Willow Grove Ranch

01/06/2024

Carriage driving is not the same as riding. When you ride, if something goes terribly wrong, you can bail off. Once you have hooked a horse, you are responsible for that horse's safety and the safety of those around you until the horse is unhooked (regardless of the size of the horse ;) )

Because of this, there are a lot more "rules" and knowledge needed to drive safely. This is important not only for the aforementioned safety but for the future of carriage driving itself. Because of accidents (caused largely by ignorance), some insurance companies will no longer cover carriage driving activities (including facilities that offer carriage driving). I do NOT want this to happen. People aren't purposefully doing dangerous things (I hope) but they are doing them anyway.

A new self-evaluation and educational tool will be the posting of a photo and how many things need tending to in the photo to make things safer. Some things are HUGE and some are "it would be nice if." It's not to pick on anyone, it's to educate our eyes and create good habits in our driving.

First photo, find 8 things that could be improved in this photo. I will post my "answers" tomorrow.

01/06/2024

So proud of Kathy! She hasn't been involved in riding for some years and she and Ringo are doing great! Here's to the journey!

01/04/2024

• FOUNDATIONS OF CARRIAGE DRIVING I & II • Feb 17-18
Willow Grove Conservatory • Emmett, ID

It can be daunting to get into carriage driving. It can be frustrating to try to find out what is safe, appropriate, and comfortable for you and your horse. It's maddening to buy poor-quality equipment that doesn't fit and have to start over!

These classes are designed to give current and potential carriage drivers the information they need to navigate the equipment, safety procedures, and all the gritty details. It takes a fair amount of education to drive safely and it can be difficult to find this information in one place. I'm leaving ample time for hands-on and all the questions you can muster. I want you to come away from these 5 classes with the knowledge you need to step forward in your driving journey.

Sign up here: https://willowgroveconservatorysignup.as.me

More information on the classes
Feb 17-18, March 2-3, & March 16
https://www.willowgroveidaho.horse/events

*This set of classes will also prepare anyone interested in the Carriage Association of America's Driver Proficiency Exam Level 1. The exams will be administered the weekend of May 4-5 at Willow Grove.

01/03/2024

Tuxedo getting some riding time in an arena with a pony driving! At first he thought this was NOT a good idea but he did well! Definitely on alert with that sketchy pony in a cart in the arena with him. We are building foundations for both riding and driving on this flashy pony.

When a horse will be both riding and driving, we like to ride them around horses being driven. This will likely happen as drivers tend to hang out in flocks and their horses will likely see a lot of other driving animals. Might as well start now!

01/03/2024

Right back to work after the holidays. Lots of work with Chloe bringing up her confidence and she did GREAT yesterday! The big thing? She walked while hooked! (Notes on the vehicle at the end).

Some folks excuse horses who won't walk in the vehicle by saying, "They've got a lot of go." The problem is often that they've got a lot of anxiety and that is definitely different than go. There are ambitious horses who march right on out on a mission when hooked but they are not "running away from the cart." That is an essential difference.

They're simply going for a walk and taking the cart and driver with them.

If a horse has anxiety in the vehicle, you're on the verge of something dangerous happening. The horse is emotionally on the edge and all kinds of innocuous things could create the trigger that sets them off.

So it's critical to ensure that the horse is entirely prepared for their job emotionally, intellectually, and physically for their well-being and for ours. ER visits just aren't that fun.

*Notes on the vehicle. This is a cobbled-together vehicle in the Meadowbrook style. I am not a great fan of Meadowbrook vehicles because they are difficult to get out of in an emergency. The rear entry vehicle is not a favorite for me with greener horses as well. The suspension is very soft so the vehicle sinks quite a bit when someone is in it so we will adjust the shafts and tinker with it as we go. The shafts are set in the vehicle too low. If the owner wants to fix it, they could block the vehicle up a bit. If it were me, I would buy another vehicle. There are so many nice easy entry vehicles out there. Not necessarily in our area but they're out there. The pony is, however, comfortable in this vehicle and there is very little weight in the shafts for her.

01/01/2024

Bit education in brief

• Educate (and continue to educate) horse's mouth
• Educate (and continue to educate) rider's hand
• Take into consideration horse's preference for mouthpiece or style (after basic bit education in plain snaffle)
• Take into consideration horse's emotional state as it relates to possible bit preference for that ride.

