A few nights ago we watched Richard Caldwell’s Jaquima a Freno (part II). It was a really great video. So many of the exercises we have seen before, but it is always nice to hear how another great horseman lays everything out there. And like so many others, Caldwell rides like he grew right out… Read more »
bending
Birthday Season
Like most horses, all of our guys were born in the late spring/early summer. Bear’s birthday is the earliest, and today he turned 18. He does pretty darn well for his age. Other than being slightly more prone to getting stiff and sore than our other two, he really doesn’t seem like he’s in his… Read more »
Actually Warm
We were sweating getting the horses ready yesterday. It felt pretty darn good, though I am somewhat disappointed that we seem to have gone from a late winter into summer. I like those nice days in the high 60s. Oh well. I rode Laredo today. He was fun and full of energy, but I was… Read more »
Into Pressure?
Everything you learn about horses involves applying pressure in varying amounts in order to get a response. And it works extremely well. That is until you get a horse who seeks the pressure. This is an issue we’ve had with Laredo since we got him. It does not come up all the time, and it… Read more »
Remedial Right Turns
Today I was happy to put Steen’s halter on and lead him in. As much as I had a great ride on Laredo yesterday, my comfort level with Steen at this point is like nothing I’ve ever experienced with another horse. All his movements and behaviors are so familiar, being around him feels completely natural. Out on… Read more »
Hackamore Heaven
I love it when the horses are out in the big pasture. I love that they get to live in such a great space. I love the view we get as we’re walking out to get them. I love tromping through the grass and seeing what the herd is up to. What I don’t love quite as… Read more »
Warning: Horse Will Make You Ride
I couldn’t think of a title for this post, so I found an online generator to do the job. It was a little damp and chilly today and we were tired. It’s so easy not to go to the barn after a long week at work. But we rallied and headed out. We tromped out… Read more »
Birthday Snow
Brian loves snow, and almost every year he seems to get at least a little on his birthday. Today we had a dusting, but not enough to clog up the roads. Lately we’ve been a bit concerned that Bear’s saddle might be causing the intermittent tightness he gets in his right side, so Brian and… Read more »
Pre-Vacation Ride
We stopped at the barn on our way out of town for a “quick” ride. I knew I should probably revert back to the snaffle and give myself a chance to learn a bit more about the hackamore, but when I saw the beautiful set-up hanging in my locker, I couldn’t resist. So I put… Read more »
Birthday Hackamore
Today I turned 30, and just about the first thing I did was open a box from my husband containing this: For the curious, it’s a 16 plait rawhide bosal with 22′ mane hair mecate on a simple leather bosal hanger. This is what followers of the vaquero horesmanship tradition move their horses into after… Read more »