Cowboy Strong

  The Great Escape Artist: Taming the Elusive Equine We've all been there, haven't we? Standing in the field, halter in hand, calling your horse's name with what you hope sounds like gentle encouragement. But instead of a nuzzle and a willing step forward, you're met with a flick of the tail and the distinct sound of hooves cantering away. Today, for me, that scene ended with me riding a different horse entirely after another unsuccessful attempt to catch my usual mount. Sound familiar? My horse, let's call him " Houdini" (because sometimes it feels like he could vanish into thin air!), has developed a rather frustrating habit of turning catching time into a personal game of "keep away." Some days it's a breezy five-minute affair, other days stretch into a twenty-minute cardio session I didn't sign up for. And then there was that day – the day I fell (thankfully, no serious harm done to either of us), which was followed by a grueling fo...

 Beyond the Saddle: Forging a True Partnership with Your Horse In the world of equestrianism, amidst the gleam of polished tack and the rhythmic beat of hooves, lies a fundamental truth that often separates the casual rider from the true horseman: "The rider must learn to become the horse's partner, not its passenger." This simple yet profound statement encapsulates the essence of effective, ethical, and ultimately rewarding horsemanship, urging us to move beyond passive control and embrace a relationship built on mutual understanding, respect, and communication. For too long, perhaps, the narrative surrounding riding has focused on dominion – the rider exerting their will upon the horse. The image of the "conqueror on horseback" lingers in our cultural consciousness. However, this perspective reduces the magnificent creature beneath us to a mere vehicle, a means to an end. A passenger simply sits atop, directing with often crude or inconsistent cues, oblivious ...