Think of it as a trip to the amusement park- with your horse. I didn’t start out doing Natural Horsemanship. I started out before that phrase was invented. Like a lot of us, I used voice commands while lunging and required good ground manners. I did the rest from my saddle; riding was my thing. … Read more
This week I have been preparing for a clinic this weekend at Infinity Farm. It is the my favorite clinic every year: Fundamentals of Dressage. One of my clients asked if it was going to be the same as last year. (Eye roll -is this a trick question?)
Namaste is a Sanskrit word -which means it’s very old. Most translate it to some version of “The spirit in me respects the spirit in you.” There is so much in a name. Namaste is also an easy-on-the-eyes, young, Friesian-Arab gelding with a big dressage heart. I have known him for about 5 years and … Read more
The foundation of Dressage for the rider/horse is rhythm. I define that as a balanced combination of relaxation and forward. It sounds deceptively simple. A rider/horse can not sacrifice forward for relaxation, or relaxation for forward. The art of riding is in negotiating the balance of the two in both the rider and the horse. … Read more
Sometimes our personality isn’t the best match for where our horse is at the moment -but acting the part of a confident rider might reveal a path from being the Odd Couple to Fred and Ginger in Shall We Dance?
… and Grace gives herself a promotion. Dressage borrows lots of language from ballet -after all, we are the dancers of the horse world. Pas de Trois is a dance of three. I have commandeered that phrase to describe riding lessons as a conversational dance between horse, rider and instructor. All three participants have to … Read more
Between the Lines The weekly photo challenge this week: Lines. When I started this challenge through WordPress, I gave myself some parameters. All photos had to be with my phone and related to my life at Infinity Farm. Who would imagine that so many of the idea prompts would be equine related?? The most challenging … Read more
Dear Drama Queen, I understand getting upset. You have so much passion and desire for riding. I know how much you want to do the very best job. Sometimes the world seems to conspire against you; it’s like every bad thing happens to you and none of it is your fault. No one else has … Read more
It’s generally considered good manners in the barn to graciously take the blame anytime your horse is less than spectacular, and give your horse all the credit after a good ride. But it is more than manners, it is also a rider’s responsibility. Alois Podhajsky said it bluntly, “. . . I should like to … Read more
The head of the herd at Infinity Farm is the kind of horse you might call Grandfather- with reverence. He was a flashy something in his day; what he lacked in confidence he made up for with bravado. We made a pair and a quarter century later, we have both softened and matured with age. … Read more
I’ve traveled in all directions in the last few months- looking at potential lesson horses. I want to rescue the skinny ones. I try to guess how much retraining will be needed for others. The right horse needs to be not too old or too tall. There is a temperament I am looking for; tolerant, … Read more
Woody Allen says, “I am at two with nature.” That pretty much describes how I feel about technology. Embracing the tech world for me is like enjoying a violent allergy attack. Translating tech for dressage queens; is there an app for that?
The least flattering time I heard this re-incarnation plan was while I was rubbing mineral ice on my horse’s inner thigh. He had torn a muscle and was in his second month of stall rest. The man who said it thought he was Columbus in the New World, and a total laugh riot.
I was at a dressage show earlier this season and overheard two women talking about a rider they both knew. “She isn’t driving the horse onto the bit; she just isn’t strong enough to drive him to the bit!” one said with a sharp edge to her voice. My heart sinks when I hear comments … Read more
It is a vintage parade saddle, the kind the Lone Ranger rode Silver in. I am a dressage rider, we are famous for NOT being flamboyant dressers.
“No one can teach riding so well as a horse.” C.S. Lewis While it is true that horses like a good leader- a good leader listens. The best quality of work comes from a partnership between a horse and rider that is more like a body language conversation between individuals. I think the best riders … Read more
“I only trail ride.” Every time I hear someone say this, I am impressed. To be prepared for every eventuality that can come up while out on trail, a rider has to have a level of horsemanship that is to be envied. Of course that level of ability is rare. Most of us are looking … Read more
Look, our new barn logo! Erica Whitcombe designed it, and it reflects our philosophy perfectly. Infinity Farm may sound like grandiose name for this little barn. I like to think of us as a sort of Airstream trailer of equine facilities. We are a small, sleek barn with no wasted space anywhere. Stylish and efficient. … Read more