I recently ran across a series of videos of Sylvia Loch giving a talk and lesson on classical training methods. She covers a range of concepts in an easy to follow manner. The first and last are short, but the others run over sixteen minutes. So, grab that bowl of popcorn and enjoy! Part 1 … More Sylvia Loch
One of my original pet peeves with “Natural” horsemanship was the mythology they developed that said all horse training/breaking prior to NH had been cruel, rough and had not taken the horse into consideration. By the time these NH guys were making it into public attention, I was already in my twenties. I’d been reading everything I could about horse … More Mythbusting: Horse training methods were cruel until recently
The dressage horse who retains his relaxation at the highest levels of collection is the ideal. He is dynamic and elastic, swinging, steady and beautiful to watch. The rider doesn’t have to push or work too hard. He just sits quietly because his horse is well balanced. Relaxation is not only physically beneficial for the … More Relaxation is the first goal
In the wake of the World Equestrian Games, with a few good Dressage rides and a number of appalling ones that scored too high, and news of horses dying in other competitions in those games, I felt the need to make my self feel better. I wanted to seek out proof, and reassure myself that … More What Dressage should look like!
What is the difference between ambitions and ideals? Ideals are personal guidelines or aspirations we choose to set for ourselves by which we hold ourselves to a higher standard. Inevitably they encompass efforts at self-improvement, bringing us to direct our energies outward, away from oursleves, always ready to consider the welfare of others, whereby we … More Ambitions or ideals?
Through their astonishing sensitivity, horses show us that thoughts are things. Therefore, just as a correct physical position which is in harmony with the laws of physics is indispensable to allow essential energy patterns to flow through our own and the horse’s body; so too, a sound mental position – constructive, wholesome, compassionate thinking which is aligned … More Thoughts are things
Horse Crazy Once Again 