Behind the Bit

Hennycam: a new twist

2012-01-27T11:10:00.000-05:00

As much as I love Hennycam, I always missed seeing the other perspective -- that of the spectator. Take a look at the new split-screen that gives both views! Henny is a cross-country machine -- the confidence he has in himself and his rider are evident here--there is never hesitation, never a bauble. He is beautiful isn't he? I get teary when I watch stuff like this...

My birthday: A horse for every decade

2012-01-26T01:26:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday -- the big 5-0! It seems fitting to share a beautiful horse for every decade (my favorite being the first one). For more eye candy go to Performance Sales International Auction.

Oh, and pssst! It is a year for b-day milestones. Harv turns the big 2-5. He's been rocking the world of eventing, dressage, and international finance for a quarter century! What shall we do to celebrate?

Sir Caramello (check out the tail!)

Sir Donnerhall X Feiner Stern

Dai Jin

Don Frederico X Weltmeyer

South Coast (3 years old!!!)

Sir Donnerhall X Londonderry

Saphira
St. Moritz X Ehrentusch

Der Designer
DeNiro X Weltmeyer

Cartoon FEI pony! I want I want...

2012-01-25T11:13:00.001-05:00

This pony reminds me of a certain cartoon animal from The Lion King. Anyone care to guess which one? He is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE. I want I want.

Sport horse conformation: Saddle position

2012-01-24T12:28:00.000-05:00

I'm now evaluating Riley's back, trying different saddles, and experiencing the new problem of "saddle sliding forward." Believe me that was never a problem with the Harvster (shown left at about age 11). He has a nice big wither, but I always felt like I was sitting in the back seat :-).

What is saddle position?
In sport horse breeding, one of the points of the conformation evaluation is "saddle position." I figured it was an assessment of the back and wither area, but I always wondered what exactly was being evaluated. I posted my question to the COTH breeding forum. and...

I got a great answer from TrinitySporthorses.com:

"They are mostly referring to the withers. They should be of moderate height and gently sloping into the back. Flaws would be mutton withers (very flat), withers that come to an abrupt end (rather than flowing harmoniously into the spine), extremely high withers that could make saddle fit very difficult. In a sport horse, you want the line of the front leg to be well in front of the withers, as this will make them lighter on the forehand. In some registries, the score for saddle position is part of the score for shoulder. ."

What does a good saddle position look like?
You can see a photo of an awesome Bridlewood Hanoverian mare below--she got a "9" for saddle position...

Read more about Liandra: Check out them dapples (to say nothing of the neck)!

Here is a UK stallion that got a 9 for saddle position...

Dark DeNiro, UK Stud

At the moment, Ri seems straight-shouldered and muttony (when standing, at least). A friend is loaning me a thinline pad to see if the saddle will be a bit more stable...

I dreamed I crashed through the judge's stand

2012-01-23T12:25:00.001-05:00

Have you had that sort of dressage dream? It is the horsie equivalent of walking into class naked or finding out you're signed up for a class that you've missed all semester. It seems a little far fetched, but...

Guess what, it really does happen!

And I guess the announcer was speechless.

Saddle fit: Pointless exercise (but fun, maybe)

2012-01-22T13:00:00.004-05:00

Amitybee asked for photos -- well, I don't have photos of MY saddle right now but I recently tried a friend's Black Country Vinici, 17.5. Although I LOVE Black Country saddles and monoflaps in general, this was not a perfect fit. Anyone care to critique the fit? I have no dog in the fight, am not using the saddle, it's just an interesting exercise!

Totilas babies: Taking a peek into the crib

2012-01-21T12:35:00.003-05:00

Well, I've looked at some of the Totilas offspring on Youtube. Here are a few of the nicest ones IMHO. They're lovely. When you consider that he's probably being bred to top mares (for that stud fee you're going to use your best lady horses), and all the hype, you'd kind of expect something special-special. I wonder if Totilas was a real stand-out-wonder-baby or if he grew into it.

I don't mean to knock the youngsters -- they're very elegant and obviously big movers, and who knows what they'll grow up to be? You can see the Totilas body type seems to be passed on.

For sheer antics, this one is fun to watch...

Riley: Whither the wither?

2012-01-20T11:05:00.001-05:00

War may be hell, but saddle searching is somewhere along the way there. Recall that I was whining about the clinic last week. Yes, the clinician was pretty candid about my problems, but you know, for all my complaining I think he really helped me. But there is something I haven't told you (yet).

The real bummer was that he thought Riley looked like he might be hurting somewhere. Backsore, maybe.

Great.

I sort of knew this. Ri has been girthy and nasty when I saddle him up, but saddle fitters come out every few months and say the saddle is not a bad fit. It does slip forward. I wanted to hold out till he stopped growing before addressing it.

I don't think it can wait. So here I go again. Saddle fitting purgatory, don't want to buy new and have his back change, but don't want to buy used (again) really. And I have no $$$ to finance this. At least not any $$$ that is not earmarked for retirement.

I work with a great saddler, and she asked me for pix of Ri "naked." Look at his little baby back! Whither the whither? He looks like a yearling, and that sleepy baby face cracks me up.

Don Frederico mare

2012-01-19T13:18:00.007-05:00

I especially love this girl's walk -- she's a total Marilyn Monroe -- but her gaits are so lofty and regular for a youngster! I love the low-key way she is being ridden -- it looks like she is choosing her own pace, not being pushed into it. I have to admit to loving the big-show trots, and I suppose they are okay for doing a video or at an action. At home, schooling, this strikes me as a very nice pace. Besides, this mare doesn't need to be run off her legs to be impressive.

Illustration of "the auction trot"

2012-01-18T13:15:00.008-05:00

To me this pretty much defines the auction trot. The Europeans seem to have this kind of video perfected. The mare here is THREE YEARS OLD; she's pretty game, I like her sensibility.

Now compare this with the typical sale video made in the U.S. She's not the same type of horse as the one above, but I think this shows her off to advantage.