Train inside your commitment. It is the foundation you build your house on. Stay focused on your commitment. Things do not always move at the pace we think they ought to. The tiniest bit of movement in the direction we are seeking is triumph. Everything you do generates experience and growth. We cannot learn and grow …

Simon Sinek presents a fascinating idea of a different perspective towards inspiration and leadership. As equestrians we are more than just riders, or passengers in the saddle. We are also leaders for our horses and for our fellow equestrians. How are we approaching leadership – in a conscious way or just flailing ourselves towards a …

[dc]By nature[/dc] we are designed to work against the horse, and the use of our hands is no different. When we sit in the saddle we respond in fear by leaning forwards rather than sitting up taller or leaning slightly backwards. We squeeze with our legs when we want to stay in the saddle instead …

[dc]My horse[/dc] refuses to stand still at the mounting block, or even get close! Sounds familiar? I discovered this clever trick to make the mounting block issues a breeze and to entice your horse to WANT to hang out nice and close… My first horse was a Paso Fino, and he loathed the mounting block. …

This still happens? I imagine the result of this training to be a horse who is unattached to humans, works based off repetitive cues rather than the conversation with the rider, and that avoids being caught to go for a ride. And I’m not certain the purpose of having her jump over a barrel when …

I was reminded over this week the value of using riding gloves. No, I didn’t get rope burned… What I did get however was a reminder how gloves can improve the confidence in your hands. I work a lot of horses on the lunge, which has been my primary endeavor this week, and it also …

This is a great example of how playful horses are naturally… and definitely the best alternative to watching the gory display of a bull fight.

Ever feel this way as a rider? As a representative to the equestrian community? Or even more simply, as a person? I believe we all face moments like these – sometimes they occur as small notes hardly worth taking notice and we continue on our way; and other times it is one brutal occurrence after …

Have you ever worn clothes that were too loose or too snug? Remember that uncomfortable feeling you had the entire time? Or carried a backpack that almost sat on your rear, maybe worse when it was hiked up to your neck and you couldn’t take it off without intense assistance? Horses experience the same thing. …

It still surprises me when I see riders who behave in a position of authority over their horse. I am still hammering the words out in my mind to explain so give me a moment. By authority I mean that they expect their horse to automatically understand what they want, and when it does not …

As the years pass and our lives change, I find that so too does our relationship with the horse. Not necessarily our relationship to one particular horse, but rather our association to horses. If we grew up with them as our most beloved during childhood – how does adolescence, college, family or work fit into …

Have you ever met anyone who was self taught a foreign language by book alone? Neither have I. I also have never met anyone who learned how to train their horse and to ride by book lesson alone – and was successful at it. That is my ad caveat. Success. First, let me explain what …