Paula Nalley

[appyday]

I wanted to tell you I posted a nice long video on the spur broke horse...kinda rough but gives the idea..took a long time to make...someone had to http://forums.somd.com/images/smilies/poke.gif at me and made me http://forums.somd.com/images/smilies/tantrum.gif so I said a bad word and they deleted the thread...sorry http://forums.somd.com/images/smilies/huggy.gif

[pnalley]

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I'm on dial up at home and could only get 2 strides at a time. I'm at work today with DSL.

One thing I can say, is having to keep your lower leg on the horse for cueing keeps your leg in proper position which in turn keep the remainder of your body right. You have lovely equitation.
I only barely saw your leg movements one or two times. I feel sure I would see more in person, but there is certainly no cruelty involved. Spur broke sounds bad, but appears to be a very precise method of control.

I can see why Paso people would not be a fan of stock horse pleasure as it is the polar opposite of a Paso. You are going low & slow & relaxed on no contact and a Paso is high headed and certainly not relaxed & not a no contact ride.

The last time I saw WP in a public place was at the AQHA Congress 10 years ago. From the way your horse moves it appears "more forward" is now in effect. Ten years ago, more forward, a true lope (not 4 beat) and poll level with withers or 6" below was the "reform" that was supposed to take the industry by storm.

Your horse appears to be happy with his job, I saw many that were not back then. Believe it or not the last time I rode a trained pleasure horse was in the mid 70's. Times have changed!

Thanks for the video (thank the person that help you too). I have a soft spot for Apps and still have 3. Mine are basically yard ornaments as I much prefer the Paso ride. I might have a different opinion if mine had that soft jog & lope yours does.

[Pasogirlz]

Perhaps someone will remember this the next time they insist on using profanity on my forum. ;-)

I'll delete the offensive posts and move it back for you.

[pnalley]

Shelley,
I have a couple of questions/comments.

I went back & read your pleasure horse comments. One of the cues I saw was the one you described as asking for the lope. I definatly saw you move his rump to the inside, ask with your leg as you lifted the shoulder. Ionly saw this on the lope command in which you were going counter clockwise and his rump was close to the camera (near the end).

You commented earlier that Roger is coming of a long layoff. How is his weight as opposed to a show fit pleasure horse? I like the way he looks. Ten years ago the "look" was painfully skinny, almost to unhealthly looking (again the polar opposite of Paso show horse). What is the current winning look?

I'll be at work again Wednesday, I'll look at the video again to see if I see any more cues.

Very interesting................

[appyday]

We do move his hip and shoulder setting him up for the lope..I can show you videos of him as a 2 yr old and his hip is way way off the rail when traveling down the rail..When he had his 18 month lay off he flashed back to his 2 yr old year and his hip off the rail...we are getting that straight again and getting his hip back on the rail..what you see is actually good now he can really cock his hip off the tail to where he actually crosses over in front..We had him going more naturally his 3-4 yr old year but when off he flashed back to when he was broke...This horse was really put threw hell as a 2 yr old.

As for weight he is FAT...actually they do not like the Ethiopian look but rather bones covered...but Roger is too fat to work properly at this time...again remember this is 3-4 weeks after 18 mo off...and Jens 8th ride on him..

[pnalley]

So are you telling me they like them fit instaed if so skinny?

I sure hope so. I wish he was were I could ride him once. I probably wouldn't be able to walk after 5 minutes :shock:

[appyday]

yes fit not skinny I always keep meat over the bones on mine...but he is too fat right now..but remember he gets no hay or grain so it is hard to cut anything back on him. Work is all we can do to cut him back on weight...He is a good horse and easy to ride if you can ride that "type" of horse..if you cant he wont lol..And yes...if not in shape..like me he will kill your legs...when loping you never take contact off of him..so it is a constant hold and support with the leg...then sometimes if he is off cadence you fan the inside leg for rhythm for him..