Lazy Oaks

An Essay by a Reluctant Horseman Sometimes They Can Be Complicated. How Complete Is Your Tool Box? Last year I was asked by my friend Amy Dishno Rosser to start... her Arabian colt, Saber. At the time I was overbooked with no time to start a Colt. Starting Colts is easy, doing a good job is not. It requires a lot of work and a lot of time. Amy was persistent so we struck a deal. I would teach her to do everything. I would meet with she and Saber each week, show her what to do, then check her homework the following week. We would tune her work as needed and I would give her the next assignment. When ready, Saber would come to my place and I would throw a leg over him. Saber is Amy’s first colt. She was eager to learn and a fantastic student. I shared my philosophies and showed her how to teach liberty and long line work. I showed her how to introduce the bit for the first time, how to saddle a horse for the first time and advanced her to some classical in-hand work. Each week it was clear she had done her homework and done it well. With all of the boxes checked I confidently told Amy that Saber was ready to ride. He had presented no real problems so I assured her it would go quick and easy. Saber, however, was about to give me another lesson in humility. Within days of arrival I boldly threw my leg over Saber and sat square in the saddle. This little colt immediately became as rigid as a carousel horse. His neck lifted and reversed until I felt I could look down his throat. I sat quiet, he did not relax. After a few moments he began to walk about. I love what Tom Dorrance said, first, I go with the horse. Later, they will come with me. As tense as Saber was, I asked nothing of him. I was merely his passenger. We made several trips around the pen. He never let down. Working with a horse that is saddle broke and reverses the neck can be difficult. Working with a horse that has never been ridden and reverses the neck, can, at times, seem impossible. When the horse reverses the neck it tightens or contracts the top line. This, coupled with the riders weight over the shoulder puts even more downward pressure on already tight muscles. The result can be painful. It certainly does not lend itself to instilling trust and confidence. The horse will quickly learn to associate the rider with pain and tension. Saber not only reversed his neck with a rider, he also refused to bend his neck. The first logical action of the human hand on a horse that reverses the neck is to ask for a bend. In simplest terms, bending the neck breaks the contraction on at least one side of the neck, it lengthens the muscles on the outside of the bend. Most horses, after a few flexions to each side, will begin to lower the neck as the muscles relax and lengthen. Saber was as contracted as a granite statue. Any action of the hand asking for the bend caused him to become light on the front end. He was more willing to flip over backwards than to bend the neck. It was then that Amy reminded me that I had worked with Sabers sire. Owned by someone else, Sabers sire came to me after he had been literally tortured at a show barn in Central California. The trainers told the owner he could not perform and that he was lame. I found nothing lame about him. I just found a mass of contracted muscles that needed to be relaxed, lengthened and organized. I was also reminded of a story about a brother of Sabers. That brother was sent to a trainer for starting under saddle last year. The trainer gave up after saying the horse couldn’t turn and was starting to get light on the front end. He was labeled as a bad horse. With this family history my priority became relaxing and lengthening Sabers neck and back. I needed to remove all contractions. The longer and more relaxed back would lift me in the saddle and help to remove the downward force my weight placed on the shoulders. It would allow Saber to move forward with ease. With the longer neck would come a longer stride and the ability to bend the neck to teach lateral flexibility. Philippe Karl refers to the teaching of the neck extension as Action/Reaction. When the horse lifts the neck the rider lifts the hand higher. The rider avoids any contact of the horses tongue and instead stretches the corners of the mouth. When the horse seeks relief from the contact by lowering its head and pushing down, the rider keeps the contact of the mouth but lightens the pressure teaching the horse that this new position of the neck is much more comfortable. Action/Reaction requires patience, thoughtfulness and an educated hand. It comes slowly and with consistency in the contact. It does not come in one lesson. It is a conversation. The beginning of a language. It must be repeated often and with empathy. When used correctly it delivers relaxation, suppleness and impulsion. As demonstrated in the accompanying photo Saber lengthens his neck when asked. The result is a colt who understands the bit. He seeks it. He is learning that it is his job to find the riders hands and wait for the next request. In the coming months Amy, benefiting from a more relaxed colt, will be bending the neck to increase lateral suppleness. She will also progressively lift Sabers head and neck to a more normal riding position. The lifting of the neck, without tension will be progressive and lead to true collection and eventually to Ramener or the perfect combination of head height and poll flexion. We now have a young horse that is prepared to learn. A horse that does not fear the rider or human hand. And a horse that has a solid foundation. Should Saber have problems in his future training he will always have this solid foundation to come back to. As always these essays are not about me or my abilities. They are about a profound love of horses and the pursuit of a true education in Horsemanship. To those that have taken the time to read this to the end my sincerest gratitude. Feel free to share if you like. I will included a few more photos in the comments to show Saber with various head heights. Illustration by Philippe Karl, a must read is his Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage.

