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- December 12th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
1988, Hickstead: A blast from the past
I love watching old footage of show jumping and eventing -- there is something more spontaneous and disarming about the horses, the riders, and the rides. Look at the sense of humor this rider shows w…
- December 11th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Ovation Blanket: Thumbs up!
Here's Harvey wearing his new 82" Ovation mid-weight turnout sheet.He looks great in it!There is elastic in the blue stripe.The neck fits quite well.The stripe is a lovely shade of blue.Harv conducts…
- December 10th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Blanketing: Anyone know of a good tailor?
Harvey has a nice broad chest, but also a fairly low set neck. Believe me when I tell you that blanketing Harv is a challenge. In the photo left he is wearing a Weathabeeta 81" -- a Christmas gift fro…
- December 9th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Dog attacks on horses: My eyes are opened
I wish all dog/horse encounters were like this...But they aren'tIf you google around even a little, you'll find article of dog attacks on horses. When I say attack, I don't mean dogs chasing, or dogs…
- December 8th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Meanest thoroughbred stallions ever...
We are a culture that loves "best of" and "worst of" lists. Recently the thoroughbredchampions.com bulletin board had a thread/discussion on who were the meanest stallions in history. What a fun rea…
- December 7th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Alert the media! I took a riding lesson
Disclaimer: Photo right is not me or Harv! Judging from comments therehas been some confusion...During the week or so when Riley was on turnout, it was such a treat to watch him cavort around. It rem…
- December 6th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
A holiday giveaway! I think you\'ll really like this one..._
This year's giveaway is Bringing it Together, a book and DVD, offered by a friend of the authors who also reads BTB. I have not read the book or seen it yet, but it's endorsed by Pulitzer Prize-winnin…
- December 5th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
"This is not going to be nice..."
I agree with the woman speaking in the background. The rider has guts but is clearly overfaced, and this ride was uncomfortable to watch. I'm glad it ended safely, but you have to wonder who is traini…
- December 4th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Anky on Hyperflexion: Video interview
Talk about hyperflexion is heating up bulletin boards again. I admit I did not have the stomach to watch the "blue tongue World Cup" video (verbal descriptions are more than adequate). But let's face…
- December 3rd, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Weird nostalgia: My old rust Harry Halls
Here I am in the late 70's on a a surprisingly agile draft cross named Summer's Day. Summer's owner was pregnant and I was riding him for her. Summer was a sweetheart, but the subject of this post is…
- December 2nd, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
United Airlines messes with my Rolex itinerary!
A few weeks ago I purchased my 2010 Rolex 3 day airline tickets through Orbitz.com. I loved my flight arrangements -- good pricing, good connecting flights, short overall travel time. It was the perf…
- December 1st, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Safe and Sexy Horse Helmets? You. Bet.
For all the dressage divas who forgo helmets and risk brain injury in order to look smashing on their horse, here's an option for ya. Kudos to the video producers! What a hoot.
- November 30th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Christmas commercialism hits BTB
Okay, so normally I have a "no ads policy." In fact I brag about it in my headline and logo. So I might as well explain this holiday season exception. You'll notice on the right of my blog is an Ugg b…
- November 29th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Riley update: Fun while it lasted
Well, turnout is on hold for a bit longer. For about a week, Riley was on turnout in the barn's indoor arena. It was fun to watch him enjoy his freedom and his new playmate. His good-natured turnout c…
- November 28th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Equestrian teen angst: What barn drama does to us
Take a look at this Youtube all-text video. I can well imagine the kind of personal slight that must have prompted this video. The author/video creator bemoans disciplines in the horse world criticizi…
- November 27th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Real moms make it happen for their horse-crazed kids
In this holiday shopping season I can't help but reflect on how things have changed since I was a child. My own parents were hopelessly bourgeois, all hung up on the notion of living within one's mean…
- November 26th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Black Friday, doubtful gift ideas...
