As a horse crazy girl, I remember cresting one of the Caledon hills on a trail ride at Teen Ranch. The view, for this 10 year old from the GTA, where the only hills are suburban “berms”, was a completely new perspective. A new year inspires new riding goals. If you feel your riding’s a … Read moreA fresh perspective: 8 different viewpoints to clarify your riding goals.
Put my baby in this feed trough?? This isn’t the way it supposed to be… “She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” Luke 2:7 Driving home after Christmas dinner, thinking of … Read moreChristmas
Just returned from the AQHA judges update in Dallas. Past president, Bill Brewer spoke of ethics in judging and set the tone with a remarkable yet relevant statement from the Bible. Ancient wisdom, yet fitting to guide the 350 judges listening as we make show ring decisions in 2020. As I mulled over these words, … Read moreHorse show judging ethics
As the dust settles after the rush of Black Friday and the Visa bills arrive, I was thinking about how easy it is to get our credit and our lives out of balance in our consumer culture . Bling and brands – when I began judging I was struck by how little influence fashion trends … Read more“Is it a need or a want?” –the Black Friday balance.
What book influenced you as a young rider? It’s fun to ask this to my clinic participants. Black Beauty typically tops the list. But this classic is more influential than I thought – so I learned at this weekend’s Equine Industry Symposium at the U of Guelph. Written from the horse’s point of view, Sewell’s … Read moreFrom the horse’s mouth
Good reminder from dressage Olympian and useful tip for hunter and western competitors. “The corner is such a valuable opportunity to correct, and we all have a tendency to fly straight through it focusing on the next marker. Utilise every corner to gauge your balance and self carriage, your power and responsiveness to your aids … Read moreUse your corners – advice for riders.
Well, as the dust settles from our Canadian election, some folks had their hopes dashed – others had their hope stirred.Hopes for happiness, prosperity, justice….Yet, in the words of the late Chuck Colson: “Salvation will not arrive on Air Force One.” Removed from his seat of power as Counsel to the President, landing in a … Read moreHope riding on a white horse.
Researchers observed equine body language and facial expressions in a grooming study, comparing these visible responses to what’s under the surface – blood cortisol, oxytocin levels and heart rate. As a coach, I encourage riders to read their horses –to check in every couple of seconds with how their signals are reflected in their horse’s … Read moreReading horses (and people).
Anyone ever been thankful for a horse who had a braking safety feature installed? Reliable brakes- an accident averted. Or an equitation class won. I’ve been thankful for horses that know “whoa” before they steps on the reins, unseat a novice, or bump into another horse in the warm up ring. A nifty tool in … Read moreBrakes
Sharing some Life lessons Learned from Horses with this week with a group of camp staff and teens. I asked -What re you revolving around? What gives you identity, security, significance? I’ve lunged what seems like a million horses. Just when you think you’re the master lunger, one’ll throw you a curve ball. Leaving its … Read moreLungeing horse. Life lessons.