2 days agoHigh expectations are dangerous by Don JessopBig bold statements like this can get me into trouble, but this kind of trouble leads to an important debate I intend to work through with you today. Words have power. We can all agree on that at least. The word “expectation” has the power to destroy your relationships. Let’s…Horses4 min readHorses4 min read
Jan 17What is connection? Don JessopI often ask my students if they feel their horse is connected or disconnected. Depending on their level of experience, specifically, if they are new to horses, they usually get it wrong. Why is that? Well… you know me, I dug in deep. I wanted to know what I have…Horses5 min readHorses5 min read
Jan 10How to deal with sensitive and reactive people by Don JessopALL people are sensitive. Sensitivity is what gives us life, art, music, dance, emotions, empathy, the list goes on. It allows us to dial into the heart. Don’t deny you have those capabilities inside of you and that others do as well. Although it is often hard to see. The…Horses9 min readHorses9 min read
Jan 3This year, more horse time, okay! by Don JessopHorses are obviously important to you. I bet you even have more than one and if you don’t, you’re planning on getting more than one. But last year, looking back, you might realize you didn’t spend the time you’d hoped doing what you love. Why is that? Now I know…Morehorsetime5 min readMorehorsetime5 min read
Dec 27, 2022Are you a Tag-along trail rider? by Don JessopRecently, while discussing next steps with a friend, all about her and her horse, we discovered a simple and exciting model that helps us understand our goals related to trail riding. I never claim to make this stuff up, it often comes with inspiration from my amazing coaching students. …Horses5 min readHorses5 min read
Dec 20, 2022Christmas Poem by Don JessopT’was the night before Christmas and all through the farm, not a creature was stirring, nor causing alarm. The fences were mended and stalls all cleaned well, but something was missing, some kind of old smell. Sure, farms had an odor, some more than others, like down the road, with the…Horses2 min readHorses2 min read
Dec 13, 2022Trick training is wrong, or is it? by Don JessopI’ve gone under fire recently from a few of my colleagues about trick training. I keep hearing and have been hearing for years from certain groups across the horse industry that trick training is bad or wrong. That you shouldn’t do it. Just so we are on the same page…Horses4 min readHorses4 min read
Dec 6, 2022Some horses change you by Don JessopAll horse lovers have a dream of riding off into the sunset or something like that. Most of us had those dreams realized at a young age when mom, or pop, or Uncle Ben’s let us ride for the first time and then, eventually, helps us get our first horse…Horses4 min readHorses4 min read
Nov 29, 2022Old stuff you don’t need any more by Don JessopGrowing up with horses was magical. But… there are a few things we all learned that just don’t apply anymore. I thought it would be nice to sit down and have a fun, short chat about those things with you. Now I certainly know you didn’t get the exact same…Horses7 min readHorses7 min read
Nov 22, 2022Are you a passenger or a leader by Don JessopStand still, Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop Rate your skill in each gait like this… What percentage are you a confident leader in that gait and what percentage are you a passenger, leaning on the training of the horse to keep you safe? Pick a gait… Stand still, Walk, Trot, Canter…Horses3 min readHorses3 min read