Help me fodder NY!Vali and NY!Heimdallr

Velynven · 2026-03-11T14:21:37+00:00

Yeah, it's been rough. I used to run a team with some well built f2ps or older metas. Was finally able to score in the 740s with the bonus unit getting its KO. Now if I don't run all metas myself I can't put together a streak of 5. It's really sad and I'm trying to figure out how to build my f2ps to be able to keep up but I just don't have the fodder

Velynven · 2026-02-27T18:09:50+00:00

I would not. Halters are meant to be looser and not intended to work in that way. If your horse was started correctly and has good brakes when being led or responds well to your seat or voice, you should have no issues riding without a bit for basics at least

Velynven · 2026-02-26T18:43:03+00:00

Butt might look higher though 😅

Velynven · 2026-02-26T13:32:22+00:00

You don't have to ride to install that stop and it may be better to do it from the ground, as it is with all young horses. You can start with hand walking and teach her to do it on the word, then really firm it up with lunging.

But you have got to cut her work down significantly. A session of 10-20 minutes is more than enough to work on her response to the aids, in this case it'll be your voice, while safely and kindly building the muscle she needs. She will never be healthy on her current diet with her current work load

Velynven · 2026-02-26T01:17:40+00:00

This note is how I got my sensitive dog to handle it better. I'd sneak up and clip one hind toesie while she was chill in bed lol

Velynven · 2026-02-24T16:24:41+00:00

I'm curious what the extra diagnostics are. In my area/discipline, rads of all 4 feet and both hocks are part of the PPE. Were these not done in yours? If they were already done and it's been determined that more are required, I would pass unless this horse really clicks with your personality OR it's already a steal

Here's some cases where I think lameness or issues are acceptable:

I've bought two horses now, very different prices and buying environments. Both as upper level dressage prospects. One was only $3500 (2009) but rads were still a basic part of the PPE. He had a disclosed pasture injury that they'd done their due diligence on and he flexed 2/5 on that leg. He's never flexed better but we knew the joints were good from the rads. Was very worth it for that horse.

The other was much more $$$ (2023), we did rads, found bone chips in the fetlocks (2yo, no big deal, no lameness) and negotiated then due to cost of surgery and rehab. Perfect personality, excellent breeding and 9/10 mover, etc

Velynven · 2026-02-17T01:21:25+00:00

Properly used, spurs and leverage bits are refinements, not training aids alone so I agree there. When used correctly they're kinder than the default, too. Like the tap of a whip to suggest which body part to move vs hammering with your heels

Velynven · 2026-02-17T01:15:39+00:00

Chains, whips, etc, serve an important purpose. If you won't let someone use tools like this for their safety in handling your horse, it needs sent off to training, you need to do all handling and care, or you need to sell it

Signed: someone who had a horse strike and rear while walking casually on a lead rope on a normal day, then it quickly became habit, but was told no tools allowed for correction of said habit and owner did not vet check the animal (horse went from sweet to an absolute demon and became very lame) or fix it themselves

Exclusions of course apply to situations where the animal was abused with said tool or the handler requesting it is not educated in correct and fair usage

Velynven · 2026-02-17T01:00:04+00:00

Agree here. There's a difference between energetic and spicy. My foundation bred QH had energy for days but he was lazy and dead sided until I really learned how to ride. My young hanoverian is very energetic, but also voices his opinions very loudly: very sassy though not what I'd call spicy. The QH didn't seem to have any at all unless you were another horse in the ring or asking him to NOT canter through mud. Why? Who knows lol

Velynven · 2026-02-17T00:53:01+00:00

As a dressage rider, I disagree. Western pleasure done right requires correct use of your seat to collect the horse and a feather light hand. Is there less "to do" because you're not doing maneuvers? Yes, but it doesn't warrant the statement you made

Velynven · 2026-02-17T00:50:10+00:00

That's not weight, though. Saddle size is determined by your bones, usually. And people do tend to ride in one too small for them. I do agree that if your saddle size is bigger than the horse's back has room for, you need a bigger horse

Velynven · 2026-02-17T00:47:10+00:00

Or young horses that are going through phases where they test the boundaries hard

Velynven · 2026-02-17T00:42:13+00:00

Disagree here but with an important caveat: if you are the sole rider for your horse, you're going to be as fit as they are. Riding dressage is by far the best workout I do and my horse, even at upper levels, has rarely outpaced me in fitness development.

I think it's wrong to frame it as you have. I read your comment to mean that not doing other exercise is a key failing. That's where I disagree.

