RicelandMeadows

July 20, 2026

The weather is summery. Some days are hot. some muggy, but all are filled with daylight. We have been enjoying the longer days. I have, among other things, been working with our young geldings, Murtagh and Jamie.

In the photo above, Murtagh waits patiently for me to give him the command to start out. We are working on “whoa” and the patience to stand. These are two of the most important things for a workhorse to know. He is excelling in his lessons and I could not be prouder.

Jamie too is learning well. He is a year younger, so his training is going much slower by design. He too is working on whoa and standing, but also learning to trust and bond with me. These horses both trust me and I continue to build on that trust. Murtagh relaxes quickly when something is new or scary to him, because he knows that I am there. I humbly respect his trust in me.

Jaime wears a version of harness that is light, yet a bit confining. His harness is called a “biting rig.” This harness teaches him to wear one and get used to the feel of straps around his body. It teaches him to walk and turn his body when turning instead of just turning his head. He cannot reach the ground to eat while in harness. I am constantly with him giving commands and talking to him.

Sometimes he isn’t happy. He wants to be in charge, but the harness prevents him from doing what he wants to do. He learns quickly that I am there and I am “boss.” I am not cruel. I am just changing his attitude. He does good he gets a reward of a pat or kind words. After a little while, the harness comes off and all pressure is released.

The lessons are kept short and daily. He is responding very well to all of it. I like to see him “get it.” His eyes soften. His body relaxes and he leans into me for a word of praise or a welcomed pat on his neck or body. He too will make a good workhorse.

These horses are in training and will very soon be valuable assets to the farm

You see, I want horses that work, but its more than that. I want willing partners who want to help me. They do because I ask them to. They work out of love, trust and bonding, not because they fear me or anything else!

That is exactly what a good partnership should be!