New beginnings, New Goals: The Exercise

First of all, what goals did you achieve this horse show season that you set last spring? Krista and Laura, you both rode well and improved through the year. You won year-end championships while showing good sportsmanship. Kathy, you’re riding Tommy with confidence and control you couldn’t have imagined a few months ago! His behavior has improved light-years since last spring. You even took him to a show just for the experience!

What did you achieve that you hadn’t even set out to? Continue reading

Posted in Horse Trainer's Mindset, Inner Natural Horsemanship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Beginnings, New Goals

The Knocks completed their final horse show on Sunday. In some ways, it has been a test of endurance as well as skill. Despite their great success this season, I think everyone is ready for a break.

I’m ready too. Its my responsibility as their trainer and instructor to determine what will work best between shows to help them peak on show day as well as continue improve throughout the horse show season. Continue reading

Posted in Inner Natural Horsemanship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Indian Summer- Warm Weather Natural Horse Care

Indian summer weaves its way between cold snaps here in wild, wonderful West Virginia. I welcome the warm sunshine which glows through the foliage. I can take off my winter coat, but the horses can’t.

As I wait for the wash bucket to fill to sponge off a very sweaty Brego, I think about the challenges Indian summer presents to horses, and the ways a natural horseman can meet those needs. Continue reading

Posted in Natural Horse Care | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Horses, Time and Timelessness

Today I came across pictures of Princess Muffinhead as a newborn. What a cute foal she was! The tiny, fragile-looking filly in the photo is such a far cry from the beautiful, powerful mare she has grown into. The four years since her birth passed in a flash.

Wow, four years. I remember so clearly holding her in my lap as she napped. It seemed like she would stay a baby forever. The day when we could finally head out for a ride was so far off as to be unimaginable.

Horses allow us a bifocal view of time. Continue reading

Posted in Horses and Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Natural Horse Training Methods Blog: Official Launch!

Long months after its conception, I’m thrilled to see Natural Horse Training Methods Blog become a reality! This blog has its roots in my core beliefs, and takes flight on wings of daily experience with the horses and people I train.

What do I mean by that? Continue reading

Posted in Horses and Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Blogroll

Enjoy our blogroll of like-minded, thinking horsewo/men!

Have your own relevent blog you want to include?  Add our link to your page and email us yours!

Posted in Natural Horsemanship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment