THE HORSE GAZETTE
training
a horse, of course
nine secrets to perfect horsemanship
By Don Blazer, © 2009
There are nine secrets
The secrets must
he was going to buck and buck would teach and he would learn.
to perfect horsemanship.
be accepted and applied. The
hard. I began a gentling process to
The secrets are not
secrets can only be validated in
I was correct. He gain the horse’s trust, and then
new; in fact they are ancient
practice.
bucked very hard and he his acceptance of any and all
history.
The nine secrets in
dumped me three times the my actions. Within a matter of
Knowing the secrets
synergy with the six elements
first day. He dumped me the days, we were both different.
focuses the mind on the
of training can solve any
second day and he nearly I did not seek to control the
connections between horse and
training or riding problem.
buried me the third day. horse, but instead sought to
rider.
And you already possess all
My pain and partner with the horse. I did not
When the secrets
you need to enjoy the success
suffering was the direct result seek his approval, but instead
are revealed, the superior
of perfect horsemanship.
of my creative power bringing took a leadership position of
horseman listens with an open
Unique feeding program,
The first secret is
about my mind’s focus. My teaching by both confrontation
combining organic natural foods
mind. Lesser horsemen close
to know and understand your
mind’s focus was being for incorrect actions and praise
and herbs to help horses achieve
their minds and ignore the
creative potential, which is an
directed by my ego. for correct responses.
maximum health and recover
secrets because they are afraid
infinite intelligence, unlimited
Ego seeks two A few days later I
from diseases
to accept responsibility for
and inexhaustible.
things: the approval of others knew I could ride him, and I
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themselves.
Your creative
and control of all things. The did. It was not a matter of great
When gimmicks,
potential is within you as it is
ego is based in fear…the training, or positive thinking. It
Equine Nutritionist, Herbalist and Ancient Healing Art using
tricks, special equipment, and
within all, and it can never be
fear that you will be “looked was matter of knowing. It was
the latest fashionable phrases
a matter of creative potential
Acupuncture Points and Energy Balancing.
taken way.
down upon” or that you will
are offered, lesser horsemen
Allow your creative
not be able to “enforce your at work. It was a matter of
are quick to embrace them.
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potential to direct your actions
will”. Ego makes you angry, eliminating ego.
Fast cures and “miracles” are
The first secret
Seeing is Believing!
and nothing is impossible. If
defensive and critical because
dismissed with good humor by
you can conceive it, you can
you are afraid you will not be of perfect horsemanship is
superior horsemen.
achieve it.
accepted or praised. mastered when you accept
Your creative
You need neither the existence of your creative
potential manifests whatever
acceptance nor praise, because potential. When you accept it,
you desire even if you are
you belong. You are no you also accept responsibility
unaware of your focus.
more important, nor any less for yourself.
Nothing is by chance,
important than anyone else or With the acceptance
nothing is random; everything
thing in this universe. Accept of your creative potential you
has a purpose and a function, a
that idea and you can eliminate achieve all you conceive.
direction and a goal. And it is
ego! Acceptance of creative
your creative potential which
The pain I was potential means you alone are
brings about all things in your
feeling and the desire not to responsible for yourself; yet
Private and Group Instruction Available
life.
get “planted” again made me you are never alone, but part of
Weekly in Boerne/Fair Oaks area.
Creative potential
begin to think of ways I could all that exists.
does not make judgments.
“re-school” without trying to You create all that
Contact Anne Stone at 830-755-547 or
And unruly
impress others or control the is in your future, second by
second, minute by minute, year
Jackie Kelly at 20-667-7565
undisciplined young stud
horse.
horse was sent to me for “re-
I did not need to by year. How do you know
schooling.” No problem! I
do the “horse trainer” thing; what to create? The answer is
was young and could ride
I needed to do the “thinking” in the second secret.
Clinics Nationwide by Arrangement. anything with a mane and
thing and allow my creative Don Blazer is the
Call or email Mary Rose.
tail. The horse was described
potential to bring about the author of Nine Secrets of
as “broke to ride, but green”.
desired result. Perfect Horsemanship, a book
But upon seeing him blow
It was simple…I he wrote for his granddaughter
and snort as he was unloaded
began a new relationship with who last year won an AQHA
MARY ROSE, FBHS
from the trailer, I knew he was
the horse. I began as if the World Championship in Youth
horse had never been touched; Trail. www.donblazer.com
Cell: 512-589-3796 • Home: 512-894-4536
more than just green. I made a
judgment immediately; I knew
that he and I were equals. I
Website: www.maryrosedressage.com
greener pastures
sally swift: 1913-2009
By Karen L. Brown © 2009
The horse world has
attended clinics with over 300
suffered another great loss
certified instructors.
with the passing of Sally Swift,
Swift wrote two
the originator and worldwide
books detailing the tenets of
teacher of Centered Riding.
Centered Riding. The first
Born on April 20, 1913, Swift
has sold over 800,000 copies
was just 3 weeks shy of her 96
th

in 15 languages. Her second
birthday when she succumbed
book was published in 2002,
to a prolonged bout of pneumo-
when Swift was 89 years old.
It has sold over 100,000 cop-
Left: Degen, a 6 year old German Riding
nia.
ies around the world. Swift
Pony out of imported registered GRPs.
