Category Archives: Natural Horsemanship

Of Tai Chi and Half Halts

Mark has been wanting to take tai chi classes.  While I have some experience with it, and use it extensively in my own riding and teaching, I have not wanted to add to a life already near to bursting with … Continue reading

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An Unexpected Season

I chuckled sadly when I noticed that the last post in the blog was Mark’s exhortation of wearing helmets every time, every ride.  The post was his response to Courtney King-Dye’s accident.   She was not wearing a helmet.  The results … Continue reading

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Easy Acupressure for Equestrians

We are all focused on our horses’ well-being.  Tack fit, nutritional needs, fitness, massage, training… no topic is too minute for the caring horseman to address. All too often we fail to turn this discerning focus onto ourselves.  Sally Swift, … Continue reading

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Winter Horsemanship Fun

Test your knowledge of horses and horsemanship at this great website hosted by the Canadian Pony Club: http://www.canadianponyclub.org/Games/index.php. This is an interactive quiz with questions sorted by skill level. Be quick! The clock is ticking!

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Horse Power!

We’ve returned to the days of original horsepower to run the farm through “snowmageddon.”  The snow is too much for the tractors so we’ve been riding the Clydesdales, Caber and Metallica, to cut trails, ride fence, and get to the … Continue reading

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Happy New Year!

Freezing rain and ice-slick roads confine us to the farm tonight… and there is no place we’d rather be! Mark and I play with the horses well after dark. I trim Grace’s hooves and start teaching her a new trick, … Continue reading

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Metallica – Training Heavy Horse

Training a heavy war horse for medieval mounted games. Even the bravest Destrier starts off as a horse like any other. The difference is a solid foundation of trust! Continue reading

Posted in Ally, clicker training, Horse Training Basics, Natural Horsemanship, Reenacting... Naturally! | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clicker training saves the night!

There are times when training is a calm sunny day in a round pen with a brave, intelligent horse. There are also the times when conditions are less than optimum, yet even a frightened horse can achieve a major breakthrough. … Continue reading

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Horsemanship Practice… At the Mall!

Kathy made my day today!  During a break in her lesson she told me she’s taken up walking at the mall.  Today she walked two miles.  More importantly, she confided, “I kept thinking about what we’ve been practicing in our … Continue reading

Posted in Balanced Seat Riding, Challenges, Ideas & Exercises, Natural Horsemanship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Losgelassenheit and Natural Horsemanship

Breakthrough day for June!  This formerly stiff-as-a-board but quick-as-a-whip little mare learned to release to the pressure of the bit.  We’re not talking turn or tuck her head.  We are talking release negative tension throughout her entire body. This elementary … Continue reading

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