We have almost made it through summer. For those of us in Texas, that is a good thing. I know those of you in the north mourn the end...

Your horse is not being stubborn, naughty, lazy, reactive. Your horse is being a horse and responding to their current situation based on their current circumstances, previous experiences and your energy. Your horse is on the struggle bus. You may have not put your horse on the struggle bus. You may have contributed to them boarding the bus. Your horse may have gotten on the struggle bus from pain, confusion, previous education (good and bad), current environment, living

If you want to make progress with your horse, you must do less more frequently. Our nature is to push and keep setting new goals. The horse does not share your goals. Their goal is eat, sleep, poop and be with friends. We need to train the horse in a way that we teach them to think, and not react. That will not happen with too much pressure.

Favorite Things Friday

Yes late. I am enjoying this class with Dr. Stephen Peters and Jillian Kreinbring. My brain is overloaded most days and then trying to write is a challenge. I am trying to catch up in the morning after running when my brain is fresh.

Yes I know it is late. My schedule has been a bit unconventional lately.

July Master Zoom Makeup

Judges. I am one and have been judging for close to three decades. I struggle with judging because I know people put too much value on my opinion of an 8 minute picture of their partnership and performance with their horse. It could be the best 8 minutes you’ve ever had or the worst. It’s my job to uphold a standard and evaluate the performance on that standard.

The more educated you are, the less fun it is to watch equestrian events. The Olympics are well

Teaching Takeaways Fine Print Farms

Tips to keep your horse sound

Keep the neck straight.  The nostril should not go past the point of the shoulder.  If it does, you are likely waiting the opposite shoulder and disengaging the haunches.

Yes I know it’s late. I’ve been teaching a group of cooks kids (and young at heart adults) in Michigan.

Bandage Shears

The more you manage the face, the more you lose access to the hind legs. When we fuss with the reins the horse will brace in the jaw. When the jaw is braced, the pelvis is braced. If the pelvis is braced you will lose range of motion. If you are struggling to keep the haunches tracking straight, be sure your hands are not restricting the jaw. Lift and give. Don’t pull and take.

Favorite Things Friday

Horses are a hobby for 95% of people. They are not necessary for our way of life. Horses are expensive. Horses are something we want to enjoy but our enjoyment comes at a cost to them. What we do for enjoyment is work for our horses.

Trainer’s Tip Tuesday

Don’t assault the mouth.  The horse’s mouth is a sensitive part of their body.  There are many structures associated with the jaw that affect the function in the rest of the body.  Be mindful, soft and give more than you take when it comes to their mouth.  If you assault the mouth, the horse’s only option is to defend it.

I Had the privilege to work with some lovely horse nd rider pairs at the beautiful Fair Oaks Equestrian Center back in June. Here is pat one of my teaching Takeaways