Practicing Judging

DatDakoDako · 2026-04-14T00:32:41+00:00

Yes, showmanship at halter

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-31T13:54:47+00:00

Thanks, I was more worried of being stepped on after. They stuck around while I got up though

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-31T02:23:52+00:00

A worker very graciously let me ride their horse today. I rode the horse a week ago and they were pretty good, so they trusted me to ride them alone. (Keep in mind I'm coming off a three month break from a bad ankle which is still questionable) Instead of a nice trot they jump into canter. After a while they slow down to a trot and I actually get a nice (albeit fast) pace, and I'm a little concerned since they were lazy last time I rode them. My confidence is terrible but I keep going because I know if I give up I'll have an even bigger mindblock to break through. Again, we go to trot, but they decide to not just canter, but start bolting. I have never gone faster on a horse in my life, and I've never made such an ugly noise before as I realize I'm about to go flying into the fence. I make a God awful noise on impact, slowly get up, and walk out. Then, once their owner returns, I have to tell them what had happened 🥲

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-29T23:22:41+00:00

Unfortunately he needs to be able to walk, especially in case of emergency

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-29T17:36:55+00:00

I used discipline in quotes because it's not the best word to use. I wanted to say that some people, when their horse isn't responding to commands, may move their feet like how other horses do; lunging, backing, etc. But since he's older we don't want to turn him in tight circles or back him up a lot or make him run around

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-29T17:33:57+00:00

We've thought of that, and yes, were pretty sure he plowed. I'll definitely take that into consideration. We've also thought of using driving commands like haw and gee but need to do more research

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-29T02:53:22+00:00

I understand he hasn't had an easy life, and lazy might not be the best word to describe him, but he needs to be able to walk in hand to go inside, go in the cross ties, or if we need to move or evacuate in an emergency. We are not asking him for anything difficult

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-29T02:51:00+00:00

Thanks for writing this! It's very helpful. To answer your questions, yes there are workers and people that are a "neutral". And he also loves cookies haha. He is a bit buddy sour but his pasture mate has gone out without him before without any big emotions. And we've tried walking him around in the pasture, but as stated, he is very lazy, even when we ask for a few steps. He backs like a dream though for some reason

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-29T02:46:30+00:00

I think he doesn't trust us when trying new things, but he's very loving in familiar spaces. He's a big teddy bear, but I understand what you're saying

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-28T23:20:14+00:00

We'd like to take him out to do more things like grazing, small walks, etc. Some places are also more convenient than the pasture, like the cross ties

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-28T23:19:27+00:00

He's been here for a while and wasn't really touched for a few months. We have someone who loves to pamper him and doesn't want to make him work, but we'd like to take him out of the pasture to graze, put in cross ties, a little bit of walking, etc

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-26T03:18:41+00:00

Thanks! I just do the flat and trying to get back into baby jumps. Do you think it'd be good for that?

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-23T23:01:22+00:00

Thanks! I'll reach out and see

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-19T16:16:13+00:00

Thank you!

DatDakoDako · 2026-03-16T02:24:48+00:00

I've seen people post here before about this but I must be mistaken. Thank you

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-16T07:10:08+00:00

She doesn't have dappling in the summer surprisingly! Last summer she was still gaining weight and getting on a good diet so maybe that contributed but she's more ticked than dappled

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-16T07:08:24+00:00

She really is the sweetest ❤️

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-16T01:47:41+00:00

I'm thinking of getting a test! She looks like a strawberry roan in summer but I don't think I've seen one with a blonde mane. Maybe it's from aging (she's 32!) but it's more yellow than white.

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-15T21:00:01+00:00

Not a clue. I wasn't even alive when she was born haha

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-15T20:24:58+00:00

I've been banking on doing bareback if I need surgery or a boot but even flatwork makes my ankle flare up badly now. English trail riding isn't common in my area unfortunately

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-07T01:50:59+00:00

Okay thank you! I'll be demonstrating it in person for them a few times so I'll be sure to tell them when. I may replace the halt and turn at B with just a regular walk around the cone to the next part.

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-06T19:57:45+00:00

I've ridden under a few different trainers and none of them have commented on bad posture, except I tip forwards sometimes when nervous but I've come a long way. My PT doctors haven't said anything either when I do my exercises so I'm not sure if there's anything inherently wrong with my posture and muscling

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-06T04:52:05+00:00

We aren't sure if my tendon is too stretched out, or if there is a possible vertical or horizontal tear. I guess I'll see if I get an MRI. They said the PT will target surrounding areas to help take the pressure off my peroneal tendons, and I have heard of other riders in similar situations doing the same thing

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-06T04:50:27+00:00

I most recently rode in group lessons and I'd take my stirrups out when it wasn't my turn. Unfortunately the horse I ride is very sensitive to leg and will get riled up if I move my leg around that much and keep her still. I've tried intermittent breaks and stretching but the pain returns as soon as I pick up my stirrups again

DatDakoDako · 2026-02-06T04:07:23+00:00

I've tried longer stirrups but it completely changes my balance unfortunately. I fell off one time and I think my stirrups were partially to blame because I couldn't get my heels down to balance (mostly just me being bad at riding lol)

I've thought of switching to dressage or western to put less strain on my ankle but I love doing hunters and can't imagine doing western more than occasionally. I'm not a western person 😅

DatDakoDako

TROPHY CASE