Ask Cari

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.

contact marty@topcatfarms.com for directions and times for the Demo and Meet and Greet the Celebrity horses
there will also be a special pas de deux with Cari riding Bond, and Rex on RJ–not to be missed!

Click here to see RJ and Mr. T are on the morning news in CT where we were teaching a clinic this week.

Another fun day at Windrock Farm with the kids learning to ride the obstacle course,

Vanessa cantered on Bond for the first time and loved it.  Alex and Maddie took turns riding Mr. T with Rex through all of the obstacles. Everyone learned to ride with rhythm, balance and confidence through the cans, noodles, over and under the tarp, the crows and throwing the ball through the hoop.

An afternoon at Windrock Farm after the kids play a game of baseball, practice hitting golf balls and playing capture the flag.  Wyatt celebrated his 12th birthday in style with hot dogs from Four Brothers and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.  Fiona is handing out birthday carrots to the mares.

Cari and Bond demonstrate many of the warm up exercises for the participants of the clinic in New Jersey last week.  Eight riders learned how to improve the quality of the horses gaits through a series of riding patterns to create better balance and rhythm.  Everyone improved and we look forward to seeing everyone again in October.