tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post409936410128707447..comments2024-01-02T23:28:23.835-05:00Comments on Glenshee Equestrian Centre: Mission: Impossible - Happy Ending...?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-44109884066826975602009-04-14T18:42:00.000-04:002009-04-14T18:42:00.000-04:00Enjoyed the Mission Impossible story! :-)
JenEnjoyed the Mission Impossible story! :-)<br /><br />JenNever Say Never Greyhoundshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00001070229800933763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-23525694723654183842009-03-23T18:49:00.000-04:002009-03-23T18:49:00.000-04:00Awesome story! I love the part when he jumped that...Awesome story! I love the part when he jumped that final jump when he clearly didn't have to...what a guy. You have a wonderful relationship. Thanks for reminding us to appreciate the horse in the moment.Horseypantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11046197500440656224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-33871076636194418662009-03-23T09:04:00.000-04:002009-03-23T09:04:00.000-04:00bhm - thanks. i'm glad he's with me too :-)bhm - thanks. i'm glad he's with me too :-)jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-64941841457681486152009-03-23T09:03:00.000-04:002009-03-23T09:03:00.000-04:00ho horseredux - thanks! i would love to do a post...ho horseredux - thanks! i would love to do a post on longe training! i'm in the middle of starting my horses back after having the winter off, so the timing is perfect :-)jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-36569922967636305832009-03-22T17:21:00.000-04:002009-03-22T17:21:00.000-04:00Moving story. I'm so glad Mellon is with you. He...Moving story. I'm so glad Mellon is with you. He deserves his new name.bhmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07305625629888108578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-43724445005448753492009-03-21T21:26:00.000-04:002009-03-21T21:26:00.000-04:00Hi -- Just found your blog recently and love your ...Hi -- Just found your blog recently and love your posts. Would you consider doing one on longe line training as a follow-up to your helpful description of working a horse "long and low"?<BR/><BR/>Thanks!HorseReduxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02727348586706684951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-3706294596056744982009-03-17T13:59:00.000-04:002009-03-17T13:59:00.000-04:00bay horse - i hope so. for me it became less abou...bay horse - i hope so. for me it became less about proving to everyone else that i was a good rider and more about being the best rider i could be for my particular horse. i mean, we didn't really 'get anywhere' - at least by their standards, but if i had gone out and won all the big classes on some other, easier horse, i wouldn't have felt i earned it. i really think mellon helped make me the rider i became because he made me earn it :-)jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-50939114604074523372009-03-17T13:46:00.000-04:002009-03-17T13:46:00.000-04:00They would tell me, “you’re too good a rider to wa...<I>They would tell me, “you’re too good a rider to waste your time with a horse you’ll never get anywhere with.”</I><BR/><BR/>I think that makes you an even better rider by "dancing with the date that brought you" so to speak.A Bay Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16519878838113259362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-46713541738100283012009-03-12T14:24:00.000-04:002009-03-12T14:24:00.000-04:00amy - ps, i am using a pathetic crest release in t...amy - ps, i am using a pathetic crest release in these photos (poor mellon,) but at that point in my career it was the only thing i knew - i have since amended my ways!jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-57811847836158411202009-03-12T14:17:00.000-04:002009-03-12T14:17:00.000-04:00amy - that is too funny! i hope someone did tell ...amy - that is too funny! i hope someone did tell him ;-) but of course he'd never admit it - he probably thinks it's all HIS idea, lol! i didn't renew my subscription to COTH because every edition had something in it that made me want to write a strongly worded letter :-\ but i may try to get my hands on a copy now - after all, i can always rant on my blog now when i read something that makes me nuts ;-)<BR/><BR/><BR/>gillian - thanks for the suggestion! i have added an archive to the sidebar below horse news and above awards. you can also search by specific topic in the labels section if you do not find what you are looking for :-)jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-74066919152342438592009-03-11T17:48:00.000-04:002009-03-11T17:48:00.000-04:00OT: would you mind putting up a widget with your a...OT: would you mind putting up a widget with your archived blogs somewhere on the side? It makes it a lot easier for me to cruise around and read your old posts. Under layout its one of the first widgets in the list, I think.gillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12116128687769268871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-79074437101123738332009-03-11T14:57:00.000-04:002009-03-11T14:57:00.000-04:00Page 36 Chronicle of the Horse, 2/27/09: George Mo...Page 36 Chronicle of the Horse, 2/27/09: George Morris extols virtue of Automatic Release. Someone must have alerted him to your entry on the subject!