Grin & Barrett Equestrian Farm, Training/Riding

05/10/2025

This is meant to be Motivational!

I've started being more and more particular on the horses I allow into my public training program. I'm not a fan if they have lost their "natural-ness" and they don't respond appropriately (within reason).

Why you might ask? Because it is far more difficult, on everyone, (and sometimes dangerous!) to teach and train a horse that has *learned* to push on pressure, whether by accident or intent, or not.

When I say a horse doesn't respond appropriately, I mean they don't respond to the "weight of a fly." That's in parentheses because the initiation phase is unique to the individual, but it is relative because ALL horses can feel a fly land, anywhere on their body. The question is do they *stimulate*, or respond to it from us or not?

When I say they have lost their "natural-ness" they do not respond appropriately to interaction with their "pressure zone", meaning you cannot move them away from you (or draw towards you with training), with the ACCURACY and lightness of a wild/feral horse.

This all takes determination, dedication, and discipline on OUR part to teach, coach and train the horse to work WITH us here.

I build a CALM, collaborative communication with both the tactile sensitivity and spacial awareness (pressure/flight zone) of the horse. In my mind there's nothing more that honors the horse or that is more deeply rooted in the nature of the horse, than the pursuit of teaching, communicating, directing and training at these levels, and with these two concepts in mind.

As you head out this weekend with your horse, in these two ways test if they respond appropriately or not, accurately or not...it'll make you *think*, which will continuously make you a better Horseman, and a better trainer.

✌Kalley

P.S this sleepy image is brought to you by OTTB Lacee, my up and coming partner. And one who's "appropriate" responses to pressure were off the charts poor. With a LOT of work, she's getting more and more stable, calm, collected on. her. own...she might actually be able to be something other than a racehorse or broodmare for the rest of her life! 🙌😉

11/28/2024

11/27/2024

So interesting to compare

11/19/2024

I correct my seat and leg while driving too!

10/29/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/HfmefpYmPDcUafY1/?mibextid=WC7FNe

10/21/2024

"A horse that has once pulled on his halter can never be as well broken as one that has never pulled at all. "
~J.S. Rarey in The Modern Art of Taming Wild Horses
Cir. 1856

A Monday Muse:

Taming, Training, and Schooling in its highest form, has always had the POTENTIAL to be another form of Art.

The natural Dichotomy of the horse makes the Art form pursuit a challenge that I believe one can never "master" per se, but one can become masterful at navigating this dichotomy, which is the horse being so intricately sensitive it can feel a fly land and shake that specific skin. While Simultaneously being so incredibly tough enough that they can handily survive the Brutalities of nature; Baking hot, frigid cold, wind, rain, sleet, blizzard snow, hail, insects, diseases, starvation, and predation. And that's not to mention the simple interplay of herd dynamics where hooves collide with bodies at forces that would easily cripple or kill a human, and teeth that tear hide off... simply sometimes all for the fun of it.

If horses have one thing to teach humanity, I believe it's that it is important not to get stuck in the extremes. We can be tender and tought, graceful and intelligent all at the same time.

Handling and understanding the Brute with a much grace and dignity as possible, while simultaneously handling the Sensitivity with the utmost care and foresight, this I believe is where the Art form lies, no matter what sport or discipline we are pursuing.

It's a challenge of a lifetime, but it's the most rewarding one all along that path as well!

Happy Monday,
✌️Kalley

04/17/2024

Nothing could be finer!!! Amazing Atticus with Sarah Dame Farris. These two have come leaps and bounds.♥️

01/25/2024

12/03/2023

I preach this!!!