As I was suturing up my horse’s leg, it dawned on me… how many of us are either unprepared or unsure of how to handle an emergency situation? Are we paying enough attention to spot the signs of colic before it is too late to effectively treat it? Do we have the relationship with our [...]

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For those in the know, Philippe Karl is one of the modern Masters of Classical Dressage. For those who do not know, he will just seem a foreign concept. Perhaps it is time you learned more about this modern Master of the Equestrian Arts…  Now you can read his article “Taking Over Equestrian Culture” online.

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Perhaps fitting, yesterday was my birthday, and I was born in the year 1984… the same year that Reiner Klimke scored the Olympic Gold Medal aboard his Westfalian gelding, Ahlerich. Here is a tempting video, highlighting their victory lap at the Olympic Games.

And, in case you weren’t privy to the show live or watched it [...]

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Ever have the curiosity about someone who not only pursues academically, but artistically, that of Classical Dressage? The haute ecole, equestrian art, etc? Bettina Drummond, an American, student of Nuno Oliveira… Here it is for you, hope you can understand French. Cest la vie!

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I got this question posted and wanted to address it directly. Perhaps this will help anyone else with the same problem!
Dani Writes :
“I am currently exercising a very difficult horse. He is not vicious, but is very difficult to catch.
When i go into the field, I approach him quietly, give him a pat and slip [...]

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Wondering if you have good timing, good rhythm? Wondering why I am writing something that perhaps has more in common with music than riding a horse? Good question! Riding is so well connected to music and dance, but that connection is so easily forgotten. The way in which we move our body, the timing of [...]

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Are you a Negaholic? Even in disguise? Negativity is addictive, and can present itself in so many ways. Perhaps you are already aware of it, the first step, and now you are looking for a way to release those negative thoughts. Whatever the case, we came here for Change.. so how are the two linked [...]

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For anyone not familiar with the french mastery of equestrian theater, The Theatre Equestre Zingaro is perhaps the epitome of horsemanship made into art and displayed in a public theater. It’s latest production, Battuta, appears to leave one wanting only for more horse theater!

And for those wanting still more, you can attend the Académie du [...]

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I have been in commensurations about the fact that I need to purchase a new saddle pad or two for the last couple of months and procrastinating in one way or another over actually just spending the money and getting something. It isn’t about the money, let’s face it, buying a quilted dressage pad is [...]

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It isn’t because I love picking on competitive Dressage, it is because it is prevalent in competitive Dressage since it is right in front of us, that I can point to the examples so easily seen. False forms of collection abound in every arena however, and it isn’t because it is more fun to fake [...]

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What can be said about one of the most prized elements of a well trained horse, that of a well-executed, light, balanced and beautifully collected piaffe? The stepping stone from basic gaits to airs above the ground, and while it is so sought after it also continues to be one movement that is considered difficult [...]

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According to each rider, equitation or horsemanship has a different meaning. Some popular themes run along these lines:

Encyclopedia Britannica - (horsemanship)Art of training, riding, and handling horses. Good horsemanship requires that a rider control the animal’s direction, gait, and speed with maximum effectiveness and minimum effort. Natural aids are a rider’s balance, hands, voice, and [...]

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The horse gives us all of the information we need in order to succeed in eliciting the highest level of movements and purest form of grace from him, if we but listen…
As riders, as humans, as members of society, listening is often a lost art. It is something we often long to receive from other [...]

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