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Discussion on Dressage to music...
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 11:46 pm:
I am happy to report that after one and half years of lessons on my horse, this week he has spent entire lessons on the bit, in an outline, really working from behind. It's like it has finally clicked and we are partners instead of being in opposition. My coach says we are ready for 1st level at the local schooling shows and I am so excited! We even got the start of half passes...albeit it was at walk 
To stir things up a bit we did dressage to music today. It was amazing! Using music added a whole new element and it was like I fell in love with Dressage all over again.
Anyway, was just interested if anyone has any suggestions for song selections for two and three beats. He is a small framed Arabian and his trot and is a little quicker than a larger horse so we need slightly faster two beat scores.
Are there any music sources for dressage specifically?
Any help anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated. What fun!
v/r
Corinne
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 8:04 am:
Hi Corinne,
Look at the back ads of Dressage magazine and I think you can find ads for places that will produce music for you & your horse. However, from what I understand, that can be quite expensive. Another option is to buy some videos of the freestyle competitions and listen to the pieces used in the competition...find ones you like and that you think will fit your horse and then buy them. If you have a friend who does any sort of music "mixing", that person could probably take the pieces you like and adjust the tempo to match your horses gait.
Congratulations on your progress! It's a challenge and sometimes frustrating discipline, but the highs are amazing!
Fran
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 9:54 am:
Fran,
Thanks for your quick response. I will look at the next issue of Dressage Today. I stayed up late last night surfing the net and you were right about music to freestyle being expensive....$300-500 but that's for pieces that are composed for specific routines......and well....we won't be there for a while! 
At this point I think your suggestion on getting a friend to mix and slow or speed up the beat might be the best option....We just want something fun to practice with!
Thanks for the congrats....It's awesome when it finally "feels" right!
Well....have a great day and if you see any sites that sell CDs for this purpose let me know!
Take care,
Corinne
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Member:
Vablonde
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 1:46 pm:
Hi Corinne,
Go to the music store and buy instrumental CDs.. Try the Boston Pops, Herb Alpert, any of those sorts of compilation CDs have all sorts of music that you might find will work with your horse!
I found that the Chicken Dance believe it or not went very well for a little Arab at the barn I board at. 
Good luck!
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Member:
Lilo
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 2:31 pm:
For trot work marches work well - for canter work waltzes are more suitable.
Lilo
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 3:10 pm:
All great suggestions! I will try some of the songs in my husband classical collection. Waltz and Marches should not be hard to find. I should also bring him to the barn, have him watch us, and then compose something for us as he is piano composer in his spare time away from the military.
I can totally relate to the Chicken Dance....
We used classical to start and then really got going to 80's music, which she says works great for Dressage on her drafts. My coach's favorite is Girls Just Want to Have fun by Cyndi Lauper....We tried it and it was a blast but still, it was a little slow for his trot. I know it's ideal to bring the horse to the beat....but until we can manage that, she just wants us to practice at a few songs that work with his natural rythem...which by the way...like my husband, apparently my horse is a little short on! HAHAHA
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 3:59 pm:
Corinne,
I think you're mistaken when you say it's ideal to bring the horse to the original beat of the music--you don't want to interfere with your horses natural gait (other than to extend or collect it, etc) The top riders find a piece of music that works "well" for their horse and then use those expensive experts I mentioned above to change the tempo of and mix the music to match their horse. I'm quite sure there was an article about it within the past year or so in Dressage Today...you may want to see if you can find it.
I think you hit upon the perfect solution yourself: Bring hubby to the barn to get a feel for your horse and have him mix you something, either original or from a popular song you like and then record it for you at the needed tempo. You have a built in expert right at home!
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 5:20 pm:
Fran,
Well that's even better!
Bringing him to the beat is not something I was told to do.....I just thought a more experienced rider would be able to do that....I guess thinking about it.....my instructor would not have recommended finding music that matched his own tempo and there wouldn't be custom sites that compose pieces to match the horses tempo if everyone else did that as well....Great point!
I hope the husband is not busy this weekend...He now has plans!
Take care and Thanks again.
v/r
Corinne
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Monday, Apr 3, 2006 - 11:48 pm:
Hello all. Demetrius just got back from training on Sunday. It is so good to have him home. I have been getting back into lessons and can even put on a paddock boot for riding if I ice my foot the rest of the time because it's still rather swollen.
