Silverdawn Farm

08/08/2024

Looking for a trainer can sometimes feel really hard. Where do you start? How do you know they are qualified? Are they a good fit for you?

There are so many factors when looking for a trainer that need to be considered. I would look at finding a trainer much like finding a horse. Very rarely will you find someone who is a perfect match but I would make a list of goals that are important to you, in order from most to least important.

Some examples of goals would be;

I want a pleasant horse

I want to compete in (fill in the blank)

I want to be a better rider

I want to be better at working with challenging horses

I want my horse to stay sound

I want to be less afraid

Once you have your list of goals decide what is a must have, and what are things that would be nice to have?

Then you need to start interviewing trainers.

Talk to them about your goals and make sure that their training goals can align with yours.

When possible try to watch them ride, watch them work, and watch their students. Do they look like what you want to look like? Do their horses look how you want your horses to look? Are their students achieving the goals you want to achieve, or at the very least are they achieving their goals.

Ask questions.

Some trainers can support you doing something different from what they do, and still help you train effectively, some trainers have a system that works for them and they don't want you to stray from that.

Neither way is better or worse but if you are working with the latter you need to be ready to commit fully or you will not get the results you are looking for. The former you need to feel comfortable making some of your own decisions about your training.

Ask

Can this trainer help your horse? A lot of trainers have certain types of horses they train best with. Some trainers like calm horses, some hot horses, mustangs, off the track thoroughbreds, spanish breeds. Ask trainers their preference, try to choose one who works with horses like yours

Ask yourself

Does the trainer communicate in a way that works for you? Some trainers are stern and direct, some will hold your hand and not really push you, some give you a lot of information, and some only tell you what you need to know. Choosing someone who supports your learning style will help you progress faster, and feel better about your lessons.

What is available?

Some areas have more access to trainers than others. In areas where trainers are more scarce you may have to be less discerning and make more compromises on your less important goals, looking to the internet to fill in the blanks. In areas where trainers are more abundant you may get to be more specific about what you want.

There are many different trainers, just like there are many different clients. Not every trainer will be a good fit for every client. Shop around and find the right fit for you.

At the end of the day, remember this is your journey, you get to decide what is important to you!

Photo credit Roy Stansell

08/03/2024

Hello everyone,

I am excited to start posting on here more, including some helpful videos.This decision has got me thinking about different platforms for learning and their uses and how they can best help us.

Currently we live in an era where information is constantly available. If you have a smart phone you have consistent access to Youtube, Google, podcasts, video lessons, and online courses. The wealth of information at our fingertips can be inspiring and sometimes overwhelming.

All of these platforms can be helpful and all of them have drawbacks.

For example; videos, podcasts and written posts like this one are an excellent way to be introduced to new ideas and concepts, or to review old concepts that maybe you don't remember all of the components to. The drawback is you don't get any feedback on your application of the concepts or exercises.

Online courses can give you a really good overview of a pathway from beginning to end of more complex training ideas that maybe you can not complete in this moment, and often you get more individual attention with the ability to ask questions. However videos or questions are made, viewed, than critiqued. Meaning it falls on you to go back and have the body awareness and control to make corrections on your own with no in the moment feedback.

Online video lessons can be very helpful to gain access to trainers that aren't in your area. This can give you access to direct feedback on you and your horse. The challenge is in the moment feedback can be lost to lag. As well as sometimes what the trainer is seeing and what you are feeling are not the same. This can be difficult for working on very refined timing and feel.

All of these platforms have so many good things to offer and we should use them, but for their intended purposes, with the guidance of a trusted in person trainer where possible.

Why an In-Person Trainer?

An in-person trainer can see and correct things on the spot. Whether it’s adjusting your movements or improving your timing, real-time feedback is invaluable. Timing and feel are crucial, and a live trainer can provide that instantaneously while many times, timing is missed by an inconsistent internet connection.

A trainer can help you filter through the vast information available online, advising what’s relevant for you and your horse, and what to ignore.

For some people finding a trainer locally is challenging, try to find someone who can offer trained eyes and guidance. Even if that is the occasional clinic, or a friend who also rides. The personalized touch can be the difference you have been waiting for, that online platforms simply cannot provide.

For these reasons, my goal with my posts will be to supplement the lessons you are already taking. This doesn't mean you have to take lessons to get value from my content, but I think you will get best results if you are using a trainer who synergizes with what I am posting.

I’ll share more tips on choosing the right trainer for you soon, but in the meantime, feel free to reach out if you need any help.

