While reading Gustav Steinbrecht's "The Gymnasium of the Horse" I was impressed that he did not seem to think that the "classical" dressage seat was suitable for riding all horses all the time. As a Forward Seat rider I was particularly impressed by Steinbrecht's "forward" seat (which he calls the "crotch seat") and how much it resembles the Forward Seat for Slow Equitation (as described in my blog…

I've dealt with a lot of spooky dressage horses, and I find that often shying gets worse because riders do one or all of the following things.



1. Hit or kick him to make him obedient.

2. Make him walk straight up to scary object and face it straight on.

3. Forget to go around your ring in both directions.

4. Force him to go close to the scary object.

5. Patting and soothing him while he’s shying.



Let's understand the nature of…

For this blog I’m going to try something a little different – I have invited my wife Sabine to take the floor – and be warned; this is going to be a pretty blatant pitch for the difference a female saddle  can make to your comfort and riding!

Hi – this is Sabine Schleese writing to you; this guest appearance is actually due to a conversation I have recently had with someone who just a while ago became a complete convert to what…

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the farm,

Only one horse was stirring, the brown one in the barn,

The only one to hang a stocking from his feed dish that night,

Hoping that Santa would come, and fill it just right.

The other horses were settled quietly in their stalls,

While their dreams were of horse treats, candy canes and riding halls,

And the cat in the hay barn and the dog on his mat,

Had just snuggled in for a long winter's…

“The threat of Christmas hung in the air…”

This is a stressful time of the year. Some of the stress is good stress; children’s programs at church, parties, presents, all kinds of cookies, and family dinners. Some of the stress is not so good; unreal expectations, emotional strain, expense, time pressures, and family dinners.

Humans like routines as much…

Vince capped off a successful competition season with her top horse, Frieda, by winning the 2010 Jump Canada Series. During a special presentation at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show, Vince received the Jump Canada Series trophy, generously donated by Barbara Anderson, and a $10,000 cash award, sponsored by Jump Canada, to be invested by the rider into a development program…

Voting is now underway for the 2011 Equine Canada Director-at-Large election. Members of Equine Canada are eligible to vote for the Director-at-Large position provided that individual is 18 years-of-age or older in the year of election.

Voting may be completed in one of two ways. Members must visit the Equine Canada website at www.equinecanada.ca and either logon using their Equine…

Ottawa, ON—Equine Canada is pleased to announce Jack de Wit has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Trails Federation, enhancing and strengthening Equine Canada’s voice for recreational trail riders across the country.

Mr. de Wit, who is an Equine Canada (EC) Board Member and Chair of the EC Recreation Council, has held Observer…

10 Tips to a Healthier You, Tip 9



Get Rid of Trans Fat – trans fat is just plain awful and extremely artery

clogging. Health Canada recommends that you avoid more than 0.5g per day. Trans fat is in a lot of

processed and prepackaged foods, but it is also in a lot of butter and

milk products. Check labels carefully and avoid this artery clogging fat

that will kill you in time. …

Yes, it’s true. S**t happens and yes, it happened to us on our trip to Fl. I thought I would share my experience and knowledge about changing a trailer tire so you can be more prepared if it happens to you.







1. Turn on your warning flashers for safety. As soon as you realize that you have blown a tire, start to slow down gradually…

I read a little story the other day that really resonated with me and made me take a long hard look at how I live my life.

I want to share it with you

“There was once a busy shepherd girl, she spent her days rounding up stray sheep – her farther had taught her that if she focused on the strays the sheep would be safe.

One day her sister went out to the pasture to help her with the endless task, The sister asked - do all the sheep stray?

No answered the shepherd…

Dear Julie,

I have started riding my 2-year-old paint gelding. I've had him since he was 3 months old. He's super gentle-almost too gentle. I have taken him out trail riding with other horses, but he needs to learn…

Canadian Reining Committee Announces New Chair

Ottawa, ON—The Canadian Reining Committee (CRC) is pleased to announce that Gary Yaghdjian is…

I have a student I want to tell you about today because she has used my Method in an interesting way and it might help or inspire others to use it this way. To…