Ask Cari

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Remember the film Sylvester?  This was a famous horse film from 1985 about a young girl who becomes a successful eventing athlete with her gray horse.  Several horses trained by Rex Peterson played the role of Sylvester.  Supertramp was the amazing show jumper seen here sailing over a very wide truck.  He came from the show jumping world because he refused to jump in spite of his amazing talent.  Rex re-schooled him for the film, helping him find his confidence again.   This film inspired many young riders to compete in the world of eventing.

As you prepare for the eventing season, it is important that you study the new rules and be prepared for your competitions.  Take this down time in the winter to read the new rules.

And go out and rent Sylvester if you have not seen it in a while to inspire you for the new season.

You can see how Cache Jr. is gaining more and more confidence walking the plank, he is very careful to put his feet on secure footing.  This kind of extreme training takes hours of practice and patience….it is amazing what you can teach your horse if you take the time to explain to him what you want and give him the opportunity to learn to have the confidence.

Check out the latest article about Rex in Saddle Up Magazine

QUESTIONS FOR REX PETERSON

1. When did you realize you had a special gift with horses? When working on the  Black Stallion I realized that I had more ability than others
2. What was first movie you worked on – and have any of your training methods changed (along with the demands of filming)  Electric Horseman, I continue to learn and hone my skills learning from each horse in each situation, each horse is an individual and teaches me something new
3. What part of training a horse for TV/Movies would you say is something every horse owner should know?  The meaning of the word Whoa
4. What was the most difficult scene with a horse you had to especially train for? Burying a horse alive for a  Procol Harem music video
5. How hard is it to find the “right” horse for TV and movies? Sometimes it is extremely difficult, sometimes they just show up when you need them
6. Have there been any truly special horse(s) in your life? Hightower (read articles under press on web site www.swansonpetersonproductions.com) Justin, RJ
7. Who was your mentor and why? Glenn Randall, Sr.  because he trained horses to do what was thought impossible and taught me to do the same
8. Where can we find information about the training videos you make?  web site, www.swansonpetersonproductions.com
9. Is it harder to work with horses or actors riding them? Without question the actors because they do not always listen or do their homework, the horse can read their energy, I can control the horse at all times not the actor

10. What is the next TV project or movie you are working on and we can watch for? A Horse Training TV series showcasing extreme horse training along with teaching people how to achieve immediately success in communicating more effectively and clearly with their horse to solve  simple problems such as loading a horse, leading a horse, handling a horse, breaking and training a horse,  Disney’s “Secretariat” with Diane Lane starring as Penny Tweedy

Does your horse stand quietly in the cross ties, does he wait patiently at the mounting block, does he step off only when you ask him, is he on your aids when you ask him to go, whoa, move laterally?  If not, come to a clinic this Spring and learn how to teach your horse to be so obedient, even a monkey  could ride him.  Check the web site for dates and availability.

In spite of the cold winter snow day, fans of Hidalgo and Secretariat came out to watch Rex work his two famous equine actors. To find out when you can meet Rex and his horses, check the Clinic Schedule

As a kid, Rex Peterson rode Trick horses and ponies–this one is Motor Scooter, performing at Rodeos and events across the country with his family.  Click here for more Photos from the archives.

Does your horse have perfect ground manners?  Does he listen to you and respond IMMEDIATELY to your request?  Is your horse happy in his work?  Do you cross train him to build up multiple muscle groups?  Does your horse stop on command in any situation?  If not, check out  solutions to common horse training solutions.

Cari Swanson riding Mr. T looking over Ryan Gaum and Rex Peterson at the New Jersey Horse Park.

Rex Peterson recently sold out a horse training clinic at the New Jersey Horse Park. There was a mix of people teaching their horses tricks like the bow, yes and no and riders wanting to learn to control their horses more effectively. Everyone left the clinic with more knowledge and learning new excercises to help their horses work with them in a better partnership. To attend a clinic, contact www.swansonpetersonproductions.com to sign up.

6 year old gelding, 15.3 American Warmblood, athletic with elastic supple gaits, currently schooling cross country and first level dressage, kind gentle horse with excellent ground manners and a generous personality. McCoy plays soccer, bows, says “no” and learns everything quickly. A super smart horse with endless potential, an excellent family horse or partner for anyone looking for a safe, sound, fun horse.

Wyatt takes his daily lesson on RJ, his favorite horse at Windrock Farm. Wyatt is visiting for a month from LA.

Al I can say is Thank you so much Rex and Cari for your wonderful job and safety you gave Tye. He was terriffied of the monster horse trailer that bites, but you guys showed Tye the way to over come his fear of the trailer by being gentle and patience and so understanding about his fear. Tye had a bad experience in the trailer and he never forgot it. I tried for years to help him over come his fear but to no avail I couldn’t do it. People told me to get rid of him he’s never going to trailer, he’s a waste of time,i was just about to give up till Rex and Cari took Tye into there hands and worked with him and with there knowledge and huge hearts they showed Tye the way and NOT to be affraid, its a good thing to be inside the trailer. The horse knowledge they have is a unbeleivable site to watch. I am know bringing Tye all over with out any problems at all!

Thanks to Rex and Cari at Windrock Farm I have a new horse that is in the same body. I thought this would NEVER happen in my wildest dreams and I am know laughing at all the people who told me to get rid of him. I want to say from the bottom of my heart Thank You so much for helping Tye find his way through his fears. You guys are remarkable, awesome horse trainers/people and words will never express my feelings towards you and your training. I will recommend Rex and Cari for any kind of problems you might be haveing. They have the blood of a horse and the will of the horseman and a 1 in a million master horse trainer Thank you for putting faith and heart back into Tye and me and with your help and kindness tye is know a horse that can do it and trust me to do it. I will never have enough words to say how much we look up to you wonderful people.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Tye and Heather Poughquag NY

I have had the privilege of learning about horses and riding from Rex Peterson, and the good fortune to watch up-close the remarkable results he achieves with even the most challenging of horses and riders. He has guided me through the movies “Hidalgo” and “Appaloosa”, and I have been lucky to become his friend and ride many miles in all sorts of conditions with him. He makes his job as horse-master look effortless, but those who have trained under him over the years know it most assuredly is not. He does appear to have a gift for “reading” people and horses, always finding the most suitable teaching approach in each situation, but he works extremely hard every single day, often for many hours at a time. He has an iron will, and will not quit on any horse or rider, but is remarkably patient and leads with a steady and kind hand. One of the most helpful bits of advice he passed on to me – which can be applied to working with horses and to life in general – is “go slow to go fast”. He would never, unlike others not as gifted or patient in his line of work, rush things unnecessarily or ever ask anyone to do something he was unwilling to first try himself. He invariably has the safety and well-being of his horses as his topmost priority. He speaks highly of his own legendary teacher, Glenn Randall, Sr., often saying that he will never know as much as his mentor did. Although I never met Mr. Randall, I cannot imagine anyone asking more of themselves or getting more out of horses and riders than Rex Peterson does. I look forward to working with him again soon.

Viggo Mortensen

Rex will be teaching a clinic at Windrock Farm this weekend, June 19-21, bring a horse to work with him or come watch him work RJ/Hidalgo at liberty at 3pm on Saturday.

contact cari@cariswanson.com for details