I have been ponying horses for a number of years now, on a regular basis, and am absolutely convinced of its value and efficacy with young horses as well as older trained riding horses. There are many great benefits which give reason to implement ponying into your riding regimen that go beyond training the young …

So many thanks go out to everyone who played a part in helping bring Jobi home! Words cannot express the joy in stepping outside my door in the morning to see him grazing in the pasture. If ever there was a dream come true, it is this horse in my life. Jobi spent fifteen months …

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new chapter in Aligarh’s education. I had the opportunity to sit on his back for the first time, and I am happy to report that all went off without a hitch and left me grinning from ear to ear. Pictures at the bottom! Let’s start with the approach – …

By and large equestrians of all disciplines and sports tend to view leading in a rather two-dimensional fashion. That is, leading is used in order to transport the horse from point A to point B but otherwise has little effect on the training of the horse. This is a real shame because the manner in …

For some reason I want to say that I’ve saddled Aligarh before, but then when I really take the time to think about it that is not correct. Of course I didn’t sit down to really think about it until AFTER I had gone ahead and saddled him up today to be worked… This update …

Previously on Project Horse, we’ve been working on the basics of lunging with Aligarh. It amazes me in trying to create a recap, just how far we have come along in a short period of time and with so few sessions together. Today marked our first venture into the riding arena to both groom and …

Aligarh has had a chance to enjoy a few days sabbatical from longe work and today I decided was the day to reintroduce him to the bridle. He’s worn one before but never educated in what the bit is for. Not only is it time for it, but it will help out with the longing …

I actually enjoy going on walks , and it is a wonderful part of the training process to undertake when the weather is blisteringly hot and humid, like it has been here in the Midwest. To my delight, this is exactly what I am in the process of working with Aligarh on in his training. …

I know I have written about this idea previously though I’m not sure I’ve had a post dedicated to it. There is a certain quality inherent to working with the horse in a very business-like fashion that is priceless. Particularly when you are training the unconventional horse; the horse who is older and being started …

Project Horse #2 – welcome to the introduction. Aligarh is quite the lovely gelding, both in appearance and personality. Foaled in 2004, he is sired by the Dutch Warmblood stallion VDL Orame, who has been successfully competing on the international scene in Show Jumping. Aligarh’s dam is a Bashkir Curly mare of Native American bloodlines. …