Ask Cari

Star is a kind easy horse to ride, he is an eight year old Oldenburg gelding with experience in basic dressage training,jumping three feet easily and hacks cross country.  He would be a fun event horse with plenty of scope to move up the levels.  A beautiful fun horse looking for a partner.  Contact cari@cariswanson.com to come try Star.

photo credit:  Phyllis Burchett

I am training Ray Stevenson, the actor who rides in Jayne Mansfield’s Car, a new film written, directed and acted in by Billy Bob Thorton.  Ray learned in a few days how to steer and ride Mr. T for the the scene where he gallops across a sunflower field with his new love interest.  Ray was an excellent student and learned to ride balanced quickly after many exercises like this one where he moves his arm independently of his seat.

Rafa is a big beautiful Hanoverarian mare learning the mounting block exercise with Rex, she is very smart, learning to move when asked and stand quietly.  This is a basic exercise all our horses must learn as part of their foundation training.

Blaze is starting to show his personality more every day, here you can see how regal he can be.  Bugsy is very independent and curious like his daddy, and Blaze is more reserved.  They are starting to play together every day, especially in the late afternoon when it cools down.  Bugsy is now 8 weeks old and a tank, Blaze is 5 weeks old and as tall as his brother.

Another colt by RJ out of Bay Prive, he is stunning and has a sweet disposition, he is very friendly, walking up to anyone in the field.  Bay is a wonderful mama and Bugsy is thrilled to have a buddy to play with.

Webster is an integral part of Windrock Farm and as you can see one of his specialties is hugging, come visit soon and meet the mascot of the farm.  Suzanne Clair Guard captured this image on a recent visit.

Spring riding with Flo and Vanessa at Windrock Farm.  The snow is finally gone and we are enjoying hacks across country watching the buds come alive.

RJ and Mr. T will be giving a demo at 2pm at the Meadow Horse Park in Doswell, VA as part of the 40th year Birthday Bash for the amazing Big Red, Secretariat.  Come visit the park and meet us in the stables, or at the arena.  Check for upcoming demos and clinics on our web site  Swanson Peterson Producions

For those of you who have been following this gifted horse, he has transformed from a known convict to a reformed athlete.  You can always refresh your memory by visiting Tristan-convicted felon on our youtube channel, lexington17.  Subscribe to our channel and watch him continue to progress through our training system.  This is an excellent example of how the correct training can bring out the full potential in any horse very quickly.

Click here for updates on our 2011 clinic schedule

January 24-27 Windrock Farm, Amenia, NY contact cari@cariswanson.com

January 31, 2011 Seven J’s Farm, Glastonbury, CT contact Jeryl 860-614-6028

February 3-10  Aiken, South Carolina contact: cari@cariswanson.com

March 12-20 Equitana, Essen Germany contact Cari@cariswanson.com

April 8-10 Madison, Wisconsin contact: Linda Smedberg smedberg@centurytel.net

April 29-May 1 The Plains, Va contact:  thefineequinestables@msn.com

May 8-9 Wind song Equestrian Center Almond, NY contact: Sandra

Other locations possible-please contact farm if you are interested in attending

Winterwood Farm contact Barb Sanford at winterwoodfarm@verizon.net

New Jersey Horse Park Allyson Jeffery ponyup@optonline.net

Topcat Farm contact: marty@topcatfarms.com

Your horse should see you as the leader of the herd.  From the moment you snap the lead rope on the halter, he should be paying attention to you and respecting your space.  A common error we find is that people let their horse walk past them, on them, push into them, try to nip them for treats and ignore the handler’s personal space.  How your horse reponds to you on the ground will translate under saddle.  If he ignores you light tug to slow down and stay behind you while walking to the paddock, he will ignore your half halts and leg aids.  Set the tone immediately, and be the boss.

Establish rules and laws.  There must be consequences if these rules are broken or the trouble begins and soon your horse will take over.  Remember that you set the tone for your relationship and if you want a safe, confident, respectful horse, you must lay down the law and enforce them at the beginning.

Winter Riding

Does your horse bow to you?  Is he a perfect gentleman, waiting for you to let him know when to move?  He should walk quietly behind you, not running into or over you, stop when you stop and remain a respectable distance from you.  If he is not respecting you on the ground, he will not respect you in the saddle.  Let us know if you need help with your horse, contact Swanson Peterson Productions to schedule a lesson or attend a clinic.

Simon and I take a ride in the fresh fallen snow, staying warm in layers of high tech long underwear.  The horses do not mind the cold at all.  Tony has a thick winter coat to help keep him warm, Mr. T is checking him out.

The Real McCoy is an outstanding athlete with a great mind.  He jumps anything you put in his path, he has excellent ground manners, beautifully trained in dressage basics and he has a charming personality.  McCoy is 15.3, bred out of a quarter horse mare and sired by Makuba, a successful athlete.  He will excel in dressage or eventing or jumping.  Please contact us to try him.

Never raced, intelligent, kind super fun horse.  He would be a great hunter, eventer or all around horse for someone.  This guy has a great sense of humor, excellent ground manners and is very easy and comfortable to ride.  He knows several tricks on command and he is looking for a partner to have fun with.  Contact us to schedule a ride on this amazing horse.him.

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I greatly enjoy teaching kids to ride with confidence and trust in their mounts.  Here is a lesson over our obstacle course which helps them build their confidence and teaches them to deal with any situation.