Some horses are naturally braver than other, and some horses tend to be fairly skittish and flighty. Horses can become more confident when they are exposed to many different things – when they associate positive

experiences with the different objects/ environments.

Getting your horse to touch different objects is one way to build confidence. Provided the…

Winter Magic

by Mary Benson

Except from the poetry collection…

Well, I'm sorry to be writing this so late, but you could say I've had one crazy summer and things haven't slowed down since! My horse Verdicci (known as Chance around the barn) and I made it onto the Region 5 Junior (3rd Level) Team headed to the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) in Lexington, Kentucky held July 28th through August 1st. We also qualified for the Junior National Championships held in Gladstone, New Jersey at the United States…

Let me explain what I mean about having natural leadership ability and the importance of this when working at liberty.…

First Gymkhana Stage 1

Let me introduce myself before I start on my first demo. My name is Catherin McMillan and Im an equine and pet portrait artist from…

Well, I guess I will catch up on my paperwork and redo my website. Planing lessons for the winter and the coming year. I want to make a lot of changes next year so if you have any ideas please e-mail me @ classicaldressage@earthlink.net.

On another note, Belle is still recuperating from her allergic reaction to the rhino shot. I am working her now in the round pen three times a week. I will wait to ride her till spring. It doesn't…

Ive been thinking (you can smell the smoke from there can't you) that I need to focus on the things I can change and let go of the crap that I can't. (sounds AA-ish, I am actually 7 and a half years sober.)

I'm not even going to talk about the "crap" I cant change right now and focus on what I CAN change.

**I am tired and unhealthy. I am, what I have recently found out, a "bad" vegetarian. I have been this way for about 3 years. I cut out meat but havent added any vegetables.…

The TC Youth Committee is pleased to announce Elizabeth Aslin as the winner of the 2010 TC Youth Bursary Award, sponsored by Equestrian Factory Outlet!

Elizabeth has been an avid supporter and volunteer for TC Youth since the program…

Dear Julie,

My friends and I have a problem with our saddles rolling over to the side when we get on. My horse in particular has a flat, broad back with wide withers. Any suggestions? I know we are cinching…

I have been a very good girl this year. For Christmas I would like....…

One of our fans asked for advice for outfitting her 20 year old son for winter riding. His mom says he works for a high end…

After a hectic week and a couple days of rain, Brody and I were both ready for some playtime. Wanting to make the most of it, I popped in my “Level 2 On Line” DVD for some inspiration and heard Pat Parelli talking about the importance of fun, for both human and horse. It’s like he’d read my mind—working on various exercises had begun to feel like……

BRRR. It is COLD outside, when I woke up it was still in the high 20's F with a brisk wind. Since I no longer have horses I could stay warm this morning. I am so glad not to have to carry feed (I always fed more for the cold), hay, warm water (to wet the feed), and break open the ice on the water trough. With my MS this had gotten REAL challenging. Such a luxury to be able to stay inside. No frozen fingers or toes, and I do not have to feel sorry for the shivering…

So, we had the vet out to take a look at my little guy and make sure he was good to wean. And, since the farrier wanted some x-rays on his mom, we got them taken, no biggie...

Definite biggie. Her coffin bone has rotated more. She's barely lame. I think we're going to have to put her down, and it's just an appalling idea. She's 6 1/2. You think you get them through the worst of it and it will be okay. And now, we're back where we were 2 years ago. And then you think what if we…

“This book is definitely different from other horse books I’ve read …I couldn’t put it down.” Ally B., age 14…

Just because it's "Vegetarian"

Doesn't mean it's good for you…

10 Diet Tips to a Healthier You, Tip 4:



Food + TV = NO – When you eat and watch television it is easy to over eat

because you aren’t really paying attention to your food. You can often sit down with a bowl of snacks and before you know it you have eaten the whole thing. Distractions are not good while eating, and it is best for you to be aware of what you are eating. That doesn't mean you need to intently focus on your food, but…