Cari Swanson

When you have a problem with your horse(s), who are you going to call?

The film industry—aka Hollywood—is the home of the great, and sometimes not so great, story tellers of our times. Every day on the set represents a lot of money spent in an effort to capture some movie magic.

For that reason, working with animals on films is a risky, tricky, and increasingly high stakes business. Directors and producers don’t need to mess around with animals who can’t do their job. They have too much at stake. Rex Peterson has become the gold standard when it comes to horses in film. When Julia Roberts was portrayed galloping through the woods away from one of her weddings in “Runaway Bride,” she rode one of Rex’s horses (that is actually Julia on the horse). See Cari’s blog for many other examples of Rex’s film work, including of course the filming of “Hidalgo” with our own RJ, the star horse of that film.

Have you ever had a problem with your horse that you didn’t know how to handle? If you’ve ever had a horse we know the answer to that question and we are here with many new solutions—most of which are in fact very old and are passed down from generations that preceded ours.

This week and weekend in Massachusetts you will have the opportunity to meet the legendary Rex Peterson in the flesh at the Equine Affaire. Not only that, Swanson Peterson Productions is releasing a new series of training videos available on DVD. More details on that this week.

We look forward to seeing you at the Equine Affaire.

Jim Breitinger is an Arizona-based writer.

RJ Masterbug Yearling Filly For Sale

Outstanding yearling filly available for sale by RJ Masterbug, super temperament combined with her fathers athletic ability make this a terrific prospect for any discipline.  Contact cari@cariswanson if you are interested in owning this lovely filly.

Lessons at Windrock Farm

I have been taking dressage lessons with Cari on and off over several years. Although I ride on my own and with trainers in other disciplines, I love to come back to Cari on a regular basis to take advantage of her keen eye, insightful critique, creative exercises, and diverse group of well-trained horses.

Cari always quickly finds the minor (and sometimes major!) irregularities in my body and posture that I was forgetting. She is very clear in pointing out how those problems are affecting the movement of the horse. She is rigorous and demanding, but maintains a sense of humor, making lessons invigorating and fun.

Cari has an amazingly broad repertoire of exercises and metaphors to draw upon, and I find she can always find a fresh way to explain what I am doing right and wrong. Sometimes it is that fresh explanation that makes all the difference in learning! Because of her own experience under a variety of instructors and in several disciplines, Cari has many different methods of teaching to draw upon. Lessons are never repetitive and dull. I can count on Cari to pull out a new and interesting challenge just when I need it!

The diversity of horses available for lessons is also helpful to me. Riding a horse with different movement and different “buttons” from my own horse is guaranteed to help me be more balanced, precise and deliberate as a rider. I value being able to learn from her schoolmasters, who are, after all, great teachers themselves.

-Ona Kiser
Sharon, CT

RJ in new film by Ang Lee “Taking Woodstock”

Ang Lee discussing the scene with RJ in his new movie “Taking Woodstock”.  The film is being shot on location in New York at several different farms around Albany.  RJ is in the final scene of the film after the concert is over.  The organizer Michael Lang, portrayed by Jonathan Groff, gallops off after surveying the damage to Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel New York.

RJ was a pro, hitting his mark for every take.  He had incredible patience with everyone on set, clowning around in between shots.  The character of Elliot is played by Demitri Martin, a natural comedian who played very well against RJ.  A very long day, but in the end a successful day on set.

The Disney film “Hidalgo” (2004)

Thousands of fans still gush over the film Hidalgo. Released over 4 years ago, it is hard to believe that this film has captured the hearts of many horse lovers around the world and is still present in their minds.  Here RJ is being tuned up by his trainer Rex Peterson.

For those of you in the dark, “Hidalgo” featured Viggo Mortensen, who shared screen time with a cast of 5 USA Paint (APHA) Horses, in a turn of the century adventure story, based roughly on the true story of Frank Hopkins.

Dust and tears of the classic epic Westerns like Lonesome Dove combined with the action of Lord of the Rings and the familiar faces of Hollywood stars Viggo and Omar Sharif (Dr. Zhivago). The less known stars are the five four legged horses trained by Rex Peterson who each portray the title named Mustang -Hidalgo. RH Tecondender who went home with Viggo after shooting, RJ Masterbug who left with Rex and is now residing at my farm, Ima Stage Mount Two-Oscar who lives with the Director, Impressivelybetter and Honky Tonkin Tuff.

