Upon request I have created a video to demonstrate the rein sequence I created after years of fixing horses and their confidence issues with the bit. Ideally this sequence would be implemented when very first introducing contact with the bit! In the video you will see a horse who was conditioned to believe the bit was a barrier, and, something …
The Swing in Balance
~The Swing in Balance ~ By Marie Iserbyt There is a lot to say about balance. Micaela Love inspired me to think about it from the first day we met and it kept coming up during the time I studied with her. When I think about balance I think of harmony. There is no fight or struggle in true balance. …
Pre-Flight Checks for Every Horse & Rider (VIDEO)
If you have ever taken a lesson with me then you know the emphasis I put on going through a “pre-flight” list at the beginning of each riding session. The purpose first and foremost is to be SAFE and develop the muscle memory needed in your body to diffuse a dangerous situation. As the relationship grows, our pre-flight checks can …
The Falling Leaf Pattern (On-Line)
Below you will find a video that shows one of my go-to patterns. The Falling Leaf Pattern is one I encourage my students to build as a rote skill. This pattern is a powerful arrow to have in your quiver should your horse becomes excitable and need to move his feet in a productive way you are playing with a …
LITTLE Difference = BIG Difference
This month enjoy a post written by Annemarie Meerkerk! Annemarie is a dedicated student of the Parelli program and is visiting from The Netherlands. She has been here for four weeks and goes home at the end of February. It has been such a treat to have an assistant with such a high skill set and character; making my days …
Giraffe Head Syndrome: Fixing Biomechanical Problems in the Foundation
A few weeks ago, Tessa and her horse Casper trailered from the Santa Cruz area to come into training for her winter break between semesters. Tessa’s goal is English pleasure, but despite hours of working on her freestyle skills and having a fairly nice foundation, she wanted her horse to carry himself well as she began to work on Level …
Proud Ambassador of Goode Rider Clothing
I am proud to announce that I have recently been selected to act as an Ambassador for the equestrian fashion brand, GOODE RIDER!!! If you know me outside of the barn, you know that I have always had a passion for fashion. With Lorna Goode and Kristin Calandra’s mission being to create clothes that you take you “from the barn …
Putting The Fun in Performance!
I was recently asked by to write an article for Parelli Natural Horsemanship’s Blog on showing, and how to keep it fun and positive for both the horse and human. With that prompting, this article was created…..
Going For The Gold! Again………
LATE NIGHT REFLECTIONS OF AN AWESOME DAY:
I just returned from a “launch party” for dressage rider and Para-Olympian, Lauren Barwick.
I first met Lauren in 2009 while studying with Pat Parelli in Pagosa Springs, CO. This was just one year after Lauren won gold & silver in Beijing with her beautiful mare, Maile. There was no time wasted for Lauren! She had hitched herself to Pat and was gearing up for the next Olympic games.
A Lesson with Herwig Radnetter
For over a decade Valhalla Farm and Herwig Radnetter, of the Spanish Riding School, have been in cahoots. I never got the exact story of how the two came together, however, it was reasoned that this distinguished teacher has been making his way across the Atlantic to Wellborn, FL for the past sixteen years!