No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning ~ Native American saying, tribe unknown

The day before River’s quarantine was to end and she could join the other horses in the biggest pen, she developed an abscess on her right front and popped a splint on her left. This means that when she has to lift her right foot for bandaging each day, she has to put her weight [...]

Rocky meets a cow

In the past couple of months Rocky and I have had only 6 or 7 sessions, not counting the turnouts in the arena where I spend a few minutes with him before returning to the office. We are proving that the Parelli method works even if you can’t live in a tent with your horse [...]

“Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength; he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.” JOB 39:19-22

In which I share my field promotion from apprentice to journeyman.

Half the failures in life result from pulling in one’s horse when it is leaping ~ Anonymous

In which I describe just the merest hint of all that happened today in riding Rocky, his first day (serviceably) sound since the abscess.

Answers

In which I answer some questions I posed two weeks ago about Rocky and trail walks.

A truth about fear as an adult novice

In which I quote Dr. Jessica Jahiel on the difference between fear as a child and fear as an adult, as it relates to horses.

Location-based relationships

In which I assess our first attempt at The Walk with just the two of us.

A study in contrasts: safety, comfort, and play

In which I contrast my previous homecoming with yesterday’s and see clearly how to put the relationship first.

Apparently, I have control issues

For the first time, I got to have a passenger lesson with someone leading Rocky, so I could focus on my balance point, pushing passenger, and fluidity. My girlfriend Jan is a novice with no previous horse experience other than hanging out with me for a year, and she is perfectly capable of leading Rocky [...]

Our first attempt at walkies out in the world

In which I try something brand new and out of my depth … and attempt to keep swimming.

It’s nice to be bored

In which I confess a “silly” fear and an appreciation of what it means to be bored.

Calm of mind, all passion spent ~ John Milton

In which I detail our session tonight in light of Linda’s recent article about developing a calm, trusting, motivated, and willingly obedient partner.

Practicing draw felt like reinforcing drive…with Rock at the wheel

In which I recount an unsatisfactory homework session, finding the positives and trying to admit the negatives too.

We’re in Savvy Times, and what that meant for me today

In which I confront an insecurity, celebrate a magazine appearance, and list for myself the number of things I’ve done this week that contribute to my horsemanship, even if I feel like I’m neglecting it.

Level 2 Trailer Pattern: Four ways to be more savvy

We have a trailer parked here through Wednesday that is all set up to be safe to load horses in. I finally had a chance to play with the entire trailer pattern rather than just sniff and play around the two-horse straight-load that’s here but not stabilized for loading, nor does it have a ramp [...]

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.