Do you have a routine before you get on your horse? C'mon, you don't just walk out there and toss the saddle on, cinch up and go do you? On today's show we tell you about the routine we follow and how it works for us! We think it is important to gauge your horse's attitude before you get on. Like any creature they are going to have days where they feel better than others. You need to know where there head is at. It can give you a great insight to the type of…

Cole Train’s Trick of the Month

Last month, I told you about Cole Train teaching himself to bow, but that he would only do it in his stall. Well, he decided he could do it outside, too. When I ask him to bow, he parks out like a Morgan with his front legs forward and his back legs back. I click him and treat him. Then, he starts to shift his weight back to bow like a dog. I click/treat for that, too. In his stall, the bow can get quite low. I expect, in time, he will do that outside…

Hey bloggers,

Hope everyone had a great weekend and is looking forward to the week ahead. It's going to be a chilly week so dress yourselves and your horses warmly :) 

This week's blog is going to be based on the sale at Baker's for equine jewelry, DVD's and books. We have a wide variety of all three of these items at great prices, so you don't want to miss this opportunity to pick up any items you've had your eyes on. On your next visit, go through our DVD's and books…

The 2013 Beautiful Horses painting series will feature horses from Maryland and Delaware. Nominations are now being accepted.

Find out more about the project and nominate a horse: …

After last week’s balmy spring like weather in the 70’s we have had 2.2” of rain, a trace of snow, and I won’t be able to have my lesson next Wednesday because it will go down to 17° F.  I remember when I was young that winter got cold after the fall and generally STAYED cold until springtime.  No longer, and it is hard for me to adapt to all the temperature changes.

Wednesday I made the type of progress with Mick that a person does not…

In recent years, rope halters have become very popular with many horse owners. Many 'natural horsemanship' gurus use them and market their own particular type of rope halter.  Because they are used by these famous clinicians, many people assume they are 'kinder' than a regular, old leather or web halter.  But in reality rope halters are meant to be used as training aids - not as a halter for regular, every day use.



In fact, rope halters can become instruments of…

My wife and I started a podcast.  In case you are not familiar with podcasts, they are a essentially a radio show you can play on your computer or mobile device.  Podcasts cover every topic imaginable.  I have an ipod and subscribe to many different podcast, some for education some for entertainment.  When I look around for one on horsemanship there were few to choose from so we decided to make our own.

We call it the Whoa Podcast About Horses and Horsemanship and it comes…

A spur is really just a reaching assist (a term taken from my lifeguard days – not equine related!). 



As a woodworker might choose some smaller chisels to refine the details of his project, so spurs give a rider precision and reach in delivering his cues. …

http://heatherclemenceau.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/trot-on-new-years-resolutions-for-horse-advocates/

I’m assuming that you,  dear reader,  have already made your New Year’s Resolutions.  Did you know that the average person breaks them after about one month? Yeah,…

Horses appreciate variety.  They can become bored with their jobs just like we can.  Dudley Mandy of Springbuck Natural Horsemanship of Collierville, Tennessee (www.springbuckhorsemanship.com) builds FUN into his training methods by allowing the horses to try things that they do not ordinarily see and do during the course of their routine training.  Here, we see Dudley introducing…

It's been awhile since I've last posted anything but lots has happened.  Norman continues to do well with one eye, he has setbacks but they have all been relatively minor thankfully.

I started writing a kid's book about Norman last year and just this past November it actually got published and is getting some positive feedback.  Helps that a portion of the proceeds are going to LongRun and Heaven Can Wait equine rescues and Norman is putting his hoof print on some of the…

On Tuesday evening I fell in my house (NOT off a horse) and I ended up with two scraped and bruised knees, a scraped foot, a scrape down my right arm, and shaken confidence about my walking.  I had been practicing holding my head up when I walked so I would form a good habit for my riding instead of  what I really needed to do, looking down to where my feet go.  Since my fall I am putting practicing good riding posture while I walk into the failed experiment column.  When I…

This Summer's Great Read Comes Right OUT OF THE BLUE

Out of The Blue by Cheryl Bruder

Self-published paperback, 359 pages

Cover photos by Rachelle Rousseau

Front cover art by Patrick Berry 

        When I read author Cheryl Bruder's previous novel, My Mezeppa, a couple years ago, my review said I thought the story provided an entertaining and unpredictable plot, interesting and unique characters, believable dialogue and heartfelt emotion,…

I had some one ask if I could give them some good tips for the show season.   This is a good question and yes, as a veteran of the show ring I certainly can give you some good tips.  It doesn’t really matter what discipline you are in, as showing is showing and it takes its toll on both the horse and the rider.  (the horse in this photo was my 27 year old…

This week, since I haven’t gotten the girth billets on my Stubben fixed, I was riding in my Wintec 250 GP saddle for both my lesson with Mick and for my ride on Mia.  I had put the rear shims back in my Corrector pad but this week I did not feel as secure as I had before when I used them, I guess something in my body changed yet again. 

On Wednesday I woke up to rain, and Debbie called and we rescheduled for Thursday.  So I was out bright and early on Thursday, and…

Jan 1 2013

We worked on the ground again to begin using the 12' rope attached to the bit for about 20 minutes, changing sides often. I didn't do any giving to the bit tonight.

144th ride, we walked to the back of the arena following another horse again. Cooper did good, he tensed up a little but continued on with no spooking.

We did some more sit trot, jogging tonight. We didn't do any circles but worked on Lyons 3 Step Stop exercise and rollbacks again. He started to stop…

Hey bloggers,

This week's blog is going to be based on our new Canadian Team Eventing Coach. Our new team coach is Clayton Fredericks, who is the next International Technical Advisor (ITA) for the Canadian Eventing Team. Clayton Fredericks will replace current ITA, David O’Connor in January 2013, so our Canadian eventing coach officially is now Clayton Fredericks! Our country owes a big thank you to David O'Connor for all his help in the Canadian eventing program, his knowledge, and…

Its been almost a year since I first started out, and I am about to complete my level 2 Equestrian.  I am so happy with the progress, but most of all, so grateful for the horse that has become a true friend. We have learned how to 'talk' with each other, or I should say, we continue to learn, and he now respects my 'leg' as a rider.  How far we have come, given that initially, I couldn't even find my balance, and hadn't even understood that the process is life-long, not a matter of 'levels'…