I ran across this on Etsy. For the life of me I don't understand who this ad is supposed to appeal to -- rapstas/gangstas? the gay community? What's with the hat and glove accessories? The weird thumb…
- November 25th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
T-giving theme: What\'s your Native American name?
I ran across this children's book Doesn't Fall Off His Horse about a Kiowa boy of the same name. The title made me wonder about what it would be like to be named by one's tribal community. Some names…
- November 24th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Rider position and individual variation
I wonder if Heather Blitz ever imagined that sharing wonderful Paragon videos with the world might have a down side. Specifically, would she ever have predicted she'd get picked apart by some cheeky…
- November 23rd, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Quaterback sons licensed!
ACK -- video no longer available, but... Two sons of QUATERBACK have been licensed in Neustadt for breeding at the Körung des Pferdezuchtverbandes Brandenburg-Anhalt. The Champion of the Dressage sta…
- November 22nd, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
More inspection photos (a new Project Runway?)
Again we're looking at photos from the Fair Hill inspection, USEventing blog. At the risk of sounding like Michael Kors on Project Runway, Jill Walton shows impeccable fashion sense, showing up in an…
- November 21st, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
In every great horse rider partnership...
One will occasionally look like they overslept...If you aren't into eventing, the horse inspections are kind of a dress-up occasion. Here Ronald Zabala-Goetschel and Che Italica trot before the vets a…
- November 20th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Proximal sensory desmitis (PSD): A case study
I wrote a blog article on PSD last year -- it is probably the most-read article on my blog. Recently, reader and student Kelly A. Ford shared this case study on PSD with me. She graciously agreed to l…
- November 19th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Dressage in blue: My equine wish list
Blue roan QH soldon Equine.comI have always loved blue roans. A few years ago I saw a blue roan 2 year old Friesian/TB cross for sale -- it was as if the horse had been bred just for me. He was tall,…
- November 18th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
2010 International Equestrian Festival in Lexington KY!
While I bemoaned the ticket prices for WEG, I have been kicking around the idea of going to the WEG and just getting general admission tix for the trade fair, which is horse-event-speak for SHOPPING.…
- November 17th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Horses and motherhood: Ch-ch-changes!
This equestrian momhad twin boys...I know several young women -- lifelong, accomplished, equestrians -- who have recently had babies. All of them are just radiant in their motherhood. They are finding…
- November 16th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Riley\'s early parole: Turnout!
The barn manager and Rileyshare a momentSo most of you probably know that Riley has been cleared for turnout. As good as this news is, it's hard to trust it. Other specialists had told me it would be…
- November 15th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Tale of a barn trauma: Part 2
When we left off, Batik (an older gelding) had gotten caught up in a pasture gate. Even after his leg was freed he stayed down -- immobile, rigid, and groaning. Read Part 1 here .Bob and I were at the…
- November 14th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
- November 13th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Kiger Mustang Dressage!
Just FYI, Part II of Barn Trauma will be published the 15th, Sunday night... What a tidy, professional pair! Super turnout, relaxed performance, and a nice lengthening too.Here is a summary of the his…
- November 12th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Tale of a barn trauma: Part 1
Well, this weekend I learned something important about horses. The bad news is, it involved a trauma. The good news is, the story has a happy ending. I promise you nothing about this event has been e…
- November 11th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Riley update: Make sure to read it ALL!
We made the trip to New Bolton this morning -- a damp, windy, grey day. The chill made Riley a little high, and after we unloaded he snorted and puddle-jumped was we made our way to the clinic. The ve…
- November 10th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
A new Heather Blitz/Paragon video!
By the time you read this Riley may already be at New Bolton -- his appt. is for 11/11, at 11am (too bad it's not 2011). I'm not anticipating any major problems or revelations other than finding out…
- November 9th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
WEG 2010: I\'ll be watching it on video...
