Conditions: Absolutely beautiful day, sunny and feeling like early spring. Nice long hacks on both horses before and after the rides. Rode both in snaffle

Caddymaster So yesterday, after his massage, I noticed some striking diferences. 1) he kept trying to pull all the reins out of my hand - as if he needed to cough - something he general won't do unless he really does indeed need…

March 7th will be my first hunter show with Summer, we will be entering the X-Rail Division at Arbutus Meadows in Parksville. Ive been planning for this show for about a month now, she has been ridden for 6 days a week for a month in preperation for this show. This will be my second time cantering a course, I havent cantered a course in like 4 years! But yesterday was my last lesson untill the show, and I must say that we are pretty good now, except for the occasianal run-out, we both have…

Well I have had a busy few weeks since Dijon the "hony" came to the indoor.

Heather did the first few weeks of backing and then I had to take over working all the ponies. Heather's done an excellent job on Contessa. Dijon and Mark are both steady enough at the walk and trot for this mid-40 rider to feel safe and comfortable on.

After a week off due to my allergies making me dizzy and queasy, I was back in the saddle today. Warming up with Contessa to get my…

Thursday, March 4th - Well, the concept of getting ‘two-fer’ work sessions isn’t looking quite as bright as it did this morning. I had decided to use ‘Sundance’ a 3 yr old welsh cross pony for her partner for the first outing. He is the Only equine on the property who is smaller than Belle is, he has been ponied before and he is calm and not prone to nip or bite. Seemed like a…

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby is underway this weekend in Fla. On Friday, Tom Dvorak & Viva's Salieri W were 2nd in the PSG with 69.649%. Belinda Trussell & Anton were 3rd in the GP for Special with 68.638%. In the YR Team Test, Jaimie Holland & Fleurina were 2nd with 66.947% and Megan Lane & Caravella were 3rd with 65.737%.

Conditions I was really exhausted after the work week and the ring was crowded with lessons. Rode caddy and Tia - but really, just got them out of the stalls and walked trot and canter in both directions

Caddy had a massage today. the report seemed really on with reports of tightness through the poll and top line, I didn't have her do Tia as she is so sensitive that I wanted to be there (and also so problem free).

So the weather hasn’t been kind – but I am determined to keep up the work schedule. First of all, I found a GREAT on line article about conditioning for your first endurance ride. It is from the Southeast Endurance Riders Association. The link is below.…

Hi there Julie,

The question - it is kind of in depth, but since…

Lately, I seem to be getting a lot of questions about improving haunches-in and shoulder-in when the stiff side is on the inside.

So here are some ideas to help. I’ll start with haunches-in.

Let’s say your horse is stiff to the right. Start by tracking to the right and do the following:

1. Ride a 10m circle in the trot, and focus on…

Never underestimate the power of the mind, not only as a power for good but also as a negative power that can subconsciously restrict your activities and achievements. Fear is often connected to a negative attitude. There are two…

conditions;Unable to ride today due to delay leaving work.

I have been thinking about Caddymaster a lot and I wanted to put down in words the thoughts about why he is doing so well of late.

Caddymaster: So I've been the only human riding him since he was turning 4 years old (he is now 12). He has always been a laid back dude. The bit has always slid a little out of the left side of the mouth. Recently…

In the beginning of all things, wisdom and knowledge were with the animals; for Tirawa, the One Above, did not speak directly to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the…

Today, I was just inspired to create some extra WHINNY in your life, so I thought that I would share this recipe with you. My entire point to my life, is to remember everyday how blessed I am and

to greet my day with the same enthusiasm that my horse greets me:

whinny for all that I am worth, which is limitless.

Share these with your horse, make a batch of Chocolate chips cookies for yourself, and enjoy you day. I also have a great oatmeal raisin recipe, for you that…

Conditions: post-call day off :) Last night was very quiet on call, so whole night to sleep :). Snow mixed with rain, no hacking.

Tia: lesson: Rode in double worked on 1) changes 2) pirouettes 3) med towrads extended trot at end.

1) So I've been thinking of an article that Hubertis Schmidt published where he said the neck should be straight, a stride before the change, soften the new inside rein. The first ride I…

BEGINNING THE DANCE

As a teen, I would daydream about riding my horse. We would be one unit, my horse would be light and expressive, we were dancing. I pursued my dreams with the idea that if I tried…

Belle’s Blog

So, my friend Robin has a talented endurance horse. And a dream of going to Tevis. But she also bought a new business last year, and has Not been riding. So, my resolution for this year was to make…