From farm life to horse wisdom, creative projects to heartfelt reflections–this is where stories are shared, memories are kept, and inspiration grows.
Merry Christmas from the Barn
Merry Christmas from all of us at the barn! Vaquero, Pedro, and Annie-Sue helped celebrate the season—with wreaths, a few snorts, and some antler resistance from Derek and Ody.
Water Bucket Contest
So it’s cold out tonight and I’ve tucked everybody in—and closed the outside doors too. These two water buckets were filled with HOT water at 9 PM, and we’ll see if either one doesn’t freeze overnight...
Tribute to Apple Field
Apple Field, the kindest mare I know (and I’ve met many mares over the years), has joined Lucky in the heavens... Thank you to everyone who loved and learned from this amazing soul. She was the heartbeat of Moose Ridge Farm and a true gift to our community.
Drop Noseband? No Thanks — Fashion Over Force
I don’t believe in drop nosebands—so Dolina turned one into a fashionable belt instead!
Bitless & Barefoot: A Better Way for Our Horses
This IS wonderful!! Good food for thought about riding horses bitless AND shoeless! Vaquero’s new Linda Tellington-Jones bridle, Pedro’s rope halter, and 20 years of barefoot success — even Radu’s titanium shoes now make great decorations 😄.
Rediscovering Mark Rashid: Timeless Lessons in Gentle Horse Training
I rediscovered a trainer that I admire and am so thankful to find him again. I read another book by Mark Rashid about 19 years ago that I have in my barn library...
Annie-Sue at the Strawberry Festival
Annie-Sue was an angel at the annual Strawberry Festival! Big thanks to India, her family, Justin, Julie, and Dolina for keeping our little madame in line. Can’t wait for next year’s celebration!
Annie-Sue: Our Anniversary Sue-Prize!
Annie-Sue was my surprise anniversary gift — a tiny, fuzzy 5-month-old mini with a big whinny and an even bigger heart. From pulling sleds and carts to bonding with Dolina and healing from laminitis, she’s brought endless joy to our farm life.
Head Lowering with Vaquero
Teaching Vaquero—a tall, 16-hand horse—to lower his head on cue has been a game-changer. From fly masks to forehead kisses, head lowering is practical, calming, and a beautiful way to build trust through clicker training.
Meet Vaquero!
We have a new friend—Vaquero! This 17-year-old buckskin has a kind heart, a playful spirit, and a big love for clicker training.
Vaquero Soaks His Hooves
Meet Vaquero, my new 17-year-old lesson horse with a big personality and a few quirks. While treating his hooves for white line disease, I introduced him to clicker training—starting with a diaper as a target! Smart, silly, and food-motivated, he's already proving to be a fast learner and a fun new project.
Lady and the Water Bottle
When Lady, a wise and kind-hearted older mare, arrived at MRF, she brought healing with her gentle presence. Through patient groundwork, trust-building walks, and sensitive lunge line lessons, we began a journey of quiet connection—one step at a time.
My Journey Into Clicker Training With Horses (and a Lab Puppy Too)
My journey with clicker training began in 2000 with a chocolate Lab puppy and soon expanded to horses—starting with a sassy young Paint named Wet Paint. What began as a fun experiment became a powerful tool that transformed my training methods, deepened my connection with my horses, and reshaped how I teach.