Great Ride with M and Scotty

It was such a gorgeous day today!  M and I planned on going for a ride so I made certain to get out of bed early enough.  I skipped coffee which I shouldn't have since I later while going home noticed a slight head ache...nothing bad but I should take chances like that!

When I got to the barn Dani was munching away on her feed.  I grabbed on of my larger buckets from the trailer and filled it up with her hay so she could munch while getting groomed.  We started in the round pen doing some trotting to warm up and then canter.  I had her turn many times and she was really good her off side but not on the near side.  I would have to back much more quickly and for longer to get her to turn into the center.  Even so she was in a good frame of mind and listening pretty well so I didn't need to get any silliness out of her.

I headed to the trailer with her, my stick and a manure fork.  All of that in my hand made it hard to move her correctly and she took advantage walking well ahead of me.  Note to self, second trip to grab the manure fork won't kill me.  I tied her long to the trailer so she could get her hay and headed up to fill a bucket for water.  I never have labeled my buckets as food or water and I should.  I now have a stainless steel bucket that will be used for washing or veterinary washing (i.e. iodine etc).  I held the water up to her and she took a few long swigs.  I'm very happy she drinks well, hopefully that will continue in strange places but I figure I can try out the Gatorade method and add that to "strange" water if I ever have an issue.  I praised her.

I started currying, then the flick brush and brushed out her mane.  I'd applied the Manely Long Hair slicker on Thursday so all of it was absorbed by now but I still felt that there was a bit of residue; the product says there shouldn't be any.  The hair was easy to brush through but it felt stiffer than the silky smooth I really want to achieve.  Perhaps she just needs a good bath soon.  M headed to the grassy arena to grab Scotty and Prince as they were grazing.  Prince decided to be a pill and gallop around the arena like a bat out of hell.  The little mini was so freaking cute flying around, even though M was a bit ticked she still thought he was a darling.  I asked her if she needed help but she did eventually catch him and then borrowed a long line of mine to work him a bit.

With Scotty and the Prince captured she got Scotty ready for our ride.  I finished Dani and walked her up to the mounting block.  With a last tightening of the cinch I got up on my mare.  I'm guessing from the excitement she moved off a without my asking.  She's been really good about standing still after mounting and staying quiet.  Anyways, M and I head to down the driveway to cross the road and ride around the High School.  Dani was bad and didn't want to stop at the road so I had to circle her.  Again, I think it's the excitement of another horse.  She'll learn that she has to listen to me even when there are other ponies around.

We walked up the path to the sandy area behind the school.  It makes for good footing so M and I played around with turns on the forehand, moving over the shoulders, and then some trotting with Dani.  I couldn't quite count out the 1, 2, 1, 2 in a fashion that helped with slowing Dani's trot at M's suggestion but if I concentrated on my breathing it did help some.  It will just take time but I was happy that my girl had calmed down a bit and wasn't so rearing to go with there being another horse.

We decided to finish the loop around the school.  It was uneventful.  Even with the barking dogs in a house just off the trail Dani didn't even blink.  She was very interested in a bull in the neighboring field so I had her move to the right and then the left....not really a leg yield since we aren't good at those but a diagonal move that got her thinking about something else.  

I can tell when she is interested in things outside the ride and perhaps those are the best times to get her back to thinking about me to prevent a spook.  She was good though.  Nothing seemed to bother her.  I rode her some behind Scotty, some in front of him and some right next to him.  Aside from a couple times pinning her ears she was perfect.  She never tried to bite or kick; expressing her CMS (chestnut mare syndrome) is mostly acceptable within certain boundaries.  She still has a pretty forward walk and I find it easier with her ahead of Scotty but she needs to learn to walk behind other horses and match their pace and I don't want to constantly pull on her.  I worked with Julie Goodnight's instructions of pulling up rather firmly and when she walks nicely to very fully release the reins dramatically and let her have a really loose rein.  This advice is more for jigging which we didn't have much of but seemed to work okay for the couple of times we used it on the ride.  Again, like the trot, it will come with time and consistency.

