It was a long, cold, wet week here in the Pacific Northwest, complete with a few inches of snowfall, and I didn’t get out to see Sage for the entire week. I can’t remember the last time we were apart for so long. Fortunately, she is in a place now that I need not [...]
Take heed when closing the shutters on your horse, the window to your soul.
I have long been enthralled by the concept of animals being our mirrors. However, what if there is more to that than reflects the eye? What if I called my horse an extension of me? What if the things I respect [...]
Or perhaps I should ask, do a horse’s feelings matter?
Shortly after the publication of my rope halter article over at Horse City, I made the painful error of viewing the storm in the forum. I expected some of the reaction(s), but I was admittedly unprepared for a couple of responses that I saw come [...]
Sage and Eleanor, choosing each other, eight years ago
My horse constantly surprises me. Perhaps it is for the simple reason of keeping me on my toes and letting me know that I do not know it all.
I was sweetly reminded of that yesterday, just two days after blogging about how Sage usually resisted leaving [...]
Sage hanging out with her buddies
Long ago I naively believed the books and the trainers when they said you need to be a good “herd leader” for your horse.
But I was never really part of Sage’s herd.
Herd Member Or Poor Substitute?
I would blow in like the wind a few times a week, interject [...]
the equine skull
I had my veterinarian out yesterday to give Sage a dental check-up, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear him say after his exam that she actually did not need a float or dental work. I had been feeling guilty for a while about not having an equine dentist out since she [...]
Sage’s outdoor dressage arena
I was aptly reminded of my ignorance today by a three year old.
I was riding Sage with my now-standard gear of halter, bareback pad, and cowboy boots while my audience of one watched intently from the sidelines, waiting patiently for her turn.
My Favorite Flavor Is Patience
Patience for a three year old [...]
My First Palomino
Kicking Up My Heels
I recently ran across this picture of me as a young girl, riding my first “horse”. There are many pictures of my siblings and I with this horse in the background, so she was well-used and well-loved. Perhaps some fond memories of great backyard rides on this rocking horse [...]
Bodywork doesn’t get much better than this; and River doesn’t charge me!
As you can see from the picture, Sage has settled into her new home quite nicely. She and the other mare, River (four year old part Clydesdale), love to spend time practicing their bodywork skills on each other. This is fabulous for Sage, [...]
Sage in her new home with her new herd; click to go to my website.
I recently embarked upon an eight day trip through Oregon and Northern California and back again to my home state of Washington. I am California-born and raised, so it isn’t uncommon for me to visit.
What is unusual is that [...]
Riding the first horse in my care, Desi, years ago as a teenager, never came with the necessity of having to have a saddle – or even a bit and bridle.
About three weeks ago Sage had her second session with Dr. Suzan Seeyle. My horse is now healthier and moves freer than I have [...]
Two is company
Sage and her buddy spend the afternoon grazing next to each other
Today I took these pictures of Sage and her little buddy from the other side of the fence. He is a young calf that seems to really like Sage (and vice versa); I find him by the fenceline near her [...]
Now if this halter would just keep the flies from bothering my eyes…
This halter is lightweight and easy to put on and take off with its clip feature
Yesterday I had the opportunity to give Sage her new Safe Horse Halter, and I must say that she does look pretty in purple. More importantly, [...]
…and today it was Sage.
She won over the power of the past.
It took me about half an hour again today, just hanging out with her and introducing the halter slowly again. She seemed wary, but I felt confident and determined. Not pushy, just determined to take her as far as she would let me.
And [...]
Rope Halter Follow-up: They May Knot Be Natural, But They DO Have Their Fans
Yesterday I received a very long and thoughtful email response to my recent rope halter face-off article, up at Horse City; it was from someone who was obviously very much a believer in natural horsemanship and rope halters. I think he was sincerely trying to get me to see the error of my ways and [...]