Bullet Journaling is something you may or may not heard of! If you are the type that likes to keep a journal, I'd suggest you read on!
Having a bad day? Not sure if you want to ride today? Or if you should ride today? Read on for some advice!
A step by step exercise in figuring out why you and your horse aren't "speaking the same language". It happens to all riders from time to time. It is important to know that we shouldn't get frustrated. Stay calm and think your way through the problem to figure it out.
A guide to what your expectations should be when contacting a stable about a one-time riding experience. Make sure you communicate about what you are hoping to get out of the experience.
Pro tips to keep you and your horse happy and healthy for summer riding!
This is another fun activity for kids to do with horses! It provides a lot of opportunities to teach about what horses eat. It is also messy, and we all know messy is a lot of fun for kids!
In summer camp season we are always looking for fun activities to teach our campers basic skills. When I find something they really enjoy, I'm happy to share it with others.
The best gift you can give your horse is the skills he would need to find a good home if for some reason you couldn't keep him anymore,
Changing things up every once in a while for your horse will make for a much more willing partner!
There is a big difference in a horse that is a challenge you are ready for to help improve your skills and one that is just too much for you at your current ability level.
Tack stores are full of horsey clothes to buy. Do you really need to spend a lot to just get started? Heck no, here are my thoughts on the basics you need to get off to a good start.
You may think a pony ride is no big deal. I believe it can be a powerful thing! My reasoning behind why I think it is important to share our horses with the community
Mounted games are a way for students to improve their horseback riding skills and have a blast at the same time.
Many of us are die-hard about wearing our helmets when riding. We need to create that same habit when working with our horses from the ground.
This four-book series is a fun read for horse lovers. Also, it is quite unique in that the main character starts out knowing nothing about horses! Then before she knows it her life revolves around them!
Always looking for some good horsey reading? Check out this mystery series by Candace Carrabus.
An idea of something fun and different to do with your horses and riders this summer!
It's Wednesday, halfway through a long boring week. The rest of the week will fly by though. Try some of these ideas to keep your horsey mind happy until you can get back to the barn!
I'm a Marylander and The Preakness is a big day for my state. Here are some random Preakness facts that maybe you didn't know! Amaze your friends with all your Preakness knowledge!
It is almost the first Saturday in May. We know what that means! The Kentucky Derby is just a few days away. Here are some cool facts on the derby you can quiz your friends with while you wait for the "fastest two minutes in sports"
I was recently in search of the perfect horse to join our education program and decided to share my experience to help others. Here's what to look for and which questions to ask when buying a horse.
What does Sunday mean to horse lovers?
Continuing on with our days of the week explanations! This is what Saturdays mean to horse people!
What does Friday mean to horse lovers? Read on to find out!
Continuing on with the explanation of what the days of the week stand for to us horse crazy individuals!
Continuing through the week analyzing what each day stands for to those of us who are horse crazy.
Every day has a little bit different meaning to those of us who are horse crazy! Read on to find out about Tuesdays!
Having always heard about the famous George Morris, I just had to check out this book. It was a great book to read and gives so much insight on why he and his students have achieved such success!
Does Monday mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people? What about the horse people? What does it mean to them? Read on to find out!
Did you know that lots of kids are crazy about horses? If you are seeing any of the following signs and behaviors in your child, chances are their love of horses is here to stay!
Did you have a bad ride on your horse? I'm sorry to hear that. Think of it this way though. Here are some words of encouragement for those not so great days with your horse.
Walking With Henry-Big lessons from a little donkey on faith, friendship and finding your path is a great book I would recommend to anyone who loves animals. Read on for more information on this great book!
Looking where you are going is a small thing you can work on when you ride that can make a big difference! Read on for more information!
There are lots of things we can do around the barn in the springtime. Some productive chores, others that are just goofy and fun!
Flash-The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me About Life, Faith and Second Chances by Rachel Ann Ridge. A great read for those who love all things equine!
There are lots of horses in the horse world with trailer loading issues. Should this be a deal breaker? Or is it easily fixed?
Warm spring days make it tempting to bathe our horses. We need to make sure it is warm enough for them before we go ahead and do it, though! Here's some advice to help you decide if you should bathe your horse or just groom him when it's too cold.
