First, I admire and respect a lot of people who train horses.  Training horses can take a lot of bravery, knowledge and skill.  Trainers are IMPORTANT, good ones can clear up the confusion of the horse, show the horse how to move better, and train the horse to be obedient to the rider.  Good trainers can also humanely train a horse for many of the specialized games that people like to…

Last weekend we took a LOOOONG trip, from here in the southern part of North Carolina to the panhandle of Maryland.  Cary had a show in Frederick, Md., which meant, of course, that I got a lesson at North Fork!  I like doing these once a year lessons at North Fork, after days of having to sit up in the car, sit up at the stamp show, getting up early, going out to eat and then driving around 20-30 minutes to North Fork I am TIRED.  My exhaustion causes my body to not work as…

When I started with my first horse over 40 years ago horse training was sort of considered an esoteric activity that only adepts could do.  Most people sent horses to trainers because only trainers had the equipment and the secret knowledge necessary to train horses.  After several months at the trainer’s place the horse came home, hopefully knowing enough about carrying and obeying a…

Last week Debbie asked me if I minded her training a horse she had in for training during my lesson.  I told her I did not mind at all.  I LOVE seeing Debbie train a horse, she makes it look easy!  During the weekend Debbie called me saying she wanted me to shim the Corrector pad so the mare would be more comfortable under saddle. 

So on Wednesday not only did I have to shim up the Corrector (since the mare has a rather flat back I used all eight shims,) I helped…