Photo credit Roy Stansell

07/26/2024

As we pretty much all know. Charlotte Dujardin just had to withdraw from the Olympics for a video of her hitting a horse repeatedly with a whip, much to the horror of her fans and the horse community at large.

I'm sorry to say that this does not surprise me in the least. I know of other trainers who use this same methodology to get more action from a horses legs. I choose not to work with those trainers but they exist, and I know it.

I had a student years ago who came to me from a dressage trainer who, once her students got good enough, introduced them to rolkur, knowing it was illegal in USEF and FEI because it got results that won fast.

This is a systemic issue, and it is threatening our social license to ride and compete. Charlotte got caught, and I'm sure many of her competitors are breathing a sigh of relief that they didn't.

Will they stop doing those things? Probably not.

Will they get better at hiding them? Most likely.

So how do we stop it?

There needs to be a cultural shift. It is about money, I have seen so many talented trainers and coaches be cast aside for people who will get the job done faster. Faster almost always means more force.

Many trainers succumb to being more forceful because they need to feed themselves and their families and no one will pay them well enough if they don't get the job done fast enough.

Well culture starts with you, that money comes from you. All of you. From casual trail riders, to first time horse owners, to competitors from every sport. Learn to recognize stress in your horse, look for coaches and trainers whose horses are calm, willing, and sound. Prioritize kindness, and soundness over timelines, ribbons, and accomplishments.

We cannot force judges to judge better, but we can learn what correct movement, that protects soundness, looks like. When judges choose horses that don't move well. Stop supporting the shows they judge. If you see judges who judge for correct movement, support them, request them, speak up if you see them appearing less often in competitions.

If we want better, we need to support better.

It is okay to be outraged and disappointed. Just remember you are not helpless. You can't control what others do but you can control you. If enough people change the sport will too.

Photo credit Roy Stansell

05/31/2024

Help Wanted! Silverdawn Farm is seeking a part-time employee to work 2 days a week, 1-3 hours per day. Responsibilities include cleaning stalls, water buckets, and troughs. Flexible hours. $18/hour. Text Jennie at (360)870-0365 if interested.

03/06/2024

3 days left to join our Demystify Training Clinic

Photos credit Roy Stansell

03/04/2024

Due to positive feed back from our first clinic. We have decided to offer it one more time before Ember Johnson-Neuroth heads off to Norway. We hope you will join us on Sunday March 10th!

Do you ever feel like training happens by magic? or maybe you see other people having success where you have no idea how they are getting there. Do you have specific training problems that you want answered? Join Jennie Palmer and Ember Johnson on March 10th at 11 am on Zoom and demystify training. This virtual clinic delves into the basics of learning, applicable to all animals. Discover the why behind "pressure and release" and "food rewards." Learn how to be a better teacher to your equine partner. Gain basic knowledge to better understand how your trainer thinks. This is a beginner level course no prior knowledge is necessary. Can't make it live? No problem – secure your spot now for access to the recording. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about the science behind the art of training.

02/21/2024

Reminder that today is the last day to sign up for our clinic next Tuesday!

Do you ever feel like training happens by magic? or maybe you see other people having success where you have no idea how they are getting there. Do you have specific training problems that you want answered? Join Jennie Palmer and Ember Johnson on Feb 27th at 11 am on Zoom, and demystify training.
This virtual clinic delves into the basics of learning, applicable to all animals. Discover the why behind "pressure and release" and "food rewards." Learn how to be a better teacher to your equine partner. Gain basic knowledge to better understand how your trainer thinks. This is a beginner level course no prior knowledge is necessary.
Can't make it live? No problem – secure your spot now for access to the recording. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about the science behind the art of training.

Hope to see you all there.

01/23/2024

Ember Johnson-Neuroth of the Soulful Horse and I are very excited to present an online clinic and Q&A on the basics of operant conditioning. I hope you join us to learn more about this fundamental part of training your equine partner.

10/16/2023

We are very excited to be hostin Juliette Cimentiere on November 7th and 8th. We have limited lesson availability, please contact me if you are interested.

05/17/2023

Update: the 2 day a week position is most likely filled.

Help Wanted!
Silverdawn Farm is looking for 2 employees. Position 1, Work 5 days a week. 2 to 3 hours a day. Chores will include cleaning stalls, cleaning water buckets and troughs, pulling weeds, and cleaning a isleways.
Hours can be flexible, pay is $16 an hour.
Position 2 Work 2 days a week 1 to 2 hours a day cleaning stalls. Hours are flexible also pays $16 an hour.
Both positions must have experience cleaning stalls. We will require references and a working interview.
Jobs start June 1st. If interested please text Jennie at (360)870-0365

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas and happy Holidays!

Photo credit Roy Stansell

09/14/2022

Very excited to be hosting Manuel Trigo in December. If you are interested in classical dressage I highly recommend you come check it out.

The Goal is YOUR NEXT level! . LIGHTNESS, Proof of Balance 2 Day Clinic Initiation & Perfecting Sat-Sun December 3-4 2022 Olympia, WA C...

05/09/2022

The Tipping Point.

Horse sports are in danger, and if you think they aren't, you haven't been paying attention. The public is concerning itself more and more with the welfare of animals in human care. It has threatened many industries in recent years. With the release by french parliament asking for an overhaul of horse welfare in the 2024 Olympics, and the outrage at the treatment of Rich Strike after the Kentucky derby, both happening this week. It is time that we recognise that horse sports are firmly on the list of industries under attack.

I think it is easy to forget that the public are the people who support our industry, whether through ticketsales that support purses for major competitions, or buying goods that secure sponsors, or being inspired to buy horses or take lessons that support all professionals in the horse world. We are balanced on the edge of a precipice where we have a lot of choices to make that will decided the fate of our industry as a whole.

We could choose to continue to alienate those who pay our wages by degrading them for their criticism and stubbornly sticking to our traditions, or we could listen to their concerns and honestly ask ourselves can we do better?

Remember when we see the use of excessive force being used on any animal, that the animal has not chosen this situation for itself. Humans have a right to defend themselves, but humans also have a responsibility to keep the animal out a situation in which that much force is necessary. That means we have to prepare them properly for their jobs.

Personally I have seen people, using positive reinforcement beautifully with horses, I have seen relationships developed with the horse using negative reinforcement where the horse actively chooses to participate. I've seen lovely correct dressage work done with no bits and no bridles, and so much more.

Right now we decide if we look at this as the tragic death of an industry, or a time of transformation to find out what is possible if we just allow for creativity in our sports.

Photo courtesy of Kestrel Dóbhran

05/03/2021

More fun today at Silverdawn as one of our amazing boarders Sherri taught us all some scent work with are critters

05/03/2021

We had a lot of fun this weekend at the Flying M's IMTCA playday! So glad that all of mine and Ember Johnson-Neuroth's of the Soulful Horse's students had a successful day.

03/06/2021

Today Hope Died
This afternoon I had the privilege to stand vigil with a soul that had known so much fear, pain, and anger that the world had lost its ability to redeem itself for him. I was one of the chosen few to guard his soul, with love, as he made his way into whatever comes after.
I couldn't help but think that as he first came into this world, new and untarnished, of all hope that came with him. Of the love his dam felt as she nurtured him. Of his hopes for joy and happiness. The dreams of the humans who fed and cared for him, and the excitement at what he would become. Yet when he became no longer useful, they threw him away like trash.
Today I am ashamed of the industry I am a part of. I try every day to be the change I want to see, but days like today I am reminded how far we still have left to go. All of us got into this industry because at some point we loved these magnificent, resilient animals, but just like him our hopes, dreams, and innocence are stripped from us and we become callus to the pain we inflict. Our animals become tools that we use and discard when they are no longer useful.
Our industry failed him completely and irrevocably, yet he was one of the lucky few who despite his anger and anxiety, he still left surrounded by love, even if he could no longer feel it. He will be mourned, and there are so many who don't get that dignity.
As the rain poured down on those of us who cared about him. A fitting tribute to the turmoil that was his short existence. My mind wandered to how easily any of us could have ended up like him. All of us are brought into this world brimming with hope and potential. Throughout our life the potential dissipates. Whether it is through the slow leaking of time or stolen by chance.
A horse’s fondest hope from the time they take their first trembling steps into this world until they breathe their last breath is that their belly be full, and that they never be afraid or alone. Everything else is a dream belonging solely to the humans in their lives. Yet they willingly offer us partnership. Every day they see the best of us and the worst of us; and as long as we respect them, they continuously show up for us. That is why I feel that as professionals who partner with four-legged team mates it is our responsibility not to be the thief of their potential, or joy, and as owners it is our responsibility to make sure that as their potential fades that love replaces it. Don't let their hope die. We owe them more than that.
Photo courtesy of Roy Stansell