Channel Archives: Learn

Lateral work is helpful in strengthening and suppling the equine body, and in teaching the horse more advanced moves in performance. Most people start moving a horse’s shoulders and hips...

“He’s due for work.” “She might need injections.”   “It’s time for some routine maintenance.”  They’re all different expressions for the same, common veterinary treatment in horses. For many equine athletes,...

When I think of summer Olympic sports, I think of track and field, swimming, gymnastics, equestrian and a few other staples. But now because I have successfully made it to...

Last week, we talked about teaching a horse to trot with you in groundwork, with crisp forward movement when you request it. But he also needs to back up when...

Last week, I introduced the basics of teaching True to stand still and respect human spatial boundaries on a halter and lead. Once he understood those foundations, we moved on...

There was a time when only amateurs were allowed to compete in the Olympics. It seems strange now thinking back on it, especially given how many boxes of Wheaties have...

Sitting trot is a major milestone in your development as a rider. It is a demonstration of your independent seat and it will allow you to ride in harmony with...

My Dutch Warmblood True came to me at age three with good halter and leading skills thanks to an excellent breeder, but I began groundwork with him on Day One....

Nearly every athlete, young or old, dreams of winning an Olympic medal. Considered the highest achievement an athlete can attain, a medal from The Games signifies sacrifice, prowess and above...

Horses are playful animals, and my young warmblood True is no exception. He loves to play with his equine buddies in pasture, galloping around, kicking and bucking, chasing them up...

For more than 1,500 years the world was void of the Olympic Games. That void was thanks to Roman Emperor Theodosius I who was so hell-bent on promoting Christianity, that...

Grrr…. Need I say more than the title of this post? Spring is so lovely—temps warm up, pastures get green, months of dirt can be washed off—but oh, the wind....

If you've read my previous Olympic-themed posts, you know that women were not allowed to attend or participate in the Ancient Games. And for the most part that was true....

My green warmblood True and I have started riding around a 275-acre ranch after our work in the arena is finished. It’s a nice way for him to cool out...

Horses have been a part of the Olympics from close to the start. There is no way our four-legged friends, who helped shape humanity on multiple levels, could be left...

I can remember where I was standing. It was just an ordinary coffee shop, somewhere in Midtown New York. The midday rush was on, and the counter was swamped with...

Anyone who has spent enough time around horses knows there’s a strong, uncommon bond between our species. Through a millennia-long partnership that dates to 3500 B.C., we’ve developed a unique,...

Uh-oh! Our boy True has discovered mares. Most of his buddies so far have been geldings. When the occasional mare walked past, he was curious and attentive. But only recently...

The human prefrontal cortex loves progress. Forward, forward, forward. Set the goal and move inexorably toward it. Sometimes you can’t go as far forward as you’d like in one leap,...

Sometimes forced dismounts are met with laughter and other times tears and ambulances. I think it’s fair to say that 99.9% of the time we’re jettisoned from the saddle it’s...