I know quite a few and have seen many dressage riders show in brown tack.

The word crank doesn't mean that you are supposed to crank the horses mouth down with it. You don't HAVE to. I have a 'crank' noseband. I like it because my horse has a large head, and the more substantial noseband looks better on his head than the smaller ones do. And, yes, you CAN adjust them so that you can put 2 fingers (or more) between the noseband and the nose. I can always put 3+. And, flashes are removable....

Hi there! How is your handsome guy doing?? No worries...I think a lot of people think you HAVE to show in certain things with dressage. Lots of people show with brown tack. You don't even have to wear white breeches or even a black coat. Some people may think you HAVE to show with certain things, but the rules say you don't. In fact, I believe they just changed the rule to allow riders up through 1st level to wear half-chaps. There are certainly some DQ's that think you *have* to do things

I am not sure how much you end up paying wth shipping, but smart pack has a cocosoya suppliment, that gives you all the benefits, and I think it is around 20$ a month or so. It is very easy to find a free shipping code for them as well.

[quote user="48northfarm"]The rules DO say that the coats have to be a conservative color, black and navy being to most conservative, but you could get away with brown. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd in a different color jacket, or have a REALLY blingy browband, you'd better be sure that you're spot-on with your test. And the test is all about the horse, so you don't want to show your horse up in your dress. [/quote] Personally, I think one should wear what

Congrats on your success! Driving looks like a lot of fun!!!

He looks so happy. I will never forget that incredibly sad-eyed youngster, with possible the worst looking conformation I have seen, when you decided to rescue him. He has really turned into such a beautiful horse, apparently both inside and out. What a wonderful story!!!

I clip my horse while he is still wet. I wash him, scrape him dry and spray show sheen all over him, and then clip away. It *really* reduces the amount of track marks. It does dull the blades a bit faster than clipping dry, but the hairs fall on the ground (and not in my face), and IMO, it works really well. Or you can wait. I think the difference between a good clip job and a bad clip job is about two weeks, lol.

I also have right-hand'itis'. Remmer is right, if your hand is crossing the withers, your reins are too long. You need to use more inside leg to push the horse over the the outside rein. Make sure your forearms are perpendicular to your body and that you are not letting your reins get longer and longer.

Jessie, I am so sorry, I can't even begin to imagine how you feel. Just know you are in my thoughts.