Hi Guys!



It's not uncommon for riders to struggle getting their horses to pick up one of their canter leads. The following are some simple exercises to help you pick up the right lead everytime!



The first exercise is done completely in the walk. You will practice positioning your horse alternately for the left lead and then switch to the right lead after a few strides.



Let's say you decided to pick up left lead:



--Put your weight…

So many times in my training in natural horsemanship, I heard emphasis on gaining respect. (I still hear it today.) I would watch a "problem" horse behave perfectly for my trainer and then, frustratingly, once I got my hands on the lead rope, revert back to "disrespectful" or even dangerous behavior with me. This was, of course, all my fault. Now don't get me wrong: students of horsemanship make all kinds of mistakes, and most problems they encounter are their fault.…

This week's quote/painting combo is for cantering fans.

Here's a link to download and print the "To Do List" with this design at the top. On the calendar be sure to schedule a date with your favorite horse for cantering!

Today I read an article that basically hobbled my brain, preventing me from thinking about anything else until I worked out my feelings about it.

The author of the piece makes some assertions about the relationship between horses and their people that no logical mind can dismiss. However his tone, a sort of, “these are the cold, hard facts for all you hairy-neck-nuzzlers–face up to them!” renders even the most obvious “facts”…

Accreditation move "turning point" for equine welfare



April 15, 2009



A planned accreditation programme for equine rescue groups and sanctuaries in the United States has been described as a turning point for the equine welfare community.

The scheme was discussed during a meeting a recently completed conference in Las Vegas attended by dozens of national and state-based equine protection, advocacy and rescue organisations.



The third annual Homes for Horses…

Riding with lightness Baucher, Faverot of Kerbrech, Beudant and L'Hotte to study the second way of Baucher.





For fans of dressage for riders believe that there is no conflict between sports and horseback riding wise, Beudant Etienne, "the squire mirobolant", the "Mozart riding" book his doctrine: a dressage horse should lead to its use both in varied terrain and riding school, with the barrier on the flat.…

Ever since a good old boy farrier lost his patience with my nervous Palomino quarter horse gelding and slapped him in the ribs with a rasp, I’ve been very interested in barefoot farriery. I had to be, because there was no way that knuckle-dragger was going near my horses again, and what I saw of local farriers’ work did not impress me. I don’t mean to make out like I’m a hoof expert. Oh no far from it. Or that I disapprove of shoeing horses. I don’t. I have as good a grasp as anybody of the…

OK, the headline is unusually harsh, even for a blogger who examines every detail of horsemanship with skepticism. A little sensational, you say? Yes, I agree. But, read on, if you can.



"Sometimes things don’t have to have a point - they just have to make you smile." And these images of horses with hair extensions do just…

By Mike Celizic

TODAYShow.com contributor

updated 11:46 a.m. ET, Mon., April 13, 2009



The commercial photographer and a pal were just horsing around one day, playing one of those “What if?” games when the idea hit them: “Hey, wouldn’t it be great, wouldn’t it be really funny to do some shots of horses with big hairstyles, sort of ‘pony pin-up?’ ”



Thus, photographer Julian Wolkenstein told TODAY’s Meredith Vieira Monday, was born the idea that gave birth to a…

Hello, I hope you had an enjoyable Easter or otherwise long weekend! Last weeks' blogpost generated a great question from a Barnmice member. I thought I'd repeat her email below because her question is actually something I hear all the time: how do I do exercises to improve my riding fitness when I have hardly any time and space is tight?



The Question



Thank you SO much for all of these tips Heather!!! I have a little bit of a twist on a "fitness for riding" type…

We have been trying for several years to provide fresh, clean drinking water for the working animals of Marrakech. ‘Not very difficult, that,’ you might say, ‘Build a couple of good, old-fashioned water-troughs’.

Ah, but you haven’t reckoned with the bureaucracy of the Moroccan authorities, nor the cunning of its citizens.



After several months of petitioning, we did indeed finally get permission to build a couple of troughs around the city. ‘Water is expensive’, they said.…

A total of 60 horses were flown in from all over the world to compete at the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals to be held in Las Vegas (USA) from 15 to 19 April. The 35 European based Jumping and Dressage horses left from Liege airport in Belgium at 7h19am local time on Saturday 11 April and arrived without incident in Las Vegas at 8h55am local time after a direct flight that took 10 hours and 35 minutes. At the same time, airplanes from all over the world delivered their precious loads from the…

Greetings friends!



In honour of the symbolic meaning of Easter I would like to invite you on a brief journey down the horse trail less travelled, the amazing and, dare I say “miraculous” journey of equine assisted personal development - EAPD.



I’m very blessed because I enjoy the good fortune of being able to work with thousands of people all over the world, in my own unique way facilitating their ability to become their better selves by becoming more enlightened and…

Not sure where the last month or so has gone but it's gone and past.



Spent one weekend in Toronto helping my best friend at a science fiction/fantasy convention Ad-Astra. The committee needed warm bodies to help run the Green Room where the guests of honour hang out away from the masses and the media. While I do read sci-fi/fantasty at times it was interesting to see the many genres and how other people get as into a topic as I do horses. Got to attend a Writer's Workshop and can…

Every April in the UK the world stops for The Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree. It is the richest race of the year with the incredible prize money of £900.000. The winner immediately becomes front page news on every national newspaper and will still feature in quiz questions round the country twenty years afterwards!



I was brought up with the history of the Grand National and those famous Aintree fences, Beechers Brook, The Chair and The Canal Turn…..1954 The Queen’s horse…

Jumping a Single Fence



How many times have you seen a rider approach a single fence in canter, hold the horse back and then suddenly release it and send it forward when they think they see a stride? And what happens? The horse accelerates at the last moment over the jump, lands on his forehand, runs on from the jump and has to be pulled back! Worse still they learn to rush their fences, standing off a long way and jumping flat.



Up to intermediate level,…

Hi Guys,



Riding with soft hands is an awesome goal, and your horse will thank you for it. In this training tip, I'm going to give you both some simple physical exercises and also some fun mental exercises to help you achieve this goal.



Here are 2 physical exercises:



1. Tie two reins or ropes or even two pieces of baling twine to a sturdy fence. Hold the ropes as if they are reins. Take up a contact of at least 10 pounds in each…

As spring unfolds, the wonders of nature seem to be everywhere. You don't need to be in a wilderness, because the beauties of spring can be found in any backyard, neighborhood park, or even sprouting through the cracks of a neglected sidewalk. Where ever you happen to be today, take a moment to soak in some of the wonders of nature!



This week's free To Do List features one of my all time favorite paintings, "Mystic Meadows." An…

Over the last two days Sahara has opened up and shown me whole heap of itchy spots. Scratching your horse may not seem like much, but, don't underestimate the power of spending undemanding time with your horse. Just hanging out, giving scratches, finding itchy places. Just because you are not going any where and doing what seems like nothing can be so important for your horse! I have always known that spending undemanding time with your horse was important. But Sahara has highlighted that…