BTG Horsemanship

Some good info here on what Steve and Jeff observed at the dissection with Sharon May Davis

Beautiful day to get out and enjoy the sunshine! Lisa and Pony got to enjoy some driving time outside at today's lesson. Enjoy these lovely pics and videos.

Horsey Fashion Show, Round 2. (Yes, my horses have a lot of clothes.)

Today, Lisa was introduced to the wonders of the sleigh ride. She may never be the same.

Today's lesson with Lisa. Precision work with cones, and practicing 90 turns. Bitless, barefoot, open bridle, no check.

BTG HORSEMANSHIP PRICES AND SERVICES: BTG Horsemanship offers many different services. Here is the complete list and prices. Services range from boarding to lessons, as well as bitting and saddle fitting evaluations. I work primarily from my location at Breezey Acres Farm in Westmoreland, NY, but will also travel up to half an hour to perform services at other barns or private residences. BOARDING: 2 options - Full Care Board with or without lessons. Discounts for multiple ho...Continue reading

Fighting my way through the driving wind and blinding snow, with my eyes squeezed shut against the relentless weather today, I think I understand why some of my co-workers think I am crazy for having such high maintenance animals. Or like this past weekend, when the below zero wind chills froze water on my glove before it could soak in. Horses are definitely high maintenance creatures, who need to be fed and watered multiple times per day, no matter what the weather. This l...ife is definitely not for everyone. It is labor intensive, year round. In the warmer months, the daily care is less, but there are always projects that need to be done. In the winter, the horses need to be fed grain and hay three times a day; ice chopped out of buckets and fresh water added three times a day as well; blankets changed as needed. Today's lunch chores took mom and I 2 hours to complete. For people who can't or don't want to put this much effort into enjoying their horses, there are boarding facilities. I started out boarding my own horses out, but could never go back to that. When I boarded, every time I saw my horses, it was to impose my will on them. Whether to ride; hold for the vet or farrier; or just to groom, every interaction was on my terms. Once I had my horses at my own place, our relationship changed and deepened. With the horses at my own place, literally in my own backyard, I became so much more a part of their lives. I got to see them laying down to nap; rolling; grooming each other; and playing. I got to know each of my horses on such a deep level. I got to be a part of their world, on their terms. Our relationship evolved. No longer was it about me imposing my will on them. Now, it was about us working together, partners. The communication became two-way, rather than one way. I love to hang out with my horses in their field on warm days, just sitting or laying in the grass, a part of their environment. They can choose whether to interact with me or not. To earn the trust of a flighty prey animal is a magical experience. No, this life is not for everyone. The rewards for all of this hard work are entirely intrinsic. A feeling of pure contentment knowing that it is through my actions that our horses are happy, healthy and well cared for. The joy of that moment of perfect harmony between yourself and this 1200 pound flight animal. Even the muscle aches are worth-while, because your babies are safe, loved, and well cared for. See more

Midwinter Fashion Show. (For the horses.) Beneath each picture is the description of what they are wearing.

Some videos of yesterday's lesson with Lisa Meekins. After a 2 week hiatus as I got over covid, she came back strong. This lesson was a focus on subtle line cue...s. The cone setup is more difficult than it looks. It challenges line handling skills, turning ability, and planning. The turn between the green and purples cones is particularly difficult with a cart. See more

