Crystal Springs West

06/28/2024

In dressage, the best riders develop psychological strength as a key ability because it takes a positive attitude, strong will, good work ethic, humbleness, stubbornness and overall horsemanship to succeed. You have to accept that success and failure never last in this sport, so you have to take each in stride and not make too much of a deal out of either—it is just another day at work. In the end, the best riders have this strength and an undying drive to continue because a rider still has to take care of the horses and get back in the saddle tomorrow and the day after that since this is not only a sport, hobby or business, but a lifestyle that lasts a lifetime. - Jan Brink

05/14/2024

yep...

So sadly true...There are so many tools being used to force horses to silently endure whatever people want them to do just for their own human earning and entertainment. And at the same time, just while using such coercive tools, these same people keep speaking about horses loving their job and willingly choosing to take part in it...💔

Picture credit: Philippe Karl

03/11/2024

03/09/2024

I'm putting rumors to rest:
No, I am not selling Crystal Springs Ranch & Saddlery.

02/09/2024

"The horse is a mirror. It goes deep into the body.
When I see your horse I see you too. It shows me everything you are, everything about the horse.
I try to face life for what it is. There’s heartache, but it’s a good thing.
I’m trying to save the horse’s life and your life too.
The human is so good at war. He knows how to fight.
But making peace, boy, that’s the hardest thing for a human.
But once you start giving, you won’t believe how much you get back." - Ray Hunt.

Ray's quote is from an article titled 'Ray Hunt: The Cowboy Sage' by Gretel Ehrlich, Shambhala Sun, July 1998.

Image of Ray is by Julie Baldocchi.

02/07/2024

yep.

Yes...quite often 😜

Picture credit: Misfit Designed for Equimed

10/21/2023

10/21/2023

Clever

10/18/2023

Erik Herbermann, one of the fathers of modern dressage tells us:
“It is wonderful to use the ‘forward and down’ stretching exercise as part of the daily work. We also must keep in mind a suitable balance between work and rest periods during any ride, and we need to schedule adequate days off work and days spent hacking outdoors. Physically tired or mentally soured horses don’ t learn much, other than ways of evading work.”
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2020/11/erik-herbermann-essential-reading-for-any-dressage-rider/

10/06/2023