I bought my WEG 2010 t-shirt in 2007, when I was at the Rolex 3 day event. In a Scarlett O'Hara moment, I told Bob, "God as my witness we're GOING to the WEG!"It looks, though, like we'll be watching…
- November 8th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Winter shopping spree: An ode to Ariat
Marimekko fabric(ties into the story)“Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is; we'll find it.” --Sam LevensonFor the last few months I've been pouring time and money into Riley. Vet…
- November 7th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
For the want of a screw...
You know, I was embarrassed last week when I lost that screw to Riley's hospital plate -- felt like such a bozo. It's the worst kind of stupid mistake, the kind you have to reveal to half the planet b…
- November 6th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
An inside look at Totilas (back at the stable)
Last night I was talking with a friend about Totilas, and we wondered aloud about "what he's really like to ride," "what's he like around the barn," etc.. By sheer coincidence, Horse Hero sent me this…
- November 5th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Most hated barn tasks
Thurs, Nov. 5, 2009: Day 3 of antibiotic-free Riley, he's doing fine. No news is good news!Seems like I was busy doin' somethin' close to nothin' But different from the day before... --- Princ…
- November 4th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Falling off is a spectator sport - thanks to Youtube
Youtube has it's share of horsie atrocities on film. At least as remarkable as the rider/horse mishaps are the spectators..."Nerves of steel" mother of the year award... Goes to this mom (videotaping…
- November 3rd, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
For Horses Only! The Rollkur Poll
I've shared my views on rollkur, and of course every horsie bulletin board has thread after impassioned thread of on the topic. It occurs to me we're missing an important viewpoint. How 'bout we let *…
- November 2nd, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Tom Waits\' November
Excerpts from NovemberNo shadowNo starsNo moonNo careNovemberIt only believesIn a pile of dead leavesAnd a moonThat's the color of boneNovember has tied me to an old dead treeGet word to April to resc…
- November 1st, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Totilas: Trash talk
In a recent COTH posting, there was discussion of a mini-controversy at the Global Dressage Forum at the Academy Bartels in Hooge Mierde, Netherlands. Totilas -- that big-moving, 90% scoring, knockout…
- October 31st, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Tennessee tango
This is a fun video -- I'm not much for this kind of equestrian 'half-time' performance, but the concept is intriguing and the dancing (on the part of dancer and horse) is quite lovely. A charming pai…
- October 30th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Crimson Satan: A sound addition to any pedigree!
Crimson Satan has been touted on listservs lately as a great horse to find in a pedigree -- a "soundness improver." He is by Spy Song out of an Argentine mare, Papila. Bred by Peter W. Salmen Sr., he…
- October 29th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Riley update
Riley is doing well 3/4 of the way through "Treatment, Phase 2" (antibiotics). His last noxious dose of Chloramphenicol is Monday, and local vet feels he is over the hump. And if that ain't enuf, my…
- October 28th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Barn girl tip: Blanketing is a big deal
If you work at a boarding barn, you know that with the colder weather comes a whole new layer (so to speak) of boarder/manager interchange about... Blanketing. Make no mistake about it, blanketing is…
- October 27th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
I believe I can fly? I believe you can\'t equitate...
I'm told this video has been "done to death" on the bulletin boards, but I'd not seen it till a few days ago. This Youtube video has THOUSANDS of comments (maybe I just never paid attention).Video at…
- October 26th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Sunday PUN-ishment: I\'m screwed
Sunday morning I went to see Riley before going to my barn job -- it was time to change the gauze in the hospital plate. The gauze change takes some setup: sweeping the shavings from a portion of th…
- October 25th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Flipping over: Nice looking horse, scary behavior
This is a scary video, and the story behind it is that the horse was bought from a KY trainer who assured the new owners (mom and daughter) that the horse could go to the upper levels of eventing. Thi…
- October 24th, 2009
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behindthebit has posted a new entry on: Behind the bit: A blog about sport horses, dressage, and riding...
Harv gets rewarded for bad behavior
This is a story without a moral. I was dimly aware that Harv was "a problem" for some of the boarders. What started as murmurs and innuendo finally came to a head last week, and now everyone speaks op…