The story line was artfully crafted by John Fusco, (Young Guns, and Spirit).  The action sequences were filmed in Morocco, California, and Montana tells the story of a Western Horse and rider who are challenged to race the bedouin endurance riders in a traditional race across the desert on their Arabians.  Of course there are many dramatic turns as the underdog Hopkins on his horse Hidalgo race to the finish and win against all odds.

RJ and I travel around the country meeting his fans and hear many stories of how he touched their souls.  The passion and enthusiasm around him allows for the possibility of a sequel.  I know RJ is up for another film.

Peter Stone Introduces RJ Masterbug Model

Cari with Peter Stone from Stone Horses with the likeness of RJ Masterbug. A limited edition of these beautiful models were made and can be purchased from stonehorses.com. RJ was on the friday morning TV program in Columbus, Ohio. He is at the Equine Affaire to meet his fans. Many people have come to visit RJ and his fans are gushing over how beautiful he is. The building is packed with his fans when he comes out to meet and greet the audience. Sign up for the newsletter on the home page of cariswanson.com for updates on where RJ will be over the next few months.

RJ Masterbug meets his fans in Columbus Ohio

Peter Stone of Stone horses created a limited edition of RJ Masterbug. RJ is right next to the booth where you can buy one of the limited editions of this model. RJ is meeting and greeting his fans at the Ohio Equine Affaire over the weekend. It is amazing how many people are in love with this special horse.

To purchase your very own RJ Masterbug Stone horse, contact www.stonehorses.com

RJ Masterbug hoofprint t-shirts

http://www.cafepress.com/rj_hidalgo

Go to Cafepress to purchase RJ t-shirts

Breed to RJ Masterbug for Exceptional Athletic and Intelligent Horses

RJ Masterbug’s breeding is Versatile… His sire VR MASTER BUG – RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION, Superior Halter Horse, Congress Champion, APHA Champion, World & Reserve World Champion Sire, Honor Roll Halter & Honor Roll Performance Sire.

VR Master Bug has his R.O.M. In Western Pleasure, and also has Reining Points
His sire side includes MR ROBIN BOY Superior in Halter, H.U.S, Barrrel Racing, Heading, Healing, Reining, Steer Stopping, Western Pleasure and R.O.M in Calf Roping, PAINTED ROBIN JR, Superior Halter R O M Western Pleasure.
Sky Bug Bingo ROM’s in Hunter Under Saddle, Barrel Racing, Cutting, Racing, Reining, Western Pleasure, & Superior in Halter, MR RED BAR R O M ‘s in Hunter Under Saddle, Reining, Trail, & Superior’s in Halter, and Western Pleasure.

RJ Masterbug’s Dam Pretty Side Up Has SUPERIOR HALTER WITH 162 Halter points

11 TIMES GRAND CHAMPIOM

13 TIMES RESERVE CHAMPION

TWO TIMES TEXAS STATE CHAMPION HALTER MARE

SHE IS A CONGRESS CHAMPION PRODUCER .

DAMS SIRE Sonny Side Up is a Superior Halter horse with points in HUNTER AND PLEASURE.

contact cari@cariswanson.com for booking information

Understanding Your Horses Back

Did you know that horses have around 56 vertebrae which form a supporting framework for the neck, back and tail? There are 7 cervical (neck), 18 thoracic (withers and saddle region), 6 lumbar (loin region), 5 sacral (croup region) and about 20 caudal (tail region) vertebrae. The degree of movement varies greatly in different regions.

Consider the degree of range of motion in flexion and extension of the following joints;

90 degrees the atlantaoccipital joint which is between the skull and the first cervical vertebrae

15-35 degrees in the remaining cervical vertabrae

10 degrees in the first interthoracic joint, just in front of the withers

1 degee in joint at withers

3-4 degrees in joints under the saddle

30 degrees of motion in lumbosacral joint, between the last lumbar vertebra and the fused sacral vertebrae

This image demonstrates RJ/Hidalgo rounding his back, activating his abdominal muscles as he extends his back extends. Studies prove that the movements between the vertabrae are created by the forces of locomotion and are controlled by the horse’s back muscles. Thus, the back muscles do not cause the spine to round and hollow, the forces of locomotion do. The back muscles control the amount of rounding and flexing.

These findings are fascinating, allowing us to better understand our horses ability to move while training. You can find more information from Hilary Clayton at her web site www.cvm.msu.edu/dressage