Natural Horsemanship Instructor
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Barefoot Hoof Care Provider

Something I am loving about having Po is how much he’s teaching us about slowing down and waiting. As I’ve said before, his only purpose in life is to do what makes him happy and to keep Ladigo company. He doesn’t have to do anything on my human agenda, including being pet, if he doesn’t want to. We have a clear agreement with him - we won’t touch you until you touch us first and show us you’re ready. 💜 I love these few photos and the two videos that show his sweet little process of deciding Brian can pet him. 💜 For a while he hovered around us, just out of reach. Observing my cousin brushing Ladigo, his curiosity peaked. Brian knelt down when Po got a little closer to him and then waited. Po looked, yawned, closed his eyes and processed, got closer, sniffed, had another long think, and then the beautiful moment he stepped to Brian and offered to be pet. Then he got into it! It’s the only way he enjoys it. If we don’t do it like this, letting it be his choice on his timeline, he will walk away. We love him and all the peace and presence he brings into our space. And of course, the spunky antics and silliness, where he really lets loose, that is exclusively reserved for Ladigo!

I love watching this mare process her thoughts and feelings, letting go, turning inward, releasing outward, shifting from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic nervous system. I find her fascinating in her expressions, in this moment, when I ask her questions, when the pressure comes on, and when it comes off. She’s thoughtful, reactive, confident, defensive, all within a matter of moments, the epitome of dynamic. I have found just simply being with her and letting her do what she needs to do has been so rewarding in our budding relationship. Watch this with the sound on. The spring birds are delightful to listen to. 🎶 #horsemanship #pnw #lettinggo #andalusian #naturalhorsemanship

This had been the final product of my bridling fun with Ladigo, with a special guest appearance by Bijou ✨ But now that some time has passed I’m thinking about revisiting this and seeing if I could add a little speed to the puzzle. Could he trot up and take his bridle? Could he canter and do it? Looks like I have something to tinker with this spring! 💐 #pnw #minihorse #horsemanship #pony #libertyhorse

Family walk 🐾

Why sit down when you circle your horse? First, why not? It’s fun! 🤩 You’re also practicing mutual trust, developing your horse’s understanding of your request in different “zones” (above, below your usual place), your horse is demonstrating exceptional responsibility to maintain gait and direction, it’s harder for the human to micromanage, you get to practice being particular about your personal space and your horse gets to practice being mindful of it, and a little variety is the spice of life! #pnw #horsemanship #horsetraining #libertyhorse #minihorse

Enjoy the birds singing while Merlin and George have a morning play. I remain fascinated by horse play - their body language, the energy, the communication throughout. There is so much to learn simply by observing. #warlander #drafthorse #pnw

Something I’m really proud of is Ladigo’s bridling. ☺️ He used to feel challenged by the process - from touching his ears to putting the bit in his mouth - but now he willingly participates in the process. #minihorse #horsemanship #pnw #trickpony

The marshmallow has wings! 🪽 #huntthejump #horsemanship #pnw #pony #cremellohorse

Oh, Po 😄

All of these questions were fairly new to Ladigo with the exception of “shake” at the end :) On the circles I am asking him to walk forward with his nose tipped toward me, then when I step in I would like him to start yielding away from me while still maintaining some forward, then back to a 4-beat forward circle. You can see he has an easier time going left. So there’s an opportunity to create more balance in his body so the right is just as easy. Changing eyes and bringing his front end through is a challenge for him with his weak and locking stifles so it’s not as fluid as I’d like but I’m very pleased with his effort and won’t encourage speed or multiple steps of forequarter yield until he feels more confident with just one or two steps of it. Then sideways away and toward. Away we’ve done a lot of, Toward is new and you can see that in the hesitation in his rhythm. Then his grand finale, Shake! #horsemanship #pnw #minihorse #pony #cremellohorse

Playing with Ladigo today focusing on different flexions and yields from a circle and sideways toward.

Took the gang for a walk through our neighborhood tonight. We accidentally timed it just right with the school bus drop offs so needless to say we made lots of new friends. One woman even stopped her car on the road to say that seeing the ponies and dogs out together made her whole day! 🩵

Exciting things are taking place at our farm! Last week we had this beautiful arena put in. After it is fenced, we will be putting up a small obstacle course and planting a few trees in the area around it. Our vision is to be able to provide lessons here on a limited basis to those who don’t own horses, particularly to local youth. Beyond the physical developments to the farm we are working on a few fun and educational community focused ideas! Stay tuned!