Recognizing some hard work and success! Shelley and her horse Wiseguy have been students for quite some time now. She is an endurance rider, he an Arabian. When... I first began to work with them, Wiseguy, a former dressage prospect, carried himself hyperflexed. His neck was damaged and contorted from his previous training. He tried to protect his mouth from the human hand by biting and hanging on to the bit. His mouth was always gapped. With his neck and mouth as described it was impossible for Wiseguy to have long relaxed gaits. He refused contact either by overflexing into rollkur or going above the hand and reversing the neck. Shelley has worked hard. She has taught Wiseguy to accept a consistent soft contact. The previous damage to his neck is seldom seen. With this newfound contact she can begin to teach flexibility then move to the sideway movements. Wiseguy is more relaxed. His gaits are much improved and Shelley has found her seat as a rider. Shelley has stuck to the program and worked hard. It hasn’t been easy and it has been frustrating at times. She frequently is able to relate to me what is occurring biomechanically in her rides and make the changes according to what is best for her horse. Her hard work is to be commended.

Great clinic happening in March!

With a deep sense of gratitude and a heavy heart we are announcing that Lazy Oaks Ranch is moving. Lazy Oaks was born of my desire but it was you, my teachers,... colleagues, students and amazing horses who built this business. When I was content starting colts and helping problem horses, it wasn’t enough for you. You pushed me to become a teacher. When I began teaching, you weren’t content with simple lessons you insisted on clinics. You pushed a simple guy who enjoyed starting colts to audition for a prestigious French Classical Dressage School. Veterinarians/Chiropractors not only pushed me to go back to school for Anatomy and Biomechanics but made it possible. These same professionals then risked their reputations by recommending me to their clients. This year alone, in addition to our regular lessons and horses you brought over six hundred new horses and riders to us. Clearly, Lazy Oaks Ranch exsits only because of you. There is no way for me to repay you for the life you have given me. I can’t find the words to express the deep appreciation and gratitude I feel for all of you. I’m constantly humbled by your kindness, love and support. Karen and I have talked about leaving California for a number of years now. Truth be told, California left us a long time ago. This past summer while climbing a mountain in Montana we paused to admire the view of the Bitterroot Valley. I took this photo as Karen was commenting on our need to find our next place. She expressed her fear that if we did not make a change soon it would never come. She then added that the Bitterroot Valley checked a lot of our boxes. And so it happened. We put our trust in God and without knowing a single person and with out jobs or clients we purchased a small ranch in the valley. Twenty acres with water to grow all of our own hay. An old home, clearly loved but in need of work. And views of two spectacular mountain ranges. I will be slowly wrapping up the work still to be done here. We hope to make the move by the end of April. Construction of the barn, to include an indoor riding arena is planned to start by the end of the month. I’ve had a couple of people tell me I’m crazy to leave a thriving business. The business has provided us with a good living but it is you that has made me rich. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t concerned about starting over but you have done your job well. You have gifted me with experience, an education and the practical skills to do it again. I am forever thankful.

Recognizing hard work and success. Lisa Forte is a former dressage rider. Having trained with some very popular modern dressage teachers she had a much diffe...rent background from me. When I met Lisa and her horse Woody, it was clear to see Woody had problems. Lisa had rescued this BLM Mustang from an abusive home. He looked crippled in the front. He refused to extend a front leg and his nose was always on the ground. If I stood in front of him and asked him to lift his neck it took all my strength. On his back his head felt like I was trying to land a 500 pound grouper. Worse yet he constantly tried to bite me. In short, Woody was pissed! Lisa set about making changes. It was never easy but the more she understood what Woody was offering the more answers she had. Lisa has pushed herself to understand theory and biomechanics. She has been patient and consistent and the proof is in the pictures. During a recent lesson Lisa had Woody in a very relaxed long trot. I called out, did any of your former dressage horses feel like that when they were collected? The answer was a resounding HELL NO! I asked how is it different now? She answered, there is no weight in my hands and I’m floating! I agree with Lisa, Hell no to pulling, kicking, sawing, squeezing and angry horses. Wishing these two years of happy riding. #thehorsedeservesbetter, #Hellno, #Imfloating

