Category Archives: Thinking Out Loud

General musings on the horse and the industry

There is only one ‘must’ in riding

Posted on February 23, 2019 by liascott

I’ve heard it all of my riding life, but social media seems to have brought it out in full force. I’m talking about any riding advice that begins with, “You must …” I don’t think it matters the discipline, there … Continue reading →

Posted in Horsemanship, Thinking Out Loud | Tagged "Natural" Horsemanship, bad training, equine biomechanics, equitation, good training, Horse training, horsemanship, rider biomechanics, the nature of horses | Leave a comment

Noble and the mud

Posted on January 31, 2019 by liascott

There is one constant, every winter – Noble hates the mud. Once it reaches a certain point of sloppiness, there is nothing that will entice him to cross the ‘bog’ to reach the higher ground and grass. This has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Horsemanship, Thinking Out Loud | Tagged horse preferences, horsekeeping, horses, Noble, personal preferences, shelter, stalls, turnout | Leave a comment

Do you love your horse?

Posted on December 10, 2018 by liascott

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 →

Posted in Thinking Out Loud | Tagged horse care, horse lovers, horsemanship, love, love of the horse | 4 Comments

Searching for a leader?

Posted on December 1, 2018 by liascott

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 →

Posted in Thinking Out Loud | Tagged behavior, dominance, equine behavior, Horse training, horses, leadership | 3 Comments

When things turn bad

Posted on November 19, 2018 by liascott

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 →

Posted in Thinking Out Loud | Tagged bad behavior, behavior issues, effective leadership, horse behavior, horse human relationship, leadership, leadership mistakes, misbehaving, relationships, trust | 2 Comments

Why do you ride?

Posted on November 10, 2018 by liascott

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 →

Posted in Classical Training and Philosophy, Horsemanship, Thinking Out Loud | Tagged Classical horsemanship, friend to the horse, Gustav Steinbrecht, Horse training, horsemanship, perfection, rider's ego, riding horses | 1 Comment

Small gifts

Posted on October 28, 2018 by liascott

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 →

Posted in My Journey, Thinking Out Loud | Tagged Coffee, gratitude, horse as teacher, horse behavior, horse human relationship, Horse training, human horse bond, Noble | Leave a comment