Cari Swanson

Stop the Horse from Wringing his Tail

At a recent clinic, Rex Peterson introduced this Ancora to a Grand Prix dressage horse who wrings his tail in piaffe and passage.

This simple device known as the Ancora, will help your horse stop wringing his tail, thus putting all his energy into his work.  The bells on the bottom also teach him to not be afraid of anything behind him.  You must ride your horse with this for a minimum of 10 days so that he learns that every time he lifts his tail it cannot go anywhere, eventually he will not even try to swing it.  Trick ropers ride their trick horses in this for the first 2 years of training so that the ropes never get caught under the tails.  Horses trained for the movies all learn to ride with this as part of their desensitizing routine.

Horse Training to an Extreme

Check out this new Youtube video of Rex Peterson working Tuff at Liberty

Teaching a horse to trust and work this well takes hours and hours of patience.

Tuff Performs at Quarterfest

We just returned from a successful weekend in Nashville, TN where the AQHA hosted the first of many Quarterfest Events honoring the Quarter Horse from many aspects of the horse world.  Reining, roping, mounted shooters, trail classes and amazing performances each evening kept us all busy each day.  Tuff  (from the films Flicka, Van Helsing, Appaloosa) and Cache (Viggo’s mount in Appaloosa) performed each evening in a liberty act , amazing the audience with a display of control of each horse with Rex using only body movements and the whips to guide his horses.

Count Every Stride

You have heard it from many trainers-ride every stride.  This will eventually become automatic when you train yourself to count your strides.  One of my greatest teachers, Tony Mason, taught me to count the length and width of the arena.  He was adament about knowing the size of your arena and how to carve out space to work in when it was crowded with many horses.  I imagine he learned this years ago when he was trained by his Master in Europe, when riders had to navigate among dozens of horses in small arenas.  There was etiquette about how to pass one another and when to change direction.

If you learn to count the strides in your circles, you will eventually learn how to ride a perfect circle.  This is not as easy as you might expect.  I start all my students whether children or adults learning to count and it pays off quickly as they progress up the levels.

This image is of Ashley Cox riding Classy, winning the dressage test at Kent Horse Trials.  If you are interested in lessons or have any questions, contact cari@cariswanson.com.

Cowboys and Indians-Happy Trails April 2009

DIED: Hightower,26. One of the most famous and talented trick horses ever to grace the silver screen, Hightower appeared in dozens of films during his long career, most notably as Pilgrim in Robert Redford’s The Horse Whisperer (1998). He was the steed of choice for actress Julia Roberts, who bonded with him during the filming of The Runaway Bride (1999) and famously insisted that the charismatic quarter horse be shipped back from his California corral to an East Coast location for post-production re-shoots. Owned and trained by Hollywood Horse Trainer, Rex Peterson, Hightower also appeared in Winter People (1989) opposite Kurt Russell and Kelly McGillis, in Simpatico (1999) with Jeff Bridges and Nick Nolte, and in writer-director Caroline Thompson’s 1994 adaptation of Black Beauty. “Hightower had a heart as big as the great outdoors”, said veteran trainer and USDF Silver Medalist Cari Swanson, “and he will be remembered as one of the most intelligent and noble equine actors of our day.” In Tehachapi, California, October 30.

American Quarter Horse Tuff, from the film “Appaloosa”

This is Tuff, owned and trained by Rex Peterson.  Tuff is one of Justin’s sons (Justin played Black Beauty), who was featured as Jeremy Irons horse in Ed Harris’ film Appaloosa.   Come meet Tuff at the AQHA Quarterfest in May, where you can help celebrate the American Quarter Horse.

May 1-3, 2009
Tennessee Miller Coliseum
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Westfield Whips

Westfield Whips have been designed with impeccable craftsmanship for over a century.  With perfect balance, action and flexibility, these whips never feel heavy in your hand.  All Westfield, whips are built on cores made to precise specifications to guarantee that they replicate the feel and performance standards of the original whalebone and rawhide whips which have never been surpassed in quality and feel.

“For me, the Westfield whips are the finest available in the world today.”-Bruce Davidson

Bruce is one of the finest and most accomplished equestrians of our time.  He is a two time Three-Day Event World Champion and a five-time Olympic veteran, holding two team gold and two team silver medals.  He is a two time World Champion, has won the Rolex Kentucky Three Day a record six times and is one of only two Americans to have won the Badminton Horse Trials.  He has been the US Combined Training Assoc.  “Rider of the Year” a record fourteen times.

“In my industry where every detail matters, I count on the handling precision of a Westfield whip to deliver a perfect performance.”-Rex Peterson

Rex has trained horses for film for over four decades, creating some of the most complex and exciting horse action sequences every filmed.  His credits include dozens of films including Black Beauty, Dreamer, Hidalgo, Runaway Bride, The Horse Whisperer and The Patriot.  His concern for the well being of horses has earned him the praise of humane organizations and animal advocates.

Westfield whips are well balanced, light in weight and of the highest quality.  I love these whips and so do my customers.”  –Olaf Nyby

Olaf Nyby of Norway is one of Europe’s top driving instructor and horse trainers.  His expertise includes pleasure and commercial driving and international competition in pairs; four-in-hand combined training and driving dressage disciplines.

The Westfield whip-dressage, straight lash (6 foot), Lunge line, and jumper bat are available at swansonpetersonproductions.com

Here Ryan uses his Tufflex Stock Whip (6 foot), and Diamond Weave Pro Lunge Whip from  Westfield  to cue Doc to perform many tricks and movements.The whips are an extention of his hands to guide his horse, who must never be afraid of the whips.

Never Try This-Ryan Walking Through His Horses Hind Legs

The son of Rex Peterson learned a few things from his Dad, he can train a horse to do almost anything, including letting him walk through his horses legs.  This horse came to him as a Bronc, no cowboy in California could ride him, after 15 days he was gentle to ride.

To learn how to train your horse to be obedient and well schooled contact Swanson Peterson Productions to purchase a set of DVD’s to learn these training methods.

Ryan Peterson at Equine Affaire in Pomona,Ca

Ryan Peterson working his yellow horse in preparation for a demonstration with his father Rex in Pomona, California, thursday January 29th at 12:15 in the outdoor arena.  They will work with Doc, Ryan’s Palomino and Mr. T, one of Rex’s famous trick horses who has starred in many films including “Dreamer” and “Temple Grandin.”  This is an event not to missed as the father son team show us how to work these very talented Hollywood Horses.

Beechnut, Equine Actor from City Slickers (1981-2008)

Beechnut, the beloved horse of Billy Crystal died at the age of 27.  “Beechnut was in many ways my best friend, he was incredibly human in his instincts.” says Billy.

Billy bought Beechnut after he met him on the set of “City Slickers”.  Many may remember when Billy rode Beechnut on stage while hosting the 1991 Oscars.