Michael Sparling Horsemanship

07/18/2024

Emma was here at Bellwether last week, so we had a lot to talk about today reflecting on what we worked on in the clinic.

07/07/2024

My friend Emma Daily Kline is coming to Bellwether Farm for a clinic next week! Rider spots are full, but we have LOADS of room for auditors. Please join us!

06/13/2024

Another great show with special guest Buck Brannaman.

05/30/2024

One question: Do the reins mean stop? What do the reins mean? (I guess there are two questions.)

05/16/2024

What motivates your horse? Is it moving toward peace and a good feeling or are they getting away from something? What do they value and how do we offer that to them?

04/03/2024

Once again… the horse gets to make the decision! They have autonomy. It’s on us to set it up in such a way as to help them make a decision that suits us both.

I’d love to hear your comments if you have a chance to listen to the show.

03/21/2024

A conversation about the horse being innately drawn toward harmony. It gets crazy.

03/14/2024

The importance of connecting the rein to the hind leg.

03/07/2024

Can you get anything done with a horse without them being on board? Being in conversation? Seeing and appreciating them as an individual?

Spoiler alert-

not really

02/15/2024

02/08/2024

So much about helping your horse find the center of the rectangle. That’s pretty much what it’s all about. There is a place to be. It will be peaceful with me.

02/01/2024

This week’s remarks were about creating life, power and enthusiasm in your horse. There is more to it than just the physical components (as important as those are). The mental and emotional connection that comes as your horse enjoys what you are doing together is the real gold and more critical than ever with a horse that is physically challenged and laid back. How important is joy to this all coming together?

01/25/2024

This was a fun conversation on establishing and maintaining balance on a loose rein. How to support and when.

01/18/2024

Here are our 2024 Clinic and Bootcamp schedules! Hope you can join us!

12/27/2023

Friends of ours, the Binninger family, lost their beautiful barn in a fire last week. They, and their animals, are all ok, but they lost all of their tack, saddles and equipment… and of course, a centerpiece of their life.

They own Landgrove Coffee Roasters in Idaho. Will you consider ordering your coffee beans from their company? It’s a win/win… you get to drink high-quality, small-batch-roasted, fair/direct trade coffee AND you can help this wonderful family replace their tack and equipment!

12/21/2023

Talking about the horse really being in the rectangle and finding peace with the certainty of where to be. The balance achieved with a one rein stop. Also a bit on directing the rectangle with the inside rein without reliance upon the outside aids. And then there was a little bit about challenging your horse (within your ability) to help them see that they can handle a lot.

So many good things… Santa hats and all!

12/14/2023

Today we were into a whole lot of talk about dressage.

11/30/2023

Today we talked a lot about the importance of the outside hind stepping forward as a part of your hindquarter yield. Amongst other things…

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving! So much to be grateful for.

11/16/2023

Defining the edges, setting boundaries and what are we rewarding - intentionally or unintentianally. Here are our remarks. What do you think?

11/09/2023

Another episode of the Horsemanship Remarks Show