Henk writes:

It's show season! For us, that means getting our manes french-braided and doing everything from dressage tests to trail classes to leading patterns, all the while being filmed on video. The videos are then uploaded to Para-Equestrian Canada where our riders compete on video against riders from across the country, all of them with some kind of disability.

What a cool idea. We horses get to show off to people we've never even met, and the riders love it,…

Stress and tension plague us in modern times. Too many voices. Too many demands. With white knuckles and gritted teeth we soldier on. We can spot the signs of tension in a person – but what about a horse?

As judges we’re trained to recognize technical errors, lack of talent and lameness. What about signs of tension? We’re talking about this…

By Patti Bartsch, M.A., Ph.D. ~ www.NaturallyUnbridled.com

Ok, well maybe "lie" is a little on the strong side but intentional misconception hits it right on the head! Most of my coaching clients tell me that they eat "pretty…

One of the most common problems that is faced when raising poultry is that of mites. There are several different types of mites that can infest flocks and poultry housing. These mites can result in production and economic losses as well as eventual death if the problem goes unresolved.

These mites can come from many different sources. Wild birds and rodents entering the coop may bring them in or they may be picked up at sales, auctions or shows where many birds are in close…

Although of course it shouldn't be all about the medals and the winning, it absolutely thrills and validates me when one of my clients sends me a picture such as this one. (Christian Hartung riding “Watulele” from the Christiane Noelting Dressage Center in California). This is an absolutely textbook case of a beautiful horse demonstrating "Durchgelassenheit" ('throughness, suppleness, etc.') Of particular note is the fact that he has a beautifully rounded croup, the angle of the hind leg is…

I finally got out of the ring this week!  Debbie's stable is part of a much bigger farm, and last week the farm owner redid some of his fences since his cows were escaping.  When he did this he gave Debbie's riders a gate into a few acres of his woods and the woods already have trails.  Halfway through my lesson she suggested going into the woods, and I was all for it.  The sun was hot and I was already melting.  So Debbie walked ahead and Mia and I…

What a fabulous night it was! I left work early again to do work things and got stuck in traffic.! It took me half an hour to get from one exit to another that usually takes 1 minute!! I heard there were storms all around us too, but we missed them. It was dry at the barn. I was there early still even though we left at 4 p.m. My lesson wasn't until 8:30 p.m. and we were there at 6. Love it when there is a bank deposit on lesson night, that way I am not so rushed at the barn.

When we…

Dressage is an equine discipline of beauty, partnership and art. YouTube is full of spectacular videos of elite horses and riders. When Blue Hors Matinee’s freestyle was viral, a dozen non-horse friends sent me the link. I hear Moorlands Totilas has groupies like the rock star that he is, but my personal…

That should not even be a question!

I’ve met many people who are fascinated by horses enough to want to ‘get’ their own horse. Often, acquaintances or people I’ve met will ask me my opinion about buying a horse – where do they start?

I run through all the typical questions with them: Why do you want a horse? Are you aware of all the aspects of horse ownership? Have you budgeted for all the upkeep costs (and we go through the breakdown – the…

well, how's life?

I've been leasing a fun little gelding named Pirate, there's pics of him in my gallery. It's been nice just riding without pressure of lessons and the stress from the people around you, but I'm ready to get back into now.

Time to hold my head high, forget how much I hate some of the people, and just ride. I've chosen this life, and I'm prepared to live it. Dressage forever.

Okay, so I recently posted about how wonderfully well our last horse show went.  Well, just so you don't think I'm getting too big for my breeches, I'm going to share with you some pics from other shows, so you can see how things normally work in our world.



My mare, Sugar, is a master of the Rider Over-Ride.  Typically happens when we are approaching an oxer that she finds particularly impressive.  Or maybe it's an oxer that I find…

Went out to the barn right from work, got there at 6:30, it took 1 1/2 hours in the rush hour traffic, oh boy! 

We worked a bit in the round pen, turns, come to me and sideways towards me. He is getting so good at that, I am going to try to do that everytime, it's great for getting him to come towards me at the mounting block, which I haven't tried yet.

We did a little giving to the bit in the indoor arena then went outside to ride. He was so full of zip, mister speedy!! There…

The 36^th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show is pleased to welcome the return of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) as a sponsor for the fifth consecutive year at the horse show, which takes place in Bridgehampton, N.Y., August 28 – September 4.  As part of their sponsorship, the ASPCA will host animal welfare events throughout the week that will focus on the issue of homeless and at-risk horses, dogs, and cats.  

One of the…

The 36^th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, which returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 28 – September 4, is sponsoring a food drive in support of the Sag Harbor Food Pantry.  The online personal shopping service, mygofer.com, is lending its support as sponsor of the Drive.

Spectators who present three or more nonperishable items at the entrance gate on Tuesday, August 30 or Wednesday, August 31 will be granted free admission to…

The Hampton Classic Horse Show returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 28 – September 4, for its 36^th year of bringing world-class equestrian competition, shopping and entertainment to the eastern end of Long Island. The horse show's scope, however, extends far beyond the Hamptons, attracting masses of spectators, socialites and celebrity riders from across the world, who turn out to see and be seen at this iconic end-of-summer event.   

The Hampton Classic features 6…

The 36^th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show returns to Bridgehampton, NY, with an exciting schedule of events planned for Opening Day on Sunday, August 28.

The Hampton Classic, which takes place August 28 – September 4, is one of the most prestigious horse shows in the nation and features competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic veterans in the Classic’s feature event, the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup…

As you can tell by the superlatives in the title, I'm about to go overboard.  Much gushing about the Sainted Bay Mare will follow, so here's your warning to either pull on your waders or abandon ship now!



Last Saturday we showed at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show in the Pre-Preliminary division.  Granted, 3' or thereabouts may be small…

Saturday we were going to go outdoors with another rider but by the time I got the grooming and everything else done she was finished so I rode inside. I did some ground work first with the rope halter on. We set up some trot poles and went over them a few times. I have been doing some stretching exercises on Coopers legs and they have really been helping. His muscles are not strong enough yet or something, that is why he kept slipping with his back legs.

I rode with the bit and…

I can hear you now – you’re groaning… the path?? How can “the path” be fulfilling?

You might ask: Doesn’t “the path” translate to tedious repetitions, lack of acknowledgement or recognition, stumbling blocks, frustrations, steps backward more than forward, and all the other associated negativities that occur when something is practiced day-to-day, week-to-week?

What about the glory of the goal, the clear, final call of reaching the destination, the accolades…