Online Exclusives
Viva Vaquero – 5th Annual Skills of the Rancho
Skilled horsemen showcase traditional Californios horsemanship and stockmanship methods at annual event. The Californio Bridlehorse Association will host the fifth annual Early Californios Skills of the Rancho. The event honors traditional Californio horsemanship and stockmanship still used by working cowboys today. More than 150 riders of different levels–from youth and novices to top working cowboys and professional horsemen–from California and other western...
European Update from Missy Fladland
Eclectic Horseman contributor Missy Fladland is in Europe for the summer to train and show. She will be sending regular updates about her adventures! The first leg of my journey to Europe has been completed and was successful. Horses and I flew out on a Friday afternoon and arrived early Saturday morning in Amsterdam. Because we were the only horses...
A Revolutionary Way to Learn Anatomy – Build a horse from the inside-out with Jon Zahourek
For more information on Zahourek’s legendary 6-day equine workshops, June 17-23, 2019 in Denver, contact the Anatomy in Clay Centers. “The anatomy is indivisible from understanding your relationship with the horse, if you ask me,” says Jon Zahourek. “And by approaching it so that human anatomy, your own body, is intimately involved with that understanding of the anatomy of your horse,...
Fladland Demonstration at the FEI World Cup 2017
Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt will be honored this year in a unique way at a top international equestrian event. It is a gathering that may seem to be an unlikely venue for celebrating the work of two distinguished horsemen of the cowboy persuasion—the Longines FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) 2017 World Cup Jumping and World Cup Dressage Finals. These World...
Signs Of Readiness: Lesson Success For Kids And Horses
Parents often ask me at what age their children will be ready for riding lessons. In short, my answer is, “there’s no perfect age: I watch for signs of readiness.” Even though a child may be giddy to start riding horses, they may not be truly ready to engage with them. There are several developmental skills required for success with horses. Readiness for horse activities does not come on a certain birthday, and...
Invitational Colt Starting – Legacy of Legends 2017 Event
The 2017 (seventh annual) Legacy of Legends will be held March 3 – 5 at the Will Rogers Event Center in Fort Worth, Texas. This year, the main attraction is an invitation-only colt starting demonstration. More than 30 participants have been invited to start young horses during the three-day event. “Ray’s favorite part of the clinics was always the colt...
Children’s Riding Instructors Are Priceless
Safe, knowledgeable, and fun riding instructors for children are priceless! Finding the perfect teacher for your child can sometimes be a challenge. In order to make your child’s riding experience safe and enjoyable, you must know what to look for in an instructor. There are several important factors to consider when choosing a riding instructor who will inspire and empower your...
Evidence-Based Horsemanship Seminar
Come explore Evidence-Based Horsemanship with Dr. Stephen Peters and Martin Black at their seminar hosted by Sage Creek Equestrian. Dr. Peters, a neuroscientist and horse brain researcher, works in conjunction with renowned horseman and clinician Martin Black to share evidence-based horsemanship. Applying their scientific findings in the neural functioning of the horse’s brain to working with horses will aid one’s...
Bob King and Horse of the Sun Ranch
“We’re working with different groups of the military,” says Bob King, Managing Director of Operations at Horse of the Sun Ranch. “One of the groups we work with is Semper Fi Fund.” Horse of the Sun Ranch, is located in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains 45 miles east of San Diego, California. Bob and the Program Director, Suzi Zielinski,...
Comparable Parts #10 The Lumbar’s Labor
Next time you ride you might consider the hero of weightbearing, your lumbar spine. This segment, between the thoracic vertebrae (associated with ribs) and sacrum (which is part of the pelvis) bears the weight of your body allowing you to sit quietly on your horse yet has enough flexibility to follow his motion. (Photo 1.) The word lumbar comes from...