An update on how our new house pig, Samson is doing and some of the things we have learned from him.
This article gives advice on lunging your horse before riding. When should you do it? When not to? (Another alternative!)
When people think of horseback riding lessons, they typically think of a bunch of children in a group riding lesson. Hopefully, this article is all the encouragement you need to start riding as an adult!
What should you do when you first bring a new pig home? Here's how I introduced and acclimated my new house pig at home and to other pets living there.
This article will hopefully answer any questions that you may have about the subject of fostering rescue dogs. It is a wonderful, worthwhile experience, and by fostering, you can really make a difference in the life of an animal in need!
A rider inquiring about riding as a form of exercise? Is it a good workout? Read on for my thoughts on the matter!
Are pre-purchase exams really necessary when buying a horse? There is no black and white or right or wrong answer. It is more about you being comfortable and having peace of mind in making your decision. Read on for more advice and thoughts on the topic.
All new riders get excited about the thought of owning their own saddle. Does it make sense to buy a saddle if you don't own a horse? Read on for my suggestions!
When given an opportunity to ride the neighbor's horse, an unsure parent needs some advice on what to do. Is it a good opportunity, or is the child not ready...Read on for the answer.
What does the Red, White and Blue Mean To You? A short story to remind children that they should be proud to be American and how fortunate they are to live in the U.S.A
Can a draft cross do lower level dressage? Read on to find out!
Help with gift-giving ideas for horse lovers!!
Advice for a parent with a disappointed child. One that thinks they are falling behind the other students in the group. Advice for communicating this to your instructor and explaining it to your child.
So many dogs out there are in need of being rescued. Ask yourself these questions to decide if you are ready to take on a rescue pet.
Pros and cons of shipping boots and standing bandages for trailering your horse.
I'm not talking about the obvious things like fire extinguishers and horse and human first aid kits. There are some other things that come in handy in the barn. Things that you might not have thought about, that can really be great to have.
For some horses, February is an awful month—cold, dark, and wet. If you are a horse owner who is fed up with winter, here are some ideas to get you through the month!
As a person running a riding program, this is the time that we begin to plan for the summer camp season. The dates are being set and we are advertising for new and returning campers to sign up. Here are 20 questions to help you find the perfect program for your child!
Follow up to yesterdays post, the quiz to determine if you know what to do if your horse is colicky.
Colic is one of the most common things that all horse owners experience at one time or another. Take this quiz to see if you are ready and able to handle it!
A letter to my Great Grandfather thanking him for preserving our family farm.
Learn about the definition of horsemanship and how to commit to it.
A new horse owner with questions about whether or not her horse needs to keep her front shoes on over the winter.
Learning to ride is not always a linear process. It is filled with ups and downs. Being able to communicate with your instructor is imperative to your riding success!
Finding the right instructor for your child can be an intimidating process.Especially if you are not a horse person yourself. Here is some advice to help make the choice easier
Question and answer on behavioral issues with a horse who has been out of work for a while.
Advice for a barn parent who is concerned about their child's frustration at being switched to a different school horse.
I don't know about you, but as a horse crazy kid turned horse crazy grown up, I still love all things horse related! Including horse movies! There are a lot of horse movies out there. In making up this fun quiz, I tried to use horse movies that I think most horse crazy people have seen.
I don't know about you, but as a horse crazy kid turned horse crazy grown up, I still love all things horse related! Including horse movies! There are a lot of horse movies out there. This quiz is based on movies that I think most horse crazy's like myself will be familiar with.
Kemerton is big, huge, goofy, happy go lucky and thinks that he is the king of the world. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say. So, here it is, straight from the horse's mouth, an interview with my main man, Kemerton.
I spend a lot of time wishing horses could talk. Mostly so that we can help them when they are lame or sick. What if they could talk? Would we want to hear what they had to say? This is my interpretation of how it would go if my lesson horses could talk to me, starting with Marley!
The riding crop should be an "extension" of our leg. Learn how to properly use this important riding tool.
The weather may not be ideal, but here are 26 reasons not to quit riding for the winter!
The Story of my life is the story of the horses in it, I can't think of a better way for you to get to know me than to get to know the horses that have touched my life throughout the years.
