I know it is common practice, and while there is more information being circulated to the general public which supports the idea that starting a horse at 2 years old is premature I still get a lot of questions posed to me relating to issues that come up in training the 2 year old horse [...]

In a perfect world the horse is connected to us through the reins, meaning that the contact we’ve established on the reins serves as the ultimate communication tool. There is no tension, simply touch and with it the power to execute energy through the horse at a moments notice.

When we think of training a horse, it may or may not be apparent that without relaxation everything else is a compromise. The horse can never fully give himself to your requests if he is tense or nervous. And, interestingly enough, tension is often what many methods of horsemanship are built upon. Perhaps that is [...]

The posting trot is such an effective tool for riders. It lightens the load on a young horse’s back while they are building strength and coordination, it saves the rider’s seat on long distance rides, is a necessary step in developing your position for jumping, and much more.

It has been an extremely eventful last few weeks, with moments between of reprieve. I spent a week and a half in the Seattle area visiting my sweetheart, only to return home and leave again for a short weekend in Illinois to enjoy “A Night of Amazing Horses” show. With travel always seems to be [...]

What do you do with a horse who seems to be snoozing, relaxing, even napping… and then suddenly spooks!? Not only is it dangerous, but it catches us all the more off guard than spooking from an otherwise hyped up or highly sensitive horse.

Currently using draw reins? Considering using draw reins? Not sure if you should or shouldn’t be using draw reins? I want to know!

The hard-mouthed horse is a topic that is common, and very relevant, in training or retraining horses. It is something that has been claimed to be fixable through countless flexions of the neck and jaw, a change of bits, nosebands, and various techniques.

I love days like today, that bring tears to my eyes and bring up such a well of emotion, excitement and curiosity! I managed to escape what was looking to be monotonous office work this afternoon (which reminds me I still have to do taxes!..), in order to enjoy the company of my horses.

Have you heard of R.O.A.M.? I was just sent the website MadeleinePickens.com from which you can support America’s wild mustangs and burros from capture, captivity and slaughter.

Occasionally I am superficially involved with local 4-H horse events, primarily through my cousin who has been strongly involved since she was old enough to join I believe. Today was just such an occasion, and I wanted to bring up an observation that I had which led to me questioning if this was the norm?