Whileaway Ranch, 7664 North Whileaway Road East, Park City, UT (2025)

03/29/2025

This picture of the Spanish Riding Schools stables in Vienna shows stallions being able to touch noses without a problem. There are 72 stallions in the stables.

03/28/2025

BY CHLOE HARDGRAVE I was tired. I wanted to go home. I was covered in sweat and tears from the round before. My horse had pushed me past the point of a bad show round. I wanted to give up. Now, this was not a one time thing. This was an every day, every lesson […]

03/27/2025

“Today, the School’s Riders and First Riding Masters, who have served a long apprenticeship in their profession, are such guardians of tradition. They started as pupils in the stables wearing a simple gray uniform. They then learned their trade, and a good seat in particular, on the so-called “Professors”, the old, tried stallions of the School, because learning to sit comes before learning to ride, and only from a secure, pliant, well-balanced seat comes a feeling for the correct aids. Those fine, invisible signs by which the rider communicates with a horse were in fact learned from well-ridden horses who would not dream of acting upon a false aid.

The seat – the rider’s weight which must at all times be fully balanced with the horse that bears it - is of fundamental importance because an incorrect seat will cause the rider’s weight to distort every movement of the horse.
The last word on this, the true basis of all riding, comes from the Director of the Spanish Riding School, Kurt Albrecht, in his book Dogmas of the Art of Riding (1981).
It sounds almost too simple: “The rider must seek to distribute his own center of gravity over the horse and maintain it there throughout every movement, whatever the gait he may require of the animal…”

However, it is no easy thing when the horse canters, gallops, turns, bends, and rising on its hind legs, or even makes a frightened sideways jump. In all circumstances, however, Albrecht says, “…security of the seat is not a matter of keeping a grip with the legs or holding the reins, but entirely of maintaining balance in the saddle.”
Quote courtesy of the book THE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL: Four Centuries of Classic Horsemanship by Hans Handler

Photo of Oberbereiter Klaus Krzisch and Siglavy Mantua I courtesy of the book The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dressage (Martin Diggle)

03/24/2025

We’ve got stalls available in Park City! Keep your horse in comfort and style in our beautiful new all weather facility with spacious European stalls, individual all day turnouts with automatic waterers, and full care board. Access to private trails right outside the gates. Our large heated indoor arena has GGT footing, natural light and large windows that open in the summer. Enjoy mountain views from our full size outdoor arena with sand footing. We offer exceptional care as well as classical riding lessons and Dressage training from beginner through Grand Prix. DM or call/text (301)787-4730 or email [email protected]

03/18/2025

Carl Hester tells us:“Self-carriage is really easy to see. It’s that tension into the hand, the first place you see it is through the whole of the top line of the horse. The best thing you can do for self-carriage is the give and re-take of the reins. That constant giving the hand, taking, giving, taking, making sure that the outline is stable, the mouth is soft. You only have to look at the mouth to know how it is working, the horse is carrying its own head and neck." Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro demonstrate. https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/02/balance-self-carriage-and-the-importance-of-rider-position/

03/13/2025

Remember when your parents used to tell you to wait 30 minutes after eating before going for a swim? Unlike us, horses can actually benefit from eating forage before they exercise, as it may help reduce the risk of gastric ulcers.

While a variety of things can contribute to the development of stomach ulcers (medications, diet, stress, etc.), one train of thought is that these areas of irritation result as a consequence of the acid of the stomach splashing against unprotected parts of the stomach lining. When a horse eats forage, the hay can help absorb some of that acid and thus reduce the risk of ulcer formation.

It is important to note that a forage meal (one comprised of long stem hay) provides the most benefit, while eating large volumes of concentrate feeds (such as oats, corn, or other cereal grains) can actually increase the amount of acid within the stomach.
As always, please be sure to consult with your vet regarding further diagnostics and treatments if you have concerns that your horse may have gastric ulcers.

Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

03/12/2025

We’ve got a few stalls opening up and you don’t need to be a Dressage rider to benefit from our exceptional care program. Anyone is welcome! Keep your horse in comfort and style in Park City in our beautiful new all weather facility with spacious European stalls, individual turnouts with automatic waterers, and full care board. Access to private trails right outside the gates. Our large heated indoor arena has GGT footing, natural light and spectacular views. Enjoy spectacular mountain views from our full size outdoor arena with sand footing. We are accepting new clients beginning in spring/summer 2025. We offer classical riding lessons and Dressage training from beginner through Grand Prix. DM or call/text (301)787-4730 or email [email protected]

03/10/2025

A study published in the journal Naturwissenschaften, investigated the relationship between living conditions, welfare, and cognitive biases in horses.

Researchers examined 34 horses over a three-year period, with 25 horses living in restricted riding school environments and 9 horses in more naturalistic conditions.

The study found that horses living under restrictive conditions in riding schools, experiencing limited social interaction, confined spaces, and restricted feeding, exhibited higher levels of behavioural and health-related problems.

These horses demonstrated a tendency to interpret ambiguous cues more negatively when presented with uncertain or novel situations. There was also strong correlation between this pessimistic outlook and indicators of poor welfare.

