Author Archives: Jillian

Dressage basics are often taught while using and English bridle and western saddle. Just because your in a western saddle doesn’t mean the maneuvers are any different. You’re just schooling. Relax and enjoy the ride! It’s fun to think about it as a square dance performance. There’s a series of well executed steps and maneuversContinue reading “Western dressage is just square dancing for horses!”

I obtain all my horses through word of mouth. I never shop for horses they find their way to me. I specialize in rehabilitation with diet and fitness plans to achieve the highest level of health in a short time. There’s also training transformations. I often get horses people give up on, deem dangerous orContinue reading “Some of my transformations over the years”

With horses, at a young age, they learn teamwork, the value of family and looking out for each other is vital to their survival. Every aspect and member of the herd plays a key role in the safety of the herd as a whole. Training should be no different. Learn to first communicate with themContinue reading “Build a relationship not a dictatorship”

In 2016-2018 I was sponsored by Horse Guard. I had the privilege of having a plethora of specialized products to better care for my clients horses, personal horses and most importantly my rescues! We are thankful for the generosity of this locally owned and operated company out of Redmond OR. Without them I couldn’t haveContinue reading “Hard work pays off!”

Did you know you can fully train a horse without ever throwing a leg over?! It’s true! Just takes more time and patience than most people want to invest. I’ve done it a few times and once you do put a leg over its amazing how responsive and untainted the horse is! Did you knowContinue reading “Ground work is more than elementary!”

Only then will you have the slightest idea what honesty these creatures possess. They are a mirror of you. You only get out what you put in.

You’ve heard of him here’s the real story. I took on this horse after his owner felt defeated with his care. If I didn’t take him home she was putting him down. I took him home. People said I was taking on the impossible. I’m well aware of the journey we had that faced us.Continue reading “Rooster the horse who was deemed a “lost cause””

I’ve had the pleasure of taking many wild horses from wild to mild. I was their first touch, I placed their first halter on their face, taught them about captivity all the way up to showing them how to be good citizens when riding. This is the most time consuming way of training but theContinue reading “From wild to mild”

All long lasting structures are built on solid foundations. You wouldn’t live in a house with no foundation so why ride a horse with limited ground work? You don’t have to! Ground work is fun and helps develop a stronger bond and understanding with its handler. Everything in the saddle should start on the ground!Continue reading “Be wise, Desensitize !”

Some of us are lucky to have a lit barn on timers and double blanket our horses but most of us don’t have the luxury, nor the time so what do we do? We’ve got these woolly mammoth horses, ready for the next ice age. When you barely work them they are drenched, take foreverContinue reading “Working your horse in the winter”