Anyway, we were invited to participate in a Freestyle Dressage clinic in South Dakota this upcoming weekend and will be making the eight hour drive with friends on Friday. I am so excited. This will be my first dressage to music experience in a clinic format
Here is the flyer....
Freestyle Clinic April 7-9 in Huron
Karen Robinson of www.applausedressage.com will be the clinician for a FreeStyle Clinic in Huron, SD April 7-9, 2006 .
The clinic will be helpful to riders/auditors and horses of all levels. A Friday evening lecture will begin the weekend, with dinner on your own in Huron (location TBA). Each rider will have two mounted sessions over the weekend. There will be a group session, Introduction to Riding to Music, perfect for those not ready to prepare a freestyle ride, but wanting to experience the benefits of riding to music. Group sessions for Quadrille riders are encouraged! And individual lessons are available for those wanting to concentrate on preparing a freestyle ride for competition.
Ms. Robinson has competed through FEI, and has designed freestyles for riders of all levels, including designing the Canadian team’s Quadrille for the Challenge of the Americas ! A personable and approachable woman, Karen works with riders of all levels; and as a Canadian, she is prepared to travel to SD in April! J
Sue G....have you heard of Ms. Robinson?
I still don't know what to ride in....the intro or the Quadrille...since they are catering to all levels of riders anyone think one would be more beneficial than the other? We are showing training level but schooling level one and should be showing level one this summer....(not ready for freestyle in competition and want to learn and have fun)
Any guidance dressage enthusiasts?
Corinne
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 4, 2006 - 8:03 am:
Corinne,
I can't tell you which one to sign up for but just wanted to say: HAVE A BLAST! Lucky girl...I wish I could join you.
Just be careful you don't overdue it on that recovering leg.
Fran
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 4, 2006 - 10:00 am:
Fran...I will have a great time and will take notes to share.
I guess there aren't going to be any riders riding in the introduction group so by default we are riding in the Quadrille classes. Oh my gosh! This is going to be so much fun. It's a going to be very low key and a perfect opportunity to work on dressage with other riders without having to worry about test scores, which will get me used to getting out (we have only been to a few shows) and will get him used to strange places (as he has only been to a few shows and can get anxious).
I only have to drive the two hours to the training barn then we are loading him up in their trailer so I can relax and not stress my foot.
We are going to follow behind....I might drive a little but am going to have a friend with me who will probably drive most of the way.
Can't wait to share my experiences...much to do...much to do to get ready.
I will be in touch!
Take care everyone.
Corinne
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Member:
Warwick
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 4, 2006 - 12:06 pm:
Sounds like you'll have a great weekend, Corinne! As Fran says, just don't overdo it.
Karen Robinson is a local lady here in the Vancouver area. I know a couple of riders who have had her design kurs for them and they've been really pleased with the results. I think you'll get a lot out of this experience. And don't feel that you have to ride FEI Level to do one - they are done at all levels and a Level 1 kur would be a lot of fun for you to put together. I'm sure Demetrius would love the opportunity to show off to music!
Many years ago I took a clinic on designing kurs from a visiting German clinician. It was very interesting although it was strictly classroom instruction - no riding involved. It concentrated on identifying rhythm, selecting music and developing choreography. Lots of work involved in the development process! We were told the average advanced level kur takes around 80 hours to develop! Plus nowadays some of the top rider/horse combos have music specially written for them. But that's a whole other world...
Let us know how the weekend goes!
Sue
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 1:28 pm:
Hello All. Going to keep this short....can only type with one hand. Unfortunately when I was getting the horse trailer hooked up this morning I was having some issues lining up the ball with the coupler on our Dodge Ram as it's higher than the Jeep Liberty I am used to using.
When I finally got the ball in place and lowered the coupler (sorry if it's not called that) the lever latch on top of the trailer tongue locked in the down position but it didn't look like it was on there right (wasn't sure as it was a new ball) So in a moment of sheer stupidity I reached down to see what the problem was (thinking it was locked in place on the ball) and must have gotten my finger too close because at that moment the coupler engaged with the ball and fell down with a thud in the locked position with my index finger in between the ball and the coupler. The crushing pain was immense but suprisingly enough I stayed calm. I sware I thought I was going to be stuck and remembered I just put my phone in my left pocket which is a good thing because the barn is on a dirt road in a secluded part of the country...but first thing was first i had to get free....So I took a few deep breaths and started the process of cranking the coupler off of my finger. I was praying to God I didn't lose my finger and thank God after what seemed like an eterminty the coupler released enough for me to get my hand out. By then my finger looked a bit like a pancake and I wanted to faint when the real pain started.....so I called 911 because my truck was too engaged with the trailer for me to drive myself to the ER and they came and got me.
