Anna Blake

Photo & Poem: Bond

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  He said show her who’s boss. Standing with her head in the corner and hooves nervous on the straw, a wild-eyed, pregnant pinto pony, no taller than the quiet girl in a boy’s t-shirt. The dad said she has to respect you, setting them up for a fight. He goaded the girl forward, her … Read more

The Argument for Curiosity: From Fear to Courage

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I rarely have any idea where I’m headed. I get in a car with a stranger outside of baggage claim and go to a horse facility I’m not familiar with. I don’t know the participants or the horses, their histories or skill level. It’s fine though, I’d wind up giving a different clinic each time, … Read more

Photo & Poem: Birds and Horses

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  Fences mended with twine until there’s more time. Scrubbed water tanks filled fresh, drank down to half by noon. Shoveling muck into the cart, I would be done by now, but for the meadowlark aerials just above. But for the Canada geese inspecting the tall weeds at the edge of the pond. But for … Read more

Calming Signals and Holding a Grudge

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Sometimes your horse isn’t forward and it’s frustrating. Or he doesn’t like the trailer, and now neither do you. Maybe your horse gets cranky when you take him out alone when all you want is to take a walk. And by that, you mean he’s the one walking and doing it badly. And of course, … Read more

Travelblog: Introverts Everywhere

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Humans spend so much time trying to “make” horses do things. I’m a little more fascinated these days with what horses have me doing. I’m an introvert who travels to work with groups of humans who have horses. I’m not sure any of us remembers a time it felt like a choice. It was always … Read more