Trying to teach Robin to leg yield. To the right, no problem. To the left, not possible. I read my books (Mary Wanless, Sally Swift, everyone!), worked on my position, agonized. I also, in the barn, asked her to sidestep away from my hand on both sides. Click, treat, nicker. She was definitely less Read More
THIS IS WHAT AN EQUESTRIAN LOOKS LIKE
Westminster, Vermont, 1735-2000
July 13, 2012
The Big Book, as it's long been called in Westminster Historical Society circles, is finally in our hands, and it is so beautiful. I feel quite detached from it; it looks like a lot of work to me, and I'm impressed with the author. Strange! I'm very aware of its imperfections, and the number Read More
2 Comments
Chico's Challenge is here at last!
July 10, 2012
It's been a long haul, but CHICO'S CHALLENGE, my middle-grade novel about a young Quarter Horse, is finally out as a paperback and a model and book set. Chico was raised on a suburban ranchette; when he gets a new owner and moves out to the range, he's mystified and frightened by those strange Read More
Bramble and Robin, Maggie and Jessie: Horses Meet Girls
June 29, 2012
When I began BRAMBLE AND MAGGIE, now the first in a three-book series, I was just getting to know my new horse Robin. She most definitely had her "little ways." An unbroken three-year-old, Robin "didn't think poorly of herself," in the words of Cheryl Rivers, who bred her. I was heartbroken at losing Atherton, Read More
So Write About Robin
June 25, 2012
I have finished all my projects, on time, under budget, without going nuts. Now I have no projects. NOW I'm going nuts!
So I'm thinking about a new novel, not wanting to start because I don't know enough yet. But I often used to start a novel knowing only the first sentence, and I Read More
So I'm thinking about a new novel, not wanting to start because I don't know enough yet. But I often used to start a novel knowing only the first sentence, and I Read More
To Claim Your Prize
June 2, 2010
If you responded to Win A Prize (and I Know Molly did!), please send me your mailing address so I can send you your pin. The glitch here is that this blog--set up by the Authors Guild--doesn't show me your email address, so I can't respond to you directly. I'm not Ms. Technology, so Read More
Lick, Don't Bite
May 30, 2010
Robin and I still have our persistent problem of her biting me, or threatening to. I can't decide if it's compulsive--oral Morgan who must be always doing something with her mouth--or if it's something I'm actually training her to do due to my response (but I feel like I have to respond to protect Read More
clicker challenge
January 26, 2010
Okay, here's a challenge for clicker trainers. I've been a bad blogger--look how long it's been. Do I call myself a bad blogger, or do I give myself a tiny treat for getting back into the saddle?
A few excuses; extensive barn renovations, followed by winter, Christmas, more winter...naah, no excuses. Robin is Read More
A few excuses; extensive barn renovations, followed by winter, Christmas, more winter...naah, no excuses. Robin is Read More
First Response
October 21, 2009
Thanks so much for posting a comment, Jane. Fortunately there are a lot of good horse books for your daughter to read, and my pony books have many times been a reluctant reader's gateway into reading.
Send me an email with your address, and I'll send your daughter a homemade Horse Crazy! pin just Read More
Send me an email with your address, and I'll send your daughter a homemade Horse Crazy! pin just Read More
Win A Prize
October 18, 2009
The first three people to post comments on this blog will receive hand-made and autographed Horse Crazy! pins. Why? It's a training exercise. I'm trying to train myself to blog more frequently, plus I want a good reason to play with glue and scissors. I need feedback and reinforcement, and I want to hear Read More