My Dressage mentors were very good at creating exercises for humans that helped to illustrate the physical or mental challenges the horse goes through in their training and development. I recall many hours in the study room, with people struggling to perform – getting some small sense of what it’s like for their horses. I … More Parlor games
There has been a recent debate, in a Facebook group, on what qualifies someone as a “master” in the realm of Dressage. It has been triggered by several “Master Classes” conducted by people whose only qualification has to do with winning competitions. Is that enough to be a true “master”? If there are other qualifying … More What is a master?
We all have a line. It is invisible. You may not be aware of your line, or think much about it. But, you know when someone has crossed that line. Everyone’s line is in a different place. Take the recent scandals of sexual misconduct. Harvey Weinstein’s behavior crossed nearly everyone’s line. Al Franken’s crossed some … More Where is your line?
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!
In my equestrian library are a handful of books that I return to repeatedly – either for reference or just for the pleasure of rereading. One of these cherished books, A Horseman’s Notes by Erik Herbermann, was a suggestion by a used book seller when she did not have the book I was after. She … More Respecting the laws of Nature
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?
Horse Crazy Once Again 