Progress Comes One Small Step at a Time I may have found the secret to getting through hard seasons with horses — and honestly, with life in general. I call it: just do what you can do. Maybe that sounds overly simple, but it’s helped me more than almost anything else … Read More
Two years ago, I purchased a weanling colt I named Augustus. “Gus” is now two and a half and will soon begin his formal training. Honestly though, he’s been in training since he came to me as an 8-month-old colt. A Welsh Cob/Thoroughbred, he was bred by my friend Julie … Read More
Progress Comes One Small Step at a Time I may have found the secret to a well-lived life. I call it, “Do whatever you can do.” Okay, maybe this just works for me, but I want to share it with my fellow horse people who might also struggle to get … Read More
Loving the Old Days but Looking Forward I have a hard time with change. I push back against it, bury my head in the sand, and deny reality. But life is full of change, and I know intellectually it’s a good thing. To change is to adapt and to adapt … Read More
YouTube Tutorials Can Be Helpful, but They Don’t Replace In-Person Instruction Social media can be useful; it connects us to neighborhood groups that let us know what’s happening in our community (is your power out too?) and keeps us in touch with long-lost friends from high school. I use YouTube … Read More
The Hard Horse Who Taught Me to Use My Seat Recently, while judging a Working Equitation show, I watched a young woman ride a talented but spicy black gelding around a course of obstacles. The horse appeared happy, with ears pricked, a quiet tail, and a swinging back. He eagerly … Read More
Inspiration Comes from a Clinic Student My summer has been busy with travel, judging working equitation shows, and teaching clinics. I feel fortunate to meet people of all ages, types, abilities, and backgrounds, and horses are the same all over the world—they fill me with joy. Horses humble us, make … Read More
Travel, Horses, and Learning Bring Back Joy Last winter, after my 7-year-old gelding Gus was diagnosed with DSLD and had to be retired, I found myself in a state of hopeless burnout, going through the motions of work, eat, sleep, repeat. I love my farm and have a good life, … Read More
Life’s Journey Evolves How We Train As a young horse trainer, I had great ambitions. Although my love for horses has always been true, in my youth I took a more self-centered view of our relationship. What could they do for me? I thought about what we might accomplish together, … Read More
Receiving Comfort from Special Friends Long Gone Throughout my life I’ve mined my imagination when I need to escape stressful situations. I use this skill to transport myself to a happy place and time. Memory is my greatest tool as I close my eyes, breathe, and think of some places … Read More
