How they lead. If you bring your horse to my farm, the first thing they will learn is how to be polite when being led to turnout or brought into the barn. And if I have staff doing this task for me, I will ask them to do the same. All too often employees are […]
The Whispered Bond: A Rider’s Journey to Silent Understanding with Her Horse
Tiffany and Pearl In the sun-kissed meadows of Edgewood Farm, where the scent of hay mingles with the soft rustling of leaves, there exists a group of riders who strive to have a connection with horses that transcends mere communication. On this particular day I am watching Tiffany. She has mastered the art of quiet […]
5 Things to Consider When Choosing A Blanklet For Your Horse
Every year as the weather changes and winter begins knocking at the door, the big blanket debate seems to reappear. There are charts and discussions passed around social media, and inevitably my clients also begin asking what I think. I decided I would create a list for them, and anyone else who might have blanketing […]
Late Bloomer
Walking through my yard this morning I noticed a flower blooming on my lilac bush. These flowers usually bloom in May, and today is September 22. The bright lavender color is a stark contrast to the surrounding fall colors. It is the proverbial “late bloomer” in all of it’s beauty. It makes me smile and the […]
Losing Respekt
Dealing with the loss of a horse. Warning: This subject may be difficult for some to read. But this story needs to be told. I feel it is important for us as stewards of the magnificent horses of the world to honor their emotional needs as much as their physical. I have witnessed horses dealing […]
3 Simple Exercises To Test Your Horse’s Obedience
Obedience is an interesting thing between a horse and rider. Sometimes even when we feel like our horses are behaving well, a situation will arise that makes you wonder what went wrong. Those moments when your horse blatantly blows you off or has “other plans” when you request something can be a surprise to many […]
Why did my perfectly ridden dressage test receive a low score?
Understanding your score Whether you are riding intro A or second level test 2 how you approach the test as a whole, can make a significant difference in your score. It is not uncommon for riders to focus on riding the correct pattern of the dressage test. I see it often; they drill it over […]
How long does training take?
Repost from 2017 It has been almost 6 months since I brought her home. She was just over 2 years, and a bit unruly. Not in a bad way, just lack of experience or handling. In today’s world, it is common practice to put a young horse out in a group and let them grow, […]
Natural Horsemanship Vs. Classical Dressage
There is a fine line between training the body and training the brain in your equine partner. While I have always used concepts of “natural horsemanship” in my building of the mind, this tool is only a slice of the big picture. I also use many classical dressage concepts to build the athlete they need […]
Carrots for love?
Do you feed your horse too many treats? Money can’t buy you love Horses can be very food motivated. And using treats as a reward is sometimes a great approach to training. But I want to address another type of treat giving that is not always a good thing. Trying to buy your horses love […]