I'm a stable owner, horse trainer and riding instructor. I am also sometimes a stall cleaner, tack cleaner and general barn help. I plan the lessons, pick the school horses, buy the tack, drive the tractor, run the business, answer the phones and do the accounting. I sometimes wear the hat of vet, farrier, counselor or therapist. The days get long and crazy but are always … [Read more...] about “A Day in the life of a Stable Owner”
True Horse Stories
It’s Just A Chair…
It’s just a chair. It’s made of white plastic, reclines for impromptu naps and folds up for easy storage. To all the world, a very unremarkable item. It was purchased at a discount store with the help of Dad. A humble, folding chair just like thousands of others. But this isn’t just an ordinary chair. This chair was changed. This chair was improved. This chair is … [Read more...] about It’s Just A Chair…
I Don’t Wanna and You Can’t Make Me!
"I don't wanna and you can't make me!" Has your horse ever said this to you? I know mine have! They stop, go sideways, back-up, even run away. It's called Avoidance Behavior... Avoidance behavior is anything a horse does instead of what they are supposed to be doing. Let's say you are taking your horse "Duke" to the wash rack for a quick hose down. Once you have … [Read more...] about I Don’t Wanna and You Can’t Make Me!
Once Upon A Time…
What’s the most important thing to teach your horse? In my humble opinion it is to stop when asked. The all important Whoa. Or Ho. Or Stop. Or you can even say Snicklefritz if you want, as long as your horse knows that means they have to stop moving. As in stop moving their feet/legs/ neck/ body/ all of the above. It’s the first thing I teach all my riding students. I always … [Read more...] about Once Upon A Time…
Honesty’s The Best Policy?
“Honesty is the most single most important factor having a direct bearing on the final success of an individual, corporation, or product.” Ed McMahon A few years ago I had a client named Delores who owned a horse named Rebel. Rebel was a nice enough horse but he was a small, very flashy palomino tobiano paint. Delores had purchased him as a yearling and she … [Read more...] about Honesty’s The Best Policy?