Being realistic about your confidence as a horseback rider is important. Why? Having a firm understanding of your confidence level and skillset allows you to know what to work on and helps you to stay safe when interacting with horses.
Are you and your horse stuck in a rut? Are you looking for something new to do together? Check out this list for some creative ideas.
Where do you find a place to keep a horse after purchasing one? If you don't have your own place, you will need to research and find out what is available in your area. Learn about the differences between a stall board and a field board.
Happy New Year to you and your horse! A new year is full of exciting prospects of what's to come. Many will set new years resolutions that they may or may not keep. Here are some practical ideas for horsey resolutions that are easy to live up to!
If you are a TBI Patient that is rehabilitating, or you are going through Post Concussive Syndrome like I'am, taking time to "recharge your batteries" is so important.
Mane pulling can be a tedious and frustrating job. Here are tips to improve your technique and an alternative tool to use if you like the pulled mane look but your horses find the traditional process uncomfortable.
I have had a constant headache since my accident on March 13. Sometimes it is just annoying, other times it is a debilitating migraine. It changes in intensity but never goes away.
In other words, when you are riding your horse in a lesson or on a group trail ride, is he listening to you? Or is he just following the horse in front of him and taking you along for the ride?
I have been rehabilitating from my traumatic brain injury (TBI) for almost 10 months, during which time I have learned that doing certain things daily helps me a lot with my symptoms. This is not medical advice by any means, just what I have found that helps me.
If you have ever read horse advertisements online or been to a horse auction, you may have heard the term "grade" horse used. What does it mean? Are grade horses better or worse than purebred horses?
Staying hydrated is a big component of TBI recovery. That is one question that I get from all of the doctors on my care team.."are you drinking enough water?".
Some people may count sheep when they are lying awake at night. If you are a horse crazy person like myself, you are most likely counting horses not sheep. Here is a list of all the ways that you can count horses if you can't sleep!
It is pickerel season in the Magothy, and after quite a few trips of fishing and not catching today was my lucky day!
Being a TBI patient recovering from a horse-related incident, I'm not even going to discuss the option of not wearing a helmet. In my humble, brain-bruised opinion, wearing one should be mandatory. Here's my advice for choosing the best riding helmet and which types to stay away from.
It is one of life's main truth's right? That things are not always what they appear to be. People that see horses from afar, but don't know anything about them, sometimes make incorrect assumptions of abuse or neglect. It is our job to educate the public.
I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas. It is hard to believe that in just a few hours it will all be over! I have a pretty good idea of what was under the tree for the horse enthusiasts out there! I looked in my magic ball and this is what I saw underneath the equestrian Christmas Trees.
I'm sure Santa is a reindeer expert and has his reasons for choosing Reindeer, over all the other creatures he could get to pull his sleigh. I mean really, he is Santa, he could get eight of any kind of animal for the big night.
I can put a horse spin on anything, so today, I'm putting a horsey spin on the classic 12 days of Christmas.
Horses are big and expensive, and as anyone who spends time with them knows, they are accident prone. They are prone to injury and as with any other animal, there are a million different things that can go wrong with them.
In the world of horseback riding, what makes a good horse rider and a great horse rider comes down to a few simple elements. But trust me, these small things make a big difference.
This square exercise came to me yesterday while I was teaching. I ended up doing it with all three of my students, who are at different levels, that night. It was a great help to all of them.
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Time for holiday cheer and gift giving. If you are not a horse person, but have horse people in your life, you may need help with gift ideas.
You made it through the week! You already did the hard part. Today is all about easy, relaxing and ending your work week with your horse on a positive note.
You made it to day 4. Good for you. Hopefully, by now you are seeing the benefits of having a plan for your week of rides on your horse. Knowing what goal you have in mind and breaking it down into small steps and exercises, will help your horses progress immensely!
We have made it to day three, hopefully, so far your riding week is going well and my suggestions are helping to keep you and your mount on track. On to Day 3 we go!
I apologize for the delay in not getting this done yesterday. It was a busy day for me and a bad TBI day and staring at a computer screen just wasn't going to happen!
