"You must in all Airs follow the strength, spirit and disposition of the horse, and do nothing against nature; for art is but to set nature in order, and nothing else." – William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle

Symposium

“We are really proud of the progress you have made with the red mare.” The words echo in the empty aisle. My trainers are proud of me. I stand next to the red mare as I have…
Cupcake Girls

My younger sister and I stand behind a row of cupcakes at a snack table. We spent the whole morning decorating the cupcakes. They look good. Some are pink, some are blue, the frosting is a little…
Sink

I have an ear infection. My head pounds while I slowly go through changing turnout. The chains rattle loudly while I unhook the gate. I halter a young gelding and start to trudge back towards the barn.…
Banshees

I stand in the wash stall with my small black mare. I run the water while I wait for it to warm up. The moisture changes the bricks from a dull red to a shiny bright color.…
Go

“Kiba-Dachi, yellow belt.” I stand in horse stance. I have been called to the front of the class before we do chart. This is unusual. Sensei pulls out a roll of orange electrical tape. He cuts a…
Floating

A student had trailered-in his bay gelding for a lesson. I could see them down in the outdoor, trotting around. They are a beautiful pair. I am hurrying up. I want to watch his lesson. His horse…
Shi

“Everyone do a pushup on the count!” We all drop to the carpet. I go on my knees. I have been getting better at doing pushups on my knees. I can at least do them now. I…
Placard

“We are in the outdoor today.” My heart sinks. Peppa has been better but she is still unreliable and sometimes bolts. The railroad ties make for a pretty border but poor fence. “Can we go in the…
School Horse

I’ve been taking care of the farm for six days by myself while my trainers are on vacation. They are gone for two weeks, so I have a way to go yet. Today isn’t much different. I…
San

I like watching the black belts. Good form is beautiful in the same way a good horse with an arched neck is beautiful. Tonight we are doing bag work instead of kata after chart. It looks easy.…