<BR/><BR/>It is interesting that he decries that "throw everything forward" look in the article but all his students do itChicagoGrrrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158374211306308740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-46129021309065992152009-03-10T09:48:00.000-04:002009-03-10T09:48:00.000-04:00wolfandterriers - your pony sounds really cool and...wolfandterriers - your pony sounds really cool and she's lucky to have you :-) those are the kind of horses that you just can't force - maybe more riders would learn patience and less force (not to mention humility ;-) if they had to ride a horse like that once in their lives! good luck with her!jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-9016866033837234252009-03-09T13:06:00.000-04:002009-03-09T13:06:00.000-04:00You're right, it's not that terrible when it comes...You're right, it's not that terrible when it comes to the scale of awfulness! However, I don't think there is an appropriate way to use that bit. Granted, I work my horses in a simple snaffle. <BR/><BR/>My cannibalistic fence jumper has rather clearly reinforced the idea that the aids are developed through training and repetition. I've been riding her off of a modified Dr. Cooks bitless bridle and have slowly been introducing the feel of rein aids throughout movements. My pony has a lot of potential, but the really aggressive personality that would take it out on her rider if she felt mistreated. I'm glad that no one was ever brave enough to work with her, as the things she can think of are rather scary. <BR/><BR/>I think we should all vote for more patience and less force. Our horses would be happier for it!wolfandterriershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16198306915928769246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-25514882139026579782009-03-09T11:42:00.000-04:002009-03-09T11:42:00.000-04:00jackie - what a great way of looking at it! i gue...jackie - what a great way of looking at it! i guess in a way it is like marriage - no two partners in any relationship are ever a 100% perfect match (THAT would be boring ;-) but compatibility has to be about more than just liking the good stuff - you have to accept and appreciate the less-than-ideal stuff too. after all, compassion is loving someone partly because of their weaknesses, not in spite of them...jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-70245575818343913972009-03-09T11:31:00.000-04:002009-03-09T11:31:00.000-04:00tammy and kate - thanks!wolfandterriers - oh, i kn...tammy and kate - thanks!<BR/><BR/><BR/>wolfandterriers - oh, i know there are much worse bits in circulation :-\ i'm ok with curb bits (used properly) but the jimmy williams disturbs me because of that long upper arm that prevents the bit from rotating normally - all of that leverage goes directly against the bars. yikes!<BR/><BR/>i think horses are the best instructors - i was lucky enough to have 2 great teachers early on - lifeguard and mellon. i learned so much from both of them... it never would have occurred to me that i could go professional, but after seeing what i did with mellon, people started asking me to work with their horses too. i think if it hadn't been for mellon, i never would have pursued training so seriously....<BR/><BR/><BR/>LMTBs - thanks, will do!<BR/><BR/><BR/>billie - i always wonder about horse's names... sometimes i do think they name themselves, or at least the names mean more than we initially think. we had a horse who came with the name 'lifeguard' because he had a pink nose and needed to wear zinc on it in the sun. but that name ended up meaning so much more...<BR/><BR/>i like that photo too. i have so few photos in general, but i just love the relaxed, confident expression on mellon's face - that's the mellon i know and love :-)<BR/><BR/>i'm glad your daughter is sticking with her pony - it will definitely make her a better rider.<BR/><BR/><BR/>dp - your appaloosa sounds great :-) i love the challenging horses, and i know what you mean about people assuming you're making an excuse to suck, but my guess is they've never had the pleasure of making a breakthrough with a challenging horse or passing some personal milestone.<BR/><BR/>i cried too the day mellon bailed me out of that bad jump - to everyone else it probably just looked like a bad distance, but i knew - and mellon knew - that any other day i would have eaten that jump, and it was a huge deal to me that he jumped it for me. and yeah, i'm sure mellon didn't care about our time or jumping clean - we were just having some fun ;-) that's the only way i've ever enjoyed showing...