It’s windy and cold and he thinks he knows how to do this because he learned some things yesterday. Stevie is a people pleaser and very generous. He gives me his all when I just want 5% of his effort but that’s a Thoroughbred for you! He’s ready to go from the start and I …
This is Stevis Man’s third hack at Leighton Farm. I sent him with Z, my most dependable citizen to show Stevie around. Z was born here so nothing worries him at Leighton Farm. Annoy, yes, frighten, no. I had someone to video today so this is the third ride not the first but they were …
1/10/2023 – Our Sixth Ride – This is the first time I do not prep him with lunge at the walk before riding him. I work the poles on the ground to present a small challenge that I believe he can handle. Applying a little pressure and seeing how he handles it will prep …
Stevis Man retired sound and healthy from an impressive flat racing career in October 2022. He made $437,208, making 74 starts and winning 26 races, finishing second in 8 and third in 8 races. You can find his racing record here. He retired sound, happy and healthy. Stevie, as he is now being called, began …
My horse Z has been jumping for years. He’s got a wonderful flatwork foundation that makes him very rideable and confident. But Z is a true skeptic about everything. He’s open to reason, but he begins with being skeptical of the latest human plans for him. Probably a good way for a horse to survive …
There is always a reason for a horse’s behavior, but finding it, that’s another matter. We’ve all seen the horse that won’t load on the trailer. People surrounding him, trying to make him go on. Sometimes more come to help get him on. They may give him some time to mull it over and go …
Wally hasn’t lunged for about one month. I’ve been hacking him out around the farm with and without company. I feel at this point that is what he should be doing. However, it’s difficult to video that and I needed something for his page to show his movement and how he’s doing. In addition, I …
You can’t see it in this video, but a car drives up and parks nearby just as our training session begins. People get out. The timing is unfortunate because we’ve just begun. Crush immediately reacts by trotting off with a tight back. He loses all focus on me. A major goal in his training is …
Epigrammatist came to us Saturday, April 30. He had travelled from Maine to Fair Hill, Maryland and then to Leighton Farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland within the past couple days. “Crush’s” last race was at PARX on September 15, 2021. He had retired from racing shortly after that and was let down and turned out …
It is okay to have dreams and goals with your horse, in fact it’s a good thing. However, you’ve got to be willing to get down to brass tacks and do the work that gives the horse the ability to perform as you wish. For one person, this might mean accepting that he doesn’t actually know …