MBoss Dressage

14/09/2025

One complaint I hear frequently from riders is “he’s not paying attention to me!”
This is often coming from someone who’s mind is wandering, overthinking, worrying, daydreaming, and the like. If we are not here, and more importantly, if we don’t have a nice feel for the horse to find when their attention is with us, why should they do it?
I often ask riders when they say their horse should pay attention to them - why? Not only does he not “have to,” because he’s bigger and stronger than you are, but paying attention to you over his herd makes him more vulnerable, more at risk, and less safe.

The horse’s main job is to eat and be with a herd for security. When we deprive him of those two things he obviously is going to have some worries and needs to be met. Can you provide security? Can you provide relaxation? Can you provide balance? Can you be in the moment with him?
If not, why should he give you his attention? His security lies somewhere else, and without security, he can’t even begin to care about riding circles.

09/08/2025

23/07/2025

The horse doesn’t care what method you use. He cares how you make him feel while using it.

The war between training methods is exhausting, and it’s hurting the very animals we claim to love.

The industry is drowning in egos.

Scroll any comment section and you’ll see it: accusations, sarcasm, name-calling, and dogmatic preaching, from every side.

Positive reinforcement trainers slam negative reinforcement as cruel and abusive. Traditional trainers mock positive reinforcement as fluffy tree hugging nonsense.

And meanwhile… the horse is stuck in the middle of a war he never asked to be in.

Let’s get one thing straight:
Every single method we use is man-made.

It might’ve been created based on observations of horse behavior. But at the end of the day, they’re still man-made.

Natural horsemanship, liberty, traditional horsemanship, connection based training, positive reinforcement, science based horsemanship, it’s all human-created.

All of it is an attempt to build a bridge between two species. None of it is flawless. They’re tools, approaches and philosophies.

The problem isn’t the method.
The problem is the human.

It’s the person who cares more about being right than being kind, fair and ethical. The trainer who preaches compassion online, but explodes behind closed doors.

The influencer who publicly shames others to boost their own platform.

And it’s all of us watching silently, afraid to speak up because the backlash is that toxic.

This isn’t a game. This is about living beings with fragile nervous systems and beating hearts. The obsession of with being part of the “right camp” has gone so far that we’ve forgotten the point: to help horses live more peaceful, and empowered lives with us.

You can be ethical and use pressure.
You can be ethical and use food rewards.
Any method can be unethical in the wrong hands.

It’s not “R+ vs R-.” It’s not about followers or applause. It’s about doing better. For the horse. For the next generation of trainers and horseman.

For the future of an industry that will collapse under the weight of its own arrogance if we don’t wake up.

Put the horse first. Always. Everything else is just noise.

21/06/2025

Hot weather activities 😅

06/05/2025

Excited to have Boston back in top form to start up some lessons again. I just had a lovely ride on him today and he is feeling great. Huge thanks to Tayler Butterfield for sharing this wonderful guy and for doing a dynamite job with his rehab this winter.

25/04/2025

It's finally nice enough to enjoy our fancy new mounting block! For anyone interested in one of these beauties contact Matt @ https://www.facebook.com/share/19JK4AdDT9/

21/02/2025

If anyone is interested in ordering MBoss Dressage apparel then please contact the wonderful Kiara Lynn on messenger or txt or call her @ (585)645-3348. The link should take you to the price list. I think if we order enough tank tops then this winter will finally come to an end 😅
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTkiBypfY7v5PXNWL5ihlzOCxfyYLyqrKTvf85fB9ocD6pfE_WHiJARvwgJPMjxxZyStbDdZyNpvmVE/pub

29/12/2024

Sorry I wasn't super active on social media this year! Here is a newsletter to recap why 😅

28/11/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from Agatha, Chester and June!

22/09/2024

I'll most likely do another online merch order in the next month or two, but in the meantime I have some leftover stock for sale! Black hats with adjustable Velcro ($10/ea), 1 large black T-shirt ($10), 1 XL burgundy T-shirt ($10), 1 2X black T-shirt ($10), 1 2X burgundy T-shirt ($10), 1 medium grey softshell jacket ($50). Thanks for the support!

08/05/2024

Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club Twilight Dressage series is fast approaching. This year's Tuesday evening schooling shows hosted at Hideaway Farm and Fox Run Farm in Geneseo are on May 28th, July 9th and August 13th. If you aren't planning on riding then please reach out for volunteer opportunities. We are always in need of scribes and stewards. This series is about as fun and low stress as a show can get. If you are a member of GVRDC then the volunteer hours go towards your year end award eligibility. Contact me for more info!

31/12/2023

We survived the first full year at Harmony Hollow Farms. These 6 pics represent a fraction of the time spent on projects in addition to the day to day grind of just taking care of the horses. Everything you hear about owning a boarding facility is true. It's the most time consuming and money sucking venture one can get themselves into. However, I am still amazed every day that I can call this place my own. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this past year especially my fantastic clients and boarders who share in this dressage vision of mine. Looking forward to another productive year in 2024 😁🎉