I have written a lot relating to planning your rides. It occurred to me that maybe it would help if I gave you an example of the sort of things that I did when planning my rides. I tried to strategically incorporate things to improve my riding as well as my horse's training.
Even when we are just pleasure riders, getting on our horses to just relax and enjoy being in their presence. Our rides always go better when we take all the factors into consideration that might come into play. If your horse has had a day off( or multiple days off) this may affect your ride.
I have been hesitant to write too much about my TBI. It seems that a lot of people don't understand the impact it has on a person, Not just physically but also emotionally. You don't realize how much you take things for granted until everyday things seem hard.
It was brought to my attention that maybe I don't explain quite well enough what I mean by "softening your hands".
Another photo critique, a little unconventional. A bareback ride when the footing was terrible. Proof that there is always something to learn with horses! No matter whether you are doing a serious ride or a playing around in the slop!
It is never to late to learn to love horses. If you need some convincing or a little push to give it a try, then this letter is for you!
Another topic that can be controversial amongst horse owners is whether or not they feed their horses treats. Also, how they do it, whether they feed them by hand or if they throw them in the horses feed pans.
I have written an alphabet of horses before. The alphabet of horses though is something that I think can be modified many times over to encompass the different seasons or different aspects of horse ownership. Today, we do the horsey alphabet "Winter Style". I think you will find some humor as well!
I love looking at riding photos, and analyzing what I thought was good about them and what I thought could use improvement. So here is a photo critique on my heart horse, Zelda and I many moons ago.
I'm a horse person, but I'm sure you have figured out by now that I'm also a dog person too! I own 4 dogs, two bloodhounds ( Banjo and Raylan ) a Doberman (Zegna) , and the most recent addition is a small little mixed breed dog, who I named Ziva, after the agent on NCIS.
A guide to the essential questions to ask when buying a horse, including questions about sizing, diet, and turn-out schedule.
Especially since I sustained my TBI earlier this year, I can't imagine having days where I just didn't feel like riding. I do know that I had them though. You take things for granted when you can do them every day and not think twice about it!
Retirement for horses can mean any number of thing. For a horse who spent most of his life as an athlete, retirement might just mean a more low key job. For an older horse with physical limitations, it might mean no more work entirely. It just depends on the horse and the situation.
Many times when reading through ads, owners will list their horse as a "project" horse. Usually, these horses have lower price tags. which can make them appealing to buyers on a budget. If you don't have the necessary skill set though, you are not setting yourself up for success
Horse owners, do you prefer mares or geldings? Time to debate and find out which horse type is right for you!
My two most favorite things on earth! Horse people and dogs tend to go together. Most barns you go to you will see a dog or two. Either lounging or wandering around behind someone as they work. Some dogs look like they were born with horses, others not so much!
A few days ago I blogged about what I thought horses would be thankful for if they were capable of such an emotion. Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow, staying in the turkey day spirit. Today is about what trainers and instructors are thankful for.
This is something that I have heard frequently in my life with horses. I have even been known to say it myself to a client who is having a rough day with their horse. In case you ever wondered what exactly that meant here is my interpretation.
I always learn something every time I teach a lesson. Whether it is a lightbulb moment big sort of thing, or something small that I don't realize until later on. I never finish up lessons without having learned something.
When thinking about horses and riding, there are a lot of times when having in your mind, or even on paper, a list of "non-negotiables" can come in handy.
Having a holiday party at the barn! Deck The Stalls is something that we have done almost every year since we started our lesson program. It is a celebration of the holidays with our customers and a way to get the barn decorated for the holiday season.
If you are a horse owner, I'm sure you would love to include your horse or horses on your holiday cards. But sometimes, that's easier said than done! Here are some tips.
Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Where did the year go? I can think of many things that I'm thankful for in this Thanksgiving season, family, friends, our family farm. What about the horses though?
To blanket or not to blanket your horse is always a question that is asked a lot this time of year. The weather is getting chillier, and we start to think about if our horses are going to be warm enough.
Many farms offer both private, semi-private and then group lessons. If you are new to the horse world. Group riding lessons are generally the cheapest price. Just because they are less expensive doesn't mean they aren't good. In fact, there are many benefits to group lessons
I wrote earlier in the week about advice for your first horse show. Congratulations on getting out there and giving it your all. Before we put your first show in a scrapbook somewhere, we want to relive it and think about what went well and what could use improvement.
