The buttery glow of a palomino at sunrise. But so much more. It’s his obvious intelligence. His ability to have total awareness of his environment while focusing on us. His choice to engage with us, when his instincts might be wary. The miracle of survival despite his fragility. It’s enough to steal my breath, like … Read more
-+ I am driving a rented passenger van. It’s a first. There are three humans and five dogs. The family is here from Texas; two of Jolene’s sisters, along with mom and dad. They came up for the Swedish Vallhund Nationals. Jolene and I are going because they are. She doesn’t have all the letters … Read more
*I’m a full-time horse trainer who has written about horses (here) since 2010. My dogs think it’s their turn now.* It’s the small things. One morning, I pulled the shower curtain open and, remarkably, the bathroom rug was right there, in the bathroom. Usually in the backyard, Jolene and I played a sneaky slow-motion fetch … Read more
**I’m a full-time horse trainer who has written about horses (here) since 2010. My dogs think it’s their turn now.** Have I wandered out of my lane? I’m not a dog trainer, just a horsewoman. But none of us are just one thing, are we? Because I work with horses doesn’t mean that I am … Read more
Mister, who is the voice of conservative reason and common sense, looks me in the eye. What starts as socializing a puppy quietly becomes a habit, and before you know it, you are slipping off to classes and then to dog trials. You wind up driving hours for herding lessons. You end up with ducklings … Read more
It’s a sight to see. Usually, a huge bearded man and a tiny Chihuahua. Sometimes a blue-haired lady and a miniature poodle with pastel bows on her ears. They’re both holding their dog like a baby cradled in their arms. I’m not gonna repeat the inhospitable thoughts I have had about that sort of person … Read more
Just a reminder, dear reader. I’m a horse trainer using all I know to raise a puppy. If your horse’s trainer uses methods that would be bad for a dog, please reconsider. It gets worse. I’m a horse trainer who believes we should train donkeys as a prerequisite to horses. Donkeys demand special skills that … Read more
Jolene says, hurry up, would ya? I am not dawdling. I’m getting my hearing aids, looking for my outside glasses and the remote mic. It’s Thursday. She has her harness on, and that means something. I’ll tell you what that harness means to me. It’s her eighth harness and the most expensive one. Also, the … Read more
Last week I raved about my beautiful but desolate riding arena at the front of my little farm. My other favorite place is the pond at the very back of my farm. Waterfront property on the high desert prairie of Colorado was a major selling point when I chose this dilapidated farm. It’s fed by … Read more