And last but not least - Sprite. I have actually owned Sprite the least amount of time of all the horses, but I have known and loved him for several years. Sprite came from the same rescue I got Pony from. A few years ago, I was asked to work with him to help him become more adoptable. I of course said yes. Sprite was standoffish, skittish, flighty, and prone to kicking. And ridiculously adorable to boot. I also discovered he was very food oriented. Ah ha! Any animal tha...t is motivated by food is trainable. I soon figured out that Sprite was very afraid of being trapped. And, he tended to react to feeling trapped by kicking and then fleeing. In working with him, I rewarded any desired behavior promptly with a treat. I learned to watch Sprite's body language closely, as he would let me know when he began to feel pressured. I would back off what I was asking of him, and we would proceed. I fell in love with Sprite one warm summer day. I was out working with him, and magic occurred. A moment of perfect understanding between the two of us. We were totally in tune with each other. I asked, and Sprite softly responded to everything I requested. We danced. It is perfect moments like that that keeps me doing what I do. Always striving for that moment of perfect partnership with this free spirited creature with a mind of their own. I had to wait to adopt Sprite until we found a farm. We didn't have room at our old place for another horse. So we had a long distance relationship with visits as often as I could make them. I must confess, it warmed my heart every time I went there and Sprite would come right over to see me, no matter how long it was between visits. To have gained the trust of this mistrustful soul is a precious gift. Now, at the rescue, Sprite didn't get along with other male equines. He had to be kept separate from the herd, with just a mare or two for companionship. I expected to have to do the same thing once I brought him home. But nope, Sprite bonded to Pony instantly. The two of them have been practically inseparable since Sprite came home. Sprite has quickly become the pet of the farm. He is nosy, into everything, and can slip under any fence he wants to. Everyone loves him - humans and equines alike. He gets along well with all of the other horses on the property. Sprite has also shown some surprising qualities. He loves kids, and is quite the little ham when children are around. He seems much less skittish than he was. I have high hopes of training him to drive in the future. See more

The last 2 horsey bios are Lily and Sprite. I wasn't sure which of them I should do first. I got both of them just this past July. However, I have known Sprite for several years. So I decided to write both bios on the same day. Lily is an approximately 18 year old Belgian/Quarter Horse cross. She was owned for most of her life by the lady who owned this farm we have moved in to. Lily was one of the discarded products of the PMU industry. Fortunately, she was rescued and fou...nd a home. Lily, and her best bud Lucy, lived most of their lives here on the farm with their human family. When they were planning on selling the farm, they found what they thought was a good home for Lily and Lucy. They went to a *supposed* therapeutic riding facility. However, within a few months the supposedly good home soured. Lily's former owner received word that she was considered dangerous, and they wanted to put her down. They called us and asked us if we would be willing to take Lily in and let her live out her life here. We of course said yes. They paid for Lily to be boarded elsewhere until we were ready for her. And on July 1st, Lily came back home. From the first moment Lily came back here, I saw no sign of the supposedly "dangerous" horse who was so bad she needed to be euthanized. Lily is quite nice, and very well trained. It, of course, took her a few months to learn our routine, and to get to know us. She has been very well behaved, and rides very well. A discussion with my horse vet one day offered some possible answers as to why Lily became dangerous. My horse vet told me about another horse that she knew who ended up boarded at the same place Lily went to. Suddenly one day, that horses' owner was told her horse was dangerous and needed to be put down. She called the horse vet out to examine the horse to see if there was a medical reason for his sudden change in behavior. My vet happened to see the horse's reaction to the owner of the barn coming over to his stall. And it was obvious to her that the horse was expecting to be abused by this person. My horse vet thought that someone had been rough with this horse in his stall, and made him defensive. I'm guessing the same thing happened to Lily, as well. :( Anyways, it all ended well for Lily and for us. We gained a lovely horse, well trained on the ground and in the saddle. She will be used in my lesson program, but also mom and I can ride her. And Lily gets to live out her life on the farm she knows and loves. Lily made friends with all of my horses nearly instantly. She and Sweetie are special friends. See more

Next up for horsey bios are Ember and Sweetie. They came to me together, and I have had them just over 6 years. So I will tell their stories together. Ember and Sweetie both came to me through a friend of a friend. She had owned a boarding facility for many years, and, like most of us rescuer types do, had accumulated quite a few horses that she rescued from various situations. However, she was looking to sell her farm, so wanted to find homes for some of the extra horses....Continue reading