It has been an interesting week with Coffee – but it provides a very good illustration of the challenges we have when working with horses, and the decisions we have to make in how we react to those challenges. The wrong reaction can easily escalate an otherwise innocent situation into one that degenerates into fear, … More Coffee has a bad day … or three
The day that I purchased Coffee, his breeder and I had a chat about horses that fit her label of “scary smart”. For her, these are horses who are always thinking, seem to be a step ahead of you, and that learn things (good or bad) at a speed that makes your head spin. We … More Scary smart!
The barn was dark. It always is on winter evenings. We keep the power to the barn off, most of the time, to lower the risk of fire. Instead, we operate with headlamps as we make our way through evening chores. Heads reach over each stall as I pass through, noses touching my arm, or … More Is it affection? Or just my imagination?
At times when I need a reminder of how beautiful Dressage can be, I look primarily to my library. No book cheers me more than The World of Dressage, by Neil ffrench Blake. I stumbled upon this book at a thrift store, twenty years ago, and a better dollar was never spent! Published in 1969, … More A blast from the past
I love the holiday season. In recent years I have not had the time to do all of the things I normally love to do, but I always try to find a way to celebrate with my work team. This year we decided upon a long lunch at a local pizza place, combining our celebration … More We are not so different
In many parts of the world it is the season of celebration. Imagine that you have been invited to a festive dinner party. You’ve been told that children are welcome, so you bring your toddler along. The minute you pass through the front door, into the festive crowd within, off dashes your toddler! She runs … More How would you react?
Horse Crazy Once Again 