“… sometimes, getting them to understand what you want means finding creative ways to ‘make it work’ for a while until you can slowly, and carefully train in that ‘right’ answer.” (more…)
“Positive, confident experiences are key — and not overdoing it is huge. I don’t make a big deal out of jumping; just a few fences at the end or middle of a flat ride as they build up strength and awareness of the ask.” (more…)
“There is logic there… The logic is that a happy horse who is matched with a job that it can successfully do will also keep the humans who pay its bills happy. And with that, the horse will have a better shot of long-term quality care in each of its future homes.” (more…)
The holidays officially are here. If you have a hard-to-buy-for equestrian in your life, here are some awesome, sometimes-practical, sometimes-frivolous, downright accurate gift suggestions. (more…)
Fall is here. The days are getting shorter. And in many parts of the world, the competition season is winding down. However, that doesn’t mean your work with your horse needs to as well. Here are three things you can do to make the best of the most of the off season: (more…)
“That trot — the overly big one, where power isn’t quite perfectly controlled yet — that is where you can really see potential AND build good strength and muscle. So with a soft hand and slightly more upright back, I ask them to hold that big trot as long as they can.” (more…)
“I’m here to argue that even if you own the equine version of the love of your life, you should still hunt down opportunities to hop on different horses… they will not only help to expose your challenges, but also they will make you better, stronger and more confident for your own horse.” (more…)
“These horses are bred to have ‘go’ and to have the heart to be able to reach into the deepest depths of their beings and pull out even more ‘go’ when the rest has been exhausted. And even then they are able to dig deeper and pull out even more than that.” (more…)
“Everyone wants a good warmup. Everyone wants a cooperative horse. But sometimes you just have to accept what you have and ride the horse you have that day. Sometimes a 20-minute warmup gets you where you need to be, and sometimes it simply doesn’t. Pushing past their brain’s cut off and over-riding rarely helps.” (more…)
“Part of my job — and where the joy lies — is in finding the definition of ‘safe’ in order to promote the fun. Not everyone needs the upper level horse that jumps the moon, nor does everyone need the super duper cute easy-going plodder. But some absolutely do.”
“Stability coupled with soft, educated movements help the horse go best and understand the ask. But how do we create stable contact if we’re trying to be light?” (more…)
“When we as second-career trainers and riders hop on, we are bringing heavier tack, often heavier humans and different muscle control to the canter than your average jockey… this means is that horses who are accustomed to soft flowing gallops … are met with a lot more pressure on their backs.” (more…)
“Despite all they have seen at the track, big atmospheres can be challenging for baby Thoroughbreds and so many others. Besides getting them out as often as possible into similar spaces, I need a better plan next time. I need to bring normal with me as a way to create focus and the relaxation that comes with the familiar.” (more…)
“The silly thing about this metaphor is that it tends to work. It is super useful for getting folks to feel the win in the middle and be less discouraged as things don’t always continue an upward trajectory towards the end.” (more…)
“In contrast to humans, a horse’s agency is perhaps more circumscribed by the situations, hands, tack, health, and living situation they find themselves in . . . They are not going to be the same creature for every rider or at every home. Some will bring out the best in the horse, some simply won’t.” (more…)
“I think the main idea is to step out of one’s comfort zone, hop on new horses and little by little learn to quietly ride through the potentially nerve-inducing behavior… Be effective and stay safe, but also under-ride until you know what the perfect, bespoke ‘just-enough ride’ feels like on each new horse.”
“Sometimes the antidote to an unsteady head and contact is not just a softer hand, but a steadier one. There are horses … who will let you know anytime you f*-up on your contact. These horses do not just encourage you to become a better rider, they demand it.” (more…)
“All told, the only people who will stay are those who want it. Because everyone could make more money and be more comfortable working at a fast food joint.”
“… when I see that a horse never started, instead of being excited that they have no damage from the track, I start to raise an eyebrow and a whole lot of questions.” (more…)
“Conformation photos are hard. But they are also so ridiculously important. Put bluntly, a good conformation photo can sell a horse… But just as easily, a poor conformation photo can cause folks to skip over your horse, your sales, and your farm.” (more…)
“… it is always better to catch the unsteady gait before it fails… But when the horse breaks gait and drops into the lower one, the rider has already missed their moment. At that point resistance is futile … and capitulation becomes a friend.” (more…)
“The process of not capitulating to equine-suggested up transitions is outstandingly awkward but it pays off in the long run.[…] When a rider negotiates (as opposed to accepts) the horse’s request (‘we canter now, right?) with their body, their hands can stay soft and the horse learns to listen to the seat and leg. They also begin to learn that gaits are dynamic…”
“You may have to build up to proper condition in tiny chunks and short hacks… But, riding through the heat and incrementally tackling these temperature challenges sets horse and rider up for success…” (more…)
“[T]he other day a new student came down to see the place and as we stood and chatted, the lovely human kept apologizing for interrupting the ride. Nope. This was helpful — this was a chance for him to just hang out…”
