Topaz learned to trailer. While we waited for some pics of Topaz and Caspar, his surrogate mum, we thought we would share some images of life at La Mancha with Topaz (he left yesterday). Since he had to travel, Manolo and Chantelle worked with him to make going up into the trailer and
While Topaz was here at La Mancha, the whole team got involved in feeding every 2 hours and making sure he did not get depressed. He played, moved, investigated and received some good scratches. Thank you Jenny for letting us share Topaz will all the people who care for him. Here is a
It begun like this: DEC 31, 2013. URGENT: NURSE MARE NEEDED FOR FIVE DAYS OLD COLT. We need a nurse mare for Topaz, Clint’s new baby. Tragically, our very dear friend Jenny has just lost her beloved mare to complications and little Topaz is now an orphan. Everyone is pitching in
This year is the Year of the Horse and we have decided to do something a little different to celebrate the next twelve months by putting a spotlight on education. But first, a little riding levity! First, starting in January, we will be sharing a dozen articles on Manolo’s websi
If a horse’s tail gets caught between his hind legs he is not using his body properly. If the tail lays flat and listless these are clues that energy, messages and feedback from the brain to the body and back may not be traveling up and down his spine properly. If the tail is cl
Another view of the horse’s anatomy which should prompt us to check our tack carefully and think about how we use our hands and interact with the horse’s face when we discipline or reward him. This image was loaned to us by Professor of Veterinary Anatomy and Veterinarian,
“Balance and collection cannot be hurried, forced or taken. Both comes from within the horse. They are born not just from developing the horse’s body, his straightness, strength and suppleness but from tending to his mind and heart and carefully cultivating his desire to w
In the two images above, Manolo is schooling and preparing for pirouette work. The first image is a medium trot and the second a step of pirouette. “Some schools define the half halt as a hold and release with or without a stopping of the back or hands for a couple of seconds or
