Cari Swanson

Patience is Golden Rule

Patience is critical when working with horses. There is no place for temper. Horses are incredibly generous animals who usually want to please. They are herd animals, seeking the alpha leader. I am reminded of this each day as I work with this special stallion, RJ, the star of the Hollywood film Hidalgo (2004). He teaches me important lessons as we learn from each other. Moving from the desert of Southern California to Dutchess County New York has been an adjustment. He is not familiar with crossing muddy streams on trails or galloping through the countryside where we often meet hawks and deer. Although he is curious, these critters are not as strange as the camels he worked with on the set of the film in Morroco. I teach him some basic dressage movements and he is reminding me of sliding stops. Communication is easy if we remain clear in our request and patient in understanding what is desired.

Arista Trunk Show

Invitation Only Trunk Show

Cari Swanson invites you to
an exclusive opportunity to shop

Arista Equestrian
2007 Spring Collection
(Cool Plus, Show Shirts, Vests, Breeches, etc.)

Saturday, May 5th 1-4pm

Windrock Farm
724 Bangall Amenia Road
Amenia, NY 12501

Please RSVP promptly.
Limited to the first 15 replies.
845-868-1931
cari@cariswanson.com

Equine Star of Hidalgo

Come meet the Hollywood Star of Hidalgo on May 5 at Windrock Farm in Millbrook New York. Limited tickets available so if you are interested in seeing RJ perform some of his tricks contact cari@cariswanson.com.

All proceeds will benefit the Horse Rescue, Rehab and Retirement Foundation.

The Star of Hidalgo–“RJ”

RJ, the main star of Hidalgo, has arrived at Windrock Farm. He is an amazing horse in that he is highly trick trained and super intelligent. Working with him every day is a challenge and an honor as he teaches me many things each session. This horse never takes his eye off you and loves to work.

There will be several opportunities to meet him at the farm, check out the web site for dates and time www.cariswanson.com

Improve your Leg Position

In a recent lesson, I was focused on bringing attention to my students leg postion or lack thereof. I video taped the ride so that we could discuss what was going on and this was her response; “You really do keep a good humor, no matter how painful the picture! I read a few parts of the book and looked at parts of my video. I definitely can see the gripping in the trot – it looks like my knees become a sort of pivot point – the knees don’t move, but everything else does! I understand about not gripping, but when the horse takes that first stride, my legs get a life of their own and grab on! The book had an interesting bit about becoming aware of the trot as a side-to-side movement, not just an up-and-down movement – that is, each side of your pelvis has to rise and drop independently as the horse’s body tips slightly side to side, and if you just think of it as up-and-down, you end up bracing against it and bouncing. I’ll pay attention to that next time I ride, and see if it makes sense. Her discussion of using the stomach muscles to pull the pelvis up was interesting, too, because she points out that the other thing those same muscles can do is pull the chest down and upper body forward, which you have to deliberately counter by lifting the chin and chest (sitting tall, as she says). Makes sense”.

I recommend a wonderful book called Anatomy of Dressage
by Heinrich and Volker Schusdziarra. This book will help you feel your body and determine where the tension is. Riding is a lifelong adventure, exciting and frustrating at times. Keep on learning and experimenting and you will find the moment of harmony that is the utmost reward.

Chickens at Windrock Farm

Winter is coming to an end with longer and warmer days. Our hens are starting to lay eggs again which is a sure sign of a new season. Here are Alex and Jillian,feeding the girls their favorite pasta and lettuce and checking to see if they have enough water.

Birthday Party at Windrock Farm

Mini Hop helps Jillian celebrate her 7th birthday at Windrock Farm. Many of her friends and classmates from Brearly ventured to Windrock Farm to ride Moneypenny and Reba, feed the chickens, climb mountains of snow, eat yummy food, decorate cookies and pin the tail on Mini Hop. Here Mini is surrounded by his admirers hoping for a carrot or a piece of apple. Happy Birthday Jilli!!!!!

Icelandic Sheepdogs in the Snow

Cupid and Bond Discuss Life

To Know means to be silent, utterly silent
so you can hear the still, small voice within
To Know means to drop the mind.
When you are absolutely still, unmoving,
nothing wavers in you,
the doors open.
You are part of this mysterious existence.
You know it by becoming part of it,
by becoming a participant in it.
That is knowing.

Only the Nose Knows

Can you guess who this is?