To make a long story short....the bone was not crushed but they can't tell if there is tendon or ligament damage because it swelled up three times it size within minutes and they couldn't do the exam.
So it's splinted and I am not allowed to use that hand for two weeks....And while it's the least of my worries I am also crushed I have to miss the freestyle clinic...(No pun intended!)
Anyway, I was a bit hysterical after everything was said and done because I really thought I was going to be trapped and lose my finger and I was kinda shocked.
So now I am hopped up on pain meds but greatful nothing worse happened and while disappointed about the clinic I am happy I stayed calm enough to crank the coupler off.
Learn from my mistake....(I am quite embarassed)and always keep your phone on you even when doing mundane things you have done a million times before....for accidents happen often when doing things you could do in your sleep.
So sadly there will be no clinic news to report but wanted everyone to learn from my error.
Well...going to elevate my hand and lie down.
Will be in touch.
Corinne
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Member:
Warwick
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 1:41 pm:
Oh, Corinne, you poor thing. It must have been so scary. What with the foot surgery and now this, you've certainly had a lot to endure lately.
I hope the swelling goes down soon and you get some relief.
Take care,
Sue
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 1:58 pm:
Oh, my gosh, Corinne . . .
(sigh) . . .
Have you heard of "bubble wrap?"
LOL
Wrap yourself in it and don't move until you get to Oklahoma . . .
I'm glad you have had medical training for yourself and could keep your head together to get through the incidence. Gosh, darn! It's so hard to understand lessons like this . . . but there's a good lesson here, nonetheless . . . and I still think "bubble wrap" is a good idea for awhile. Is your finger going to be okay?
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Member:
Terrilyn
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 2:03 pm:
OMG, Corrine! Your story took me back to the time I was unloading stuff from my Isuzu Trooper for a company function I was attending while a military wife...some picnic thing...I had already taken my 6-month old out in her carseat, which was sitting on the ground sort of behind and to the side of the truck. I was parked on the side of the road, but there weren't too many people around...this was way before cell phones. I went to close the truck door, locked, as I had everything I needed. I didn't get my fingers out of the way and slammed my index finger into the locked door. My keys were with the baby, purse, and covered dish all sitting by the vehicle out of my reach. The realization that I was going to have to YELL FOR HELP was as crushingly painful as my finger. I had to...and years later, I laugh about it, as you will too. I guess I was locked down for 10 minutes or so before someone got there.....and my injury wasn't as severe....but I remember that awful feeling of being trapped and helpless...and could relate to a wild animal chewing off a limb.... I wish you a quick recovery!!!
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 2:03 pm:
Corinne, I'm so sorry about your accident! I hope your finger doesn't give you too much pain and that you'll be good as new in no time.
All my best,
D.
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 2:23 pm:
OUCH!! Corinne, I to have a stupid trailer incident.. I was hooking my trailer up as well, and the ball was in the locked open position.. so I put my hand down to it to see if could pry it loose.. and the latch snapped and caught my hand and broke it.. the pain was intense and awful.. I had a cell phone to, and called my daughter to take me to emergency, she lives close by.. as it was said before .. you will laugh at this in the future...
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 2:34 pm:
Oh, Terri . . . I know the most painful thing for me, too, would be the embarrassment of having to yell. I've always been coached to endure pain and do things for myself . . . "grit your teeth, grin, and bear it" was drilled into me all my growing up years . . . When you mentioned the "chewing off a limb," I could imagine that thought going through my mind, too . . . amazing how the self-preservation kicks in . . . I just flashed on the man in CO a couple of years ago, who was rock climbing and got his arm stuck under a boulder and resorted to cutting his arm off after being trapped. There was no one around to hear him yelling. Corinne, I'm glad you had the option of cranking up the trailer . . .
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Member:
Terrilyn
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 3:39 pm:
It's pretty amazing what you'll do when your survival depends on it! The yelling was absolutely humiliating!! Years later, to this day, I close car doors with completely flat hands...I am always conscious of it...and so glad I didn't have to chew off my finger! (And that my daughter wasn't old enough to remember the whole thing...)
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 3:39 pm:
How awful!! And don't you just hate it when an accident happens and then you want to kick your own butt because it's like you know you should of known better.
