Cari Swanson

Treating Scratches on Your Horse

Wash and dry the area and apply. You can bandage over this as well. The main thing is keeping the area soft and dry.

These amounts are approximate ratios-they do not need to be exact.

1 tube Lotramin (athlete’s foot cream)
1 tube hydrocortisone cream
1 tube triple antibiotic ointment
aloe vera gel ( equal to 1 tube amount above)
contents of 4-5 vitamin A capsules, vitamin D capsules, and Vitamin E capsules

Mix well and store in any type empty jar or plastic container.

Brownie Wins NJ Horse Park Judged Trail Ride

Brownie ridden by Joa Sigsbee wins his first attempt at a judged trail ride at the NJ Horse Park.  He proves his willingness and athletic prowess by successfully maneuvering around many obstacles such as dragging an alligator behind him in the water obstacle, allowing his rider to lasso a steer, playing stick ball with a large excercise ball, walking through a curtain of rope, walking over a tarp and strange piece of material, being flagged from the ground and allowing Joa to mount and dismount in the middle of the course among many other strange and unusual obstacles.  He proved his willingness and kind attitude toward negotiating all of the tasks required, achieving the highest score of all the junior riders.  Check out the alligator water obstacle

Belladora 2nd at Dressage at Devon

Horse Training Tips

Does your horse have perfect ground manners?  Does he listen to you and respond IMMEDIATELY to your request?  Is your horse happy in his work?  Do you cross train him to build up multiple muscle groups?  Does your horse stop on command in any situation?  If not, check out  solutions to common horse training solutions.

“Secretariat” Back in the Press with New Disney Film

Pete Axthelm, who never saw a racetrack he did not wish to attend, glided across the typing turf.

“Secretariat generates a crackling tension and excitement wherever he goes,” Axthelm wrote. “Even in the kind of gray weather that shrouds lesser animals in anonymity, Secretariat’s muscular build identifies him immediately; his glowing reddish coat is a banner of health and rippling power. Magnificent enough at rest … when he accelerates … he produces a breathtaking explosion that leaves novices and hardened horsemen alike convinced that, for one of those moments that seldom occur in any sport, they have witnessed genuine greatness.”

Rex Peterson is the Horse Trainer on “Secretariat” currently filming on location.

Photo by Ken Regan-Camera Five

Lilah Bea and Liam Petersson Visit Windrock Farm

Lilah looks on as RJ performs behind her, brother Liam talks to McCoy, Lilah practices for the Kentucky Derby, their dad,Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick will have to pen a song inspired by their new companions.

Talented Young Director Rupert Sanders

Rex Peterson worked his trick horses at a recent commercial shoot in the desert outside of LA. Copper, Tuff and Tye were camera ready for the hot young British Director, Rupert Sanders, he chose Tye to perform the scene while Copper and Tuff were pick up horses. After every take, Tye would run at liberty into the desert. A seasoned pro, Tye soon learned the drill and performed with very little guidance from Rex. When a Director wants to get the shot, he calls Rex to deliver. Visit Rex Peterson's web site for more information

The view from Tuff’s back, watching the shot set up for Action!

Rex in wardrobe, working with his son Ryan to set up the shot.

Jonathan Groff Rides with the Centaur

A “Taking Woodstock” reunion at Windrock Farm, Jonathan Groff (Michael Lang) and LuAnn Claps, the make-up artist from Taking Woodstock visit for an autumn ride. Jonathan had not been on a horse since the day of shooting him riding RJ in the mud field on the set. LuAnn loved Allez who was a perfect gentleman.

Kent Horse Trials

Brownie with Joa warming up for dressage.

Nate with Lauren warming up for dressage.

“Secretariat” Filming in Lexington, KY

Here is the view from the grandstands at Keenland in Lexington, KY where Disney is filming scenes for “Secretariat”. Dean Semler (“The Cowboy Way”, “Appaloosa”, Dances with Wolves”) set up several cameras on the track to shoot various scenes of the movie. Dean is a master of using several cameras to capture several scenes with one set up. Hundreds of extras showed up to fill the grandstands for the shot of the Belmont win. Several horses portray Secretariat depending on the shot, some are better for the close up shots and others are fast runners. Randy Wallace (“Braveheart”) directs Diane Lane who stars as Penny Tweedy and John Malkovich as the trainer.  Rex Peterson is the Horse Trainer working with Rusty Hendrickson, Horse Wrangler.  Over 30 horses are being used for the film, with several stepping in to portray the uber-athlete Secretariat.