I was pretty tired after my ride, I could feel it in my seat and legs.  M and I had a great time though so I look forward to future rides and hopefully some trailering to some trails off site.  We said our goodbyes after the horses were groomed and brought back to their pastures.  Dani finished her breakfast, took a long drink of water and was back with her pony friends.  It was a great day for a ride.  Tomorrow I can hopefully get some arena work in with the mare, probably a shorter ride though because unfortunately I have other responsibilities besides miss Daenerys.... :-(

I'm sure you all are wondering what the boot pictures are on this page.  Well I have been wanting some boots I can wear elsewhere and not have manure on them.  These will be my "anywhere but the barn" boots.  I think a girl deserves a pair of those.  I have so many "barn" shoes that I'd like to have one pair that doesn't get worn out by mud and muck!  I just had them arrive today and I'm already in love!  Anyhow, happy riding!

Dublin Pinnacle Boot Review

The Dublin Pinnacle Boots were just the style I was looking for.  I'm moving away from really liking the proper English attire mainly because I don't show and I'm a more casual person.  I just want to trail ride and have fun even if I do my riding in a Dressage saddle.  I will have an Aussie or Western soon enough.  This boot seems to sit in the middle just like me and I've seen great reviews.  I think it works for English or Western riders.  Most reviews stated that they run large and most viewers recommended half a size smaller to a full size smaller for better fit.

 



 

I originally purchased the size 6.  That didn't work since I couldn't even get my foot into the heel without fear I would damage the boot.  I sent it back and received the 6.5.  These are U.S. sizes, UK I think a 6.5 is UK 4.  My foot fit in fine with a little wiggling and the actual foot part was roomy.  I could put a gel insole in there easily and not cramp my foot.  I don't feel like I was swimming in them but for some people who really like the tight fit of paddock boots or tall show boots, this boot is looser so I would caution you.  I was worried I like the fit and now after walking around in them I feel like I'm in slippers!!  So comfy without feeling like they aren't secure.

 

The boots come with an inflatable boot tree, I think that's what it is called.  This keep the boot's shape when not being worn.  The leather is soft yet firm and the whole boot feels of good quality all the way from the sole to the stitching this feels like a well made boot.  The lacing is a regular shoe lace type and I'm sure it ever broke it could be replaced easily.  The boot is easily tighten with the lacing and makes for a cute design.  I could tighten the lower part of my boot for a closer fit but I like the looser feel, and like I said the boot feels secure on my feet.

 

The only problem I have with the boot is the closure.  The Velcro is good and sturdy but I think the strap should have had the hooks and the boot part of the Velcro should be the loops.  It's the other way around and since my strap does not fully  tighten I have some of the hooks exposed while wearing these boots.  Sometimes a dangling lead rope catches on the Velcro.  I have a simple solution, I'll get some Velcro and matching fabric and make a little patch for this area but either the strap should be long enough for the full width of the boot and close or switch the Velcro around.  Otherwise I have not had any issues with the boot.

The tread is very nice as well.  It gives a good grip to the stirrup and walking on cement barn isles I don't feel like I'll slip at all.  The sole is thick enough to protect your feet and you don't feel every pebble on the ground.  The heel is also made for riding and the width is narrow enough for safe stirrup use.  Easy to put your heels down too I might add!

  

 I felt that the inside panel gives a grippy feel in the saddle and I felt very comfortable riding in this boot and keeping my leg position where it should be.  The inner layer is thick and sturdy, I think it would protect well in saddles that have even more material under the leg than a dressage saddle usually has.

 

And lastly, my boots do look decent with the gray breeches!  They are very comfy to walk around in and I'm now back to wearing my breeches full time.  I still want the jean look breeches since my regular riding jeans were too bulky to fit into these boots.  My winter breeches should work with these boots but beyond that I don't think the boots are wide enough for thicker fabrics.  Breeches and tights will work best, skinny jeans and jean breeches would also work.  I think they are well worth the $174 I paid considering also that the Ariat Paddock boots I was looking at are anywhere from $120-$140.  Caring for the boot entails wiping them off and then I think regular leather care products will work nicely.  I have to do some research on that to make sure I maintain these nice boots correctly!

 

 

Hope this review helps!  Happy riding!