Just take care of yourself!!!
Funny how before cell phones I never worried about being without one. Now even to work around the horses I have mine on my person someplace.
Here's tip for carrying cell phones: I bought an cheap digital camera case at WalMart...maybe $5. It hooks on your belt or can hang around your neck. It's padded and has a little pocket in front also. Very small, and I got mine in camo color. Not pretty going shopping, but great around the barn. And alot cheaper than those that can go on your leg for riding.
(((Hugs))) to you Corrine.
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 4:44 pm:
Oh Corrine, I am very sorry to hear of your accident and know you must be very disappointed about missing the clinic.
I almost always leave my cell phone in my car and this is a very good reminder to carry it in to the barn with me, specially since I ride at night when no one is around. Thanks for the wake up call.
And darn it girl...be more careful! Take care of yourself!
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Member:
Liliana5
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 5:36 pm:
So sorry Corinne! double trouble, bad finger and missing the clinic bummer, just so that you laugh a bit. - I was at the ranch by my self and I closed the car door with the keys and cell phone in it. I had no electricity at the time. So you know when you are in the middle of nowhere in the dark its spooky so I began to panic a little and thought, darn it I'll smash the window with a rock and get the key, sooo of I go found the biggest stone I could pick up threw it on the window and it bounced back smack on my face!
Luckily as I did not return home on time my husband came to my rescue after what seemed and eternity with the spare key which he carried in his key ring, and there I was in the dark with my black eye and bleeding nose!
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 6:41 pm:
Oh goodness everyone....Thank you for your thoughts and sharing your stories....I am glad you all made it out of your own ordeals with nothing more than some minor injuries and some experience about what not to do next time.
The first thought that ran through my head was crap I am really going to miss the clinic now. Funny losing my finger was second...That should go under attention all horse a holics post...LOL...
Honestly I am suprised I didn't sream or cry (at least until after when I saw my smashed finger and the pain hit)I guess I knew not only would it have been futile out there all alone and instinctively knew it would work me up and I wouldn't be able to think about what to do. Next I immediately thought what those folks on the discovery channel shows about survival and I shouldn't be alive do? Not panic. Oh...yes...and they would take a deep breath. Only when I thought there might be a chance I wouldn't be able to get it off of me and I was potentially trapped that poor colorado hiker came to mind....seriously! Mine ordeal lasted two minutes...five days....and an amputation later...it was a miracle he survived.
Anyway, I am still mortified that I had to call an ambulance...in fact I kept saying in between sobs....sorry someone might be really needing you and here I am with a little crush injury. They were going to have to cut my wedding rig off because my whole hand swelled...thank goodness I didn't have on my diamond. Which brings me to another point....I won't wear rings to the barn as they can cause you get caught up that would be bad as well.
Sue yes it was rather scary....thank goodness for my Guardian Angel
Holly......do they make bubblewrap in my size? And were the cranks just added as a safty feature in recent years?
Ann....I hope your hand healed well....that must have hurt! Thank goodness you weren't seriously injured.
Terri...Poor thing...at least I had a thought that I could crank it up....having the keys on the inside of the car might have made me lose it...glad you are Okay.
D....pain meds are nice! Thanks for your thoughts.
Angie...good tips...I am going shopping for a carrier...Right before it happened I went back to the truck to get my phone....and I could use a hug.
Fran...technology has the ability to save lives! And don't worry, gave me a wake up call as well...I just might hook up now when people are there just in case.
And Liliana....your poor husband must have thought you were attacked. Glad you are okay...911 called mine and I think he had a heart attack....and is upset he didn't take time off of work to help me. I have to keep reminding him...I normally don't have problems and it could have happened to anyone.
Well....this one hand typing is tiring....I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for being so concerned....hope I didn't forget to thank anyone.
Have a better day than me!
Hugs to all,
Corinne
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Member:
Ilona
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 6:56 pm:
OK so this isn't vehicle related, but it is stupidity related. Last Sunday my fiance and I purchased an 8 year old TWH Paint with the SWEETEST disposition. Monday we are walking Ifu (Zulu translation for 'Cloud') from the arena to the his corral, doing some positive re-inforcement training on the walk with treats. Stuart gives him a treat at the appropriate moment and then (I later discovered upon questioning) puts his thumb in Ifu's mouth to "see how tame he is". Well, guess what Ifu thought? "Yum, another treat". CLAMP go his teeth! Ever tried removing a thumb from the mouth of a horse convinced you are trying to take away his treat? It's not a pretty sight! Suffice it to say, once the thumb was reclaimed and Ifu was hurredly secured in his corral the first stop was the emergency room where Stuart refused to hand over details, simply saying his thumb had been crushed!