A determined and fo-
Started slowly and gently, with mid 60s in
cused individual, Swift learned
was the recipient of numerous
training level dressage, at his first show. early in life one must choose
achievement awards from the
Recently, he’s shown hunter/jumper poten- mind or over matter. A horse
USDF, the American Riding in-
tial, too. With 4 white socks and a blaze,
lover from the time she could
structor Certification program,
he’s fancy, sweet and smart. He’s green,
walk, Swift was diagnosed
American Horse Publications,
but level headed on trails or when leading
and Pfizer Animal Health.
little brother around (even during feed-
with scoliosis at age 7. She
The success of Cen-
ing time!). With a good mind and athletic
began a life-long battery of
tered Riding lies in the unique
ability, this sweet pony has his permanent
physical therapies, exercises,
USEF pony card at 14.1 1/2 hands. Finish
and mental imaging methods
interpretation of classical rid-
establishes a secure seat.
him in the discipline of your choice. He’s in order to reduce the amount
ing principles through visual-
2. Soft Eyes
perfect for a child or adult. See him & oth- of time in body braces and pre-
izations based on bio-mechan-
– This technique develops
ers at www.rachmonesportponies.com or
vent invasive surgeries and full
ics. The rider is encouraged to
visual and physical awareness,
210 269 8866
body casts designed to manage
develop body awareness, learn
allows for better peripheral
spinal curvature.
grounding techniques, and uti-
vision and improves the sense
It was these very
lize imagery to subconsciously
of feel, whereas as Hard Eyes
techniques combined with
adapt his body to the proper
produces tension and inhibits
horseback riding and teaching
positions for riding different
deep, free breathing.
experiences that gave Swift
maneuvers. Swift’s personal
3. Building
the foundation for her unique
experiences and knowledge
Blocks – Swift helps the rider
riding instruction methods.
derived from her own physical
visualize his body as a series
Though she had to quit riding
challenges contributed greatly
of blocks stacked one on top
during her 50s, Swift taught
to her understanding of imbal-
of another. As the rider aligns
riding throughout her adult
ances and how to correct them.
these blocks, the body achieves
years. After “retiring” from
She combined this knowledge
a natural and fluid balance that
her regular job at age 62, she
with her understanding of
promotes freedom with a deep
began teaching in earnest and
equine anatomy, balance, and
seat and low center of gravity.
formulated the program which
movement. The rewards for
Aids can be applied easily and
Above: Jenny is a 5-year- old
Above: Thee Ringo Star.
became the renowned program
both horse and rider are in-
in time with the horse when the
Arab / POA (unregisterable).
Sire: Thee Asil (Thee
known today as Centered Rid-
creased suppleness, security
Building Blocks are in align-
She’s 13.3 hands. Jenny is a Desperado) x My Shoot-
ing.
in the saddle, lightness of aids,
ment.
gentle, sweet natured mare - ing Star, bred by Arabians
During those early
and clearer communication.
4. Center-
very suitable for children. Kids Ltd. Ringo is a 5-year-old
years, Swift’s teaching ability
Applicable to riders of all ages,
ing – A deep seat from which
ride her and take her on the Bay with 4 white socks and earned a strong word of mouth
it can be especially effective for
a rider is balanced and se-
trails. Tremendous potential
blaze. 15.1 hands. We
reputation. Before long she
anyone with injuries or chronic
cure provides the base for all
for English Pleasure or Hunter
recommend him for endur-
was traveling up and down the
conditions that prevent them
horseback movements. This is
/ Jumper, she’s ready to be
ance. He’s gentle, sweet,
East Coast, giving clinics and
from riding well.
achieved through the process of
finished in discipline of your
yet spirited. This spring he’s
lessons to hundreds of students
Centered Riding
mentally lowering one’s center
choice. Often ridden by young
from every discipline and with
is based on four basic prin-
of gravity, finding the deepest
riders, with trainer’s supervi-
coming along quite nicely
all breeds of horses. By the
ciples. Riders are first taught
true center of one’s being from
sion.
in dressage training with a
young rider under trainer’s
1980’s, Swift was conducting
these principles, mostly on the
which real power, harmony and
Right: JJ is a 3-year-old Gyp-
supervision.
clinics throughout the United
ground, then they will apply
strength are derive.
sy gelding. Should mature to
States, Canada, and Europe.
the principles to each gait and
For more informa-
14.2 hands. Born in England.
Dressage Lessons - 5 yrs. old to Adult At this point in time, Centered
maneuver. The principles are:
tion on Centered Riding prin-
Sire: The Rocking Horse out of
Boarding and Training
Riding, Inc., the non-profit
1. Breathing
ciples, materials and clinics,
SD Gypsy Farms in England.
organization Swift created to
– Belly breathing, utilizing
or to find a certified instructor
Dam - the good mare, Trina.
manage and teach her program,
the diaphragm to its fullest
go to www.centeredriding.org.
1 mile West of Helotes on 1560 between Braun & Bandera Roads
Currently in Dressage train-
and its certified instructors
enhances relaxation, ground-
Swift’s books are also available
ing, but would make a great
(210) 695-2416 or (210) 383-7831
have become well known
ing, and effectively lowers the
for purchase through any book
carriage/driving horse. Very
all over the world with more
center of gravity, which in turn
retailer.
friendly and mischievious.
jmlightning35@hotmail.com
than 40,000 students having
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