Just bragging. I’ve posted about my 5 year old orphan foaled mare who I bottle fed and who was acting violent and just had a lot of feelings. Today be conquered the arena in the open space. Our goal was to just walk around, do some halts then we could be done. She was excellent! No drama. The last few months she’s able to really learn to rely on me for support when she’s frustrated. She is regulating her emotions better and just plain has a better attitude about working. She’s still sassy, and has her days but she’s been completely willing. She is also coming back to me, when she’s upset. Which before we’d blow up, and about fall on the floor. So the program is working, extra slow for her but she’s trying on her time! Thanks Richard!

Also anyone have any tips to standing tied on our own? We no longer paw, but we dance around and scream because we’re alone. She gets herself all worked up. Hobbles, chains, feed, standing all day, nothing seems to make her chill. Let me know!

Looking for experience and advice on sheath cleaning. Does anyone train the horse to do it or do you just have the vet drug them? Is there any non-rinse product that is safe for sensitive horses?  Asking for a friend.... 🐎

Has anyone tried a Missing Link Snaffle? I'm thinking back on the quote about "Why are there so many bits - because none of them work." Seems like this one has clear benefits but looking for anyone's experience with it. 

Just for a bit of fun but with an interesting point to make, my good lady today went on a horseback archery tester day, I played groom for the day, her ride today was Flicker, her 27 year old Vanner who only last year converted from English to Western riding, not just tack but also riding method, a forward horse at times and nervous but she has done a few Clinics and has taken to non contact and pressure free riding well having previously been ridden full contact and constantly on the bit. 

All the other attendees were 100% English riders in every way, and not 1 of the 5 others could sit at standstill with no contact on the bit and shoot an arrow without having to mess around with reins and be out of balance, the worst horse was dancing around and bolting. 

If I ever doubted the decision to change our riding style and follow new principals like Richard teaches then today was vindication, other people were saying oh well she is just a relaxed horse and not wanting to acknowledge a different approach makes a difference to a horse that used to be highly strung! 

Now I have to buy her an archery set as she has the bug! 

Hi Richard really enjoying your videos and gaining some new techniques. My wife just brought home a 4 year old Off Track Thoroughbred. I have got her in round pen a couple of times now, but she pays absolutely no attention to the flag. Am I wrong with starting her at zero as if she was a colt? Should I move on to on-line training? Any tips on working an OTB. 

Well my wife and I took a couple of our horses off property,  out of the arena, away from flag and cow work to do something they've never done this last weekend. We did an obstacles course trail ride. They've been out trail riding and have done obstacles before but never combined with other horses and people like this in a place they have never been. It was actually fun. We really wanted to challenge then and let them succeed at something different. I wanted to pass along that since I've been incorporating Richard Boatwright technics I've seen great improvements in our horses, but I didn't realize how much they've improved till this weekend. They were calm, stayed connected with us through scary things, speed control was there. The were several things that impressed me but most are how much more confident and brave they are. They still have a long way to go with a lot to learn but its nice to see them growing up.

Richard, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

It feels like spring around here.  Anyone else enjoying the weather?

Mamaw and Marshall finally got outside. Starting off with a walk about. 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday morning!  

Just wanted to give some feedback Richard Boatwright on your weekly emails, I like to call them “Richard’s Ramblings” and that’s meant in a complimentary way, really useful incites and quite often thought provoking texts, I for one do appreciate them and I know how busy you are on the ranch and how much time and effort and thought you put into your horses, thanks for taking the time to send out these emails