Boomer, a troubled horse who learned to trust. “First, do no harm.” Doctors have to take this oath before they can call themselves...

“I saw a stop sign, and it occurred to me that just as no one expects a stop sign to stop a car, I shouldn’t expect words to substitute...

My beautiful office. Thank goodness I can still go to work. Like most of the world in this surreal spring of 2020, New Mexico is under...

Yesterday was the kind of warm, sunny day we don’t often get in March here in New Mexico. I spent most of it riding without puffy down...

Esperanza, a mare who appreciates my efforts to work less. I’ve worked hard all my life. In my early twenties, I spent several years...

I’ve built my reputation as a trainer on training horses that are no one’s idea of good dressage prospects. I work with horses who have...

When my back is tense, my horse's back will be, too. When my back is relaxed, my horse's back will be, too. Some time ago, I watched a...

Esperanza, the first time I swing a leg over her back. We are aware of each other, but we're calm. Some horse people don’t make earning...

Horses have taught me to quiet my mind. Horse enthusiasts use a variety of the English language that diverges from the mainstream...

Renegade and I, neither of us perfectly positioned, but enjoying each other's company. “Any knowledge that doesn’t lead to new questions...

"Words are the source of misunderstandings." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) Teaching the language of the aids starts from the ground I've...

I feel lucky to make a living doing what I love. I spend most of my time riding horses, six days a week, most weeks, working with eight...

When I ask my students what their most important goal is, they will say: “I want to have a good relationship with my horse.” Most of the...

We all want to become better riders. Working with a good instructor is an important part of learning how, but it takes more than that....

I spent last weekend at a horse show in Albuquerque. Three days later, I still feel utterly exhausted. Why? Let me explain: A useful...

What is a good teacher’s long-term goal? In a nutshell, to become superfluous. Most of us who train horses and riders would love it if...

Cami, a very thin-skinned mare, figuring out her sweet spot I’ve been called too sensitive all my life. Raised voices make me...

As a horse trainer, I admit that my chosen career has its share of ethical issues. Horse owners who are having a difficult time with...

Eight years ago, I started running ultramarathons, i.e. foot races longer than 26.2 miles. I had just turned 40 and was suffering from a...

Young Cami, taking her Western dressage test seriously. I think of riding as communication, a dialogue between horse and and human. Just...