Recognizing some hard work. When I first met Joanne Turenne Huttenhoff and her horse Allie it was plain to see Joanne had some work to do. Allie, a very opinio...nated Arabian mare had been first started in a hackamore. Now many a fine horse has been started this way but it takes a very skilled hand and a good working knowledge of how the hackamore works. Even still, the hackamore has its limitations. Allie was hyper-flexed. She broke at the 7th vertebrae putting her heavy on the front end. With the bottom of the neck contracted her stride was short and she refused to move out, often bucking a bit in a struggle for control. She was not happy and never had a problem expressing it. With time and patience Joanne taught Allie to take the contact of the bit and lengthen her neck. When the contact was consistent and the neck no longer hyper-flexed Joanne began the process of lifting the shoulders and rounding the neck correctly. In short, Allie is now collected correctly. She is beginning to move like a bridal horse and is not far from carrying one. Most importantly Allie is relaxed and happy. During today’s lesson I could not help but be proud of their progress.

An Essay by a Reluctant Horseman His name was Dude, but he was also called Duder, The Dude, His Dudeness and El Duderino. He was my teacher and I spent nearly t...wenty years as his student. If you ride a horse I started, have enjoyed a lesson, clinic or lecture with me then you have this horse to thank. There were over 500 of you last year alone and Dude was present every time. I was not born to be a Horseman. I was an avid Southern California surfer who fell in love with a girl who wanted a horse. So when we were married we purchased a small ranch in Murrieta and we had horses. Happy wife, happy life as they say. Slowly, my trips to the beach were less frequent and my time in the saddle was more. There are a couple of sayings I am fond of. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. And, it is the teachers job to teach but it is the students job to learn. It was almost twenty years ago that Dude arrived as a green broke five year old. I wasn’t looking for a teacher and I certainly wasn’t looking to be a student. I’d had horses before. I could saddle and ride, which in the horse world pretty much qualifies me for trainer status. But after a few months it was apparent that I did not have the skills to help Dude. Note that I said help Dude. I was still very much in denial. Besides having only a few months under saddle, Dude was incredibly sensitive. He was spooky, unbelievably flighty, had no confidence and no coping skills. Karen and I began to reach out for help, friends, aquaintences and professionals alike. What I heard time and again is that he didn’t respect me. I needed to be firm. I needed this bit, this tiedown, this draw rein, this fill in the blank and I needed to have a heavy hand to help him understand. I began to hate riding and most people associated with it. I had an extensive library, the Dorrance brothers, Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman even some of the French classics but no one I met taught like the authors. What became painfully clear is that many people are successful with horses, very few are good with them. I had all but given up when Karen surprised me by sending Dude to Kit West. I wasn’t in on the plan and I wasn’t excited when Karen told me Kit would be giving me riding lessons. Hell, like I explained, I was practically a trainer. I sheepishly went to Kits for my lesson. After the first hour I was ashamed, excited, curious, and wanted more. When Kit handled Dude he was instantly at ease. He was quiet, soft and confident. This is what I wanted and I couldn’t get enough. I learned to read Dude. I learned feel and timing. I learned patience and empathy. Most importantly I learned humility. Dudes issues were not Dudes. They were mine. The more I owned them the more Dude could do. I had experienced the real thing and Dude thrived. All future training had to put the horse first. In the coming years there would be clinics and lectures, visits with trainers and as much Vaquero work as I could find. Hackamore, two rein, and bridal work became my passion. Dude thrived as long as I listened. In later years when I was working on my teaching credentials Dude had already laid the groundwork. He’d taught me to remain patient and focused on my students. He taught me to repeat things as often as needed. He taught me to ask often, accept little and reward much. He remained the teacher even as I was teaching other horses. Once I was struggling with lead changes on a warm blood. I saddled Dude and did a couple to try to figure out what was missing. It was almost like he understood what I was searching for. He slowed his change down to the bare minimum speed so I could feel the shoulders lift and shift. It was exactly what was missing with the other horse. As recently as a couple of weeks ago while teaching a clinic a young woman brought a horse in that was exactly like a young Dude. I took him and after a few minutes he was quiet and relaxed. When people asked how it was possible, I explained I just treated him the way I would want to be treated (the way Dude wanted to be treated). When taking college classes in anatomy and bio-mechanics Dude had prepared me. While studying I could feel his body moving undernearth me, strong and deliberate. Everything made sense. Later in his life Dude became that horse. The horse we literally put grandma on. The horse visitors sat. The horse who gave child after child rides during family gatherings. I’m not a terribly emotional man but my eyes have not been dry all day. I feel alone now. I don’t believe someone should call themself a Horseman or Horsewoman. I believe it is a title you earn after proving yourself worthy and competent. Dude and I started that journey together but now he is gone. I feel a bit vulnerable without my best teacher. It has been said that every horse deserves to be loved by a little girl. I’m afraid I could not give that to Dude. I loved him as best as I knew how. I listened. And I truly worked hard at being the best student that I could be. I hope that was enough........

