Category Archives: Thinking Out Loud

General musings on the horse and the industry

Do you love your horse?

Posted on December 10, 2018 by

It seems the ultimate sign of caring, to say that we love our horses.  Yet, I watch as people who say they love their horses treat them in ways that do not reflect that sentiment.  Even riders who create obvious … Continue reading →

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Searching for a leader?

Posted on December 1, 2018 by

Are you in search of a leader?  Have you waited your whole adult life for someone to tell you when to wake up, when to eat, and when to move?  Do you long for the ‘security’ of never having to … Continue reading →

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When things turn bad

Posted on November 19, 2018 by

You have an amazing horse who consistently gives you a nice ride.  You enjoy working with this horse, and he consistency excels at what you ask of him.  Then, rather suddenly, things go bad.  Your high performing horse begins to … Continue reading →

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Why do you ride?

Posted on November 10, 2018 by

Riding is a selfish act – there is really no getting around that fact.  Horses do not ask to participate in the activity, they are conditioned for it.  That said, I have over forty years of experience that horses can, … Continue reading →

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Small gifts

Posted on October 28, 2018 by

If there is one piece of wisdom I would wish to impart to anyone who trains horses, it would be this: appreciate the small gifts.  If your goal is to win prizes and make money, then that wisdom may not … Continue reading →

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What is the goal of training?

Posted on October 12, 2018 by

If you hang around the classical Dressage crowd for any length of time, you will hear someone say something to this effect: “Horses already know how to do the movements, in the field; training only consists of teaching them to … Continue reading →

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To be a teacher

Posted on August 18, 2018 by

From a young age, I was fascinated by why some teachers were easy to learn from, while others made things seem even more confusing.  I was particularly fascinated with riding instructors, and exactly why I preferred some to others.  I … Continue reading →

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