Erica K. Frei

I received a call yesterday evening, from a woman inquiring about a horse. She seemed to be in a hurry to get every bit of information but was also very displeased with every piece of information given. She was inquiring about a horse that in no way suited what she wanted, still she persisted in …

I’ll keep the background story brief about me and my horse Jobi for now. I’m sure it will develop itself with more posts. I owned him for many years and brought him up through advanced work in dressage using French Classical methods, life change forced me selling him only to later have the opportunity to …

As riders we often demand from the horse that he respect our personal space by not pushing into us, walking too closely or otherwise intruding and creating a situation for injuries. But as riders, do we extend the same expectation of being self-aware of our own body in space and time? This last weekend I …

Fleeceworks FXK Halfpad with Piped Edge at Equestrian Collections Some time ago I researched the most appropriate saddle pad for my riding when I posted Saddle Pad Saga. Until I looked into the research already available about the qualities and benefits, as well as the cons, of various saddle pad material I was rather in …

Tekna Snaffle Reins at State Line Tack I have long been in search for a great pair of plain english reins with the right quality of feel. At the same time I really begrudge the idea of a pair of reins costing upwards of $100+ for a strap of leather, no matter how high quality. …

What is the goal of putting in your two cents? When you post a comment are you hoping to lift the person up, tear them down, or perhaps something deeper – offer an insight which they could learn and grow from? Do you go about writing comments with any of these possible options in your …

Whether riding is a hobby or your profession, sometimes we all need a reminder to set some personal goals. My own reminder arrived this last month in an unrelated vein. Feeling as though my progress has been treading water – neither moving forward nor drowning – I made an ultimatum decision to set some lofty …

I remember times when I was younger, and now as an adult less frequently but still on the rare occasion, when I would be having a conversation with someone and be so excited or nervous or somehow wound up that my voice would begin to rise and rise and get louder and louder until I …

I’ve been holding a grudge. There, I said it. For too long I had a grudge and not just any grudge, it was one that I didn’t even know existed. This thing, this weight I’ve carried around with me and it has helped to color all of my interactions and I was not even aware …

From a superficial level it is easy to mistake ability with desire, or to group them together as synonymous terms. To believe that if a rider has the ability they will also have the desire to ride, train or show to that ability. Why not? We’re told all the time that if we want something …