Meet Dublin! Of all the horses that I own at the moment, Dublin I have known the longest. Probably for over 20 years! Before he belonged to me, he belonged to our dear family friend and neighbor. When she passed away, her husband gave him to me.
Freddy is one of my favorite horses that I have ever worked with. It was a long time ago though. I have learned a lot and improved a lot since then so I thought someone might learn something from this photo critique!
Some of us are born with horses in our blood because our parents loved them too. For many, the apple didn't fall far from the tree. What about those parents who seem to have a horse crazy kid, even though there are no horsey apples in their family tree? Here's some information to help you !
Here are the top seven tips and tricks for your first horse show, including clothing, planning meals, and advice for after the show.
Any of you who have read my recent writings or followed my Instagram feed know that I'm recovering from a T.B.I. It is a long process, like nothing I have ever been through before. It changes your perspective on things.
Horse shopping is quite an undertaking. Knowing what you want, where to find it, deciding on a budget. It is an exciting but big commitment. If you are selling your horse please be honest about him or her. It's for the well being of the horse as well as respect to the prospective buyer.
Halloween is upon us. I know a lot of horse owners like to dress their horses up! Here are some of the costumes we have done on our horses over the years!
Did you know that older horses need special care? Here are five tips to care for them according to a professional horse trainer and riding instructor.
There is no better place to view seasonal foliage than from the back of a horse. If you are a new rider and considering a trail ride, here is some advice!
I have mentioned before that part of learning to ride is progressing to riding more challenging horses (or climbing the lesson-horse ladder, as I have been known to call it). It is hard to explain to students who love the old faithfuls that they have been riding that it is time to move on.
This is a critique of myself, and my heart horse, Zelda. This time a jumping photo since last time I evaluated myself it was on the flat!
I recently have rediscovered a lot of old horse photos. It is fun to look back and remember on my horses and the competitions we did together. It is also good for me as a trainer to pick myself and my horse apart! The horse in this article is Kemerton!
One day, you will realize that you have become "that person". The one who officially lives the horse life. A good indication of this is when you spend more time at the farm than at home.
Horse shopping is another topic that there have been a million articles written about. This article is not to give you advice on what horse to buy or how much to spend on it. This is a reflection on our trip today and why I think it was the ideal first horse shopping experience.
I was inspired to write this after one of my lessons yesterday. One that ended with me feeling disappointed in my judgment. Horses only have so much of an attention span to give. They only have so much try and understand when they get tired, we have to work to use it to the best of our advantage.
Meet Tammy, the cutest and sometimes most persnickety little-spotted and roan pony mare that you ever did see.
Don't get me wrong, I love ponies. Even though I'm 6 foot tall ( well not really, I'm 5'11" but I just round up, 6 foot tall sounds better!). Ponies are adorable. They are also known for being persnickety and downright dirty behaving sometimes. So here is what I think about ponies
This morning I woke up to the chill of fall air for the first time. Hurricane Michael luckily did not hit us here in Maryland. The remnants brought us some pretty wicked storms, but upon waking up it is as if fall may finally be here. Which makes me start to worry about Winter!
What do the two have to do with each other? I think that many horse people would agree with me in saying that horses have a great effect on our mental state of well being. How's that you might ask? Let me explain!
On March 13, 2020, I had an accident with one of my horses and sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). I managed to get hit in the front of the head by the horse's head; the back of my head hit the metal stall bars. Here are 11 things I wish I had known.
Some of us are lucky enough to have flexible schedules and laid-back lifestyles. Allowing as much time at the barn and riding as we would like. Others, not so much. Here is my advice on how to make the most of your riding time!
I have raised my fair share of bottle-fed baby goats. I own them as personal pets and as members of our petting zoo, and I want my goats to be as friendly and people-oriented as possible. There are definitely pros and cons to raising a baby goat on a bottle. Here are my thoughts.
Just like everything else in our lives. We can sometimes get stuck in a rut with our riding as well. What is one to do? When their favorite thing to do becomes a constant frustration? You just can't seem to get it quite right...Here are my thoughts on the subject.
