Reflections

Learn how compassion, clarity, curiosity, and openness can transform resistance and frustration in training into trust, growth, and deeper partnership with your horse.

As we stepped into 2026, I found a list of end-of-year reflection questions I wanted to ask my kids. As I read through them, I realized I had answers of my own—answers about family, and answers about horses.

How Horses Shape Us Without Words Some of the most profound teachers in our lives are the ones who never speak a word. For me, one of those teachers was Euglena, a kind and steady gelding who carried me through adolescence. He tolerated my mistakes, my frustrations, and even my misplaced anger with a patience that I only fully appreciate now, years later. He didn’t just teach me how to ride—he taught me about forgiveness, consistency, and the quiet power of presence. “He was

The best trainers I know have one thing in common: they never stop learning. Even when they are teaching, they remain students—of the horse, of their peers, of life itself. Ego is the enemy of growth. The moment we think we have it all figured out, we stop listening, and that is when we stop improving.

Ignoring your true calling creates unhappiness; embracing your passion leads to authenticity in life. There comes a point in life where you can’t keep ignoring the things that make your heart beat faster. For me, that has always been horses. I once tried to step away, thinking it was the responsible thing to do, but the absence left me hollow. Passion isn’t a frivolity—it’s part of who we are at our core. There comes a point in life where you can’t keep ignoring the things th

When my daughter’s riding plateaued, I expected her to push harder—but instead, she reminded me that love for horses doesn’t need to be tied to achievement. Through an honest conversation, she shared that what matters most to her is the bond with her horse, not the progress or comparison. That moment taught me about integrity, joy, and the wisdom our children can give us when we truly listen.

You know that saying about best laid plans? Well, I got to experience just how awry things can go first hand this winter. It was...

One of the first things I noticed about Fox when he arrived at my farm was the way he would “statue” when something in the distance...

It’s that time of year again, when people write and share a reflective post about the past 12 months. I often partake in this ritual, and...

This little known disease often goes undiagnosed in its horse-owning hosts for years on end, as its symptoms are not easily seen with the...

One of the things I often find myself reminding students of is being careful not to contradict themselves in the things they ask of their...

As horse owners, we are faced with a lot of tough choices during our lifetimes. What saddle should I purchase? Is it time to move up a...

I am on a plane from Kentucky to Orlando as I write this, crying even before I begin typing. I am heading back to Ocala after watching my...

The longer I work with horses, the more I can see the connections between various concepts, through and across disciplines, and how one...

I have been having an amazing time with Luna, my hopeful Mustang Classic mare. I have learned so much from her in these past three...

I have a sign in my barn that reads “Gratitude Changes Everything.” I found it at a Dollar Store in Florida a couple of winters ago. I...

So, I have a Mustang now. Her name is Luna, and she is a 6-year-old mare out of the Twin Peaks HMA in California. She is the first wild...

I believe patience, persistence, and consistency are the three most important qualities for any person working with any horse. Together,...

The horseman, Johnathan Field, coined the term “neutral” in reference to a state of being that we seek in our horses when they are...

The 2023 New England Spring Symposium with Tik and Sinead Maynard was a huge success! This year’s new three-day format offered an even...