A wise old horseman once told me that geldings settled at seven years of age, and mares at eleven (stallions were not mentioned). I always accepted this as just a general comment that geldings settled sooner than mares, not really thinking those actual ages were serious. However, after the events of this week, perhaps it’s … More Transformation or just transitory?
At the recent ground work conference I attended, there were two demonstration handlers who were said to be professional trainers. From the first moments, when they were awaiting their demo, there was an aggressiveness to their handling of the horses that bothered me. In most cases, they were handling horses that did not belong to … More Social Politeness
Not long ago, a Facebook friend posted a challenge to describe your day in just one word. Most of the responses were, sadly, somewhat predictable in our modern age: things like “Stressful”, “Frustrating”, and “Depressing”. There have been many points, in the past couple of years, when my response might have been the same. But, … More Progress!
I’m laying on my back fighting a cold. This is to be the weekend of a conference at my old trainer’s place, and I only hope that I am well enough to make the three hour drive tomorrow. I’ve been looking forward to this for a while – a return to my old stomping grounds, … More “Striving for total harmony …”
I was heading to work this morning, when the call came in. “We have a problem,” said my mother on the other end of the line. I knew immediately who the “problem” was. “Someone greeted me at the front of the barn this morning,” she continued. My mind was suddenly filled with an image of … More Noble the Adventurer
There is a battle being waged on our property – and we may be on the losing side! Call it a battle of wits … or perhaps a battle of wills. Either way, it’s proof that horses are not the simple, non-thinking, reactive creatures that some would have you believe!
Horse Crazy Once Again 