attenborough's documentary. I love nature programmes.

Now, I am starting to file my expenses, even if I do several a day it will be a bonus! Can't for the life of me get organised/motivated enough to do it daily so I pay for it:

I use Manage My Horse website (it's free and it's ingenious!) for all my accounts and I must say that once I have everything filed it's all very easy! I.e. it's very easy to see (as the site lets you do all sorts of reports summarising your income and outcome etc) that I won't be buying any big Christmas presents. Cards this year it is!

Decided to do my lessons with some music today...

2009-10-18T23:20:00.001+01:00

Barnfield 18th October from Wiola on Vimeo.