Ask Cari

This famous stallion is in the pedigree of both Riviera and Rascalla, two of our

exceptional young horses at Windrock Farm.

Rotspon is the grandsire of Rascalla, who is an amazing mare who came to us last

summer.  She is an uber athlete with a calm intelligent mind.

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.

Sandy, Ryan and Shannon visit Windrock Farm for the weekend, we have a great time hacking across the road to Wethersfield, eating too much and clipping the dogs to look like lions.  Rex cooked delicious steaks for all and we enjoyed the beautiful summer evening in the shade garden.

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.

Every child’s dream Birthday Bash at Windrock Farm with an amazing show of the Hollywood horses by Rex and an opportunity for all of the kids to sit on the horse couch.  The parents have no idea how special and rare this is.  There was a bouncy castle for them to jump around in and delicious food catered by Pigs Can Fly.

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.

We have been working on many different breeds of horses with a variety of issues to correct.  This walking horse was a champion in the show arena and is now a trail horse.  Because of his training for the class caused him to have flashbacks while mounting and moving off for the first few steps.

We have been working with Chiller to build his confidence to stand quietly and not panic in the first step off.  He is improving every day and is incredibly comfortable to ride.

Cari ~ “I just wanted to let you guys know that Arabel had a massage tonight and was so relaxed after today’s session that she actually fell asleep on the cross ties.  Arabel is usually grinding her teeth and pawing on the cross ties.  Wow ~ what a difference already in just one session. AMAZING!!” –Karen

This young TB mare was rescued from the killers, finding a new home in a luxurious barn in NY.  She had some baggage from her experience at the track and everyone was giving up on her with the exception of the one person who believed in her.  Karen called us as a last resort and after meeting this mare, we believe she was simply misunderstood.  A highly intelligent mare with outstanding bloodlines, she completely transformed after one session of desensitizing, we will continue to work with her and build her confidence so that her owner can enjoy safe fun rides in the near future.

We believe all horses benefit from this easy lesson in building confidence.  All of our horses, young or old, go through this important lesson as a foundation to their training.  .

Passion for horses led to birth of production company
2/13/2011 6:27 PM
By BEN BAUGH
Staff writer

It seems Cari Swanson and Rex Peterson were destined to become professional horsemen, and the confluence of circumstances, people and events brought them together.

The horsemen are in Aiken teaching at private barns and performing demonstrations at different locations in the area with horses that some may have seen on the big screen – RJ, who appeared in “Hidalgo,” and Mr. T, who was featured in Dreamer and “Secretariat.” The two formed Swanson Peterson Productions two years ago.

They met after the film “Hidalgo,” and RJ brought them together, said Swanson, who is based in Amenia, N.Y.

“It was a coincidence; one of my old roommates had worked with Rex on the movie ‘The Horse Whisperer,’” said Swanson, who grew up around horses. “Margaret (my roommate) kept on saying, ‘This guy is nuts about horses like you are.’ Horses were all I cared about. I was working in publishing in Manhattan; we shared a weekend house, but every weekend I came out to ride my horse. It was obviously a passion.”

Swanson dismissed the idea of meeting anyone involved with horses, and, years later when she was watching “Hidalgo” and she was looking for another horse, she saw Peterson’s name come up in the movie’s credits. Swanson contacted her old roommate to see if she had kept in touch with Peterson and still had his number, and she placed a call to the California-based horseman.

Through his trick and Roman riding, he eventually got to meet and work for one of the world’s legendary horse trainers, whose influence and universal respect as a horseman far exceeded his work in Hollywood, Glenn H. Randall Sr.

“He said, ‘Any friend of Margaret’s is a friend of mine. I suppose you could come out and meet him (RJ),’” said Swanson. “I talked to him for two years, and I convinced him to sell him to me.”

When Swanson realized RJ was so well-trained and a trick horse, she needed to have Peterson, who grew up in the ranch country of Nebraska, along with her when she was conducting clinics.

“He was helping me with my dressage, jumping and eventing riders and helping to solve problems, and it was at that time we decided to build a business,” said Swanson.

The horsemen conduct clinics nationwide and have a television show in production, “Taking the Reins with Rex and Cari,” said Swanson.

“The television show is about training horses, our methodologies, our training techniques but also teaching the owner, the rider and the trainer,” said Swanson, “We have a trailer; we’ve been shopping it around, and we’ve been getting a tremendous reception. We want to find a home for it.”

The horsemen place a great deal of emphasis on horsemanship, solving horses’ behavior and training issues and improving communication with their horses, teaching the people they work with rhythm, balance, confidence, getting them to understand what they’re doing and how to apply it, said Swanson.

Another training demonstration will be held around 3 p.m. tomorrow at Buckleigh Farms at Rt. 302, 4455 Wagener Road. A training lecture and slide show will also be held this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Hunt Room at the Willcox.

To set up a training appointment with Peterson and Swanson, contact them via e-mail at cari@cariswanson.com. Training costs $100 an hour.

Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.

Here are Rex on Mr. T, Cari on McCoy and Ryan on Brownie at the Aiken Training Center for a clinic and demonstration on training horses for all disciplines.  A crowd of over a hundred people came out in the rain to meet these amazing horses.

Meet Rex and Cari working RJ/Hidalgo and Mr. T/Secretariat at Buckleigh Farm on Wed at 3pm in the covered arena.  Learn how Rex trains horses for film and watch these amazing horses work at liberty and under saddle.  The farm is located on Rt 302, 4455 Wagener Rd, Aiken, SC 29805

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.

Arctic Bright settles into his new stable in California after a long drive from Lexington, Ky where we picked him up.  Arctic is a pure white TB, with pink skin and dark eyed.  He is charismatic, athletic and quite the character.  Here he is having breakfast in bed after the long drive.  For more information, read here.

Bred in Oregon by Darlene Knight, Arctic Bright is the first foal out of the Reign Road mare Mesa Queen. He hails from the family of 1975 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Foolish Pleasure.