Educate first
Preference second

Don't keep throwing bits at an education issue.

12/31/2023

12/31/2023

When grooming, leading, riding, teaching, feeding, disciplining, showing...how is the horse receiving what is happening? We don't have to allow anything and everything. That is ineffectual and chaotic, not empathic. We can be clear AND kind. We can choose what to do WITH our horses considering their overall wellness. Even if we strive for complex or advanced things, we can continually exercise empathy throughout the journey.

We can express empathy much more easily if we work with a curriculum in mind. It is infinitely kinder for the horse to understand each step and for the steps to deeply connect one to another. In this way, we can develop a vast, non-punishment-based communication system with our horses for any activity we would like to do.

12/31/2023

These days are the cherry on top! Bringing together the horse student and the human student! Here is Denali with his owner Jessica. His new cart fits him well and is so nice to drive! It's coming together! Now it's more time, more repetition, more quiet non-events!

12/29/2023

You may have seen Chloe and how she was not prepared for carriage driving. She is really coming along! This is a great little mare and will be a blast to drive when SHE enjoys it too!

Here is Shelby ground driving Chloe in a halter (we couldn't even get behind her when we started). Every driving horse deserves to see, process, and understand what is happening to them before being put in a closed bridle.

In addition, the calming work we put into horses and ponies that are reactive develops confidence and helps their overall well-being. They learn that interacting with people is pleasant even when there might be a job involved...mainly because you're doing it together.

Here is the video of where we started in case you haven't seen it. https://youtu.be/5vuZ20P3JiE?si=EWkaMdr3TAyoxP8l

12/29/2023

Nothing better than a great kid and a great pony! Sound on!

12/28/2023

Our youngest intern came out to help today!

12/28/2023

Read it again...self carriage does not come from head position!

12/28/2023

This is very important to consider in breeding practices! Function from form.

Horses: Evaluating What You See, Form and Function - or Lack of?

When it comes to the competitive aspects of riding, what is driving the world of breeding?

Is the rewarding of "traits" causing health, function and basic balance issues for our horses?

What should you be aware of when looking for a horse, whether an all round horse or a horse for a specific discipline?

These are some of the topics we cover in our 5 part series with third generation horseman and researcher, Netherlands based Karel De Lange.

Learn more about this and our other series here: https://www.equitopiacenter.com/live-classes/

12/27/2023

Thought for the day: ribbons and trophies do not excuse deleterious actions toward horses.

12/23/2023

Handy Man got his visit early from Mary Christmas! Look at his dashing cooler!!!! He's wishing everyone the Happiest of Holidays and grand adventures for next year!

12/23/2023

It's not my fault.

I don't say this very often anymore. I try and own my choices and my actions. But I can't own the actions of others because I have no control over their choices. Ergo, the results of their actions are not my fault.

It's not my fault that horse owners spend a great deal of money with "trainers" who misrepresent their expertise, experience, motivation, or education. It's not my fault that more money is spent here with me to reeducate, reassure, comfort, rebuild trust, restore confidence, reduce fear and anxiety, and draw the horse to a state where they are at peace within themselves and then within their given activities.

It's not my fault and it's not the horse's fault that the horse is struggling. It's not the horse owners' fault as they trusted someone who represented their motives and actions as being in the horse's best interest.

It's not my fault but I will stand in with the horse until they are settled inside. What happened to them was not in my control but what happens with me at my little farm is. I will at any request tell you where, when, and with whom I acquired my education, tell you clearly what my foundation is for horse wellness and education, and explain the process the horse will travel through to be properly prepared for the activity you would like for them to do as long as the activity is horse healthy. As long as the horse, in who they are, are well suited to it.

The horse deserves no less.

12/22/2023

If I could go back in time and apologize to all of the horses I’ve harmed through ignorance, I would.

I would tell them that I truly did love them but my love was misguided. I had been taught to love them in the wrong way, in a way that hurt them.

I would tell them that I wish I could have given them more freedom. To have allowed for them to live a life of more abundance, one of a stability and consistency they could only dream of.

I would tell them how I would protect their right to friendships with other horses and do my darnedest to preserve the beautiful relationships they build.

