I think about the baseline of skills and abilities as a starting point or minimum I need with each horse I ride. I do this so I know what to improve to increase the baseline and my future expectations of the horse. This type of forward thinking promotes growth and development and diminishes...

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. —GK Chesterton

I love hearing student success stories and I’m sharing a special one here. Crystal Kroetch is a dear friend, a prominent horsewoman with a decorated...

I’m reflecting on a 3 day clinic I taught a few weeks ago and thinking of one of the participants and how hard she was on herself. She wanted to be better for her horse and had high goals. I related to her as I have also felt similarly when I wanted to do well and wanted to get...

Sharing the success of Tabitha and her Andalusian gelding, Zeus. 

As a coach and mentor, there is satisfaction and pride when you see students enjoying success with their horses through connection, feel and horsemanship skills. It's such a great feeling, celebrating the hard work and...

I share this story to make an important point about the benefit of training that promotes what the horse is naturally good at, moving with freedom, relaxation and energy.

Many horses move with tension and are just waiting until they can stand still to relax. This is not good for them and can be...

Be safe and sensible when saddling by sticking to a practical routine.

When saddling, the horse must be "with us" and in a sweet spot, so that we can put the saddle on, mount up, and move off safely. They are connected to us, regardless of the environment or what we are asking of them. 

...

Ok I’m going to vent here! And propose a solution. Let's do it. 

You know what really bothers me? When good ideas are delivered badly and it affects horses' well being. I see this more nowadays in young horse training as online videos spread the ineffective use of this technique. It is...

A tribute to Jack Brainard.

Enjoy this podcast of Jonathan giving tribute to an inspirational horseman, Jack Brainard, who passed away in November, 2021. Jonathan's admiration and respect for Jack is the basis for this dedication and Jonathan recalls many of Jack's accomplishments...

I love the thinking part of the horse's brain! We can..and must…engage that curious and confident part of a horse. 

I’ve narrowed things down to two connected mental states a horse can be in when they are with us. On a regular day I want to engage both because each has a...

“Softness has relaxation and respect in it.” 

Ask yourself; Is my horse Soft? Is my horse Light? What's the difference between the two?

A soft, willing and respectful horse looks and feels different than a light horse. They have a different feeling inside. In soft horses, there's...

Tame is not always safe. Tame without leadership can be an unexpected bomb!

Why?

If a horse is accustomed to taking a feel off their own mind or feeling off of their own world they can react in a way that they instinctively believe keeps them safe in a world constantly changing around them. They...

Three Rules:

1. To rest is to rust.

2. You only keep what you give away.

3. Live everyday no matter how old you get, the best is yet to come. 

I recently had a visit with my dear friend, Herb Williams. Herb was the owner and host of the international show, Super Dogs. With this famed...