Meet Dunkin. The cutest little pony you ever did see. Big lessons come in small packages!
One thing that everyone who is learning how to ride needs to perfect is tightening up your lower leg and deepening your seat in the saddle. This is an easy and fun exercise to work on improving this aspect of your riding.
It seems that recently I have been talking to my students a lot about hand position. So I thought it would be a good time for me to write a little about it.
Fall is one of the nicest time of year to ride your horse. Not too hot, not too cold. The flies are finally leaving the horses alone and you can ride in the middle of the day again without sweating to death.
As horse lovers when you begin to spend more time with horses, the alphabet will begin to have a new meaning for you!
Meet Romeo. Romeo is one of the favorites around our farm. He is a go-to for everything...Pony rides, lessons, camp, trail rides. He is a great all around horse that is basically as unflappable as a horse can get.
There are lots of sayings that horse people say, and lingo that they use. I wonder who ever decided an inexperienced horse should be called green? I mean, that's just weird, but it seems to have stuck all these years because everyone says it....
I loved the book Black Beauty as a kid. Then of course when it became a movie I loved that as well. It was written to shed light on animal cruelty, by it being written in the horse's voice. I see it a bit differently now as an adult, but still love it!
There are a few differences between good riders and great riders. One of the major points is the ability of the rider to have good feel and timing. This is part of what I call the "horse sixth sense", the ability to read a horse well and respond appropriately.
If you are involved in the horse world, you have probably heard the term "OTTB" quite frequently these last few years. Thoroughbreds have had a resurgence in popularity these last few years. "OTTB's' or off track thoroughbreds seem to be a dime a dozen and organizations who place them seem to be pop
There is not a black-and-white answer to this question. Shopping by breed for a new rider is not the best way to select a horse. New riders should look for a horse based on its behavior.
Meet Lily. Affectionately known to me as "brain damage" because she is the pony I had the unfortunate incident with that led to my TBI. It was not her fault, I just call her that to make myself laugh because in the situation I'm currently in, it is either laugh or cry a lot of the time!
I do pony rides as part of my business, and it's infuriating to me to hear that PETA is protesting outside one of the venues where we regularly work. Here is what I have to say on the subject.
Meet Apple Strudel, known to her friends and family as Strudel. Another one of the lesson ponies that has taught me a and a lot of students some very valuable horsemanship lessons.
A common question I get asked a lot by my clients is what does it mean to lease a horse? Also, why would you want to lease a horse rather than buy one? Hopefully, I can help you understand what it means and if it might be a good option for you.
Here's some advice on how to be a good "barn parent" or "lesson parent"—whatever you prefer to be called.
In Chapter 3, I would like you to meet Chaps. Though he his personality can be a little grouchy, he is one in a million. We are lucky to have him.
What makes a great student? How can you be one yourself? Having taught for almost 20 years now, I think I can give you some advice on how to be a superstar riding student.
"M" is for Monday, it is also for Molly. Molly is one of my lesson horses as well and the subject of Chapter 2 in my lessons from lesson horses series of articles
I have said before the story of my life is the story of the horses in it. They have all taught me lessons and continue to as I spend time with them. I think it is important I share my stories, to help others see how much you can really learn about horsemanship from the horses themselves.
Many riders deal with the frustration of their horse dropping its inside shoulder around turns and cutting in. Here are some exercises I use with my horses and students to correct this common problem.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Here are eight tips for storm preparation for horse owners.
We should all ditch the discipline snobbery! To each their own. And besides, before you can teach the skill set your horse needs for a certain discipline, we all need them to have certain basics. These basics don't change depending on the saddle.
There is a lot out there about finding the right horse, but not so much about what to do if you bought the wrong horse! Hopefully, this article helps with solutions if you think you picked the wrong horse.
I normally blog about my life with horses. On this day though, that seems trivial in comparison to what happened on 9/11/2001. So no article on horses today, on certain days, some things are more important,
We have all been guilty of taking the easy way out or doing things with horses the fast way instead of the safe way. After being left with post-concussive syndrome after an accident in March 2018, I feel it is my responsibility to remind others of the importance of safety with horses.