In contrast, horses enjoying more natural living conditions, including free-range movement and stable social groups, showed signs of better welfare and tended to interpret ambiguous situations more positively and confidently.

This optimistic bias was associated with indicators of good welfare, suggesting that the horses' living conditions significantly influenced their emotional states AND cognitive processes.

The findings of this study indicate that chronic negative experiences may lead to a more pessimistic outlook in horses, mirroring similar phenomena observed in humans.

Future research will help us better understand the relationship between living conditions, and cognitive biases in horses to provide a more comprehensive understanding of their welfare.

Henry S, Fureix C, Rowberry R, Bateson M, Hausberger M. (2017). Do horses with poor welfare show ‘pessimistic’ cognitive biases?

03/10/2025

Donnerhall: A Dressage Legend and Breeding Icon

Few names in the world of dressage command as much respect as Donnerhall. Renowned for his extraordinary talent, impeccable work ethic, and immense influence as a sire, he remains one of the most celebrated stallions in equestrian history.

The Pedigree of Excellence

Born in 1981, Donnerhall was sired by Donnerwetter, a stallion known for producing talented dressage horses, and out of Ninette, a mare with proven Oldenburg lineage. His pedigree combined athleticism, rideability, and the ability to pass on exceptional movement and trainability to his offspring.

A Legendary Dressage Career

Under the guidance of his rider, Karin Rehbein, Donnerhall dominated the international dressage scene. Some of his most remarkable achievements include:

Team Gold Medal at the 1994 World Equestrian Games in The Hague.

Individual Bronze Medal at the same event, proving his excellence at the highest level.

Multiple German Championship titles, showcasing his consistent brilliance.

Success in World Cup competitions and international Grand Prix circuits.

His expressive piaffe, extended trot, and effortless passage made him a standout in competition, while his willingness to perform and incredible presence endeared him to fans worldwide.

A Legacy in Breeding

Beyond his competition success, Donnerhall became one of the most influential dressage sires of all time. His offspring have inherited his talent, work ethic, and elegance, dominating international dressage. Some of his most notable progeny include:

De Niro – One of the leading sires in modern dressage, producing countless Grand Prix horses.

Don Schufro – A top competitor and an exceptional sire in his own right.

Donnperignon – An Olympic-level dressage horse with multiple championship appearances.

His bloodlines continue to shape dressage breeding programs, with his descendants maintaining his legacy in top-level sport.

Recognition and Influence

Donnerhall’s impact on the dressage world remains unparalleled. His genetics are found in many of today’s top dressage horses, and his ability to pass on movement, intelligence, and rideability has made him a foundation stallion for modern sport horse breeding.

Although Donnerhall passed away in 2002, his legacy endures through his exceptional offspring and lasting influence in dressage breeding. He remains a symbol of excellence, proving that true greatness extends beyond the competition arena and into generations of elite dressage horses.

02/08/2025

In 1992, Dr Schulten Baumer and a young Isabell Werth were working with Gi**lo. Isabell told THM:
“We do a lot of rising (trot) to relax their backs. We cannot afford any tension in the back, because to get rid of it is very difficult. When Gi**lo is in the relaxation phase, you can see that between this relaxation, we get him to swing into the passage in a loose manner, followed by a relaxed moment again.”
For more: https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2023/04/gigolo-and-isabell-werth/

02/02/2025

Horses are often praised with tactile stimuli, chiefly with a scratch at the withers or a pat on the neck.

Caressing the horse at the wither region lowers heart rate and increases the duration of relaxed behaviour, so this activity provides an easy reward.

Horses have evolved to find grooming one another (allogrooming) rewarding, so a scratch on an appropriate part of the body is a primary reinforcer.

By comparison, the far more common practice of patting or slapping horses on the neck, if too forceful, can even be aversive or at best neutral to the horse.

Patting is reinforcing only if the owner has coupled the pat with something inherently pleasant.

Horses have not evolved to be motivated to offer certain responses for pats on their necks.

Therefore patting, if it is going to be used at all, should be conditioned as a secondary reinforcer - and secondary reinforcers should be carefully trained if they are to become effective as rewards.

Equitation Science 2nd Edition
By Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy, Janne Whinther Christensen & Uta König von Borstel.

📖 The full text is available for purchase from our website.

01/29/2025

A study by Niittynen et al. (2022) examined the relationship between oxytocin levels and behavioural responses during foundation training in 19 young horses through five foundation training sessions over nine months.

They measured salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels before and after training sessions, as well as recording behavioural responses during training.

The team found that horses exhibiting more cooperative behaviours towards their trainers, such as nuzzling or seeking contact, showed increased salivary oxytocin levels. Conversely, horses that displayed signs of discomfort during training experienced a decrease in salivary oxytocin.

The study also revealed interesting differences between green yealings and more experienced 2-3 year old horses.

The yearlings undergoing initial training, had higher salivary cortisol concentrations compared to their more experienced counterparts.
This suggests that the training process may be more stressful for horses encountering it for the first time.

As the training progressed, the researchers observed a decrease in both salivary cortisol levels and fearful behaviours across all of the horses.

