So Loretta is in foal to Cabadino and Brando is doing really well with Courtney. They went to their first show 2 weeks ago.  Twinholm Adult days.  Although the turnout was low, the experience with great for Brando.  He got to go around a really ring, with jumps, flowers, flags and banners.  He had wide eyes to start with, but once he was asked to perform, he was GREAT.  Came home with 3 ribbons and a bottle of wine!!!

Nala is still living at home with us, but we will be sending her…

I did not get to ride this week.  Either it was too wet (just rain this time), cold, or I had a head cold.  So I read in some old horse books I just got, two from the U.S.A. Cavalry and an old one from an ex Russian cavalry officer who got taught by both James Fillis and Federico Caprilli.  This guy literally got to learn riding from both sides, the high collection of Fillis to the free extended movement taught by Caprilli.  This cavalryman, Colonel…

I love this photo- it’s education in a trickle down sort of way. These fillies are learning the fine art of wither itching from my retired gelding- when he speaks everyone leans close and listens. He is the Master.

Maybe learning takes lifetimes… This week I have been reading…

     There’s only one word to describe my horse Chance and I’s first Young Rider qualifier for the 2011 North American Young Rider Championships, which also happened to be our debut at Prix St. George . . . . . it was F A B U L O U S ! ! !  Chance was such a trooper and really got down to business.  Coming into this show I knew that we were both ready for the step up,…

Le français suit l’anglais

January 20, 2011         

Ottawa, ON—The Canadian Reining Committee (CRC) is pleased to announce that at the conclusion of the 2010 FEI Reining season Lisa Coulter of Princeton, BC, has earned the top spot on both the FEI Reining World Ranking and World Standing Lists.                                

 …

I think my story is similar to many first time horse owners over 40. I’ve loved horses since I was 8, but didn’t have an opportunity to own one; so at 50+ years and with some time, money and determination to bring an old dream to life, I bought a horse. The story and dream grew to include 2 horses. I was so excited, but naïve about what it takes to look after and develop a…

This week I was fortunate, I got to ride Mia twice. I must admit that when I got out of the car on Friday and felt the COLD wind, I announced that it was official, I was insane! But I rode anyway. Of course.



I have been trying out several bits with Mia, all using my Micklem multi-bridle. There are several reasons for this. The main reason is that I am trying to find the most comfortable bit for Mia, the bit with which she is comfortable enough so that she will consent…

The Running Horse

A Bi-monthly Newsletter from Horse Play

Jan – Feb 2011…

A friend of mine volunteered at a nursing home. One of the patients there was always talking about riding and my friend thought that maybe I could come along and talk horses with her. That was what I knew when I entered her room.

The walls were covered with horse pictures from magazines, a couple of medical machines were humming and sighing,…

I got this question from one of the osteopaths I work with in Germany, and asked my friend Dr. Joanna Robson, DVM (author of Recognizing the Horse in Pain) to give me her wisdom so I could respond on behalf of the client this was concerning. Apparently the Osteopath seemed to think that there were subluxations occurring on the horse’s spine due to the centre of balance of the saddle being too far back.

Joanna writes:

My understanding is that the…

Le français suit l’anglais

January 19, 2011                                                

2011 Equine Canada Annual Convention will Feature General Breed Sport and Reining Judges’ Clinics

Ottawa, ON—The 2011 Equine Canada Annual Convention is set for January 24–31, 2011 at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa, ON, and this year two new clinics…

This question comes from Melissa in Indiana and is typical of ones like this that I receive on a regular basis. Her situation involves a horse that is just too bossy! Perhaps this sounds familiar to you too? Melissa writes:



I have a 4.5 year old gelding quarter mix I’ve had…

Another missive from yours truly ... aka Shakespeare "The Equine" ... direct from Poet's Paddock. Enjoy!

Day Dreaming

I trot to trees green;…

Equestrian Photography can be divided into 2 categories:

1.  Competitive Equestrian…

First Gykhana - Stage 2

Firstly let me apologize for the delay in adding stage 2 of First Gymkhana.. life has a way of getting in the way ☺..…

I have been stuck in my house this past week because of the snow and ice that fell earlier this week.  Unable to get to the stable and ride I have had to content myself with reading my horse books, a poor substitute for the real thing to be sure, but better than nothing, especially since I have some position faults that I still need to fix.…