Last week I was driving down the middle lane of a three-lane highway on my way to see a new client. A semi was in front of me and there were cars to my left and right. Suddenly, I heard a loud thwunk, my pickup truck lurched forward – as did […]
Terry Golson
Miniature horses are often pasture pets. They’re loved on, but rarely trained. Adorable, but taken for granted. I was brought in to train this massive Percheron cross to walk safely onto and off of a trailer. After two visits to the farm this little guy had a conversation with me. […]
Training Is Fun for Everyone
Everything that we do is behavior. Even breathing – whether you are gulping air in a panic, or inhaling and exhaling in a relaxed yoga state – is a response to your environment and what’s going on in it. Before we do what we do there are antecedents – triggers […]
The Rewarding World
Yesterday I drove Tonka an hour south to the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center Hospital For Large Animals. I’m extremely fortunate to have this world-class facility nearby. Right now, though, the parking lot is a construction site. We arrived to the sound of large and small machines and much commotion. […]
Tonka’s Prognosis
The findings from the X-rays came back and it’s not great news. Tonka has damage to two vertebral joints, one of which is where the nerves exit the spinal column and go down to the front legs. So, on Friday I trailer him to Tufts Cummings Veterinary Medical Center. It’s only an hour […]
Further Diagnosis
Something wasn’t quite right with Tonka. He trusts that when he tells me that he hurts, that I’ll listen and respond. I do. But I don’t always know exactly what he’s saying. It’s even more difficult to hear his message when it keeps changing. At the end of January I […]
Cascading Health Issues
After riding, Tonka and I have a routine. He taught it to me. The bridle comes off and I rub the corners of his lips. They’re itchy from saliva and sweat. He also likes the insides of his lips massaged. Tonka tells me when he’s had enough […]
Thank You Scratches
French Manicure: Barn Manicure: Everyday I go to the “spa.” I get a daily manicure (illustrated above.) There’s also the facial: which is a dirt mask treatment, followed by a soothing baby wipe to the face. Applying ice to joints is known to be beneficial, which is no problem when tacking up horses […]
Barn Spa Treatments
I grew up in a family that treated any achievement as a step to the next, more important, thing. This has its benefits. The world is a more interesting place when you take on challenges. The downside is that you never feel as if what you do is enough. My entire […]