Rebecca Dennis Balanced Horsemanship

16/08/2024

Entries are due by tomorrow for Dog Days Dressage at the Washington county fairgrounds. This is a great schooling and WDAA approved show

14/08/2024

Due to, well, life... I will not be holding an August Western Dressage Workshop. However, contact me if you're interested in riding with Cyril Pittion-Rossillon Instructor and Coach during his Midwest Tour! There are rare, limited openings in Delano, MN this Friday, Aug 16, and in New Richmond, WI on Monday and Tuesday Aug 19-20.

12/07/2024

Good morning! A lovely morning for a show.

03/07/2024

I'm terrible at marketing, but I've been told I'm a great teacher! My marketing failings mean there's still time to enter the July Western Dressage Workshop for this Saturday the 6th! This time I plan to do a Fix - a -Test format. Get ready for your next show by riding the test, getting feedback and instruction, and then riding again! Don't think you're ready for a test? Then feel free to sign up for a private or semi-private lesson. All participants will get to audit the other participants' sessions. www.RDBalancedHorsemanship.com/events/julyworkshop for details
https://form.jotform.com/232884637402157 to register

16/05/2024

Ride times are in for the WDAA show this Saturday at beautiful River Bluff Farm! Arial will be in Level 1 Test 1 at 10:14, and Level 1 Test 2 at 11:10. To all the competitors, ride well and good luck!

09/05/2024

Correction- happens after a behavior
Redirection- happens during the behavior
Education- prevents the behavior from ever happening

I get asked all the time, what do I when my horse ____?
Sometimes you don’t have a lot of control of certain behaviors, such as a farrier trying to get a trim done. They aren’t in a position to educate your horse and can only mitigate behaviors. Correction in this case would be things like slapping, yelling “no” or “Quit” (which last I checked, horses don’t speak English), yanking lead ropes, etc. Redirection is possible if everyone is attentive, watching the horse and communicating. Taking some time to set the environment up for success is helpful too, such as moving away distractions like nearby hay, or bringing in a buddy to keep the horse quiet.

Ideally, the owner would educate the horse before hand, to prevent any problems. This would involve teaching the horse to pick up their feet, come into the barn and stand for short periods at a time leading to longer periods, and to feel calm with or without a buddy.

In many scenarios, some combination of all 3 might come into play- education, redirection, and correction. I think it’s important to never say never- but in most cases, we can eliminate the majority of need for correction with education and attention to the situation at hand.

Many horse people are caught in a cycle of reactive correction- waiting for the horse to ”misbehave” (which I put in quotes here because horses behave in accordance to their education, handling and environment) and reacting - the problem with this is it is always too late. The behavior has happened- and now the horse is frustrated, the person is usually emotional, and the whole thing is a setup for failure. It doesn’t actually teach horses- it can create fear, can create sneakier behavior, or can cause a behavior to stop due to startling- but it doesn’t actually teach. For a horse to learn long term, we need to break down the pieces that go into the behaviors we want to encourage, and reward those.

It’s a tough pill for most to swallow, but important nevertheless- the behaviors of the horse are always our responsibility- and that if we are correcting, chances are we missed the signs leading up to it, and are late. It’s up to us to create the education and environment needed for a horse to succeed, to get into an education and observation frame of mind, and to get out of reaction mode.

05/05/2024

We had a great time yesterday! I enjoyed meeting and working with new people. A bit of rain didn't get us down with such a nice indoor arena to work in! I hope to see you all soon at a show, and registration is now open for the June workshop

03/05/2024

There are a multitude of reasons why western dressage and rescue horses are a great fit, but they're also promoting the rescue horse with a high score award in the WDAA Online International Challenge! This Old Horse, Inc.

Do you have a rescue or adopted horse? If so, come show with us at the Online International Challenge!

- All rescues are welcomed and encouraged!
- We offer a Rescue High Score Award
- Tests are available that are green horse and rider friendly!
- Show right from home, no need to trailer anywhere!
- Win great prizes, such as jackets, buckles, and saddle pads!

