Walter Zettl is one of those rare instructors who cares as much for horses as he does for riders.  I cherish the inscription he wrote in my copy of Dressage in Harmony, from Basic to Grand Prix, wishing my horse, as well as me, luck in our journey together.  That horse is no longer with me, but the journey and Herr Zettl’s good wishes remain.

Doctor of Philosophy in the Glass-Half-Full School, Herr Zettl sees the progression of the dressage horse as a continuum, without the commonly perceived (and sometimes considered impassable) hurdles between levels — even the lower levels.

How refreshing this is, as the bar keeps getting set lower and lower in terms of what is expected of the everyday horse and considered attainable by the everyday rider. This isn’t only true of dressage, it’s also true of jumping, when a horse is now considered something special when he “can do three feet.”

Continue reading →

You may remember my friend the natural horsemanship trainer from this post.  For this friend of mine, the equality between man and horse is paramount.  It’s no surprise that one of her favorite quotes is from Don Vincenzo Giobbe, c. 1700:

…and I whispered to the horse, “Trust no man in whose eye you do not see yourself reflected as an equal.”

In the politics of horsemanship, that’s democracy at its purest.

One might think that all natural horsemanship trainers, at least those known for their kindness, gentleness, respect and trust-based techniques, would see the relationship between themselves and the horse in the same light.

And yes, I know that the phrase “natural horsemanship” holds as much meaning as “natural flavoring” — the chemical concoction remotely derived from something natural, but still made artificially.  Nevertheless, it’s generally acknowledged that Buck Brannaman is the real deal.

Continue reading →

I have learned so much through the years by attending clinics.  My clinic notebooks are filled with observations, sketches and quotes from some of the world’s top trainers.

Although it’s always hard in the middle of a clinic to stop watching and start writing, I’m always glad I did when I revisit those notebooks days, months or years later.

It’s fall again, the best time for a clinic junkie, so I have clinics on my mind.  I thought it might be fun to open my clinic notebooks to you, and share some of their contents, from time to time, as part of my blog.

Continue reading →