This indicates that horses generally became more comfortable and less stressed as they became accustomed to the training routine. Oxytocin may play a role in promoting positive human-horse interactions, while cortisol levels reflect stress experienced during the training process.

Understanding these physiological changes could potentially help trainers develop more effective and welfare-friendly training methods for horses.

Full study ➡️ Acute changes in oxytocin predict behavioral responses to foundation training in horses" by Niittynen et al., published in 2022 in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

01/28/2025

“Today, the School’s Riders and First Riding Masters, who have served a long apprenticeship in their profession, are such guardians of tradition. They started as pupils in the stables wearing a simple gray uniform. They then learned their trade, and a good seat in particular, on the so-called “Professors”, the old, tried stallions of the School, because learning to sit comes before learning to ride, and only from a secure, pliant, well-balanced seat comes a feeling for the correct aids. Those fine, invisible signs by which the rider communicates with a horse were in fact learned from well-ridden horses who would not dream of acting upon a false aid.

The seat – the rider’s weight which must at all times be fully balanced with the horse that bears it - is of fundamental importance because an incorrect seat will cause the rider’s weight to distort every movement of the horse.

The last word on this, the true basis of all riding, comes from the Director of the Spanish Riding School, Kurt Albrecht, in his book Dogmas of the Art of Riding (1981).

It sounds almost too simple: “The rider must seek to distribute his own center of gravity over the horse and maintain it there throughout every movement, whatever the gait he may require of the animal…”

However, it is no easy thing when the horse canters, gallops, turns, bends, and rising on its hind legs, or even makes a frightened sideways jump. In all circumstances, however, Albrecht says, “…security of the seat is not a matter of keeping a grip with the legs or holding the reins, but entirely of maintaining balance in the saddle.”

Quote courtesy of the book THE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL: Four Centuries of Classic Horsemanship by Hans Handler

Photo of Oberbereiter Klaus Krzisch and Siglavy Mantua I courtesy of the book The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dressage (Martin Diggle)

01/25/2025

The most influential Dressage Master of them all, Steinbrecht. Celebrate the founder of modern, classical, dressage.
“The rider who has been schooled in such an artificial prescribed seat will present, after a long struggle, not a thoroughly schooled horse… but a wooden machine which, although working mechanically is devoid of all elasticity and freshness in its way of going.”
Dr Reiner Klimke and Pascal illustrate Steinbrecht's principles. https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2022/11/the-most-influential-dressage-master-of-them-all-steinbrecht/

01/22/2025

Horses are very efficient information processors, and they have an excellent eidetic memory (photographic memory). However, there is no evidence that a horse actually reflects on his memory.

Expecting the horse to have the same mental abilities as humans is an unfair expectation and along with it may come feelings of retribution or punishment when humans believe that the horse should ‘know better“

The horse does not have an ‘aha!’ moment during learning like humans do, unless they have been presented with the same or similar task.

Instead, horse learning requires repetitions, which gradually reduce to form habitual responses to stimuli.

Horses require that the trainer has excellent timing in reinforcement because rewarding or punishing behaviours past the moment of the act are futile and create stress.

Andrew McLean - Modern Horse Training Volume 2
Now available for purchase on our website!

01/19/2025

Affective states play a crucial role in an animal's motivation to learn and engage with their environment and positive and negative affective states can significantly alter cognitive processes and behavioural responses.

Positive affective states generally enhance motivation to learn and explore.
Animals in positive states tend to:

➡️ Show increased curiosity and willingness to engage with novel stimuli

➡️ Exhibit more optimistic cognitive biases when interpreting ambiguous cues

➡️ Demonstrate greater behavioral flexibility and problem-solving abilities

➡️ Display higher levels of playfulness and social engagement

In contrast, negative affective states often diminish motivation and learning capacity.

Animals in negative states may:

➡️ Become less responsive to environmental stimuli

➡️ Interpret ambiguous cues more pessimistically

➡️ Show reduced exploratory behaviour and environmental engagement

➡️ Exhibit symptoms of anhedonia (loss of pleasure-seeking behaviour)

Learned helplessness is a prime example of how negative experiences can profoundly alter affective state and motivation. The important distinction here is that the animal no longer tries to cope – it simply gives up and becomes dull.

This was demonstrated in Seligman and Maier's seminal experiments with rats and dogs, when repeated exposure to uncontrollable aversive stimuli led to a deterioration of cognitive, emotional and motivational attributes.

Dogs that experienced inescapable shocks later showed intense hyper-reactivity followed by passivity when presented with avoidable shocks, unlike dogs who had previous experience with controllable shocks or no shock exposure.

Animals that lack control over their environment or experience chronic unpredictable stressors are at higher risk of developing learned helplessness and associated depression-like symptoms.

By recognising the impact of positive and negative experiences on an animal's cognitive and emotional state, we can work to create environments and training approaches that promote positive affective states and enhance motivation to learn.

01/14/2025

𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓: 𝑨 𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈

By understanding and practicing the concept of turning from the center, riders can significantly improve their horsemanship skills and build a stronger partnership with their horse.

Whileaway Ranch

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