I would show them how I’ve changed. How I’m not so quick to grab a harsher bit or a training gadget to get the instant gratification I so desired, at their expense. How I’ve embraced more lightness and softness.

I would tell them how much better I could listen to them now and how deeply regretful I am for ignoring their voice for so long.

I would tell them how sorry I am, how I’m reminded of the hurt I caused them any time I see a horse in active distress. Any time I see a horse living a shell of a life, confined to a stall with no other stimulation.

I would tell them how that brings me right back to all of the times I had caused them the same pain, while insisting it was for their best interest and that they loved their life.

But, I can’t do any of that.

So, instead, I do what I can now for the horses I have and I speak.

I speak and I speak, even if yelling into the abyss, in hopes that some people will hear me and make positive changes for their horses earlier than what I was able to.

I dedicate a huge portion of my time to thinking about where improvement is needed and vocalizing my belief in the potential for change.

I try, one spark at a time, to ignite an inferno of change, one that may eventually burn down a structure of belief that serves neither horse nor human.

I can’t go back and undo the hurt I caused, but hopefully, I can reduce harm in the present and work towards creating a better world alongside all of the others fighting the same fight.

If I could go back in time and reunite with the horses I’ve hurt, I would thank them for tolerating me and not bringing me harm, despite the harm I brought them.

I would express my eternal gratitude for their kindness and forgiveness

We could all learn a thing or two from horses.

They forgive us time and time again, even when we may not deserve it.

Their gentility and softness is something we should all aspire to have.

So, thank you to the horses I wronged.

I will spend my entire life trying to do better by them and hopefully one day, I can earn the forgiveness they gave so freely even though I didn’t deserve it.

12/21/2023

At Andrus Elementary spreading Christmas cheer!

12/20/2023

Ideal explanation! Being able to do it is another thing!

"It's a good point to have a light hand. But one can take and give all one's life without really realizing what one does. In this case, neither the hand nor the horse will make any progress. Indeed, the hand merely gives when the horse pulls and take when the horse gives... The skilful hand do the opposite ... it fixes itself while closing vigorously enough it's fingers when the horse pulls, but the fingers relax with the speed of the electric spark as soon as jaw make a flexion. "
James Fillis

12/20/2023

Denali in the vehicle in a closed bridle. My steady driving companion Jack Jack makes sure all is going well.

12/19/2023

We all know dental care for our horses is important. What we may not be aware of is the genetic component of breeding choices and how it can affect everything in a horse, including their teeth. Long story short-please don't breed unless you understand things like inbreeding coefficient. There's a reason that the judges request to see the horse's bite for stallions and mares in halter classes.

12/18/2023

I quickly read this as, "I love people who have no idea who they are and wander around..." Yeah, I'm lovable like that!

Jodie Weber’s Art 🥰

12/18/2023

National Horse Day came and went again. I have a harder and harder time scrolling through social media when it comes to horses. It's disturbing to me (and becoming more so) what people are willing to do to their horses and still say they love them. It's not that things have changed...they haven't really. I showed AQHA shows for decades and that was a butcher shop of blocking tails, nerving necks, hanging, bleeding, checking around, checking under, and drugging. I forgot tag-team loping a horse all night for a pleasure futurity.

It's disturbing to me because I've changed. I actually enjoy interacting with horses. I enjoy listening to them and teaching them things. I love it when they understand and begin to trust me and relax. It's not that things don't get a little crazy sometimes with green horses...they can and do. And I have to get pretty darn firm with some for safety. But I want GOOD for them physically, emotionally, and mentally. Because at the end of it all, it's about celebrating and developing the horse as an individual.

When I reach out to a horse in my care, I want them to want to reach back to me. I want a mutual interaction. Appreciative. Pleasant. Interesting. Beneficial.

I no longer understand jerking on a bit behind the judge's back and then petting your horse when you place. I don't understand see-sawing on a shank bit on the way out of a class because you didn't place. That's a horse's MOUTH. What kind of cognitive disconnect is this? I used to be that way but I was a little sh*theaded punk with spurs who was trying to do what everyone else was doing. That kid really wanted what I have now: knowledge, compassion, and experience enough to navigate a positive path for each horse. I can't say, "If I had only known..." I probably wouldn't have had the maturity to be able to comprehend what was and is possible.