 

The Pinnacle

Guess what arrived in the mail today!  The Dublin Pinnacle boots.  I tried these boots, one size smaller than my regular size about two weeks ago and had to send them back.  The size difference was based on reviews saying they ran big.  Alas size 6 was too small.  I received the 6.5 today and they fit!!!  My jeans are too bulky under the boot so I'll have to start wearing my breeches again...and I want to get those cute jean styled breeches....but since I bought these boots and have springs shots coming up I can't spend the cash just yet.

First thing I thought when I took this picture, "boots
with the fur..."  LOL

I like them so far!  We'll have to see how they are riding but they feel pretty nice.  They aren't as close fitting in the foot part as my Ariat paddock boots but they don't feel loose.  Now that I have these I'm going to bring my boots into a shoe fixer and see about getting new eyelets put in the boots.  My Ariats are still usable and I want a backup shoe.  I wonder if they can re-dye my Ariats to a black color???  Perhaps I'm getting in too deep with that thought, re-dying could cost more than buying brand new Ariats!  I just want the eyelets to fixed.

So above you can see that my regular jeans are pretty bunchy with these boots.  I have four pairs of breeches, three are regular weight and then I have the black winter weight ones.  Honestly I know I'll be getting winter boots for next year, I had way too many days with frozen toes this winter so I'll be investing in winter boots. 

Now with these new boot I need some fashion help. Until I get slim jean breeches I only have my current breeches to contend with.  What will look okay with these awesome boots?  My brown breeches I know go pretty well with these boots.  What about the light purple breeches?  Do these look okay with these new brown boots?  Could I dye these purple breeches?  Why the heck did I get purple anyways????!!!!

What about the gray breeches below?  Will these just look silly with brown boots?  Do you think I could dye these breeches?  If so what color?  I was thinking a green would work and with the gray color that is already on the breeches it might end up a nice hunter green?  Or I could try to make them brown as well, or maybe blue like denim?  The black breeches?  Perhaps they look okay with these new boots, but those are my heavy breeches with fleece lining; since spring is just around the corner I'm not as concerned with these pants.  I might have the bunching issue with the thicker breeches like I have with my jeans.

Please help!!!!  I have no fashion sense aside from having the keen eye to buy these gorgeous boots!  LOL.

The Boot Debacle

Darn it! My Ariat riding boots are broken! The eyelet hook at the top completely snapped off. There are three on each side so I've just been creative with how to lace my boots but that's not gonna do for too long. I need new boots, I'll bring these to a shoe repair shop to see what they can do and perhaps they can be salvaged without breaking the bank.



My Ariats with the broken "hook eyelet" next to it.

Anyhow, this Sunday I was in Parker visiting a friend who lives in the Cherry Creek area.  I swung by Dover Saddlery to see if they had the Dublin Pinnacles, see pic below.  I really, really, really want these boots!  They are tall boots but aren't formal looking, since I don't show that's perfect.  These will give more support than my paddock boots, they're water proof and man they look so freaking cute!  Perfect for working around the barn, riding in the arena or on a trail ride.  I won't look silly wearing these with a western or aussie saddle either.  Me likie a lot!  I've priced them at $178 cheapest, this includes free shipping from this particular online store.  Dover Saddlery did not have these boots in stock for me to try on which was a total bummer, I really wanted to see them in person.  I guess I can buy some online and return them if I don't like them.  I hate doing that though....but what can you do?

 

I looked at the various paddock boots at Dover and found several comparable Ariats to the ones I broke, and mind you I've had for 12-13 years (with only the last three years of regular use).  These are the Ariat heritage boots below.  I'm not making the mistake I did with my unused black paddocks and going cheap....you get what you pay for!  There are many styles of Ariats and the prices range from $119 to $150 for the ones I like, some of the paddock boots are upwards of $300!!!  So, why not get the boots I've been pinning for if I have to get new boots?

 

 

Again another unexpected expense but I need safe and comfortable boots to ride in.  One thing I do have to mention is all the Ariats I viewed at Dover now have metal eyelet hooks instead of the plastic ones like mine that broke.  Phiff!  We'll see what the shoe repair guys says and see if I can squeeze out a bit more life from my Ariats.  But I still am gonna get those Dublin Pinnacles sometime in the near future!!