I want to wish all of you a very happy Easter.  We hope you have a wonderful day!

Had a Great few days with the horses since I returned from SC.

I’ve taken Sarge the Friesian back to basics with speed control and moving forward on command and it’s paying dividends as things are getting softer and less pressure to get desired results, a little ground driving which went really well but until I’m happy with this momentum I’m keeping that in the locker.

Stan the youngster is flying along, started the ground driving and he really is taking to it well, moved out of the rubber bit into a French link snaffle and he’s becoming really soft, slight hesitation and resistance in one eye and we are patiently working through it and each day I’m seeing an improvement. 

Due to the imminent arrival of a foal into the herd I’ve let Seeta the young mare go to pastures new, she really was a disruptive force in the herd, all the horses are much more relaxed.

even managed a few rides on the old girls, ditched the mecate for Richard Boatwright’s flat rein set up and wow they are so good to ride with, thank you for the extended length on them Richard, very thoughtful and definitely needed. 

If you don’t have a set, get some is all I can say! 

I did get them for the wife’s horse but she is not getting them now 🤣🤣

Well maybe a set for Christmas 

Hope your all making good progress 

So tomorrow is my last day in South Carolina before I head back over the pond to Blighty, reflecting on the past week or so spent with Richard Boatwright at the B1 HQ.

What a fantastic trip over again and I can’t thank Richard enough for his time, patience and willingness to explain in detail all aspects of the ES program and share his knowledge on Horsemanship. 

I leave more enlightened than when I arrived yet again with a fire inside me to do better for my horses and just be a better person to be honest. 

Big thanks to Richard, Lilly and of course Gus who Richard entrusted to me for the duration, I hope I have not ruined him too much! 

Watching him rope today made me realise what a great horse he  is when in the right hands and what a poor rider I am! 

Hey Richard! I’m watching the Softening the Older Horse series in preparation to use it with a 12 year old mare I’m restarting. 

Have you had any success in using a side pull/bitless bridle doing the ground driving and other exercises? This mare is extremely unhappy in a bit and it’s something we’re going to work through, but it’s going to take some time and I’m hoping it won’t hold up our progress with this program. She’s great riding in a loping hackamore so she’s pretty responsive without a bit. I figured the side pull would simulate pressure more similar to a bit. 

I was going to try it and just wanted to know what your thoughts/experiences were. Thanks!

Let's all wish Phil Mandelbaum a Happy Birthday!!🥳

I couldn't wait!  I made the ES20 Starting the Rope Horse Series with Caddy live!  Ya'll check it out and let me know what you think.😃

The long-awaited and anticipated ES20 Starting the Rope Horse series launches tomorrow!  Woohoo! 🥳 I can't believe we finally got it done.  I couldn't have done it without the help of my tireless crew!  

I'd like to start some traditions on here starting with acknowledging birthdays.  You guys game?  Post your birthday and we'll send out a gift when it comes around.  I'll start, December 2.  

Hi Richard Boatwright - Loved the musings in your recent newletter about embracing the suck. Sent some excerpts to our three boys (21, 19, 17). Thought it all great life advice. Thank you!

Hey Richard Boatwright getting to the point in training where I want to start neck reining. I was watching the ranch rope series and just wondering if that’s the best one to watch?? If not what series should I be watching for neck reining?? Thanks in advance.