Something to think about

Classical equitation from the Ecole de Légèreté (School of Lightness) is enriching the lives of horses and their riders. There are only four venues in the Unit...ed States offering the experience to ride and audit with Master Instructor, Bertrand Ravoux. The next opportunity to attend will be spring of 2020. Visit www.legerete-usa.com for upcoming dates and further information. I hope you enjoy this short video. Please feel free to share, like and comment to help get the word out about this fantastic event.

Clinic time with Craig Patterson! Please share!

Ecole de Légèreté fall clinics in the US are approaching fast. Check your calendars and save the dates. Bertrand Ravoux, master instructor, only teaches in th...e US three times a year. California - Oct. 15-18, 2019 Contact: Kit West, 951-698-5958 [email protected] Pennsylvania - Oct 20-23, 2019 Contact: Brenda Lantz, 717-360-2688, [email protected] Idaho - Oct. 10-13, 2019 Contact: Linda Kaye Hollingsworth-Jones, 208-365-2939 [email protected] Wisconsin - Oct 5-8, 2019 Rick or Kari Schmitt, 651-283-0326 or 715-377-3047 [email protected]

She is coming along.....

Thank You Anne York for sharing these photos from last weeks Trainers Symposium in Fallbrook Ca. My plan when asked to participate was to take my stallion, Her...mano. Three weeks prior he injured himself playing in his paddock. Feeling desperate and needing someone to show I pulled this six rear old Lusitano out of his paddock and we began his education. Houlihan was started here on the ranch as a four year old. I put a few rides on him but he has essentially been standing untouched since. With only three weeks until the symposium our focus was on relaxation and contact. This was Houlihan’s first trip to town and he handled it like a champ. Many of those that visited with me marveled at how well he did with so little time under saddle. What I wanted them to understand is that anyone with a real education in horses could do what I did. The hands that guided Houlihan were the hands of my best teachers. The words I shared were from the same. We ride horses, not methods. Understanding and working with, not against their nature is the key to success. I share this quote often, You can never rely on a horse that is trained by fear. There will always be something he fears more than you. But when he trusts you, he will ask you what to do when he is afraid. Houlihan proves this to be true yet again.

Karen Patterson joined me with her camera at the beautiful 5M Ranch in Murrieta this week. I started this young Lusitano gelding for Tiffany Nelson McDaniel a l...ittle over a year ago. He is hot blooded and opinionated, qualities that I love. In the photos you see I am beginning to ask him for a bit of collection. Collection starts in the shoulders. Valiente is beginning to lift and extend the neck from the shoulders while maintaining a very soft light contact with the bit. The other photos clearly show Valiente extending his neck after collection. The extension, or lengthening, of the neck after collection is a necessary part of a complete education. To ask a horse to always maintain collection is not only cruel but it works against his nature. What does not bend or maintain flexibility will someday break. He’s taking to his lessons well. Equally rewarding was watching Tiffany on her colt yesterday. I watched as she collected and extended him changing his balance as needed. He remained attentive and relaxed. What else could I ask for?

For those inquiring about purchasing a shirt here is the link. There are several styles available. Check out the site. Just got most of it up on the website! Order at:

When I started teaching Horsemanship I created Lazy Oaks Ranch so I could remain a bit anonymous. Much of what I teach comes from Horsemen who lived centuries ...ago. I’m merely the messenger. I never want the message to be about me. It’s about the horse. Recently the talented Anne York contacted me and asked for permission to use my image. While I am a bit shy about it, She really understands the message. Because there has been some interest I’m sharing. Anne is making these available on her web page uridelikeagirl.com. She has some unisex and ladies shirts. Please contact her if you are interested. Thank You Anne for sharing the message.