<BR/><BR/><BR/>funder - agree! which reminds me i need to catch up and see what's up with your ponies :-)jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-87027865253583458192009-03-09T11:03:00.000-04:002009-03-09T11:03:00.000-04:00Even so-called difficult horses have the perfect p...Even so-called difficult horses have the perfect person out there waiting to find them. There are some horses who are easy to get along with and everybody loves. There are some, like Mellon, who have quirky personalities or certain difficulties; it takes special people or the right person to love them. <BR/><BR/>I always thought it was similar to getting married. You are never going to find a perfect spouse. But you find one who has lots of good characteristics you can appreciate, and weaknesses that you don't mind dealing with.<BR/><BR/>We don't all appreciate the same good characteristics. And we don't all despise the same weaknesses. <BR/><BR/>Sure keeps the world a lot more interesting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-37906626828103683182009-03-09T08:55:00.000-04:002009-03-09T08:55:00.000-04:00What a lovely happy ending - and a great way to "r...What a lovely happy ending - and a great way to "rename" him. The challenging ones are so much more fun in the end!Funderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358687366401205336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-57531309175540029752009-03-09T02:32:00.000-04:002009-03-09T02:32:00.000-04:00What a great end to the story. In my serious days...What a great end to the story. In my serious days I evented an unpredictable appaloosa. Nothing as dangerous-sounding as Mellon, but I also never could be sure what horse I would have today, tomorrow or in five strides. I always used to tell people that I was only competing against myself, but I'm pretty sure they heard it as an excuse to suck. I clearly remember crying with pride over a 68 dressage score. <BR/><BR/>Anyhow, your perspective is very refreshing. The horses couldn't care less whether they place first or last. I firmly believe that they just want to go out and have fun with their monkeys.dphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03072031429438530210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-62607444112155860492009-03-08T22:50:00.000-04:002009-03-08T22:50:00.000-04:00Me too, with the tears in eyes. What a story - in ...Me too, with the tears in eyes. What a story - in some ways like LOTR - what an appropriate name. I think it was always that name - you just were the one person who realized it and corrected the spelling.<BR/><BR/>In the last photo he reminds me of Keil Bay, so handsome and regal and in that moment the photo captures the essence of what the two of you have done/can do together.<BR/><BR/>My daughter's trainers have all told her that sticking with her pony, who can sometimes be a challenge, would make her a better rider, and I think it's true. She has learned to negotiate things she never would have on a push-button pony. <BR/><BR/>I have so enjoyed reading this series. Thanks for sharing it.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-25014805950747067482009-03-08T22:34:00.000-04:002009-03-08T22:34:00.000-04:00Of course it's a happy ending,he's with you for li...Of course it's a happy ending,he's with you for life and no one else will ever abuse him. He probably has taught you more than any trainer or clinician.He opened his heart,trusted you and has saved your ass when it mattered. That's what the good ones do.....even if they are deemed unrideable or unsafe by those who do not understand them.Give him some pats from me and i hope he has many more feisty years left.LuvMyTBshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02535739190335276089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-61233476381727593912009-03-08T22:02:00.000-04:002009-03-08T22:02:00.000-04:00Ugh, I saw the Jimmy bit and the first thought in ...Ugh, I saw the Jimmy bit and the first thought in my mind was, "That's not that bad." Granted, I'm boarding my dressage pony at a "Western" barn and watch the frightening pieces of metal that routinely go into horses mouths! (I am counting the days until my move!) <BR/><BR/>It always makes me happy to hear of the unique horse that makes a rider. I've always thought that an instructor tells you how to ride, while the horse shows you. Thank goodness Mellon found you!wolfandterriershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01385488223077171206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-42263701146145548422009-03-08T14:03:00.000-04:002009-03-08T14:03:00.000-04:00What a wonderful story! He's a perfect example of...What a wonderful story! He's a perfect example of why it's so important to "ride the horse you have today". You found a way to connect with him and get him to offer up himself as a partner - he must have really trusted you. I'm glad he found you and you found him - may he be with you for years to come.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-63027349350873147112009-03-08T13:52:00.000-04:002009-03-08T13:52:00.000-04:00Beautifully written!Beautifully written!Tammy Vasahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01531335275070860886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829570931882245246.post-33487587603712404142009-03-08T13:47:00.000-04:002009-03-08T13:47:00.000-04:00thanks GHM :-) i hope so too!thanks GHM :-) i hope so too!jmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295140724737185132noreply@blogger.com