I also no longer understand all the rigs, martingales, drawreins, bumper bits, quick stops, piano wire snaffles, wire slipgag headstalls, mechanical hackamores, clappers, tie downs...again, I used to use some of those things but I actually LIKE horses now. I don't want to cause them pain. I don't want to punish them or force them to stay in some ridiculous arbitrary position or travel at a ridiculous speed that leaves them cramped, staring at the friggin ground, out of balance, and looking like a rabid aardvark. Nothing about that benefits the horse no matter what anyone tells you. So if you're not doing it for the horse, what's your motivation?

National Horse Day in many ways should be a day of mourning for what people are willing to do to horses out of pride, arrogance, ignorance, anger, selfishness, and many other really BAD motivations for training horses with punitive, nonsensical, and restrictive means.

How many times and in how many ways can research say that horses should have varied positions, figures, and speeds in their exercise? Low neck, higher neck, flexions, stretches, changes of balance, changes of speed, changes of energy, changes of activities...all healthy and beneficial. We are functionally our horses' physical therapists...we need to understand how our requests affect our horses' minds and bodies.

How many times does actual research have to clarify how much damage is done to the bodies of horses worked behind the vertical, cranked up too high, forced too low, tied down, too repetitively, in poor balance...and for what? A ribbon? To be willing to actually damage your horse's body for the irrational ideals of competition? Then ask the chiropractor, vet, farrier, bodyworker, acupuncturist, supplements, Bemer blanket, Magna wave, magnets, ceramics, etc etc. to help fix it...

Then we pat the horse to make it all better and post pictures on the National Day of the Horse.

12/17/2023

This is a beautiful place if you stop and look. Usually this happens in areas with a marine layer, not in the high steppe environment. A little magic!

12/16/2023

Good boy Denali!

First drive I tend to use my long lines and stay close to the inside of the vehicle. I have a foot on the step in case I need to exit quickly to support the horse.

Walking quietly experiencing the noise and weight of the cart is all he needs in the first drive.

12/16/2023

It's a great day when a first drive goes so well! Denali's first time in a vehicle, open bridle.

Something I must mention. Yes, Denali is very quiet and that's great BUT I need to pay close attention to his subtle expressions or I will not see when he is running out of patience or a little concerned or worried. It's not fair to take advantage of the quiet ones and overload them beyond their comfort level because they don't shout it out loud enough for you to hear them when they're struggling.

Another note, this vehicle does not fit him really well. It is passable but too small. We are waiting for his vehicle to get here. Yet another note, we needed to adjust his breastcollar for it to be more comfortable for him. All these details are so important. It's not uncommon to have to make frequent tweaks to harness and vehicles for the horse's comfort.

12/16/2023

As a life long young horse trainer, it is financially difficult to put in the time and patience needed for these "kids" because Joe down the street will charge $600 a month to "start" a c**t. How can I take the time that my education and experience tells me to when I can't pay the bills at the rates folks are willing to pay? The half baked lesson program down the road charges $50 each for group lessons of 4 people. They're making $200 per hour with zero risk and very little overhead if any. I take the risks with some very large baby horses who can hurt me without one ounce of malice. Yet my pay is 1/4 what the riding instructor is and I have an enormous overhead (feed, bedding, paid interns, workers compensation insurance, mortgage on the barn, repairs etc etc). How can I not only educate the young horses but mentor others who would like to do the same while knowing they're going to have a hard time making ends meet unless they have 10-30 horses in training, spend 20 minutes per horse having each one handled by some assistant of varying horsemanship education to be tacked, lunged and handed to them...it can get horses broke but I believe each youngster needs to be handled by educated hands all the way through the process.

So unless expectations and finances change, c**t starting will remain the realm of young punks who think they know something because they'll crawl up on anything.

12/15/2023

Got Denali's new harness adjusted for him!

So, you want to get involved in carriage driving? That's great! It really is! It is a wonderful activity that you can enjoy with horses and friends.

But everyone who wants to drive MUST realize that driving a horse is inherently dangerous.

Horses are not naturally okay with something noisy and bouncy "chasing" them.

Horses are not naturally okay with being sequestered between two poles and a lot of straps. It can feel very claustrophobic.