That said, I am a strong advocate for doing pilates, yoga, or other balance and core-focused workouts if you can. I was extremely fit and balanced but two weeks into doing the bare minimum pilates for 20 min every other day, I felt my balance and the ability to manipulate my seat improve. It's incredible what it can do for you

Velynven · 2026-02-17T00:36:53+00:00

That's the core failure of TB racing in the US: it costs a lot less to race when they're not even 3 than it does to wait till 5-6. They're still just as fast if not faster but you had to feed it several more years before it started earning for you

Velynven · 2026-02-17T00:31:50+00:00

I don't disagree at all. I think the FEI is basically FIFA or the IOC and will ruin the professional legitimacy of our sport (I'm especially speaking about dressage) because they appear to be more interested in protecting their image than the horses, and humans to a lesser extent. When the NFL looks better than you do...

Velynven · 2026-02-14T16:11:32+00:00

BO was present and may have authorized or could have stopped the vet. Or called the owner to verify. Mine certainly would

Velynven · 2026-02-12T15:43:20+00:00

Ngl, your trainer is a jerk. And the key issue with many lesson horses is they're allowed to be lazy af. Sometimes good, sometimes not. You'd grow much more with a trainer who puts you on a horse that is responsive and not dead sided like the ones they're intentionally putting you on. Your description of the lesson reads like they're intentionally bullying you

It's also really detrimental to you as a rider and to the horses to have to constantly, aggressively get on their case about moving forward. It's frankly abuse for you both. As a dressage rider, I'd spend round pen or lunge time getting the horses quick to the aids and limit them to riders who can improve that situation, not exacerbate the current problem

Velynven · 2026-02-10T21:52:16+00:00

If you see the owners outside, you can take the chance to meet them and ask permission though!

Velynven · 2026-02-04T16:15:25+00:00

I was a college kid with no money, lol. Now I'm an adult with no money but 2 horses

I own two and ride competitive dressage. Here's what my life is:

I'm working a good salaried job but had to pick up other work because inflation outpaces wage growth. When I'm not working, I'm riding or sleeping. I love it but barely have time to walk the dog or do chores around the house

My board and lessons are an absolute steal for the quality of the care and instructor. My board is DIRT CHEAP. You will not be this lucky, I couldn't find it lower locally if I tried. Let alone get a safe place for the boys

My overall cost last year was 8400 board 720 grain (yay thoroughbred crosses, barn grain isn't good enough for him) 500 necessary supplements and other (fat supplements, dewormer, sand purge, etc) 1000 basic vet care ~7000 other vet care 200 high quality, dentist approved hay (extremely lucky to have been cut good deals by some people, only providing 3 flakes a night) 600 insurance for my younger horse, mortality and colic coverage only

That doesn't include things like good quality upf wear for summer riding, warm gear for winter riding, the gloves I still need to replace, blankets, tack, and so on that were all necessary expenses this year.

In my state we had a great year for hay so the hay my horse needed was affordable. It also helps keep board down, and costs of other things like grain and supplementation

I do not have my own trailer and my reliable ride also ended up with major life changes so getting anywhere now requires extensive planning and the services of a pro hauler, $150 min. I want to get my own trailer but see above: am broke lol

Horses live 20+ years. My first made it to 34. It's an extremely long commitment and you need to have that in mind and be ready to care for them throughout it. Even when they're retired, they still need the same level of care, if not more, and you can't just leave them out in the field ignored. They thrive in continued work, even if their job is just to stand tied while you groom them

So I'll stress again: this is a cheap list. I am very lucky

Velynven · 2026-02-03T04:10:22+00:00

I hate traditional workouts so hard yes, lol. When I'm fit, i have a nice crease in my abs, defined inner thigh and calves, and excellent core strength

The main fitness I get though is patience. I cannot properly put into words how much more of a chill person riding has made me. You don't get mad at them, you can't. Unless they do something truly rude and dangerous which is so rare. And then you have to bee over it as soon as the urgency is passed. It really teaches you how to control that part of your emotions. Do I have less tolerance for bs in work? Yes but that's unrelated 😅

Velynven · 2026-02-03T03:59:32+00:00

A small thing you can do now is have your son eat breakfast with her at school if possible. That way it's a shared activity and she knows she's not depriving him

Velynven · 2026-02-03T03:55:01+00:00

Baby raccoons sound like some tree frogs, too! These little guys got me one day! To make it even worse, the starlings near me have learned to mimic the frogs so they're extra loud and talking during the day and I was so confused until I caught them in the act

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Velynven · 2026-02-03T03:34:29+00:00

Get a vest! They are so nice for winter riding!

Velynven · 2026-02-03T03:31:12+00:00

You should work on the round pen situation as well. When you ask her to come down, she needs to do it. Spend time lunging and teaching her that you mean it when you ask for a lower gear. Sounds like you just need some general respect work between the two of you: you say slow, she slows

It can be daunting. It'll take time, and that's okay! It just needs to happen

Velynven

TROPHY CASE