Rancho del Comienzo

06/08/2025

Virtuosa - little “V” - we think you are quite exceptional! 💙🎶

06/03/2025

She has arrived! Proudly welcoming to the world our first homebred filly by Iceman de Muze (Erco Van T Roosaker x For Pleasure) x Lilly Pulitzer (Rodrigoo VDL x Feliciano) 💚

06/03/2025

She has arrived! Proudly welcoming to the world our first homebred filly by Iceman de Muze (Erco Van T Roosaker x For Pleasure) x Lilly Pulitzer (Rodrigoo VDL x Feliciano) 💚

Special thank you to StillGrass Veterinarians for your expertise in making this happen. And to Hilltop Farm, Inc. for being an absolute pleasure to work with for stallion services.

06/03/2025

Good thought.

I used to think a good rider could get anything from their horse if they just asked at the right time in the right way.

Now I’m starting to understand that a good rider feels innately what is fair to ask and not, and when and why - and so they get what they want by not wanting what they can’t, or shouldn’t, have.

06/03/2025

We had another weekend packed full of challenges and learning, thanks to Cecily Perkins! The theme of the weekend was finding flow and connection with your horse; through the use of planning and thought, and correct and effective aids. As always, we were pushed to be better - for ourselves and for our horses. 💙 Thank you to everyone who came out and rode or audited - your support is more appreciated than you know. And of course a huge thank you to Cecily for sharing her knowledge and pouring her heart and soul into working with us. 💚 Until next time!

05/23/2025

We had such a great time bringing some young ones out to play at the Working Equitation clinic at FVSA with Howard and Erica Peet! It was Summer’s first outing ever, and Brio and Natalie’s first ridden outing together, and Elaina and April prepped for their second show together this weekend 💫 Horses and humans were all excellent!

05/13/2025

Balancing the Young Horse

It’s no secret that a young horse must learn to balance under the rider—but how we help them find that balance can make all the difference. The key is guiding them without overwhelming them.

First, remember that a young horse is not only learning to balance but also learning an entirely new form of communication. Expecting them to understand advanced cues too soon is like speaking to a toddler with adult vocabulary—it leads to confusion and frustration.

We must accept that communication will be limited at first and allow room for mistakes. Many riders focus too soon on achieving straightness, bend, or collection in an effort to get the horse off the forehand. But horses are naturally built to carry more weight on the forehand—80% of the time, that’s exactly where they are. The real issue arises when we trap them in small circles or repetitive exercises, especially if they’re not ready for it.

If a young horse doesn’t yet understand the aids—can’t move off the inside leg, doesn’t follow the feel of the reins, or falls in or out on turns—what’s the solution?

We start by riding forward. Horses are flight animals, built to move. Forward movement gives them a sense of freedom and helps activate the hind legs. That impulsion naturally encourages straightness and allows the horse to reach forward and down with the neck to find balance. Give them time to find their own balance. Balance, suppleness, and mental relaxation are things that can not be forced; they can only be allowed to happen.

Once this begins to develop, the horse will seek a soft, steady contact with the bit. It's vital that the horse reaches for the contact—not that the rider takes it. Prematurely shortening the reins often causes the horse to brace, lift the head, and contract the neck, leading to sore backs, poor engagement, and loss of balance.

Only after establishing a soft contact can we begin to influence the horse’s posture and balance more meaningfully. Start with large, flowing turns. Avoid asking for collection or precision before the horse is physically and mentally ready—this process takes years, not weeks.

Take your time, but don’t waste it. From day one, ride your horse from back to front and let that be your guiding principle. When they’re ready to give more, they will offer it.

05/12/2025

🤩 Shiny, dappled, happy and healthy - courtesy of outside living, quality forage, and Triple Crown Feed ( )

04/28/2025

The really good stuff from this weekend’s clinic with Alicia Landman and Melanie Smith-Taylor may not look like “much” - no obviously eye-catching screen shots - but it is so important and so valuable. Horses and humans learning to be soft, balanced, and confident partners to each other. Thank you Alicia and Melanie for your time, patience, and expertise. And thank you to the whole team at Old Barrington Farm for organizing it all, and being such gracious hosts!