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Member:
Liliana5
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Posted on Friday, Apr 7, 2006 - 7:40 pm:
Ilona here comes another one under the same theme, When Chechen came to the ranch he was a crazy stallion that would sooner bite you than find out if you were friend or foe. After about a month he was almost approachable so I decided to remove his head collar and change it, I strongly said to my helper DO not do any sudden moves. so all of a sudden I see a string of blood coming down his arm and he was loosing his colour, when I took a second look I saw that Chechen had his whole arm with wise in his mouth! So the only thing I could think was to stick my finger in Chechen's mouth and prick the top of his mouth, and it worked like a charm he let go immediately.
Then I ran the chap to the hospital and panic station set in Was he bit by a rabid dog? They asked, I said no a horse!
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Member:
Lilo
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 - 10:04 am:
So many lessons here. Now I do think I will keep my cell phone on me when I go to the barn - one never knows .....
Corinne - I know how you were looking forward to that clinic. Maybe it just was not the right time. Both foot and hand have to heal up some more.
Take care,
Lilo
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 - 10:32 am:
Another reason to keep a cell phone on your person.. my gal friend fell off her horse the day before Thanksgiving.. she broke her hip... We are backyard riders , always ride alone with no one around.. ( I ride young horses as well ) .. lucky for her, husband came home early to call 911, she was completely non mobile even when the paramedics got there they had to wait for her to feel ''ok'' for them to move her.. I now always wear a phone.. and will go look for that Velcro one talked about above..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 - 10:33 am:
Lessons others learn from our mistakes are valuable and pain free which is why it's so nice to share....even if they are embarassing.
I think I might start a new thead in the lounge(if not started already) on barn and horse related accidents as I think there would be some value added for others. Maybe people can post tips to prevent them as well.
Ilona...I hope stuart was okay! Goodness.....
Liliana....I hope your helper was too....and both learned that horses teeth and body parts don't mix. Lilo I try to think about there being a time and a place and a reason for everything. You are right...perhaps I wasn't physically ready with my foot and at the same time a small injury is better with a good life lesson than a big one. I keep trying to think of that when I imagine everyone riding right now. Thanks for sharing all.
Take care.
Corinne
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 - 10:58 am:
Ann I hope your friend's hip was okay. Did it turnout okay for her?
I started a post in the lounge on barn and horse related accidents so that we may all learn from each other. I think we are on to something sharing these types of stories. I have learned a few lessons in the last day, from a mistake I made myself, to reading about what others went through.
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Member:
Warwick
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Posted on Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - 11:26 am:
I must have had a subconscious desire to join you in your discomfort, Corinne, because on Friday night I was bringing in the horses prior to heading to the airport to pick up my husband. Warwick (the big one) was across the creek and ignored my yells to come in so I had to hop over it and grab him. On the way back across the creek, instead of calmly popping over it like he normally does, he took an enormous leap that drifted somewhat sideways directly into me. He must have nailed me in the back and side with his knee (I'm guessing) and sent me flying like a ragdoll. I landed face down on the other bank with the wind knocked out of me. I couldn't get enough breath to get up initially. Thankfully the big jerk just stood there instead of taking off with me in tow.
Long story short, I went to the hospital yesterday as the pain increased steadily over the weekend and I became basically immobile. I'm now sitting at home with badly bruised ribs and feeling somewhat dizzy on all the pain meds and anti-inflammatories.
And we have horses WHY???!!!
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - 3:56 pm:
Oh my gosh Thank God you were Okay. I know this is a terrible thought but I am so happy you weren't knocked unconscious face down in the creek! Our guardian angels must have been working overtime this week.
Please rest up and don't rise too quickly if you are dizzy. When I was on all those pain meds after my surgery I couldn't sit upright without feeling faint as well so I know what you mean.
Also, folks with broken and bruised ribs on bed rest tend to breath shallow because of the pain. Don't forget to use pillow to brace yourself and take nice deep breaths and cough every four hours or so secretions don't settle and you can stay healthy while you heal.
Hope you feel better!
Wish I could do more to help.
Take care of yourself.
Corinne
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