Here is ASPCA Right Horse ambassador Athenian Lady! She has seen a lot of success in western dressage as a rescue horse. You can, too!

Click here for more information about the Online International Challenge: https://www.westerndressageassociation.org/wdaa-online-international

28/04/2024

Are you aware of the West Wisconsin Dressage Association? They're a local USDF group focused on education, and they were one of the first in the area to add western dressage classes to their shows. Given that they promote dressage eduction, they have graciously offered a promotion of $5 off total entry fees to their May 18 show for anyone attending my May 4 workshop! In return, I'm also offering $5 off registration for my June 15 workshop for anyone who competes at either the May 18 WDAA approved or May 19 USEF shows put on by the West Wisconsin Dressage Association! Even if you've never shown before, come on out to Claddagh Farm - This Old Horse next weekend! Then be brave and enter your first show!

To allow as many as possible to take advantage of this promotion, I'm keeping registration for the May workshop open an extra two days, closing Tuesday April 30.

25/04/2024

Only 3 days left to register for the May 4 Western Dressage Workshop! June 15 registration is currently open as well! Whether you're brand new or wanting to move up, groups and information can be customized to fit the participants!
Clinic is 9-5 on May 4, and if you want to make a weekend of it, add a private lesson on May 5! Stalling available and all stall fees plus a portion of other proceeds benefit This Old Horse, Inc. We look forward to seeing you at Claddagh Farm - This Old Horse
www.RDBalancedHorsemanship.com/events/mayworkshop

15/04/2024

We had a great time learning about Western Dressage and increasing your harmony! We were thankful for the beautiful day that let us ride outdoors as well as the spacious indoor once the wind kicked up in the afternoon! I'm really looking forward to these monthly workshops

12/04/2024

All ready to go for the Western Dressage Workshop tomorrow! Sunny 70s predicted! It's not too late if you would still like to audit. it's also never too early to register for the next one! Registration is open for May 4th and June 15th.

10/04/2024

Have you looked around the warm up arena at a show and wondered, Is this what I need to do to win? Have you watched them go in the show arena and thought, That looks broken. That can't be good over time. Have you struggled to find older, safe horses in your discipline that haven't physically or mentally broken down? Have you wondered if you have to choose between sacrificing your horse's well-being in order to fit in at a show, let alone win, and doing what is best for his health?

Maybe it's time for a change. Choose Western Dressage and see how following the true principles of the discipline and building from the ground up can make your horse better. Choose a discipline where not only can you fit in by doing the right thing, but excel.

Never in my life did I imagine I might win an AQHA buckle, and I did it with a senior horse. Sunny is 24, and earned this award at age 23. He is healthy, sound and happy.

02/04/2024

Our first workshop of 2024 is coming up quickly! Rider registration closes April 5, or sooner when the last spot fills. We do have unlimited space for auditors and you are welcome to just show up, but register in the next 3 days in order to receive all the materials!
https://www.rdbalancedhorsemanship.com/events/aprilworkshop
Registration is also open for the May and June clinics at this time! https://form.jotform.com/232884637402157
https://www.rdbalancedhorsemanship.com/events/mayworkshop

07/03/2024

I'm excited to announce the first three dates of our monthly Western Dressage Workshops at Claddagh Farm - This Old Horse! Learn more about Western Dressage while supporting This Old Horse, Inc.--a portion of proceeds, including 100% of stalling fees, will benefit This Old Horse!

Limited rider slots available, but auditors are welcome! Visit https://www.rdbalancedhorsemanship.com/events/aprilworkshop for more information and https://form.jotform.com/232884637402157 to register for any of the first three dates.

01/03/2024

Guys. I can help you. I CAN HELP YOU. But more than that, my passion is helping you! Messages like this feed my soul. But you have to trust the process, stay the course, and put in the hard work, even when you're alone.

27/02/2024

Some really good information here, and she's providing it for free!

This topic is so important for the safety of horse lovers and the wellbeing of horses. I made this presentation and want you to have it, for your wellbeing and your horse’s. Check the link in the comments to access this. It’s free, no strings, enjoy it and learn!