What's New?
Sweden - August 2011
Some good friends of mine, and fellow trainers, Gail Pearles from New York, Karen Musson from Ohio, and I, were invited to visit and continue our studies with Leslie Desmond in Sweden this summer! This included time, hands-on and under saddle, with Leslie's Russian Orlov, Vamos, her project horse of seven years, as well as a trip to a nearby Icelandic farm with various horse handling experiences there, numerous demos and Q & A sessions with Leslie & last but certainly not least, a wonderful riding adventure in the wilderness on native Swedish cold bloods at Kalvefalls. Olle Forsell of Kalvefalls provided gentle giants which we were able to ride at all gaits, including a gallop through the beautiful forest. They also provided delicious meals, including one lakeside meal, cooked over the fire inside a teepee! This scrumptious meal was followed by a viking bath (hot tub) and then a peaceful moonlight ride back to the farm, the only sounds being the horse's hoofbeats and the stirring of Moose. See my links page for more info on riding at Kalvefalls!
Adventures in Sweden
Some Gaited Horses in for Training Over the Years at Misty Valley Farm
Here are some of the gaited horses that have come for training, starting under saddle, or getting re-started. Their owners were drawn to horsemanship through feel and release because the approach applies to all equines, regardless of breed or riding style, and it allows for the horse to develop, at the individual's own pace, natural collection under saddle.
Kodak, Chilly, Zane & Feather
Winter 2010
Here is a collage of pictures following up with Abbey's training, and
Joanna Christion's Internship at Misty Valley Farm which included her Friesian Sport Horse Seven & Gypsy Vanner Banjo. For more on
Joanna's Internship see Customer Testimonials.
Follow-up with Abbey; Internship with Joanna, Seven & Banjo
February 7, 2010
Well, It's been a while since I've taken the time to put something together for this page! That is because I'm spending LOTS of quality time with various Equines and their people. Here is a slide show of one of my latest projects:
By the way . . . Horsemanship Through Feel works for Mules too!
Abbey's First Ride
This was not, by any means, our first day together. When I first began with Abbey, it was from ground zero. This is a sample of one day where everything came together in understanding for her first ride.
Off to a great start!
October 24, 2008
MONTANA COLT STARTING WITH LESLIE DESMOND
I've just returned from an outstanding colt starting clinic at the Flying D Ranch, outside of Bozeman, Montana with Leslie Desmond, co-author with Bill Dorrance on "True Hormanship Through Feel". Participants and auditors were from Sweden, Norway, Italy, Wales as well as Oregon, Ohio, Montana, Colorado, and Tennessee.
A point taken:
While working with Leslie, learning about feel, we are repeatedly placed in the position where we are unable to easily or unconsciously slide into the use of force or muscling the horse through and therefore must rely on developing our feel, release, clarity of intent, and sureness.
Some examples are:
- Sending, energy aimed away from the horse, behind him at the space you claim for yourself
- Backing, with fingers straight, lifting the knot under the halter
- Having the horse catch you and put his nose in the halter hole
- Releasing the horse with your leg as opposed to kicking
- When bridling, hold the foretop and raise bit with thumb of right hand
- Focus on unbridling and spitting out the rope or bit
July 2008
What an opportunity to introduce a colt to a great start through feel. It is a great time for me to be able to handle foals and coach their people on foal handling. These youngsters enjoy exploring what we have to offer them through this approach and are set up for success in their future as well.
These next two pictures show Touche learning to step the hindquarters over through feel and release.
PB'S JAMMER
foundation Quarter Horse colt
Jammer is leading up free, with a float in the line.
Jammer has been finding it to be a good idea to step on and off the trailer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________CALIFORNIA TRAINER'S CLINIC WITH LESLIE DESMOND
November 2007
I am excited to announce that I have just returned from an exceptional instructors and trainers clinic with Leslie Desmond in Aguanga, CA. The theme was "Raising the Bar" in both our teaching and training.
A wonderful and most supportive group of individuals from across the United States and several countries participated in this "first of its kind" experience.
Read on to learn more about this adventure in horsemanship . . .
from left to right: Leslie Desmond, Lisa Popowich, Gail Hazer, Carie Olson, Yod Neal, Karen Musson, Kevin Sadler, Rayna Granger, Our hostess: Kerry Barham, Jane Young, In front: Robin Davis, Katelyn Kent - Missing: Vickie Tait
Leslie and Rayna Rayna riding Dusty
After having developed a great respect for the approach and teachings in “True Horsemanship Through Feel” by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond, I have taken advantage of several opportunities to study with Leslie. The first of which was riding in a series of demonstration clinics at the Equine Affaire held in Columbus, Ohio in April of 2007. The last, but not the least of which, was attending the Trainers and Instructors clinic at the Four Points Ranch, Aguanga,CA in October of 2007.
The clinic hosts of Four Points Ranch were wonderful. The setting offered everything from beautiful sunrises and sunsets, a tremendous outdoor arena, and ample trails with great footing for a gallop to boot. The group in attendance, both riders and auditors, were totally supportive and encouraging of one another throughout the clinic. This was the tone set for Leslie’s teaching and she took her time demonstrating, leading by example and offering her methods of release that work so well for the horses.
I was provided with two fine horses during this self-discovery and experiential learning course. I will offer these methods that I have begun to put into practice as well as all of my past experiences to both my students and horses as well.