Welcome to the pack, Bell! 🔔 Many of you have already met my new little work buddy but I’m making it official by posting her here. Bell is a 12 week old Mini American Shepherd. She is under the close supervision and guidance of Bijou. ☺️ She’s learning how to appropriately act in new places, with farm animals, around horses, other dogs, and people. She’s been such a fun addition to our family and my work day! Thank you to all the barns and private facilities/homes that have welcomed her and are a part of her growth into an amazing adult dog. 🙏🏼

This is our second try at the “Reverse Rockslide”. 👉🏼 The Rockslide as it normally goes is a flow of yields in which you send your horse backward, and while his weight is back and his shoulders are free you yield the forequarters 90° (bonus if you can do this in time with the feet), from there the horse goes sideways a handful of steps before you yield the hindquarters 90° and then back him up again to start the set of yields on the other side. This is a fun and dynamic way to move your horse in all directions, from both sides, while shifting their weight around and getting in time with the feet. You can do it on a rope, at liberty, or under saddle. You’ll notice in its original form you are pushing/driving the horse away from you in all the yields in the Rockslide. ⭐️ This Fjord gelding is Gunnar! He’s a very smart and willing guy that excels at Liberty. I’m always looking for new and interesting questions to ask him. Two weeks ago I asked myself if it was possible to do the Rockslide in reverse. Seemed possible in my head so I asked Gunnar. And he nailed it first try. This is our second try today. 👉🏼 In reverse the yields you’re watching go like this - draw to me, hindquarters toward me, sideways toward me, forequarters toward me, draw to me, repeat on other side. In this manner the Reverse Rockslide is all about draw, the horse is moving toward me in all of these yields. Pretty snazzy, if I do say so myself! 😍

Something I learned a long time ago is that as a horseman you should always carry a knife on you. And not just any knife. A sharp one with a serrated edge. Today I am grateful for that tidbit of knowledge. My horse paws a little in the trailer sometimes. I tie his hay net up really high, the holes are small enough he can’t get a foot through, and he’s barefoot. That being said he’s got great range of motion in his shoulders. Today when I got home with him and opened up the trailer I was surprised to find him on 3 legs, one foot caught way up high in his hay net. Thankfully I had my knife handy. I was able to quickly and easily cut the tie on my hay net to free his leg. He was such a good boy and didn’t panic and let me untangle him while he stood with the divider still closed. It wound up being a non-event and he’s totally fine. That being said had I not had a knife easily accessible and had to dink around hunting for one a bad situation could have gotten worse quickly if he began to fight to escape once I’d opened up the back of the trailer. Moral of the story - always have a sharp knife with a serrated edge on you! You never know when you’re going to need to cut a hay net, lead rope, cinch, rein, twine, or otherwise when you’re with your horse. In an emergency every second matters.

Timber is starting to look like a grown up (and from the right angle and with a little inspiration from a mare maybe an Andalusian!? 😅). Such a handsome boy! 😍 I’m looking forward to drier weather so I can ride at home more and a season full of adventures and growth with him. ☀️🌲

I wanted to make the post in honor of my sweet furry friends that we’ve lost this year. I’ve struggled to find the words to express the void their absences have left for me and for their owners. There really aren’t words to adequately express the feelings of love and of loss. As painful as it’s been I’ve been doing my best to remember that the pain is evidence of having loved and been loved by such an incredible spirit. My beloved Spartagus. My loyal dog of almost 18 years. There will never be another like you. You were a piece of my heart that lived outside my body, we were connected in such a special way. I’ve always said, you were the definition of a good dog. Losing you has been one of the saddest things to happen to me. I am forever grateful that the universe put you in my life. I’ll miss you forever and hope that your spirit is happy and free. Grace, my huge Percheron friend. You were sweet and funny and tried your very best always. You taught me to be more creative in my horsemanship and to be patient and persistent. Romeo kitty, you were loved so deeply by my friend Linda. You brought peace and comfort during difficult times and while I didn’t know you well I admired your beauty and appreciated what you meant to my friend. Sunny, you punky little pony. I thought you were always so handsome and charming. You reminded me to find the humor in your antics rather than get frustrated. I loved your chipper ways and how you’d always greet me at the gate and follow me around. Your family loved you very much. Hug your pets and your loved ones. Life is unpredictable and time with those closest to us is precious.

Thank you for the Christmas treats @nancdoo and @cassie.doo 🎄🎅🏽♥️ The boys loooovvvveeeedddd these @studmuffintreats ☺️

Happy National Day of the Horse to my wonderful ponies, Ladigo and Timber! 🩵

This had been the final product of my bridling fun with Ladigo, with a special guest appearance by Bijou ✨ But now that some time has passed I’m thinking about revisiting this and seeing if I could add a little speed to the puzzle. Could he tro

Why sit down when you circle your horse? First, why not? It’s fun! 🤩 You’re also practicing mutual trust, developing your horse’s understanding of your request in different “zones” (above, below your usual place), your

Something I’m really proud of is Ladigo’s bridling. ☺️ He used to feel challenged by the process - from touching his ears to putting the bit in his mouth - but now he willingly participates in the process.

#minihorse #horsemanship #pnw

The marshmallow has wings! 🪽

#huntthejump #horsemanship #pnw #pony #cremellohorse

All of these questions were fairly new to Ladigo with the exception of “shake” at the end :)

On the circles I am asking him to walk forward with his nose tipped toward me, then when I step in I would like him to start yielding away from

mobile instructor serving the greater Seattle area

Lessons & Training: Specializing in foundation training for all disciplines, providing life skills and enrichment for horses of all ages including retired or semi-retired equines via creative tasks that inspire deeper communication and problem solving skills

Hoof Care: encouraging proper movement and longevity of soundness by trimming to the individual horse’s needs, specializing in helping horses that are fearful or resistant to the farrier

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