I’m a traditionalist when it comes to the art of dressage. I love the structure, the fundamentals, the words of the classical masters. Dressage is the peaceful partnering of a horse and rider in a dance. It’s a discipline of intuition, subtle cues,…
I’m a traditionalist when it comes to the art of dressage. I love the structure, the fundamentals, the words of the classical masters. Dressage is the peaceful partnering of a horse and rider in a dance. It’s a discipline of intuition, subtle cues,…
Added by Anna Blake on September 11, 2015 at 9:06am — 2 Comments
Have you noticed that horses are incredibly quicker than we are? I’m going to tell you the good news about that, but it’s going to take a while to get there.
Horses have the fastest response time of any common domestic animal. Yes, they measure these things, and horses are quickest to perceive and respond to stimuli–partly because they are…
Added by Anna Blake on February 13, 2015 at 9:51am — No Comments
If there is an annual pony day, it should be Christmas. The reason is obvious, but if you didn’t get your wish, read this:
I’m a Dressage Queen with an unlikely soft spot for vertically-challenged horses. Too often they get small patience from humans who treat them with low regard. Or at the very least, these condensed equines are under-estimated–they are smart, tough, and very athletic. In the last few years that I’ve…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on December 26, 2014 at 9:00am — No Comments
My favorite training mentor had a habit that drove me nuts. She would be working with a horse who spooked or flipped his head or had some other issue that made him a disaster and when she climbed on, if you were close, you could hear her say in a low…
Added by Anna Blake on November 28, 2014 at 9:26am — 2 Comments
It might be the word I say more often than any other during a lesson. I know it’s the cue that does the most good. It’s certainly the cue that’s the most natural:
Breathe.
Alas, it’s also the cue most under-rated. I see riders disregard the suggestion immediately.…
Added by Anna Blake on September 5, 2014 at 9:27am — 2 Comments
Our barn rat, Hannah, didn’t meet the horses her first visit to the farm. She was only 3 days old. We waited till her second visit later that week. It was love at first sight for all of us. By the time she was toddling and learning to talk, she knew all the horse’s names. Her parents taught her the animal sound game, “What does a horsie say?” Hannah’s…
Added by Anna Blake on August 8, 2014 at 9:18am — 2 Comments
The first time I met him, he was two months old standing in a stall with his mom. He was bright and intuitive, an Andalusian/Appendix…
Added by Anna Blake on July 11, 2014 at 9:00am — 4 Comments
A client and I went to see a horse this week. He belonged to her in the past, but I have known him through 5 owners, each time given up reluctantly. This horse is 10 years old. Our Boy is a sensitive, athletic horse, smart and honest. In other words, a wonderful…
Added by Anna Blake on May 3, 2013 at 8:31am — 3 Comments
I had a philosophy teacher who believed that vulnerability was our greatest strength. I debated her; my shell was pretty thick back then and I had a lot to defend. When I was worn out…
Added by Anna Blake on March 15, 2013 at 8:22am — No Comments
I can’t remember who came first in my life- dogs or horses. I do know a few of each are required for my mental health. There is a slow and gradual changing of the guard, as years go on.
Three dogs and 13 years ago, my cattle dog, Hero and I were pretty depressed after losing our old dog, Spam. The moping around was wearing on us, so we signed up for Dog Agility class and called it date night.
I’d been to obedience classes with other dogs- but this was different. It was happy…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on August 3, 2012 at 7:52am — 1 Comment
My grandfather Percy Blake was a horse trader. They say he had a good eye, but I could never quite discern if he was honest or not. Folks respected him, but he maybe had more income than scruples.
Being a horse trader…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on June 22, 2012 at 7:55am — 1 Comment
… and what donkeys offer the real life dressage world.
We’re just home from Edgar Rice Burro’s debut in the dramatic presentation of “The Laonia Gold Mining Company” at the Travel Port Campground and Mini…
Added by Anna Blake on May 25, 2012 at 8:14am — No Comments
My hay guy got a new truck- a pristine dually in a pearlized-platinum color, with near Porsche-like lines. That big diesel engine hums like a finely tuned tank. If Tony Soprano had a truck, it would look like this. I liked it even more the second time I saw it, muddy and mussed. Should a dually really be this sexy?
I am the other kind of truck owner-…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on May 4, 2012 at 8:19am — No Comments
Think of it as a trip to the amusement park- with your horse.
I didn’t start out doing Natural Horsemanship. I started out before that phrase was invented. Like a lot of us, I used voice commands while lunging and required good ground manners. I did the rest from my saddle; riding was my thing.
To tell…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on March 16, 2012 at 8:17am — 2 Comments
“You know what your problem is? You’re too sensitive.” Ouch. Have you heard this? It feels like being accused of throwing like a girl.
It’s dismissive. This definition of sensitive means I’m not dependable, that I’m an emotional liability. When I was younger, hearing this would make me defensive. My mind ran like a rat on a wheel, I choked on my tongue and my heart rate jumped. I appeared… well… too sensitive.…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on February 24, 2012 at 8:33am — 3 Comments
“My horse is really sensitive. He isn’t a just a Quarter Horse, you know. He needs special handling.”
When I hear something like this, I always peer around the barn to see if anyone else looks like their head is about to explode. Is she saying that any idiot can ride an ordinary horse, but a sensitive horse should be afforded…
Added by Anna Blake on February 17, 2012 at 8:58am — 4 Comments
It was big news when Moorlands Totalis sold last year. Zenyatta is due to foal soon and the press is waiting. I see Ravel had a big win in Florida recently. Well, I have some really big news for the horse…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on February 3, 2012 at 8:33am — 1 Comment
This is the time of year holiday greetings include Peace on Earth. We need it- there is so much conflict in the world…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on December 30, 2011 at 8:34am — No Comments
This is how you can tell there is a tourist in the barn: they keep their eyes on the ground and there’s lots of erratic tiptoeing. Some even squeal at the sight of manure. I call it Fecalphobia- an irrational fear of digestive waste. Thankfully, humans are the only species prone to the disease. (Nincompoops.) Everybody else is fine about bowel relief.
People who live with horses don’t get emotional about poop. It’s such a normal part of the day-to-day…
ContinueAdded by Anna Blake on December 9, 2011 at 8:30am — 5 Comments
“Hey, Little Red-haired Girl, I have your pony here!!!” Meet Bailey, my most recent date.
If you follow my blog, you know I work with Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue. (RRHR.org) Rescue horses come to Infinity…
Added by Anna Blake on December 2, 2011 at 8:30am — 1 Comment
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