Horse have their own rhythms. Run them off their feet and they look like a sewing machine. Ride them in the right tempo and you enhance their natural suspension. Years ago when I was trying to teach one of my horses to lengthen at the trot, my trainer gave me a technique that really helped […]
Lukas, a 16 year old off-the-track thoroughbred, is being described as the smartest horse in the world. He performs a number of intelligent actions such as spelling (words up to five letters), counting up to five, identifying shapes, and distinguishing among three colors. He also answers questions yes or no, plays hide and seek and […]
What! No flames, no SUVs, no smoke? I’ve seen a lot of “at liberty” videos on YouTube but I find this to be one of the most appealing. Coming out of Finland, this horseman has trained his horse to tackle a variety of obstacles with grace and a hearty sense of humor. These two look […]
Cavalletti exercises are excellent for helping your horse develop rhythm, build his topline, gain confidence over obstacles and become a better athlete. When I first got Freedom I used them extensively because he had absolutely no trot. He was the proverbial sewing machine — trotting up and down going nowhere at a million miles per […]
Is my horse ready/suitable for hunting? I get asked this question frequently by my friends who would like to try hunting but are still nervous about the whole hunting environment. Galloping horses, hounds, varied terrain and jumping all combine to make even accomplished equestrians somewhat apprehensive. Read more.
Last week was the first time I was able to hunt this fall. It was a glorious day at a spectacular location. The first half of the hunt was outstanding. Right up until the moment at the check when I realized Freedom was missing his right front shoe. Read more.
On Sunday I went for an early morning ride to escape the heat of the day. A few dozen other people had the same idea and I found myself and my horse sharing the trail and the roads with bicyclists, joggers and baby carriages. Most of these folks were easy to spot and they approached […]