“When we as second-career trainers and riders hop on, we are bringing heavier tack, often heavier humans and different muscle control to the canter than your average jockey… this means is that horses who are accustomed to soft flowing gallops … are met with a lot more pressure on their backs.” →
“Despite all they have seen at the track, big atmospheres can be challenging for baby Thoroughbreds and so many others. Besides getting them out as often as possible into similar spaces, I need a better plan next time. I need to bring normal with me as a way to create focus and the relaxation that →
“The silly thing about this metaphor is that it tends to work. It is super useful for getting →
“In contrast to humans, a horse’s agency is perhaps more circumscribed by the situations, hands, tack, health, and →
“I think the main idea is to step out of one’s comfort zone, hop on new horses and →
“Sometimes the antidote to an unsteady head and contact is not just a softer hand, but a steadier →
“All told, the only people who will stay are those who want it. Because everyone could make more →
“… when I see that a horse never started, instead of being excited that they have no damage →
“Conformation photos are hard. But they are also so ridiculously important. Put bluntly, a good conformation photo can →
“… it is always better to catch the unsteady gait before it fails… But when the horse breaks →
“The process of not capitulating to equine-suggested up transitions is outstandingly awkward but it pays off in the →
“You may have to build up to proper condition in tiny chunks and short hacks… But, riding through →
“[T]he other day a new student came down to see the place and as we stood and chatted, →
“I might find my way to some eggs and leftovers at some point, but… my horses … eat →
“…perhaps the best, but hardest thing to do: don’t panic. Take a deep breath and stay bungee but →
“[T]his is a mindset of being flexible and creative — of listening to the horse and trying to →
“The combination of core and confidence make a positive-reinforcing cycle that lead to greater strength, and for lack →
“[T]here are the [horses] that might not have the most impressive height, might not have a pedigree with →
“…if you can get your horse balanced . . . they can collect, they can turn, and they →
“… what I do create here, and what this article is about, is a horse who ties well →
“Riding a horse who is … not tip top, might require more of a push … to get →
“You are never truly ready, and there are always excuses or more training that ought to be done. →
“No matter how fast your fingers are at opening and closing — holding and releasing tension — your →
“I expect that when asked, my horses would ride towards what they should run away from. The gallop-off-into-the-sunset →
“He looked at one puddle-fence combination, but otherwise clicked around his courses, did everything asked and hung out →