I'm going to use myself as an example since I myself showed all the classic symptoms of not outgrowing horse crazy from a very young age!
Having a horse that is aggressive or territorial in the stall can be a problem for a number of reasons. Using a simple ground work exercise, you can overcome this problem, as well as establishing yourself as the one in charge in your relationship!
Practical advice on finding your "unicorn" in other words, the perfect horse for you or your child!
English vs. Western? This is a common question that I get quite frequently from people who are interested in horses and riding. Here are my thoughts on the matter.
These are just a few of the many misconceptions that I have heard floating around about horseback riding. I figured I would shed some light on them and help to add some clarification for those who may be wondering!
Learning to ride with an independent seat and hands is a big milestone in becoming an accomplished rider and should be a goal for everyone when the time is right.
Having a goal, writing it down, and taking notes are great ways to accomplish your goals with your horse. Journaling also helps you to see how much progress you have made over time. If you keep a training log on all the horses you work with, you will be surprised how great a reference it can be!
I know many horse-loving kids who dream of a career with horses. Here is my advice for those who think they want to follow that path.
This is one of the farm-based education lessons from my Ellison Family Farm curriculum of agriculture-based lessons.
There is a little more to shopping for a pony-ride pony than you might think. Here are some things to keep in mind that will hopefully help you find what you need!
The dreaded words a trainer hears from an enthusiastic horse shopping parent..." It will be great, they can learn together". That's just not how it works when it comes to children and thousand pound animals.
Not all horsemanship is learned while riding! Just as much is learned in the barn and on the ground. Here is another unmounted horsemanship lesson plan for instructors, camp, or 4H organizers to use for their groups.
Are you a horse-crazy kid trying to convince mom and dad that horse riding lessons are worth it? Here's a seven-day plan to help you make a compelling argument to them from the perspective of a horse-crazy kid who grew up to be a professional trainer.
It has been very important to me to introduce my nephews to prayer at a young age. They are now 4 & 5. They are farm kids as I was, and I thought that by writing a farm kids prayer it might get them in the habit of praying regularly.
Fall is the time where we are all getting back into our regular routine. Vacations are done, grown-ups back to work, kids back to school. Summer fun is done, but now is the perfect time to focus on your goals for your riding, or to give riding a try!
Yesterday we discussed the lesson horses wanting to stop and eat during your ride. Today I will provide helpful hints on your lesson mounts who may try and leave the arena or duck back towards the barn. These lesson horses can be lazy, and love trying to get out of work! Can you blame them?
There are so many different scenarios that can happen with new horseback riders. We will talk about typical lesson-horse issues and how to overcome them while in the saddle.
Planning a show for your students gives them a safe, low-pressure, first-time show experience, and it gives them a goal to work towards.
The energy and "vibes" we carry around our horses affect how successful we will be in our interactions with them.
This is a million dollar question! One that I get all the time. It really depends on a lot of things. Hopefully, this article will help clarify the pro's and con's of starting young ( 4 or 5) or waiting until they are old enough for independent group riding lessons.
Posting on the correct diagonal can be a frustrating thing for new riders to learn. It doesn't have to be, though! Hopefully, my article will provide some insight to help it go more smoothly for both students and instructors.
Learning to trot is an exciting time for new riders. Learning to post is part of that process. Here are some helpful hints for learning how to post.
If you have ever thought about getting a rabbit, here is some information to help you decide if a rabbit is the right pet for you. Just remember your new pet will need you all year long—not just at Easter time!
A fishing report brought to you, not by an expert, but a fishing enthusiast! Fishing on The Jenny Bird, out of Tar Cove, Magothy River, Pasadena MD
As horse owners, we know that one of our horse's favorite pastimes is getting themselves hurt. We can handle most bumps and scrapes at home on our own, but sometimes, the problem is too big for us to deal with.
If you have read any of my articles I have mentioned the term heart horse quite a few times. I realized that I never explained the meaning of this not so technical horse term. I'd assume it means something a little different to everyone, but this is my interpretation.
One of the many lessons my heart horse taught me was how my emotional connection and dedication to her sometimes interfered with my ability to ride her effectively. Here are my ideas, thoughts and some advice on the subject