So I was doing some work with my mare on the lunge line today.. shebwas not happy, was reactive, and just saying "no". I thought "hmmm... she isn't typically like this during groundwork or lunge line stuff, maybe I should take it off ". ..
Now, part of me was struggling with this because she was being "naughty" (I rarely use that term... but there was a whole lot of "no ma'am " happening today), and if I took it off, was I allowing her to get away with this not-so-great behavior?? Well, I trusted my gut, and took her rope halter and line off. Initially she was just walking around sniffing, only paying attention to me about 10% of the time. I let her sniff then asked her to move forward.
To my very pleasant surprise, my mare did a lovely trot and canter circle around me, even kept it about a perfect 20m circle. She listened to my voice cues, my body language. It was awesome!!!! Maybe she was annoyed i wasnt "trusting" her and today needed to be the day I let her work at liberty!!! It was so lovely!!
I finished our time off by putting her back on the lead line and asking her to trot over some ground poles. This time, she was soft, nice and forward, stretching forward and down. I wanted her to finish on the lunge line in a positive light, and she totally did.
Today was a huge win for us. My mare is definitely showing me that I can trust her and ask her for more than I have realized!
Today’s the Day!
At 2:00 PM ET, Tik Maynard is going live for NF+ Office Hours, and you won’t want to miss this!
💬 Got questions about groundwork, dressage, show jumping, eventing—or anything else? Tik’s got you covered.
🎯 Join live, ask your biggest questions, and walk away with expert advice to take your riding to the next level.
Tik’s helped hundreds of riders achieve breakthroughs—and you could be next!
I’m really enjoying the Dear Horse World episodes. The ones with Josh Nichols, Tik Maynard and Mark Rashid are all so good. So many good nuggets of information. I already feel more connection to my mare just by slowing down and being mindful of every move I make. It’s so amazing. Grateful that we have access to such brilliant minds.
BIG day yesterday for Lady!
Lady got A2M & amniotic fluid injections with Dr Alberto Rulan at Equine Performace Center in Ocala FL yesterday. We injected her lumbar and cervical spine (where we found bone spurs from past trauma). She also got injections in her left eye, where Uveitus has flared up two times since I got her (common in Appaloosa’s). They use an ultrasound to locate the inflammation and then inject the Alpha and Rovolo directly into the inflamed area. This is our physio protocol for the next 3 weeks and then she gets a follow up round. This cost roughly $2500 USD (not cheap). The goal is annual maintenance for 12 months and a if it’s effective, it’s a better alternative to steroids.
20 mins Physio every day;
1\. Raised walk Poles
2\. Crunches
3\. Full lateral Neck stretches
4\. Lots of stretching lateral stretching
Watch the trailer for A Day in the Life of Luciana Diniz. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this sneak peek into her STUNNING facility—it’s what equestrian dreams are made of! From the incredible bond she shares with her horses to her inspiring "Butterfly Method," this is your chance to get up close and personal with a true legend. We can't wait to share this video with our members soon!
A Day in the Life of Lucian...
As there are no big or small wins, here’s mine for the week:
Today, I was getting frustrated while riding my horse. He kept pulling toward the gate and just wouldn’t relax. I was waiting (and waiting) for that moment of calm release, where he’d stop moving his feet and his head would drop—but it wasn’t coming, no matter what I tried or how long I waited. I felt myself getting more and more annoyed. I didn’t have all day to wait for him to settle, and the frustration was building.
But after watching all of Josh's content, I knew––if I couldn’t relax, there was no way my horse would, either. So, as he continued to walk around the ring, I decided to focus on myself. I tried some of Julia’s breathing exercises, and slowly, the fog of frustration started to clear. I stopped fixating on what wasn’t happening and started to just be in (and enjoy!) the moment, even if it wasn’t the ride I originally wanted.
Eventually, my horse found his calm, too. When he did, we ended the ride—both of us no longer frustrated or tense.
What's your win this week?
✨ New Josh Nichol Case Study on NF+ ✨
Meet Noche, a sensitive horse struggling with fear and reactivity, and Caleb, his rider, searching for answers. In this transformative 3-part series, renowned horseman Josh Nichol steps in to guide them through a journey of trust, connection, and empowerment.
Through live demonstrations, Josh shows how to:
Turn pressure into a tool for trust and harmony.
Recognize subtle cues to meet a horse’s emotional needs.
Transform fear-driven reactions into confident, balanced movement.
Watch Noche’s inspiring transformation and discover techniques to create the same breakthroughs with your horse!
Noëlle is officially in Florida and will be filming more bonus episodes of No Stupid Questions on the Dear Horse World podcast!
Do you have questions for: Ansley Bevan, Chelsea Canedy, Dr. Jenny Susser, Mette Larsen, or Missy Clark?
Let us know in the comments below!
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This course is tailor-made for equestrians, with quick, powerful workouts that target the exact muscles riders rely on. Fit it in before a ride, after, or even between barn chores.
What you’ll gain:
✅ A stronger, more balanced seat
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✅ Relaxed, fluid movement with your horse
🏇 Ride better. Feel stronger. Recover quicker. Commit just 15 minutes a day and transform your riding!
Check out Cross Training for Equestrians
Tik Maynard is back for Office Hours on Monday Nov 18th! 🥳 To join us for the live Q&A, hop over to the private channel for NF+ members called "ask_our_instructors" and follow the link to register for the webinar.
Nov 18th will be Tik's next Office Hours after teaching at Equine Affaire 2024 in Massachusetts so it's a great chance to catch up with him and get his insights on your horse. Hope to see you there!