HP Dressage

06/18/2023

Happy Father's Day to all the horse dads. We couldn't do this without you!

05/14/2023

Just like any other sport, ocassional riding isn't enough to make progress. If I can do it, you can do it.

05/03/2023

I have been neglectful about posting the progress pictures I take of my students, so here is a bit of a photo dump of recent pictures. Everyone has been making some great strides and I am so proud of the group I have riding with me!

02/27/2023

Tick, tick 🤯

0 Likes, 0 Comments - HP Dressage () on Instagram: "Is it the most expressive change ever? No. But hot damn! With the soundness issues Nigel has been having over the past almost 2 years, I was starting to think he'd not ever be anything but pasture sound. Nigel is the most giving horse I....

02/20/2023

Steele has been doing a STELLAR job and is becoming a real dream to ride. He is getting his jog trot down. 💪 His mom even got to ride him off this week and he was a total dream boat.

12/09/2022

I got this very sweet report of how Dreamer is doing back at home. This is why I do what I do. I am so proud of their continuing partnership! And THANK YOU, Chelbi for trusting me to be a part of your journey. 😍

12/06/2022

Had the honor of judging the BCXR barn show on Sunday. The weather was (mostly) on our side and I got to see all levels of dedicated riders! I love being around our East Texas horse community. Thank you for the opportunity, Sarah and Colleen!

11/13/2022

This is Cozzi! Cozzi is a beautiful Wesfalian mare who has tons of experience in the A rated Hunter circuit. Since her rider has started college out of state, Cozzi's new job is going to be getting mom back in the saddle!

This month we are focusing on Cozzi's aversion to noise and paying attention to her handler/rider.

This was the first day, but I thought it was a great representation of what I look for when "desensitizing."

10/16/2022

Did you know that horse can move in 6 directions?

Forward
Backwards
Left
Right
Up
Down

Dreamer's tight back makes him feel like he can't move at all with a rider. But once he loosens up his natural ability can shine. What a pretty picture he makes!

10/13/2022

Since Nigel likes to grow hair like a wooly mammoth, he got his clip on today. 🙈 Fuzzy Wuzzy no more!

10/12/2022

Everyone say Hallo to Dreamer!

Dreamer is a 3/4 FreisianX who is spending 6 weeks with me for conditioning. Now you all know that's not all there is and I have found a few things to address with this sweet hunk.

He has been with me a week already showing improvement with his bridling and moving off the leg appropriately.

09/16/2022

Can anyone identify what is going on here with TD (Teddy)?

If you guessed pure and total relaxation, you're right!

Most people know that a tight or gaping mouth, tongue hanging out are signs of tension and something to be avoided, but what does it look like when the mouth is really, really soft?

It can be difficult to see the mouth when you're horse-back, but the ears are easy to see! The tongue is connected to the hyoidbone (which runs through the jaw to the poll) and connects all parts of the body. If you don't believe me, watch your horse drink. The sucking motion will bounce their ears as they drink.

If your horse is soft in the back he will be soft in the mouth and will show you in his ears. Not all horses will be so relaxed to have floppy ears, but when it happens it is a GREAT accomplishment! Good job, TD!

08/05/2022

These are some great visuals of how each movement should look.

07/22/2022

For those who would like a Nigel update:

Nigel has started some inhand work to help restrengthen his hindend and correctly weight each hind leg. This includes very small bits of work in shoulder-in and he is starting to give me some good square halts. Yay!

His undersaddle work is focusing on short sessions of pushing forward with each hind leg equally. He is still a bit on the forehand, but that is to be expected at this point.

His entire workout was about 20 minutes long including lots of breaks. Once he shows me he can comfortably do 45 minute sessions, he will start doing lessons for my intermediate/advanced riders. I'm happy to finally be able to work him a couple of times a week!