Horses (aside from draft horses) are not necessarily designed to pull things. It puts them further on their shoulders if you're not careful and can confuse, frustrate, or make them sore.

Horses are not naturally guided from behind. When we ride a horse, they can feel our weight, our balance changes, and even our pulse and emotional state. When we are in a vehicle, we are disconnected physically and communicate only through the reins, our voice, and a whip. If they become anxious, frustrated or confused it is much more difficult to help them.

Education, experience, clear communication, and exposure are even more critical to the driving horse than the saddle horse. When we hook a horse, we are responsible for staying with the horse until he is unhooked. This includes if he panics so it's a really good idea to prepare him for as many situations as possible and gain as much trust as you can.

This is where the equipment comes in too. A cheap harness is a dangerous and uncomfortable harness. Cheap leather breaks, skinny saddles or saddles without trees hurt the horse's back.

A cheap cart is a dangerous cart. They don't have suspension for the horse's comfort or the ability to adjust the balance so there is not too much weight on the horse's back.

Quality cart and harness cost more but no more than any other quality tack. A solid harness starts (used) at around $650. A solid-quality cart (used) hovers around $1200. There are deals to be had for sure but paying more is common too. This is less than a good quality saddle, saddle pad, bridle, bit, breast collar, and nice reins would be.

It's an investment in comfort and safety for both horse and driver and well worth it for the satisfaction and enjoyment of a fantastic activity.

12/15/2023

If you want to know where I'm coming from, read this all the way through...it really speaks of my motives, my process, and my goals for horses and their riders.

“Se puede enseñar a ejecutar cualquier técnica, pero es muy difícil enseñar a pensar. Aquí reside la gran diferencia entre la equitación de Conservatorio y la equitación de Gimnasio. Maestros y discípulos por un lado, y entrenadores y atletas por otro. Un maestro enseña a ejecutar, un alumno aprende a ejecutar. “La técnica se presenta como forma suprema de la consciencia racional, un mundo de soluciones prefabricadas e inmediatas”. En contrapartida solo un maestro puede enseñar a pensar, y solo un discípulo puede aprender a pensar, para poder crear e interpretar. Aquí la técnica, en lo que concierne a aprender a pensar a través de la arquitectura de la comprensión es fundamental, porque solo un pensamiento bien estructurado puede ser transmitido por su autor y recibido y comprendido por los demás. La Equitación académica o de conservatorio tiene tendencia a desaparecer porque actualmente, los maestros brillan por su ausencia en rol de los entrenadores, y esto no porque falten equitadores con un extraordinario tacto ecuestre, sino porque los potenciales discípulos no están preparados y con vocación para aprender, prefieren ser atletas. El maestro solo aparece cuando el discípulo está preparado para aprender. Estos jinetes optan, por razones económicas y de carrera profesional a entrenar atletas a fin de ganar pruebas y campeonatos. Hay que seguir el gusto del consumidor de caballos que sueña con adquirir oficio y traer copas y trofeos a casa. La función de los entrenadores es enseñar a ejecutar, mientras la de los maestros es enseñar como aprender.” José M. O´Neill. Alrededor del Arte Ecuestre.

12/14/2023

It's true...

The biggest issue facing riders who wish to be upward bound----and I realize that is a small percentage, but even so-----
----Is that the amount of time that can be allocated to practice will be limited to what a horse can handle.

I read stories of golfers who hit buckets of balls on the driving range, young basketball players who put in hours of practice after the other kids have headed home for supper, but a golf ball, a basketball, these are inanimate objects. They don’t care how often you hit or shoot them.

If a human, in trying to improve, rides a horse for as many hours a day as athletes in most sports can put in, it would be bad for the horse.

In other words, the rider who has access to more than one horse has a big advantage over those with limited opportunity. This is simple truth. To be very adept at most physical skills requires long hours of doing the pieces of that skill set over and over and over again.

How can the rider gain saddle time? By being situated such that there are lots of horses to get on. How can this be accomplished? That will be something that each particular rider will either figure out, or not.

Fairness has nothing to do with it. Getting good at riding is mostly a matter of riding. The best riders have bodies that blend harmoniously with the bodies of their horses, and that doesn’t happen without spending those long hours over long periods of time.

The fact that this may be an unpopular truth doesn’t make it less true. You have to ride ride ride ride ride ride.