Mark has been wanting to take tai chi classes.  While I have some experience with it, and use it extensively in my own riding and teaching, I have not wanted to add to a life already near to bursting with activity.  As I lay on the ground waiting for the ambulance, I committed to finding [...]

continue reading.....

I chuckled sadly when I noticed that the last post in the blog was Mark’s exhortation of wearing helmets every time, every ride.  The post was his response to Courtney King-Dye’s accident.   She was not wearing a helmet.  The results may have been very different had she been.  We’ve been praying for her and are [...]

continue reading.....

We are all focused on our horses’ well-being.  Tack fit, nutritional needs, fitness, massage, training… no topic is too minute for the caring horseman to address. All too often we fail to turn this discerning focus onto ourselves.  Sally Swift, founder of Centered Riding (TM) pointed out that when we are working to evoke change [...]

continue reading.....

We’ve returned to the days of original horsepower to run the farm through “snowmageddon.”  The snow is too much for the tractors so we’ve been riding the Clydesdales, Caber and Metallica, to cut trails, ride fence, and get to the more remote areas of the farm.  They’ve been having a blast– and so have we! [...]

continue reading.....

You remember the story of belling the cat. We were handed a similar scenario… The challenge: To put a flymask on a horse who is not halter-trained and is known to be headshy. The solution: Clicker Training to the rescue! Crockett is an Appy gelding, part of the PMU rescue herd we are currently helping [...]

continue reading.....

Bill Moroney holds an impressive list of credentials in the equestrian world.  He is currently the president of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, sits on the U.S. Equestrian Federation Board of Directors, and is a past chairman of the USEF Pony Committee. He also has a heart for youth and for philanthropy. An avalanche starts [...]

continue reading.....

Natural horse trainers look for creative ways to use their environment to help train their horses. Cavaletti, also called ground poles, are unsung heroes in creating a bridge between horse training equipment and the horse’s environment. Cavaletti, the Italian word meaning “little horses,” are traditionally poles stabilized by X-shaped supports at each end. The word [...]

continue reading.....

 My wife, Kirsten, regards her.. and has since she was 13… as one of her pivotal mentors in natural horsemanship. When Kirsten learned that Sally had passed, she was devastated, yet inspired. We’ll have a post coming soon. But for now, we just acknowledge her passing with grief and wish her much happiness, joy, and [...]

continue reading.....

Luna the spotted draft mare delivered a spirited, strapping colt in the wee hours of the morning.  Both mama and baby are doing great! The colt’s daddy is Jack Flash, a Gypsy cob stallion imported from the UK. This particular cross gave a 2% chance of producing a chestnut tobiano, yet that describes him!  He [...]

continue reading.....

Spring is the traditional time for young horses to get started under saddle, or mature horses to get a pre-season tune-up. Spring must be coming soon because my horse training roster is full and the waiting list is growing! With all the trainers out there, how do you know who is right for you and [...]

continue reading.....