RELAXED AND FORWARD: Since 2010, an archive of weekly horse training essays. My dogs say it's their turn now. Happy to oblige, it's all affirmative. Including words from a gray mare on the fine art of aging cantankerously.

Animal Post Buttons
  • All Posts
  • Author Blog
  • Dogs
  • Horses

How Horses Train Us

You are a horse trainer. It does not always give me joy to say so, but it's true and other...
Read More about How Horses Train Us

Boundaries: Whose Space Is It?

Horses gallop on pounding hooves that cut the ground and then melt to a stop, whiskers floating in the light....
Read More about Boundaries: Whose Space Is It?

Affirmative Training: Misunderstandings About Control

You have made some changes in how you work with your horse and you're both much more relaxed. You've evolved...
Read More about Affirmative Training: Misunderstandings About Control

Affirmative Training: A Cowboy Walks Into a Bar…

A cowboy walks into a bar. He's dusty, fresh from the barn. Shuffling his feet, keeping his eyes low, he...
Read More about Affirmative Training: A Cowboy Walks Into a Bar…

Saying Yes to a Horse When You Mean No

Sometimes something someone says sticks with you because it's brilliant. Sometimes it sticks because it's plain wrong. I was working...
Read More about Saying Yes to a Horse When You Mean No

How Humans are Different from Horses

In the beginning, a filly is born. In the hospital, a baby girl human is born.  The filly stands almost...
Read More about How Humans are Different from Horses

Calming Signals: How Do You Listen To a Horse?

What is your first memory of listening to a horse? Not standing next to a horse and being certain he...
Read More about Calming Signals: How Do You Listen To a Horse?

Whoa. A Hands-Free Halt.

She's an 18hh Thoroughbred-Shire cross. She's 30 years old and her name is Thyme.  I'll give you a minute to...
Read More about Whoa. A Hands-Free Halt.

She Said Her Horse Was Pensive.

L. and her gelding, Andante, are boarders here. I always ask how the ride went as they return to the...
Read More about She Said Her Horse Was Pensive.

Can Horses Forgive Us?

The reader said that an essay I'd written "brought to mind how many times my involuntary predatory instincts have surfaced...
Read More about Can Horses Forgive Us?
Search

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your name and email to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.