What your donations have done is to give me an ability to have live in care for my mother. It is truly heaven sent. There was no way that I could have done this without your donations. Before you came to my rescue I was caring for my mother round the clock, going on ten days with no sleep. I could not run my business as my mother could not be left alone unattended.

I got two good nights of sleep since the donations came in and I have been able to care for my mother for most of the day today.  And again tonight I will get some rest. I felt all of your arms around me holding me and sending me healing energy. I am so blessed and deeply grateful to all of you.

Most of the time my mom’s spirits are up, but she has had some health issues since she left the hospital that Hospice is helping us with. Last light we watched a movie (The best Exotic Marigold Hotel) with a dear friend.

How I was able to reach out to you for your support came from Mena Canonico, a personal life coach and truly … Read more

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Free Lesson #2

My blog today is on my second free lesson on preparing a horse for bit-less dressage.  As you remember from our first free lesson, my video was on mounting Honey from the fence.  We spent many days on mounting from the fence until Honey began to expect this exercise and enjoy the process. He now thinks that mounting is a grooming behavior that he has come to enjoy. The first time Kai tried to ride him away from the fence Honey fell into his old pattern of being in a hurry and wanted to go faster and faster until I assumed he would have taken off into a full run trying to get rid of Kai.  However, because Honey now has a strong foundation in the Waterhole Rituals we could turn him around. Kai knew not to try to pull back on Honey’s rope because we have been told if you try to stop him he would rear, so I called him to me and he came over in a hurry and Kai then stepped off of him quickly before Honey had time to think.

So we went back to more preliminary exercises relating to halt and … Read more

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A Leader of Leaders

A Leader of leaders is how I see the social roles we all play with one another helps to evolve man to his higher self. I would define the higher self as having a natural inclination to bring well being to others that would activate them to become a care taking leader in their own life. It is all about the leadership that we offer in our every day interactions with one another that plays a great part in the well being of our planet.

I have always been aware that no matter the role we play in society, from janitor to president, anyone can play a part to create more well being in the world at large. When we feel a connection and feel free to respond as leaders we have more of an ability to know when to speak and when to listen, when to act and when to pause, in order to support and strengthen the ones we are bonded with.

Making a Difference in the World

Giving up judgment and discontent helps one to see the actions one can take to make a “difference” in the world. What does this have to … Read more

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I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving Day.

I would also like to thank all of you for reading my blog and supporting me as you have.

I do not have a lot to say this time.  I am busy getting ready for the December Clinic and my mother hurt her wrist and needs my help getting around right now. We thought it was broken, but it is likely a sprain and she is healing very fast. By the time the clinic gets here, she will be fine.  If you have anything you want to share with me this holiday season, I would love to answer any questions on horses or would be happy to hear any stories you would like to share.

I do have a message though for today

We have several people who are sending in videos to get qualified for the Bitless Dressage Course that have not yet taken a course on the Waterhole Rituals with me. This is a prerequisite that I forgot to mention. I apologize for not stating this earlier. I am not just teaching how to ride bitless as a way to avoid a bit, but my course is about developing … Read more

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Calvalia is Back!

Cavalia is back in town and played to a full house on opening night. I was there and got to see another episode of the evolving show. Cavalia has been a favorite horse entertainment of mine for years. The first show featured Frederic Pignon and his amazing horses at liberty with his beautiful Lusitano Stallions. Frederic was marvelous beyond words. After many years the show then featured Sylvia Zerbini with her amazing Arabians at liberty and her flowing connection that was magical. What would be a dream come true would have been able to see them both in a performance together.

This year in San Diego the show consisted of 48 horses with 40 riders and acrobats, but did not offer a headliner. Could it be possible for the show to continue the magic? Simply – “yes”. The horses are the true focus of the show and, again as ever, Cavalia is an amazing spectacular event!

The Show’s Focus

The show this year is focused on the connection shared between horses and humans. It starts out softly to open your heart to the magic and wonder and then builds to a faster and faster pace that offers … Read more

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Here it is what I promised you, the first of the free lessons in how to train a horse for bit-less Dressage.

I chose Honey as the horse to use to show the steps in making a bit-less horse. He is naturally heavy to the aids for he had no breaks and was unwilling to take direction. I think much more is gained in seeing the method being used on a horse that needs training rather than a horse that already knows the method.

Honey is a Morgan Arabian cross and he came to me with some behavior problems under saddle, so I am starting over with him. The problem that people were experiencing was that Honey wanted to be in a hurry when being ridden and if you tried to slow him down, he would rear. Many times Honey would rear for no apparent reason or just because you were on his back. He was a horse with a great big “NO” attitude. However, I saw something in him that was greater than the “NO” he was putting forth towards humans.

I saw a look in his eyes that drew me to him. He appeared to have a great … Read more

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I have been having so much fun back at my ranch training horses with Kai. We have been training from the ground with tack for preparing a horse to be ridden bit-less. We are working with Honey and Maestro. I want to share with you these lessons.

If you are a new reader and have any questions let me know so you can better understand the lessons on bit-less riding. My method offers a unique approach with horses from the very beginning, working first at liberty in an open field or arena rather than a round pen.

The other unique thing about my method is that the rules I follow training horses are different. Most every method agrees to the same rules in how to approach a horse, but almost all the rules you will be following with my method are different. Here is one way in which they are different.

When a horse looses interest or you hit resistance rather than asking again and again until you get what you want, you change the subject to something that your horse would rather do. You never force your horse to give up his resistance or pay any attention to it.

… Read more

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