Volume 14, Issue 9
www.azdressage.org
September, 2014
New Lessons Learned, and Relearned, Every Day! By Teri Rich Carefree Dressage Every day I make it a habit to read something new ( an article ), try something new ( say a new food or exercise movement) , or learn something new ( like a different training technique), and explore and educate myself as much as possible. I love to do this with my horses, keeping them on their toes (literally), as well as with my students, teaching them new things in many different ways. It keeps life interesting AND fun! Nobody likes to be drilled over and over; otherwise, they begin to dread doing the same thing, day after day. I love riding my horse, Ripley! I could ride all day. He is so much fun, and has such good energy. The time flies, and I have to make an effort to keep track of the time so that I do not override him. This summer I had a minor interruption in training. Ripley developed “splints” after a frightful gallop in the pasture, when he was spooked by some unexpected road construction. Ugg!!! My wonderful husband/veterinarian advised me that “this was a lesser injury than it could have been, to count my blessings, and that I needed to take it easy with Ripley for the next 6 weeks”. Ugg again!!!! He informed me, “less miles on Ripley’s legs until the splints heal”. We still need to train, because we have the California Finals coming up soon. Which means, I needed a NEW plan Luckily, we have long hot summers and our horses do need some down time. No more work on the treadmill until his splints heal. I can reduce his training from 5 days, to 4 days per week, and maintain his fitness by adding an extra swimming day. One of the benefits to being a Trainer at Los Cedros is that we have a pool for swimming the horses, for Conditioning and Rehab. Ripley LOVES to swim! OK, so swimming for cardiovascular fitness, cross training, and maintaining muscle mass, while decreasing impact loading mileage on his legs. Continued on Page 8
Arizona Dressage Association Mission Statement The Arizona Dressage Association is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to promote the advancement of classical dressage through educational opportunities and programs, and the rigorous evaluations received at recognized and schooling dressage shows.