Category Archives: Essays

My general thoughts on a theme written to help the reader or provoke discussion and views on horse subjects we all commonly encounter.

If Hitler likes -R you might want to change your mind

Posted on May 27, 2017 by

If you’ve been around the horse training world for over 2 decades listening to the Natural Horsemanship trainers Medicine Show and you know how much of it is actually bullshit you will find this Hitler Rant Parody very funny because … Continue reading →

Posted in Trainers/ing | Leave a comment

It’s about a Brush…

Posted on May 22, 2017 by

Over the decades, I’ve discarded, lost or gave away horse equipment and tack. As my life changed and I felt more hopeless and sad (i.e. the death of Pepper, the problems with Z, the choice of euthanasia for Tristan), I pulled … Continue reading →

Posted in grooming, Pyschology and Behavior | Leave a comment

Playing Horse Ball, leveling up

Posted on May 16, 2017 by

I posted last month about introducing a large beach ball to the ponies and to Dante. The goal is to get them to free play by moving, kicking and chasing the ball. Benefits: Physically, the horse is determining the pace … Continue reading →

Posted in Clicker Training, Learning w/ Play & Curiosity, videos | Leave a comment

Catching horses in the field

Posted on May 7, 2017 by

Here I will give three examples of different horses; all had a degree of disengagement with humans, from mild to severe. Dante – Morgan-Draft X was only ridden occasionally and was plucked out of field to be the grand kids … Continue reading →

Posted in Clicker Training, Pyschology and Behavior, Training, videos | Leave a comment

Trust unfolds at it’s own pace

Posted on April 28, 2017 by

I visited with my counselor on Monday about horses. She is a horse owner herself and also does equine assisted therapy (but not with me) and these two factors were part of why I choose her over a year ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Breathing & Balance | Leave a comment

Designing a training schedule (part 2)

Posted on April 19, 2017 by

I think my breakthrough came when I was thinking of percentages – how much time would I be spending on certain activities – and how Dante would arrange the chart if he was putting it together. Considering the recommendations for … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning w/ Play & Curiosity, Pyschology and Behavior, Training | 1 Comment

The many reasons for a smile (or licking)

Posted on April 17, 2017 by

Have you ever smiled to “be polite?” or smiled with your lips closed and your molars grinding? Smiled and laughed when your feelings were hurt by the joke? Smiles aren’t always about fun and joy and neither is a horse … Continue reading →

Posted in Masterson Method MM, Pyschology and Behavior, Snake Oil, videos | 2 Comments