Forward Thinking Dressage

04/12/2026

Elizabeth Caron doing a super job with Olympia KP, owned by Cynthia Clarke Paolillo.

04/12/2026

The weather is a bit more sun and a little less bluster this morning. 😅

Looking forward to another day of excellent riders and horses!

This is Katie Rodriguez and Eden.

04/11/2026

Off to a super, albeit chilly, start here today in Connecticut! It's great seeing everyone. I'm looking forward to some excellent rides today!

02/25/2026

I’ve been saying that I would put together a reading list for a long time. Here it is. Well, just the beginning…

01/14/2026

Thinking about wintering in The Swamp (Florida)? 😅

This week’s Training in the Right Way breaks down what to prepare for, what not to underestimate, and how to set your horse up for success instead of setbacks if you're hauling south for the winter.

Read the full article:
https://loom.ly/Ogzl4DI

01/14/2026

It’s that time of year again… I don’t miss making that trek! Happy to just live here now!!

It's the time of year when riders participate in a mass exodus from the northern states in favor of riding somewhere that *DOESN'T* make their faces hurt (or their horses attempt to yeet them). Here are some of the things you need to think about if you intend to move horses south for training and...

08/28/2025

This week's article looks at what self-carriage actually is and why the horse anticipating is a good (and necessary) thing.

Or, why it isn’t always “bad” that your horse anticipates. Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier it is to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Although comp...

07/16/2025

I was remiss in posting my first article for July, which discusses spurs-- a topic inspired by a recent conversation with a student of mine in Maine.

I know I have touched on the various aids, both natural and artificial, but I don’t think we’ve had much discussion about the purpose and correct use of the spur.

Given some of the things I’ve seen recently, I think it’s a topic well worth highlighting.

And their purpose and how to use them correctly (rather than like a jerk). Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier it is to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Alt...

06/18/2025

I'm often asked why pulling isn't the answer-- specifically for things like stopping. While there are situations when pulling may be necessary, it is not productive training.

This week's article for Horse Nation explores that.

This week I'm tackling another reader submitted question, this one focusing on why we pulling on the reins is such an egregious sin in dressage. Spoiler Alert: It kind of is. Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns,...

06/04/2025

This week's article discusses the rider's aids-- specifically why it's important to understand that the aids tell the horse what to do, they don't *make* the horse do it.

Aids are meant to tell the horse what to do. They are not meant to MAKE the horse do it. Let's discuss why this seemingly subtle difference is key to effective training. Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns,...

05/21/2025

Instead of taking or giving all the blame, riders should understand that the results of their aids, good or bad, are always the rider’s responsibility (but not necessarily their "fault"). This focus on responsibility is key.

This week's article discusses why:

Instead of taking or giving all the blame, riders should understand that the results of their aids, good or bad, are always the rider’s responsibility (but not necessarily their "fault"). This focus on responsibility is key. Let's discuss why. Dressage training is supposed to be the process of tra...